Jewellery World Magazine - February 2021 - 40 Years

FEBRUARY 2021
AUSTRALIA AND NEW
ZEALAND’S PROFESSIONAL JEWELLERY MAGAZINE
celebrating 40 years
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
SHOWCASE JEWELLERS
SHOWCASE
JEWELLERS
Showcase Jewellers are proudly celebrating 40 successful years of supporting
Australia and New Zealand’s Independent Jewellers.

L O Y S
P R O M
L
I S E
P A
P R
I C E
B E A T
G U A R A N T E E

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Jewellery World Magazine
ABN: 41 143 385 895
ISSN: 2207-6751
PO Box 54, Camden NSW 2570
P: 0431 844 903
Subscription: www.jewelleryworld.net.au
Enquiries: info@jewelleryworld.net.au
Web: www.jewelleryworld.net.au
managing director
Jeremy Keight 0431 844 903
jeremy@jewelleryworld.net.au
editor
editor@jewelleryworld.net.au
contributing writers
Kirsten Ehrlich Davies
Stefan Juengling
Cheryl D Harty
art
design@jewelleryworld.net.au
advertising sales
sales@jewelleryworld.net.au
REGULARS
6 News
12 Palloy's Points
14 Trade Well with Rami Baron
16 JAA News
48 New Products
50 Directory
FEATURES
20 Jewellery World magazine turns 40!
2021 is a year of celebration for a host of
industry names. There are lots of milestones
this year, including... ours.
30 Leaders Forum 2021
At the top of a new year filled with challenges,
we hear from the industry's most prominent
voices – their tales of adaptation and change,
their plans for the future, and their optimism
for our great industry.
28
30
48
DISCLAIMER:
This publication may not be reproduced
in whole or part without the written
permission of the Publisher.
Articles express the opinions of the
authors and are not necessarily those of the
Publisher or Editor. Mention of a product or
service in this magazine does not indicate the
Publisher’s endorsement.
The Publisher excludes all liability for
loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false
or misleading statements that may appear
in this publication.
All information is copyright.
Front Cover Image Copyright
Peter Karasev / Offset.com
AUSTRALIA AND NEW
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
SHOWCASE JEWELLERS
FEBRUARY 2021
ZEALAND’S PROFESSIONAL JEWELLERY MAGAZINE
celebrating 40 years
SHOWCASE
JEWELLERS
Showcase Jewellers are proudly celebrating 40 successful years of supporting
Australia and New Zealand’s Independent Jewellers.
FRONT COVER
Showcase Jewellers
www.showcasejewellers.com.au
4
jewellery world - February 2021

All Silver is Rhodium Plated
All Silver is Rhodium Plated
• Sydney AGHA Gift Fair - February 21-24, 2020 (Homebush)
• International • Sydney AGHA Jewellery Gift Fair -September - February 21-24, 12-14, 2020 (Homebush)
(Darling Harbour)
• International Jewellery Fair -September 12-14, 2020 (Darling Harbour)
TJDSILVER.COM.AU 0400272365 ADMIN@TJDSILVER.COM.AU
TJDSILVER.COM.AU 0400272365 ADMIN@TJDSILVER.COM.AU

Ellen
News
Rio Tinto’s 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender
delivers a dazzling set of results
December’s Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender saw a collection of 62 rare
pink, red, blue and violet diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in
Australia deliver a record result.
The 2020 collection continued its trajectory of double digit price
growth and a record number of participants with successful bidders
from eight countries. Whilst bids and values remain confidential, Lot
Number 1, the 2.24 carat Argyle Eternity, the most valuable diamond
in the collection and the most valuable fancy vivid diamond in the
tender’s 37 year history, was sold to Hong Kong fancy coloured
diamond specialist, Kunming Diamonds.
Other record breaking diamonds
included Lot Number 6, Argyle
Infinite, a 0.70 carat oval fancy dark
violet-gray diamond which will take
its place in Argyle history as the
most valuable diamond in this colour
category ever produced at the mine.
Almost the entire world’s supply of
rare pink, red and violet diamonds
come from Rio Tinto’s Argyle
diamond mine which ceased
production on 3 November, 2020,
after 37 years of production. Shaped
by the forces of supply and demand,
the value of Argyle pink diamonds
sold at tender has appreciated over
500 per cent over the past two
decades, outperforming all major
equity markets.
The Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges for the tender, delaying
the launch and reducing the number of face to face viewings due to
travel restrictions. To overcome this, live streaming and an exclusive
virtual portal allowed bidders from around the world see the display of
the dazzling gems, supported by technology to enable exacting colour
calibration and magnification of the diamonds.
Also included in the 2020 offering were 12 additional lots of carefully
curated and never to be repeated sets of miniature rare Argyle
pink, red, blue and violet diamonds, weighing 13.90 carats in total
and titled The Petite Suites. Famed Australian jeweller, John Calleija
who successfully bid on several lots of The Petite Suites said, “I am
thrilled with my success at this year’s tender and the exciting design
possibilities unleashed by these colourful and uniquely Australian
jewels.“
The 2020 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender was the penultimate showcase
with a final Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender occurring in 2021, drawing
upon the 2020 production from the now shuttered Argyle mine.
De Beers cuts sightholders
De Beers has reportedly told approximately 20 sightholders that
they will not longer be eligible for new contracts, according to
industry news source JCK.
The company did not appoint any new sightholders and is said
to be tailoring its contracts to different types of clients. The new
agreements, which were supposed to go into effect at the end
of 2020 but were delayed by Covid, will take effect in the second
quarter of this year and run until 2023.
De Beers currently has around 80 sightholders, down from a top
of 300 in the 1980s.
6
jewellery world - February 2021

Australian Coloured Diamonds
Argyle Pink Diamonds, Melee, Matched Pairs, Tender, Mini Tender & Investment Stones
Argyle Blue Diamonds
Argyle & Ellendale Yellow Diamonds
Argyle Champagne & Cognacs
Argyle White Diamonds
when nature meets perfection
• 18ct Gold
• Australian sourced diamonds
• Australian made
• Certified
View the complete collection
www.ellendalediamonds.com.au
Ph: 08 61801562
E: sales@ellendalediamonds.com.au
www.ellendalediamonds.com.au
Exhibiting at the Jewellery
Industry Virtual Fair
March 11th-13th 2021
Register to attend online at
www.jewelleryindustryfair.com
Ellendale_full_290x220_final.indd 1
19/1/21 2:59 pm

News
Pandora in the pandemic
Pandora has closed 25% of its physical stores due
to the ongoing spread of Covid, the company
announced in January.
The company states these are temporary closures
and they are an increase from the 10% of stores that
were closed in the final quarter of 2020.
Bridgerton jewellery amplifies tradition
Netflix’s current hit show Bridgerton is a sumptuous feast of costumes and
jewellery, flamboyant and colourful, but the show’s designer insists none of it
is historically accurate – and was never intended to be.
Despite these closures, Pandora expects to see
growth of 3 to 4% for the fourth quarter but will
announce its final financial results in February.
The company noted that “the negative impact
on performance from Covid-19 store restrictions
appears to have been offset by a non-recurring
positive impact from reallocation of consumer
spending away from traveling and services towards
gifting and discretionary goods.”
Veteran Hollywood costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, recently revealed in
an interview with Vogue, that she was tasked with sourcing 7,500 pieces for
approximately 5,000 looks for Bridgerton.
The series is based on Julia Quinn’s bestselling Bridgerton novels and is set
in 19th century London. Usually, this would mean a decorous Jane-Austen
aesthetic, but designers have pushed both clothing and jewellery fashions of
the time to the extremes.
I looked at the Regency period
in London through drawings and
paintings,” Mirojnick told Vogue.
“We got a flavour of it and then
it was about looking at the
different silhouettes and shapes
while knowing that this had to
be aspirational, as opposed to
historically accurate. We knew
that we had to shift the color
palette and the fabrications,
so from the 19th century, I
immediately went to the 1950s
and 1960s. The Christian Dior:
Designer of Dreams exhibition
at [London’s] Victoria & Albert
Museum provided a wealth of
inspiration.”
Images courtesy of Netflix.
Lab-grown diamond producers to establish
American Diamond Council
Diamond Foundry, a US-based lab-grown diamond
manufacturer, is planning to start a group it will call the
American Diamond Council, which will promote labgrown
diamonds.
Possibly in direct response to the recent reformation
of the Natural Diamond Council, the group will align
the (currently only few) American lab-grown diamond
producers and create an industry body to inspire,
educate and protect the consumer.
8
jewellery world - February 2021

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News
LVMH takes over Tiffany and appoints new
CEO
French luxury goods group LVMH
named two top Louis Vuitton
executives as new managers of Tiffany
and cleared out the design team after
acquiring the US jeweller in early
January.
The takeover comes after a long
and bitter legal dispute, which saw LVMH back away from
certain aspects of the deal during a pandemic that battered
luxury goods sales. LVMH and Tiffany renegotiated the
deal prices, knocking $US425 million off the price tag and
shaking hands on $US15.8 billion.
Jewellery brands more focused on sustainability
UK-based jewellery brand Taylor & Hart has published its Jewellery Trend
Report for 2021 in which it revealed that two thirds of jewellery brands are now
monitoring environmental impact more closely and taking sustainability seriously.
The result shows that our industry is rapidly becoming a leader amongst other
industries in regards to environmental responsibility.
The report showed that shoppers have also increased their interest in
sustainability with terms such as ‘recycled’, ‘sustainable’, ‘ethical’, ‘ethical
jewellery’ and ‘recycled gold’ all seeing significant increase in search word usage
over the past year.
On the report, Kate Earlam-Charnley, design director at Taylor & Hart, said, “In
an increasingly fluctuating landscape for brands and consumer behaviour, we
need to rethink how we connect with young people not just as consumers but as
individuals.
“Accountability regarding environmental impact is no longer optional – it’s
essential.
“We’re excited to see this consumer-led shift in behaviour towards making a
better future for all living things. 2021 will ring in the golden age of the conscious
buyer.”
LVMH senior executive Anthony Ledru (pictured) will take
over as CEO at Tiffany, replacing Alessandro Bogliolo, while
Alexandre Arnault, son of LVMH boss Bernard Arnault,
will be executive vice president in charge of product and
communication.
Antwerp’s rough tenders thrive despite
pandemic
Antwerp’s tender houses have been thriving in 2020, enabled
by quick adaptations and continuity of operations in the
Antwerp diamond square mile. Antwerp is home to a critical
mass of buyers as well as the largest concentration of tender
houses and representative offices of mining companies.
This has seen the successful conclusion of nearly 100
rough tenders, and more than 10,5 million carats of rough
diamonds sold via tenders in 2020, despite the pandemic and
consequent travel restrictions.
“Antwerp has the advantage of having all the elements in place
that allowed us to keep the engines running, and that in turn
proved instrumental for the steady supply of rough diamonds,
the lifeblood of the industry,” said Karen Rentmeesters, of the
Antwerp World Diamond Centre “Antwerp’s diamond office
remained operational and there was constant consultation
with shipping companies and airlines to ensure goods could
continue to be shipped, we have an unrivalled critical mass
of buyers and sellers that enable true market value for rough
productions and last but not least, an infrastructure that
enabled companies to quickly adapt to a Covid-proof, safe
business environment.”
10
jewellery world - February 2021

