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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Feb- 2016 -16 FebruaryEvents
Stephanie Holt wins Weston Beamor design competition
Stephanie Holt, a mature student at Birmingham City University (BCU), has been named as the winner of Weston Beamor’s annual jewellery design competition. Holt, who won the award for her “elegant and unusual” matching wedding ring and engagement ring set, received a cash prize of £500 and a week’s worth…
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9 FebruaryEvents
Day three: Jewellery and Watch in pictures
We have compiled some companies we have seen in the third day of Jewellery and Watch Birmingham: Picture 1 – The Carry Me Collection from Xtra Star Picture 2 – Banyan Jewellery Picture 3 – The new Signature Collection from Wedds & Co Picture 4 – Manja Jewellery has launched…
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8 FebruaryEvents
Day two: Jewellery and Watch in pictures
Jewellery and Watch Birmingham opened its doors yesterday (Sunday, February 7), with new collections and designs being showcased by some 400 companies. Here are some of the company’s we have seen so far (see above).
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3 FebruaryRetailers
Guildsman Jewellery Gallery to open in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter
A new jewellery gallery has announced it will launch in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter later this year. The Guildsman Jewellery Gallery is expected to open in spring 2016 and will provide 1,000 sq ft of retail and exhibition space across two floors. It will display pieces of handmade fine jewellery…
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Jan- 2016 -20 JanuaryAppointments
NAJ to propose Simon Johnson as chairman
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) says its current vice-chairman and co-owner of retail jeweller Marmalade, Simon Johnson, will be proposed as its new chairman at the next annual general meeting. At the association’s first meeting of 2016 – held on 14 January at the Birmingham Assay Office – current NAJ…
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20 JanuaryRetailers
BCU student’s jewellery collection goes on sale at Argos
A first-year student from Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Jewellery has seen her ‘Wishes’ collection go on sale in Argos. Danielle Laurent, 39, who is originally from California, beat off competition from 50 other students last year to design an exclusive collection on behalf of of catalogue retailer Argos.…
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18 JanuaryCurrent Affairs
2015 full-year hallmarking edges upwards
The total number of hallmarked items fell by 1% in December suggesting a flat Christmas, but the annual figures for full-year 2015 edged up by 1% compared with the previous year. Data from all four assay offices in the UK – compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office – showed the…
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15 JanuaryCurrent Affairs
BCU teams with Birmingham Assay Office for gemmology hub
The Birmingham Assay Office has announced a new collaborative tenancy and partnership with Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Jewellery. As part of the agreement the university’s gemmology department will move into new premises at 1 Moreton Street in the Jewellery Quarter, which it hopes will enable further development of gemmological…
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14 JanuaryEvents
J&WB confirms over 30 new brands for Design Quarter
Jewellery & Watch Birmingham (J&WB) has announced that over 30 new names have been confirmed for its Design Quarter at the upcoming event. With the launch of ‘British Born & Made’ – a new dedicated area to showcasing the best of British jewellery design – the Design Quarter is set…
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Dec- 2015 -23 DecemberOpinion
Another step forward in an ongoing challenge
Diamond grading issues have been a hot topic in recent months, but a new ISO Standard could benefit the consumer and retailer. STELLA LAYTON, chief assay master at the Birmingham Assay Office, explains.[divider style=”solid” top=”20″ bottom=”20″] The industry has come a long way since we staged our first Great Debate…
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