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Need for flexible working may underpin gender pay gap

A desire for flexible working arrangements and a reluctance to relocate for more senior roles were the reasons behind a gender pay gap in the jewellery retail industry that was higher than the national average, research has shown. Pay differentials between men and women for equal jobs ranged from 2% higher at Links of London to 91.6% lower at Pandora, where women effectively have been earning 28p for every £1 earned by a man.  But the data, collected and collated by the Government’s Gender Pay Gap Service, did not take into consideration the proportion of store employees who make up

European Regional Roundtable on Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

Generation Equality – SDG 5 in action, European Regional Roundtable Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)  Description As part of our SDG 5 Gender Equality in action series, the RJC would like to invite you to the European Regional Roundtable on Gender, Diversity and Inclusion to be held on the 21st April 2021. During this roundtable we will be exploring the importance of private sector action to promote gender-equality and create more respectful and inclusive workplaces for all. We will explore why the issue of diversity and inclusion is relevant, how companies can action across value chains, but most importantly, we will

Hatton Garden gang ordered to pay back £27.5 million

The four criminals who pulled off one of the biggest jewellery heists in British history will have to pay back every penny of their ill-gotten gains, around £7 million each, or have their prison sentences increased. Almost three years after Brian Reader, 78, John ‘Kenny’ Collins, 77,  Terry Perkins, 69, and Daniel Jones, 63 drilled a hole into the wall of a Hatton Garden vault and took off with 73 boxes of stolen cash, gold and gems  a judge has ruled they must find a way of paying back £27.5 million in total. Hatton Garden ringleaders John "Kenny" Collins, Danny

BIJOU BIJOU looks to fill gap in UK market

Fashion jewellery brand BIJOU BIJOU has officially launched in the UK hoping to draw on its success in Greece, where it was established, to tap into the UK's £600m fashion and costume jewellery market. Behind the brand is a team of highly-skilled industry heavyweights, who have worked for leading publications. Managing Director Nadia Gkartzonika has herself worked for the well-known fashion magazine Vogue. Designer and own brand The company stocks over 1,000 individual pieces of jewellery, from bracelets, rings and necklaces through to body chains and anklets and handcrafts its own-brand products using precious stones and exquisite materials.  Furthermore, they

Instant Payment - £135

We've made it really simple to pay us. Just use the Paypal button below. Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg. Advertising revenue helps us to keep going and also to deliver good works within industry. Instant payment helps too! How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. First, enter your invoice reference number in the box ( the reference number can be found on our invoice begining with bp-00 ) then press the yellow button to pay. This button is for a fixed payment of £135.00 which includes transaction fees.

Instant payment for Recruitment Adverts

We've made it really simple to pay us. Just use the Paypal button below. Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg Advertising revenue helps us to keep going and also to deliver good works within industry. How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. Simply click the paypal button to pay the predetermined amount The link will take you throigh to the Paypal payment gateway This button is for a fixed payment of £273.04 which includes VAT and transaction fees.     paypal.Buttons({

Instant payment for a Recruitment Advert

We've made it really simple to pay us. Just use the Paypal button below. Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg Advertising revenue helps us to keep going and also to deliver good works within industry. How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. Simply click the paypal button to pay the predetermined amount The link will take you throigh to the Paypal payment gateway This button is for a fixed payment of £270.04.00 which includes Paypal transaction fees.   paypal.Buttons({ style: {

Instant payment for a Recruitment Advert - £135

Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg We've made it really simple to pay us.  Just use the Paypal button below. How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. First, enter your company name in the box Second, enter your invoice reference number in the box ( the reference number can be found at the top right hand corner of our invoice under our address in bold and will begin with bp-00 ) then press the yellow button to pay. This button is for a fixed payment which includes transaction fees.

Instant payment for a Recruitment Advert - £300

Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg We've made it really simple to pay us.  Just use the Paypal button below. How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. First, enter your company name in the box Second, enter your invoice reference number in the box ( the reference number can be found at the top right hand corner of our invoice under our address in bold and will begin with bp-00 ) then press the yellow button to pay. This button is for a fixed payment which includes transaction fees.  