Time to buy Australian-made
Ph: (03) 9650 5955 Fax: (03) 6950 5977
Email: sales@millenniumchain.com.au
Web: www.millenniumchain.com.au
6th Floor, 313 Lt. Collins St.
Melbourne 3000 Victoria
Millennium Chain
Finished Top 5 in the category of
Best Selling Gold Jewellery Suppliers in
Australia and NZ, as voted by retailers.
millennium_chain

PALLOYS POINTS
Chris Botha,
Operations Manager, Jewellery Division
Palloys
OUR PALLOYS PROMISE
Jewellery supply and manufacture has changed a lot in the
past year, but I am writing to assure you that one thing will
never change at Palloys; Our commitment to providing our
customers with the lowest prices, every day.
We understand that our services are a fundamental gear in the
wheel for the supply chain of the jewellery industry. Last year
during the pandemic we launched the new Palloys website -
palloys.com, which is the first of its kind in the world that gives
instantaneous pricing for the majority of our services.
Now we are going the next step further with our industry Palloys
Promise.
As our regular customers know, Palloys is owned by Pallion Group,
an Australian owned and operated company which also operates
ABC Refinery. This direct relationship ensures Palloys customers
receive the best in quality, 100% Australian Gold that is both
internationally accredited and ethically sourced, all refined in
Sydney Australia.
Palloys has always strived to offer the best in service and is
currently Australia’s only manufacturer and wholesaler accredited
by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
We are now offering the best in price. As of today, if you find a
lower price for the same product elsewhere, we’ll happily beat
it. All you have to do is simply inform our customer service team
when making your purchase or email promise@palloys.com
You will have noticed the introduction of new ways of submitting
orders through our site. It is part of our broader effort to support
the industry we care about so dearly.
It is during this time of enormous change that I want to thank
you for your continued support and trust in Palloys. The patience,
loyalty and kindness of our community of customers has never felt
stronger than it does today. It is sincerely appreciated.
12
jewellery world - February 2021

ARE YOU AN
ENTREPRENEUR?
Enjoy, but look out.
I
consider myself to be an entrepreneur. I am
forever analysing business opportunities,
both within and outside my own
environment. Conservatively, I would say
that at least once a week someone calls me
about a business idea that they want to kick
around. The fact is, most people who speak
to me about business ideas and show a great
entrepreneurial spirit are well educated or
have a great business sense. So, the question
I ask myself is why do 80% of these start-ups
fail? When I reflect on my own business
ventures which failed, the lack of success
really boils down to half a dozen reasons. At
the end of the day however, it is simple. The
idea was not well-executed and we ran out of
cash.
I guess the important question we always need
to ask ourselves is what the other landmines
are.
There is no doubt that if I would have had a
little bit more reflective thinking, we could
have saved ourselves a lot of pain.
What is the one thing we always do as an
entrepreneur? We come up with a cool idea.
We might share it with a couple of people who
go “wow, that is so cool”. It is the next thing
that we do that often leads to failure.
You see, we become so caught up with the
idea, and of course scared to share it with
anyone (because they’ll steal it, right?). The
result is that we do not actually go out and
find those people who would be our perfect
customer and asked them their opinions. We
make the fatal mistake of assuming we know
the answers, or we have the answers, or we
are so sure that it is this unbelievable problem
that no one else has ever thought of solving.
There is no substitute for doing market
research. There are two types of market
research - qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative research is the one that
entrepreneurs are particularly good at.
It involves talking to people and getting
feedback. Quantitative research involves doing
some questionnaires and collecting data - not
a big one for entrepreneurs because they
do not really want to hear that there is not
a market for their idea. There is a very good
book by Nathan Furr and Paul Ahlstrom called
“Nail it then scale it”. It literally says, “what
would you prefer to do, talk to people now or
in a year’s time, after you spent thousands of
dollars and find out your ideas or theories are
incorrect?”
I find it so interesting when the shoe is on
the other foot, when someone is pitching
me an idea. It is only through listening to
other peoples’ pitches that I learned to
appreciate the need for someone to be able
to communicate what their business is about
in a simple and clear manner. If I have to ask
someone what am I missing or I don’t get
it, it’s either because they cannot articulate
the concept or it’s a scam. I must say, on
numerous occasions I sat with a bunch of
guys and asked them if they understood our
friend’s business. Everyone just shakes their
head and says things like “I consider myself a
pretty smart guy and I don’t understand how
he makes money.” To which we all concur: it’s
a scam. Needless to say, at some point it will
fail and get ugly.
Develop your communication skills. If you
want to pitch an idea to someone, you must
14
jewellery world - February 2021

DDCA NEWS
Rami Baron
President, Diamond Dealers Club of Australia
rami@ddca.org.au
be crystal clear as to the benefits, how they will be delivered, and what
your differential is. You need to be able to take criticism, and not get
angry as people try and punch holes in your ideas.
Even the most successful people fail. The question is why? Sometimes
it is self-destruction and they simply they can’t handle success. This
would clearly be the saddest of all. This is not necessarily a matter of
not knowing what to do with the success, it’s more to do with their lack
of understanding of what it means to be a leader.
To lead a company to success means that you must have great people
skills, you must be able to control your anger and you must be able to
listen to the opinions of those around you. These are not a guarantee
for success, but they are necessary in order to avoid a lot of pain which,
if not managed
correctly, will lead
to failure.
Let’s go back
to the first
comment I made
about losing
money. Anyone
who has the
entrepreneurial
spirit understands
that money is the barometer. If you are not making money, and I mean
more than what you are spending, you will crash and burn. You can be
a great communicator, you can have great ideas, you can be a good
leader, you can be smart, but if you are not making money… boom.
Learning to be a mean, lean marketing machine is important. A lot of
software companies talk about failing fast. The idea is that you write
the code or website, you get it up, you test it, make a few dollars and
you keep going. If it doesn’t, you kill it.
Personally, I do not subscribe to this approach. From my experience, if
you’re writing code that is dirty and fast,it is going to be buggy. It will
lead to a bad customer experience. With high expectations, an inferior
experience will kill the best of ideas. I am strongly of the opinion that
you need to be very smart with your money and run a lean operation.
This philosophy can go on for the life of the business, because without
this approach money is wasted left, right and centre.
As I reflect on a couple of businesses that we created (which have done
exceptionally well), I appreciate that it was our constant need and
desire to challenge the very proposition of what was being offered and
constantly finding ways to improve it. For me, this meant networking
around the world and looking at other products and services which did
things which inspired me to incorporate into our offering in one way
or another. You don’t have to invent everything, you can borrow ideas
from everywhere, as long as you do so ethically.
Build networks, find time to catch up with friends you have not
spoken to in years, try to meet new people, especially in business, and
especially those who have built their own businesses. The gems and
wisdom that others will share with you are gold.
The entrepreneurial spirit is not part of everyone’s DNA. If it’s part of
yours, I would suggest building a team around you from the start. This
will help you get through the tough times, and honestly, its too hard
to do it on your own. Ask yourself the simple questions: how do you
handle pressure, failure and apologising to others when you made
mistakes? It’s not all doom and gloom.Success is sort of sweet. The
funny part is that once you close the big deal as an entrepreneur, you
rarely have time to enjoy it because you realise that now the hard work
begins, delivering on your promise.
I will promise you it’s an adventure you will never forget.
Trade well,,, Rami Baron.
February 2021 15

PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Jo Tory
Welcome to 2021! The JAA Board and I hope you have all entered in
good health and on the back of excellent December trading.
The JAA has certainly hit the ground
running as we start to implement
projects off the back of the 2020
survey feedback. Starting with furthering
our educational offerings, which ranked as a
favourite and desirable membership benefit.
In 2021, each month we will be hosting online
workshops, via Zoom, for both members
and non-members. February will see two
workshops on the 2nd and 9th, following
they will be held on the first Tuesday of each
month (excluding public holidays) at 11am
AEST.
Taking in further feedback from the surveys,
we will be covering a range of topics that are
relevant to your business and staff. The first
workshop, which I will be presenting, will
cover the benefits of being a JAA member. So,
whether you are a current member and want
a refresher on your member benefits, have
thought about membership but are not sure
of the benefits or want to know what the JAA
is all about, please join me.
The other topics we will cover this year
include hallmarking, security, wages and
awards, importing and exporting, Australian
Consumer Law, complaints resolution, the JAA
Code of Conduct and what it means for you,
Standards Australia, jewellery knowledge - JAA
Technical Guide and preparing your business
for Christmas trading. We will have various
knowledgeable professionals presenting each
topic.
There are many reasons why you should
attend these workshops. Firstly, no matter
how experienced you are or how long you
have been in business, everyone can learn.
For those working in a small business it can be
particularly isolating, especially in these times,
and without exposure to a variety of points
of view, we can miss new ideas and trends,
hampering our ability to grow our business.
Secondly, attendance also provides a great
opportunity to connect with others in the
field, which you may not have had otherwise.
Perhaps you are a little shy or introverted,
don’t worry as it is still beneficial to listen in
and you can even engage through the online
chat option. Embrace the opportunity to
expand your industry contacts; there is power
in being connected to other people who are
active in your line of work. Thirdly, you can do
it all from the comfort of your own workspace,
no travel expenses involved. Simply said, it is
convenient.
Additionally, some think joining an industry
association is enough but to capitalise on the
return on your investment you need to be
engaged and participatein order to maximise
your benefits. The JAA is here to work for you,
your business, and your industry.
To register your attendance or to find out
more, visit jaa.com.au/workshops
I look forward to seeing you online.
16
jewellery world - February 2021

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to provide services for members and the wider jewellery industry.

JAA
ONLINE
WORKSHOPS.
EDUCATE YOURSELF.
2021, the Jewellers Association of Australia will be hosting monthly online
In
covering a variety of topics relevant to keeping your business and
workshops
staff well informed on industry and business matters.
We welcome members and non-members to join us.

