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 Birminghamโs 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 cityโs continuing influence on the UK jewellery sector.
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Oct- 2018 -31 OctoberFeatures
Casting: Are manufacturers matching the retailers into the future?
I am worried that the standard of craftsmanship within our industry is dropping. Of course we still have wonderful craftsmen and women in the UK, and more in training, but unless you are based either in London or Birmingham โ how hard is it to find a first class apprenticeship…
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17 OctoberAuctions
Timepiece dedicated to historic Polish watchmaker up for auction
A timepiece dedicated to watchmaker Franciszek Czapek is up for auction at Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham on Tuesday 30 October for ยฃ4,500 – ยฃ5,500. The watch brand is named Warszawianka due to it being a patriotic song in Poland, and there is an inscription on the dial which includes lyrics.…
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16 OctoberFeatures
Design Walkthrough – Anaรฏs Paris
Following a soft launch to the jewellery trade at this yearโs Jewellery & Watch Show in Birmingham, HD Group will announce the release of its third, and possibly final, brand later this year. The brand, Anaรฏs Paris, is inspired by the โfloating locketโ concept which according to Adryan Cresswell, head…
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12 OctoberEconomy
Hallmarking drops 11% as silver and platinum struggle
Hallmarking fell by an average of 11.7% in September 2018 compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of silver and platinum pieces hallmarked decreased by 22.2% and 7% respectively. However, gold did increase 1.5% up from 364,440 to…
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8 OctoberFeatures
Are jewellery trade shows dying?
โA different rhythm and a different approach is needed. In this new context, annual watch fairs, as they exist today, no longer make much sense. This does not mean that they should disappear, but, it is necessary that they reinvent themselves, responding appropriately to the current situation and demonstrating more…
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5 OctoberDesigners
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter announces its first โJeweller in Residenceโ
Fiona Harris has been announced by the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter to be its first โJeweller in Residenceโ, a project which aims to support emerging jewellery designers. Harris, who previously studied at Birmingham City University School of Jewellery, is the first designer to be crowned with the title. As…
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Sep- 2018 -20 SeptemberAuctions
James Bond Rolex could sell for ยฃ90,000 at Fellows auction
A Rolex Submariner worn by 007 during the British spy thriller, Licence to Kill, could fetch at least ยฃ90,000 at an upcoming Fellows watch sale in Birmingham on 30 October. The timepiece, worn by Timothy Daltonโs stunt double, featured during a car chase where 007 is driving a tanker truck…
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19 SeptemberFeatures
The wisdom that comes with age versus the enthusiasm of youth
Itโs funny how grandparents often have a better relationship with their teenage grandchildren than the parents, I think itโs mutual respect of the differences between generations, whereas we expect our parents to be as cool as us. We wish dad would dance and listen to Radio 1 not 2. So…
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18 SeptemberMetal Prices
Hallmarking figures drop 2.3% in August
Hallmarking fell by an average of 2.3% in August 2018 compared with the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office. The number of gold and platinum pieces hallmarked increased significantly by 7.9% and 29.3% respectively. However, silver and palladium both dropped by a…
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10 SeptemberQ&A Sessions
Voice on the High Street: Cupitt Jeweller
Name: Cupitt Jeweller Location: Bromsgrove Year established: 1946 Number of staff: 7 Website: www.cupittjeweller.co.uk What’s the history of Cupitt Jeweller? Claude Cupitt started the business in Bromsgrove, in 1946. When he retired in 1979 his son Jim took over the business with his wife Sue. They relocated the shop to…
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