Precious metals and jewellery businesses back hallmarking and call for modernisation

The British Hallmarking Council has published the results of its UK-wide jewellery industry consultation on the future of the Hallmarking Act, with responses showing strong and widespread support for hallmarking across the jewellery and precious metals sector.

A total of 870 businesses responded (approximately 19% of the UK’s jewellery businesses), despite the survey being open for a limited period in December. The majority were sole traders and micro-businesses, reflecting the structure of today’s jewellery trade and providing insight grounded in real, day-to-day experience.

The results show that hallmarking continues to be valued as a cornerstone of consumer confidence, with almost nine in ten respondents supporting independent regulation of alloy purity. Over three-quarters also described hallmarking as a positive selling point, reinforcing its role in trust, transparency and ethical trading. Respondents also reflected the increasingly mixed nature of jewellery trading today, with many operating across online, bespoke and in-person sales channels.

Respondents were clear that hallmarking matters: not just as a technical requirement, but as a visible signal of quality, professionalism and credibility, particularly in online and international markets. Areas such as consumer protection, trust and transparency were perceived as the most significant benefits of an effective hallmarking system, particularly in the context of online and distance selling. Many also emphasised the role of hallmarking in protecting reputable businesses and maintaining confidence in the UK jewellery trade.

Alongside this strong support, respondents also identified practical challenges, especially for low-volume and bespoke businesses. Costs, proportionality and clarity around online and overseas sales were recurring themes, pointing to opportunities for targeted improvement rather than wholesale change.

Taken together, the findings indicate a strong appetite for targeted, pragmatic reform, focused on clarity, modernisation and fairness, while preserving the core consumer protection principles of the Hallmarking Act.

The British Hallmarking Council thanks all businesses and individuals who took the time to contribute their experience and insight. The results will inform the BHC’s recommendations to the Department for Business and Trade as it considers the future framework for hallmarking in the UK.