Jewellery Focus May 2019 | Page 11

MONTH IN REVIEW APRIL 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JEWELLERY GROUP Waltons of Caversham joins the Hallmark Jewellers Group THJ is an independent jewellery buying group, currently consisting of over 40 retail jewellers with shops established throughout the United Kingdom Jewellery manufacturer Waltons of Caversham has joined as the latest member of the Hallmark Jewellers Group (THJ). THJ is an independent jewellery buying group, currently consisting of over 40 retail jewellers with shops established throughout the United Kingdom. BRANDS The Vintage Ring Company Launches in the UK Ethical jeweller Arabel Lebrusan and jewellery journalist Claire Roberts have partnered to launch The Vintage Ring Company. The Vintage Ring Company is a new website selling affordable vintage and vintage style engagement rings, and features a “diverse” collection of pieces curated by Lebrusan and Roberts, all of which are priced under £2,000. Championing “transparency and honesty”, The Vintage Ring Company provides the certificate of authenticity with each ring, issued and signed by The Goldsmiths’ Company and differentiating them from others in the market. PEOPLE MOVES Pandora COO exits Pandora’s chief operations officer (COO) Jeremy Schwartz has resigned from his position at the jewellery retailer. Following a mutual agreement between the chairman of the board of directors and Schwartz, the resignation took effect as of 4 April. However, Schwartz will be available as an advisor to incoming president and CEO Alexander Lacik to “support the on- boarding to Pandora.” Lacik was appointed on 14 February 2019 and Pandora said he will take office “within the foreseeable future”. AUCTIONS 17.43ct Kashmir sapphire headlines at Bonhams London auction A 17.43 carat Kashmir sapphire ring will lead the first Bonhams Jewels sale in London on 30 April 2019. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th Century, the cushion-shaped sapphire displays a “saturated and vivid blue colour” and is estimated to be worth between £300,000- 400,000. It will be the first time the stone – which was formerly owned by a European noble family - has appeared at auction. MAY 2019 | WWW.JEWELLERYFOCUS.CO.UK 11