Article 7 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
المادة 7 من نظام المعادن الثمينة والأحجار الكريمة
The article prohibits making any change to precious metal bars or articles after they are hallmarked because of preparing them for sale, except what the necessities of the craft require and in accordance with the Ministry of Commerce's instructions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز إحداث أي تغيير في سبائك أو مشغولات المعادن الثمينة بعد دمغها من قبل وزارة التجارة بسبب عمليات إعدادها للبيع إلا ما توجبه ضرورات الصناعة وطبقًا للتعليمات التي تصدرها وزارة التجارة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 7 explained in plain English
This article protects the value of the hallmark; there is no point in hallmarking a piece if it can then be changed in a way that contradicts what it was hallmarked for.
The rule is that no change may be made to the bars or articles after they are hallmarked by the Ministry of Commerce because of the operations of preparing them for sale.
One thing is excepted, on two conditions together:
- The change must be one that the necessities of the craft require.
- And it must be in accordance with the instructions the Ministry of Commerce issues.
It is not enough for the goldsmith to think the change is necessary; it must conform to the Ministry's instructions. The article does not state the details of these instructions.
This article comes after Article 6, which requires presenting bars and articles to the competent body at the Ministry of Commerce to be examined and hallmarked by the legal karat standards, and breaking and returning to their owner those below the minimum. Article 8 then details the method of hallmarking: stamping articles with their karat, stamping coated and inlaid items with a number showing the proportion and type of pure metal, and stamping plated ones with the word "plated", or attaching a card with the details if the size does not allow stamping. Anyone working in goldsmithing who needs to alter hallmarked pieces may consult a lawyer specializing in commercial cases.
Practical example
A goldsmith in Madinah has a hallmarked gold ring, and a customer asked him to reduce its size before buying it. He may not make a change to it after hallmarking except what the necessities of the craft require and in accordance with the instructions the Ministry of Commerce issues.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 7 of the Saudi Precious Metals and Gemstones Law
May gold be altered after it is hallmarked?
No change may be made to it after hallmarking because of preparing it for sale, except what the necessities of the craft require and in accordance with the Ministry of Commerce's instructions.
Who sets the changes permitted after hallmarking?
The Ministry of Commerce issues the instructions that any change must follow.
More articles on Hallmarking Precious Metals and Karats
- Article 4
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale bars and articles of precious metals unless they are stamped with the Kingdom's hallmark.
يحظر بيع سبائك ومشغولات المعادن الثمينة أو عرضها أو حيازتها بقصد البيع ما لم تكن مدموغة بسمة المملكة.
- Article 5
The article requires customs or the post, after notifying the person concerned, to send parcels imported for trade that contain precious metals to the Ministry of Commerce for examination and hallmarking, or to confirm they bear a recognized hallmark.
تقوم الجهات المختصة بالجمارك أو البريد - بعد إخطار صاحب الشأن - بإرسال الطرود المحتوية على سبائك أو مشغولات المعادن الثمينة، وغيرها من الأصناف الخاضعة لأحكام هذ
- Article 6
The article requires bars and articles to be presented to the Ministry of Commerce for examination and hallmarking by the legal karat standards, and provides that those below the minimum are broken and returned to the owner, who may re-export imported ones.
تقدم سبائك ومشغولات المعادن الثمينة إلى الجهة المختصة بوزارة التجارة لفحصها ودمغها طبقًا للعيارات النظامية. فإذا تبين أنها تقل عن الحد الأدنى للعيارات النظامية
- Article 8
The article prohibits selling, displaying or possessing for sale articles and coated, inlaid or plated items unless hallmarked in the way set for each type, or accompanied by a details card where hallmarking is impossible.
يحظر بيع مشغولات المعادن الثمينة والأصناف الملبسة أو المطعمة أو المطلية أو عرضها للبيع أو حيازتها بقصد البيع ما لم تكن مدموغة على النحو التالي: أ - تدمغ مشغولات
- Article 9
The article permits the Ministry of Commerce to issue a decision recognizing the hallmark of a country.
يجوز لوزارة التجارة إصدار قرار باعتماد دمغة إحدى الدول.
- Article 10Amended by M/87
The article permits the Ministry of Commerce, in agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, to require precious metal factories and workshops to use hallmark marks that distinguish their articles and are registered as the regulations specify.
لوزارة التجارة، بالاتفاق مع وزارة الصناعة والثروة المعدنية، إلزام أصحاب مصانع ومشاغل المعادن الثمينة باستخدام علامات دمغ، لتمييز مشغولاتهم، تسجل وفقاً لما تحدده
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.