Retail sales monitor shows ‘cause for optimism’, Bira says

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said there is “cause for optimism” after the recent BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor for February 2022 which revealed that UK retail sales increased 2.7% on a Like-for-like basis from February 2021. According to the BRC the performance comes on top of an improved…

Read More »

NAJ expands team through gov kickstarter scheme

The National Association of Jewellers has welcomed Ahmed Mohammed and Mojtaba Noori into its team as part of the government-funded Kickstart scheme. Mohammed and Noori have joined the team as part of the UK’s plan to help people aged between 16-24 to get back into work. The Kickstart scheme was…

Read More »

F.Hinds launches new Chapelle store in West Midlands Designer Outlet

F.Hinds has announced the opening of its new Chapelle store in the new West Midlands Designer Outlet in Cannock, bringing Chapelle’s portfolio up to 13 stores. The store is fitted with “modern” furnishings and reportedly offers savings of at least 30% off RRP. Chapelle stocks a range of diamonds, jewellery…

Read More »

Hallmarking surges 127% in February

The total number of hallmarked pieces climbed 127.3% to 852,725 February 2022, up from 375,183 for the same period in 2021. According to the Birmingham Assay Office, Gold hallmarked pieces increased 72.8% to 304,854, against last year’s 176, 420. Silver saw the largest increase in hallmarked pieces, jumping 180.8% year-on-year.…

Read More »

H. Samuel owner donates £766k to Red Cross Ukraine

Signet Jewelers Limited, the owner of H .Samuels, has announced the foundation will donate £766k to the Red Cross Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts, through its global network. Signet has also suspended business interaction with Russian-owned entities since the beginning of the invasion, in unity with all those in the world…

Read More »

Programme of events unveiled for Vicenzaoro this March

Vicenzaoro is set to rally sector institutions, thought leaders and key influencers for five days of talks and conferences on the evolution and prospects of the gold and jewellery industry. The event will take place in Vicenza from 17th to 21st March 2022 during the International Jewellery Show organised by…

Read More »

Christies Jewel’s online auction tops £2m

Christie’s Jewels Online: La Dolce Vita auction, which took place between 1 and 10 March, achieved a total of £2,052,724, with 157% hammer above low estimate and 93% sold by lot. The auction attracted participation from 38 countries, across four continents, and 25% of bidders and buyers to sale were…

Read More »

Alrosa suspends Natural Diamond Council membership

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has announced that Alrosa has stepped down from the board and will cease all financial contributions to the organisation amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The NDC said its board of directors of the Natural Diamond Council received Alrosa’s decision to suspend its membership last…

Read More »

Brazilian exports of metals, precious stones and jewellery soars by 119%

The total volume of Brazilian metals, precious stones, and jewellery exports to the UK in 2021 soared by 119%, rising 37% by value to reach £648.8m, with demand “overwhelmingly concentrated” in precious stones and gold, according to Apex-Brasil. Metal ore exports also rose significantly, by 116% YOY, to reach £143.3m.…

Read More »

Lark and Berry debuts sister brand

Lark and Berry has announced the launch of Alondra, its new sister brand, in honour of International Women’s Day. The first collection under Alondra is ‘Horizon’ which features Lark and Berry’s created diamonds, black spinel and 18K gold vermeil and silver. All pieces in the Alondra brand are made with…

Read More »