London Chapter: Fakes and Forgeries-London Assay Office Tour

The Assay Office at Goldsmiths’ Hall has been providing its "mark of excellence" since 1300. It is where hallmarking began in 1327 and now covers not only gold and silver, but also other precious metals such as platinum and palladium.

Renowned hallmarking expert, Dave Merry Fipg  (of BBC’s Antiques Uncovered, Fake Britain, Heir Hunters & Britain’s Worst Deal) with over 45 years’ experience will provide one of his popular tours.

You will hear about the long history of this ancient livery company and see different ways that metals are tested, from the ancient ‘touch testing’ to the high tech Xrf spectroscopy; how articles are hallmarked, the verification of antiques, counterfeit fakes & how the vast quantity of jewellery and silverware that are hallmarked every day are processed and many other facts.

If you are lucky, you may even see a bar of scrap gold being poured into an ingot in our laboratory! 

All are welcome to attend; whether you're a GIA graduate, student, industry associate, hobbyist or guest. Please share this invitation with any others you feel would be interested.