Strong turnout at Company of Master Jewellers trade event
BIRMINGHAM, March 4, 2012 – Footfall was strong at the latest trade event staged by The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), as independent retailers shopped for the most exciting fresh collections from new designers and established brands.
The March 4-5 CMJ trade event, held at the Hilton hotel at the Birmingham NEC, featured prestigious new suppliers including Shaun Leane and Lalique, new designers such as Alexander Davis and Cindy Dennis Mangan, and renowned international jewellery and watches brands including Roberto Coin and Seiko.
One of the recent suppliers, Deci, presented its new Astra and Troya collections.
Astra celebrates zodiac signs and birthstones, and Troya is a collection of 18-carat yellow gold hand-hammered round discs, strung together and interspaced with small garnet beads, said creative director and founder Dessy Tsolova.
The centrepiece of the Astra collection is a molten metal textured hand made disc set with precious and semi precious stones, suspended on a fine chain.
The collection consists of 12 designs – each disc has the astral constellation designs of the stars for each of the 12 star signs.
Molly Brown presented its new Gobstopper collection of bracelets in sterling silver with enameled globes like gobstoppers, aimed at children and adults.
“The idea of a mother and daughter wearing the same jewellery is key to us,” said Jenny Alderton at the Molly Brown stand.
Molly Brown’s stockists include Harrods and Selfridges.
Established jewellery designer Sarah Jordan presented her 25th anniversary silver collection, including her ruffle pendant for 2012.
The award-winning designer said she was concentrating her energies on silver and bridal jewellery.
Solitaire Gemmological Laboratories (SGL), an independent gem testing lab based in Hatton Garden, the diamond quarter in London, presented their full diamond report for the first time at the CMJ trade event.
Diamonds were highly visible at the show.
Mastercut has a special promotion in which buyers of a diamond ring with a retail value of 2,300 pounds or more, will be entitled to borrow a 30,000-pound diamond tiara for a wedding.
“It is guaranteed to make any bride look and feel like a princess,” Mastercut said.
Gaetano Cavalieri, president of the World Jewellery Confederation (cibjo), was on hand at the CMJ event, and talked of the importance of ensuring the highest ethical standards for diamonds.
He said the Kimberley Process had made great strides to prevent any diamonds used to finance conflict from entering the supply chain.
“Retailers and manufacturers need to press for full traceability of diamonds,” he told Jewellery Outlook.
“We want to guarantee to our consumer that she is buying something which is ethical.”
