Furlough scheme extended until April 2021

The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages to employee’s pay, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed today (17 December).  The government will also extend current government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes until the end of March.  This includes…

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De Beers Group hits $440m in tenth sales cycle

De Beers Group has announced the value of rough diamond sales for the period 7 December to 16 December the tenth sales cycle of 2020 to be $440m (£323m), up from $426m (£313m) the year before. Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid-19during the period, De Beers said it has continued…

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Watches of Switzerland profits soar in half-year results

Watches of Switzerland has reported an increase in its half-year profits, with profit rising to £36.2m in the 26 weeks ended 25 October, up from a £9m loss reported the prior year. Total sales fell 2.6% on a constant currency basis to £428.7m in light of forced lockdowns and other…

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NAJ lobbies to support Birmingham’s jewellery quarter

The National Association of Jewellers has written to Birmingham’s mayor, as well as the MP for Birmingham Ladywood, calling for “urgent action” to support its members in the city’s jewellery quarter. David Doyle, the NAJ’s president, and the association’s chair Gary Wroe have urged for support to reverse the government’s…

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BAJ to hold auction in support of Stephen Lawrence Trust

British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced it will be holding a Valentine’s Auction in support of the Stephen Lawrence Trust from 21 January to 1 February 2021. The auction pieces will be sold through a silent auction, with bids being made by email. There will also be a minimum…

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Interview: Jennifer Georgeson, founder and CEO of So Just Shop

So Just Shop is a jewellery, accessory and homeware marketplace working directly with women-led artisans from some of the most vulnerable communities around the globe. Jewellery Focus sat down with the business’ founder and CEO, Jennifer Georgeson, to discuss empowering women, sustainability in business and navigating the difficulties resulting from…

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Alkemistry launches personalised Iqra collection

The Alkemistry has announced the release of Iqra, a new “one-of-a-kind” collection which has a historical inspiration behind the pieces. Translating as “read” in Arabic, Iqra adopts an ancient engraving technique but with a contemporary twist. Customers can design their own unique necklace by choosing a gemstone and then personalising…

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Betts Group adopts SMO gold manufacturing

Betts Group has marked its 260th anniversary by announcing the use of responsibly sourced gold in all of its manufactured gold products. The group has revealed that it will now be using ‘Single Mine Origin’ (SMO) gold to manufacture all of its gold products. The company first began offering SMO…

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Lucapa recovers 101 carat diamond

Diamond company Lucapa and its partner, the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho (GoL), have announced the recovery of a 101 carat white diamond from the Mothae kimberlite diamond mine in Lesotho. The diamond was measured by the Yehuda colorimeter as D in colour, the largest Type IIa recovery on…

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GJEPC announces international buyers show

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has announced that it will organise its first “export-oriented” International Gem & Jewellery Show (e-IGJS) for international buyers online from 18 to 22 January 2021. The council said that merchandisers representing major and independent retailers, design houses, jewellery manufacturers, importers, exporters and…

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