De Beers Group has published its 2024 sustainability report, highlighting advancements across its four priority areas: climate, livelihoods, nature and provenance. The update also includes details on new consumer propositions that use blockchain technology to support transparency across the diamond supply chain. Climate Goals and Energy Initiatives De Beers has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 7% compared to its 2021 baseline. The group is working toward near-term targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which include reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% and Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030.…
Author: Ruchi Singla
Ruchi Singla
Ruchi is our trusted breaking news reporter, keeping you informed about the latest trends, launches, and significant events as they unfold. With a commitment to accuracy and a passion for adding a layer of insight, Ruchi creates informative and engaging content that shines a light across the world of jewellery.
The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) has announced the launch of a new one-day trade show, Access, scheduled for Tuesday 3 March 2026. Organised and operated by the CMJ, the event will take place in the Midlands and follow directly after its Spring Trade Event. It will be open to all bricks-and-mortar retail jewellers in the UK and Ireland. Industry-Wide Expansion Access will be CMJ’s first industry-wide event, following a series of member-only trade shows. It is intended to give suppliers an additional route to market and connect with a wider range of retail jewellers. The decision to expand follows…
A 21.25-carat pink diamond worth $25 million was stolen in Dubai during a planned theft involving individuals posing as prospective buyers. The stone, brought to the city by a European trader for a private sale, was recovered within eight hours following a police operation and the arrest of three suspects. Long-term set-up According to Dubai Police, the suspects spent over a year preparing for the theft. They posed as representatives of a wealthy client and arranged multiple meetings with the trader at luxury hotels. To build credibility, they hired an individual to act as a gem expert and inspected the…
Claire’s Holdings LLC has agreed to sell its intellectual property and a number of its North American retail stores to an affiliate of Ames Watson. The announcement forms part of Claire’s wider restructuring efforts under Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada. The proposed transaction includes the acquisition of Claire’s business operations in North America and remains subject to court approval in both jurisdictions and other standard closing conditions. Impact on Store Closures and Operations Claire’s has paused the liquidation process at a significant number of its North American stores included…
Lucapa Diamond Company, the ASX-listed miner with operations in Angola and Australia, is set to be acquired by Dubai-based Gaston International, a subsidiary of Jemora Group. The proposed A$15 million (US$10 million) deal follows Lucapa’s entry into administration in May. Creditor Approval Sought for Acquisition The administrators, KordaMentha, have signed a deed of company arrangement with Gaston International. The plan includes full repayment of creditors and a partial return to shareholders. It remains subject to creditor and court approval, with a vote scheduled for 20 August. Lucapa entered administration following a downturn in natural diamond prices, increased competition from laboratory-grown…
Pandora has announced plans to close up to 100 underperforming concept stores in mainland China as part of efforts to optimise its global retail footprint. This is double the number of closures previously expected. The company has already closed 22 stores in China so far this year. China’s share of Pandora’s global revenue declined from 9% in 2019 to 1% in 2024. The brand’s customisable ‘bracelet + charm’ concept initially attracted interest from younger consumers, but the category has since become common among domestic gold jewellery retailers, reducing its distinctiveness in the market. Global Store Openings to Continue While the…
Angola’s state-owned diamond company Endiama has financed the construction of a university campus in the diamond-producing region of Lunda Norte. The facility, which includes faculties for law and economics, was opened last week by Angola’s president João Lourenço. The reported investment totalled over $69 million. Campus Capacity and Facilities The campus has 87 classrooms and can accommodate up to 8,718 students across three daily shifts. Facilities include two computer rooms, a library, a cafeteria and two sports courts. The site also includes access features for students with limited mobility. Statements from Government and Endiama Speaking at the opening ceremony, Diamantino…
