The Yorkshire Rose collection is based on one of the earliest designs created by founders William and Julia Shaw, who began their jewellery-making business in Barnsley in 1988.

The pieces will be handmade in the company’s Dodworth workshop and available in a range of precious metals with options for customisation.

Each item in the collection will be hallmarked by Sheffield Assay Office and accompanied by packaging designed specifically for the range. The business has also worked with manufacturers Curteis and Dahlinger to supply chains and presentation boxes respectively.

The launch will take place both in-store and online and will feature an invitation-only event, with gift bags for attendees.

The event will also mark the start of a charity raffle, with proceeds going to Barnsley Hospice and Barnsley RSPCA. The first prize is a white gold and diamond Yorkshire Rose necklace.

WJ Shaw was founded by husband-and-wife jewellers William and Julia Shaw and is now run alongside their daughter Heather Shaw. The company specialises in bespoke design, manufacturing and repairs, and operates with a team of six staff across sales and jewellery production.

Led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) and co-applicants Birmingham City University, a bid for World Craft City status was supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company and submitted in October 2024.

A “rigorous” application and judging process took place, with an international panel of judges visiting Birmingham in April 2025.

Their tour included a visit to the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University, where they took part in a silversmithing workshop and viewed the artistry and craftsmanship of current students.

Elsewhere in the Jewellery Quarter, judges stopped at the Birmingham Assay Office, Cooksongold, and the Coffin Works.

Matthew Bott, chair, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT), said: “This is a moment of real pride – not just for the Jewellery Quarter, but for Birmingham and the West Midlands. We’ve always known the value of what happens here, and now the world does too. Our thanks go to everyone who helped us reach this point, and we look forward to working with partners old and new to build on this incredible foundation.”

David Mba, vice chancellor, Birmingham City University, added: “This is such exciting news. Being recognised as a World Craft City puts a global spotlight on the skills, creativity and community we have here in Birmingham.

“At the School of Jewellery, we already attract talented students and practitioners from across the world – but this recognition will help us go even further. It will strengthen our international reputation, open up new collaborations, and inspire even more promising students to come here to study, work and create – a perfect example of our strategic ambition to develop the talent for tomorrow.”

His priorities for the year ahead include further diversifying the Goldsmiths’ Company community, demonstrating social impact – from its charitable grant giving of £4m each year to support skills, vocational training, innovation and creativity, to its role in ensuring the quality of precious metals in the London Assay Office – and its people.

Now a respected specialist in strategic risk and resilience, Butler spent 24 years serving in the British Army, achieving his career ambition at the age of 38 when he took command of 22 SAS (the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment).

He has been formally recognised by His Majesty’s government on six occasions for his service to the nation, including commander of the Order British Empire (CBE) and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

In 2008, he left the army and began applying the knowledge he had gained in the commercial arena, first as a partner in a malicious risk advisory business before working in terrorism reinsurance. 

He now sits on several boards advising on, among other things, the nuclear sector, security and resilience technology and insurance.

His late father, Sir Adam Butler, served as prime warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company from 1999-2000. 

Butler said: “Sadly, I’m not that artistic but I’ve always been fascinated by how craftspeople can make such extraordinary and beautiful objects. Our members, apprentices, silversmiths, jewellers and employees are our lifeblood, and we need to nurture them and have a strategy that delivers success for the next 700 years.” 

The occasion was also attended by members of the British Hallmarking Council.

The first hallmark struck at the new facility was a stunning triple row diamond-set band fully handcrafted by Brown and Newirth.

The band was made for Wendy Laing, owner of Laings, one of Brown & Newirth’s longest-standing customers.

Laing, owner of Laings Jewellers said: “I’m thrilled with my stunning new ring – a generous gift from my husband. Knowing that my ring was the first piece assayed at the new sub-office adds even more sentimental value to it. On behalf of Laings, we would like to congratulate the group on this fantastic new assay facility.”

Jerry Anderson, CEO of AG Group, added: “The official opening of our in-house Assay Office is a proud moment for our company. By incorporating an assay sub-office into our manufacturing process, we are uniquely positioned for businesses seeking a professional and reliable hallmarking service.”

Brown and Newirth was acquired by bridal manufacturer Allied Gold back in July 2024.

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Our state-of-the-art facility is meticulously designed to combine efficiency and precision, enabling us to meet the most urgent requests with unparalleled care. Whether you require hallmarking services or gold bar testing, we deliver reliable results that you can trust. Our advanced gold bar testing services uses a brand new XRF machine to ensure full compliance with stringent Customs regulations, providing you with peace of mind while navigating all legal requirements.

