Industry News | Jewellery Focus

Mar- 2021 -

4 March

BAUNAT: The online brand disrupting the industry

Back in 2008, when savvy industry insiders Steven Boelens and Stefaan Mouradian founded their diamond jewellery brand BAUNAT, they ripped up the proverbial rule book in the process. Merging Antwerp’s age-old tradition of jewellery-making with the convenience of online shopping, the duo created an e-commerce site that is solely dedicated…

4 March

Designers

Heather Sandlin

Lucy Quartermaine launches SS21 collection

British designer Lucy Quartermaine has announced the launch of her new SS21 collection, Luna, which first debuted on 26 February. The Luna collection is said to draw inspiration from the “divine embodiment of the moon and the power of women”. The designer said the Luna Goddess “expresses attributes of femininity…

4 March

Designers

Patrick O'Donnell

Monica Vinader reports 21% rise in turnover for holiday season

Monica Vinader has reported a successful trading period over the holiday season, despite disruptions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, with turnover increasing 21% compared to the same period in 2019. The British company’s e-commerce sales also rose by 68% over the winter period, citing its funding from HSBC’s Coronavirus Large…

3 March

International

Heather Sandlin

Alrosa revenue doubles in Q4

Alrosa has announced that revenue in its fourth quarter doubled to RUB 98.6bn (£512m), a 53% rise against the prior year, on the back of “strong” demand recovery towards the year-end. For its full-year of trading, revenue was down only 7% RUB 221.5bn (£2.1bn). Net profit also increased in the…

3 March

Current Affairs

Patrick O'Donnell

RJC urges industry leaders to adopt sustainable change

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has published an open letter to jewellery industry leaders, urging them adopt sustainable practices within their businesses. Last year, the trade association stated its “decade of action” in its bid to reach its ‘17 Sustainable Development Goals’, an initiative set up to combat climate-change related…

3 March

Coronavirus

Patrick O'Donnell

Budget 2021: Chancellor unveils new £65bn support package

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined a new £65bn support package in his March budget, confirming the decision to extend the furlough scheme until the end of September as well as new loan schemes of up to £10m for businesses. In what is Sunak’s second budget since he joined office in…

2 March

Auctions

Heather Sandlin

Christie’s launches Michele della Valle sale

Christie’s has announced the launch of its Colorful Whimsy: Jewels by Michele della Valle online sale, which opens for bidding tomorrow (3 March) and closes on 17 March 2021. The sale will include 65 jewels by Michele della Valle, which highlight the artist’s use of “dazzling” coloured gemstones which “bring…

2 March

Trade Organisations

Patrick O'Donnell

BATF invites businesses to view premises

The British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) has issued an open invitation to businesses looking to review their businesses premises to register interest with the organisation’s Vyse Street offices. The National Association of Jewellers’ (NAJ) parent organisation’s offices are based in the heart of Birmingham’s jewellery quarter. Garry Lane, BATF’s commercial…

1 March

Economy

Laura McGuire

Chancellor to unveil £5bn high-street support package

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to offer over 700,000 retail, hospitality and other businesses grants of up to £18,000 as part of a £5bn rescue package to be included in his Budget speech on Wednesday (3 March). The new ‘Restart Grants’ will be directly distributed from local authorities from April and will…

1 March

Appointments

Heather Sandlin

De Beers appoints head of HR

De Beers Group has announced the appointment of Joy Roman as its new executive head of Human Resources. She will succeed Ann Cormack in the role, who is leaving the group to pursue new opportunities outside the business, and will join De Beers Group on 22 March, working remotely from…