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.
-
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
May- 2021 -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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More »
