Momentum Builds Behind New HALO Award

2022 is proving a big year for UK Hallmarking as Assay Offices report an enthusiastic take-up of the additional Platinum Jubilee Hallmark and the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) and National Association of Jewellers continue to promote the new HALO (Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online) Award. 

Over 85,000 platinum jubilee marks have been applied already and there are still almost six months left to add this special commemorative Mark, adding value to items made in this historic year. 

The historic, unmistakably royal Mark has been widely applied and is still in demand.  It can be used as part of the hallmark on any precious metal. 

Doug Henry, Assay Master for Birmingham said: “Demand has been steadily growing since the launch last November and the key June celebrations have increased the awareness and popularity of the mark. We have seen some spectacular high ticket items, specially commissioned for the Jubilee, but the mark adds value to the simplest item and we have applied it to lockets, picture frames and wedding rings amongst many other anniversary and commemorative pieces.  The platinum jubilee is a unique event in British history and the commemorative hallmark is a lovely reminder of the special occasion to enhance the sentimental value of an individual item of jewellery.”

Noel Hunter, Chair of the British Hallmarking Council commented "This is really good news as promotion of the Jubilee Mark brings the hallmark to the public’s notice. The objective of the HALO initiative launched by the BHC in 2021 is to encourage jewellers to view every hallmark as a selling point and ensure the customer is aware of its meaning and importance.  After almost 700 years of statutory hallmarking in the UK it is easy for the industry to take it for granted but in a global market and a world where we hear of scams, fraud and forgeries on a daily basis it is more vital than ever. The explosion of brands and the mix of precious and base metal jewellery on many websites can be very confusing. The level playing field which hallmarking should create will continue to be dangerously eroded unless legitimate precious metal jewellery offers online are clearly differentiated by reference to the hallmark. Trust, confidence and integrity are clearly important to the British public at present and the hallmark delivers all of these.”

Back in 2021, the British Hallmarking Council also made available a digital Dealer’s Notice, (available here) that can be downloaded for use on websites and social media. The National Association of Jewellers is strongly supporting the new Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online (HALO) initiative which has already prompted a fresh approach to explaining the hallmark by some jewellers. We are delighted that there has been a drive to improve consumer understanding of the hallmark and therefore reassert its importance and added value has begun. In order to maintain the momentum, the application date for entries for the HALO Award has been extended until 16th September and jewellers are encouraged to enter.  The Award will be presented at the industry’s Benevolent Society Ball in December.  Full details can be found at: www.naj.co.uk/HALO

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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