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 sectorโs operational and ethical standards.
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Sep- 2023 -19 SeptemberManufacturers
Hallmarking falls 12.2% in August
The total number of items hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices dropped 12.2% in August. In total 778,960 pieces of jewellery were hallmarked in August 2023 compared with 886,746 in August 2022, a decline of 107,786. Gold hallmarking dropped 11.2% from 364,652 pieces hallmarked down to 323,993. However, gold…
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Aug- 2023 -9 AugustDesigners
Bradleyโs Jewellers launches new eco rocks colour collection
Bradleyโs Jewellers has announced the launch of a new eco rocks colour editions collection. The new line is a debut line of three-stone rings, each one set with a laboratory-created coloured stone solitaire flanked by two laboratory-grown diamonds. The line will launch under the Eco Rocks brand which is a…
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Jun- 2023 -29 JuneNews
Birmingham Assay Office signs tech deal with CIBJO
The Birmingham Assay Office and The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) have announced a new partnership, establishing a framework for technical cooperation between the two organisations aimed at enhancing the global jewellery industry. It was signed in Birmingham by Doug Henry, CEO and assay master at the Birmingham Assay Office and…
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May- 2023 -23 MayTrade Organisations
NAJ appoints Gary Wroe as president
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the appointment of Gary Wroe to the role of president. Wroe will be officially appointed president on 8 June at the Association’s AGM, taking place at the Birmingham Assay Office. He will succeed David Doyle, who has served as president for the…
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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
Bradleyโs Jewellers receives first King Charles hallmark
Independent retailer Bradleyโs 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 Fabergรฉ Yorkshire Rose Egg Surprise Locket in 18k white gold stamped with the hallmark at the…
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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 BAOโs competitiveness, leading to significant improvements in customer experience. A KTP is a three-way…
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Sep- 2022 -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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Aug- 2022 -18 AugustNews
Hallmarking rises 27.4% in July
The total number of hallmarked pieces in July 2022 rose 27.4% to 876,281 from 687,952 compared to the same period 2021, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. However, gold pieces dropped 9.6% from 339,167 to 306,535. Silver saw the highest jump, rising 71.2% to 536,154 from…
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Jul- 2022 -21 JulyRetailers
Hallmarking rises 14.6% in June but Gold sees drop
The total number of pieces hallmarked in June 2022 rose 14.6% when compared with June 2021, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay Office. Some 770,358 pieces were hallmarked, compared with 672,021 pieces over the same period in 2021. Silver hallmarked pieces saw the only increase, rising 39.3%…
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