Q&A with 247 Diamonds

Tell me about the history of the business? We started the very first UK jewellery presence on the Internet, launching a ‘net based B2B service in the text based black hole that was the Internet before the World Wide Web, we are talking late 1980’s, way too early, we must…

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Jewellerybox releases two new ‘affordable’ collections

Jewellerybox has launched two new affordable collections ahead of the Christmas trading period.  The online retailer has announced new lines entitled “choose hugs”, which is a collection of 41 pairs of sterling silver, gold plated and rose gold plated huggie hoop earrings, and also “now and then” which is a…

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De Beers value rough diamond sales at $467m

De Beers Group has announced the value of rough diamond sales at $467m (£360m) for the eighth sales cycle of 2020. The diamond company has implemented a more flexible approach to rough diamond sales during this cycle, with the online Sight sales event extending beyond its normal week-long duration. The…

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Lebrusan Studio joins London Diamond Bourse

Lebrusan Studio has announced its membership to the London Diamond Bourse. The sustainable jewellery brand will use the space at the historic institution as an open showroom for visiting clients, having previously operated remotely for the last six months. The move comes after the brand’s launch of a new range…

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Hallmarking falls 19.5% in September

The total number of pieces hallmarked during September 2020 decreased by 19.5% compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased 17.2% from 355,522 to 294,451 and silver items decreased 24.1% from 377, 587 to 286,401. Palladium hallmarking…

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PM unveils three-tiered lockdown system

Prime minister Boris Johnson this afternoon announced a new three-tier lockdown system that will see some hospitality businesses in the North-West forced to close from Wednesday. Under the new system, different rules for regions will be classified as being on ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ alert depending on the rate…

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NAJ joins campaign to reverse scrapping of VAT-free shopping

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has teamed up with 15 other trade associations to campaign against the government’s plan to scrap VAT-free shopping for international visitors. According to a report published by the New West End company and Global Blue, the plan would result in the number of EU…

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Gov to cover 66% of wages for firms forced to shut 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses forced to shut due to local restrictions will be eligible for a grant that pays two-thirds of staff salaries. The government will pay two-thirds, or 67%, of each employee’s salary, up to a maximum of £2,100 a month, if the business is forced…

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Cirencester jewellery store to close

A Cirencester jewellery store in Cirencester is set to permanently close its doors, according to local reports. The jewellery store, Goldsmiths, is located in the centre of the town, and has announced that it will cease trading this Saturday (9 October). While its staff have been made redundant, they told…

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NAJ urges members to check furlough claim inaccuracies

The National Association of Jewellers is urging its members to check for furlough claim inaccuracies through the government’s Better Business Tax support service, due to businesses receiving a letter from HMRC. HMRC’s warning notified businesses of potential errors in the furlough scheme and reminded them the importance of claims being…

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