Allied Gold and Brown & Newirth Announce Historic In-House Assay Office at Group Headquarters

PRESS RELEASE from Allied Gold and Brown & Newirth.

Today marks an exciting time for British manufacturing as AG Group who owns Allied Gold and Brown & Newirth announces the opening of an in-house assay office at their group headquarters. This pioneering move follows a historic agreement with the Sheffield Assay Office, marking the first-ever fine jewellery manufacturing Sheffield sub-office in its distinguished 251-year history.

This week, the partnership has received full approval from the British Hallmarking Council, with operations set to begin early January 2025. The renowned range of wedding and engagement rings, chain, and fine diamond jewellery from Allied Gold and Brown & Newirth will now be assayed at the new facility, proudly displaying the iconic Sheffield 'Tudor Rose Town' mark, adding another layer of prestige to the group’s craftsmanship.

The British jewellery manufacturer is no stranger to setting industry precedents, Allied Gold was the first company in the 700-year history of the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office to carry out hallmarking on-site at its London factory over a decade ago. Now, they are breaking new ground once again.

Jerry Anderson, CEO of AG Group, said: "We are incredibly proud to have received approval from the British Hallmarking Council to open a Sheffield Assay sub-office at our new headquarters. This will significantly streamline our operations, boosting efficiency and reducing lead times for our trade partners. We are excited to unveil this state-of-the-art hallmarking facility and to deepen our relationship with Ashley and the Sheffield Assay Office team."

Ashley Carson, Assay Master and CEO, said: "This is a thrilling new chapter for the Sheffield Assay Office. Our partnership with the AG Group allows us to expand our hallmarking services and continue delivering the exceptional standards we’re renowned for. As the jewellery industry evolves, we’re committed to supporting British manufacturing with the same precision and integrity that Sheffield has been known for over centuries. I would also like to extend my thanks to the British Hallmarking Council for their efficient approval allowing us to proceed smoothly with this initiative."

Starting in January, operations will feature cutting-edge X-Ray Fluorescence and laser technologies, managed by offsite Production Manager, Ryan Sprague and Lindsey Horsfield, who will both be relocating from Sheffield to the London area.

For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

Sarah Andrews, Head of Marketing

07984 455 385 / sarah@allied.gold

About Allied Gold

Allied Gold is the UK’s largest bridal manufacturer supplying a full suite of bridal jewellery including wedding bands, engagement rings and fine jewellery accessories. Allied Gold believes product innovation goes beyond jewellery and has created intelligent technology to help demonstrate, configure, and sell all their products, bringing them to life in front of customers - this is their integrated approach. Allied Gold is supporting retailers in a new type of partnership with all-inclusive marketing and technology departments to go beyond manufacturing, forming partnerships and empowering a retailer’s own brand.

About Brown & Newirth:

Since 1967, Brown & Newirth has been a hallmark of exquisite, handcrafted jewellery, synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless elegance. The brand's distinctive architecture, innovative direct-to-consumer marketing, and exceptional aftersales service packages have transformed Brown & Newirth from a trusted behind-the-counter trade supplier to a beloved household brand. With a prominent presence on the high street, Brown & Newirth's celebrated bridal boutiques now grace over 30 locations nationwide. They offer consumers an unmatched bridal jewellery shopping experience, blending tradition with innovation, providing a holistic, comprehensive bridal retail solution for partners.

About Sheffield Assay Office

The Sheffield Assay office was established by an Act of Parliament in 1772. It has expanded its role over its 250 years of protecting the public and also has an extremely highly regarded laboratory. Hallmarking is the oldest form of consumer protection and British hallmarks are the most highly regarded in the world.

The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.

To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,

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