BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE

Birmingham Assay Office is a not-for-profit organisation and was founded by An Act of Parliament in 1773.  It has a long established reputation within the jewellery trade as an independent centre of quality assessment and expert opinion.  Millions of gold, silver, platinum and palladium articles arrive here every year to be tested, to ensure that they contain the legal amount of precious metal, prior to being hallmarked. This statutory duty, one of the earliest forms of consumer protection, is still carried out in much the same way it has been for almost 250 years, although the process is now assisted by the latest technology such as X-Ray fluorescence testing and laser marking. 

During  recent times it has expanded its services further, far beyond its statutory assaying and hallmarking duties.  The Organisation is committed to investing in future expansion and in addition to its statutory hallmarking duty, Assay Office Birmingham also continues to develop a significant range of product quality assurance and safety services.

These are all delivered by IN-HOUSE EXPERTS using a wide range of sophisticated equipment. Assay Office Birmingham prides itself on the high level of service provided and the use of the latest technology by all its commercial divisions, from hallmarking, diamond and gemstone certification, jewellery, watch and silverware valuations, through to precious and non precious metal analysis, fashion accessories, leather and textiles testing, as well as educational training and consultancy.

For more information T: 0871 871 6020 You can also contact us here.   

ANCHORCERT ANALYTICAL

AnchorCert Analytical offers independent expert analysis across a range of sectors.  It is one of the UK’s leading test houses for Precious Metal Analysis and Nickel Compliance.  Thousands of watches and pieces of jewellery, both precious and costume, are tested here every year to make sure they comply with the European regulations for nickel release and lead and cadmium content. The Laboratory also carries out precious metal analysis for all sectors involved in manufacturing and selling precious metals on a daily basis. Precious metal analysis is its traditional specialism but The Laboratory has also established expertise in testing costume jewellery, watches, fashion accessories, leather goods, textiles, toys and other consumer goods.

The Laboratory has been the subject of considerable ongoing investment in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. This, coupled with innovative new methods and the continuous professional development of all technical personnel, has put The Laboratory at the forefront of analytical technology.  A credible, accurate and accredited report from a highly respected, independent organisation such as The Analytical Laboratory adds confidence and protects buyers and sellers in many sectors. 

ANCHORCERT GEM LAB

AnchorCert Gem Lab has developed into a major new brand in the jewellery trade.  Thousands of diamonds are graded and reports generated every year, offering the consumer the reassurance that they can know exactly what they are buying. AnchorCert Gem Lab provides White Diamond Reports, Coloured Diamond and Coloured Gemstone reports, including Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Jade and Tanzanite, as well as Pearl identification and laser inscription services.  AnchorCert Reports are provided by a team of highly qualified gemmologists who combine their expertise with state of the art equipment to provide fair and accurate reports.  Diamonds are graded to GIA master stones and nomenclature.

JEWELLERY, WATCH & SILVERWARE VALUATIONS

Jewellery, Watch & Silverware Valuations are provided for insurance Replacement, Probate, Family Division, Second Hand Replacement and Expert Opinion.  Valuations days are regularly held at Assay Office Birmingham.  Jewellery items can also be sent in via secure carrier for valuation and for those with larger collections home visits can be arranged.   

The jewellery valuation service provides in-store event days for major high street and independent retailers.  The service is also available for private individuals, insurance brokers, loss adjusters, Trading Standards, legal professions, civic organisations, livery companies, universities, museums and the Police.  

LIABILITY

The Company, any other party (whether or not involved in creating, producing, maintaining or delivering the Website), and the officers, directors, employees, or agents of any of them, exclude all liability and responsibility for any amount or kind of loss or damage that may result to you or a third party (including without limitation, any direct, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damages, or any loss of income, profits, goodwill, data, contracts, use of money, wasted management or office time or loss or damages arising from or connected in any way to business interruption, and whether in tort (including without limitation negligence), contract or otherwise) in connection with the Website in any way or in connection with the use, inability to use or the results of use of the Website, any websites linked to the Website or the material on such websites, including but not limited to loss or damage due to viruses that may infect your computer equipment, software, data or other property on account of your access to, use of, or browsing the Website or your downloading of any material from the Website or any websites linked to the Website.

QUALITY POLICY

The Birmingham Assay Office is committed to good professional practice and to the quality of its testing in servicing its customers.  The Organisation’s main purpose is to provide high and consistent quality in Sampling, Assaying, Hallmarking, Laboratory Testing, Quality Control, Education, Training, Consultancy, Valuation, Gemstone and Diamond Certification services.

The Birmingham Assay Office operates a Business Management System (BMS) in line with the requirements of ISO IEC 9001:2015 and ISO IEC 17025:2017.  The Head Office as well as the sub-offices, based in UK and India, must comply with the requirements of the standards and other applicable requirements such as regulatory and statutory requirements.

The purpose of the BMS is not only to ensure compliance to standards and other requirements but also to meet customers’ requirements and to offer services of excellence.  This policy demonstrates the Birmingham Assay Office’s commitment to the BMS, to continual improvement and to give clients assurance that the services provided are of the highest standard and that results issued are reliable, accurate and precise.

The Analytical laboratory is a part of the AnchorCert Group and has a well-defined and documented organisational structure in order to identify potential conflicts of interest and prevent an involvement or influence on the testing activities of the laboratory.

The AnchorCert Group understands the importance of maintaining impartiality of the analytical laboratory, and that it and its personnel are free from undue commercial, financial and other pressures, which might influence their technical judgment.

It is the policy of the AnchorCert Group that the analytical laboratory shall not engage in any activity that may endanger its independence of judgment and integrity in relation to its testing activities.

Staff at all levels play a key role in quality performance and ownership of the QMS is encouraged through training, communication and leadership.  The Senior Management Team ensures that quality objectives are set, communicated and reviewed on a regular basis.

The Birmingham Assay Office have planned, established and implemented an annual programme of internal audits, which takes into consideration the importance of the process concerned, changes affecting the organisation and the results of previous audits.  The Senior Management Team are committed to ensuring that the internal audit programme is suitably resourced, operated and maintained.

The Birmingham Assay Office and its sub-offices aim to be the best at what they do, therefore the requirements of the Quality Management System are mandatory on all personnel and it is everyone's responsibility to ensure it is effectively implemented, maintained and improved.

All personnel are responsible for familiarising themselves with the quality documentation available on SharePoint or hard copies displayed throughout the company.  All personnel are required to comply with all policies and procedures in their daily tasks and will be appraised against this objective.

THE ASSAY OFFICE RETIREMENT BENEFITS SCHEME
Statement of Investment Principles
January 2022

CLICK HERE to read the full statement.

The Assay Office Retirement Benefits Scheme
Implementation Statement for the year ended 31 March
2023

CLICK HERE to read the full statement.