FAQ

Yes, the tradition dates back to the marriage of The Queen Mother to King George VI in 1923. Since then many royal marriages have chosen Welsh Gold wedding rings including:

• Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip
• Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon
• Princess Anne and Captain Phillips
• Prince Charles and Princess Diana
• King Charles and Queen Camilla
• Prince William and Kate Middleton
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The Welsh Maiden trademark is an internationally-recognised guarantee of 100% Welsh gold. The Welsh Maiden mark was used by the Gwynfynydd mine to indicate 100% purity and, since the closure of the mine, we have been entrusted to take the mark over. No other company can use this mark. It is your guarantee that the item contains 100% pure Welsh gold.

For more information on the Welsh Maiden and other hallmarks please see our Guide to Hallmarks page.

We feel strongly that those companies that use phrases such as ‘a touch of Welsh gold’ should be legally required to state exactly what the Welsh gold content is. It is difficult to think of any product where the vendor is not required to disclose what it contains and until the speculation is ended by an open statement of content, there will always be uncertainty.

When you buy from Welsh Gold (Aur Cymru Limited) we state and certify exactly what the Welsh gold content is.

Our main source is gold panned from rivers and streams in Wales. This is time-consuming and yields are low, meaning we can only supply a limited number of 100% Welsh gold items each year. We also have a reserve stock from the old Gwynfyndd mine.

The words Aur Cymru mean Welsh Gold in the Welsh language.

Yes, you will.

We have our Welsh gold securely refined for us by a long established UK specialist company to slightly in excess of 18 carat purity that means that the Welsh gold content is a little over 750 parts per thousand. Occasionally we have our Welsh gold refined to 22 carat which is 916 parts of gold per thousand. We like to have a small amount of 22 carat Welsh gold available as customers sometimes ask for repairs to their old 22 carat jewellery. In the main, people choose 18 carat rings because it is harder wearing than higher carat Welsh gold. All our rings and other jewellery are hallmarked by one of the four UK Assay Offices. We also create pieces in 9 carat Welsh gold as well as 14 carat Welsh gold.

Jewellery is rarely made in 24 carat gold (that is, 100% pure gold) because it is too soft and easily damaged. Over the centuries jewellers have added other metals, often silver, to add durability. The percentage of other metals added to the gold determines whether a ring will be 9 carat, 14 carat, 18 carat or 22 carat. The Assay Office tests the particular piece of jewellery and marks it with the appropriate carat designation, which is referred to by the Assay Office as the Standard Mark. In the case of an 18 carat item it will bear the Standard Mark 750, the figure shows that the article consists of 750 parts of gold by weight to 250 parts of other metals i.e. 75% gold. This is equal to 18 carats (18 parts in every 24), the traditional way of describing the purity of gold. However the Assay Office will still mark the item as 18 carat if the gold content is higher than 75% but not quite up to 91.6% which would take the item into the 22 carat category.

No, it doesn’t. There is a myth that it is naturally rose coloured and some manufacturers artificially induce that colour by introducing copper into the mixture.

The words are used interchangeably. In the USA the word ‘band’ is used whereas in the United Kingdom (which includes Wales) the word ‘ring’ is used.

Whilst the history and tradition of Welsh gold will always make it the most popular of all rare precious metals, we are also passionate about other rare golds, namely Scottish, Irish, English and Cornish gold.

We are very happy to combine any of these in your piece of jewellery to reflect your own individual story - just get in touch here: Contact Us.

On this website we showcase our 100% Welsh gold range but also our Heritage Welsh Gold range where items are made with 20% Welsh gold and alloyed with 80% Fairmined gold. You can also discover our sister websites here: www.scottishgold.com, www.englishgold.com, www.cornishgold.com and www.irishgold.co.uk.

A triband ring is three slender rings joined together to make one ring, with one slender ring being made from Welsh gold, the second slender ring being made from Scottish gold and the third slender ring being made from Irish gold.

Yes, we can do this in any combination of our country specific golds. And it need not be three slender rings joined together, it can be two. Customers sometimes ask for one of the slender ring to be platinum and we can do that too. We're very flexible, which is the joy of making things by hand rather than casting. Please get in touch if you have something specific in mind.

On average, it will take 4-6 weeks from time of ordering to receiving your beautiful piece of Welsh gold jewellery. This is often quicker for a simple band ring but can take longer for more complex designs. We once made an engagement ring for someone within 2 weeks (including the design process) and whilst it's not something we repeat often we are very willing and good at meeting tight deadlines, so don't be afraid to ask!

For more information please see our delivery page.

To protect our limited quantities of gold, we manually verify stock levels before finalising any transaction. When you place an order, a temporary 'hold' is placed on your funds to reserve your items. We only fully authorise the payment once our workshop confirms we have the materials available to fulfil your order. If we cannot fulfil the order, we will contact you using the details provided and the hold will be released back to you. This will take no longer than 7 days.

Measuring for a ring depends on the specific finger and even the time of day. To ensure your handcrafted piece fits perfectly, we recommend using our comprehensive Size Guide, which includes a printable scale and tips on how to measure at home. If you are between sizes, we generally suggest sizing up for comfort.

A well-fitting bracelet should have just enough space to fit two fingers between the chain and your wrist. For bangles, the measurement is more about the width of your hand at its widest point. You can find detailed instructions and a measurement chart on our Size Guide page.

We get asked this regularly. We are glad to say the answer is 'yes', and the items will be made to the same high level of design and craftsmanship as all our jewellery. Of course, such items will not carry the Welsh gold marks, but they will be marked as Fairmined gold.

Yes, we do! While delivery is free for our customers in the UK for our customers who live abroad delivery is charged at cost price and this will be shown in the check-out system. We reserve the right not to export to some countries. Please note that all local taxes and customs charges are payable by the customer and will be displayed in the check-out system before you place your order.

Welsh gold is a rare material that requires gentle handling to maintain its signature glow. To keep your pieces brilliant:

• Cleaning: Soak in warm, soapy water for 20 minutes and gently brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse under warm running water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth
• The "Last On" Rule: Always apply perfumes and lotions before putting on your jewellery to avoid chemical dulling.
• Safe Storage: Store pieces individually in soft pouches to prevent scratches, ensuring necklace clasps are closed to avoid tangles.
• Maintenance: Use a specialised polishing cloth sparingly; frequent professional polishing can wear down the gold over time.

Looking for a complete care guide? Read our full article: Preserving the Beauty of Welsh Gold: Expert Tips for Jewellery Care for detailed advice on gemstone safety, insurance, and professional maintenance.

It's true. And more than that he produced some innovative, rather beautiful circular jigsaws, made in silver and other metals, which are now available at www.poshpuzzles.co.uk - please take a look. Unusually they don't feature designs - just highly polished on both sides.