Jeweller

VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY APRIL 2025

Next Generation

FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE

AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

Pink of Perfection

THE PINK DIAMOND LEGEND

CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Guessing Game

MAKING THE MOST OF CRITICAL

DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES

2 | April 2025

SINCE 1996

Helping you shine

yesterday, today

& tomorrow.

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227 Collins Street

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138 Albert Street

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47 High Street

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02 9232 3557

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April 2025 | 3

The Pink Kimberley Difference

For over 15 years, Pink Kimberley has been dedicated to crafting exceptional pink diamond jewellery,

celebrating the rare beauty of Australian pink diamonds from the Argyle mine. Inspired by the

untamed beauty of the Kimberley region, each piece is a harmonious blend of nature and artistry.

Pink Kimberley jewellery is a representation of natural elegance, showcasing the breathtaking

hues of pink diamonds from the Argyle region - some of the world’s rarest and most

coveted gemstones.

PinkKimberley.com.au

4 | April 2025

Stockist Benefits

When you become a Pink Kimberley stockist, our expert team is here to support you. We provide

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Our graphic designers offer product images, website banners, and design assistance, while our

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pink@samsgroup.com.au

02 9290 2199

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April 2025 | 5

6 | April 2025

FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE

AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY APRIL 2025

THE PINK DIAMOND LEGEND

CONTINUES TO EXPAND

MAKING THE MOST OF CRITICAL

DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES

APRIL 2025

Contents

This Month

Industry Facets

9 Editorial

24

10 YEARS AGO

Time Machine: April 2015

28 JEWELLERY APPRENTICES

The next generation

10 Upfront

12 Product Spotlight

27

48

LEARN ABOUT GEMS

Around The World: Emeralds

MY BENCH

Nathan Kiddle

Australia's retail buying groups are joining forces

to introduce more apprentices to the jewellery industry.

With the demand for custom-made jewellery on the

rise, it's time to address the skills shortage.

14 News

50

SOAPBOX

Toby Bensimon

Features

28

31

38

FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

Industry leaders demand support for jewellery apprentices

PRETTY IN PINK

The mystery and allure of pink diamonds continues to grow

DAZZLING BUYING GUIDE

Review the latest pink diamond releases from suppliers

Better Your Business

31 PRETTY IN PINK

Unanswered questions

A legendary pink diamond heist from

Western Australia in the 1980s is headed

for television, expanding the mythology

of these natural treasures.

42

44

45

46

47

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Conflict resolution is complicated. DAVID BROWN details an effective strategy.

SELLING

SHEP HYKEN believes that when it comes to customer service, pride is the enemy.

MANAGEMENT

Are you holding yourself back? RYAN ESTIS urges you to ditch the negative attitude.

MARKETING & PR

GEORGANNE BENDER breaks down sensory appeal strategy in marketing.

LOGGED ON

DAVID BROCK says that you shouldn't ask a computer to do anything you can't.

38 BUYING GUIDE

Natural

wonders

With the passion for pink

diamonds continuing to rise,

take a closer look at

the latest releases

from local suppliers.

FRONT COVER

Founded in 1967, SAMS Group Australia

is a premier supplier of certified and

authentic Argyle pink diamonds

and pink diamond jewellery through the

Pink Kimberley and Blush Pink Diamond

brands. Exquisitely crafted with the finest

materials, each piece celebrates the rarity

and beauty of Australia's unique gift.

To learn more visit: samsgroup.com.au

Next Generation

Pink of Perfection

Guessing Game

April 2025 | 7

A new range of natural coloured diamond jewellery,

from Australia’s Coloured Diamond Specialists

ninasjewellerywholesale.com.au

EST• 1 965

Nina’s Jewellery proudly supports White Ribbon Australia. Stand up, speak out and act to end men’s violence against women.

8 | April 2025

Editor’s Desk

Could you mentor the next great jeweller?

Where do the most talented bench jewellers come from?

SAMUEL ORD discusses a pressing issue for the future of the jewellery trade.

The future of the jewellery industry ,

or any traditional trade for that matter,

is a subject that always sparks passionate

and spirited debate.

Everyone has an opinion – some thoughtprovoking,

others not so much!

Broadly speaking, there are several agreedupon

issues affecting jewellery retailers, and

in recent weeks, significant progress has

been made in addressing one in particular.

The problem is simple – the popularity

of custom-made jewellery has steadily

increased for the better part of two decades,

and there aren’t enough young jewellers

entering the industry to meet this demand.

Fortunately, the solution is also simple

- more jewellery apprentices must be

introduced to the workforce. This be done

by improving pathways and encouraging

businesses to take on developing jewellers.

Australia’s three retail buying groups –

Nationwide Jewellers, Showcase Jewellers,

and the Independent Jewellers Collective –

have joined forces to address this shortage.

It should please everyone to see three

competitors set aside any rivalry to benefit

and advance the entire local industry.

Indeed, many hands make light work!

Once upon a time, the industry would have

likely turned to the Jewellers Association

of Australia (JAA) to spearhead this kind of

project; however, those days are long gone.

Given that the three buying groups represent

approximately three times more jewellery

retailers in Australia than the JAA, a more

appropriate leader has stepped up to the

plate - but that’s a story for another day.

This is a topic that’s been on my mind for

some time – the value of effective pathways

into niche industries for young workers.

I heard some heartbreaking news late last

year. The newspaper where I started my

career in journalism was expected to close.

The Portland Observer, with more than

180 years of history, was expected to print

its final issue. My attachment to the

newspaper aside, this development

highlighted a concerning trend in the

media and a great deal is at stake.

Whenever these publications closes,

a vital pathway into the industry is lost.

Most journalism graduates enter the

workforce thinking they know everything

and rural newspapers are ideal settings

to learn difficult life lessons.

With a dedicated readership, the stakes

are sufficiently high that, if and when you

make a mistake, you’ll hear about it —

usually at the local supermarket.

A small-town newspaper is ideal for young

reporters to develop a broad range of skills.

With that topic fresh in my mind, I wanted

to know if the same circumstances are

replicated in the jewellery industry.

While researching the apprentice shortage

story, I asked three experts a simple

question: What is the ideal professional

environment for a jewellery apprentice?

Learning the ropes

Many of the suggestions focused on the

specifics of the jewellery business itself.

A clear preference emerged for stores that

specialise in, or at least are associated with,

creating custom-made jewellery.

In these environments, apprentices are

presented with new challenges and

responsibilities that expand their skill set,

as opposed to monotonous tasks that can

stifle otherwise enthusiastic trainees.

Apprentices introduced to this setting are

encouraged to blend technical expertise

with creative and innovative thinking.

This fosters the development of more

well-rounded jewellers who are capable of

thinking outside the box to solve challenges.

This is an environment not dissimilar to

that of a rural newsroom for young

reporters. Cadets usually begin with one

round – for example, sport or business –

and are gradually introduced to other areas

to become more well-rounded contributors.

Returning to jewellery, it was suggested that

working in a business with at least two or

three experienced bench jewellers was ideal.

Apprentices can learn from multiple

mentors, each bringing their strengths and

weaknesses to the process. This contributes

to the creation of a more versatile jeweller.

Furthermore, this type of network eliminates

the risk of a jeweller becoming overwhelmed

while mentoring an apprentice.

This fosters the

development

of more

well-rounded

jewellers who

are capable of

thinking outside

the box to solve

challenges.

Jewellers can provide one-on-one guidance

when appropriate while sharing the

responsibility with others.

The same support network is used in the

media, particularly with cadets, who will

often ‘shadow’ a veteran journalist and

observe their day-to-day work. Cadets are

usually partnered with a new journalist every

few days to gain exposure to different rounds.

This process also prevents a busy reporter

from the burden of ‘babysitting’ a cadet.

As a final point of consideration, the jewellery

business must continue to operate smoothly.

The potential for a workflow disruption

caused by an apprentice taking longer than

expected with a task because they’re still

learning isn’t good for anyone.

Explained another way, the jeweller may fall

behind and feel overburdened with deadlines.

If they’re paying attention, the apprentice will

be aware of this stress and lose confidence.

Sink or swim?

Young jewellers need to be guided through

their education by an experienced mentor.

You may feel that the ‘sink or swim’ mindset

is appropriate in some circumstances, but

broadly speaking, apprentices can’t be left to

their own devices merely to discover if they’re

motivated and self-driven enough to survive.

Before the job at The Portland Observer,

I completed internships in several major

newsrooms; some had this attitude.

You were handed a computer and a notepad

and told to prove you could produce a story.

I wouldn’t be writing this column if I couldn’t

handle that challenge; however, I know many

graduates who struggled, and the experience

was brutal on their self-confidence. It sets up

an emerging talent to fail.

The jewellery experts I spoke with had some

interesting insights into the right personality

type to mentor a young apprentice —

but that’s also a story for another day.

So, with the above in mind, what do you think?

Is your jewellery store the ideal environment

for an apprentice to begin their career?

SAMUEL ORD

EDITOR

April 2025 | 9

Upfront

Stranger Things

Weird, wacky and wonderful

jewellery news from around the world

Spygate controversy

A former head of France’s domestic

security services has been found guilty

of using public resources to benefit

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH).

A Paris court sentenced 69-year-old

Bernard Squarcini to two years in prison,

which can be served at home with an

electronic bracelet and an additional

two years suspended. A fine of €200,000

($AUD345,000) was also issued. The

court case reviewed the use of public

resources to locate blackmailers

targeting LVMH chairman

Bernard Arnault in 2008.

Dusting for diamonds

An unusual court case is developing

in London, where an employee of a

princess is accused of stealing jewellery

valued at more than $1 million.

A 69-year-old woman was arrested

in 2020 and was charged with stealing

jewellery while working for Princess

Firyal of Jordan. The woman allegedly

took diamond rings, bracelets, watches,

and earrings from the 80-year-old

princess' home in Belgravia. According

to media reports, the luxury items were

handed to a relative who sold them at

an auction house in Kent.

700-year-old discovery

A rare ring discovered in northern

England believed to be more than 700

years old, has appeared at auction

with a hefty price tag. In 2019,

Mark Sell, a retired fire service worker,

discovered a gold ring with a

metal detector in Norfolk. The ring,

set with gemstones, is believed to

be from the late 12th century.

The 69-year-old said it was shocking

to find a ring that old in such

good condition.

Rewind: Best Bench Tip

JULY 2018

"Keep learning the trade;

the day you think you

know it all is the day to

give it away."

DAVID MCINTOSH

MCINTOSH JEWELLERS

HISTORIC GEMSTONE

Gogibus Pearl

The Gogibus Pearl is a huge saltwater pearl

with a white hue and distinct pearl-shaped

silhouette. Weighing more than 125 carats,

its origins can be traced to Spanish

merchant Gogibus in the West Indies,

a tale that adds to the pearl's mystique

and storied history. The pearl was

acquired by Spanish royalty in the 17th

century and is believed to have adorned

King Philip IV's regal cap. The Gogibus

Pearl was initially lost to the world after

the death of King Philip IV of Spain in 1665;

however, it resurfaced in a 2010 auction.

The whereabouts and owner of the pearl are currently unknown.

New anti-money laundering laws

Further progress has been made in reforming Australia’s

anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation,

which has significant implications for the local jewellery industry.

These new laws are designed to ensure

Australia’s AML/CTF regime can

effectively deter, detect and disrupt

crimes such as money laundering

and terrorism financing. Different

obligations for different industries

are staggered – the relevant

obligations for dealers in precious

stones, metals and products will

commence on 1 July 2026.

Timeless Trends

Personalisation in jewellery is about

creating pieces that feel unique and

meaningful to the wearer. The trend

focuses on customising designs to

reflect individual styles, significant

moments, or personal stories. This

can include engraving names, initials,

birthstones, important dates, or even

crafting bespoke designs that capture a

person's personality or experiences.

Campaign Watch

Pandora has completed the

global launch of a new marketing

campaign, with a cavalcade of wellknown

trendsetters paired with new

products. The BE LOVE campaign was

released on 27 February and features

appearances by actress Winona Ryder,

supermodel Iman, and models Vittoria

Ceretti, Mica Arganaraz, Karen Elson,

He Cong, and others. A central theme

in the new campaign is how people

perceive love as an emotion.

Image: Nomination

Image: Pandora

VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

Published by Befindan Media Pty Ltd

Locked Bag 26, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 AUSTRALIA | ABN 66 638 077 648 | Phone: +61 3 9696 7200 | Subscriptions & Enquiries: info@jewellermagazine.com

Publisher Angela Han angela.han@jewellermagazine.com • Editor Samuel Ord samuel.ord@jewellermagazine.com • Advertising Julia Tran julia.tran@jewellermagazine.com

Production Prince Bisenio art@befindanmedia.com • Digital Coordinator Riza Buliag riza@jewellermagazine.com • Accounts Paul Blewitt finance@befindanmedia.com

Copyright All material appearing in Jeweller is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent of the publisher. Befindan Media Pty Ltd

strives to report accurately and fairly and it is our policy to correct significant errors of fact and misleading statements in the next available issue. All statements made, although based on information

believed to be reliable and accurate at the time, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. Any comment relating to subjective opinions should be addressed to

the editor. Advertising The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement to comply with Australian law and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities

arising from the published material.

NEW SEASON RANGE

IN STOCK & ONLINE NOW

ROOM 405, 4TH FLOOR, WALES BUILDING

227 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE VIC 3000

PO BOX 397, FLINDERS LANE VIC 8009

03 9654 5200

sales@oagems.com

oagems.com

April 2025 | 11

On the Market

1

2 3

4

5

APRIL

Product

Spotlight

Jeweller’s monthly compiled

snapshot of the latest and greatest

products to hit the market.

6 7

8

1 NINA’S JEWELLERY Uniquely Australian in identity, Rosewood by Nina’s Jewellery proudly celebrates the secondary tones of premium pink found in champagne diamonds from the legendary Argyle Mine.

2 ELLENDALE DIAMONDS An 18-carat yellow gold pendant showcasing an 18-carat Lightning Ridge opal, accented with Argyle round brilliant cut diamonds set in an abstract design within the opal.

3 IKECHO The Henrietta Strand is a timeless classic, showcasing elegantly graduated 6-12mm near-round white freshwater pearls. Measuring 90cm, it offers versatile styling — wear it long for effortless

grace or doubled for a chic layered look. 4 LAB DIAMONDS BY DGA | Duraflex Group Australia Elevate your jewellery collection with the Lab Diamonds by DGA Initial “A” Charm, crafted in 9-carat yellow gold and

adorned with 0.13 carats of exquisite lab-grown diamonds. This elegant charm combines timeless sophistication with a modern touch. 5 PINK KIMBERLEY | SAMS Group The Kimberley La Voliere Ring is a breathtaking

display of luxury, featuring a rare radiant-cut Argyle pink diamond as its centrepiece. Surrounded by an arrangement of Australian pink diamonds and brilliant white diamonds, this royal-inspired design exudes

sophistication. 6 MARK MCASKILL JEWELLERY Pretty pink hues delight in this bestselling ring from Mark McAskill’s Aurelia Collection. Featuring a playful of mix of morganite, pink tourmaline, sapphire

and amethyst 12 gem stones | April set in 2025 9-carat rose gold. 7 BOLTON GEMS Exquisitely crafted in 18-carat rose and white gold, these stunning earrings feature a captivating trio of claw set gemstones: an oval

Rhodolite Garnet, an oval Morganite, and a oval Green Beryl. 8 PLANET ALMAS New and modern take on the classic Trilogy ring, combining vintage and classic elements with a modern twist to delight the end buyer.

