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A jewellery festival kicking off this weekend hopes to showcase the island's history of jewellery with workshops, a heritage trail, styling sessions, or the opportunity to go through your jewellery box with a professional...
The third edition of Jersey's Brilliance Festival – which was formed as businesses were recovering after Covid – continues until 4 November.
Melanie Mayer Davies, Director of Rivoli and Story, explained that the festival was initially launched with the aim of raising awareness of the quality of the local jewellery industry.
Every participating organisation has created a bespoke programme with, for example, Rivoli will be focussing on watches.
"We've got a Rolex-accredited watchmaker on the shop floor and he will be servicing an automatic watch," said Melanie.
"It's really intricate, you can't believe how small the parts are that form the watch."
Pictured: Rolex-accredited watch repairer Mark Ashford will be in the island, working on an intricate automatic watch.
With diminishing footfall on King Street affecting the jewellery industry, having events to draw people to the shop is increasingly important, Melanie added.
The Brilliance Festival had also led the island's jewellers to come together and meet each other.
"It was the first time that we as jewellery businesses in Jersey all got together," Melanie explained.
Jersey Pearl director Julia Williams added that Jersey's jewellery industry punched above its weight compared to similarly-sized towns.
"Only when you actually take a step back do you realise how great we have it," she said.
"I've travelled around the UK and lots of different towns and cities and we're so well-represented on this island, due to our legacy left over from the heyday of tourism and the low tax area.
"We have an industry that's already here, already working – it's a great industry.
"We've got everything from Rolex down to designers in their shops, garages and homes."
Pictured: Eight organisations including Jersey Heritage and Genuine Jersey's artisan jewellers are part of the festival. (Jon Guegan)
Julia added that, in addition to the whole industry being represented, she was excited to expand the festival to include the island's history – with the coin hoard as a prime example.
"There's been jewellery on this island for thousands of years. It's been hidden, it's been treasured," she said.
"We have a massive legacy of multi-generational local family jewellers investing in the island."
To showcase the island's history, Jersey Heritage have joined the festival for the first time this year and created a jewellery-themed Heritage trail – ranging from torque necklaces to Lillie Langtry's necklace and breast plates.
Pick a Pearl, Jersey Pearl St Helier - from Saturday 21 to Saturday 28 October
Wedding Jewellery Styling, Aurum, St Helier - from Saturday 21 October to Saturday 4 November
Frederique Constant Watch Showcase, Aurum, St Helier - from Saturday 21 October to Saturday 4 November
Alpina Swiss Watch Discovery Event, Aurum, St Helier - from Saturday 21 October to Saturday 4 November
Jersey Heritage Brilliance Trail, across Jersey Heritage sites - from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 5 November
Jewellery Box Gems, Rivoli, St Helier - from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 5 November
Ring Making Workshop, Philip Mourant Centre, Trinity - Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October
Pendant or Earring Making Workshop, Philip Mourant Centre, Trinity - Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October
Elevate your personal style with Swarovski, Story by Rivoli, St Helier - Saturday 28 October and Saturday 4 November
A Gemstone Celebration, Catherine Best Jewellery, St Peter - Saturday 28 October
Rivoli Watch Week - Meet the Experts, Rivoli Jewellers, St Helier - Monday 30 October to Saturday 4 November
Sparkles and Sparkles, Diamondology, St Helier - Thursday 2 November
Anyone interested in attending can find out more on the the Brilliance Festival website, with tickets required for certain events.
Pictured top: Julia Williams of Jersey Pearl and Melanie Mayer Davies of Rivoli and Story. (Jon Guegan)
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