News
-
Aug- 2015 -21 August
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…
Read More » -
20 August
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…
Read More » -
20 August
Retail sales jump 4.2%
Retail sales grew for the 28th consecutive month in July, increasing by 4.2% compared with the same month last year, according to official data released today. This was the longest period of sustained year-on-year growth since May 2008, when there were 31 periods of growth, the Office for National Statistics…
Read More » -
19 August
Laing Edinburgh celebrates 175th anniversary with £175,000 diamond necklace
Independent jeweller Laing Edinburgh has marked its 175th anniversary with the creation of a one-off diamond necklace valued at £175,000. The necklace, named ‘175’, features 447 brilliant-cut and pave diamonds set in platinum with a double diamond drop. The piece is described as “timelessly elegant with a contemporary twist”. Taking…
Read More » -
18 August
H&T posts 30% profits jump
H&T Pawnbrokers has reported a 30% increase in pre-tax profit in its financial update for the first half of 2015. In the six months from January to the end of June 2015, profit before tax increased by 30% to £2.6m, up from the £2m reported for the same period last…
Read More » -
18 August
UK inflation rate rises to 0.1% in July
The UK inflation rate has crept up from the zero-mark to 0.1% in July, according to the Consumer Prices Index measurement. A smaller fall in clothing prices during the month compared with the same time last year was the main contributor to the rise in inflation, the Office for National…
Read More » -
18 August
Online retail sales jump 12% in July
UK online retail sales surged 12% year-on-year in July and were up 15% when excluding travel, according to new data released today. The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index also found that sales made via a mobile device, either a smartphone or tablet, saw annual growth of 42%. At 5.1%, July…
Read More » -
17 August
Tresor Paris launches new Quantum Cubus collection
Tresor Paris last week unveiled its new ‘Quantum Cubus’ jewellery range for men and women. Quantum Cubus features necklaces, bracelets, rings and cufflinks and aims to give clothing outfits a “modern, yet tasteful twist”. The collection includes the use of a lapis stone, which adds a touch of colour to…
Read More » -
17 August
Footfall down 1.1% across the UK in July
Total UK retail footfall in July was 1.1% lower than the same time last year, though this still represented a marginal improvement on the 1.5% fall in June. Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor showed footfall on the high street and in shopping…
Read More » -
14 August
Hallmarking slumps 10.5% in July
The total number of hallmarked items fell 10.5% in July, a decrease of 91,949 articles when compared with July 2014. This is according to data released today by the UK’s four assay offices, and compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office, which found that during the month there was a total…
Read More »
