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 UKโs assay officesโBirmingham, London, Sheffield, and Edinburghโis 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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Nov- 2019 -4 NovemberCurrent Affairs
Third of UK gold jewellery sold online suspected as fake, warns BHC
A third of โgoldโ jewellery being sold online is suspected to be unhallmarked and therefore may be fake, raising concerns that UK consumers are being duped by internet traders, according to data released today from the British Hallmarking Council (BHC). A 10-day internet sweep by WRi Group in partnership with…
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Oct- 2019 -15 OctoberMetal Prices
Silver and platinum up in September hallmarking
Both the number of silver and platinum pieces hallmarked in September 2019 increased by 4.5% and 14.4% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Silver hallmarked pieces increased from 361,441 to 377,587 and platinum items increased from 23,055 to 26,383 during the month. However, this was offset…
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11 OctoberE-Commerce
E-Commerce Handbook Case Study: Ruby & Oscar
Give me a brief description of your business Ruby & Oscar was established in 2018. We offer lab created and natural, semi precious stones set within a selection of silver and gold designs. Operating solely online, we are able to pass on excellent savings directly to our customers. What is…
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3 OctoberAppointments
Edinburgh Assay Officeโs CEO assumes international chairman role
The Edinburgh Assay Officeโs 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 Dealerโs Notice which is now available and becomes compulsory on 1 May 2020. The Dealerโs 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 โThe Jewellery Materials Congressโ, it will support the jewellery and silverware community by providing a โcollaborative, non-commercial forumโ 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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