Precious Metals Marking Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1303)

Short Title

1 These Regulations may be cited as the Precious Metals Marking Regulations.

Interpretation

2 In these Regulations, Act means the Precious Metals Marking Act.

Exemption from Application of the Act

3 Every article sold to a dealer who is outside Canada is exempt from the application of the Act.

Parts Exempt from Assay

4 The parts of an article that are exempt from assay for the purposes of the Act and these Regulations are

• (a) any mechanism, movement or works, where the article consists of a case or cover containing or incorporating the mechanism, movement or works;

• (b) brooch pins, brooch joints and brooch catches on

  • (i) gold or silver insignia pins, or

  • (ii) any article to which a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1, 2 or 4 of the table to section 7 may be applied;

• (c) where the article is an article to which a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the tables to sections 6, 8 and 9 or in Column I of item 1, 2 or 4 of the table to section 7 may be applied, the following parts thereof:

  • (i) springs, winding bars, sleeves, crown cores, joint pins, screws, rivets, dust bands, movement rings and spring pins,

  • (ii) hat pin stems and sockets,

  • (iii) scarf pin, stick pin and collar tack clutchbacks,

  • (iv) bracelet tongues,

  • (v) locket bezels,

  • (vi) knife skeletons and blades,

  • (vii) lapel button backs and the posts to which they are attached,

  • (viii) earring setting posts, and

  • (ix) tubes and posts for attachment to drilled stones together with any attached collet or claw setting; and

• (d) where the article is a spectacle frame to which a quality mark specified in the table to section 10 may be applied, the following parts thereof:

  • (i) pad posts,

  • (ii) cores and inner winding of comfort cable temples,

  • (iii) any part permanently encased in a non-metallic covering, and

  • (iv) hinge assemblies.

Marks

• 5 (1) Subject to subsections 10(1), 11(6) and 12(1), a quality mark may be applied to a precious metal article by any method.

• (2) Where a quality mark is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on a precious metal article, a trademark that is applied to that article pursuant to subsection 4(3) of the Act shall be applied by the same method as the quality mark.

• (3) Where only part of an article is composed of a precious metal plating of a quality specified in section 7, 8 or 9 and a quality mark is applied to the article, the name of the part to which the quality mark is applicable shall be applied immediately before or after the mark.

• (4) Where a statement of the thickness of the precious metal is expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometres”, or the symbol, “vm” the word “micron”, or the symbol “v” may be substituted therefor.

Articles other than Plated Articles

• 6 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to an article, other than a plated article, or part thereof, that

  • (a) is composed wholly or partly of a precious metal specified in Column II of that item; and

  • (b) meets the requirements specified in Column III of that item.

• (2) Where only part of an article, other than a plated article, is composed wholly or partly of a precious metal and the quality mark is applied to the article, the name of the part to which the quality mark is applicable shall be applied immediately before or after the mark.

• (3) Where a quality mark for gold is used, the word “gold”, “or”, the letter “G” or the abbreviation “Au” may be applied to the article in conjunction with the quality mark.

• (4) Where the quality of gold in an article is represented

  • (a) in karats, the number shown in conjunction with that representation shall be in the same proportion to the number 24 as the quality of the gold in the article is to pure gold; or

  • (b) in decimals, the number used shall be in the same proportion to the number 1 as the quality of the gold in the article is to pure gold.

    	Column I	Column II	Column III
    	Quality Mark	Precious Metal	Minimum Quality or Quantity of Precious Metal
    1	The quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals. Karats may be shown as “karat”, “carat”, “Karat”, “Carat”, “Kt.”, “Ct.”, “K” or “C”	Gold	9 karats
    2	“silver”, “sterling”, “sterling silver”, “argent”, “argent sterling” or any abbreviation for any of the foregoing or the quality of the silver shown in decimals	Silver	925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
    3	“platinum”, “plat.” or “platine”	Platinum or an alloy of platinum and iridium or ruthenium	95 per cent or more of the metallic content of the article or part
    4	“palladium” or “pall.”	Palladium	95 per cent or more of the metallic content of the article or part
    5	“palladium” or “pall.”	An alloy of palladium and platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, or gold	The quantity of palladium and of the alloy must be at least 90 per cent and 95 per cent respectively of the metallic content of the article or part

Plated Articles other than Watch Cases, Spectacle Frames, Flatware and Hollow Ware

• 7 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to a plated article, other than a watch case, spectacle frame, or an article of flatware or hollow ware that

  • (a) is plated with the precious metal of a kind and quality specified in Column II of that item; and

  • (b) meets the requirements specified in Columns III and IV of that item.

