Archived News - 2011 Articles

NEW - NEW HERITAGE AND TRAINING OFFICER FOR THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE
Sally Hoban has joined The Birmingham Assay Office in a new role as Heritage & Training Officer. The role is two-fold, bringing together aspects of the history and heritage of the Assay Office with a key strand of its future development, which is to provide a high-quality education and training service for the professional jewellery trade and members of the public... more >

NEW - When All Is Gold - Stephen Webster
View the movie .. more >

NEW - Calling all Jewellers & Jewellery Designers: Urgent Opportunity
The luxury shopping destination The Mailbox, Birmingham is hosting a wonderful 14 week event in the run up to Christmas starting this week. The event consists of 30 hand picked brand new concession spaces for jewellery designers, jewellery businesses, retailers and boutiques offering a unique selling speace for the Christmas period.. more >

NEW - THE GREAT DEBATE 2011 AT IJL A TRUY NTERNATIONAL EVENT
As IJL (International Jewellery London) celebrated an increase in visitor numbers for its 2011 trade show (nearly 10,000 visitors, providing a 2% increase), Sam Willoughby, Event co-director, noted that The Great Debate was not only very well attended by key buyers and retailers alike but was a truly international event.. more >

NEW -CHERYL OWEN – HALLMARKER AT THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE ACHIEVES TOP GEMMOLOGICAL QUALIFICATION
Cheryl Owen, a member of the Hallmarking team at The Birmingham Assay Office has recently achieved her FGA status –as a graduate of the Gemmology Diploma from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. This is in addition to the DGA (Diploma in Diamond Grading) qualification that Cheryl achieved in 2009. more >

NEW - ANCHORCERT UNVEILS THE GEMSTONE CARAT WEIGHT
ESTIMATOR APP
Estimating the carat weight of gemstones which are already mounted is something which experienced jewellers, pawnbrokers and valuers need to do every day. Over the past few decades the equipment to assist them has grown increasingly sophisticated but now the AnchorCert Gemstone Certification Service has propelled the process into the 21st century with its Gemstone Carat Weight Estimator App for smart phones.- more >

NEW - Diamond jubilee hallmark retail pack
Create maximum impact and awarness at point of sale
Order your Queens Diamond Jubilee Commemortaive Hallmark Retail Pack here - more >

NEW - RON RETIRES FROM BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE
AFTER 50 YEARS DEDICATED SERVICE
Staff at The Birmingham Assay Office said a sad farewell to their long time colleague Ron Hodgetts who recently completed 50 years of service and then combined both his birthday celebrations and retirement party to mark the end of an era. - more >

NEW - Red Tape Challenge endorses Hallmarking as a good regulation - After a vigorous nationwide campaign championed by The Birmingham Assay Office the results of the first “retail” round of the Governments’ Red Tape Challenge has recognised hallmarking as a “good regulation”. Minister for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk listed some confusing and overlapping regulations which were to be scrapped, but said “we are preserving good regulation, such as the hallmarking regime, for which there was strong support”. more >

NEW - Red Tape Challenge endorses Hallmarking as a good regulation - Thanks to overwhelming support from the industry, Hallmarking has been endorsed by the Red Tape Challenge. It has been singled out in the Government’s report as one of the “well designed and valuable regulations” that have widespread support and will therefore be retained in its existing form. more >

NEW - The Birmingham Assay Office Staff at the launch of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Hallmark at Goldsmiths’ Hall - more >

NEW - come and see us at IJL 4th to 7th September 2011 - Earls court 2 - stand h109, in the fine jewellery section.
click here to register for free - more >

NEW - ANCHORCERT GEMMOLOGICAL SERVICES CELEBRATES 10 YEARS - Anchortcert Independent Diamond and Gemstone Certification Service was founded ten years ago as a separate division of The Birmingham Assay Office.  From its early beginnings as a diamond certification service AnchorCert has grown and consolidated its expertise. - more >

NEW - JEWELLERY INDUSTRY LAUNCHES QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
The UK Jewellery and Precious Metals Industry celebrated in style last night at a glittering event to launch the Commemorative Hallmark for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Key members of the industry, including retailers, designers and manufacturers gathered in Goldsmiths’ Hall at an event jointly hosted by the Goldsmiths’ Company and the four UK Assay Offices, London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh. The launch was attended by HRH Princess Michael of Kent who witnessed the first Jubilee marks being formally struck. - more >

NEW - Historic New Location for Sutton Tools
After five years as a tenant at 83 Vittoria Street , Sutton Tools have moved - but not very far - to 91 Vittoria Street. In line with the company's ambition to stay at the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, the Suttons team have brought back to life two historic factories, at the same time revitalising a largely unknown courtyard next door to the School of Jewellery - more >

NEW - The Guild of Jewellery Designers Inspired Exhibitions to showcase in Birmingham
The Guild of Jewellery Designers are now inviting applications for our
Inspired Exhibition in Birmingham from goldsmiths, silversmiths and
jewellery designers working in any materials.. - more >

