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GET YOUR GOLD ARTICLES TESTED OR CERTIFIED BY THE GNBS TO ENSURE QUALITY
GNBS IN FOCUS…
Kaieteur News- Gold is a universally recognized medium of wealth. In 2024, Guyana recorded 434,067 ounces in gold production, some of which are utilised by Guyanese manufacturers to create unique pieces of jewellery sold on the local market. To ensure these gold pieces are of quality and increase consumer confidence in the local industry, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) offers testing and certification of the precious commodity.
Testing determines karat content or purity of the gold or gold articles. The GNBS conducts testing of raw gold for manufacturers seeking to determine the purity of the gold they are using while non-destructive testing of gold articles can be done for both manufacturers and consumers to determine the quality of their gold jewellery.
Meanwhile, certification takes this process one step further by creating consumer confidence in the businesses making and selling gold jewellery. In accordance with the National Standard – GYS 50:2022 ‘Specification for Gold articles’ – the GNBS certifies locally manufactured jewellery under its Product Certification Scheme.
The standard does not specify requirements for design of gold articles and does not apply to gold articles intended for industrial purposes such as dentistry, electronics, official coins, gold bars and other such uses. The document specifies requirements for the manufacturing, alloying and testing of gold articles of 23, 22, 20, 18, 15, 14,12, 10 and 9 karat gold. It also specifies requirements for solders to be used in the manufacture of gold articles, methods for assaying gold, soldering, etc. Further, it stipulates requirements for marking and labelling of gold articles.
Businesses certified to the standard are issued with a certificate permitting them to use the National Standards Mark on their gold jewellery in accordance with the conditions for certification, which include adherence to quality and labelling requirements.
The GNBS Product Certification Scheme ensures consistency in the manufacturing process through the monitoring and implementation of quality control procedures, thereby reducing the risk of producing substandard products. The Product Certification Scheme also provides Gold Jewellers with a competitive edge on the local and overseas markets, and ultimately, they benefit from increased revenue.
Currently, there are six gold manufacturers certified by the GNBS. These are: Steve’s Jewellery, R. Sookraj Jewellery, D & S Ramdeholl & Son Jewellery, Gopaul’s Jewellery, Nazeem’s Jewellery and King’s Jewellery.
Goldsmiths and other jewellery manufacturers who are not yet on the GNBS Product Certification Scheme are encouraged to get certified. To begin the process, contact the Bureau or visit its website and fill out the form (https://gnbsgy.org/forms-all/). On receipt of the completed form and fee, the document will be reviewed by the GNBS Certification Services Team to determine the overall cost of the certification process and a date will be set for a preliminary visit to assess the production operations.
Following the preliminary visit, companies will receive a letter indicating their ability to produce products meeting the specified requirements. Once the requirements are met, an audit and independent testing of products are completed and possible recommendations for improvements are made. After the company addresses any non-conformances, the report is prepared for the Advisory Committee on certification. Once approved, the company is certified.
Certified Goldsmiths and Jewellery manufacturers receive a certificate and plaque to showcase to their customers that their products meet quality requirements.
Other products currently certified by the GNBS under its Product Certification Scheme arePVC Pipes, Concrete Hollow Blocks and fibreglass Bathtub and shower units. For further information, please contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065-66, WhatsApp 692-4627 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org
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