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 Birminghamโs 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 cityโs continuing influence on the UK jewellery sector.
-
Dec- 2019 -2 DecemberAppointments
New โJeweller in Residenceโ for Birmingham museum
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter has announced the appointment of Vanessa Miller as its second ever โJeweller in Residenceโ. Miller will work for the museum over the next year, creating an exclusive collection as part of a project to promote local designers through a partnership with the Birmingham City…
Read More » -
Nov- 2019 -12 NovemberMetal Prices
Platinum hallmarking increases 22.2% in October
Platinum hallmarking increased by 22.2% in October 2019 compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of platinum pieces hallmarked increased from 28,652 in October 2018 to 35,026 in 2019. Despite overall volumes decreasing by 5.6% during the month,…
Read More » -
Oct- 2019 -15 OctoberMetal Prices
Silver and platinum up in September hallmarking
Both the number of silver and platinum pieces hallmarked in September 2019 increased by 4.5% and 14.4% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Silver hallmarked pieces increased from 361,441 to 377,587 and platinum items increased from 23,055 to 26,383 during the month. However, this was offset…
Read More » -
Sep- 2019 -27 SeptemberEconomy
BHC introduces new Hallmarking Dealer’s Notice
The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) has introduced a new Hallmarking Dealerโs Notice which is now available and becomes compulsory on 1 May 2020. The Dealerโs Notice, which must be displayed by all dealers supplying precious metal jewellery, has been updated to add two new marks. The updated version incorporates a…
Read More » -
Aug- 2019 -21 AugustSponsored
Inverness Ear Piercing announces new UK partnership with Goodman Bros.
Inverness, maker of the worldโs safest & gentlest ear piercing system*, is pleased to announce that Goodman Bros, a leading distributor of Connoisseurs and Lox, has signed on to distribute the companyโs ear piercing products to jewellery retailers throughout the UK. The partnership will launch formally at IJL September 1-3,…
Read More » -
20 AugustEconomy
Gold slumps 7.3% in July hallmarking
The number of gold pieces hallmarked in July 2019 decreased by 7.3%, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Palladium also decreased by 30.3% to 4356 pieces hallmarked, and the amount of platinum pieces hallmarked during the month decreased by 2% to 26,599 items. However, the average volume…
Read More » -
Jul- 2019 -17 JulyEconomy
Hallmarking figures slump 4.7% in June
Hallmarking figures fell across all major categories in June 2019, compared with the same period the previous year, with overall volumes decreasing by 4.7% according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold pieces hallmarked decreased from 289,377 in June 2018 to 263,881 in 2019, down…
Read More » -
2 JulyQ&A Sessions
60 Second Interview: Hiten Shah – director of Diamond Heaven
Q1) Describe yourself in three words.ย Motivated, hardworking and focused. Q2) How did you get to be where you are today? Through hard work and determination. I started up on eBay in 2004 when I saw a gap in the market to provide high-quality jewellery to people at the right…
Read More » -
1 JulyEvents
Birmingham School of Jewellery wins double-award at New Designers 2019
Staff and students at Birmingham City Universityโs School of Jewellery are celebrating after winning two prizes at the New Designers, an annual two-week exhibition celebrating the work of more than 3,000 new creative designers. The School of Jewellery was awarded the โBest Standโ prize, whilst student Lorna McNaught received an…
Read More » -
Jun- 2019 -13 JuneEconomy
Gold and platinum up in May hallmarking
Both the number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked in May 2019 increased by 1.4% and 12.4% respectively, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. Gold hallmarked pieces increased from 294,530 to 298,654 and platinum items increased from 24,768 to 27,847 during the month. However, this was offset…
Read More »