DIARY DATES · TUESDAYS @ 11am
February JAA member benefits
2
Hallmarking
February 9
March 2 Security
Awards
Wages April and 7
May and 4
Exporting
Importing
Australian Consumer Law
June 1
July 6 Complaints Resolution
August 3 JAA Code of Conduct
September 7
Australia
Standards
JAA October 5
Guide
Technical
Christmas
for Preparing November 3
Register now at jaa.com.au/workshops

JEWELLERY WORLD
MAG TURNS 40
Yes, this year, our humble magazine hits the big four-oh.
Jewellery World was established in 1981 by John Abolins. As the oldest
Australian jewellery magazine, the publication has certainly seen
its ups and downs. Print media has survived in the jewellery
industry because we are a trade of touch and feel. We are also an
industry of great imagery and there’s no better way to share and
showcase the great work of jewellery designers across the country
than to celebrate it in print.
In 2009, Jeremy Keight launched Jewellers Trade Magazine, hitting the industry
with great content and a mission to ensure that all industry bodies and businesses
would have access to relevant and up to date information. In 2015, Jewellery World
was fading and looking to close its doors to the industry and owners Intermedia and John
Abolins approached Jeremy to purchase the company. After some discussions, it was agreed
that the folding of Jewellery World would be a great loss to the industry after so many years,
strong partnerships and such a great history with the Australian jewellery Industry.
The new look Jewellery World magazine was reborn as Jeremy decided to merge the two
magazines as one, keeping the best of both and retaining the Jewellery World name.
Shortly afterwards, the JAA approached Jewellery World to be the official magazine for
the Association and the magazine soon rose back to being the leading and most respected
magazine in the industry today.
The support from our industry
suppliers over the years
has been phenomenal and
we thank them all, as well
as our readers who have
interacted with us, sent emails
complimenting the articles
and even those who send
us address changes, keen to
keep receiving the mag - all of
which shows that what we do
is appreciated and relevant.
So, from our hard working
journalists and editors past
and present, thank you for
reading.
2021 – A year of celebration
There will be no shortage of celebrations in
the industry this year as a number of strong,
proud companies and associations reach
significant milestones. We look forward sharing
their stories with you later in the year, but for
now, raise a glass to these great friends and
colleagues:
Cudworth Enterprises will mark a century of
business. Showcase Jewellers, as beautifully
shown on our front cover, celebrates 40 years.
Adina Watches turns 50 and Chemgold marks
35 years. The JAA turns 90 and
O’Neils Affiliated turns 70.
If your company reaches a significant
anniversary this year (an ‘0’ or a ‘5’) please
send us a line. Jewellery World would love to
help you celebrate.
Follow us on Instagram
@jewelleryworldmagazine
The first issues of Jewellery
World from 1981.
The hot new products
featured in the first issue
Jewellery World.

WITH THE JEWELLERY
WORKING
SINCE 1928
INDUSTRY
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Refining
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02 - 92690991

Hyde Park Barracks
CLOCK RESTORATION
Looking out across the centre of Sydney is the oldest continuously functioning mechanical
public clock in Australia. Andrew Markerink from Master Clockmakers
in Camden NSW tells of its recent restoration.
Hyde Park Barracks is one of only two
UNESCO world heritage buildings in
Sydney and the second building is the
Sydney Opera House. These two remarkable
buildings are of world significance and hold a
special place in our history.
Commissioned by Governor Macquarie
and designed by colonial architect Francis
Greenaway, work on the Hyde Park Barracks
commenced around 1816 and was completed
in 1819. The feature of a clock helped the
colony organise the convict workforce and
proved an important landmark for the young
colony. Public clocks were
important parts of life during
the period as the average
person didn’t carry personal
timekeepers and only the
wealthy could afford a
pocket watch. Public clocks
therefore were relied upon
to regulate society.
The current turret clock
in the top of the building
was made by Benjamin
Lewis Vulliamy of London.
Vulliamy was a clockmaker of
world renown and was the
clockmaker to the English
monarchy. The clock has both
great historical and aesthetic
significance as it has now
operated for the last 200
years in the heart of Sydney.
The clock and the building have many tales to
tell and the clock’s face has looked out at over
two centuries of Sydney’s development from
a convict settlement to the sparkling jewel in
the Land Down Under.
The convict history is not merely restricted to
the building’s early history but is also linked
to the colonial clockmaker James Oatley who
fitted the first clock movement into the tower.
While the dial, hands and part of the original
mechanism remain in operation, the original
movement has been lost to history and the
Vulliamy replacement in the early 1800’s has
proved both a reliable and extremely accurate
clock during its many years of service.
The clock is wound manually by climbing up to
the platform at the top of the building where a
large winding crank is attached to the clock to
22
jewellery world - February 2021

of gold leaf numerals, as well as the repair
to both hands that had become cracked and
damaged over many years of bending and
moving in the weather.
One of the many interesting features of the
clock is the fact that the pendulum swings
once every two seconds and is also two
storeys long with the top of it up in the roof
of the building and the bottom just above the
floor on the level below.
This specialised and painstaking work
took several months to complete and on
completion the project team was awarded a
National Trust prize for excellence.
The restoration was part of the of complete
resign of the museum space with the now
interactive displays providing a way to look
back at the building’s early history and gain an
insight into Australia’s history.
The clock is now back in operation and is
performing in exactly the same way as it was
when fitted. Two hundred years seemed to
have sailed by with ease and it is expected
the clock will be able to operate for at least
another 500 years without needing any
major components replaced. A remarkable
achievement for a clockmaker in 1838.
Master Clockmakers and the team were proud
to be part of this important piece of Australia’s
history.
bring the weights up to the top of the building
to run the bell strike and the hands.
Master Clockmakers of Camden were given
the task in 2020 to restore the clock as it had
ticked and struck without any major service
for many decades with the result that it
required substantial interventions to save the
clock and keep it operating for many centuries
to come. There was no surprise that after
200 years of running it required significant
conservation work.
This restoration and conservation of the
clock included a full restoration of the clock
movement, conservation to the timber cabinet
that protects the clock, restoration to the dial
to stabilise the painted finish, the application
February 2021 23

Adina celebrates 50 years of Australian
watch manufacturing history as the official
time keeper of the legendary Brisbane to
Gladstone Yacht Race.
Iconic Australian watch brand, Adina, is well-known for its deep involvements with sporting
events, headlining last year at the Adina Polocrosse World Cup and with collaborations with
hockey, triathlon and cycling as well as individual sports such as golf.
This year, the brand celebrates their 50th year and with that will
turn their attention to sailing.In their home state of Queensland,
the 73rd edition of the blue water classic will be timed by Adina.
The 308 nautical mile race, which has been described in understated
terms as “very tough,” has seen some incredible weather befall it,
including a cyclone. It is these conditions which make it a veritable test
of seamanship and why winning it is so rewarding.
The Adina partnership will see the winning crew presented with a very
special edition Adina watch. So special, in fact, that the only way to
own one is to be a part of the winning crew.
The actual watch is being kept under wraps until the race start but
Grant Menzies has assured us it is “something spectacular, that the
sailors will wear with pride!” and with Adina pedigree for building
water resistant watches, it will be keenly anticipated.
“In fact, there is a very close relationship with the event through one
of our oldest retail partners, Patricks Jewellers, in Gladstone whose
owners have started the race a whopping 50 times and have won
it on no fewer than four occasions aboard the legendary “Wistari!”
exclaimed Adina general manager Grant Menzies.
With Queensland’s stunning Moreton Bay as the backdrop and with
the unfortunate cancellation of this year’s Sydney to Hobart classic,
the field in the 2021 Brisbane to Gladstone is sure to be more
competitive than ever!
In this April’s Brisbane to Gladstone race, grandson of four-time winner
Noel Patrick, Andrew, will take on the elements for an eighth time with
the aim to take home the silverware.
“The significance of winning it, especially in my family, is enormous!
To go down in the history books as the winner is pretty exciting
considering the company that you are there alongside!” Andrew said.
Grant and Robert Menzies
24
jewellery world - February 2021

Adina Watches was founded in 1971 by Australian watchmaker and
current managing director Robert ‘Bob’ Menzies. A determined
businessman, Bob had a dream to create a watch capable of
withstanding the adversity of the Australian lifestyle.
Samsara
COLLECTION
In a small storeroom in his family home, he designed and crafted each
watch by hand, through an ever-fixed eyeglass, using internationally
sourced, premium components and advanced technology.
This attention to detail and culture of hard work remains at the core of
Adina’s business today as it remains to be the only company to design
and assemble its complete watch collection in Australia.
Today, Adina has grown from one dedicated man to a staff of twenty,
including Bob’s son Grant, building the craft of quality Australian
watchmaking throughout generations. Each year Adina produces over
40,000 artisan watches from its Brisbane factory, available in over 300
retail outlets across the country.
Adina remains a company founded on integrity and dependability and
continues to set the standard in design and technological innovation,
while remaining true to its Australian roots.
COMING SOON
R
Supporting retailers with unique,
quality designs for over 30 years.
+61 2 9452 4981 | hello@pastiche.com.au
@pastichejewellery /pastichejewellery

CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
SHOWCASE JEWELLERS
SHOWCASE
JEWELLERS
FORTY YEARS OF BUILDING AND EVOLVING SHOWCASE JEWELLERS
Showcase Jewellers was established in 1981 by a
group of independent Jewellers who came together
to improve their buying power in the industry.
Today, Showcase Jewellers is a powerhouse of
resources essential for the independent jewellery
retailer, especially in the area of technology.
Our members have so many resources at their
fingertips to support the running of their business:
• Training
• Marketing
• Online solutions
• Human resources
• Central billing
• Financial planning
• Exclusive in-house brands
• Conferences
• In-house loose diamond inventory, both mined
and lab grown.
• Stock ranging
• Extensive supplier base at both local and
international level including the latest fashion
brands.
Alongside these resources, there is the support of
an experienced and engaged head office team, as
well as fellow members. The Showcase Jewellers
Group provides a community and network in which
businesses are supported and will positively thrive.
We are enormously proud of how our community
has grown over the last 40 years and are eager for
what’s to come in the next 40!
WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY:
The simplicity and professionalism of being able to utilise all of Showcase's
digital and training tools perfectly suits our business and drives the results
we need as a self branded multi-store operation.
- Ben Duff (Geelong)
Head Office provides me with everything from catalogues to marketing,
technology support and so much more. They’re invaluable to my business.
- Rosie Ficarra (Swan Hill)
I’ve previously been with another buying group, so I appreciate what I now
receive as real, tangible benefits to my business for its future and success.
- Neil Watson (Launceston)

