Annex I Definitions and Technical Requirements

1.1.Precious metals

Precious metals are platinum, gold, palladium and silver. Platinum is the most precious metal followed by gold, palladium and silver.

1.2.Precious metal alloy

A precious metal alloy is a solid solution containing at least one precious metal.

1.3.Precious metal article

A precious metal article is any item of jewellery, goldsmith's, silversmith's or watchmaker's ware or any other object made entirely or in part from precious metals or their alloys. ‘In part’ means that a precious metal article may contain

i.

non-metallic parts;

ii.

base metal parts for technical reasons and/or decoration (see paragraph 1.5 below).

1.4.Mixed precious metal article

A mixed precious metal article is an article consisting of two or more precious metal alloys.

1.5.Multimetal article

A multimetal article is composed of parts of precious metal and parts of non-precious metal.

1.6.Fineness

The fineness is the content of the named precious metal measured in terms of parts per thousand by weight of alloy.

1.7.Standard of fineness

The standard of fineness is the minimum content of the named precious metals measured in terms of parts per thousand by weight of alloy.

1.8.Coating / plating

Coating or plating is one or more layers of a material, permitted by the Standing Committee, applied to all, or part, of a precious metal article e.g. by a chemical, electrochemical, mechanical or physical process.

1.9.Base metals

Base metals are all metals except platinum, gold, palladium, and silver.

1.10.Assay

An assay is a quantitative analysis of a precious metal alloy by a method defined in paragraph 3.2 of Annex II.

1.11.Other definitions and further details

The Standing Committee may decide on other definitions as well as further details.

2.1. Articles not covered by the Convention

a)

Articles made of alloys of a fineness not defined by the Standing Committee;

b)

Any article which is intended to be used for medical, dental, veterinary, scientific or technical purpose;

c)

Coins which are legal tender;

d)

Parts or incomplete semi-manufactures (e.g. metal parts or surface layer);

e)

Raw materials such as bars, plates, wire and tubes;

f)

Base metal articles coated with precious metal;

g)

Any other object decided by the Standing Committee.

2.2. Standards of fineness applied under the Convention

2.3. Tolerance

2.4. Use of solder

2.4.1.

The principles are:

a)

Solder may be used only for joining purposes.

b)

The standard of fineness of the solder shall be the same as the standard of fineness of the article.

c)

If a solder of a lower standard of fineness is used, the whole article must be to a permitted standard of fineness.

2.4.2.

Practical exceptions from these principles and other methods of joining are defined by the Standing Committee.

2.5. Use of base metal parts and non-metallic parts in precious metal articles

2.5.1.

Base metal parts and non-metallic parts are permitted in precious metal articles as a mechanical function for which precious metals are unsuitable either for strength or durability, subject to the following conditions:

a)

When visible, base metal parts and non-metallic parts shall be clearly distinguishable by colour from the precious metal.

b)

They shall be neither coated nor treated to give the appearance of a precious metal.

c)

They shall not be used for the purpose of strengthening, weighting or filling.

d)

Where practical, base metal parts shall be marked ‘METAL’.

2.5.2.

The Standing Committee may decide on further details or exceptions on base metal parts as well as non-metallic parts and substances.

2.6. Multimetal Articles

2.6.1.

It is permitted to use base metal parts and non-metallic parts in precious metal articles for decoration, subject to the following conditions:

a)

Base metal parts and non-metallic parts shall be clearly visible by their extent.

b)

They shall be distinguishable by colour from the precious metal (i.e. they shall be neither coated nor treated to give the appearance of a precious metal).

c)

Base metal parts shall be marked ‘METAL’.

2.6.2.

The Standing Committee may decide on further details or exceptions.

2.7. Coating of precious metal articles