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By choosing to partner with us, you’ll benefit from bespoke solutions tailored to your unique needs. We go beyond meeting tight deadlines—we protect your valuables, optimise your processes, and uphold the highest standards of quality and accuracy. With us, you gain a trusted ally committed to helping your business thrive.

With our on-site hallmarking facility conveniently located near Heathrow Airport, we’ve made sustainability and efficiency a top priority. By reducing the number of transfers required along with our electric vehicles, it aligns with our commitment to sustainability by minimising environmental impact.

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The move follows a historic agreement with the Sheffield Assay Office, marking the first-ever fine jewellery manufacturing Sheffield sub-office.

The partnership has received full approval from the British Hallmarking Council, with operations set to begin early January 2025.

The range of wedding and engagement rings, chain, and fine diamond jewellery from Allied Gold and Brown and Newirth will now be assayed at the new facility.

Jerry Anderson, CEO of AG Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to have received approval from the British Hallmarking Council to open a Sheffield Assay sub-office at our new headquarters. This will significantly streamline our operations, boosting efficiency and reducing lead times for our trade partners. We are excited to unveil this state-of-the-art hallmarking facility and to deepen our relationship with Ashley and the Sheffield Assay Office team.”

Ashley Carson, assay master and CEO, added: “This is a thrilling new chapter for the Sheffield Assay Office. Our partnership with the AG Group allows us to expand our hallmarking services and continue delivering the exceptional standards we’re renowned for.

“As the jewellery industry evolves, we’re committed to supporting British manufacturing with the same precision and integrity that Sheffield has been known for over centuries. I would also like to extend my thanks to the British Hallmarking Council for their efficient approval allowing us to proceed smoothly with this initiative.”

By becoming B Corp certified, Lylie is reinforcing its ongoing commitment to environmental and social actions, transparency and accountability. 

Lylie has achieved a B Impact Assessment score of 84.7 based on the evaluation of the following five impact areas: community, customer, environment, government and workers.

Pioneering British jeweller Eliza Walter founded her fine jewellery brand Lylie in 2017 and sources the material for her designs exclusively via the in-house Gold Exchange: an initiative which encourages customers to scrap their unwanted or broken gold and silver jewellery by sending them into the studio (via a reusable postal pouch) in exchange for brand credits. 

100% of gold and silver used today in Lylie’s collection pieces has come via the exchange: an industry first. 

All diamonds and gemstones used are either lab-grown or recycled antique stones. Because of these sustainable measures to lower her brand’s carbon footprint, Walter has been awarded a special ‘salvaged’ brand mark by the Birmingham Assay Office.

Walter said: “Becoming B-Corp certified is a major milestone for Lylie Jewellery, which we are thrilled to share. With only a handful of jewellery brands holding this certification, we form part of a small global community of businesses striving to meet high standards of social and environmental impact. Our certification provides an insight into the levels of care with which we operate, within our precious world.”

This includes a 3.78 carat single stone diamond ring, now estimated at £4,000 to £6,000, and a 1.46ct diamond solitaire, estimated at £2,000 to £3,000.

The larger stone is a certified 3.78ct round brilliant cut natural diamond of I1 clarity and M colour, set in an 18ct white gold ring.

The other lot is certified 1.46ct round brilliant cut natural diamond, of VS clarity and H-1 colour, set in a platinum ring.

Both stones have since been certified as ‘bright and lively’ natural diamonds by Birmingham Assay Office Gemmology Lab.

Natalie Brandon, jewellery valuer, said: “It immediately became clear to me that we had a real treasure trove being presented. As soon as I saw these wonderful stones my eyes widened. The whole collection is lovely and these two diamond single stone rings are absolute showstoppers. It was a pleasure to be able to tell our client the good news.”

Lisa Spence, Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ head of jewellery, added: “When we are presented with stones of a certain calibre, as part of our processes we submit them to Birmingham Assay Office for analysis and certification. These have come back with reports certifying the status of natural diamonds, which will help with the sale. The fact that one of these is an almost 4 carat natural diamond is especially impressive.”

Former chairman of KPMG London and the Safer London Foundation, Reid’ chose to take a vocational approach to professional development rather than attend university. He undertook training to become an accountant with Dixon Wilson. In 1980 he moved to Peat Marwick ahead of its merger with KPMG, was made partner in 1991, and served as chairman of KPMG London from 2007 until his retirement in 2015.