Instant Payment - £135

Thank you very much for deciding to advertise with Benchpeg. How to pay Please use the Paypal button below to pay. Simply click the paypal button to pay the predetermined amount The link will take you throigh to the Paypal payment gateway This button is for a fixed payment of £135.00 which includes a transaction fee.   function initPayPalButton() { paypal.Buttons({ style: {

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Working in the Art Sector

A new report, published by ArtsProfessional, illuminates the somewhat taboo subject of pay and earnings within the Arts Sector.  Alongside a quantitative analysis of pay, accross many dimensions of earning- in different organisations, by different demographics and in self-employed, part-time and full-time work- is a staggering 80 pages of qualitative data, made up of over 650 individual comments. It may or my not surprise readers to learn that of these, only 10 were vaguely positive about pay levels within the sector.  The author, Liz Hill, surmises that the report is a call to action for funder's to take more responsibility

International Women's Day and the Jewellery Industry

As the United Nations mark International Women's Day 2024, the theme this year was ' Invest in women: Accelerate progress'. "Achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030.  Join us on March 8, 2024, for  International Women’s Day under the theme 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress '" - United Nations Celebrating International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to delve into the fugures relating

Emma Watson sparkles in Forevermark at MTV Awards

Actress Emma Watson took to the red carpet at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV awards, Los Angeles, looking as stunning as her winning preformance in blockbuster film 'Beauty and The Beast'.  The 27-year old actress was the first to win the show's 'genderless award'; celebrating talent over gender abilities; a meaningful statement Emma made sure to highlight throughout her speech.  Collecting her gong for 'Best actor' in the gender-neutral category for her performance as Belle in 'Beauty and The Beast', Emma triumphed in the limelight thanks to her sequined asymmetrical halter-neck dress. Juxtaposing the elaborate sparkle with a sharp

International Women's Day 2017

IWD 2017 #BeBoldForChange For International Women's Day 2017, we're asking you to  #BeBoldForChange . Call on the masses or call on yourself to help forge a better working world - a more gender inclusive world. Submit your  #BeBoldForChange  action via the IWD website. International Women's Day Last year, organizations and individuals around the world supported the  #PledgeForParity campaign  and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive flexible cultures. From awareness raising to concrete action, organizations  rallied their people to pledge

Nel Linssen: A Tribute (1935 - 2016)

A Tribute (1935 - 2016) Nel Linssen To welcome the New Year, we have acquired a number of pieces from Nel Linssen’s family to pay tribute to an artist that The Gallery represented for over 30 years. Nel Linssen was one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jewellery. Exhibition Run 6 January - 3 February 2018 Venue The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas St, Edinburgh EH3 6HZ scottish-gallery.co.uk

Classic Antique Fairs - Christmas Fair at the NEC

Classic Antique Fairs Celebrates Christmas NEC Birmingham – Hall Ten Friday 29 November - Sunday 1 December Classic Antique Fairs celebrates Christmas by launching their second Christmas Fair at the NEC in Birmingham, located in Hall Ten, on Friday 29th November until Sunday 1st December.  (Opening Times 10am – 5pm Friday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm on Sunday. – Hall Ten is located on Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT.) Classic Antique Fairs at the NEC offers the ideal venue for Christmas shopping either to find the perfect present for family and friends or to fill a gap in

Sales Associate, Astley Clarke, London W2

The role Sales Associate Astley Clarke Paddington, London, W2 We are looking for an enthusiastic sales associate to work in our concessions stores in Selfridges, Liberty and our store in Monmouth Street, Covent Garden. Astley Clarke is a fast-growing British demi-fine jewellery brand that bridges the gap between trend-led costume jewellery and classic fine jewellery. About You The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic individual with a confident, approachable style and a keen eye for detail. While a passion for jewellery is important, we value your ability to provide exceptional customer service and work effectively in a team environment. Previous jewellery

Crafting Our Future Together

Crafting Our Future Together - The Goldsmiths’ Centre Grant The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s mission is to work with individuals and organisations to protect and advance the skills and future of goldsmithing in the UK. What kind of projects do we support? We look to partner with and fund others who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and our passion to close our industry's skills gap. By working together, we want you to maximise the impact of your grant and create ripples of change.  We invite you to submit proposals that help you or others to: Empower marginalised groups and individuals:  through the act of designing

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Deptford

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Deptford 2 - 3 December 2023 Cockpit is a centre for excellence in craft, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. We are an award-winning social enterprise, home to 160 independent creative businesses in London. Twice a year we open our doors to the public, for the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most celebrated craftspeople in their studios. Surrounded by their tools, materials and work-in-progress, this is a rare authentic glimpse behind the scenes and a chance to hear first-hand about their inspiration, process and the often meandering journeys they’ve been

Annual Spring Fling 'At Home' Brings You Studio Tours, Workshops and Exhibitions

The organisers of Spring Fling are launching  SF | At Home  – a new programme of digital activities. The initiative is to support Spring Fling audiences and artists though this period of isolation and fill some of the gap left by the postponement of Scotland’s leading open studios weekend.  A total of 87 artists and craft makers across Dumfries & Galloway were expecting to welcome around 12,000 visitors through their doors between 23 and 25 May. Despite having to delay the long-running annual event its parent organisation, Upland CIC, has worked with artists, makers and supporters to go digital. Some studios will