Long live

Australian

Quality

At BECKS, we

take pride in being

a family owned

Australian business,

championing love

and craftsmanship

since 1976.

From wedding bands to dress rings

and fine jewellery, every piece is

designed to celebrate life’s most

cherished moments—crafted with

unmatched Australian quality and

world-class precision.

Legato by BECKS

2T5279SAF

J1863

J5186

With RJC certification and ISO

accreditation, we uphold the

highest standards of integrity,

sustainability, and ethical practices.

When you choose BECKS, you

choose excellence you can trust.

Long live love.

J5237

FR5246

Ask your trusted jeweller about the BECKS range today.

J5192

Introducing Our

New Catalogue!

The latest edition is now officially

available, featuring stunning

new designs, best-selling

favourites, and exclusive services

to support your business.

Contact us today to request your copy!

Toll Free. 1800 888 585

Email. info@becksgroup.au

becksgroup.au

Proudly Australian Made,

Owned and Operated

Long live love — Since 1976

April 2025 | 13

News

Jewellery brand hit with

million-dollar lawsuit

Jewellery brand Alex and Ani is facing a multi-million

dollar lawsuit as a legal dispute with designer

Pamela Love continues.

According to a complaint filed 5 March in the New

York State Supreme Court, Love signed a contract

in August 2023 to work as a designer for Alex and Ani.

It’s reported that she would be paid $USD21,000

a month for three years and up to $USD2 million

per year in royalties.

In March 2024, the suit says, Alex and Ani CEO Prita

Kumar informed Love the brand was terminating

the deal due to financial pressure.

As reported by JCK Online, Love initiated an arbitration

against Alex and Ani in Los Angeles. In December,

the arbitrator ruled in Love’s favor, stating that Alex

and Ani owed Love unpaid royalties and had to post

a security bond of more than $USD200,000.

During the arbitration, independent board member

Larry Meyer declared that the brand’s revenues had

declined after it filed for bankruptcy in June 2021.

Alex and Ani’s defense in the arbitration was that

it was insolvent.

Meyer stated that Alex and Ani’s secured lender was

unwilling to extend further financing and foreclosed

on the company's assets.

“It is not unusual for the failure of a company

that was unable to reverse profit direction postbankruptcy.

At this time, I am managing the

company’s orderly shutdown.”

The complaint alleges that a lien transfer was initiated

to hinder creditors like Love, suggesting that a

purported foreclosure was ‘in name only’.

“In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in New York, Love and

her attorneys are seeking to collect the unpaid money

while also alleging that the jewellery brand’s owners —

including a company held by LA celebrity attorney Mark

Geragos — engaged in a ‘shell game’ and orchestrated

‘a collusive foreclosure’ to dodge paying Love and other

creditors,” write Matt Hamilton of YahooFinance.

“The suit names the jewellery company's two owners:

the Bathing Club, which it alleges is controlled by

Geragos, and LC A&A Holdings, which it alleges is

controlled by financier Lyndon Lea through the private

equity fund Lion Capital.”

The suit claims Love is owed at least $USD6.75 million,

including legal fees. Alex and Ani was founded by

designer Carolyn Rafaelian in 2004.

Jewellery sales improve for local retailers in February

Sales at independent jewellery retailers in

Australia increased in February according to

the latest report from Retail Edge Consultants.

The report identified a 3.6 per cent increase in

sales in February on a year-on-year comparison.

With sales reaching $15.5 million, this positive

trend followed similar results in January.

Unit sales decreased by 6 per cent, while the

average retail sale (inventory only) climbed to

$266, an increase of 10 per cent on a year-onyear

comparison. This also reflected a 10 per

cent rise on a two-year comparison.

Addressing specific categories, diamond

jewellery sales improved by 15 per cent in

February when compared with the previous

year. Colour gemstone jewellery sales enjoyed

a significant spike in sales, rising by 36 per cent

when compared with 2024.

Silver and alternative metals jewellery sales

experienced a modest 1.3 per cent improvement.

Further progress has been made in reforming

Australia’s anti-money laundering and

counter-terrorism financing legislation,

which has significant implications for the

local jewellery industry.

Parliament passed the Anti-Money Laundering

and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF)

Amendment Act 2024 (the AML/CTF Act) in

December 2024.

Put simply, these new laws are designed

to ensure Australia’s AML/CTF regime can

effectively deter, detect and disrupt crimes such

as money laundering and terrorism financing.

Different obligations for different industries come

into effect on a staggered basis – the relevant

obligations for dealers in precious stones, metals

and products will commence on 1 July 2026.

Any business that purchases or sells precious

metals, precious stones or precious stones may

be regulated if they wish to pay or accept $10,000

or more in cash or virtual assets.

The pattern in laybys demonstrated a modest

decline in dollar terms between new orders

and pickups or cancellations.

The decline in services, such as repairs,

also highlighted a decrease. Special orders;

however, bucked this trend with a slight

increase identified.

The report also noted that 29 per cent of

sales lines were discounted.

How will the changes to Australia's money

laundering laws impact your jewellery business?

A list of what could constitute a precious

metal, precious stone or precious products

is available on the Australian Transaction

Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)

website. These obligations may apply to

both retailers and suppliers.

If a business chooses not to pay or accept

$10,000 or more in cash or virtual assets

for a single transaction or several linked

transactions, they may not be regulated

under the AML/CTF Act.

This includes where a business only engages

in other forms of funds transfer - for example,

electronic funds transfer or payment by cheque

or card. If a business does pay or accept cash or

virtual assets for single or linked transactions of

$10,000 or more, they must enroll with AUSTRAC

and are subject to a range of obligations.

These obligations include customer due

diligence, the need to maintain an AML/CTF

program and keep records and certain

reporting requirements.

Enrolment with AUSTRAC for relevant

businesses is expected to open on 31 March

2026. Jeweller previously detailed a consultation

paper released by Australia’s Attorney General’s

Department related to this matter.

For more information, visit the AUSTRAC website

for a detailed explanation of the new obligations

regulations and how they may impact your

business. You can also subscribe to receive

information directly from AUSTRAC.

14 | April 2025

News

No refunds policy: JAA loses long-term supporter over membership confusion

Walking away

Displeased with the JAA’s handling of this matter,

the member has decided to quit the organisation

after more than two decades.

The retailer’s position is easy to understand:

The business is eligible for a lower membership

level, and therefore, has made overpayments

for three years.

According to the retailer, the commonsense

resolution would be for a credit or partial refund to

be issued, given the business has been an ardent

supporter of the JAA for more than two decades.

In a response to Sharp on the same day, the

member explained that while the money involved

is inconsequential, it’s a matter of principle.

An otherwise unremarkable incident for the

Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) has ended

in the loss of a member who has supported the

industry organisation for more than two decades.

Jeweller recently became aware of a disagreement

involving an ‘overpayment’ between the JAA and

a jewellery store owner, who has been a member

since 2005.

Put simply, a baffling bureaucratic stance, a

confusing membership structure, and a lack of

clarity regarding fees and refunds have resulted in

the JAA effectively sacrificing a 20-year membership

during a disagreement over $388.

The retailer – who has not been identified as a

matter of privacy – was reviewing financial affairs

and discovered what is believed to be a series of

overpayments to the JAA over a three-year period.

The business owner initially raised the matter with

the JAA head office by telephone on 28 February

and was reportedly informed that the organisation

has a ‘no refunds’ policy.

This conversation was followed by an email from

JAA administration coordinator Kerrilie Campbell

on 6 March, providing details about membership

and offering to change the member’s level for

future years.

Part of the confusion stems from the JAA’s

membership structure, which means there are

two entirely different member categories that

are appropriate to this retailer, one more expensive

than the other.

The member subsequently emailed JAA operations

manager Megan Young that same day, outlining

an understanding of the situation and repeating

his claim concerning overpayments.

In summary, the member’s jewellery business

was scaled down around the COVID-19 pandemic,

as was the case with many small businesses.

Based on the criteria outlined on the JAA website,

the membership level and associated fee could

have been lowered to match the circumstances

of the business.

The retailer acknowledged in the email,

which has been viewed by Jeweller, that it is

each member's responsibility to ensure that

their annual membership is renewed at the

correct level.

With that said, the member requested a partial

refund for the difference ($388) over three years,

suggesting that this incident could have been

avoided with clearer communication regarding

membership levels and fees.

As part of a proposed resolution, it was even

suggested that a credit towards future membership

fees - rather than a cash payment as a partial

refund – would be suitable.

Young did not reply; however, JAA president

Joshua Sharp replied on 11 March in a response

that seemingly failed to ‘read the room’ regarding

the member’s frustration with the experience.

"While researching the

circumstances of this dispute,

several other issues with the

JAA’s membership structure

have been identified."

Sharp’s email stated, “Membership fees have

been charged in accordance with the membership

category selected at the time of renewal,”

which the member had already acknowledged.

“As with all members, it is the responsibility

of each individual to ensure they are on the

correct membership level, as we do not have

visibility over every member's specific business

details unless informed.”

Sharp’s email asserted that the JAA was

unable to offer a refund or credit for fees

paid in previous years.

He then offered the member an early bird

renewal rate (5 per cent discount) that

elapsed in December - and even attached

an invoice to the email.

“The matter at hand is relatively straightforward

and, I believe, could have been resolved more

amicably," the member wrote on 11 March.

"Unfortunately, the tone and approach in addressing

my concerns have left me feeling undervalued as a

longstanding member.

“The amount in question is indeed modest,

but it reflects a broader principle of trust and

care for members who rely on the JAA’s ethical

and professional standards.”

Sharp responded to the member on 17 March,

acknowledging that while it is a challenging

economic climate for jewellery retailers, that

organisation cannot be held responsible for

mistakes made by members.

More to come

While researching the circumstances of this

dispute, several other issues with the JAA’s

membership structure have been identified.

One concerning matter — which adds to the

confusion of this situation — is Sharp’s claim

that the JAA cannot offer a refund or credit

for fees paid in previous years, in what appears

to be a ‘blanket’ no-refunds policy.

While the JAA website details a ‘Privacy + Refunds

Policy’, it states that refunds will not be given

to members who cancel their membership

during the year and/or pay for an event they

do not attend.

Neither of these refund policies relate to the

dispute or cover potential overpayments made

by members, such as this case.

Given the confusion experienced by this

member and the possibility that others are

also overpaying, an upcoming report will detail

various issues and anomalies with the JAA’s

membership structure.

These include inconsistent terminology and

descriptions between the four membership

categories. Jeweller contacted the JAA

regarding this matter; however, no response

has been issued as of publication.

April 2025 | 15

News

CIBJO suggests a new

definition for recycled gold

Mergers and acquisitions in luxury industry

expected to ramp up in coming years

An intriguing new report has highlighted a longrunning

trend of consolidation among major

luxury brands, with analysts forecasting more

deals in the not-so-distant future.

A special report published by The Economist

detailed alleged discussions between fashion

brands Prada and Versace about a potential

merger. If accurate, this would be the latest

in a long line of consolidations in the luxury

industry over the past decade.

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO)

has weighed in on a controversial subject and

recommended a new definition for ‘recycled gold’.

CIBJO announced an updated definition following

discussions among jewellery and watch industry

experts and confirmed it would be included in

official guidance documents.

The new definition aims to improve the identification

of recycled gold sources and enhance transparency

in the supply chain.

The term ‘recycled gold’ has previously been

associated with greenwashing.

“There has been growing confusion about the

different names and labels for re-refined gold,”

said CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri.

“The new definition provides a clear statement

and set of criteria for recycled gold, which is

more stringent than definitions for many

other materials.

"The industry needs a clearer definition to

avoid consumer confusion and greenwashing,

and to enhance trading practices and supply

chain transparency.”

According to the new definition, ‘pre-consumer’

recycled gold is gold obtained by refining materials

generated during manufacturing or fabrication.

That may include melted scraps, sweeps, solutions,

wastewater treatments, manufactured materials,

products, components and alloys that can no longer

be used for their original purpose.

Conversely, ‘post-consumer’ recycled gold is gold

that comes from refining products sourced from

individuals, organisations or industrial facilities

in their role as end users of the products.

This may include jewellery products and components,

electronic and industrial components, dental scrap,

monetary or collectible coins, and returned products

from the gold supply chain.

Organisations such as the London Bullion Market

Association and the World Gold Council are

reportedly considering adopting these definitions

in responsible sourcing guidelines.

The report estimates that at least 33 notable

acquisitions have been secured by three

groups since 2000.

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Kering, and

Richemont accounted for 31 per cent of

luxury goods sales in 2023, rising from

19 per cent in 2014.

“Many independent brands are now concluding

that they cannot survive alone in an increasingly

difficult market. A new wave of deals seems

likely,” the report suggests.

“The luxury business is in the midst of a

painful downturn.

"Weakening economic growth from America

to China has led shoppers to spend less

on designer frocks, bags and heels.”

The report added: “Such deals give luxury

firms greater control over their supply chains

at a time when these are under heightened

scrutiny.”

The watch and jewellery industry has

been subject to many notable mergers

and acquisitions in recent years, including

but not limited to LVMH and Tiffany & Co.,

Michael Hill International and Bevilles, and

Rolex and Bucherer.

The report drew attention to a survey

conducted by Vogue in January, which found

that consumers are reducing discretionary

spending on luxury items, including jewellery,

because of a diminishing perception of value

compared to cost.

Another plot twist in future leadership of LVMH

Speculation around the future leadership

of the world's largest luxury company,

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH), has

taken another interesting turn.

Chairman Bernard Arnault has confirmed

he wants to extend the age limit associated

with leading the company for a second time.

In 2022, shareholders voted in favour of a

resolution extending the age limit fixed in

the company's bylaws to 80 from 75.

According to various media reports,

a resolution to increase the age limit for

the company's chief executive officers —

this time to 85 — will be submitted to

shareholders at the upcoming annual

general meeting in April.

"Despite ongoing speculation about his

succession plans, the 76-year-old business

man has shown no indication that he intends

to retire," writes Joelle Diderich for MSN.

"A series of management reshuffles

has tightened the Arnault family's grip

on the leadership of the world's biggest

luxury group.

"At last year's AGM, shareholders approved

the appointment of his sons Alexandre Arnault

and Frédéric Arnault to the board of directors.

"They joined their siblings Antoine Arnault,

head of communication, image and environment

at LVMH, and Delphine Arnault, chairman and

CEO of Christian Dior Couture, on the board."

Discussions around the company's next leader

accelerated in 2023 when Arnault joked that the

next CEO of LVMH would be the best person

fit for the job — and not necessarily a member

of his family.

