London
As a global hub for the jewellery trade, London plays a pivotal role in shaping trends, hosting events, and driving commercial activity across the sector. From luxury jewellers on Bond Street to emerging designers in Hatton Garden, the capital is home to a diverse array of businesses influencing the UK and international markets. Jewellery Focus provides in-depth coverage of London’s jewellery scene, including news from leading retailers and workshops, industry events and exhibitions, policy and regulatory updates affecting trade in the city, and insights into consumer behaviour and market opportunities.
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Dec- 2015 -23 DecemberAnalysis
RIDING HIGH: Will the gold price ever return to its pre-recession levels?
This year has been defined by a sense that we have finally escaped the clutches of recession. But with China’s growth slowing dramatically and stock markets gripped by panic in recent weeks, some are suggesting we’re on the verge of another, much worse, crash. MICHAEL NORTHCOTT explores where we currently…
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21 DecemberRetailers
Laing Edinburgh opens new £1.7m store
Laing Edinburgh has announced the opening of its new £1.7m store on the capital city’s George Street. The 9,000 sq ft store, which is believed to be the largest jewellery store outside of London, was officially opened on Friday, 18 December, in celebration of the company’s 175th anniversary. The three-storey…
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17 DecemberWatch Focus
Rare Royal Navy Rolex sold for £120,000 at Bonhams auction
A military-issue Rolex wristwatch, originally purchased for under £1,000, was sold at Bonhams London Fine Watch sale on 16th December for £120,100. The watch, which was originally valued at £50,000 to £70,000, was brought to the Antiques Roadshow when the popular TV programme visited Lincolnshire in early 2015. The owner…
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16 DecemberRetailers
Boodles expands in Manchester with new three-storey shop
Fine diamond jewellery retailer Boodles is set to expand its presence in Manchester with the opening of a new three-level store. The company is set to move its Manchester store into Manchester city centre’s King Street, where it will operate a 3,000 sq ft store which will undergo a major…
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14 DecemberCrime
VIDEO: Five jailed following smash-and-grab jewellery raid
A gang of five have been jailed for over 30 years after carrying out a smash-and-grab raid on an East London jewellery store. The incident took place at around 10:50am on 9 October 2014, when four men on two mopeds drove on to the pavement outside Attenborough Jewellers on Bethnal…
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14 DecemberEconomy
Black Friday hits high street footfall
Footfall in November was 2.1% lower than a year ago, as Black Friday shoppers turned to online shopping instead of the high street. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor found the fall was significantly below the 0.2% decline in October and underperformed the three-month average…
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11 DecemberAuctions
Rare Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring sets new world auction record
A rare sapphire and diamond ring acheived $1.35m (£892,000) at Bonham’s New York fine jewellery auction on 8 December, setting a new world record. The Tiffany & Co ring – centred by an oval-cut sapphire, and flanked by European-cut diamonds weighing 7.84-carats – set the world record for the most…
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7 DecemberAuctions
Bonhams jewellery sale sets three world records
Bonhams’ last London Fine Jewellery sale of the year, which took place on Saturday 5 December, set three new auction world records. Jewellery from renowned designers including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, along with a pair of Kashmir sapphires belonging to a European princess, went under the hammer. The…
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7 DecemberCrime
Gang jailed for 51 years over £1m of watch thefts
An organised gang of criminals from Estonia who flew into the UK in order to steal more than £1 million pounds worth of watches have been jailed for 51 years. Taimar Uibopuu, 30, from Estonia was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment; Alar Kalyurand, 43, from…
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3 DecemberEvents
Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office opens first retail hallmarking facility
The Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office has announced the opening of its first hallmarking facility within a retail jeweller. The in-house assay office, which opened in November, is located within a purpose-built facility at Graff Diamonds’ London workshop in Mayfair. The facility, which has its own dedicated member of the assay…
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