Author: Ruchi Singla

Independent watch brand Nomadic Watches has opened its first flagship store in Belfast city centre. Located at 9 Donegall Square East, adjacent to Belfast City Hall, the store introduces a retail format not previously seen in Belfast, combining retail with a working watch studio.An Open Workshop and Transparent ProductionThe central feature of the new store is an open-plan watchmaking studio, where visitors can observe timepieces being assembled and fine-tuned in real time. Separated by a glass partition, the watchmakers’ bench is designed to allow customers visibility into the mechanical assembly process of Nomadic’s core collection—including models such as the Maraí…

A man has been charged following a reported burglary at Diamond Heaven, a jewellery retailer on Clarendon Street in Dublin 2, in which jewellery valued at approximately €100,000 was taken.Incident and ArrestSean Hanratty, aged 41, was charged with two counts of burglary, including one at the jewellery premises and another at a nearby restaurant. Dublin District Court heard that gardaí responded to a report of a burglary at around 1.40 am on 13 June. Upon arrival, officers found the front door of Diamond Heaven had been forced open and jewellery had been taken from the front window display.Garda Sandis Sliwa…

Rodney Simmons, director of Jans Jewellers Limited trading as Faith Jewellers in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, has been fined £9,000 and ordered to destroy counterfeit stock following prosecution by the Trading Standards Service (TSS). The sentencing took place at Craigavon Crown Court after Simmons pleaded guilty to six offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.Counterfeit Goods Seized During InvestigationThe case began after a complaint was received regarding potentially counterfeit items at Faith Jewellers, located in Rushmere Shopping Centre. Trading Standards officers visited the premises and seized 36 counterfeit designer watches, which had been displayed alongside genuine products and priced between £249 and…

A sapphire and diamond ring containing a newly identified Kashmir sapphire is due to be auctioned by Adam’s of Dublin on 13 May 2025, as part of its Fine Jewellery and Ladies’ Watches sale. The 6.22 carat stone, previously thought to be of unknown origin, has been certified as a Kashmir sapphire by two gemmological laboratories.Identification and ReappraisalThe ring, catalogued as Lot 23, is described as “of tank design, centring a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 6.22cts, between old brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamond shoulders, and between baguette-cut diamond borders.” The piece dates to the 1940s and was originally valued between €8,000 and…

Award-winning Irish silversmith Séamus Gill has issued a public appeal for assistance after his Dublin studio was burgled over the Easter weekend, resulting in the loss of decades’ worth of original work, including jewellery, silverware, and prototypes.Details of the BurglaryThe break-in, which took place at Gill’s studio in Dublin, resulted in the theft of a significant body of work spanning 40 years. Among the stolen items were one-of-a-kind legacy pieces, developmental prototypes for an upcoming collection, and hallmarked original works, all crafted using traditional silversmithing techniques.Gill, who created a cruet set for Pope Francis during his 2018 visit to Ireland…

The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) has launched the Diamond Learning Centre, a new free digital platform designed to provide accessible education on diamonds for jewellery professionals and enthusiasts. The platform launched in April, aligning with the Natural Diamond Council’s broader seasonal marketing efforts.Accessible at diamondlearningcenter.org, the site aims to improve knowledge of the differences between natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, and simulants. The platform is mobile-compatible and designed for independent use.Content and Learning StructureThe Diamond Learning Centre includes more than 25 short videos addressing frequently asked questions, as well as four self-paced educational modules covering:Users receive certificates upon completing each module.…

Brooks Jewellers, a long-established business in New Ross, County Wexford, will close its giftware department in mid-April 2024 as part of a strategic shift back to its core jewellery offering. The decision reflects changes in consumer shopping habits and broader market trends.Responding to Shifting Consumer DemandFounded in 1928 by John Brooks, Brooks Jewellers expanded over the years to include a giftware department selling homeware such as crystal, ornaments, and furniture. However, owner Mary Flood has decided to close this section of the business due to declining demand.Mary’s daughter, Rachel Flood, who represents the fourth generation of the family business, explained that…

