Carat
Carat weight remains a defining factor in the value and appeal of diamonds and other gemstones, making it a key consideration for professionals across the jewellery trade. For UK jewellers, designers, and wholesalers, staying informed on how carat trends influence pricing, consumer demand, and supply chain decisions is essential. Jewellery Focus offers in-depth coverage on carat-related topics, including market analysis, consumer education, pricing strategies, and insights into the ethical sourcing of larger stones. Our reporting helps trade professionals navigate this critical aspect of the gemstone and diamond market.
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Sep- 2015 -24 SeptemberEvents
Bonhams sells Hope Spinel for record £962,500
Auction house Bonhams has sold the rare British-owned gemstone – the Hope Spinel – for a record price of $30,000 (£19,600) per carat. The piece, which was sold at the company’s Fine Jewellery sale in London today (September 24), was sold for a total of £962,500, beating the previous record…
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21 SeptemberAuctions
Sotheby’s to auction rare 12ct ‘Blue Moon’ diamond
Auction house Sotheby’s Geneva is set to auction the rare ‘Blue Moon’ diamond with an estimated value of $35-55m (£22.6m-£35.4m). The diamond is the centrepiece of the ‘Magnificent Jewels’ auction and Noble Jewels in Geneva on November 11. It weighs 12.03 carats and has been graded ‘fancy vivid blue’, the…
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17 SeptemberEconomy
Hallmarking dips 12.4% in August
Hallmarking figures have dipped for the second consecutive month, down 12.4% in August compared with the same period the previous year. Platinum and palladium enjoyed 3.1% and 14.9% rises respectively, but the much larger categories of gold and silver dropped 8.5% and 17% respectively. In July, the total number of…
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15 SeptemberInternational
357-carat white diamond sold for $19.3m
British global diamond mining business, Gem Diamonds Limited, has announced that an exceptional 357-carat white diamond has been sold $19.3 million. The diamond, which was recovered from the Letšeng mine in July this year, went on tender in Antwerp last week. Gem Diamonds CEO, Clifford Elphick, said: “The Letšeng mine has produced…
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4 SeptemberEvents
Rare British-owned gemstone to be sold by Bonhams
A rare British-owned gemstone is set to be offered on sale by auction house Bonhams for the first time in 98 years. The Hope Spinel was part of one of the world’s greatest gem collections until its owner, London banker Henry Philip Hope, died in 1839. It has not been…
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Aug- 2015 -21 AugustCurrent Affairs
Gem Diamonds cites challenging diamond market as profits fall
UK-based diamond production firm Gem Diamonds has been affected by the challenging diamond market as profits fell in the first half of the year. In its first-half financial report for the six months ending June 30, 2015, Gem Diamonds reported that its pre-tax profits fell from $56.2m (£35.7m) in the…
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20 AugustCurrent Affairs
Lucara recovers 336-carat diamond in Botswana
Diamond production company Lucara has recovered a type IIa, 336-carat diamond from its Karowe Mine in Botswana. In addition the company also reported a number of “exceptional” diamonds, including a 184-carat, a 94-carat and an 86-carat stone. A 12-carat pink stone was also recovered, however the company said that it…
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19 AugustRetailers
Laing Edinburgh celebrates 175th anniversary with £175,000 diamond necklace
Independent jeweller Laing Edinburgh has marked its 175th anniversary with the creation of a one-off diamond necklace valued at £175,000. The necklace, named ‘175’, features 447 brilliant-cut and pave diamonds set in platinum with a double diamond drop. The piece is described as “timelessly elegant with a contemporary twist”. Taking…
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17 AugustQ&A Sessions
INTERVIEW: Scott Thompson, Carat*
Luxury fashion jewellery brand Carat* spent the latter half of 2014 expanding its footprint both in the UK and overseas. MICHAEL NORTHCOTT caught up with founder and CEO, Scott Thompson. Give us a 60-second roundup of what’s been going on in the last 12 months We’ve expanded our footprint in Hong…
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14 AugustEconomy
Hallmarking slumps 10.5% in July
The total number of hallmarked items fell 10.5% in July, a decrease of 91,949 articles when compared with July 2014. This is according to data released today by the UK’s four assay offices, and compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office, which found that during the month there was a total…
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