Formaldehyde levels are not legally regulated in the UK but they are often restricted by eco-labels and retailers/brands. Formaldehyde is commonly used in several textile production processes, for example after treatment of substantive dyeing, hardening of casein fibres, as a wool protection agent, anti mould and above all as a cross linking agent in resin finishing. Countries such as Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway, Netherlands and Japan do have national legislation restricting the…

Congratulations to Alex Pike of John H Lunn (Jewellers) Ltd, who is the lucky winner of a unique pair of Deakin & Francis Sterling Silver Enamel Cufflinks! The answer to the question was as follows; 1) As part of a Hallmark – What is the Town Mark for Birmingham? An Anchor Congratulations also go to Neil Hedge, who won an Enamel Assay Office Birmingham badge for sending us this brilliant Christmas photo of him celebrating his mom's 100th birthday. If you t…

Red garnets have a long history, but modern gem buyers can pick from a rich palette of garnet colours: greens, oranges, pinkish oranges, deeply saturated purplish reds, and even some blues. Red garnet is one of the most common and widespread of gems. But not all garnets are as abundant as the red ones. A green garnet, tsavorite, is rarer and needs rarer rock chemistries and conditions to form. Garnet stones can be found in countries such as�Brazil,�Botswana, Tanzania, Ke…

Birmingham City Council are proposing drastic cuts in funding from April 2015. Public consultation on the Budget closes on 12th January 2015. If you want to have your say you need to ACT NOW. Amongst many other cuts proposals include an £850K reduction in funding for Birmingham Museums Trust and a £1.5m reduction for the new Library of Birmingham. Budget cuts to the new, iconic Library of Birmingham which has already become a major visitor destination, as well as an invaluable res…