Her Majesty has issued the royal seal of approval to Jewellers Gordon Marks in Surrey for its work on restoring many of the Queen’s and Monarchy’s priceless belongings. Owner Mark Reid was awarded the royal warrant this year, assigning the Jeweller as the restorer and fine gold finisher to the Her Majesty. Reid has been in service to the royal household for 13 years.
Mark Reid began his business 20 years ago on a farm in Effingham. His business grew, allowing him to open a shop in Cobham High Street. Reid, along with three craftsmen restores items from the royal palaces weekly. Past items his team has restored ranged from priceless Fabergé eggs to furniture. There have been times where security guards were present during the restorations due to the high value of the items.
“We deal with their finest things, things you could never imagine — they’re that beautiful. It’s a great honour to work on these items and to now have the royal appointment,” Mr. Reid told the Getsurrey.co.uk website. The jewellers have also created custom pieces in the past for Her Majesty as well as Prince Charles. Mr. Reid continued: “The royal family likes us because we train apprentices.”
The Royal Warrant Holders Association began in 1840 and represents people and businesses holding Royal Warrants of Appointment. A Royal Warrant recognizes those who have provided goods or services for a minimum of five years to the Households of The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh or The Prince of Wales. The Queen Mother was also a grantor of warrants. After The Queen Mother’s death in 2002, the warrants granted by here were only valid until 2007, five years after her death.
A Royal warrant is originally approved for five years. Upon the end of the five year period, the warrant is then reviewed by the Royal Household Tradesmen’s Warrants Committee. Warrants are never renewed if product or service is unsatisfactory, according to the applicable Royal Household that issued the warrant the first time. Warrants may become void at any time during the five year period. Other issues such as if the grantee is deceased, is no longer in business, or if the business goes bankrupt or is sold, will also mean the warrant ceases to be valid.
Some businesses have held Royal Warrants for over more than 100 years. Establishments that hold a warrant under no circumstance provide goods or services to the Royal household for free. The Royal Warrant Holders Association guarantees that the Royal Warrant is used correctly and held to the highest standards.
Read more about Royal Warrants here
photo credit: Carlos Octavio Uranga via photopin cc
So beautiful watch to show it.