Trading Standards Officers learned some valuable lessons during a free one-day course designed to help them better understand the difference between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds and the terminology that should be used to describe them. The course was hosted at the Birmingham Assay Office on 5 February, with support from the Natural Diamond Council and the London Diamond Bourse.
The day commenced with refreshments and then a welcome address by Doug Henry, Chief Executive and Assay Master of the Birmingham Assay Office.
Delivered with expertise, the sessions gave a very interesting and informative insight into the difference between natural diamonds and their laboratory-grown counterparts. Information was also given about screening and authentication processes, something that is essential if the protection of the consumer is to be assured.
According to the Natural Diamond Council, between 2016 and 2023 the price of a 1.5 carat laboratory-grown diamond fell by more than 74% in some cases. Whilst that may be good news for some, it does mean that those wishing to defraud the consumer by falsely presenting laboratory-grown diamonds as natural diamonds now stand to make even more money from their fraudulent acts.
Examples were given of the hallmarking and diamond identification work being carried out by some Trading Standards services. Reference was made to the excellent work carried out by Hull City Trading Standards, winners of the British Hallmarking Council’s Touchstone Award 2024. In an example of how expert assistance is available to Trading Standards departments, a member of the London Diamond Bourse accompanied the Hull team during their inspection of premises and gave expert witness statements.
Following the morning session, delegates enjoyed a buffet lunch in the magnificent Silver Room of the Birmingham Assay Office.
The afternoon presentations related to hallmarking, providing an overview of the Hallmarking Act 1973 and its relevance to Trading Standards.
The day then concluded with a tour of the Birmingham Assay Office, where delegates were invited to witness the wide array of technical facilities available in order to protect businesses and consumers in respect of precious metals and diamond verification.
It was stressed throughout the day that the expertise of the Birmingham Assay Office, the Natural Diamond Council and the London Diamond Bourse are available free of charge to Trading Standards.
There is a great deal of potential work that could be carried out by Trading Standards teams in relation to the misdescription of diamonds. Could you be the Officer to carry out an enforcement programme and bring a prosecution?
