Year: 2019

Chapelle enters administration

Jewellery and watch retailer Chapelle has entered into administration, four years after it was sold to HMV owners Hilco UK. Philip Duffy and Sarah Bell of accountancy firm Duff & Phelps have been appointed as administrators of both Mortimer Management Group and The Jewellery Outlet which makes up Chapelle. The…

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Special Focus: Christopher Anderson

Award-winning designer Christopher Anderson introduces an exciting and original new collection with breathtaking Pietra Dura inlay. Originating in ancient Rome and travelling later to Persia, Pietra Dura craftsman were brought to Agra, India in the 16th Century to decorate the building of the Taj Mahal. Settling in Agra there over…

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The history of marcasite jewellery

The effect of film and television on fashion trends is well documented, and the recent surge in popularity for marcasite is no exception. Many attribute its sales growth the two main points: ITV’s Downton Abbey has featured characters wearing marcasite jewellery as part of their signature look, and some key…

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Signet Jewelers sales ‘fall short’ over Christmas

Diamond jewellery retailer Signet Jewelers has reported a 1.3% decrease in total same store sales for the nine week period ending 5 January. According to the group, holiday season performance “fell short of expectations”, as early improvements in refreshed merchandise assortment, digital marketing and OmniChannel were offset by “larger than…

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Allum & Sidaway reports sales boost after ‘successful’ store refurb

Allum & Sidaway has reported a “successful festive period” thanks to a recent store refurbishment. The family-run company closed for several weeks last autumn for a full revamp of their Dorchester head office including the expansion of their sales floor. The extended shop area has enabled Allum & Sidaway to…

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Voice on the High Street: Zelley Jewellery

Name: Alistair Zelley, Zelley Jewellers Website: www.zelleyjewellers.co.uk Year established: 1886 Number of staff: 7 Location: Norwich How was Zelley Jewellers founded? My great grandfather Fredrick John Zelley started out as a sole trader during the 1890s in Bishop’s Stortford and registered the first FJ Zelley Jewellers in 1910. My grandfather…

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The generation gap in contemporary jewellery

Over the last nine years I’ve been working with independent professional jewellers in London, providing training in CAD for jewellery manufacturing. While many of my students and colleagues would classify themselves as fine jewellers, there are many more who classify themselves as jewellery designer-makers. Whether they come from the 50-year-old…

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Three-Minute Interview: Peter Breddal

Describe yourself in three words? Danish, craftsman and (over)analytical. When you were at school, what did you want to be and why? I wanted to be an architect or civil engineer but my math skills were not quite sufficient.  I spent four years at business school after which I knew…

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IJL appoints Katie Morris as exhibition director

The International Jewellery London (IJL) trade event has appointed Katie Morris as IJL event director effective immediately. Morris has worked on a number of shows for Reed Exhibitions since joining in 2010, including head of marketing on The London Book Fair, where she eventually was appointed as event manager in…

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Voice on the High Street: Hancocks London

Name: Guy Burton, Hancocks London Location: London Year established: 1849 Number of staff: 10 Website: www.hancocks-london.com When was Hancocks founded? Hancocks was founded in 1849 by Charles Frederick Hancock, opening on the corner of Bond Street and Bruton Street. He was a quick mover; within a year of opening he…

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