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- 2023 -19 MayDesigners
Hamilton and Inches launches Fleur-de-lys collection
Fine jeweller Hamilton and Inches has announced the launch of the Fleur-de-lys collection, exclusively handcrafted using 18ct Scottish Gold. The 10-piece fine jewellery collection is made up of two diffusion lines: Fleur-de-lys and Star Fleur-de-lys. Adorned with its own unique ‘Scottish gold’ mark, a stag, each piece is independently verified…
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Apr- 2023 -18 AprilEconomy
Hallmarking drops 35.9% in March
The total number of items hallmarked by all four UK Assay Offices fell 35.9% in March 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, according to data from Birmingham Assay Office. The total number of items hallmarked in March was 591,874, around 320,000 less than the same month in 2022.…
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Mar- 2023 -2 MarchRetailers
Bradley’s Jewellers receives first King Charles hallmark
Independent retailer Bradley’s Jewellers York has become one of the first people to have a piece of jewellery with the new hallmark of King Charles II. Owner Kay Bradley was able to get a Fabergé Yorkshire Rose Egg Surprise Locket in 18k white gold stamped with the hallmark at the…
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2 MarchNews
New Trustmark Scheme relaunched in March
The world’s first consumer online assurance scheme for the jewellery industry, the Trustmark Scheme, relaunched on 1 March with the support of all four UK Assay offices for the first time. It was first launched in 2012 by the Edinburgh Assay office to reassure consumers that hallmarked jewellery was not…
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Feb- 2023 -1 FebruaryNews
Assay Offices approve new King Charles III coronation hallmark
The Assay Offices of the UK has announced the approval of a new hallmark for the coronation of King Charles III. Based on a medal by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and using artwork supplied by Thomas Fattorini, the mark depicts the King’s head against an oval background. The mark can be…
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Nov- 2022 -29 NovemberNews
Birmingham Assay Office teams up with Aston University for KTP
Aston University has teamed up with hallmarking specialists Birmingham Assay Office (BAO) through a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) aimed at developing a sophisticated intelligent business system. The system will aim to improve operational efficiency and increase BAO’s competitiveness, leading to significant improvements in customer experience. A KTP is a three-way…
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28 NovemberRetailers
Goldsmith Mark Lloyd unveils new collaborative limited edition brand
Goldsmith Mark Lloyd and nail artist Kirsty Meakin have launched a limited edition jewellery brand: “Kirsty Meakin X Mark Lloyd”. Hand-made in Mark Lloyd’s UK based workshop using 925 solid sterling silver on a 925 silver classic 18” curb chain, laser inscribed with Kirsty’s unique skull logo on the front…
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18 NovemberRetailers
7879 to feature newest collection in Harrods this Christmas
7879 has announced that it will be stocked in Harrods for the Christmas season, in which it will feature its latest collection. The collection – comprised of unisex pieces in weighted and solid 24-karat recycled gold or responsibly- mined platinum – is designed in-house, with each piece hand finished, Assay…
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Sep- 2022 -22 SeptemberTrade Organisations
Sheffield Assay Office achieves RJC recertification
The Sheffield Assay Office has announced that it has achieved re-certification to the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), marking Sheffield as the only UK Assay Office to be a certified member. The RJC now has over 1,600 members worldwide and is the world’s “leading” standard setting organisation for the jewellery and…
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15 SeptemberTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office chair Carol Brady to step down
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced its chair, Carol Brady MBE, will step down from the role in October 2022, and Russell Jeans will take over as designated chair. Brady joined the Birmingham Assay Office as a guardian in 2014 and was elected chair in 2018. The Assay Office said…
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