The amendment, which comes into force in May 2015 PROHIBITS any leather articles or articles containing leather parts that come into direct, prolonged or repetitive contact with skin which contain greater than 3 mg/kg (0.0003%) of Chromium VI from BEING PLACED ON THE MARKET. Around 80% of the world’s leather production is tanned with Chromium salts which enable the finished leather to be supple and pliable and suitable to a range of end use products. During leather tanning Chromi…

Turquoise is derived from the French expression Pierre Turque, meaning Turkish Stone.   However, turquoise doesn’t come from Turkey.  While much turquoise was traded in Turkey, the items bought and sold probably originated in Iran or the Sinai Peninsula.  Turquoise has been found buried in Ancient Egyptian tombs, giving it the distinction of being one of the longest-loved gems in history. Where is Turquoise found? Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth. It …

Assay Office Birmingham were pleased to welcome so many visitors on its final general public Silver Visit of 2014.