• (2) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to this section is applied to an article,

  • (a) a fraction showing the ratio of the weight of the gold in the article to the gross weight of the article, and

  • (b) a statement of the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals

  may be applied immediately preceding the quality mark.

• (3) All numerals and characters expressing fractions or statements of quality authorized to be applied to an article by subsection (2) shall be of equal size and not larger than the quality mark referred to in subsection (1).

• (4) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 3, 5 or 6 of the table to this section is applied to an article plated with gold or silver to a thickness of at least one micrometre, a statement of the thickness of the gold or silver expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometre”, or the symbol “vm” therefor, may be applied to the article in conjunction with the quality mark.

• (5) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 of the table to this section is applied to an article, a fraction, in which all numerals are of equal size and not larger than the quality mark, showing the ratio of the weight of silver in the article to the gross weight of the article may be applied immediately preceding the quality mark.

  	Column I	Column II	Column III	Column IV
  	Quality Mark	Minimum Quality and Kind of Precious Metal Used for Plating	Minimum Quality or Quantity of Precious Metal in the Article	Method of Plating Used
  1	“gold filled”, “G.F.” or “doublé d’or”	Sheet of gold of 10 karats	Gold in plating 1/20, or such larger fraction as may be represented, of the gross weight of the entire article multiplied by (a) the quality of the gold in the plating, where represented in karats or decimals; or (b) 0.416 where no representation in karats or decimals is made	Soldering or sweating
  2	“rolled gold plate”, “R.G.P.” or “plaqué d’or laminé”	Sheet of gold of 10 karats		Soldering or sweating
  3	“gold electroplate”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “electroplaqué d’or” or “or plaqué”	Gold of 10 karats
  4	“silver filled”, “S.F.” or “doublé d’argent”	Sheet of silver of 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver	Silver in plating 1/10, or such larger fraction as may be represented, of the gross weight of the entire article multiplied by 0.925	Soldering or sweating
  5	“silver electroplate”, “silver plate”, “silver plated”, “electroplaqué d’argent”, “plaqué d’argent” or any abbreviation for any of the foregoing	Silver of 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
  6	“vermeil” or “vermil”	Gold of 10 karats	exclusive of plating, 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver

Watch Cases other than Bracelet Watch Cases

• 8 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to a watch case, other than a bracelet watch case, if

  • (a) gold that is at least 10 karats in quality or silver that is at least 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver is plated to the entire outer surface of the watch case or of the specified components thereof, as the case may be, to a thickness that is at least that shown in Column II of that item;

  • (b) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table

    • (i) two sheets of gold are soldered or brazed to the outer and inner surfaces of the hunting case front, if any, the back and caps, and

    • (ii) one sheet of gold is soldered or brazed to the outer surface of the centre, open-face or hunting bezel, pendant, crown and bow; and

  • (c) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 3 of the table

    • (i) two sheets of silver are soldered or brazed to the outer and inner surfaces of the hunting case front, if any, the back and caps, and

    • (ii) one sheet of silver is soldered or brazed to the outer surface of the centre, open-face or hunting bezel, pendant, crown and bow.

• (2) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 or 5 of the table to this section is applied to a watch case plated with gold or silver respectively to a thickness of at least five micrometres, a statement of the thickness of the gold or silver expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometres”, or the symbol “vm” therefor, may be applied to the watch case in conjunction with the quality mark.

  	Column I	Column II
  Item	Quality Mark	Thickness of the Gold or Silver
  1	“Gold filled”, “G.F.” or “doublé d’or” together with the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals in characters of the same size as those employed in the quality mark	75 micrometres on the outer surface of the hunting case front (if any), back, centre, open-face bezel (if any), pendant, crown and bow and 25 micrometres on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel (if any).
  2	“rolled gold plate,” “R.G.P.” or “plaqué d’or laminé” together with the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals in characters of the same size as those employed in the quality mark	35 micrometres on the outer surface of the hunting case front (if any), back, centre, open-face bezel (if any), pendant, crown and bow and 25 micrometres on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel (if any).
  3	“silver filled”, “S.F.”, “doublé d’argent”	75 micrometres on the outer surface of the hunting case front (if any), besel (if any), pendant, crown and bow and 25 micrometres on the outer surface of the caps and hunting bezel (if any).
  4	“gold electroplate”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “electro-plaqué d’or” or “or plaqué”	5 micrometres on the outer surface of the watch case.
  5	“silver electro-plate”, “silver plate” “silver plated”, “electro-plaqué d’argent”, “plaqué d’argent” or any of the foregoing	5 micrometres on the outer surface of the watch case.

