Month: July 2016

Gecko to showcase 9 new collections at IJL 2016

Jewellery supplier Gecko has announced it will be showcasing nine new collections at this year’s International Jewellery London (IJL). Gecko’s new season ranges, which cater for men, women and children, will be exhibited from best-selling brands Orla Kiely, Fiorelli, Fred Bennett, D for diamond and collections from Elements & Beginnings.…

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Natwest and RBS to consider charging businesses to hold money

Natwest and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are mulling applying negative interest rates to business accounts and have warned this could mean charging businesses to hold deposits. In a letter to just under 1.3 million commercial and business customers, the banks said very low interest rates globally “could result…

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Petra Diamonds reports marginal 1% revenue increase

Petra Diamonds has reported a 1% increase in revenue, despite a fall in the price of rough diamonds in the first half of 2016. In its preliminary results for the year ending 30 June, the company reported revenue of $430.9m (£328.5m) compared with the $425m (£324m) recorded last year. The…

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Historic Borough Green jewellers to close after 40 years

A jewellery store in Borough Green – part of the Tonbridge and Malling district of Kent – is to close at the end of the month after 40 years in business. The Jewellers, previously known as J.C. Gourbould, in Station Road was known for providing bespoke, repairs, alteration and remodelling…

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Swatch reports 54% plunge in profits

Swatch Group remains upbeat about the second half of the year, despite reporting a plunge in profits and sales in its first-half trading update. The Switzerland-based company, which owns brands such as Calvin Klein, Blancpain, Tissot, Longines, Omega and Breguet, reported a 54% fall in operating profit in the first…

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Jeremy France welcomes back Nicola Vern as store manager

Winchester-based independent jewellers Jeremy France has welcomed back former employee Nicola Vern as its new store manager. Vern began working as a sales assistant for the company over 10 years ago, and has spent the past six years away gaining valuable industry experience in a training and management role for…

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Mappin & Webb launches in independent Newcastle jewellers

Reid & Sons, an historic independent jewellers in Newcastle, has announced the launch of Mappin & Webb in-store. Established in 1778 by Christian Ker Reid, Reid & Sons has previously worked with the royal family, Admiralty and the Indian government, while Mappin & Webb has been a Royal Warrant holder…

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IJL KickStarter Marina Skia wins People’s Choice Award

Jewellery designer and International Jewellery London (IJL) KickStarter Marina Skia has been voted by the industry as the winner of the exhibition’s eighth ‘People’s Choice’ award. Skia, who is currently an artist in residence at Sir John Cass, London Metropolitan University, will receive a free stand in the IJL Design…

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Argos to sell Fairtrade wedding bands

Argos has become one of the first major high street brands to sell Fairtrade gold wedding bands, which it will offer across stores nationwide. The new line of wedding bands will be available in four different styles and went on sale on Saturday, 16 July. A number of additional styles…

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Carat hosts charity event in aid of iPAN

Fashion jewellery brand Carat partnered with TV presenter and model Melanie Sykes last Tuesday (12 July) to host a charity event in aid of iPAN (International Pre- Autistic Network). The event, which took place at Carat’s recently refurbished flagship store in London’s Covent Garden, also saw Sykes’ fellow TV presenters…

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