Reid’s time at KPMG gave him the opportunity to work with a wide range of interesting people and organisations both internationally and at home, and to put his skills to use in support of the local communities where KPMG London was based.

As part of this outreach, Reid served as chairman for the Safer London Foundation, which supports young Londoners exposed to exploitation and violence and helps them to unlock their potential; became chairman of the East London Business Alliance, an organisation dedicated to connecting businesses with the local community with a focus on mentoring young people; and was closely involved in the establishment of the City of London Academy, Hackney.

Following his retirement in 2015, Reid has undertaken a variety of professional non-executive commitments, including: being deputy chairman of the wine and spirit merchant Berry Bros and Rudd; sitting on the board of Associated British Foods, where he has special responsibility for workforce engagement; the continuation of a long association with the National Heart and Lung Foundation where he is chairman; and becoming a member of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants.

Reid got to know the company when it was a client during his early years at KPMG and became a freeman in 2009, noting that he found the company’s commitment to supporting the trade and craft, and its wider philanthropic activities through the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity to be particularly “impressive”. 

In 2013, he became a liveryman, going on to join the Court of Assistants in 2018. Members of the court are elected for the skills, knowledge and experience that they can use in support of the company. Reid’s vast experience of the world of finance and business management has seen him serve terms on the Assay Office Management Board and the Investment Committee, and as chairman of the Finance and Risk Committee.

Richard’s priorities for his year as prime warden includes a focus on transparency, public facing initiatives, building and strengthening relationships with neighbours in the City of London and across the UK, and spending more time with those involved in vocational training – a route he chose to go down himself after leaving school – being of particular importance.

Reid said: “I hope that the depth and breadth of experience I have gained from working with a wide variety of people, organisations and charities over the last five decades allows me to provide a valuable and lasting contribution to the company in the year ahead. 

“As someone who benefitted from vocational training, I am very proud of the work that we do to teach skills and nurture creativity through our apprenticeship scheme, which is delivered by The Goldsmiths’ Centre – a hub for training and development of the next generation of goldsmiths, that remains core to our support for the trade and craft – and look forward to spending time with those who will lead our industry into the future. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we demonstrate the significant impact the company, Assay Office, Charity and Centre make to our trade, our communities and to wider society in the UK and Internationally.”

Among the submissions were the series of eight new definitive coins, displaying designs of the flora and fauna of the British Isles.

They also mark the final stage in the transition between Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Majesty King Charles III on British coinage.

The new commemorative coins this year included a pair of 5kg 24ct gold “Petition Crown” Masterpieces.

Created in tribute to the Petition Crown, the revered seventeenth-century work of engraver Thomas Simon, the coins bear either the “quartered arms” or “Charles II Effigy”.

The verdict marks the end of a three-stage process, which began in February, when a jury of Goldsmiths’ Company members carefully counted and weighed a randomly selected sample of all new coins (legal tender and commemorative coins) from the Royal Mint’s 2023 production.

After adjourning for three months to allow the Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office time to thoroughly test the coins, the King’s Remembrancer then delivers the verdict at Goldsmiths’ Hall, where both the Trial and the Verdict have taken place annually since 1871.

Charles Mackworth-Young, prime warden (Chairs the Board) of the Goldsmiths’ Company, said: “Today’s verdict underscores the importance of coins in the modern world: from the beautiful new King Charles III definitives, which remain a simple, portable, and reliable way of paying for goods and services; through to the stunning precious metal Masterpieces that represent the pinnacle of the engraver’s art.

“The pronouncement of a positive verdict, following robust scientific testing by the Goldsmiths’ Company London Assay Office, highlights the Royal Mint’s ongoing commitment to quality, accuracy and craftsmanship, and an assurance that the Goldsmiths’ Company continues to protect consumers by ensuring the integrity of their coinage – a responsibility that we have proudly held for more than 700 years.”

Anne Jessopp, chief executive and deputy master of The Royal Mint, added: “The Royal Mint has been making coins and working with precious metals for over a millennium, applying centuries of craftsmanship to produce coinage of the highest standards.

“His Majesty King Charles III’s new definitive coin designs were unveiled last year, celebrating flora and fauna from across the British Isles. We are delighted to see these new definitive designs, as well as coins marking Windrush and the NHS, pass the trial and take their place in history.”