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The Birmingham Assay Office has recently launched its new corporate marketing identity which has met with admiration and the approval of its retail and manufacturing customers, industry experts, staff and members of the public alike.
Marion Wilson, Marketing Director explained: “The Assay Office has been working to develop the contemporary design and feel of its new visual identity for many months. The Birmingham Assay Office is the largest Assay Office in the World and also offers a wide portfolio of additional services for the jewellery and gemstone industry. We are ambitious and looking forward to the future with enthusiasm and expectancy. Our new image is an expression of our progressive outlook whilst at the same time reflecting our long history, heritage and world renowned expertise and experience. ”
The Birmingham Assay Office’s history and tradition stems from its statutory work - Hallmarking precious metals. In 2005 over 12 million individual items passed through its doors. It is also home to a wonderful collection of silverware which it frequently loans out upon request to museums and exhibitions.
Today The Birmingham Assay Office is still at the forefront of commercial and industrial change, just as it was when it was founded by Matthew Boulton in 1773.
The testing and analysis of precious metals has always been fundamental to The Assay Office business since its foundation over 230 years ago. The Metal Analysis Services provided by The Assay Office’s own Laboratory is widely acknowledged for its expertise and for the extensive range of specialist testing procedures it carries out. As Technical Director, Dippal Manchanda heads up the Laboratory team. He has a Masters degree (MSc) in Inorganic Chemistry, is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a Chartered Chemist and Chartered Scientist. He has spent his entire career in the field of precious metals. The considerable ongoing investment in industry state of the art equipment and continuous professional development of its technical personnel will keep the Laboratory at the forefront of this industry for many years to come. The American Assay & Gemmological Office - a subsidiary of The Birmingham Assay Office – submits an increasing number of precious metal samples to Birmingham for analysis.
As part of its strategic growth plans The Birmingham Assay Office has continued to invest heavily in its SafeGuard®Jewellery Valuation Brand. Under the expert eye of Jim Potts, SafeGuard’s Senior Valuer, the whole team of Valuers and administrators undergo rigorous and continuing professional training. SafeGuard - the UK’s leading Jewellery Valuation Service - is available from over 1,000 High Street retailers throughout the country. SafeGuard’s team of highly qualified professional valuers produce totally independent jewellery valuations.
Carla Goodfellow, General Manager, oversees the development of both SafeGuard and AnchorCert operations. AnchorCert® Diamond Certification, another expert service available from The Birmingham Assay Office, is the ONLY independent Diamond Certification service in the UK which can identify synthetic and HPHT treated diamonds. AnchorCert is located in Birmingham and in the heart of the London Jewellery Industry in Hatton Garden. The AnchorCert Director, Eric Emms is based in London and through his many years of work at the London Precious Stone Laboratory and the Gem Testing Laboratory as well as lecturing in precious Gem Courses his reputation in the gem and jewellery industry is world renowned. His experience in Diamond Grading is unrivalled and during his career he has been privileged to examine some of the most famous and historic diamonds, natural pearls and coloured stones in the world. AnchorCerthas recently launched its new Full Certificate “Diamond Report” including the Cut Grade. It also provides reports to confirm the authenticity of Coloured Stones and Pearls and is the only facility in the UK to offer Laser inscription of diamonds.
A final word from the Assay Master – Michael Allchin “Our Commitment to Consumer Protection and our pride in our Integrity, Independence and Expertise is as strong today as it was over 230 years ago. In an ever changing manufacturing and retail environment we continue to champion quality standards to protect both the consumer and the jewellery trade and offer our customers an increasing range of value added core services”.
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