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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Mar- 2019 -19 MarchEvents
New northern jewellery and silversmithing show announced
A new northern contemporary jewellery and silversmithing show has been announced to be held at the historic Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield as the back-drop for a new precious metals selling fair, the first of its kind in the region. Goldsmiths North will build on the success of The Goldsmiths’ Fair…
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14 MarchMetal Prices
Gold hallmarking drops 10.1% in February
Gold hallmarking fell by 10.1% in February 2019 compared with the same period the previous year, with overall volumes decreasing by 5.4% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 313,532 in February 2018 to 281,938 in 2019. Additionally, silver and…
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Feb- 2019 -13 FebruaryEconomy
Gold and platinum up double-digits in January hallmarking
The number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked in January 2019 increased significantly by 17.9% and 19.1% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The average volume of silver also grew by 2.1% from 425,631 to 437,344, however palladium decreased by 31.4% to 4,481 hallmarked items. Overall…
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Jan- 2019 -14 JanuaryMetal Prices
Platinum up 9.4% in December; Overall 2018 results revealed
Platinum hallmarking increased by 9.4% in December 2018, compared with the same period the previous year, despite overall volumes decreasing by 2.1% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 322,033 in December 2017 to 312,281 in 2018. Silver and palladium…
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Dec- 2018 -18 DecemberManufacturers
Gold drops 2.8% in November hallmarking
Gold hallmarking fell by 2.8% in November 2018 compared with the same period the previous year, this is despite overall volumes increasing by 1.8% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 492,537 in November 2017 to 478, 589 in 2018.…
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10 DecemberEvents
Goldsmiths’ Company to stage UK’s ‘biggest’ precious metal student event
London’s Goldsmiths’ Hall will be hosting the “UK’s biggest” careers event for apprentices, students and graduates of jewellery and allied trades, on 5 February 2019. According to the group ‘Make Your Mark’ has proved a “huge success” since its launch in 2014, and now the event promises to deliver even…
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Nov- 2018 -28 NovemberUncategorized
Three-Minute Interview: Paul Platnauer
Describe yourself in three words? Integrity, drive and passion. When you were at school, what did you want to be and why? I always planned on going into the family business when I left school making me the third generation of R Platnauer Ltd, over 25 years ago, and to…
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23 NovemberFeatures
A hallmark of the future
Changes in the market have driven the Birmingham Assay Office to invest heavily in the technology to apply hallmarks by laser during the past decade. Laser marking is now an established method for applying statutory hallmarks but its potential as a way to differentiate and add value to products is…
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22 NovemberFeatures
What is x-ray fluorescence testing?
The change in the UK jewellery market during the past 15 years has been dramatic and irreversible. Items made outside the UK now outnumber UK manufactured articles by about nine to one and there has been a significant increase in silver and mixed metal articles and those which are hollow…
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16 NovemberFeatures
Saying ‘Yes’ to platinum
Platinum has been successfully marketed as the ultimate precious metal and has proved relatively resilient to recent financial turmoil. Volume in the platinum market is very much driven by the bridal market and it has fared slightly better than gold and silver. Platinum is firmly established as the luxury option…
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