A press released titled ‘Hull jeweller fined for selling fake rings’ was issued by Hull City Council on November 10, 2025. The use of the words ‘fake’ and ‘counterfeit’ were incorrect and does not accurately reflect the facts of the court case in question. As accurately reported in the release, Zerrin Jewellery, based on Newland Avenue, and owned by Hull-based Fast Food Import and Export Ltd, was subject to a successful court case as a result of selling silver jewellery which was not hallmarked. The company pleaded guilty to a serious consumer protection offence, and was duly punished by the courts.
However, while it is illegal to supply un-hallmarked jewellery the items did contain silver when tested. With this context, the jewellery can be described as ‘un-hallmarked’, but not as ‘fake’. The council apologises for any misunderstanding caused as a result of this wording. Wording on the council’s news site, hullccnews.co.uk, was updated on November 11 to address the inaccuracy.