CREATED BY MEMBERS, FOR MEMBERS.
TOP SIX BENEFITS
NO JOINING FEES AT ALL
FREE WEBSITE SET UP
Your own website with ownership rights. We
will move or create your website on your behalf,
at no charge.
THE BEST SUPPLIER DISCOUNTS
Our supplier discounts go directly to our
members.
EXPERIENCED HEAD OFFICE STAFF
Here to support you every step of the way.
IN HOUSE MARKETING AGENCY
Access to marketing resources, campaigns,
digital assets and graphic design and more.
EXTENSIVE RANGE OF LOOSE DIAMONDS
In house loose diamond inventory, both
mined and lab grown at very attractive prices.
SHOWCASE
JEWELLERS
EXCLUSIVE
DIAMOND
BRANDS
AUSTRALIAN
ARGYLE DIAMONDS
SWAROVSKI CREATED
DIAMONDS
Interested in these exclusive diamond brands? Contact us today:
Email: enquiries@jimaco.com | Phone: (02) 8566 1800 | Visit: www.showcasejewellers.com.au

Natural Diamond Council reports on the
desirability of diamonds among Gen-Z and
Millennial consumers
Third party research reveals diamonds are profoundly desirable, appreciated for value and
versatility, and are increasingly acquired for a range of occasions as well as self-purchase.
The Natural Diamond Council conducted
broad diamond desirability research at
the end of 2020 via 360 Market Reach
with questions specifically targeting views
on natural diamonds. Approximately 5,000
US-based respondents between the ages of
18 – 39 were surveyed and the analysis shows
diamond jewellery leading as the most highly
desired, and tangible luxury good overall (after
being prompted with nine luxury items to
choose from if money were not a concern).
Vacations were the only luxury items ahead
of diamond jewellery for both generations.
Respondents also largely attributed their
affinity for diamonds to uniqueness as 70%
agree natural diamonds are “one of a kind.”
Another area of value for respondents was
the symbolism diamonds carry for love and
connection.
Both Millennials and Gen-Z buy natural
diamonds jewellery for themselves and others
as gifts. One in five respondents had made a
luxury jewellery purchase within the last 24
months where half of those included natural
diamonds. Half of these natural diamond
jewellery purchases were made for themselves
which was largely driven by female consumers
(72%). The women cited design as the most
important value when making the purchase
for themselves after versatility and long-term
style and value.
Buying diamond jewellery for gifts
Almost 80% of purchasers had bought
diamond jewellery as a gift in the last 24
months. This was largely led by men, often
gifting significant others. Women said they
purchased diamond gifts for their mothers,
children, and sometimes their significant
other. The leading reason for gifting diamonds
across groups was for their lasting value. While
the majority of diamond jewellery purchases
were mostly centred around a life event or
occasion, approximately 25% of purchases
were for no specific reason.
The future for fine jewellery purchasing is
optimistic as 37% of respondents intend to
buy fine jewellery in the next 12 months
and 27% expect to receive it. 20% of these
respondents say they will either definitely or
probably purchase natural diamond jewellery
specifically and 12% claim they expect to
receive it as a gift. These future purchases will
largely be affected by social media platforms
where Millennials and Gen-Z often obtain
shopping inspiration.
Researching online
The analysis reveals further that consumers
very commonly research diamond jewellery
before making a purchase.
Consumers sought out four to five retail touch
points on average beforehand. Most of this
research was conducted online at 2.6 touch
points being online and two being in-person.
66% of respondents compared pricing online,
26% looked for social media advice and
inspiration, and 24% read articles for tips. 96%
of the cohort is active on social media where
36% of respondents said they would consult
social media platforms for ideas and advice
prior to purchasing diamond jewellery.
Most of the actual purchases occurred
in-store, however 28% were made online in
the last 24 months. Of the retail purchases,
most were made at independent jewellery
stores rather than nationally known jewellery
stores.
Natural Diamond Council conducted the
survey to track the desirability of diamonds
and reinforce the sustainability of the
category. Consumer focus on items that carry
emotional symbolism and value is heightened
during this period as countries continue to
endure the effects of the pandemic. The
results show Millennials and Gen-Z both have
a strong relationship to diamond jewellery
where it is an inspirational luxury good, high
on their wish lists.
28
jewellery world - February 2021

2021 Price Guide Out Now!
Room 405, 4th Floor, 227 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC. 3000
www.oagems.com sales@oagems.com
03 9654 5200 1300 843 141

2 0 2 1
INDUSTRY
FORUM
30
jewellery world - February 2021

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Chris Botha
Operations Manager, Jewellery Division
Palloys
Palloys was established in 1951, and is
Australia's oldest and most respected
brand for custom jewellery manufacturing,
fabricated metals, findings and wedding rings.
Proudly servicing the B2B market.
Palloys is Australia’s only jewellery
manufacturer and wholesaler accredited by
the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
How did things change for Palloys in 2020?
The word unprecedented can be used to
describe both 2020 and the year that was
at Palloys. When March rolled around and
it was obvious the coronavirus was going to
dramatically change our lives both personally
and professionally we needed to shift gear
and focus on the bigger picture. Where was
the industry moving? Online.
We had huge plans in store for 2020 and they
rolled out with the launch of palloys.com in
July. Palloys, AGS | PJW, Regentco and A&E
Metals officially combined under one name
- Palloys. We gave our customers access to
all the great products and services they have
come to know and love across all the brands
at one central location on our brand-new
online ordering and instantaneous quoting
platform.
As many refineries were forced to close their
doors, ABC Refinery (Palloys sister company)
remained open to fulfil government and
private orders. As a result it was business
as usual at Palloys. Our customers had,
and continue to have, direct access to
Australia and New Zealand’s only operational
independent LBMA and SGE accredited
refiner, allowing Palloys customers to refine
their precious metals and produce orders in
this difficult time.
How can the industry move forward under
the limitations of travel?
Retailers are continuing to restructure and
increasingly moving online in a bid to combat
low foot traffic, high rents, business rates
and slumping sales. No matter how fast
e-commerce grows, jewellery is still a luxury
and personal product that many customers
want to touch and feel before purchasing.
The focus is now shifting towards local and
ethically sourced.
Jewellers who have been regularly using their
local manufacturers and suppliers have a great
advantage. International suppliers can no
longer guarantee delivery due to logistical cap
restrictions between countries.
Has the pandemic taught the industry skills
that are worth keeping?
One thing is for sure, we are all in this
together. With restrictions constantly changing
and knowing Covid-19 is never too far away,
it is becoming more important than ever to
reach out to your peers within the industry
and stay in touch. On the other side of this
we will be stronger as an industry and more
importantly a resilient community.
On another point, I believe that since Covid,
the end-users value of products made within
Australia using Australian metals has become
ever more important.
We definitely missed seeing our customers
at the International Jewellery Fair but we
are still communicating with them more
than ever, and our online selling platform is
definitely filling the void until next time. Why
can’t we have both? The two worlds definitely
compliment each other.
What do you think are the biggest
opportunities in 2021?
The biggest opportunities I see for Australian
and New Zealanders is securing their
relationship with their local suppliers who
have a steady stream of resources behind
them.
I believe the continued restrictions of
international travel will maintain high
freight costs moving forward. This means
that suppliers who have ordinarily relied
on importing their jewellery will find their
operational costs increase.
What will you be doing differently in 2021?
Continued improvements to our new website
are planned to enhance the user experience
further and our introduction to the Palloys
Promise.
The Palloys Promise is a commitment to
the best quality 100% Australian refined,
internationally accredited and ethically
sourced precious metals all supplied with the
best service and at the best price.
Simply, if you find a lower price for the same
product elsewhere, we’ll happily beat it. For
more information visit our website.
What advice do you have for businesses to
raise their profile and awareness?
Go online, embrace social media and SEO.
Our most successful clients are offering
personalisation and providing a complete
marketing experience; engaging in segmented
marketing and telling their story via channels
such as social media.
Keeping your costs low is always imperative
but at the same time ensuring your quality
standards do not falter. This is why we are so
excited about mass customisation, as it will
level the playing field and allow jewellers to
increase their profile.
February 2021 31

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Claire Packett
Head of Jewellery
Leading Edge Group Jewellers
Leading Edge Jewellers
Leading you into a brilliant 2021
How did things change for Leading Edge in
2020?
Our business model has certainly evolved with
the times, focusing on ecommerce platforms
and marketing support. Internally there were
many positive changes with our new CEO,
Simon Lane, entering the business in March
with a strong vision for the business. Speed
has become the new measure of success, and
on providing Members with compelling range
offers, competitive margins, exciting new
product launches as well as digital support
services. ‘Your Place’ was launched – a
platform connecting Members to all things
Leading Edge. ‘Elle’ was also launched – a
Member benefits platform which contains
hundreds of discounts available to Members
and their families, saving money on everyday
purchases at home or their business. One
of our big drivers is around costs of doing
business to maximise the profitability of our
Members so they can better weather the
Covid storm.
What lessons has 2020 brought to the
industry?
The latest insights indicate travel limits, and
the impact of the bushfires reduced the
number of international visitors to Australia
by 27% compared to 2019. 44% of every
international visitor dollar spent is in regional
Australia, and the impact is evident in 2020,
with spending down 25%. Despite this, many
regional areas have seen an enormous spike
in demand from domestic travellers, who
continue to provide opportunities for our
Members.
Travel limitations may well be part of our
foreseeable future. With money being saved
on travel and holidays, there is greater
opportunity within our own country for our
retail environment, with money being spent
locally with more disposable income available
for jewellery.
Many of our stores are what is called ‘regional
gems’. They are doing well in their local
markets, with strong ties to their customers.
Customer service and community connection
has become a key competitive differentiator,
with more customers shopping locally.
During 2020 the industry has learnt many
valuable lessons that are worth keeping, from
the acceleration of ecommerce and digital
marketing, through to the improvements in
hygiene practices and visual merchandising.
There is also a growing positive trend to
suppliers bringing themselves online and
creating a better purchasing experience for
retailers which will reform the industry.
Can technology and the various online
selling methods take the place of trade fairs?
At the heart of Leading Edge is our
commitment to community and family –
bringing to our Members a sense of belonging.
This has been even more important in recent
times where isolation and social distancing
has made it harder for people to connect.
Unable to connect our Members through
live conferences, we focused on virtual trade
fairs and online platforms – dedicating our
resources to develop digital platforms and
investing in IT solutions to pivot with the
times. We only need to watch the latest
science fiction blockbusters to see the
potential for augmented reality – but we
cannot underestimate the importance of raw
human connection. We see examples of this
in the way Australians have banded together
in times of the bush fires and Covid. Trade
shows are a big piece of bringing retailers,
suppliers, and the jewellery community
together. We believe online or virtual fairs will
help supplement live tradeshows and offer
those who cannot attend an opportunity to
stay informed. Educational sessions translate
more readily online than exhibit floor activities
and pre-recorded sessions can be watched
at the viewer’s preferred time allowing for
greater flexibility. We see both platforms as an
effective way to engage with Members going
forward.
What opportunities does Leading Edge see
for Australians and New Zealanders in 2021?
Opportunities will arise from connecting
consumers to retailers, and in this regard
omni-channel retailing and social media
marketing will come to the fore. Making
customer’s lives easier will provide
opportunities through improved payment
methods – like buy now pay later, click-andcollect,
and streamlined delivery options.
Leading Edge continues to support Members
in this regard to maximise both in-store and
online purchase opportunities. Migration to
regional areas may provide opportunities
for local businesses to reach an increasing
customer base, so investing in awareness of
your business will become more important.
What is Leading Edge looking forward to in
2021?
Leading Edge will be launching several exciting
new products and offers over the coming
months which we believe will be game
changers in the industry. Members require
a point of difference to remain relevant to
today’s customer, as well as competitive in
difficult economic times. The focus is on
providing our Members with the opportunity
to make more money. To achieve this Leading
Edge have invested in e-commerce platforms,
partnerships with innovative suppliers of
unique product offerings as well as new digital
marketing services. The world has not stopped
changing, just as Leading Edge will not stop
evolving.
32
jewellery world - February 2021

