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Published: 19:12 EST, 22 December 2022 | Updated: 19:12 EST, 22 December 2022 A famous necklace worn by Princess Diana is expected to fetch up to £120,000 at auction. The Attallah Cross, a crucifix pendant by jewellers Garrard — embossed with gold, silver, amethyst and diamonds — will lead the Sotheby’s annual Royal & Noble sale, which begins on January 6.Diana memorably wore it to a charity ball in 1987 with an Elizabethan-style Catherine Walker gown. The piece reflected her lifelong relationship with Garrard, which adapted The Spencer Tiara for her wedding day and from whom she selected her sapphire engagement ring in 1981.The Attallah Cross was owned by the former boss of Asprey and Garrard, the late Naim Attallah, who would often lend it to Diana to wear at events. The piece reflected her lifelong relationship with Garrard, which adapted The Spencer Tiara for her wedding day and from whom she selected her sapphire engagement ring in 1981It was later passed on to his son Ramsay, who said: ‘Princess Diana and my father were friends and I remember that she often came to see him at the historic Garrard store on Regent Street, where his office was, and she would ask to borrow the pendant on several occasions. She really loved the piece.’Kristian Spofforth of Sotheby’s said: ‘Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah Cross. We are confident that this unique 1920s piece, with such an exceptional provenance and only ever worn by the Princess herself, will attract a wide variety of bidders.’The necklace is understood to only have been worn by Diana and, after her death, it was never seen in public again, the auction house said. Diana memorably wore it to a charity ball in 1987 with an Elizabethan-style Catherine Walker gown The Attallah Cross was owned by the former boss of Asprey and Garrard, the late Naim Attallah, who would often lend it to Diana to wear at events Advertisement
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Titan Buys Additional 27% Stake In CaratLane For Rs 4,621 Crore
The proposed acquisition would further increase the company’s stake in CaratLane to 98.28%.
Titan Co. is set to acquire the residual 27.18% stake in its subsidiary CaratLane Trading Pvt. for a cash consideration of Rs 4,621 crore.
The Tata Group company has signed a share purchase agreement with the founder of CaratLane, Mithun Sacheti, and his family members to acquire all the shares held by them, according to an exchange filing on Saturday.
Titan currently holds 71.09 % of the total equity share capital of CaratLane on a fully diluted basis. The proposed acquisition of 91.9 lakh equity shares would further increase the company’s stake in CaratLane to 98.28%. The latest transaction will ascribe a valuation of Rs 17,000 crore to CaratLane.
The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed by October 31, 2023, the company said in a statement.
"Titan has always prided itself in building strong brands that are amongst the leaders in their categories," said Titan's Managing Director C K Venkataraman. "We have great faith in the India's consumer story and believe that the growth journey of CaratLane has only begun and has a long way to go."
CaratLane started as a pure online affordable jewelry brand in 2008.
In 2016, Titan first invested in CaratLane and the brand has gained popularity over the past eight years.
In FY23, CaratLane’s revenues have grown faster at 73% year-on-year than Titan’s standalone jewellery revenue growth excluding bullion sales at 37%. As on March 2023, CaratLane's turnover stood at Rs 2,177 crore.
Currently, Titan offers jewellery to consumers through three brands — Tanishq, Mia, Zoya and CaratLane. Analysts consider CaratLane as Titan's most valuable subsidiary.
Titan's shares have risen 25% in the last one year.
"Looking into the future, there couldn't be a more ideal destination for CaratLane than Titan and the esteemed Tata Group who will provide the perfect opportunities for CaratLane to continue to grow from strength to strength," said Mithun Sacheti, founder and managing director, CaratLane.
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The Queen's coffin is lying-in-state, topped with the breathtaking Imperial State Crown that was worn on the day of Her Majesty's coronation. But it is just one of dozens of dazzling tiaras and crowns to which the Queen had access. The monarch, who died last week aged 96, wore the sparkling headpieces on high profile occasions. They included her reported favourite, The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, which was given to her by her grandmother Queen Mary, and the The Diamond Diadem, which was often worn by the Queen on her journey o and from the state opening of Parliament since the first year of her reign. She was also generous in loaning her tiaras to her family for their weddings and state dinners. The Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie all wore tiaras from Her Majesty's collection on their wedding days. The Queen reportedly had access to 50 tiaras stored across a number of collection. Many have fascinating stories to tell. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the most captivating...THE DIAMOND DIADEM In 1952, just days after she acceded to the throne, the Queen wore the diadem for official portraits by Dorothy Wilding, which formed the basis for the monarch's image on millions of postage stamps from 1953 to 1971 The oldest tiara - the Diamond Diadem - features four crosses alternating with bouquets representing different parts of the United Kingdom: roses, thistles and shamrocksThe oldest tiara - the Diamond Diadem - has been passed down from monarch to monarch since George IV’s coronation in 1821.It’s worn only for official occasions, such as this State Opening of Parliament in 2002.Made by London jeweller Rundell & Bridge, it features four crosses alternating with bouquets representing different parts of the United Kingdom: roses, thistles and shamrocks.There are 1,333 diamonds, though it was shrunk by Queen Alexandra in 1902, who removed 11 diamonds to fit her smaller head. The Queen Mother also had it resized.It’s unique in the Queen’s collection in that it was made to fit a man, and is consequently heavier than most. The crown features a narrow band of diamonds edged with pearls, surmounted by four crosses-pattee, the front cross set with a pale yellow brilliant diamond, and floral sprays of a rose, a thistle and shamrocks representing national emblems.THE GRAND DUCHESS VLADIMIR TIARA The Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara was made by the illustrious House of Bolin, one of the world’s oldest jewellers, for Maria Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia, and presented on her wedding day in 1874. When the revolution erupted, the family fled and the tiara was left behind, only to be smuggled out of Russia by a British secret agent (pictured in the United States in 1976)Spies, intrigue and a daring escape - the Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara has perhaps the most fascinating story of all.Made by the illustrious House of Bolin, one of the world’s oldest jewellers, for Maria Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia, it was presented on her wedding day in 1874.When the revolution erupted, the family fled and the tiara was left behind, only to be smuggled out of Russia by a British secret agent.It suffered on its journey and had to be rescued by Garrard, who polished it ‘as far as possible’ and replaced two missing diamonds for the princely sum of £26 15s.In 1921, the tiara was sold to Queen Mary by the Grand Duchess’s daughter. A few years later, she had the tiara adapted to replace the 15 pearls with emeralds, but kept the originals so both styles could be worn. The Queen inherited it from her grandmother in 1953.THE ORIENTAL CIRCLET TIARA Resplendent in rubies, the Queen has worn this Oriental circlet tiara only once, on a state visit to Malta in 2005, paired with the Baring ruby necklace that she bought in 1964 (pictured in 2005)Resplendent in rubies, the Queen has worn this Oriental circlet tiara only once, on a state visit to Malta in 2005, paired with the Baring ruby necklace that she bought in 1964.It was designed by Prince Albert for his new wife Queen Victoria, for £860 (equivalent to about £76,000 today) in 1853. The headpiece is huge, containing more than 2,600 diamonds and 11 rubies.The rubies were originally opals, Prince Albert’s favourites, but Queen Alexandra, who inherited the tiara from her grandmother, thought them unlucky and had them replaced.It passed to the Queen Mother when her husband, George VI, came to the throne in 1936, and became one of her two favourite tiaras.The other, the Boucheron Honeycomb tiara, is now seen on the Duchess of Cornwall. The circlet passed to the Queen on her mother’s death in 2002. THE GIRLS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND TIARA Presented by the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck to mark her wedding to George V in 1893, this tiara was one of the Queen’s favourite pieces (pictured wearing it for the State Banquet at Zeugaus in Berlin, Germany in 2018) Presented by the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck to mark her wedding to George V in 1893, this tiara (pictured on the Queen on February 26, 1952) was one of the Queen’s favourite pieces. She affectionately called it ‘Granny’s Tiara’ and wore it during one of her first public appearances after the funeral of her father, George VI It takes its name from the committee of women who raised money to create it. Made of diamonds set in silver and gold, it was topped by 14 pearls but they were replaced with 13 brilliant-cut diamondsPresented by the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck to mark her wedding to George V in 1893, this tiara was one of the Queen’s favourite pieces. She used to affectionately call it ‘Granny’s Tiara’ and wore it during one of her first public appearances after the funeral of her father, George VI.It takes its name from the committee of women who raised money to create it. Made of diamonds set in silver and gold, it was topped by 14 pearls but they were replaced with 13 brilliant-cut diamonds .It is thought to have been one of Her Majesty’s favourites, as she was often seen wearing it, and is even pictured wearing it on some bank notes. THE KOKOSHNIK TIARA One of Her Majesty’s most eye-catching pieces, the Kokoshnik tiara consists of 488 diamonds, set in white and yellow gold (pictured at a state banquet in 1981)One of Her Majesty’s most eye-catching pieces, the Kokoshnik tiara consists of 488 diamonds, set in white and yellow gold.To give an idea of its huge worth, it was presented to Alexandra, Princess of Wales, as a 25th wedding anniversary gift in 1888 - and cost £4,400 (equivalent to roughly £400,000 today).The tiara was inspired by and named after a traditional Russian headdress - Alexandra was the sister of Maria Feodorovna, Empress of Russia and wife of Tsar Alexander III.These sumptuous jewelled tiaras were worn by ladies at court from the mid-19th century onwards. It was inherited by Queen Mary, the Princess’s daughter-in-law, in 1925, who wore it for her official 80th birthday portrait in 1947.This became something of a family tradition; the Queen, who inherited the tiara in 1953, wore it for her Golden Jubilee painting in 2002.THE GEORGE VI SAPPHIRE TIARA The George VI sapphire tiara, was added to the Queen's sapphire collection - started by her father on her wedding day - in 1963The Queen’s sapphire collection is one of her most glittering, containing seven priceless pieces, including a necklace, bracelet, earrings and three rings.This, the George VI sapphire tiara, was added to the set - started by her father on her wedding day - in 1963. It began life as a necklace, bought for Princess Louise of Belgium in the late 19th century. A scandalous figure with a string of lovers, Louise ended up estranged from her family and in dire financial straits.She sold her jewels, including the necklace, which was turned into a tiara, to pay debts. It’s not known exactly how it ended up in the royal vault.THE BRAZILIAN AQUAMARINE TIARA This Brazilian Aquamarine tiara is a favourite of the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, who describes it as ‘majestic in appearance but cool and calming’ (pictured in 1986)This Brazilian Aquamarine tiara is a favourite of the Queen’s dresser, Angela Kelly, who describes it as ‘majestic in appearance but cool and calming’.It was commissioned by the Queen from the then Crown jeweller Garrard in 1957, to match a necklace and earrings given by the President of Brazil to mark her coronation in 1953. She was so fond of the set that she wanted a matching tiara.She is pictured at a state banquet in Moscow in 1994 and wearing a smaller version, thought to have had a few stones temporarily removed, in 1957.QUEEN MARY'S FRINGE TIARA As a young bride in 1947, Princess Elizabeth paired Queen Mary’s Fringe tiara with her flowing Norman Hartnell gown, made from ivory duchesse satin and embroidered with 10,000 pearls (pictured on her wedding day in 1947) As a young bride in 1947, Princess Elizabeth paired Queen Mary’s Fringe tiara with her flowing Norman Hartnell gown, made from ivory duchesse satin and embroidered with 10,000 pearls.But it was very nearly a source of embarrassment. Just before she left for Westminster Abbey, the tiara snapped, and the court jeweller had to rush in for emergency repairs.The tiara, made by Garrard in 1919 from a necklace given to Mary as a wedding present, was given to the Queen Mother in 1936 and later loaned to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Anne for their wedding days.Much like the Kokoshnik tiara, it was designed to look like a fashionable Russian headdress with 47 diamond bars. Tiaras in this style were particularlypopular in the first half of the 20th century, and the Queen inherited it on her mother’s death in 2002.It can also be worn as a necklace, though the Queen has never done so in public. The tiara has been seen only occasionally of late, most recently on a trip to Trinidad in 2009.THE BURMESE RUBY TIARA The Burmese Ruby Tiara was particularly close to the Queen’s heart, as she had it made 98 rubies she received as a wedding gift (pictured at a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019) It’s a rule of royal dresser Angela Kelly that the Queen only ever wears rubies with white, so this ivory gown was perfectly matched to the Burmese ruby tiara at a Silver Jubilee gala in 1977.Commissioned by the Queen from Garrard in 1973, it’s one of only a few pieces of jewellery she hasn’t inherited, so the tiara is thought to reflect her personal style. It incorporates two of her wedding presents: 96 rubies from the people of Burma and diamonds taken from the Nizam of Hyderabad tiara, another gift. According to Burmese tradition, rubies protect the wearer from illness.The tiara is a wreath of roses, each with a ruby centre, separated by rays of diamonds. The rubies are set in gold and the diamonds in silver, though from a distance they’re designed to look like giant gems.It’s thought to have been commissioned to fill a gap in her jewellery collection.THE IMPERIAL STATE CROWN Traditionally worn by the Queen to and from the State Opening of Parliament, this headpiece has been passed down to her through the generations, after it was originally made for King George IV’s coronation (pictured in 2002)Traditionally worn by the Queen to and from the State Opening of Parliament, this headpiece has been passed down to her through the generations, after it was originally made for King George IV’s coronation.Designed by Norman Hartnell, the gown features the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in gold and silver thread. The crown features almost 3,000 diamonds and 269 pearls, 17 sapphires and 11 emeralds weighing two and a half pounds.In her last few years the crown eventually became too heavy for the Queen and in 2019 she did not wear her Imperial Crown during the State of Opening of Parliament in a break with tradition.Instead, the crown was carried in and placed on a table next to her.THE DEHLI DURBAR TIARA The necklace and earrings were inherited by the Queen in 1953, along with the Vladimir Tiara, which was made for Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia around 1874. Pictured: The Queen wearing the jewels in May 1956 The Delhi Durbar necklace and earrings are part of a set of diamond and emerald jewellery made for Queen Mary for the ‘Delhi Durbar’ celebration of George V as King Emperor of India in 1911The Delhi Durbar necklace and earrings are part of a set of diamond and emerald jewellery made for Queen Mary for the ‘Delhi Durbar’ celebration of George V as King Emperor of India in 1911. The necklace and earrings were inherited by the Queen in 1953, along with the Vladimir Tiara.THE QUEEN MARY DIAMOND BANDEAU On her wedding day in May 2018, Meghan wore the tiara that had belonged to the Queen's grandmother Queen Mary (left). It was specifically made for the Queen's grandmother in 1932 to accommodate the detachable brooch, which was given to Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the County of Lincoln. It is one of the items from the Queen's private collectionWhen Prince Harry wed the Duchess of Sussex in 2018, Meghan selected a little-known piece known as the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau. The stunning piece features a magnificent floral-shaped suspended brooch in the centre made of a large round diamond surrounded by nine smaller circular diamonds.It was specifically made for the Queen's grandmother Queen Mary in 1932 to accommodate the detachable brooch, which was given to Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the County of Lincoln.THE CARTIER HALO TIARA Princess Anne often wore her mother's tiara in her youth, including on a visit to New Zealand in 1970. The simple style, which could be worn with a bouffant hair do, was very much in fashion The so-called Cartier Halo tiara was an 18th birthday gift to Princess Elizabeth from her parents, and she loaned it to the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding dayThe Duchess of Cambridge wore the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara on her wedding day in April 2011. The 1000-piece diamond tiara was initially bought in 1936 as an anniversary gift from King George VI to his wife in 1936.It was then given to the Queen on her 18th birthday by the Queen mother. Over the years, it has been worn by Princess Margaret, as well as Princess Anne including during a visit to New Zealand in 1970.There was speculation that Meghan might also don it for her 2018 wedding to Harry but she wore the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara instead.ST. EDWARD'S CROWN Queen Elizabeth II pictured during her coronation ceremony in 1953 wearing St. Edward's Crown, which has been designed twice in its historyThe St Edward's Crown is intended to be worn only once by the monarch, on the day of their coronation. Just as King Charles will wear the headpiece when he is coronated, so did Queen Elizabeth II when she was coronated in 1953.It was named after Edward the Confessor, who was the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, and has taken two forms throughout its lifetime.The first version of the crown was sold off by anti-monarchist Oliver Cromwell, who described it as a 'detestable' symbol of the monarchy.However when the monarchy was restored in Great Britain in 1661, a second St Edward's Crown was designed by Sir Robert Vyner - and that is the version we see in coronation ceremonies today.THE FIVE AQUAMARINE TIARA Permanently on loan? Sophie Wessex, pictured in 2013 at the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill, wearing the Five Aquamarine Tiara which she is believed to have been permanently loaned by the QueenSophie Wessex has worn this stunning piece so frequently, many have speculated that Prince Edward's wife has been permanently gifted the five-stone tiara, in a ribbon setting, to her possession. Its most recent outings include European weddings in Luxembourg in 2012 and at the 2013 nuptials of Princess Madeleine of Sweden.THE MEANDER TIARA Zara Phillips wore a stunning diamond tiara lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne, which had been handed down to her from The Queen Princess Anne, pictured attending a banquet at Guildhall as part of a Norwegian state visit in 1988, used the tiara for many of her appearances in the eightiesOn her wedding day to former rugby ace Mike Tindall in 2011, Zara Phillips wore a stunning diamond tiara lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne.The dazzling headgear originated in the Greek royal family, with Prince Philip's mother Alice gifting it to Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day. The Queen then handed it down to her daughter Princess Anne, who in turn leant it to hers. It consists of a large central cut diamond surrounded by a diamond wreath.CAMBRIDGE LOVER'S KNOT TIARA In December 2018, Kate Middleton dazzled in the Cambridge lover's knot tiara, which was frequently worn by Diana. Right: the late Princess of Wales wearing the tiara during a trip to Hong Kong in 1989. It has become a favourite of Kate's for formal royal occasionsIn December 2018, Kate dazzled at a festive reception at Buckingham Palace, wearing the Cambridge lover's knot tiara. The sparkling number once belonged to Princess Diana and it is now perhaps Kate's most favoured piece of royal jewellery. The tiara was made by Royal jewellers Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary's personal design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family's possession.It was a copy of one owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who married the first Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of King George III, in 1818.In her will Queen Mary left the tiara to to the Queen who wore it frequently, including at an evening event in 1955.In 1981 she gave it as a wedding present to Prince William's mother, Diana, who wore it for the first time at the state opening of parliament that November.Diana also wore the tiara in 1985 on an official visit to Washington with Prince Charles. And since her death the glistening head piece has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge who was most recently spotted wearing it at the state dinner during Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI's visit in 2017. In October 2018, The Duchess of Cambridge wore the tiara to a state banquet along with a silvery blue taffeta gown by one of her go-to designers, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.She teamed it with Princess Diana's Collingwood pearl earrings and Queen Alexandra of Denmark's wedding gift necklace, which was a favourite of the Queen Mother's.The Queen Mother wore the diamond and pearl sparkler her 85th birthday in 1985, and during a formal appearance in 1964. THE GREVILLE TIARA That's a lot of diamonds! Camilla sports the Greville tiara, named after the Hon Mrs Greville for whom it was made in the 1920sThis striking tiara has become a firm favourite of Camilla's. The Duchess of Cornwall has frequently donned the piece that was made by luxury jewellers Boucheron for the Hon Mrs Greville back in the 1920s. When the Queen Mother was gifted it upon Mrs Greville's death, it entered the royal collection and has also been worn by the Queen on several erstwhile occasions. THE LOTUS FLOWER TIARA Kate Middleton wore the Lotus Flower tiara to attend a diplomatic reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, which she placed high up on her head The Lotus Flower Tiara was originally commissioned by the Queen Mother in 1923 (pictured) and was designed to be worn lower on the headThe Lotus Flower Tiara was originally commissioned by the Queen Mother in 1923, who asked royal jeweller to create the diadem, which was originally designed to sit low on the head.The Queen Mother asked for the tiara to be created using diamonds and pearls from a necklace given to her by her husband, King George VI, six months earlier. After Edward VIII's abdication from the throne, Princess Elizabeth sported the tiara in a series of portraits that were commissioned ahead of her father King George VI's coronation.After the death of King George VI, the Queen's younger sister, Princess Margaret, was spotted wearing the Lotus Flower, which is also referred to as the Papyrus tiara.In more recent years, the nearly 100-year-old tiara has become a favourite of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.It is one of three headpieces she has been seen wearing since she married into the Royal Family in April 2011.THE GREVILLE EMERALD KOKOSHNIK TIARA Princess Beatrice added a flash of green to her white bridal gown on her wedding day in October 2018 as she borrowed her grandmother's Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiaraWhen Princess Eugenie wed her beau Jack Brooksbank in October 2018, she added a splash of emerald to her white bridal gown in her stunning headpiece.The Queen's granddaughter sported the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, which was originally made for Dame Margaret Greville in the early 20th century.However in 1942 Dame Margaret bequeathed her jewellery to the Queen Mother, and so the tiara became part of the Royal Family's collection.For around half a century, it didn't make too many appearances among the royals - but that all changed when Eugenie chose to accessorise with the headpiece on her wedding day, delighting royal fans around the world.After the wedding, Buckingham Palace said the tiara was designed taking inspiration from the kokoshniks that had been popular at the imperial court of the Russian Imperial family, the Romanovs.
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From Free To Restricted: What Does The Latest Curb On Jewellery Imports Mean
The government on Wednesday imposed curbs on imports of certain gold jewellery and articles from 'free' to 'restricted.'
The government's latest curbs on imports of gold jewellery are unlikely to have a significant impact as they are introduced to plug existing policy loopholes, according to market participants.
On Wednesday, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade imposed curbs on imports of certain gold jewellery and articles, amending imports of unstudded jewellery and other articles made of gold from 'free' to 'restricted.' However, these restrictions don't apply to imports subject to the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement tariff rate quota, according to a government notification.
What Do These Curbs Mean
The recently imposed curbs on imports of certain gold jewellery and articles mean that importers will require a licence from the government to import the said goods, and there won't be 'duty-free' imports.
Though market participants see this as a move against alleged smuggling and increased imports from Indonesia, analysts say the government is merely plugging the 'loophole' in the policy. It has nothing to do with the grey market operations, they told BQ Prime.
"There is nothing alarming in the notification, with the government merely plugging an existing loophole," said Colin Shah, founder and managing director of Kama Jewellery and former chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. It was a policy loophole where certain types of finished gold jewellery could be imported duty-free, causing certain importers to import them from Indonesia, Shah said.
While gold was already a restricted item, gold jewellery was not, so some lines of jewellery have come under this now, said Sabyasachi Ray, executive director of GJEPC. "Restriction doesn't mean that it is banned. It merely means a controlled import," Ray said. The government has brought these laws to see that item codes are coded correctly and the right quotation is imposed on goods, he said.
Gold imports declined 39.3% year-on-year to $4702.5 million during the April-May period compared to the previous $7749.91 million a year ago, according to trade data released by the government. The decline was largely attributed to the import duty.
The government's move is unlikely to have been a step towards curbing the trade deficit, Ray said. India is a strong force in jewellery manufacturing, and it is not importing as much, he said. "The country remains the fourth largest exporter of jewellery in the world."
So, I see this [restriction] merely as a control mechanism brought by the government, he said.
Gold Prices: Impact
The policy change would not adversely impact gold in domestic markets as it is a global commodity and certain gold jewellery articles form a very small percentage of the imports, experts told BQ Prime.
"There won't be any major impact on prices as they are largely driven by macro-economic factors. The recent change might curb imports from small jewellers as they will now have to get permission before importing certain gold products," said Ravindra Rao, head, commodity research, Kotak Securities.
However, the move may have some impact on gold prices, according to Anuj Gupta, vice president, IIFL Securities. "This will impact gold in the domestic market, and the price may move higher. To manage current account deficits, the government has taken this step. We expect gold prices to move up and test Rs 60,000–60,500 very soon," Gupta said.
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Royal family members yesterday paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II with their accessories when attending Her Majesty's funeral at Westminster Abbey. The Queen, who died at Balmoral aged 96 on September 8, was rarely seen without her pearl earrings throughout her 70-year reign and was known for her elaborate collection of brooches. In her honour, family members donned thoughtful jewellery and accessories as a mark of respect at the monarch's funeral. From Sarah Ferguson's diamond swallow brooch with subtle undertones to Meghan's pearl earrings that were a gift from the Queen, the royal family have used their accessories to express their love and respect. The Queen Consort wore a brooch to mark the Queen's long reign, whilst Lady Louise Windsor chose a horse pendant to express a shared passion. SARAH FERGUSONSWALLOW BROOCH IS A SYMBOL OF SAFETY Sarah Ferguson (pictured) was among many royals who paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral, through their accessories Fergie donned a diamond swallow brooch to attend the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. She pinned it against her peter pan collared jacket Fergie is pictured here with her two sons-in-law Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank. It has been speculated that she opted for the swallow diamond brooch as a mark of respect for her former mother-in-lawThe Duchess of York, 62, elevated her outfit with a pair of diamond earrings and pinned a diamond-encrusted swallow brooch to the lapel of her coat.HELLO! reported that Elmwood's jewellers recognise swallows as a poignant motif in Victorian jewellery, deemed a symbol of safety as legend dictates swallows meant land was nearby, helping sailors navigate their way home. Due to the face that swallow brooches were given to loved ones when they embarked on a journey to keep them safe until they returned home, Fergie may have chosen this motif as a mark of respect for her former mother-in-law. PRINCESS CHARLOTTEHORSESHOE FOR GAN-GAN The daughter of the newly appointed Prince and Princess of Wales pinned a diamond brooch in the shape of a horse shoe to her black mourning clothes Pictured here with her brother Prince George, Princess Charlotte's horseshoe brooch was a nod towards the Queen's love of horses Princess Charlotte also paid a subtle tribute to her great-grandmother at Her Majesty's state funeral. The seven-year-old daughter of the newly appointed Prince and Princess of Wales, pinned a diamond brooch in the shape of horseshoe to her black mourning clothes. The brooch was a dainty nod to the Queen's love of horses, who had her first riding at the age of three and was gifted a Shetland pony when she was just four-years-old. This was the young Princess's first-ever piece of poignant jewellery. PEOPLE revealed that the sentimental brooch was gifted to the young princess by Queen Elizabeth II. It is a love shared by her great-granddaughter; Kate was quoted in 2018 as saying that her only daughter had inherited the Queen's passion for horses. PRINCESS OF WALESQUEEN'S PEARL NECKLACE AND EARRINGS The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, wore two pieces of jewellery once belonged to the late monarch, her husband's grandmother The Princess, 40, wore a four-strand pearl choker with a centre diamond clasp, which the Queen previously wore for a state banquet in Bangladesh in 1983 Princess Kate wore a pair of Bahrain pearl drop earrings that were a gift to the Queen for her wedding in 1947Kate Middleton, 40, also honored Queen Elizabeth II at the state funeral by donning two pieces that once belonged to the late monarch, her husband's grandmother. The Princess of Wales arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing a pair of Bahrain pearl drop earrings and a four-strand pearl choker with a centre diamond clasp. Both of these items were from the Queen's personal collection and the Queen previously wore the choker for a state banquet in Bangladesh in 1983 and the Bahrain earrings were a gift to the Queen for her wedding in 1947. The pearls of the choker were reportedly a gift from the Japanese government, possibly acquired during the 1970s, when she made a state visit to that nation.The necklace was constructed by Garrard.Princess Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey in the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and four-strand pearl choker with center diamond clasp, both from the Queen's personal collection.Kate previously wore the pieces for the funeral of the Queen's husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 2021 and was spotted in the earring during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June this year. In November 1982, the Queen famously loaned this choker to her new daughter-in-law, Diana, the Princess of Wales, to wear during a state visit from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings were part of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal collection.They feature round diamond studs, with baguette-cut diamonds in an arrangement typical of the late 1940s, as well as pearls at the drop.QUEEN CONSORTQUEEN VICTORIA'S DIAMOND BROOCH Camilla, Queen Consort, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Sophie, Countess of Wessex during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II The Queen Consort, Camilla, who is often seen wearing pearls in public opted for a diamond brooch on the day of the Queen's funeral, which once belonged to Queen Victoria Camilla, 75, with her husband King Charles III. Her diamond brooch was gifted to Queen Victoria to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee Camilla's unique brooch was worn by Her Majesty herself during the Diamond Jubilee. The heart-shaped pin features the number 60 in Slavonic numerals wrought in diamonds, surrounded by a cabochon sapphire at the top and two large sapphire drops at the bottomThe Queen Consort, Camilla, who is often seen wearing pearls in public opted for a diamond brooch on the day of the Queen's funeral, which once belonged to Queen Victoria. The unique brooch was worn by Her Majesty herself during the Diamond Jubilee. The heart-shaped pin features the number 60 in Slavonic numerals wrought in diamonds, surrounded by a cabochon sapphire at the top and two large sapphire drops at the bottom. The brooch was gifted to Queen Victoria by her grandchildren. And Camilla may have worn it to mark the fact that Queen Elizabeth II was the longest serving monarch.In October 1897, the Glasgow Herald reported that Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee gifts had been placed on display at the Imperial Institute in London. The brooch was among the numerous gifts displayed.ZARA TINDALLPEARL EARRINGS The Queen's eldest granddaughter Zara Tindall (pictured) also paid tribute to her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at her state funeral, opting for a pair of pearl earrings The daughter of Princess Anne wore a smart black outfit, which she paired with a black pillbox hat and a pair of pearl earrings, an accessory the Queen was rarely seen without Zara and her husband Mike Tindall leaving Westminster Abbey after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth IIThe Queen's eldest granddaughter Zara Tindall also paid tribute to her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at her state funeral. Princess Anne's daughter wore a smart black outfit, which she paired with a black pillbox hat and a pair of pearl earrings. The Queen was rarely pictured without her beloved pearls during her 70-year reign. Wearing pearls has become a royal family mourning tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria. DUCHESS OF SUSSEX PEARL AND DIAMOND EARRINGS FROM THE QUEEN Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, (pictured) also opted for pearl earrings at the Queen's funeral as a mark of respect Wearing pearls has become a royal family mourning tradition that dates back to Queen VictoriaMeghan Markle notably wore the pearl and diamond drop earrings that the Queen gave her during their first engagement together in 2018. A smaller version of the Queen Mary’s Button Earrings the royal wore nearly almost every day, the pair reportedly came straight from Her Majesty’s personal jewelry collection.The Duchess of Sussex also wore the special set on Wednesday, as the Queen’s casket was transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.Meghan's choice of pearl earrings are significant as the royals' tradition of wearing pearls dates back to Queen Victoria.LADY LOUISE WINDSOR HORSE NECKLACE FOR 'GRANNY' Lady Louise Windsor, (pictured) who is the eldest child of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, wore a simple silver necklace with a horse pendant to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II Lady Louise Windsor pictured here leaving the state funeral with her brother James, Viscount Severn. Her horse pendant was a nod to the Queen's love of horses Younger members of the royal family also paid tribute to the late monarch through their sartorial choices. Lady Louise Windsor, who is the eldest child of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, wore a simple silver necklace with a horse pendant to the funeral. Like Charlotte, Lady Louise's choice is believed to symbolise a shared love of horses with the Queen. Louise paired the necklace with a traditional all-black outfit, along with a padded headband complete with a bow.Lady Louise was thought to be one of the favourite grandchildren of the late Queen, and shared an enjoyment of carriage driving with Prince Philip.
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Tata's Titan Is In Talks For $362 Million Debut Rupee Bond
India’s M&A rules don’t typically allow the use of bank loans for such transactions.
(Bloomberg) -- Tata Group’s unit Titan Co. is in early talks with banks as it mulls selling its first ever local-currency bond for 30 billion rupees ($362 million), according to people familiar with the matter.
India’s biggest jewellery maker plans to use the proceeds to help finance its acquisition of CaratLane Trading Pvt., said the people, who requested anonymity discussing a private matter. Other elements of the planned transaction are still under negotiation, they said, adding it may conclude by month’s end.
The bond would be Titan’s first in rupees, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.
Titan is in the process of raising its stake in CaratLane to capitalize on its big online retail presence. India’s M&A rules don’t typically allow the use of bank loans for such transactions.
Titan didn’t immediately reply to Bloomberg’s email and calls seeking comment.
--With assistance from Swansy Afonso and P R Sanjai.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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Titan Q4 Results Review: Jewellery Performance Raises Confidence In FY24 Growth, Say Analysts
The Tata Group company's net profit rose 40% YoY to Rs 736 crore, lower than the Bloomberg estimate of Rs 746.70 crore.
Titan Co.'s jewellery performance raises confidence in the company's FY24, according to most analysts, after the company's fourth-quarter revenue beat analysts' estimates while profit lagged street view.
"Its medium-term growth outlook remains good, supported by various initiatives to drive higher sales of wedding, studded, and fashion jewellery, a strengthening value proposition, and new customer acquisitions," JP Morgan said in a note.
But, some analysts also cut the company's FY24–25 earnings and target price due to weak watch and eyewear margins.
The Tata group company clocked a revenue of Rs 10,360 crore, an increase of 33% year-on-year in the March quarter, according to an exchange filing. Bloomberg estimated the company to clock revenue of Rs 9,322.18 crore. Meanwhile, net profit increased 40% year-on-year to Rs 736 crore, lower than the Bloomberg estimate of Rs 746.70 crore.
"We sensed a confident outlook on jewellery demand trends as well as on jewellery margin, though the need for growth investments, as well as growth led by low-margin wearables, raises concerns for us on watch segment margin," Macquarie Research said in its report.
Demand should hold up well over the coming quarters, albeit with some volatility, said CLSA.
Titan Q4 FY23 (Consolidated figures, YoY)
Revenue up 33% at Rs 10,360 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 9,322.18 crore)
Ebitda up 37% at Rs 1,089 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 1072.42 crore)
Ebitda margin at 10.5% Vs 10.2% (Bloomberg estimate: 11.5%)
Net profit up 40% at Rs 736 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 746.70 crore)
The board has recommended a dividend of Rs 10 per share, to be paid on or after the seventh day from the conclusion of the 39th annual general meeting.
Shares of the company rose 0.71% to Rs 2,672.95 per share, compared to 0.34% gain in benchmark Nifty 50 as of 11:32 a.m.
Of the 30 analysts tracking, 18 maintained 'buy', four suggested 'hold', while one analyst recommended 'sell', according to Cogencis data. Of the remaining seven, six kept a neutral stance between 'buy' and 'hold', while one remained neutral between 'hold' and 'sell'.
Here's what analysts said:
Macquarie Research
Maintains 'outperform' rating and cuts its 12-month price target by 2% to Rs 3,200, implying an upside of 20.2%.
Maintains 'outperform' rating on higher FY24 jewellery margin range guidance and the house's outlook of another quarter of resilient sales growth in jewellery.
Titan sounded positive on Q1 growth, given the recovery in late April.
Q4 jewellery performance raises confidence in FY24 assumptions.
Weak watch and eyewear margins drive a 2% cut to FY24/25 EPS and target price.
Peg continued demand strength in the jewellery segment as a catalyst.
Sees restructuring of franchisee payouts aligning the interests of both company and franchisee and aiding portfolio premiumisation.
marks an increase in competitive intensity as a key risk.
Jefferies
Maintains 'hold' rating on the stock.
India's jewellery growth of 21% was supported by buyer growth and higher bill values.
Segmental margins were a slight miss, partially due to lower gold rates.
Channel correction in eyewear and one-offs resulted in an Ebitda miss.
There was a pick-up in jewellery demand after a moderation in growth during March and early April.
Tweaks FY23–25 earnings by 1-2%.
Says Titan is a structural growth story but pegs valuations as lofty.
CLSA
Maintains 'buy' rating and raises the target price to Rs 3,210 from Rs 3,150.
Pegs comprehensive growth across segments with an optimistic outlook.
While there was some softness in demand in early April, the holiday season saw a bounce back, and the outlook for the coming quarters looks promising.
Titan’s performance remains on track with all segments growing by healthy double digits, providing growth visibility.
Demand should hold up well over the coming quarters, albeit with some volatility.
With some inventory clean-up in 4Q, the eye-care business also started FY24 with strong growth momentum.
Strong show in other businesses that are scaling up rapidly.
Jewellery growth remains strong despite a soft March.
JP Morgan
Maintain 'overweight' on the stock with a price target of Rs 3,000 per share.
The company's operating performance was ahead of the house's expectations.
Management narrative on incremental jewellery demand and margin (FY24 target 12.5–13%) was positive compared to investor fears.
Expects Titan's outperformance to sustain, aided by steady revenue for its core portfolio and future growth options for emerging businesses.
Titan will benefit from a higher market share as jewellery purchases shift to organised players while the unorganised segment becomes less competitive.
It is uniquely positioned in terms of hefty headroom for market share-led revenue growth over the long term, strong competitive moats, a lower threat to profitability, and portfolio diversification opportunities.
Its medium-term growth outlook remains good, supported by various initiatives to drive higher sales of the wedding, studded, and fashion jewellery, a strengthening value proposition, and new customer acquisitions.
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Senco Gold IPO: All You Need To Know
The funds will be used mainly for funding working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.
Senco Gold Ltd. will launch its initial public offering on Tuesday. The jewellery retailer is looking to raise a total of Rs 405 crore, out of which Rs 270 crore will be raised through a fresh issue.
Issue Details
Issue opens: July 4.
Issue closes: July 6.
Total issue size: Rs 405 crore.
Face value: Rs 10.
Offer for sale: Rs 135 crore.
