The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, 27 July at Banyan in Harrogate between 8-10am.
The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A new promotion and networking event is being launched in Ripon to help companies connect and trade with each other.
Moot Ripon will follow a ‘business market’ format with exhibition stands of companies showcasing what they offer. The one-day event in October is open to all businesses in the area who are looking for local B2B opportunities.
Following advice from Ripon BID, the Federation for Small Businesses (FSB) and the North Yorkshire Growth Hub (LEP), the event is being organised by Ripon-based marketing and events firm Colour It In.
Managing director Mark Lancaster said:
“The Ripon area has a wealth of companies of all sizes operating across a huge variety of sectors.
“We wanted to bring them all together to get to know each other, re-establish connections, and do business together in a traditional face-to-face environment.”
Mr Lancaster is a former president of the Harrogate District Chamber of Trade and helped launch the Harrogate Business Market in 2005. He said he created Moot Ripon after struggling to find a similar local exhibition-style event to showcase his company to other businesses in the area.
Moot Ripon takes place at Ripon Racecourse on October 2.
Businesses of all sizes are invited to exhibit or attend the event but they must be based in the Ripon, Thirsk, Northallerton, Bedale, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough and Harrogate areas.
Exhibitor spaces start from £250, and visitor entry is free.
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The owners and founders of Crown Jewellers In Harrogate have been nominated for an award by Professional Jeweller Magazine.
Crown Jewellers on Commercial Street is one of six companies in the country to be nominated for ‘Jewellery Team of the Year’. Steve and Sue Kramer were nominated anonymously. The winners are decided by retailers and suppliers who will cast their votes at the end of the month. Winners will then be announced in September.
Steve Kramer said:
“This is a fantastic accolade for Sue and I, one which we were surprised and delighted by. To be nominated independently for this award by our peers is testament to our hard work and dedication over the years.
“We genuinely love working together, even after all these years, and looking after our customers too – many of whom we have known now for a very long time! In fact, we have been invited to many of their weddings which is an honour!”
As well as running Crown Jewellers, Sue Kramer is president of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and plays a lead role in promoting the Commercial Street family of shops.
High value jewellery stolen from Harrogate house
Police are appealing for information about a suspected burglary at a house in Harrogate in which jewellery and watches were stolen.
The incident happened on Park Avenue South at 7.23pm on Friday last week.
North Yorkshire Police today released CCTV images showing a man wearing a two-tone jacket or gilet and light-coloured trousers.
Officers say the suspect was carrying a white sack or pillowcase, believed to contain the stolen items, in Park Avenue South, Leeds Road and Harrogate town.
They have not said how much the jewellery was worth but described it as “high value”.
A police statement added:
“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email ashley.atkins2@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Ashley Atkins.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220218037 when providing details.”
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Halls of Ripon celebrate a sparkling anniversary year
This story is sponsored by Halls of Ripon.
It has been a sparkling first year for the 20 plus independent retailers at Halls of Ripon.
At Red Buttons – one of the jewels in the department store’s crown – the celebrations continue for owners Mike and Liz Cooper as they will soon reach a golden milestone, having married in August 1972.
The couple, along with Hedley Hall, Ben Butler and Lloyd Sheard, were instrumental in the re-birth and re-invention of the unique retail destination on Fishergate, under the famous Halls name, so fondly remembered in Ripon and across the Harrogate district, for the quality of its goods and the excellence of its service.
In their own golden wedding anniversary year, Mike and Liz have launched a sale of select rings and other jewellery items, offered at discounted prices that customers can purchase to mark their own special occasions, from silver to gold, diamond and platinum.
The special anniversary sale of select jewellery items is now on at Red Buttons
Mike, who worked for more than 40 years in senior management at some of the best-known jewellers on the UK high street, said:
“Jewellery is a personal, emotional and sentimental gift that carries deep meaning and lifelong memories.
“Over the years it has been a pleasure to share in everything from marriages and the earliest wedding anniversaries, to the birth of a child, by helping people to find the appropriate piece or pieces of jewellery.”
Mike pointed out:
“For some customers, diamonds have been selected as the mile-stones that tell the story of their lives.
“The sentimental value goes on when single items or entire collections are left to loved ones and become treasured heirlooms that will be passed on to future generations.”
