MONTH IN REVIEW
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HALLMARKING
Hallmarking
drops 11% as
silver and
platinum struggle
Hallmarking fell by an average of 11.7%
in September 2018 compared with
the same period the previous year,
according to figures compiled by the
Birmingham Assay Office.
The number of silver and platinum
pieces hallmarked decreased by 22.2%
and 7% respectively. However, gold
did increase 1.5% up from 364,440 to
369,931.
Overall the volumes decreased from
859,078 in September 2017 to 758,232
in September 2018.
QUOTE OF
THE MONTH
“This is one of several
extremely rare watches
we have up for auction on
October 30. The cabochon
features a piece of amber
– one of the world famous
symbols of Poland”
That’s what Michael Jagiela, watch
specialist at Fellows Auctioneers, said
about the auction of a rare timepiece
dedicated to historic Polish watchmaker
Franciszek Czapek
November 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk
As a designer, this got my
creative juices flowing,
and I began designing a
‘ proposal ring ’ for people
to do exactly that
Lisa Catterson, Designer
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Farado Design
launches ‘Knot an
Engagement Ring’
Farado Design has
launched the ‘Knot
an Engagement
Ring’ - a knot
proposal ring for
partners who
wish to propose
without a ring, and have their other half
involved in the choosing process.
‘Knot an Engagement Ring’ is
designed to be purchased to propose
with and then kept as a keepsake of the
moment. The couple then can attend
a bespoke design consultation where
they will discuss metal colour, stones,
shapes and ring styles; and a unique
design is made from the ideas.
The ring is priced at £100 which
will be taken off the design deposit
when it comes to creating a bespoke
engagement ring.
Designer Lisa Catterson established
brand Farado design in 2016, inspired
by the repetition in nature and
influenced by Scandinavian design
principles: simplicity, minimalism and
functionality, Farado design specialises
in special occasion pieces, engagement
and wedding rings. She uses Fairtrade
and recycled metals, as well as ethically
sourced stones in her designs.
Catterson said of the design: “In
the past I’ve had a number of couples
who have come to me design a
bespoke engagement ring and begun
the process once they are already
engaged. Knowing their partner would
want to be involved in picking the ring
they will treasure forever, they have
proposed with a stand in ring and kept
the element of surprise.”
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APPOINTMENTS
Bonham’s
appoints
Brett O’Connor
as senior
international
jewellery director
The international auction house
Bonhams has announced the
appointment of Brett O’Connor as
senior international jewellery director
and senior VP US.
O’Connor will also join the US
executive team. US-born O’Connor
takes up his new position at the start
of November based in Bonhams New
York office.
O’Connor is an auctioneer and
leading senior specialist in the
jewellery sector with more than 24
years’ auction experience. Having
worked extensively in Asia, North
America, Europe and the Middle East,
he joins Bonhams from Sotheby’s
Geneva where he was based for
the last 16 years. He was one of the
lead auctioneers for the company’s
major jewellery sales in Geneva,
Hong Kong, London and New York
and was responsible for sourcing
jewellery globally, liaising with the
company’s top clients and advising on
their collections. Prior to moving to
Geneva, O’Connor was head of Jewels
in Hong Kong for Sotheby’s.
During his tenure in Geneva,
O’Connor was closely involved in
the sale of the collections of Maria
Callas, Gina Lollobrigida, Henckle von
Donnersmarck and the forthcoming
Jewels of Marie Antoinette. O’Connor
was also involved in bringing to
market some of the most valuable and
important diamonds and gemstones
ever to appear at auction including the
Beau Sancy diamond, the Sunrise ruby
and the Apollo and Artemis coloured
diamond earrings.
JEWELLERY FOCUS
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