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The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office makes its mark with Created in the UK

16 Aug 2022

CreatedUK

The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office joins the Created in the UK movement by supporting the striking of the new mark on jewellery, silverware and related products.

Created in the UK is a scheme developed by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) to help designers, manufacturers and retailers promote the provenance of their jewellery and related goods. The mark sits alongside the traditional hallmark to identify products made and designed in the United Kingdom.

Will Evans, General Manager of The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, states,

"The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office is proud to be working with the NAJ to offer the Created in the UK mark to our mutual customers, allowing those investing in UK design and manufacture a new opportunity to promote this. We are excited to see the mark become internationally recognised as an indicator of great British creativity."

The mark can be struck on precious metal items by any of the four UK Assay Offices as an additional mark to go alongside the hallmark. Three unique versions are available in various sizes to allow almost any type of jewellery to be struck with a stamp or laser engraved with the Created in the UK mark.

Three unique versions of the mark exist – for those times when placing the mark on a product involves no colour and reproduction at small sizes. The mark can be struck on precious metal items by any of the four UK Assay Offices as an additional mark to go alongside the hallmark.

Katie Gillespie, Created in the UK lead, says,

"We're delighted that all four UK Assay Offices can now strike the Created in the UK mark. Provenance is an important buying factor for consumers. Created in the UK provides reassurance for the public and is a great marketing tool for those signed up to the scheme. Now it is easier than ever to be a part of the movement, no matter where you get your jewellery or silverware hallmarked in the country."

How it works

Similar to Fairtrade Foundation's mark for Fairtrade Gold, the NAJ licenses jewellery makers and manufacturers, who can then:

  • Request the mark on qualifying products only
  • Provide written proof of compliance
  • Check with the NAJ if in doubt whether a specific product qualifies and accept the decision of the NAJ (as the interpreters of the 'spirit' as well as the letter of the rules) as final
  • Sign up to the Created in the UK Code of Conduct and follow the NAJ's guiding principles
  • Agree to be audited to ensure compliance with the criteria
  • Accept sanctions if in contravention, including potentially public removal from the scheme. Any self-certification scheme must be operated on a zero-tolerance basis to retain credibility.

How to join

To join the scheme, the Association requires you to complete an application form and return it to the Created in the UK team (created@naj.co.uk). The Compliance Officer will then review the application and give feedback to you accordingly.

Discover more about Created in the UK

Source: National Association of Jewellers