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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May- 2016 -18 MayAuctions
Pink diamond sells for record-breaking £21.8m
The seller of the most expensive polished diamond ever sold at auction has broke another record with the sale of the largest fancy vivid pear-shaped pink diamond. The 15.38-carat diamond – named ‘Unique Pink’ – sold for $31.56m (£21.8m) at Sotheby’s Geneva on Tuesday 17 March and became the most…
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13 MayEvents
Hatton Garden BID outlines £2.5m investment plans
Proponents of the Hatton Garden Business Improvement District (BID) have announced plans for a £2.5m investment into the local area over the next five years. The plans were announced at an event last night (Thursday, 12 May) hosted by NatWest Bank, where Gary Williams – chairman of the Hatton Garden BID…
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9 MayCurrent Affairs
Lucara sells rough diamond for record-breaking £43.5m
Diamond production firm Lucara has announced it has achieved the highest price ever achieved for the sale of a rough diamond. The 812.77-carat type IIa rough diamond, which was recovered from the Karowe mine in Botswana in november last year, has been sold by the company for $63m (£43.5m). As…
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6 MayCrime
Jewellery store manager recalls moment she chased off knife-wielding raiders
The manager of a jewellery store in Hampshire chased off two armed robbers after they tried to smash their way into the open store. The attempted smash-and grab took place at 10:50am on Wednesday, 27 April, at David Mellor Jewellers in Andover, when the two offenders approached the store on…
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5 MayAuctions
Largest rough diamond discovered in 100 years could fetch £48m at auction
The largest rough diamond to be discovered in over a century could sell for more than $70m (£48m) at a Sotheby’s auction. The 1109-carat ‘Lesedi la Rona’ – the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today – will…
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4 MayCrime
Five arrested after smash-and-grab raid at shopping centre jewellers
Five men have been arrested after an attempted smash-and-grab raid at two jewellery stores in a North London shopping centre. Officers from the Metropolitan Police were called to the smash and grab raid at around 02:30am on Wednesday, 4 May, at Brent Cross shopping centre. It is believed that a…
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Apr- 2016 -25 AprilEvents
IJL unveils 2016 KickStarter line-up
International Jewellery London (IJL) has announced the names this year’s ten most promising, and emerging, designers selected to be part of its annual KickStart Bursary Programme. The 10 winning designers will benefit from exhibiting as a group at this year’s show, while receiving market and industry support from IJL and…
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25 AprilDesigners
Swarovski to relocate Covent Garden store
Jewellery brand Swarovski is set to relocate its London Covent Garden store in a bid to embrace a new “fashion aware customer”. The current store on Covent Garden’s Piazza will be relocated to St Martin’s Courtyard, which the company said will help it reach a new fashion aware customer who…
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25 AprilEconomy
Consumer confidence dips in Q1 2016
Consumer confidence fell in the first three months of 2016, according to the latest Consumer Tracker from business advisory firm Deloitte. The quarterly survey of 3,000 UK consumers revealed a renewed caution in the consumer section, with confidence falling by 3% year-on-year in the first quarter of the year- from…
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21 AprilAuctions
Diamond and sapphire prices soar for Bonhams
Sapphire and diamond jewellery designs achieved top prices when they went under the the hammer at Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale in London yesterday. Bidders in the New Bond Street saleroom, online and on the telephones, competed for 129 lots at the auction on Wednesday, 20 April, which achieved £4.98m with…
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