Make Your Mark Awards 2016
Make Your Mark Awards
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office is proud to launch the Make Your Mark Awards, a new design competition that aims to challenge today’s students working in precious metal.
The Awards will be presented at a special event on Tuesday 1st November 2016, during the Make Your Mark event. This year’s benchpeg Awards will also be on display, with winners announced on the night.
“Anyone who sells precious metal jewellery or silverware in the UK is required by law to have their work hallmarked if it is over a certain weight,” explains Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden (Managing Director) of The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office. “We wanted to celebrate the 700 year old tradition of hallmarking and give newcomers to the industry the opportunity to kick-start their careers, not just with an understanding of their legal obligation, but also with an appreciation of how a hallmark can enhance and add value to their work.”
There will be two Award categories: Jewellery and Silversmithing, and entry will be open to current students, apprentices and young, recently graduated, designers (within the last three years) of precious-metal-related jewellery and silversmithing courses. Prizes will be awarded to the most artistically convincing design, model or finished piece in which precious metal is used with prominence, and where a London hallmark is part of the design.
“Make Your Mark is the leading industry event for students on a precious-metal-related course and is fast-becoming the go-to industry event for students,” comments Robert. “The event is now in its third year and the Awards will be the perfect complement to the fantastic range of stands and inspirational talks that are such a huge attraction to those who are just entering the industry. We are delighted to be launching the Awards and look forward to seeing some exciting entries.”
Awards Objectives
Students are invited to Make Their Mark on the Industry.
The aim of the Awards is threefold:
- To challenge today’s students working in precious metal both technically and artistically
- To educate today’s students on UK hallmarking and the legal requirements when selling their work
- To motivate jewellers, silversmiths and other design disciplines to explore new ground, and stretch their imagination of the use of the hallmark
The Awards will be open to apprentices, students and recent graduates.
Prizes will be awarded for the best design of a precious metal piece incorporating a UK hallmark within the design.
Both artistry and the way that the hallmark is used will be considered by the judging panel and we will be treating Jewellery and Silversmithing as two separate categories.
Take a look through the inspirational images below from silversmiths and jewellers who proudly incorporate the London hallmark in their work.
Judges and Prizes
Have your work seen by the following leading industry figures:
Eddie Davis, Graff Diamonds
Stewart Hersey, Hersey Silversmiths
Elizabeth Hunt, Allied Gold
Leo Onoufriou, Just Castings
Grant Macdonald, Silversmith
Rosemary Ransome Wallis, The Goldsmiths’ Company.
Prizes have been donated by key members of the trade and include a range of mentoring sessions, advice, workshop time and making assistance from Stephen Webster, Richard Fox, Stewart Hersey, Just Castings and Ruth Faulkner, Editor of Retail Jeweller.
These exclusive experiential prizes will be tailored to the winners’ specific needs and skillsets.
Winners and runners-up will also receive a selection of vouchers from Cooksongold and HS Walsh, Argentium Silver from Allied Gold, as well as cash, an exclusive tour and hallmarking credits from the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office.
Elizabeth Hunt, Grant Macdonald, Rosemary Ransome Wallis, Stewart Hersey, Richard Fox
Further Information
Designs can be submitted in the form of drawings or CAD designs, models or finished pieces, as long as there is a clear indication of the intended placement of the hallmark. All pieces must meet current standards for UK Hallmarking, whether they are to be produced in sterling silver or another precious metal. Mixed metal/mixed media submissions must contain the legal minimum amount of precious metal to qualify for entry to the Awards. Entrants can include a written statement giving the reasoning behind the placing/use of the hallmark if they wish and can also indicate the method of marking (laser or struck), size (0.5mm to 6mm), location on piece and configuration of the hallmark elements, providing all legal elements are included and the Leopard’s Head is used.
The judges will be looking for artistically convincing designs, models or finished pieces in which precious metal is used with prominence and demonstrating one or all of the following:
- An understanding of the various components of a hallmark
- The relationship between the hallmark and the design
- Practical and commercial potential of the design
- Originality and aesthetic appeal
- Technical skill.
Download the application form for all details.