Leading Edge
Retail is Australia’s
largest body of
independent retail
stores across
multiple markets.
More Brilliant
Together
Leading Edge Jewellers is here to help your business
survive and thrive. As experts, we know the market and
your customer. Join us for insights, strategy suggestions,
solutions and support to help your business to grow,
prosper and conquer.
Take advantage of our exclusive member benefits,
including:
• Centralised credit that increases flexibility and
convenience with one account for all payments
• Access to exclusive products, offers and prices
• Non-trade savings on finance, insurance, car rentals,
travel, accommodation, shop fittings and more
• Membership to the Australian Retailers Association
for invaluable information and services
• Management and operational training provided by
reputable market experts
• Personalised assistance and guidance from a team
of highly respected marketing and industry
professionals
Find out more about our exclusive
Member benefits and how it pays to be
part of our leading group.
info@leadingedgegroup.com.au
1300 531 014
www.legj.com.au

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Carson Webb
Managing Director
Showcase JIMACO Ltd
How did things change for Showcase in
2020?
Adapt fast or drop out – I think that best
describes the situation when Covid first hit.
It all seems so long ago now though. Same
for everyone really, this is our normal and
probably won’t be changing any time soon.
In many ways, I think we’ve all found new
efficiencies, new ways of doing things and,
dare I say it, probably in many ways our
business models are better off because of it.
For us specifically as a Group to support our
members, we were able to further minimise
wasted space and having staff working from
home offices rotating between home and
office we’ve been able to provide excellent
service for our members almost 24/7. With
some of the resources we’ve provided for
members over this last year, and obviously
the great support that the consumers have
given our members in each of their local
markets, this could be in fact one of our best
performing years yet. Yes, it’s been tough, but
people across all levels have really stepped up
to produce some amazing results. It’s certainly
not over yet though! One day at a time.
How can our industry move forward under
the limitations of travel?
Very easily. Follow the rules of travel if you
want to travel and adapt to the new protocols
introduced – there’ll be no other options.
It will either work for you or not. There are
plenty of local suppliers who support our
industry and do an amazing job, so utilise
them more. With a great local business our
members have already proved their value
certainly over the last year in their respective
towns, so do we really need to travel? It’s
actually not that big of a deal as I see it. Of
course we want to travel, and holiday etc, but
it’s not going to be a major factor to our stores
being able to be successful and going further
into 2021 at all.
Some of the new ways of operating now
might very well remain, however I still say
that humans are creatures of habit and once
it’s safe to return to what we know, it will
simply go back that way. We’re still going to
have malls and shopping centres and we are
certainly still going to have local towns with
thriving local businesses. I believe one of the
biggest positive messages to come from all
this is the local supporting of businesses and
livelihoods – it really has been just fabulous
to see, across all industries really, the coming
together of communities and really supporting
each other. Let’s hope that not only continues
but develops even more for local independent
business strength.
Have trade shows seen their day?
This is a hard one to answer because one of
the hardest things we’ve all had to face is
not seeing each other yet on the other hand
business has been very strong. We’ve REALLY
missed our members, suppliers and all their
respective friends and family as we’d normally
catch up each year. It’s certainly made us
realise just how important we all are in the
big picture. So did we miss the face to face
trade shows? Absolutely. What happened with
our business? We adapted and our preferred
suppliers were honestly just awesome in
their support over the year! We all enjoyed
some fabulous results, so it certainly didn’t
affect results last year. Is the format done?
No, I believe that. Tech is here to stay and
will evolve as an integrated part of what we
all do throughout the year, but so will trade
shows, it’s a perfect balance over one year to
have both. The digital is certainly a fabulous
resource and should be essential to a great
business, but will never replace face to face
events.
What do you think are the biggest
opportunities for Australians and New
Zealanders in 2021?
Further strengthen your local business and
celebrate your “independent-ness”. Develop
your web and social media strategies, get out
into the public as a driving and support force
in your communities. One thing we’ve all
experienced is the local support for businesses
but if you slack off, or think they will come
to you, they will not! There’s a lack of good
quality independent jewellers these days
(through retirements and closing of stores for
various reasons etc), including jewellers and
watch makers for that matter. I see an ideal
opportunity for independent jewellers to take
back some serious market share across various
categories. With a beautifully presented
store, great services offered, excellent focus
in diamond and fine jewellery (everyone
knows this has been my mantra forever!),
great customer service and a fabulous digital
footprint, you’ll be unstoppable!
What advice do you have for businesses this
year?
Even though there’s been strong trade that
doesn’t mean any of us should rest on our
laurels. Consumers have choice and lots of it.
I still believe that while there might be fewer
stores out in the marketplace those stores
have a huge opportunity to take the market
share and own their town! Plan to be the
best you can be. Let’s see a higher quality
of jewellers than quantity of jewellers. That
statement also doesn’t mean be expensive;
it means seek quality in everything you
do. Whether it’s a silver heart pendant or
a diamond engagement ring, make sure
the entire experience including the stock is
quality!
I’m delighted to see many of our members
handing stores over to the next generation
and complete instore refurbishments and
even opening new stores. It’s very exciting.
34
jewellery world - February 2021

CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
SHOWCASE JEWELLERS
SHOWCASE
JEWELLERS
THE ONLY BUYING GROUP THAT RETURNS ALL PROFITS TO ITS MEMBERS.
IT’S BEEN OUR WAY FOR 40 VERY SUCCESSFUL YEARS.
Profit is just one benefit our members realise from their partnership with Showcase Jewellers.
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• The industry’s most generous supplier discounts going directly to members
• Market leading business systems designed with retail in mind
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• No monthly management fee
• Your own website with no set up fee
• In house marketing agency
• Experienced head office staff to support you
Showcase Jewellers are proudly celebrating 40 successful years of supporting Australia and New Zealand’s
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your business, contact us today:
Email: enquiries@jimaco.com | Phone: (02) 8566 1800 | Visit: www.showcasejewellers.com.au

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Joshua Zarb
CEO
Independent Jewellers Collective
Our IJC vision is to create an unparalleled level
of one-on-one support, a true partnership,
ensuring independent jewellers and supply
partners stay relevant to the upcoming
generations of jewellery buyers – by
re-educating, rejuvenating and elevating
jewellers and supply partners on a new
journey of modern retailing, aligning them
with vital business checkups, recommended
proven strategies and critical best practice
marketing initiatives. We have a very
experienced management team with over
70 years combined experience working with
jewellery buying groups and I have personally
been in our trade for over 20 years now across
all roles from sales to senior management
positions (and I still love it - more than ever, in
fact).
How did things change for IJC in 2020?
If I was writing this in April last year – it would
have been a very different. We set up our
new business in January 2020 and were in the
stage of launching on 1 April, right as Covid
took hold and as a result we had to make
some very quick and very clear decisions very
early on. As it turned out, the slight delay in
launch was actually a blessing in disguise for
us, as it allowed us to spend time with our
retailers and slow down just a little to refine a
few of the projects we were working on and
get the jump on a few newer ones that were
planned for later in the year.
The few months between April and July saw
us set up new group communications and we
became experts at Zoom very early on and
hosted group sessions every fortnight and
then every few weeks to work as a group, and
more than anything just provide a platform
to ensure no one felt alone during this time
of uncertainty. We were all able to help each
other, liaise with experts in the field and
invite them to our group Zoom sessions and
provide valuable assistance. It was during this
period of time that I knew everything I was
passionate about for IJC and the industry all
came together.
Fast forward to today and we have been
able to partner with more stores and
supply partners than we had ever expected
pre-Covid. We have seen levels of trade
far exceeding all our budgets set in a
pre-covid environment and we have been
able to implement better resources and
communication tools because of all this.
The biggest lessons to come out of this are to
act quickly and be responsive to change – shit
can and does happen, so when you can’t fight
it, embrace it. The other lesson is don’t try to
be a hero and do it all alone. Our industry is
different; it is built on personal relationships
so use this to surround yourself with others
doing the same as you and ask for help when
needed – and do not be afraid to give help just
as freely as it will come back to you in spades.
I have seen more wonderful acts of kindness
and support for each other during the last 12
months (that go well beyond which buying
group you belong to or what town you are in)
than I have in the last 20 years and I think our
industry will be a lot better of long term for it.
What will you be doing in 2021 to drive your
business forward.
If 2020 taught us anything as an industry, it
would have been that by now there are no
excuses for not having your digital footprint
sorted. It is very evident to me that the stores
that had the biggest increases in 2020 (40%+)
were those that had already started a regular
communications base with their clients via
email and social media communication. Your
website is now your biggest tool for an insight
into your physical store, there is no point filling
it with 1000’s of items that you don’t have
access to quickly. I feel we are getting better at
communicating this and you don’t need to be
everything to everyone.
In 2021, we will see tighter, more curated
stock ranges and we will get better at
representing our businesses for what
they really are. For our suppliers and
manufacturers, this is also an area of
opportunity and those that can provide a
digital presence to support physical sales will
do well. Again, if you are not experts in this
space – feel free to ask us or ask someone you
feel comfortable with. Things will not return
to the way they were, but there will be new
opportunities for the businesses that can
adapt quickly. We are extremely excited about
the opportunities that 2021 will bring, so let’s
get on with it and do this well.
36
jewellery world - February 2021

