Inhorgenta cements plans to go ahead in open letter

Inhorgenta Munich, a jewellery and watch trade show that attracts international visitors, has published an open letter in support of its event that is set to take place in February 2021. The letter was signed by 35 members from the watch, jewellery and gemstone communities across the world. The annual…

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Everledger reveals revamped blockchain platform

‌Everledger‌ has announced ‌the‌ ‌launch‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌new‌ ‌version‌ ‌of‌ ‌its blockchain platform,‌ ‌with‌ features‌ ‌that‌ ‌match‌ ‌the supply‌-and‌-demand‌ ‌of‌ ‌diamonds ‌based‌ ‌on‌ ‌the customer criteria‌. The group said the renewed platform will bring “additional‌ ‌transparency‌” ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌diamond industry‌ ‌by‌ ‌highlighting‌ ‌key‌ ‌characteristics‌ ‌of‌ ‌stones, such as ‌diamond‌ ‌quality,‌…

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Swatch Group reports 46% drop in sales

Swatch Group has reported a 46% drop in sales in the first half of the year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although sales figures nearly halved, the group reported a 21.4% operating margin in its watches and jewellery segment for the month of January. Swatch Group, which owns brands such…

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Watches of Switzerland launches ‘by personal appointment’ service

The Watches of Switzerland group has announced the launch of its ‘by personal appointment’ service following the re-opening of its stores.  From this week forward, customers can now access a real-time booking system online through either the Goldsmiths, Mappin and Webb or Watches of Switzerland websites, and arrange an appointment…

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Alrosa sales tumble in June

Diamond mining giant Alrosa saw sales plummet 86% year-on-year to $31.3m (£25m) in the month of June, attributing the fall to delayed purchases from customers.  Rough sales crashed by 89% to $24.8m (£19.8m)  in the period, down from the $36.2m (£29m) reported in May.  Polished revenues, however, soared to $6.5m…

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June retail sales show signs of recovery

Retail sales increased by 3.4% in June, against a decrease of 1.6% in June 2019, marking the first signs of growth registered since the UK lockdown began. This is according to the latest BRC–KPMG retail sales monitor, which found that the increase in retail sales to be above the three-month average decline of…

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Face coverings to be compulsory in shops from 24 July

Wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets will be made compulsory from the 24 July, it is set to be officially announced later today (14 July). It is thought that those who are found to be flouting the new rules may be faced with a fine of up…

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Hallmarking down over 40% in June as Covid impact continues

The impact of the coronavirus on UK hallmarking has continued in the month of June with the total number of pieces hallmarked during the month down by 45%. The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in May 2020 decreased by49.4% and 40.3% respectively. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 263,881…

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Businesses must remain Covid-secure, warns HSE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that they must ensure they are Covid-secure as lockdown measures ease across the UK.  According to the authority, inspectors will be “out and about”, spot-checking employers that they are complying with health and safety law.  HSE defines “Covid-secure” as being “adaptable…

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House of Garrard launches Aloria range

House of Garrad had launched its Aloria range inspired by one of the House’s “most legendary royal commissions.” Uniting heritage cues with cutting-edge craftsmanship and design, Aloria celebrates Garrard’s setting of the Cullinan I in the Sovereign’s Sceptre in 1910. The Aloria collection is the latest to join Garrard’s treasure…

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