Steensons Jewellers, a well-known jeweller in Northern Ireland, has reported a significant burglary at its showroom in Glenarm, Co Antrim. The incident occurred late on Sunday, 19 January 2025, with police receiving a report of an alarm activation at 11:40pm.Two individuals reportedly broke into the showroom, damaging display cabinets and stealing what the PSNI described as a “substantial amount” of jewellery. Among the stolen items were Steensons’ signature collections, including ‘Flower’, ‘Leaf’, ‘Theorem’, and ‘Papyrus’, as well as pieces by jewellery designer Jill Graham.Appeals for InformationThe Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is actively investigating the burglary. Sergeant Jones has…

The 50th edition of Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo will take place at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) from 19–21 January 2025. Organised by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), the event provides a platform for nearly 400 exhibitors to present their creations to an audience of international buyers. With support from Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Local Enterprise Offices, Showcase continues to be a significant event for the Irish craft and design industry.A Platform for Irish Craft and DesignShowcase 2025 will feature exhibitors from various sectors, including fashion, health and beauty, homeware, and jewellery.…

Thomas Dillon’s, Ireland’s oldest jeweller and a well-established name in Galway, was subjected to criminal damage during an attempted break-in on St. Stephen’s Day. The incident occurred at the jeweller’s premises on Quay Street, where a window was shattered by two individuals in the early hours of the morning.A Garda spokesperson confirmed the event, stating: “Gardaí received a report of an incident of criminal damage that occurred to a premises on Quay Street, Galway City at approximately 12:30am on the 26th of December 2024. Investigations are ongoing at this time.”One suspect is reported to have concealed their identity with a…

Ilia Rostas Muntean, a 22-year-old from Clondalkin, Dublin, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the theft of 12 diamond rings worth €47,000 from Wehrly’s Jewellers in Sligo. The theft, which occurred on 19 January 2023, was described by Judge Keenan Johnson as a “mean and opportunistic” crime involving premeditation.escribed by Judge Keenan Johnson as “mean and opportunistic” with elements of planning involved.Details of the TheftWehrly’s Jewellers, established in 1875 and operated by Tony Wehrly, was the target of the theft. Muntean and a female accomplice entered the store, where the woman concealed a tray of…

Australian jewellery retailer Lovisa is preparing to open its first store in Cork city, continuing its expansion across Ireland. Known for its fast-fashion jewellery, the brand will occupy the former GameStop location at 47 Patrick’s Street.A New Occupant for Patrick’s StreetThe site, which has been vacant since GameStop ceased operations in June 2023, is undergoing refurbishment. Workers have been seen repainting the building, and Lovisa’s distinctive logo has been installed on the storefront. While the opening date has yet to be announced, job postings for a Store Manager and Assistant Store Manager in Cork were recently added to Lovisa’s website, signalling…

The Positive Luxury Awards has announced the launch of its 2025 programme, which celebrates organisations across the luxury sector that are advancing sustainability, innovation, and ethical business practices. These awards spotlight efforts to address critical global challenges while setting higher standards across the supply chain.Award Categories and EligibilityOpen to luxury brands, retailers, and suppliers, the awards span six categories: Jewellery & Watches, Beauty & Fragrance, Fashion & Accessories, Premium Drinks, Travel & Leisure, and Interiors & Living. Applicants will be evaluated on initiatives that demonstrate progress in environmental responsibility, social impact, and governance.Submissions will be assessed by an independent panel…

The parent company of Chupi has reported significant financial losses for 2023, alongside a reduction in workforce numbers. New financial filings reveal losses of €1.96 million for the year, marking an increase from the €1.3 million loss recorded in 2022.Directors of the Dublin-based company, led by Chupi Sweetman and her husband Brian Durney, confirmed accumulated losses at Blazenvale had reached over €2.8 million by the end of 2023.Ms Sweetman previously described the 2022 losses as planned investments in marketing and branding. During this time, the company opened a flagship store on Dublin’s Clarendon Street in late 2022.Staff reductions have accompanied…

