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 UKโs assay officesโBirmingham, London, Sheffield, and Edinburghโis 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.
-
Mar- 2020 -25 MarchCoronavirus
Assay offices close their doors
All four assay offices across the UK have closed their doors amid the coronavirus crisis. The assay offices, in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield, will now be closed for business for โat leastโ three weeks. In a statement, the British Hallmarking Council said: โThe pandemic has caused many disruptions to…
Read More » -
24 MarchCurrent Affairs
Birmingham Assay Office closes operations
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced that it will be โclosing all operationsโ from today (24 March) for the three weeks stipulated by the government.ย ย The office said that the decision came in light of the Prime Ministerโs lockdown announcement on Monday evening, and said that the move would โprotect…
Read More » -
19 MarchEconomy
Gold and silver down double digits in February hallmarking
The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in February 2020ย decreased by 13.3% and 25.3% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 281,938 to 244,558 and silver items decreased from 344,104 to 257,212 during the month. Additionally, palladium decreased by 70.3%…
Read More » -
19 MarchTrade Organisations
The Goldsmithโs Company announces contingency plans
The Goldsmithsโ Company Assay Office has said it will do its โutmostโ to remain open amid the coronavirus outbreak.ย At the present moment, the group said it envisages two contingencies that may result in its closure: a staff member contracting the virus or a nationwide lockdown.ย It is now asking…
Read More » -
4 MarchTips
Your Guide to Jewellery Hallmarks – What to Know
A piece of jewellery is one of the most priced possessions a person can haveโthey are precious and can be pretty expensive, with some even costing as much as a brand new car. It is only ideal that when you choose jewellery, whether for yourself or as a gift, you…
Read More » -
Feb- 2020 -17 FebruaryEconomy
Gold and platinum up single digits in January hallmarking
The number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked in January 2020 increased by 1.4% and 7.6% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces increased from 281,752 to 285,647 and platinum items increased from 24,900 to 26794 during the month. However, this was offset slightly…
Read More » -
Jan- 2020 -17 JanuaryEconomy
Gold and silver fall in December hallmarking
The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in December 2019 decreased by 7.1% and 12.7% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 312,281 to 290,186 and silver items decreased from 373,756 to 326,442 during the month. Additionally, palladium decreased by 37.7%…
Read More » -
Dec- 2019 -9 DecemberAppointments
The Incorporation of Goldsmiths appoints Ebba Goring as new director
Ebba Goring has been appointed as the new director of The Incorporation of Goldsmiths, one of Scotland’s most ancient institutions. Goring succeeded Mary Michel, who joined the business in 2002 and became director in 2012,ย and will continue to promote ethical silversmithing. In her previous role as the Incorporationโs programmes…
Read More » -
Nov- 2019 -12 NovemberMetal Prices
Platinum hallmarking increases 22.2% in October
Platinum hallmarking increased by 22.2% in October 2019 compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of platinum pieces hallmarked increased from 28,652 in October 2018 to 35,026 in 2019. Despite overall volumes decreasing by 5.6% during the month,…
Read More » -
12 NovemberFeatures
15 Minutes with Scott Walter, Edinburgh Assay Office CEO
Tell me about your appointment as chairman of the Convention on the Control & Marking of Articles of Precious Metals? On 1 November I will take up the Chair of the Convention. The Convention is an international treaty between contracting states. Itโs purpose is to create a mechanism for cross…
Read More »
