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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Jul- 2015 -14 JulyEconomy
June hallmarking jumps 12.3%
The total number of hallmarked items surged 12.3% in June, an increase of 94,023 articles when compared with the same month in 2014. This is according to data released today by the four UK assay offices – and compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office – which found the total number…
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Jun- 2015 -12 JuneProduct Launches
Birmingham Assay Office launches historical Assay Archives online
The Birmingham Assay Office has launched its Assay Archives online, showcasing its historical silver, coin and library collections to the wider public. After receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund – which enabled the assay office to transfer paper records of its museum collection online – the public can…
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11 JuneEconomy
Hallmarking up 3.1% in May
The total number of hallmarked articles in May grew by 3.1% compared with the same time last year, according to new figures released from all four of the UK’s assay offices. According to the data, which was compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office, there was a total of 770,075 articles…
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5 JuneAdvice
Hallmarking: What You Need To Know
Some jewellers have been in the news recently for falling foul of the Hallmarking Act – and they have faced legal repercussions as a result. We spoke to Trading Standards in Birmingham to find out exactly what jewellers’ obligations are to make sure they do not breach the rules. If…
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May- 2015 -26 MayOpinion
Turning obstacles into opportunity
Regardless of what business you are in, it is essential to understand exactly where and how you add value for your customers. For a service company that means understanding the obstacles your customer faces and trying provide solutions as part of your services or products. Over the longer term this…
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13 MayEconomy
Hallmarking figures up 10% in April
The total number of hallmarked articles grew 10% in April following a disappointing March, according to new figures released from all four of the UK’s assay offices. According to the data, which was compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office , there was a total of 810,831 articles hallmarked in April…
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Apr- 2015 -21 AprilEvents
Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office hosts second successful student event
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office stage a successful second iteration of its ‘Make Your Mark’ event at the Goldsmiths’ Hall on Friday and Saturday last week. The event, which is aimed at students pursuing careers in precious metal jewellery-making, played host to around 750 students over the two days, and…
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2 AprilCrime
Birmingham jewellers fined over unhallmarked gold
A Birmingham jewellery firm has been ordered to pay a total of £8,288 after it was found to be selling unhallmarked gold. Yousaf Jewellers, based in Coventry Road, Small Heath in Birmingham, was fined £500 for each offence (£6,500), ordered to pay costs of £1,738 and a £50 victim surcharge…
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1 AprilTrade Organisations
Marked feature bricks laid in new BAO premises
The new premises currently being constructed for the Birmingham Assay Office this weekend saw the addition of several ‘feature bricks’, bearing key hallmarking symbols used during the office’s 240 years in operation. The marks include the traditional hallmarking symbols; a lion for sterling silver, crown for gold, orb for platinum and Pallas…
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Mar- 2015 -25 MarchCrime
Jeweller fined £70k over hallmarking
A Birmingham jeweller was today sentenced to 10 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay more than £70,000 after pleading guilty to 21 offences under the Hallmarking Act 1973 and Trade Marks Act 1994. Umran Rafiq, trading as Asian Jewellers based in Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, was ordered to pay…
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