Rising hallmarking figures showed no sign of abating in September, as the latest results compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office showed an overall rise of 18.2% across all precious metals, compared with September last year. The standout performer was, as has become the norm this year, gold, with 9ct rising 100,644 items to 360,533 in total – a 38.7% rise. Interestingly, 22ct showed the second largest rise – 38.4% – and overall, gold showed an increase of 34%.
There were more modest rises in other metals, with silver showing a 5.2% rise (most of which was powered by a 5.1% rise in 925, which finished on 433,847 articles), and platinum rising 1.3%. Palladium stayed stationary overall, with exactly the same number of items being hallmarked in total as September last year (7,882).
Read more....