A new research report from jewellery and watch insurer BriteCo has revealed that lab-grown diamonds accounted for more than 45% of engagement ring purchases in the US by 2024. The findings are based on BriteCo’s analysis of proprietary appraisal and insurance data gathered over the past five years. The report, titled The Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamond Revolution: New Data Reveals Consumer Insights, Trends and Predictions, outlines changes in consumer behaviour and purchasing patterns as lab-grown diamonds gain market share against natural diamonds. Pricing and Consumer Behaviour BriteCo’s data indicates that by 2025, the average retail price of a 1-carat lab-grown…
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched an online Tariff Tracker providing information on U.S. tariff changes that apply to jewellery, gemstones and precious metals. Funded in part by a grant from the JCK Industry Fund, the tracker will be updated when tariff provisions change and is designed to provide information for businesses assessing potential cost, supply chain and compliance implications. Supporting Trade Compliance JVC said the tool is intended to help members stay informed about U.S. trade policy changes and their effect on the import of jewellery-related goods. It will not offer legal advice, and the organisation recommends that…
India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has raised concerns over the United States’ decision to impose a 50% tariff on all Indian goods, warning that the measure could disrupt India’s gem and jewellery exports. The US accounts for over $10 billion of exports from India’s gem and jewellery sector, representing around 30% of total global trade. According to GJEPC, 85% of exports from the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) Special Economic Zone, which employs around 50,000 people, are directed to the US. For cut and polished diamonds, half of India’s exports are US-bound. GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah…
Pandora has confirmed a cyberattack that resulted in customer names and email addresses being accessed via a third-party platform. The Danish jewellery group said the incident has been contained and that no passwords, payment card details or other sensitive information were involved. Details of the Breach In notification emails sent to affected customers, Pandora stated: “We are writing to inform you that Pandora has experienced a cyber security attack, where some customer information was accessed through a third-party platform that we use. We want to reassure you that the attack has been stopped, and as a result we have further…
Claire’s, the US-based jewellery and accessories retailer with around 2,750 stores worldwide, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US for the second time in seven years, citing mounting debt, reduced store footfall, changing consumer spending patterns and tariff-related cost increases on imported goods. The filing, made in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on 6 August, comes as Claire’s faces a $496 million loan due in December 2026. The retailer is seeking a buyer and may close around half of its US outlets, with the potential for full store closures if no sale is…
The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on 24 July 2025, is expected to significantly increase bilateral trade in the gem and jewellery sector by removing import tariffs on nearly all Indian exports to the UK. The agreement, signed at Chequers by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, grants zero-duty access to 99% of Indian exports. Jewellery products expected to benefit include plain gold and gemstone-studded items. Tariff Removal and Trade Projections In 2024, gem and jewellery trade between the two countries totalled $3.6 billion—comprising $941 million in exports from India to the…
A US fusion energy startup has published early-stage research outlining a method for producing gold as a by-product of fusion power generation. While the process is not yet proven or commercially viable, the proposal suggests that gold could one day be manufactured inside fusion reactors using mercury. Marathon Fusion, based in San Francisco, says the process could improve the economics of fusion energy by generating gold alongside electricity. The company’s yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper estimates that each power plant could theoretically produce several tonnes of gold per year without affecting energy output. How the Gold Is Made The proposed method involves adding…
Gemological Science International (GSI) is marking 20 years since its founding in 2005 by Debbie Azar and Mark Gershburg. Over the past two decades, the organisation has expanded its operations globally, providing gemological services to both manufacturers and retailers across the jewellery supply chain. Since its founding, GSI has focused on supporting manufacturers and retailers through laboratory services grounded in gemological research. While much of the industry has focused primarily on diamond grading, GSI has invested heavily in building robust grading and identification standards for coloured gemstones. Focus on Coloured Gemstones and Lab-Grown Detection “Coloured gemstones are incredibly complex, but…
