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Front Cover: Scream Pretty, Showing at Spring Fair

• Jewellery Show Review
• Jewellery Festival Review
• CMJ Autumn Event
• Goldsmiths' Fair
• NAJ - A Year in Numbers
• Male Jewellery Trends
• Visual Merchandising Feature
• and much more...

I love it when a plan comes together – or to be more precise, I love it when I have a strong feeling for a magazine feature – and then it actually works out. I love it when I decide (occasionally on a whim) something is a trend worth following up… and it turns out to be true! It’s like wish fulfilment, but with – I’d like to think – a degree of wisdom thrown in. I’m still pushing for tiaras to be an all-day, everyday thing, but in the meantime, I’m very happy my feeling for the growing strength of men’s jewellery is on the nose.

What I’m less sure about is whether it’s OK to say ‘men’s jewellery’ – the phrase can elicit a sharp intake of breath and disapproving frowns from some quarters. But to make it clear – all people can wear all jewellery. However, it’s perfectly OK for some brands and designers to focus their creative attention on pieces that appeal to men, in particular those less likely to care for delicate florals and pastels. What’s exciting, though, is the growing number of men flexing their aesthetic muscles and wearing traditionally female jewellery – like pearls and diamonds. I love it. Turn to page 24 to see how much.

My feeling for this category was confirmed not by Harry Styles and Instagram alone, but by attending the three UK trade shows this autumn. The Jewellery Festival, Jewellery Show and the CMJ’s Autumn Trade Event were all rich sources of market trend inspiration – the other hot topic being the what? who? how much? and should-we? of laboratory grown diamonds. We’ll probably never reach a consensus, but attendance at panel discussions on the subject prove the desire for discussion and knowledge is strong. For reports on all three shows, see pages 18, 28 and 34.

Walking the – very fancy – aisles of Goldsmiths’ Fair (think plush carpets, chandeliers, gold-leaf ceiling) is, for me, less about trend-spotting and more about pretend shopping. I take my best ballpoint and most discreet notebook and, like the other visitors, pretend to be a potential client looking for her next beautiful self-purchase or gift. I’ve spent thousands, I’ve tested the tolerance of several talented designer makers and my report on this year’s Fair is rather self-indulgent. Sorry, not sorry! (See page 40 for my virtual haul.)

It's not all about me, though. In this issue are industry insights that John Henn gathered at the CIBJO Congress in India (p.36). We also introduce you to three businesses that recently joined the NAJ… welcome to Armitage Tools, Aril Jewels and Lustre & Love (p. 54). We take a look at just a few swish jewellery store refurbishments (p.44), and on page 62, we discover why Peter Wong of Wongs Jewellers in Liverpool became a JBN member. His affirmation should prompt those curious to learn more about the network’s activities, as should facilitator Michael Donaldson’s invaluable business improvement book, reviewed on page 63. 

While you’re doing that, I’m just off to polish one of my tiaras, ready for The Benevolent Society Ball. 

Have a fun and prosperous festive season everyone!