The Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🎉

The date letter for 2026 is a upper case B. A non-compulsory mark, the date letter changes annually on 1 January. The font, case, and shield shape all change so each can only indicate one specific year.

Learn more about hallmarking and the five component marks via link in bio.

#2026

01/12/2025

We’re officially in the run-up to Christmas, but what does that mean for our opening hours and service times?

In our latest video, members of the team give an update on how our services will change during the Christmas period:
- On Tuesday 23 December 2025 at 12:00pm, we will close the counters at Goldsmiths’ Hall and Greville Street for the Christmas Holidays.

- Both counters will re-open at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026. We are anticipating an extremely busy run up to Christmas, to ensure that your packets are marked and returned to you on time, please note the following timelines and cut-offs:

- Standard Service – The cut-off for packets to be received for standard service is Monday 15 December.

- Next Day Service – The cut-off for packets to be received for next day service is Friday 19 December. Packets received on Monday 22 December for next day service, are likely to be ready Monday 5 January, but those with any special requests, such as larger bespoke marks are not guaranteed.

- One Hour Service – The cut-off for packets to be received for one-hour service on Tuesday 23 December is 10:00am. They must be collected by 11:45pm.

Please login to your online account to see when your packet is completed and ready for collection/postage.

If you have any questions, tell us in the comments or get in touch via our website. We’re here to help you get the most out of our service.

From the London Assay Office team we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎄

27/08/2025

The 2025 exhibitors for Goldsmiths’ Fair have been announced!

This year’s 136 exhibitors work across disciplines and materials, each achieving distinct techniques and their own style with precious metals. The Fair gives you the opportunity to see, try, and buy pieces directly from their makers and to discuss the skills, practices and inspirations that go into them, and to attend an exciting programme of talks and exhibitions.

For the full exhibitor line-up and to book tickets, visit

28/11/2024

Dear all,

On Monday 23 December 2024 at 1:00pm, we will close the counters at Goldsmiths’ Hall and Greville Street for the Christmas Holidays.

Both counters will re-open at 9am on Thursday 2 January 2025.

We are anticipating an extremely busy run up to Christmas, to ensure that your packets are marked and returned to you on time, please note the following timelines and cut-offs:

Standard Service - The cut-off for packets to be received for standard service is Monday 9 December.

Next Day Service – The cut-off for packets to be received for next day service is Thursday 19 December. Packets received on Friday 20 December for next day service, are likely to be ready Monday 23 December, but those with any special requests, such as larger bespoke marks are not guaranteed.

One Hour Service – The cut-off for packets to be received for one-hour service on Monday 23 December is 11:00am. They must be collected by 12:45pm.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer care team: [email protected]

With best wishes and seasons greetings,

The London Assay Office Team

25/06/2024

Goldsmiths’ Fair has announced its 2024 exhibitors!

This year’s 136 exhibitors work across disciplines and materials, each achieving distinct techniques and their own style with precious metals. The Fair gives you the opportunity to see, try, and buy pieces directly from their makers and to discuss the skills, practices and inspirations that go into them, and to attend an exciting programme of talks and exhibitions.

For the full exhibitor line-up and to be the first to hear about early bird tickets, visit

📷 photographs by

21/06/2024

Test strike! In 2023 just 15.8% of the articles marked at the London Assay Office were struck with a punch. It’s a highly skilled job done by an incredibly small number of people, and requires a top notch knowledge of how precious metal alloys, and complex shapes will take a mark. When training up new people or testing punches, our production team use 3-6mm thick sheets of aluminium rather than precious metals. Here’s an attempt by Head of Comms and Marketing with a “full” punch for Sterling Silver - don’t worry, we won’t be letting him near your pieces!

05/01/2024

Less than two weeks remain to enter this year’s competition, so be sure to submit your entry via their online form.

A reminder of our brief…:

Our Make Your Mark design challenge invites you to design jewellery, smallwork or silverware on the theme of .

Broad and engaging interpretations of this are encouraged and welcomed, such as folklore, fashion, festivals, communities, culture, diversity, food, history and architecture to name but a few areas of interest. Designers can choose any city (globally) but must embrace their concept visually through their design presentation.

Also important, designs must incorporate a display, or bespoke placement of the London Assay Office hallmark that is complimentary to the design and thoughtfully positioned. This is an opportunity to choose the placement of the hallmark components, and to consider the hallmark in harmony with your design.

Enter now!

Read the brief in full at craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk

04/01/2024

We are delighted to be partnering again with The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council for the 2023/24 Competition with our Make Your Mark design challenge.

This year, on the theme of ‘City Spirit’, entrants are invited to design jewellery, smallwork or silverware. Broad and engaging interpretations of this are encouraged and welcomed, such as folklore, fashion, festivals, communities, culture, diversity, food, history and architecture to name but a few areas of interest. Designers can choose any city (globally) but must embrace their concept visually through their design presentation.

Also important, designs must incorporate a display, or bespoke placement of the London Assay Office hallmark that is complimentary to the design and thoughtfully positioned. This is an opportunity to choose the placement of the hallmark components, and to consider the hallmark in harmony with your design.

Enter now! Read the brief in full here https://www.craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk/2d--9-mym/

There’s now less than two weeks until the deadline for entries to this year’s GC&DC competition, so be sure to get your entry submitted via our online form.

Plus, don’t forget that your work must be received by the team for judging between 16-18th January at The Goldsmiths’ Centre in Farringdon, London.

02/01/2024

Happy New Year! 🎉

The date letter for 2024 is a lower case z.

A non-compulsory mark, the date letter changes annually on 1 January. The font, case, and shield shape all change so each can only indicate one specific year.

Learn about the evolution of the hallmark and the component marks in the article ‘Hallmark as Hero’ by Goldsmiths’ Company Deputy Librarian Sophia Tobin https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/news/hallmark-as-hero

22/12/2023

Best wishes for the festive season from all of us at the Assay Office. We wish you all a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

The counters at Goldsmiths’ Hall and Greville Street are now closed until 9am on 2 January 2024.

See you next year! 🥂

22/12/2023

A reminder that both counters at Goldsmiths’ Hall and our Greville Street office will close at 1pm today, Friday 22 December 2023, and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

Merry Christmas!

20/12/2023

Congratulations to James Cargill, Deputy Production Manager of our Heathrow sub-office, who, earlier this month, was made a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company by Special Grant in celebration of 10 years service.

A Freeman is a tier of membership in Livery Companies. It is the largest grouping of members at the Goldsmiths’ Company. Freemen play an important part in the life of the Company.

Read more about Company membership here thegoldsmiths.co.uk/membership