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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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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Jun- 2021 -28 JuneTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office elects eight new guardians
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced the election of eight new guardians of the Standard Wrought Plate. Created in 1773 by an act of parliament, the role was formed to control and protect the office. The elected members are Peter Crump, Kate Canty, Dr Tracy Carlton, Lauren Hartigan-Pritchard, Nicola McGowan,…
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15 JuneEconomy
Hallmarking up 212% in May
The total number of pieces hallmarked in May of 2021 soared by 212% when compared with May 2020 during the first lockdown, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. Some 496,964 pieces were hallmarked in May 2021, up from the 159,299 pieces hallmarked in May of last…
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May- 2021 -28 MayRetailers
Serge DeNimes launches new pop-up on Carnaby Street
Serge DeNimes has announced a new pop-up on Carnaby Street to celebrate 10 years of the brand. The new store will be located just off Carnaby Street on a one floor with 431sq ft, and will showcase and sell the full range of existing jewellery. It will also feature the…
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19 MayEconomy
Hallmarking up 4.1% YTD
The total number of pieces hallmarked for the first four months of 2021 increased 4.1%, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. While a year-on-year comparison cannot be made between April 2020 and April 2021 due to Assay Office closures, a year-on-year comparison for the year-to-date can…
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7 MayAppointments
Birmingham Assay Office appoints new wardens
Birmingham Assay Office has announced the appointment of two new wardens, Russell Jeans, founder and CEO of Sefton and Associates, and Andrew Lee, senior board executive, following the retirement of long-standing wardens, Tim Clay and John Wood. Jeans is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a…
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5 MayAppointments
Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office deputy warden to retire
The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Robert Organ, deputy warden at the London Assay Office (LAO), is set to retire from his role. Commencing his Goldsmiths’ career in 2000 as superintendent assayer of the LAO, Organ took his current position in 2006. By the time of his retirement in October,…
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Apr- 2021 -19 AprilEconomy
Hallmarking rises 10% in March
The total number of pieces hallmarked in March 2021 has increased 10% year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. Total hallmarked pieces climbed from 448,583 in March 2020 to 493,423 this year, representing a swing from the 28.8% year-on-year decline seen in February 2021. March’s figures…
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Mar- 2021 -17 MarchEconomy
Hallmarking falls 28.8% in February
The total number of pieces hallmarked throughout February 2021 decreased 28.8% when compared to last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Total hallmarked pieces dropped from 536,656 in February 2020 to 375,183, with a year-on-year rate of decline lower than the 45.5% seen in January…
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