Author: Ruchi Singla

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has reported a 21% increase in fourth-quarter revenue year-on-year, reaching INR 3.2 billion ($34.8 million), supported by higher volumes in both natural and lab-grown diamond certification, as well as demand across jewellery and gemstone services. Performance Across Core Segments According to IGI’s financial results, the fourth-quarter growth was driven by performance in its four key segments: natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, jewellery, and gemstones. Profit after tax for the quarter rose by 18% to INR 1.35 billion ($14.6 million). The company noted increasing use of synthetic diamonds as a key factor in its revenue growth, citing…

De Beers London has opened a new flagship boutique on Rue de la Paix in Paris. The store is the brand’s largest globally and brings together its current retail concept in a single location. The opening places De Beers London on Rue de la Paix, close to Place Vendôme, an established area for jewellery and luxury retail in Paris. Store Opening and Launch Event The boutique was unveiled during an evening event attended by invited clients and international guests. The ribbon cutting was led by Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers Brands and…

A senior Angolan government and industry delegation visited Antwerp this week for meetings with the local diamond sector, hosted by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. The visit focused on trade in Angolan rough diamonds and Antwerp’s role as a sales and distribution centre for international markets. Delegation and Meetings The delegation was led by Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, and included José Ganga Junior, chairman of Endiama, and Eugénio Bravo da Rosa, chairman of SODIAM. Endiama oversees Angola’s diamond mining operations, while SODIAM is responsible for the sale of the country’s rough diamond production. According to AWDC, the…

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has launched a free Jewellery Job Seeker Directory to support professionals in the UK jewellery sector who are actively seeking employment. The directory is now open for submissions from individuals with the right to work in the UK and will be made accessible to employers once a sufficient number of candidates have registered. Addressing Talent Retention Challenges The initiative responds to workforce pressures in the trade, with rising redundancies prompting concerns over talent retention. The NAJ states the directory will list individuals with jewellery-specific experience across areas such as retail, manufacturing, design, and repair.…

Pandora has been named the most sustainable consumer brand in the 2026 Global 100 ranking by the research organisation Corporate Knights, placing second overall among more than 8,000 assessed companies. The company was recognised following its shift to using recycled precious metals and renewable energy in its production processes. Environmental Metrics and Ranking Criteria Corporate Knights evaluates publicly listed companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, using indicators such as climate action, resource efficiency, and governance practices. Companies are assessed on the proportion of revenue and investments classified as sustainable, as well as growth in sustainable revenue over a two-year…

Diamonds Do Good has published its 2025 Impact Report, outlining grant activity and partnerships supporting education, health, and economic opportunity in natural diamond-producing and manufacturing communities. Pete Engel, Chair of Diamonds Do Good, said, “We are deeply thankful for the support and leadership of our supporters and partners. Their ongoing commitment helps us grow our impact, further our mission, and share genuine stories that connect with today’s consumers.” Global Grant Activity in 2025 The report sets out programme activity across southern Africa and India, including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Surat, and Western Gujarat in India Across these…

Claire’s Accessories is entering administration after its owner, Modella Capital, began insolvency proceedings in the UK and Ireland. The move follows weaker-than-expected Christmas trading and continued pressure on high street retailers, placing around 1,355 jobs at risk. Insolvency Proceedings Initiated Modella Capital, a private equity firm, confirmed that Claire’s Accessories could no longer trade profitably. The firm has filed notice to appoint administrators, with advisory firm Kroll expected to oversee the process. “This has been a very tough decision,” Modella said in a statement. “We have worked intensively in an effort to save the business, having made last-ditch attempts to…

Claire’s Accessories is entering administration after its owner, Modella Capital, began insolvency proceedings in the UK and Ireland. The move follows weaker-than-expected Christmas trading and continued pressure on high street retailers, placing around 1,355 jobs at risk. Insolvency Proceedings Initiated Modella Capital, a private equity firm, confirmed that Claire’s Accessories could no longer trade profitably. The firm has filed notice to appoint administrators, with advisory firm Kroll expected to oversee the process. “This has been a very tough decision,” Modella said in a statement. “We have worked intensively in an effort to save the business, having made last-ditch attempts to…

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued new guidelines on the terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds, following recommendations from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The move is aimed at standardising terminology within the trade and providing a clearer distinction between natural and synthetic diamonds. Terminology Restrictions and Requirements Under the new BIS regulations, only the terms “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created” are permitted for synthetic diamonds. The use of descriptors such as “fake” and “artificial” is now prohibited, along with abbreviated terms including “lab-grown,” “lab-created,” “lab diamond,” and “LGD”. The rules also mandate full disclosure of any treatments applied…

Silver prices increased significantly in 2025, rising from around $29.50 per ounce in January to over $79 by the end of December. The 170% gain reflected higher investment activity, industrial use, and limited supply. The recent price movement has prompted varied forecasts for 2026. Jewellers may need to consider the potential impact on material costs, sourcing, and pricing. Price Performance Through 2025 Silver began the year just under $30 per ounce and followed a steady upward trend for most of the year, despite short-term volatility following US trade policy announcements in April. Prices accelerated in the second half of the…

