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.
-
Dec- 2017 -22 DecemberEconomy
Hallmarking figures drop by 11% in November
The volume of jewellery hallmarked by the four UK assay offices fell by an average of 11% in November compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The average volume of gold pieces hallmarked fell by 12.1% to 492,537 compared with…
Read More » -
Nov- 2017 -9 NovemberE-Commerce
Jewlr and Edinburgh Assay Office announce quality control partnership
North American online jewellery retailer Jewlr has announced its partnership with the Edinburgh Assay Office (EAO). The EAO’s hallmarking services will be combined with Jewlr’s craftsmanship and personalised styles, to bring fine jewellery of the highest quality to customers in the United Kingdom. Since 1457, the EAO has been verifying…
Read More » -
1 NovemberDesigners
Make Your Mark Award winners announced
This year’s winners of the Make Your Mark Awards were announced at a VIP drinks reception at London’s Goldsmiths’ Hall on Tuesday 31 October 2017. The winner of this year’s Jewellery category was recent graduate Charelle Smith for her Unlock the Hallmark pendant. She was presented with an exclusive coaching…
Read More » -
Sep- 2017 -26 SeptemberCelebrities
WB The Creative Jewellery Group welcomes a royal visitor
WB The Creative Jewellery Group’s manufacturing facility was visited by his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent on 21 September. The Duke visited the company as part of a day-long visit to Birmingham. He was accompanied by Simon Topman The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands, John Hudson, High Sheriff…
Read More » -
15 SeptemberDesigners
‘Top prizes’ secured for this year’s Make Your Mark Awards
This year’s winners of this year’s Make Your Mark Awards are set to receive ‘top prizes’ donated from different companies in the jewellery and silversmithing industry. Prizes secured to date include a coaching session with jewellery house Garrard, which will include a tour of its historic London workshop. Also, jewellery…
Read More » -
Jul- 2017 -20 JulyEconomy
Latest hallmarking figures released by Birmingham Assay Office
The Birmingham Assay Office has released the latest hallmarking figures.
Read More » -
Jun- 2017 -22 JuneCurrent Affairs
Gold hallmarking continues to drop as silver remains strong
The number of gold articles hallmarked in the month of May reported a 14.1% drop when compared to last year’s figures. Figures from the Birmingham Assay Office suggest that silver showed a growing strength with a 24.1% increase in hallmarked articles when compared to the same period last year. Platinum…
Read More » -
13 JuneProduct Launches
Waterford Crystal expands into travel retail
Waterford Crystal has released its inaugural collection of fine jewellery, which will be released under a partnership with a number of travel companies. The collection is made with sterling silver and features the brand’s seahorse symbol. Each piece has been hallmarked by the Assay Office in Dublin Castle. The collection…
Read More » -
May- 2017 -25 MayAppointments
Noel Hunter OBE appointed chairman of British Hallmarking Council
Noel Hunter OBE has been appointed as the new chairman for the British Hallmarking Council. Hunter said: “I am delighted to be elected to lead this prestigious and important body. Hallmarking verifies the integrity of some of the most precious items we possess, both on a personal and a monetary…
Read More » -
17 MayAppointments
Woman named boss of Goldsmiths’ Company for the first time in its 700-year history
For the first time in 700 years, one of the most respected City institutions is appointing a woman to its top job. Today marks the installation of trailblazing Londoner, Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE, as the first woman Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company. The Goldsmiths’ Company, which received its first Royal Charter…
Read More »