16 | April 2025

News

Million-dollar fraud case concerning

massive space diamond dismissed

A lawsuit alleging that cryptocurrency entrepreneur Richard Heart

misappropriated investor funds to purchase a 555-carat black diamond

has been dismissed.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed suit against Heart

in August 2023, claiming he committed fraud by raising more than $USD1

billion through unregistered cryptocurrency offerings.

More than $USD12 million was allegedly spent on luxury assets, including the

Enigma diamond, a 555-carat black diamond believed to originate from space.

Federal judge Carol Bagley Amon dismissed the SEC’s case, stating that it

failed to prove that these actions had occurred in the US. Heart is a US citizen

living in Finland.

“To satisfy the conduct and effects test, the SEC must show ‘conduct within the

United States that constitutes significant steps in furtherance of the violation,’

or ‘conduct occurring outside the United States that has a foreseeable

substantial effect within the United States,’” Amon wrote in the filing.

“Here, the SEC fails to allege sufficient facts that place Heart’s conduct within

the United States. As such, I cannot reasonably infer that Heart’s conduct

was ‘conduct within the United States.’”

The diamond was purchased at a Sotheby’s auction in February 2022.

It is classified as a carbonado diamond and was sold for £3.2 million

($AU6.23 million).

Diamond jewellery wake up call

Discussion around the market tension between natural and lab-created

diamonds has seemingly surged in recent weeks, and a leading industry

analyst has suggested that a significant 'narrative’ shift is underway.

In an interview with JCK Online, diamond industry analyst Paul Zimnisky

said that many jewellery retailers need to review strategy around diamond

jewellery sales.

“I can definitely feel the narrative changing. There’s been this incessant

narrative that lab-grown diamonds are God’s greatest gift,” Zimnisky said.

“There’s nothing wrong with them, but I think the industry is putting itself

in a difficult position given how heavily it’s promoting lab-grown. A customer

comes into a store looking to buy a diamond, and in their mind, it’s a mined

diamond, but the salesperson tries to steer them to lab-grown.”

He added: “Salespeople are convincing guys to spend less and get a bigger

diamond, that they’re dumb if they don’t. The tricky part is the actual price

is falling, and it’s starting to affect the top line.”

Zimnisky suggests that creating a more precise understanding among

consumers about the differences between the two categories is critical.

“The industry is doing itself a disservice by conflating the two and telling

customers they’re the same,” Zimnisky continued.

“I’m concerned about longer-term implications. It’s not too late to address

this. It’s extremely important to delineate the two products. I tell retailers,

‘Sell one or the other. If you’ve traditionally sold natural and want to sell

lab-grown, open another store, segregate it.’”

He added: “There’s been deflation in the entire category — natural prices

are down, lab prices are down. It’s enough to wake up the entire industry.”

Interestingly, Zimnisky predicted that in five years, the widespread

availability of large, high-quality lab-created diamonds would be so

widespread that, broadly speaking, the industry would gravitate back

to natural.

PEARL & OPAL JEWELLERY STYLED BY NATURE

wholesale.ikecho.com.au | 02 9266 0636 April | enquiries@ikecho.com.au

2025 | 17

News

Rare blue diamond expected

to return $30 million

Priceless pearl headlines special exhibition in Toronto

The world’s largest pearl has appeared on

display as part of a special exhibition in Canada.

A stunning blue

fancy colour diamond

is expected to impress

collectors at an upcoming sale, entering the auction

with an eye-popping pre-sale estimate.

A fancy vivid 10-carat cushion-modified blue diamond

– known as the Mediterranean Blue – will appear

at Sotheby’s in Geneva on 13 May. As one of the

largest blue diamonds in the world, it will enter the

auction with a pre-sale estimate of $USD20 million

($AUD31.46 million).

The diamond was cut from a 31.94-carat rough

discovered at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa in

2023. Quig Bruning, Sotheby's head of jewellery, said

it was rare to see diamonds with these characteristics

appear at auction.

"The Mediterranean Blue's remarkable size,

charming cushion-cut and ocean-blue colour places

it in the rarefied company of some of the most

important blue diamonds to come to market in recent

years," Bruning explained.

The Mediterranean Blue is expected to follow in the

footsteps of the 14.62-carat Oppenheimer Blue, which

sold for $USD57.8 million ($AUD90.92 million) at

Christie’s in Geneva in 2016.

An excerpt from the Gemological Institute of America

states that Mediterranean Blue possesses a rare

blend of highly desirable characteristics.

“Diamonds are works of passion, and vessels for

conveying the tales of the Earth’s soul and spirit, with

blue diamonds drawing a special connectedness to

the sea,” the excerpt reads.

“Their vibrant colour evokes the serene yet powerful

essence of the deep waters, creating a striking visual

parallel between the two. The Mediterranean Blue

is a remarkable example of one of the rarest colour

sensations observed in a diamond.”

The diamond will be displayed in Abu Dhabi, Tapei,

Hong Kong, and New York as part of the lead-up to

Sotheby’s High Jewellery Sale in May.

The Giga Pearl is the largest natural pearl ever

discovered and is certified by the Gemological

Institute of America.

According to some media reports, it’s believed

to be valued at more than $AUD150 million.

The Giga Pearl is listed in the Guinness World

Record at 27.65 kilograms and 138,254 carats.

It was on display until 18 March as part of the

Beneath The Surface exhibition at Avante Garde

in Toronto.

The pearl is owned by artist Abraham Reyes,

a Toronto artist who inherited the treasure as

a family heirloom.

Rio Tinto’s Argyle Pink Diamonds brand has

partnered with the West Australian Ballet to

grant scholarships to emerging dancers.

Rio Tinto will launch the Rare Gem collaboration

with the Australian Ballet Company to support

students in its Young Artists program.

A 12-month scholarship will afford students

stage experience and mentorship, preparing

them for a professional career.

His grandfather, a fisherman in the Philippines,

discovered it.

"I wanted to educate people about it. A lot of

people don't know that these giant clams exist

because they're endemic in the South Pacific.

So this is something fascinating for people

here in Toronto,” Reyes told CBC.

“[The exhibition] highlights themes of natural and

cultural complexity, exploring the intersection of

history, resilience, and the forces that define what

is rare and valuable.”

The exhibition was created by Reyes and features

a variety of natural gemstones and pearls.

Scholarship connects pink diamonds and ballet

Rio Tinto’s chief executive of minerals,

Sinead Kaufman, said the company was proud

to support emerging performers.

“Beauty and perfection drive both our Argyle Pink

Diamonds business and West Australian Ballet,”

Kaufman said.

“Rare pink diamonds, forged under extreme

conditions from the depths of the earth, mirror

the discipline and dedication that results in the

breathtaking beauty of ballet.”

The Argyle Pink Diamonds’ Rare Gem for 2025

is Samantha Green, a Western Australian

Academy of Performance and Art graduate.

Throughout the year, Green will perform in

every mainstage season, on regional tours,

and at special events.

Executive director of West Australian Ballet,

Lauren Major, highlighted the parallels

between developing young performers

and discovering and transforming

rare diamonds.

18 | April 2025

News

Elephants & Emeralds: Remarkable

new jewellery collection showcased

Experience a blend of Swiss precision and Australian

contemporary design in every Classique watch.

Our opal watches feature single slice Australian opal

dials, a true reflection of uniqueness and luxury.

Chopard has released a new high jewellery collection crafted from one

of the largest emeralds ever discovered.

The Swiss jewellery and watch manufacturer purchased a 6,225-carat

from mining company Gemfields in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.

The gemstone was recovered from the Kagem Mine in Zambia.

The rough was named ‘Insofu’ – meaning ‘elephant’ in the local Bemba

language and has yielded 850-carats of gemstone quality emerald,

which has been crafted into a 15-piece collection of necklaces, chokers,

rings, earrings, a bracelet, and a watch.

Among the key pieces is an elephant-shaped pendant with 50 carats of

emeralds and diamonds forming tusks. Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s

co-president and artistic director, said the collection was inspired by the

beauty of nature.

“With the Insofu Collection, it was about respecting this inherent beauty.

I chose the finest quality stones from the heart of the emerald, pairing

them with diamonds, pink sapphires, and pearls,” she said.

Another highlight is a four-in-one necklace inspired by The Great

Gatsby (1925). It features a 15-carat octagonal emerald and

a diamond choker with a 2.5-carat square-cut emerald.

Fading gemstones cause for concern

Three jewellery industry associations have released a joint statement

expressing concern about the presence of irradiated rubies and

sapphires in the global market.

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), the American Gem Trade

Association (AGTA) and the International Colored Gemstone Association

(ICA) issued a joint statement.

The statement highlighted growing reports of colour gemstones

sourced from Sri Lanka, which are believed to be treated using

undisclosed radiation sources.

These treatments produce appealing but short-lived colours in

gemstones. When the gemstones begin to fade – sometimes

diminishing to close to white – consumers are unhappy, and

the blame is often attributed to jewellery retailers.

The statement noted a positive initial response from the Sri Lankan

Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), indicating efforts would be

made to address this trend within the local trade.

ClassiqueWatches.com

Become a stockist today 02 9290 2199

April 2025 | 19

News

Iconic astronaut’s golden

wristwatch up for grabs

Watch collectors are keeping a close eye on a golden

Omega Speedmaster, owned by legendary astronaut

Neil Armstrong, which is currently available in an

online auction.

Following the success of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission,

Armstrong was broadly known as the first man on

the moon. Shortly after returning from space,

he was gifted the watch.

The watch is one of 28 created for a celebratory

event in 1969, where US President Richard Nixon

was given the first production model of the yellow

gold Moonwatch with burgundy bezel.

Each watch was engraved with the following:

“To mark man’s conquest of space with time,

through time, on time.”

RR Auction is hosting the sale, which ends on 17 April.

Half the proceeds will be donated to select charities.

Mark Armstrong, son of the iconic astronaut,

said this sale would strengthen the legacy of

that mission further.

“This watch, which my father liked to wear on special

occasions, symbolises one of the most remarkable

achievements in the history of mankind,” he said.

“A substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale

of this watch will benefit charitable causes my father

believed in, furthering the impact that he and many

other Americans made to humanity more than half a

century ago.”

At the time of publication, bidding has reached

$USD292,820 ($AUD464,600).

In November, a Rolex owned by another NASA

astronaut was sold in Boston for $USD2.2 million

($AUD3.3 million), obliterating its presale estimate.

Secret gold jewellery collection discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists have discovered a hidden treasure

trove of gold jewellery during the excavation of an

Egyptian temple.

The discovery was made at the Karnak Temple

complex, which was constructed more than 4,000

years ago and is located near the Luxor pyramid.

Hidden inside a pot believed to be more than

2,600 years old, a collection of gold jewellery and

statuettes of a family of gods were discovered.

“Part of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, the

complex was built by various pharaohs over a

period of about 1,500 years,” writes Emily Snow

for The Collector.

“Its many temples, chapels, pylons, and shrines

— and the artifacts found within them — offer

interesting insights into the evolution of ancient

Egyptian religious practices.

“The most significant structure at the complex

is the Temple of Amun-Re, dedicated to the

principal god of the Theban Triad.”

Mohamed Abdel-Badii, the head of the Egyptian

Archaeology Sector, said the jewellery collection

consisted of rings made of gold and metal and a

statue of ancient Egyptian gods.

The statuette depicted the chief god of Thebes,

Amun, his wife and mother, the goddess Mut, and

their son and Moon god, Khonsu. Researchers

suggested the statuettes were likely part of

jewellery worn around the neck like an amulet.

A metal brooch and artefacts representing gods

in animal forms were also found, as were several

beads, some of which were plated in gold.

Jewellery made from alien metals reshapes

historical understanding of European society

Archaeologists have discovered 'extraterrestrial

metal' used to create jewellery in ancient

burial sites in Poland.

The pieces were collected from early

Iron Age cemeteries in southern Poland,

dating between 750 and 600 BC. Three

bracelets and a pin containing a metallic iron

found only in meteorites were discovered.

Researchers used different techniques,

including X-rays, to examine the objects

and determined that high concentrations of

smelted ore and meteoric iron appeared to

have come from a single asteroid.

Further study has determined that the

jewellery was made using an ataxite

meteorite with a mirror-like finish.

Mixing the iron sources was likely done on

purpose to create patterns on the pieces,

which, if accurate, would make these artifacts

the oldest known example of patterned iron.

Published in the Journal of Archaeological

Science: Reports, the study found that

meteoritic iron was present in about 26

ornamental specimens unearthed at an

ancient Polish cemetery.

“This modest number of specimens nevertheless

forms one of the biggest collections of meteoritic

iron products at one archaeological site

worldwide,” the study reveals.

“We suggest that the meteoritic iron was

deliberately used to produce a specific

pattern on iron jewellery – a millennium

before the supposed invention of wootz

and Damascus steel.”

Fallen meteorites were used to fashion

jewellery thousands of years ago, and a

similar example is found in Tutankhamun's

tomb. Researchers in Spain made a similar

discovery in 2024, concluding that artifacts

were made with 'alien metals'.

20 | April 2025

News

Kaleidoscope: Australian jewellery designer shines

in prestigious international competition

Australian jeweller Nadia Neuman is the 2025

recipient of the Champion of Champions award

at the International Jewellery Design Excellence

Awards in Hong Kong.

The awards ceremony is the highlight of the

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

International Jewellery Show.

The Champion of Champions competition

features winners of jewellery design

competitions from around the world.

Neuman owns Mondial by Nadia,

based in Sydney, and was crowned the winner

as the creator of Kaleidoscope. . The 18-carat

yellow and white gold pendant features

32-carats of fancy colour and white diamonds.

Entering the competition for the first time,

Neuman said it was an opportunity to showcase

the immense beauty the Australian landscape is

capable of creating.

“I’ve always wanted to create a kaleidoscope

because it's a beautiful way to display the

natural play of fancy colour diamonds,”

Neuman told Jeweller.

“It took around six months together to complete.

It was an interesting process because it needed

to function correctly – there’s no point in making

a kaleidoscope if it doesn’t actually work!

“Once we had a working prototype, I realised

that it wasn’t the most appealing shape for a

competition piece.

"From there, the piece took a life of its own

and evolved into something bigger involving

different components that you can take off

and remove, so it’s interchangeable.”

Kaleidoscope features diamonds in polished

and rough forms.

By looking through the piece and rotating the

baguette-set base, the viewer can see the

changing patterns made by the loose diamonds

as they turn within.

The diamonds were sourced from the Argyle and

Ellendale mines in Western Australia and Neuman

said that selecting the stones to create an optimal

composition was a rewarding experience.

“Everybody has their sense of balance and

proportion and their idea of what is aesthetically

pleasing to them,” she explained.

“When you have a complicated piece of this nature,

the colours and tones must fuse together well, so

that it’s easy on the eye, flows well, and the design

is consistent in style.

“I’ve loved rough diamonds since my mother

created her collection of rough diamond jewellery

in the 1980s.

"I grew up fascinated with these diamonds, knowing

that they’re billions of years old and from the core of

the Earth.

“Ensuring that this was a piece of art that brings

out the best of the stones and materials was a

rewarding challenge and I’m very fortunate to be

able to spend my time creating beautiful pieces.”

