Last week saw the Assay Office team travelling far and wide representing the diverse activities of The Birmingham Assay Office and enjoying warm hospitality in three different countries. Penny Parkes and Anu Manchanda were immersed in the expertise, swinging kilts and stunning scenery of the Scottish Gem A Conference in Peebles. [caption id="attachment_5108" align="aligncenter" width="454"] Anu Manchanda and Penny Parkes at The Scottish Gem A Conference in Peebles.[/caption]  Carla Goodfellow and Sophie Whitehouse crossed the water to visit some lovely customers in Belfast who gave them a great welcome, and Marion Wilson attended her first CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv. [caption id="attachment_5102" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Marion Wilson on route to her first Cibjo Conference in Tel Aviv[/caption] CIBJO,  The World Jewellery Confederation holds its Congress in a different country every year and this year was the turn of the Israeli Diamond Institute. Headed up by charismatic President Gaetano Cavalieri ,the Congress gathers together jewellery associations from around the world to establish recognised international standards for the jewellery industry.  CIBJO is best known amongst jewellers for its “Blue Books” the technical “bibles” which set out the rules for describing diamonds, gemstones, pearls and most recently precious metals.  However, there is much more to the organisation than this. CIBJO is very active in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics and has strong political connections to enable it to make an impact worldwide, protecting the consumer and those in the industry. The Congress represents three intensive days of meetings, exchange of ideas and opinions and of course plenty of socialising. In the absence of Michael Allchin who was on holiday, Marion chaired the Precious Metals Commission meeting and gained an important resolution for CIBJO members to make a united effort to amend the recent changes to the nickel release test EN1811:1998 which is causing the jewellery and watch industry a lot of angst. There was also discussion about recent developments with regards to chain of custody for precious metals, specifically the Dodd Frank Act in America and a forthcoming EU Directive which is currently under consultation. [caption id="attachment_5103" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Ofir Arnon, Assay Master of the Assay Office in Tel Aviv[/caption] At the end of the Conference Marion was delighted to meet up with Ofir Arnon, Assay Master of the Assay Office in Tel Aviv who underwent training at The Birmingham Assay Office last year. Ofir showed Marion around the immediate area near the hotel, including the beach. Probably just as well Marion hadn’t realised what she was missing earlier or she may not have been such a conscientious delegate! Thank you to the other British delegates, Tel Aviv and CIBJO for an unforgettable few days.

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