The Assay Office Birmingham, in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, has received a stamp of approval, and a grant of £70,900, from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its plans to bring collections dating to the 18th century into the digital age. With thousands of items spanning nearly 250 years of Birmingham’s jewellery and metalworking industries, the Assay Office’s private silver, coin and medal collections chronicle changes in manufacturing techniques, fashion, social history…

Assay Office Birmingham has another course coming up on Tuesday 26th August, this time it's our ever popular Understanding Watches session delivered by watch industry expert Peter Tales MBHI. The course gives each delegate a chance to handle and study watches closely, and disassemble items using standard basic tools. It will teach basic practical skills, which will enable delegates to diagnose possible faults and carry out maintenance repairs.

The next Understanding Hallmarking training course takes place on Tuesday 19th August, and there are still a few places left. It is also one of the last courses to take place in the historic building before Assay Office Birmingham moves into new premises in 2015. The course allows you to: • Tour the Hallmarking floor and the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at Hallmarking • Learn all about the history of Hallmarking in the UK • Gain an overview of the Hallmarkin…