Neuman faced tough competition, with other

finalists coming from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia,

China, Iran, Australia and the UK.

The Champion of Champions trophy was created by

renowned jewellery designer Wallace Chan.

Kaleidoscope is currently on display at the Mondial

by Nadia store in The Strand Arcade in Sydney.

A new range of Argyle pink & blue

diamond jewellery, from one of

the original Argyle Pink Diamond

Select Ateliers.


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April 2025 | 21

Events Not to Miss

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025 Calendar

06 APR

–

07 APR

APRIL

01 APR – 7 APR

04

MAY

10 MAY – 13 MAY

05

18 JUN – 21 JUN

The Unique Show

Le Méridien Beach Plaza

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO

theuniqueshow.com

AUSTRALIA

Australian Jewellery Fair (AJF)

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition

Centre, QUEENSLAND

jewelleryfair.com.au/ajf

ADD EVENT

TO CALENDAR

& REGISTER

23 APR

–

26 APR

Watches & Wonders

Palexpo, Geneve, Switzerland

watchesandwonders.com

06 APR

–

07 APR

Australian Jewellery Fair (AJF)

Gold Coast Convention &

Exhibition Centre

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

jewelleryfair.com.au/ajf

Oroarezzo International

Jewelry Exhibition

Arezzo Fiere e Congressi

AREZZO, ITALY

oroarezzo.it

15 MAY – 17 MAY

29th International

Jewellery Kobve (IJK)

Kobe International Exhibition Hall

KOBE, JAPAN

ijt.jp/kobe

23 MAY – 26 MAY

International Jewelry Vietnam

Nguyen Du Stadium

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

vietnamjewelryfair.com

19 JUN – 22 JUN

Jewellery & Gem ASIA (JGA)

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Convention and

Exhibition Centre

HONG KONG, CHINA

jga.exhibitions.jewellerynet.com

JULY

10 JUL

–

13 JUL

07

THAILAND

Jewellery & Gem ASEAN

Bangkok (JGAB)

10 APR – 12 APR

Palakiss

JUNE

06

Queen Sirikit National Convention

Center, BANGKOK

jewellerygemaseanbkk.com

UNITED STATES

JCK Las Vegas

06 JUN

–

09 JUN

The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, NEVADA

lasvegas.jckonline.com

23 AUG

–

25 AUG

Fiera de Vicenza

VICENZA, ITALY

palakiss.com

16 APR – 20 APR

Istanbul Jewelry Show

Istanbul Expo Centre

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

istanbuljewelryshow.com

23 APR

–

26 APR

4 JUN –7 JUN

Las Vegas Gem, Mineral

& Jewelry Show

The Expo at World Market Center

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

jogsshow.com/las-vegas-gem-andjewelry-show/

5 JUN –8 JUN

Las Vegas Antique Jewelry

& Watch Show

Wynn Las Vegas Resort

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

lasvegasantiquejewelryandwatchshow.com

06 JUN

–

09 JUN

Singapore International

Jewelry Expo

Sands Expo & Convention Centre

SINGAPORE

jga.exhibitions.jewellerynet.com

AUGUST

23 AUG

–

25 AUG

08

Jewellery & Gem ASEAN

Bangkok (JGAB) Bangkok

International Jewellery Fair

ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

jewelleryfair.com.au/IJF

Queen Sirikit National

Convention Center

BANGKOK, THAILAND

jewellerygemaseanbkk.com

JCK Las Vegas

The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas,

NEVADA, USA

lasvegas.jckonline.com

International Jewellery Fair

ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

jewelleryfair.com.au/IJF

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22 | April 2025

International

Jewellery Fair

Where Brilliance Connects

AUGUST 23 – 25, 2025

ICC SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR

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April 2025 | 23

10 Years Ago

Time Machine: April 2015

A snapshot of the industry events making headlines this time 10 years ago in Jeweller.

Editor’s Desk

Understanding copyright protection

"And finally there is a patent, which

protects how a product works or

functions. Jewellery designers can use

patent law to protect any unique system

that they have applied to a product – the

threading system for Pandora charm

bracelets is one example.

Mind you, some of the issues I’ve had to

deal with are bizarre; many years ago a

local gemstone dealer demanded that I

stop another supplier from using an image

of a leopard in their advertising campaign

because he used a cheetah!

If you want a more thorough understanding

about IP and how to protect it, email me

because we have an excellent story written

by a legal expert."

Soapbox

Let’s play fair

April 2015

ON THE COVER

POLICE

"While this mindset isn’t necessarily

something of which to be ashamed, one

has to consider the consequences of

placing so much emphasis on price. This is

particularly true when it comes to finished

jewellery, gemstones and diamonds.

It’s widely accepted that retailers can find

the lowest prices if they head overseas.

I don’t deny this. In fact, more often than

not, it’s true but the question is, “At what

cost?” Sourcing product from overseas

has an impact on quality, service, the local

economy and more.

I could go on but I’m sure you get the idea."

Brett Bolton

Bolton Gems

Historic Headlines

Rare Aussie sapphire heads to auction

Strong jewellery sales forecast for Mother’s Day

Jewellers predict rise in platinum demand

More synthetic diamonds being uncovered

Sydney jewellery fair goes ‘Australian made’

Jewellery ‘ram raids’ head

across country

As another arrest is made in relation to the

recent jewellery store ram raids that occurred

in Canberra, a similar incident has taken place

in a shopping centre in Perth.

Police confirmed to Jeweller that the

Michael Hill retail outlet at Cockburn

Gateway Shopping City was robbed

yesterday, Monday 20 April, at 2:30am.

In a similar fashion to the Canberra ram raids,

the Perth robbery involved a man driving a car

through the shopping centre’s bollards and

doors before ramming into the jewellery store.

The thief allegedly smashed the outlet’s glass

panels and stole several items of jewellery

– the value of which is still to be determined.

Police are currently searching for the offender

who left on foot after the vehicle became stuck

inside the centre.

Hollywood-style jewellery heist

still baffles

Details on the high-profile, Hollywood-style

Hatton Garden jewellery heist continue to

emerge, with police having now released CCTV

images of some of the thieves involved.

The crime – which took place during the Easter

period – is said to be one of the largest ever

committed in the UK, and involved a gang

targeting a safety deposit business located

in Hatton Garden, the jewellery and diamond

district in London.

When the news first broke, multiple media

reports suggested that around 300 safety

deposit boxes – many believed to belong to

those working in the jewellery and diamond

trade – had been looted, and that the total value

of jewellery and other items stolen was close to

£200 million (AU$384.1 m).

STILL RELEVANT 10 YEARS ON

"To combat the stay-at-home/

stay-online mentality and to avoid

becoming relatively empty bricksand-mortar

showrooms for their

competitors, retailers, restaurants

and entertainment venues are taking

steps toward improving the in-store

consumer experience."

Australian jewellery sales down

for Michael Hill

It might have achieved a slight increase in

global sales but Michael Hill International

continues to struggle in the Australian

market, with the latest results showing a fall

in sales and revenue.

For the nine months ended 31 March, the

jewellery chain achieved a 0.9 per cent rise to

AU$358.4 million in overall same-store sales

and a 3.5 per cent increase to AU$382.3 million

in overall revenue compared to the previous year.

However, in Australia, same-store sales declined

2.1 per cent to AU$220.8 million and revenue also

decreased 1 per cent to AU$228.9 million.

Tiffany re-enters watch market

amidst Swatch dispute

Despite the ongoing legal scuffle with Swatch

Group relating to a failed watch partnership,

Tiffany & Co has seemingly dusted itself off and

launched two timepiece collections.

The Tiffany CT60 collection, consisting of more

than 20 pieces for both men and women, is an

indication of the company’s renewed focus on the

watch market.

The watches are available in Tiffany retail stores

worldwide and feature self-winding mechanical

chronograph Swiss movements.

While the majority of the range is made

of stainless steel, some of the timepieces

incorporate 18-carat rose gold. One of which is a

limited edition 18-carat rose gold calendar watch

with a 42-hour power reserve, shock-absorption

system and sapphire crystal display. Only 60

have been created, with each given a number on

the back of the case.

READ ALL HEADLINES IN FULL ON

JEWELLERMAGAZINE.COM

24 | April 2025

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26 | April 2025

REVIEW

Gems

Brazil: The rise of emeralds

Brazil has become one of the world’s top

three most important sources of emeralds,

alongside Colombia and Zambia.

Colombia was the world’s leading source

of emeralds for centuries, with its Muzo

and Chivor regions being best known for

producing gemstone-quality material.

With such a long history, Colombia has had

many years to cement itself as the world

standard for emerald quality, commanding

top prices and luxury status; however, a

neighbouring South American country has

emerged as a rival in recent decades: Brazil.

Brazil is no stranger to producing commercial

quantities of top-quality gemstones.

The country - particularly its Minas Gerais

region - has been an important source of

diamonds, imperial topaz, aquamarine,

and quartz for hundreds of years.

Brazil is the home of some of the world’s

most rare and desired gemstones, such

as the neon blue Paraiba tourmaline and

colour-change alexandrite. It seems that

when the Earth was divvying up its supply

of gemstones, Brazil was one of the most

favoured locations!

Considering the country’s wealth of gemstone

deposits, it is somewhat surprising to realise

that its commercial production of emeralds

is relatively recent.

Mining of the coveted green gemstone didn’t

take off in earnest until the 1970s. It still took

longer to gain a reputation as a high-quality

source, and for that, it is worth asking – why?

When judging top-quality emeralds, two main

factors matter above all else: colour and clarity.

And of the two, colour is king. There are many

fine green-coloured gemstones on the market,

including peridot, tourmaline, green sapphires,

and garnets; however, the grass green of an

emerald stands above them all.

Coloured by trace amounts of chromium

and/or vanadium, the most desired shades

are bluish green to pure green, with a vivid

saturation that is evenly distributed.

Value declines if the stone is too yellow or blue,

if there is colour zoning, and if there are too

many inclusions impeding transparency.

While Colombia is most associated with

producing top-colour emeralds, the

colour can differ not only from country

to country but also from mine to

mine. Each stone needs to be

judged individually!

That said, it is generally

understood that Colombia produces

pale to rich, vivid greens with a bluish

undertone; Zambia produces slightly darker

blue-greens, and Brazil produces light to

medium greens with bluish undertones.

What Brazilian emeralds have in their favour

- particularly those from the Nova Era area -

is high transparency, which is of great

importance for a gemstone notorious for

its inclusions.

In fact, so common is their included nature

that emeralds are the only high-value

gemstone where we have learned to love its

eye-visible internal fractures, referred to as

‘jardin’ (French for garden).

It is also accepted that many emeralds on

the market have undergone treatment with

colourless oil to fill those fractures and

improve clarity.

In terms of status and appeal, emeralds rank

alongside diamonds, sapphires, and rubies;

however, gemmologists advise taking particular

care when working with and wearing emeralds.

Emeralds are a bit softer, with a hardness of

7.5-8, and their brittle nature makes them

more prone to damage from heat, stress and

knocks from daily wear.

Brazil is home to more than a hundred different

varieties of gemstones and plays a significant role

in the jewellery trade.

Family:

Hardness: 7.5 - 8

Toughness:

Colour:

Cause of colour:

Main sources:

Acceptable treatment:

Brittle

Deep velvety green to grass green

Chromium and/or vanadium

Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, Ethiopia

Colourless oil

Avoid cleaning with ultrasonics and opt for

settings where the gemstone is protected, such

as a bezel setting or surrounded by diamonds.

With Brazilian gemstones, the jeweller is trading

off a lighter colour for a gemstone with fewer

internal fractures and a lower price point.

Brazil has also unearthed some of the largest

emeralds ever discovered, such as the

379-kilogram Bahia Emerald.

All these features are helping cement newcomer

Brazil as a top supplier of the

prized gemstone.

NATALIE HAMBLY is a Sydney-based writer and

gemmologist with a background in journalism

and media. For more information on gems and

gemmology, visit www.gem.org.au

April 2025 | 27

FORGING FUTURES

Building Mastery

Australia’s retail buying groups have

come together to address a shortage

of apprentices in the trade and advance

the local jewellery industry.

Over the past two decades, demand for custommade

jewellery and services, such as repairs,

has steadily increased – with a specific spike

during the COVID-19 pandemic noted.

Broadly speaking, with an ageing workforce and

an inadequate amount of jewellery apprentices

entering the industry each year, the trade

struggles to meet this demand and the shortage

of skilled workers has become alarming.

While this situation is widely known and recognised

within the industry, it’s become apparent in recent

weeks that government departments are unaware

of the skills shortage.

As noted by the 2025 Buying Group Report,

Nationwide Jewellers, Showcase Jewellers,

and the Independent Jewellers Collective

combine to represent more than 500 members

and 600 jewellery stores in Australia.

The three buying groups are working together

to campaign for the addition of ‘jewellers’ to the

Occupation Shortage List (OSL).

The OSL is a program organised by Jobs and Skills

Australia, a statutory body that provides independent

advice on future workforce, skills and training needs.

In other words, the OSL is a publicly available

tool that informs policymakers and education

and training developers about the Australian

economy's skills shortfalls.

How many additional hours per week of jewellery

manufacturer repairs (whether in house employees

or external jewellers) is your business likely to

require in the next three years? (n=131)

Nil

70%

20 or more hours per week

5 to 20 hours per week

28%

3%

The platform lists two relevant occupations –

Jewellery Designers and Jewellers – which

were rated as ‘No Shortage’ from 2021 to 2024.

A spokesperson for Jobs and Skills Australia

confirmed that while modelling may indicate

difficulty filling positions in occupations related

to jewellery manufacturing, there is insufficient

evidence of a national shortage.

Confusingly, the spokesperson also indicated that

this position resulted from feedback from industry

stakeholders who, it is claimed, supported the

'No Shortage’ rating for jewellery manufacturers.

This response surprised representatives of the

buying groups as anecdotal reports from members

paint a far different picture.

Independent Jewellers Collective CEO Joshua Zarb

said the groups were joining forces to benefit the

trade and lead the industry.

“We’re creating a united front to address this issue

with some genuine influence because it’s something

so much bigger than Nationwide, Showcase, and IJC.

This is a common goal for the future of the jewellery

industry,” Zarb told Jeweller.

“Speaking to our members, we know it is ridiculously

difficult for jewellery stores to find apprentices and

new jewellers.

"It’s been that way for as long as I can

remember, particularly for businesses based

in regional communities.”

“Furthermore, the

increasing demand on local

businesses is encouraging

jewellers to work long and

unhealthy hours.”

COLIN POCKLINGTON

NATIONWIDE JEWELLERS

“Everybody needs to

start somewhere, and

businesses need more

support to help young

people enter the industry.”

ANTHONY ENRIQUEZ

SHOWCASE JEWELLERS

“Anything we can do to

support local apprentices

and strengthen the

jewellery market is of

huge importance to all

three groups.”

JOSHUA ZARB

INDEPENDENT JEWELLERS COLLECTIVE

28 | April 2025

An aspiring young jeweller shines at

the 2024 International Jeweller Fair,

showcasing talent and creativity.

