After a stunning two weeks of brilliant sport, of which my favourite had to be the BMX biking- can't wait to have a go at that - my Olympic Hangover was sitting heavy last night.

  During the week delegates have covered technical aspects of Gold Assaying by Fire Assay Method, precious metal analysis by XRF, testing of gold and other noble metals by touch acid techniques, Gold/Silver by scorification and finally, sampling and hallmarking On the final day of training Michael Allchin, Assay Master at The Birmingham Assay Office, presented the 3 trainees with certificates of attendance.

 The event held in Birmingham addressed issues including security, hallmarking and trading in second hand jewellery over the counter. Michael Allchinhig hlighted the legal requirements for the correct hallmarking of gold jewellery. The seminar also included the launch of ‘The Gold Standard’ – a new industry wide initiative to set common standards in the responsible purchasing of second hand gold over the counter and helping Police to track and recover stolen jewellery. For …