Shares for OFS: 42,58,675.
Price band: Rs 301–317 per share.
Lot size: 47 shares.
Listing: BSE and NSE.
The company has not undertaken any pre-offer placement.
Business
Senco Gold is a pan-India jewellery retailer with a history spanning over five decades. As the largest organised jewellery retail player in eastern India, they have a wide geographical footprint in non-eastern states.
Their offerings include gold, diamond, silver, platinum, and precious and semi-precious stone jewellery, as well as costume jewellery, gold and silver coins, and silver utensils.
Their omnichannel network currently comprises 75 company-operated showrooms, 61 franchisee showrooms, and online platforms—encompassing 13 states, including Tier II locations.
Use Of Proceeds
The funds will be used for the following purposes:
Funding working capital requirements of the company: Rs 196 crore
Risk Factors
Significant competition from well-established players in local markets. Emerging competition from unorganised players via e-commerce.
The trademark for the company's name, Senco Gold & Diamonds, has been objected to. Third-party usage of the company name can confuse customers, lead to negative publicity, and adversely affect goodwill.
The company has been subject to a search and seizure operation by the income tax department and other government agencies.
The business is dependent on skilled artisans, designers, and sales teams. Failure to attract the right employees or any negative actions by franchisee personnel who fall outside Senco Gold's purview may harm the business's image.
The jewellery industry is subject to rapid and unpredictable changes in fashion trends and customer preferences.
Senco obtains gold on a loan basis, primarily from bullion banks, which remain subject to RBI regulations. Any adverse change in the regulations governing gold on a loan basis may affect the financial condition and results of operations.
The lion's share of revenue comes from the sale of gold jewellery.
Volatility in the market price of gold and diamonds has a bearing on the inventory value, income, profitability, and scale of operations.
Binding agreement with DeBeers India to maintain minimum levels of 'Forevermark' jewellery and pay minimum fees to DeBeers, irrespective of sales of associated diamond jewellery.
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Jewelry designed by Zak Sheinman, for Motley. (c)Marija Vainilaviciute London-based Motley's unique business model is shaking up the industry, with an original demi-fine offering designed by some of the most talented jewelry designers on the contemporary scene. Co-founder Cecily Motley explains about how her business is empowering consumers to invest in design. Cecily Motley has been up all night, not that I would know from the impeccably presented face on my screen. Actually both of us have, wakeful babies don't care about Zoom schedules, nor do they care about young businesses that are currently disrupting the jewelry industry in ways that would not have been possible a decade ago. With exclusive collections from the likes of Francesca Villa, Christopher Thompson-Royds and Alice Cicolini, Motley makes designer jewelry accessible to a savvy consumer. If a recent slew of hit collections and rave reviews is anything to go by, those consumers are fully onboard. Enabling this, is a business model that gives designers carte blanche to create an exclusive capsule collection for sale on the Motley website, produced in silver and vermeil. Motley takes care of production, calling on a worldwide network of craftspeople, and ensures that the designer's creative vision is accurately translated. "Motley is collaborative in its soul," says Cecily, "designer trust enables us to execute to the standard they are happy with, within an affordable context. It's not about cheap jewelry, but accessible design." The gold and green jade Talisman necklace by Charlotte Garnett for Motley, is designed to help ... [+] soothe anxiety. 2019 Tom Carter Fresh from a pop-up in Carnaby, London, Motley has just launched at historic London department store, Fortnum & Mason. Like many digital-first jewelry brands, it fared well during the pandemic, with the recently extended Charlotte Garnett anti-anxiety collection seeing particular success. Garnett, whose tactile forms are intended to be grounding during times of anxiety, was a part of the brand's young designers program in collaboration with Central Saint Martins. Motley sponsors the BA jewelry show and chooses a designer to come onto the platform each year; another program alumni is Zac Sheinman, he of the deliciously puffy hoop earrings that have become a Motley bestseller. It's a chance for young graduates to take their first steps into selling their work with minimal risk. And it's this broad vision and focus on freshness, coupled with the designers' own sixth sense for the zeitgeist, that makes Motley special. The Boom earrings, designed by Zak Sheinman for Motley and produced using electroforming. Courtesy of Motley What is your first jewelry memory?
I had a very elegant grandmother, who had a lot of costume jewelry. I remember going through her jewelry box when I was about eight, taking all her earrings and clipping them into my hair, around my head like a crown.
But it's almost been an intellectual path into jewelry, rather than a love of the object itself. I was the director of the Louisa Guinness gallery, where we would deal in jewelry made by artists rather than jewelers. I discovered that a lot of 20th century artists - like Alexander Calder - also made jewelry, and saw no separation between the two. Objects with a function are traditionally seen as a lesser kind of art, and that conversation around function, form and hierarchy was interesting.
What was the impetus to make the shift to a more accessible market?
The jewelry designer is an artist, engineer, sculptor, making art for the body as a moving canvas. It's a deeply fascinating process and that was the thing that got me, but I wanted to do it at a more inclusive price point.
Because of the old-fashioned view of jewelry as stones and metals ready to be melted down in hard times, we know its worth. We believe more people should be able to enjoy jewelry art by wearing it on the body. A few collectors can buy Picasso, but the rest of us can go to a gallery and see one; Motley is about bringing that approach to the jewelry world. It's quite Bauhaus in its vision. The Ares cuff by Hannah Martin for Motley, in gold vermeil. 2021 Tom Carter Who were the first designers you worked with?
We launched with five collaborations; Christopher Thompson-Royds, Sian Evans, Hannah Martin, Scott Wilson and Alessandro Petrolati. The list grew organically to include both designers and makers.
We're not really about fashion, but the designers we choose still manage to tap into what’s right for now almost subconsciously - Alice Cicolini dropped a neon capsule with us right when it was trending, without realizing.
Your tagline 'fine jewellery at insider prices' reflects a unique positioning. How do you achieve this?
The designers design the jewelry, we then collaborate to get it market-ready by calling on a suite of makers for manufacture. One good example, are Zac Sheinman’s Boom hoop earrings, which were electroformed, making them amazingly light. He designed them first in CAD (computer-aided design), which was printed in wax, and then dipped into a silver ion solution which melts the wax from the middle, making very interesting forms possible. Our manufacturers play an active part in the design stage, their expertise informs the final product.
It sounds like maintaining a certain level of craftsmanship is really important for you.
Yes, it is. Craft is perceived as hobbyism, but it takes years of training and expertise to be able to create these pieces. Motley is about driving the medium forward, challenging the difference between perception and reality. We've had Christopher Thompson-Royds who is known for his exquisite cutting, for example. He has said that the beauty of Motley is that people get a "proper" piece of jewelry because of the craftsmanship, and I think that's really the crux of it. Rings by Charlotte Garnett for Motley (c)Marija Vainilaviciute What makes Motley so attractive to designers?
I think it's that collaborative experience and access to a wider platform. The designers do what they enjoy, while Motley takes care of the rest.
All the capsules we carry have the designers' hallmark, but not necessarily the signatures that they are known for. They have to have a strong visual language that will translate with clarity into a different metal, if they are used to working with gold for example. We challenge them to work outside precious materials.
Tell me a little about the people who produce Motley collections.
We have makers in Italy, Turkey, Spain, Thailand and India. We pair the project with the manufacturer depending on what techniques are required, so very detailed finishing often goes to our partners in Thailand, we go to Italy for electroforming and casting, as well as the micro-ceramic plating we used for the Lola Fenhirst collection. Some of these are techniques not commonly used with silver.
Because we have evergreen as well as limited edition pieces, makers can take on complex pieces knowing they will only need to make 150. These are balanced with easier pieces in the core collection which are not made to order. For gifting, people want the product right away, but for the more expensive limited editions which are often self-purchased, people are happy to wait. The Pink Galileo ring by Alice Cicolini for Motley. 2021 Tom Carter Who is your customer? Is it the sort of person you had expected it would be?
She is mainly female and we had assumed she would be younger, but actually the mean is 25-45, with a focus on 35 and up. We also have people in their fifties and sixties - our gift cards are a great indicator of why people are buying, we have birthday messages ranging from twenty-firsts to fiftieths. Self-purchase is also a big part of the mix, carrying a 30% bigger spend.
Consumers are going for something that looks different. The over-50s are very loyal, but the challenge is accessing them in the first place, we're more likely to be able to reach them via traditional communications than Instagram.
Our target might love design and have already bought pieces. But a larger market is a person who has bought a statement necklace from a high-street brand in the last year, that fell apart. That person doesn't know they can access that sort of design at good quality. Then there is a customer who is not fashion-driven, who is looking for longevity and timelessness. This is closely linked to luxury, we wanted to show it can be accessible.
Tell me a little about the challenges and successes of starting a market-disrupting business such as Motley, as two female founders.
I have to say that two women raising funds for a business perceived as 'girly' was tough, it doesn't matter how solid your financials or experience are, it's not easy to be taken seriously. Added to that, in jewelry there is already a lot of noise on the channels we use and the market is very fragmented. You need to know the market you're disrupting; we had to raise the money and also educate people about jewelry, because investors' perception of the market was different to the reality. Cecily Motley and Ilana Lever Courtesy of Motley How do you see the market for independent jewelry design evolving now?
We're at an interesting moment, the market is trending towards authenticity, storytelling and independence. Middle-market jewelry has had a decade of the initial demi-fine disruptors which has made people feel comfortable with buying themselves jewelry.
Don't forget that women buying for themselves is a recent thing, traditionally it was a gift, linked to an occasion or status, and many smart, independent women still leave it to their husbands. But it's also about empowerment, women want to invest their own money in design that reflects their style and personality. Our jewelry is for a discerning buyer, a knowledgable world of women who are now becoming the investors in jewelry.
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Manoj Vaibhav Gems N Jewellers IPO Subscribed 13% On Day 1
The IPO has been subscribed 13% on Friday.
Manoj Vaibhav Gems N Jewellers Ltd. launched its initial public offering on Sept. 22.
The South Indian regional jewellery brand plans to raise up to Rs 270.20 crore via a fresh issue and offer for sale. The fresh issue will be worth a total of Rs 210 crore, while the offer for sale will be worth Rs 60.20 crore.
In the OFS segment, promoter Grandhi Bharata Mallika Ratna Kumari (HUF) will be the sole selling shareholder and will offload a total of 28 lakh shares. Out of the total IPO size, 50% is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15% for non-institutional investors, and the remaining 35% is to be allotted to retail individual investors.
Issue Details
Issue opens: Sept. 22.
Issue closes: Sept. 26.
Total issue size: Rs 270.20 crore
Fresh issue size: Rs 210 crore
OFS size: Rs 60.20 crore
Face value: Rs 10 apiece
Fixed price band: Rs 204–215 per share
Minimum lot size: 69 shares.
Listing: NSE, BSE.
Business
The Company, also known as Vaibhav Jewellers, is a regional jewellery brand in South India. Incorporated in 2003, the company offers a range of gold, silver, and diamond jewellery along with precious gemstones.
The company has a presence in the micromarkets of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and conducts business via their website and their 13 showrooms, inclusive of two franchisees, spread across eight towns and two cities. The company had a 4% market share of the overall Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jewellery markets and a 10% market share of the organised market in these two states in FY23, according to a Technopak Report.
Use Of Proceeds
To finance the set up of the proposed eight new showrooms.
(a) Estimated capital expenditure: Rs 12 crore.
(b) Estimated inventory cost: Rs 160.02 crore.
General corporate purposes.
Out of the Rs 12 crore estimated for the capital expenditure for setting up the new showrooms, Rs 3 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY24, while the balance of Rs 9 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY25.
Out of the Rs 160 crore estimated for the inventory cost for setting up the new showrooms, Rs 40 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY24, while the balance of Rs 120 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY25.
Subscription Status: Day 1
The IPO has been subscribed 13% or 0.13 times as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Institutional investors: 0
Non-institutional investors: 0.05 times.
Retail investors: 0.25 times.
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The government has decided to enforce the law against the air passengers who smuggle in gold into Sri Lanka, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says. Accordingly, air passengers will be banned from wearing gold jewellery valued more than 22 carats without the approval of the Controller General of Imports & Exports, the lawmaker said further. Meanwhile, Customs officials have been instructed to use special techniques to ascertain the condition and quantities of gold items. The gazette notification pertaining to this decision will be issued in the coming week, the state minister added. He noted that migrant workers returning to the country or normal air passengers would not be affected by this move. Misusing the relaxed restrictions on the quality or amount of gold jewellery that an air passenger is allowed to wear, the smugglers illegally bring in at least 50kg of gold per day, State Minister Siyambalapitiya explained. Information revealed that some smugglers travel overseas daily and bring 24-carat gold ornaments with them. According to the lawmaker, it is estimated that Sri Lanka incurs a loss of USD 30 million of foreign exchange per month. The decision was taken after studying a report handed over by the Customs Director General to Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya recently.
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Media caption, Scotland's only gold mine is reading to ramp up extractionAs a four-wheel drive truck with a large red metal box on its flatbed rumbles into the gaping mouth of the Cononish mine, near Tyndrum in the west of Scotland, geologist Rachael Paul explains what's happening. "They can carry explosives in there", she says.We are heading into the access tunnel at Scotland's only gold mine.Scotgold Resources has been developing mining work at this site since 2007.And now the company is aiming to ramp up extraction and wants to develop new sites nearby.Image source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, The Cononish mine has been in development since 2007By this summer, it aims to be extracting about 2,000 ounces (57kg) of gold monthly, worth more than £3m.It's a wild winter's day on the surface, but as we travel further into the mountain, it begins to feel mild, almost warm. Mapping the veinImage source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Geologists map the vein and tell the miners where to drillRachael points to a thin line of light-covered stone above our heads. "That's the vein," she tells us."It's a quartz vein with sulphides in it. It runs through the mountain. It's been here for 400 million years."We're looking for pyrites, sulphides, different minerals, because the gold isn't visible to the naked eye."Image source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Geologist Rachael Paul says the potential for further development and mining at the site is "exciting"Rachael's team map the vein and tell the miners which direction to drill into the rock.They then charge it, blast it and muck it out with trucks. It's taken away to be crushed into a concentrate that contains the gold.It has taken two years to reach this point in the mine's development. This main tunnel is more than a kilometre long. More tunnels branch off it. They follow the vein on three levels. Image source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Rocks brought up from the mine then go through a series of grindersRachael says the gold vein itself, and others nearby, are "hundreds of kilometres long".They start in Scotland, go through Northern Ireland and then into Canada. They were once joined up, apparently, when these countries were part of a single giant continent. "There's endless potential. There could be more below us. As a geologist, it's very exciting," Rachael adds."We're lucky here. The gold is comparatively dense. There's about 10g per tonne."That may sound like searching for a needle in a haystack, but for gold miners, that amount of gold could make this mine very profitable.From gold flakes to gold barsImage source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, The mine is located in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National ParkBelow the mine entrance, a long low green warehouse is tucked in to the side of the mountain. It's insulated for sound - a strict rule, as this site is in a National Park. Inside, its noisy. Tonnes of rock, brought up from the mine, is tumbling through a series of huge grinders.A massive metal drum spins like a tumble dryer, separating waste rock from gold flakes. The rubble flows along conveyor belts. What's left looks like wet stony sand. This is as close to gold as we will get. Almost all of this material will be sent abroad for refining. One day it'll be gold bars. Image source, Picture Exclusive Image caption, Picture exclusive: Most of the material left at the end of the process at Cononish will be sent abroad for refiningFor Phil Day, a Western Australian and CEO of Scotgold Resources, there's light at the end of the tunnel, with some "bumper months" ahead. "With all the work the team's done, it's going to be finally paying dividends," he says."People seem to love gold. The more there is uncertainty in the world, the more people want to invest in gold."Phil says the gold price has gone up in recent years and the workforce here has grown from 15 to 100 over the past two years. They're preparing for a new phase in production. "Retreat stoping" is an extraction method which Phil says allows them to get more productivity."More ounces of gold in a more controlled and better format," he explains."That's what allows us to get the gold output of 2,000 ounces (57kg) per month."'The name of the game is to grow, grow, grow'Image source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Scotgold Resources says people want to invest in goldPhil says there's up to nine years left in this mine. But with the discovery of secondary gold veins in parallel to the ones already found, the company hopes "to be able to push that out, to even double that".And Scotgold Resources could be looking to expand."The area that we have stretches to the west just south of Oban, down Campbeltown way, and continues through to Loch Tay and the like. We have 2,900 sq km of area that we can explore," says Phil."So once we've done the Cononish vein, and the one next to it, then we'll explore out and see how big we can actually make this company. "Phil cannot or will not say how many mines, but says that if they can make Cononish profitable, the firm will look to "make satellite mines all the way along"."That is the name of the game," he adds. "To grow, grow, grow."Image source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Phillip Day wants to expand the company and develop "satellite mines" near CononishBut there could be tension between mining on that scale and protecting the natural environment. About 550,000 tonnes of rock is set to be brought out of Cononish over its current projected lifespan. The new seam of gold could see that rise further. Every new mine would bring out another huge pile of rock, which needs disposal. Image caption, Tonnes of rubble flow along conveyor belts in the processing plantCurrently Scotgold Resources are required to spread this rock into the contours of the hillside, then cover it with peat, soil, and plants - in short, to restore the land entirely. But there's bound to be concern voiced by local and environmental groups, if and when applications are made for new mines. "We've worked tirelessly to make sure we don't do any harm to people or to the environment. We strictly adhere to the rules that we've been given," says Phil Day.Gold mining on this scale may seem outlandish. But at £1,500 per ounce, it's too tempting a prospect for some to ignore. So why does gold prove popular with some investors, despite producing no interest, dividend or earnings?Lena Komileva, chief economist at G+ Economics in London, says that for many gold is a reassuring investment at a time of great change."There is always a reason to buy and hold gold. It is a store of value," she says. "It is a vehicle for transfer of value between generations."Most of the gold produced at the Cononish mine is sold abroad. The end productImage source, Scotgold ResourcesImage caption, Poured Scottish gold before being refined for sale to a retailerBut a small amount - just a few kilos each year - is now used by two Scottish jewellers, Edinburgh-based Hamilton and Inches, and Sheila Fleet in Orkney. "It comes to us in this beautiful form - a solid gold bar," explains Frances Desoisa, marketing manager at Hamilton and Inches."It's got that slightly rosier tint and a slightly warmer hue."Image source, HAMILTON AND INCHESImage caption, Gold produced at Cononish is now being used by two Scottish jewellersShe adds: "We're all becoming more aware of where things are coming from, whether that's in the food industry or textiles. The jewellery industry is no different to that. "So the fact it's 'single mine origin', so close to where we are now, our clients want to know about that."She says Scottish gold appeals to a wide variety of customers. "We've done a huge range of bespoke commissions - wedding bands, signet rings are very popular, as well the more statement style pieces."We also have people from all over the world, who feel this really special connection to Scotland and want to take it home with them."We don't know how much Scottish gold there'll be in future. "That makes it more special and rare."
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Blackstone Acquires International Gemological Institute For Over $525 Million
IGI is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, but counts on India, the largest diamond polisher in the world, for a majority of its revenues and profits.
Global private equity giant Blackstone, on Sunday, announced the acquisition of International Gemological Institute (IGI) at an enterprise value of over $525 million (Rs 4,352.54 crore).
IGI is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, but counts on India, the largest diamond polisher in the world, for a majority of its revenues and profits.
Blackstone has acquired 80% stake in the company from Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart (Group) Co., a subsidiary of Fosun, and the remaining from Roland Lorie, who belongs to the founding family, as per an official statement.
The company is a global leader in independent certification of diamonds, gemstones, and jewellery, with a global footprint of 29 laboratories, including 18 in India, and 18 schools of gemology across 10 countries.
"IGI has spearheaded the certification of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and coloured stones, becoming a global market leader and providing confidence to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers around the world," IGI's senior managing director Mukesh Mehta said.
Blackstone will be aiming to expand the company's global footprint using its operational expertise, capabilities in technology, and global track record in building successful businesses, Mehta added.
"We are pleased to entrust Blackstone to take IGI on to its next stage of development," Lorie, who is also the chief executive of the company, said, adding the aim is to grow the business 'exponentially' from here.
"It has been our pleasure to work with Mr. Roland Lorie and the management team driving IGI's rapid growth in the past four years. Today, IGI's business is more diversified and solid with a more globalised landscape," said Kevin Shikun, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Fosun.
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Elizabeth Taylor wore a 68-carat version, Audrey Hepburn and Beyoncé sported the same yellow one and Shirley Bassey made a large slice of her fortune singing about them. Diamonds have long been the most coveted gem for anyone with enough money or status, but the growing popularity of a lab-grown version of these stones is now causing schisms in the jewellery world.Lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks in plasma reactors and have only been recognised as diamonds by the US’s Federal Trade Commission since 2018, but they have already spawned a $6bn industry, a figure that is expected to double by 2025.In the last year, luxury brands’ attitudes towards lab-grown diamonds (LGD) have shifted too. There has been significant investment in the stones. Jeweller Pandora launched its Brilliance collection featuring lab-created diamonds made with 100% renewable energy in the US this summer.“North America is the biggest market for diamonds globally,” says Rasmus Brix, UK&Ireland managing director at Pandora, “so it was a big moment for us. And, as Pandora is the world’s largest jewellery brand, it was a big moment for the LGD market too.”At the high end, luxury conglomerate LVMH, which includes brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany, invested in an Israeli lab-grown producer this year. Tag Heuer, another LVMH brand, introduced the Carrera Plasma in March. It’s the watch company’s first timepiece adorned with lab-grown diamonds.Celebrities are also endorsing the LGD trend. Rapper Drake liked the one-off necklace that musician Frank Ocean’s lab-jewellery brand Homer made for the 2021 Met Ball so much he bought it for $1.9m (£1.7m) this year. Actress Zoe Kravitz has also worn lab grown gems to the Met Ball. Lady Gaga, Billy Porter and Penelope Cruz are just some of the names who have worn the stones to walk the red carpet.Though lab-grown stones were first created in 1954, recent technological advances in manufacturing mean that they now match “the four Cs” of natural diamonds – cut, clarity, colour and carat. They are made using carbon-rich gases at low pressure and high temperature. Jewellers cannot tell natural from lab without specialist equipment. “When lab-grown arrived, they were seen as a threat by the diamond industry,” says Jessica Warch, co-founder of LGD firm Kimaï. “It’s also a very small industry, everyone knows each other, and when we first started they wondered why we were getting involved with these ‘fake’ diamonds. But they see demand changing and now some of them deal lab-grown.”British-Israeli jewellery designer Talya Paskin has also encountered strong opinions on the new stones. Her brand Aurum + Grey is a favourite with celebrities such as the Duchess of Sussex, and Kylie Jenner. She uses recycled metal and stones where possible but also includes lab-grown in her collection. “There are two very clear camps within the industry with very strong opinions,” she says. “An American trade forum I’m a member of has actually banned any posts about lab-grown diamonds; the opinions are black and white.”There is an assumption that lab-grown are fundamentally more ethical than mined diamonds as it is easier to trace their provenance. Like many centuries’ old industries, the history of diamond mining is steeped in colonialism and abuse of human rights and the environment. But 56% of lab-grown diamonds come from China, a country that does not have a reputation as a bastion of good working conditions.The UK’s Responsible Jewellery Council is in the process of developing a set of standards to make sure they are subjected to the same rigorous standards as natural diamonds.While the disagreement about lab-grown is in part a pragmatic debate about sustainability this is also a generational shift in the definition of luxury. The idea of what a diamond should be and where its value lies is changing or splitting.“We grew up around fine jewellery, but we feel disconnected from the traditional market,” says Warch. “In terms of marketing, it all still seems aimed at our grandparents – something for men to buy for women. It’s so outdated. With Kimaï we wanted to create jewellery we would buy for ourselves. Lab-grown are also cheaper to make for the planet and cheaper for people’s wallets.”The democratisation of diamonds is something that Brix mentions too. “Our objective has always been to create jewellery that’s accessible for everyone. Our Brilliance range is at a lower price than mined diamonds.”David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, believes that the difference in price has long-lasting consequences for consumers. “A lab-grown will give you the pleasure of a nice diamond but it won’t be worth as much over time,” he says. “We talk about the endorphin rush that a diamond gives you. For most people, a diamond is something that you wear every day and then pass on to your children. I think a natural diamond gives you a bigger long-term endorphin rush.”
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Why a weak yuan is spurring a retail gold rush in China
- The spread between the domestic and international price for the precious metal is at a decade high
- Chinese consumers are racing for safety as they see their assets dwindle
With the yuan weak, housing in the doldrums and stocks as insecure as ever, China’s working and middle class are turning to one investment option that is regaining some shine: gold.
For Chinese consumers with limited access to overseas investment products, the precious metal is one of the few ways they can try to counter the shrinking value of their other assets.
The yuan is only expected to weaken, but most Chinese individuals cannot buy US dollars or US dollar-denominated products to hedge against the Chinese currency’s fall.
Against that backdrop, the easiest option for the general public is to buy gold bars or gold jewellery at retail outlets, even if it means paying extra in processing fees.
The interest has sent spot gold prices in China to 13-year highs and widened the spread with the international price to the most in a decade.
As of Monday, the spot price of gold was over 473 yuan (US$64.71) per gram, resulting in a gap of about 4.7 per cent between the domestic and international gold price in China.
In mid-September, the retail price for gold from main brands, such as Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang and China Gold, had risen to 600 yuan per gram, but buyers were still not deterred.
On Chinese microblogging site Weibo, one post on the rising price of gold jewellery was read more than 48 million times within a day of publication.
Fred Qiu, a business-development manager for a jewellery brand in eastern China, said there were more customers for the precious metal at his company’s stores, but different products appealed to different generations.
“Little one-gram beans of gold are particularly attractive to Gen Z customers, while young couples and middle-class women prefer gold bars – the 10-gram and 50-gram bars are especially popular,” Qiu said.
At a shopping centre in the southern city of Guangzhou, a sales manager at a jewellery shop said business was on the up, with sales rising by 20 to 30 per cent in the past two months, year on year.
Advising a customer on the virtues of gold, she said some customers set aside money in each pay cheque.
“In a year, they would have a dozen or so gold beans. Each gold bean weighs a gram, and it was about 500 yuan (US$68.57) early this year. Now it has risen to about 600 yuan. This is more valuable and reliable than buying any stock,” the sales manager said.
Guangzhou resident Annie Fang is one of the frustrated members of China’s middle class watching the value of her portfolio fall, and she understands why the metal seems attractive.
“Among the uncertainties, both economically and politically, gold is becoming more credible than other domestic assets, whether it’s property or stock,” Fang said. “I can understand why there are still so many people buying it.”
She said that, for many people, the feeling of security from being able to invest abroad or buy foreign currency and move their wealth abroad had vanished, giving them little room to manoeuvre to safeguard their wealth.
In the past year or so, China’s leading banks have also introduced restrictions on precious-metal-trading services for retail clients, including limits on the opening of new accounts, increases in guaranteed deposit ratios, and the suspension of purchase transactions.
While gold was not as good an investment as US dollars, she said people should consider buying it as a gift for friends.
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Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, In 1987 Princess Diana wore the Attallah Cross with a purple dress designed by Catherine WalkerKim Kardashian is the new owner of a necklace that was worn by Princess Diana.The Attallah Cross was put up for sale at Sotheby's in London as part of its Royal and Noble Sale on Wednesday.Four people competed in a bidding war, with the US reality TV star winning the auction after five minutes.The amethyst cross is a 1920s pendant by luxury jewellery designer Garrard, which Princess Diana wore on many occasions.It was most famously worn by the princess in October 1987 at the London charity gala for Birthright, a charity protecting the human rights of women during pregnancy and childbirth.The cross-shaped pendant features large amethyst stones, framed by 5.2-carat diamonds.Image source, Sotheby'sImage caption, The Sotheby's pre-sale estimate for the piece was £80,000 to £120,000It was first bought by businessman Naim Attallah in the 1980s who, as a result of his friendship with Diana, loaned it to her several times over many years. It was his estate that put the item up for auction.Reality TV star Kardashian paid a total of £163,800 for the cross, far higher than Sotheby's pre-sale estimate of £80,000 to £120,000.Head of jewellery at Sotheby's London Kristian Spofforth said: "Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah Cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive."To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess's growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices, at that particular moment in her life."It is not the first historic fashion item Kardashian has shown an interest in.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Kardashian revealed she lost 16 pounds (7kg) to fit into Marilyn Monroe's iconic dressAt last year's Met Gala, she wore a Marilyn Monroe gown that was loaned to her from Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum.The dress was worn by Monroe during her performance of Happy Birthday to US president John F Kennedy in 1962.
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The under-the-Radar jewellery brand you need on your radar - as seen on Emily in Paris and House of the Dragon (prices start from £17) Published: 08:00 EDT, 14 October 2022 | Updated: 08:03 EDT, 14 October 2022 SHOPPING: Products featured in this article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, MailOnline will earn an affiliate commission. Finding cool jewellery with an affordable price tag is no mean-feat, but discerning shoppers are adorning their hands, ears and necks in Ottoman Hands, with pieces that look so expensive you'll be forgiven for thinking they look designer.With bestselling pieces from just £17, Ottoman Hands is a great way to add cool, covetable pieces to your outfit without having to break the bank. Ava Pearl Drop Huggie Earrings Strung on gold huggie hoops, these drop earrings are handmade with iridescent natural pearls.The modern pearl earrings pair perfectly with any outfit, from jeans to bridesmaid dresses, adding a touch of luxury to any look. £39 Shop Tasteful and stylish without having an intimidating price point, Ottoman Hands have been used in House of the Dragon, Emily in Pairs and Sex Education (Pictured: Hydra Labradorite and Ruby Drop Earrings above)And the best news? You can get 10 per cent off your first order when you sign up to the brand newsletter. Inspired by the ancient Ottoman Empire, it seems fitting that the playful and talismanic jewellery of Ottoman Hands has been chosen to appear in House of the Dragon. Uniting eastern and western heritage, every piece is handcrafted by highly skilled artisans in their Istanbul workshop and made from 21ct gold-plated brass and alluring semi-precious stones.Inspired by antique or vintage jewellery with a contemporary twist, Ottoman Hands pieces are designed to be worn every day.Unique but highly wearable, prices start from just £17 for a pair of Gold Seashell Stud Earrings and go up to £110 for a pair of show-stopping Innana Ruby, Emerald and Aqua Chalcedony Drop Earrings.To help narrow down your search for the perfect piece, the brand's bestseller page is loaded with covetable buys.From a twist on a classic pair of hoops to more unusual pendant necklaces that are sure to reap compliments, there is a style to suit everyone. Inspired by the ancient Ottoman Empire, the brand has playful and talismanic rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces Lily Collins in Emily in Paris wearing the Ottoman Hands Aristea Pearl and Gold Bead Hoop Earrings, £60Ottoman Hands makes self-gifting more accessible with prices you're sure to love. And better still, you can get 10 per cent off your order when you sign up. If you're in need of some more inspiration, then you might be interested to know the jewellery brand is regularly seen on popular tv shows such as House of the Dragon, Emily in Paris and Sex Education.You can shop the striking gemstone Hydra Labradorite and Ruby Drop Earrings (£69), as spotted on House of the Dragon to the Aristea Pearl and Gold Bead Hoop Earrings (£60) as seen in Lily Collins in Emily in Paris. All the jewellery is handcrafted with recycled metals by skilled artisans in the heart of the jewellery quarter of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (pictured in House of the Dragon)Alongside the brand's earrings, you can also shop the necklaces collection with semi-precious gemstones, crafted from 21-carat gold on recycled brass or sterling silver.Elevate your everyday style with a pendant, a chain, a beaded necklace or the perfect layering necklace. The Ottoman Hands rings are also sure to be the next prized possessions in your jewellery box. From stunning cocktail rings to stacking rings and even single gold bands, this collection contains a gorgeous range of accessories.Whatever your next purchase, be sure to sign up to receive 10 per cent off your first order here. Advertisement
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The second largest, internally flawless “fancy vivid pink” diamond ever to appear at auction is expected to sell for more than £20m when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on Friday.The 11.15-carat, cushion-shaped diamond, known as the Williamson Pink Star, is named after two other huge pink diamonds: the 59.60-carat, mixed-cut, oval Pink Star diamond that sold for a record $71.2m at auction in 2017, and the Williamson stone, a 23.60-carat diamond given to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift by the Canadian geologist and ardent royalist John Thorburn Williamson in 1947.Mounted as a floral brooch designed by Frederick Mew of Cartier in 1953, the Williamson is said to have been a favourite of the Queen who wore it on many occasions during her reign, including the silver jubilee.Williamson owned the Mwadui mine in Tanzania where the Williamson stone and the Pink Star were discovered.Wenhao Yu, the chair of jewellery and watches at Sotheby’s Asia, said: “The discovery of a gem-quality pink diamond of any size is an extremely rare occurrence, something that – with the recent closure of the Argyle mine – seemed, until recently, highly improbable.”Argyle, a Rio Tinto-owned diamond mine in the remote north of Western Australia, was closed in 2020 after 37 years of operation, during which it produced more than 865m carats of rough diamonds.The Williamson Pink Star is one of only two internally flawless ‘fancy vivid pink’ diamonds over 10 carats to appear at auction. Photograph: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Sotheby’s“Driven by a limited supply and rising demand, prices for top-quality large pink diamonds over five carats have increased exponentially over the past decade, serendipitously setting the scene for the appearance now of this one-of-a-kind stone,” Yu said.Pink diamonds are particularly rare among coloured diamonds and no one quite knows exactly how they become pink geologically.“While nitrogen and boron are responsible for the vivid hues of yellow and blue diamonds, respectively, there is no evidence that pink diamonds receive their colour from trace elements,” Sotheby’s said.“Rather, the crystal structure of the stone selectively absorbs light as a result of an idiosyncratic lattice defect which results in an unusual arrangement of atoms in the crystal. These happy anomalies occasionally cause pink graining in the diamond crystal – a perfectly brilliant display of imperfection.”
