Current Affairs
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Jan- 2016 -18 January
2015 full-year hallmarking edges upwards
The total number of hallmarked items fell by 1% in December suggesting a flat Christmas, but the annual figures for full-year 2015 edged up by 1% compared with the previous year. Data from all four assay offices in the UK – compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office – showed the…
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15 January
BCU teams with Birmingham Assay Office for gemmology hub
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced a new collaborative tenancy and partnership with Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Jewellery. As part of the agreement the university’s gemmology department will move into new premises at 1 Moreton Street in the Jewellery Quarter, which it hopes will enable further development of gemmological…
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14 January
Three men found guilty over Hatton Garden raid
Three men have been found guilty for their involvement in the Hatton Garden raid trial, which took place over the Easter bank holiday weekend last year. Carl Wood, 58, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and William Lincoln, 60, of Bethnal Green, east London, were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary,…
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12 January
Camden Council to develop new jewellery workshops
Camden Council has announced its support of jewellery businesses in Hatton Garden through the development of new “affordable” work spaces. Camden, which said it hopes to help up-and-coming businesses who want to work in the area, has agreed to provide funding to business space operator Centa Business Services to refurbish…
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5 January
World’s largest blue star sapphire ‘discovered in Sri Lanka’
The world’s largest blue star sapphire has been found in a mine in Sri Lanka, gemologists have claimed. Gemologists in the country’s capital said they have certified the gem, which was mined in the city of Ratnapura, known as the City of Gems, as weighing 1404 carats – the previous…
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Dec- 2015 -10 December
Hatton Garden heist site ‘could become a museum’
The site of the Hatton Garden jewellery raid earlier this year could become a museum commemorating the heist, according to the new owner of the vaults. The 88-90 Hatton Garden Safe Deposit is currently believed to be considering options after it was picked up on a long-lease by property millionaire…
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8 December
Polished diamond prices increase for first time in six months
Polished diamond prices increased in November for the first time in six months, boosted by shortages of select categories and seasonal holiday demand. That is according to the latest RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) which found 1-carat, GIA-graded diamonds rose 0.7% in price in November – its first increase in six…
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8 December
NPA urges Welsh government to ‘crack down on crime’
The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) has urged the Welsh government to crack down on illegal money lending. The call for action, which has urged the government to join forces with police and other enforcement agencies, was a result of the NPA responding to the Welsh Government’s consultation regarding its Financial…
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7 December
De Beers suspends Canada Snap Lake mine operation
De Beers has announced it has suspended operations at its Snap Lake diamond mine in Canada due to poor market conditions. The company said work to suspend production at the mine has begun, a process which could take up to nine months. It will evaluate market conditions over the next…
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1 December
Petra and Ekapa Mining acquires De Beers’ Kimberley mines
Petra Diamonds and South African mining company Ekapa Mining have announced the acquisition of De Beers’ Kimberley mines. Petra, which owns the Finsch and Cullinan mines, said that deal of 102 million rand (£46.9m) will see it own a 49.9% interest in the mine, with Ekapa owning a 50.1% share.…
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