I Love a Lassie reports triple sales

Jewellery brand I love a Lassie has reported a strong start to the year due to “loyal” stockists and a strong showing at Jewellery and Watch Birmingham (J&WB).  Sales for the company have grown threefold compared to the same time last year, with the business attributing this to 12 new…

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COMMENT: You cannot overstate the importance of confidence in diamonds

This week the great and good of the jewellery industry descended on Antwerp for the annual Diamond Trade Fair. This event is a hugely influential spectacle, attracting representatives from the world’s top firms who trade up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds. The impact of decisions made here reverberate throughout the…

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IJL launches new market focus initiative

International Jewellery London (IJL) has announced the launch of a new initiative – ‘the IJL Market Focus’ – aimed at creating global jewellery trade commercial and cultural partnerships.  Italy has been chosen as the first Market Focus for 2015 with ‘In Stile Italiano a IJL’ showcasing a selection of Italian…

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January like-for-likes enjoy modest increase after ‘subdued’ December

January retail sales grew marginally despite a ‘subdued’ December, according to latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).  The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor found that total sales were up 1.6% compared with the same period last year, and above the 12 month average of 1.4%. However this represented a…

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ADVICE: Backdated overtime claims

In light of the recent decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision that some people working overtime could claim for additional holiday pay, we’ve asked an employment solicitor to explain the situation and what it means for you. By ABIGAIL HALCARZ We have been awaiting this landmark judgment for…

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Staff threatened at gunpoint in Halifax jewellery store raid

Police are appealing for witnesses after staff at Lister Horsfall Jewellers, Halifax, were threatened at gunpoint before gunmen made off with a quantity of watches. The raid, which police have described as “extremely frightening”, happened shortly before 5pm on Thursday, February 5, and involved three men who entered the store…

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COMMENT: A background on birthstones

History of birthstones Each month of the year correlates to a specific birthstone. It is believed that the origins of birthstones date back to the Breastplate of the High Priest written about in the Old Testament. The breastplate had twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. It was thought…

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Endless Jewelry reports $30m sales in dazzling first year

The new leather bracelet and charms brand Endless Jewelry has had a storming first year of trading, according to its CEO and founder, Jesper Nielsen. Nielsen told Jewellery Focus the company turned over $30 million in its first full year of trading, and has big plans for expansion in the year ahead.…

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Creatives urged to seek funding for IP audits

Creative businesses could be sitting on tens of thousands of pounds worth of intellectual property (IP), according to Yorkshire law firm Hlw Keeble Hawson.  Deborah Niven, an IP specialist at Hlw Keeble Hawson, has urged SMEs in the creative sector to take advantage of government funding and audit their intellectual…

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Jewellery and Watch Birmingham bursary award winner announced

Jewellery and Watch Birmingham (J&WB) has announced that Sophie Lomax, a recent graduate from the Birmingham School of Jewellery, has been awarded the £5,000 bursary for 2015.  Launched in conjunction with the Birmingham School of Jewellery, the announcement follows an initial application process and a series of interviews with prospective…

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