Birmingham Assay Office bosses joined members of their building project team to begin work on the site of the new building at Icknield Street last week.
The Assay Office has been at its current home in Newhall Street since 1877, and says that the move within the Jewellery Quarter “demonstrates the confidence and commitment of one of Birmingham’s oldest businesses as it continues to invest for the future.”
Founded by an Act of Parliament in 1773, the Assay Office still carries out its statutory duty of testing and hallmarking precious metal but has widened its scope considerably in the past decade, now offering assessment, authentication and valuation of precious metals, jewellery, watches, fashion accessories and gemstones.
