The metal retains its identity and must be returned or exported in manufactured
form. A substantial proportion of Italian jewellery is made under this system
on account of American, European and Middle Eastern wholesalers.
Differs
from prestito d’uso, where a
dealer lends gold to a manufacturer but it loses its identity and the borrower’s
only responsibility is to repay the gold on maturity of the loan.
Conto Lavoro/Conto Lavorazione (Gold Working Account)
A term used in the jewellery manufacturing industry in Italy to describe
gold which a local or foreign wholesaler gives to a manufacturer to make up for
him/her in payment only of the manufacturing charges.