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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May- 2024 -16 MayAppointments
Richard Reid becomes 679th prime warden of The Goldsmiths’ Company
The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Richard Reid has taken office as prime warden, in succession to Charles Mackworth-Young CVO. Former chairman of KPMG London and the Safer London Foundation, Reid’ chose to take a vocational approach to professional development rather than attend university. He undertook training to become an…
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10 MayTrade Organisations
Over 7,900 coins pass Trial of the Pyx
The King’s Remembrancer, senior master cook of the Kings’ Bench Division of the High Court, has pronounced a positive verdict on the 7,960 coins submitted by The Royal Mint at the Trial of the Pyx. Among the submissions were the series of eight new definitive coins, displaying designs of the…
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Apr- 2024 -12 AprilTrade Organisations
UK hallmarking falls 7.7% in March
The number of pieces hallmarked in the UK fell 7.7% in March compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Birmingham Assay Office. The total number of pieces hallmarked was 546,530, down from 591,874 last year and comes after hallmarking fell 4.1% in February. The total…
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3 AprilManufacturers
UK hallmarking falls 4.1% in February
The number of pieces hallmarked in the UK fell 4.1% in February compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Birmingham Assay Office. The total number of pieces hallmarked was 549,539, down from 572,890 last year and comes after hallmarking was flat in January. The total…
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Feb- 2024 -29 FebruaryDesigners
Ti Sento unveils new SS24 collection
Ti Sento has unveiled its latest collection for spring/summer 2024 celebrating all kinds of women. The SS24 collection includes colours of turquoise and blue, redefining pearls in “modern but classic styles”. The range includes cushion cut pendants, rings and earrings, coin-inspired necklaces and rings and a whole new festival of…
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Dec- 2023 -14 DecemberManufacturers
Hallmarking drops 3.5% in November
Hallmarking dropped by 3.5% in November, from last month’s 896,622 to 865,515, according to new data from the Birmingham Assay Office. Despite the overall drop the number of gold pieces hallmarked rose 4.9% to 405,935, up from 387,058. This increase was driven mostly by a 10.4% in 375 gold from…
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Sep- 2023 -14 SeptemberNews
NAJ and Sheffield Assay Office to host early-career event
The National Association of Jewellers and Sheffield Assay Office have together announced the launch of the second Striking Futures event to help early-career jewellery professionals within the industry. The event will take place at the Sheffield Assay Office on 9 October 2023 with a keynote presentation from Jessica Flinn-Allen, founder…
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Aug- 2023 -9 AugustDesigners
Bradley’s Jewellers launches new eco rocks colour collection
Bradley’s Jewellers has announced the launch of a new eco rocks colour editions collection. The new line is a debut line of three-stone rings, each one set with a laboratory-created coloured stone solitaire flanked by two laboratory-grown diamonds. The line will launch under the Eco Rocks brand which is a…
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Jun- 2023 -29 JuneNews
Birmingham Assay Office signs tech deal with CIBJO
The Birmingham Assay Office and The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) have announced a new partnership, establishing a framework for technical cooperation between the two organisations aimed at enhancing the global jewellery industry. It was signed in Birmingham by Doug Henry, CEO and assay master at the Birmingham Assay Office and…
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May- 2023 -23 MayTrade Organisations
NAJ appoints Gary Wroe as president
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the appointment of Gary Wroe to the role of president. Wroe will be officially appointed president on 8 June at the Association’s AGM, taking place at the Birmingham Assay Office. He will succeed David Doyle, who has served as president for the…
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