An Assay Office Assistant is a person trained and employed to test (assay) and appropriately hallmark after the determination of the presence and amount of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) within an object.
“Hallmarking is Europe’s earliest form of consumer protection. In 1478, the first assay office was set up in Goldsmiths’ Hall, giving rise to the term ‘hallmark’. Craftsmen were required to bring their goods to the Hall for assaying (testing) and marking before they would be allowed to sell them within the City of London.”
Required Attributes
- Interested in working with precious metals
- Patient and methodical
- Able to solve practical problems effectively
- Trustworthy and reliable – you will be working with someone else’s objects
- A good communicator with interpersonal skills – you might be explaining to customers why their objects have failed the assay (test)
Having a background in silversmithing or jewellery making is not essential, but it will help you understand how objects are made and how the metal might behave when you hallmark it. Being comfortable using silversmithing tools such as punches will also help. Part of your job will be to ensure customers are abiding by hallmarking legislation so attention to detail is important. Studying and understanding examples of fake hallmarks will help you better assess when objects are being used to deceive. Some assayers might be asked to test historic examples and it would be advantageous to be able to stylistically date objects and know something about the history of hallmarking.
Working Life
Legally, you can only be an Assay Office Technician if you are employed by an Assay Office. There are very few Assay Offices in the country (London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield or Dublin), but they have a long history and close relationships to the silversmithing and jewellery trade; the London Assay office has been in the same location since 1478. As an employee you will have a fixed working schedule, normally from Monday to Friday and may be asked to work additional hours during busy periods such as in the run up to Christmas.
Many people who work within an Assay Office will normally specialise in a specific department or skill. This could include metal sampling, hand‑marking, press‑marking, laser‑marking, customer packet control or working on the customer counter focusing on logistics and registration. This means you will be working mainly in a workshop, laboratory, or on a counter and will normally work from a work bench. Depending on the type of work you are doing, you may regularly use a computer, technology, machinery and hand tools.
Within your work you must be able to adhere to industry health and safety requirements; know how to safely store, handle and dispose of chemicals; know how to safely operate and maintain your machines and tools and learn how to process precious metals, their alloys and solders. You will find it useful to maintain a working knowledge of Hallmarking legislation. You can expect to work with all carats of yellow, red and white gold, platinum, palladium, silver, solders and combined metals. And you will learn how to use tools including a Touchstone, an XRF Machine, a laser engraver, various presses, hammers, mallets, stakes and punches. You should receive training in all of these, as required.
A Day in the Life
- Weigh a customer’s packet
- Use Touchstone keys to test metals
- Grind hallmarking punches to prepare them for use
- Prepare for laser hallmarking
Training and Qualifications
There are several ways to start out in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied industries. To become trained as an Assay Office Technician you may choose to go straight into a job, or a relevant course at a college, university or training centre. There are very few skill‑specific qualifications available, but many courses provide an introduction to a range of creative skills. Whatever route you choose, legally, you can only be an assayer if you are employed by an Assay Office in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield or Dublin.
Compensation
As an apprentice or someone who is training you should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age and this rate should increase as you get closer to completing your training. Apprentices undertaking traditional training may start out earning around £13,000 - £15,000 per year and be closer to £18,000 - £20,000 at the end of their four‑year apprenticeship. Once you have completed your training your earnings will vary depending on your skill and employment status.
Assay Office Technicians can legally only be employed by an Assay Office. Within the UK there are Assay Offices in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield or Dublin. Salaries for an employed Assay Office Technician with specialist skills can start at around £25,000 - £30,000 per year in the first few years after training. This can rise to £32,000 - £37,000 for employees who are multi‑skilled or supervisors and can reach £40,000 - £70,000 for site and senior managers depending on the department they work for and their level of skill.
Assay Office Technician employer: The National Association of Jewellers
The National Association of Jewellers is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where precision and craftsmanship are celebrated. With comprehensive training on advanced tools and a strong focus on compliance and customer service, employees can expect to grow their skills and advance into multi-skilled roles within the assay office. Located in a vibrant community, the company fosters a collaborative culture that values accuracy and innovation, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about precious metals.
Contact Details:
The National Association of Jewellers Recruitment Team
