Canadian hallmarking

Jewelry Discussion
1

Does anyone know the Canadian hallmarking laws regarding jewelry
items made of 999 fine silver?

Can the quality mark <999 fine> be applied without a registered
maker’s hallmark?

thanks
Bill

2

Hi Bill, In order to make a claim about what quality of metal is in a
jewelry item in Canada there must also be a registered maker’s mark
applied to the piece. Doug Frey www.dfrey.com

3

Bill, At least according to a 1998 article on the subject in AJM,
Canadian laws do require a registered trademark. From the Canadian
Precious Metals Marking Act, Chapter P-19:

(3) Where a quality mark is applied to a precious metal article in
accordance with this section, a mark that is a registered trademark
within the meaning of the Trademarks Act, or in respect of which an
application for registration that is acceptable to the Minister has
been filed in accordance with that Act, shall be applied to the
article in a manner authorized by the regulations.

Like the U.S. law, probably more often honored in the breach than
the observance, but that’s the law.

Suzanne
Suzanne Wade
writer/editor
Suzanne@rswade.net
http://www.rswade.net
Phone: (508) 339-7366
Fax: (928) 563-8255

4

Hi bill,

    Does anyone know the Canadian hallmarking laws regarding
jewelry items made of 999 fine silver? Can the quality mark <999
fine> be applied without a registered maker's hallmark?

There is a site you can look at regarding hallmarking at
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/cp01003e.html

My understanding is that it is not compulsory to put any mark on the
items, but if you do put a quality mark on it, you have to have a
trademark stamp on it as well. When you put a quality mark on it you
are making a claim, and they want to know who to contact if that
claim is not quite true (ie: undercarating).

If you don’t mark it, you may run into people who are doubtful about
what it is made of, or you have to convince each person who buys it,
that it is really silver :slight_smile:

The article also states that to stamp it with silver or sterling
silver, it has to be at least 92.5% silver. Fine silver is definitely
over that percentage.

The site also has an email address for the competition bureau who
might have the definitive interpretation.

Hope that helps
Brigid Ryder

5 
    Does anyone know the Canadian hallmarking laws regarding
jewelry items made of 999 fine silver? Can the quality mark <999
fine> be applied without a registered maker's hallmark?

Hi, Bill, Yes, Canada has has regulations about hallmarking; it’s
called the Percious Metals Marking Act. For very dry reading visit:

www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/cp01001e.html

But to sum up:

You are not required to mark any precious metal, but if you do, you
have to be prepared to back it up.

If you do mark your work it must be Canada’s registered hallmark or
your registered mark; I don’t know how to go about getting that
done.

As far as I know, this also applies to imported jewellery.

Hoping it’s warmer there than here,
Laurie

6

Bill

If you quality mark the item it must be accompanied by a registered
trademark. If you choose not to quality mark it, then you do not have
to apply the registered trademark. I checked the government website,
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/cp01001e.html but it makes no reference
fine silver, only sterling. You may have to call them to get a
specific answer.

I am in the process of applying for a Canadian trademark to use in
marking my work. It is a long, slow process. My first letter to them
was in April 2002. I am probably about half way through the process
now. My application is currently being advertised in the Trade Marks
Journal. If there are no public objections, then it will likely be
approved. It cost $150CDN to get it this far. Once it is approved,
there is a further fee of $200. to register it.

Regards
Milt Fischbein
Calgary Canada