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iT’S A SPRING AFFAIR AND WE’VE GOT SOMETHING NEW……..
THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE AT SPRING FAIR , NEC 1-5 February 2009
THE JEWELLERY SHOW – HALL 17 STAND A19
More NEW Innovative Services from The Birmingham Assay Office
The Birmingham Assay Office introduces several new and innovative projects for 2009 and these will be previewed for THE FIRST TIME at The Jewellery Show, Spring Fair 2009, NEC, Birmingham.
The main visual attraction on the stand will be the unveiling of the Matthew Boulton 2009 Silver Commission, undertaken by Shona Marsh, who has designed and created a fitting piece to commemorate the Bicentenary of the death of Matthew Boulton, founder of The Birmingham Assay Office.
1. Commission Piece Unveiling,
3. Product Launches
1 .Product Preview and customer Consultation
The Birmingham Assay Office
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SafeGuard
Independent Jewellery, Watch and Silverware Valuation Service
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Anchorcert
Independent Diamond & Gemstone Certification Service
The Legacy of Matthew Boulton - The Past - The Present - The Future
The Birmingham Assay Office is proud to promote its heritage, to remind people of its importance, and to invest in its future. It remains positive about the long term future of the UK jewellery trade and believes it is more important than ever that the Jewellery industry is equipped with the skills, facilities and resources it needs to exploit every opportunity.
The Bicentenary of Boulton’s death in 2009 is an opportunity to underline the continuing importance of the UK Hallmark and to celebrate the pool of talent which still exists in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter today.
To showcase this, The Birmingham Assay Office has commissioned a piece of silver made by local silversmith Shona Marsh. Her elegant candelabrum was inspired by Boulton’s designs and techniques and has been made in classic Jewellery Quarter style, with components sourced from specialist casters and polishers, using a range of traditional skills and 21st century technology. The complex centrepiece has been designed and created using CAD/CAM technology before casting. The Candelabrum is solid evidence of the continued expertise and craftsmanship still on offer in Birmingham. Shona’s elegant modern candelabrum, will be on display all week. Hallmarking legislation continues to move on and experienced staff fromThe Birmingham Assay Officewill have the latest news on the hallmarking of Palladium which is expected to become a legal requirement during the course of 2009. They will also answer questions on the hallmarking of Mixed Precious and Base Metals, an increasingly attractive proposition while precious metal prices are so unpredictable.
TheBirmingham Assay Office will also be showcasing innovative new services from its other divisions. The new Premium Valuation Portfolio from the SafeGuard Jewellery, Watch and Silverware Valuation Service, offers a contemporary version of the successful “Jewellery Portfolio” format which will be previewed at Spring Fair.
The Valuation Portfolio has been redesigned to make it fitting for watches as well as jewellery and silverware. Items can be valued whether they are contemporary or antique.Operations Director Carla Goodfellow says “We have taken a brave step with the redesign. We will be very interested to hear the views of our customers and look forward to previewing the product on our stand at Spring Fair.” Retailers will be able to offer their clients a stunning product, which for minimal selling effort and no initial outlay can generate additional income for their business. The new Valuation Portfolio will be available from late Spring 2009.
Continuing the successful strategy of listening to its customers, understanding what is happening in the market and then providing the appropriate product, SafeGuard Independent Jewellery Valuation Service from The Birmingham Assay Office will launch the “Watch Authentication” Report at Spring Fair 2009. Operations Director for SafeGuard and AnchorCert, Carla Goodfellow says “There is increasing concern that some of the watches submitted for valuation are not what they purport to be. Some are sophisticated, high quality fakes, others have been assembled from genuine branded watch parts but have been modified or rebuilt. Before we can value a watch we obviously need to know exactly what we are looking at. In some cases this will involve removing the back, checking serial numbers and then properly resealing the watch. The new Watch Authentication Service does exactly that and we expect it to be very popular.” Samples of the new Watch Authentication Report will be available on The Birmingham Assay Office Stand, A19, Hall 17.
The AnchorCert Independent Diamond and Gemstone Certification Service will be launching a new certificate for loose stones. The A5 sized report has been developed in response to feedback from customers and fills the gap between the popular AnchorCert “Mini report” and the A4 sized AnchorCert “Full” Report. The new Report includes measurements, carat weight, shape, clarity and colour, fluorescence and, where applicable, cut grade.
The AnchorCert Independent Diamond and Gemstone Certification Service offers a NEW guide to its customers. AnchorCert has produced a comprehensive “Diamond Guide and Gemstone Index” as a useful reference for jewellers. The pocket size publication includes comprehensive information about diamonds including sieve sizes, facet diagrams for the most popular cuts and guidance as to cut quality as well as clarity and colour charts. Although focussing on diamonds, the Guide also includes a glossary of birthstones and gemstones. Copies will be available from The Birmingham Assay Office stand at Spring Fair, NEC Birmingham, 1-5th February - Hall 17 Stand A19 or AnchorCert customers can email gem@theassayoffice.co.uk to request a copy by post.
NEW
- Unveiling of The Matthew Boulton Silver Commission piece by Shona Marsh to commemorate the Bicentenary of Matthew Boulton’s Death. Matthew Boulton is one of Birmingham’s foremost industrialists and is the Founder of The Birmingham Assay Office. The Birmingham Assay Office is proud to promote its heritage, to remind people of its importance, and to invest in its future.
- The NEW “Watch Authentication” Report from SafeGuard Independent Jewellery Valuation Service – a division of The Birmingham Assay Office.
- The NEW premium “Valuation Portfolio” from SafeGuard Independent Jewellery Valuation Service – a division of The Birmingham Assay Office.
- The NEW A5 Short Report from AnchorCert Independent Diamond and Gemstone Certification Service – a division of The Birmingham Assay Office.
- The NEW AnchorCert Diamond Guide and Gemstone Index
- Update on the expected legal requirement for the hallmarking of Palladium in 2009.
The Birmingham Assay Office is the Largest Assay Office in the World and offers a Complete Service to the UK Jewellery Industry and beyond. As well as undertaking the Hallmarking of precious metal items in the UK, it is an internationally reputed centre of expert opinion and independent assessment of jewellery, watches and precious metals.
For further information contact: 0871 871 6020. or email info@theassayoffice.co.uk
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