By David Brough
NEWPORT, Wales – A steady flow of retail buyers attended the first day of the Company of Master Jewellers’ (CMJ) Autumn Trade Event, with visitors noting a strong offering of lab-grown diamond (LGD) jewellery.
Suppliers such as Blossom and Andre Michael showed off their latest lab-grown diamond jewellery collections, and bespoke manufacturers like Artisan Jewels presented their LGD creations at the two-day event held at ICC Wales.
Andre Michael
Yoko London and London Pearl showcased high-end fine cultured pearl jewellery set with diamonds and coloured gemstones.
Daniel Vecht of London Pearl presents an exquisite set of natural colour blue Akoya pearls
Manufacturers such as Domino and Stubbs, lighting solution specialists Parify Lighting, coloured gemstone-set jewellery suppliers Ungar and Ungar, and Ti Sento Milano, showcasing cutting-edge silver jewellery designs at excellent value price points, featured among the exhibitors.
Ungar and Ungar
Organisers estimated that visitor numbers were down 20 percent from the previous CMJ trade event in March, as many retailers were away on holiday during the mid-August heatwave or facing staff shortages due to Covid.
The event was staged against a challenging backdrop of inflation increases, interest rate rises and fears of looming recession in the UK.
The cost of living crisis was seen to be driving market opportunities for lab-grown diamond jewellery at accessible price points.
Independent retailers visited from across England and Wales, including Birmingham, Andover and Torquay. David Mellor Family Jewellers of Andover were looking to restock basic goods including diamond jewellery.
The CMJ’s next Trade Event is scheduled to take place in Birmingham in March 2023.
Parify Lighting
