Latest from the Editor

Profit with principle 

A few years ago, people laughed at ethical jewellers. At conferences and in shops up and down the country, people assured me that no one would ever care about the issues these "bleeding heart types", as they called them, talked about. But along came Leonardo DiCaprio in the film Blood Diamond, and quite a few things changed. 

At IJL there are five sessions dedicated to ethics. What would once have struggled to claim one spot will now take up several hours of the schedule. The tide has turned. Of course you should make lots of money (that's what we want this magazine to help you with most of all), but not at the expense of people living on the other side of the world. So go along to those seminars. Read up on the issues and make sure your staff can answer consumers' questions, as Willie Hamilton says in his letter on page 17. But more than that, make sure you are doing the right thing. 

After this issue, our fantastic managing editor Laura McCreddie, with whom I have been working for over four years, will take over as editor. Please welcome her as warmly as you did me. If you like things about Retail Jeweller, tell her. If you don't, tell her. She can only give you what you want with your support and input. That is something I have been blessed to receive from you in spades - and I thank you for that.

Laura is retaining a dedicated awards, web and magazine team, so it's business as usual. And while I am moving to edit our sister weekly title Nursing Times, I look forward to giving RJ my input as consultant editor. As you may have noticed, I've fallen head over heels with this industry, and just can't leave it alone.

In the meantime, enjoy this IJL issue. I am hosting a panel of luminaries in a branding seminar at 11am on Sunday, September 5 at the show's Boulevard Bar (see page 42). I hope to see you there.

Jenni Middleton, Editor-In-Chief