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Princess of Wales' sweet tribute to the Queen: Kate wears elegant pearl necklace in subtle nod to the late monarch as she joins the royal family to receive Her Majesty's coffin at Buckingham PalacePrince and Princess of Wales were seen leaving Windsor Castle and making their way to Buckingham PalaceSenior royals attended the palace to receive the coffin of the Queen, after it was flown from Edinburgh todayWhile en route, Kate was pictured wearing pearls, which are traditionally donned by royals while mourning Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing Published: 16:06 EDT, 13 September 2022 | Updated: 16:59 EDT, 13 September 2022 Advertisement The Princess of Wales was photographed making a subtle tribute to the Queen as she and the Prince of Wales headed towards Buckingham Palace to receive Her Majesty's coffin.Dressed in a smart black ensemble, mother-of-three Kate, 40, donned an elegant pearl necklace when appearing with her husband Prince William, 40, en route to the royal London home. It's thought she may have donned the simple jewellery option in a sweet nod to the late monarch, who was known to favour wearing pearls.Earlier today, the Queen's coffin left St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, and was flown to RAF Northolt, before being driven to the palace, where it will spend a night.Senior royals, including the King and Queen Consort, were seen making their way towards the palace to receive the Queen's coffin. The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) en route to Buckingham Palace to join other senior royals and receive the coffin of the Queen, which was flown from Edinburgh today Kate, who looked downcast as she made her way towards central London alongside her husband William, donned a pearl necklace and earrings. Her Majesty was a huge fan of pearls, which are traditionally worn by royal women when in mourningThe Duchess, who was dressed all in traditional mourning black, added a necklace featuring multiple strings of pearls, as well as pearl earrings. Pearls are often worn by royals when they are mourning, in a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria.They were also a staunch favourite of the Queen, who regularly wore a pearl necklace, including following the death of her husband Prince Philip last year. Arseiny Budrevich, founder of Budrevich Fine Jewellery Studio, told Express.co.uk that royals, notably Queen Elizabeth, loved pearls because they 'represent the aristocratic virtues of liberality, magnificence and generosity', and they 'symbolise purity and chastity'. 'Pearls have been associated with class, elegance and sophistication since the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt, where the Royal Family wore pearls to show their status,' he added.'This tradition was then passed down through the holy Roman empire to the French monarchs who carried it into fashion in the middle ages, where it was subsequently dispersed through Europe. This is when the British empire picked up the style.' King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace The car carrying Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex driving towards Buckingham Palace The state hearse carries the Queen's coffin through the gates of the palace as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II heading towards Buckingham PalaceWhen the Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace for the final time this evening, she was received by Royal Family members including the King, the Queen Consort, Princes William and Harry and their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.Mourners cheered and clapped in the rain as the new state hearse travelled down Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as it slowed, then drove through the gates of the palace and through the central arch into the quadrangle. Outriders stopped with their heads bowed at the end of the journey, while a police officer at the gate saluted.People cheered 'hip hip hooray' after the coffin drove under the arch. Many lining the street put down their umbrellas as a sign of respect while some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes, while phone camera lights lit up the crowds. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen's coffinUpon arriving at the Grand Entrance of the palace, a guard of honour was formed by the King's Guard. Her Majesty was received by all her children and grandchildren, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Shortly after witnessing the arrival of the coffin, Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace.The Queen will stay in the Bow Room in the palace overnight before she is transported to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until Monday, September 19 - the day of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Advertisement
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Not quite the crown jewels! Princess of Wales re-wore her trusty £1.50 Accessorize earrings for visit to ScarboroughThe Princess of Wales donned a pair of £1.50 Accessorize high street earrings She paired the Twisted Circle Drop earrings with a stunning camel midi dress She was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales for a visit to Scarborough Published: 05:33 EDT, 4 November 2022 | Updated: 05:33 EDT, 4 November 2022 The Princess of Wales remains the queen of the high street as she donned a set of £1.50 Accessorize earrings on Thursday.Kate, 40, who stunned in a camel midi dress and matching £460 Max&Co coat, was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales for a visit to Scarborough.She paired the Twisted Circle Drop earrings with a £295 DeMellier London handbag and a £60 woven waist belt from Boden. The Princess of Wales remains the queen of the high street as she donned a set of £1.50 Accessorize earrings on Thursday in ScarboroughThe mother-of-three beamed as she posed for photos with members of the public throughout the day. Kate stepped out with Prince William as they visited the resort town to launch funding to support young people’s mental health, in a collaboration spearheaded by the Royal Foundation.Prince William, 40, looked typically smart as he donned a burgundy jumper and blue shirt under a navy jacket.The pair visited The Street, which is a community hub that hosts organisations to grow and develop their services, where they met the grant panel of young people from the area who will be distributing the funding to local projects. Kate, 40, who is famous for mixing high end designers with high street steals, opted for a trendy set of gold hoops from the cut-price store The earrings, which are currently available on the Accessorize website for a discount price of £1.50 reduced from £5 Kate, who stunned in a camel midi dress and matching £460 Max&Co coat, was joined by her husband the Prince of WalesThe Princess, who is famous for mixing high end designers with high street steals, opted for a trendy set of gold hoops from the cut-price store.It's not Kates first time wearing the bargain jewellery as she previously paired them with a stunning vintage Oscar de la Renta gown for an evening reception in Ireland in 2020. The royal selected the trendy pink dress, which featured a ruffle neck and bold black polka dots, along with a black clutch bag and the high street hoops. She also wore them during a video call as she and Prince William spoke to volunteers from Shout in different parts of the country to thank them for the support that they provide to their communities to marked Volunteers' Week from their Amner Hall home. The mother-of-three beamed as she posed for photos with members of the public throughout the day She paired the Twisted Circle Drop earrings with a £295 DeMellier London handbag and a £60 woven waist belt from Boden Prince William, 40, looked typically smart as he donned a burgundy jumper and blue shirt under a navy jacketShe paired the bargain earrings with a £255 white broderie anglaise Mabel shirt by M.I.H Jeans, which features scallop trim on the neck and puffed sleeves. Yesterday the royal duo were greeted by a cheering crowd as they started their day in the North Yorkshire resort to engage with local organisations who will benefit from funding which has been created from a collaboration between The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Two Ridings Community Foundation.During his first official visit to the seaside town, the Prince of Wales described how providing services throughout the community and talking are 'crucial' in dealing with the 'mental health issues that many, many people face'. The royal has become known for her ability to mix high-street finds with more high-end fashion items (pictured, at the evening reception with Prince William in Ireland in March 2020) Kate re-wore the Accessorize earrings as she joined Prince William for a video call with volunteers from the mental health text service Shout in June 2020The royal couple took time to talk to the small crowds that had greeted them at the two community centres they visited on Thursday.Kate gingerly navigated soft ground in lofty heels to get to well-wishers at the first venue, The Street.They toured the building as The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales in collaboration with Two Ridings Community Foundation announced £345,000 worth of funding they had facilitated from donors to help support young people's mental health in Scarborough.After the tour, William told the donors, volunteers and centre-users: 'We heard a lot upstairs about mental health priorities, safe spaces, places to go for young people after schools and food, these are particularly keen issues that seem to be resonating through the community today. Advertisement
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Kate's tribute to Diana: Princess of Wales wore her mother-in-law's three-strand pearl bracelet as she joined the Queen Consort at a Commonwealth lunch at Buckingham PalaceThe Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Diana on Saturday Kate, 40, donned a beautiful pearl bracelet, that originally belonged to Diana The royal paired the elegant three strand piece with a matching pearl necklaceThe bracelet was passed onto William after his mother died and belongs to Kate Published: 04:09 EDT, 18 September 2022 | Updated: 04:09 EDT, 18 September 2022 The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her bracelet on Saturday.Kate, 40, donned a beautiful pearl bracelet, that originally belonged to Diana, during a lunch held for governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace.The royal paired the elegant three strand piece with a matching pearl necklace and earrings.The bracelet was passed onto Prince William after his mother died and now belongs to Kate. The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her bracelet on Saturday during a lunch held for governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace The three strand pearl bracelet was originally worn by Princess Diana (pictured in Hong Kong in 1989) and was designed by British jeweller Nigel Milne The mother-of-three looked typically elegant in a black long sleeved dress and stilettos. This is not the first time Kate has worn the iconic piece, as she wore it in 2017 whilst visiting Germany, and many times since.The bracelet was famously worn by Diana in 1989 when she toured Hong Kong with Prince Charles. The bracelet's designer Nigel Milne was surprised to see the jewellery been worn again decades after he created the piece in 1988. The royal paired the elegant three strand piece with a matching pearl necklace and drop earrings The Princess of Wales looked sophisticated as she chatted to governors-general of the Commonwealth nations The Queen Consort, Camilla and the Kate chatted during the lunch which was held at the palace The Princess spoke with His Excellency Mr. Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, Governor of St Lucia Milne and his wife Cherry decided to produce several pieces of jewellery with proceeds of the sales going to charity BIRTHRIGHT, of which Diana was patron.One of the pieces was the bracelet that could be seen adorning Kate's wrist and that Diana wore on several occasions including at the Birthright Ball in 1989 and with her iconic Catherine Walker ‘Elvis’ dress.It is not uncommon to see the Duchess of Cambridge borrowing from her mother-in-law's jewellery box having been pictured wearing her earrings on The Queen's procession. The mother-of-three looked typically elegant in a black long sleeved midi dress and black stilettosKate donned pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.The earrings, made by Collingwood, mark a touching handover from one Princess of Wales to the other. They became firm favourites of Diana and were sported on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.The earrings feature a round diamond stud, from which is suspended an additional round diamond and a bell cap set with three more rows of small diamonds. The bell caps each contain a pearl drop. The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's procession. Pictured, Diana wearing the earrings in Washington DC in 1985 The Princess made a sweet nod to her late mother-in-law by wearing earrings that belonged to Diana for the occasion Diana began wearing the earrings before she was Princess of Wales. They were a gift from Collingwood, a jewellery firm that was a favourite of the Spencer family.She wore them on several occasions throughout her marriage.They made her gala outfits sparkle during her tour of the US in 1985, where she wore them with a lacy white gown and the Lover's Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy.She also wore them with the form-fitting black dress she sported as she attended the Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery in November 1994 in London, which then later become known as the Revenge Dress. Advertisement
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An extremely rare “fancy vivid pink” diamond has sold for 453m Hong Kong dollars (£52m) – more than double its estimated price – and set a world record for the highest price per carat for a diamond sold at auction.The 11.15-carat Williamson Pink Star diamond, which is named after another pink diamond given to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift, was sold to an undisclosed buyer at auction by Sotheby’s Hong Kong on Friday.Tobias Kormind, the managing director of London jewellery shop 77 Diamonds, said the stone’s link to the late monarch is likely to have helped elevate its value.“This is an astounding result, proving the resilience of top diamonds in a shaky economy,” he said. “When you consider an alluring link to Queen Elizabeth, the rising prices for pink diamonds thanks to their increasing rarity, and the backdrop of an unstable global economy.“Some of the world’s highest quality diamonds have seen prices double over the last 10 years.”The Williamson Pink Star is one of only two internally flawless ‘fancy vivid pink’ diamonds over 10 carats to appear at auction. Photograph: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Sotheby’sThe cushion-shaped diamond is named after two other large pink diamonds: the 59.60-carat, mixed-cut, oval Pink Star diamond that sold at auction in 2017 for $71.2m (then £57m), and the Williamson stone, a 23.60-carat diamond given to the Queen by the Canadian geologist and ardent royalist John Thoburn Williamson in 1947.Mounted as a floral brooch designed by Frederick Mew, of Cartier, in 1953, the Williamson is said to have been a favourite of the late Queen, who wore it on many occasions during her reign, including the silver jubilee.Williamson owned the Mwadui mine in Tanzania where the Williamson stone and the Pink Star were discovered.Wenhao Yu, the chair of jewellery and watches at Sotheby’s Asia, said: “The discovery of a gem-quality pink diamond of any size is an extremely rare occurrence, something that – with the recent closure of the Argyle mine – seemed, until recently, highly improbable.”Argyle, a Rio Tinto-owned diamond mine in the remote north of Western Australia, was closed in 2020 after 37 years of operation, during which it produced more than 865m carats of rough diamonds.Pink diamonds are particularly rare among coloured diamonds and no one knows exactly how they become pink geologically.“While nitrogen and boron are responsible for the vivid hues of yellow and blue diamonds respectively, there is no evidence that pink diamonds receive their colour from trace elements,” Sotheby’s said.“Rather, the crystal structure of the stone selectively absorbs light as a result of an idiosyncratic lattice defect, which results in an unusual arrangement of atoms in the crystal. These happy anomalies occasionally cause pink graining in the diamond crystal – a perfectly brilliant display of imperfection.”
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DSP Mutual Fund Launches Gold ETF
The subscription period for the new fund offer for DSP Gold ETF opened on April 17 and will close on April 24.
DSP Mutual Fund Group has launched a new exchange-traded fund, DSP Gold. It is an open-ended fund that will invest in gold and related instruments. The fund will track or replicate the domestic price of gold. The subscription period for the new fund offer for DSP Gold ETF opened on April 17 and will close on April 24.
International gold prices are edging lower after rising to record high levels.The DSP Gold ETF enables investors to trade in gold without having to physically own it. The ETF can also be traded intraday like stocks on major exchanges. Gold is considered a hedge against inflation. The prices of this asset class usually move in the opposite direction as compared to other asset classes. However, due to its cyclical nature, investing in gold at the wrong time may have a short-term impact on your portfolio.
"Just as it is important to have a well-balanced diet for good nutrition, we should consider having a well-diversified portfolio with some gold ETFs," said Anil Ghelani, head of passive investments and products at DSP Asset Managers. Gold is an opportunity to hedge against a standard ‘equity-debt portfolio’ due to its low correlation with equity and often a negative correlation with debt as an asset class, he said.
"Rather than taking a tactical view, I would suggest investors seek guidance from their trusted advisor and consider holding gold ETFs on an ongoing basis as a strategic asset allocation in the range of 5 to 10% of their portfolio," Ghelani said.
Despite the ongoing macro-economic scenario, gold prices are expected to move upward, according to Ravi Gehani, fund manager at DSP Asset Managers. With the bulk of interest rate hikes likely behind us and continued volatility from global uncertainty, gold prices are expected to see upward movement. With China opening up their economy and India seeing demand go back to pre-covid levels, jewellery and investment demand from the world’s two largest gold consumer nations is expected to pick up, building a good case for gold," Gehani said.
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MADRID, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Spain has seized ancient gold artefacts valued at 60 million euros ($63.6 million) stolen from Ukraine after thieves were caught trying to sell them in Madrid, Spanish police said on Monday.
The 11 pieces, primarily jewellery including intricate necklaces, bracelets and earrings, are dated from the Greco-Scythian period between the 8th and 4th centuries BC, police said.
The items were exhibited in a Kyiv museum between 2009-2013, and were smuggled out of Ukraine in 2016, Madrid National Police said in a statement, without identifying the museum.
The artefacts had forged documents to make it look as if they belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, police said.
Three Spanish and two Ukrainian nationals were arrested as part of the investigation, which began in 2021, after one of the pieces - a gold belt with rams' heads - was sold in a private sale in Madrid.
($1 = 0.9439 euros)
Reporting by Emma Pinedo; editing by Charlie Devereux and Deborah Kyvrikosaios
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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What Are Gold Loans? Let's Look At The Pros And Cons Of Gold Loan In 2023
Before you get a gold loan, check out the pros and cons of getting a gold loan in India in 2023 to make an informed decision.
In India, gold is often bought as a form of jewellery. However, it is also considered to be a great means of investment by numerous people across the nation. Gold also comes in handy during financial emergencies as you can avail loans against the amount of gold you have. It is a quick and easy way to access cash when in need, without having to worry about other factors such as your credit score. Hence, gold loans have become increasingly popular in recent years.
However, like two sides of a coin, everything comes with a few advantages and disadvantages. In this article, let’s take a look at some pros and cons of getting gold loans in India in 2023.
What Are Gold Loans?
Before we get to the pros and cons list, let's understand what exactly are gold loans. Gold loans are secured loans that are disbursed considering the amount of gold as collateral. Gold loans can be taken out for various purposes, such as medical emergencies, weddings, education, and business expansion. Here are some pros and cons of taking gold loans in India in 2023.
Pros Of Gold Loans In India:
Quick Disbursal: According to the data from the Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC), gold loan disbursals have seen a growth of 102% between 2019 and 2022. A big reason for this is the quick and easy process of getting gold loans approved which takes only a few hours as compared to other loans.
Low-interest Rates: Compared to unsecured loans such as personal loans, gold loans have a lower interest rate which typically starts around 7% per annum. This makes it an affordable option for borrowers.
No Credit History: Gold loans are granted based on the amount of gold kept as collateral. Hence, it does not require a credit check, making it an ideal option for individuals with poor credit scores or no credit history.
Flexible Repayment: Gold loans come with flexible repayment options. It allows borrowers to repay the interest or principal amount, in instalments or in full, at any time during the loan tenure.
High Loan Amount: Since gold loans are calculated based on the value of the gold submitted as collateral, borrowers can get a higher loan amount depending on the purity and weight of the gold.
Cons Of Gold Loans In India:
Fluctuating Gold Prices: Since gold loans are calculated based on the amount and value of gold, fluctuating gold prices can affect your loan amount and interest rates.
Varied Processing Fees: Gold loans often come with varied processing fees which differ from lender to lender. Some might charge a high processing fee on your gold loan. So, compare different options to find the most affordable option for you.
LTV Limitations: The Reserve Bank of India also known as RBI has capped the Loan-to-Value Ratio(LTV) at a maximum of 75%. This means that the maximum loan disbursal amount can be only up to 75% of the value of the gold placed as collateral. Hence, lesser gold means a lower loan amount.
Lack Of Transparency: Some gold loan lenders may not provide clear information about the loan terms and conditions, making it difficult for borrowers to make informed decisions. Always make sure to thoroughly research different lenders before choosing a trustworthy one.
Losing Collateral: Since gold loans are secured loans, using gold as collateral. If the borrower defaults the lender can seize the gold. In fact, the lender also has the right to auction off the gold to recover the loan amount.
Now that you know the pros and cons of getting gold loans in India, compare different lenders, check their terms and conditions and only then opt for a gold loan in case of need. With careful consideration and proper research, gold loans can be a helpful tool for financial stability in 2023.
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Princess Diana was known for picking out eye-catching jewels and necklaces to wear. Items she wore during her lifetime are still regularly modelled today by members of the Royal Family - including her former love rival CamillaVideo LoadingVideo UnavailableKate wearing Diana's jewelleryPrincess Diana wore such a heavy tiara on her wedding day that is said to have given her a headache. The former Princess of Wales - who died 25 years ago on August 31 1997 - became known for her eye-catching jewellery during her lifetime, including her sapphire engagement ring that is now proudly worn by Kate Middleton. As part of her fairytale wedding ceremony when she tied the knot with Prince Charles in 1981, Diana wore a famous Spencer tiara. Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, later recalled how the sparkling jewellery gave Diana a splitting headache on the day of her nuptials because she was not used to wearing the heavy set of jewels. The death of Diana in 1997 saw the 36-year-old’s personal and royal jewellery either given to others or handed back to the original collections. What happened to Diana’s jewellery? Diana wore a Spencer tiara on her and Charles' wedding day in 1981 (
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Getty Images) Personal pieces of Diana’s rings, necklaces and other items have been inherited by her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Being born into an aristocratic family meant she owned some high-quality jewellery even before her marriage to Charles. After the wedding, she was known to wear items from the Queen’s collection, which is said to contain more than 300 pieces. Since her sons have married, their wives have since gone on to wear various pieces from Diana’s collection. Does Kate Middleton wear Diana's ring? Kate Middleton was given Diana's sapphire engagement ring when William proposed to her (
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The Sun) Yes, the Duchess of Cambridge was given Diana’s engagement ring when Prince William proposed. The blingy engagement ring consists of 14 diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold. It was created by then-crown jeweller Garrard. Prince Harry is said to have chosen the engagement ring as a memento after his mother’s passing but later decided to give it to his older brother as he reportedly wanted the ring to one day "be sat on the throne of England". Harry's wife Meghan Markle has two of Diana's diamonds in her engagement ring and wore an aquamarine cocktail ring that had belonged to her mother-in-law to the evening reception of their Windsor wedding. Does Camilla have any of Diana’s jewellery? Camilla has adapted the necklace Diana wore into a brooch (
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Rex Features) Prince Charles ’ second wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - whose relationship with the heir apparent during his marriage to Diana is said to have helped break the royal couple apart - has not been shy at adapting pieces previously worn by Diana. Diana famously wore a green emerald and diamond 19th century necklace that had been gifted to her by the Queen Mother on her wedding day at St Paul’s Cathedral. However, after Diana’s death, it was restored to the royal collection and Camilla, who will become Queen Consort when Charles takes the throne, has been spotted frequently wearing it as a brooch. What happened to Diana’s wedding day tiara? The item has remained in the Spencer collection and was recently available to be seen as part of a display of the UK’s largest exhibition of tiaras in 20 years. Earl Spencer loaned the priceless family heirloom to Sotheby’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – the first time the piece was exhibited in London since the 1960s. Diana wore the elaborate garland tiara – which has a central heart-shaped motif set with diamonds flanked by continuous running scrolls, interspersed with star and trumpet-shaped flowers – on many occasions after her wedding, including at state dinners on royal overseas tours. Read More Read More
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Princess of Wales' sweet tribute to the Queen: Kate wears elegant pearl necklace in subtle nod to the late monarch as she joins the royal family to receive Her Majesty's coffin at Buckingham PalacePrince and Princess of Wales were seen leaving Windsor Castle and making their way to Buckingham PalaceSenior royals attended the palace to receive the coffin of the Queen, after it was flown from Edinburgh todayWhile en route, Kate was pictured wearing pearls, which are traditionally donned by royals while mourning Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing Published: 16:06 EDT, 13 September 2022 | Updated: 07:14 EDT, 14 September 2022 Advertisement The Princess of Wales was photographed making a subtle tribute to the Queen as she and the Prince of Wales headed towards Buckingham Palace to receive Her Majesty's coffin.Dressed in a smart black ensemble, mother-of-three Kate, 40, donned an elegant pearl necklace when appearing with her husband Prince William, 40, en route to the royal London home. It's thought she may have donned the simple jewellery option in a sweet nod to the late monarch, who was known to favour wearing pearls.Earlier today, the Queen's coffin left St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, and was flown to RAF Northolt, before being driven to the palace, where it will spend a night.Senior royals, including the King and Queen Consort, were seen making their way towards the palace to receive the Queen's coffin. The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) en route to Buckingham Palace to join other senior royals and receive the coffin of the Queen, which was flown from Edinburgh today Kate, who looked downcast as she made her way towards central London alongside her husband William, donned a pearl necklace and earrings. Her Majesty was a huge fan of pearls, which are traditionally worn by royal women when in mourningThe Duchess, who was dressed all in traditional mourning black, added a necklace featuring multiple strings of pearls, as well as pearl earrings. Pearls are often worn by royals when they are mourning, in a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria.They were also a staunch favourite of the Queen, who regularly wore a pearl necklace, including following the death of her husband Prince Philip last year. Arseiny Budrevich, founder of Budrevich Fine Jewellery Studio, told Express.co.uk that royals, notably Queen Elizabeth, loved pearls because they 'represent the aristocratic virtues of liberality, magnificence and generosity', and they 'symbolise purity and chastity'. 'Pearls have been associated with class, elegance and sophistication since the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt, where the Royal Family wore pearls to show their status,' he added.'This tradition was then passed down through the holy Roman empire to the French monarchs who carried it into fashion in the middle ages, where it was subsequently dispersed through Europe. This is when the British empire picked up the style.' King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace The car carrying Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex driving towards Buckingham Palace The state hearse carries the Queen's coffin through the gates of the palace as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II heading towards Buckingham PalaceWhen the Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace for the final time this evening, she was received by Royal Family members including the King, the Queen Consort, Princes William and Harry and their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.Mourners cheered and clapped in the rain as the new state hearse travelled down Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as it slowed, then drove through the gates of the palace and through the central arch into the quadrangle. Outriders stopped with their heads bowed at the end of the journey, while a police officer at the gate saluted.People cheered 'hip hip hooray' after the coffin drove under the arch. Many lining the street put down their umbrellas as a sign of respect while some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes, while phone camera lights lit up the crowds. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen's coffinUpon arriving at the Grand Entrance of the palace, a guard of honour was formed by the King's Guard. Her Majesty was received by all her children and grandchildren, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Shortly after witnessing the arrival of the coffin, Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace.The Queen will stay in the Bow Room in the palace overnight before she is transported to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until Monday, September 19 - the day of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Advertisement
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Azim Premji's Family Office Leads Rs 200-Crore Funding In Jewellery Brand Giva
Giva says it will use the funds to expand its omnichannel presence with more offline stores.
Premji Invest, the family office of former Wipro Ltd. Chairman Azim Premji, has led a Rs 200-crore funding round in silver jewellery brand Giva.
Existing investors Aditya Birla Ventures, Alteria Capital and A91 Partners also participated in the Series B growth funding. Giva will use the funds to expand its omnichannel presence with more offline stores, according to a release on Wednesday.
"Silver jewellery is a $4-billion opportunity in India with the organised market share at less than 7%," Varun Khandelwal, principal–investments, Premji Invest, said. "GIVA has emerged as a category leader with its focus on fine silver jewellery, design offerings and customer-centricity."
The Bengaluru-based startup, founded in 2019, has over 50 stores across top cities and plans to expand its presence across India over the next five years.
"We are delighted to have Premji Invest, one of the largest and well respected private equity funds, as a long-term partner," Giva Chief Executive Officer Ishendra Agarwal said. "We look forward to leveraging Premji Invest's playbook on omnichannel across several consumer brands and retail businesses."
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Image source, MOLA/Andy ChoppingImage caption, The garnet is the first part of a medieval silver cross to be revealed by archaeologistsA large garnet has been found at the centre of a "unique" silver cross uncovered by archaeologists at an ancient burial site.It is the latest discovery at Harpole, near Northampton, where a 1,300-year-old grave, thought to be of a woman of high status, has been uncovered.The Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) said items, including jewellery, were "once in a lifetime" finds.The cross has been recovered, but is still encased in earth.Last month, archaeologists revealed they had found a gold necklace dating back to 630-670 AD, the Anglo-Saxon period, which they described as the richest of its type ever uncovered in Britain.It consisted of at least 30 pendants and beads made of Roman coins, gold, garnets, glass and semi-precious stones.Mola has named the findings the "Harpole Treasure".Image source, MOLAImage caption, The 1,300-year-old necklace was found in an early medieval burial site in NorthamptonshireImage source, MOLAImage caption, The necklace is made up of 30 pendants and beads made from Roman coins, gold and semi-precious stonesThe burial also contained two decorated pots and a shallow copper dish.X-rays made of blocks of soil lifted from the grave revealed an elaborately decorated cross, featuring depictions of human faces cast in silver.The large and ornate piece has led Mola conservators to believe the woman may have been an early Christian leader.Speaking about the findings, Paul Thompson, Mola project manager, said: "Suddenly we had a rubbish pit that turned into a burial beyond burials."It's a once in a lifetime experience to be working on something like this." While X-rays revealed the shape of a cross, it could be some time before the entire item can be seen, due to the slow, delicate process of removing all the earth from it.Image source, MOLAImage caption, Part of the X-ray of the cross shows the central garnetA Mola spokeswoman said: "We haven't excavated it from its block yet, so there are lots of questions we can't answer. All we really know is the shape and that it is big and contains silver."Based on the X-rays taken several months ago, archaeologists knew it had a garnet at its centre."The central garnet is the first part of the cross we've reached," she said.Image source, MOLAImage caption, The size of the unearthed cross can be seen in this full X-ray imageDocumenting the garnet find on Facebook, Mola wrote: "This size cross in this kind of burial is unique and makes us think the grave may have belonged to an early Christian leader."We can't wait to see what else there is to find."Image source, MOLAImage caption, An artist's impression shows what the grave of the high-status woman may have looked likeA skeleton found within the burial had fully decomposed leaving only tiny fragments of tooth enamel. However, the grave finds suggested it was of a very devout high-status woman such as an abbess, royalty, or perhaps both, archaeologists said.They added: "The combination of the incredible necklace and other grave goods means this is one of the most spectacular female early medieval burials ever discovered in the UK."Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.ukAround the BBCRelated Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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Akshaya Tritiya: Jewellers Expect Pick Up In Sales On Softening Of Gold Prices
Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) The recent softening of the gold price has supported demand for the yellow metal on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya and jewellers have been witnessing steady footfalls since morning.
The recent softening of the gold price has supported demand for the yellow metal on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya and jewellers have been witnessing steady footfalls since morning.
"Since morning the footfalls have been good, mostly supported by the price coming down to around Rs 56,500 levels for 22 karat gold," All India Gem and Jewelry Domestic Council (GJC) chairman Sayam Mehra told PTI.
People are buying new jewellery, mostly in light weight, and also picking up the pre-booked items. The footfalls are expected to increase as the day progresses, Mehra said.
Jewellery from 5-33 grams and coins in 1-2 grams range are popular this year, he said, adding that this year, after Hallmarking, jewellery has become more popular than coins.
"This year we expect business to be around 17-18 tonnes in terms of volume on Akshaya Tritiya. Last year, people bought wedding jewellery as the marriage season was immediately after Akshaya Tritiya. However, this year it's in June-July, so the major wedding jewellery purchases will happen in May," Mehra said.
Echoing similar sentiments, PNG Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said, being a weekend, jewellery retailers are expecting good business this Akshaya Tritiya mainly supported by the slight decline in gold prices.
"The footfalls have been good since morning on Akshaya Tritiya, considered auspicious to purchase something new. We expect the footfalls to remain steady till tomorrow. This year we are seeing a lot of interest in jewellery," he added.
Former GJC chairman and NAC Jewellers (Chennai) Managing Director Anantha Padmanabhan said, in the morning the footfalls have been slow, however, since 11 am it has been improving.
"People are mostly preferring jewellery of up to 20 grams. We expect footfalls to continue till tomorrow," he added.
Uttar Pradesh-based Aisshpra Gems and Jewels Vaibhav Saraf said the stores opened early this morning for Akshaya Tritiya but customers began coming in only after 10 am and footfalls are steady and are expected to pick up more during evening.
"This year, there are wedding and engagement-related purchases, however, light weight jewellery of around 9-10 grams are more popular. The sudden hike in gold prices has affected the consumer sentiment," he added.
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From one Princess of Wales to another: Kate pays tribute to her mother-in-law Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's processionThe Princess of Wales wore Princess Diana's pearl earrings for the procession The pearl earrings were gifted to Princess Diana before her wedding to Charles Kate has worn the Collingwood set, as they are known, a number of timesFull coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing Published: 11:16 EDT, 14 September 2022 | Updated: 11:19 EDT, 14 September 2022 The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's procession today. Kate, 40, donned pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981. The earrings, made by Collingwood, mark a touching handover from one Princess of Wales to the other. The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's procession today. Pictured, Diana wearing the earrings in Washington DC in 1985 They earrings made Diana's gala outfits sparkle during her tour of the US in 1985, where she wore them with a lacy white gown and the Lover's Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy.They became firm favourites of Diana and were sported on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.The earrings feature a round diamond stud, from which is suspended an additional round diamond and a bell cap set with three more rows of small diamonds. The bell caps each contain a pearl drop. Diana began wearing the earrings before she was Princess of Wales. They were a gift from Collingwood, a jewellery firm that was a favorite of the Spencer family. Diana loved the earrings and even wore them with what ended up become known as the Revenge Dress at a Vanity Fair party in November 1994She wore them on several occasions throughout her marriage.They made her gala outfits sparkle during her tour of the US in 1985, where she wore them with a lacy white gown and the Lover's Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy. She also wore them with the form-fitting black dress she sported as she attended the Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery in November 1994 in London, which then later become known as the Revenge Dress. The Princess of Wales made a sweet nod to her late mother-in-law by wearing earrings that belonged to Princess Diana for the occasion The Princess of Wales closed her eyes for a moment of quiet reflection during today's ceremony. The first members of the public will be allowed to pass the coffin from 5pm today The Queen Consort, Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Sussex stood side by side in the Abbey today Her husband the Prince of Wales, who was wearing his uniform and military titles and medals, looked deep in thought during the ceremony Today, Kate Middleton, who was made Princess of Wales by King Charles III when he was declared King on Saturday, wore the earrings as a sweet nod to her mother-in-law. Kate has worn the earrings several times, including in her official portrait releases to mark her 40th birthday earlier this year. Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle looked pensive during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey which saw her joining other members of the royal family The Princess of Wales stood quietly by her husband the Prince of Wales' side this afternoon. Her sister-in-law Meghan Markle was stood behind her United in grief. Both The Princess of Wales and her sister-in-law Meghan Markle sported somber looks during today's ceremony The Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall looked grave as she and the Queen Consort made their way to Westminster Abbey todayShe paired them with a pearl brooch which belong to the Queen. Collingwood also loaned jewels to Diana during the engagement period, including an elaborate diamond necklace and matching earrings, which she wore for a portrait session with Lord Snowdon. The firm reportedly wanted to gift the necklace and earrings to Diana as a wedding present, but they were cautioned by the palace that the gift would be too extravagant. The diamond and pearl earrings were given instead. A thoughtful Prince of Wales gentle touched his wife's back in a comforting gesture as they left Westminster Hall this afternoon Kate and William paid their respects to the Queen's coffin before they departed from Westminster Hall at the end of the ceremony The Princess of Wales followed the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Prince of Wales to pay her respect to the Monarch's coffin The Duke of Sussex was submerged by grief during the emotional ceremony and was seen wiping his eyes as his wife stood next to him The Princess of Wales looked very dignified as she closed her eyes for a moment of reflection during the ceremony this afternoon All members of the royal family looked solemn during the event at Westminster Hall this afternoon as they shared a moment of reflection Wearing a coat dress by Catherine Walker, the Princess of Wales looked poised and collection during the emotional family moment Advertisement
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Surviving tomb robbers and time, jewellery owned by ancient Egyptian royalty in around 2600 BC is helping shed new light on the beginnings of the globalised world.
Key points:
- Queen Hetepheres' tomb represents the largest and most famous collection of silver artefacts from early Egypt.
- The study provides the first scientific evidence that silver used in her jewellery was sourced from the Aegean Islands in Greece.
- The findings offer an insight into the trade networks that existed and the emergence of Egyptian state.
An analysis of bracelets owned by Queen Hetepheres — the mother of King Khufu, who would go on to build the Great Pyramid — has found that Egypt and Greece were involved in long-distance trade earlier than previously known.
Queen Hetepheres' tomb represents the largest and most famous collection of silver artefacts from early Egypt.
While researchers have long-known that the ancient Egyptians traded with other civilisations, the new study provides the first scientific evidence that silver was sourced from the Aegean Islands in Greece, researchers report today in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
"This kind of ancient trading network helps us to understand the beginnings of the globalised world," said the study's lead author Karin Sowada, director of the Australian Centre for Egyptology at Macquarie University.
"For me that's a very unexpected finding in this particular discovery."
Bracelets offer an insight into Hetepheres's life
Born into royalty, Queen Hetepheres was somewhat of an enigma.
Bearing the title 'Daughter of God', she represented the direct royal blood line of the Fourth Dynasty in Egypt, in a period of time known as the Old Kingdom (2700 BC – 2200 BC)
Queen Hetepheres was married to King Sneferu. Together, they had a son and successor, Khufu, who is believed to have commissioned a tomb and pyramid for his mother's body to rest in.
For thousands of years, her place of burial remained a mystery, until expeditioners came across a shaft in Giza in 1925 — where they found her empty sarcophagus.
The expeditioners conjectured that Hetepheres had originally been buried near her husband's pyramid in Dahshur, but her son ordered her tomb be moved to Giza after robbers broke in.
While the whereabouts of her body and gold trappings remain unknown, a number of items were recovered from the tomb, including the bracelets.
"I like to say that the size of the pyramids are almost inversely proportional to the history of what's recorded about these people," Dr Sowada said.
"These objects themselves give us a window into her life and how she lived."
Origins of silver have always been a mystery
The team, which included researchers from France and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where the bracelets are stored, scanned fragments to work out what they were made of.
While the bracelets were last examined decades ago, Dr Sowada said they had never been analysed "scientifically to a high degree."
The new analysis revealed the bracelets consist of silver with traces of copper, gold, lead and other elements.
They were made by hammering cold-worked metal with frequent annealing — which involves heating it to a certain temperature to prevent breakage.
The addition of gold would have helped improve the silver bracelets' appearance and ability to be shaped.
While ancient Egypt was known to be rich in gold, it had no local sources of silver, Dr Sowada said.
"So this period of early Egypt is a little bit terra incognita from the perspective of silver," Dr Sowarda said, noting that the bracelets represented "essentially the only large scale silver that exists for this period of the third millennium BC".
"Silver also has the added disadvantage of corroding more easily."
And it wasn't until the early second millennium BC that "large quantities of silver" were preserved, she said.
While ancient Egyptian literature makes mention of materials like silver and lapis lazuli "in the context of imported commodities", their origins were never preserved, Dr Sowada explained.
For a "very long time" researchers assumed the silver was extracted from local gold with a high silver content.
But the new analysis of these bracelets has cast doubt on that theory, with lead isotope ratios in the silver from this time period found to be consistent with ores from the Cyclade Islands in the Aegean, and to a lesser extent, Lavrion (Attica in Greece).
"So these bracelets represent a very, very unique opportunity to understand not just the metalworking techniques at this time, but also the trade networks that were existing, which are very important to understanding the emergence of Egyptian state," Dr Sowada said.
'We haven't had that scientific evidence before'
Egypt's historical trade networks have been well noted in scientific literature, with the ancient city of Byblos in Lebanon seen as a "key centre" for materials like wood, particularly Lebanese cedar.
The Egyptians had "active ports all along the Delta region" that were transporting goods to and from Egypt, alongside overland desert routes between the Nile Valley and Red Sea, said Melanie Pitkin, senior curator of the Nicholson collection of antiquities at the University of Sydney's Chau Chak Wing Museum.
"The whole east desert was a place for precious metals, so they were using donkeys to do this, and also by foot," she said.
Lebanese cedar can be found in some Old Kingdom structures, and Egyptian artefacts have been excavated from areas known to have been used as trading emporiums, like Ugarit, in modern day Syria, added Brent Davis, a senior lecturer in archaeology at the University if Melbourne.
But much more information about Egypt's trade networks was documented as time progressed into the Middle Kingdom (2040 BC –1782 BC) and then New Kingdom (1550 BC –1069 BC).
"In the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom much, much later, we have lots of papyrus that contain administrative records, trade records and so forth," Dr Davis said.
"But for the Old Kingdom, it's just too long ago, those documents for the most part haven't survived."
While lead isotope analysis has been done on other silver objects from the Middle Kingdom — with artefacts stored in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York also believed to have come from mainland Greece — we "just haven't had that scientific evidence before" to show that Egypt was active in the Mediterranean region prior to that, Dr Pitkin, said.
"Egypt having international relations at this time is not surprising, but to be able to use robust scientific evidence to show it with the Aegean or mainland Greece, that is interesting," she said.
So how did Egypt acquire this silver?
Rather than source the silver directly from the Cyclades, Dr Sowada believes the ancient Egyptians leveraged their relationship with Byblos's elite to acquire it.
She says the Egyptians were probably aware the source of the silver was beyond their reach, but that they could use their networks to their advantage.
"[Byblos] mediated the the acquisition of this silver from the Aegean, which was then acquired by the Egyptian state at Byblos," Dr Sowada said.
"I think at this early stage, that's really as much as we can say."
The ancient Egyptians were known to procure things like lapis lazuli and other goods that were not available locally, but that "doesn't mean the Egyptians travelled to those faraway places," Dr Davis added.
"They went to these emporium cities, I believe, and procured those materials there."
Bracelets a 'window' into emergence of Egyptian state
While the findings help shed light on the beginnings of the globalised world, Dr Sowada says they also underscore how much there is to learn about ancient Egypt and the trade networks that existed.
"This is the start of a line of research that has got a long way to go."
But, she added, the analysis of the bracelets "offered a window" into the emergence of the Egyptian state.
"These networks wouldn't have happened overnight.
"They would have been built over a long period of time and these bracelets are a window into that wider network."
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Two brothers robbed a jewellery shop and took off with a £15,000 Rolex after disguising themselves as elderly men with "extremely life-like" latex masks.
The pair might have got away with it - if they hadn't abandoned the masks in the boot of the car.
Several weeks after the robbery, one of the brothers was stopped by police while driving.
In the car were the two masks, still carrying the brothers' DNA, along with a bag containing a hatchet, knife and cable ties.
George Murphy-Bristow was arrested at the scene. After a forensic examination of the saliva in the masks linked the brothers to the robbery, Murphy-Bristow and his older brother Benjamin Murphy were arrested separately.
Arriving at the jeweller's on Epping High Street on 27 September 2021, the pair were the spitting image of two elderly men.
