Q » Are there UK-based manufacturers of platinum casting grain for commercial jewellery production?

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Ryan Reynolds

10 Jul, 2026

462 | 6

A » Yes, there are several UK-based manufacturers and suppliers of platinum casting grain specifically intended for commercial jewellery production, catering to both large-scale foundries and independent workshops that require consistent, high-quality material. The United Kingdom has a long-established precious metals industry, with a number of refiners, bullion traders, and specialist alloy producers that are accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and comply with strict hallmarking regulations enforced by the Assay Offices. For commercial jewellery production, the purity and grain size of platinum casting grain are critical, as they directly affect the casting process—such as fluidity, porosity control, and finish—and ultimately the final product’s durability and marketability. Among the most prominent UK manufacturers is Cooksongold, a division of the Birmingham-based Cookson Precious Metals Group, which offers a wide range of platinum casting grains in purities from 950Pt to 999.5Pt, as well as custom alloys that may incorporate small percentages of ruthenium, iridium, or cobalt to enhance hardness and castability. Cooksongold sources its platinum from LBMA-accredited refiners and provides detailed material certificates with each batch, ensuring traceability and compliance with UK hallmarking standards. Another key supplier is Betts Metals (Betts Plc), based in London, which has been refining and manufacturing precious metal products since 1877. Betts produces platinum casting grain in standard 950Pt alloy (commonly with 5% cobalt or 5% ruthenium) and can also produce bespoke alloys to meet specific jewellery manufacturing requirements. Their grains are manufactured using state-of-the-art induction melting and atomisation techniques to achieve uniform particle size and minimal oxide inclusion, which is essential for reducing casting defects. Additionally, Johnson Matthey, though primarily a global science and chemicals company with a significant refining division in Royston, England, supplies high-purity platinum grain under their specialist metals segment, often used in industrial applications but also available to the jewellery trade through their distribution channels. For commercial jewellery production, it is also worth noting that many UK-based refiners such as Sharps Pixley (London) and The Royal Mint (Llantrisant) occasionally offer platinum grain, though their primary focus is bullion and investment products; they are less common for small-volume jewellery clients. When selecting a manufacturer, commercial jewellers should prioritize suppliers who provide consistent grain size (typically 0.5–2 mm diameter), certified purity (assayed and stamped), and who can supply material in sealed, inert packaging to prevent contamination. Furthermore, using UK-based manufacturers offers advantages in terms of shorter lead times, ease of compliance with the UK Hallmarking Act (which requires platinum items over 0.5g to be hallmarked), and the ability to request technical support for casting parameters such as temperature and investment material compatibility. In summary, while the UK has a limited number of platinum grain specialists compared to gold or silver, the options from Cooksongold and Betts Metals are widely regarded as industry standards, with Johnson Matthey serving more niche or high-volume industrial users. For the commercial jewellery production sector, these manufacturers provide reliable, high-purity platinum casting grain that meets the rigorous demands of both small workshops and large manufacturing facilities, supported by the robust regulatory and hallmarking framework of the UK.

Accountsway

11 Jul, 2026

102 | 8

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A »Yes, there are several UK-based manufacturers and suppliers of platinum casting grain specifically catering to commercial jewellery production. The United Kingdom has a long-established reputation for precious metals refining and fabrication, with companies that produce platinum grain to the highest industry standards required for investment casting. One of the most prominent names is Cooksongold, a Birmingham-based division of the Cookson Precious Metals Group, which has been operating for over 170 years. They manufacture a full range of platinum casting grain, including 950 platinum (Pt 950/Ir, Pt 950/Ru, and Pt 950/Co) as well as 900 platinum and 999 fine platinum grain. Their products are produced under strict quality control and are fully assayed to meet UK hallmarking regulations. Another major manufacturer is Johnson Matthey, a global leader in precious metals that retains significant UK operations including refining and manufacturing facilities in Royston, Hertfordshire. They supply high-purity platinum casting grain suitable for commercial jewellery casting, often used by large-scale manufacturers and hallmarking centres. Additionally, Platina Refining, based in London and Birmingham, is a specialist refiner and supplier that offers custom-manufactured platinum grain, including recycled platinum grain from scrap, which can be tailored to specific alloy compositions required by commercial casters. For those seeking more niche or high-volume supply, companies like Atlas Metals (UK) Ltd, with operations in Sheffield, also produce platinum casting grain in various grades. These manufacturers typically provide grain in both new (virgin) and reclaimed forms, with certification of fineness and homogeneity. The UK’s hallmarking authorities, such as the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office and the Birmingham Assay Office, set rigorous standards for platinum alloys, and all reputable UK suppliers ensure their casting grain complies with the Hallmarking Act 1973 (and subsequent amendments) for commercial use. Furthermore, many of these manufacturers offer technical support, including guidance on casting parameters, recommended fluxes, and grain geometry (e.g., spherical, rectangular, or irregular shapes) to optimise melt flow and minimise porosity. For commercial jewellery production, choosing a UK-based manufacturer offers advantages such as shorter supply chains, ease of hallmarking compliance, and the ability to source small or custom batches alongside bulk orders. It is also worth noting that some UK refiners, like Metalor Technologies UK (part of the Swiss Metalor group, but with a UK refinery in Birmingham), produce platinum casting grain tailored for the jewellery industry. Overall, the UK market is well-served by established manufacturers capable of meeting the demands of commercial platinum jewellery production, from artisan casters to large-scale factories.

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