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Appointment: Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE the first woman Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company

Wednesday 17 May marked the installation of trailblazing Londoner,   Judith Cobham-Lowe OBE,  as the first woman Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company. Judith has a background in academia, corporate strategy and business leadership, and her year as Prime Warden will launch the decade running up to the 700th Anniversary of the Company's first Royal Charter. At least £70m  will be gifted by the Livery Company and its Charity over the next 10 years in support of the gold and silversmiths’ trade, apprentice training and other charitable activities. Recent projects include: Funding the ‘Worship and Life’ section of

Are you making the most out of social media for your business? You could earn twice as much on the average order through Pinterest, over Facebook, new study suggests

Marketing yourself and your business can be tricky, and time consuming. The truth is no one knows your audience like you. However, if you're looking for new ways to shake up your strategy, a new study by Nosto may shed some light on new avenues for success. The study uncovers the true value of Pinterest and Instagram, showing that whilst they may not provide volume in term of traffic (compared to the liked of Facebook), they might encourage customers to spend more per order. While they drive relatively small amounts of traffic, Pinterest and Instagram deliver the highest average order values

Morley & ACJ Jewellery Lecture Series: A Woman’s Work Is Never Done by Joanne Haywood

Morley & ACJ Jewellery Lecture Series: A Woman’s Work Is Never Done by Joanne Haywood Designed and created by Joanne Haywood , ‘A Woman’s Work is Never Done’ is a series of twenty-one jewellery works made for fifteen trailblazing women. Come and hear about the materials and techniques used to make these mixed media jewels, as well as the pioneering women that inspired them. Joanne Haywood is a leading art jeweller, writer and educator. She has worked and exhibited in the UK and internationally. She holds a BA(hons) in Jewellery Design from Central Saint Martins and is recognised for her individual voice

In Pursuit of Luxury Podcast

In Pursuit of Luxury has just launched its podcast In conversation with Bijou Abiola. In the podcast Shaun Borstrock interviews Bijou Abiola in a series on visionary women in luxury. Bijou and Shaun discuss what is happening today in luxury retail and the important role digital plays. She says she envisions a day when she won’t be the only woman or the only black woman in the room. www . inpursuitofluxury . com Author: Published:

EU Parliament Approves Supply Chain Law

The European Parliament vote on April 24, 2024, to approve the proposed European law to require large companies to prevent and remedy human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains is a step forward for corporate accountability, Human Rights Watch said today. The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains. The Parliament’s vote in Strasbourg was on the 11th anniversary of the tragic collapse on April 24, 2013, of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh ,

Coin Jewellery: The Antique Pieces for Spring

This season is all about throwing light back to archaeological treasures and bringing to life antique coins and medallions with modern interpretations. Given a modern twist of light and delicate chains that are perfect for being worn solo or layered with an array of other chains, coin jewellery is every fashion friend's favourite look for Spring. Dangling from dainty hoops or bundled into a shimmery bib necklace, spring medallions and coins are a simple way of adding a touch of antique demure with elegant simplicity. What makes this Spring trend such a money grabber is its diversity as an accessory.

National Festival of Making 2017

A new kind of festival for a new age of making The first National Festival of Making will take place in Blackburn, Lancashire on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May, 2017. This is an opportunity to see, make and do for residents and visitors to Blackburn town centre as The Festival of Making takes over the streets with music, markets, street food, art, performance, tours, talks and above all, an eclectic mix of making experiences for everyone. With twice the national average of people employed in the manufacturing industry, and a community of talented and creative makers working from homes

Government extends Furlough to March and increases self-employed support

Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced today, 5 November. businesses and people across the UK given certainty over winter months with further support announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak the furlough scheme will now be extended until the end of March – protecting millions of jobs across all nations the next self-employed income support grant will also increase from 55% to 80% of average profits - up to £7,500 Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension

Q&A: Sooryia Tharayil and Hina Israr

Sooryia Tharayil and Hina Israr are the joint Founders of fine jewellery brand Zaabel. Sooryia graduated with top honours from India’s prestigious design institute - National Institute of Fashion Technology and has previously worked with renowned design houses and Indian jewelry brands. Hina spent a decade in the investment banking and private equity sector, before an overwhelming need for creativity compelled her to begin the Zaabel journey, spurred on by a childhood fascination of the Gold Souks. Zaabel is founded on the principle that there is tangible chemistry between a woman and her jewelry; together the pair design delicate, contemporary jewellery

A gift, an idea and some generosity

Benchpeg has met Ebba Goring a few times now. She has a generosity of spirit which shines through as soon as you meet her. You can feel the warmth of personality she emits as you approach her to say hello. She’s also a fiercely intelligent woman which is conveyed through carefully considered words, a warm countenance and an extraordinary vision for what could be. But she’s also a person of action, and these attributes very rarely collide in a single person. As CEO of the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) she is in an enviable leadership position within an entire country

