INDUSTRY NEWS
Members needed for Hallmarking Council F
our members are required for the British Hallmarking Council, a partner body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The positions require experience in the trading or manufacture of articles of precious metals, a background in consumer protection or experience gained in another field of expertise relevant to the work of the Council, such as economics or quality assurance.
Members will be responsible for: working with the four UK Assay offices and monitoring the work they and their sub-offices carry out; supporting Trading Standards departments to ensure that hallmarking law is enforced; proposing legal changes and advising the Secretary for State for BIS and maintaining the high standards of the UK’s hallmarking facilities. The term of office is for an initial period of three years. Visit: www.gov.uk/nmro
TH March makes film L
eading UK jewellery insurance broker TH March has launched an animated film aimed at explaining the importance of expert valuating. The message can be viewed as a standalone three and a half minute film or as three separate shorter films that focus on specific questions like “Why do I need a Jewellery or Watch Insurance Valuation?” TH March’s MD, Neil McFarlane said: “When a customer needs to make a claim on their policy, as insurance brokers we always want the process to be as quick and easy as possible for them. An accurate valuation is priceless because it means we’ll already have all the information we need to be able to arrange for the replacement of a treasured item, usually with the customer’s chosen jeweller, very quickly. This is particularly important with bespoke designer pieces and it makes the whole process far less stressful for the person in their hour of need.”
ISO International diamonds Standard I
ndustry bodies, including CIBJO and AOB’s AnchorCert Gem Lab, have welcomed the publication of ISO International Standard 18323: ‘Jewellery — Consumer confidence in the diamond industry’, which specifies a set of permitted descriptors for the trade that are designed to be understood by consumers. The new ruling by the ISO explicitly defines a diamond as having been ‘created by nature’ and further notes that “the denomination ‘diamond’ without further specification always implies ‘natural diamond’”. The new standard defines nomenclature that must be used, and also that which cannot be used, in the buying and selling of diamonds, treated diamonds and synthetic diamonds. In particular, it outlines how to describe synthetic diamonds in a clear and accurate manner. The new Standard defines a synthetic diamond as “an artificial product that has essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical (including optical) properties as a diamond”.
14 THE JEWELLER AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
S N I P P E T S Paul Spurgeon makes Bishop’s ring British designer Paul Spurgeon has created the Episcopal ring for the Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek. She was presented with the ring during her Consecration (as the first diocesan female bishop) at Canterbury Cathedral on 22nd July. The Episcopal ring is highly polished, sterling silver with two satin finished 18ct yellow gold contemporary crosses sitting alongside a 12.83ct oval cut, rich purple amethyst. Commenting on the design inspiration Paul said: “to me the ring represents a chalice which holds the amethyst, symbolising the blood of Christ”.
Ex-PR launches jewellery collection Adrienne Cline, whose previous roles have included press officer for Tateossian and Stephen Webster, has collaborated with fashion designer Punam Gudka to create a collection of jewellery – SB London, which will be launched at IJL (Q90i). “Our manifesto is to create exquisite, wearable jewellery for day or night, inspired by fashion,” says Cline. The line comprises stacking rings, multiple bracelets, hoop earrings, pendants and necklaces in gold-plated sterling silver set with white topaz and onyx.
New jeweller opens in Hatton Garden Earlier this month saw the launch of Hermione London, described by founders Hermione and Peter Logue as a “new breed of jeweller” which provides “a more personal and bespoke buying experience for the area”. Hermione operates from a showroom behind the scenes in Hatton Graden rather than a traditional retail outlet. This coupled with the fact that it does not hold stock of the entire range, as everything done is made to order, enables it to “dramatically reduce overheads compared to a traditional jeweller”.
Basel-based designer launches in UK Swiss jewellery designer Nana Fink has brought her hand-crafted jewellery to the UK. Drawing inspiration from antiquity, which she blends with a contemporary spirit, Fink presents timeless pieces that have all been created by artisans in Switzerland. In addition to the new Adorée collection, with its industrial art and design feel and made in mixed metals – gold and silver in particular – Fink has introduced a new Art Deco-influenced ring to the ‘Sophistiqué’ collection launched earlier this year. Nana Fink jewellery is stocked in Paul Smith’s Mayfair store.