Latest News & Press

Thanks are made to the De Beers Group for their initiative during lockdown to offer free places on their Diamond Foundation Course. Ten members of staff from the Sheffield Assay Office all undertook the online training course as part of their continued professional development.

The Bradbury’s Book of Hallmarks was originally compiled by Frederick Bradbury - who also happened to be a descendant of Daniel Bradbury, the very first Sheffield Assay Master back in 1773. The connection between Sheffield Assay Office and Bradbury’s is a long and particularly strong one, read on to find out more...

A lady called Mary Parsons, who died on September 30, 1815 aged 68, left a bequest in her will for the amount of £1,500 to benefit old, infirm and poor silversmiths in Sheffield. Over two centuries later, a charity in her honour continues to help silversmiths in need.

Following the successful showing of Don Porritt’s retrospective exhibition 'Silver: light, texture and form' in Sheffield last year, there is now another opportunity to see some of the exquisite work online and instore from the 6th October 2020.

Goldsmiths’ Fair, an essential stop on the international fine jewellery and contemporary silver calendar – is launching a digital only Fair for 2020. 

Each year the Sheffield Assay Office team answers a variety of enquiries from both the trade and general public, with the help of the Sheffield Assay Office Library and Archives.

Sheffield Assay Office is a supporter and member of the Association of Contemporary Jewellers and is delighted to announce the opening of the 2020 online exhibition 'glasshouses' - launching on the 21st September.

Newly manufactured jewellery makes its way to an Assay Office as required by the Hallmarking Act. But what about jewellery that was made years ago, and is now being re-sold as second hand? Do these pre-loved items being sold on auction sites, in pawnbrokers’ shops or jewellers need hallmarking too?