Author: Angela Oliffe

The Claddagh ring, originating from the Irish village of Claddagh, is more than just a piece of jewellery. Its unique design – featuring a heart, hands, and crown – holds specific meanings about love, friendship, and loyalty. In this article, we’ll break down the symbolism of each element and explain how the ring’s position can indicate the wearer’s relationship status. From its historical roots to contemporary interpretations, we’ll provide a clear understanding of the significance of the Claddagh ring. What each part of the Claddagh Ring Means There are three key parts to the Claddagh ring, and each has its…

The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) is set to host an online webinar for employers on Wednesday, 9th of August. The webinar aims to provide valuable insights into the Apprenticeship programme, including funding, delivery, and recruitment guidance. It will also feature a live Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the BAJ team. Aligning Training with Industry Needs The BAJ Apprenticeship programme is crafted in accordance with the new Standard for the Jewellery, Silversmithing, and Allied Trades Professionals. This alignment emphasises a closer working relationship between employers and training providers, ensuring that apprentices are guided along specialist pathways tailored…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has recently evaluated a 4.04-carat ring made entirely from a single lab-grown diamond. This significant milestone in the world of carved single-crystal diamond rings has implications for the UK jewellery industry, reflecting advancements in lab-grown diamond technology and potential shifts in consumer preferences. A Significant Milestone The Ring’s Characteristics The ring, fashioned from a single-crystal CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) laboratory-grown diamond, represents a significant development in the field of lab-grown diamonds. While not the first of its kind, it is the first time GIA has evaluated a ring carved from a single laboratory-grown diamond.…

The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has announced that their educational Practical Diamond Knowledge Workshop has received accreditation from the Continued Professional Development (CPD) principles. The course, which officially launched in August 2022, offers attendees an in-depth look at preferred diamond industry practices, aiming to improve confidence and sales techniques. CPD certification signifies that the course’s content is accredited and recognised for its professional development value. This development will allow jewellers to collect CPD points, adding to their professional qualifications and enhancing their career prospects in the diamond industry. A Hands-On Approach to Learning The workshop provides participants with an array…

Despite their age long rejection from the diamond industry, salt and pepper diamond is now gaining a lot of attention in the market. They used to be rejected by designers and jewelers because of their impurities, which they thought made these diamonds undesirable and inferior compared to other diamonds. However, this is no longer the case. Designers now use a salt and pepper diamond in jewelry of all kinds, whether it’s for something as grand as an engagement ring or as simple as a pendant. The growing popularity of these diamonds can be attributed to a shift in the idea…

Advancements in Lab-Grown Diamonds The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) recently examined a lab-grown diamond that sets a new record. Its Hong Kong laboratory had the opportunity to study a 34.59-carat diamond, called the ‘Pride of India’ marking the largest faceted lab-grown diamond that the GIA has ever tested. The diamond was produced by Ethereal Green Diamond, a company based in Mumbai that utilises the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process. The 34.59-carat diamond’s dimensions are 24.94 x 13.95 x 9.39mm. The last record holder was a 30.18 carat diamond, also called the ‘Pride of India’, it was produced in 2022.…

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the addition of a report comment using the trade colour term “Peacock” for specific colours of cultured pearls from the Pinctada margaritifera black-lipped pearl oyster, also known as Tahitian pearls. After a year of researching the historical and current use of the colour term “Peacock,” as well as considering industry feedback, GIA decided to add this descriptive term to better inform consumers. The new term will be used when a pearl, strand or jewellery item meets carefully defined colour parameters for ‘Peacock’. Defining the “Peacock” Colour Range GIA’s industry analysis has identified…

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has recently released a series of recommendations for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, aiming to clarify the use of certain terms in the jewelry industry. These recommendations, made public through the Jewelry Vigilance Committee (JVC), are intended to ensure consumer protection, uphold the integrity of the supply chain, and promote transparency in the industry. The AGTA Industry Terms Committee In January, AGTA unveiled a new committee with the goal of standardizing terms surrounding sustainability and ethics within the jewelry industry. This committee, under the leadership of President Kim Collins, is…

The Met Gala 2023 was not just about the clothes – the jewelry worn by the attendees was equally as stunning. The event, which was dedicated to the late Karl Lagerfeld, saw celebrities and fashionistas adorned with pieces that reflected Lagerfeld’s love for pearls and fine jewelry, and served as testament to the transformative power of accessories in creating unforgettable looks. We take you through our top 5 looks below. Dua Lipa’s Legendary Tiffany & Co Diamond Necklace As one of the event chairs, Dua Lipa was expected to shine, and she did just that. The singer wore an eggshell-colored…

Following a brief and tumultuous transition to a digital-only model, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced a swift return to issuing paper Diamond Dossier reports, in response to industry-wide criticism and concern. In January 2023, the GIA had embarked on an ambitious endeavour to transition to a ‘paperless’ operation, only to backtrack on its decision four months later. This quick reversal came after the diamond trade voiced disapproval over the new digital system, citing concerns about potential disruptions, customer dissatisfaction, and the risk of abuse. The GIA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Pritesh Patel, admitted that…

Diamond Fluorescence isn’t a topic commonly talked about within the consumer market for diamond jewellery. However, in the professional world it is a topic for debate. Does it enhance or detract from the appearance of a stone? How does this affect the stones value?  Discover what fluorescence is, how it is measured and what it means when purchasing your special piece of jewellery. So what exactly is diamond fluorescence? To put it simply diamond fluorescence is like the glow in the dark paint you can buy for black light parties, or Ross’ glowing teeth in that one episode of friends.…

Diamonds are a classic symbol of love, but what if you want to show your appreciation for someone in a more unique way? Pink diamonds are growing in popularity, both for use in jewellery and as an potential investment.Here’s everything you need to know about these beautiful stones. What are pink diamonds? Pink diamonds are one of the rarest colours of ‘fancy coloured’ diamonds – a term that covers diamonds outside the normal white to yellow colour range. In fact, pink diamonds are the second rarest colour of diamond – second only to red diamonds. This rarity can result in…