News
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Feb- 2021 -22 February
PM outlines ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown
Prime minister Boris Johnson has set out his four-step “roadmap” to guide the nation out of lockdown “cautiously but irreversibly”, calling the plan a “one-way road to freedom”. Step one will begin from 8 March, when all schools will be allowed to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed.…
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22 February
Matilde Jewellery launches new ring for charity
Matilde Jewellery has announced the launch of its new Deusa ring, which will see 10% of proceeds go to the charity Plan International, in association with International Women’s Day. Designed exclusively for International Women’s Day 2021, the “beautiful and symbolic” recycled 14k gold and lab-grown diamond ring is “here to…
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22 February
Speakers announced for Valuers’ Conference at NAJ Summit
The Institute of Registered Valuers has confirmed the first speakers for the 2021 Valuers’ Conference, taking place from 11 to 13 September at the NAJ Summit. Jack Ogden, Sandra Cronan and Nicholas Wainwright will feature in the Valuers’ Conference programme, alongside Craig O’Donnell, David Callaghan and Richard Winterton, who were…
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19 February
Birmingham Assay Office launches search for new guardians
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced it has begun its search for “seasoned individuals” to become the organisation’s new guardians. Controlled by a group of 36 elected guardians of the Standard of Wrought Plate in the city of Birmingham, the Assay Office was founded by an Act of Parliament in…
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19 February
Retail sales tumble 8.2% in January despite online boom
Retail sales tumbled by 8.2% in January despite rising online sales, as stores were hit by heightened restrictions amid the third national lockdown. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the value of sales was also 7.8% lower than the previous month, while the overall decline was largely driven…
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18 February
‘Diana Effect’ influencing engagement ring choices, report finds
The ‘Diana Effect’ is influencing consumers’ jewellery choices 40 years on, with the diamond and sapphire combination for engagement rings named the “first choice” for couples in the UK, according to new research from money.co.uk. It found that 82% of couples who opt for a combination-stone ring will choose the…
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18 February
Inhorgenta Munich trade show cancelled due to Covid
Inhorgenta Munich, the European jewellery platform, has announced the cancellation of its upcoming trade show at the Messe München exhibition centre in München, Germany. The show’s organisers had originally postponed the show from February to April, with the aim to provide exhibitors with increased planning security. However, international restrictions on…
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17 February
Unique amethyst pieces to be auctioned by Dix Noonan Webb
An amethyst rivière necklace that was formerly owned by Marie-Louise, Countess Manvers will be offered by Dix Noonan Webb in its upcoming online auction of jewellery, watches, antiquities and objects of vertu on 16 March. Born in 1889, Marie-Louise Countess Manvers was an acclaimed artist and the only child of…
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17 February
Scotland extends rates holiday for another year
The Scottish government has confirmed that it is extending 100% of its business rates relief for the hospitality, retail, leisure and aviation sectors for another year. Finance secretary Kate Forbes confirmed the extension earlier this week (16 February) in Holyrood, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak to match the extension in…
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16 February
Laings donates £5,000 to BHF
Luxury jewellers, Laings, has announced that it has donated £5,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help them to continue their work through the pandemic. The jewellers previously ran a campaign entitled A Gift from the Heart, to raise awareness of the work that the BHF are doing before…
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