The hallmarking of precious metals has been a legally regulated process in Portugal for over 125 years, traditionally involving the punching of objects to mark them with identifiers corresponding to their metal type and legal fineness. This method has also been extended to the marking of other objects, such as artifacts of special interest, including works of art and auctioned items. Modern advancements have introduced laser marking, which allows for the precise marking of delicate surfaces without causing material damage.

In this presentation, we will introduce a ground-breaking technique for marking precious metals. Our technology encompasses two different methods: a laser-based technology with unique curves engraved on the surface of the piece and a secondary process that incorporates diamond powder with reflective properties, which is then punched into the metal, resulting in a unique and stable identification for each piece.