The National Association of Goldsmiths was established in 1894. It was established chiefly to protect and support the jewellery industry in Great Britain and Ireland. Within the association there are ethical standards that have been established to inspire public confidence with buying goldsmiths jewellery.

There is also a worldwide association known as the CIBJO, or the International Jewellery Confederation. The mission of this organisation within the jewellery industry three pronged. Their first objective is to encourage and promote harmonisation in the gold and jewellery industry. The second is to advocate international co-operation within the industry and thirdly and perhaps most important of all the objectives is to inspire and protect consumer confidence.

Goldsmiths
as the name suggests deal in gold and the National Association of Goldsmiths give general guidelines for jewellers with regard to selling gold and gemstones. For gold to be sold as a particular carat value it must contain the correct balance between alloys and pure gold. Unfortunately pure gold that is 24 carat is considered too soft for jewellery manufacture and this is the reason that alloys are added. Depending on the alloys that are used, they can change the colour of the gold. For example a large amount of copper alloyed with pure gold will produce red or rose gold. If however, the gold is alloyed with a greater proportion of zinc, nickel and tin than the result will be white gold. It is important that when you are buying gold and gold jewellery that you make sure it is hall marked so you can be assured of its authenticity.