Author: Ruchi Singla

From 1 January 2026, the occupation of jeweller was included on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. The change followed its addition to the national Skills Priority List in late 2025 and came after engagement by the Jewellery Association of Australia JAA and other industry bodies regarding workforce shortages in the sector. Industry Classification and Skills Shortages The Priority List acknowledged workforce shortages in the jewellery trade, particularly in training and retaining qualified staff. It formed part of wider government measures aimed at addressing skills gaps across a range of occupations. Jewellery businesses employing apprentices in recognised qualifications became eligible to…

Michael Hill International has reported a 3.1% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first 26 weeks of fiscal year 2026, reaching AUD 370.3 million for the period ending 28 December 2025. The update, shared in a trading statement, outlines performance across its key markets of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand under the company’s new leadership. Sales Performance by Market Same-store sales rose across all regions, with Canada recording the highest growth at 6%, followed by Australia at 4.8% and New Zealand at 1.8%. The improvement in like-for-like sales indicates a continued consumer appetite across multiple markets during the peak trading…

Australian jewellery retailer Secrets Shhh has been acquired by Dubai-headquartered Amaar Jewels LLC after entering voluntary administration in December 2023.  The transaction includes the purchase of the company’s business and assets and will see the transfer of the majority of retail stores and more than 100 employees to the new owner. Administration Process and Sale Outcome Secrets International Pty Ltd and its subsidiaries—operating under the Secrets Shhh brand—were placed into administration on 10 December 2023. The group appointed FTI Consulting’s Kate Warwick, Kelly Trenfield, and John Park as joint administrators. At the time, Secrets Shhh operated 23 boutique stores across…

Secrets International Pty Ltd, the parent company of jewellery retailer Secrets Shhh, has entered voluntary administration, with FTI Consulting appointed as administrators on 18 December 2024. John Park, Kate Warwick and Kelly-Anne Trenfield have been named as joint and several administrators. The move affects Secrets Shhh’s national operations, including its network of 23 boutique stores across Australia and its online retail platform, and comes during the peak Christmas trading period. Operational Impact and Customer Orders Following their appointment, the administrators stated they would begin an urgent assessment of the company’s operations and have initiated a sales and/or recapitalisation process. In…

Michael Hill has opened its first flagship store in New South Wales at Westfield Bondi Junction, marking the introduction of its ‘Store of the Future’ concept to the Sydney market. The new location follows the same flagship format as Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre and Bourke Street Mall. It is part of the company’s expansion into key retail destinations across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Store Concept and Layout The Bondi Junction store features the latest iteration of Michael Hill’s retail format, with updated interior design incorporating ambient lighting, natural materials, and green onyx finishes. The store includes dedicated zones for…

Museums Victoria has announced the recipients of the inaugural Museums Victoria Gold Jewellery Acquisitive Prize, which will see new works added to the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection. Winners and Acquisitions The Major Prize of $20,000 was awarded to Laura Deakin for her piece The Diggings Ring. Simone Thomson received the $15,000 First Peoples Prize for Boorndup Biik, and Lou Wheeler was awarded the $8,000 Emerging Prize for The Safest Investment. The winning pieces will be acquired into the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection and displayed in 2026. Purpose and Scope of the Prize The prize was established…

A complete set of Stuart Devlin’s Twelve Days of Christmas surprise boxes, from the late silversmith’s personal collection, is to be auctioned this month at Woolley & Wallis. Set Offered from Devlin’s Personal Collection The boxed miniatures, created between 1970 and 1981, were part of a limited series produced annually by Devlin, with each piece illustrating a verse from the traditional carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. This set is number three in a series of 100 and is being sold by Devlin’s widow, Carole Devlin. Each item is made in silver, silver-gilt and enamel, housed in its original fitted…

