Certification
Certification in the jewellery trade refers to the formal validation of materials, processes, and expertise—from gemstone grading reports and precious metal fineness marks to professional qualifications and ethical supply-chain endorsements. These credentials matter to UK jewellery professionals for establishing trust, ensuring compliance, and supporting premium pricing. Jewellery Focus delivers in-depth coverage of certification in all its forms, including lab reports (GIA, IGI), UK hallmarking, Fairtrade/Fairmined and sustainability seals, accreditations from Gem‑A and other bodies, plus courier and security compliance standards. We explore how certification shapes sourcing decisions, retail disclosure obligations, consumer confidence, and regulatory audits—helping retailers, designers, gem dealers, manufacturers, and valuers understand pathways to accreditation and leverage trust-enhancing credentials in the UK market.
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Dec- 2017 -14 DecemberManufacturers
Alrosa certified by Responsible Jewellery Council
Russian diamond producer Alrosa has become a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) following an audit of its mining and business practices. The RJC is an international not-for-profit standards-setting and certification organisation which promotes a responsible worldwide supply chain and promotes trust in the global fine jewellery and…
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Nov- 2017 -6 NovemberRetailers
F Hinds first UK jeweller awarded ‘prestigious’ World Diamond Mark
F Hinds is the first jeweller in the UK to be confirmed as meeting the standards required by international diamond governing body the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. It has awarded the family retailer with the ‘World Diamond Mark’ (WDM) and seal as an Authorised Diamond Dealer. This recognises the…
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Oct- 2017 -17 OctoberTrade Organisations
RJC and DMCC announce collaboration
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced it has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DMCC to work cooperatively on advancing its shared objectives of improving corporate social responsibility and responsible supply chain efforts in the jewellery supply chain. With this new partnership, the two organisations will work together…
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Jul- 2017 -11 JulyTrade Organisations
RJC welcomes industry input for Code of Practice review
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has invited the industry to have its say on the body’s Code of Practice. The Code of Practice is the standard which defines responsible ethical, human rights, social, and environmental practices for companies in the diamond, gold and/or platinum metals jewellery supply chain. Certification against…
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May- 2017 -18 MayAuctions
De Beers to auction own polished diamonds for first time
De Beers has announced that it will auction polished diamonds manufactured from its own rough at its auction sales business for the first time in its history. It is piloting the sales of polished diamonds accompanied by its grading business, the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR) and…
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Jul- 2016 -18 JulyRetailers
Argos to sell Fairtrade wedding bands
Argos has become one of the first major high street brands to sell Fairtrade gold wedding bands, which it will offer across stores nationwide. The new line of wedding bands will be available in four different styles and went on sale on Saturday, 16 July. A number of additional styles…
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Jun- 2016 -7 JuneEconomy
Polished diamond prices dip in May
The price of polished diamonds declined slightly in May as buyers waited for the JCK Las Vegas show, which took place between 3 to 6 June. Despite this, the Rapaport Group’s RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) said trading at the show was “relatively weak” with slower traffic than in previous years.…
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May- 2016 -20 MayWatch Focus
Watchfinder watchmaker becomes first female accredited by Omega
A watchmaker at pre-owned watch retail firm Watchfinder has become the first female to be accredited by Omega. One of nine watchmakers at the company, Sarah-Jane King, has passed her evaluation and has been awarded the Omega qualification through the watch brand’s parent company Swatch Group UK. The accreditation coincided…
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Mar- 2016 -31 MarchInternational
RJC to consider adding coloured stones to remit
The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced it is considering adding coloured gemstones to its purview. The body announced at Baswelworld that it has embarked on “a major new area of work on coloured gemstones and their potential inclusion into RJC’s material scope” which currently includes diamonds, gold and platinum…
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Jan- 2016 -29 JanuaryTrade Organisations
Edinburgh Assay Office celebrates one year of Heathrow sub office
The Edinburgh Assay Office is celebrating its first full year of operating a sub office at Heathrow Airport. The Hallmarking in Transit (HIT) service, which launched in January last year, was developed to streamline the supply chain for gold and gem set importers. It allows importers of precious metal jewellery…
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