Get Covered: What legal things do you need to know as an independent jeweller?
What are the legal ‘must-knows’ for running a jewellery business in the UK? Ahead of our Members-Only Masterclass with legal expert Lucy Legal later this month, here’s a quick checklist of things you should be considering if you’re running an independent jewellery business.
1. Getting Set Up: Business Registration & Tax
First things first – make it official. Whether you’re going solo as a sole trader or setting up a limited company, you’ll need to register your business with HMRC. If your turnover hits £90,000, VAT registration is a must. Good bookkeeping is key too—stay on top of your records to avoid any tax-time headaches. Even a basic excel spreadsheet listing your outgoings and payments in will help a lot.
2. Selling Safely: Consumer Rights & Fair Trading
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, everything you sell must be:
✔ Exactly as described
✔ Of high quality
✔ Fit for purpose
When selling online you’ll need to follow the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which means offering a 14-day return policy. This doesn’t apply however for bespoke pieces, which is anything customised or made to a specific order.
Transparency is everything - be clear about pricing, materials, and refunds. We’ll discuss the content and wording of these in our Masterclass.
3. Marketing: Play by the Rules
If you’re doing META ads, make sure you stick to ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) guidelines - no misleading claims. Be upfront about materials, especially if you're working with lab-grown or treated gemstones. If you're collaborating with influencers, make sure they disclose paid partnerships to stay on the right side of CMA regulations.
4. Protect Your Brand: Intellectual Property (IP)
As I know from personal experience, it’s very hard to protect your designs and intellectual property, even if you do register them in an attempt to protect yourself.
Start with registering your business name, logo, and standout pieces with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO). This keeps copycats at bay (but won’t necessarily stop them, unfortunately) and helps you build a strong brand identity.
5. Health & Safety: Keep It Safe
If you have a physical shop or workshop, you’ll need to follow Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 regulations. Think fire safety, risk assessments, and proper handling of jewellery-making materials—it’s all about keeping yourself and your customers safe.
6. Handling Customer Data: GDPR Compliance
This is very important if you have a mailing list. If you’re collecting customer emails or running an online store, you must comply with UK GDPR. This means handling personal data responsibly, keeping it secure, and getting clear opt-ins for marketing. No one likes an unexpected newsletter…
7. Importing & Exporting Jewellery
Bringing in materials or selling overseas? Stay up to date with UK trade regulations, including VAT, customs duties, and any paperwork needed to keep things running smoothly. We’ll cover these during our Masterclass, including the new GPSR regs.
Running a jewellery business isn’t just about creating beautiful things to sell - it’s about making sure everything behind the scenes is legally sound. By staying compliant, you’ll build a brand that customers trust and set yourself up for long-term success.
The Masterclass is for GoldDust Collective monthly Members only.
If you are not yet a member, you can join now and watch the February Legal Masterclass to get up to date, and ask our legal expert anything.