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Feb- 2021 -17 FebruaryEconomy
Scotland extends rates holiday for another year
The Scottish government has confirmed that it is extending 100% of its business rates relief for the hospitality, retail, leisure and aviation sectors for another year. Finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed the extension earlier this week (16 February) in Holyrood, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak to match the extension in…
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16 FebruaryRetailers
Laings donates £5,000 to BHF
Luxury jewellers, Laings, has announced that it has donated £5,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help them to continue their work through the pandemic. The jewellers previously ran a campaign entitled A Gift from the Heart, to raise awareness of the work that the BHF are doing before…
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16 FebruaryEconomy
Fancy Colour Diamond prices dropped in 2020, reports FCRF
The Fancy Colour Research Foundation (FCRF) has announced the Fancy Color Diamond INDEX results for 2020’s fourth quarter, showing a slight drop in prices over the quarter. Overall, Fancy Colour diamonds decreased by 1% over the year with the industry showing resilience despite the pandemic. The Yellow category of diamond…
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15 FebruaryManufacturers
Opsydia launches customisable ID features for diamond trade
Opsydia, a diamond security specialist, has unveiled new classifications for its sub-surface identifiers, allowing diamond manufacturers, brands and grading houses to choose from a range of visibilities to suit their specific requirements. Using the laser technology within the Opsydia System, users can choose from Nano ID features or Loupe ID…
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15 FebruaryDesigners
Former CIBJO president dies aged 87
CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has paid tribute to Joss Hess, the organisation’s former president and world-renowned jewellery designer. Hess served as the first American president of the World Jewellery Confederation from 1997 to 2000 and worked to nurture a generation of leadership for the international jewellery business. He died…
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12 FebruaryDesigners
Taylor & Hart creates 18ct ‘Haribo’ ring
Taylor and Hart has announced the launch of an 18ct, diamond-encrusted ‘Haribo’ engagement ring, whose creation was inspired by the popular sweet. The ruby-red band includes 224 rubies and is topped with an 18ct yellow gold basket of 40 diamonds and a 2.70ct cabochon yellow sapphire to create the “ultimate…
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12 FebruaryTrade Organisations
NAJ urges housing secretary to scrap new legislation
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has written to housing secretary Robert Jenrick warning against plans that could see town centre businesses premises converted into housing without approval by the local planning authority. The trade association, as well as 26 other business organisations, is urging the government to scrap the…
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12 FebruaryFeatures
Gurusamy Goldsmiths: Blending tradition with the new
Gurusamy Goldsmiths is a luxury jewellery brand which seeks to unify tradition with the new. With its roots in Coimbatore, South India, the family business to this day uses traditional local artisans, hand crafted with great care through traditional methods, to create bespoke, meaningful designs. While the business has been…
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11 FebruaryDesigners
Le Vian launches exclusive Symbols of Protection range
Le Vian has announced the launch of a new range, entitled ‘Symbols of Protection’, which has launched exclusively at Kay Jewellers. The “uplifting” collection was reportedly created in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and features “different iterations and interpretations on the theme of protection”. It has reportedly been selling “extremely…
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11 FebruaryAuctions
Christie’s New York sale totals over $2m
Christie’s Jewels Online sale, which lasted from 27 January to 10 February, saw sales totalling $2,703,750 (£1,955,906). Some 98% of items were sold by lot at the virtual auction and 139% hammer above low estimate. The auctioneer’s virtual sale attracted a global audience with bidders from 39 different countries and…
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