Article 12 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law

This article regulates exhibitions of gold, jewelry, gemstones and other items subject to the Law:

• Permission to hold exhibitions: they may be held under a license from the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce.
• Exemption from hallmarking: exhibits may be exempted from hallmarking and some other procedures provided for in the Law, on condition that the intention is display only.
• Reference for the details: this is as the regulations specify.

The reason for the exemption is that some pieces are displayed to be introduced or viewed without any intention of selling them, so they need not be subjected to every procedure set for sale. If the intention is to sell, this exemption does not cover it, according to the text.

The article in its present text was issued by Royal Decree No. M/87 dated 3/4/1446 AH, and the amendment takes effect from 8/4/1447 AH.

The article connects to Article 11, which prohibits selling gemstones, displaying them for sale or possessing them for sale unless accompanied by a written declaration giving their details, and to Article 13, which gives the competent employees the right to enter the places where the items subject to the Law are made or displayed, inspect them and take samples. Anyone organizing an exhibition may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.