Supporting Australia’s finest independents
with innovation, technology, strategic marketing,
professional expertise, integrity and more. With
clarity and confidence, we elevate independent retail.
What are you waiting for?
Josh Zarb - CEO
0448 416 070 | josh@jewellerscollective.com
jewellerscollective.com
#independentjewellerscollective

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Jo Tory
President
JAA
The Jewellers Association of Australia
was established in 1931 and is this year
looking forward to its 90th anniversary! The
association has stood for and protected the
industry for many, many years and we look
forward to continuing to build and develop
this offering to the whole industry.
How did things change for the JAA in 2020?
The JAA has changed in the way we function.
We all work remotely and all board meetings
are via zoom. This will remain to be the norm
in the future. We will also be rolling out an
ongoing series of online workshops to educate
members and the industry on a wide variety
of topics.
Because of the need for digital growth, we
have modified our website and we encourage
the use of it for members as it is full of
resources and support.
Will a vaccine return all things to ‘normal’ or
has our industry changed for good?
I don’t think anything will go back to ‘normal’
after Covid. It goes without saying that Covid
has brought on a revolution in the way we
work and function. New ways of working and
communicating will foster initiatives that will
probably remain.
I believe the industry has made some
significant moves to advance itself digitally, so
the need for travel and personal connection
is of course still there, but not as mandatory a
business function as it once was.
Will our industry learn to live without trade
shows?
I don’t necessarily think that trade fairs have
had their day, but even before Covid there
has been a diminishing attendance of fairs
worldwide and I think this is due to the ease of
digital communication. The fact that we now
have a Virtual Fair in the JIVF shows that there
is still a need for them. But I think that physical
fairs need to take a very different form, with a
much broader perspective of all aspects of the
industry.
What do you think are the biggest
opportunities for Australians and New
Zealanders in 2021?
From my observations, there has been a
tremendous increase in buying local. I think
the general public has reacted to Covid in
this way. Generally speaking, the anecdotal
evidence I have from retailers, suppliers and
manufacturing jewellers last year is that
business has increased, and some have had
significant surges of activity in their business.
Undoubtedly the fact that Australians have not
been travelling internationally and thus have
been spending here is a reason for this, and
regional areas have benefitted enormously
with local tourism. However I do think there
is an increased awareness from the general
public of travelling and spending locally, and I
think this outlook will remain.
So I feel the opportunity for our local industry
is to really raise awareness of this, and it is
definitely an angle that must be explored in
their communication to the public.
What are the JAA’s plans for 2021?
The JAA is working on a number of significant
projects to keep enhancing the industry and
to protect its members. We have reached out
to our members and non members over the
course of the last year and are committed to
staying relevant and satisfying their needs
of an industry body. The projects that we
will be releasing over the next year and even
next months will satisfy many of the requests
we have had from our members, and we
hope these initiatives will not only help our
members but will help the JAA also move
forward.
Businesses must work towards increasing
their marketing activity. The JAA can also
assist increase members profiles through our
connection with the consumer and the wider
public. Being part of a strong community
naturally means all involved are lifted together.
38
jewellery world - February 2021

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Peter Beck
Managing Director
Peter W Beck
Peter W Beck is an Australian owned company
that has been supplying an extensive package
of Australian-made products and services to
the jewellery industry since 1976.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience,
Peter W Beck creates each and every
one of its products with only the finest
precious metals and stringent quality control
techniques to ensure consistent quality and
standards.
For manufacturing jewellers, Peter W Beck
provides quality casting, CAD and refining
services and alloyed product. For retail
jewellers, Peter W Beck offers the most
comprehensive range of wedding rings and
innovative dress rings as well as a full-colour
catalogue and marketing support.
2020: A year of change
2020 was indeed a year of unprecedented
change brought about by the Covid-19
pandemic. We would also describe 2020 as a
year of highs and lows. The biggest low being
the month of March, which we are sure will
come to be known as ‘Covid month’. But we
saw business pick up in the latter half of the
year and ended 2020 with a relatively strong
Christmas trading period, which seems to have
been enjoyed by the industry at large.
2021: A transition to the future
As the Federal Government has yet to
announce a definite program of vaccinations,
it is unlikely that 2021 will be much different
than 2020. This gives us all the opportunity to
see 2021 as a year to transition to the future.
Travel was indeed once a normal part of
building business relationships, but now
with the lack of travel we seem to be relying
upon established relationships. Participants
seem keen to retain and enhance these
relationships by making use of the many
marvellous forms of communication we now
all have ready access to.
Physical trade shows still uncertain
The future of trade shows at this early stage
is still waiting for a definition and direction.
By trade shows, we must recognise there is
a difference between local and international.
It is quite possible that if we are soon able to
travel more openly within Australia, local trade
shows may recover in 2021. However, it could
be 2022 before international travel resumes
and we are once again able to travel overseas
in order to attend international shows. At this
stage, it is difficult to understand the direction
and shape that trade shows will take in 2021
and beyond.
Aussie and Kiwis in a local market
As mentioned, the future of international
trade shows is looking very uncertain. So it
would be to the advantage of Australia and
New Zealand to see each other as ‘locals’ and
common partners. We would be generating
a great opportunity to develop the jewellery
industry in both markets by working together.
Flexibility will be key
To survive the year 2021, and going forward,
all businesses will need to be more alert,
astute, cost focussed and customer focussed.
For the year 2021 and going forward we can
say with some certainty that there will always
be a jewellery industry. The form of that
industry will be determined by our alertness
and responsiveness to the changes that will
take place and that we are yet to witness.
Beyond 2021, businesses’ flexibility and
willingness to change will be key to the future.
A business that is willing to innovate and be
exciting in the way it chooses its products,
and creates meaningful experiences for its
customers will always come to the attention of
the consumer and build a profile of awareness
through its customer base.
February 2021 39

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
TM
Chris Sherwin
Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia
National Council Member
I have been in the jewellery trade for 39 years
and a Guild member since it’s inception 32
years ago. I am a goldsmith, silversmith and
platinumsmith and that is a simple way of
saying I am a maker of fine jewellery, large
silver functional items (holloware, trophies
and tableware) and a specialist working in
platinum. I taught jewellery and silversmithing
skills to students at university and TAFE for
more than 25 years. I presently work from a
private studio in my own home, in Geelong,
Victoria.
The pandemic has certainly made business
challenging and changed our personal lives
considerably. My wife had to travel overseas
to organise in house care for her mother and
return through hotel quarantine. I have been
the primary career for my own mother and
was travelling multiple times weekly from
Geelong to Melbourne through the ‘ring of
steel’while it was there and I continue to do
this today. I have a son in America who is
recovering from having contracted COVID-19.
I have another son in Melbourne who I was
unable to see for months. My story is not
unique and I am always most grateful as I
know many others have had a more difficult
time than my family.
I have spoken with many of my fellow Guild
members over the past year, some have
difficult family stories to tell. Most Guild
members not in Victoria are relieved that
their businesses have not been too seriously
affected. Certainly in Victoria and particularly
in Melbourne, the lockdown and face-to-face
trading has been difficult to say the least.
Most of my sales and commissions are by
face-to-face
consultation,
so that made
things really
difficult for a
while. I have
work in a
couple of galleries in Melbourne and I found
that didn’t really help at the time, despite the
online presence. The galleries were forced
to close and my work is fairly high end and
probably the sort of purchase that people
want to ‘try on’ first. I know of other jewellers
who make a commercially cheaper product
that flew off the shelf in online sales. I think
everyone has had a different experience and
story to tell on the business front.
The Guild now uses Zoom to hold Council
meetings and this works reasonably well.
Many of our members have put a lot of effort
into up-scaling or developing online shops
and strengthening their digital presence some
with greater success than others. 2021 will
again be a challenging year but the signs are
positive. Vaccines will roll out slowly as they
are manufactured and become available to
us over the course of the year. To date, to my
knowledge, the vaccine manufacturers and our
government have not revealed important facts
that will give the business and travelling public
confidence. The vaccines will no doubt save
lives and reduce symptoms, and I will be rolling
up my sleeve, however if they do not stop an
infected person being contagious regardless of
well being then overseas travel and business
will become much more long-term issues to
deal with. Let’s hope that the transmissibility is
reduced as a result of vaccination!
The jewellery world is changing quickly, as it
was before the pandemic. We have to count
ourselves lucky as a nation. We have to be
positive and see that new opportunities exist
particularly within Australia at present and I am
taking those thoughts with me into 2021.
The Goldsmiths Guild of Australia wishes all our
industry colleagues a bright and better future.
40
jewellery world - February 2021

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Andrew Markerink
Watch and Clockmakers of Australia
Australian Watchmaking and Clockmaking
The 2020 year has proven to be an exciting
year for watchmaking and one that will
continue to impact for years to come. If you
would have told me that the industry of watch
and clock making would have started to truly
take hold in Australia in 2020, I would have
found it hard to believe; the truth is often
stranger than we can ever imagine. Makers
of watches are starting to spring up across
Australia and there is an exciting outlook.
Isolation from any market can often spawn
the development of skills and the most
common one that we can see in history is the
impact that the cold European winters had
in fostering watchmaking in countries like
Switzerland. The isolation caused by restricted
parts supply and Covid, along with the true
Aussie “Let’s give it a go” attitude has seen the
industry expand its boundaries and continue
to look for growth.
There has been a focus not just on hand-made
watches but also continued strength in the
high end market for watchmaking including
restoration and sales. Covid has dented a few
egos but the battleships which have ploughed
through seem unstoppable. Oddly, but
probably not unexpectedly, the restoration of
the precious held treasures we all own have
also seen the industry expand and take on
the front page of many newspapers and lead
stories on television. Recent restoration work
on the earliest mechanical clock in Australia at
the UNESCO World Heritage site at Hyde Park
Barracks, along with the award for excellence
in conservation allowed the country to see
that Australian watchmaking and clockmaking
is world class.
Sydney TAFE Watchmaking School, the
only Watchmaking School for Australian
apprentices was put under extreme load
this past year. Students were blocked from
crossing borders and a massive amount of
time and energy was put into delivering
online trade education at the top tier level
that TAFE has provided for many years. We
are very proud of the Watchmaking School in
Sydney as it has trained numerous world class
graduates.
Watchmakers and Clockmakers across
Australia have proven highly resilient and
membership of the peak industry body the
Watch and Clockmakers of Australia has
continued to grow. Watchmakers across
the country have been dealing with sparse
numbers and remoteness for decades and
the recent restrictions seem not to have
impeded the continued collaboration and
communication across a well united industry.
2021 looks to be a year still filled with
uncertainty but the industry is both ready for
the ride and well equipped.
February 2021 41