The masks featured a bald patch and grey hair as well as aged and wrinkled skin. Blue medical masks partially concealed their faces.
The masks were "extremely life-like", Essex Police said in a statement.
Gloves and a trench coat completed the disguise. The jacket was also found in the car.
The brothers gained entry to the shop by threatening the staff.
Once inside, they cable-tied a staff member to a chair and stole a Rolex from their wrist.
Brandishing a knife and a hatchet axe, the pair searched the staff area before the alarm was raised and the men escaped using a vehicle parked outside.
The brothers have been jailed for a combined total of 31 years following a three-day trial at Basildon Crown Court.
Murphy, 37, was found guilty of robbery and two counts of possession of a bladed article. He received an 18-year custodial sentence.
Murphy-Bristow, 28, was convicted of robbery, two counts of possession of a bladed article, and going equipped for theft. He was jailed for 13 years.
The brothers both denied their part in the robbery when they first appeared at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court in June 2021.
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From one Princess of Wales to another: Kate pays tribute to her mother-in-law Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's processionThe Princess of Wales wore Princess Diana's pearl earrings for the procession in London this afternoonThe elegant pearl earrings worn by Kate were gifted to Princess Diana before her wedding to CharlesThe earrings, made by Collingwood, mark a touching handover from one Princess of Wales to the other Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing Published: 11:16 EDT, 14 September 2022 | Updated: 14:21 EDT, 14 September 2022 Advertisement The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's procession today. Kate, 40, donned pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981. The earrings, made by Collingwood, mark a touching handover from one Princess of Wales to the other. The Princess of Wales paid tribute to her mother-in-law Princess Diana by wearing her earrings for the Queen's procession today. Pictured, Diana wearing the earrings in Washington DC in 1985 Diana loved the earrings and even wore them with what ended up becoming known as the Revenge Dress at a Vanity Fair party in November 1994They became firm favourites of Diana and were sported on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.The earrings feature a round diamond stud, from which is suspended an additional round diamond and a bell cap set with three more rows of small diamonds. The bell caps each contain a pearl drop.Diana began wearing the earrings before she was Princess of Wales. They were a gift from Collingwood, a jewellery firm that was a favourite of the Spencer family. She wore them on several occasions throughout her marriage.They made her gala outfits sparkle during her tour of the US in 1985, where she wore them with a lacy white gown and the Lover's Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy. She also wore them with the form-fitting black dress she sported as she attended the Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery in November 1994 in London, which then later become known as the Revenge Dress. The Princess of Wales made a sweet nod to her late mother-in-law by wearing earrings that belonged to Princess Diana for the occasion The Princess of Wales closed her eyes for a moment of quiet reflection during today's ceremony. The first members of the public will be allowed to pass the coffin from 5pm today The Queen Consort, Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Sussex stood side by side in the Abbey today Her husband the Prince of Wales, who was wearing his uniform and military titles and medals, looked deep in thought during the ceremony Today, Kate Middleton, who was made Princess of Wales by King Charles III when he was declared King on Saturday, wore the earrings as a sweet nod to her mother-in-law. Kate has worn the earrings several times, including in her official portrait released to mark her 40th birthday earlier this year. She paired them with a pearl brooch which belong to the Queen. Collingwood also loaned jewels to Diana during the engagement period, including an elaborate diamond necklace and matching earrings, which she wore for a portrait session with Lord Snowdon. The firm reportedly wanted to gift the necklace and earrings to Diana as a wedding present, but they were cautioned by the palace that the gift would be too extravagant. The diamond and pearl earrings were given instead. A thoughtful Prince of Wales gentle touched his wife's back in a comforting gesture as they left Westminster Hall this afternoon Kate and William paid their respects to the Queen's coffin before they departed from Westminster Hall at the end of the ceremony The Princess of Wales followed the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Prince of Wales to pay her respect to the monarch's coffin The Princess of Wales looked very dignified as she closed her eyes for a moment of reflection during the ceremony this afternoon All members of the royal family looked solemn during the event at Westminster Hall this afternoon as they shared a moment of reflection Wearing a coat dress by Catherine Walker, the Princess of Wales looked poised and collected during the emotional family moment Advertisement
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Retail Sales Hold Steady In August As Food Inflation Squeezes Budgets
However, retailers are expecting "double-digit" growth in the coming months, says RAI chief.
The pace of retail sales remained unchanged in August as compared with July, indicating that consumers wary of inflation are prioritising spending in the run-up to the festive season.
The country's retail sales grew 9% in August over the same month last year, according to data from the Retailers Association of India.
The sequential data indicates that high food inflation is squeezing budgets for many households, forcing them to reduce spending on big-ticket items like appliances and electronics. As a result of this, retail sales growth has seen only a modest increase of 6–9% in the last five months.
Retailers, however, are foreseeing "double-digit" growth in the coming months as the festive season approaches, according to Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer of the association, which represents six lakh establishments across the country.
"It looks as if consumers are going out for shopping... In order to understand the complete impact of the festival season on retail sales, it is essential to see the figures for September, October, and November."
Leading the rise were quick-service restaurants, jewellery, and food and groceries, the RAI data showed.
The beauty and personal care segment grew 10%, while sales of sports goods rose 9%. Other categories, such as furniture and furnishing, consumer durables and electronics, apparel, and footwear, grew in the range of 5–8%.
The August retail sales data shows that the buying activity was more intense in the southern part of the country due to a good number of 'Muhurtham' days in August, weddings, and the festival of Onam, which started on Aug. 20 and lasted till the end of the month.
The RAI data showed that sales in south India grew by 15%, followed by the west (8%), east (7%), and north (6%) regions.
Several retailers that BQ Prime spoke with remain anxious as festive sales of apparel-to-appliances are yet to pick up. However, they are optimistic about the second phase of the season that centres around Dussehra and Diwali, during which most of them expect a 40–50% increase in sales.
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Pandora products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, U.S., February 15, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew KellyRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comCOPENHAGEN, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Pandora (PNDORA.CO), the world's largest jewellery maker, said on Tuesday it would move ahead with its bet on lab-made diamonds, following its announcement last year to stop selling mined diamonds.Copenhagen-based Pandora will launch a collection using unmined gems in North America this month, as it hopes to attract younger shoppers with cheaper and more sustainable stones guaranteed not to have come from conflict zones.The launch of 269 stores across the United States and Canada as well as online comes after a smaller pilot launch in Britain last year.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"Lab-created diamonds are just as beautiful as mined diamonds, but available to more people and with lower carbon emissions," Chief Executive Officer Alexander Lacik said in a statement.Lab-grown diamonds have seen demand growth and price decreases relative to natural-mined diamonds, according to Bain & Company research, which showed the average polished lab-grown retail price declined to 30% of natural prices.The transition of lab-made gems towards being a viable commercial alternative to real diamonds has spurred firms such as De Beers and Swarovski to end their decades-old policy of shunning synthetic gems in their jewellery, while luxury group LVMH (LVMH.PA) also is exploring the category.The products range from a silver ring with a 0.15 carat lab-created diamond worth $300 to a solid gold ring which costs $1950.While production of lab-grown diamonds is energy-intensive, Pandora said its diamonds would be made using only renewable energy.The gems will be made using a technology in which a hydrocarbon gas mixture is heated to 800 Celsius (1,472 Fahrenheit), spurring carbon atoms to be deposited on a small seed diamond, growing into a crystal layer by layer.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Stine Jacobsen
Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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Tycoon, 71, who owns Tiffany's jewellery empire in Turkey has died after plunging to her death from a cruise ship during a South Pacific cruise as son urges police to investigate after gems were also stolen from her cabinTiffany's distributor Dilek Ertek fell into the sea off the coast of Tahiti at 3amHer family say she was with a Swiss lover and jewels are missing from her cabinThe lover was questioned by police in Tahiti but was released without charge Published: 08:21 EST, 8 November 2022 | Updated: 08:21 EST, 8 November 2022 A wealthy tycoon who owns Tiffany's jewellery empire in Turkey has died after plunging to her death from a cruise ship during a dream South Sea Islands holiday.Dilek Ertek, 71 - the distributor of Tiffany's in Turkey for over 20 years - fell into South Pacific off the coast of Tahiti from the Norwegian Spirit ship on October 26.Her family have urged police to investigate her Swiss national lover who was with her on the trip, reports respected Turkish newspaper Sabah.Ertek's son Gokce Atuk says jewellery had gone missing from the safe in his mother's cabin.And despite ship CCTV footage showing she probably fell at 3am, her unnamed lover only reported her missing some 20 hours later, according to local media. A wealthy tycoon who owns Tiffany's jewellery empire in Turkey has died after plunging to her death from a cruise ship during a dream South Sea Islands holiday Dilek Ertek, 71 - the distributor of Tiffany's in Turkey for over 20 years - fell into South Pacific off the coast of Tahiti from the Norwegian Spirit ship on October 26 Ertek's son Gokce Atuk says jewellery had gone missing from the safe in his mother's cabin on the liner (pictured)Experts seem baffled over how Ertek - who was just 5ft2 and tee-total - was able to fall over the metre-high guard rail to her cabin. The 74-year-old partner was kept under observation by the ship's crew in a separate cabin before they then docked in Tahiti three days later.He was reportedly questioned by police in Tahiti before being released due to a lack of evidence. He has since returned to Switzerland.A search at sea for Ertek's body has been discontinued.Ertek had boarded the vessel on October 24 in Papeete Island, French Polynesia, to celebrate her birthday in Bora Bora, a small South Pacific island on November 5.The cruise was set to end in Honolulu, in Hawaii. Experts seem baffled over how Ertek - who was just 5ft2 and tee-total - was able to fall over the metre-high guard rail to her cabin Ertek had boarded the vessel on October 24 in Papeete Island, French Polynesia, to celebrate her birthday in Bora Bora, a small South Pacific island on November 5A search for her body was organised immediately but to no avail, with the vessel reporting the situation to the authorities and returning to the nearest port, on Papeete Island.Security footage from the vessel is being studied, with images showing that an unknown figure fell into the sea at that time, according to Turkish media.Turkish media report that there are also issues with the investigation.It is claimed that Tahitian authorities did not search Ertek's room properly.Some feel they have only gone through the motions as the death happened outside their area of jurisdiction. Dilek Ertek was born in Istanbul and graduated from Mimar Sinan University, Department of ArchitectureBut lawyers for Ertek have reportedly argued that the investigation is Tahiti's responsibility as it was the closest country when the incident at sea happened.Her lawyers are reportedly preparing to file a suit against the ship's operator.Gokce Atuk reportedly went to Tahiti to help with the search efforts, which have now been stopped, prompting him to launch legal challenges.Captain Mustafa Can reportedly said: 'It is difficult to fall from this type of passenger and cruise ship.'Dilek Ertek was born in Istanbul and graduated from Mimar Sinan University, Department of Architecture.She went on to study diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America in New York.At the end of 1995, she opened the first Tiffany store in Istanbul. She was the distributor of Tiffany & Co. in Turkey for more than 20 years. Advertisement
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Gems, Jewellery Exports Likely To Improve In Second Half Of FY24, Says GJPEC
India's gems and jewellery exports are likely to improve in the second half of this financial year as the demand recovers in key export destinations, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said on Thursday.
India's gems and jewellery exports are likely to improve in the second half of this financial year as the demand recovers in key export destinations, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said on Thursday.
GJEPC is exploring new markets, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, to boost exports.
"Global geopolitical situation affected exports last fiscal. We are expecting the exports to improve in the second half of this year following festive demand in the US and Europe."
"The China market is improving and the council is also exploring new export markets and further penetrating the existing markets, which will boost our gem and jewellery exports as well," GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah told reporters on the sidelines of inaugural function of IIJS (India International Jewellery Show) Premiere 2023.
During the 39th edition of the five-day expo IIJS Premiere from August 3-7, delegations from over 65 countries will participate and business worth over Rs 50,000 crore is expected to be generated, Shah said.
GJEPC is hosting the India show alongside the Hong Kong show in September, providing a valuable platform for Indian gem and jewellery businesses to showcase their offerings to international buyers, Shah added.
Consul General of USA Mike Hankey said the historical ties between India and the US have grown stronger over time, especially in the gem and jewellery sector.
"Like the rest of the world, the US recognises the staggering potential of the Indian economy to bring prosperity to all of its citizens and to world partners.
"... The US understands the considerable importance of the diamond manufacturing industry to India and its immense contribution to employment that I've seen personally," he said.
De Beers Group Executive Vice President, Diamond Trading, Paul Rowley said India is already one of the world's top markets and has also been the fastest growing major market this year.
"The number of middle class households is expected to grow 30 million in the next decade alone, something like almost 15 times the population of Botswana today. It's clear that the landscape in India will be a perfect platform for growth."
"By joining forces, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to create impactful marketing campaigns that resonate with consumers globally, nurturing a deeper appreciation for diamonds as cherished symbols of love, beauty, and enduring value," he said.
There is also a growing interest for Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) and creating a huge opportunity, he added.
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Happy Dhanteras 2023: Images, Wishes, Quotes, Greetings, Facebook And WhatsApp Status
Dhanteras is considered auspicious to buy new items, especially gold, silver jewellery and all kinds of utensils among others.
Dhanteras, the festival which marks the beginning of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, will be observed on Friday, November 10, this year. On the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber to seek their blessings for a wealthy, prosperous, healthy and happy life.
This day is celebrated on the 13th day of the Karthik month as per the Hindu calendar. This is why, the day is called Dhanteras where 'Dhan' stands for wealth and 'teras' for the 13th day.
Dhanteras is considered auspicious to buy new items, especially gold, silver jewellery, all kinds of utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, clothes and readymade garments, electronics, electrical goods among others.
Celebrate this vibrant occasion by sharing positive and heartfelt wishes to your loved ones.
Happy Dhanteras 2023: Wishes And Greetings
May the festival of Dhanteras lighten up new roads to success for you… May you find new goals and see new dreams for a new life… Wishing a very Happy Dhanteras!.
May the festivities of Dhanteras shower you and your loved ones with the best of health and wealth. Warm greetings on Dhanteras to you.
Wishing a very Happy Dhanteras to you…. Sending you warm greetings on this auspicious occasion which marks the beginning of a new year full of celebrations.
Let us be thankful for what we have and pray for better health for each one of us. Wishing a very Happy Dhanteras to you.
May these Dhanteras celebrations endow you with opulence and prosperity. Wishing you a bright future and Shubh Dhanteras!
A very happy and prosperous Dhanteras to you and your family. Have a blessed day!
May your life is full of happiness and harmony with enough wealth to give you all comforts. Happy Dhanteras 2023!
May this auspicious day of Dhanteras bring new dreams, fresh hopes, secret avenues and different perspectives in your life. Wishing you Happy Dhanteras!
On your path to greater success, May this Dhanteras bring you money and fortune. Happy Dhanteras to you dear friend.
I pray that the Goddess of Wealth bless you and fill your life with joy and success. Happy Dhanteras 2023!
Happy Dhanteras 2023: Quotes
May you and your family are blessed with thirteen times the Dhan on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras. Wishing you a very Happy Dhanteras.
May Almighty bless you with opulence and prosperity…. May you have a blessed Dhanteras with your family and friends.
May the festival of Dhanteras brighten your heart and home with happiness and fill it with sparkles of happiness and success…. Warm wishes on Dhanteras to you and your family.
May Goddess Lakshmi always stay in your heart and help you to lead a happy and peaceful life. Happy Dhanteras to you and your family.
Clean your home, draw rangolis and light up diyas in anticipation of Goddess Lakshmi and Dhan Kuber Maharaj. Happy Dhanteras to you and your family,
Keep glowing and growing in life. Wish you a very Happy Dhanteras 2023!
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and your family, a very Happy Dhanteras. May you all live a happy and prosperous life.
Happy Dhanteras 2023: Images
Happy Dhanteras 2023 Image. Source: Canva
Happy Dhanteras 2023 Image. Source: Canva
Happy Dhanteras 2023 Image. Source: Canva
Happy Dhanteras 2023 Image. Source: Freepik
Happy Dhanteras 2023 Image. Source: Freepik
Happy Dhanteras 2023: Facebook And WhatsApp Status
Happy Dhanteras 2023 status. Source: Canva
Happy Dhanteras 2023 status. Source: Canva
Happy Dhanteras 2023 status. Source: Canva
May the festival & blessings of Goddess Lakshmi enrich your and your dear ones' lives with health, wealth & happiness. Happy Dhanteras 2023.
On this auspicious festival of Dhanteras, may your life shimmer with silver; shine with gold and dazzle like diamonds! Happy Dhanteras 2023!
May on the occasion of Dhanteras, the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi enter your home and stay there forever. Happy Dhanteras!
Happy Dhanteras 2023!
I wish that Maa Laxmi is always there to bless each endeavour of your life and help you write new success stories. A very Happy Dhanteras to you.
May your business grow manifold with the blessings of Maa Laxmi. Warm wishes on Dhanteras to you.
May the positivity of Dhanteras surround you with new opportunities to grow and prosper…Happy Dhanteras 2023 to you!
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Titan Q1 Update: Jewellery Sales Shine Despite Gold Price Volatility
The jewellery division saw 21% growth in revenue during the quarter ended June.
Titan Co. is expecting 20% year-on-year growth in revenue for the three months till June, driven by its mainstay jewellery business, which remained unaffected despite high volatility in gold prices throughout the quarter.
The jewellery division saw 21% growth in revenue during the quarter ended June, according to the country’s largest branded jewellery maker's quarterly business update filed with the bourses.
"Akshaya Tritiya sales in April and wedding purchases in June were robust," the company said. Golden harvest and exchange programmes also continued to do well during the quarter, it said.
The company added 18 stores in Q1—nine stores of Tanishq and eight stores of Mia by Tanishq.
It also added a new Tanishq store in Sharjah, thereby expanding its international presence to seven stores in the GCC region and one store in the U.S.
Other key consumer businesses also exhibited double-digit growth in the quarter. The watches and wearables division grew 13% over the previous year.
"The growth comprised 8% growth in the analog watch segment and 84% YoY growth in wearables," according to the company.
"Consumer preferences for premium brands resulted in a good uptick in the average selling price for watches," it said.
Among key channels, the Helios chain, large-format stores, and e-commerce clocked higher growth rates as compared with others. It added 26 watch stores in Q1. Of that, 14 stores were at Titan World, nine at Helios, and three at Fastrack, respectively.
Titan's eyecare division saw sales growth of 10% over last year, it said. The division added five Titan Eye+ and two Fastrack outlets.
Among emerging businesses, the fragrances and fashion accessories segment grew 11% year-on-year, driven by 9% growth in fragrances and 13% growth in fashion accessories. Taneira's Q1 sales grew by 81% YoY.
The brand opened six new stores, of which three were in new cities such as Vijayawada, Agra, and Berhampur, and the balance were in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, where the company is already present.
CaratLane grew 32% year-on-year driven by healthy contributions from multiple avenues that included sales during Akshaya Tritiya, Ada, a new hero collection for the season, 'Minion X, a new product launch for kids, and building new micro-occasions for jewellery gifting like 'First Salary Gifting'. The company added 11 new CaratLane stores in Q1 FY24.
Shares of Titan closed 0.18% higher on the BSE as compared with the benchmark Nifty 50's 0.51% gain. The update was released after market hours.
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‘You wouldn’t think somebody with a £300,000 watch would need to borrow £20,000 but we have seen it a few times. It surprises you. Everyone has their cashflow issues,” says Jim Tannahill, the managing director of the luxury pawnbroker Suttons & Robertsons.As social lives and holidaying have picked up once again, so has business for upmarket pawn shops. The price of gold has jumped by a third since May 2019, as it tends to in times of uncertainty, so owners can borrow more against their trinkets. Diamonds have risen 12% in the past two years and, while prices have dipped in recent months, vintage watches are still up nearly 50% on two years ago amid supply chain hold-ups.At the lower end of the market, with families struggling to pay everyday bills, business has been brisk. H&T Group, a mainstream chain, said lending secured against valuable items such as watches or jewellery was at record levels, in a trading update published last month.But high-end lenders are busy, too, as clients seek ways to fund business investment or summer spending sprees now that travel restrictions have lifted. At Suttons & Robertsons, where the average loan is about £5,000 and some run into the hundreds of thousands, business is up 30% since January. Founded in 1770, the chain has four outlets in central London, with shopfronts in South Kensington and other well-heeled districts.Jim Tannahill: ‘I have never seen anything like it.’ Photograph: Martin Godwin/The GuardianIt is not cheap to borrow: interest rates vary from 3.5% a month for a loan of more than £50,000, to 6.5% a month – just over 93% a year – for loans under £1,000. However, deals can be done swiftly without reference to credit histories or lots of form-filling, with background checks on the object pawned more important than on its owner. Clients range from small business owners to wealthy men and women who use handbags, watches and jewellery as currency to finance the lifestyle they want.“I have never seen anything like it,” says Tannahill. “We have been busy in previous times when there has been a gold rush, and you tend to see people borrow money or selling things, and the banking crisis that drove a bit of business, but nothing remotely like this.“With inflation, people are having to pay more for a weekend away or materials for work. Many of our customers are small business owners who have cashflow issues. They need to buy materials in construction, for example, and the price of that has shot up and people are getting caught by surprise.”He says borrowing against watches is on the up, partly as a result of the increase in their value during the past two years. The business lends against a wide range of items, from jewellery to fine art, wine collections and even cars, with 90% of loans redeemed.The group works with specialists, such as wine dealers and auction houses, to help it value and store items not suitable to go in its safe.“We took a Picasso drawing in today,” Tannahill adds.A dogwalker window-shops at Suttons & Robertson’s South Kensington branch. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The GuardianA day in the life of a South Kensington brokerRachel Fox, a qualified gemmologist and pawn shop manager, begins her day with an inquiry about a Cartier Tank watch in the window and has her first call on a potential pawn by 09.30. A client wishes to pawn an old master and a Tracey Emin in order to buy further artworks. By 11am the deal is done.An hour later, another customer brings in a couple of diamond rings they would like to borrow against, but these do not meet the broker’s minimum value of £500 for jewellery.At 11.15 a regular wants to borrow £1,500 against a Cartier bracelet she has pawned before, in order to fund a trip; a deal is quickly agreed.Just half an hour later, a client brings in some Hermès handbags to be evaluated for a potential loan. Fox inspects them for authenticity and looks at comparable auction sales records to assess their value.In the afternoon, Fox deals with a client who wants to borrow £40,000 against a collection of watches that the store has previously dealt with. Last time Suttons & Robertsons said it could not lend more than £25,000, but a surge in the price of secondhand watches takes that to £30,000 and a deal is struck, with the bank transfer set for the next morning.There is just enough time to call the handbag owner to offer her a loan and a deal is agreed by the 16.30 cut-off. “This is a great example of how we can often complete a valuation, agree the loan and transfer the sum all in one day,” says Fox.
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Jewelry
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A vast trove of Cambodia's Angkorian crown jewellery, some dating back to the 7th Century, resurfaced in London last summer, it has been revealed.
The stolen items belonged to known antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford.
Experts say they have never seen most of the jewellery before and are stunned by its existence.
The collection has been secretly returned to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and is due to go on display there in the country's national museum.
Latchford died in 2020 while awaiting trial in the US. His family promised to return his stolen collection to Cambodia after he died, but the authorities did not know what exactly would be handed over or how it would happen.
Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia's investigative team, became the first representative of the nation to see the jewellery when he visited London last summer. He told the BBC: "I was driven by a representative of the Latchford family to an undisclosed location. In the parking lot was a vehicle with four boxes inside,
"I felt like crying. I just thought - wow - the crown jewels of ancient Cambodian civilization packed into four boxes in the back of a car."
When it was all unwrapped, the resurfaced collection was found to contain 77 pieces of gold and jewel-encrusted jewellery, including crowns, belts and earrings. A large bowl is thought to date to the 11th Century and although it has yet to be tested, appears to be made of solid gold. Experts believe it could have been used as a rice bowl for Angkorian royalty.
One of the crowns appears to be from the pre-Angkorian period, experts believe, and could have been made by artisans in the 7th Century. Other items, including a small sculpted flower, pose a mystery. Experts simply don't know why it was made or how it was used.
It's still unclear exactly how and when the jewellery was stolen and how it made its way to London. Many of the items can be matched to stone carvings in the walls of Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The largest religious monument in the world, its construction began in 1122 as a dedication to the Hindu God Vishnu, though it transitioned into a Buddhist temple decades later.
Angkor Wat was heavily looted during the French colonial period. However, many of Cambodia's other temples were looted during the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s, and the turmoil that continued for decades.
Archaeologist Sonetra Seng studied Angkorian jewellery for years by examining temple carvings. Finally, she can hold the real thing.
"The jewellery proves what was on the carvings and what was rumoured is really true. Cambodia was really, really rich in the past," she says. "Still, I can't believe it, especially that it's from one single collection found abroad."
Some of the jewellery had surfaced before; Douglas Latchford included five items from the collection in a book titled Khmer Gold that he co-wrote with his collaborator, Emma Bunker, in 2008. Khmer antiquities expert Ashley Thompson describes this book and two others as elaborate sales brochures, giving private collectors a taste of what was being sold illegally behind the scenes.
"Publishing these materials, inviting other scholars to contribute and comparing the items to museum pieces was a way of validating them and associating them with known materials already in museums and effectively enhancing their value," she explained.
Ms Thompson, a professor in South East Asian art at SOAS University of London, says it will take a long time for experts to piece together where the newly discovered jewellery really came from because the book contains so many half-truths.
"You certainly can't take for granted anything that is said about the provenance or the current ownership," she explained, as she flipped through the book and pointing to the way in which Latchford and Bunker described the ownership of the different pieces of jewellery. "Private Thai collection, private London collection, private New York collection, private Japanese collection etc. You have to be very wary."
The Cambodian authorities believe that more Angkorian jewellery is yet to be found. The Cambodians have evidence from Latchford's email correspondence that he was attempting to secretly sell the collection from a north London warehouse as late as 2019.
We asked London's Metropolitan Police if Latchford's UK associates are also being investigated. They declined to comment - noting they do not identify anyone under investigation prior to being charged with a criminal offence.
Last year, the BBC travelled to Cambodia to meet looters turned government witnesses who identified items they say they stole from temples and sold to Latchford. Some of those items have been matched by investigators to museum pieces that are now in respected UK institutions like the British Museum and the V&A.
One of the women the BBC interviewed then - nicknamed Iron Princess - will also work to help identify some of the jewellery.
For now, the collection's return will be welcomed by the country's autocratic leader, Hun Sen. An election is coming up in July, and since his ruling party has effectively dismantled the opposition, this development will be painted as something Hun Sen has done to benefit his people.
Politics aside, ordinary Cambodians want all the looted items back. After decades hidden inside dusty boxes, it will soon go on public display in Phnom Penh, allowing this jewellery to shine once again.
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Tanishq Opens Boutique In Singapore, Plans 50 Stores Globally
Spanning over 2,800 square feet spread over two floors, the boutique store offers more than 2,000 unique designs. It has a staff of 14 speaking 16 languages.
Tanishq, a jewellery brand from the Tata Group, plans to have 50 boutiques globally over the long term, said Kuruvilla Markose, the CEO of Titan Company which manages the brand business, as it opened a boutique here on Saturday.
Currently, Titan has 13 boutiques in the international market and is constantly scouting for new sites to serve some 32 million global Indian diasporas, he said.
“Long-term plan is to have 50 boutiques globally, and the company is planning such retail outlets in the United Kingdom, Australia and Malaysia,” Markose said at the inauguration of the brand’s first boutique in Singapore.
Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Dr. Shilpak Ambule inaugurated the boutique in Singapore’s Little India precinct, welcoming one of the renowned brands which will be entering the South East Asian markets through the city-state.
“As a true Tata brand, it lives the values of giving back, by protecting and promoting the ageless craftsmanship of Indian jewellery making,” said K V Rao, the Resident Director of ASEAN at Tata Sons.
“Tanishq in Singapore aims to delight the customers and the endless visitors from all over the world -- to come, see, touch, feel and possess a piece of Tanishq, a treasure forever, also giving a testament to our designers and artisans behind this magic,” said Rao when asked about Tanishq’s vision in the Lion City.
“We intend to cater to the diverse preferences of Singapore’s residents, bringing a wide range of exquisite jewellery and at the same time, interesting designs in everyday wear,” Markrose said.
“With a firm commitment to quality, ethical sourcing, and a tailored retail experience, Tanishq is here to provide Singaporeans with jewellery that epitomises perfection,” he said.
“Tanishq is a proud story of nearly 30 years. In Sanskrit, Tan -- means body, and Nishq -- gold ornament (necklace) that beautifies a woman,” he said.
Spanning over 2,800 square feet spread over two floors, the boutique store offers more than 2,000 unique designs. It has a staff of 14 speaking 16 languages.
Tanishq currently has a presence of 410+ stores in India and opened its first in Dubai in November 2020, followed by twelve stores -- seven in the United Arab Emirates, two in Qatar, and two in the USA.
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Manoj Vaibhav Gems N Jewellers Lists Flat At Rs 215
The company's shares listed at Rs 215 apiece on NSE and BSE, unchanged from the IPO price of Rs 215 apiece.
Shares of Manoj Vaibhav Gems 'N' Jewellers Ltd. witnessed a muted opening at Rs 215 apiece on the National Stock Exchange and on BSE against the IPO price of Rs 215.
The Rs 270.20 crore IPO was subscribed 2.25 times on its final day, led by non-institutional investors (5.18 times). The retail basket was subscribed 1.66 times, whereas QIB portion was subscribed 1.06 times.
Business
The company, also known as Vaibhav Jewellers, is a regional jewellery brand in South India. Incorporated in 2003, the company offers a range of gold, silver, and diamond jewellery along with precious gemstones.
The company has a presence in the micromarkets of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and conducts business via their website and their 13 showrooms, inclusive of two franchisees, spread across eight towns and two cities. The company had a 4% market share of the overall Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jewellery markets and a 10% market share of the organised market in these two states in FY23, according to a Technopak Report.
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Image source, MOLAImage caption, The 1,300-year-old necklace was found in an early medieval burial site in NorthamptonshireArchaeologists have found a "once-in-a-lifetime" gold necklace dating back to 630-670 AD and described as the richest of its type ever uncovered in Britain.The jewellery, found near Northampton, has at least 30 pendants and beads made of Roman coins, gold, garnets, glass and semi-precious stones.The 1,300-year-old object was spotted in a grave thought to be of a woman of high status, such as royalty.Experts hailed the discovery during the summer as internationally significant.Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) found the necklace during excavations ahead of a housing development in Harpole, west of Northampton."When the first glints of gold started to emerge from the soil we knew this was something significant," said Levente-Bence Balazs, who led a team of five from Mola."However, we didn't quite realise how special this was going to be."We are lucky to be able to use modern methods of analysis on the finds and surrounding burial to gain a much deeper insight into the life of this person and their final rites."Image source, MOLAImage caption, The first glimpses of the necklace are carefully revealed by archaeologistsImage source, MOLAImage caption, The necklace is made up of 30 pendants and beads made from Roman coins, gold and semi-precious stonesThe rectangular pendant with a cross motif forms the centrepiece of the necklace and is the largest and most intricate element. Made of red garnets set in gold, Mola specialists believe it was originally half of a hinged clasp before it was re-used.The burial also contained two decorated pots and a shallow copper dish. However, X-rays taken on blocks of soil lifted from the grave also revealed an elaborately decorated cross, featuring highly unusual depictions of human faces cast in silver. Mola conservators said the large and ornate piece suggests the woman may have been an early Christian leader.Image source, MOLAImage caption, Other findings include decorated pots, a copper dish and a decorated cross with depictions of human faces cast in silver (pictured)Image source, MOLAImage caption, Conservator Liz Barham has been one of a number of people working on the burial findsExperts said the skeleton had fully decomposed apart from tiny fragments of tooth enamel. However, the combination of grave finds suggested it was of a very devout high-status woman such as an abbess, royalty, or perhaps both.Image source, MOLAImage caption, An artist impression shows what the grave of the high-status woman may have looked likeA handful of similar necklaces from this time have previously been discovered in other regions of England, but none are as ornate as the "Harpole treasure", experts added.The closest parallel is the Desborough necklace, found in Northamptonshire in 1876 and is now in the British Museum's collections.Simon Mortimer, RPS Archaeology Consultant, said: "This find is truly a once-in-a-lifetime discovery - the sort of thing you read about in textbooks and not something you expect to see coming out of the ground in front of you. "It shows the fundamental value of developer-funded archaeology. Had they not funded this work this remarkable burial may never have been found."Early Medieval period timeline:• 410 AD: Roman rule of Britain ends• 5th-6th Centuries: People from modern day Germany, southern Scandinavia and The Netherlands settle in southern and eastern Britain• Late 6th-7th Centuries: Christianity gradually spreads across southern and eastern Britain and starts to appear in elite burials• 640-680 AD: The Harpole Treasure, a high-status burial, is buried in Northamptonshire• 793 AD: A Viking raid on the monastery at Lindisfarne, off the coast of modern-day Northumberland, marks the start of Viking raids on Britain• 899 AD: King Alfred the Great dies• 1066 AD: William the Conqueror defeats Harold and becomes King of England, ending the Early Medieval periodConservators are continuing to examine and conserve the finds, which will be donated to the Northamptonshire Archaeology Resource Centre. Liz Mordue, archaeological advisor for West Northamptonshire Council, said: "This is an exciting find which will shed considerable light on the significance of Northamptonshire in the Saxon period."The discoveries will be featured on BBC Two's Digging for Britain in January, with Prof Alice Roberts getting an exclusive look at the objects and delving deeper into the ongoing conservation and analysis. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.ukRelated Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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Jewelry
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"These are my precious possessions that I've had to pawn because there's no help, there's no support."
Clare Adams is one of a rising number of people taking out loans against things they own to pay the bills.
Over the last year there has been a 25% increase in the number of new loans from pawnbrokers, according to figures from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Debt Charity StepChange said the data "speaks to the scale of the cost-of-living crisis as people get desperate".
Pawnbroking will "likely only worsen, rather than alleviate, peoples' financial position in the long run," warned the charity's director of external affairs, Richard Lane.
But since a government clampdown on payday lenders, pawnbrokers are the only route for some people to get the money they need fast.
'This is the only way I can survive'
We met Mrs Adams at Pickwick Jewellers & Pawnbrokers in South East London where she told us she felt she had no choice but to pawn her wedding, eternity and engagement rings which "mean the world" to her.
"They've offered me £200 so I can pay for my gas and electric and my food shopping," she said.
She told the BBC she had previously pawned two chains and two bracelets due to rising prices.
"The cost of living is the main thing," she said. "I can't afford to get food, some days I don't have anything in the house whatsoever, it's getting really, really tough."
Mrs Adams described pawnbrokers as her "lifeline". She said they provided a quick and easy way to get the money she needed. "If I got a loan out I'd be further and further in debt and I'd be back to square one again," she said.
Nathan Finch, managing director of the pawnbroker we visited, said he had seen an uplift in business due to the cost of living crisis and inflation. "It's interesting that it's something that's not affecting one class, we are seeing it from people who are very rich to less so," he said.
New figures from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) showed £440m was loaned out to customers pawning goods in the year to June, compared with £351m the previous year.
A spokesperson said: "As people continue to face financial challenges due to the ongoing cost of living squeeze, pawnbroking may be a useful product for some to turn to."
But they added that the FCA was working to "raise standards in the high cost credit industry, including in pawnbroking, and we're holding firms to account for meeting them."
How does pawnbroking work?
- Customer "pledges" an item, such as a gold ring for a set period of time, usually six months
- Pawnbroker gives 50% to 60% of the item's value as a cash loan
- Customer pays 7% to 8% interest every month
- An item can be redeemed during the loan period by paying back the original loan and any interest up to that point
- If the customer cannot repay the loan at the end of the deal the pawnbroker sells the item and returns any surplus to the customer
A 2022 report suggested more than 350,000 people turned to pawnbrokers for money each year.
The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) said it was the only option for some people who could not get a bank loan - other than loan sharks.
But critics have said the high interest rates and low prices offered for goods mean they're not the best option.
The MoneyHelper website, which gives free and impartial money guidance, said that although pawning goods can be a quick, cash-in-hand alternative, people usually only borrow a percentage of their items' value.
Up to 85% of customers buy their merchandise back while 15% or more don't have the cash to do so, it said.
'I'm left with £20 for four weeks'
Geoffrey Simmons began pawning his items six years ago "just to fill the freezer".
Since then he has turned in around 40 items ranging from £12 to £900. He said he has had to pawn "nearly everything" to be financially stable.
Mr Simmons, who is on state pension, says after paying his bills he is left with just £20 to last him four weeks and describes pawnbrokers as a "godsend" for people his age.
Despite consistently retrieving his items before the cancellation date, he is hesitant to pursue another credit card application after previously being denied.
"I know full well I've got jewellery indoors that if I need to pawn, these people will help me out."
Additional reporting by Jemma Dempsey.
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This is the moment five robbers ram-raided a jewellers in broad daylight before stealing £300,000 worth of gold in just 70 seconds.
John Gourlay, 49, Trevor Leek, 44, Justin Boylan, 51, Arfan Latif, 38, and Hassan Zulfiqar, 26, carried out the brazen heist in front of horrified shoppers on March 3 last year.
CCTV shows them reverse a stolen Highways Maintenance pickup truck into Danyaal Jewellers, in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, at 12.22pm.
The five defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to rob and possessing an offensive weapon following a four-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. They will be sentenced next month.
Three of the men burst into the shop and one of them used a sledgehammer to smash glass display cabinets before stuffing gold jewellery into sports bags, the court previously heard.
