Birmingham Assay Office, Elkington Suite

Attended a Valuers Experience Day hosted by Marie and Lily and had such a great time. The day was well organised, ran efficiently and included a lot of interesting content. We got to spend some time with the hallmarking team looking at the various methods and even had go at traditional punching. After a lovely lunch we spent time in their gemmological testing lab with some practical experience looking at different stones and understanding the various equipment. The day finished with some time in the valuations department with a Q&A and hands on look at the process. I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anybody looking to seek a career within jewellery or anyone already studying.

Good Morning, I attended the public tour last month which was hugely enjoyable.This occasion was important to me in my 80th year *** The whole tour & presentation was admirably and professionally conducted by Mrs Brennan,as I expected. Mr Henry,The Assay Master and I exchanged letters and he very kindly replied.Both letters are kept as mementoes of my visit. *** I wrote that I was a " native" of the area, having spent my entire childhood in nearby Ladywood. Many neighbours worked their entire lives in the JQ. Kind regards Donald Newis

We are grateful to the Birmingham Assay Office for their exceptional hospitality during The Silver Society’s recent visit to their historic collection. From the outset, the team were incredibly accommodating, ensuring the event was thoughtfully organized and ran seamlessly. We enjoyed a captivating session led by the curator, whose expertise and enthusiasm brought the collection to life. We were privileged to view not only the exquisite pieces on display in the silver room but also other carefully-selected treasures from the reserve collection and original archival documents that offered deep insights into the Office’s storied past. This visit was more than a glimpse into silver history—it was a reminder of the enduring cultural and artisanal significance preserved within the Assay Office’s walls. Warm thanks to the whole team for making the experience both enriching and memorable.