Janet Richardson

Exhibitions

Contact Janet At: janet@janetrichardson.co.uk

A Report of Our Student Visit Day

I organised a day taking 15 students to the assay office at Goldsith's Hall and a tour of Hatton Garden.

We were split into two groups and I joined the group going around the assay office whilst the other group were introduced to their library and resources, Dave Merry gave us a wonderful insight into the procedure of testing the jewellery that comes in for hallmarking and other things they get involved in.

Fake items were of great interest where people had taken old hallmarks off antique pieces and added them to other items. Other fakes included less fashionable items that had ben turned into other things like a tankard that had been changed into a teapot with a Georgian hallmark. A toast rack had at least 8 hallmarks on it and this is a good indication of a fake as only one hallmark is allowed by law. This one had been made up of old cutlery each having it's own separate hallmark resulting in one toast rack with loads of them.

We then swapped and had our tour of the library and resources. Anyone can use their resources but do phone first so you are not disappointed. If you are doing research they will get out any relevant articles in magazines and books to save you trawling through it all and they have a comprehensive range.

We even found out why you have to have your initials for your own registered mark not a designed logo.

After lunch we visited the free exhibition 'Mindful of Silver' showing work by silversmiths from conception through to maquette and finished piece. Then off to Hatton Garden taking in all the suppliers and two galleries in that area finishing at the inspiring Lesley Craze Gallery. A very successful day helped by wine and food at the end.

Definitely something to be repeated.

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