Alexandria, a new London men’s high jewellery brand, launches today with a collection of 18k gold rings inspired by men who have shaped empires. Channelling Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Genghis Khan, the debut designs combine natural gemstones, guilloché grand feu enamel, and sculptural relief portraits of these historic conquerors who altered the course of civilisation. Founded by Ryan Bernell, Alexandria was born from a 10-year search for jewellery that upheld both masculine strength and artistic beauty. This search ultimately revealed a void in the luxury market. “I spent more than a decade looking for jewellery that was both…

The Goldsmiths’ Centre is now accepting applications for Getting Started Online, a free, one-week business course for early-career designer-jewellers, silversmiths and craftspeople based in the UK. The course will take place from Monday, 9 to Friday, 13 March 2026 and will be delivered entirely online. Course Content and Format The online course provides business training sessions delivered by professionals working in the industry. It covers topics including product development, branding and selling, establishing sales channels and planning for growth. A keynote session will feature Annie Warburton, CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company, in conversation with British jewellery designer Annoushka Ducas MBE.…

The four UK Assay Offices — Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield — supported by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), have issued an open letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP, requesting a review of the Hallmarking Act 1973. The letter outlines concerns that the current legislation does not adequately regulate the sale of precious metal goods through online marketplaces, social media platforms and livestream commerce, leading to the sale of unhallmarked products and creating an uneven trading environment for UK jewellers that follow current hallmarking requirements. Limitations of the Existing Framework Hallmarking is…

Botswana’s president, Duma Boko, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to acquiring a majority stake in De Beers, currently majority-owned by Anglo American, despite warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about the potential economic risks involved. The Southern African nation already holds a 15% stake in De Beers. It has indicated its intention to expand that holding following Anglo American’s announcement that it plans to divest from the diamond business. Government Plans and Rationale Speaking in Kanye, President Boko dismissed the IMF’s advice, saying Batswana would make the decision based on the country’s needs. He stated that Botswana’s heavy contribution…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced it will introduce redesigned coloured stone reports and expand its origin-determination services, effective 1 January 2026. The updated reports will apply to all items submitted on or after this date. The updated reports will feature changes to design and structure, with a focus on presenting gemological data in a more transparent and more standardised format. Additional Gemstone Origin Determinations From 2026, GIA will begin offering country-of-origin determination services for opal, peridot and demantoid garnet. These are additions to the current origin services provided for alexandrite, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, red spinel, ruby, sapphire…

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced changes to its Standards Committee, including the appointment of new Co-Chairs and the addition of new members from across the jewellery and mining sectors. The committee is responsible for overseeing the development and revision of RJC’s standards, including the Code of Practices, Chain of Custody, and Laboratory Grown Materials frameworks. The changes, effective from 1 January 2026, are intended to align RJC’s standards with evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements in the industry. New Leadership Sara Yood, President and CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager at C.HAFNER GmbH…

Wesley Tucker will step down as Chief Executive Officer of Tracr at the end of February 2026, De Beers Group has announced. A successor will be named in due course. Leadership and platform development Tucker joined De Beers Group in April 2021 as Head of Digital Transformation before taking on leadership of Tracr, the Group’s blockchain-based diamond traceability platform. During his time as CEO, Tracr moved from pilot stage to commercial deployment, with more than four million diamonds now registered on the platform. The platform has been listed three times on the Forbes Blockchain 50. Under Tucker’s leadership, Tracr introduced…

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has published an updated Code of Practice to support jewellery businesses in meeting legal requirements for weighing equipment when dealing with precious metals and gemstones. The revised guidance was developed with the input of Trading Standards, which requested clearer direction for the sector. Guidance on Equipment Compliance The Code of Practice sets out what jewellers must look for when using weighing instruments, including the required approvals and markings. It also explains the importance of using correctly calibrated instruments, particularly Class II instruments, and highlights how their compliance may be affected by the equipment’s location…

Sheffield Assay Office has announced the appointment of Sara Hale as its new Head of Commercial Operations. This strategic hire comes at a time when the organisation is focusing on strengthening its commercial services and identifying new areas for development within the hallmarking and analytical sectors. Role at Sheffield Assay Office In her new role, Hale will oversee the commercial functions of Sheffield Assay Office, including hallmarking and analytical services. She will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support operational improvements and explore areas for business development. Ashley Carson, Assay Master, said: “I am delighted that Sara has…

Eighteen Antwerp-based diamond companies have jointly financed a year’s worth of essential medicines and medical supplies for more than 35,000 patients in Botswana, following a national medical emergency declared earlier this year. Response to Medical Emergency Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Joy Kenewendo, visited Antwerp this week to thank the participating companies for their support. The initiative was coordinated by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which oversaw the purchase of urgent medical supplies for the treatment of diabetes and cardiac patients. The medical funding follows Botswana’s announcement of a severe shortage of essential medicines during the summer. The…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has announced the appointment of Amber Pepper as its next Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed David Kellie, who will step down at the end of 2025. Role and Priorities In her new role, Pepper will lead the organisation’s efforts to strengthen consumer demand for natural diamonds and act as a central voice for the industry. The NDC stated that Pepper will prioritise work on digital engagement strategies aimed at younger consumers, supported by data-driven marketing. Her remit also includes shaping messaging around natural diamonds, with an emphasis on commercial results and reinforcing their position…

