Another trade show on the continent? Sounds good to me…

There’s no arguing with the notion that a busy trade show means its appertaining sector is buoyant. That’s why the inaugural Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe, organised by UBM Asia, spells good news for the industry as a whole. After the show closed, the organisers excitedly trotted out a press release…

Read More »

De Beers’ Forevermark inscribes its millionth diamond

De Beers diamond brand Forevermark has announced that it has inscribed its one millionth stone at the Forevermark Diamond Institute in Antwerp. Stephen Lussier, Forevermark CEO, said: “This is a significant day in Forevermark’s young history. Inscribing 1,000,000 Forevermark diamonds in the six years since launch is a huge achievement…

Read More »

UK economic outlook ‘exceptionally strong’, says CBI

The CBI has announced that the economic outlook for the next three months is “exceptionally strong and broad-based”, and growth expectations are the strongest they have been since the body began recording data in 2003. Pointing specifically to the retail and service sectors, the CBI’s Growth Indicator, published today, said…

Read More »

March retail sales jump 4.2%, says ONS

Overage retail sales across the UK rose by 4.2 per cent in March compared with the same period in 2013, and by a more modest 0.1 per cent compared with February 2014, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Highlights from ONS report: In March…

Read More »

Gecko triumphant at BaselWorld

UK-based jewellery supplier Gecko Jewellery has reported positive results from BaselWorld, having established new contacts worldwide. The company, which distributes D for Diamond, Fiorelli and Fred Bennett in the UK, had intended to increase its international presence at the show and says it has succeeded in doing so, gaining 60…

Read More »

Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe ‘exceeds expectations’, additional hall earmarked for 2015

The organisers of the inaugural Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe, UBM Asia, have hailed “positive results” as the show came to an end. UBM Asia said in a statement that more than 6,000 jewellery professionals attended the launch event, which brought together suppliers, press, leading industry and governmental associations. Of…

Read More »

BJA and NAG plan for merger in 2015

The British Jewellers’ Association (BJA) and the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) are planning to form a single trade body by the end of 2015, it has been announced. Scant details about the merger were revealed by outgoing BJA chairman Gary Williams at the association’s Annual General Meeting in London, and…

Read More »

$21m blue diamond up for auction at Christie’s

Auction house Christie’s has announced the sale of the largest flawless vivid blue diamond in the world, ‘The Blue’ estimated to fetch $21m (£12m) at auction. The diamond, which weighs 13.22 carats, will lead Christie’s auction of Magnificent Jewels to be held in Geneva on May 14. The gem will…

Read More »

Private equity kills the romance of our industry

The artisanal flare that characterises much of the UK jewellery industry couldn’t feel further away from the numerical mustard of the City. A CAD design programme is about as close as the jewellery world gets to digits flashing across the stock broker’s screen. But this week brings the news that…

Read More »

Holts Academy to expand offering with new course

The Holts Academy of Jewellery is set to expand its educational offering to include ‘Higher Education for Industry’. The higher national certificate and diploma courses come as the academy is developing a ‘Jewellery Degree for Industry’, set to launch in September 2015. Students will be able to enrol on its…

Read More »