Statistics released by the Assay Offices of Great Britain show that platinum built on the increases it enjoyed in 2002 with the weight of pieces sent for hallmarking in the first quarter increasing by 28%. In contrast gold softened in both the 9 and 18 carat sectors. The average weight of a platinum piece slipped slightly, from 8.3 g in the same period last year to 8.0g. Consequently the number of pieces of platinum hallmarked increased by 33%.

The weight of platinum hallmarked in the whole of 2002 was 43% higher than that marked in 2001.