‘Human hair’ used for jewellery by design student

A student has taken ‘upcycling’ to a whole new level, designing a jewellery collection made from unwanted human hair.  Designed and made by Olivia Hawley, a final year student at Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Jewellery, the collection aims to “challenge society’s perception of jewellery and to play on…

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H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers sign up to ‘Safe Seller’ scheme

The Metropolitan Police have announced that two established pawnbrokers have signed up to its ‘Safe Seller’ scheme as part of an ongoing crackdown on the sale of stolen goods.  H&T Pawnbrokers and Fish Brothers – which have a combined total of 48 stores in the capital – are supporting the…

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Jewellery sales shine across UK shopping centres

Jewellery brands led the way in terms of sales growth across UK shopping centres in the first quarter of 2015, according to new figures released today.  Estate agent Savills said jewellery saw substantial growth of 12% in the first quarter of the year, with growth of 7.2% over the last…

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Watches of Switzerland opens Canary Wharf store

Watches of Switzerland has announced the opening of a new store in London’s financial district, Canary Wharf.  The retailer’s new 976 sq ft boutique, located at 22 Canada Place, will offer a mix of luxury watch brands including Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Bell & Ross, Parmigiani, Baume & Mercier, Bremont, Hublot…

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SOAPBOX: Over-grading must be stamped out

The global diamond industry is currently facing a range of tough challenges. But, says ERNIE BLOM, the issue of apparent over-grading of diamonds by some labs must be treated as a priority. As you would expect from an organisation such as the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), which represents…

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Design graduates confident of finding paid work within a year

Design students who graduated in 2015 are confident about finding paid employment within the creative sector, according to a new survey.  The survey, conducted for the 30th edition of the New Designers exhibition, polled 240 exhibitors at the show selected from universities and colleges across the UK. It found that…

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Argos to stock range from first-year BCU student

A first-year Birmingham City University (BCU) student, Danielle Laurent, has been selected by Argos to produce an exclusive jewellery collection.  Laurent, aged 39 and originally from California, beat competition from 50 other students at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, to design a collection for the catalogue retailer. The award, which…

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Patrick Fuller to address those concerned about unification

The soon-to-be president of the new National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), Patrick Fuller, has spoken of his “delight” that the unification vote succeeded.  Fuller, who is the chairman of WB the Creative Jewellery Group, said an amalgamated association is something he has dreamt of for a “very long time” and…

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Seksy partners with ITVBe’s TOWIE for summer

Watch brand Seksy by Sekonda is the lead sponsor for hit reality TV show The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE) which returned to ITVBe on Sunday 14th June. The partnership span the duration of series 15 and continues with series 16 and the Christmas Special later this year. The deal,…

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Swiss watch exports down in May

Swiss watch exports were down in May as their value decreased by 8.9%, according to new figures from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH).  Valued at 1.7bn (£1.67bn) swiss francs, FH said that two fewer working days than in the same month last year and a fall of…

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