Music fans descended on Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter last night to honour the finest musicians on the UK jazz scene at the 2013 British Jazz Awards. The prestigious event, known in the industry as the 'jazz Oscars', made its return to Birmingham 27 years after it started in the city. Held at St Paul's Church, the event was delivered in partnership with the Jewellery Quarter BID and the Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival. The hosts - Birmingham soul legend Jaki Graham a…

Family and friends with Bernard’s portrait in Reception at The Assay Office. Left to right: Roger Burman, Daniel Drazen, Paul Berwin, Valerie Berwin, Sophie Drazen, Margaret Ward, John Knowles and John Bettinson.[/caption] The memorial service, held in St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter on 9th July drew people together from around the country to celebrate Bernard’s life. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"] Donations in memory of Bernard, for his favourit…

New regulations come into force this year, controlling lead content in jewellery and other items; but some materials are considered exempt, such as crystal glass, for which Dippal Manchanda of the Birmingham Assay Office has developed a test. The new ‘crystal glass’ test has been developed specifically in response to customer demand as manufacturers and importers prepare for the forthcoming restrictions on the use of lead in jewellery products under the European REACH (Restric…