London Assay Office

[pearlescence]

I went on a one day seminar at the London Assay office and the guild hall of the worshipful company of goldsmiths - what an amazing day. I learned so much.
You can see some of it here in the P blog.

 

[GemGeek]

Lucky YOU!

 

[pattye]

Read your blog, Wendy, soooo interesting!

 

[Marianne]

Highly recommend Wendy's blog article about hallmarking!!!

 

[pearlescence]

It was an amazing day. What really amazed me was that all the assay and actual marking is done by hand, by people. Every single piece and they do many thousands a day. Everything from a new tiara for HM the Queen to a simple wire ring for a pearl from me. That's just WOW

 

[CathyKeshi]

Fascinating reading; thank you for the "bird's eye view", Wendy!

 

[AMc]

Very cool- great post, thanks!

 

[juliebeth]

so cool! i can't believe how long they've been there - you brits really take this goldsmithing thing seriously! my wedding band is UK-made, it's got the multiple hallmarks that i just can't quite make out (my new bifocals are due to arrive any day now!).