The robbers spent just 70 seconds inside the shop before they fled the scene with 4-5 kilos of 22 carat gold jewellery worth £292,165.
A fourth man remained in the white Toyota Hilux while a fifth robber acted as 'crowd control' waving an axe at witnesses before they sped off with their haul.
The gang then dumped the getaway car in a residential street half-a-mile away to swap cars and sped off in an Audi.
Detectives used CCTV from nearby businesses, along with mobile phone footage filmed by witnesses to identify the gang who were caught days later.
Ringleader Gourlay was captured on CCTV two hours later selling a stolen bangle for £1,500 in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter just three miles away from the raid.
Security cameras show him smiling and chatting with the shop owner before walking out with the money.
Officers linked him to the raid by his fingerprints which were on the sale sheet as well as identifying him from his clothing.
Minutes before the smash and grab, Zulfiqar was caught on CCTV buying tape and pads at an auto-parts store in Birmingham which were used to fix false number plates to the cars.
Detectives linked him to the stolen Land Rover after recovering backings to the pads left inside the vehicle which were covered in his thumb prints.
Jurors heard the gang used three vehicles during the raid, which included a black Land Rover Discovery, a white Toyota Hilux and a black Toyota Corolla.
The Land Rover and Toyota Corolla was used to block the road either side of the jewellers while the Hilux reversed into the store.
A staff member was in the store at the time of the offence and was nearly struck by falling debris when the Toyota Hilux reversed into the shop.
The five men, who are all from Birmingham, then made off in the Land Rover and Hilux, with the Toyota Corolla being left at the scene.
Footage captured them abandoning the vehicles on King Street, Sparkbrook, before getting into a stolen Audi TTS and BMW 420 they had parked less than an hour earlier.
Jurors heard the five men kept in constant contact before the raid via phone.
Tags from the stolen jewellery were also found on the sofa at Boylan's home after the robbery.
Dectective Constable Patrick Fuldun, from West Midlands Police's Force Priorities Team, said: 'This was clearly an extensively planned armed robbery, with careful thought by the five defendants going into disguising themselves, the vehicles and the locations of their phones.
'This robbery took place in broad daylight, on a busy street, and must have been horrendous for anyone witnessing it.
'The staff member inside narrowly escaped serious injury, if not worse.
'The offenders managed to make off with nearly £300,000 in jewellery.
'However, after excellent investigative work from our officers we were able to provide sufficient evidence for the jury to convict all five men for being present during the raid.
'We are delighted that all five have been convicted. It is a testament to the tenacity of officers at West Midlands Police and a firm deterrent to criminals considering a similar crime.'
Gourlay, of Selly Oak, Leek, of Kingstanding, Boylan, of Shard End, and Latif and Zulfiqar, both from Balsall Heath, will be sentenced next month.
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Highdell Investment Sells 6.2% Stake In Kalyan Jewellers For Rs 725 Crore
Highdell Investment on Friday divested a 6.2% stake in Kalyan Jewellers India
Highdell Investment, owned by U.S.-based private equity major Warburg Pincus, on Friday divested a 6.2% stake in Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd. for Rs 725 crore through an open market transaction.
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund, Sundaram MF, BNP Paribas Arbitrage, Citigroup Global Markets Mauritius, and Employees Provident Fund, among others, were the buyers of the shares of Kalyan Jewellers.
Following the deal, shares of Kalyan Jewellers zoomed 17.16% to close at Rs 133.80 per piece on the National Stock Exchange.
According to the block deal data available with the NSE, Highdell Investment sold a total of 6,41,02,561 shares, amounting to a 6.2% stake in the jewellery chain company.
The shares were disposed of at an average price of Rs 113.10 apiece, taking the transaction size to Rs 724.99 crore, as per the data.
After the latest transaction, Highdell's shareholding has been reduced to 17.6% from 23.82% at the end of March.
In March this year, Highdell Investment sold a 2.26% stake in Kalyan Jewellers for Rs 256 crore.
Kalyan Jewellers India Pvt. Ltd. is into the manufacturing and sale of gems and jewellery.
In a separate block deal, FIH Mauritius Investments sold a 1.3% stake in IIFL Finance for Rs 250 crore through an open market transaction.
FIH Mauritius Investments is a subsidiary of Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa's Fairfax Group.
As per the data available with the NSE, FIH Mauritius Investments sold 50 lakh shares, amounting to a 1.3% stake in IIFL Finance.
The shares were sold at an average price of Rs 500 apiece, taking the deal value to Rs 250 crore.
These shares were acquired by DSP Mutual Fund.
FIH Mauritius Investments owned a 22.25% stake in the company as of the March quarter, the latest shareholding data showed with the bourse.
On Friday, shares of IIFL Finance rose 2.49% to settle at Rs 511.15 per piece on the NSE.
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The Princess of Wales recycles striking £75 earrings from CHALK as she attends the launch event for her 'Shaping Us' campaign at BAFTA
- The Princess of Wales re-wore a pair of CHALK regency earrings for BAFTA event
- Kate Middleton attended the awards in central London with the Prince of Wales
- READ MORE: 'Our early childhood shapes the rest of our lives': Princess of Wales shares teaser video of scrapbook ahead of launch of her early years campaign
The Princess of Wales has showed off her thrifty style choices once again, recycling a pair of earrings to attend an event in central London tonight.
Kate Middleton, 41, donned a striking pair of £75 earrings from CHALK's 'Regency' collection, for tonight's launch event for her Shaping Us early years campaign at BAFTA.
The royal, who was accompanied by her husband Prince William, 40, looked confident in the 'Florence' earrings', which are described by the London-based brand as part of a 'timeless collection.
CHALK is a London based design studio run by architect Malaika, offering unusual, geometric, wearable forms.
The Princess of Wales, 41, (pictured) re-wore a pair of CHALK regency earrings, £75, for an event at BAFTA in London tonight
CHALK's website says of the earrings: 'The regal forms from the ornate details and geometry found within the Main stage auditorium ceiling of the Royal Opera House has been reimagined throughout this collaboration to create a timeless collection.'
Kate paired the striking earrings with a crimson monochrome outfit - a tailored red trouser suit, with matching heeled pumps and clutch. Her Alexander McQueen suit exuded elegance with its leg-lengthening silhouette made in Italian red crepe.
She wore the outfit to attend the launch of her Shaping Us early years campaign, which aims to increase public understanding of the crucial importance the first five years of a child’s life.
Run by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, the campaign seeks to 'transform the issue from one of scientific interest to one of the most strategically important topics of our time'.
Chalk is a London based design studio run by architect Malaika who creates unusual, geometric, wearable forms
Kate Middleton, 41, was accompanied by her husband the Prince of Wales , 40, attended a star-studded event tonight at BAFTA in central London
The royals are pictured here at pre-campaign launch event hosted by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
The royal wore the earrings previously to a series of engagements held to mark Windrush Day in June 2022.
On that occasion, she also paired the jewellery with an Alexander McQueen suit.
She recycled the white £1,370 Alexander McQueen blazer she wore in Jamaica on her tour of the Caribbean and paired it with £590 crepe slim-leg pants and Mulberry's small Amberley crossbody bag in white.
Tonight's BAFTA event, which was compered by Kate Silverton, featured short speeches from The Princess of Wales, Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of The Royal Foundation, and campaign champion, Rochelle Humes.
Dazzling duchess! Kate donned a dramatic pair of drop earrings as she visited ELEVATE alongside Prince William
When Kate previously wore the drop regal earrings she also opted for Alexander McQueen suit
A short film was screened, highlighting how babies and children develop in response to their earliest experiences.
The screening was followed by a Q&A session between Eamon McCrory, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology, University College London and Dr Guddi Singh, paediatrician and health campaigner.
After the speeches, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a drinks reception with campaign stakeholders, including members of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Advisory Group, and representatives from the early years sector.
The Princess spoke about the campaign in an open letter published in yesterday's Mail on Sunday, in which she set out her plan for ‘Shaping Us’.
She wrote the impassioned plea on her laptop as she was preparing for the campaign launch, which starts with a week-long publicity blitz, including tonight's event at BAFTA.
The Princess explained in her letter that ‘as a society, we currently spend much more of our time and energy on later life, adding: 'I am absolutely determined that this long-term campaign is going to change that.’
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Kim Kardashian has spent more than £160,000 on a piece of jewellery once worn by Princess Diana.The Attallah Cross was sold to a representative of the American reality star after being put up for auction at Sotheby's in London.
The 1920s pendant, designed by luxury jewellery designer Garrard, was worn on several occasions by the late royal, most famously at a London charity gala in October 1987.The princess paired the pendant with a Catherine Walker dress as she attended the gala in support of Birthright, a charity working towards the protection of human rights during pregnancy and childbirth. Kardashian purchased the pendant for £163,800 - more than double its pre-auction estimate - after a bidding war involving four prospective buyers during Sotheby's Royal and Noble Sale on Wednesday.
The cross, which has square-cut amethysts and is accented by circular-cut diamonds, has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats.It was first bought from Garrard, the first official Crown jeweller having supplied pieces for Queen Victoria, by businessman Naim Attallah in the 1980s. More on Kim Kardashian DeuxMoi: The rise of Instagram's anonymous celebrity gossip sharer with 1.7 million followers EthereumMax: Judge throws out crypto lawsuit against Kim Kardashian and Floyd Mayweather Kim Kardashian granted restraining order against man who claimed they communicated telepathically The Palestinian-British entrepreneur, who died in February 2021, was friends with Diana and loaned the cross to her on several occasions.Ahead of its sale, Kristian Spofforth, head of jewellery at Sotheby's London, said: "Jewellery owned or worn by the late Princess Diana very rarely comes on to the market, especially a piece such as the Attallah cross, which is so colourful, bold and distinctive. Image: Kim Kardashian wears a famous Marilyn Monroe dress at the 2022 Met Gala "To some extent, this unusual pendant is symbolic of the princess's growing self-assurance in her sartorial and jewellery choices, at that particular moment in her life."Kardashian has previously shown interest in historic fashion items.The reality star paid $65,000 (£53,000) for three gold and jade Lorraine Schwartz bangles owned by the actress Elizabeth Taylor in 2011.In 2017, she purchased a Cartier watch, once owned by Jackie Onassis, the wife of former US President John F Kennedy, for $379,500 (£307,000).The 42-year-old wore a famous Marilyn Monroe dress at last year's Met Gala. She revealed she lost 16 pounds to fit into the gown.It was originally worn by Monroe during her famous 1962 performance of Happy Birthday to US president John F Kennedy.The dress was loaned to her from the Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum.
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GENEVA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The largest pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond ever put up for auction could sell for up to $35 million at a Christie's sale of rare jewels on Nov. 8, the auctioneer said on Wednesday."The diamond weighs 18.18 carats, which is of course an extremely fortuitous number for Asian collectors. We've had a huge amount of interest around the world already," said Max Fawcett, head of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva."The colour is exceptional. It's a true vivid pink and a clean stone. It really, really is a gem and something that we haven't seen in a long time at Christie's."[1/3] A model shows a 18,18 carat pink diamond called "Fortune Pink" that could fetch 30 million US dollars during a preview at Christie’s before the auction sale in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2022. REUTERS/Denis BalibouseThe Fortune Pink Diamond is estimated to go for $25 million to $35 million.The largest vivid pink diamond sold at Christie's was the 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy, which got $50.4 million in 2018, a world record price per carat for a pink diamond sold at auction.($1 = 0.9992 Swiss francs)Reporting by Cecile Mantovani; writing by Michael Shields; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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India's Gem, Jewellery Exports Decline 11.49% to Rs 22,873 Crore In October
The gross exports stood at Rs 25,843.84 crore, or $3,134.85 million, during October 2022, the data showed.
Mumbai, Nov 18 (PTI) India's overall gems and jewellery exports declined by 11.49% to Rs 22,873.19 crore, or $2,748.01 million, in October, according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council data.
The gross exports stood at Rs 25,843.84 crore, or $3,134.85 million, during October 2022, the data showed.
Cut and Polished Diamonds exports witnessed a fall of 32.70% to Rs 10,495.06 crore, or $1,260.91 million, in the previous month compared to Rs 15,594.49 crore, or $1,891.2 million, in the year-ago period.
Gross export of polished Lab Grown Diamonds in October dropped by 23.01% to Rs 1,135.16 crore, or $136.38 million, against Rs 1,474.38 crore, or $178.73 million, in the corresponding month of 2022.
"The overall gems and jewellery exports were down in October mainly due to slowdown in demand in key markets like the US and supply constraints of diamond, which constitutes 50% of the total shipments. We are hoping the markets pick up during the Christmas season," GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah told PTI.
However, the total gross export of gold jewellery increased by 33.48% to Rs 8,619.38 crore, or $1,035.54 million, in October over Rs 6,457.48 crore, or $784.11 million, in the same period of the previous year.
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Kalyan Jewellers Q2 Result: Net Profit Up 27%
The jewelery retailer's revenue from operations rose 27% year-on-year.
Jewellery retailer Kalyan Jewellers on Tuesday reported a 27.33% on-year growth in consolidated profit after tax during the quarter ended September 30, at Rs 134.87 crore.
The company's net profit stood at Rs 105.92 crore in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, the jewellery retailer said in a regulatory filing.
Revenues Up
Revenue from operations of the company grew by 27.11% during the quarter under review at Rs 4,414.53 crore, compared to Rs 3,472.91 crores in the same period of the previous fiscal.
Middle East Operations
Total revenue from the company's Middle East operations during the second quarter FY24 was at Rs 629 crore, as against Rs 601 crore in the same period of the previous financial year, a growth of 5%.
The Middle East operations recorded net profit of Rs 12 crore for the quarter, compared to Rs 14 crore for the corresponding period in the previous year, a dip of 14.28%.
Candere
The e-commerce division of the company, Candere, recorded a revenue of Rs 31 crore in the second quarter of FY24, compared to Rs 37 crore in the same period in FY23, a decline of 16.21%.
"It has been a fantastic year so far. Revenue growth for the first half of the current financial year was 29%. We are extremely excited with the way the festive quarter has progressed thus far despite a higher number of Shradh days and volatile gold prices.
We have witnessed revenue growth of 35% for the current quarter till 12th of November when compared to the same period during the prior year," Kalyan Jewellers India Executive Director Ramesh Kalyanaraman said.
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Precious gems and jewellery worth up to $100m (£84m) have been stolen in a heist on an armoured van in California.The vehicle had been transporting the precious cargo between jewellery shows when it was robbed, authorities say.
Brandy Swanson, director of security company Brink's, which owned the van, said between 25 and 30 bags were taken, containing an unknown number of individual pieces.Estimates in the value of the loot vary wildly, with 18 victims reporting more than $100m (£84.3m) in losses, while a Brink spokesperson said the items valued less than $10m (£8.4m).In a statement, Brink's said: "According to the information the customers provided to us before they shipped their items, the total value of the missing items is less than 10 million dollars. "We are working with law enforcement and we will fully reimburse our customers for the value of their assets that were stolen, in accordance with the terms of our contract."
Ms Swanson said vendors who travel between jewellery shows typically under-insure their merchandise because they cannot afford to insure it fully. More on California Pilot killed after US Navy fighter jet crashes in California California church shooting: Pastor hits gunman over head with a chair and worshippers tie him up after fatal attack in Laguna Woods California: Baby giraffe gets leg braces after being born with front limbs bending the wrong way "That's where the discrepancy comes in. These are mom-and-pop operators," she said."They're devastated. Some of these people have lost their entire livelihoods."The International Gem and Jewellery show hosts about 45 shows nationwide per year, Ms Swanson added.FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller said the robbery was in the desert city of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County.She added that the bureau agency was working with local authorities, but could not immediately provide more information.
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Athletics superstar Usain Bolt is looking to trademark a logo of his legendary victory pose.The retired Jamaican sprinting legend and eight-time Olympic gold medallist submitted an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office last week.
The filing indicates he will use it to market a range of products including sunglasses, jewellery, bags and sporting goods, as well as restaurants and sports bars. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options Josh Gerben, a Washington DC-based trademark expert, told Bloomberg: "The list is relatively extensive."The logo could be licensed or he could make those products himself."
Bolt is known globally for his signature stance - leaning back and pointing to the sky - which he routinely struck after notching up numerous gold medals and world records.He remains the fastest man in history, still holding the world records for the 100m and 200m. More on Usain Bolt Usain Bolt and girlfriend Kasi Bennett welcome twins - Saint Leo and Thunder Bolt Coronavirus: Usain Bolt tests positive for COVID-19 - days after his 34th birthday party Coronavirus: Usain Bolt self-isolates as he awaits COVID-19 test result According to the filing, the logo depicts "the silhouette of a man in a distinctive pose, with one arm bent and pointing to the head, and the other arm raised and pointing upward".He previously applied to register a similar trademark 12 years ago, but this has since lapsed after going unused. Bolt was involved in a series of company endorsements during his career, including Puma sportswear and Virgin Media, where he promoted broadband speeds.He retired from athletics at the 2017 World Championships in London.He tried to switch to pro football and had a trial with an Australian side but could not agree a contract, and in 2019 announced his career in sports was over.The 36-year-old has a number of business interests, although an eponymous electric scooter rental company he co-founded reportedly shut down in the US earlier this month.
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A record number of people are pawning items to borrow money from Britain’s largest pawnbroker amid an escalating cost of living crisis.H&T Group said “pledge lending” – lending secured against a customer’s valuable items such as watches or jewellery – was at record levels, in a trading update published on Monday.The pawnbroker’s growth has been prompted by customers’ squeezed finances amid 40-year high inflation, according to Shore Capital, an investment bank. Consumer prices index inflation hit 9.1% in May, the highest level since February 1982, on the back of wide-ranging price rises fuelled by disruption from the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Borrowing from H&T has exceeded the pre-pandemic high with no relaxation of lending criteria.“This strong demand, in our view, reflects the impact of the cost of living crisis as well as the withdrawal of competition from the unsecured high-cost credit space, including through the recent closure of two of the leading home-collected credit firms,” wrote Gary Greenwood, a Shore Capital analyst.He added that the cost of living crisis was likely to continue to support demand for pawnbrokers. Economists expect household finances to be hit further in the autumn, when the UK’s energy price cap will soar to reflect higher prices on global wholesale markets.Sign up to the daily Business Today email or follow Guardian Business on Twitter at @BusinessDeskH&T’s pawnbroking pledge book was worth £84m at the end of June, up by 74% on the £48m a year earlier and an increase of almost £20m since the end of December when it stood at £67m. The company said there was “growth across the group’s customer base and in all geographies”.H&T, which was founded in 1897 in London by Messrs Harvey and Thompson, has 256 stores and more than 1,400 workers. It also offers travel money, cheque cashing and gold purchase. Those other services have benefited the company, with demand for gold “buoyant” because of rising prices, and the return of international travel after pandemic restrictions meaning a strong recovery for foreign exchange.Chris Gillespie, H&T’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted with the progress we have made in the first half of 2022, and the momentum with which we enter the second half of the year.”
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A man has been arrested following an alleged armed robbery at a popular shopping centre in south-west Sydney.At about 4.45pm on Monday, emergency services were called to a jewellery store inside Carnes Hill Marketplace on Kurrajong Road.NSW Police said two males reportedly entered the store and smashed glass display cabinets before shots were fired and the two men fled the scene. "Police have been told two males entered the store and smashed glass display cabinets, before a firearm was discharged, and the men fled the scene with jewellery," officers said in a statement on Monday. Stream the news you want, when you want with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022"Upon arrival, police were directed to a motorcycle that was outside the shopping centre."The male pillion passenger was arrested by police, and the motorcycle fled the scene. During a search of the man, police seized a firearm and various items of jewellery."Liverpool City Police Area Command have established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police as part of a large-scale search.There have been no reports of physical injuries but an image posted to social media shows shattered glass covering the ground outside the jewellery store.Police advise there is no ongoing threat to public safety but urges anyone with information or mobile phone footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
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India Imposes Import Restrictions On Certain Gold Jewellery, Articles
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade said that the restrictions will not be there for imports under the India-UAE free trade agreement.
The government on Wednesday imposed import restrictions on certain gold jewellery and articles, a move which would help cut import of non-essential items.
Now an importer would need a permission of licence from the government for importing these gold products.
However, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said that the restrictions will not be there for imports under the India-UAE free trade agreement.
In a notification, the DGFT said that the import policy of these products "has been amended from free to restricted with immediate effect".
Imports of pearls, precious and semi-precious stones dipped by 25.36% to about $4 billion during April-May this fiscal. Gold imports too contracted by about 40% to $4.7 billion in the same period.
Overall merchandise imports during April-May this fiscal declined 10.24% to $107 billion. The merchandise trade deficit for April-May 2023 stood at $37.26 billion against $40.48 billion during April-May 2022.
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An Anglo-Saxon burial site containing the remains of more than 140 people interred with some of their most favoured objects, including jewellery, knives and even a personal grooming kit, has been discovered by archaeologists working on the HS2 route.The site, near Wendover, Buckinghamshire, contained a “stunning set of discoveries”, said the historian Dan Snow. “Traditionally, this period has been dismissed as a dark age. But archaeology has filled the gaps.”The skeleton was found with an iron spearpoint imbedded into the thoracic vertebra. Photograph: HS2/PAThe findings would “tell us more about how our predecessors lived, fought and ultimately died”, he said. “It is one of the best and most revealing post-Roman sites in the country.”One skeleton, a male aged between 17 and 24 at the time of death, was found with a sharp iron object embedded in his vertebrae, suggesting he suffered a violent death. Osteologists who have examined the skeleton believe a weapon was thrust into his body from the front before embedding in his spine.A vivid blue stain on his collarbone came from a brooch used to hold up garments. Many of the site’s skeletons were found with two collarbone brooches keeping cloaks or peplos – long outer robes worn by women – in place.One female skeleton was found with a vast array of goods, including a complete ornate pale green glass bowl thought to be made around the turn of the fifth century, indicating she was a person of high status. Other items found with her remains included rings, brooches, iron belt fittings and ivory objects.The site contained 138 graves with 141 inhumation burials and five cremation burials, making it one of the largest Anglo-Saxon burial grounds uncovered in Britain. More than 2,000 beads were unearthed, along with 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads and seven shield bosses.Dr Rachel Wood, the lead archaeologist for Fusion JV, the company that carried out the field work, said it was a “once in a lifetime discovery”.Dan Snow with spearhead uncovered in HS2 excavations. Photograph: HS2/PA“It’s rare to discover Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, especially with this many individuals – men, women and children – and an amazing range of grave goods. Almost all the individuals were buried with fantastically decorated brooches, but we’ve also found glass and amber beads, swords, shield bosses, spearheads, fantastically decorated pottery jewellery – quite a lot of unique objects.“The fifth and sixth centuries are not ones we know a lot about, and all the objects we found will be able to tell us a lot about these people. It gives us a great snapshot of society.”Most of the individuals appear to have been relatively wealthy, able to import some of the items from across Europe. Two glass cone beakers that were uncovered intact would have been used to drink wine brought to England from abroad. The beakers are similar to ones that were made in northern France, although some were also made in England at the time.The discoveries include personal grooming items, such as ear wax removers, toothpicks, tweezers, combs and a tube that may have contained a cosmetic such as eyeliner.Sign up to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday morning at 7am BSTA team of 30 archaeologists worked on the site for almost a year, completing field work in 2021. As well as the Anglo-Saxon burial ground, evidence of Neolithic, bronze age, iron age and Roman activity was discovered.The HS2 route has proven rich in archaeological finds. More than 1,000 archaeologists have worked on 60 separate sites between London and the West Midlands over the past three years.Objects that have been unearthed will be preserved and many will eventually be displayed in museums. But larger finds will be bulldozed to make way for the new rail line.
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A vast trove of Cambodia's Angkorian crown jewellery, some dating back to the 7th Century, resurfaced in London last summer, it has been revealed.
The stolen items belonged to known antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford.
Experts say they have never seen most of the jewellery before and are stunned by its existence.
The collection has been secretly returned to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and is due to go on display there in the country's national museum.
Latchford died in 2020 while awaiting trial in the US. His family promised to return his stolen collection to Cambodia after he died, but the authorities did not know what exactly would be handed over or how it would happen.
Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia's investigative team. became the first representative of the nation to see the jewellery when he visited London last summer. He told the BBC: "I was driven by a representative of the Latchford family to an undisclosed location. In the parking lot was a vehicle with four boxes inside,
"I felt like crying. I just thought - wow - the crown jewels of ancient Cambodian civilization packed into four boxes in the back of a car."
When it was all unwrapped, the resurfaced collection was found to contain 77 pieces of gold and jewel-encrusted jewellery, including crowns, belts and earrings. A large bowl is thought to date to the 11th Century and although it has yet to be tested, appears to be made of solid gold. Experts believe it could have been used as a rice bowl for Angkorian royalty.
One of the crowns appears to be from the pre-Angkorian period, experts believe, and could have been made by artisans in the 7th Century. Other items, including a small sculpted flower, pose a mystery. Experts simply don't know why it was made or how it was used.
It's still unclear exactly how and when the jewellery was stolen and how it made its way to London. Many of the items can be matched to stone carvings in the walls of Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The largest religious monument in the world, its construction began in 1122 as a dedication to the Hindu God Vishnu, though it transitioned into a Buddhist temple decades later.
Angkor Wat was heavily looted during the French colonial period. However, many of Cambodia's other temples were looted during the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s, and the turmoil that continued for decades.
Archaeologist Sonetra Seng studied Angkorian jewellery for years by examining temple carvings. Finally, she can hold the real thing.
"The jewellery proves what was on the carvings and what was rumoured is really true. Cambodia was really, really rich in the past," she says. "Still, I can't believe it, especially that it's from one single collection found abroad."
Some of the jewellery had surfaced before; Douglas Latchford included five items from the collection in a book titled Khmer Gold that he co-wrote with his collaborator, Emma Bunker, in 2008. Khmer antiquities expert Ashley Thompson describes this book and two others as elaborate sales brochures, giving private collectors a taste of what was being sold illegally behind the scenes.
"Publishing these materials, inviting other scholars to contribute and comparing the items to museum pieces was a way of validating them and associating them with known materials already in museums and effectively enhancing their value," she explained.
Ms Thompson, a professor in South East Asian art at SOAS University of London, says it will take a long time for experts to piece together where the newly discovered jewellery really came from because the book contains so many half-truths.
"You certainly can't take for granted anything that is said about the provenance or the current ownership," she explained, as she flipped through the book and pointing to the way in which Latchford and Bunker described the ownership of the different pieces of jewellery. "Private Thai collection, private London collection, private New York collection, private Japanese collection etc. You have to be very wary."
The Cambodian authorities believe that more Angkorian jewellery is yet to be found. The Cambodians have evidence from Latchford's email correspondence that he was attempting to secretly sell the collection from a north London warehouse as late as 2019.
We asked London's Metropolitan Police if Latchford's UK associates are also being investigated. They declined to comment - noting they do not identify anyone under investigation prior to being charged with a criminal offence.
Last year, the BBC travelled to Cambodia to meet looters turned government witnesses who identified items they say they stole from temples and sold to Latchford. Some of those items have been matched by investigators to museum pieces that are now in respected UK institutions like the British Museum and the V&A.
One of the women the BBC interviewed then - nicknamed Iron Princess - will also work to help identify some of the jewellery.
For now, the collection's return will be welcomed by the country's autocratic leader, Hun Sen. An election is coming up in July, and since his ruling party has effectively dismantled the opposition, this development will be painted as something Hun Sen has done to benefit his people.
Politics aside, ordinary Cambodians want all the looted items back. After decades hidden inside dusty boxes, it will soon go on public display in Phnom Penh, allowing this jewellery to shine once again.
