Author: Alastair Smith

After suffering a devastating smash-and-grab robbery on 13 October, Shaun Smith, owner of Smith’s Showcase Jewellers in Portland, Victoria, is calling for tougher penalties for criminals targeting our industry. The brazen theft resulted in the loss of around 80 watches and various jewellery items, leaving Smith, a jeweller of nearly 20 years, frustrated with what he sees as inadequate consequences for offenders who threaten the livelihoods of those in our trade.Robbery Details and InvestigationThe incident occurred in the early hours, with thieves using an axe to smash through the store’s front windows and gain quick entry. The suspects then fled…

In the jewellery industry, online reviews are incredibly important. Positive feedback builds trust and attracts clients, while negative reviews can damage your reputation. As a jewellery store owner, managing your online presence effectively is essential – it’s the first point of contact that many potential customers will have with your business.But sometimes things don’t quite go to plan and you receive a bad review. This may be a legitimate complaint, a mistake or even a malicious action by a disgruntled employee or a competitor. However it happens, it’s likely that you want to minimise i’s impact on your brand’s reputation.This guide…

This past weekend saw the staging of two major jewellery trade shows in one city—a scheduling overlap that raised some eyebrows but provided Australian jewellery buyers with more choices and the opportunity for a richer, more varied experience.The two events were:Though the two events offered quite different experiences, both appeared to be successful, with exhibitors and attendees connecting meaningfully, fostering business relationships, and exploring the latest trends.Attending the Jewellery Industry Fair on Saturday and the International Jewellery Fair on Sunday gave us the opportunity to compare and contrast two unique events.One of the most prominent themes across both fairs was…

The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) has unveiled the winners of the 27th JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards, marking a continued tradition of recognising and celebrating outstanding design, innovation, and craftsmanship within the jewellery sector. This year’s judging panel, comprising Michael Muratore, Debbie Sheezel, and Cameron Mitchell, evaluated each entry on judging day, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment based on design, marketability, and technical skill. The 2023 Awards video and the digital magazine, Adornment, provide a comprehensive view of this year’s entrants, finalists, and winners, offering a deeper insight into the creative journeys and the inspirations behind the designs. Jeweller…

Entering the jewellery industry presents a range of career options beyond the crafting bench. Aspiring professionals can explore fields such as gemstone setting, diamond grading, watchmaking, CAD designing, sales, retail management, and more traditional roles in marketing or administration.The cornerstone of becoming a trade qualified jeweller is undertaking an apprenticeship, which integrates on-the-job training with formal education, typically culminating in a Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture.As an apprentice, you’ll learn directly from experienced jewellers, acquiring hands-on skills essential for the trade. These programs, often spanning 4 to 5 years and are facilitated by registered training organisations, including various TAFE institutes…