Precious Metals Marking Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1303)
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Regulations are current to 2024-08-18 and last amended on 2019-06-17. Previous Versions
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
- SOR/82-251, s. 3
- SOR/85-386, s. 5
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
- SOR/85-386, s. 6
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
- SOR/82-251, ss. 4, 5
- SOR/85-386, s. 7
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.
- SOR/82-251, s. 6
- SOR/82-1018, s. 1(E)
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.
- SOR/82-251, s. 7
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