Birmingham
Birmingham has a rich heritage as a centre for jewellery manufacturing and trade, with its historic Jewellery Quarter still home to hundreds of workshops and businesses. For UK jewellers, wholesalers, and suppliers, the city remains a vital hub for production, design, and distribution. Jewellery Focus covers Birmingham’s role in the industry, from updates on local businesses and manufacturing trends to insights into policy developments and events shaping the trade. Our reporting helps professionals understand the city’s continuing influence on the UK jewellery sector.
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Aug- 2020 -18 AugustTrade Organisations
BAJ opens admissions for three short courses
The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) has announced the opening of admissions for three short courses at its Birmingham campus. Prospective students can now sign up for BAJ’s Stone Setting for Beginners, Wax Carving: Practice and Casting Theory, and Jewellery Manufacturing for Beginners programmes. Courses can be attended by both…
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14 AugustNews
UK hallmarking slumps 42.7% in July
The total number of pieces hallmarked during July 2020 decreased by 42.7% compared with the same month last, according to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office. Gold hallmarked pieces decreased from 308,297 to 212,620 and silver items decreased from 372,259 to 1741,592 during the month – a decline…
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6 AugustCurrent Affairs
Birmingham Jewellery Quarter clock to be removed for restoration work
The historic Chamberlain Clock in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is set to be removed so it can undergo an “extensive” restoration process. Later this month, the process will begin to dismantle and remove the Chamberlain Clock from its current home on the roundabout junction of Warstone Lane and Vyse Street in…
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Jul- 2020 -24 JulyAuctions
First public Fellows auction totals £1m
The first public auction to be held by Fellows since March garnered a total hammer price of over £1m. The Fine Jewellery sale, which took place at the independent, family-owned auction house in Birmingham on 23 July, lasted a total of six hours from 11am to 5pm. Bidders from all…
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17 JulyTips
Going online – John Lewis closes down eight stores as Covid progresses
Following the havoc caused by COVID-19, the John Lewis Partnership has shocked the world with a difficult decision—permanently closing down eight stores, where 1,300 workers are now at risk of losing employment. “Closing a shop is always incredibly difficult and today’s announcement will come as very sad news to customers…
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8 JulyAuctions
Fellows returns to live auctions
Fellows’ upcoming fine jewellery sale will mark its first live public auction in four months. The sale will take place at Fellows’ Jewellery Quarter sale room in Birmingham, with viewings at both Fellows’ premises in London and Birmingham. The auction, which has a total value of over £1.2m, will be…
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3 JulyEvents
JWF and Autumn Fair 2020 cancelled
Hyve, the organiser of Autumn Fair and co-located Jewellery & Watch and Fashion (JWF), has announced the cancellation of both events this year. In light of the ongoing pandemic, the four-day Autumn Fair will return to the NEC Birmingham on 5 September 2021. The Spring Fair, however, will still be…
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Jun- 2020 -29 JuneCoronavirus
Watches of Switzerland donates £100k to food banks
Watches of Switzerland and Mappin and Webb’s parent group, the Watches of Switzerland group, has donated £100,000 in emergency funds to UK food banks during the Covid-19 crisis. The group said it recognised an “urgent need” for food bank funding after these facilities faced soaring demands in light of the…
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22 JuneCoronavirus
Hallmarking plummets 75% in May as lockdown impact is revealed
The impact of the coronavirus on UK hallmarking has been made clear to see thanks to the latest figures from the Birmingham Assay office, with the total number of pieces hallmarked during the month down by 75%. The number of gold and silver pieces hallmarked in May 2020 decreased by…
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18 JuneCoronavirus
The Birmingham Assay Office launches Rainbow Logo mark to raise funds for the NHS
The Birmingham Assay Office has launched its rainbow logo mark to be applied as an optional mark alongside the hallmark and date letter for 2020 to raise money for the NHS. The rainbow logo mark will be available for a limited period from the 1 July until December 2020. The…
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