HASHI: founded by Hamda Al Mansoori, Dubai

HASHI make fine jewellery accessible to both genders and all age groups by combining passion and innovation to fine crafted jewellery. HASHI is more than a fine jewellery brand. It values the client’s perspective of making their interests into a memorable work of art and produce a masterpiece to every man and woman who appreciates the finer things in life. They make fine jewellery accessible to both genders and all age groups by combining passion and innovation to fine crafted jewellery. “Designing bridge to beauty and luxury” as their guiding principle. Founded on passion and courage HASHI was created in

Orkney’s Alison Moore Designs Wins Second Platinum Trusted Service Award

Orkney jewellery business Alison Moore Designs has won a second Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award – an independent seal of excellence recognising companies that deliver exceptional customer experiences. Trusted Service status is awarded to firms using online reviews site Feefo to collect genuine feedback and insights from shoppers. Sellers who meet the high standard, based on the number of reviews they have collected and their average rating, receive the award. As all reviews on Feefo are verified as genuine – the company matches feedback to legitimate transactions - the accreditation is seen as a true reflection of a business’ commitment

Jocelyn Burton 1946 - 2020

Sara Jocelyn Margarita Elissa Burton (10 January 1946 - 5 April 2020) was an award-winning British silver and goldsmith. Burton was the first woman to receive the City and Guilds of London Institute top award, the Prince Philip Medal. Jocelyn Burton, 74: Effervescent silversmith and a first freewoman The Times: When in 1974 Jocelyn Burton became the first female freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths the certificate that she was handed had to have the words “son of” Roland Burton crossed out in ink, to be replaced with “daughter of”. A determined figure, Jocelyn spent a large part of

Jewellery Industry expert Karin Paynter speaks at BAFTA on campaign she co-created

This week jewellery industry expert Karin Paynter saw the ERA 50:50 campaign which she co-created, backed by thousands of supporters including Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman and Lena Headey, bring together 200 of the most powerful names in the entertainment industry in one room and called on them to change the way women are represented on stage and screen. Currently, whilst women make up 51% of the population, there are 2 men for every 1 woman across film, television and theatre. Even in crowd scenes, men vastly outnumber women by more than 4 to 1. In fact, there are proportionately fewer

Appointment: Geena Tok leaves Nike to head up Pandora China business

Pandora has recruited Geena Tok from Nike to head its business in China, where the Danish company has been challenged by a rise in sales on the grey market. Pandora has 200 stores and employs more than 1,400 people in China but has said it needs to counter China's grey market, where increasing numbers of jewellery pieces are imported from other markets and sold online. Last month Pandora, the world's largest jewellery maker by production volume, said it would lower retail prices in the country by an average of 15 percent. Chinese resident Tok joins Pandora next month, having spent

Meet the Jeweller Subverting Beauty Standards

Joanne T's conceptual collection 'Not Your Average Beauty' is a range of facial ornaments inspired by tribal jewellery, with a mission to subvert and raise awareness of the pressures of modern beauty standards. The tone of the work is confrontational: a direct criticism of a modern symptom. It subverts the notion of ‘normalising’ imperfect features through surgery, instead the wire serves as an icon – a frame for the imperfections of the wearer, challenging them to embrace their perceived flaws. The rigidity of the form gives it an unflinching appeal, it does not obscure, nor play tricks with the eyes,

Jewellery house Alessa announces annual charity campaign to support families, women and children

Alessa Jewelry was born out of a fairy tale romance between Yuvraj Pahuja and Alessandra Robles, after meeting at the Gemological Institute of America. Inspired by Alessandra’s Guatemalan ancestry and Yuvraj’s family experience within the jewellery industry, the brand boasts striking, vibrant and edgy designs for the modern woman, whilst nodding to both Latin-American and Indian heritage. Six years ago, Alessandra; born and raised in Guatemala launched ‘Give Wings,’ a year-long charity initiative on a mission to give back to the community. As part of this, the brand teams up with Not-For-Profits that not only provide housing, health and educational

Veronika Fabian: The Political Jeweller

Veronika Fabian is not your average jeweller. Born in a colony of artists in small-town Hungary, she originally rejected her creative roots, opting for a career in finance. After studying at the University of Economic Sciences in Budapest, and successfully forging a career in banking, she missed the tactility of art. Now a multi-award-winning contemporary jeweller, her work can be described as “a rebellion against her past”. There’s not much that escapes the ubiquitous nature of politics, even jewellery. Veronika Fabian attributes her initial aversion from a career in the arts, in part to the post-communist state of her home-country,

Appointment: London Diamond Bourse Appoint New Board Members

London Diamond Bourse, the only diamond specific trade association and physical diamond trading floor in the UK, has today announced changes to the composition of its Council of Management. “These are the most fundamental changes to LDB’s governance in my six years at LDB,” said COO, Victoria McKay. She continued, “The following changes are notable; Kathy Chappell, our Special Advisor for Ethical Issues has been welcomed to a full board position and our youngest board member is a millennial. Overall the average age of our board has lowered dramatically and representation around the boardroom table is proportionate to membership statistics."

