Assay Office
Assay offices are central to the UK jewellery trade, ensuring the integrity of precious metal goods through hallmarking and quality assurance. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, staying informed about the activities and developments of the UK’s assay offices—Birmingham, London, Sheffield, and Edinburgh—is vital. Jewellery Focus provides comprehensive coverage on hallmarking standards, regulatory updates, innovations in testing and certification, and the broader role assay offices play in supporting the trade.
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Oct- 2019 -3 OctoberAppointments
Edinburgh Assay Office’s CEO assumes international chairman role
The Edinburgh Assay Office’s chief executive and master, Scott Walter, will take up the role of chairman of the Convention on the Control and Marking of Articles of Precious Metals (CCMAPM) at the end of November. Walter held previous roles within the Convention sitting on the Standing Technical committee and…
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Sep- 2019 -27 SeptemberEconomy
BHC introduces new Hallmarking Dealer’s Notice
The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) has introduced a new Hallmarking Dealer’s Notice which is now available and becomes compulsory on 1 May 2020. The Dealer’s Notice, which must be displayed by all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery, has been updated to add two new marks. The updated version incorporates a…
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Aug- 2019 -20 AugustEconomy
Gold slumps 7.3% in July hallmarking
The number of gold pieces hallmarked in July 2019 decreased by 7.3%, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Palladium also decreased by 30.3% to 4356 pieces hallmarked, and the amount of platinum pieces hallmarked during the month decreased by 2% to 26,599 items. However, the average volume…
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Jul- 2019 -17 JulyEconomy
Hallmarking figures slump 4.7% in June
Hallmarking figures fell across all major categories in June 2019, compared with the same period the previous year, with overall volumes decreasing by 4.7% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 289,377 in June 2018 to 263,881 in 2019, down…
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Jun- 2019 -27 JuneEvents
Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office to hold Jewellery Congress this July
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office will be holding an international conference on the 8-9 July 2019, at Goldsmiths’ Hall. Called ‘The Jewellery Materials Congress’, it will support the jewellery and silverware community by providing a “collaborative, non-commercial forum” to share knowledge and foster technological and operational innovation in materials development.…
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19 JuneBrand Profiles
My Store: Crazy Pig Designs
From the age of 16 Armand Serra has been a professional guitar player, however following a move to London where he auditioned for many famous bands including, UFO, Thin Lizzy and Motorhead he eventually found himself working at a jewellery store in Carnaby Street. At first Serra had little interest…
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13 JuneEconomy
Gold and platinum up in May hallmarking
Both the number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked in May 2019 increased by 1.4% and 12.4% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces increased from 294,530 to 298,654 and platinum items increased from 24,768 to 27,847 during the month. However, this was offset…
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May- 2019 -16 MayMetal Prices
Gold, silver and platinum up in April hallmarking
Both the number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in April 2019 increased by 6.6% and 3.3% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces increased from 299,542 to 319,410 and silver items increased from 335,827 to 346,798 during the month. Additionally, the average volume…
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10 MayEvents
Sheffield jeweller to exhibit at new jewellery and silversmithing fair
Sheffield jeweller Jennie Gill has been announced as one of the 60 independent makers from all over the UK who will exhibit at the inaugural Goldsmiths North international summer selling fair at the Cutlers’ Hall from 12 to 14 July. Whitby-born Gill will be showcasing her handmade jewellery that is…
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Apr- 2019 -16 AprilEconomy
Gold and platinum up in March hallmarking
Both the number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked in March 2019 increased significantly by 4.5% and 19.1% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The average volume of silver also grew by 1% from 321,910 to 325,093 however palladium decreased by 36.8%% to 3,458 hallmarked items.…
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