Hot Diamonds enjoys 101% Christmas sales boost

Hot Diamonds has revealed a huge 101% increase in December 2014 sales compared with the same period the previous year. The Emozioni manufacturer said Christmas sales to its network of independents were also up, by 70% year-on-year. The firm’s head of commerce, Adryan Cresswell, said: “We were quietly confident of a strong…

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‘Cyberweek’ and clearance sales drive online retail in December

‘Cyberweek’ and clearance sales helped to drive online retail sales in December with non-food products growing 7% compared to the same time last year.  This is according to the BRC-KPMG Online Retail Sales Monitor which found that in December online sales represented 17% of total non-food sales, compared to 16%…

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New ‘sub-office’ in Heathrow for Edinburgh Assay Office

The Edinburgh Assay Office has launched a new, one-stop, secure, in-transit hallmarking and onward delivery service based at its new facility at Heathrow Airport.  The Edinburgh Assay Office said that in “the global jewellery market, the challenge of complying with separate regulations in each EU location has made it difficult…

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INFOGRAPHIC: Colour diamonds, the facts

Diamonds are amongst the most sought after pieces of jewellery in the world, but there is an increasing trend for their colour counterparts, fancy colour diamonds. In the below infographic Excalibur Royale (ex-royale.com), a Canadian diamond retailer, talks us through some of the key facts regarding colour diamonds.

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‘Promising’ year ahead for shop vacancy rates

Britain’s shop vacancy rate dropped to 13.2% in December while the overall retail and leisure vacancy rate remained at 11.8%, according to the latest figures.  Analysis of vacancy rates by occupation type by the Local Data Company showed that leisure vacancy in December was 7.8%, and all (Retail and Leisure)…

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Two important hopes for a jewellery industry boom 2015

Two stories broke this week that give plenty of reason to believe that the UK jewellery industry can enjoy an upward trajectory in the year ahead. First, Signet announced that it’s UK division enjoyed sales growth of 9.7% in the Christmas trading period, compared with the same period last year.…

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Signet ‘s UK division sees 9.7% Christmas growth

Signet’s UK division, which owns high street chains H Samuel and Ernest Jones, has seen a 9.7 increase in like-for-like sales for the eight weeks ending December 27 – the group’s best performance for 12 years.  In a statement, the Signet said Ernest Jones was the strongest performer with an…

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Guess Watches announces launch of smartwatch

Guess Watches has announced the official launch of its new wearable tech timepiece, Guess Connect.  Guess partnered with Martian Watches, a California-based smartwatch developer, in August last year in an effort to deliver a “multi-function, fashion chic” smartwatch line for men and women. Guess Connect is based on the company’s…

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Naomi Newton-Sherlock named director of Weston Beamor

Naomi Newton-Sherlock, who was promoted to the post of creative director at Domino in 2013, has been made a director of the brand’s sister company Weston Beamor.  Weston Beamor is the longest established of the three companies within WB The Creative Jewellery Group, having been founded just after World War…

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JewelStreet lands £456,000 investment

Online jewellery marketplace, JewelStreet.com, has secured a £456,000 round of investment to fuel further growth.  The investment was led by Polygon Group, an investment company based in Guernsey, and as a result Martin Belcher, chairman of Polygon will join the JewelStreet board. Belcher said: “We are thrilled to take the…

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