Latest News & Press

Our Curator, Emma Paragreen was recently joined by the four original designer makers of The Millennium Punch Bowl to clean and care for the special piece. This is no easy task, as the piece consists of the bowl, ladle, plank, cups and 2000 jacks.

The Annual NAJ Summit took place on the 24th to the 26th of June at the Park Regis Hotel in Birmingham and Emma Paragreen and Sarah North were delighted this year to represent Sheffield Assay Office playing a key role in the event. 

25th July 2023 marks the 50th anniversary the Hallmarking Act which was given royal assent on 25th July 1973 and came into force fully on 1st January 1975.  

Assay Assured is the world’s only jewellery specific digital Trustmark, backed by all four UK Assay Offices. UK Assay Offices have been testing and hallmarking precious metals for over 700 years.

On Friday 30th June, 20 members of the Sheffield Assay Office team donated to take part in the Master Cutler's Challenge, helping to raise funds for The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.

Hallmarking was in the spotlight at the recent Chartered Trading Standards Conference in Birmingham with the presentation of the Touchstone Award. The Award is sponsored by British Hallmarking Council and the National Association of Jewellers and encourages Trading Standards officers to raise awareness about the importance of hallmarking.

In 2023, Sheffield Assay Office is celebrating its 250th anniversary. Our Assay Master, Ashley Carson sits down with Professional Jeweller magazine to discuss the growth and development of the office, and what needs to be done within the industry to better serve consumers.

On behalf of our Assay Master, Sheffield Assay Office Guardians Colette Bishop and Emma Paragreen were delighted to award special prizes to students from Sheffield Hallam University's Jewellery, Materials and Design course.