He added: “Anything we can do to support local

apprentices and strengthen the jewellery market

is of huge importance to all three groups.”

Word on the street?

To address this issue, the buying groups

conducted a member survey and the results

highlighted the desperate need for additional

jewellery manufacturing support.

More than 100 buying group members

responded to the survey, and while the results

may be obvious to those intimately familiar

with the trade, they are revealing.

Of the jewellery businesses that participated

in the survey, three-quarters (75 per cent) said

they do not currently employ an apprentice.

Around 87 per cent of jewellery businesses

suggested that employing a new trade jeweller

was ‘very difficult’ or ‘extremely difficult’, while

75 per cent of respondents find it ‘very difficult’

or ‘extremely difficult’ to employ a new apprentice.

This research also confirmed the increasing

demand for custom-made jewellery and services

such as repairs, underlining the importance of

introducing new apprentices to the trade.

Broadly speaking, three to four weeks is

considered an acceptable turnaround time

for completing and delivering a newly designed

and manufactured jewellery item.

The survey found that around one-third

(34 per cent) of respondents were willing to

concede that they were unable to meet this

industry benchmark three years ago.

Today, it’s clear that the situation has worsened,

with 63 per cent of respondents indicating that

this work cannot currently be completed within

four weeks for customers.

On a weighted average basis, the average

jewellery store sends out 54 repair or

manufacturing jobs to external jewellers

each month.

Unsurprisingly, almost all (96 per cent) of

respondents anticipate the need to provide

substantially more hours of jewellery

manufacturing services in the next 12 months.

Looking ahead to the next three years,

70 per cent of respondents forecast a need

for 20 hours or more per week of jewellery

manufacturing services.

Nationwide Jewellers managing director

Colin Pocklington said these findings are

deeply concerning.

“It’s critical for the future of the industry that

this shortage is acknowledged and addressed,”

he said.

“Consumers are facing steadily increasing

waiting times for custom-made jewellery. If

this continues, these consumers will eventually

pursue overseas options, essentially taking jobs

away from local businesses.

“Furthermore, the increasing demand on local

businesses is encouraging jewellers to work long

and unhealthy hours. Many are taking work home

with them to try and keep up.”

How many full-time apprentices do you employ? (n=104)

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

75%

16%

1%

0%

None 1 to 2 3 to 5 More than 5

The average respondent currently employs 0.4 apprentices.

On average, how many weeks did you quote

customers for the completion of custom design

jobs three years ago? (n=93)

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

10%

15%

1 to 2

weeks

51%

2 to 4

weeks

30%

4 to 6

weeks

3%

6 to 8

weeks

1%

8+

weeks

Three to four weeks is considered a reasonable turnaround time

for completing and delivering a newly designed and manufactured

piece of jewellery to customers. Three years ago, 34 per cent of

respondents were not able to meet this industry benchmark.

45%

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

How hard do you find it to employ a new

apprentice for your business, from 1 being

easy, to 10 being extremely difficult? (n=104)

5%

0%

How hard do you find it to employ a new trade

jeweller for your business, from 1 being easy,

to 10 being extremely difficult? (n=128)

0%

5%

2% 1% 2%

1 2 3

4

10%

5%

4% 5%

2% 2% 2% 2% 2%

1 2 3 4 5 6

5

6

9%

7

7

17%

8

16%

14%

8

7%

9

9

42%

Ratings 7 to 10 in the graph show that 75 per cent of businesses find

it very to extremely difficult to employ a new apprentice jeweller.

10

52%

Ratings 7 to 10 in the graph show that 87 per cent of businesses find

it very to extremely difficult to employ a new trade jeweller.

10

FORGING FUTURES | Building Mastery

He added: “It’s good that this demand exists and

local consumers know that Australian-made

jewellery is high-quality; however, steps must be

taken to ensure local businesses can keep up.”

It’s worth noting that this survey targets the critical

aspect of a broader market for jewellery repairs.

Jeweller’s 2024 State of the Industry Report found

around 1,200 chain stores in Australia, compared

with around 2,000 independents.

While chain stores represent a significant aspect

of the market, these businesses traditionally refer

repair work to nearby independents.

In other words, chain stores are focused on

mass merchandising rather than repairs,

meaning this survey represents insight from

the key service providers.

This feedback seems to be clear – there’s

far greater demand than supply, and issues

around introducing new jewellers to the

workforce are long-running which hasn’t

been adequately addressed.

The end game?

It’s hoped that by addressing the shortage via the

OSL, jewellery apprentices will become eligible

for government subsidies offered by bodies such

as Apprenticeships Australia.

The Department of Employment and Workplace

Relations works with providers to provide support

for apprentices, trainees, and their employees

from start to finish.

These include priority hiring incentives,

reimbursements for training and education,

and various subsidies and allowances to help

with cost-of-living pressures during training.

Showcase Jewellers managing director Anthony

Enriquez said that connecting apprentices to

businesses where they can learn directly from

experienced jewellers was critical for the future

of the trade.

“The first step towards solving any problem is

acknowledging that it exists. There’s an unhealthy

amount of pressure on the jewellery industry,

which needs to be addressed,” he said.

“Jewellery manufacturing is a unique and

specialised skill that combines artistry with

technical ability. The demand for custom-made

pieces is consistently increasing, and the industry

needs more jewellers.

“Everybody needs to start somewhere, and

businesses need more support to help young

people enter the industry.”

It’s also interesting to note that the Australian

Government is urging consumers to purchase

locally manufactured products as part of the

2025 Federal Budget with a $20 million

investment in the ‘Buy Australian Campaign’.

Enriquez, Zarb and Pocklington will meet

with representatives from Jobs and Skills

Australia in the coming weeks to address

this matter further.

April 2025 | 29

30 | April 2025

UNRESOLVED MYSTERIES

The Great Argyle Heist

Every pink diamond has a unique story to tell - some more

mysterious than others. SAMUEL ORD discovers that many jewellers

may well have encountered a stone or two connected to a daring

diamond heist.

April 2025 | 31

The Great Argyle Heist | UNRESOLVED MYSTERIES

TABLE 1: COLOUR BREAKDOWN - TOTAL STONES MINED

2.1%

Red &

Purplish Red

42 STONES

3.3%

Violet, Grey,

Blue & Other

65 STONES

Colours

Total Carats

Brown 718,815,000 80.31%

Yellow 134,075,000 15.5%

White 21,625,000 2.5%

Grey 13,840,000 1.6%

Pink, Red, Violet 778,500 0.09%

Sources: Jeweller analysis,

Leibish. Based on 865 million

carats total production.

Percentages are approximate

and extrapolated from publicly

available information. Less

than 0.1 per cent of the Argyle

production is pink, red and

violet diamonds.

TABLE 2 + CHART 1: COLOUR BREAKDOWN - TENDER STONES

94.6%

Pink

1883 STONES

Colours No. Stones %

Pink 1883 94.6

Red, Purplish Red 42 2.1

Violet, Grey, Blue, Other 65 3.3

Sources: Jeweller analysis,

GIA, Leibish. Based on

1,990 total stones tendered

between 1985 and 2020.

Figures are approximate and

exclude Petite Suites and Pink

Everlastings.

Australian Argyle Pink Diamonds

P

ink diamonds have long been cloaked

in mystery and intrigue, with many

unanswered questions adding to the

allure of these beautiful natural wonders.

Why are pink diamonds so rare? What causes the

distinct and enchanting colour in these diamonds?

Are there any deposits, hidden deep beneath the

surface of the Earth, still waiting to be discovered?

Following the closure of the Argyle Mine in 2020,

the market around these scarce diamonds changed

dramatically. With the supply of the world’s finest

pinks exhausted, consumer interest skyrocketed.

The intrigue around pink diamonds has been

amplified in recent years by the resurfacing

of a legendary tale that began in the 1980s.

It’s a story dominated by the themes that captivate

audiences – conspiracy, crime, sex, money, and

beautiful diamonds – beginning at the Argyle Mine

and spreading to exotic locations around the world.

These stories stand the test of time because they

tap into primal emotions – curiosity, excitement,

and suspense – in a way not dissimilar to jewellery’s

role as a symbol of love and personal identity.

A five-part podcast series was released by the ABC

in 2022 – Expanse: Pink Diamonds Heist – produced

by Sarah Allely and presented by Sinead Mangan.

It featured many previously unknown details of a

pink diamond scandal from the 1980s and was well

received by critics and listeners around the country.

It’s been confirmed that this podcast will be adapted

into a television series, which, if well executed, will

only add to the aura and mystique of pink diamonds.

Above all else, this story is a poignant reminder of the

exhaustive lengths people are willing to go to possess

these natural wonders.

On one hand, mining companies such as Rio Tinto

are willing to dig miles beneath the surface of the

Earth to find pink diamonds.

At the same time, cunning thieves are willing to

risk significant jail sentences for a chance to

possess these scarce beauties.

The intrigue around pink diamonds

has been amplified in recent years by

the resurfacing of a legendary tale

that began in the 1980s.

What happened?

The story begins with the opening of the Argyle Mine

in the remote East Kimberley region of Western

Australia in 1985.

At the peak of its powers, the Argyle Mine was the

world’s largest diamond producer by volume and

provided around 90 per cent of the global supply

of pink diamonds. Barry Crimmins, a former

Victoria Police officer, was hired to work security

at the Argyle Mine.

Two years later, the sale of the Hancock Red at a

Christie’s auction in New York generated international

headlines. The 0.95-carat purple-red fancy colour

diamond returned $USD880,000 in April 1987,

stunning collectors and setting auction records.

This auction was a source of fascination to Lindsay

Roddan, a horse trainer based in Perth who was

friends with Barry Crimmins.

Scouring various media reports, Roddan was clearly

a ‘larger-than-life’ character – most notably for his

seemingly endless connections in law enforcement

and the criminal underworld.

The pair had a mutual love for German Shepherds

and had been friends since around 1980. This

auction would be the genesis of a conspiracy

to steal diamonds valued at millions of dollars.

Roddan, knowing that Crimmins was employed

at the Argyle Mine, began to pester him about

the possibility of stealing diamonds.

These advances were reportedly rebuffed several

times; however, one year later, Crimmins stumbled

across some significant holes in security protocol

at the site.

The temptation to ‘get rich quick’ proved too strong.

As noted by media reports, the weak point was the

time between the diamonds being sorted, weighed,

and registered in a computer system.

The diamonds were vulnerable until they registered!

Furthermore, as head of security, Crimmins had

unquestioned access to the sorting areas and was

familiar with the surveillance camera system.

The ABC podcast details an initial theft that

unfolded without issue. Crimmins soon noticed

that as diamonds moved along the conveyor belt

during the process, many would fall onto the floor.

During court proceedings, he explained that

calling a security officer was a requirement

whenever a spillage occurred.

A TENDER GLANCE: SOME OF ARGYLE’S TREASURES

3.14 CARATS

Argyle Alpha

2.34 CARATS

Kimberley Rose

2.28 CARATS

Argyle Muse

2.24 CARATS

Argyle Eternity

2.01 CARATS

Hidden Princess

2.00 CARATS

Argyle Amour

2018 Tender

Won by Glajz

2018 Tender

Won by Leibish

2018 Tender

Won by Glajz

2020 Tender

Won by Kunming

2003 Tender

Won by LJ West

2009 Tender

Won by Glajz

Introducing…

A new range of diamond jewellery featuring some of

the last of the champagne diamonds from the Argyle Mine.

Brought to you by Australia’s Coloured Diamond Specialists


EST• 1965

Nina’s Jewellery proudly supports White Ribbon Australia. Stand up, speak out and act to end men’s violence against women.

April 2025 | 33


The diagram below shows the locations of

Australia’s three diamond mines. The Argyle

Diamond Mine ceased operations in 2020.

An entire year’s production of polished Argyle Pink Diamonds that weighed over

one carat could fit in the palm of your hand. | Argyle Pink Diamonds

When this happened, Crimmins would pocket some

of the diamonds, instead of returning them to the

conveyor belt. He admitted to using this method

for around a year.

Would you like to buy some pink diamonds?

Securing the diamonds was the first challenge; the

next was moving them from the Argyle Mine to Perth

undetected. Crimmins reportedly experimented with

various methods, concealing the diamonds in his

carry-on luggage.

This included stashing them in a tube of toothpaste.

Crimmins and Roddan would meet at dog shows,

coffee shops, and car parks and exchange diamonds

for cash. During these exchanges, Roddan would

supposedly badger Crimmins to focus on finding

pink diamonds.

At this stage, a third conspirator entered the story

in a fluke occurrence. Lynette Crimmins, wife of

Barry Crimmins, returned home from work

unexpectedly early one day.

She discovered her husband in the kitchen, hovering

over the kitchen sink and crudely washing diamonds.

In the podcast, she says that at first, she was

shocked; however, the temptation and allure

of the diamonds were overpowering.

Lynette Crimmins worked in sales at the time,

distributing beauty products to retailers around Perth,

and she asked to join the scheme as a middleman.

At first, she acted as a conduit between Roddan and

her husband, minimising their public interactions.

Her role would soon expand, as a significant aspect of

her job involved meeting with pharmacists.

This presented an opportunity to offer these stolen

diamonds directly to wealthy professionals.

Something isn’t right at the Argyle Mine

It’s difficult to determine precisely when executives

at the Argyle Mine began to suspect foul play;

however, it was clear that something wasn’t

right by 1989.

According to one source, suspicions began to rise

as early as 1987, the year the theft began. The

Argyle Mine’s chief of security, Richard Corfield,

a former Scotland Yard police officer, received a

phone call about mysterious pink diamonds

surfacing in Antwerp.

Two years later, Corfield heard a report of a South

African jeweller opening a new diamond workshop

in Perth and decided to visit. The jeweller said he had

some diamonds from Switzerland; however, Argyle

dust was visible when an envelope was emptied.

It’s important to note that diamonds at the Argyle

Mine were acid-washed on-site; however, these

stones were unclean.

The jeweller supposedly informed Corfield that

they had been delivered to the workshop by a

familiar face - Lindsay Roddan.

Corfield took a sample to the Argyle Mine for

testing. In a brazen move, Roddan called the

jeweller shortly after the workshop visit,

demanding to know why the diamonds were taken.

The testing proved that they were Argyle stones,

and a police investigation into the alleged theft

commenced in late 1989 following a report

from Corfield.

Who watches the watchmen?

The handling of this matter by the Western Australia

Police Force is long and complex – worthy of a story

on its own. Three investigations occurred between

1989 and 1996, each marred with controversy.

The Kennedy Royal Commission was established

in 2002 to investigate whether Western Australian

Police had engaged in corrupt and criminal conduct.

This report details the circumstances of the

investigation into the theft at the Argyle Mine

at great length.

While these fascinating details make for excellent

bedtime reading, they are too complex to detail

in this report. With that said, there are some

important details to note.

During the initial investigation, police asked Corfield

to identify an employee involved in operational

security at the Argyle Mine who could be trusted

to assist with the case.

The person identified was Barry Crimmins – the

man responsible for the theft! Crimmins was given

a briefing by Corfield, which included being told

that the principal suspect was Roddan.

