Natural Diamond Council appoints new chief executive

The Natural Diamond Council has appointed Amber Pepper as chief executive, with her tenure set to begin on 1 February 2026. Pepper is a senior marketing and brand leader with experience across global luxury businesses.  She joins from Mytheresa, where she is chief marketing and customer officer and managing director. …

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70% of engagement ring diamonds lab-grown, Taylor and Hart finds

Some 70% of the diamonds on engagement rings given in 2025 were lab-grown, an increase of 14% from 2024, according to a report from Taylor and Hart. As a result of this, the average carat weight has climbed to 1.75ct, compared with 1.30ct the the year before. The data signals…

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Retail sales slip as shoppers await Budget and Black Friday

Retail sales volumes fell by 1.1% in October 2025, the first monthly drop since May, as retailers reported that many shoppers held off spending in the run-up to Black Friday. The fall followed a revised 0.7% rise in September and a 0.5% increase in August. Supermarkets, clothing stores and mail…

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The Betts Group invests in Fairever to boost responsibly sourced metals

The Betts Group has made a strategic investment in German precious metals supplier Fairever, strengthening a long-standing partnership focused on expanding responsibly sourced gold and silver across Europe. The Birmingham-based firm said the investment would broaden access to materials such as Single Mine Origin (SMO) Gold and AgAIN Silver, while…

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Monica Vinader to make Liverpool debut at Liverpool One

Monica Vinader has announced that it is set to open its first store in Liverpool after agreeing a deal with Landsec for a unit at Liverpool One. Located in Keys Court, the 1,000 sq ft store will open next spring. Keys Court is being transformed by Landsec into a dual-sided…

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RJC appoints Purvi Shah as executive director

The Responsible Jewellery Council has appointed Purvi Shah as its new executive director, with her tenure due to begin on 7 February 2026. Shah, who has more than 15 years’ experience in sustainability and responsible business practice across the jewellery sector, has played a central role in shaping Environmental, Social…

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Ainsworth Jewellers marks 155th anniversary

Ainsworth Jewellers marked a milestone moment with a spectacular weekend of celebrations to honour 60 years at its Darwen Street premises and 155 years in business. Guests enjoyed a weekend filled with special in-store experiences, food, drink, exclusive offers and the highly anticipated anniversary competition from RSVP replies or the…

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NAJ launches endorsed scheme to identify high-quality jewellery training

The National Association of Jewellers has launched NAJ Endorsed, a scheme recognising external training providers that meet industry standards for professional learning across the jewellery, silverware and allied trades. Under the initiative, courses submitted by providers are reviewed by the Association for content, learning outcomes and delivery methods.  Approved programmes…

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Robert Gatward Jewellers shifts to employee ownership

Robert Gatward Jewellers has moved to an employee ownership model, placing the independent retailer into an employee ownership trust and giving staff a collective stake in the business. The shift means all employees are now beneficiaries of the trust, with the firm saying the change is intended to support long-term…

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Goldsmiths reopens expanded showroom in Oxford

Goldsmiths has reopened its enlarged showroom in Oxford after completing a major expansion at the Westgate shopping centre. The space now covers 400 square metres and features the company’s latest design concept, with updated interiors intended to create a more immersive environment for watch and jewellery clients. The showroom includes…

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