Remembering Chris Sellors: A British Gem

With great sadness, family jewellers C W Sellors recently announced the passing of their founder Christopher William Sellors. The team at Sheffield Assay Office are devastated by the news and send condolences to his family, friends and everyone that was impacted by his life's work.

Surrounded by his family, Chris passed away in the early hours of Monday 4th September at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield where he had been receiving wonderful support and care.

As we remember his life and legacy, we trace his career back to the very beginning; a journey that started with a love of his Derbyshire surroundings and a passion to make his own jewellery designs using the locally sourced Blue John gemstone. What started as a hobby with early jewellery pieces made from a workshop in his parents’ garage, was accompanied by two years of study at Chesterfield College for a City & Guilds, Silversmith and Goldsmith qualification.

Speaking of Christopher's sad passing, Assay Master Ashley Carson said; "I am truly devastated by this news. I remember back in 1979, Chris and I studied together at Chesterfield College of Art and Design. Chris and I had very different paths targeted, but we both shared the love of cars and Ford Escort XR3i. Chris took ownership of one before I did though. He was so focused on his career and is a huge loss to the industry."

From growing a business born in the family garage to watching its wide-ranging development over the years, Chris was an integral part of the UK jewellery industry, holding positions in both the National Association of Jewellers and the British Hallmarking Council. 

In both NAJ & BHC positions, Chris ensured he played an active role as he saw an opportunity to help develop their respective profiles and relevance in the modern world. Chris was instrumental in bringing together the jewellery trade in a new and fresh form of networking and events through his time at the NAJ, whilst the HALO Award initiative (Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online) he helped organise with the BHC illustrated his desire to communicate the hallmarking values.

As well as the professional legacy he leaves bahind, Chris was first and foremost a proud family man and he was fortunate enough to see his childen flourish in their respective roles at CW Sellors. His business remains in safe hands.

From all of us here at Sheffield Assay Office, we offer our deepest sympathies to the C W Sellors family, our thoughts are with you at this time.

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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