Crimmins did not reveal that he knew Roddan and

was placed in a position where he could obtain

valuable information about the investigation.

A TENDER GLANCE: MORE OF ARGYLE’S TREASURES

1.56 CARATS

1.21 CARATS

1.20 CARATS

1.04 CARATS

0.67 CARATS 0.33 CARATS

Argyle Phoenix

Argyle Cardinal

Argyle Prima

Red Valentine

Lot 56

Mondial Red

2013 Tender

Won by Glajz

34 | April 2025

2014 Tender

Won by Glenn Bakker

2015 Tender

Won by Sciens

Diamond Management

2009 Tender

Won by Calleija

2018 Tender

Won by RR Diamonds

2014 Tender

Won by Mondial

Pink Diamond Atelier

April 2025 | 35


IN PICTURES

C

A

B

D

2020 Australian Pink Diamonds Tender; Argyle Pink Diamonds

Police began monitoring Roddan’s movements in

and out of Australia, and determined he was selling

diamonds to Switzerland’s Theodore Horowitz.

Remember the Hancock Red, the fancy colour

diamond that shattered records and kickstarted

the conspiracy to steal from the Argyle Mine?

It was Horowitz who purchased that diamond in 1987!

Reports detail the investigation of a pink diamond

donated by Horowitz to the Gemological Institute

of America (GIA). The invoice listed the diamond’s

origin as Bow River in South Africa.

Bow River is located in the Kimberley region of

northern Western Australia and is not far from

Lake Argyle.

Media reports note that investigators accused

Emmanuel Fritsch, a research scientist at GIA, of

being involved in the scheme, which he denied.

The initial investigation was shuttered before the

end of 1990, despite what would seem to be

significant circumstantial evidence.

A second police investigation began in 1992;

however, this was also marred by controversy.

The details are addressed at length in

the Kennedy Royal Commission.

It was alleged that the officer in charge, Senior

Sergeant Jeffrey Noye, formed a corrupt

relationship with Roddan.

“The allegations regarding Noye became the

subject of charges, including conspiracy to pervert

the course of justice, that were preferred against

him and Roddan,” the report reveals.

“Those charges were the subject of a lengthy

preliminary hearing that resulted in both men

being committed for trial. However, the charges

were discontinued by the Crown prior to the trial.

“This left at least the perception that there had

not been a conclusive determination of the

allegation that there was a corrupt relationship

between Roddan and Noye.

“There were also concerns expressed about

the circumstances of the discontinuation of

the charges brought against them.”

Lovers quarrel burns down the house

After the failure of two investigations, this dramatic

conspiracy collapsed in 1993 after yet another

unlikely fluke occurrence.

A drunken fight between two lovers - Lynette

Crimmins and Lindsay Roddan – would end it all.

In a drunken state, Lynette Crimmins broke a

window and crawled into Lindsay Roddan’s

house, injuring herself and demanding the

repayment of money she had loaned him.

The police were called and Crimmins fessed up

to her role in the pink diamond heist.

Lynette Crimmins admitted to her involvement in

the sale of stolen Argyle diamonds and implicated

Lindsay Roddan and Barry Crimmins in the theft.

According to one media report, she admitted to

passing around 240 rough diamonds to Roddan

during secret exchanges and made allegations

about corrupt relationships between Roddan

and various police officers.

“She spilled the whole message, which was

probably the best thing that ever happened to

the Argyle inquiry because she knew a lot of real,

real lot,” Corfield told the ABC.

Many of these allegations were detailed in a

special Four Corners episode in May 1995.

The Forensic Behavioural Investigative Services

would later complete a review of the previous

investigations on behalf of the Argyle Mine.

Unsurprisingly, that report concluded that many

matters had not been adequately investigated.

Despite this, the Kennedy Royal Commission

concluded that there was insufficient evidence

of corrupt police attempts to terminate the

Argyle investigation.

“There are lessons to be learnt from the history

of the Argyle investigations. Some of those

lessons are still to be fully understood and

absorbed,” the report details.

36 | April 2025

“There’s a theory

that Barry Crimmins had

a stash of stolen Argyle

diamonds somewhere

in the bush.”

Sinéad Mangan

ABC

“With events that span from the

rugged East Kimberley to the

glitzy veneer of 1980s Perth to

the backrooms of Swiss diamond

traders, Pink Diamond Heist is a

darkly humorous crime drama that

is distinctively Australian in flavour

and global in appeal.”

Ray Quint

Decade Films

“She spilled the whole message,

which was probabaly the best

thing that ever happened to the

Argyle inquiry because she knew a

lot of real, real lot.”

Richard Corfield

Argyle Mine Security

E

G

J

H

F

I

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

The Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia (mining.com)

Some of the recovered stolen diamonds (ABC News)

Media coverage of the unfolding court case (ABC News)

The Argyle Mine closed in 2020 (International Mining)

Lindsay Roddan (left) leaving court in the 1990s (ABC News)

Newspaper coverage of the heist (Sydney Morning Herald)

Richard Corfield (right) speaking to journalists (ABC News)

A court room sketch of Barry Crimmins (ABC News)

Robin Thoy led the first police investigation (Four Corners)

Theodore Horowitz and a receipt for diamonds (ABC NEWS)

“The persistence of corruption allegations and

the negative consequences of these on the public

perception of WAPS are, very significantly, the

result of management failures.

“A great deal of the trauma that has been

experienced over almost 13 years might have

been avoided if allegations of corruption had

been investigated and resolved at an early stage.”

Is this only the beginning?

In many ways, this marked the end of the conspiracy

to steal pink diamonds from the Argyle Mine.

Barry and Lynette Crimmins pleaded guilty to

conspiring to steal Argyle diamonds. Barry was

sentenced to four years in prison, and Lynette

was released on probation.

Lindsay Roddan pleaded not guilty to three charges

of conspiracy to steal and maintained his innocence.

He was sentenced to six years in imprisonment in

1996, which was reduced to three years for time

served in custody.

Operations at the Argyle Mine ceased in November

2020 after 37 years, during which time more than

800 million carats of rough were produced.

With that said, many unanswered questions still linger

around this legendary tale of conspiracy

and corruption.

The biggest of them all is obvious: What happened

to all those stolen diamonds?

The ABC report details a frustrating campaign by

former Victorian police commissioner Kel Glare

to locate the diamonds in Europe.

Glare spoke with diamond merchants in Antwerp,

Geneva, London and Paris; however, it soon became

apparent that these dealers were happy to be ‘left

in the dark’ about the possibility of stolen stones.

Many missing pinks are believed to be in Australia.

The ABC spoke with renowned expert John Chapman

of Delta Diamond Laboratory. Chapman explained

that for some time, the Argyle Mine would only

inscribe diamonds above half a carat.

He often encounters ‘mystery’ pink diamonds

without an inscription in Perth and suspects that

they belong to the stolen collection. Geologist

and chemical scientist John Watling, also based

in Perth, provides a similar account.

“There are lessons to be learnt

from the history of the Argyle

investigations. Some of those

lessons are still to be fully

understood and absorbed,”

Kennedy Royal Commission

Expanse: Pink Diamonds Heist concludes with one

final unresolved mystery which involves the confession

of Barry Crimmins.

According to court records, Lynette informed Barry

in early 1993 that she had confessed to the police.

Crimmins supposedly pondered this for a few

months before following a similar path and calling

investigators while on holiday in Queensland.

Crimmins arranged to meet with Perth Police in

Cunnanara, a town in far northern Western Australia,

around a 30-hour drive from where he made the

phone call in Queensland.

“Why would Barry travel so far to the actual scene

of the crime just in order to confess?” the podcast

concludes.

“There’s a theory that Barry Crimmins had a stash of

stolen Argyle diamonds somewhere in the bush.

“We’ve tried to put this allegation to him, but he’s

not picking up our calls anymore. When we reviewed

timelines and court documents with a fine-tooth

comb, it raised even more questions because

there were contradictions.

“If the rumour of the stash in the bush is true, and

it’s only a rumour, then I wonder if there’s any of the

Argyle diamonds left out bush?”

Coming soon

It’s been confirmed that Decade Films will partner

with Factor 30 Films to create a true crime

drama series - Pink Diamond Heist - based

on the ABC podcast.

Producer Ray Quint of Decade Films said it was

a uniquely Australian story worth retelling.

“We are thrilled to be working with Factor 30

and Sinéad to bring this captivating, stranger

than fiction true story to the screen,” he said.

“With events that span from the rugged East

Kimberley to the glitzy veneer of 1980s Perth

to the backrooms of Swiss diamond traders,

Pink Diamond Heist is a darkly humorous

crime drama that is distinctively Australian

in flavour and global in appeal.”

This story is another reminder that people will go

to remarkable lengths to acquire pink diamonds.

Hopefully, this television series will be a worthy

instalment into the ever-expanding mythology

of pink diamonds.

TURN PAGE FOR THE PINK DIAMOND BUYING GUIDE

Pink Diamonds

on Jeweller

SCAN TO READ

ONLINE & MORE

April 2025 | 37

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Pink Diamond Buying Guide

BLUSH AYLA NECKLACE

PINK KIMBERLEY – SAMS GROUP

pinkkimberley.com.au

Explore the latest dazzling and

enchanting pink diamond jewellery

releases from industry suppliers.

BLUSH ADDISON RING



BLUSH EMMIE RING



An enchanting piece with a

contemporary edge, the Blush Emmie

Ring features an elegant wrap design,

weaving together a band of Argyle pink

diamonds between two refined rows of

white diamonds. Crafted in 18-carat rose

and white gold, this ring is adorned with

pear-shaped pink diamond clusters,

creating a distinctive yet graceful look.

The Blush Addison Ring is a modern

masterpiece featuring a dazzling

hexagonal arrangement of fancy light pink

Argyle diamonds, elegantly framed by

white diamonds. This radiant design blends

contemporary style with timeless luxury.

The soft blush hues of pink diamonds add

warmth and sophistication, making this

ring a striking yet versatile piece.

PINK LOVE HEART RING

KL DIAMONDS

kldiamonds.com.au

Meticulously crafted in 18k rose

gold, this ring gracefully showcases

Argyle-origin pink diamonds,

elegantly accentuating a luminous

Argyle-origin white heart-shaped

diamond at its centre.

CECILIA RING

ELLENDALE DIAMONDS

ellendalediamonds.com.au

The Cecilia ring is an exquisite piece

crafted in 18-carat white and rose gold.

It showcases a 7PP pink diamonds

at its centre, accented by 6-7PP pink

diamonds from the Argyle Mine. It is

surrounded by Argyle white diamonds,

elegantly set in a vintage-inspired

design with intricate milgrain detailing.

38 | April 2025

ELLENDALE DIAMONDS


This exquisite pendant is crafted

in 18-carat white and rose gold. It

features an elegant mix of white

diamonds and rare blue and pink

diamonds from the Argyle Mine.

The intricate wreath-like design is

adorned with round brilliant, baguette,

marquise, princess, and pear-shaped

diamonds, creating a mesmerising

display of brilliance and rarity.

KIMBERLEY

HARPER EARRINGS



An expression of luxury, the Harper Earrings

feature elegant white gold hoops, gracefully set

with shimmering baguette-cut white diamonds

and radiant Argyle pink diamonds. These rare

diamonds, sourced from the Argyle mine, infuse

the design with a contrast of sparkle and soft blush

hues. Versatile yet distinctive, the Harper Earrings

bring effortless sophistication to any occasion.

KIMBERLEY NULLAH RING



Inspired by the untouched beauty of the East

Kimberley region, the Kimberley Nullah Ring

is a statement of elegance. Set in 18-carat

rose and white gold, it features a striking

composition of Argyle pink diamonds, their

soft blush tones contrasted by brilliant white

diamonds. A timeless treasure, this ring

embodies both contemporary design and

classic sophistication.

April 2025 | 39

PINK DIAMONDS | BUYING GUIDE

MARILYN RING

ELLENDALE DIAMONDS


The Marilyn ring is a stunning creation,

crafted in 18-carat white and rose

gold. Featuring four Asscher-cut white

diamonds and three 5PP pink diamonds

from the Argyle Mine, this exquisite

piece balances rarity and brilliance. A

timeless design, perfect for those who

cherish elegance and sophistication.

MARK MCASKILL

JEWELLERY

markmcaskill.com.au

This exquisite medallion-style

pendant from Mark McAskill

Jewellery features a stunning pink

diamond-set star encircled by a

halo of sparkling white diamonds.

The piece is elegantly crafted in a

yellow, white and rose gold mount.

MARK MCASKILL

JEWELLERY

markmcaskill.com.au

MARK MCASKILL

JEWELLERY

markmcaskill.com.au

A princess-cut and pink diamonds

form the perfect combination in

this elegant dress ring from Pink

Caviar. It features a stunning blend

of colours and cuts in a tri-colour

18-carat gold mount.

From Mark McAskill Jewellery, 85

pave-set pink diamonds delight

within a halo of brilliant white

diamonds in this stunning dress

ring from Pink Caviar. Expertly

set in a quality mount of 9-carat

yellow, white, and rose gold.

PREMIER PINK HALO STUD

EARRINGS

KL DIAMONDS

kldiamonds.com.au

These dazzling earrings feature intense

Argyle-origin pink diamonds, brilliantly

contrasted by sparkling round brilliantcut

white diamonds, also of Argyle origin.

ROSEWOOD

NINA’S JEWELLERY


Introducing Rosewood - a new range of fine

diamond jewellery from Nina’s Jewellery - the

colour diamonds specialists - featuring the

last of the champagne diamonds from the

now-closed Argyle mine. Celebrating the

secondary tones of premium pink found in

champagne diamonds from this Australian

mine, the range launches this month.

40 | April 2025

SCOTT WEST ARGYLE KNOT

COLLECTION

LJ WEST DIAMONDS

ljwestdiamonds.com

The Argyle Knot is a contemporary design

with the sparkle of Argyle pink diamonds in

individual turns, shapes, and character, and

set in platinum and 18-carat with inspiration

from nature’s finest wonders. It is inspired

by the boab tree native to Western Australia.

SCOTT WEST ARGYLE PINK

OPAL BERRY

LJ WEST DIAMONDS

ljwestdiamonds.com

The Argyle Pink Opal Berry is a

contemporary series with the sparkle

of Argyle pink diamonds accented by

halos of pink opals in a Pinkberryinspired

design. The pink opal is a love

stone that works to heal our emotions,

allowing our hearts to open to love.

Pink Opal is often referred to as the

‘Stone of Resolution’.

SCOTT WEST AUREOLE

COLLECTION

LJ WEST DIAMONDS

ljwestdiamonds.com

The Aureole Collection features Argyle

pink diamonds from Western Australia.

Inspired by the beautiful Aureole or Sun

Halo, a ring of light surrounding the

Sun, a phenomenon that is visible during

a rare solar eclipse. The combination

of purplish-pink tones set in platinum

and 18-carat takes inspiration from

one of nature’s wonders in a vibrant

contemporary design.

