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- 2022 -14 MarchRetailers
Hallmarking surges 127% in February
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 127.3% to 852,725 February 2022, up from 375,183 for the same period in 2021. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, Gold hallmarked pieces increased 72.8% to 304,854, against last year’s 176, 420. Silver saw the largest increase in hallmarked pieces, jumping 180.8% year-on-year.…
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Feb- 2022 -28 FebruaryRetailers
Bradley’s Jewellers launches York Daffodil collection
Bradley’s Jewellers has launched its new York Daffodil jewellery collection inspired by the golden blooms of spring flowers along the historic city’s walls around York minster and at clifford’s tower. Designed by Kay Bradley, owner of Bradley’s Jewellers York, the range of fine jewellery comprises radiant yellow sapphires and burnt…
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11 FebruaryRetailers
Hallmarking surges 119.9% in January
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 199.9% year-on-year in January to 821,734, compared to 373,720 in 2021. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, gold increased by 84.2% to 310,986 compared to 168,815 last January. Silver saw the highest increase, jumping 152.8% from 190,522 to 481,683. However, palladium fell 62.9%…
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Jan- 2022 -20 JanuaryRetailers
Hallmarking climbs 46.8% in December
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 46.8% to 863,843 in December 2021, up from 588,575 for the same period in 2020.According to the Birmingham Assay Office, gold went up 26.5% to 370,853 in December, against last year’s 293,269. Silver saw the largest increase in hallmarked pieces, jumping 69.4% year-on-year.…
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Nov- 2021 -9 NovemberRetailers
Hallmarking climbs 35.8% in October
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 35.8% to 1,133,920 in October 2021, up from 835,049 for the same period in 2020. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, silver saw the largest increase in hallmarked pieces, jumping 59.8% year-on-year. While the 625,889 hallmarked silver pieces in October 2021 represented the…
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3 NovemberTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office strikes first mark for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Birmingham Assay Office welcomed Dan Higgs from local manufacturer F G H Products Ltd to witness the first commemorative mark struck on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Their silver ingots are the first items to be struck with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Mark. Designed by Thomas Fattorini Ltd, the mark…
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Oct- 2021 -19 OctoberEconomy
Hallmarking climbs 64.4% in September
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 64.4% to 1,009,071 in September 2021, up from 613,679 for the same period in 2020. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, silver saw the largest increase in hallmarked pieces, jumping 104.1% year-on-year. While the 584,551 hallmarked silver pieces in September 2021 represented the…
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Sep- 2021 -15 SeptemberEconomy
Hallmarking climbs 84.5% in August
The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 84.5% to 784,078 in August 2021, up from 424,994 in August 2020. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, silver saw the largest increase in hallmarket pieces, jumping 87% year-on-year. While the 380,797 hallmarked silver pieces in August 2021 represented the largest volume of…
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Aug- 2021 -4 AugustTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office to launch LGD screening service
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced that it will now screen laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) as a part of its jewellery valuation service. SafeGuard Valuations will automatically screen all diamond-set items to determine whether they are natural or potential lab grown. It comes in a bid from the organisation to support…
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Jul- 2021 -21 JulyEconomy
Hallmarking up 107.4% in June
The total number of pieces hallmarked in June 2021 soared 107.4% when compared with June 2020, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. Some 672,021 pieces were hallmarked in June 2021, compared with 323,967 pieces in June last year. Gold hallmarked pieces for June sat at 321,318…
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