Birmingham Assay Office
The Birmingham Assay Office is a cornerstone of the UK jewellery trade, providing hallmarking, testing, and certification services that ensure the quality and integrity of precious metal goods. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, staying informed about its developments is essential to maintaining compliance and understanding industry standards. Jewellery Focus offers in-depth coverage on the Birmingham Assay Office, including regulatory updates, innovations in testing and hallmarking, and its role in supporting the jewellery sector’s operational and ethical standards.
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Dec- 2025 -9 DecemberTrade Organisations
Hockley Mint’s Gary Wroe receives 2025 NAJ Chair’s Award
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has named Gary Wroe, managing director of Hockley Mint, as the winner of the 2025 NAJ Chair’s Award. The award recognises his long-standing contribution to the UK jewellery industry, and was presented at the Benevolent Society Christmas Ball at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham…
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Oct- 2025 -8 OctoberManufacturers
Council criticised over Birmingham Jewellery Quarter workshops sale
Birmingham City Council is facing criticism after placing a row of historic workshops on Vyse Street in the Jewellery Quarter up for sale without prior consultation with tenants, local businesses, or trade groups. The move comes less than two weeks after the Quarter was awarded World Craft City status, the…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyRetailers
Antique Jewellers launches free hallmark identification tool
UK-based antique ring specialist Antique Jewellers has launched Hallmark Finder, a new online tool that helps identify British jewellery hallmarks. The free-to-use Hallmark Finder allows collectors, dealers, valuers and jewellery professionals to quickly decode the small symbols stamped on antique and vintage pieces. It identifies metal purity, assay office and…
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Jun- 2025 -4 JuneTrade Organisations
Birmingham awarded World Craft City status
Birmingham has officially been recognised as a World Craft City, making it one of just eight in Europe to receive the designation from the World Crafts Council. Led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) and co-applicants Birmingham City University, a bid for World Craft City status was supported by…
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Sep- 2024 -5 SeptemberRetailers
Lylie achieves B Corp status
British jewellery brand Lylie has achieved B Corp certification following two years of dedicated work towards the accreditation by founder and creative director Eliza Walter. By becoming B Corp certified, Lylie is reinforcing its ongoing commitment to environmental and social actions, transparency and accountability. Lylie has achieved a B Impact…
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Aug- 2024 -15 AugustAuctions
Certified natural diamond single stone rings up for auction
Richard Winterton Auctioneers has revealed jewellery including two natural diamond rings expected to exceed £6,000 is to be sold next month. This includes a 3.78 carat single stone diamond ring, now estimated at £4,000 to £6,000, and a 1.46ct diamond solitaire, estimated at £2,000 to £3,000. The larger stone is…
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Apr- 2024 -12 AprilTrade Organisations
UK hallmarking falls 7.7% in March
The number of pieces hallmarked in the UK fell 7.7% in March compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Birmingham Assay Office. The total number of pieces hallmarked was 546,530, down from 591,874 last year and comes after hallmarking fell 4.1% in February. The total…
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3 AprilManufacturers
UK hallmarking falls 4.1% in February
The number of pieces hallmarked in the UK fell 4.1% in February compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Birmingham Assay Office. The total number of pieces hallmarked was 549,539, down from 572,890 last year and comes after hallmarking was flat in January. The total…
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Feb- 2024 -29 FebruaryDesigners
Ti Sento unveils new SS24 collection
Ti Sento has unveiled its latest collection for spring/summer 2024 celebrating all kinds of women. The SS24 collection includes colours of turquoise and blue, redefining pearls in “modern but classic styles”. The range includes cushion cut pendants, rings and earrings, coin-inspired necklaces and rings and a whole new festival of…
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15 FebruaryManufacturers
UK hallmarking unchanged in January
The number of pieces hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices was flat with 0.0% growth in January 2024. The number of silver pieces hallmarked dropped 5.9% from 375,891 in January 2023 down to 353,900 this year, a decline of 21,991. Silver 958 dropped the most in the category, falling…
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