Although we were closed to new orders for most of March, behind the scenes I’ve been busy taking care of a good spring clean of the workshop, tackling a lot of the boring admin jobs ready for the new tax year, and also making a little time for a much-needed break. So, now we’re fully open for business again and things are returning to normal, what’s going on in the workshop?
Well, as our sterling silver money clips have been out of stock for a month or two, they’ve become a bit of of a priority to say the least! Due to the UK law regarding precious metals and hallmarking, selling goods made with precious metals is not quite as simple as working in other materials. Of course there’s also the expense of keeping sterling silver in stock (the raw materials for a sterling silver money clip cost around 40 times more than my copper ones)!
So what’s involved? Well unlike copper (which I keep large sheets in stock and cut off pieces to order), I only order silver sheet in small batches. When it arrives with me, I cut and file it to size, before giving it a brushed polish finish to get it as close as possible to the finished article without actually forming it. These flat pieces are packaged and sent to the Edinburgh Assay Office for testing and hallmarking on what will eventually be the inside rear of the finished money clip. Only when they’re returned to me are they finally ready to be completed with your personalised text, texturing and forming to shape.
They may take a lot longer to create and cost a little more, but there’s nothing quite like the feel and weight of sterling silver. Buy with confidence, secure in the knowledge that your sterling silver money clip has been hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office.
Rustic Sterling Silver Money Clip
‘Raw Silk’ Sterling Silver Money Clip
For more regular updates, please follow Harrison & Bond on Facebook &/or Instagram.