Huawei launches smartwatch in UK

Chinese electronics company Huawei has announced the launch of its new smartwatch in the UK. The Huawei Watch takes its design and inspiration from traditional wristwatches. It measures 42mm in diameter and has a fully circular face with the crown located at the two o’clock position. Powered by Android Wear,…

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Gems of Time to return to SalonQP

Gems of Time, an exhibition celebrating the art and craft of high-jewellery watches, is set to return to SalonQP. Building on the success of its inaugural exhibition last year, Gems of Time: The Art of Colour aims to explore the jewelled watch and will highlight the current mood for unique…

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Retailers ‘confident’ for Christmas and Black Friday trading

A record number of retailers are confident about the fast-approaching Christmas trading period and Black Friday, according to new figures from Barclays. The bank’s Christmas Survey found that more than three quarters (77%) reported they are more confident about Christmas trading this year. An even higher proportion (79%) said they…

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Margaret Thatcher’s jewellery to be auctioned by Christie’s

Auction house Christie’s is set to auction a collection of jewellery owned by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Some 350 historic and personal lots will be offered across two sales by the auction house. A flagship auction will present 150 lots and take place in London at Christie’s headquarters on…

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Shop price deflation continues into 30th-consecutive month

Shop prices reported deflation for the 30th consecutive month in October, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen’s latest Shop Price Index. Overall shop prices reported deflation of 1.8% in October compared with a 1.9% drop in September. On a 12-month average basis, the index reported deflation of…

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Pre-tax profits up 29.6% for Chisholm Hunter

Scottish jeweller Chisholm Hunter has reported a rise in pre-tax profits of 29.6%, according to its latest financial update. In its full-year financial update ending March 2015, Chisholm Hunter reported that pre-tax profits rose from £2.7m in the previous year to £3.5m in 2015. Revenue stood at £29.6m during the…

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WFDB announces new ‘strategic direction’

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has agreed a new strategic direction at its recent meeting in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. In a discussion about how the organisation can increase its global footprint, the WFDB talked about expanding its membership by accepting associate and other members. The WFDB also discussed the…

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Falling diamond prices continue in October despite trading uplift

Trading of diamonds improved in October but prices continued to fall, according to the latest figures from Rapaport. The latest RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) for 1-carat, laboratory graded diamonds fell 1.3% in October as suppliers held on to large polished inventory and dealers tried to buy select goods at deep…

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Blue fancy colour diamonds in hot demand for Q3

As the diamond industry gears up for its for the holiday season, fancy colour diamond prices are holding steady. According to the Fancy Colour Diamond Index, prices of these diamonds remained stable during the third quarter of 2015, at a time when white diamond prices showed declines of 6 – 10%. The…

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Man jailed for smash-and-grab jewellery store raid

A man who was part of a moped-riding gang which robbed a jewellery store in Brent, London, with hammers and axes has been jailed for five and a half years. Lookman Shekoni, 24, of Josephine Avenue, Lambeth, had previously pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court on Monday, September 28 to…

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