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

Ananya Releases 'Mogra' Collection, inspired by the Jasmine Blossom

Jasmine is the national flower of no less than six countries. Renowned for it's symbolism in culture and religion, the jasmine blossom is a emblem of unity and divine hope; especially throughout India. Often conceptually rooted in Indian spirituality, it's no surprise then that Ananya's new collection explores and honours the humble jasmine blossom. The woman behind the eponymous brand spent time in workshops all over India, studying indigenous jewellery making traditions, and collaborated with one of India’s leading jewellery houses, Amrapali. Continuing her exploration of jewels and gemmology with a GG at the GIA, it's easy to see these

Adornment Meets Masculinity: Men's Jewellery

For a fair few gentlemen the mere word 'Jewellery' is enough to make their pumped chests shrink and reach straight for the beers to reinstate all things masculine. When it comes to stepping foot in the jewellery world, it's fair to say that woman are pretty much catered for hand on foot for a plethora of tastes, personality and style. Bold and bodacious adornments, dazzling multi-coloured gemstones and trend-led catwalk pieces; a womans' jewellery wardrobe is like stepping into the undiscovered world of Narnia - imagination knows no boundaries! However, if you behold the jewellery world of men you'll find

The '90s Chunky Chain Trend is Back

Fancy yourself as a bit of a maximalist when it comes to your accessories? The trends circulating this autumn/winter are varied, vast and everything in between so if you want to be a total show-off this season then chunky chains is a trend to tap into for some statement-making silhouettes! Oversized chain-link jewellery is on the fashion trajectory left, right and centre with the likes of Stella McCartney, Alberta Ferretti, Loewe and even Chloe crafting their collections with unmissable chain links. With a mix and match of textures, finishes, metals and design, there was one element that connected them all:

Energetic amulets: ‘’living technology’’ by John Farris

John Farris, affectionately deemed just 'Farris' by his fans, is not your average jeweller. From the red rocks of Sedona, he creates beautiful jewellery and sculpture using a unique ''guided'' technique. By his own admission, John Farris’ business was born out of reactionary emotion. His story begins in picturesque Northern California, in 2010. ‘’Making these amulets was not even on my radar. I had purchased an amazing pendant from a friend’s store and had really fallen in love with it! Well, the next day she contacted me and said I needed to return it as the pendant was her [business] partner's

Navigating the World of Ethical Jewellery and Responsible Mining

'Navigating the World of Ethical Jewellery and Responsible Mining' A panel discussion with jewellery designer Ute Decker and gemstone dealer Stuart Pool Monday, 22 May 2023 18:00 - 20:00 Join ethical-making champions Ute Decker and Stuart Pool for an evening of inspiration and advice. We will look at hot topics in the jewellery industry including the supply chains of gemstones and precious metals, as well as current trends such as recycled metals and their merits. Come and consider how your jewellery practice can evolve and how your choices can cumulatively have a big impact environmentally and socially. There will be

Amanda Mansell is equity crowdfunding for a new venture called 'Loupe'

Amanda Mansell a Hatton Garden bespoke jewellery designer of 20+ years - is equity crowdfunding for a new venture called Loupe, a jewellery support initiative which makes use of support from a Camden Council buildings grant. The 'jewellery hub' will aim to create a jewellery destination for London's historic jewellery quarter by providing a customer and trade interface to help promote the industry through experiential customer journeys and provide a route to market for the jewellery industry's supply chains. Loupe will be an experiential retail destination in Hatton Garden where people not only buy jewellery but learn about it and

Positive Luxury Publish Latest Report on the Future of Jewellery and Watches

“Crafted from infinitely recyclable materials and designed to be treasured and handed down through generations, fine jewellery and watches (known as ‘hard luxury’ products) should sit at the intersection of luxury and sustainability. However, opaque supply chains and unsustainable production processes have flourished beneath the industry’s opulent veneer. But the tide is changing. Like many industries, the impending climate crisis and changing consumer priorities are forcing hard luxury brands to reckon with their unsustainable actions and pursue planet-positive production along their entire supply chain. It’s estimated that by 2025, 20-30% of fine jewellery purchases will be somewhat influenced by sustainability