NEW - your last chance to book your place on assay office open visit
The Birmingham Assay Office is pleased to announce that it is uniquely opening its doors to the General Public and offering limited places on its popular Silver Collection Visits programme –
on TWO DATES ONLY. - more >

NEW - SafeGuard teamed up with Dorset Police Crime Prevention Unit at Lulworth Castle on Thursday 2nd June during the filming of the BBC programme Antiques Roadshow. Visitors were given information about Jewellery, Watch and Silverware Valuations and the police advised on getting items photographed and identity marked. - more >

NEW - The Great Debate At International Jewellery London, IJL – in collaboration with The Birmingham Assay Office - Earls Court II
The Great Debate MONDAY 5th September 11.15 – 12.30
The fifth Great Debate, facilitated by The Birmingham Assay Office, in partnership with IJL. This is an opportunity to share news and air your views about ethical issues, with industry practitioners - more >

NEW - help us to polish Birmingham's gem?
On Birmingham City Council’s website The Jewellery Quarter is described as Birmingham's Hidden Gem. One wonders why it is hidden and by whom? This is all set to change!. more>

NEW - latest training and education dates
view the latest seminar dates for Education & Training at The Birmingham Assay Office. more>

NEW - lead in fine and fashion jewellery - the facts
The presence of Lead in jewellery and accessories is an increasing matter for concern due to the harmful effects that Lead can have, particularly on children. Many suppliers are testing for Lead as part of their “due diligence” and Lead will certainly be included in the final REACH regulations. The current situation and the latest EU proposal are set out below. more>

NEW - The Birmingham Assay Office speaks to members of The National Trust in Solihull
The Birmingham Assay Office gave a presentation to the members of The National Trust Solihull at St Martins School, Solihull on Tuesday 10th May. They heard all about the history of The Birmingham Assay Office and its work today as well as learning about Birminghams illustrious Silversmiths through the centuries right up to the present day....more >

NEW - British Silver Week Launch at Pangolin Studios London
British Silver Week 2011 has officially been launched. If ever there was a time to treat yourself and acquire a functional British piece to love and cherish for years to come it is NOW. Go on, you know you're worth it..... Better still - choose a Midlands silversmith and insist on an Anchor Hallmark - it is your guarantee......more >

NEW - centrepiece open studios May 20th - 21st
Centrepiece's Jewellery Designers are opening up their Jewellery Quarter studios this month to give you a glimpse of the life of a working jeweller.....more >

central news television feature save the hallmark campaign - click here to see the video feature more>

The Birmingham Assay Office Sends Its Best Wishes to the Royal Couple and celebrate with their own indoor street party more>

get closer and be inspired
The Birmingham Assay Office and all its divisions are now on Facebook and Twitter...more>

London jewellery week Jewellery Valuation Event - Meet The Expert
During London Jewellery Week, Mappin & Webb and SafeGuard Independent Jewellery Valuation service  - a division of The Birmingham Assay Office, are working together to present a unique Jewellery, Watch and Silverware Valuation Event...more>

NEW - Central News – investigate the threat to Hallmarking from the coalition governments’ Red Tape Challenge.
Click on Link below to see Central News piece about Hallmarking filmed at The Birmingham Assay Office
www.itv.com/central-west/hall-marking-threatened54930/

NEW -THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE PLANS SPARKLING FUTURE IN THE JEWELLERY QUARTER
The Birmingham Assay Office is seeking a new site in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter in order to fully develop its potential in the 21st Century.
After nearly 135 years in its current home in Newhall Street the Wardens of the Assay Office have made the decision to leave the Victorian grandeur of the iconic Grade II listed building and find larger, more suitable premises elsewhere....more >

NEW - WATCH STEVE BENNETT FROM GEM TV TALKING ABOUT THE REDTAPE SAVE THE HALLMARK CAMPAIGN...more >

NEW - Urgent - save the hallmark before its abolished forever by default
Hallmarking as a legal requirement is once again under scrutiny and threat. The UK Government’s current drive to reduce regulation was launched on 7th April under the banner of The Red Tape challenge. http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk. The Red Tape Challenge has started by examining the Retail Sector and asking the electorate for their views on topics as diverse as “Sunday Trading” and “Trading with the Enemy”. .....more>

NEW - BRUMS – A GEM. BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE SILVER VISITS
A unique opportunity for the general public to visit The birmingham assay office and view its private silver collection - Book your place today.....more>

NEW - DOWNLOAD THE jewellery show PRESS PACK
Here to help you sell more in 2011.....more>

NEW - coming soon, the diamond jubilee hallmark
celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee a great commercial opportunity - START DESIGNING NOW! .....more>

NEW - Free AnchorCert Laser Insciption Voucher
when you order a full Diamond or Gemstone report. You can have the AnchorCert report number inscribed on the girdle of your Diamond or Gemstone. If you would like a discrete secret inscription or a logo this is possible for an additional charge.....more>

NEW - Lead and its compounds in jewellery
The issue of lead, and the potential danger of ingestion of lead from children’s fashion jewellery, has regularly been highlighted in the International Press. France has prepared a report (an Annex XV report) proposing to restrict lead and its compounds in jewellery under the REACH Regulations. .....more>

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