*We share the official press release from the Spanish Association of Jewellers, Silversmiths and Watchmakers regarding the news of the sale of jewellery with non-metallic fillings.

In relation to the news of an investigation into a jewellery company for the sale of jewellery with non-metallic fillings and for the sole purpose of clarifying common and usual terms and concepts to consumers, the Spanish Association of Jewellers, Silversmiths and Watchmakers, an entity that represents more than 3,800 companies in the Spanish jewellery sector, has considered it appropriate to make the following statement: 

One.- Spanish legislation allows the manufacture of objects with precious metals with such fillings to "confer stability on objects made of precious metals" in accordance with article 55 of Royal Decree 197/1988 of February 22nd.

Two.- In no case does such filling minimize or reduce the law of the alloy, that is to say, a silver jewel can carry such filling and be a sterling silver jewel. 

Three.- The fillings are part of the electroforming technique that allows to give the jewel volume and vary its design. 

Four.- With absolute respect to any ongoing research, as representatives of the sector, we must point out that electroforming, which involves fillings to give stability to the pieces, is a common, normal and frequent technology in the Spanish and international sector. For the Spanish sector to be competitive in Spain and in foreign markets, it must provide design and volume to its production and this can be done through this technique. If Spanish manufacturers and exporters did not use this technique they would not be competitive with their competitors in other countries. 

Five.- It is not the same sterling gold or silver than solid gold or silver. The jewels are cheaper or less cheap pieces of jewellery, with different manufacturing costs and different retail prices, but this does not mean that the grade of the alloy is lower. Jewellery, like all other products, is subject to new technologies that allow jewellery to be made for most consumers or for smaller consumer segments. 

Six.- Just as silk is not purchased by weight, neither is gold or silver. The price of a silk scarf depends on its design, the colour, the shape of a pattern, the brand. Jewellery is the same as any other accessory; a piece of jewellery does not have a price for the gold it wears but for its design, its brand, the colours, the gems it wears, etc. One question is to buy gold or silver by weight and another very different one is to buy a gold or silver jewel. 

Seven.- An example of objects with precious metals that are filled are the silver frames commercially known as "bilaminated", different from the solid silver frames. The State's own certifying laboratories certify the frames with filling as sterling silver. 

Conclusion.- The practice of filling in pieces of jewellery does not imply fraud or manipulation. It is a manufacturing technique that allows the consumer to be supplied with more attractive jewellery at a more affordable price.