For Jacobs Jewellery, quality is more than a promise; it is an important part of earning customer trust, maintaining a strong reputation and building a sustainable business in Guyana’s jewellery sector. Critical to achieving these objectives is third-party certification, which provides independent assurance that a business consistently produces what it commits to. This is why Jacobs Jewellery sought certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) under its Product Certification Scheme and now produces gold jewellery that conforms to the requirements of the National Standard GYS 50:2022 – Specification for Gold Articles.
Jacobs Jewellery originated in 1997 as a family business. After being off the market for several years, the business was revived in December 2018 by Steven Jacobs (Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport) as he transitioned from professional cricket.
Since its return to the market, Jacobs Jewellery has experienced significant growth, moving from a relatively small operating environment into a larger and more accommodating space, while expanding its customer base and strengthening the quality of its products and services.
In 2025, the company decided to pursue GNBS certification to the GYS 50:2022 standard. According to General Manager Dellon Caesar, the decision was driven largely by the company’s desire to increase customer trust and confidence.
“When someone purchases gold jewellery, they should be confident that the product they are receiving is genuinely of the quality and karat being represented to them,” he said.
Caesar explained that the GNBS was recognised as the most credible institution to undertake the certification process.
“We wanted an independent and credible institution to verify that the standards we were applying internally met the required national standard. Ultimately, certification gives our customers another level of assurance and strengthens the credibility of Jacobs Jewellery,” Caesar added.
After demonstrating its readiness, the business successfully received its GNBS certificate in December 2025 for conformity to national standard GYS 50:2022.
The National Standard establishes requirements for the manufacture, alloying and testing of gold articles made from 23, 22, 20, 18, 15, 14, 12, 10 and 9 karat gold. While the standard does not specify requirements for the design of gold articles, it addresses the solders used in their manufacture, methods for assaying gold, and requirements for marking and labelling the articles.
For Jacobs Jewellery, meeting these requirements involved significant preparation and investment. Caesar described achieving certification as “a massive achievement” and the culmination of considerable work by the company.
According to him, the process was extensive but smooth, and the company welcomed the opportunity to have its practices independently assessed.
“It required us to have the appropriate equipment and systems in place, including certified weighing scales, proper equipment for melting and processing gold, and the correct application of alloys to achieve the required karat standards, whether 12-karat, 14-karat or 18-karat gold. Our products also went through rigorous testing and verification to ensure that jewellery already being manufactured met the required specifications,” he said.
Beyond the certification itself, Caesar said the achievement has given the business greater confidence while providing customers with greater peace of mind.
“From a small family operation to an established and certified Guyanese jewellery business, the growth has been tremendous,” the General Manager told the GNBS.
Jacobs Jewellery also utilises the testing capabilities of the GNBS to test its alloyed gold, providing an additional level of verification.
Since becoming certified, the company has observed an increase in customers asking questions about the karat, purity and quality of its products. According to Caesar, customers also take greater confidence from seeing the GNBS certificate, contributing to increased customer retention and referrals.
He explained that certification demonstrates the company’s willingness to subject its products and processes to independent testing and nationally recognised standards. This, he said, becomes increasingly important as the company expands its reach and serves a wider range of customers, including Guyanese consumers, members of the diaspora and visitors to Guyana.
Caesar also encouraged other jewellery businesses to pursue certification, noting that the effort should extend beyond individual businesses. “This should be bigger than any individual business. As an industry and as a country, we should strive towards a common national standard for the quality of jewellery produced and sold in Guyana,” he said.
Looking ahead, Jacobs Jewellery intends to expand beyond its Kitty, Georgetown location to other parts of the country. The company also plans to continue improving its products, manufacturing capabilities and customer experience.
Businesses interested in becoming certified under the GNBS Product Certification Programme are encouraged to contact the GNBS Certification Services Department for guidance on the applicable requirements and certification process. For more information, contact the GNBS at 219-0064-66, WhatsApp 692-4627, or visit the GNBS website at www.gnbsgy.org.
