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PALLADIUM, PRECIOUS STONES AND A LOT MORE FROM THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE / JULY 06

Palladium is the new white metal that took the recent Las Vegas Jewelry Show by storm.  Michael Allchin, Chief Executive and Assay Master at the Birmingham Assay Office, will be detailing the opportunities it offers to retail jewellers in the UK when he speaks at the IJL International Jewellery Exhibition at Earls Court from 3rd to 6th September.  Michael’s Seminar entitled “Palladium – A new Opportunity” will take place on Monday 4th September at 2pm.

“Palladium presents a new opportunity for the industry,” he said.  “It means jewellers can exploit the continuing popularity of white metal, but the less expensive Palladium product means they can make higher margins. 

“The Americans have called it a ‘Gift from God’ and while this may be going over the top, Palladium certainly presents a hard pressed industry with the chance to improve profitability,” said Mr Allchin.

The seminar will detail the technical and the potential commercial benefits of Palladium and Michael will also provide the latest information about legislation and hallmarking requirements for the new metal.

A second seminar will be presented by The Birmingham Assay Office on Tuesday 5th September at 2.30pm entitled “Is It The Real Thing ?..  Naturally!”  Eric Emms, director of the AnchorCert Gemmological Office, based in London, will explain the intricacies of identifying natural pearls and determining whether or not coloured gemstones, such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires, have been subjected to treatments. He will reference some jewellery items that were examined prior to sale at recent auctions to illustrate his points.

The Birmingham Assay Office will also have its own stand at the IJL Stand No. 440, featuring its SafeGuard independent jewellery valuation and AnchorCert independent diamond certification services.

“Both SafeGuard and AnchorCert are highly specialised services developed to provide the industry with the opportunity to offer added value to customers and thereby increase margins,” said Marion Wilson, Marketing Director at the Birmingham Assay Office.

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