Creating customised Jewellery
Red Buttons takes pride in providing a personalised service and experience for customers, supported by designers and craftsman jewellers who can create customised pieces, often involving the recycling of a family’s redundant and damaged items.
Mike explains:
“A lady brought gold rings inherited from her parents, that she was unable to wear and within a matter of days we transformed them into a simple, but stylish cross that can be worn every day.
The gold heart with diamonds, created from wedding rings and an engagement ring
“For another customer, the wedding ring of her late mother and grandmother’s diamond engagement and wedding rings, were united in a single gold and diamond heart, whose sentimental value is beyond price.”
Red Buttons’ services include free jewellery cleaning and inspection, re-sizing, stone replacement, claw re-tipping and replacement. Part exchange is also available for customers with items that they wish to trade.
A community of independent retailers
Liz Cooper, said:
Harrogate’s Ernest Jones jewellery store closes“Our independent retailers cover all ages, from clothes for babies and children to hand-made furniture and a newly-introduced repair shop where classic sofas and chairs are re-upholstered and returned to use.
“All traders have expanded over the past year and each has something special to offer that adds to the department store experience. The coffee, homemade cakes and sandwiches at The Hive cafe within the store are highly recommended.”
The Ernest Jones shop on James Street in Harrogate has closed.
Removal vans were spotted outside the jewellery store yesterday morning.
The store has been a fixture on James Street for 20 years, having opened in 2002.
Attempts to clear the unit began yesterday morning.
There have been a number of shops opening and closing in Harrogate recently, particularly on James Street.
Last week Oliver Bonas announced its new Harrogate store would open on James Street in September.
Ernest Jones set up in 1949 in London’s Oxford Street and now has more than 100 stores across the UK.
The company did not respond to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries by the time of publication.
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Jewellery stolen in Harrogate house burglary
Jewellery has been stolen from a house in Harrogate.
Police in Harrogate are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on Green Lane sometime between 3pm and 6pm last Saturday.
A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:
“During the incident a quantity of jewellery with great sentimental value was stolen.
“As part of ongoing enquiries, we need to hear from anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and possibly noticed suspicious individuals or vehicles.
“In particular, anyone who was walking down the path between Green Lane and Rossett Drive.”
Anyone with information can email ruby.rutter@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Ruby Rutter.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220060386.
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Harrogate jeweller Fattorini bids farewell after 190 years
A well-known Harrogate jewellers which has been in the same family for 190 years is set to close it doors for the final time today.
The Stray Ferret revealed in November that A.Fattorini The Jewellers, on Parliament Street, was due to close when the current manager Anthony Tindall retires.
Today, after a busy few months at the shop with the combination of a closing down sale and Christmas, Mr Tindall will bid a fond farewell to his customers and staff.
While most of the stock has found new homes, the few remaining pieces will go to an auction house.
Anthony and his great-great grandfather Antonio Fattorini.
It was not an easy decision for Mr Tindall, whose great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831, but his children were not keen to take it on.
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He told the Stray Ferret today:
“I am very proud of the legacy and the whole family are proud of it. Of course it is sad that it will not continue in my family.
“These are sad decisions but you need to do it. I need to retire otherwise I will still be doing this well into my 80s and the world isn’t ready for that.
“Customers like the bargains but they do say they are sorry to see us go. People will remember us for the happy and important things in life, engagements and weddings.
“It has touched many lives, I know lots of the customers but plenty come in and say you won’t know me but buying jewellery from Fattorini is part of their family tradition.”
It is unclear what will happen to the iconic building where Fattorini has been based since 1884 when it closes.
However, Mr Tindall hopes that a new family will take on the business.
Stray Jewels: Christmas Stocking Fillers
Stray Jewels is a monthly column written by BBC Antiques Roadshow jewellery specialist, Susan Rumfitt. Susan started her career working for Christie’s auctioneers in Glasgow before establishing her own jewellery department, The Gallery in Harrogate. In 2006, she joined the Antiques Roadshow and has since built up an extensive knowledge of and passion for fine jewellery.
I was talking about the jewellery of Elizabeth Taylor recently. Her whole collection made over $100 million when it came up for auction ten years ago. From pearls to diamonds, sapphires to emeralds, she knew how to collect jewellery. Married eight times to seven different men, Taylor was never going to be short of jewellery, be it engagement rings or for Christmas presents.