Bracelet Watch Cases

• 9 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to a bracelet watch case if

  • (a) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table, a sheet of gold that is at least 10 karats in quality is soldered or brazed,

  • (b) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 3 of the table, a sheet of silver that is at least 925 parts by weight per 1,000 parts pure silver in quality is soldered or brazed,

  • (c) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 of the table, gold that is at least 10 karats in quality is plated by any means, or

  • (d) in respect of a quality mark specified in Column I of item 5 of the table, silver that is at least 925 parts by weight per 1,000 parts pure silver in quality is plated by any means

  to at least the thickness specified in Column II of that item to the entire outer surface of the bezel, the centre, if any, the lugs and the back of the watch case.

• (2) Where only

  • (a) the bezel, centre and lugs, or

  • (b) the bezel

  of a bracelet watch case are plated as described in subsection (1), a quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to the case if it is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted in the location and accompanied by the words specified in Column III or IV of that item, whichever is applicable.

• (3) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 or 5 of the table to this section is applied to a bracelet watch case plated with gold or silver respectively to a thickness of at least five micrometres, a statement of the thickness of the gold or silver expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometres”, or the symbol “vm” therefor, may be applied to the watch case in conjunction with the quality mark.

  	Column I	Column II	Column III	Column IV
  Item	Quality Mark	Minimum Thickness of Gold or Silver	Location of mark and words to accompany it where the plated components are: bezel, centre (if any) and lugs only	Bezel only
  1	“gold filled”, “G.F.” or “doublé d’or” together with the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals in characters of the same size as those employed in the quality mark	75 micrometres	On the outer surface of the bezel and centre with the words “base metal back” or “fond en métal commun” or the name of the base metal and the word “back” or “fond” on the outer surface of the back of the case, or on the outer or inner surface of the back together with the words “base metal back” or “fond en métal commun” or the name of the base metal and the word “back” or “fond”	On the outer surface of the bezel with the words “base metal” or “métal commun” or the name of the base metal on the outer surface of the back of the case, or on the outer or inner surface of the back together with the words “bezel” or “biseau” and “base metal” or “métal commun” or the name of the base metal
  2	“rolled gold plate”, “R.G.P.” or “plaqué d’or laminé ” together with the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals in characters of the same size as those employed in the quality mark	35 micrometres	Idem	Idem
  3	“silver filled”, “S.F.”, “doublé d’argent”	75 micrometres	Idem	Idem
  4	“gold electro-plate”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “electroplaqué d’or”, or “or plaqué”	5 micrometres	Idem	Idem
  5	“Silver electro-plate”, “silver plate”, “silver plated”, “electro-plaqué d’argent”, “plaqué d’argent” or any abbreviation for any of the foregoing	5 micrometres	Idem	Idem

Spectacle Frames

• 10 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to a spectacle frame that

  • (a) is plated with gold of at least 10 karats in quality, and

  • (b) meets the requirements specified in Columns II and III of that item

  by stamping, branding, engraving or imprinting it on the frame front and at least one temple of the frame.

• (2) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to this section is applied to a spectacle frame,

  • (a) a fraction showing the ratio of the weight of the gold in the frame to the gross weight of the frame, and

  • (b) a statement of the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals

  may be applied immediately preceding the quality mark.

• (3) All numerals and characters expressing fractions or statements of quality authorized to be applied to an article by subsection (2) shall be of equal size and not larger than the quality mark referred to in subsection (1).

• (4) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 3 of the table to this section is applied to a spectacle frame plated with gold to a thickness of at least one micrometre, a statement of the thickness of the gold expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometre”, or the symbol “vm” therefor, may be applied to the frame in conjunction with the quality mark.