Sapphire Dreams celebrates the outstanding beauty of

Australian sapphires, showcasing their unparalleled

colour range within meticulously crafted, elegant jewellery

designs. Each sapphire is hand-selected by our team of

expert gemmologists, ensuring every piece highlights the

stone’s natural brilliance and unique beauty.

Our ethically sourced, Australian sapphires embody the

harmony of luxury and sustainability.

SapphireDreams.com.au

Become a stockist today 02 9290 2199

BUSINESS

Strategy

Successful steps to effectively

onboarding a new employee

Making the most of any new hire’s enthusiasm is critical.

DAVID BROWN offers advice on providing a smooth introduction to your store.

So, you’ve got a new team member

joining your retail store— these are

exciting times!

You will never have a better time to provide

them with the correct processes and

procedures you need them to follow.

Properly onboarding them sets the stage

for their success and integration into your

team. Here are seven detailed steps to

ensure they start on the right foot.

Preparation: Before your new hire starts,

ensure everything is ready for their arrival.

In fact, this process should be in place from

the time they are hired.

Employment contracts, uniforms and other

preliminary steps can be dealt with before

day one so they can hit the ground running.

On their first day, make sure any other

paperwork that isn’t pre-prepared is ready

for them, including company policies or

manuals they need to review. By being

organised, you will show professionalism,

respect for their time, and readiness to

accept them as part of your staff.

Warm welcome: First impressions are

crucial. Greet your new employee warmly

when they arrive on their first day.

Introduce them to the staff members

they'll be working closely with and give

them a tour of the store. Explain the layout,

where they can find essential facilities like

restrooms and break areas, and any safety

protocols they need to be aware of.

Encourage other staff to introduce

themselves and make them feel included.

If you’re planning a social event, coincide it

with their arrival to help them settle in.

Orientation: Begin with a comprehensive

orientation session that covers

essential information such as the

company's history, mission, values, and

organisational structure.

Provide an overview of store policies and

procedures, including customer service

standards, sales processes, returns and

exchanges policies, and security measures.

This foundational knowledge helps new

hires understand the bigger picture

and align their actions with the store's

objectives. Make sure they have a ‘go-to’

contact for any questions.

Role-specific training: Tailor training to

their specific role and responsibilities. If

they join the sales team, provide detailed

training on product knowledge, sales

techniques, and using the POS system.

For roles involving inventory management,

teach them how to track stock levels,

handle deliveries, and conduct regular

stock checks.

If the position is administrationorientated,

show them the correct

procedures and where they can get

guidance.

Incorporate hands-on training sessions and

shadowing opportunities with experienced

staff members to help them grasp tasks

quickly and build confidence.

Clear expectations: Succinctly outline

their job responsibilities, performance

expectations, and key performance

indicators (KPIs) from the beginning.

Discuss goals, such as achieving sales

targets, improving customer satisfaction

ratings, or enhancing operational efficiency.

You will never

have a better

time to provide

them with

the correct

processes and

procedures you

need them to

follow.

When expectations are clearly defined,

new hires understand what is expected

of them and can focus on achieving their

objectives.

This is easier to implement from the

beginning than to attempt to introduce

later.

Career development: Highlight

opportunities for growth within your store.

Discuss ongoing training programs,

skill-building workshops, and certification

courses relevant to their role.

Encourage new hires to take the initiative

to expand their knowledge and skills.

Offer mentorship opportunities with senior

team members or management to provide

guidance and support as they navigate

their new responsibilities.

Demonstrating a commitment to their

professional development shows that

you value their potential and are invested

in their long-term success within the

organisation.

Routine check-in: Regularly check in with

your new hires to provide feedback on their

progress and performance.

Schedule formal feedback sessions at the

end of their first week, the first month,

and quarterly after that — don’t leave this

process to chance.

Use these meetings to discuss their

strengths, areas for improvement, and

any challenges they may face. Listen to

their feedback as well.

Recognise their achievements and provide

constructive feedback to help them grow

professionally.

42 | April 2025

It’s important to understand that different

staff may learn at unique speeds and in

diverse ways.

Encourage open communication and be

receptive to their input and suggestions

for improving processes or addressing

issues within the team.

You only get one chance to harness their

initial enthusiasm. Following these steps

and incorporating additional advice will

facilitate a smooth transition for new hires

and cultivate a positive work culture where

employees feel valued, motivated, and

empowered to contribute to your retail

store's success.

Effective onboarding invests in your staff’s

future and improves employee satisfaction

and retention.

Navigating conflict

Dealing with staff conflict or confrontation

in your store can be challenging; however,

as a manager or owner, handling these

situations with professionalism and

empathy is essential.

Whether the conflict is directed at a fellow

staff member or at you, it is never pleasant

or easy to deal with.

Over the years, I've learned several effective

strategies for managing conflicts with

staff members, ensuring resolution, and

maintaining a positive work environment.

Address the issue early: When conflict

arises, it's crucial to address it promptly.

Ignoring or postponing the discussion can

escalate tensions and impact staff morale.

There is seldom any chance of the tension

going away by itself. As soon as you

notice signs of conflict, schedule a private

meeting separately with the staff member

or members involved.

This one-on-one approach allows for open

communication without distractions and

demonstrates that you are prepared to take

the issue seriously.

Listen: During the meeting, you must

prioritise active listening. Let the staff

member express their concerns or

grievances without interruption.

This not only shows respect but also

provides insights into their perspective on

the situation and allows you to get to the

bottom of the real issue.

Pay attention to verbal and nonverbal

cues to understand the underlying issues

contributing to the conflict — it often isn’t

about the matter they have raised.

Acknowledge: Conflict often stems from

misunderstandings or differing perceptions.

Once the staff member has shared their

side, clarify your understanding of their

feelings and concerns.

Validating their emotions—such

as frustration, disappointment, or

anger—helps build rapport and

demonstrates empathy.

Acknowledging their feelings doesn't

necessarily mean agreeing with their

viewpoint; however, it shows that I value

their perspective. Remember that everyone

wants to be listened to.

Solutions, not blame: Discussions can

quickly devolve into assigning blame.

Instead, steer the conversation towards

finding constructive solutions for all

parties involved.

Encourage the staff members to suggest

ways to resolve the conflict or improve

the situation themselves. This approach

empowers them to take ownership of

the resolution process and promotes a

collaborative mindset.

They are more likely to accept the solution

if it is their own. Together, brainstorm ideas

and evaluate potential actions to address

the issue effectively.

Clear expectations: Clarity is key in

resolving conflicts. You must ensure that

expectations moving forward are clearly

defined and understood by both parties.

This includes outlining specific actions,

timelines, and responsibilities to prevent

similar issues from recurring.

Setting clear expectations fosters

accountability, and provides a framework

for monitoring progress towards resolution,

and makes everyone aware of what is

expected going forward.

WELCOME

TO THE

JEWELLERY

TRADE!

Prepare in

advance

Everything your

new employee will

need should be

available on day

one.

Specific area

training

Incorporate

hands-on training

sessions and

shadowing

opportunities with

experienced staff.

Every

requirement is

understood

Ensure that new

hires understand

what is expected

of them.

Sky is the limit

Establish career

advancement

opportunities as a

motivating factor.

Common ground: Find areas that everyone

can agree upon and reach a consensus on

the ideal outcome.

When a stumbling block occurs, you can

keep returning to this objective with all

parties concerned.

Provide support: Conflict resolution doesn't

end with the initial discussion, even if an

agreed course of action is reached at the

first meeting.

You need to follow up with the staff

members to check on their progress

and ensure that all parties implement

the agreed-upon solutions effectively,

including any commitment you have made

in the process.

Offer support and guidance as needed,

acknowledging that resolving conflicts may

take time and effort and may not be a quick

fix. Regular communication and feedback

help maintain positive relationships and

reinforce a supportive work environment.

Confidentiality: It’s critical that you don’t

discuss the matter with any other staff

member unless they are in a management

or supervisory capacity.

Staff need to feel that trust and impartiality

will always be maintained. As a manager

or owner of a retail store, dealing with

conflict and confrontation requires patience,

empathy, and effective communication skills.

Conflicts can be resolved constructively by

addressing issues early, actively listening to

staff concerns, focusing on solutions, setting

clear expectations, maintaining impartiality,

and providing ongoing support.

These steps lead to a more harmonious

work environment, strengthen relationships,

and enhance team productivity.

As you continue to navigate the complexities

of managing a retail team, these strategies

remain integral to promoting a positive and

cohesive workplace culture.

DAVID BROWN is co-founder

and business mentor with Retail

Edge Consultants. Learn more:

retailedgeconsultants.com

April 2025 | 43

BUSINESS

Selling

What is the enemy of customer service?

Do you allow your pride to impact the quality of your customer service?

SHEP HYKEN details the importance of setting aside ego.

I recently had the wonderful

opportunity to interview Brian

Hamilton on Amazing Business Radio.

It was an interview packed with

insights involving customer service.

It’s a great question, and I want to take

it a step further and include employees

in my answers. So, keep in mind that

my answers can apply to employees

as well, not just customers.

Hamilton is the chairman of LiveSwitch

and an entrepreneur who has started,

built up, and eventually sold numerous

businesses.

At the end of every show, I usually ask,

“What last nugget of wisdom can you

share with our listeners?”

Hamilton shared a striking answer:

“The enemy of customer service is

pride.”

As he explained the thinking behind

this profound statement, I knew I

would write about it and discuss it.

If you’ve been following my work,

you know one of my favourite ideas is

that the customer is not always right.

Let’s use that as a starting point to

understand how pride can be the

enemy of customer service.

When we’re taught by the boss that the

customer is always right, and one day

a customer makes a statement that

isn’t right or accurate, we have conflict.

Maybe the customer is argumentative!

We have been taught and told – maybe

even ordered – to treat that customer

as if they are correct; however, they

are not.

For example, what happens if you have

a liberal 30-day return policy and the

customer comes to return the item

on day 60, insisting they were told the

store had a 90-day return policy?

Can you see the conflict? They are

wrong, and that conflict is where

pride kicks in and gets in the way

of good customer service.

For some, it’s hard to put pride aside

and empathise with the customer’s

errant point of view.

While we may not directly tell the

customer they are wrong, we may

say something combative or

argumentative — even if we say it nicely.

When pride gets in the way, we might

find ourselves thinking the following:

“I know more than this customer” or

“They clearly don’t understand how

our system works.”

Those thoughts are our pride getting in

the way of serving our customers at the

highest level.

Instead, consider this idea: Listen

without interrupting, even if you

know they’re wrong.

When you finally talk, choose the

right words to avoid escalating the

situation. It's important to empathise

and acknowledge their frustration

or concern.

Focus on finding a solution rather

than proving who’s right.

Remember, the goal isn’t to win an

argument. It’s to win the customer.

When we let go of pride and focus

on helping, we create better

outcomes for everyone involved.

So, the next time you find yourself

in a situation where you know the

customer is wrong, ask yourself,

“What’s more important, being right

or being helpful?”

The answer will guide you toward better

customer service.

Don’t let pride get in the way of good

customer service!

Simple service tactics

I was recently asked in an interview,

“What are the easiest and least

expensive customer service tactics

a company can implement?”

While we may

not directly tell

the customer

they are wrong,

we may say

something

combative or

argumentative

— even if we say

it nicely.

Sometimes, the best strategies don’t

have to be complicated or expensive

to be effective. They are 100 per cent

common sense, but as you’ve heard me

say in the past, common sense is often

not so common.

• Just be nice: The number one reason

customers will leave you is the opposite

of nice: rudeness and/or apathy.

Whether they know it or not, customers

want to feel like you’re engaged and

care about them. A smile and a positive

attitude go a long way.

• Show respect: Honour the time of your

customers, value their opinions, use

their names appropriately, actively listen

to them, show sincere interest in them,

be courteous, and be professional.

• Be helpful: Even if you can’t help,

have a helpful attitude. It shows you

care. And if you add to that a smile

– as in being nice – it’s an excellent

combination that will make customers

appreciate you.

• Do what you say you’ll do: The fastest

way to lose your customer’s confidence

and trust is to not follow through on a

promise. That promise can be simple.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

• Say thank you: Don’t forget to show

appreciation to your customers. You can

say it in person, on the phone, via email,

or write an old-fashioned handwritten

note. Never miss the opportunity to say,

“Thank you!”

I share these simple ideas to remind

us that sometimes the best gifts aren’t

always expensive.

Sometimes, they are even free!

SHEP HYKEN is a speaker and New

York Times and Wall Street Journal

best-selling author who works with

companies to build loyal relationships

with customers and employees.

Visit: hyken.com

44 | April 2025

BUSINESS

Management

Flip the script on the beliefs holding you back

When you shift your beliefs, you shift your reality.

RYAN ESTIS details a strategy to overcome limiting thoughts.

Through my life experiences,

conditioning, limited understanding,

and fear of failure, I convinced myself

I wasn’t cut out to start a business.

I clung to that internal version of myself,

and it afforded some false sense of

security and a way to rationalise my

decision to stay the course. I was also

very wrong. As my dream beckoned,

I summoned the courage to answer

the call and take my shot.

If you’ve ever thought, “That’s just not

possible for me,” you’re not alone.

Most of us live with limiting beliefs

— mental barriers shaped by our

environment, upbringing, and even

the negative thoughts that dominate

our minds daily.

Belief drives outcomes and if you

believe something will happen, you

increase the possibility of it coming

to fruition. For example, if your goal

is to hit a big sales number, it serves

you to believe you’ll make it instead of

convincing yourself pre-emptively that

you’ll fall short.

Many beliefs weren’t shaped consciously.

They came from conditioning — things

we were told, experiences we’ve had,

or environments we grew up in.

Add in a constant stream of negative

thoughts and we develop limiting beliefs

that hold us back. According to some

studies, as many as 80 per cent of our

thoughts daily are negative.

Below are a few of my favourite tactics

to break free of self-limiting beliefs.

• Write down your dream: Big or small,

personal or professional, it’s essential

to be clear about what you want. Putting

your dream into words gives it shape

and makes it feel real - like something

you can work toward, not just a hope.

• Identify the beliefs holding you back:

Ask yourself what you believe about this

dream. What are the thoughts that pop

up when you imagine going for it?

Go further and consider where these

thoughts, feelings and beliefs come from.

Recognising the origin of these thoughts

and feelings associated with them is the

first step to dismantling them.

• Flip the script: Replace that limiting

belief with an empowering one. This

isn’t about lying to yourself; it’s about

finding a belief that feels aspirational

but achievable.

Use the word ‘yet’ to open the door

to new possibilities and growth.

• Visualise the possibilities: Close your

eyes and imagine yourself living that

dream. Picture the sights, sounds,

and emotions as vividly as possible.

Visualisation helps rewire your brain,

quieting doubts and reinforcing positive

beliefs. It also helps to write these

visions down.

• Take one bold step today: Dreams don’t

materialise overnight but require action.

Decide on one thing you can do right

now — something small but meaningful

— that moves you closer to your dream.

Progress, no matter how incremental,

builds momentum.

When you shift your belief, you shift your

reality. We are likely familiar with the

refrain: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Wrong! You are far more likely to see what

you want when you start to believe it first.

