Current Affairs

‘Human hair’ used for jewellery by design student

A student has taken ‘upcycling’ to a whole new level, designing a jewellery collection made from unwanted human hair.  Designed and made by Olivia Hawley, a final year student at Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Jewellery, the collection aims to “challenge society’s perception of jewellery and to play on…

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Gem-A members call for emergency EGM

Members of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) are calling for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to question the board.  The online petition says that there has been concerns raised that the charity trustees are not fulfilling the charity’s “aims and objectives”, and that the charity is not being…

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‘Tax freedom day’ falls on 31st May

This year’s Tax Freedom Day, the day when Britons stop working to pay their taxes and start earning for themselves, falls on 31st May, according to Adam Smith Institute calculations. The Institute estimates that Britons will work 150 days this year solely to pay their taxes. This is one day…

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WFDB express concern over undisclosed diamond treatment

The president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), Ernie Blom, today expressed his concerns over the discovery by the GIA of a shipment of allegedly treated diamonds.  Yesterday, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) said that some 500 colourless to near-colourless diamonds have been submitted primarily to its…

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Hatton Garden raid has ‘ruined lives’

The Hatton Garden raid has “ruined lives” and victims have lost their “livelihoods”, according to a loss adjuster.  Ricky Marchant, from Marchant and Marchant, told the BBC that he was dealing with seven clients who had lost items during the robbery, with an estimated value of £2m in total. Marchant…

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Polished diamond prices stabilize in April

Diamond markets were quiet in April despite a slight improvement in sentiment towards the end of the month as shortages helped stabilize prices.  This is according to Rappaport’s Rapnet Diamond Index (RAPI) which said that many diamond suppliers did not lower their prices even though liquidity and profitability remain tight.…

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Hatton Garden heist: £20,000 reward offered by police

A £20,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary at Hatton Garden Safety Deposit company.  Appearing on BBC1’s Crimewatch last night, Detective Superintendent Craig Turner, head of the Flying Squad, appealed for witnesses to the robbery which took…

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Gemfields’ emerald and beryl production triples in Q1

Gemfields has reported an increase in its production levels as emerald and beryl production rose significantly during the first quarter (Q1) of 2015.  Production of emerald and beryl almost tripled in the first quarter of the year (ending March 31, 2015) at its 75%-owned Kagem mine with 9.9 million carats…

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LDB to offer support to those affected by Hatton Garden Raid

The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has today announced it will act as centralised point of contact for members of the trade affected by the recent robbery in Hatton Garden.  The LDB said that it is concerned that there is no “coordinated effort” to manage the situation outside the consumer press…

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London Diamond Bourse ‘greatly concerned’ by Hatton Garden robbery

The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has said it is “greatly concerned” by the Hatton Garden jewellery raid which took place over the Easter weekend.  In the statement Victoria McKay, chief operating officer at LDB expressed particular concern about the “incorrect information” being reported in the media. LDB said that it…

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