London Trading Standards has been recognised by the British Hallmarking Council (BHC) with the 2025 Touchstone Award for its work in enforcing hallmarking legislation. The award was presented at the annual Touchstone Award Training Day, held on 18 November at the London Assay Office, part of The Goldsmiths’ Company. The event was attended by officers from eight London boroughs, as well as representatives from the BHC, London Assay Office, and supporting organisations. Hallmarking Enforcement Recognised The Touchstone Award, supported by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), acknowledges Trading Standards teams that enforce the…

De Beers Group has launched its branded polished diamond line, ORIGIN De Beers Group, in retail stores across North America – the first time the range has been made available in physical retail environments. Retail Rollout and Distribution ORIGIN De Beers Group is now available through 19 retail partners operating 30 locations across the United States and Canada. Distribution is being facilitated through two De Beers Sightholders, Grandview Klein and Mahendra Brothers. Participating retailers include Wempe, London Jewelers, Gunderson’s, Mountz Jewelers, and others. Traceability and Blockchain Integration Each ORIGIN De Beers Group diamond over 0.3 carats is traceable through Tracr,…

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has called on participants of the 2025 Kimberley Process (KP) plenary to adopt a revised definition of conflict diamonds. WDC president Feriel Zerouki called on member governments to support the proposed changes during the plenary’s opening session in Dubai. The proposal is the result of three years of collaboration between the WDC, the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), and the Civil Society Coalition (CSC). Proposed Changes to the Definition The current KP definition limits conflict diamonds to rough stones used by rebel movements to fund conflicts against legitimate governments. The revised definition seeks to expand…

Mountain Province Diamonds has announced that Mark Wall will step down as president and CEO on 19 December 2025. He will remain with the company until then while a successor is identified. Company chairman Jonathan Comerford said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Mark for his substantial contribution to the company and the operations of the [Gahcho Kué] mine over the past four years, during what has been a very challenging period for both the company and the diamond industry as a whole.” Wall joined Mountain Province in 2021. Before that, he was CEO of Streamers…

Ankit Gems, a De Beers Sightholder, has opened an expanded cutting and polishing facility in Windhoek, Namibia, increasing its monthly processing capacity from 3,500 to 10,000 carats. The project, undertaken with Namibian shareholders, supports the government’s beneficiation policy to improve local involvement in the diamond sector. Facility Expansion and Workforce Growth The new 3,000-square-metre facility triples the Site’s previous size and is expected to support a workforce of between 400 and 450 employees, up from the current 148. The company reports that 75% of the existing workforce is women. The facility was inaugurated on 7 November 2025 by Namibian President…

De Beers recorded a 38% year-on-year increase in diamond production in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 7.7 million carats, with a significant proportion of the increase due to higher output at the Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Sales volumes and revenue also rose, though trading conditions remained difficult due to tariff changes and discounted pricing strategies. Regional Production Overview Production in Botswana, De Beers’ largest contributor, rose by 51 percent to 6 million carats. Output at the Jwaneng mine more than doubled to 3.2 million carats, driven by the processing of higher-grade ore ahead of a planned plant maintenance shutdown…

The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), the largest buying group for specialist jewellery and watch retailers in the UK and Ireland, has appointed Patrick Turner as its new Managing Director. Turner joined the organisation in November 2023 as Director of Membership Development. Leadership Appointment Turner was appointed following a formal recruitment process by the CMJ Board, which noted his involvement in recent developments and support for independent jewellery retail. Commenting on the appointment, Michael Aldridge, Chairman of the CMJ, said, “After a thorough and open recruitment process, the Board’s decision to appoint Patrick to the role was unanimous. We are…

Gemological Science International (GSI) has identified undisclosed lab-grown diamonds in jewellery set with natural brown diamonds. The discovery comes at a time when off-colour natural diamonds, including brown and champagne hues, are being positioned in the trade as alternatives to colourless stones. Detection methods and findings GSI used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), DiamondView imaging and Raman spectroscopy with liquid nitrogen cooling to analyse the items. Lab-grown diamonds were found mixed with natural brown diamonds, with colours ranging from near colourless with faint brown modifiers to fancy dark brown. The organisation stated that these findings are consistent with earlier research…

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the winners of the 2025 NAJ Awards at a ceremony held at the ICC Birmingham, attended by 394 industry professionals. Supported by headline sponsor Curteis, the awards recognised achievements across 15 categories spanning retail, design, manufacturing and service provision in the UK jewellery industry. Awards Overview Fourteen category sponsors joined Curteis in supporting this year’s awards. These included eBay, TH March, RWK Goodman, Positive Luxury, At The Bench, Vulcan Jewellery, Cooksongold, the Jewellery Show, Squash Media Group, BATF, 4D Design Agency, Retail Jeweller and Janus Security Services. Supporting sponsors were GVUK Design…