Singapore Bullion Market Association

Website Sponsor

Article List

Article List

What is Hallmarking and Why is it Important?

By Ng Siew Hua, Chief Assayer, Singapore Assay Office

Published on September 25, 2017

Apart from Japan, Singapore is the only Asian country to have established a voluntary hallmarking system and an official national standard for precious metal fineness. Singapore Assay Office (SAO), an independent body that tests and certifies the purity of gold, silver, platinum and palladium, explains the importance of hallmarking and the process behind it.

Background

Hallmarks are a form of consumer protection and guarantee of the purity of precious metals. They include symbols identifying the assay office, purity of metal, and often marks representing the date and manufacturer. Assay offices randomly test batches of goods from manufacturers and if these samples are as described, mark them with a special hallmark.

SAO’s role is to ensure a consistent and systematic hallmarking practice in Singapore. With over 40 years of experience, SAO is an established accredited assaying and hallmarking office, reinforcing consumer protection among shoppers, gold retailers, suppliers and traders. SAO’s hallmarking is a voluntary scheme where manufacturers, traders, and retailers of gold jewellery submit their jewellery pieces for assaying and hallmarking. The scheme facilitates two procedures: testing and hallmarking.

Testing

To ascertain the homogeneity of a batch of articles, sampled samples will undergo fire assaying, and SAO will screen the batch of jewellery using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) material analysis method (Image 1). XRF is a non-destructive material analytical method to determine the homogeneity of a batch of articles. In this process, a sample is irradiated with X-rays from a controlled X-ray tube. The X-ray emission penetrates only the surface of the sample to determine the elemental composition of the metal.

Samples from the batch are then analysed by fire assaying, a destructive method. The sample is weighed, and placed in a high-temperature furnace for oxidation to remove base metals, a process known as cupellation. The molten globe consisting of gold/silver is then treated with nitric acid after cooling to separate silver from gold. The gold sample is then weighed to determine its purity.

Image 1: Items undergoing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) material analysis
Image 2: Fire assaying process

Items that meet purity standards will undergo the hallmarking procedures. Items that do not meet standards would then be investigated to determine if it is sub-standard. Fire assaying is an internationally accepted test method to determine the precious metal content present.

The Hallmarking Process

If the samples in a batch being tested meet industry standards, SAO will hallmark every piece of the jewellery in the batch with a SAO mark that bears the symbol of a lion’s head to attest to its quality. The complete set of hallmarks consists of the SAO mark, the standard mark and the jeweller’s mark (Image 3).

Image 3: A set of SAO hallmarks on a piece of jewellery
Image 4: Manual hallmarking
Image 5: Laser hallmarking

Handmarking, whereby articles are hand-struck with a metal punch and a hammer (Image 4), is the most traditional form of hallmarking. Today, laser marking is widespread, and is done using fine, high-powered laser beams (Image 5). This method can also be used to mark signatures and logos.

Maintaining High Standards

To maintain SAO’s high standards and to align them with international assay offices, SAO regularly attends the conference organised by the International Hallmarking Convention, and actively participates in the annual proficiency test programme organised by the International Association of Assay Offices (IAAO). SAO also works with organisations such as Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) and Singapore Standard Council (SSC) to protect the interests of consumers of precious metal articles.

For more information, please visit www.assayoffice.com.sg.

Hallmarking Symbols

Hallmarking Symbols​

The complete set of SAO hallmarks consists of the SAO mark, the standard mark and the jeweller’s mark.

The SAO mark, a quality control mark placed on precious metals article, is a lion’s head. The Standard Mark represents the purity of the element. For example: 999, 916, 22K, 750, 585, etc.

The jeweller’s mark – also a responsible mark – can be a simple logo or wording to represent the company or producer.

SHELLY FORD

Ng Siew Hua is the Singapore Assay Office’s Chief Assayer, a role she has held since SAO’s establishment in 1979. She has 45 years of experience in assaying and hallmarking of precious metals articles and currently leads SAO’s team of assayers. Over the years, she has received training in hallmarking, gold sampling, gold marking, fire assaying, and registrations from Johnson Matthey Chemicals Ltd, Birmingham Assay Office, and London Assay Office.

PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
BACK TO INDEX

Singapore Bullion Market Association Secretariat-Lee-Jia-Yi

Lee Jia Yi

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Before joining SBMA, Jia Yi worked as an Admin & Reporting Officer in her previous role. She holds a Diploma in Business & Social Enterprise from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Jia Yi is responsible for managing and maintaining physical and digital files in SBMA, supporting invoicing processes, reconciling receivables and payables, coordinating meetings and conferences. Additionally, she will provide support to the team and assist the Business Director in managing the Association’s office operations and general administrative activities.

SECRETARIAT SBMA-Emily-Oh

Emily Oh

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Emily Oh is the Operations & Admin Executive, a seasoned professional who values teamwork and effective communication. She is skilled at adapting to new challenges and takes a proactive and resourceful approach to every task. Before joining SBMA, Emily had experience coordinating international travel arrangements and spearheading community initiatives. Her role at SBMA will be providing operational and administrative support for projects and other matters to the team.

SECRETARIAT SBMA Clara-Chang

Clara Chang

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
Clara Chang joins SBMA as the Marketing & Communications Executive, enriching the team with her extensive experience in content creation, social media management, and digital marketing. Prior to joining SBMA, Clara held the position of Marketing Executive at her previous job. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, one in International Trade and another in Geographical Information Science. Her core duties will include maintaining the SBMA website, managing the quarterly Crucible newsletter, among other responsibilities.

SBMA Committee-Photo-john-levin

Mr John Levin

Global Metals
TD Securities
John Levin is the Head of Metal Sales & Trading – APAC at the Toronto Dominion Bank’s Singapore office. Prior to this role, he devoted seven years to leading precious metal sales for the ANZ banking group in his home country, Australia. Notably, from 2009 to 2011, John played a significant role on the management committee of the London Bullion Market Association while serving as the Head of Precious Metals Sales for HSBC Global Banking and Markets in the UK.

SBMA Secretariat-Fabian-Lew

Fabian Lew

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Fabian was a Business Development and Marketing Associate before joining SBMA. He graduated from Singapore Management University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He has joined SBMA since February, 2022.

SBMA-margare-secretariat

Margaret Wong

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Margaret Wong, Business Director at SBMA (Singapore Bullion Market Association), brought valuable experience from her previous role at the World Gold Council (WGC). Her tenure at WGC provided her with extensive exposure to the gold community in Singapore and the broader region. This background has been instrumental in establishing strong working relationships within the industry.

Margaret’s role at SBMA encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities. She oversees office management, business support processes, finance, and administrative functions essential for the smooth operation of the team and management committee. Additionally, Margaret handles membership matters, member communications, and addresses public inquiries related to SBMA.

One of Margaret’s key responsibilities is coordinating with the Event Management Company for SBMA’s prestigious annual event, the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference. This flagship conference plays a crucial role in the industry, making her involvement pivotal in its success.

Described as resourceful and self-motivated, Margaret Wong brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role at SBMA, ensuring efficient operations and effective engagement within the precious metals community in Singapore and beyond.

SBMA-Albert-secretariat

Albert Cheng

Chief Executive Officer

Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, becoming Managing Director, Far East in 2003. He retired at the end of March 2015 and was subsequently named its Advisor. He has also been an International Advisor to the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2002.

His marketing career began with Dentsu Young & Rubicam, Hong Kong in the early 80’s. He began gold marketing in July 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Regional Manager for Southeast Asia.

He was appointed honorary CEO of SBMA in November 2015. He is responsible for the success and strategic development of SBMA, represents the interests of the Association, and is responsible for all the legal and regulatory aspects of the work of the Association. He is the primary contact for regulators and government bodies on bullion market development.

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

CEO
YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd

Pawan is the CEO of YLG Bullion Singapore and founder of YLG Bullion International. She has almost 40 years of experience in the jewellery industry and established YLG in Thailand in 2003. In 2012, she brought YLG to Singapore. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Thailand Gold Traders Association, the Thailand Futures Exchange’s Arbitration Committee, and the Rotary Bangkok committee. She holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

SBMA-Shaokai-Fan

Mr Shaokai Fan

Head of Asia-Pacific (ex China) and Global Head of Central Banks
World Gold Council
Shaokai Fan is the Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, responsible for advising governments on gold matters, and enhancing the gold market through engagement, dialogue, and thought leadership. He works directly with central banks and sovereign wealth funds on investment considerations. Prior to this position, Shaokai held multiple roles at Standard Chartered Bank, including Director for Asia Strategic Initiatives and Associate-Director for Public Sector coverage. Shaokai holds a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from New York University.