Trade in Australian nephrite jade has resumed with China after more than a decade, following the reopening of commercial operations at the Cowell jade mines in South Australia. Australian Jade, currently the nation’s only commercial supplier of nephrite jade, has re-established trade with China through the delivery of over 80 tonnes of Australian Black Jade and the opening of a new warehouse in Zhengping. Zhengping, located in Henan Province, is a major hub for jade carving, home to an estimated 300,000 carvers. The new warehouse, based in the town of Shifosi, widely referred to as the Jade Temple will facilitate…

Columbia Gem House (CGH) has announced the return of its annual “Opals for Outback Heroes” online raffle, now in its fifth year. The initiative supports the Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade in New South Wales, Australia, and coincides with the 2025 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge. Supporting the Lightning Ridge Community Designers participating in the MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge have donated jewellery pieces featuring Lightning Ridge opals supplied by Columbia Gem House. The pieces will be raffled online, with proceeds supporting the volunteer fire brigade serving the local mining community and surrounding areas. The Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade…

The Jewellery Industry Network will launch the Sarah Hue-Williams Library at The Centre in Leichhardt, Sydney, on 24 October 2025. The collection, donated by Karen Lindley, is named in memory of Sarah Hue-Williams and is considered one of the largest jewellery-focused libraries in the Southern Hemisphere. Collection Background The library honours the work of Sarah Hue-Williams, a long-time contributor to jewellery scholarship. It is being established as a permanent reference collection and will be managed by the Jewellery Industry Network for the benefit of the trade. Laura Moore, managing director of the Jewellery Industry Network, said: “We are very proud…

Western Australian jeweller Linneys has formally transitioned ownership from founders Alan and Michelle Linney to their sons, Justin and Troy Linney, through a structured succession plan. The move sees Linney Group Pty Ltd take over from Linneys Jewellery Pty Ltd, with the business remaining family-owned and WA-based. The market-value transaction has been years in the making and guided by independent advisors. It includes the transfer of all operational responsibilities, staff entitlements and supplier relationships, with no immediate changes to employees, customers or day-to-day business operations. “This is more than a change in ownership – it’s the continuation of a family…

Michael Hill International has confirmed the appointment of Jonathan Waecker as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective 27 August 2025. The announcement follows a global executive search initiated after the passing of former CEO Daniel Bracken earlier this year. Waecker has held senior roles at The Walt Disney Company, Yahoo and The Warehouse Group, where he has served as Chief Customer and Sales Officer since 2017. His experience spans retail operations, digital strategy and organisational change. Strategic Fit With Business Priorities Rob Fyfe, Chair of the Michael Hill Board, said: “Following a rigorous global search process, the Board is delighted…

Michael Hill International has reported full-year sales in line with the prior year for the 52 weeks to 29 June 2025, with improved second-half trading helping offset a weaker first half. The update follows the passing of company founder Sir Michael Hill on 29 July, aged 86. Sales Performance Across Markets Group sales for the year totalled AUD 641.6 million, with comparable sales increasing 0.3% year on year. Same-store sales rose 2.4% in the second half, supported by growth in all regions during that period. For the full year, Canada was the best-performing market, achieving record sales of CAD 160.3…

Six individuals have been charged following an armed robbery at Shree Ganesh Jewellers in Chermside, Queensland, which left the store’s owner with serious injuries. Queensland Police confirmed that five men aged between 20 and 29, along with a 16-year-old boy, are facing multiple charges related to the incident on Tuesday 10 June. Details of the Incident According to police, a group of masked individuals entered the Gympie Road store shortly after 5pm, armed with hammers and metal bars, while customers were inside. The 38-year-old store owner, Bijaya Sunar, sustained head injuries and underwent surgery for a brain haematoma. His wife,…

Soklich & Co. Jewellers has opened a new flagship showroom in South Perth’s Civic Heart precinct, marking 60 years in the jewellery industry. The store is located in the restored former South Perth Post Office building, originally constructed in 1900, and reflects the latest phase of development for the family-run business. Now in its third generation, the company continues to operate under the Soklich family, with its three divisions: Soklich & Co. for retail and custom jewellery, Ellendale Diamonds for wholesale, and a high-security safety deposit box facility in Perth. A Heritage Site Reimagined The new showroom is the result…

