Encouraging Hallmarking Enforcement - the Touchstone Award

Press release from the British Hallmarking Council

Hallmarking has never been more important but neither has it been more difficult to enforce.

Ever increasing precious metal prices make the need to differentiate between “fashion” and “fine jewellery” essential and this can easily be determined by a hallmark. However, the proliferation of brands, changing fashions and the prevalence of gold-plated silver or base metal items have blurred price points and shifted perceived values. Awareness of the importance of hallmarks on contemporary jewellery appears to have declined.

At the same time, the number of Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) has reduced due to local government spending cuts and those who remain face an increasing, wide ranging raft of legislation to be enforced. Add to this the growing global online market which makes enforcement more difficult when fraudulent traders attempt to cheat the consumer.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) have long been aware of the challenge and happily support the Touchstone Award, launched by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) in 2012.

The Award recognises the most effective initiative relating to hallmarking enforcement or education delivered by a local authority. Presented at the CTSI Annual Conference the Touchstone Award maintains the high profile of hallmarking and reminds all Trading Standards departments of its continued importance. Previous applications have included a wide variety of cases, from un-hallmarked items described and priced as precious metal to entirely false information such as silver and cubic zirconia rings sold as platinum and diamond online. Several cases have resulted in prosecution and significant penalties under the Proceeds of Crime Act which allows for confiscation or civil recovery following criminal convictions. 

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) recognise the importance of hallmarking and enforcement of the legislation by Trading Standards (TS). For several years the NAJ have sponsored the Touchstone Award, encouraging its continuation and the opportunity to remind more Trading Standards Officers of the importance of hallmarking.  The BHC and NAJ also recognise the part the jewellery industry has to play in promoting the reassurance offered by a hallmark.  The Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online (HALO) Award encourages jewellers to educate the consumer about the importance of hallmarks. Together the two awards support each other in maintaining and improving hallmarking enforcement and awareness.

Entries for the Touchstone Award 2025 close on May 5th 2025. Further details can be found on the BHC’s website including application information. Any jewellers who have contact with Trading Standards should encourage them to enter and also to share their good work with others on social media.  

Notes to editors

Hallmarking is one of the oldest forms of consumer protection dating back to the early 14th century. It is currently governed by the Hallmarking Act 1973 which requires all items over a specified weight to be hallmarked by a recognised assay office if they are to be described or sold as precious metal.

The British Hallmarking Council supervises the hallmarking activities of the four assay offices in the UK to ensure adequate provision of hallmarking. It is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body established and governed by the Hallmarking Act 1973. It is funded entirely by the four UK Assay Offices.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute is the recognised UK body for qualified Trading Standards professionals. Many of its members are Trading Standards Officers, enforcing legislation in their local area.

The National Association of Jewellers is the leading voice for the UK jewellery industry, comprising 2000 member companies. It was formed in 2015 through the unification of the British Jewellers’ Association and National Association of Goldsmiths.

More information can be supplied on request.

The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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