SBMA-Committee-Alan-Liew

Mr Alan Liew

Head of Bullion & Commodities Trading
United Overseas Bank Limited
Alan is Head of Bullion and Commodities Trading for Group Trading in Global Markets, United Overseas Bank (UOB). Alan joined UOB and started the bank’s commodities trading business in 2014, previously he spent eight years in Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) trading both precious and base metals. During his tenure at SCB, he obtained the SGE gold trader licence and was part of the pioneering team for the SGE business and the FX quantitative trading team. Prior to trading, he worked for Monetary Authority of Singapore in the Financial Risk Management Division. He holds a BSc (Hon) in Computer Science at National University of Singapore and a MSc in Financial Engineering at Nanyang Technological University.

SBMA-Committee-Nikos

Mr Nikos Kavalis

Managing Director
Metals Focus Singapore Pte Ltd
Nikos Kavalis is a founding partner of Metals Focus. He has over 20 years of experience in precious metals, having previously worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland and GFMS. Since September 2019, Nikos has been based in Singapore, where he also runs the local subsidiary of Metals Focus.

SBMA-Committee-khun nuttapong

Mr Nuttapong Hirunyasiri

CEO
MTS Gold Global Trading Pte Ltd
Nuttapong Hirunyasiri is the CEO of MTS Gold Group, one of Thailand’s top 10 companies and top 3 bullion companies. He started MTS Gold Group’s first overseas office in Singapore and has been expanding the group business internationally. He focuses on product development and innovation for gold investment, with the aim of being a leader in providing the full suite of gold investment services in the ASEAN region.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Raman-Walia

Mr Raman Walia

Executive Director, Head of Commodities Sales – APAC
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

Raman is Executive Director and Head of Commodities Sales, APAC, for J.P. Morgan. He joined JPMorgan in 2008 in New York, moved to Singapore in 2011, and helped expand the precious metals business in the region. Raman has an MBA from Cornell University, and likes to travel in his spare time.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Andrew-Clarke

Mr Andrew Clarke

Head of Brink’s Global Services
Brink’s Global Services Pte Ltd

Andrew Clarke is the Head of BGS (Brink’s Global Services) for Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. He has held various leadership positions throughout his career in secure logistics and risk management with Brink’s, which started in Hong Kong in 2010. Andrew relocated to Singapore in 2018 to expand the precious metals line of business along with Brink’s portfolio of services and industries.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Kazuya-Naoki

Mr Kazuya Naoki

Head of Metals, Asia
ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Singapore Branch

Kazuya (Kaz) Naoki is the Head of Metals, Asia of ICBC Standard Bank in Singapore and is responsible for the precious & base metals sales and trading in the region. He joined Standard Bank Plc Tokyo Branch in 2008 and was relocated to its Singapore Branch in 2013 whose controlling stake was acquired by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Prior to joining Standard Bank, Kaz spent 11 years focusing on commodity trading and risk management with Mitsui & Co in Tokyo, Sydney and London. Kaz has been serving on the SBMA Management Committee since 2016.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Vinh-Nguyen

Mr Vinh Nguyen

Head of Precious Metals, Asia
StoneX APAC Pte Ltd

Vinh Nguyen joined StoneX Group in Singapore at the beginning of 2008 and responsible for its APAC precious metals activities since 2019 until now.

SBMA Committee-KL-Yap

Mr KL Yap

General Manager, Singapore Refining Business Unit
Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd
KL YAP is the General Manager of Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd’s Singapore Refining Business Unit. He joined Metalor in 2013, initially in Refining Sales. In 2014, he became Refining Business Unit Manager, leading the development of a new precious metal refinery. KL was Vice Chairman of SBMA from 2017 to 2021, now serving as Chairman. With a degree in business commerce, finance, and marketing, he brings prior experience from refinery and heavy industries.