Sheffield Hallam University BA Jewellery students visit Sheffield Assay Office
25
Mar
Monday 25th March 2019
Throughout March Sheffield Assay Office has welcomed all 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students on the BA (Hons) Jewellery and Metalwork Course from Sheffield Hallam University. Over the last few years this has become an annual visit and proved to be an important part of the course and benefitting the students greatly. 53 studen…
Jewellery testing in the 21st Century
25
Mar
Monday 25th March 2019
Sheffield Assay Office uses the latest X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) measuring technology to determine the precious metal content of articles received for hallmarking. Until around 15 years ago, tiny samples of metal had to be physically removed from the jewellery and sent to the laboratory for analysis by fire assay (for gold), pot…
What is ICP-MS?
15
Mar
Friday 15th March 2019
By Dr Belen Morales, Head of Analytical Services Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is an instrumental technique which was first introduced in the early 1980’s to determine elemental content of water samples at trace levels. Over recent years new developments have eliminated the original disadvantages and expanded i…
Sheffield Assay Office welcomes one of China's most celebrated metalworkers!
15
Mar
Friday 15th March 2019
Assay Master Ashley Carson and Sheffield Assay Office staff were delighted to welcome Li Fuming one of China's most celebrated metalworkers. He founded Li Xiaobai Studio in 2008, since the companies establishment, Li Xiaobai Yinhu Studio has become one of the leading pure handmade silver production studios in China. Adheri…
Did you know? - there are 17 different standards for hallmarking precious metals?
13
Mar
Wednesday 13th March 2019
Did you know that therere are 17 different standards for hallmarking of precious metals? The precious metal fineness standard for UK hallmarking (expressed in parts per thousand) is listed below, along with the standards of solder permitted in the UK and under the International Hallmarking Convention (common control mark). S…
Analytical Services division successfully audited by leading medical device manufacturer
13
Mar
Wednesday 13th March 2019
This month we were pleased to welcome the Senior Supplier Quality Engineer from one of our most valued customers, B. Braun. Arriving from Ireland to audit various aspects of our laboratory, including our quality management system, process control, monitoring and training, we were delighted to once again pass with flying colou…
BSI confirms Sheffield Assay Office continue to get it right, first time, every time
1
Mar
Friday 1st March 2019
February 2019 saw Sheffield Assay Office undergo a successful audit by the British Standards Institute (BSI), who recommended we maintain our certification to ISO 9001:2015. ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system. Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the abili…
Committed to creating added value for our employees and our customers - An RJC review
15
Feb
Friday 15th February 2019
The Sheffield Assay Office was delighted to be accepted as a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council in July 2018. The RJC is a standards-setting organisation that has been established to advance responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond, gold and platinum group metals jew…