Year: 2016

136.24-carat diamond recovered by Alrosa

Mining firm Alrosa Group has announced the recovery of a 136.24-carat diamond from its Nyurbinskaya mine. The gem-quality rough diamond, which is 3 Black Makeable 1 Сolour, measures 29.32 х 23.88 х 21.9 mm and is one of the largest rough diamonds ever to be recovered at the mine. Currently…

Read More »

Western investors drive gold demand to near-record high

Western investors have driven the demand for gold to a near-record high, according to a new report from the World Gold Council (WGC). Global gold demand reached 2,335 tonnes (t) in the first half of 2016 – a record for the first half of a year and 16% higher than…

Read More »

Small firms ‘could deliver one million more apprenticeships’, says FSB

Small firms could create a million new apprenticeships with the right support from the government, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.  A new report from the FSB claims the small business sector in England has the potential to double the number of apprentices it takes on to over…

Read More »

Petra recovers 138.57-carat white diamond

Petra Diamonds has announced the recovery of a 138.57-carat white diamond from its Cullinan mine in South Africa. The diamond is classified as Type IIa, D colour, meaning it has high clarity, and will be offered for sale as part of the company’s upcoming sales process in Johannesburg next month.…

Read More »

De Beers partners with NAJ to launch new diamond grading service

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced a partnership with De Beers’ diamond grading service in the UK. The service – a partnership between NAJ and the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of the De Beers Group of Companies – will see NAJ members benefit…

Read More »

Weston Beamor joins Somme poppy pins project

Weston Beamor has announced a new project that will see it cast poppy pins designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The casting, 3D printing and bespoke manufacturing company will cast the poppies for London-based company TMB Art Metal as a fundraising initiative…

Read More »

Jewellery and watches ‘best performing’ retail segment in July

Jewellery and watch sales were found to be the best performing sector in July, as overall retail sales picked up. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG Retail Sales Monitor found UK retail sales increase by 1.1% on a like-for-like basis from July 2015 and 1.9% on a total basis.…

Read More »

Beaverbrooks’ CEO recognised for ‘outstanding leadership’

The chief executive of Beaverbrooks’, Anna Blackburn, has been named among the North West’s top 20 business women, in recognition of her ‘outstanding leadership skills’. It is the first time that Blackburn has been featured in the Top 100 Women in Business list, coming in at number 14. Compiled by…

Read More »

Holts Academy named finalist for National Business Awards

Holts Academy of Jewellery has been shortlisted for the Positive Social Impact award, part of the 2016 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards. Holts Academy – a training provider for the jewellery industry – was chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated across 18 award categories. It…

Read More »

75% of Brits ‘unaware of meaning’ of their jewellery, finds study

Britons are sharing unintentional messages and sporting ancient and religious symbols with meanings they are unaware of, according to new research. The survey of 1,000 UK adults, carried out by ChloBo, a British boho-luxe jewellery brand found that 76% were unaware of the meaning and significance of popular ancient symbols. 81%…

Read More »