Inspector of Assay Office of Russia detect up to 5,000 of phoney hallmarks of gold pieces annually. This information was given to journalists by Alexander Perevedentsev, Head of Assay Office of Russia of Finance Ministry He said this number is not significant compared to 2,000.000 hallmarks stamped by Assay Office. Over 50,000 pieces of unstamped jewellery circulate at the market, he said.

Perevedentsev disproved the statements of mass-media that 60-70% of pieces are of Turkish origin and low quality. Portion of pieces of foreign precious metals is trifling. In the first half of 2001 share of jewellery imported totaled 0.7%, while it amounted 1.2% in 2000, 5.7% in 1999, 28% in 1990. In Soviet times, in 1977, in particular, share of imported jewellery was 75%.