Hallmarking
Hallmarking is a cornerstone of the UK jewellery trade, ensuring the authenticity and quality of precious metal items through independent verification. For jewellers, manufacturers, and suppliers, staying up to date with hallmarking legislation, standards, and practices is essential to maintaining compliance and consumer trust. Jewellery Focus provides expert coverage on hallmarking, including updates from the UK’s assay offices, regulatory changes, innovations in testing, and insights into the role hallmarking plays in supporting the trade.
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Jun- 2021 -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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5 MayAppointments
Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office deputy warden to retire
The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Robert Organ, deputy warden at the London Assay Office (LAO), is set to retire from his role. Commencing his Goldsmiths’ career in 2000 as superintendent assayer of the LAO, Organ took his current position in 2006. By the time of his retirement in October,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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1 FebruaryBrand Profiles
Meet the authenticator
Many television shows are associated with controversy, whether it be contestants inadvertently sabotaging each other on Great British Bake Off or an Ann Widdecombe-style upset on Strictly. A controversial episode of Bargain Hunt? Not really a thing… until now. The afternoon telly staple was censured by the Beeb’s complaints watchdog…
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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…
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Dec- 2020 -8 DecemberCurrent Affairs
British Hallmarking Council updates EU guidance
The British Hallmarking Council has updated its guidance on hallmarking requirements from 1 January 2021, ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU. The council said that obligations to recognise equivalent EU hallmarks will end in Great Britain. EU hallmarks will continue to be recognised in theNorthern Ireland market, however,…
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Nov- 2020 -16 NovemberEconomy
Hallmarking slightly improves in October
The total number of pieces hallmarked in October 2020 fell by 17.5% compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. This marked a total improvement against September’s figures, where total hallmarking was down by 19.5% against the prior year. Gold hallmarked…
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