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Bloomsbury

Cockpit Open Studios - Winter 2023 - Bloomsbury An Open Studios event from London’s leading makers 23 - 26 November 2023 Cockpit is a centre for excellence in craft, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. We are an award-winning social enterprise, home to 160 independent creative businesses in London. Twice a year we open our doors to the public, for the opportunity to meet some of the world’s most celebrated craftspeople in their studios. Surrounded by their tools, materials and work-in-progress, this is a rare authentic glimpse behind the scenes and a chance to hear first-hand about their inspiration, process

The Vintage Ring Company launches ‘The home of the vintage engagement’

Ethical jeweller Arabel Lebrusan and jewellery journalist Claire Roberts are delighted to announce the UK launch of The Vintage Ring Company . A sleek, user-friendly website selling affordable vintage and vintage style engagement rings, it features a diverse collection of covetable pieces curated by Arabel and Claire, all of which are priced under £2,000. Identifying a gap in the market for budget-friendly vintage rings that you can buy online with confidence, Claire and Arabel joined forces in 2018 to build the newly launched platform. With Claire’s previous experience as Managing Editor of The Jewellery Editor and Arabel’s thriving website selling

Vanilla Ink Launches Scottish Jewellery School

Vanilla Ink Studios has teamed up with Goldsmith Scott McIntyre to create the Vanilla Ink  Jewellery  School; aimed at bridging the gap from education to industry, helping to  shape and grow the  jewellery  trade across Scotl and. Glasgow based Vanilla Ink Studios want the new school to inspire, educate and empower the jewellery and silversmith industry by helping to mould the next generation of goldsmiths. Just like any new and innovative idea, a helping hand unleashes the potential to soar to success. So Vanilla Ink Studios have also now  launched a crowdfunding campaign  where they hope that together with help

will.i.am,'s i.am+ Launch BUTTONS

i.am+   has announced that its 'BUTTONS' premium bluetooth earphones product are now widely available in the UK, in four new  colourways .  The wireless earphones – styled by fashion legend, André Leon Talley – are the brainchild of global music artist and entrepreneur, will.i.am, with brand ambassadors and investors including Kendall Jenner and Naomi Campbell.   BUTTONS fill a gap in the Bluetooth earphone market, offering a  product that allows for high design without the loss of high technology.    Jenner, a next-generation model starring in the campagin alongside Shaun Ross and India Love says, “Getting to be a part

Our history

Just over a decade ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information.  Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments.    In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the latest news stories and promoting business opportunities. Our website and newsletter has a national

About Benchpeg

A little bit about our history... 18 years ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information. Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments.    In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. In 2024 we published our 800th issue of the Benchpeg newsletter. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the

Diamond Setter / Mounter, MSJ Jewellers - Selsey, West Sussex

Diamond Setter / Mounter MSJ Jewellers Selsey, West Sussex Here at MSJ Jewllers we are looking for an experience full time Setter / Mounter to work alongside our current Setter and our team of professional Goldsmiths.  The candidate must be competent in: Preparing mounts Setting Retipping Polishing and finishing to a high standard Experience in laser welding is preferable. The hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm, But we can be flexible for the right person. Competitive rate of pay based on experience, MSJ Jewellery Services is a family run business based in the seaside town of Selsey, West

Art& Show 2019

art& show 2019 25 - 27 October 2019 York Racecourse Knavesmire Stand, North Yorkshire art& show 2019 is a fantastic opportunity for collectors, buyers, art lovers and anyone else who is interested in meeting artists and buying unique art works to come along to this friendly, accessible and affordable show. Set over 3-days the art& show has over 120 artists work for sale & commission from a wide price range of £10-£10,000+. Its a chance to actually meet the artists, talk to them about their work and inspirations and buy and commission direct. Artists taking part in the show pay

TCT 3Sixty 2020

TCT 3Sixty ReScheduled  29 June - 1 July 2021 NEC, Birmingham TCT 3Sixty will provide tangible value to an attendee, providing a return on investment immediately. Intelligence and contacts will continue to pay dividends long after the show closes. Through new content styles, new exhibiting methods and new networking opportunities, we can achieve this. 2020 will offer attendees innovative and interactive 360-degree insights into how to get the best from their existing additive technology or choose the appropriate new 3D printing technology. Whether YOU decide to invest, are ready to invest for the first time or are looking for an

Diana Porter (1943– 2021)

Diana Porter award winning jewellery designer and champion of women’s rights, has died, aged 78.  Claire Wheeler of Diana Porter Jewellery wirites about her friend and colleague. A prolific creative mind, she was not only renowned for her innovative design but creating work with integrity and honesty. She fought tirelessly to raise awareness and promote gender equality and became a leading light for women within the jewellery industry.   In 1990 Diana went to the University of Central England at the age of 47 to do a 3 year full time degree course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. Diana focused her time at

