UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 29 JANUARY 2016
Assay Office Birmingham has announced a new collaborative tenancy and partnership with Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery.
The University’s gemmology department have now moved into new, state-of-the-art premises at 1 Moreton Street in the Jewellery Quarter, enabling further development of gemmological training for School of Jewellery students and forms part of ambitious plans to establish a centre of learning excellence for the Midlands jewellery trade.
The relocation provides facilities for 90 full-time and part-time gemmology students from the University, as well as access to the highest specification of equipment available for gemmological education within the UK.
Through access to equipment for testing diamonds at Assay Office Birmingham’s AnchorCert Gem Laboratory, the School of Jewellery now also have increased opportunity for gemmological research, while combining the knowledge and expertise of subject specialist staff with a diverse, international student population.
“Positioning an educational resource within a working environment will also stimulate Assay Office Birmingham employees to undertake continual professional development, therefore supporting and upskilling of the existing workforce”, added Gaynor.
Stella Layton, Assay Office Birmingham CEO and Assay Master, said: “The School of Jewellery has an excellent reputation both in the UK and internationally and we see great value in this collaboration which will be of huge mutual benefit and contribute to the significant development of the School’s gemmological courses.
“Assay Office Birmingham has been a supporter of the School since its inception and we are pleased to still be working with them 125 years on.”
Founded in 1773, Assay Office Birmingham provides assaying (testing) and hallmarking of precious metal items, such as gold, silver and platinum, as required by the Hallmarking Act.
During recent decades, Assay Office Birmingham has expanded its services and hallmarking duties to include diamond, gemstone and pearl certification, watch and silverware valuations, analytical testing and specialist retail training.