The commemorative hallmark to celebrate H.M The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is NOW available to be struck or lasered onto precious metal items up until to 1st October 2012, offering an excellent commercial opportunity in the year of both the Jubilee and the Olympics. Don’t forget to ask for this special mark.

The UK Assay Offices have also produced an eye-catching range of point of sale material, which is silver foil blocked, to promote the commemorative hallmark. Prices start from as little as 10p each for the mini consumer booklet to accompany product and 10p for the point of sale tent cards. Counter Show cards cost 50p each. For further information, please call 0871 871 6020 or email gem@theassayoffice.co.uk

The Birmingham Assay Office want to ensure we give you the service you require in this crucial trading period. All divisions of The Assay Office, ie: Hallmarking, The Laboratory, AnchorCert Diamond Certification and SafeGuard Jewellery Valuations will therefore be working until 3.00pm on Friday 23rd December 2011.

The Birmingham Assay Office will reopen after the Christmas break on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

Please find below Deadlines for submitting work that is required back BEFORE CHRISTMAS. If you envisage these causing you any problems please contact the department concerned and we will do our best to help.

• The Hallmarking division will be open until 3.00pm on Friday 23rd December and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
• Hallmarking parcels received over the Trade Counter before 10.00am on Wednesday 21st December will be processed and ready for customer collection by Friday 23rd December up until 3.00pm.
• Hallmarking parcels received by post or Securicor up to Monday 19th December will be processed and despatched by Thursday 22nd December.
• Last dates for the Special 24 Hour EXPRESS Service are:
• Postal Parcels received on Wednesday 21st December – will be despatched on Thursday 22nd December, for delivery to you on Friday 23rd December.
• Trade Counter parcels received by 9.30am on Thursday 22nd December will be ready by 9.30a.m.
  Friday 23rd December.

• The Laboratory will accept samples until 4.00pm on Thursday 22nd December.
• To receive results BEFORE CHRISTMAS i.e. Thursday 22nd December, samples MUST be submitted by the following deadlines:

Samples for Nickel release testing to BS EN 1811 that are received after 10.00am on Tuesday 13th December and before 10.00am on Thursday 22nd December will be reported by Monday 9th January 2012. If you have any urgent requirements, please contact Tim Smith on 0121 262 1036.

• SafeGuard will be open until 3.00pm on Friday 23rd December and will reopen on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
  
• The last date for sending in items to be valued and for the Valuation documents to be despatched before Christmas is Monday 12th December.
• For standard items: same day and express services are available up until Tuesday 20th December.
  
• For more details please call: 0871 423 7922.
  
  

• AnchorCert will be open until 3.00pm on Friday 23rd December and will reopen on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.
  
• Diamonds and gemstones received by AnchorCert by Monday 19th December will be completed by Thursday 22nd December - with the exception of Coloured Gemstones and Diamonds.
  
• The last date for the AnchorCert Next Day Service will be Wednesday 21st December for postal items and Thursday 22nd for items to be collected.
  
• The latest deadline for the AnchorCert Same Day Service will be 9.30am on Thursday 22nd December for postal items and for items to be collected.
  
• The usual additional charges will apply for both Next Day and Same Day services.
• For more details please call: 0871 423 7922.