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Kate Middleton donned £85 earrings signifying 'love and compassion' from Meghan Markle's favourite brand Missoma for trip to BelfastThe Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Missoma in Belfast The mother looked typically sensational in a £295 Winser London silk blouseShe paired her outfit with drop earrings from the London-based jewellery brand Published: 06:01 EDT, 7 October 2022 | Updated: 06:01 EDT, 7 October 2022 The Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Meghan Markle's favourite brand Missoma in Belfast city centre on Thursday during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland. The royal, who was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales, visited Trademarket, they took part in a spirited cocktail-making race and greeted the public during their visit.The mother-of-three, looked typically sensational in a £295 Winser London silk blouse and matching blue coat, thought to be from Alexander McQueen which she paired with the drop earrings from London-based jewellery brand Missoma.The brand, which is a favourite of Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle's, 40, describes the earrings online as featuring 'a heart-based healing crystal that radiates love, compassion and all-around good vibes' suspended from a 'texture gold vermeil hoop.' The Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Missoma Belfast city centre on Thursday during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland The £85 earrings from Missoma are part of the brand's gemstone collection and feature a spiked hoopKate kept her make up natural for the occasion and wore her hair in a bouncy blow dry, occasionally tucking her hair behind her ear to reveal the stunning set.The earrings, which are for sale online for £85, are part of the company's Gemstone collection and are bejewelled with the rhodochrosite stone. The pyramid hoops are described as 'using the power of precious stones, placing the highest quality hand-cut stones into our specially designed and unique shapes and cuts.' It's not the first time the princess has been spotted wearing the jewels from the popular brand. The mother-of-three paired her stunning ensemble with the drop earrings from London-based jewellery brand MissomaKate wore the set to chat with Atlantic rower Jasmine Harrison, 22, during a video call to mark International Women's Day last year. She also opted to wear the earrings during a visit to businesses in London, as well as donning the Gold Zenyu Chandelier Hoops during her tour of Pakistan in November 2019.Meanwhile sister-in-law Meghan has long been a fan of the brand and was first spotted wearing jewellery in a resurfaced post from her now inactive Instagram account. As well as Meghan Markle Missoma has countless other famous fans, ranging from model Gigi Hadid to actress Margot Robbie - who wears their coin necklaces. The brand is a favourite of Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle, who has worn the jewellery several times over the last few years (pictured, wearing a bracelet from Missoma) The brand was created by Marisa Hordern, who started it from her kitchen table, after sourcing gemstones from Hong Kong, Thailand, India and the US.In 2018, the company was named fourth on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list. Speaking to Harpars Bazaar in March 2020 she said about her celebrity clientele: 'It is generally good for the brand (when someone famous wears the jewellery) but we don’t really see spikes as such.'It tends to just show how versatile the pieces are in terms of who wears it and how it can be worn. For example, Margot Robbie has been seen wearing it surfing and on the red carpet.'It's also great to see cross-generational support like recently when Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford both wore it – I loved that, it reminded me of how I started the business, with my mother around the kitchen table.'Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Wales paid thanks to Northern Ireland for hosting them following a trip to Belfast - despite Kate being challenged by an Irish nationalist during an impromptu walkabout.The brand describes the earrings online as featuring 'a heart-based healing crystal that radiates love, compassion and all-around good vibes' suspended from a 'texture gold vermeil hoop' The earrings, which Kate wore beautifully in Belfast are for sale online for £85, are part of the company's Gemstone collection and are bejewelled with the rhodochrosite stonePrince William and Kate, both 40, shared a message on their official social media pages, writing: 'Thank you for having us, Northern Ireland!'Meanwhile the couple posted a swish video showing a highlights reel of their trip, including a clip of the royal mother-of-three making a cocktail, and Prince William playing with a pair of dogs.Their message came hours after Kate was confronted by a woman during a walkabout, who told her that 'Ireland belongs to the Irish' during the meet and greet in north Belfast yesterday.While shaking hands with the princess, the woman said: 'Nice to meet you but it would be better if it was when you were in your own country.'The woman, who was wearing an emerald green cardigan, appeared to be videoing the exchange on a mobile phone. A stunned Kate, who managed to keep her composure throughout the exchange, laughed and let go of the woman's hand before continuing to smile and greet other members of the crowd. The royal, who was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales, visited Trademarket, they took part in a spirited cocktail-making race and greeted the public during their visit Advertisement
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Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Rosmah Mansor, the former first lady of Malaysia, amassed hundreds of expensive Hermes Birkin handbags and diamond jewellery when her husband Najib Razak was prime minister.Now, Rosmah faces the prospect of joining him in jail for corruption after the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a record $216 million fine for soliciting and receiving bribes to help a company secure a contract from her husband's administration. read more Rosmah, 70, is out on bail but if she loses appeals in two higher courts, she will be put behind bars, ending her million-dollar shopping sprees.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comThe former first lady, seen as a powerful figure behind Najib, is widely scorned in Malaysia for her extravagant lifestyle and penchant for Birkin bags - which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece.Police found 12,000 individual items of jewellery, 567 luxury handbags, 423 watches and $26 million in cash at properties linked to the couple after Najib's unexpected defeat in the 2018 elections, when voters showed their disgust over a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).Najib last week began a 12-year jail sentence, after losing an appeal in the first of several cases brought against him over 1MDB. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. read more Rosmah has been dogged by questions over her outsized role in the Najib administration and the source of her wealth."By herself, she occupied no official position. However, she wielded considerable influence by reason of her overbearing nature," prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said at the start of Rosmah's trial in 2020 for seeking bribes over a $279 million solar power supply contract.Rosmah described those allegations as character assassination and pleaded not guilty to all charges against her.Prosecutors say Rosmah sought a bribe of 187.5 million ringgit ($41.85 million) and received 6.5 million ringgit from an official of the company that won the solar project. Part of it was delivered in two bags filled with cash at the couple's residence, they say.Rosmah also faces money laundering and tax evasion charges in a separate case.'CAN I ADVISE YOU?'In 2009, Singapore's founder and then minister-mentor Lee Kuan Yew sought a meeting with Rosmah during an official visit to Malaysia, reportedly saying it was necessary to understand the couple who "worked as a team."Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, leaves the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex as she is on bail after a Malaysian court found her guilty of seeking and receiving bribes in exchange for government contracts, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia September 1, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor HussainMalaysians were given an insight into the first couple's dynamics in a 2016 recording released by investigators, during which an agitated Rosmah is heard telling Najib how to deal with the 1MDB graft scandal swirling round him."Can I advise you something? Darling, you are the prime minister and you should be taking charge, not anybody else okay?" she says, before adding, "You've got goons around you to advise you."She went on to tell Najib how to handle aides and foreign officials who were also caught up in the scandal.Rosmah has not been charged over 1MDB but U.S. and Malaysian investigators say expensive jewellery was purchased for her from some of $4.5 billion in stolen funds, including a $27 million pink diamond necklace.The necklace was arranged for her by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, who investigators say was close to Najib and central to the 1MDB scandal. Low became a fugitive, and his whereabouts are unknown.Najib has said he was introduced to Jho Low by Riza Aziz, Rosmah's son from her first marriage. Rosmah married Najib in 1987, the second marriage for both.Riza used some of the stolen 1MDB money to fund the 2013 Hollywood movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street', investigators say. Riza later agreed with U.S. and Malaysian investigators to return some of the assets acquired from stolen 1MDB funds, and the case brought against him in Malaysia was dropped.KEEPING UP APPEARANCESRosmah drew more anger when details of the scale of the 1MDB scandal became public. The Wall Street Journal reported that she spent at least $6 million between 2008 and 2015 on shopping sprees in London, New York and elsewhere.Despite her lavish tastes, Rosmah came from humble beginnings. In her 2013 autobiography, Rosmah wrote of facing financial difficulties as a student and earning a meagre salary in her first job at an agriculture bank.Inevitably, given the importance she attached to accessories, Rosmah has been likened to Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, who left behind more than 1,200 pairs of shoes when her husband was ousted in 1986."As a woman and as the wife of a leader, I have to look made up, neat and take care of my appearance. It is also embarrassing for Malaysians when other countries make fun of the sloppy wife of Malaysia's prime minister," Rosmah said in her autobiography, defending her tastes.($1 = 4.4800 ringgit)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Mei Mei Chu and A. Ananthalakshmi; additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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Jewelry
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Throughout her life, the Queen amassed a jewellery collection full of family heirlooms, priceless treasures and gifts from world leaders. The monarch was rarely seen without diamonds, pearls or gemstones adorning her clothes, with royal commentators sometimes suggesting she used the pieces to send unspoken signals.Particular attention was paid to her brooches: Her Majesty would often choose one with a connection to the person, country or organisation she was visiting. The Queen was renowned for generously loaning both elaborate and simple pieces to royal wives including Meghan Markle, Sophie Wessex, Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, over the years. Now, upon her death at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne, FEMAIL looks at Her Majesty's jewellery collection. The Queen was rarely seen without a dazzling array of diamonds, pearls and gemstones decorating her bright and colourful clothes (pictured, in 2022 at the Platinum Jubilee celebration wearing her favourite pearl necklace, earrings and one of her favourite brooches the Kensington Bow brooch) Her Majesty was often gifted her pieces for special occasions and wore wedding gifts throughout her life (left). She was renowned for generously loaning pieces to other royals including Kate Middleton (pictured right, at the Jubilee wearing the Queen's earrings) The Queen's amazing collection of jewels included glittering brooches, earrings and necklaces. Some have been passed down to Her Majesty through the royal family, while others were gifted to the monarch to mark important milestones, including her wedding, coronation and jubilees. The most impressive jewels were reserved for high profile occasions like state dinners. Otherwise the Queen preferred to keep her jewellery low-key and was rarely seen without three strings of pearls gifted to her by her grandfather. The Queen was able to recall the meaning and occasion behind each item she had been gifted over the years, experts have claimed. Pictured left, in 1983 on a banquet in India, and right, in 2007 wearing a necklace gifted by President of Brazil for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 The monarch, pictured here on one of her final engagements in July 2022, always wore her engagement ring in a sign of her dedication to her husband Prince Philip The Royal Collection was held in trust by the Sovereign for her successors and the nation, and was not owned by The Queen as a private individual. However she did have her own smaller private collection, which she has been known to loan to members of the royal family for formal occasions and state visits, at her own discretion.NECKLACESWhile we associated the Queen with her incredible Royal Collection of priceless tiaras, intricate brooches and dazzling diamond earrings, she was, like many Englishwomen of a certain age, most at ease in her pearls. Pearls were the Queen’s first ‘serious’ piece of jewellery. When her grandfather George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1935, he gave both his granddaughters pearl necklaces. Among the collection Elizabeth owns today are two stunning necklaces - the 18th-century Queen Anne pearl necklace and the 50-pearl Queen Caroline necklace, both given as a wedding present from her father. Her favourite necklace for quiet days was her single-strand version, one of the first pieces she acquired, and very much in the English tradition, matching the timeless elegance of her treasured pearl and diamond studs. Meanwhile the royal also had a huge range of other opulent necklaces, including the stunning sets gifted from her coronation in 1953. One striking set formed from unusual aquamarine stones, was a gift from the President of Brazil for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. The striking necklace was made by Mappin & Webb in Rio de Janiero, and the stones are set in diamond and platinum surrounds.It came with matching earrings - and in 1958 she was presented with a large brooch and bracelet. The stones are perfectly matched - it took a year to collect them from mines across Brazil. The Queen's much beloved glittering Festoon necklace, gifted to the royal by her father, is pictured during an outing to a concert with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy in America in 1983The nation continued to supply the Queen’s aquamarine collection, including providing stones for a tiara she had adapted in 1971.She toned down the piece by replacing the pendant with a smaller stone, and attaching the aquamarine to her tiara.The royal also adored jewellery presents from family members, including one glittering Festoon necklace given to Princess Elizabeth in 1950 by her father that remained her favourites throughout her life.It was made from 105 loose diamonds that were kept in reserve at Garrard, stored in pouches marked ‘C’ for Crown, in case a monarch wanted to extend a necklace or improve a tiara.Queen Mary, the Queen’s grandmother, was said to have made regular use of the service. The resulting triple strand necklace has rows of graduated stones, suspended between two diamond triangles.It was also the Queen’s preferred necklace for wearing without a tiara.Among the Queen's more recent pieces was a gift from Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar, during a state visit to Britain in 1985. Where did the Queen keep her extensive jewellery collection? At home in Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, the jewellery she wore regularly was not kept in one of the boxes of battered leather lined with mushroom velvet that house her ‘grand occasion’ pieces. Instead, they lived on trays that house stones according to colour — rubies, sapphires, emeralds. A diamond ‘swag’ shape, set in gold and designed around two central gemstones, it came with a matching set of earrings — and had been one of the Queen’s favourite ruby pieces ever since.Because of its rich, exotic colour, she preferred it for foreign engagements, such as this state banquet in Turkey in 2008, but has also worn it twice to the state opening of Parliament. The royal also lent her Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, originally created by Cartier in 1930s to family members. One of the Queen's more recent acquisitions was the necklace and earring set from Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar, who gifted it to the royal during a state visit to Britain in 1985. Did the Queen ever wear gold? The Queen rarely wore gold jewellery, but opted for this gold and emerald piece to a film premiere in 2004The Queen rarely wore gold, preferring silver or platinum for her everyday jewels, so this gold and emerald necklace is something of a curiosity in the royal collection.It’s a pared-down look, more akin to costume jewellery than royal regalia, worn to a film premiere in London in 2004 - and paired with matching emerald drop earrings in a pretty bow shape.The provenance of the 18-stone chain is unknown, and Her Majesty wasn't known to have worn it before or since, suggesting it may have been a gift not quite to her taste. It was gifted to Majesty as a gift when she married in November 1947 and consists of a long chain of 38 diamonds (reduced from the original 46) with a diamond-encrusted snap. The centre of the necklace was pave-set with detachable double-drop pendant 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop. The original necklace consisted of eight double-drop and three triple-drop pendants. Kate Middleton borrowed the diamond stunner to attend a black tie Portrait Gala in 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.It set off her midnight blue Jenny Packham evening gown, which was plain to show off the beauty of her diamonds.Left, The Queen wearing the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace - part of the Royal Collection - which was made by Cartier, the George IV State Diadem and the insignia of the Order of the Garter, circa 1953. Right, the Duchess of Cambridge wearing the necklace in 2014 The Queen's remarkable memory Journalist Sali Hughes, author of Our Rainbow Queen, explained the Queen had an 'outstanding memory' and put it to good use when it comes to her wardrobe. 'There are no mistakes; there are no accidents,' Hughes said in an interview with Vanity Fair. 'Everything is forensically thought of, considered, and documented, and her memory is outstanding. 'She does not forget who gave her something, and she doesn’t forget the meaning it has when she was given her gifts and her jewellery.' BROOCHES Brooches, usually worn on the left shoulder, were a favourite for the royal and the Queen was believed to have over 100 in her collection. A selection that would go with an outfit were presented to her - usually three at a time - by her senior dresser and confidante Angela Kelly on special trays that once belonged to Queen Mary.The royal had a wide variety of different brooches which she often wore with her usual pearl earrings and necklace, including a spray of flowers brooch by the people and government of Australia during her Coronation tour of 1954.She was also regularly seen in the Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch from the late Queen Mother’s jewellery collection, a shell shape consisting of solid rows of diamonds with a single pearl cradled at the base, and strings of diamonds suspended underneath.One of the royal's favourites was the Kensington Bow brooch, a wedding gift from the residents of Kensington to her grandmother in 1893, costing £450 (about £40,000 today). The brooch features two rows of diamonds set in silver and gold, tied in a ‘bow’ around a single large diamond, and it was often used to secure a sash or as a clasp for remembrance poppies. Among the brooches she favoured was the Cullinan V Brooch, which was an unusual and distinctive heart shape. The diamond, of 18.8 carats, was one of six numbered stones cut from the Cullinan diamond, the biggest in the world, and given to Queen Mary, the Queen’s grandmother, by the people of South Africa in 1910.Many have suggested the Queen may have tried to send messages with her selection of brooches - some commentators pointed out the royal wore a brooch given to her by President Obama when she met President Trump on a visit in 2019. When Prince Philip was in hospital in 2021, the Queen paid tribute to her late husband with her brooches for public appearances. The Queen had a huge selection of brooches, with over 100 in her personal collection. One of her favourites was the Cullinan V Brooch, given to Queen Mary, the Queen’s grandmother, by the people of South Africa in 1910 (pictured wearing it during a visit to Tuvalu in South Pacific) One of the royal's favourites was the Kensington Bow brooch, a wedding gift from the residents of Kensington to her grandmother in 1893, costing £450 (about £40,000 today). (pictured in 2005 visiting Bristol university)It was occasionally suggested the royal selected her brooches in order to send a signal about her beliefs (pictured left, with President Obama and Michelle Obama, wearing the pin they gave her in 2011, and right, the pin) The royal had a wide variety of different brooches which she often wore with her usual pearl earrings and necklace (pictured left, The Queen was given this spray of flowers brooch by the people and government of Australia during her Coronation tour of 1954, the Queen was presented with this brooch from the people and government of Australia. It depicts a spray of flowers with mimosa leaves and tea tree blossoms in white and colored diamonds. pictured right, The Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch from the late Queen Mother’s jewellery collection and takes the shape of a shell made of solid rows of diamonds with a single pearl cradled at the base and strings of diamonds suspended underneath.) Another of the 2,500 wedding presents given to the Queen on her marriage to Prince Philip, the Carrington Sapphire Feather brooch (right) was a gift from Carrington jewellers. A fine diamond feather with a sapphire centre, it’s always paired with blue or purple, as here in 2019 The Queen was generous with her jewellery collection, often lending pieces to other senior royals. The New Zealand Fern brooch was presented to the Queen in 1953 by the women of Auckland. She is seen wearing it in 2008 (left) and it was loaned to Kate for her 2014 tour of Australasia (right)The Queen kept Prince Philip close to her heart while he was in hospital in 2021 by donning significant brooches for public engagements - in February, she chose to wear the same six-petal diamond flower brooch she had worn when the couple announced their engagement in 1947 (left and right) The Queen kept her husband close to her heart in 2021 while the Duke spent several weeks in hospital, donning the same six-petal diamond flower brooch she wore when the couple announced their engagement in 1947 for a virtual engagement.The monarch wore the glittering accessory on a video call with health leaders from Windsor Castle in which she made a historic intervention in the coronavirus vaccination drive, suggesting it is selfish not to have the jab.And during his funeral on April 18, Her Majesty brought out the diamond Richmond Brooch, a present from the town of Richmond for her grandmother Queen Mary's 1893 wedding to the future King George V which she inherited. The Queen wore a brooch gifted to her by Prince Philip during a visit to the Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth The gold Scarab brooch, with ruby and diamond embellishments, was a 1966 gift from the Duke of Edinburgh (pictured the couple together in 1966, with the Queen wearing the brooch)Weeks later, as she visited the Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Queen wore a brooch gifted to her by Prince Philip.Her Majesty, 95, paid tribute to her beloved husband of 73 years, who died on April 9 2021 aged 99, by wearing the piece, which she teamed with a brick-red military-style cashmere coat for her appearance at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth.The gold Scarab brooch, with ruby and diamond embellishments, was a 1966 gift from the Duke of Edinburgh. EARRINGS When the Queen turned 21, jewels flooded in, mostly in the form of gifts from relatives.Among them was a pair of heavy diamond chandelier earrings that had been given to her mother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as a wedding present. Soon, she had acquired many other pairs of earrings that could be worn only with pierced ears, and so in 1951, just before her state visit to Canada, the 25-year-old Queen gave in to the inevitable and had her ears pierced.Some of the royal's favorite earrings remained her pearl pieces throughout her life, with the Queen often choosing a simple stud or pearl drop for her daily appearances. Day-to-day Her Majesty often wore the simple but chic Queen Mary's Button Earrings, which feature a pearl and a diamond (pictured here visiting the Royal British Legion Industries Village, Aylesford in November 2019)The Queen regularly wore pearl drop earrings, but often chose the Ladies of Devonshire earrings for formal day events (pictured waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2017) Day-to-day, the Queen often chose between two almost identical pearl earrings. The royal's favourite earrings for casual wear were the simple Queen Mary's Button Earrings, which featured a single pearl with a small diamond on top. Meanwhile she would wear the Ladies of Devonshire earrings for more formal day events, such as the Diamond Jubilee service or the Order of the Garter service, as well as for evening occasions.Queen Mary gave the Devonshire Earrings to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, as a wedding present in 1947. The Queen is believed to have gifted Meghan Markle a similar pair of earrings to her own for their first joint engagement in June 2018A present to the Queen from the kingdom of Bahrain to celebrate the Queen's wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, the Bahrain pearl drop earrings were hidden away from public view for many decades but have recently been seen more regularly.The Queen chose to wear the pieces to the Remembrance Day service in 2015, with Kate Middleton wearing them the following year to the same event. The Countess of Wessex has also sported the diamond-supported pearls. And Kate, who is known to adore a pearl earring, also wore them while staying at Balmoral during the summer of 2018. The Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings were a present to the Queen from the kingdom of Bahrain to celebrate her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 Kate wore the jewels as she joined Prince William and other senior royals at the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, also wore the Bahrain pearl drop earrings in 2012 to attend a performance of the Massed Bands and Bugles of The Rifles at the Royal Albert HallKate has also donned another set of the Queen's diamond-and-pearl earrings, which the monarch herself last wore in 1977.In 2016, the Duchess was spotted wearing them while on a trip to Canada, and later in the year in Holland. The Queen gifted Meghan Markle a similar (but smaller) pair prior to the Duchess' first royal joint engagement without her husband. The monarch continued to generously lend her earrings to her granddaughters-in-law during the final years of her life. At the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Queen donned a pair of diamond-and-pearl earrings that she hasn't worn since in public. However, the monarch has gifted them to her grandaughter-in-law, with Kate spotted wearing them twice in 2016 New generation, same jewels: The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted wearing the same earrings in 2016 during a royal visit with Prince William to Canada, they appeared again on a trip later that year to the Netherlands In 2021, the Duchess of Cambridge honoured the Queen on her birthday by borrowing her pearl earrings for a visit to an air cadet centre. Kate borrowed the silver jubilee diamond and pearl earrings from the monarch who first wore them to celebrate her silver jubilee in 1977.The visit, which took place on the Queen's 95th birthday, was carried out in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh, who was Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief of the squadron for 63 years before Kate took over as Commandant-in-Chief in 2015. But it was not just pearl pieces that the royal favoured, with the royal occasionally donning large costume-style jewellery from her collection of diamond pieces. The Duchess of Cambridge honoured the Queen on her 95th birthday by borrowing her pearl earrings for her visit to an air cadet centreThe origin of the stunning large teardrop-shaped diamond adornments is unknown and they may even be a more modern addition to the Queen's collection. The monarch was spotted wearing them at the State Opening of Parliament in 2012 before they were next seen gracing Kate's ears, most notably at a gala held at Kensington Palace in November 2017. The royal would also occasionally don pieces that were part of a set with her elegant necklaces, such as the aquamarine set gifted to her by the President of Brazil for her coronation. The origin of these teardrop-shaped earrings is unknown and they may have first been seen in public as late as 2012, when the Queen wore them to the State Opening of Parliament. A different look: Kate has worn the drop diamond earrings on a number of occasions including at a dinner while on a royal visit to Sweden and Norway A closer look: The Duchess of Cambridge at a 2017 Gala Dinner for The Anna Freud National Centre held at Kensington Palace in 2017All that glitters! The Duchess of Cambridge borrowed the Queen's emerald and diamond earrings and matching bracelet (both pictured) for the Caribbean tour in 2022 (left) Treasured: The Queen has worn the set on a number of occasions, including at a reception for the Obamas in 2011 (right). There is also a necklace (seen here) which Kate did not wear When she was not wearing her trademark pearls, the Queen opted for pendants such as these dazzling purple stones, part of the Kent Amethyst set, which belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother. The set also included three brooches, a necklace and hair combs, but the earrings — worn to a state banquet in Portugal in 1985 - are the only items seen in public.These ornate diamond frames, each containing an oval pearl drop, are the Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendants, first owned by Queen Mary’s great aunt. They passed to the Queen on her grandmother’s death in 1953. She chose them for her wedding in 1947, on a visit to Mauritius in 1972 and wears them often nowadays. If she’s not wearing her trademark pearls, the Queen opts for pendants such as these dazzling purple stones (left), part of the Kent Amethyst set, which belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother. These ornate diamond frames (right), each containing an oval pearl drop, are the Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendants, first owned by Queen Mary’s great auntBRACELETS The Queen mainly wore bracelets for formal occasions and events, such as foreign tours and the State Opening of parliament. The royal had many diamond bracelets, and mainly choose them for black tie events, occasionally if she didn't wear a tiara. Her collection included a set of two matching bracelets composed of chain links between diamond plaques which came from Queen Mary’s collection. The Queen regularly wore bracelets for black tie and formal events, donning two diamond pieces for the State Opening of Parliament in October 2019 Mary bought them in 1932, and then had a matching one made three years later to hold a 9.75 carat diamond from the Premier Mines given to her during a visit to South Africa.The bracelets were made to join together to create a choker. They are nearly identical, one having a larger plaque for the South African diamond. One of the sets the Queen most often wore was the sapphire set.The royal often wore the glittering pieces of jewellery to formal black tie events, donning the chain links between diamond plaques from Queen Mary's collection over white gloves. The Queen also had a selection of pearl evening watches for formal events (pictured left in Canada in 2002) She occasionally wore bracelets as part of a set of jewellery (pictured right, leaving the Ritz after celebrating her Golden Jubilee in 2002 wearing emerald-cut sapphires and diamonds collection, which included a necklace, earrings, a bracelet and a ring).It began with a mid-19th century set of necklace and earrings bought by her father, King George VI, at Carrington & Co. and given to her as a wedding present in 1947. The set features a necklace of emerald-cut sapphires surrounded by diamonds and separated by individual diamonds, plus a pair of earrings, each with a large sapphire in a diamond cluster. As given to the Queen, the necklace had 18 sapphire clusters, which she had shortened in 1952. The Queen was often seeing wearing her gold watch, which she was gifted during her visit to Canada in 1951, as her go-to timepiece (pictured, in 2003 with George Bush) In 1959 the largest cluster was turned into a pendant to hang on the necklace and was fitted with a pin for use as a brooch.The royal also made a habit of wearing a watch every day, which was as much as a staple to her look as her pearls and her wedding and engagement rings.Her gold watch, which she was gifted during her visit to Canada in 1951, was her go-to timepiece.RINGS There is one notable omission from the Queen’s jewel box: she very seldom wore rings.Although she received a stunning square-cut diamond engagement ring with diamond side stones set in platinum from Prince Philip, the ring was barely seen as the Queen tended to cover her hands with gloves when in public.‘She doesn’t much like her hands,’ said royal editor Ingrid Seward, ‘and prefers not to draw attention to them.’ The Queen covered her hands with gloves - but always wore her engagement and wedding rings In the later part of her life, the Queen often wore gloves for public events, so it was difficult to see if she was wearing any rings.However, when she was seen without gloves on, she always wore her wedding and engagement rings. Prince Philip proposed to Princess Elizabeth with a simple and elegant diamond ring. The 3 carat diamond solitaire flanked on each side by 5 smaller diamonds, all set in platinum, with all of the jewels taken from a tiara owned by Philip’s mother, Princess Alice.The Queen, pictured here in 2022, was believed to wear her engagement ring and wedding ring every day, but the pieces were often hidden because the royal regularly wore gloves for public events The square cut ring was set in platinum.Meanwhile her wedding ring was made from Welsh gold and was given to the Queen's parents for their wedding in 1923.It furnished rings for the Queen Mother, the Queen, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, and Diana, Princess of Wales before it ran out. The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding ring was later created from a piece of Welsh gold the Queen gifted Prince William after the couple's engagement.
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The Royal Family has released a never-seen-before portrait of Her Majesty The Queen on the eve of her funeral.It was taken at Windsor Castle in May earlier this year with the Queen flashing a beaming smile while wearing some of her favourite jewellery.Her late Majesty was wearing a pastel blue dress, adorned with a stunning pair of aquamarine and diamond clip brooches.The brooches, worn separately above each other, which were an 18th birthday present from her beloved 'Papa', George VI, in April 1944. The Royal Family has released a never-seen-before portrait of the Queen on the eve of her funeral. The portrait was taken in May earlier this year at Windsor Castle She was wearing her aquamarine and diamond clip brooches, worn separately above each other, which were an 18th birthday present from her beloved 'Papa', George VI, in April 1944 She was also wearing her three-stranded pearl necklace, which appeared to be the same one she wore in the last ever photo of her (pictured), as she met Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle in ScotlandThe monarch also accessorised with pearl and diamond earrings and a three-stranded pearl necklace.They appear to be the same earrings the Princess of Wales has worn four times in the past week to pay tribute to the late monarch.Meanwhile, the necklace appears to be the same one she wore in the last known photograph of her, when she met Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle just days before her death. Throughout her life, the Queen amassed a jewellery collection full of family heirlooms, priceless treasures and gifts from world leaders.The monarch was rarely seen without diamonds, pearls or gemstones adorning her clothes, with royal commentators sometimes suggesting she used the pieces to send unspoken signals.Particular attention was paid to her brooches: Her Majesty would often choose one with a connection to the person, country or organisation she was visiting.The Queen was rarely seen without a dazzling array of diamonds, pearls and gemstones decorating her bright and colourful clothes (pictured, in 2022 at the Platinum Jubilee celebration wearing her favourite pearl necklace, earrings and one of her favourite brooches the Kensington Bow brooch) The Queen had a huge selection of brooches, with over 100 in her personal collection. One of her favourites was the Cullinan V Brooch, given to Queen Mary, the Queen’s grandmother, by the people of South Africa in 1910 (pictured wearing it during a visit to Tuvalu in South Pacific)The Queen was believed to have more than 100 brooches in her collection. The art deco-style Boucheron clips worn in the portrait released on Sunday evening were adored by the late Queen. They are made of aquamarine and diamonds and in a typical 1940s design and combine baguette, oval and round stones.The distinctive style of the brooches - one often used by Cartier - led many jewellery experts to believe the clips were actually the work of the brand, which is why they are often incorrectly identified as the Cartier aquamarine clips.The clips can be worn in a number of different ways: as matching clips, on either shoulder or as a single brooch.The Queen usually wore them as separate clips, one above the other, on her left shoulder.Due to the translucent nature of the jewels, the Queen typically wore them with blue or pale purple fabrics that enhanced the natural colour. She wore the pieces on a host of occasions over the years, including during her televised message on the 75th anniversary of VE Day in May 2020.Meanwhile, although many often associated the Queen with her incredible royal collection of priceless tiaras, intricate brooches and dazzling diamond earrings, she was, like many Englishwomen of a certain age, most at ease in her pearls. One of the royal's favourites was the Kensington Bow brooch, a wedding gift from the residents of Kensington to her grandmother in 1893, costing £450 (about £40,000 today). (pictured in 2005 visiting Bristol university) Another of the 2,500 wedding presents given to the Queen on her marriage to Prince Philip, the Carrington Sapphire Feather brooch (pictured) was a gift from Carrington jewellers. A fine diamond feather with a sapphire centre, it was always paired with blue or purple, as here in 2019 Pearls were the Queen’s first ‘serious’ piece of jewellery. When her grandfather George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1935, he gave both his granddaughters pearl necklaces. Among the collection Elizabeth owns today are two stunning necklaces - the 18th-century Queen Anne pearl necklace and the 50-pearl Queen Caroline necklace, both given as a wedding present from her father. Her favourite necklace for quiet days was her single-strand version, one of the first pieces she acquired, and very much in the English tradition, matching the timeless elegance of her treasured pearl and diamond studs. When it came to earrings, like her necklaces, the Queen had a love of pearls.She often chose a simple stud or pearl drop for her daily appearances. Day-to-day, the Queen often chose between two almost identical pearl earrings. The royal's favourite earrings for casual wear were the simple Queen Mary's Button Earrings, which featured a single pearl with a small diamond on top. Meanwhile she would wear the Ladies of Devonshire earrings for more formal day events, such as the Diamond Jubilee service or the Order of the Garter service, as well as for evening occasions.Queen Mary gave the Devonshire Earrings to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, as a wedding present in 1947.
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The ‘Project D’ ring has been made from a large piece of 155 carat rough CVD lab-grown diamond, which was polished using laser cutting and traditional techniques into a ring which has 133 facets, compared to 57 for a standard brilliant cut. The ring has a total weight of 3,865 carats. It wasn’t until 2017 that it became technically possible to grow large enough monocrystalline lab-grown diamond plates.
This is not the first ring to be created from a single diamond. In 2011, Shawish, the Swiss jeweller, unveiled the world’s first wearable ring made from a single crystal of natural diamond. Additionally, another lab-grown ‘all diamond’ ring, called (RED), has been conceived by the Diamond Foundry, but as far as we are aware, the production phase has not yet started.
“For our 10th anniversary we wanted to create something stunning that would highlight our innovative and high-tech techniques,” says Ton Janssen, CEO of Dutch Diamond Technologies. “I think we’ve more than succeeded with the one-off ‘Project D’ ring. It’s a true “European” ring: grown in Germany, cut in the Netherlands and graded by HRD Antwerp in Belgium. HRD Antwerp has a well-earned reputation for delivering a perfect grading system thanks to their sophisticated equipment and dedicated team.”
The quality and carat weight of CVD synthetic diamonds has increased drastically over the last ten years, taking up to 5 weeks to grow a diamond plate of this exceptional size in a laboratory. Growing a diamond with the CVD process requires a heated mixture of hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen in a vacuum chamber at very low pressure and elevated temperatures (900-1200°).
“DD might be relatively new to cut diamonds for the jewellery market,” says Michel Janssens, CEO of HRD Antwerp, “but they have created an impressive ring for their 10th anniversary. The outstanding cutting and polish work has resulted in a brilliant light reflection which emphasises the beauty of the ring.” HRD Antwerp has thoroughly analysed the ring and delivered the following grading results: Clarity VVS2, Colour E, Fluorescence NIL, Polish Very Good and Symmetry Excellent. A lab-grown diamond grading report is easily distinguishable from a natural diamond grading report by its green colour cover.
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Jewelry
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On the eve of her state funeral, Buckingham Palace released a previously unseen photograph of Queen Elizabeth II, showing her smiling at Windsor Castle.It was taken four months before her death, in May 2022, at the home where she had spent most of her time during her final years.The matching aquamarine and diamond clip brooches she chose to wear for the occasion were given to her by her father, George VI, and mother, Queen Elizabeth, on her 18th birthday, and were among the most cherished in her jewellery collection.She chose to wear them earlier this year on the platinum jubilee of her accession in February for the official pictures taken of her viewing memorabilia from her golden and diamond jubilees.The two art deco-style pieces were made by Boucheron from baguette, oval and round diamonds and aquamarines. She also wore them when she addressed the nation on the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and for the diamond jubilee television speech in 2012.The Queen, who is dressed in a dusky dove blue dress with her hair neatly curled, is also wearing her favourite three-strand pearl necklace and pearl earrings.
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Jewelry
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Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (who will always be known best to many as Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle), each wore jewelry that held a personal connection to Queen Elizabeth II as they attended a service following the procession of the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday.Kate wore one of the Queen’s famous brooches: a piece called the Diamond and Pearl Leaf Brooch that was loaned to her by the late sovereign in 2017. The Queen would often lend items from her — and the Crown’s — extensive jewelry collection to other women in the royal family. For the solemn occasion, the new Princess of Wales paired the brooch with earrings and a bracelet that belonged to the last woman to hold that title — her mother-in-law Princess Diana.A Sussex spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed News that Meghan wore a pair of diamond and pearl earrings that were gifted to her by the Queen before their first joint royal engagement in June 2018. The gems were spotted and identified by eagle-eyed royal jewelry expert Lauren Kiehna, who chronicles the collections of the world's royal families on her website, the Court Jeweller."In Western cultures, white gemstones like diamonds and pearls, paired with black clothing, are traditional choices for mourning," Kiehna told BuzzFeed News. “The Queen wore pearls and diamonds for funerals, memorials, and remembrance services throughout her entire reign.”Here’s a closer look at the jewelry worn by Meghan and Kate on Wednesday: The Queen gave Meghan the earrings she wore on Wednesday on June 14, 2018, shortly before they both attended an official engagement in Halton, England.Meghan described this moment in her interview with Oprah Winfrey last year. The Duchess of Sussex said that she and the Queen were traveling to the engagement by train when the monarch gifted her “beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace.”“We had breakfast together that morning, and she’d given me a beautiful gift. I just really love being in her company,” Meghan said. The Queen only wore the Diamond and Pearl Leaf brooch in public once — on a trip to Seoul in 1999, as Kiehna detailed in the Court Jeweller. The piece was not seen again until Kate wore it on a somber trip to a World War I memorial in Belgium in 2017. She wore it again in 2018. The earrings worn by Kate on Wednesday are known as the Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings. They were a favorite of Diana’s — and appear to be a favorite of Kate’s as well, as she has worn them on many occasions. The bracelet Kate wore on Wednesday doesn’t have a name like some of the other royal jewels, but it is a three-row pearl bracelet that was designed for Diana in 1988.All of Diana’s jewelry belongs to her sons William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. In a special “letter of wishes” released after her death, she wrote that she was allocating her jewelry to her sons, "so that their wives may, in due course, have it or use it. I leave the exact division of the jewellery to your discretion.”
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Jewelry
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Tamara Ecclestone is offering a £6m reward for information that could lead to the recovery of jewels that were burgled from her home.Ms Ecclestone's mansion in Palace Green was ransacked in December 2019, with the perpetrators stealing £25m worth of cash, jewellery and gems in the UK's biggest ever burglary.
The socialite daughter of former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said she was "going Mel Gibson style from the movie Ransom" to recover the items.When the burglary took place the 38-year-old was on holiday in Lapland with her husband, art gallery owner Jay Rutland, and their daughter and dog.Ms Ecclestone said she was left "petrified" and "obsessing over security" following the raid during a trial at Isleworth Crown Court last year. Three men were jailed for the burglary last November but according to Ms Ecclestone the only stolen possessions that have ever been recovered were a single pair of earrings.
Police say the gang responsible had carried out similar crimes against high-profile victims across Europe and were planning on committing further raids in the UK. More from UK London and Surrey fires: 'Weather-related' blazes largely 'under control' after crews dispatched to 'major incident' London and Surrey fires live: Blazes described as 'weather related'; people urged to close windows and doors; crews make progress in Hayes and Enfield Folkestone is now 'hotspot of holiday hell' after backlog at port cleared Former Chelsea FC midfielder and manager Frank Lampard had been previously targeted, as had the late Leicester City FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.Ms Ecclestone said on Sunday that the incident "still traumatises my family and I to this day" as she offered the reward on Instagram.She wrote: "The thought of those disgusting people, rummaging through every room in my house, invading my home, touching my belongings and stealing some of the things most precious to me, means I will never be able to lay my head to rest in that house again with the same sense of security that I once had." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ecclestone burglar filmed shopping in Harrods Her daughter "still asks if the burglars are coming back and won't sleep alone", she said, adding she would "happily" offer as a reward a quarter of the value of anything the police recover as a result of a tip-off."Whilst I have accepted that I will never likely see my stolen belongings again, I will happily put up a reward of 25% of the value of anything that the police are able to recover resulting from information provided by a source."If you are the source, you get the reward. It's that simple," she wrote. Image: The gang was recorded on CCTV breaking into the home of Tamara Ecclestone, before fleeing later Additional reward for Daniel VukovicMs Ecclestone also said she was offering a £250,000 reward for the person who was able to "deliver Daniel Vukovic to the police in London"."This man thinks he can ride off into the sunset with all the spoils from robbing my family and I," she added.Vukovic, who is believed to be a Serbian national, was named in court as a suspected fourth member of the gang. According to the police his aliases include Alfredo Lindley, Ljubomir Radosavljevic and Ljubomir Romanov.He fled to the Serbia's capital Belgrade, the court heard, and is thought to still be there following a failed bid to extradite him.According to the Metropolitan Police, he is still being sought by detectives from the specialist crime department. Image: (L-R) Alessandro Donati , Alessandro Maltese and Jugoslav Jovanovic have all been jailed Isleworth Crown Court found that Italian nationals Jugoslav Jovanovic, Alessandro Maltese and Alessandro Donati, were behind three raids in west London in December 2019.They were all handed prison sentences last year after being extradited from Italy and pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.Jovanovic, who was jailed for 11 years, also admitted conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of attempting to convert criminal property. Maltese and Donati were sentenced to eight years and nine months.
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Jewelry
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Insurers are warning customers to check how much their jewellery and watches are worth, as gold prices have surged.
Gold has increased in value by 16 per cent in a year, so items such as engagement rings, necklaces and watches may be worth thousands of pounds more.
For example, a £1,650 gold and diamond tennis bracelet has had £350 added to its value in the past year, an increase of 21 per cent, according to Admiral. Gold is now worth 48 per cent more than it was a decade ago.
A one-ounce gold chain has almost doubled in value over the past decade, rising by 95 per cent from £1,150 in 2013 to £2,240 in 2023.
Meanwhile, an entry-level Rolex purchased ten years ago has gained £1,400 and is currently worth £4,650.
Admiral is urging people to check their home insurance policy has up-to-date valuations, in case a claim for theft or loss is made.
Most High Street jewellers can value your items. You can then use this information to amend cover if necessary.
You need to declare items of jewellery worth more than £1,000 on most insurance policies.
Those worth less than this sum are usually covered in your home if you have contents cover.
Admiral also recommends keeping receipts of all purchases, creating an inventory and storing items safely, in somewhere such as a lockable box.
Noel Summerfield, of Admiral Insurance, says: ‘Watches and jewellery are often valuable both financially and sentimentally, so it’s really important that people make sure they are properly covered.’
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Jewelry
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Titan Q1 Profit Falls On Higher Costs, IndiGo Sees Rise In Revenue — Earnings Wrap
Here are the major earnings reported on Wednesday.
Titan Co.'s profit declined 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and missed analysts' estimates due to higher expenses.
The net profit of the country's largest branded jewellery maker fell to Rs 753 crore in the quarter ended June, according to an exchange filing on Wednesday. That compares with the Rs 913.4 crore consensus estimate of analysts tracked by Bloomberg.
InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., the parent of India's largest airline IndiGo, turned a net profit in the first quarter.
According to an exchange filing, the net profit stood at Rs 3,090.6 crore in April–June as compared with a net loss of Rs 1,064.3 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue went up 30% to Rs 16,683 crore in the first quarter, as against Rs 12,855 crore a year ago.
Here are the major earnings reported on Wednesday:
Titan Co., Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 26% at Rs 11,897 crore vs. Rs 9,443 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 10,519.3 crore).
Net profit is down 4% to Rs 753 crore vs. Rs 785 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 913.35 crore).
Ebitda declines 6% to Rs 1,125 crore vs. Rs 1,196 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 1,353.4 crore).
Margin at 9.5% vs. 12.7% (Bloomberg estimate: 12.9%).
InterGlobe Aviation Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 30% at Rs 16,683 crore vs. Rs 12,855 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 15,622 crore).
Ebitdar is up 679% to Rs 5,169.49 crore vs. Rs 663.89 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 3,366.40 crore).
Margin at 31% vs. 5% (Bloomberg estimate: 21.55%).
Net profit of Rs 3,090.6 crore vs. a net loss of Rs 1,064.3 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 1,719 crore).
Gujarat Gas Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is down 26% at Rs 3,923.7 crore vs. Rs 5,303.23 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 3,971.67 crore).
Net profit declines 43.4% to Rs 215.95 crore vs. Rs 381.9 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 304.33 crore).
Ebitda is down 36% at Rs 388 crore vs. Rs 606.6 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 516.33 crore).
Margin at 9.89% vs. 11.44% (Bloomberg estimate: 13%)
Narayana Hrudalaya Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 19% at Rs 1,233 crore vs. Rs 1,033 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 1,162 crore).
Net profit is up 66% at Rs 184 crore vs. Rs 111 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 156 crore).
Ebitda is up 41% to Rs 271 crore from Rs 192 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 253 crore).
Margin at 21.9% vs. 18.6% (Bloomberg estimate: 21.8%).
Metropolis Healthcare Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue was down 1% at Rs 277 crore vs. Rs 280 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 290 crore).
Net profit declines 14% to Rs 29 crore vs. Rs 33 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 33 crore).
Ebitda is down 8% to Rs 63 crore from Rs 68 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 72 crore profit).
Margin at 22.7% vs. 24.5% (Bloomberg estimate: 24.8%).
Mankind Pharma Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 18% at Rs 2,579 crore vs. Rs 2,180 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 2,446 crore).
Net profit is up 66% at Rs 487 crore vs. Rs 293 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 398 crore).
Ebitda is up 44% to Rs 655 crore from Rs 456 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 560 crore).
Margin at 25.4% vs. 20.9% (Bloomberg estimate: 22.9%).
HPCL Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue fell 2% to Rs 1,11,686 crore vs. Rs 1,14,127.07 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 1,08,085.6 crore).
Ebitda of Rs 2,169.36 crore vs. loss of Rs 19,865.52 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 10,322.4 crore profit).
Margin at 2% (Bloomberg estimate: 9.6%).
Net profit of Rs 6,765.5 crore vs. net loss of Rs 8,557.12 crore
Amrutanjan Health Care Q1 FY24 YoY
Revenue is up 10% at Rs 77.86 crore vs. Rs 70.95 crore.
Net profit is up 91% at Rs 7.01 crore vs. Rs 3.66 crore.
Ebitda is up 115% at Rs 7.15 crore vs. Rs 3.33 crore.
Ebitda margin at 9.2% vs. 4.7%
KSB Q2 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 32% at Rs 591.3 crore vs. Rs 448.4 crore.
Net profit is up 32% at Rs 62.8 crore vs. Rs 47.4 crore.
Ebitda is up 39% at Rs 85.2 crore vs. Rs 61.1 crore.
Ebitda margin at 14.4% vs. 13.6%
Paradeep Phosphates Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 25% at Rs 3,054.33 crore vs. Rs 2,434.66 crore.
Net loss of Rs 119.94 crore vs. net profit of Rs 62.77 crore
Ebitda loss of Rs 38.56 crore vs. Ebitda of Rs 157.24 crore
Pricol Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 20% at Rs 522.10 crore vs. Rs 433.98 crore.
Net profit is up 55% at Rs 31.94 crore vs. Rs 20.59 crore.
Ebitda is up 17% at Rs 49.55 crore vs. Rs 42.47 crore.
Ebitda margin at 9.5% vs. 9.8%
Quess Corp. Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue is up 16% to Rs 4,600 crore vs. Rs 3,979.32 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 4,605.77 crore).
Net profit is down 29% at Rs 48.12 crore vs. Rs 67.70 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 56.30 crore).
Ebitda at Rs 153.88 crore vs. Rs 153.34 crore (Bloomberg estimate: Rs 168.05 crore).
Ebitda margin at 3.3% vs. 3.9% (Bloomberg estimate: 3.65%).
Sheela Foam Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue was down 8% at Rs 645.08 crore vs. Rs 700.67 crore.
Net profit is up 2% at Rs 43.32 crore vs. Rs 42.52 crore.