Two stories every leader needs to tell

Telling a compelling story establishes

credibility and galvanises support for

your ideas.

It’s how you inspire an audience and lead

an organisation. Compelling storytelling is

a key leadership skill.

Telling a

compelling

story

establishes

credibility and

galvanises

support for

your ideas.

Unfortunately, leadership communication

and effective storytelling are often

competencies that are underdeveloped.

It’s no surprise that Gallup research

found that only 13 per cent of employees

strongly agree that leadership

communicates effectively with the rest of

the organisation.

The same study found that only 22 per

cent of employees strongly agree that

leadership has a clear direction for the

future of the organisation.

That’s a failure to communicate, or at

least communicate effectively. Leaders

influence when they reach people in ways

that help them understand clearly, enable

them to connect, and inspire them to act.

There are two stories that every leader

should learn how to tell.

Your origin story: An origin story is

about our beginning, our values, what

inspires us, and the defining moments

and influences that helped shape the

person we are today.

It gives people, staff, and a business

a glimpse into your life experience,

leadership philosophy, and the

meaning behind your motivation.

This story can serve as a catalyst

to connect you to others. If shared

effectively, it will make you more

approachable, understood, and

perhaps a little more human.

Your growth story: The second story

is about vision. It's a story about how the

business is going to achieve sustainable

growth and deliver the mission.

Research shows that if leaders adopt

certain mindsets, they’re two and a

half times more likely to outperform

their peer groups.

Commit to communicating beyond

data, facts, and figures. Solidify your

leadership origin and growth stories

and share them in service of others.

RYAN ESTIS is keynote speaker and

management consultant with more

than 20 years’ experience as a sales

professional and leader.

Visit: ryanestis.com

April 2025 | 45

BUSINESS

Marketing & PR

The five senses of retail: Part I

Does the layout of jewellery store capitalise on every opportunity to connect with consumers?

GEORGANNE BENDER addresses five key areas of store layout and design.

Imagine you’re visiting a worldfamous

theme park, for example,

Walt Disney World in sunny Florida.

You're enjoying some well-deserved

time away from your jewellery store.

As you approach the entrance to the

Magic Kingdom you are welcomed by

an enticing mixture of sights, sounds,

and smells.

These are all geared to improve your

mood. At these tourist destinations,

everything is designed to create and

control the guest experience.

Each new location you enter is designed

to engage your senses differently.

This is done so effectively that you likely

don’t even notice the changes as you

leave one location and enter the next.

Whether you realise it or not, companies

such as Disney create and then control

every move you make inside its parks.

The good news is you can do the same in

your jewellery store!

It's important to break down the process

into the five senses to learn how this sort

of subconscious marketing can be applied

to your business.

Sight: What do we see?

Your sales floor should be a visual

wonderland. Everywhere customers

look, they should be drawn to something

intriguing and attention-grabbing.

Where you place fixtures creates a path

for shoppers to follow as they peruse

your sales floor.

In many stores, 50 per cent of a store’s

floor is never seen by shoppers because

the layout is left to chance.

Supermarkets don’t make this mistake,

and that's why milk is always at the back

of the store. The goal is to encourage

consumers to walk past as many

promotional goods - they didn’t realise

they needed - on the way to collect the

daily essentials.

Your sales floor should be set to lead

shoppers somewhere deliberately.

To do this, make a schematic of your

current layout and determine if your

fixture placement is doing the job.

It's possible you may disover some

control changes that need to be made.

Look for ‘desire paths’ – these are

shortcuts customers make to get

through your store faster.

Check your flooring for heavier wear in

certain areas or spend a day watching how

customers navigate the sales floor. If you

find a desire path, place a display directly

in the centre of it.

Furthermore, make your displays visually

interesting. Add props, different textures,

and signing to catch the customers’ eye.

Create a strong sight line by placing

shorter fixtures up front and taller fixtures

towards the rear of the store.

This allows shoppers to see both in and

through your store, and gives them the

chance to notice things they may have

otherwise missed.

Lighting is critical to the customer

experience. If you have customers

aged 50-years and above - a likely

probability for a jewellery store -

there’s a strong chance they can’t see

all the details of your fabulous products.

This is because people aged 60 and

older only receive about 40 per cent

of the available light compared to

people in their 20s.

When was the last time you remodelled

your store or had your illumination levels

checked or assessed?

Track lighting is an easy fix for illuminating

dark spaces, highlighting merchandise,

or directing attention to certain areas of

the floor.

Your sales

floor should

be a visual

wonderland.

Everywhere

customers look,

they should

be drawn to

something

intriguing.

Hearing: What do we hear?

Music plays a role in encouraging sales

and every store needs a unique soundtrack

that puts every shopper in the right mood.

We say soundtrack because the music you

choose provides a background that entices

shoppers to stay longer and spend more

while they are there.

Music also adds to how you want your

jewellery store to be perceived.

So, unless heavy metal is part of your

schtick, Metallica cranked to 11 probably

isn’t ideal for most stores!

Your soundtrack should give shoppers a

psychological lift.

A recent study of more than 2,000 US

adults, conducted by The Harris Poll on

behalf of Spotify, found that more than 70

per cent of respondents said they’re more

likely to shop at stores that play music

they enjoy.

Furthermore, 63 per cent are more likely

to return to local stores that play music,

while 67 per cent of respondents said

background music incentivises them to

make purchases.

Interestingly, the survey also found that

the type of music also matters greatly for

different demographics of consumers.

Women shoppers prefer oldies, pop,

and R&B, while men prefer to shop

while listening to rock and blues.

Women and men both enjoy country

and classical music while shopping.

Whatever music you choose to play,

it’s your responsibility to ensure you

are doing it legally.

In the second part of this series, we will

address the next three senses – touch,

smell, and taste.

We'll learn how they can be used

within your jewellery store to create

a memorable experience for your

consumers, forging positive experiences

and associations and generating sales

along the way.

GEORGANNE BENDER is a retail

strategist, author and consultant.

Learn more: kizerandbender.com

46 | April 2025

BUSINESS

Logged On

Should your business really be using AI?

It takes a master to teach a student and a coach to lead a team.

DAVID BROCK offers a word of caution about rushing to use AI tools in your business.

I recently heard an outstanding

observation from business consultant

James Pursey during a sales seminar

about using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He said, “If you can’t do it yourself, you

probably shouldn’t be using AI.”

This is where our customers struggle,

and we are, perhaps, the best at helping

customers navigate the process.

With this knowledge, AI tools can help us

tremendously and automate much of our

work, but only if we know how.

The only modification I would make

is to say that if you can’t do the task

excellently yourself, you should probably

avoid using AI.

Pursey gets at the root of many issues

associated with the terrible use of large

language models (LLMs) in selling,

marketing, and customer service.

We’ve all been the subject of the most

horrible LLM-generated emails, social

media conversations, and AI-generated

posts. Many businesses have fallen

victim to these and been wooed into

complacency.

These tools eliminate all the work we

don’t want to do — all the tedious tasks

we struggle with. People suggest they

don’t have to struggle with outbound

emails anymore because they aren’t

good at them, and AI can handle the task.

What's the solution?

Pursey and his colleagues discussed the

need for deep expertise to get the most

out of these tools.

To get the best result, you must use

sophisticated prompts to understand

the issue more deeply and to refine

and tune the responses.

To do this effectively and efficiently, you

must have a high degree of knowledge

about what you are trying to do, who you

are trying to do it with, what works,

and what might not work.

Those with low knowledge and capabilities

cannot evaluate if they are getting the best

from the LLM. To them, everything looks

good, even though, based on what we

see them doing, it is wretched!

Those who are well-trained use these

tools as thought partners to complete

debates and as tools that can help them

generate new ideas.

However, to do this and get quality

responses, each of them has to have

great expertise in what they are doing.

They can identify the technology's flaws

and ‘hallucinations’.

They can also refine the prompts to

improve them and more narrowly

focus the answers.

These LLMs, such as ChatGPT, can be

tremendously helpful — but only if you

can engage them in discussions.

Key areas of focus

So, what does this mean as we look

to leverage these tools with the most

significant impact?

• We need to continue to focus on

improving the expertise of our staff,

not just in our products but also in our

customers, their businesses, and how

they recognise the problems we solve.

• We need to develop our staff’s curiosity

in how they engage customers in talking

about their problems and dreams and

enhance their ability to do clever prompt

engineering to get the most out of these

fantastic tools.

• Critical thinking goes hand in hand

with curiosity. We need to engage

our customers in deep, personalised

discussions about their challenges

and be able to carry on the conversation.

We leverage the same capabilities in

working with the AI tools to help us plan

what we might do with those customers.

• We need to develop our staff’s

problem-solving and project

management capabilities.

This is where

the true power

of humans and

technology

come together.

• Finally, we must recognise what LLMs

and AI can’t do.

Then, we must make sure we are experts

at doing those things. This is where the

true power of humans and technology

come together.

Where do we go from here?

Pursey was very polite and proper in his

statement: “If you can’t do it yourself,

you probably shouldn’t use AI.”

I’m a little more crude: Idiots using AI will

produce crap at the speed of light!

We have a choice! If we want to

leverage these tools' real power

and promise, we must develop the

capabilities of our sellers, marketers,

managers, and leaders.

We have the opportunity to amplify what

we do and how we do it, connecting with

a much more significant impact on

every customer engagement.

Final consideration

The more we use these tools to do the

work and think for us, the faster we

lose our ability to exercise human

judgment, creativity, critical thinking,

and collaborative problem-solving.

As a result, we create less value within

our businesses and with our customers.

We lose our competitive edge, and our

customers will see less need to engage

us in working with them.

These tools are very powerful and can

amplify our creativity, critical thinking,

and problem-solving capabilities - or they

can allow us to dumb ourselves down.

The choice remains in our hands.

DAVID BROCK is CEO of Partners

In Excellence, a global consultancy

focused on helping organisations

engage customers more effectively. He

writes at partnersinexcellenceblog.com

April 2025 | 47

My Bench

Nathan Kiddle

Robert Cliff Master Jewellers

• AGE: 42 • YEARS IN TRADE 25 • TRAINING: Certificate 3 Jewellery Trade and Diploma in Gemmology • FIRST JOB: Landscape Gardener

ELISE

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48 | April 2025

April 2025 | 49

OPINION

Soapbox

Bling unleashed: Why is jewellery

bigger, bolder, and brighter?

The game has changed and retailers must adapt, or risk being left behind.

TOBY BENSIMON discusses the influence of social media on modern consumers.

Subtlety in jewellery was once a hallmark

of refined taste; however, it has been

quietly ushered off stage and replaced

by a dazzling cacophony of excess.

Where a single strand of pearls or a modest

gold band once sufficed, today’s mantra

among consumers is unmistakable:

More is unequivocally more.

Who are the culprits for this change in

consumer preference? Social media

platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

These platforms are relentless architects

of modern desire, and they have not only

amplified jewellery’s volume, but also

flattened its once-varied global palette

into a singular, glittering chorus.

For those of us in the jewellery trade in

Australia and beyond, it’s a shift that’s

as intriguing as it is advantageous.

Back to the future

Rewind the clock a decade, and jewellery

preferences were a kaleidoscope of

cultural distinction.

Europe leaned toward minimalist elegance

— a whisper of heritage in a slim chain

or a lone gemstone.

America countered with unapologetic

bravado, proudly showcasing diamonds

hefty enough to double as paperweights.

Australia straddled the divide between

these two philosophies, blending coastal

nonchalance with a penchant for sparkle,

while Asia dazzled with filigree so

intricate it demanded a second look.

In those days, forecasting trends was a

high-stakes guessing game, and each

region was a puzzle piece that rarely fit

the next.

Stocking a store like Shiels meant juggling

a dozen tastes, hoping your hunch on

Sydney’s mood matched that of Perth.

Enter the social media age, and with it,

a seismic levelling. Instagram’s endless

scroll parades influencers adorned with

layered necklaces, rings crowding every

knuckle, and earrings that could signal

ships in a fog.

TikTok doubles down, its bite-sized videos

showcasing young tastemakers piling on

enough bling to outshine a chandelier —

all in the time it takes to brew a cuppa.

What’s emerged isn’t just a louder

aesthetic; it’s a global one.

Where tastes once diverged sharply

by continent and country, they’ve now

coalesced into a unified vision driven

by the same viral clips and hashtags.

The result? A homogenised appetite

that’s less a melting pot and more a

mirror, reflecting the same bold

silhouette from Bondi to Barcelona.

Adapting to a new environment

For the jewellery purists, it’s tempting

to mourn the erosion of restraint —

those long-gone days when a solitary

sapphire could command attention

without a supporting cast of charms.

Yet, this ostentation has a silver lining,

particularly for those steering the

Australian jewellery scene.

Predictability, once elusive, is now within

reach. Where trends used to trickle

Down Under with a lag, warped by

geography, we’re now in lockstep with

the world’s pulse because of these

digital social media platforms.

Shiels is in the midst of an 80th-anniversary

celebration, as the company was founded in

1945. Times have changed!

The digital space is crucial, especially with

social media becoming a primary search

tool for engagement ring shoppers.

Furthermore, a glance at #JewelleryInspo

on Instagram reveals what’s next — stacks

of bangles, oversized pendants, a chorus of

chains — and it’s a safe bet that trend will

resonate with Australian consumers too.

At Shiels, we’ve watched customers evolve

from seeking singular pieces to embracing

the entire ensemble; a shift echoed by Gen

Z consumers hunting for the next ‘big thing’

and retirees reimagining their classics.

This convergence isn’t without its tradeoffs.

The individuality that once defined

regional markets has softened.

The scroll has

become our

oracle, and it’s

rarely wrong.

Does this mark

the death of

jewellery’s

understated

art?

It's been replaced by a glossy uniformity

that prioritises visibility over nuance.

Stores everywhere, be it a boutique

in Melbourne or a chain in Milan,

are all peddling near-identical wares,

each bowing to the same digital overlords.

Yet, for an industry that was plagued by

the unpredictability of desire for so long,

this synchrony is a gift.

We’re no longer deciphering a dozen

dialects of taste; instead, we’re fluent

in a single, amplified language.

The scroll has become our oracle, and

it’s rarely wrong.

The big question

Does this mark the death of jewellery’s

understated art?

Perhaps for some — or alternatively,

it’s merely a reinvention.

The game has shifted from crafting for

the discerning few to curating for the

connected many, and the tills reflect it.

Furthermore, while online retail is growing,

trust remains crucial in jewellery shopping.

Customers still want to visit a store,

see and try on pieces, and experience

the brand in person.

Social media hasn’t just unleashed bling;

it’s streamlined our lens on what sells

and what doesn’t.

You may call it a loss of subtlety if you

wish; however, in a world where every

click shapes demand, it’s hard to argue

with the clarity it brings.

For Australia’s jewellers, riding this global

wave isn’t just savvy — it’s survival.

And if that means a few more layers

of sparkle, well, who are we to dim

the shine?

Name: Toby Bensimon

Business: Shiels Jewellers

Position: Director

Location: Adelaide, South Australia

Years in the industry: 22

50 | April 2025

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April 2025 | 51

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52 | April 2025

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