A quality mark may be applied to a precious metal article by any method.

Where a quality mark is stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted on a precious metal article, any trademark on the article must be applied by the same method.

A Gold Filled Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Gold Filled quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold must comprise at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, then the article may be classified as rolled gold plate.

A Gold Plated Article is an article composed of any substance on the surface of which a layer or plating of gold is deposited or plated by means of a chemical, electrical, mechanical, or metallurgical process or by means of a combination of any of these processes.

In order to qualify for a Gold Plated quality mark, the article must have applied to it, gold plating of minimum 10K quality.

A Rolled Gold Plate Article is an article composed of an inferior base metal to the surface of which a covering or sheeting of gold is fixed by brazing, soldering, or sweating. In order to qualify for a Rolled Gold Plate quality mark:

• the layer of gold must be of minimum 10K quality; and
• this quality of gold may comprise less than 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article.

Note: If the amount of 10K gold is 1/20 or more of the gross weight, then the article may be classified as gold filled.

A Vermeil Article is an article composed of silver which has been plated with gold.

In order to qualify for a Vermeil quality mark:

• the silver in the article must beof minimum .925 quality; and
• the gold plating must be of minimum 10K quality.

Marks other than quality marks or trademarks may be applied to precious metal articles, including:

• numerals intended to identify the article or pattern which are not calculated to mislead or deceive;
• the name or initials of a dealer, provided it will not be confused with a quality mark; and
• any other mark not calculated to mislead or deceive.

A Gold Filled article of minimum 10K quality in which the weight of the gold comprises at least 1/20th of the gross weight of the entire article, must fall within the following prescribed tolerances for the application of a quality mark:

• The weight of the gold must be at least 90 percent of the required gold in the article; or
• If the article has been engraved, brocaded, or diamond faceted, the weight of the gold must be at least 80 percent of the required gold in the article.

A Rolled Gold Plate article of minimum 10K quality, comprising less than 1/20 of the gross weight of the entire article, has no legal tolerance provided for it.

A Gold Plated article of minimum 10K quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

A Vermeil article of minimum .925 quality has no legal tolerance provided for it.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Filled may be marked:

• "gold filled".
• "G.F.".
• "doublé d'or".

If a karat designation is used in conjunction with the above quality marks, it must be preceded by the fraction of the total weight of the article. Each numeral in the fraction must be the same size of type and prominence as the remainder of the quality mark. For example, a quality mark of "1/20 10K G.F." indicates that a Gold Filled article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, 10K gold, and that the gold comprises 1/20 of the entire weight of the article.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Gold Plated may be marked:

• "gold electroplate".
• "gold plated".
• "G.E.P.".
• "electro-plaqué d'or".
• "or plaqué".

The thickness of the gold plate may be marked, provided that the thickness is at least 1 micron or micrometre. The thickness must be expressed in whole numbers of microns or micrometres.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Rolled Gold Plate may be marked:

• "rolled gold plate".
• "R.G.P.".
• "plaqué d'or laminé".

If a karat designation is used in conjunction with the above quality marks, it must be preceded by the fraction of the total weight of the article. Each numeral in the fraction must be the same size of type and prominence as the remainder of the quality mark. For example, a quality mark of "1/30 10K R.G.P." indicates that a Rolled Gold Plate article has applied to it, by means of a mechanical process, 10K gold, and that the gold comprises 1/30 of the entire weight of the article.

An article which meets the quality requirement for Vermeil may be marked:

• "vermeil".
• "vermil".

With two exceptions, where a quality mark is applied to a precious metal article, the article must also bear a Canadian trademark which either is:

• currently registered with the Registrar of Trademarks in Canada; or
• in the process of being registered, with proof that a trademark application has been submitted which is acceptable to a minister.

For more information, including the publication, "A Guide To Trademarks", as well as an application form for a trademark, all correspondence should be addressed to:

An article which has a quality mark does not require a Canadian trademark if:

• the article is hallmarked in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom; or
• the article was quality marked in a foreign country under the laws of that country, and is accompanied with an assay mark of that country which is recognized by the Department of Industry Canada.