  	Column I	Column II	Column III
  	Quality Mark	Quantity Precious Metal in the Article	Method of Plating
  1	“gold filled”, “G.F.” or “doublé d’or”	Gold in plating 1/20, or such larger fraction as may be represented, of the gross weight of the entire article multiplied by (a)  the quality of the gold, where represented in karats or decimals; or (b)  0.416 where no representation in karats or decimals is made.	Sheet of gold soldered or sweated
  2	“rolled plate”, “R.P.”, “rolled gold plate”, “R.G.P.”, “placage laminé” or “plaqué d’or laminé”	Gold in plating less than 1/20, or such smaller fraction as may be represented, of the gross weight of the entire article multiplied by (a)  the quality of the gold, where represented in karats or decimals; or (b)  0.416 where no representation in karats or decimals is made.	Sheet of gold soldered or sweated
  3	“gilt”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “doré” or “or plaqué”		Any means

Plated Flatware

• 11 (1) A quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to this section may be applied to an article of flatware that is plated with silver that is at least 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver.

• (2) A quality mark specified in Column I of items 3 to 7 of the table to this section may be applied to an article of flatware that has applied to it silver

  • (a) that is at least 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver;

  • (b) as primary plating to a thickness equal to that of the primary plating on a teaspoon that is of the same pattern as such article, if the amount of silver used to uniformly plate a gross of such teaspoons is that prescribed in Column II of the table for that mark; and

  • (c) as an overlay at the point of greatest wear, where applicable, to a thickness equal to that of the primary plating and in an amount at least as great as that prescribed in Column III of the table for that mark.

• (3) A quality mark specified in Column I of item 3 of the table to section 7 may be applied to an article of flatware that is plated with gold that is at least 10 karats in quality.

• (4) Where a quality mark is applied to an article of flatware pursuant to subsection (3) and the article is plated with gold to a thickness of at least one micrometre, a statement of the thickness of the gold expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometre”, or the symbol “vm” therefor, may be applied to the frame in conjunction with the quality mark.

• (5) Where 10 percent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of flatware to which a quality mark specified in Column I of item 3 of the table to section 7 or in Column 1 of an item of the table to this section is applied is pure nickel, the expression “nickel-silver”, “nickel-argent” or “N.S.” may be applied to the article in conjunction with the quality mark.

• (6) Where less than 10 per cent by weight of the base metal in an article of gold-plated or silver-plated flatware is pure nickel, the name of the base metal shall be stamped on the article and the trademark shall be applied in conjunction therewith.

  	Column I	Column II	Column III
  Item	Quality Mark	Amount of Silver used as primary plating on a gross of teaspoons	Amount of Silver in the Overlay
  1	“silverplate”, “placage d’argent”, “Silverplated”, “plaqué d’argent”, “silverware”, “argenterie”, “S.P.” or “E.P.”
  2	The quantity of pure silver, expressed in grams or milligrams, in a gross of articles of the same size and design and plated in the same manner and to the same thickness
  3	“A.I.”	60 grams
  4	“A.I.X.”, “A.I.+.” or “A.I. EXTRA”	60 grams	65 milligrams
  5	“A.A.+.”, “A.A.I.+.” or “A.A.I. EXTRA”	120 grams	100 milligrams
  6	“triple plate” or “triple placage”	180 grams
  7	“quadruple” or “XXXX”	240 grams

Plated Hollow Ware

• 12 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every article of hollow ware, other than a Sheffield reproduction article, that is a gold-plated or silver-plated article shall have stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on it in a legible and conspicuous manner, the name of the base substance or such other word or words that accurately describe the base substance of the article and mount, if any, and the trademark shall be applied in conjunction therewith.

• (2) Where 10 per cent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware plated with gold or silver is pure nickel, such base metal may be identified by the expression “nickel-silver”, “nickel-argent” or “N.S.”.

• (3) Where 90 per cent or more by weight of the base metal in an article of hollow ware that is a plated article is tin, such base metal may be identified by the expression “britannia metal”, “métal anglais”, “white metal”, “métal blanc”, “B.M.” or “W.M.”.

• (4) A quality mark specified in Column I of an item of the table to this section may be applied to an article of hollow ware that

  • (a) is plated with the precious metal specified in Column II of that item; and

  • (b) meets the requirements specified in Columns III and IV of that item.

• (5) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to this section is applied to an article of hollow-ware plated with gold or silver respectively to a thickness of at least one micrometre, a statement of the thickness of the gold or silver expressed as a whole numeral and followed immediately by the word “micrometre”, or the symbol”µm” therefor may be applied to the article in conjunction with the quality mark.

