PIXETJEWELRY

The Deloitte Consumer Tracker has revealed UK consumer confidence fell by one percentage point in Q4 2021 to -11%, the second consecutive quarter of decline. Deloitte said the result comes after consumers started to feel the “squeeze of inflation” and pockets were hit with higher household bills. Personal expenditure in the final quarter of 2021 increased for two in five (41%) consumers, up from one in three (36%) in Q3. Of these, three-quarters (74%) revealed it was due to rising prices. The Deloitte Consumer Tracker is based on responses from 3,177 UK consumers between 31 December 2021 and 5 January 2022, against the backdrop of rising Omicron variant cases and with consumers living under ‘Plan B’ Covid-19 restrictions. Of the Consumer Tracker’s seven measures of confidence, sentiment around the state of the economy recorded the largest quarter-on-quarter decline, falling eight percentage points. This fall marks the lowest reading since Q1 2021, when the UK was under strict lockd...

When we think of diamonds, it’s rarely in a negative light. Their beauty is infamously captivating, making them the most popular gemstone used in jewellery, and distracting us of their darker past. The lifetime of a diamond isn’t quite as beautiful as the end result. Pertaining to their label of ‘natural’ diamonds, they are traditionally extracted from the earth, absorbing a massive amount of energy for even a single carat. They are born under immense pressure, made up of gases carbon, nitrogen and sometimes boron.  Below, the article outlines the pros of investing in lab-grown diamonds rather than their ‘natural’ alternative.  The problems that can be faced with mined diamonds When something is as coveted as a diamond, people don’t often look past face value. However, when delving a little deeper into the story behind a mined diamond, some worrying realities are unearthed.  Firstly, the trading of mined diamonds can be totally unethical if the right source is not ...

Fabergé is set to launch a Yorkshire Rose egg pendant at Easter, designed exclusively by Yorkshire jewellery designer Kay Bradley who runs the independent boutique jewellery business Bradley’s Jewellers in York. The piece features a hand-enamelled Yorkshire Rose with a yellow sapphire centre in homage to the region’s heritage. Bradley has designed the 18k gold luxury pendant in three colour variations – rose gold, white gold and yellow gold – and each has a diamond-set bail, a yellow sapphire on the clasp and a Yorkshire Rose hidden inside. The solid gold Fabergé ‘Essence Egg Pendant’ is reportedly inspired by Bradley’s ties to the city of York, and the range will be unveiled at a celebratory gala at Castle Howard in April. The Fabergé partnership will see the luxury brand sold at Bradley’s Jewellers, with a range of egg pendants and charms, as well as Fabergé’s signature ‘Colours of Love’ collection, featuring rings and earrings made with ethically-sourced coloured gemstones. B...

Footfall in UK retail destinations weakened in January, reaching a gap of -20.8% from the 2019 level versus -18.6% in December, according to Springboard. It said that the drop in levels was driven by a “poorer relative performance in high streets and shopping centres”. However, it said it was “a month of two halves”, with footfall strengthening noticeably in the second half of the month to -19.2% below 2019 from -21.5% below 2019 in the first two weeks. However, the gain in the second half of the month was not an even one across all of the three destination types, with the start of the great return of shoppers occurring only in high streets where footfall strengthened (from -28.9% below 2019 in the first two weeks to -22.4% in the second two weeks) whilst in shopping centres and retail parks the gap from 2019 widened (from -24.9% to -25.4% in shopping centres and from -2.2% to -5.8% in retail parks). For high streets, Springboard said the results in January are positive on two fro...

Piaget has launched a new ‘Possession’ collection to celebrate the Chinese New Year, with a selection of white gold and rose gold jewellery pieces. The collection comprises two 18K white gold pieces, including the Possession Contrast Ring which holds two bands made of diamonds and ceramic, set with a total of 158 brilliant-cut diamonds which is approximately 2.36 carrots, and black ceramic. It also includes the Possession Contrast Open Bangle which has one diamond paved turning band and black ceramic on each end, set with a total of 32 brilliant-cut diamonds. Additionally, the collection comprises four 18K rose gold pieces. The Possession Ring holds two bands set with 234 brilliant-cut diamonds which is approximately 2.17 carrots, while the Possession Open Ring comprises two carnelian cabochon gemstones and two bands set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds. Meanwhile, the Possession Sliding Pendant is a 64cm chain with a sliding carnelian cabochon gemstone circled by a diamond set turn...

The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to 0.5%, up from 0.25% previously. The BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) confirmed it voted by a majority of 5-4 to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 0.5%. Interestingly, it revealed those members in the minority preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 0.75%. The news comes as the BoE said inflation is on course to hit a 30-year high, and is expected to peak at 7.25% in April, and average close to 6% throughout 2022. The news will come as a further dampener to UK households who are seeing one of the most notable rises in the cost of living in the past few decades. Commenting on the decision, Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “A rise in interest rates comes as no surprise. It’s likely that the Bank of England will tighten monetary policy again in the near future, with strong price pressures and further rises in inflation over the coming months a near-c...

A selection of jewels from the private collection of Victoria Lady de Rothschild, will be offered alongside a special selection of silver and tableware from her collection, in Dreweatts Fine Silver, Jewellery and Pens sale on March 8 and 9, 2022. Among the highlights is a Modernist gold coloured disc necklace by popular American jeweller and sculptor Irena Borzena Ustjanowski, known artistically as ‘IBU’ (1944-2002). James Nicholson, Deputy Chairman and International Head of Jewellery, Silver and Watches at Dreweatts said, “Dreweatts is delighted to offer a wonderful selection of modern jewels from the personal collection of Victoria Lady de Rothschild. “She was a true champion of modern design and supported upcoming designers and artisans, which is demonstrated by the exciting pieces offered in the sale. Her impeccable taste was much celebrated and I’m sure therefore that this collection will prove to be very popular.” source https://www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/203648-jewels-from-p...