Diamond prices pick up after ‘disappointing’ first quarter

The diamond market was “significantly” weaker in the first quarter of the year when compared with previous figures, according to Rapaport. The report noted that retailers were “cautiously replacing their inventory”. It said that, although March had seen an improvement in prices, the Easter holidays had led to a slowing…

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Gold sales increase by a fifth at UK Royal Mint

The UK Royal Mint’s gold sales have jumped by 20% in the first three months of the year, according to information obtained by Bloomberg. The email sent to Bloomberg said that after month-on-month declines in the first two months of 2017, March gold sales had jumped by 263% in volume…

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Lighting specialists Parify to launch in US

Parify, which specialises in retail display and lighting for jewellers, has announced plans to expand into the US. Co-owners Andy Twigg and Scot Walker, founded the business back in 2013 when they discovered a gap in the market for LED lighting. The company has seen “impressive growth” over the past…

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Apple sues Swatch over ‘Tick Different’ slogan

Apple’s legal team has lodged a complaint with the Swiss Federal Administrative Court to sue Swatch over the use of the slogan ‘Tick Different’ in its recent ad campaign. Claiming the phrase capitalises on Apple’s ‘Think Different’ ads, the technology giant filed its complaint against the watchmaker last week. Swatch…

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BRC: Retail sales growth hits six-year low

UK retail sales have decreased 1% on a like-for-like basis, a report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed.  The latest BRC – KPMG Retail Sales Monitor – covering the five weeks from 26 February to 1 April – found total retail sales fell by 0.2% in March, compounded…

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Thief jailed after threatening retail staff with pitch fork

A thief who threatened staff and stole from two Essex stores, including a jewellery retailer, has been jailed. Connor Sexton targeted two shops in Halstead in March within three days. On 7 March he asked to view a ring in John Winter Drake Jeweller, but when the owner brought out a tray…

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Goldsmiths’ Fair 2017 announces exhibitors

The Goldsmiths’ Company has revealed the 126 exhibitors that will be taking part in the 35th edition of Goldsmiths’ Fair later this year. The fair will include 92 jewellers and 34 silversmiths, as well as 10 graduates who will be making their debut at the event. The designer-makers will be…

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Chopard announces collaboration with Rihanna

Luxury Swiss jewellery brand Chopard has announced a collaboration with singer Rihanna for two upcoming collections. The ‘Rihanna Loves Chopard’ collection will debut at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in May and will be available for sale in June. The nine-piece fine jewellery collection will be inspired by the singer’s…

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Retail footfall expected to grow 5.4% over Easter weekend

Retail footfall in the UK is set to increase 5.4% over the Easter weekend, according to retail expert Springboard. The prediction comes after March retail footfall results showed there was a year-on-year increase of 1.2%. This increase broke the six-month consecutive decline. The projected increase was said to be a…

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Ivanka Trump, and why reputation is king

Can you imagine if your own father had so many critics, and ignited such visceral disdain, that merely bearing his name could become toxic to your own business? Such must be the questions that first daughter Ivanka Trump is grappling with in these, the first few months of her father…

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