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

Regulations are current to 2024-02-20 and last amended on 2019-06-17. Previous Versions

Precious Metals Marking Regulations

C.R.C., c. 1303

PRECIOUS METALS MARKING ACT

Regulations Respecting the Marking of Articles Containing Precious Metals

Short Title

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

Interpretation

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

Exemption from Application of the Act

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

Parts Exempt from Assay

 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.

  • SOR/82-251, s. 1

Marks

  •  (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

  •  (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.

      TABLE

      Column IColumn IIColumn III
      Quality MarkPrecious MetalMinimum Quality or Quantity of Precious Metal
      1The quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals. Karats may be shown as “karat”, “carat”, “Karat”, “Carat”, “Kt.”, “Ct.”, “K” or “C”Gold9 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 decimalsSilver925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
      3“platinum”, “plat.” or “platine”Platinum or an alloy of platinum and iridium or ruthenium95 per cent or more of the metallic content of the article or part
      4“palladium” or “pall.”Palladium95 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 goldThe 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

  •  (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.

    TABLE

    Column IColumn IIColumn IIIColumn IV
    Quality MarkMinimum Quality and Kind of Precious Metal Used for PlatingMinimum Quality or Quantity of Precious Metal in the ArticleMethod 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 karatsSoldering 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 silverSilver in plating 1/10, or such larger fraction as may be represented, of the gross weight of the entire article multiplied by 0.925Soldering or sweating
    5“silver electroplate”, “silver plate”, “silver plated”, “electroplaqué d’argent”, “plaqué d’argent” or any abbreviation for any of the foregoingSilver of 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
    6“vermeil” or “vermil”Gold of 10 karatsexclusive of plating, 925 parts by weight in every 1,000 parts pure silver
  • SOR/82-251, s. 2
  • SOR/85-386, s. 2

Watch Cases other than Bracelet Watch Cases

  •  (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.

    TABLE

    Column IColumn II
    ItemQuality MarkThickness 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 mark75 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 mark35 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’argent75 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 plaqué5 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 foregoing5 micrometres on the outer surface of the watch case.
  • SOR/85-386, s. 3
  • SOR/93-234, s. 2(F)

Bracelet Watch Cases

  •  (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.

    TABLE

    Column IColumn IIColumn IIIColumn IV
    ItemQuality MarkMinimum Thickness of Gold or SilverLocation of mark and words to accompany it where the plated components are: bezel, centre (if any) and lugs onlyBezel 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 mark75 micrometresOn 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 “fondOn 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 mark35 micrometresIdemIdem
    3“silver filled”, “S.F.”, “doublé d’argent75 micrometresIdemIdem
    4“gold electro-plate”, “gold plated”, “G.E.P.”, “electroplaqué d’or”, or “or plaqué5 micrometresIdemIdem
    5“Silver electro-plate”, “silver plate”, “silver plated”, “electro-plaqué d’argent”, “plaqué d’argent” or any abbreviation for any of the foregoing5 micrometresIdemIdem
  • SOR/85-386, s. 4
 

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