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Laura Moore
Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair
Moore Events
About the JIVF
The Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair was only
launched recently, in 2020, however has come
about due to not only Covid-19 restrictions
but also my 15 years in the jewellery trade
in marketing and events. Our extended team
also brings many years of experience in the
jewellery industry to the Virtual Fair.
How did things change for your business in
2020?
There are a couple of different projects that
I am working on for the jewellery industry,
and they have all changed, but specifically
speaking about the Jewellery Industry Virtual
Fair, this initiative was entirely born out of
necessity due to Covid. Our team was working
on a few different events which would benefit
the industry, however these all needed to
pivot to an online, virtual system, that would
allow people to connect and trade regardless
of barriers and restrictions.
How can the industry move forward under
the limitations of travel?
Many consumers have changed their spending
habits due to the inability to travel, so that
has been beneficial for local jewellers in many
cases. What the industry now needs to do,
is take last year’s ability to connect locally,
and grow and foster those local relationships.
Retailers, manufacturers and suppliers need
to nurture their relationships by not only
focusing on local, but also embracing online
and growing their ability to connect digitally.
There are no travel restrictions when we go
online.
I think the industry has learnt many new
valuable skills which I hope it will continue
to develop. In Australia we were a little
behind the 8-ball before Covid in embracing
technology, but in the last year we haven’t
had a choice. So we need to keep learning and
keeping up with how the market is moving -
and technology is changing the way the world
trades. Consumers will also dictate how they
want to shop, so if we are not ready to be
where they are online, we will be left behind
again.
Trade fairs
Technology will certainly take the place of
trade fairs for some. As humans we crave
connection and so I think a hybrid version
of events will be the next important step for
the industry. Online events allow all people
to connect, no matter where from, with any
budget, and without any barriers. So things
will never go back to the way they were
entirely. Technology provides so many amazing
ways to connect and be part of something big
and its important to keep using it otherwise
we run the risk of being left behind as an
industry.
Opportunities for 2021
I think there are a few big opportunities for
Australasians for the year to come.
1. Capturing the Australian and New Zealand
markets due to decreased competition
with overseas imports. Retailers and
manufacturers can continue to build on
their local relationships because it is now
more challenging for consumers to shop
with overseas suppliers.
2. Extend our unique and locally made
pieces to the world. Because both
Australia and New Zealand are doing well,
our ability to continue on with business is
good, meaning we can ship to and trade
with other countries in an environment
where not everyone can do that.
For us, we will keep learning and keep
developing so that we always present new
and exciting things for the trade to use and
experience. Our team will continue to push
the boundaries and bring tools to the industry
that all members will find useful and helpful
for their business.
It is so important for businesses to actively
market themselves. It’s no longer possible
to sit and wait for a customer, you need to
push and drive them to you. The market is
full of clutter and noise for consumers so you
need to work out how you can stand out and
what message will resonate best with your
customers. We have an incredible industry
here and its still such an unknown craft for
many of the public. I think this year is the year
to start changing that.
42
jewellery world - February 2021

March 11th, 12th and 13th 2021
CONNECT | BUY | NETWORK | EXPERIENCE | UNITE
Join us for the Jewellery Industry VIRTUAL Fair where the industry comes
together, does business and prepares for the year ahead.
Online 24 hours a day, the JIVF gives you the flexibility to build your
business and connect with others from the comfort of your home or office.
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INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Craig Miller
JC Jewels
The start of a new decade always brings a
sense of optimism and excitement. Little did
we know, at the beginning of 2020, that the
year ahead was to become one of the most
challenging in history. With challenges comes
change, change brings opportunity.
To quote Sir Richard Branson, every success
story is a tale of constant adaption, revision
and change.
What is the new norm, are you adapting?
Those that have are achieving new
opportunity.
As a second generation diamantaire, I took the
plunge, realising the key to driving change is
to know when and how to abandon tradition
and pivot to win new strategic advantages. I
wanted to become a disruptor. I reviewed the
environment and changes to come. I looked
at traditional diamond companies, then put
myself in the retailer’s shoes and questioned
the status quo.
Does loyalty to one supplier pay off like the
old says? Is the diamond supplier simply
selling you goods to maximise their margins?
Diamond jewellery retailers are largely
guided by a diamond merchant, who has a
vested interest in their own stock. Does this
truly help the retailer make more money?
Together with my partners, we employed a
tech team and engineered a system, based on
amazing leading-edge tech which provides a
curated feed of inventory from very specific
suppliers that provide very specific stock using
complex algorithms to ensure you find realistic
and available options which meet your criteria
in real time.
The JC Jewels B2B platform is transforming
the way Australian jewellers are buying their
diamonds – we are a disruptor, yes, we are
cutting margins, giving the local trade access
to over 100 million dollars of diamonds direct
from the source. JC Jewels is giving Australian
jewellers access to the global supply chain
of diamonds without shipping fees, currency
trading and all the logistics within the supply
chain. Most importantly saving time and
costs with no built-in bias. All this by simply
adding to cart and checking out. With the
largest aggregation of certified stones, you will
always find the goods you are looking for. We
won’t be beaten on price as we are taking you
directly to the source.
Once the retailer has tried and tested JC
Jewels, they realise we provide solutions. This
empowers our retailers and demonstrates to
them our usefulness. It is a win-win situation.
2020 was my year of change. Our clients that
have moved with us are reaping the benefits
– no more tradition. If your clients have
changed the way they spend their money,
have you done the same?
On another note, and in spite of Covid, the
biggest change yet and one that hit the
industry like a tsunami is lab-grown diamonds.
My vision as a disruptor in this space was to
make JC Jewels the first point of call when
sourcing lab-grown diamonds and this I have
done by partnering up and distributing for the
largest growers of diamonds in the world.
How are lab-grown diamonds performing in
Australia and New Zealand?
I will confidently confirm lab-grown diamonds
is the fastest growing category in the jewellery
industry. I do not apologise for engaging
lab-grown diamonds, and I encourage you
all not to apologise. This is a commercial
decision, our clients are over-exceeding their
customers’ expectations, and we train our
clients to educate their clients by placing
mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds
side by side and YES, the shopper wants bigger
and cleaner and that's what they are choosing
lab-grown diamonds more and more. Young
diamond-buyers are drawn to them by price,
transparency and environmental reasons,
with this segment of the market increasing
by between 15% and 20% annually, according
to a AWDC report. The growth is expected to
continue as more jewellers start to sell labgrown
diamonds.
Most days, we see another retailer selling
their first lab-grown diamond. Demand for the
most part is consumer driven – the resistance
to lab-grown diamonds is coming from the
trade not the consumer. 75% of our clients
are now selling lab-grown diamonds, and with
the JC Jewels buying platform retailers can
maintain lower inventory commitment and
higher stock turn.
At the end of the day, the price-to-size
equation is what gets them to open their
wallets.
As for 2021, none of us knows how the year
will pan out. Despite the variables beyond
our control, certainly with hard work and
much change, we can do well. In Australia and
New Zealand, we have been blessed in that
Covid has been managed better than most
countries globally, and with no international
travel we are seeing more disposable income
being spent in jewellery stores than ever. I
encourage you to engage, continually make
change and reap the benefits.
44
jewellery world - February 2021

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
Brendan McCreesh
O’Neils Affliated
O’Neils Affiliated has supplied the trade with
coloured gemstones since 1951 and has
steered through highs and lows. 2020 has no
doubt been the strangest year of all.
How did things change for O’Neils Affiliated
in 2020?
Looking at the year in retrospect, and with a
philosophical eye, I’m sure most Australians
consider themselves lucky compared with so
much of the rest of the world. Of course, it
wasn’t the case during the initial months of
the crisis and the uncertainty of March and
April, with much worse to come for Victoria.
In managing the crisis within our business,
I considered the crucial danger to be acute
anxiety of both staff and customers, as is to be
expected. Rapid changes in routine, a public
health crisis and job security concerns are
difficult when faced individually let alone as a
combined front. Anxiety can manifest in any
number of ways, so we felt that achieving a
sense of clarity was hugely important. We very
quickly established clearly articulated routines
and procedures based on government
guidelines and made adjustments as the
year progressed. Open communication with
management and staff meant that any new,
unforeseen issues were addressed quickly.
We were permitted to continue trading under
strict, new Covid-safe conditions in Melbourne
that entailed well-defined Covid-safe plans,
reduced staff levels and trading hours and
contactless trade. All the while, I am proud
to say our staff conducted themselves with
a calm, dignified and stoic perseverance that
was, and remains, exemplary. We managed
to weather the storm and as we came out the
other side of the first and second wave have
employed additional part-time staff to assist
with the increased workload.
With reduced staff and hours, we were forced
to halve our incoming phone lines, which saw
a dramatic increase in orders via our website.
Whilst April and May 2020 saw a 60%+ fall in
sales, June 2020 saw a sudden bounce back
with figures gradually returning to pre-Covid
levels over the following months. When the
second wave hit Melbourne, an increasing
number of our customer base had become
accustomed to communicating and trading
with us via online platforms. As lockdown
rules eased, businesses re-opened and our
staff levels returned to normal we saw very
healthy sales and an emerging sense of busy
optimism. From November and December, we
enjoyed our busiest period in recent memory.
How do you think on-going travel restrictions
will affect the industry?
Travel restrictions have certainly encouraged
local businesses to strengthen relationships
with their local suppliers, and perhaps cause
an evaluation in buying opportunities for some.
Local suppliers have done their utmost to
increase stock offerings where possible which
in turn has been exceptionally beneficial for
local business.
Once travel recommences, we do believe there
will be those who will travel once again but
hopefully, local suppliers will have established
strong alliances with local businesses that few
will find the need to travel.
What initiatives has O’Neil’s implemented in
the absence of physical trade shows?
We very much enjoy the buzz of industry
events, but we have not participated in local
trade shows for several years due to the steady
decline in attendance. It will be interesting to
see if the Covid crisis re-ignites interest in local
trade fairs.
We have benefited from investing in marketing
through various forms of printed and digital
media. The work we have done on the
e-commerce features of our website came into
their own through 2020 and we have plans for
even more improvements in the coming year. It
gave us a continual presence with our customer
base during times where physical or verbal
interaction was limited. Having a dedicated
in-house photography and website staff means
we were constantly adding new stock and
keeping the website fresh.
In addition to this, we have been working
with video content of gemstones over many
years, however, the man-hours involved can
be prohibitive. We have worked on efficiencies
and plan to dramatically increase video content
soon. We have been and will be continuing
to make this content available to our current
trade customers for use in their marketing
campaigns, whether that be social media or
on their websites. We have found it to be a
fantastic strategy of mutual benefit.
46
jewellery world - February 2021

