All of our telephones are manned and answered by our staff. We value conversation with our customers. This is reflected in our choice not to use any form of automated call screening technology.
We have taken our most experienced technicians and have given them the role of assessing each customer's order as soon as the orders are received. This well-rehearsed discipline allows us to make sure that we know exactly what our customer is asking for before we embark upon trying to provide it. Our assessors spend many hours each day conversing with our customers with regard to their requirements. We do this because, quite simply, we want to get it right.
We have a dedicated product development team available to discuss new products from concept to final hallmarking. Early communication (at the product design stage) can help avoid incurring delay and additional cost further down the line.
80% of our Production Management team have a jewellery manufacturing background. We understand how to handle jewellery sympathetically.
We understand how jewellery needs to be handled and we have specific routes and controls in place to ensure that your goods are always handled appropriately. We have state of the art jewellery finishing facilities manned by a jewellery industry trained team, ensuring your products are returned exactly as they are received.
Our dedicated specialist engineering department produces custom supports and marking solutions to ensure consistent, high quality, repeatable marks with no damage.
We only apply solid laser marks unless specifically requested otherwise. This is despite the fact they take longer to apply and to clean afterwards. We do this because we know they look better. We clean every laser mark using high pressure steam to ensure it looks perfect.
Five years ago we were the first Assay Office in the world to develop a Virtual Assay Office which allowed our customers and their suppliers to submit goods online, track them from dispatch, through the hallmarking process and back to their final destination. Five years on we remain the only Assay Office to provide this complete online service.
The advanced warning our online systems provide allows for proactive planning of our workload. When this advantage is coupled with our assessing routines we are able to provide highly consistent turnaround times even in the face of fluctuating demand.
50% of our business arrives directly from our customers’ manufacturing partners to the Edinburgh Assay Office. The first time our customers see their goods is after they are hallmarked. Our Virtual Assay Office provides complete transparency and confidence for our customers. This saves time and money through more efficient logistics.
We are the only Assay Office to have a single unit price charge for any jewellery article under 100 grams, regardless of product type or metal type. This keeps pricing simple, transparent and easier to estimate in advance.
Real proof of any service claim by a company lies in the tangible benefits offered to its customers and potential customers.
Here are some of the unique advantages we offer at the Edinburgh Assay Office. We have worked hard to develop and to maintain them in order to ensure that our service provides a real advantage for our customers.
Trusted by businesses large and small, we value established relationships with many of our clients. These range from low-volume craftsmen and women to some of the biggest jewellery brands in the industry.
I like to think we pay as much attention to detail and managing process by absolutes as the team in Scotland do.
EAO enjoy being involved with customers’ business and understand their needs, frequently exceeding expectations by offering advice on process, duty or international requirements. It’s a great partnership and one which has grown in the same way the business has.
Ben Roberts
Managing Director
Clogau Gold of Wales Ltd
Diamond by Appointment and Sharman D Neill, UK Supplier of the Year 2011 has been using The Edinburgh Assay Office's services for a number of years. The thing that attracted us was their reputation for care and attention in the testing and hallmarking of jewellery items. We have found this to be true, in addition we commend the Edinburgh Assay office for their prompt, individual service. They have a professional and caring staff who support and endorse the strategic direction of their Assay Master. Their online submission and tracking service is simple, clear and effective to use.
Roger Chamberlain
Diamond by appointment
Great service, dependability and advice. A complete service with people you can both talk and relate to. Totally professional in every area of the business. Our trade relies on the support we receive from the whole team at Edinburgh Assay Office.
Paul Kennedy
Managing Director
Truth
The Hot Diamonds Group has been using the services of the Edinburgh Assay office since March 1999 to date. During this entire time we have received the most professional service ranging from the Assay Master Scott Walter to every member of his staff that we have been in contact with.
Our products are always treated with the utmost care and attention and the reliability of their service is excellent as is the quality in the marking of our products. In our opinion a well run and first class organisation.
Raymond DSa
Head of Logistics
Hot Diamond Group
Tateossian has worked with EAO for over a decade and continues to value their quality services. In addition to products being handled with great care and swiftness, they offer experienced team members who are constantly at hand to provide “one to one” advice.
EAO embraces new technologies and presents beneficial online submission procedures allowing time saving and simple completion of hallnotes. In addition their tracking system presents a transparent and straightforward to use service which locates and tracks any submitted orders.
Edinburgh Assay Office maintains its support to Tateossian by ensuring our needs are met; be it short lead-times, special requirements or a complicated delivery.
Tateossian London
We have used the Edinburgh Assay Office for over 20 years. Their service and quality is always excellent with very helpful staff that endeavour to do their best for us (especially when we have urgent stock that needs to be fast tracked and returned within a couple of days)!
Their service has also been enhanced by the online facility which is simple to use and efficient – perfect for a business like Kit Heath to use.
Nicola Gray
Quality Control
Kit Heath
Meridian Distribution and Marketing Limited has been the agent for Christian Bauer wedding rings in the UK and Ireland since 2004. Christian Bauer is a premium brand of outstanding quality. For this reason it is vital that the quality of the hallmark is conducive with the quality of the brand. In 2009 we decided to change assay offices and work with the Edinburgh Assay Office.
We found the quality of the laser hallmark is exceptional and looks like a struck mark. Furthermore the service we receive is absolutely first class. It is fast and efficient. We feel that our business is truly valued. Calls are returned quickly and nothing seems to be too much effort.
Can we recommend the Edinburgh Assay Office – absolutely! This is good old fashioned service with cutting edge 21st century technology.
Jonathan Ralston
Director
Meridian Distribution & Marketing
The service that I receive is second to none and always helpful and considerate on awkward items. Please convey my sincere thanks to all your staff – long may it continue.
James Brent Ward
Silversmith
The Edinburgh Assay Office understands goldsmiths and silversmiths and works closely with them to minimise production problems where hallmarking is concerned. My work comes back from Hall in such a good state that little needs to be done to tidy up after Hall: a huge help. The service is personal and individual members of staff soon recognise my work and respond sympathetically. Should I make a mistake, e.g. in counting, the response is always helpful and supportive. The Edinburgh Assay Office is an example to us all on how to conduct a thriving business in a helpful and courteous manner.
Malcolm Appleby
Designer and Engraver
Over my career I have dealt with all the assay offices in the UK at one time or another, so when I set up my own business I knew it would be Edinburgh for me, even though we are in Devon! They are efficient, sensible, friendly and most importantly very helpful.
Catherine Bishop
Jeweller