Harrods is planning to combine its Fine Jewellery and Fine Watches departments into a two-storey retail space, according to a planning application filed with The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in April. The changes are part of a wider refurbishment of the Knightsbridge store’s luxury offering. Unified Layout for Jewellery and Watches The proposed department will place jewellery and watch boutiques side by side across two floors, connected by curved escalators. Each boutique will span both floors and include a private internal lift to allow brands to separate retail and VIP spaces. “Harrods has long stood as the global…
Clarity & Success has introduced an integration with T H March, enabling retailers using the Evolution EPOS system to offer jewellery insurance at the point of sale. Retailers can now provide March Guard insurance through the till at the time of purchase. Once the customer accepts the insurance, the system connects to T H March, activates the cover and prints a certificate. Insurance Available At Time Of Sale Clarity & Success states that the new function helps customers obtain insurance for items that may not be fully covered under standard household policies. The March Guard cover includes no excess and…
Lab-grown diamond wholesale prices continued to decline in 2025, with significant year-on-year reductions across key size categories. Industry analyst Edahn Golan’s LGD Wholesale Price List, based on Mumbai trading data for IGI-certified stones, recorded a 6.7% decrease in the second quarter, following an 8.9% drop in the first quarter. Ongoing Reductions Across Key Sizes Consecutive quarterly declines have led to substantial annual price reductions. Prices for one- to three-carat round lab-grown diamonds are now 42% lower than in the same quarter of 2024. Three-carat rounds saw the sharpest drop, with wholesale prices halving year on year. The pace of decline…
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has confirmed it will continue to apply the universally recognised 4Cs grading system – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight – to both natural and lab-grown diamonds. The announcement follows recent decisions by other major gemmological laboratories to modify or withdraw grading standards for synthetic stones. IGI’s Position on Lab-Grown Diamond Grading In a statement released earlier this week, IGI said it would “continue applying the universal 4Cs grading to all diamonds, whether natural or lab-grown,” reinforcing its long-standing policy of using the same evaluative framework regardless of a diamond’s origin. The Institute stated: “Since…
The UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts (UKJSAC) Roundtable Group has submitted a detailed sector-wide response to the Government’s Small Business Inquiry, urging policymakers to address systemic issues that continue to impact small and microbusinesses across the jewellery and allied craft industries. The submission, coordinated by UKJSAC, represents a cross-section of businesses including jewellers, silversmiths, watchmakers, repairers, and independent retailers. It sets out the key challenges facing these sectors and proposes targeted reforms aimed at supporting long-term viability and growth. Systemic Challenges for Microbusinesses The response identifies several ongoing barriers that affect the operating environment for small creative businesses: Policy…
A new survey by Spring & Autumn Fair and SaveTheHighStreet.org outlines the current pressures facing independent retailers in the UK. Based on responses from over 250 businesses, more than half reported having considered closing due to worsening trading conditions. The survey identifies reduced consumer footfall and spending (63.4%), increasing competition from online marketplaces (57.4%) and rising wage and employment costs (39%) as the primary concerns. Other challenges include higher rent and property expenses (21.1%), the impact of business rates (14.7%), and limited funding for high street regeneration (22.7%). Most respondents operate small businesses, with 89.4% running a single store and…
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham will temporarily reopen on Saturday 26 July 2025, coinciding with the annual Jewellery Quarter Festival. Managed by Birmingham Museums Trust, the museum has remained closed since 2020 for essential repairs and maintenance. The one-day reopening will provide public access to the preserved Smith & Pepper jewellery workshop and the Story of the Jewellery Quarter gallery. Preserved Workshop Reflects Traditional Jewellery Manufacturing Visitors will have access to the former Smith & Pepper premises, a family-run jewellery manufacturer that closed in 1981. The workshop has been left largely unchanged, with tools, equipment, and materials…
