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.
-
Jun- 2021 -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…
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 » -
2 MarchTrade Organisations
BATF invites businesses to view premises
The British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) has issued an open invitation to businesses looking to review their businesses premises to register interest with the organisation’s Vyse Street offices. The National Association of Jewellers’ (NAJ) parent organisation’s offices are based in the heart of Birmingham’s jewellery quarter. Garry Lane, BATF’s commercial…
Read More » -
Feb- 2021 -24 FebruaryEconomy
Hallmarking plummets 45.5% in January
The total number of pieces hallmarked during January 2021 plummeted 45.5% against last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Total hallmarked pieces fell from 685,768 in January 2020 down to 373,720, with the rate of decline significantly lower than figures recorded in December 2020, when…
Read More » -
19 FebruaryTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office launches search for new guardians
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced it has begun its search for “seasoned individuals” to become the organisation’s new guardians. Controlled by a group of 36 elected guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in the city of Birmingham, the Assay Office was founded by an Act of Parliament in…
Read More » -
Jan- 2021 -15 JanuaryEconomy
Hallmarking down by 12.1% in December
The total number of pieces hallmarked during December 2020 decreased by only 12.1% compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased 4.7% from 290,186 to 276,475 and silver items decreased17.7% from 326,442 to 268,709. Platinum hallmarking also…
Read More »
