Current Affairs

Gem Diamonds cites challenging diamond market as profits fall

UK-based diamond production firm Gem Diamonds has been affected by the challenging diamond market as profits fell in the first half of the year. In its first-half financial report for the six months ending June 30, 2015, Gem Diamonds reported that its pre-tax profits fell from $56.2m (£35.7m) in the…

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Lucara recovers 336-carat diamond in Botswana

Diamond production company Lucara has recovered a type IIa, 336-carat diamond from its Karowe Mine in Botswana. In addition the company also reported a number of “exceptional” diamonds, including a 184-carat, a 94-carat and an 86-carat stone. A 12-carat pink stone was also recovered, however the company said that it…

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Winsor Bishop thanks ‘heroes’ following store raid

Winsor Bishop has thanked members of the public for their help following an attempted robbery on the store on Wednesday morning.  The Norwich-based jewellery store said it would like to thank all of the “heroes” on London Street who helped during and after the raid on Wednesday morning, when six…

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Ministers launch consultation on Sunday Trading hours

The power to extend Sunday trading hours for high street shops could be devolved to local authorities, according to plans proposed by ministers today.  Under the plans, local councils will be given the power to extend Sunday trading hours within their geographical area, or specific parts of their geography where…

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Diamond market mood plummets to 2008 levels

Diamond prices fell again in July as market sentiment slumped to levels not seen since the 2008 downturn, according to the latest report from Rapaport.  The report said that manufacturers rejected large quantities of rough supply as trading and manufacturing activity plummeted. It said that rough prices are unsustainable due…

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Paul Spurgeon designs episcopal ring for Bishop of Gloucester

British designer Paul Spurgeon has designed an episcopal ring commissioned by the recently consecrated Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek.  Treweek, who is the third female bishop but the first female diocesan bishop – a more senior position than the other two female bishops, commissioned Spurgeon to design her episcopal ring…

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Hatton Garden jeweller jailed over stolen watches

Seven men including a Hatton Garden jeweller have been jailed for 64 years for their varying involvement in 10 smash and grab raids across London. Reece Dunford, 31 of Osprey Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex, played a role in all the robberies at high-end shops in the West End. Sometimes he carried…

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Summer Budget 2015: National Living Wage to be introduced

Chancellor George Osborne has announced the launch of a new National Living Wage that will be launched from April next year.  Delivering his emergency budget speech earlier today, Osborne announced that all businesses across the UK will have to pay working people over the age of 25 at least £7.20…

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Summer Budget 2015: Sunday trading could be extended

Sunday trading hours could be extended to give businesses greater flexibility over their weekend opening hours, the Chancellor George Osborne has announced.  Speaking at the Summer Budget 2015, the first all-Conservative budget speech since 1996, Osborne said that elected mayors and councils could be given powers to relax local laws…

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Creative industry employment jumps 15.8%

Employment in the UK creative industries has jumped 15.8% since 2011 with 1.8 million jobs now in the sector, according to a new report.  According to figures released by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) the number of jobs within the creative industries increased by 5.5% compared to…

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