MONTH IN REVIEW
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk
DIAMONDS
Alorsa January
diamonds sales
reaches $281.5m
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Diamond mining firm Alrosa sold
$281.5m (£218.4m) worth of rough and
polished diamonds in January.
However, the group said during the
month market activity was lower than
usual, compared with December 2018
sales which were up 20% over the
previous quarter and up 46% year-
on-year.
1. F
Hinds to save
Chapelle stores
2. Fairtrade Gold
to debut at
LFW 2019
Yury Okoemov, Alorsa deputy CEO,
said: “Sales in the diamond market are
always cyclical, and apparently, we are
seeing the expected correction after the
peak values in previous periods.”
The group recently mined a unique
rough diamond weighing almost 200
carats from its Udachnaya kimberlite
pipe in January.
The gemstone, with weight of 191.46
carats, was extracted at processing
plant N12 of the Udachny mining and
processing division. The diamond is
transparent, with a slight yellowish
tinge. The Udachnaya pipe was
discovered in 1955 and is among the
largest primary diamond deposits both
in Yakutia, Russia, and abroad.
For years Fairtrade
and some very
committed jewellers
have fought for a
position on the
catwalk, and now is
their chance to shine
David Finlay, programme
partnerships manager, the
Fairtrade Foundation
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JEWELLERY FOCUS
3. Gold and
platinum up
double-digits
in January
hallmarking
HALLMARKING
Gold and
platinum up
double-digits
in January
hallmarking
The number of gold and platinum
pieces hallmarked in January 2019
increased significantly by 17.9%
and 19.1% respectively, according to
figures compiled by the Birmingham
Assay Office.
The average volume of silver also
grew by 2.1% from 425,631 to 437,344,
however palladium decreased by
31.4% to 4,481 hallmarked items.
Overall hallmarking in January
increased by 8.1% from 692,097 to
748,467 pieces.
See page 28 for Hallmarking figures.
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EVENTS
Faitrade gold
to debut at
LFW 2019
Four certified Fairtrade Gold jewellers
will come together to exhibit their
Fairtrade Gold ‘showstopper pieces’
at London Fashion Week 2019, for the
first time.
On 18-19 February, industry experts,
celebrities and the public will be able to
see examples of ethical jewellery from
Natalie Perry, Rock Hound, Ute Decker
and Cred Jewellery at an exclusive
side-venue to the main catwalk, in Old
Bond Street.
Cred Jewellery was one of the
pioneers of lab grown diamonds and
is a forerunner of ethical jewellery
with its emphasis on using Fairtrade
Gold and will display its new Macdesa
collection from certified mines in Peru.
Ute Decker’s minimalist architectural
formed jewellery will also be shown to
the public.
Natalie Perry will showcase pieces
that evoke “bohemian elegance”
designed and made in England from
Fairtrade Gold. Rock Hound is an east
London gemologist that uses gold
sourced from small-scale artisanal gold
mines certified by Fairtrade to create ts
statement pieces.
David Finlay, programme partnerships
manager at the Fairtrade Foundation,
said: “For years Fairtrade and some very
committed jewellers have fought for a
position on the catwalk, and now is their
chance to shine.
“We are pleased to support this event
as it creates a platform for showing the
best of bold British design, including a
wide range of pieces made in Fairtrade
Gold. For every gram of gold bought on
Fairtrade terms, there will be a ripple
effect down the supply chain. This
is the year for ethical jewellery and
fashion to come to the fore.”
March 2019 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk