BUSINESS INFORMATION

Did you know? Written By, Kwasi Poku Owusu; a student journalist from the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Jewellery has become an emblem that many people use them to signify authority, riches and some other forms of power. Traditionally, jewellery has its own way of telling a story. Nevertheless it does not change the true meaning of it. Have you ever wonder, that the jewellery that you gracefully put on is of the accurate quantity of the precious metal that it is said to be made of? Well it will surprise you to know that what we put as jewellery sometimes turns out to be a fake. These include the locally manufactured and the imported ones. The jewellery industry in Ghana has a long history from way back before, during, and after the independence of the country. Products within the sector are highly valued as well as patronized both locally and the international market. Some of which include ear rings, wedding rings, anklets, bracelets, necklace and all manner of craft works. However, there seems to be little or no control over the operations of the industry. As a result, consumers of such products are left vulnerable and the mercy of manufactures and importers. Meanwhile, manufactures and importers of genuine jewellery are not pleased with the situation at hand and therefore, the need to set up a check and balance scheme that will help bring this challenge to a halt. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) nee Ghana Standards Board introduced the Assaying and Hallmarking of jewellery scheme about four years ago to help control and ensure quality of service in the sector. Hallmarking is a quality control mark, placed on an article made of precious metals such as gold and silver. According to research, it is the accurate determiner and official recording of proportionate content of precious metal in jewellery. These tests on jewellery are independently carried out by an Assay Office. Hallmarks are official marks stamped on gold, silver and platinum articles as a guarantee of certain purity and fineness of the jewellery. A Ghana hallmark contains three symbols namely; the sponsor’s mark (often called the maker’s mark), a number indicating the purity or fineness in part per thousand, and an Assay Office mark. The articles that are marked are gold and silver. For gold, the standard marks are as follows; 375 (9 karat), 585 (14 karat), 750 (18 karat), 990 and 999 parts per 1000. For silver, the standard marks are; 8000, 925(sterling), 958(Britannia) and 999 parts per 1000. According to the Head of Public Relations for GSA, Kofi Amponsah Bediako, in an encounter, made mention of the objectives behind the instituting of the hallmarking scheme, saying that; the scheme is there to protect the consumer against fraud due to false claim by the jeweler, to provide accurate and verifiable reports about the constituents of jewellery, develop Ghana as one of the leading gold market center in the world and to develop export competiveness. He also added that upon the establishment, the assay office has been performing it duties but some jewelers have neglected the office. Initially, the jewelers use to come for certification but within these past years very few of them still come for the process. The certificate only last for only one year which means that every year comes with new certification He also said that the facility is not limited to only jewelers but the consumers and the general public at large, however almost all consumers and the public are ignorant and unaware of this facility. He gave a reason as to why it is so, saying; there is the availability of the ready market because the consumers always want to buy those with the common identity (those that have names in the market). Mr. Amponsah later outlined the benefits that both the jeweler and consumers are likely to enjoy when they make good use of the facility. To the consumers and the public as well as jewelers; • The satisfaction that, the consumer gets the right purity of precious metal for the given price (i.e. value for money). • The third party assurance of quality and originality. • Easily identify fake products on the market. • It will provide clear indication of their capabilities. • Provide strong evidence of commitment to quality. • Provide assurance of consistency in purity and quality of jewellery, hence enhances market share. He finally added that the GSA in fulfilling its mandate to protect the consumer and improve the precious mineral trade has extended the third party certification activities to the jewellery industry by building capability for the assaying and hallmarking of precious metals. It is obvious that the X-ray Florescence (XRF) machine at the assay laboratory of the GSA, tests both locally made and imported jewellery. Manufactures and consumers of jewellery making and its usage are invited to make use of the facility provided. Therefore it is the responsibility as citizens who are interested in the craft to make it a point to be vigilant and aware of what we put on as gold or silver. So the next time you visit a jewellery shop, look out for the marks and the certificate to ensure equity in the delivery of goods and services.