London Fashion Week 2020

London Fashion Week 2020 17th - 22nd September 2020  British Fashion Council (BFC) today announces that London Fashion Week September 2020 will run from 5pm BST   Thursday 17  to Tuesday 22  September 2020 , inviting both womenswear and menswear designers to take part in its gender-neutral showcase. The event will include both digital activations on londonfashionweek.co.uk and physical, under government social distancing guidelines. A provisional schedule will be announced later in the summer. The digital LFW platform will continue to host exclusive multimedia content and will be available to both a consumer and trade audience, enabling collaboration and bringing

Benchpeg catches up with Karin Paynter

As part of our lockdown chats series, this week Benchpeg catches up with Karin Paynter. Its a long one, but worth a listen, as we go through Karin's career, and the skill sets she developed intentionally and unintentionally along the way. Karin is an Independent Consultant, the Strategic Lead for Contemporary British Silversmiths and the Creative Director of ERA5050, a campaign for gender balance on British Stage and Screen. [youtube url=http://youtu.be/O0qcGGd67C0] She’s also a Medway trained Jeweller and Silversmith, with an MA from the Royal College of Art, is an award winning Silversmith in her own right, has

Jewellery fashion will be futuristic, multi-cultural and celebrate the power of nature in SS/20, says IJL

International Jewellery London reveals 6 jewellery trends for SS/20 IJL trends editors and jewellery expert, Paola De Luca, has outlined six key jewellery trend themes for Spring-Summer 2020 for International Jewellery London (IJL), the UK’s leading trade event for the international jewellery industry. Her vision includes authentic designs that subvert deep-rooted stereotypes with gender, touches on societal pressure with minimalism and brings to life an organic amalgamation of nineteenth century deco with nature; all the while toying with abstract shapes, futuristic expression and dark jewels. These will be showcased on IJL’s SS20 Trends Catwalk where Paola will present her detailed

Lin Cheung: It’s a Jewellery Thing

Lin Cheung: It’s a Jewellery Thing Lin Cheung references normal, traditional, understated jewellery forms and uses standard materials and techniques, then deftly twists these conventions through subtle subversions. Her work explores the conceptual core of her medium of choice but is far from being overtly cerebral or self-referential: starting from a longstanding preoccupation with jewellery, it opens up observations concerning current affairs, gender issues and the everyday. The show includes works made from a range of materials, such as pearls, quartz, lapis, corian, pink opal, black Belgian marble. According to the artist there is a tension between their aesthetic qualities

Jordanian husband and wife duo, Elham and Issa, open new showroom in London

Born from a 10 year love story, Elham & Issa Jewellery is the work of a passionate couple creating eclectic fine jewellery. Originally from Jordan, visionary husband and wife Issa Sabeh and Elham Kalaji illustrate their romantic and refined aesthetic through their unique collections which blend culture, emotion, and craft.   Along with a shared cultural heritage, Elham and Issa are dedicated artists. As one of the first women in Jordan to become a goldsmith and silversmith, Elham has broken gender barriers and exceled in a male dominated industry in creating “wearable art”. She says: “Jewellery has always been a passion

Silent Protest - Political Jewellery by Mahtab Hanna

Silent Protest Political Jewellery by Mahtab Hanna Silent Protest is an interactive, thought-provoking and controversial show that fuses wearable art with social commentary. Political jewellery is about perspective: the ability to transform an individual’s or group’s isolation and pessimism into a method of communication, to bring people together to share values, beliefs or ideals, in a single action. War, identity, gender and consciousness are important themes within politics and therefore translate into interpreting political jewellery as progressive, oppressive or radical.  The beliefs of many can be divided: those who have invented messages, the patrons of the jewellery; those whose job

Creative Unions - Showcasing the work of this year’s graduating Central Saint Martins students

Creative Unions Central St Martins Showcasing the work of this year’s graduating Central Saint Martins students, Creative Unions celebrates the power of design to further public debate. Fifty-seven projects within six curatorial threads provide alternative responses to the multiple and complex challenges of our turbulent times. Material Identities Externalising our hidden, internal  workings  and materialising challenges against constrictive stereotypes of gender, race and identity.  BA Jewellery Design: Yayun Fang’s  Hip-Hop Lace  manifests her perspective on the way that traditional craftsmanship can add value to contemporary jewellery design. Rows of bobbin lace arranged in geometrical patterns play with hip-hop jewellery and

International Women's Day Event

International Women's Day Event National Design and Craft Gallery Friday 8 March 1pm - 4pm Celebrate International Women's Day at the National Design and Craft Gallery. Join us for crafternoon tea treats, chats and tote bag screen printing to mark the occasion. All are welcome to drop in between  1pm - 4pm. For group bookings please email   events@ndcg.ie  to confirm your time of arrival. FREE event. International Women's Day  (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women's Day