Latest News & Press

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

Did you know that nickel allergy is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — an itchy rash that appears where your skin touches a usually harmless substance. Nickel allergy is often associated with earrings and other jewellery but it can also be found in many everyday items such as coins, zips, mobile phones and spectacl…