Trade Organisations

RJC to launch lab-grown materials standard

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that it is set to develop a standard for laboratory-grown materials (LGMs). The standard is designed to establish best practice, such as the requirement for full disclosure for materials when used in jewellery products. Acting separately from the RJC code of practices, the…

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Four in five shops to shut without business rates reform, says BRC

Some 83% of retailers would reportedly be forced to close shops without the introduction of a business rates reform as a part of the Government’s upcoming review. According to research conducted by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), 85% of those retailers surveyed recognised business rates as either an “extremely” or…

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NAJ expands its team ahead of new strategy launch

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced that it will welcome two new members to its marketing team. Adam Cook and Rushana Miller will join the association next week to help deliver the group’s new strategy, which is in its final stages of development. Cook joins the NAJ as…

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Birmingham Assay Office to launch LGD screening service

The Birmingham Assay Office has announced that it will now screen laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) as a part of its jewellery valuation service. SafeGuard Valuations will automatically screen all diamond-set items to determine whether they are natural or potential lab grown. It comes in a bid from the organisation to support…

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Global gold demand holds steady in Q2

Global demand in gold held steady during Q2 FY21 at 955.1t, a year-on-year decline of 1% from Q2 FY20’s 960.5t. According to the World Gold Council’s latest gold demands trends report, this has come as a result of increasing consumer demand being offset by “less bullish” investors. The three months…

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Bira backs ‘Shop Out to Help Out’ scheme

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said it will back a new campaign launched by Refundable, a consumer membership brand, to introduce a ‘Shop Out to Help Out’ scheme.  According to the group, the campaign, similar to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme launched last summer for the hospitality industry, would…

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Birmingham Assay Office elects eight new guardians

The Birmingham Assay Office has announced the election of eight new guardians of the Standard Wrought Plate. Created in 1773 by an act of parliament, the role was formed to control and protect the office. The elected members are Peter Crump, Kate Canty, Dr Tracy Carlton, Lauren Hartigan-Pritchard, Nicola McGowan,…

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IGI commits to carbon neutrality

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has committed to carbon neutrality, with its New York offices the first to undergo the process. In partnership with SCS Global Services, a sustainability and third-party certification organisation, the IGI has commenced a six month period of engagement and assessment. During the half-year period, SCS…

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Goldsmiths’ Company names Dame Lynne Brindley as prime warden

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Dame Lynne Brindley will succeed Richard Fox as prime warden. In the role, Brindley will be responsible for improving access to the company’s collection and archives through digital strategy, addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion, and inspiring future generations into a career in the industry.…

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RJC joins UNGC SDG Ambition platform

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that it has joined the UN Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambition platform. Designed to accelerate the integration of the UN’s SDG by participating companies, the programme enables businesses to “step up transformative change” by unlocking business value, building business resilience, and…

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