Pandemic

GIA appoints Pritesh Patel as president and CEO

Pritesh Patel has been appointed president and chief executive of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), effective 4 August 2025. Patel, who currently serves as chief operating officer, will succeed Susan Jacques, who has led the institute since 2014. Jacques will stay on as a strategic advisor until her retirement…

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Poppy Elder on trends shaping the bespoke engagement market

Engagement ring sales have grown by 14% annually, driven by a resurgence in marriages that has reversed years of decline in the UK, according to a new analysis by online diamond retailer 77 Diamonds. Exclusive insights from 77 Diamonds suggest that this post-pandemic wedding surge has continued since 2022. As…

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Engagement ring sales surge 14%, 77 Diamonds finds

Engagement ring sales have grown by 14% annually, driven by a resurgence in marriages that has reversed years of decline in the UK, according to a new analysis by online diamond retailer 77 Diamonds. Exclusive insights from 77 Diamonds suggest that this post-pandemic wedding surge has continued since 2022. As…

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Footfall declines 1.1% in October

Footfall in the UK fell 1.1% in October compared with the previous year, according to data from the BRC. Alongside this, footfall fell compared with a 3.3% increase in September. High Street footfall decreased by 3.6% in October, down from a 0.9% increase in September. Also, shopping centre footfall fell…

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Cold weather chills consumer spending in June

UK Total retail sales decreased by 0.2% year on year in June, against an increase of 4.9% in June 2023, as cold weather negatively affected spending particularly on “weather sensitive categories”. The latest figures from BRC’s and KPMG’s retail sales monitor revealed that food sales increased 1.1% year-on-year over the…

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De Beers fourth cycle diamond sales drops to $380m

The De Beers Group has reported that its rough diamond sales for its fourth sales cycle amounted to $380m (£298.7m) as at 22 May 2024. The figures mark a decrease on the $446m (£350.6m) sold in the fourth sales cycle of 2024, and is also down from $479m (£376.6m) in…

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Queensmith acquires ingleandrhode.co.uk from administrators

Queensmith has announced the acquisition of ingleandrhode.co.uk from administrators. According to Queensmith, the acquisition marks a “significant milestone” in its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices in the jewellery industry. Ingle and Rhode has been a “pioneering” force in ethical jewellery since 2007, distinguished by its B-Corp certification and dedication…

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Ingle and Rhode to enter liquidation

Ethical jewellery business Ingle and Rhode has announced that the business is preparing for liquidation as a result of recent rising costs and lower turnover. The company was incorporated in 2007 and traded from premises at 14 Gees Court (just off Oxford Street) London W1 and via their website. The…

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Storm Isha dampens early week footfall

Battering winds from Storm Isha hit retail over Sunday and Monday with footfall across all UK retail destinations down -4.6% on the week previous and down -5.1% on 2023 levels, according to the latest data from MRI Springboard. Against 2023 levels, footfall on UK high streets slumped by -14.4% on…

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De Beers reduces diamond prices by 10% to improve demand

De Beers has reportedly cut its diamond prices by 10% to increase demand and revive gem sales, Bloomberg has reported. The hefty price reductions come as competition from lab-grown diamonds increased. The industry nearly came to a halt last year as the two largest miners virtually stopped producing in an…

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