About us
The Goldsmiths' Company has championed craft and creativity for 700 years.
We train and support jewellers, silversmiths and allied trades, uphold the hallmarking standards that protect consumers and the trade, and invest in the creative talent that keeps craft alive.
The Goldsmiths’ Company is one of the Great XII livery companies of the City of London and received its first Royal Charter from Edward III in 1327. This medieval document, issued by the King, outlined our powers and responsibilities as the guild for those working with precious metals within the walls of the City. It paved the way for regulations which governed the way that our trade operated, set expectations for training and education, and guided our philanthropic responsibilities to the people and communities around us.
Over the last seven centuries, the City, the Company, and the Trade have evolved, yet, as we approach our 700th year, our purpose remains the same.
None of this would be possible without our members. They provide governance and direction, advice and support, and ensure that we stay true to our values and relevant in the modern world.
Out of our 1600 active members, 55% work in our trade and 45% in other professions, from law and finance to technology, hospitality and the creative sector. Together they bring expert knowledge and experience that is essential to running the Company today and securing its future for generations to come, just as our founding members did in 1327.
Through the London Assay Office, we test and assure the quality of precious metals and the nation’s coinage. Through the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme and our support for The Goldsmiths’ Centre, we provide education, training and mentorship to the next generation of master craftspeople. And through the Goldsmiths’ Foundation we are helping to advance creative, technical, and vocational skills in the craft and trade of goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery, and the wider creative industries.
