Make your Mark 2019, organised by The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office took place yesterday at Goldsmiths’ Hall. It was a great success welcoming over 700 students and visitors. 

The action-packed day, designed to benefit newcomers to the trade, featured an exciting talks programme with presentations by star speakers, 22 exhibitors, and demonstrations throughout the event.  In addition, the winners of the third Make Your Mark Awards were announced during the event.

The competition is designed to celebrate the London Hallmark and had two entrance categories - current Students or Apprentices, and Graduates or Apprentices that have completed their training within the last 5 years.

Speaking at the Awards, Angela Cork said: “For the time that I have been practising as a Silversmith I have always found it very interesting to think about how I might use a hallmark to dramatic effect and to finish a piece, taking great joy in choosing the size, placement and display of the marks and deciding whether a piece would suit traditionally struck marks or 3D laser-marks. But always pleased to finish my piece with a set of London hallmarks, knowing that my work follows in the footsteps of all of the great craftsmen and women that have come before us all.” (Read a full transcript here.)

Angela and her fellow judges Bobby White, Jos Skeates and Adam Phillips selected six prize winners from the entrants. 

The student award winner was announced as Smaranda Maria Voican from Central Saint Martins, for her “Reveal” ring.  The judges felt this design was both simple and effective and beautifully presented and ultimately demonstrated how jewellery can be made more interesting because of the application of the hallmark.

Smaranda Maria Voican, "Reveal" ring

STUDENT AWARD - RUNNERS UP BELOW

This entry was selected because of its celebration of the traditional and historical hallmark, while looking at a playful approach to creating a modern design and judges particularly loved the hand drawing skills. Heather Blake, 'Leo Pard' Ring. Student - British Academy of Jewellery

The judges felt this piece used the hallmarks in a clever way and for a submission by a student, judges were impressed by the level of craftsmanship of this entry. Peter Roberts, ‘Remembrance’ – Silver Model Plane. Student - Ms. A. Hamilton Creative Jewellery

Judges "were really impressed by the use of the hallmark shield shapes to make up the component parts of this very wearable necklace". Harriet Morris ,'Shield Wreath' Necklace. Student at Bishopsland

The Graduate Award was awarded to Ninka Duval who studied at the British Academy of Jewellery for her “Thirteen Hundred” ring.  The judges felt this piece demonstrated great craftsmanship, subtlety in the use of the hallmarks alongside the design which celebrated the London hallmark.

The presentation, exhibition and event in Goldsmiths’ Hall were buzzing with excitement as students, graduates and tutors mingled with well-known industry personalities and members of the Goldsmiths’ Company.  

Exclusive career enhancing opportunities are waiting for the winners – Ninka will enjoy a 1:1 workshop tour and portfolio review with Bobby White, and Smaranda a 1:1 design studio tour and portfolio review with Liz Olver, Design Director of Annoushka.

Both receive £1000 from the Assay Office and a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, a Dream Plan Do business planner by the Design Trust and a pair of Goldsmiths’ Centre Creative Links talks tickets.

Scroll down for the winning designs, and the runners up.  All those shortlisted, were exhibited in Goldsmiths’ Hall and can be viewed online here.

Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden of the Assay Office, said: “The Goldsmiths’ Company is not only the home of hallmarking but a leading supporter of the trade.  We are passionate about encouraging the next generation to prosper in this wonderful industry.  As an example of this commitment, this is the fifth time we have staged the free Make Your Mark event, fast becoming a brand in its own right, and the third time we have run the Make Your Mark Awards.  I was delighted that we had such a large number of entries for the latter, demonstrating a wide range of creativity and approaches to tackling the brief. 

Bringing together this mix of visitors, awards entrants, staff, stall holders, speakers, demonstrators, and sponsors made Make Your Mark 2019 a huge success.” 

Ninka Duval “Thirteen Hundred” ring

GRADUATE AWARD - RUNNERS UP BELOW

Judges loved the playful kinetic qualities of the piece and the fact that the hallmarks take centre stage to the design in a new way. Anthony Wong, 'Jjjhhooooooooombaaaah' Pendant. Graduate - Royal College of Art.

Judges really liked the way that each page carried its own mark and yet was one piece, "a clever wearable design that celebrates the hallmark well". 'A Homage to the Book of the Hallmark’ Ring, Anthony Wong. Graduate - Royal College of Art.