Rubies featured heavily in her collection and in her 1968 Christmas stocking was a gorgeous ruby and diamond ring. Richard Burton had always said to her, “One day I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world”. The ring in question featured an 8.24 carat ruby and was known as the ‘Puertas ruby, diamond and gold ring‘. It sold for over $4 million at the sale. Ruby is the stone of passion and perfect as a Christmas gift.
If you have a passion for rubies you certainly don’t need to pay over $4 million for one. Whether your budget is a couple of hundred or a few thousand, always look for a bright and lively stone that doesn’t have surface scratches. As with the late Victorian ring illustrated, a few coloured stones give a real impact to the design.
A Late Victorian Ruby and Diamond Ring
On one occasion Taylor received a pair of Georgian earrings as a Christmas stocking gift. She had spotted them on a shopping trip months before with Mike Todd, but had decided against them because they were set with paste and not diamonds. Todd secretly bought the earrings and had all the paste stones replaced with diamonds – now that is a thoughtful gesture.
Diamond earrings are a perfect gift at Christmas and even more gorgeous when paired with pearls. At Elstob & Elstob auctioneers early this year, there were a pair of beautiful pearl and diamond ear pendants in the form of acorns, pictured top. The acorn is a symbol of life, fertility, and immortality. As the seed of the great Oak tree, the acorn symbolizes potential and strength. What a perfect gift to receive at Christmas as we head into the New Year.
Mistletoe Costume Jewellery Brooch
For those true romantics, jewellery themed around mistletoe is a must. Mistletoe has a great history. It is associated with ancient Rome which had many different festivals to celebrate the gods. One of them was the Saturnalia held from 17-23 December. This festival was in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture, seedtime and harvest. The mistletoe was hung up during the Saturnalia festival and it was traditional to kiss under the mistletoe as it was seen as a symbol of fertility. Each fruit on the mistletoe branch has a cross symbol and this has become associated with a kiss. Gifts would be given on 23 December, unlike our traditional 25th.
Jewellery doesn’t always have to be made of precious gems and metals. The image above is of a pretty costume piece of mistletoe jewellery set with faux pearls. Lovely condition and many costume pieces can be a little as £10-20.
If Christmas jumpers aren’t your thing then maybe a Christmas jewel is!
Merry Christmas.
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Harrogate jewellers Fattorini expected to close by Christmas
The manager of the oldest jewellers in Harrogate has said he expects the store will close by Christmas.
The Stray Ferret revealed two weeks ago that A.Fattorini The Jewellers had announced it planned to cease trading after 190 years.
Anthony Tindall, the manager of the shop and great-great grandson of its founder, has not set a closing date yet. But he said today it will close when stock expires in a few weeks time, probably before Christmas.
Customers have flocked to the shop on Parliament Street since news broke of its closure.
Mr Tindall insisted that there were currently no confirmed buyers and that he intended to go ahead with the closure, despite rumours that a buyer had been lined up.
Mr Tindall’s great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831. His son, Antonio junior, moved it to Parliament Street in the 1880s.
He said if a buyer was found he hoped they would continue the Fattorini name — but this was definitely the end of the line for his family.
Mr Tindall said the decision to sell was a difficult one but it was time for him to retire and none of his family was eager to take it on.
‘This is the end for my family’
Mr Tindall said the rapid rate at which items were selling meant stock was beginning to “peter out”.
He added:
“We’d love to last until Christmas but if we have to close before then we will. If there’s no stock left then we will be closing.”
Jewellery is on sale for as much as 50% off.
Talking of the decision to close he said:
“I started looking at buyers a few years ago when I knew I needed to retire, we have a few offers but nothing confirmed yet. Inevitably we’ve had people get in touch since the sale but nothing has been confirmed.
“I’m going, you won’t see me here again. This is the end for my family.
“It could be that no one picks it up and it’s an empty site. I’d love to see someone take on the name and keep it as a jeweller.”
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Fattorini connection to the FA Cup
Antonio Fattorini set up another store in Bradford, Fattorini & Sons, with his sons John and Edward, who designed and manufactured football’s FA Cup in 1911. Remarkably, Bradford City then won the cup that year.
Mr Fattorini’s other son, Antonio junior, stayed to run the Harrogate business.
