Make Your Mark Awards 2017

Applications are now open for the second Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office’s Make Your Mark Awards, which invites students and young designers to design a piece of jewellery or silverware that celebrates the London hallmark, the iconic Leopard’s Head.

There are two Award categories to enter – Jewellery and Silversmithing – and the competition is open to current students, apprentices and recently graduated designers (within the last five years) of precious metal-related jewellery and silversmithing courses. 

The aim of the Awards

• 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

Eligibility

The Awards will be open to apprentices, students and recent graduates.

Submissions

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. 

To Apply

Download the application form for all details. 

Judging Criteria

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.

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.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the most artistically convincing design, model or finished piece in which precious metal is used with prominence, and where the London hallmark is an integral part of the design.

Winners

The winners will be revealed at an exclusive event at London’s Goldsmiths’ Hall on Tuesday 31 October 2017 during the two-day Make Your Mark event.

Anyone interested in finding out more or submitting an entry for this year’s Awards should visit www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/events/make-your-mark-awards-2017. 

Application Deadline

The deadline for entries is Friday 29 September 2017.