Gold jewellery holds significant value for consumers, and the commodity contributes significantly to Guyana’s economy. Given the value of gold, consumers need assurance that the articles they purchase are genuine and meet the quality and purity represented by the seller.
To provide this assurance and strengthen confidence in Guyana’s jewellery industry, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), through its Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Department, offers gold testing service at an affordable cost to determine the quality and purity of gold articles.
The service provides valuable support to consumers, jewelers, goldsmiths and other stakeholders by helping to verify the quality and purity of gold and promoting greater transparency within the industry.
At the GNBS, gold is tested using a non-destructive technique known as X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This method allows the percentage purity and composition of gold jewellery to be determined quickly without causing damage to the article submitted for testing.
The use of XRF technology is particularly beneficial for customers who wish to have their gold jewellery or other gold articles analysed while preserving the integrity of the item. Once the testing process is completed, customers receive a report outlining the results of the analysis. This information can assist with purchasing and selling decisions, quality verification and other gold transactions, while helping to promote greater confidence and transparency.
Besides gold testing, GNBS provides certification for locally manufactured gold articles through its Product Certification Programme. While testing determines the composition and purity of a particular gold article, certification takes the quality assurance process a step further. Through certification, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to consistently meeting established national requirements for the manufacture and sale of gold jewellery. The GNBS certifies locally manufactured gold jewellery in accordance with the National Standard, GYS 50:2022 – Specification for Gold Articles.
This standard outlines requirements for the manufacturing, alloying and testing of gold articles made from 23, 22, 20, 18, 15, 14, 12, 10 and 9 karat gold. It also specifies requirements for solders used in the manufacture of gold articles, methods for assaying gold and soldering, as well as requirements for the marking and labelling of gold articles.
Businesses that successfully meet the requirements of the standard under the GNBS Product Certification Programme are issued with a certificate permitting them to use the National Standards Mark on their gold jewellery.
The use of the National Standards Mark provides consumers with an additional indication that jewellery purchased has been produced under an approved certification system and meets the relevant requirements for quality and labelling.
Through its gold testing and certification services, the GNBS continues to support quality, transparency and consumer confidence in Guyana. Stakeholders are encouraged to take advantage of these services.
For more information on gold testing and the certification services, contact the GNBS at 219-0064/66, via WhatsApp at 692-4627 (GNBS), or email info@gnbsgy.org.
