The HALO Award
Hallmarking Awareness & Learning Online
Launched in 2021, the HALO Award is managed by Assay Assured, a joint initiative between the four Assay Offices in the UK: Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield. The Award is further supported by the National Association of Jeweller’s and the British Hallmarking Council.
The Award’s creation stemmed from the ideas of the late Chris Sellors of CW Sellors. Chris was passionate about hallmarking and committed to promoting its value to the industry in new and creative ways.
The British Hallmarking Council’s HALO Award encourages all jewellery retailers to review their online hallmarking information, raise the profile of hallmarks and introduce appropriate information in their own online space.
Noel Hunter, Chair of the British Hallmarking Council
What are We Looking For?
We’re looking for the jewellery business that uses their online platforms in the most creative ways to engage customers with hallmarking.
To be eligible for this award, you must sell precious metal jewellery online.
We want to celebrate the unique ways your business raises the profile of hallmarking online. Whether you’re an independent maker, small business or an omni-channel retailer, we want to see how you engage with your customers.
This award is all about the creativity you use to leverage the value of hallmarking to your audience, not dependent on the size of your business.
Minimum Requirements
Entrants should highlight work over the last 12 months that shows how you go above and beyond the minimum legal requirements of hallmarking. All applicants must be able to demonstrate the below requirements to be eligible for the award:
- Display a Dealer’s Notice on your website;
- Hallmark all items of precious metal that fall above exemption weights (silver 7.78g; gold 1g; platinum 0.5g; palladium 1g);
- Have clear and accurate product descriptions for all listings on your website.
Creativity & Engagement
Above all, we’re looking for the business that proactively and creatively leverages the added value that a hallmark provides for themselves and their customers.
This can include:
- Original digital content that helps customers better understand hallmarking;
- Creative an innovative approaches to sharing key messages about hallmarking;
- Online engagement demonstrating your businesses’ ability to leverage the value add that hallmarking provides for your brand and customers.
Product Listings Guidance
Deadline & Application
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 HALO AWARD ARE NOW CLOSED.
The award will be presented to the winner at the Benevolent Society Ball in December.
How to Apply:
To be eligible for this award, you must sell precious metal jewellery online.
Please fill out the application form online via Jotform (link below). This includes a range of questions and requests for evidence of activity. Please try to give as much information as possible for each question to help the judging panel get an accurate picture of your business.
We are particularly interested in understanding what the impact of your engagement has been. Please include any relevant links or supporting documents.
The winner will receive:
- A silver salver, to be held for one year;
- One year of Assay Assured accreditation;
- A visit to an Assay Office to learn about the hallmarking process;
- Supporting press, PR and marketing materials;
- A giveaway (paid for by Assay Assured) utilising the Assay Office’s audience reach.
If you have any questions regarding this application or the HALO Award, please contact Eda Obermanns, eda@edinburghassayoffice.co.uk.