INDUSTRY FORUM 2021
What are the biggest opportunities for the industry in 2021?
We are entering 2021 with cautious optimism, in that we are confident
that a travel-restricted Australian population will continue to support
our local industry. We are also mindful of the effect of retail confidence
post JobKeeper. There are those predicting a pronounced downward
effect on business, however, I think this is overstated and I feel
confident of a good trading year ahead. There will be little, if any,
overseas travel in 2021, keeping the retail pool largely local will be of
benefit. The vaccine rollout provides light at the end of the tunnel, but
there will be a considerable lag before mass-travel re-commences.
I am heartened to learn from so many manufacturing jewellers around
the country that hand-made pieces are at their highest demand for
years. I hope for a sustained recovery in the manufacturing sector of
our industry which has for so long suffered due to imports.
Our intention for 2021 is to reconnect with our customers face-to-face,
as well as improving our online presence and providing them with
excellent tools to assist sales and customer service. We have some very
exciting ideas in the works that will come into fruition in the coming
months.
Are you optimistic for 2021?
So many small businesses have fought through a sluggish economy
since the GFC, but now, quite a few business owners I have spoken
to have said surviving 2020, while very tough, has given them new
strength and confidence. Having a strong online presence and tapping
into local advertising opportunities and networks will only reinforce
these businesses further. I have a feeling this bounce back will continue
and hold its own for a while to come.
LUXURY pearl AND opal JEWELLERY
Fancy German-Cut Agate Cameos.
New range of modern cameos design in stock now.
Details at oagems.com
www.ikecho.com.au | enquiries@ikecho.com.au
Tel: (02) 9266 0636

NEW PRODUCTS
Bianc | +61 412 251 257
Bianc’s Lumiere collection has all the perfect summer accessories
featuring turquoise and freshwater pearls set in sterling silver
with gold plating. New season collections are online now!
info@bianc.com.au
@bianc_jewellery
www.bianc.com.au
Zahar | +61 413 872 810
Zahar is a new Australian fashion jewellery brand that launched in
August 2019. The designs are bold and take on eclectic elegance and
fun, with a focus on both classic and contemporary styles. The Zahar
collections currently range between WS$14.00-$35.60.
info@zahar.com.au
@zahar.collection
www.zahar.com.au
Ikecho | +61 2 9266 0636
9ct yellow gold white 4mm round
and oval Freshwater pearl string stud
earrings. Product code: IP125-E9Y.
www.ikecho.com.au
Ellani Collections | +61 2 9899 1525
New to the Ellani Collections 2021 release,
modern gold plated sterling silver cz pendant
and earrings.
www.ellanicollections.com.au
Bolton Gems | +61 7 3205 6311
Four-claw 9ct white or yellow gold Biron
Lab Grown Diamond Studs TDW 1ct GHSI
for $990 per pair +GST
www.boltongems.com.au
48
jewellery world - February 2021

NEW PRODUCTS
Tikkers | +61 422 863 906
Tikkers Interactive watches for kids are jam-packed with cool features, including a talking
time teacher, selfie camera, video recorder and step counter. Other features include an
alarm, calendar, stop watch, calculator, voice recorder, countdown timer and a choice of 20
fun displays. There is also a selection of exciting games to keep kids entertained, but parental
controls mean you can stay in charge. A specially designed time teaching function will help
your child master the art of telling time using a traditional analogue clock face whilst still
having all the tech features that they will love. The generously sized touch screen allows
children to easily control their watch, while the soft silicone strap is comfortable for them to
wear.
The Tikkers activity tracker is AU$50 retail and is available in 11 colours and its functions
include step count, activity goals, sleep tracker, call alerts, message alerts.
The Tikkers interactive is AU$85 retail available in 2 colours and is a fantastic tool for kids
learning to tell the time. Features include time teacher, music feature, video and still camera,
touch screen, alarm clock, pedometer, stopwatch, 5 games, torch and calculator.
Tikkers watches pair with free Reflex Active IOS and Android apps. One year warranty.
www.heartandgrace.com.au
Heart and Grace | +61 422 863 906
Reflex Active, where function meets fashion at very affordable prices, with styles for both men and women.
There are five Reflex Active collections. Series 1-4 have the same functions but are styled differently, the functions include step count, activity goals,
sleep tracker, call alerts, message alerts. Series 3 is the bestselling series and is the most fashion focused range. Series 5, the most recent addition,
includes a heart rate monitor. Reflex Active retail prices are from $50 through to $125.
Reflex Active watches pair with free Reflex Active IOS and Android apps. One year warranty.
www.heartandgrace.com.au
Reflex Active Series 3
Rose Gold Nude Midnight
Garden Smart Watch - $99
- Series 03 showcases the
prettiest of dials, with
delicately detailed designs
beautifully finished with a
sprinkling of stones. This
elegant Reflex Active Smart
watch with its sparkly
crystal dial and nude strap
not all looks great it also
includes all the must have
features to help you track
your fitness with our free, easy to download app. Key features
include crown navigation, activity goals, step counter, remote
camera, sleep tracking, calories, weather, find my phone, alarm,
call alert, message alert and display.
Reflex Active Series 5
Silver Mesh Smart - $119
- Our sleek Series 05
smart watches include
premium features to
track your fitness with
our easy to use app.
Key features include
colour touch screen,
activity goals, step
counter, remote camera,
sleep tracking, calories,
weather, find my
phone, alarm, call alert,
message alert and display. There are additional features including
heart rate monitor and music control. Soft silicone band.
February 2021 49

ATHAN
IMPORTERS OF
FINE ITALIAN
JEWELLERY
18CT SPECIALISTS
Edox SkyDiver Neptunian
Nearly 50 years ago, boutique Swiss watchmaker
Edox launched the legendary SkyDiver, a
rugged sports timepiece created especially
for an elite group of paratroopers.
Now, with the release of the SkyDiver
Neptunian, Edox gives its 1973 watch
classic a thoroughly modern makeover.
Water-resistant to an incredible 1,000m,
the SkyDiver Neptunian is built ultra-tough
to handle not only the pressures of the
deep but, thanks to its strong and durable
stainless-steel case, anything on the surface as
well. A 3mm-thick sapphire crystal protects the
classic, clean dial encircled by a ceramic bezel
and the case back features a striking engraving
of Neptune, the Roman God of the Sea. The built-in helium escape
valve guarantees the SkyDiver Neptunian’s Automatic Calibre 80
movement, with its 42-hour power reserve, won’t miss a beat even
after being deep beneath the waves.
The SkyDiver Neptunian is the natural evolution of a timeless
classic and another striking addition to the Edox family of Water
Champions timepieces.
9CT & 18CT CHAINS INCLUDING...
TRACE CHAINS 1.0mm - 2.4mm
WHEAT CHAINS 1.0mm - 2.0mm
CURB CHAINS regular and open
14CT & 18CT W/G & Y/G ROUND
OMEGAS 1.0mm, 1.5mm & 2.0mm
14CT & 18CT 2/T OMEGAS 2.0mm, 2.5mm & 3.0mm
18CT UNSET TENNIS MOUNTS 0.03ct - 0.50ct
POSSIBLY THE FINEST QUALITY
AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET
+61 2 8065 8533
info@sovereigngems.com
Suite 5, Level 1
428 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
SUITE 602/220 COLLINS ST. MELBOURNE VIC 3000
T: 03 9663 2321 F: 03 9663 7821 E: info@athan.com.au
PURCHASE ONLINE
www.athan.com.au

services
services
Supplier to
all buying groups
Fast delivery Australia wide
services
THE BATTERY MAN
AUSTRALIAN
JEWELLERY TOOLS
WHOLESALER
MILN & CO. Pty Ltd
Ph: 02 4655 7707 M: 0412 702 834
E:stuart.miln@milnco.com.au
Lancier Watch Bands - Leather, metal, sports.
Watchglasses. Seals. Batteries. Quartz Movements.
Pins/tools. Jewellery findings. J C Hurst Bangles.
Fischer Barometers and Tide Clocks
SPECIALISING IN QUALITY
JEWELLERY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
WITH EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE
Chris O’Neill
Piecemaker
2015 YJG Bench Challenge
Hand Engraving Champion.
PO Box 112
Toronto NSW 2283
P: 02 9380 4742 ∙ F: 02 8580 6168
E: sales@adelaimports.com
Adela Imports offer over 180
designs of sterling silver chain,
with up to 20 lengths available
in each from stock.
Also offering a range of
uniquely designed silver
jewellery.
Catalogue available.
www.adelaimports.com
Nearly 40 years of trusted
service to the Watch &
Jewellery Industry.
Free call: 1800 244 354
Your one stop battery shop
& much more.
orders@thebatteryman.com.au
ADELAIDE (08) 7221 2202
MELBOURNE (03) 9038 8545
PERTH (08) 6363 5517
SYDNEY (02) 8004 1626
Glues
(07) 3876 7481
sales@labanda.com.au
FAX: (07) 3368 3100
www.labanda.com.au
Also specialising in quality
Handmakes, Repairs and
Antique restorations in the
Sydney CBD.
0405 689 834
for sale
Relaxing...
Asia
Gem
Jewellery
Specialising in handmade
jewellery, CAD/CAM
modelling, repairs and supply
of opals and gemstones.
Located in Sydney’s
Chinatown.
M: +61 491 174 922
E: asiagem2000@yahoo.com
FOR SALE
Members of J. & G. B. S.
Jewellery and Gift Store established 26
years in small South East Queensland
country town, 2.5 hours from Brisbane.
Little competition, prime location, rear
parking. T/o to 6/2020. $289,000.
W.I.W.O. $389,000
Price includes building, stock
approximately $156,000, showcases and
plant, and a small shed currently rented
at $95 per month
Contact Peter or Darrel
07 4163 1655
ADVERTISE HERE
The classifieds section is an excellent place for suppliers
and manufacturers to advertise products and services
in a long-running, low cost way.
All size ads are available and may include
product photos.
Visit our website to download our
media pack for prices.
www.jewelleryworld.net.au
February 2021 51

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