Ebitda is up 18% at Rs 77.62 crore vs. Rs 65.85 crore.
Ebitda margin at 12% vs. 9.4%
Vaibhav Global Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue was up 5% at Rs 658.25 crore vs. Rs 628.27 crore.
Net profit is up 51% at Rs 29.57 crore vs. Rs 19.58 crore.
Ebitda is up 38% at Rs 58.09 crore vs. Rs 42.06 crore.
Ebitda margin at 8.8% vs. 6.7%
VIP Industries Q1 FY24 (Consolidated, YoY)
Revenue was up 8% at Rs 636.13 crore vs. Rs 590.61 crore.
Net profit is down 16% at Rs 57.75 crore vs. Rs 69.1 crore.
Ebitda is down 21% at Rs 80.6 crore vs. Rs 102.61 crore.
Ebitda margin at 12.7% vs. 17.4%
Vardhman Special Steels, Q1 FY24
Revenue was down 13% at Rs 409.35 crore vs. Rs 469.16 crore.
Net profit is down 39% at Rs 18.57 crore vs. Rs 30.30 crore.
Ebitda is down 36% at Rs 29.23 crore vs. Rs 45.70 crore.
Ebitda margin at 7.1% vs. 9.7%
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Jewelry
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India's Gems, Jewellery Exports Fall 23.7% To Rs 21,501.96 Crore In March
The overall exports of gems and jewellery declined by 23.75% to Rs 21,501.96 crore ($2,612.65 million) in March 2023.
India's overall gem and jewellery exports grew marginally by 2.48% to Rs 3,00,462.52 crore ($37,468.66 million) in 2022-23 due to global challenges like inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war and the lockdown in China for almost six months, GJEPC said on Tuesday.
The total gem and jewellery exports during 2021-22 stood at Rs 2,93,193.19 crore ($39,331.71 million), the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said in a statement.
The overall exports of gems and jewellery declined by 23.75% to Rs 21,501.96 crore ($2,612.65 million) in March 2023 compared to Rs 28,198.36 crore ($3,699.90 million) in the same month last year.
“India's gem and jewellery industry has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of global challenges. Despite inflation in the U.S., the Russia-Ukraine war, and the lockdown in China for almost six months, a key market, the industry has managed to put up a commendable performance," GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah said.
The overall gems and jewellery exports grew 2.48% to Rs 3,00,462.52 crore compared to last year and the timely implementation of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has resulted in a remarkable 17% growth in exports of plain gold jewellery in 2022-23, Shah added.
For the period of April 2022 to March 2023, the overall exports of Cut and Polished diamonds witnessed a decline of 2.97% at Rs 1,76,696.95 crore ($22,044.58 million) compared to Rs 1,82,111.14 crore ($24,433.75 million) in the previous year.
"Global challenges affected the demand for diamonds in India's key markets, including the U.S. and China. But certain regions in Europe and South-East Asia fared well. India encountered difficulties due to inconsistent Russian rough diamond supply and challenges with beneficiation, as countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and Angola prefer to have their rough diamonds cut in their own countries," said Shah.
However, stability would return to the diamond sector in the coming months, especially with improved conditions in China and Far East Asia, he added.
Meanwhile, gold jewellery exports during April 2022 to March 2023, went up by 11.13% to Rs 75,635.72 crore ($9,423.31 million) compared with Rs 68,062.41 crore ($9,129.71 million) for the previous year.
Exports of silver jewellery grew by 16.02% during FY23, to Rs 23,492.71 crore ($2,932.12 million) compared to Rs 20,248.09 crore ($2,714.14 million) in the previous year, the GJEPC data said.
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I bring excellent news of an easy new-season style hack. It fits anyone, flatters everyone, won’t have you shivering or give you blisters, and will lift your look and your spirits whether you are going to work, going out for dinner or going nowhere at all. You probably don’t even need to buy anything. Do you own more than one necklace? Sorted. Because that’s what this is. That’s the style update of the moment, right there: wearing two or three necklaces at once.
It’s that simple. Last year was all about curating your earlobes. Perhaps you now have more piercings on one ear than the other. A mix of studs, mini-hoops and statement pieces, right? Well done you. But even if you are still wearing just the two earrings, that’s fine too. Just whack in a pair of hoop earrings – ideally ones that are a bit wonky as if you dented them in your workshop while doing something vaguely artisanal – and be done with it, because the style spotlight has moved on from the curated ear to our next assignment, which is the double (or triple) necklace. One necklace looks pretty. Two or three necklaces looks even prettier, and cooler to boot.
I began necklace layering by accident, as I have a chunky, blunt-linked Missoma gold chain I’ve worn most days since for ever. Then last year I fell in love with a vintage-look lock pendant by Kirstie Le Marque and I didn’t want to give up either so I started wearing them both together. Before long, just one necklace started to read as a bit basic. Recently I came across a longer necklace I’d forgotten about – a gold bar on a long chain – and now I’m tripling up most days.
Jewellery is about personal storytelling. That’s what engagement and wedding rings are for, in a blunt kind of a way, but the story needn’t be limited to that.
Claire Le Marquand, half of the duo behind Kirstie Le Marque, is never spotted in fewer than two necklaces “because it feels more interesting and more modern,” she says. She has two necklaces that she never takes off, and then usually adds a third. “Maybe you have a necklace of your mum’s that you always wear – you don’t need to swap that out, you can layer it up,” she says. “Start with what you love.” You don’t want a tangle of chains, though.
Start with a simple chain. Nothing too short or tight around the neck; one that sits at about your clavicles will be more comfortable and more elegant. If a shortish necklace has any dangly bits, they need to be quite flat so they don’t twist around and sit wrong. Then add a longer necklace, one with a pendant so it falls to a point a few centimetres clear of the necklace above. The downward point lengthens your neck. If you want to go crazy, a third necklace can sit in the gap between those two, or dangle lower.
This isn’t just for maximalists. It is a brilliant foil for minimalist looks. A plain white T-shirt and jeans is transformed into something glamorous. In winter, when almost every inch of skin is buried under fabric, the extra sparkle warms up the emotional tone. It helps to remind the world that you are a human being with thoughts and feelings, rather than a walking jumper. Try it: it is more impactful than you would imagine. Also, did I mention it’s easy?
Hair and make-up: Carol Morley at Carol Hayes Management. Model: Kit at Body London. Shirt, alémais. Pearl and recycled silver necklace: loveness lee. Charm necklace and small gold pendant: Astley Clarke
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Vaibhav Jewellers IPO To Open On Sept 22 With Price Band Of Rs 204-215 Apiece
Vaibhav Jewellers Ltd. on Friday said it has fixed the price band at Rs 204-215 per equity share for its initial public offering to raise about Rs 270 crore from the capital markets.
Vaibhav Jewellers Ltd. on Friday said it has fixed the price band at Rs 204-215 per equity share for its initial public offering to raise about Rs 270 crore from the capital markets.
The IPO will open for subscription on Sept. 22 and close on Sept. 26, the company said in a statement.
The funds raised will be utilised for opening 8 new showrooms, inventory for these new stores and general corporate purposes.
Vaibhav Jewellers, a regional jewellery brand in South India, has its presence in the micro markets of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with 13 showrooms across eight towns and two cities. In FY23, it had the market share of 4% of the overall jewellery market in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and 10% of the organised market in these two states.
The public issue of face value of Rs 10 each comprises fresh issuance of shares worth up to Rs 210 crore and an Offer for Sale of up to 2.8 million equity shares.
For the three months ended June 30, revenue from operations of the company stood at Rs 508.90 crore and net profit was Rs 19.24 crore.
In FY23 its revenue from operations was Rs 2,027.34 crore, majorly from the sale of gold jewellery.
Bajaj Capital and Elara Capital (India) are the book-running lead managers and Bigshare Services is the Registrar to the offer.
The equity shares are proposed to be listed on BSE and NSE.
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Archaeologists have uncovered new treasures from Heracleion, the 'lost' Egyptian city that sunk into the Mediterranean Sea over 1,000 years ago.
The 'precious' new finds, shared by French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio, include gold jewellery, silver dishes and an odd pouring device shaped like a duck.
There's also a Djed – a pillar-like symbol from Egyptian hieroglyphs made of the blue stone lapis lazuli – and an eerie ceramic hand that was found poking out of the sediment.
For centuries, Heracleion was Egypt’s largest port on the Mediterranean before the foundation of Alexandria by Alexander the Great in 331 BC.
Heracleion has been described as Egypt's version of Atlantis, although, unlike Heracleion, many doubt that the mythical island ever existed.
Heracleion is a lost ancient Egyptian port city that was founded probably around the 8th century BC. It underwent diverse natural catastrophes before it sunk entirely into the depths of the Mediterranean in the 8th century AD. Remains are now deep under the Mediterranean, around two miles off the Egyptian coast near the ancient city of Alexandria. Heracleion was rediscovered by a team led by French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio in 2000. Before Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331, Heracleion was the largest port city in Egypt. Goddio said Heracleion 'knew glorious times as the obligatory port of entry to Egypt for all ships coming from the Greek world'. 'It had also a religious importance because of the temple of Amun, which played an important role in rites associated with dynasty continuity.'
Mr Goddio, who originally rediscovered Heracleion back in 2000, described the new finds on his website as 'precious' and 'moving'.
'They bear witness to the wealth of this sanctuary and the piety of the former inhabitants of the port city,' he said.
According to Mr Goddio, Heracleion was founded around the 8th century BC and became the obligatory port of entry to Egypt for all ships coming from the Greek world.
However, Heracleion underwent 'diverse natural catastrophes' – likely earthquakes and tsunamis – before it sunk entirely into the depths of the Mediterranean, likely in the 8th century AD.
The remains of the port city are now located under the sea, around four miles (7 km) from the present coast of Egypt.
The recent excavation, conducted in July this year, covered the lost city's south canal, where there's the remains of a great temple dedicated to the Amun, Egyptian god of the air.
Huge blocks of stone from the temple collapsed during a 'cataclysmic event' dated to the mid-second century BC, Goddio said – about 1,000 years before the entire city was lost.
Among the findings at the temple's location were silver ritual instruments, gold jewellery and fragile alabaster containers, likely for perfumes.
Two ritual dishes intended for 'libations for the gods' were made from silver, considered extremely precious in ancient Egypt.
A beautiful Djed, meanwhile, was made of the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, long prized for its intense blue colour.
'It is extremely moving to discover such delicate objects, which survived intact despite the violence and magnitude of the cataclysm,' Mr Goddio said.
Below the area of the temple, they also found underground structures supported by well-preserved wooden posts and beams, dating from the 5th century BC.
East of the Amun temple they also discovered a Greek sanctuary devoted to Aphrodite, ancient Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty.
The sanctuary yielded imported bronze and ceramic objects, including an usual object shaped like a duck, which was surrounded by ceramic pots and shields.
The delicate pourer, though to date from the 4th century BC, could have been used for pouring wine, potentially suggesting some form of Greek trade.
'This illustrates that Greeks who were allowed to trade and settle in the city during the time of the Pharaohs of the Saïte dynasty (664 - 525 BC) had their sanctuaries to their own gods,' Mr Goddio added.
'The presence of Greek mercenaries is also seen by numerous finds of Greek weapons.'
Although the French explorer found Heracleion more than 20 years ago, new geophysical prospecting technologies has made it possible to detect cavities and objects buried under layers of clay several metres thick, allowing them to detect more objects.
Previous findings from Heracleion have already been displayed at the British Museum in London, such as statues of pharoahs and deities.
While there's little doubt that Heracleion existed, the same can't be said about Atlantis, to which it is compared.
The alleged ancient city is said to have been destroyed and submerged under the Atlantic Ocean, but it's generally believed to have been made up by Greek philosopher Plato.
Earlier this year, another research team revealed they'd found Germany's equivalent of Atlantis – the town of Rungholt, which was sunk by a storm in 1362.
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A Norwegian man out walking on doctors’ advice unearthed rare sixth-century gold jewellery using a newly bought metal detector, in a discovery archaeologists have hailed as Norway’s “gold find of the century”.
The cache comprised nine gold medallions and gold pearls that once formed an opulent necklace, as well as three gold rings. The jewels, which weigh a little more than 100g, were found to date from about AD500.
“At first I thought it was chocolate coins or Captain Sabertooth coins,” said Erlend Bore, 51, referring to a fictional Norwegian pirate. “It was totally unreal.”
Archaeologists say the find is unique because of the design on the medallions: a type of horse from Norse mythology.
Bore, who dreamed of becoming an archaeologist as a child, made the discovery on the southern island of Rennesøy, near Stavanger, in August after he bought a metal detector on his doctors’ recommendation to get more exercise.
He had been out searching and was about to head home for the day when the device suddenly began beeping on a hillside.
He called archaeologists, who took over the search.
Ole Madsen, head of the University of Stavanger’s Museum of Archaeology, said it was “the gold find of the century in Norway. To find that much gold all at once is extremely unusual.”
Håkon Reiersen, an associate professor at the museum, said the gold pendants – flat, thin, single-sided gold medals called bracteates – dated from the so-called migration period in Norway, which ran between AD400 and about AD550, when there were widespread migrations in Europe.
“Given the location of the discovery and what we know from other similar finds, this is probably a matter of either hidden valuables or an offering to the gods during dramatic times,” he said.
The pendants and gold pearls were part of “a very showy necklace” made by skilled jewellers and worn by society’s most powerful, said Reiersen. He added that “in Norway, no similar discovery has been made since the 19th century, and it is also a very unusual discovery in a Scandinavian context”.
Prof Sigmund Oehrl, who also works at the Stavanger Museum, said that symbols on the pendants usually showed the Norse god Odin healing the sick horse of his son. On the Rennesøy ones, the horse’s tongue hangs out on the gold pendants, and “its slumped posture and twisted legs show that it is injured”, Oehrl said.
“The horse symbol represented illness and distress, but at the same time hope for healing and new life,” he added.
In line with Norwegian law, Bore and the landowner will receive a reward, although the sum has not yet been determined. Objects from before 1537, and coins older than 1650, are considered state property and must be handed in.
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Consumer Jewellery - Sustained Formalisation Gains; Kalyan Continues To Outperform Titan: ICICI Securities
Jewellery demand has been strong despite Adhik Mass as its impact was offset by lower number of Shradh days.
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ICICI Securities Report
Both Titan Company Ltd. and Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd. continue to report strong demand prints in jewellery in Q2 FY24. Kalyan’s India jewellery revenue growth of ~32% YoY was higher compared to Titan’s jewellery (standalone) revenue growth of ~19% YoY.
We do note that Kalyan does benefit from faster retail expansion through franchise owned company operated model (expect Kalyan to exceed its guidance of store expansion in FY24).
We reiterate our view of Kalyan potentially outperforming Titan (in revenues) in FY24. We model revenue compound annual growth rate (standalone jewellery) of 25% for Kalyan and 16% for Titan over FY23-25E.
Jewellery demand has been strong despite Adhik Mass (a few days of a religious event which are considered as less auspicious) as its impact was offset by lower number of Shradh days.
In the medium term, we continue to believe that the jewellery segment can outperform (other consumer discretionary segments) as it is relatively immune (inelastic wedding purchases, gold as an investment asset, etc.) to general slowdown in consumer discretionary spends.
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A jeweler in India holds the new Guinness World Records title for the most diamonds set on a watch.Renani Jewels in Meerut dazzled counters with 17,524 diamonds – 17,512 white ones and 12 black ones – on Dec. 29, 2022, GWR announced Tuesday.The construction of the timepiece is just as unique as the number of diamonds on it. Once the hand-drawn sketch of the watch's design was finalized, it was recreated in 3D as a computer-aided-design and then printed.The diamonds were then places one by one onto the watch. GWR said it took five different forms of polishing to give the watch its desired look.GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS NAMES 23-YEAR-OLD CHIHUAHUA MIX FROM OHIO WORLD'S OLDEST LIVING DOG Renani Jewels in Meerut, India, claimed the Guinness World Records title for the most diamonds set on a watch. (Guinness World Records)The jeweler named the watch Srinkia - the watch of good fortunes. Inspired by ancient Indian mythology, Srinkia means flower and signifies Lakshmi, the Indian goddess of wealth and good fortunes, according to Renani Jewels Founder and CEO Harshit Bansal."We and the whole team have worked really hard for months and this watch was created with so much passion and greatness. One should always seek for new challenges in life. I look forward to new technologies that we can merge with traditional methods of jewellery making. I believe that this technology will make the impossible, possible," Bansal said. Indian jeweler Renani Jewels holds the Guinness World Records title for the most diamonds set on a watch with 17,524. (Guinness World Records)The diamonds were authenticated by an International Gemological Institute Lab certificate to determine that actual diamonds were used. To verify the number for the record, each individual diamond had to be counted in the presence of a jewelry and diamond expert.According to GWR's guidelines, the diamond had to be sourced from producers that are certified by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which prevents "conflict" diamonds from entering the mainstream market.GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS IDENTIFIES LARGEST UNCUT EMERALD WEIGHING 3 POUNDS AND RESEMBLING A RHINO HORN The watch created by Renani Jewels in India has 17,512 white diamonds and 12 black diamonds. (Guinness World Records)Renani Jewels said the main challenge it faced in creating the record-breaking watch was finding a huge quantity of diamonds with the same color, size, shape and clarity.The completed watch weighs 373.30 grams (0.823 lbs.) and is completely wearable, the jeweler said. The diamond-covered watch was a labor of love, requiring each diamond to be meticulously placed to achieve the desired look. (Guinness World Records)CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThis watch beat the previous record set in December 2018 by Aaron Shum Jewelry Ltd. in Hong Kong with 15,858 diamonds.
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By Thomas MackintoshBBC News, LondonImage source, BBC/Who stole Tamara Ecclestone's Diamonds?Image caption, In an interview last week the British model spoke for the first time about the raid on her west London mansionBritish model Tamara Ecclestone has offered a reward of up to £6m for the return of her £25m stolen jewellery.Three Italian men have been jailed for their part in the biggest domestic burglary in English legal history.In December 2019 Ms Ecclestone's west London mansion was one of three celebrity homes targeted and raided by the international thieves. Ms Ecclestone said she was offering the reward "Mel Gibson-style from the movie Ransom" to get her jewellery back.She said she would "happily put up 25% of the value of anything that police are able to recover".Posting on Instagram Ms Ecclestone wrote: "If you are the source, you get the reward. It is that simple."With the total value of the burglary being £26m - that's a reward of up to £6m for anyone that can help me get back what is rightfully mine."Who is really behind Britain's biggest ever burglary? The police, the victims and even the suspects talk for the first time about the £26m series of raids on celebrity homes.Image source, BBC/Who stole Tamara Ecclestone's Diamonds?Image caption, Jay Rutland, owner of the Maddox Gallery, said the stolen items were excluded from the insurance policyDuring the first 13 days of December 2019, an estimated £26m worth of items were taken from the west London homes of Ms Ecclestone, Frank Lampard and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.Last November Italians Jugoslav Jovanovic, Alessandro Maltese and Alessandro Donati were jailed for 28 years in total after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.A BBC investigation has found that a fourth suspect - known to the Met Police as Daniel Vukovic - is believed to be on the run in Serbia and has at least 19 different identities.Image source, BBC/Who Stole Tamara Ecclestone's Diamonds?Image caption, The burglars used crowbars as they spent an hour ransacking the Kensington mansion of Tamara EcclestoneImage source, BBC/Who Stole Tamara Ecclestone's Diamonds?Image caption, More than 400 items - including necklaces, watches, earrings and bangles - were stolenThe Met confirmed he was the subject of an international manhunt and the BBC revealed two attempts to have him extradited to the UK have been rejected by the Serbian authorities.Information shows in the past decade the suspect has used at least 19 aliases - including Daniel Vukovic, Ljubomir Romanov, Alfredo Lindley and Ljubomir Radosavlejic.Documents reveal these identities have links to various European cities including Belgrade, Sarajevo, Milan and Zagreb.Image caption, Police believe the man known to them as Daniel Vukovic left Heathrow Airport for Belgrade in December 2019Ms Ecclestone has also offered a reward for information leading to the suspect's conviction."This man thinks he can ride off into the sunset with all the spoils from robbing my family and I," she wrote."Not only one of the men that invaded my home on 13 December 2019, but also the mastermind of the entire burglary and the only one yet to be apprehended."She said she had waited "long enough" to get her possession back "by conventional means" but only a single pair of earrings had so far been found."The Flying Squad did an incredible job, but there is only so much they can do," Ms Ecclestone added."So now I am going to do what I wanted to do right from the beginning and go Mel Gibson-style from the movie Ransom."I will happily pay rewards for the for the return of any of mine or Jay's stolen possession and for the capture and prosecution of Daniel Vukovic."Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk
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Rolex robbers target Real Housewives of Cheshire stars Nicole and Joe Sealey in terrifying crowbar raid to steal jewellery including her wedding ring and three luxury watchesCrowbar-wielding robbers broke into Nicole and Joe Sealey's home on ThursdayThree men smashed their way into six-bedroom Cheshire mansion at about 8pmNicole said she was downstairs when thugs struck and was lucky not to be hurt Robbers fled scene with vast amount of jewellery with 'huge sentimental value' Published: 13:10 EST, 19 November 2022 | Updated: 13:15 EST, 19 November 2022 Real Housewives of Cheshire star Nicole Sealey has revealed that she was chased by crowbar-wielding robbers who broke into her home and stole her wedding ring and three Rolex watches.The reality TV star was in her six-bedroom mansion in Wilmslow, Cheshire with her husband- former West Ham Academy goalkeeper Joe Sealey- their son and niece when three masked men smashed their way in at around 8pm on Thursday.Nicole said she had been downstairs alone when the thugs struck and felt fortunate to have escaped with her life.She told the Sun: 'I had literally just stepped away from where they threw a concrete thing through the glass. 'I'm incredibly lucky that they didn't break in 10 seconds before. If they did, I don't think I would still be here.'They then came into the room I was in. They had crowbars and they chased me... It's just very lucky that none of us were hurt.' Masked crowbar-wielding robbers broke into the Nicole and Joe Sealey's six-bedroom Cheshire mansion and stole her wedding ring and three Rolex watches Nicole (pictured last month) said she had been downstairs alone when the thugs struck and felt fortunate to have escaped with her lifeThe three men, who were all wearing black clothing, balaclavas and had strong Mancunian accents, fled the scene with a large quantity of jewellery including a solitaire ring, a Rolex Daytona watch, a Rolex Presidential watch and a Rolex Sky Dweller.Nicole said she was upset that they had taken things with such 'huge sentimental value' including her wedding ring, engagement ring and a watch she gave her husband as a wedding present.She added: 'These things you just can't replace. It's clear that's what they were after - the jewellery. We don't ever have cash in the house.'Nicole and Joe- son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey- built their six-bedroom house in Cheshire seven years ago and the half-acre property has a swimming pool, gym and cinema room.Cheshire Police are now appealing for witnesses and video footage from anyone in the area around Manchester Road on Thursday evening. Nicole said she was upset that they had taken things with such 'huge sentimental value' including her wedding ring, engagement ring and a watch she gave her husband as a wedding presentA statement said: 'One of the men was described as around 6' 1" tall and of stocky build; the second was around 6' tall and of athletic build, while the third man was described as being slightly smaller and of a stocky build.'Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who was in the area and saw anything that may aid their investigation to get in touch.'Detective Sergeant Stephen Joyce, of Macclesfield CID, said: 'This was an absolutely terrifying incident for all those involved and we are committed to doing all we can to trace the people responsible.'Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigation we want to hear from anyone who was in the Manchester Road area, near to Styal Road, around the time of the incident and believes they may have witnessed anything suspicious.'The same goes for anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage which may aid our investigation.'I’d also ask businesses or individuals to be vigilant and report anyone who may be trying to sell the stolen watches and jewellery.' Advertisement Read more: We feared for our lives as masked robbers made off with Rolexes in crowbar raid, RHOC stars Nicole and Joe Sealey reveal | The Sun
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Debutantes put on a glamorous display as they attended Queen Charlotte's ball at One Great George Street in London last night. The glitzy event, touted as the most prestigious in the country, is the pinnacle of the London season, which was formed over two hundred years ago when the custom of returning to the capital at the end of the hunting season was celebrated with glittering balls and high society events. In its modern form, the ball sees well-to-do families enjoy a lavish feast and fine champagne before an evening of dancing, with tables starting at £2,500. The debutantes, who are all aged between 17 and 20, and were all carefully selected by organisers, celebrated their year of fundraising for charitable causes including the NSPCC and MacMillan Cancer Relief. The event saw them making their society debut in white dresses ands gloves, with sparkling tiaras and jewels adding a touch of bling to their stylish outfits. Debutantes put on a glamorous display as they attended Queen Charlotte's ball at One Great George Street in London last night The debutantes, who are all aged between 17 and 20, and were all carefully selected by the organisers, celebrated their year of fundraising for charitable causes including the NSPCC and MacMillan Cancer Relief In its modern form, the ball sees well-to-do families enjoy a scrumptious feast and fine champagne before an evening of dancing, with tables starting at £2,500King George III introduced Queen Charlotte's Ball in 1788, to celebrate his wife's birthday, and debutantes were traditionally presented to the King or Queen.This continued until 1958, when Prince Philip branded the event 'b***** daft' and Princess Margaret complained that 'every tart in London was getting in'. After 1958, the ball was held sporadically at various exclusive venues in the capital, with varying degrees of success, before being relaunched in 2009.It has been held annually since, albeit without its royal seal of approval. Lady Howard de Walden, followed by then editor of Tatler, Peter Townsend, continued the tradition and on his death, Peter nominated former debutantes Jennie Hallam-Peel and Patricia Woodall to take over the running of The London Season on a voluntary basis as a non profit organisation. The glitzy event, touted as the most prestigious of the country, is the pinnacle of the London season. The debutantes all attend the ball's opening in lavish bridal dresses All attendees seemed in great spirits as debutantes impatiently waited for their chance to glide down the stairs of One Great George Street and make their society debut The debutantes waited upstairs in their lacy gowns and evening gloves (left) some making the final arrangements to their outfits (right) The debutantes, often accompanied by their father or significant men in their lives, all looked resplendent in their white gowns (pictured, a debutante with her escort) Orderly lines formed at the top of One Great George Street's marble staircase as debutantes finally prepared to be introduced to London society Excited debutants chatted amongst themselves and with their fellow guests as they prepared to make their grand society debut The London Season runs for six months of the year, and includes sporting events, cocktail parties, dances and concerts. The Ball is the pinnacle of the season. Each debutante will have been rigorously interviewed before they are selected, to ensure they are intelligent, have particular core ethics, and have either aristocratic or professional backgrounds. Prior to the event, older debutantes are on hand to guide and critique the girls on their dress, dancing and pace around the ballroom. On the day itself, an army of professional hair and make-up artists are on hand to make sure that the girls are glowing, setting off perfectly coiffed up 'dos with diamond studded tiaras and precious jewellery on loan from Harrods, Van Cleef & Arpels.The 'deb of the year' is chosen according to 'who has worked hardest' during fundraising activities throughout the season and shown the most enthusiasm. After the ceremony the ladies are allowed to change into a dress of their choosing for the after party - with most years leading to tales of debauchery and behaviour most unfitting for a lady. With her train spreading on a sofa, a debutante took some time to rest as she and her friends prepared to dance the night away A kilted attendee looks jovial as he passed one of this year's stylish debutantes, whose lacy train swept the floor as she went upstairs Upstairs, one debutante rehearsed her dance moves with her date one last time before taking to the actual dance floor in front of the others This year's male attendees, who impatiently waited for their dates to make their appearance, looked dapper in their tuxedoes last night With a drink of champagne at hand, these well-to-do handsome young men were seen waiting patiently for the moment they would be able to take their dates for a turn around the room Two debutantes armed themselves with a sabre in order to cut the Queen's Charlotte cake during the ball, one of the event's traditions One of the debutante was seen trotting down the stairs. Her date almost stole the show with his diamond encrusted evening shoes As the evening progressed, debutantes relaxed and took a breather on the stairs, chatting with each other and taking the moment in A doe-eyed debutante posed for the camera during the evening, her silk gloves reaching halfway up her forearms and her hair styled into a sleek down do Two debutantes looked up after they were spotted chatting on the stairs, their trains spreading around them on the steps and mixing with the other attendee's dresses An enthusiastic debutante, dressed in a vintage dress with lacy sleeves, waves at the camera from One Great George Street's balcony One for the books! A debutante was seen immortalising the event with a friend, posing for a quick selfie she took with her phone
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Kate Middleton donned £85 earrings signifying 'love and compassion' from Meghan Markle's favourite brand Missoma for trip to BelfastThe Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Missoma in Belfast The mother looked typically sensational in a £295 Winser London silk blouseShe paired her outfit with drop earrings from the London-based jewellery brand Published: 06:01 EDT, 7 October 2022 | Updated: 07:52 EDT, 7 October 2022 The Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Meghan Markle's favourite brand Missoma in Belfast city centre on Thursday during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland. The royal, who was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales, visited Trademarket, they took part in a spirited cocktail-making race and greeted the public during their visit.The mother-of-three, looked typically sensational in a £295 Winser London silk blouse and matching blue coat, thought to be from Alexander McQueen which she paired with the drop earrings from London-based jewellery brand Missoma.The brand, which is a favourite of Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle's, 40, describes the earrings online as featuring 'a heart-based healing crystal that radiates love, compassion and all-around good vibes' suspended from a 'texture gold vermeil hoop.' The Princess of Wales wore a set of £85 earrings from Missoma Belfast city centre on Thursday during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland The £85 earrings from Missoma are part of the brand's gemstone collection and feature a spiked hoopKate kept her make up natural for the occasion and wore her hair in a bouncy blow dry, occasionally tucking her hair behind her ear to reveal the stunning set.The earrings, which are for sale online for £85, are part of the company's Gemstone collection and are bejewelled with the rhodochrosite stone. The pyramid hoops are described as 'using the power of precious stones, placing the highest quality hand-cut stones into our specially designed and unique shapes and cuts.' It's not the first time the princess has been spotted wearing the jewels from the popular brand. The mother-of-three paired her stunning ensemble with the drop earrings from London-based jewellery brand MissomaKate wore the set to chat with Atlantic rower Jasmine Harrison, 22, during a video call to mark International Women's Day last year. She also opted to wear the earrings during a visit to businesses in London, as well as donning the Gold Zenyu Chandelier Hoops during her tour of Pakistan in November 2019.Meanwhile sister-in-law Meghan has long been a fan of the brand and was first spotted wearing jewellery in a resurfaced post from her now inactive Instagram account. As well as Meghan Markle Missoma has countless other famous fans, ranging from model Gigi Hadid to actress Margot Robbie - who wears their coin necklaces. The brand is a favourite of Kate's sister-in-law Meghan Markle, who has worn the jewellery several times over the last few years (pictured, wearing a bracelet from Missoma) The brand was created by Marisa Hordern, who started it from her kitchen table, after sourcing gemstones from Hong Kong, Thailand, India and the US.In 2018, the company was named fourth on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list. Speaking to Harpars Bazaar in March 2020 she said about her celebrity clientele: 'It is generally good for the brand (when someone famous wears the jewellery) but we don’t really see spikes as such.'It tends to just show how versatile the pieces are in terms of who wears it and how it can be worn. For example, Margot Robbie has been seen wearing it surfing and on the red carpet.'It's also great to see cross-generational support like recently when Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford both wore it – I loved that, it reminded me of how I started the business, with my mother around the kitchen table.'Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of Wales paid thanks to Northern Ireland for hosting them following a trip to Belfast - despite Kate being challenged by an Irish nationalist during an impromptu walkabout.The brand describes the earrings online as featuring 'a heart-based healing crystal that radiates love, compassion and all-around good vibes' suspended from a 'texture gold vermeil hoop' The earrings, which Kate wore beautifully in Belfast are for sale online for £85, are part of the company's Gemstone collection and are bejewelled with the rhodochrosite stonePrince William and Kate, both 40, shared a message on their official social media pages, writing: 'Thank you for having us, Northern Ireland!'Meanwhile the couple posted a swish video showing a highlights reel of their trip, including a clip of the royal mother-of-three making a cocktail, and Prince William playing with a pair of dogs.Their message came hours after Kate was confronted by a woman during a walkabout, who told her that 'Ireland belongs to the Irish' during the meet and greet in north Belfast yesterday.While shaking hands with the princess, the woman said: 'Nice to meet you but it would be better if it was when you were in your own country.'The woman, who was wearing an emerald green cardigan, appeared to be videoing the exchange on a mobile phone. A stunned Kate, who managed to keep her composure throughout the exchange, laughed and let go of the woman's hand before continuing to smile and greet other members of the crowd. The royal, who was joined by her husband the Prince of Wales, visited Trademarket, they took part in a spirited cocktail-making race and greeted the public during their visit Advertisement
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Seeing double! Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana at Royal Ascot in outfit nearly identical to one worn by late princess three decades earlier - and even dons her late mother-in-law's diamond and pearl earringsDuchess of Cambridge arrived at Royal Ascot with Prince William this afternoon She wore polka dot dress very similar to one worn by Princess Diana in 1988Kate Middleton also donned her late mother-in-law's drop pearl earrings today Published: 10:45 EDT, 17 June 2022 | Updated: 11:04 EDT, 17 June 2022 Kate Middleton channeled the style of her late mother-in-law as she attended Royal Ascot today - in an outfit nearly identical to one Princess Diana wore 34 years ago.The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, looked effortless as she arrived for day four of the Berkshire races with her husband Prince William, 39, in the traditional carriage procession.She donned a £1,970 Alessandra Rich polka dot dress - which almost perfectly mirrors a dress worn to Ascot by her late mother-in-law Princess Diana in June 1988.Kate even opted for a large, flat top hat, as Diana had at the very same event three decades earlier.The Duchess of Cambridge also paid homage to her husband's mother by wearing a pair of opulent diamond and pearl earrings that had once belonged to Diana.It was the second time Kate's worn the accessories, after sporting them on the red carpet when she attended the BAFTAs in 2019. The Duchess of Cambridge paid a sartorial tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana today, donning a a £1,970 Alessandra Rich polka dot dress (left) Princess Diana wore a fitted, white polka dot dress and white hat at Royal Ascot in 1988 (right)The Duchess wore a pair of opulent diamond and pearl earrings that had once belonged to Diana. Left: Diana pictured in the earrings at The Victor Chang Research Institute Dinner Dance During Her Visit To Sydney in 1996 The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, looked effortless as she arrived for day four of the Berkshire races with her husband Prince William, 39, in the traditional carriage processionThe mother-of-three previously wore the jewellery, left to William and Harry, at the BAFTAs in 2019. They feature a double curve of various cuts of diamond, with a hanging pearl.Diana wore the earrings on various occasions, including at a banquet for the Japanese Emperor Akihito in 1990 - and at a gala at the Palace of Versailles in 1994.The sweet nod to Diana came as the Cambridges attended Royal Ascot for the first time since 2019.The Queen has two horses running today but, amid her ongoing mobility issues, she didn't join her family members stepping out for the occasion - which included Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Lindsay Wallace, who attended a number of events with the monarch’s grandson over the Platinum Jubilee weekend.Kate Middleton (left) channeled the style of her late mother-in-law as she attended Royal Ascot today - in an outfit nearly identical to one Princess Diana wore 34 years ago (right) Kate even opted for a large, flat top hat, as Diana had at the very same event three decades earlier. Pictured above: Princess Diana in June 1988The Duchess of Cambridge also paid homage to her husband's mother by wearing a pair of opulent diamond and pearl earrings that had once belonged to Diana The nod to Diana came as the Cambridges attended Royal Ascot for the first time since 2019With temperatures predicted to reach 31C (87.8F) but feeling hotter, organisers have announced that the dress code will not be enforced in all enclosures and male attendees will be allowed to remove jackets and ties.Dusting off their finery, guests pulled out all the stops as they arrived at the lavish racing event, opting to wear a colourful array of dresses, over-the-top headgear and shimmering jewellery.Seen by many as the calendar highlight of the British summer season, Royal Ascot has finally returned to its former, pre-pandemic glory - with attendees unhindered by Covid restrictions and encouraged to go all out in the sartorial stakes.Indeed, this year's published Style Guide for the event, the eleventh of its kind, requests formality remains in the Royal Enclosure - but hints at a more relaxed approach elsewhere, suggesting exuberant occasion wear is positively encouraged in 2022.Today's catwalk included monochrome frocks, flashes of fuschia and floating summer dresses in yellow and greens. Kate previously wore her late mother-in-law's earrings to the 2019 BAFTA Awards Advertisement
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Titan Q1 Results: Profit Falls 4%, Revenue Rises 26%
Titan's Q1 revenue rose to Rs 11,897 crore, boosted by double-digit sales growth across key consumer businesses.
Titan Co.'s profit declined 4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 due to higher expenses, missing analysts' estimates.
The net profit of the country's largest branded jewellery maker fell to Rs 753 crore in the quarter ended June, according to an exchange filing on Wednesday. That compares with the Rs 913.4 crore consensus estimate of analysts tracked by Bloomberg.
Revenue for the owner of the Tanishq brand rose 26% to Rs 11,897 crore, against the Rs 10,519.3 crore forecast, boosted by double-digit sales growth across key consumer businesses.
Titan Q1 FY24 Highlights (Consolidated, YoY)
Operating profit fell 6% to Rs 1,125 crore, as against an estimate of Rs 1,353.4 crore.
Margin was at 9.5% versus 12.7% on higher expenses. Analysts had forecast it at 12.9%.
Total expenses rose 31% to Rs 11,009 crore. Finance costs increased 68%, while depreciation costs grew 24% over the previous year.