Mr Tindall said the response from customers since news of the shop’s demise had been surprising:
Stray Jewels: The art of archeological inspired jewellery“I always thought people loved us but I didn’t know how much, I was worried we’d have no one at all. We’ve had people whose grandparents got their engagement rings here and are coming back.”
Stray Jewels is a monthly column written by BBC Antiques Roadshow jewellery specialist, Susan Rumfitt. Susan started her career working for Christie’s auctioneers in Glasgow before establishing her own jewellery department, The Gallery in Harrogate. In 2006, she joined the Antiques Roadshow and has since built up an extensive knowledge of and passion for fine jewellery. This week Susan examines the work of 19th century Italian jeweller, Fortunato Pio Castellani
Whilst browsing through the catalogue for the forthcoming jewellery sale at Tennants on November 13, I was drawn to the most fabulous bangle that is on offer. Lot 2396, an ‘Archaeological Etruscan Revival Style Bangle’. It is made of gold and is set with cornelian scarabs within swivel mounts. The bangle has a pre-sale estimate of £4,000-6,000. Although not dated in the catalogue, the jeweller who made it must have been a great fan of one of the most important archaeological revival jewellers of all time, Fortunato Pio Castellani.
Many Victorian and even contemporary jewellery designers have been drawn to his work due to the boldness in design. Castellani jewellery is highly sought after by collectors. In 2006 Sotheby’s Auctioneers in New York sold the ‘Judith H Siegal Collection of Castellani & Giuliano Jewellery’. Siegal’s collection was put together over 20 years and brought together some of the finest works of art that were produced by these jewellers. In the collection was a beautiful gold bangle also set with scarabs, by Castellani.
Who was Castellani?
A gold bracelet by Castellani, circa 1860, sold for £20,000
The firm was founded by Fortunato Pio Castellani and the style of jewellery that was produced was known as Italian Archaeological Jewellery. Fortunato opened his shop in Rome in 1814. In 1826 he met Michaelango Caetani who became his life long friend and collaborator. It was Michaelango who inspired Fortunato to imitate the gold work of the ancient world and get inspiration for his jewellery from ancient jewels. His work was an instant hit.
The thriving business was continued by two of Fortunato’s sons, Alessandro (1823-1883) and Augusto (1829-1914). The jewellery was extraordinary. Works of art in gold and set with micro mosaics, enamel, scarabs and decorative techniques of granulation and filigree work. This was the destination shop for the Grand Tourist of the 19th century. The pieces are identified by a very distinctive mark of interlaced C’s.
In the November 2020 jewellery sale, Tennants offered a gold bracelet by Castellani which sold for £20,000. Despite being dated circa 1860, the curved batons give an almost contemporary feel to the bracelet. The lion heads terminals on the bracelets draw us back to the revival style.
The Popularity of Victorian Revival Jewellery
A Victorian Millefiori ‘froggy brooch’ sold for £3,800
Victorian jewellery certainly doesn’t appeal to everyone and comes in and out of favour within the auction world. What has never changed is the fascination with the Archaeological, Egyptian or Renaissance Revival jewels of the mid Victorian period. The Castellani family exhibited their jewellery at the 1862 International Exhibition in London and as a result their popularity grew in Britain. Jewellers were copying their style well into the 1890’s. Even pieces which are not attributed to a specific designer do well at auction, particularly when they are well executed. In their Spring Sale earlier this year, Tennants had a delightful Archaeological Revival Millefiori Brooch, dated circa 1880, within a fitted case – always a bonus. This was a particularly quirky brooch as there was a frog motif to the pendant and was referred to as “froggy brooch”, by the original owners.
Victorian jewellery may appear quite serious but it as we can see it can be great fun too! Happy jewellery hunting.
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Appeal for witnesses after jewellery stolen from Harrogate home
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information after thieves stole jewellery from a house on Kirkstone Road in Harrogate.
It happened between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday February 17. Access was gained to the house through a back window.
The items stolen included a gold wedding ring, a gold engagement ring with platinum diamonds and an Armani watch.
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Police are appealing for information about any discarded items or suspicious behaviour in the area of Kirkstone Road and/or Coniston Road around the same time.
Officers would also like to hear from anyone who has any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that may have captured something.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Xavi Lopez or email xavi.lopez@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210061627.