  	Column I	Column II	Column III	Column IV
  	Quality Mark	Precious Metal	Minimum Quality of Precious Metal in Plating	Other Requirements
  1	“gold electroplate”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “electro-plaqué d’or” or “or plaqué”	Gold	10 karats
  2	“silverplate” “silverplated” “silverware”, “E.P.”, “S.P.”, “placage d’argent” “plaqué d’argent” or “argenterie”	Silver	925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
  3	“Sheffield reproduction” or “reproduction of Sheffield plate”	Silver	925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver	(a) base on which plating is done must be nickel or pure copper; (b) a border must be soldered to the edge of the article; and (c) the border and any mounts, whether solid or filled, must be of silver, nickel or copper

Tolerances

• 13 (1) Where, as part of a quality mark or in conjunction therewith, a representation in karats or decimals is made as to the quality of the gold in an article, the actual quality of the gold in the article shall not be less than the represented quality by more than

  • (a) seven parts by weight in every 1,000 parts where solder is used, except that for articles of white gold to which a mark is applied indicating a quality 18 karats or greater, the actual quality of the gold in the article shall not be less than the represented quality by more than 15 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts where solder is used; or

  • (b) three parts by weight in every 1,000 parts where no solder is used.

• (2) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 2 of the table to section 6 is applied to an article, the actual quality of the silver in the article shall not be less than the represented quality by more than

  • (a) two parts by weight in every 1,000 parts, where no solder is used; or

  • (b) six parts by weight in every 1,000 parts, where solder is used.

• (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a precious metal article that

  • (a) is imported into Canada, or manufactured in Canada, prior to March 15, 1982 or that is in transit to a dealer in Canada on March 15, 1982, and meets the requirements of those subsections as they read immediately prior to March 15, 1982, or

  • (b) is sold by a manufacturer in Canada prior to January 1, 1983 or that is in transit to a dealer in Canada on January 1, 1983 and meets the requirements of those subsections as they read immediately prior to March 15, 1982,

  unless the article is marked on or after March 15, 1982.

• 14 (1) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to section 7 or in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to section 10 is applied to a plated article, the actual amount of pure gold in the plated article shall be,

  • (a) where a representation of the proportion and quality of the gold is made, at least 90 per cent of the product obtained by multiplying the fraction referred to in paragraph 7(2)(a) by the quality of the gold represented; or

  • (b) where no representation of the proportion and quality of the gold is made, in the case of Column I of item 1 of the table to section 7 or 10, at least 90 per cent of 0.0208 fineness.

• (1.1) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 1 or 2 of the table to section 7 is applied to a plated article that is engraved, brocaded or diamond faceted, the actual amount of pure gold in the plated article shall be

  • (a) where a representation of the proportion and quality of the gold is made, at least 80 per cent of the product obtained by multiplying the fraction referred to in paragraph 7(2)(a) by the quality of the gold represented; or

  • (b) where no representation of the proportion and quality of the gold is made, in the case of Column I of item 1 of the table to section 7, at least 80 per cent of 0.0208 fineness.

• (2) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 of the table to section 7 is applied to a plated article, the amount of pure silver in the plated article shall be

  • (a) where a representation of the proportion of the silver is made, at least 90 per cent of the product obtained by multiplying the fraction applied immediately preceding the quality mark pursuant to subsection 7(5) by 0.925; or

  • (b) where no representation of the proportion of the silver is made, at least 90 per cent of 0.0925 fineness.

• (3) Where a quality mark specified in Column I of item 4 of the table to section 7 is applied to a plated article that is engraved, brocaded or diamond faceted, the amount of pure silver in the plated article shall be

  • (a) where a representation of the proportion of the silver is made, at least 80 per cent of the product obtained by multiplying the fraction applied immediately preceding the quality mark pursuant to subsection 7(5) by 0.925; or

  • (b) where no representation of the proportion of the silver is made, at least 80 per cent of 0.0925 fineness.

• (4) Subsections (1.1) and (3) do not apply to a precious metal article that is

  • (a) imported into Canada, or sold by a manufacturer in Canada, prior to March 15, 1982, or

  • (b) in transit to a dealer in Canada on March 15, 1982,

  unless the article is marked on or after March 15, 1982.