Kim Kardashian appeared at Balenciaga’s Fall 2025 Haute Couture show in Paris on 10 July wearing a pair of diamond pendant earrings formerly owned by Elizabeth Taylor. The earrings were loaned for the occasion by jeweller Lorraine Schwartz, who has previously worked with both Taylor and Kardashian. The show marked the final presentation by Demna as creative director of Balenciaga. Kardashian’s appearance wearing Taylor’s jewellery added a heritage element to the event, connecting a well-known piece from a private collection with a contemporary fashion context. Provenance and Auction History The diamond pendant earrings were originally a gift from Taylor’s third…
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has confirmed that Pritesh Patel will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 4 August 2025. Patel, currently Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Susan M. Jacques, who will continue as a strategic advisor until her retirement at the end of 2025. The announcement follows a global search process led by the GIA Board of Governors and a dedicated CEO search committee. Candidates from within GIA and across the gem and jewellery industry were considered. Background and Experience Patel joined GIA in 2015 as Chief Information Officer and was appointed Senior Vice President…
David Kellie will step down as Chief Executive Officer of the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) at the end of 2025, following six years in the role. The announcement was made by Kellie via his LinkedIn profile and follows recent developments that secure new funding for the NDC from African producers and other stakeholders through the Luanda Accord. Leadership and Rebrand Kellie was appointed CEO in December 2019, succeeding Jean-Marc Lieberherr at what was then the Diamond Producers Association. Under his leadership, the organisation rebranded to the Natural Diamond Council in mid-2020, as part of a shift to engage younger consumers…
The Goldsmiths’ Centre has announced the return of Shine, its annual showcase for emerging jewellery and silversmithing talent in the UK. Shine 2025 will run from 17 September to 22 December 2025, beginning with a one-night event at the Centre’s exhibition space in Farringdon, London. Exhibitors and Selection Process Eleven early-career designer-makers have been selected through an open call to exhibit and sell their work both in person and online. The 2025 group includes jewellers Heather Blake, Edwin Charmain (Pusaka), Carol Cole (Carol Cole Jewellery), Shirani Fernando (Shirani Jewellery), Misha McLean, Niamh Wright (Nif Jewels), Marina Skia, Junru Erin, Wenyin…
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) has issued updated recommendations for jewellery retailers in response to ongoing incidents of smash-and-grab robberies. The non-profit organisation, which has provided crime prevention support to the jewellery industry since 1883, has detailed several measures intended to reduce losses and support safety. Focus on Personal Safety During Incidents The JSA advises against resisting during a smash-and-grab robbery, as offenders may be armed with hammers, knives, or firearms. These incidents tend to occur rapidly, and attempting to intervene may increase the risk of injury. Physical Deterrents and Alarm Systems The JSA recommends installing burglary-resistant, laminated glass in…
The Natural Diamond Council (NDC), in collaboration with Choron Group and the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), has released a new industry report focused on fancy colour diamonds. The report examines the formation, market dynamics, rarity, and historical significance of these diamonds, providing an informational resource for jewellers, collectors, auction houses, and retailers. Market Context and Report Purpose The release follows a series of notable sales and media coverage involving fancy colour diamonds. In June 2025, the Marie-Thérèse Pink diamond achieved nearly $14 million at Christie’s New York, while a 5.02-carat fancy pink diamond ring at Sotheby’s was estimated between…
Mappin & Webb is marking its 250th anniversary in 2025 through a programme of product launches and collaborations, reflecting its long-standing role in British jewellery, goldsmithing and silversmithing. Established in 1775 by Jonathan Mappin in Sheffield, the brand has operated under the Watches of Switzerland Group since 1998 and continues to hold Royal Warrants. New Collections and Collaborations To commemorate the milestone, Mappin & Webb has introduced collections informed by its archive, including one featuring floral motifs and 25 diamonds in each piece, representing the brand’s 250-year history. A separate collection has been developed in 18ct yellow gold, sourced from…
The Goldsmiths’ Centre has partnered with the Black British Initiative (BBI) to fund ten places for Black jewellers and silversmiths on the MBA30 programme. The initiative aims to support their professional development and business skills. Programme structure and content MBA30 is a four-week executive education course, first launched with SOAS University of London in 2023 and accredited by SOAS in 2024. It is designed to provide underserved Black entrepreneurs with practical tools and knowledge to grow their businesses. Delivered in a hybrid format, the programme includes three in-person days on campus and six half-day online sessions. Topics covered include leadership,…