Birmingham
Birmingham has a rich heritage as a centre for jewellery manufacturing and trade, with its historic Jewellery Quarter still home to hundreds of workshops and businesses. For UK jewellers, wholesalers, and suppliers, the city remains a vital hub for production, design, and distribution. Jewellery Focus covers Birmingham’s role in the industry, from updates on local businesses and manufacturing trends to insights into policy developments and events shaping the trade. Our reporting helps professionals understand the city’s continuing influence on the UK jewellery sector.
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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 -22 JulyEvents
NAJ Summit 2021 to discuss LGDs
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced that its upcoming 2021 summit will feature conversations on laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs). Three speakers will focus on LGDs, providing masterclasses and hands-on workshops as part of the valuers’ conference, taking place from 11-13 September 2021. Julia Griffith, founder of The Gem Academy,…
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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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19 JulyProduct Launches
Birmingham City students to design trophy for JVA
Birmingham City University has announced that its students have designed and produced an accolade for the Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA). The trophy, created by the team at the university’s School of Jewellery, will be awarded annually to a student valuer who has demonstrated “outstanding” potential or achievement. As part of…
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Jun- 2021 -30 JuneRetailers
Demand for male engagement rings up 69%, report finds
A new study by bespoke jewellery brand Taylor and Hart has revealed a 69% increase in year-on-year interest for male engagement ring designs. The rising popularity and legalisation of marriage amongst LGBTQ+ relationships, coupled with the growing trend of women proposing, have reportedly both contributed to the increase in demand.…
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28 JuneRetailers
Ernest Jones to launch ‘Thank You’ NHS support pin
Ernest Jones has announced the launch of the ‘Thank You’ Pin in support of the NHS front-line workers on Friday 2 July 2021. Created by TMB Art Metal, £10 from every sale will be donated to NHS Charities Together with the hope that the pin will raise a minimum of…
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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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21 JuneNews
The British Hallmarking Council is seeking new members
The British Hallmarking Council is seeking new members! If you are interested in the historic practice of Hallmarking, which protects consumers by the assay (testing) of the precious metal content of an item such as jewellery, then you may be interested to hear that the British Hallmarking Council is looking for…
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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 -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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