News

Five arrested following Whitby jewellery store raid

Five people have been arrested following an alleged armed raid which took place at a jewellery store in Whitby, North Yorkshire, last week.  The robbery took place at Gouldbuys jewellery store in Flowergate, on Friday May 1 at 12:30pm, as the Tour de Yorkshire was taking place. Police said that…

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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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Shop price deflation remains low in April

Shop prices continued to fall in April, albeit at a slower pace, falling 1.9% compared with the same time last year following a record low of 2.1% in March.  This is according to the latest BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index which found on a 12-month average basis, the index reported deflation…

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Watchfinder founders shortlisted for entrepreneur of the year award

Co-founders of watch etailer Watchfinder, Stuart Hennell and Lloyd Amsdon, have been shortlisted for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015 regional finalists.  The brand is just one of 34 companies to be shortlisted after months of interviews and detailed financial and internal structure auditing, for its…

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A plant that sniffs out diamonds

Scientists have discovered a rare plant that only appears to grow directly above kimberlite pipes – columns of rock left by eruptions which have historically brought diamonds to earth’s surface. This is according to the website of the renowned scholarly journal Science, which says the plant, known as Pandanus candelabrum, is the first known…

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Industry vote opens for IJL’S ‘People’s Choice’ KickStarter

The International Jewellery London (IJL) KickStarter competition is now open to the industry to vote for the ‘’.  The designers have been encouraged to campaign for votes across social media channels, and the overall winner will be given a free stand in the Design Gallery at IJL 2015. Sam Willoughby,…

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Retail sales growth eases unexpectedly in April

Growth in retail sales volumes slowed unexpectedly in the year to April but is forecast to pick up again next month, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey (DTS).  In the survey of 122 firms, 30% of respondents said volume were up on a year ago, and 18% said…

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Carat extends partnership with BAFTA Television Awards

Luxury fashion jewellery brand Carat has announced it has extended its partnership with the House of Fraser British Academy Television Awards.  Carat, the official jewellery partner, said that it is “proud” to extend its partnership with the event for the fifth year running. Carat said that last year’s awards were a…

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Consumer confidence holds steady at 12-year high

Consumer confidence held steady in April at its highest level since 2002, according to new figures from research firm GFK.  Its latest Consumer Confidence Barometer stayed at 4 during the month. Of the five measures used to calculate the index, two have stayed the same, two have seen increases and…

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WFDB presidents prepare to discuss ‘critical’ issues

The Presidents of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) are preparing to discuss “critical” issues at its next presidents meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel.  The bi-annual meeting, which will take place between June 14 to 16, has been cited by WFDB president Ernie Blom as “one of the most…

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