Digital Jewellery Passports: How Transparent Supply Chains Strengthen the UK Jewellery Market

Hallmarking has been the cornerstone of trust in the UK jewellery trade, certifying the purity of precious metals through the independent authority of assay offices. Traditionally, this mark verified only the metal type and fineness, offering no visibility into a jewel’s wider story—its origin, materials, or sourcing ethics. That’s now changing with the introduction of the Digital Jewellery Passport (DJP), an innovation that connects each hallmark to a unique digital record secured on a decentralised blockchain. This system links traditional hallmark verification with comprehensive traceability, covering everything from provenance and materials to compliance and sustainability data.

- by PRATYASHA KUMARI

London-based PureJewels, in collaboration with the Edinburgh Assay Office and Everledger, has launched the UK’s first pilot of hallmark-anchored Digital Jewellery Passports. In conversation with The Retail Jeweller, Jayant Raniga, CEO, PureJewels and MD of Veia Gold, talks about how the initiative marks a pivotal step towards greater transparency in the jewellery industry—creating measurable advantages for UK retailers and forging stronger trade connections with India.

EDITED EXCERPTS:

What is a Digital Jewellery Passport and why does it matter?

A Digital Jewellery Passport (DJP) links a hallmark with a blockchain record that contains verified supply-chain and compliance data. At the point of hallmarking, each piece is assigned a unique alphanumeric code by the Assay Office. This code connects the jewel to a secure blockchain ledger, allowing retailers and consumers to access tamper-proof details about provenance, sourcing, and sustainability.

The DJP turns hallmarking from a static purity stamp into a dynamic trust system that documents the entire life story of a jewel.

Why is this innovation significant for the UK jewellery market?

The UK market faces increasing consumer and regulatory demand for verifiable supply-chain transparency. While traditional hallmarking ensures metal purity, it does not prove where materials came from or how they were made.

By linking a hallmark to blockchain data, the DJP allows retailers to show proof of ethical sourcing and responsible manufacturing. This gives UK jewellers a distinct competitive edge: they can combine heritage trust with digital traceability, strengthening both reputation and market value.