Two jewellers in Dublin’s Omni Shopping Centre were targeted in a major burglary early Monday morning. Mark Josef Jewellers and Cara and Co had their shop windows smashed, resulting in the theft of gold items worth over €150,000. The incident occurred around 2:15 am.Details of the BurglaryMark Doherty, owner of Mark Josef Jewellers, shared the harrowing details of the break-in. Doherty was alerted to the robbery at 8:00 am by another trader in the centre. He described the scene, stating, “They came in Sunday night, Monday morning, about quarter past two. There’s two jewellers here, they smashed and cleared out…

Kerry-based FiorSó has launched an exclusive new collection at Brown Thomas as part of the CREATE 2024 initiative. This programme, now in its 14th year, highlights exceptional talent from 26 designers across Ireland in fashion, handbags, accessories, and jewellery. FiorSó’s Journey to CREATE 2024Sara Ross, a former lawyer with experience in London and Shanghai, founded FiorSó in 2021 after relocating to Kerry in 2016. Initially continuing to commute to London for work, she later decided to pursue her passion for jewellery design, leading to the creation of FiorSó.Reflecting on being chosen again for the CREATE programme, Sara expressed her pride:“We’re delighted to…

Hannah McGuinness, a jewellery designer from Glenties, Donegal, is lending her support to the Design and Crafts Council Ireland’s (DCCI) Made Local campaign. This initiative aims to boost Ireland’s sustainable design and craft industry by promoting locally crafted products.Promoting Sustainable CraftThe DCCI’s Made Local campaign aims to promote the quality and value of Irish-designed and craft-made goods. It encourages consumers to make more conscious and sustainable purchasing choices.The Work of Hannah McGuinnessMcGuinness, known for her contemporary and limited-edition jewellery pieces, focuses on the interplay of form, texture, and colour in her creations. Her work features a sculptural and individualistic style.The Impact…

A recent robbery at Rhinestones Jewellery & Gifts, an established antique jewellery store in Dublin’s city centre, highlights the increasing issue of retail crime in urban areas. The store, located near the Molly Malone statue on Andrew Street, suffered a break-in where thieves smashed through the front window and stole jewellery, contributing to a rising number of similar incidents in the area since the beginning of the year.Targeted Theft in a Changing Urban LandscapeThe robbery involved a calculated approach by the perpetrators to bypass the store’s security measures, specifically targeting the antique windows characteristic of the store’s Art Deco design.…

Galway’s Hartmanns has collaborated with Fabergé to create a unique piece of jewellery that marries luxury with history – an egg surprise pendant that reimagines the traditional Claddagh Ring.The pendant features 18ct yellow gold and green guilloche vitreous enamel, adorned with 15 round brilliant cut white diamonds. At its centre is a heart-shaped Gemfields Zambian emerald, and it is completed with an 18ct yellow gold trace chain and an egg tag. This creation joins Fabergé’s Heritage Collection, known for blending cultural richness with contemporary design.The Claddagh Ring, originating from the Claddagh area of Galway City in the 17th century, is a…

In a significant consumer rights case that has captured widespread attention, Rogelio Villarreal, a 27-year-old doctor from Tamaulipas, Mexico, successfully purchased a pair of rose-gold, diamond-studded earrings valued at over €10,000 for just €10 due to a pricing error on Cartier’s website. This unusual transaction has spotlighted the enforcement of consumer protection laws in Mexico and their implications for international luxury retailers.Incident DetailsThe earrings, typically priced at 237,000 Mexican pesos, were mistakenly listed for 237 pesos.. Villarreal, intrigued by the drastic price difference while browsing through a social media advertisement, proceeded with the purchase. Upon realisation of the error, Cartier attempted…