Allumer has teamed up with Maggie’s, everyone’s home of cancer care

Natasha Leith-Smith Founder of Allumer jewellery has teamed up with Maggie's the cancer charity to create the Maggie's X Allumer Bell Necklace – for every necklace sold £5 will be donated to the charity. Clashing colours collide with the introduction of tiny bells – the only necklace to be heard in as well as seen in this season! Colourful orange ball chain necklace / bracelet with a silver colour bell. The colours allow the chains to be stackable and stylish, perfect for special occasions. A £5 donation can do wonders for Maggie’s and their families, offering them a helping hand

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

2024 Ethical Gem Fair Tucson

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson Tucson, USA 27 - 30th January 2024 Responsible sourcing will take center stage at the 2024 Ethical Gem Fair Tucson in its fourth annual event. Opening its doors from January 27th to 30th, the Ethical Gem Suppliers Collective will offer a unique opportunity for industry professionals to discover gemstones with short supply chains that support, uplift and respect mining and cutting communities. This trade-only event welcomes jewelry designers, retailers, industry experts and press to explore a curated selection of gemstones that set the standards of social and environmental awareness and responsibility. The Ethical Gem Fair Tucson

Goldflair Charitable Jewellery Event

Goldflair Charitable Jewellery Event Friday the 23 November Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh Jewellers, businesses and ethically minded individuals in Edinburgh are being invited to join The Precious Metals Workshop and local Jeweller, Ian Nicholson, in a discussion about how they can play their part in influencing responsible supply chains in the jewellery industry. Local jeweller Ian, who is also the founder and Director of the Precious Metals Workshop, is calling on support from industry leaders to take part in a unique event being held at Assembly Rooms on Friday the 23 November with a focus on responsible sourcing of

'Tis the season for gift giving

Scratching your head on what to get your mother, sister, friend or lover this Christmas? A little package dressed up with tassels, bows and frills will cause that sought-after thrill for sure - and that's before they see something extra special and sparkly nestled inside! The old adage 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend' may still ring true for many, but here at BenchPeg, we'd argue that bold and colourful gemstones, weighty chains and eccentric designs are just as desirable for that jewellery lover in your life. We all know that there is a keep-forever piece out there for just about

It's All In The Charm

Bright, bold statement pieces have been on top of the trends radar all summer long so it's about time that something new and understated joined the race to become the ' it' trend of the new season fashion world. Instead of big oversized hoops looping back round as a cliche style for autumn, a dainty obsession for sentimental chains and charms are taking centre stage for all those fashionistas. From vintage treasure chests of charm jewellery passed down through generations to new designer trinkets, the delicately layered jewellery of autumn is steeped in charming nostalgia and folklore symbolism. From graceful

Playing with Pearls

The pearl has long been a stable of those who long for an elegant and sophisticated style but 2019 will see the classic piece make a return to the mainstream spotlight and in turn, convert a whole new fashion crowd. If you're one to keep your beady eyes on the trends, you'll have noticed that pearls are a fashion staple that never seems to go out of style. Adorning just about every inch of fashion's finest chunky trainers, strung tightly around choker-style chains and delicately dangling from earlobes across the runway, the resurgence of pearls this season is all about

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

Leyla Abdollahi's new Trinity Collection

London based designer Leyla Abdollahi, known for her use of flamboyant palettes of gemstones, has launched a new collection, 'Trinity'. Inspired by and conceived out of Leyla’s fascination with the mysterious world of astrology and divine geometry, the designs of geometrical crafted gemstones blend spirited colour such as tanzanite, white and champagne diamonds, blue sapphire, white opal and emeralds and highlight rhythmic alignments throughout the collection. Abdollahi's exploration of the relationship between dazzling ornaments and the human body is hown through the use of delicate chains, adding fluidity and sensual, subtle movement. Elaborate and intricately complex designs twinned with skillful

Haunting Jewels of Winter

The mischievous weekends of chills, shrills, thrills and kills is nearly upon us and what better way to make a heart-stopping entrance than in a killer display of demure-soldering jewels? Those with their prowling fingers hot on the fashion pulse will have already seen the winter collections unfurling designs dripping in dramatic sensualism, extravagant grandeur and bold bodacious looks to kill. Keeping this mysterious trend on the side of sultry romanticism rather than gothic doom and gloom, look for single statement pieces encrusted with eye-catching rich jewels, flirty accents of charm, extravagant baroque accents and multi-layered chains of mixed metals

The Power of A Chain Reaction

We like 'em big and we most definitely like 'em chunky. Bold, buxom and modern, the chain has linked back round into our style wardrobes and is set to be the statement piece of your summer style. The minimalism of this classic linked look has been revamped, remodelled and revitalised so that this standout look packs a heavy duty statement punch. Oozing with character and personality, the chain adornment can be worn solo or mixed and matched with fine chains, fabric chokers, delicate pendants and fearless gemstones for one head turning look of vogue. "More is more and less is