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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May- 2025 -7 MayNews
Hallmarking slump narrows to 1.8% in March
The total number of items hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices saw a modest decline of 1.8% in March compared with 16.8% in February. In total 5,36,442 pieces of jewellery were hallmarked in March 2025 compared with 5,46,530 in 2024, a decline of 10,088. Gold hallmarking was up 5.2%…
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Apr- 2025 -14 AprilRetailers
Hockley Mint MD awarded honorary doctorate
Hockley Mint managing director Gary Wroe has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham. It has been awarded in recognition of his “outstanding contributions” to the jewellery industry, particularly within the city of Birmingham, and his dedicated support for future generations through education. Wroe has led Hockley…
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Mar- 2025 -14 MarchNews
Hallmarking falls 16.8% in February
The total number of items hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices dropped 16.8% in February. In total 457,144 pieces of jewellery were hallmarked in February 2025 compared with 549,539 in 2024, a decline of 92,395. Gold hallmarking fell by 7.9% from 260,662 pieces hallmarked down to 240,098. Gold 999…
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5 MarchRetailers
Beaverbrooks to close seven of its stores
Beaverbrooks has announced the closing of seven of its stores as the group stated that they are “no longer commercially viable”. The stores located in Birmingham Fort, Croydon, Dundee, East Kilbride, High Wycombe, Huddersfield and Sutton Coldfield will cease operations across March and April. The jewellery group aims to retain…
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5 MarchEvents
Gay Penfold wins lifetime achievement award
Gay Penfold has been given a Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) at the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council (GC&DC) 2025 Awards. She is the chair of the British Jewellery and Giftware Benevolent Society and the former manager of the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre at Birmingham City University. The award is given…
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Feb- 2025 -20 FebruaryNews
Hallmarking falls 18.8% in January
The total number of items hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices dropped 18.8% in January. In total 5,02,620 pieces of jewellery were hallmarked in January 2025 compared with 6,18,881 in 2024, a decline of 1,16,221. Gold hallmarking increased 1.3% from 2,37,136 pieces hallmarked up to 2,40,110. However, gold 990…
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Jan- 2025 -23 JanuaryRetailers
Zedd unveils new brand website
British fine jewellery brand Zedd has announced the launch of its new website, with a consumer-facing stockist search and trade ordering platform for retail jewellers. The new digital home of Zedd has been developed with its UK and Irish stockists in mind. Visitors interested in the brand’s British-made and UK-hallmarked…
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15 JanuaryNews
UK hallmarking falls 3.3% in 2024
The total number of items hallmarked by the four UK Assay Offices dropped 3.3% in 2024. In total 7,763,014 pieces of jewellery were hallmarked in 2024 compared with 8,031,340 in 2023, a decline of 268,326. Gold hallmarking dropped 1.8% from 3,521,940 pieces hallmarked down to 3,457,909. However, gold 999 saw…
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14 JanuaryManufacturers
HS Walsh and Sons awarded Royal Warrant
HS Walsh and Sons, a supplier of horological tools and equipment, has been awarded a Royal Warrant. The business was first granted a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 which was renewed in 2021. With the ascendance of King Charles III the company sought to obtain his appointment…
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3 JanuaryRetailers
V by Laura Vann rebrands as Laura Vann
Birmingham-based jewellery company V by Laura Vann has rebranded to Laura Vann. Over a decade ago, the group launched as V Jewellery. Shortly after, it evolved into V by Laura Vann—a name that combined the heritage of “V” with a personal touch. Fast forward to today, the company will be…
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