Signet Rings Australia, comprising the brands Signet Circle and The Signet Ring Company, has been listed for sale. The business operates online and specialises in both custom and stock signet rings. It reportedly generates annual sales exceeding $170,000 and is structured to operate remotely from any location within Australia. Two Brands Serving Distinct Market Segments Signet Circle focuses on custom-made signet rings, offering a range of styles and materials with personalisation options including monograms and heraldic designs. The brand has fulfilled over 900 orders, including repeat purchases for family members. The Signet Ring Company offers stock signet rings in standard…

Michael Hill Jeweller has been issued an infringement notice and fined AUD $19,800 by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) following a review of its 2023 Black Friday sales promotion. The consumer watchdog determined that the company’s advertising misrepresented the extent of its advertised discounts. Promotion Found to Contravene Consumer Law The ACCC’s investigation related to an online advertisement for a member event, which stated ‘25% off sitewide’. However, the ACCC found that not all items listed on Michael Hill’s online store were included in the promotion. “Michael Hill’s statement may have misled consumers, and contravened the Australian Consumer…

Nina’s Jewellery has announced that it will close its wholesale division by the end of June 2025, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The move comes one year after the Western Australian company re-entered the wholesale market, having last operated in this space more than five decades ago. Wholesale Operations to Cease Founded in 1965 near the Argyle mine and now based in Dunsborough, Nina’s launched its wholesale offering in June 2024. The initiative aimed to expand its reach through partnerships with stockists, buying groups and industry stakeholders. “It is with a great deal of sadness that we wish to advise that the…

Harli + Harpa, the value-oriented jewellery retailer established by former Lovisa CEO Shane Fallscheer, has named retail executive Armando Pedruco as its new chief executive officer. P edruco will begin the role on 16 June 2025, joining Accent Group, where he most recently served as executive general manager overseeing Platypus Shoes, Hype DC, and Subtype. The appointment follows the departure of Harli + Harpa’s first CEO, Cass Fuller, who has initiated legal proceedings against the company. The case is currently before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Retail Experience and Previous Collaboration Pedruco brings almost 30 years of…

Lucapa Diamond Company has entered voluntary administration, with KordaMentha Restructuring appointed to manage the process. The appointment covers Lucapa and its subsidiaries, including Brooking Diamonds, Heartland Diamonds, and Australian Natural Diamonds. Financial Position and Trading Suspension The company cited soft diamond prices and operational disruptions as key factors behind its financial difficulties. For the 2024 financial year, Lucapa reported a net loss of $1.5 million and a 31% decline in revenue to $54.5 million. While average per-carat prices rose briefly in the first quarter, this did not offset wider financial pressures. Lucapa raised A$2.67 million through share placements and reduced…

Fashion accessories retailer Colette by Colette Hayman will shut down all remaining stores across Australia, following a renewed entry into voluntary administration. The decision ends several years of financial instability and restructuring attempts. Operations Winding Down Store staff were advised on Thursday that the business would cease trading, with remaining outlets expected to continue operating only until stock is cleared. Clearance sales have commenced nationwide, with signage indicating discounts of up to 80 per cent. Although a formal statement from administrators has not yet been issued, employees have confirmed the company has again entered voluntary administration. Background and Ownership History…

The incoming chief executive of the soon-to-be-formed Australian Retail Council (ARC), Chris Rodwell, has outlined key areas requiring urgent attention from the re-elected Labor government. Among the priorities identified are increasing productivity, addressing rising operational costs, and tackling the escalation in retail crime. These issues are placing considerable pressure on Australia’s retail sector, which includes many jewellery retailers nationwide. Retail’s Economic Significance and Cost Pressures The Australian retail industry is valued at AU$430 billion and employs around one in ten workers, according to Rodwell. This makes the sector a substantial contributor to the national economy, accounting for nearly 20 percent…

