The next Jewellery Watch and Silverwar?e Valuation Event Days taking place at The Birmingham Assay Office, located on Newhall Street, in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter are on: Wednesday 23rd May 2012 Thursday 28th June 2012 Thursday 19th July 2012 If you have any fine jewellery, watches or silverware that you aren't sure about their value please get in touch to book an appointment. Places are limited and charges do apply. Call 0871 871 6020 or email safeguard@theassayoffice.co.uk…

Ever increasing gold prices are driving significant changes in the UK fine jewellery trade, one such trend being the introduction of ‘bonded gold’ and an increase in gold plated and rolled gold products coming to market. ‘Bonded gold’ items are produced with a thick layer of gold alloy “bonded” on to a base metal or sterling silver core. The resulting article is only about 10% gold alloy by weight on average, but could be easily mistaken as an all-gold item …