Assay Office collaborates on Queen’s Diamond Jubilee brooch

THE Birmingham Assay Office has taken part in an industry-wide collaboration to produce a new brooch for the Queen.

Members of The British Jewellers’ Association, the national trade body which represents the UK’s jewellery sector, created the platinum, gold and diamond brooch to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Year.

The Birmingham Assay Office contributed by assaying each of the precious metal components, including rare Scottish, Welsh, Irish and English gold, and carefully applying the hallmarks to the final piece.  

It said finding a suitable place to put the marks on such a delicate design had been a challenge and laser marking technology had been used allowing the hallmarks to be positioned with precision without damaging the craftsmanship.

Michael Allchin, chief executive of the Assay Office, said: “The brooch represents the best of our industry;  superb traditional  craftsmanship combined with  innovative technology, imagination and flair and most of all a generous spirit of co-operation which has created a wonderful piece of which we can all be proud.”

The design for the brooch was chosen by a panel of industry experts following a national competition open to all UK based jewellery designers.  The winner was Ivonna Poplanska, a student at The Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell, London.  

Her design, entitled ‘The Eternal Dove’, is loosely based on the ‘Sceptre with Dove’, an item in the Crown Jewels which was made for the Coronation of King Charles 11 in 1661. The dove, which is in flight, encompasses four flowers –the shamrock, the daffodil, the thistle and the rose – chosen to represent the countries of the United Kingdom.  These are made in rare Irish, Welsh, Scottish and English gold which has been donated by local prospectors. Natural coloured diamonds have been used to highlight the flowers.  Entwined holly leaves also feature in the design symbolising unity, while the dove stands for peace.  

Simon Rainer, the BJA’s chief executive, said: “All the precious metal and gemstones used in the brooch were donated to The BJA and our members also gave generously of their skills and production expertise to create it in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.  

“The finished piece is a tremendous testament to the high levels of craftsmanship that exists amongst members of The British Jewellers’ Association.”