Michael Hill International has announced that its founder, Sir Michael Hill, will temporarily step away from the board to undergo treatment for cancer. In his absence, the company has appointed Andrea Slingsby as alternate director. Slingsby, who was chief operating officer from 2019 to 2021, has experience in board governance and retail consulting. The announcement comes during a period of strategic repositioning and operational challenges for the retailer, which operates across Australia, New Zealand and Canada with a network of 291 stores. Leadership Adjustment The company confirmed Slingsby’s appointment in a shareholder announcement on 14 April. She will act as…

Mazzucchelli’s Jewellers has officially opened its new flagship boutique on Murray Street in Perth, marking a key development in the national retailer’s expansion. The brand, owned by The Jewellery Group, now operates 28 stores across Australia, including 12 in Western Australia. The opening introduced a revised store format with updated interior design and a focus on higher-end product ranges. Store Design and Fit-Out Designed by Melbourne-based studio Kaleidoscope, the Murray Street store presents a revised layout and fit-out. Interior elements include copper rose gold mesh curtains and marble countertops, with shopfitting by Perth-based West Coast Shopfitting. The store also features…

Shiels Jewellers is commemorating its 80th anniversary with a 35-day promotional event. Founded in Adelaide in 1945, the business has expanded from a single store to a national operation with more than 50 retail outlets and a growing online platform. The anniversary campaign, running until 30 March 2025, includes customer offers, weekly jewellery giveaways, and a video detailing the company’s history. From Local Business to National Chain The company began as a small store in Adelaide’s Central Market Arcade, established by Jack and Jeanne Shiels. In 1977, Albert and Nyra Bensimon acquired the business and led its expansion beyond South…

Jewellers Loop, the Australian parent company of Q Report and JewelCover, has been acquired by U.S.-based Jewelers Mutual Group, marking the company’s entry into the Australian jewellery insurance market. Finalised in April 2025, the acquisition brings together two specialist insurance providers. Q Report and JewelCover will continue to operate as normal, underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. Operations to Remain Unchanged The leadership and structure of Q Report will remain in place following the acquisition. CEO and founder Rami Baron, COO Liran Lahav, and the existing Australian team will continue to manage day-to-day…

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

Sydney-based jewellery designer Nadia Neuman, owner of Mondial by Nadia, has won the Champion of Champions award at the 7th International Jewellery Design Excellence (IJDE) Awards. The competition, held as part of the HKTDC International Jewellery Show in Hong Kong, featured entries from award-winning jewellers worldwide. Neuman’s winning piece, Kaleidoscope, stood out among 80 entries from nine countries and regions, including seven from Australia. The awards brought together competition winners from countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia, China, Iran, Australia, and the UK, with designers competing for the prestigious Champion of Champions title. An Award-Winning Design: Kaleidoscope Neuman’s piece,…

Michael Hill International has appointed Andrew Lowe as interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the passing of former CEO Daniel Bracken last week. Lowe, previously Chief Financial and Supply Chain Officer, has assumed the role with immediate effect while the company undertakes a global search for a permanent replacement. Leadership Transition Lowe joined Michael Hill’s executive team in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and later took on the role of Company Secretary. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial and Supply Chain Officer. Board chair Rob Fyfe said Lowe would provide stability during the transition, drawing on his financial and…

Argyle Pink Diamond has announced a new partnership with West Australian Ballet (WAB), establishing the Rare Gem collaboration. As part of this initiative, Argyle Pink Diamonds will fund a 12-month scholarship within WAB’s Young Artists Program, aimed at nurturing emerging ballet talent. The scholarship is designed to provide a promising young dancer with mentorship and performance opportunities, supporting their transition into a professional career. Samantha Green Named First Rare Gem Scholar For 2025, the recipient of the inaugural Rare Gem scholarship is Samantha Green. Green has trained extensively, earning recognition from Youth Ballet WA and graduating with First Class Honours…