If you own a piece of gold, silver, platinum or palladium jewellery purchased in the UK or even some silverware like an antique silver knife, fork or spoon, you may have noticed three or four small stamps discretely hammered into the surface of the metal. This is a hallmark. In May 2024 I attended a fantastic introduction to UK hallmarking delivered by Marie Brennan, Commercial Manager of Birmingham Assay Office. Birmingham Assay Office regularly runs introductory sessions both to UK Hallmarking and the services they offer at their offices and laboratories in Birmingham–which extend well beyond hallmarking. Check out their website to see education and training is on offer. How does an assay office work? Who uses them? What else do they do? What kind of skills do you need to work there?