1.
How to start a business in jewellery or precious or semi-precious stones?
Any person dealing in jewellery,
precious or semi-precious stones, should hold a Certificate of Registration
as Dealer in Jewellery issued by the Assay Office.
2.
How is a consumer purchasing jewellery protected by the law?
- Markings on jewellery
Any jewellery made of precious metal i.e gold, silver or platinum,
which is offered for sale must be marked according to the Jewellery
Act. A jewellery made of gold, should contain both the manufacturer’s
mark and a fineness mark whereas a jewellery made of silver or
platinum, should contain a fineness mark only. A fineness mark
on a jewellery ensures that the jewellery contains the minimum
required amount of precious metal in the jewellery.
For example, a jewellery made of gold of 18 karats must be marked
with a fineness mark 750 and the manufacturer’s mark.
- Issue of Receipts
Upon purchase of a jewellery, the jeweller should issue to you
a receipt which would include among others its mass and its fineness.
Click here
for Brochure “Conseils et Information pratiques sur la vente et
l’achat des bijoux”.
3.
Can I know the purity (Carat) of my jewellery?
A person wishing to know
the purity of his jewellery can submit it for testing at the Assay Office.
A report will be issued accordingly.
4.
What should I do if I want to sell my old jewellery?
A Declaration of Ownership
form has to be filled in by the person selling the jewellery and it
should be certified at the Assay Office or at the nearest police station
in your locality. The Declaration of Ownership form can be obtained
from jewellers.
5.
How much will I obtain when selling my old jewellery?
You are guaranteed to obtain
at least a minimum of 70% of the value of precious metal in your jewellery.
6.
Can I know the value of my old jewellery?
You may evaluate your jewellery
at the Assay Office. A valuation certificate will be issued to you against
payment of a prescribed fee.
7.
How can I know whether my gemstone is genuine?
The Assay Office offers gemstone
verification and diamond grading services. However, we do not grade
fancy coloured diamonds and we do not test pearls.
8.
When submitting my jewellery or gemstone to be tested at the Assay Office,
will it be damaged or scratched?
Tests carried out on jewellery
or gemstones are non-destructive. Your jewellery or gemstone will neither
be damaged nor scratched.
9.
Do I need to pay for services offered at the Assay Office?
10.
How can the Assay Office help me if I have any doubt regarding a jewellery
that I have purchased?
You may lodge a complaint
to the Assay Office:
- By phone on 211-0612/13;
- By email on assay@govmu.org or assaysug@govmu.org;
- Through a letter addressed to the Director, Assay Office;
- Through the Complaint/ Suggestion box available at the counter;
- Through our online service; and
- Through the Citizen Support Portal of the Citizen Support Unit
(CSU).