Working with White Gold
The Birmingham Assay Office was founded in 1773 to provide a hallmarking facility to the rapidly expanding local silver trade. Over 235 years it has become established as the largest UK Assay Office. During the past decade the Assay Office has expanded its services further, far beyond its statutory Assaying and Hallmarking duties and offers independent expert opinion on every aspect of the precious metal, jewellery and gemstone trade...more >
PRECIOUS METAL FINISHING
Jewellery Packaging - the most common tarnishing accelerants of jewellery articles
(Dippal Manchanda, MSc CSci CChem FRSC, Technical Director)
One of the most common uses of Precious Metals is in alloys to be used for jewellery manufacture and in this line of business satisfying the final consumer is hugely important. While corrosion is not of course a problem for the pure “noble” metals the phenomenon of tarnishing can be a big problem with precious metal alloys, particularly for sterling silver and for low carat golds. The main reason for buying jewellery is its aesthetic value and this diminishes significantly when the metal succumbs to tarnishing, altering the colour, brightness and pleasing appearance....more>
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS AS SAFE AS THEY SHOULD BE?
Products destined for the gift, home and toy markets are subject to a plethora of rules and regulations relating to their safety and their fitness for purpose. One of the GA’s key roles is to ensure that its members are not only aware of the relevant laws and what they entail, but that they also know about the various services available to help them ensure that their products are compliant in all respects....more>
Jewellery Packaging - the most common tarnishing accelerants of jewellery articles (Dippal Manchanda, MSc CSci CChem MRSC, Technical Director)
One of the most common uses of Precious Metals is in alloys to be used for jewellery manufacture and in this line of business satisfying the final consumer is hugely important. While corrosion is not of course a problem for the pure “noble” metals the phenomenon of tarnishing can be a big problem with precious metal alloys, particularly for sterling silver and for low carat golds. The main reason for buying jewellery is its aesthetic value and this diminishes significantly when the metal succumbs to tarnishing, altering the colour, brightness and pleasing appearance.......more>
Steel and compliance with the nickel regulations
The use of nickel is regulated in products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin as it may cause an allergic reaction. The Laboratory at the Birmingham Assay Office is a leading Nickel testing specialist in the UK. ......more>
Chromium (VI) and EU Legislation reglating to watches
Many watches have to comply with two pieces of European Legislation which restrict potentially harmful elements. The levels of specific elements permitted by these two regulations are contradictory and an increasing number of customers are seeking clarification from The Birmingham Assay Office. ......more>
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