Birmingham Assay Office

Birmingham Assay Office Birmingham Assay Office
Protecting consumers since 1773
https://linktr.ee/theassayoffice We’re here to provide independent quality assurance. It’s what we do.

Since 1773, Assay Office Birmingham has diversified its services in order to protect the consumer and serve the trade, with integrity and innovation. Now trading as the AnchorCert Group, we provide hallmarking, laser marking, diamond grading, jewellery valuations, consumer product safety testing, retail training and events. AnchorCert Group comprises of Assay Office Birmingham, AnchorCert Analytical, AnchorCert Gem Lab, SafeGuard Valuations, AnchorCert Academy and AnchorCert India.

Verified by assay for over 700 years, the hallmarking of silver is considered the oldest form of consumer protection.Whe...
05/06/2026

Verified by assay for over 700 years, the hallmarking of silver is considered the oldest form of consumer protection.

Whether applied by punch or laser, here's your cheat sheet of all the hallmarks we can apply to silver here at Birmingham Assay Office.

COMPULSORY MARKS

🛡 BAO is our sponsor's mark. You'll need to register your own to hallmark with us.

🥈 925 is the fineness mark, measured in parts per thousand.

This is called millesimal fineness and other standards in the UK are 800, 958 (Britannia silver) and 999 (fine silver).

⚓️ The Anchor is Birmingham’s Assay Mark, showing that the item was tested at Birmingham Assay Office.

OPTIONAL MARKS

🅱️ 'B' is the date letter for 2026, denoting the year the piece was assayed.

🦁 The Lion Passant is the traditional fineness mark, in use since 1300 to denote sterling silver. The figure of Britannia is used to denote 'Britannia' or 958 silver.

⚖️ Common Control Marks are available for use on pieces to be sold in the 22 member states of the International Hallmarking Convention. This means they do not have to be remarked when sold within these countries.

Need to register? Or have a piece of silverware you'd like valued? Get in touch!

📞 0121 236 6951
📧 [email protected]
📍 1 Moreton Street, B1 3AX

Since General Production Safety Regulations (GPSR) were introduced in December of 2024, we've seen countless makers and ...
01/06/2026

Since General Production Safety Regulations (GPSR) were introduced in December of 2024, we've seen countless makers and manufacturers confused by what the European legislation really means for them.

GPSR applies to anyone trading consumer products in the EU, and the objective is to protect customers by providing safe goods.

But what does that mean for jewellery?

It means regulated levels of hazardous Nickel, Lead and Cadmium, no physical hazards, concrete traceability, and accurate labelling.

Here at Birmingham Assay Office, our UKAS accredited analytical laboratory is your expert partner for compliance, helping to support your business and protect your customers.

Our team can develop a robust bespoke testing programme, advise you on the essential documentation, and connect you with a required EU Responsible Person (EURP).

Get in touch to understand this complex but essential piece of legislation and open for business in Europe. 🇪🇺

📞 0121 236 6951
📧 [email protected]
📍 1 Moreton Street, B1 3AX

Perfect heatwave colours in this ring from , crafted in platinum and 18ct yellow gold with tanzanite and multi coloured ...
28/05/2026

Perfect heatwave colours in this ring from , crafted in platinum and 18ct yellow gold with tanzanite and multi coloured diamonds 💎 ☀️

We applied a Created in the UK mark for Harle Paris alongside the hallmark. This mark is licensed by and celebrates UK-based craft. The scheme is audited and requires written proof of local manufacture.

Want to know about other additional marks available for your work?

Get in touch!

📞 0121 236 6951
📧 [email protected]
📍 1 Moreton Street, B1 3AX

Happy Bank Holiday weekend to all of our UK customers and colleagues 🍦🌡☀️A reminder that Birmingham Assay Office will be...
22/05/2026

Happy Bank Holiday weekend to all of our UK customers and colleagues 🍦🌡☀️

A reminder that Birmingham Assay Office will be closed on Monday 25th May and will reopen at 8:30am on Yueaday 26th May.

Enjoy the sunshine, all! 🕶

08/05/2026

Still time to grab one of the remaining FREE places on our UK Hallmarking Explained course.

Join us online on Wednesday, 13 May.

Hosted by our Commercial Manager Marie Brennan, this two-hour session covers:

⚓️ The Hallmarking Act
📚 The history of hallmarking
⚖️ Current UK legislation

Perfect for anyone working in or trading precious metals.

Whether you're a designer-maker wanting to ensure you're meeting regulations, or a trader looking to better educate your customers about your products, this course provides a great foundation of knowledge.

Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to e-meet Marie and learn from Marie’s 40 years of industry experience.

Go to the link in our bio to secure your free place today!

🗓 Wednesday, 13 May
🕤 9:30-11:30
📍 Online 💻

A very special day today at Birmingham Assay Office as the whole team came together to send our warmest wishes to our 14...
30/04/2026

A very special day today at Birmingham Assay Office as the whole team came together to send our warmest wishes to our 14th Assay Master, Doug Henry, on his retirement.
 
Doug joined Birmingham Assay Office in September 2014 and has led as Assay Master for the past nine years, guiding the organisation through a period of real transformation — not least our major move from Newhall Street to our current, purpose-built home on Moreton Street.
 
We're delighted that this isn’t goodbye, as Doug will remain part of the team as one of our Guardians.
 
In a farewell message to the team this morning, Doug reflected:

“We are all custodians of this great organisation and will play our part in its history before handing over to our successors.”
 
We would like to say a huge thank you to Doug for his contribution to our story.

⚓

It was great to catch up with our Guardians today at our AGM ⚓️ While we connect with them individually throughout the y...
17/04/2026

It was great to catch up with our Guardians today at our AGM ⚓️

While we connect with them individually throughout the year, this was a valuable opportunity to showcase how our services are evolving across the business.

We’re proud to have such an incredible team, bringing energy, expertise, and a genuine passion for our customers.

It was also a special moment to witness the handover of the badge of office from Doug Henry to Roxanne Guest, as she steps into her new role as CEO and Assay Master.

Introducing Assay Hub 🔬⚓️💎A new membership space by Birmingham Assay Office, created for jewellery professionals who wan...
14/04/2026

Introducing Assay Hub 🔬⚓️💎

A new membership space by Birmingham Assay Office, created for jewellery professionals who want more than just a place to work.

Designed to serve members without the overhead costs of running their own premises, Assay Hub offers more than just a workspace.

Users can access gemmological screening equipment amongst other tiered benefits, including discounted gem reports and bookable meeting rooms.

Whether you're a gemmologist, valuer, or jewellery specialist, this is your space to connect with clients, work alongside peers, and stay close to the trade.

Memberships start from just £50 for day passes.

With flexible options — including part-time and full-time memberships — Assay Hub allows members to access the sense of community that defines the Jewellery Quarter in a way that supports modern, independent working.

DM us or get in touch to arrange a private viewing.

📧 [email protected]
📞 0121 236 6951

Our gemmologists Romney and Emma were out in the Jewellery Quarter yesterday, spreading the word about our 10% Gem Lab d...
09/04/2026

Our gemmologists Romney and Emma were out in the Jewellery Quarter yesterday, spreading the word about our 10% Gem Lab discount this April ‼️

Since it was the hottest day of the year so far, ice creams were, in fact, obligatory. 🍦🍦

Our offer extends beyond our neighbourhood, though!

Anyone can claim 10% off gem reports until the end of April.

Simply quote 'APRIL10' when booking by phone, email, or at our customer service counter.

📍 Birmingham Assay Office, 1 Moreton Street, B1 3AX
📧 [email protected]
📞 0121 236 6951

Our new look diamond and gemstone reports are incoming!We’re excited to unveil our refreshed and simplified report tiers...
02/11/2025

Our new look diamond and gemstone reports are incoming!

We’re excited to unveil our refreshed and simplified report tiers, covering both loose stones and mounted jewellery.

Reports will be categorised as Standard, Intermediate and Premium, no longer based on carat weight, making it easier than ever to choose the right service for your needs.

With a five working day turnaround, getting your reports has never been simpler.

Standard: 
💎 The diamond essentials: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight
💎 Gemstone identification
💎 Tanzanite grading

Intermediate:
💎 Full colourless and coloured diamond assessments to include proportions and a cut analysis
💎 Laboratory grown diamond grading reports
💎 Gemstone identification reports to include colour, clarity and treatment
💎 Loose pearl reports

Premium:
💎 Full colourless diamond and coloured diamond reports with a plotted facet diagram of clarity characteristics
💎 Gemstone identification reports to include treatment and origin opinion
💎 Jewellery reports
💎 Pearl jewellery reports

If you're not sure which service you require, please give us a call or send us an email. Our Customer Service team are always happy to advise on what's best for your needs.

📞 0121 820 0773
📧 [email protected]

Address

1 Moreton Street
Birmingham
B13AX

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm

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