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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Nov- 2020 -3 NovemberCoronavirus
Assay offices to remain open in England
The three assay offices based in England are set to remain open during the upcoming nationwide lockdown, they have confirmed. It comes after prime minister Boris Johnson announced that the country would enter a nationwide lockdown from 5 November to 2 December. The Edinburgh Assay Office in Scotland is exempt…
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Oct- 2020 -23 OctoberTrade Organisations
Poll launched for new Platinum Jubilee marks
The Four UK Assay Offices have published two marks to commemorate the Queen’s platinum jubilee. The offices are now asking NAJ members and their customers their opinion on the two separate designs. The two Platinum Jubilee marks have been created by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC), made up of the…
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13 OctoberEconomy
Hallmarking falls 19.5% in September
The total number of pieces hallmarked during September 2020 decreased by 19.5% compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased 17.2% from 355,522 to 294,451 and silver items decreased 24.1% from 377, 587 to 286,401. Palladium hallmarking…
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Aug- 2020 -14 AugustNews
UK hallmarking slumps 42.7% in July
The total number of pieces hallmarked during July 2020 decreased by 42.7% compared with the same month last, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 308,297 to 212,620 and silver items decreased from 372,259 to 1741,592 during the month – a decline…
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Jul- 2020 -13 JulyEconomy
Hallmarking down over 40% in June as Covid impact continues
The impact of the coronavirus on UK hallmarking has continued in the month of June with the total number of pieces hallmarked during the month down by 45%. The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in May 2020 decreased by49.4% and 40.3% respectively. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 263,881…
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Jun- 2020 -23 JuneFeatures
Coronavirus: The jewellery industry’s story
At the time of writing, the UK’s embattled high street has been given a glimmer of hope, after prime minister Boris Johnson announced plans on 25 May to allow non-essential retailers to open by mid-June. The announcement will be welcome news for many jewellers who have struggled over the past…
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22 JuneCoronavirus
Hallmarking plummets 75% in May as lockdown impact is revealed
The impact of the coronavirus on UK hallmarking has been made clear to see thanks to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office, with the total number of pieces hallmarked during the month down by 75%. The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in May 2020 decreased by…
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May- 2020 -28 MayCoronavirus
Goldsmiths’ Company Charity awards over £700,000 in grants through the Covid-19 fund
The Goldsmiths’ Company and Charity have awarded over £700,000 in grants to people working in the craft, trade and allied industries who face financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, following the launch of the £1m Goldsmiths’ Covid-19 Fund on 22 April. The emergency fund was set up to provide…
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21 MayNews
BAJ launches interactive online training
The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced the launch of its first interactive online training courses, in line with its commitment to provide high-level technical training for jewellers. The association said the new online course portfolio also reflects its commitment to “responding to the evolving needs” of the industry,…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Assay offices reopen following temporary closures
All four assay offices across the UK have now resumed assay services following their temporary closure in light of the ongoing pandemic. The British Hallmarking Council confirmed that opening hours and arrangements are now being “managed carefully in line with government advice to ensure the welfare of staff and the…
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