The Tata Group company added 18 stores in the first quarter—nine stores of Tanishq and eight stores of Mia by Tanishq.
It also opened a Tanishq store in Sharjah, expanding its international presence to seven stores in the region of the Gulf Cooperation Council and one store in the U.S.
Shares of Titan closed 1.25% lower at Rs 2,964.25 apiece before the results were declared, as compared with a 1.05% decline in the benchmark NSE Nifty 50.
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Image caption, Some of the beads are still undergoing conservation workBeads from a 4,000-year-old jet necklace found during an archaeological dig on the Isle of Man are set to go on public display for the first time.The 122 beads, which were unearthed at a site outside Kirk Michael in 2019, form an intricately decorated crescent-shaped necklace and matching bracelet.The jewellery was declared treasure at an inquest earlier this month.It was found during the Round Mounds of the Isle of Man project, which focuses on Bronze Age burial practices.Image source, RACHEL CRELLINImage caption, The beads were found during the archaeological excavation in the west of the islandThe four-year research project was a collaboration between University of Leicester and Newcastle University and was supported by Manx National Heritage (MNH).The necklace, which is the first of its kind to be found on the island, was uncovered alongside human remains in what is thought to have been the earliest burial in the mound.The decorative piece, which would have been strung in seven strands, is thought to have originated from Whitby in North Yorkshire.Image caption, The necklace was strung on up to seven strandsMNH curator of archaeology Allison Fox said the discovery showed the island was part of the "society and community around the Irish Sea".She added that the fact the jewellery, which was "probably quite valuable", was buried with the woman and not distributed to the community or her family showed it was "very personal to her"."I think what we can take from that is that it was a high-status person and a person who also had a high status within the feeling of the community as well," she said.Image source, MNHImage caption, The necklace is though to have been crescent-shapedAlthough the necklace is complete, conservation of some of the beads are still ongoing, so only part of the decorative item will be put on display at the present time.The beads will be on display in the prehistoric gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas from Wednesday.Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.ukRelated Internet LinksThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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Joyalukkas India Withdraws Rs 2,300-Crore IPO
Joyalukkas intended to use Rs 1,400 crore towards repaying its debt and Rs 464 crore for opening new showrooms.
The Kerala-headquartered jewellery-maker discontinued its issue on Feb. 17, according to its filing shared with SEBI on Tuesday.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India had received the draft papers for Joyalukkas' initial share sale on March 28 last year. The reason for the withdrawal was not disclosed.
The IPO was slated to be a fresh issue of an unspecified number of equity shares, with a face value of Rs 10 each. Out of the net proceeds from the issue, Rs 1,400 crore was to be used for repayment or prepayment of the company's debt by the end of the current fiscal.
Joyalukkas was planning to utilise Rs 463.9 crore towards opening eight new showrooms. The company intended to invest Rs 240.4 crore in this fiscal, and another Rs 223.5 crore in the fiscal ending March 2024. The remainder was to be used for general corporate purposes.
Founded by Alukkas Varghese Joy in 2002 in Kerala, Joyalukkas is present across multiple regions in India, with a focus on the southern states. It operates 85 showrooms across 68 cities, with a customer base of two million as on Jan. 31, 2022, the company said in its draft red herring prospectus.
The company's operations include sale of gold jewellery and other jewellery products that include metals such as platinum and silver, as well as precious stones such as diamonds.
As of fiscal 2021, 84.24% of the company's revenue came from gold, while its diamond vertical made up 14.14% of the revenue. It had reported a revenue of Rs 8,066.29 crore during this period, and net profit of Rs 471.75 crore.
The company's peers include Titan Co. and Kalyan Jewellers, which are listed on Indian exchanges.
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A saleswoman displays a gold necklace inside a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/File PhotoMUMBAI, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Gold-supplying banks have cut back shipments to India ahead of major festivals in favour of focusing on China, Turkey, and other markets where better premiums are offered, three bank officials and two vault operators told Reuters.That could create scarcity in the world's second-biggest market for gold, and force Indian buyers to start paying hefty premiums for supplies in the approaching peak-demand season.Leading gold suppliers to India - which include ICBC Standard Bank, JPMorgan and Standard Chartered (STAN.L) - usually import more gold ahead of festivals and store it in vaults.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comBut vaults now hold less than 10% of the gold they did a year ago, the sources said on Tuesday."Ideally a few tonnes of gold should be there in vaults during this time of the year. But now we only have a few kilos," said one Mumbai-based vault official.JPMorgan, ICBC and Standard Chartered declined to comment.In India, premiums over the international gold price benchmark have slid to $1-$2 an ounce, against around $4 this time last year.Premiums were driven sharply lower by a now-closed loophole that led some Indian trading houses to import gold as lower-tariff platinum alloy, allowing some to even offer gold at a discount, Chanda Venkatesh, managing director of Hyderabad-based bullion merchant CapsGold, said.That contrasts with the $20-45 premiums offered in top consumer China, helped by pent-up demand being released after COVID-related lockdowns, and $80 in Turkey, where gold imports have risen sharply against a backdrop of rampant inflation."Banks will sell where they will get a higher price," said a Mumbai-based official with a leading bullion-supplying bank."Buyers in China and Turkey are right now paying a very high premium. There is no comparison when we equate it with the Indian market," said the official, who declined to be named due to the bank's policy.India's gold imports in September fell 30% from a year ago to 68 tonnes, while Turkish gold imports soared 543%. China's net gold imports via Hong Kong jumped nearly 40% to a more than four-year high in August.Indians will celebrate Dussehra, Diwali and Dhanteras in October, when buying gold is considered auspicious. After these festivals, the wedding season starts, which is one of the biggest drivers of gold purchases in India.Thin vault stocks could force Indian buyers to pay hefty premiums to secure supplies, said a Mumbai-based bullion dealer with a bank.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Additional reporting by Arpan Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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Manoj Vaibhav Gems 'N' Jewellers IPO: Day 3 Live Updates
The IPO has been subscribed 87%, or 0.87 times, as of 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday.
Manoj Vaibhav Gems N Jewellers Ltd. launched its initial public offering on Sept. 22. The issue was subscribed to 13% on Day 1 and 58% on day two.
The South Indian regional jewellery brand plans to raise up to Rs 270.20 crore via a fresh issue and offer for sale. The fresh issue will be worth a total of Rs 210 crore, while the offer for sale will be worth Rs 60.20 crore.
The price band for the IPO is fixed in the range of Rs 204–215 per share.
In the OFS segment, promoter Grandhi Bharata Mallika Ratna Kumari (HUF) will be the sole selling shareholder and will offload a total of 28 lakh shares.
Out of the total IPO size, 50% is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15% for non-institutional investors, and the remaining 35% is to be allotted to retail individual investors.
Issue Details
Issue opens: Sept. 22.
Issue closes: Sept. 26.
Total issue size: Rs 270.20 crore
Fresh issue size: Rs 210 crore
OFS size: Rs 60.20 crore
Face value: Rs 10 apiece
Fixed price band: Rs 204–215 per share
Minimum lot size: 69 shares.
Listing: NSE, BSE.
Business
The company, also known as Vaibhav Jewellers, is a regional jewellery brand in South India. Incorporated in 2003, the company offers a range of gold, silver, and diamond jewellery along with precious gemstones.
The company has a presence in the micromarkets of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and conducts business via their website and their 13 showrooms, inclusive of two franchisees, spread across eight towns and two cities. The company had a 4% market share of the overall Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jewellery markets and a 10% market share of the organised market in these two states in FY23, according to a Technopak Report.
Use Of Proceeds
To finance the set-up of the proposed eight new showrooms.
(a) Estimated capital expenditure: Rs 12 crore.
(b) Estimated inventory cost: Rs 160.02 crore.
General corporate purposes.
Out of the Rs 12 crore estimated for the capital expenditure for setting up the new showrooms, Rs 3 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY24, while the balance of Rs 9 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY25.
Out of the Rs 160 crore estimated for the inventory cost for setting up the new showrooms, Rs 40 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY24, while the balance of Rs 120 crore is estimated to be deployed in FY25.
Subscription Status: Day 3
The IPO has been subscribed 87%, or 0.87 times, as of 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday.
Institutional investors: 0.60 times or 60%
Non-institutional investors: 0.95 times or 95%
Retail investors: 0.98times or 98%
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More than 1.1 million sea turtles have been illegally killed in the past 30 years, according to new data.Despite laws to protect them, scientists at Arizona State University estimate that about 44,000 turtles across 65 countries were illegally killed and exploited every year over the past decade.Jesse Senko, an assistant research professor at Arizona State University and one of the lead authors of the study, said: “The numbers are really high and almost certainly underrepresented by several orders of magnitude because it’s just very hard to assess any type of illegal activity.”Sea turtles are hunted for food, for use in traditional medicine and to be sold as artefacts, decor or jewellery. Turtle hunting and trafficking is part of a global illegal wildlife market worth as much as $23bn (£20bn) a year, according to the UN.Jesse Senko holds a green turtle at one of his study sites in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photograph: Cindy VargasTo establish the magnitude of illegal turtle hunting, researchers examined more than 209 different peer-reviewed journal articles, archived media reports, questionnaires and conservation organisation reports. They looked at all whole turtles or turtle byproducts – heads, tails, shells – that were illegally killed, including those that had then been trafficked or attempted to be trafficked across borders. The study identified nearly 43,000 turtles as being trafficked between 1990 and 2010, but this is probably a huge underestimate, Senko said.South-east Asia and Madagascar are hotspots for sea turtle hunting, according to the report, published in the journal Global Change Biology. Vietnam is where most illegal sea turtle trafficking starts, and China and Japan are the most popular markets for illegal turtle products, it found.Developing countries would continue to supply the illegal turtles as long as higher-income countries continued to demand them as luxury goods, Senko said. “In several cultures, having a stuffed turtle in your house can be a status symbol,” he said.About 95% of the poached turtles come from two main species: green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. “The green turtle is considered the most delicious – it’s the one that has the meat, that pulp, people most like to eat,” said Roderic Mast, president of the Oceanic Society, who was not involved in the study. The hawksbill is prized for its beautiful shell, he said.These species are listed as endangered and critically endangered respectively, but, in the areas they are being targeted, said Senko, there were relatively large and stable populations. This means the effect of illegal trafficking is somewhat contained. Another more positive finding of the report is its calculation that illegal exploitation of sea turtles has declined by 28% over the past 10 years. The study’s researchers believe the decline is due to increased legal protection.“I’m happy to see that it has diminished. But I don’t expect the harvest of turtles to ever entirely go away,” said Mast.This new data on which turtles are being targeted and where could help pave the way for determining how conservationists and legislators should act to protect sea turtle populations in the future, according to Senko.“We really need to look at those socioeconomic and cultural drivers behind the illegal take,” he said. “Because as long as there’s demand from wealthier countries, poorer countries are going to fill that with the supply of turtles.”
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Revenue Of Organised Gold Jewellers To Rise 16-18% In FY24: Report
Volume growth will remain modest due to elevated prices this fiscal.
Sustained high gold prices are likely to hike revenues of organised gold jewellery retailers by 16-18% this fiscal, a report said on Thursday.
However, volume growth will remain modest due to elevated prices this fiscal.
This comes after a stellar compound annual growth rate of 35% logged during FY22 and FY23, mainly due to strong volume growth, driven by pent-up demand and increased consumer spending. Average realisations during the previous two fiscals increased at a CAGR of 5%, Crisil Ratings said in a report.
"We expect a low single-digit volume growth for the organised players during FY24, given elevated gold prices. That said, organised players will continue to see modest market share gain, compared with unorganised players. While revenue will grow by 16-18% on sustained high gold prices," Crisil Ratings Senior Director Anuj Sethi said.
The organised sector accounts for slightly more than a third of the market, with the unorganised sector making up the rest.
The report said the operating margin is expected to moderate by up to 30 basis points to 7.8-8%, led by increasing promotional and store-related expenses.
Still, the margin will remain above the pre-pandemic level of 6.8-7%, it added.
Working capital debt requirement will continue to rise as jewellers keep expanding stores, though at a slower pace than in the past two fiscals.
Credit profile for the players will remain stable, Crisil Ratings said.
Domestic prices of gold increased by 10% last fiscal, averaging Rs 52,700 per 10 grams and reaching Rs 60,000 by the end of March 2023.
The price further inched up to an all-time high of Rs 61,500 per 10 grams during May 2023, as gold kept its shine as one of the safest investment options amid an uncertain global economic outlook.
High demand during the marriage season in India and a gradual recovery in gold buying in China also contributed to the high prices, said the report.
An increase in penetration of goods and services tax, mandatory hallmarking, rising disposable income, and diversification in consumer preference in terms of jewellery designs are nudging market share towards organised players, it stated.
According to the report, store expansion, which grew 25-30% last fiscal after two consecutive fiscals of subdued growth, will see a mid-double-digit growth this fiscal.
This will lead to higher inventory requirements, leading to increased working capital debt, it added.
Gross bank credit to the sector had declined 3% over the 12 months through March 2023 as players rationalised inventory across stores and generated healthy cash, it said.
"The marginal moderation in operating profitability, along with higher working capital borrowings and finance cost, will lead to a slight moderation in debt metrics this fiscal."
"Nonetheless, the credit profile of gold jewellery retailers will remain stable with total outside liabilities to tangible net worth ratio and interest coverage expected at 1-1.1 times and 8.2-8.4 times, respectively, compared with 1.2 times and 9.6 times, respectively, last fiscal," Crisil Ratings Director Aditya Jhaver said.
However, sharp volatility in gold prices, changes in government regulations and import duties, as well as consumer sentiment, will need to be watched, the report added.
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Archaeologists have uncovered one of the largest Anglo-Saxon burial sites ever found in Britain underneath a HS2 site.A total of 141 burials were found in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, with around three-quarters of them containing high quality "grave goods" such as jewellery, swords, spears and even personal hygiene kits such as ear wax removers and tweezers. Image: The items found are thought to date from the 5th and 6th century Lead archaeologist Dr Rachel Wood described the finds as highly unusual."Finding Anglo-Saxon cemeteries is quite rare, it does happen - but not very often. It's really, really unique," she said.The discoveries are said to be of national significance, dating back to the 5th and 6th century, a period in which the team says there are gaps in historical and archaeological record. A team of 30 field archaeologists initially made the discovery in 2021 and have since been sorting and cataloguing the finds.
Many of the 141 burials were found with two brooches on their collarbone, indicating they were holding up garments such as a cloak. More on Hs2 HS2 archaeologists discover around 40 decapitated skeletons at Aylesbury Roman cemetery 'Most impressive' archaeological site could 'transform' understanding of Roman era Missed Connections: What rolling back on HS2 could mean for 'levelling up' in Bradford One skeleton - thought to be that of a male aged between 17 and 24 - was found with a sharp iron object embedded in the spine of the individual, which was likely his cause of death. Image: A blade unearthed by archaeologists Osteologist Rose Calis told Sky News it is easy to let the imagination run wild with these finds: "We have to try to keep an open mind as possible."What we can tell is that this blade was left in the individual when they died so it's very possible it was a cause of death."Also, we have the blade mark in the second lumbar vertebrae, and we can also roughly tell the direction of the stab wound and we think it was from the front rather than the back." Image: The site in Wendover, Buckinghamshire While the HS2 project causes controversy above ground, Dr Wood says below ground, it is proving a treasure trove of Britain's history."HS2 is a fantastic archaeological opportunity to excavate areas of the country that wouldn't necessarily be developed," she said."It's a series of digs put together along the route and it is across a variety of different landscapes as well so we're starting to get a good picture of those landscapes all the way from deepest pre-history, through the Roman period, the Saxon period and through into the Medieval period as well."One female was discovered with a variety of high-quality items, suggesting she was of a high status among those buried at the site. Image: A skeleton unearthed at the site in Wendover, Buckinghamshire She was buried with a complete ornate bowl made of pale green glass, thought to have been produced around the turn of the 5th century.Other items include rings, iron belt fittings and objects carved from ivory.The discoveries will eventually be displayed in local museums along the HS2 route.Talking about the excavations, Mike Court, Lead Archaeologist for HS2 Ltd, said: "As we near the end of our archaeology field work on Phase One of HS2, we are just at the beginning of our understanding of how the discoveries will improve our historical knowledge of Britain."The archaeological finds made at this site in Wendover will not only be of interest to the local community but are of national importance, providing a valuable insight into life in Anglo-Saxon Britain."
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A saleswoman shows gold bangles to a customer at a jewellery showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Kolkata, India, May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Rupak De ChowdhuriRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comMUMBAI, July 1 (Reuters) - India has raised its basic import duty on gold to 12.5% from 7.5%, the government said on Friday, as the world's second biggest consumer of the precious metal tries to dampen its demand and bring down the trade deficit.India fulfils most of its gold demand through imports, which were putting pressure on the rupee that hit a record low earlier on Friday.The duty hike would lift prices and moderate demand in India, which could weigh on global prices . But it could stoke under-the-counter buying and drive-up appetite for precious metal smuggled into the country, trade officials said.Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com"The sudden rise in prices could bring down jewellery demand this month," said Prithviraj Kothari, managing director of RiddiSiddhi Bullions.After the duty hike, dealers were offering a discount of up to $40 an ounce over official domestic prices — inclusive of the 12.5% import and 3% sales levies.India's May trade deficit widened to $24.29 billion from $6.53 billion a year ago as gold imports in the month surged to $6 billion from 678 million a year ago. read more In the short-term gold demand could fall but in the long run demand would remain strong and imports would rebound, said Surendra Mehta, secretary at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).After the duty announcement, local gold prices rose around 3%, while global prices fell 0.5%.The hike has raised the gap between local and overseas prices to more than 15% and this could boost smuggling of gold in the country, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm."Smuggling was falling after the duty reduction and because of COVID-19 curbs on movement of people. But now it could rise again," the dealer said.Shares of jewellery makers such as Titan (TITN.NS) Kalyan Jewellers (KALN.NS) and Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZL.NS) were down as much as 4% in weak Mumbai market (.NSEI).Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comReporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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Gem, Jewellery Exports Rise 24% To Rs 28,832 Crore In February
In February 2023, the overall shipments of cut and polished diamond increased 32% to Rs 19,582.38 crore.
India's gem and jewellery exports grew 24% to Rs 28,832.86 crore in February following a recovery in the Chinese and Middle East markets, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said on Thursday.
The overall gems and jewellery exports during February 2022 stood at Rs 23,326.80 crore, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council said in a statement.
In February 2023, the overall shipments of cut and polished diamond increased 32% to Rs 19,582.38 crore compared to Rs 14,841.90 crore a year ago.
The total export of gold jewellery (plain and studded) rose 29.89% in February to Rs 5,829.65 crore against Rs 4,488.30 crore in the year-ago period.
"We are excited about the strong pace of demand observed by Indian exhibitors at the recent Hong Kong show, which revealed the untapped demand in the Chinese market."
"In February, India saw 32% growth in CPD exports, which can be partly attributed to the strong demand from China and the Lunar New Year festivities," Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council chairman Vipul Shah said.
Additionally, after the forward-thinking Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement deal signed with the UAE, there was a 45% increase in plain gold jewellery exports, indicating that the Middle East market is rebounding strongly after a slight dip, he said.
Further, studded gold jewellery, which is primarily exported to the U.S., is also showing a promising improvement of around 20%, Shah said.
"The Hong Kong market had experienced a negative trend in the last few months, but now we're seeing signs of a rebound. This resurgence in Chinese consumption could potentially lead to even greater improvements".
"In China, the average savings rate is around 40%, which translates to trillions of dollars that could potentially be spent in a 'revenge buying' frenzy, similar to what we've seen in other world markets after prolonged lockdown periods. As a result, we anticipate significant growth in the diamond and diamond jewellery industry over the next six months," Shah said.
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Three men suspected of being linked to dozens of burglaries across south-east England are wanted by police, the BBC can reveal.
The raids include a break-in at the home of footballer Raheem Sterling when he was on World Cup duty last December.
An estimated £300,000 worth of jewellery and watches were stolen.
Alfred Isufi, 48, Gerard Kalaja, 22, and Henri Osmani, 44, who are all Albanian nationals, are being sought for questioning over 33 burglaries.
It is believed items totalling an estimated £1m have been taken in all of the raids, which happened in Surrey, Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire.
One man has already been charged and could stand trial next year - but he is yet to enter a plea.
Det Insp James Ansell told the BBC a team of Surrey Police detectives investigating the burglaries are set to make a public appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch in the next few weeks, to try to establish the men's current whereabouts.
The three wanted men all have links to Harlow, Essex and north London and are not believed to have left the UK.
"Investigating burglary dwellings is a priority for Surrey Police and we will be relentless in pursing these offenders," Det Insp Ansell said.
Chelsea star Sterling travelled home from England's camp in Qatar to be with his family after news of the incident reached him during the tournament.
He missed England's 3-0 win over Senegal on 4 December, but returned as a substitute for the quarter-final defeat to France six days later.
While details of the other 32 raids have not yet been made public, Det Insp Ansell said they were predominantly carried out in "affluent areas".
On Thursday a 23-year-old Albanian man appeared at Guildford Crown Court faced with 33 charges of conspiracy to commit burglary.
Emiliano Krosi, of Ditton Court Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was brought to court from Wandsworth Prison, in south-west London, and spoke only to confirm his name via an Albanian interpreter.
Judge Rufus Taylor remanded Mr Krosi into custody ahead of another court date in November where he is expected to enter a plea.
A trial date has been set for 14 February next year and is expected to last just under two weeks.
Prosecutor Laurence Imrie said he anticipated there could be four defendants if the case goes to trial and told the court: "Efforts are being made to track the others down."
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Close to 2,000 artefacts worth millions of pounds are believed to have been stolen from the British Museum by one of its senior curators.
The museum said last week that items from its collection were "missing, stolen or damaged" and an unnamed staff member had been sacked.
The museum did not specify how many items were stolen or detailed what the missing items were, saying only that they were "small pieces" including "gold jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD".
The majority were "kept in a storeroom belonging to one of the museum's collections" and mainly used for academic and research work. None had recently been on public display.
The number of the stolen items is now believed to be "well over 1,000" and "closer to 2,000", with a value running into "millions of pounds", the Daily Telegraph reports.
It also appears "increasingly likely" that the museum might never know exactly what has been stolen because of "gaps in its inventory," the paper said.
The economic crime command of the Metropolitan Police is investigating but no arrests have been made. The British Museum is taking legal action against the staff member, later named as senior curator Peter Higgs.
Mr Higgs, regarded as one of Britain's top experts on Greek and Mediterranean artefacts, was the British Museum's curator of Mediterranean cultures until earlier this year.
Read more:
Sunak: 'No plans' to return Elgin Marbles to Greece
Natural History Museum is UK's most visited indoor attraction
The 56-year-old had worked at the museum for almost three decades. His family said he denies any wrongdoing.
An antiquities expert told museum officials three years ago that artefacts from its collection were put on sale on eBay. One Roman object, valued at £25,000 to £50,000 by dealers, was offered for just £40.
A museum source told the Telegraph that the directorate's handling of the case has been "negligent and incompetent".
An independent review of security has been launched. The review will be led by former museum trustee Sir Nigel Boardman, and Lucy D'Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police, who will "kickstart" a "vigorous" programme to recover the stolen items.
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CBS Evening News August 10, 2022 / 7:16 PM / CBS News Photographer captures pets' final moments Photographer captures emotional last moments between pets and owners 01:39 The bond we share with our pets is unlike any other – which is why losing an animal leads to such heartbreaking loss. One woman who knows that pain has begun helping others in a very special way: taking photos of terminally ill pets. Photographer Lauren Smith Kennedy takes the pictures for free, to help pet owners grappling with the heartbreak of a relationship coming to a close. "You want to capture those last moments," she told CBS News. "Whether they're happy, whether they're sad, just for what they are –because that captures the true love." Photographer Lauren Smith Kennedy of Maine takes free photos of terminally-ill pets. (Lauren Smith Kennedy) Her first photos were of Lacy, a 4-year-old dog with cancer. After posting them online, she said she got an unexpected response. "Families from California, from out of the state, from Canada, all asking if they could travel to me, or if I would fly to them to be able to do this," said Kennedy, who is based in Maine. "So the outreach was absolutely incredible." To help meet the demand, Kennedy created a website with names of photographers who could provide the same service. It's called The Tilly Project, which is named for the cat Kennedy loved and lost. "I know that grief," she said. "That heartbreaking, life-stopping, just earth-shattering grief." (Lauren Smith Kennedy) For the animals we love, Kennedy said, the photos give the gift of celebrating an unbreakable bond. "You can look back and say, 'I was feeling absolutely heartbroken. But man, was that a capture of my love!'" she said. (Lauren Smith Kennedy) In: Pets Thanks for reading CBS NEWS. Create your free account or log in for more features. Please enter email address to continue Please enter valid email address to continue
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Scattered in the sandboxes and dog runs around the world, there’s aparasite invisible to the naked eye that mostly infects cats and dogs. It’s a tiny worm that lives in the animals’ muscles and digestive systems, but can spread to others.Sometimes, though, it infects humans. Increasingly researchers are concerned that children are inadvertently consuming these parasites, known as Toxocara, and so they are studying places where humans and pets come into contact with one another: city parks.In New York City, one of the locations of the studies performed in recent years, these parasites are present in parks in all five boroughs, and there are more of them in parks in more impoverished neighborhoods. Around the world other researchers are also finding Toxocara in parks.The presence of Toxocara is not necessarily a cause for alarm, the researchers say. It’s not that easy for humans to become infected – they must literally consume infected dirt. But this means children are at a higher risk. Even so, the scientists say, most infections are asymptomatic, though sometimes symptoms may include fever, fatigue, coughing, rash, or abdominal pain. In very rare cases, the parasite can reach the eye, causing blindness, and cause neurological damage in the brain.In the US each year, at least 70 people, mostly children go blind as a result of toxocariasis, the disease caused by Toxocara, but the researchers say that is probably an underestimate, as a general pediatrician might not easily recognize the illness.“People, especially those with children who tend to play in the sand or soil, should be aware of Toxocara,” said Donna Tyungu, lead author of the New York paper and a pediatric infectious disease specialist who researches parasites at the University of Oklahoma. “Pet owners should be aware that their dogs can get infected by something they eat off the ground.”prevalence of toxocara parasitesIn the New York study, published in 2020, the scientists took samples from 91 parks and playgrounds in the five boroughs. The highest number of positive samples came from the Bronx, where more than half of the population are people of color and the median household income was roughly $42,000 in 2020. Toxocara eggs were found in 66.7% – or 10 of 15 – of tested playgrounds.Manhattan, by comparison, has the highest median income but the lowest percentage of contamination, with 29.6% – or eight of 27 – of sites testing positive for Toxocara eggs. In general, the eggs all over the city tended to come from a species of Toxocara specific to cats rather than dogs.“In a lower socio-economic area, there’s a lot more stray dogs and cats roaming around,” Tyungu said. The higher contamination rate may also be related to the ability of pet owners to pay for regular veterinary check-ups and deworming.“I think their finding of Toxocara is both important and unsurprising,” said Thomas Nutman, chief of the laboratory of parasitic diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. “It’s really important for us to understand that these neglected tropical diseases, Toxocara being one of them, are still a huge problem the extent of which we don’t yet know, because we really haven’t looked.”Toxocara parasite moving under the microscopeThese parasite eggs can make it through New York’s brutal winters, thanks to their protective cellular layer that helps them stay alive for months or even years. “In the wintertime or when it’s cold, the eggs are pretty hardy,” said Rojelio Mejia, one of the co-authors of the paper and a pediatric tropical diseases researcher at Baylor College of Medicine. “They can survive quite extreme environments in the soil, or in their animal hosts.”The New York City parks and health departments did not respond to requests for comment.An estimated 5-14% of all Americans have had exposure to Toxocara, with minorities, people living in poverty, and those in rural communities exposed to it at higher rates. Toxocariasis is one of five neglected parasitic infections prioritized by the CDC as requiring urgent public health action in the US.Researchers in Hanover, Germany sampled sand from 46 playground sandpits, finding eggs in up to 23.9% – or 11 of 46 – with higher rate of infective eggs in January and February. In another study in Valencia, Spain, Toxocara was not found in parks and playgrounds, probably due to restricted animal access, but the eggs were discovered in dog parks.Ways to rid parks of Toxocara eggs include raising awareness among parents and pet owners, deworming pets, and installing more fencing to keep stray animals out. Tyungu says it is crucial for children to wash their hands with soap and water after playing outside, and especially before handling food or eating, noting that antibacterial sanitizers don’t remove the Toxocara eggs.“Preferably use soap and water,” Tyungu said. “But if you have nothing else if you’re in the park having a picnic, just pour a bottle of water over the children’s hands to rinse off anything that might be there, then follow with sanitizer for the other things.” Video clip of the Toxocara parasite moving under the microscope courtesy of Donna Tyungu and Rojelio Mejia
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Image source, George GoodImage caption, These Billies were out on the town early in the pandemic lockdownA row is brewing over whether to take action against a famous herd of roaming wild goats.The Kashmiri goats have lived on the Great Orme headland above Llandudno in Conwy for more than 100 years.However they have been described as a "plague" by residents tired of gardens being eaten, droppings left in the street and concerns over road safety. Others insists the goats are a key part of the area's character and should be protected.Conwy council said the goats are wild animals and there are no plans to intervene - at the moment.The herd has long ventured into the town when food is scarce in spring.However, the goats have grown both in numbers and notoriety since the Covid pandemic.They made headlines after making the most of the town's traffic-free roads at the start of lockdown and continue to be seen more regularly more often than usual in car parks, roundabouts and housing estates.Image source, Phyl OliverImage caption, "We love the goats - but not in our gardens", said Mrs OliverFor Phyl Oliver, 77, planning restrictions in the Liddell Park area mean she is unable to put up a permanent fence to protect the front garden she tended to while recovering from cancer."It's like having a plague of locusts or a plague of frogs," she said."I've had elderly people here weeping because the rose garden that their late husband built for them has been devoured."A garden isn't just plants - it's a lifelong hobby. It motivates you to get out and do something, and it's important for mental health [but] it's being taken off me."I'm stuck with temporary fences, goat manure and, quite honestly, I cannot be bothered coming out in the morning because I don't know what I'm going to face."We love the goats, they're beautiful, but we want them on the Great Orme please - not in people's gardens."Image source, Phyl OliverImage caption, Some residents have taken to using netting to protect their gardensShe is among several people to complain to the council, raising other issues such as road safety because the goats walk slowly across busy roads. The council insists the goats are not its responsibility but it has worked with organisations, such as Natural Resources Wales and the RSPCA, to control numbers by sending them elsewhere.However there are plenty of residents who believe the goats should be allowed to carry on roaming.Media caption, What do people think of Llandudno's roaming wild goats?"They are special part of Llandudno, everyone knows about them and where they might be hiding," said Ruby Williams."Locals were brought up with them and, in the main, people are fans."My driving has changed a lot since goats started becoming a regular feature in this part of town."They make me smile when they give you staring stern looks as they cross the road."Send them away? No, this is their home and visitors love them."Image source, George GoodImage caption, Did someone say all you can eat?Aberconwy MS Janet Finch Saunders said the goats were "iconic" but that she had received complaints."People are expressing concerns about safety but also that this unique feature of our community might be lost if some goats are taken away," she said."We need everyone to sit down and work out the best solution."Media caption, You must be kidding! Llandudno goats back in townConwy council said organisations aim to maintain a sustainable goat population for the Great Orme A spokeswomen said: "If the goats are still in urban areas during rutting season, we will look to assist with their relocation back to the Great Orme - if animal behaviour experts agree - as this is when they are most likely to stay there and will reduce the intervention levels considerably."
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pets_animals_wildlife
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We all love our pets and want to make sure we get the best for them. To help, this PetSmart sale has four different offers for you today. The first deal is 40% off select clothing for your pets. The second deal is a buy four, get the fifth free on select meal toppers for dogs. The third deal is a buy three and get the fourth free on dog toys and the final deal is a buy one, get the second 25% off on waste disposal and lawn care. When you're shopping for clothes, you can get a number of things: a backpack, overalls, National dog park tee and bandana set and even more. With prices starting at just $6, you can walk away with a bunch of clothes for your very special dog in sizes from extra small to extra large.If you're looking for food for your dogs and cats, you'll find plenty. Whether you want wet, dry or grain-free food, you'll find the very best. One of Petsmart's bestsellers is this Simply Nourish Source Kibble + All Life Stage dog meal topper for $3. There's also this $11 Nulo MedalSeries Bone Broth Wet Dog and Cat food topper that you can give to your pets for a more enjoyable mealtime experience.When you're shopping for toys, you'll find plush squeakers, balls and frisbees. And when it's time for your cats and dogs to do their business, you can get dog pads, cat litter, waste bags and litter scoops for easy clean up.This PetSmart sale is truly stacked with incredible items for your pets' needs. Head over to the website to take advantage of this sale before it ends.
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pets_animals_wildlife
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01:03 - Source: CNN See record-breaking python caught in Florida Everglades CNN — She’s massive, invasive and covered in scales: A record breaking 215-pound, 18-foot-long Burmese python has been captured in Florida. The python is the heaviest ever captured in the state, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced on Wednesday. The huge reptile was captured by the conservancy as part of its invasive Burmese python research program. Biologists found the female by tracking a male “scout snake” named Dionysus with a radio transmitter. Males are attracted to the largest females, according to the conservancy. So by following a breeding male like Dionysus, they can find and remove large breeding females and their eggs. Ian Bartoszek, a project manager for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, biologist Ian Easterling and intern Kyle Findley caught and euthanized the huge female python before hauling her back to their field truck last December. Bartoszek says that they didn’t realize just how large the snake was until they weighed her at the lab. There was “collective disbelief” when they realized she was a whopping 215 pounds, breaking the previous record of 185 pounds for a Burmese python captured in Florida. But it wasn’t until several months later, on April 28, that biologists had a chance to perform a necropsy on the snake. They discovered she broke another record: she had the largest number of eggs ever found, with 122 developing eggs in her abdomen. Burmese pythons are indigenous to southeast Asia, where they are considered vulnerable to extinction due to overhunting. But renegade snakes from the pet trade, who either escaped or were released into the wild, have established a population in the Florida Everglades since the 1980s. As an invasive species, the pythons threaten Florida’s native fauna, Bartoszek tells CNN. Florida state authorities have taken measures to minimize the population, like by hosting an annual “Python Challenge” to see who can remove and kill the most pythons. There is “no other Everglades in the world,” said Bartoszek. “It’s a unique bioregion, it’s a gem” – which is jeopardized by the invasive pythons. The necropsy revealed that the 215-pound female python had hoof remnants from a white-tailed deer in her stomach, one indicator of how pythons affect Florida’s native wildlife. White-tailed deer are an important food source for Florida’s native panthers, which are endangered. The python “is a generalist predator,” said Bartoszek. “It doesn’t discriminate.” Bartoszek says that while for the moment “eradication seems off the table,” his three-person team is working to reduce and control the Burmese python population by removing breeding females. Over the past 11 years, they’ve removed over 1,000 pythons weighing a total of 26,000 pounds from a small portion of the Everglades totaling around 100 square miles. Dionysus, the scout snake that led the scientists to the record-breaking female, is the season’s “MVP – most valued python,” said Bartoszek. He led the team to an additional four female Burmese pythons that were euthanized and removed. “We’re not here for accolades,” he said. “We’re here to raise awareness on this issue.” He added that the scientists have “tremendous respect for this animal. They’re a pretty remarkable species.” “We’re on the science side, and in a way for conservation of our native fauna,” Bartoszek said.
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pets_animals_wildlife
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TOKYO -- People in a southwestern Japanese city have come under attack from monkeys that are trying to snatch babies, biting and clawing at flesh, and sneaking into nursery schools.The attacks - on 58 people since July 8 - are getting so bad Yamaguchi city hall hired a special unit to hunt the animals with tranquilizer guns.The monkeys aren't interested in food, so traps haven't worked. They have targeted mostly children and the elderly."They are so smart, and they tend to sneak up and attack from behind, often grabbing at your legs," city official Masato Saito said Wednesday.When confronted by a monkey, the instructions are: Do not look them in the eye, make yourself look as big as possible, such as by spreading open your coat, then back away as quietly as possible without making sudden moves, according to Saito.A woman was assaulted by a monkey while hanging laundry on her veranda. Another victim showed bandaged toes. They were taken aback and frightened by how big and fat the monkeys were.The monkeys terrorizing the community are Japanese macaque, the kind often pictured peacefully bathing in hot springs.One male monkey, measuring 49 centimeters (1.6 foot) in height and weighing 7 kilograms (15 pounds), was caught Tuesday by the team with the tranquilizer gun. It was judged by various evidence to be one of the attacking monkeys and put to death.But more attacks were reported after the capture.No one has been seriously injured so far. But all have been advised to get hospital treatment. Ambulances were called in some cases.Although Japan is industrialized and urban, a fair portion of land in the archipelago is mountains and forests. Rare attacks on people by a bear, boars or other wildlife have occurred, but generally not by monkeys.No one seems to know why the attacks have occurred, and where exactly the troop of monkeys came from remains unclear."I have never seen anything like this my entire life," Saito said.Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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pets_animals_wildlife
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Subsets and Splits
Unique Topics Sorted
Provides a simple list of all unique topics in the training dataset, which helps identify the range of subjects covered but offers minimal analytical insight beyond basic categorization.
List Unique Topics
Simple retrieval of unique topics from the dataset, useful for basic exploration but lacks deeper insights.