Spring is coming, the sun is finally shining and there are some great events to look forward to in the jewellery world. So, what’s on in jewellery in Spring 2024?

Fairs:

Collect: 01- 03 March

This is the big one: the fabled Collect Fair from the Crafts Council. It brings together some of the best galleries and dealers in the craft world. There is always a lot of interesting jewellery to see – I’m excited about new gallery Objects Beautiful and their roster of 26 jewellers. The Goldsmith’s Company are bringing a group of UK jewellers as well as a fabulous display of 100 brooches (one of my favourite kinds of jewellery). Craft Scotland are also bringing jewellery from across the border.

Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair – 20-23 March

More modest but still fun – the fourth Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair will be held at Chelsea Old Town Hall, London with good shopping opportunities for the jewellery enthusiast.

Exhibitions: 

Rediscovering Gems: British Museum, 15 February – 2 June 2024

If there is a silver lining to the sorry tale of thefts from the British Museum, it may be a rediscovered enthusiasm for cataloguing and displaying collections. In Rediscovering Gems, the British Museum is showing a group of engraving hardstones from ancient Greece and Rome. The gems are shown alongside an 18th century collector’s cabinet and drawings, from the days when classical gems were valued far above diamonds by their avid collectors. As the gems include some of the ones recovered after being stolen, it is a story of rediscovery in more than one sense.

Online talks:

Online talks are one of the few lasting benefits of the Covid years. Being able to watch a talk from the comfort of your own home brings jewellery history and contemporary makers to anyone with an internet connection.

Wearing the colours: film showing and live Q&A

Elizabeth Goring, Goldsmith’s Centre, 19 February 2024, 6pm GMT

Creative links: Alice Ciolini in conversation with Liz Olver

Goldsmith’s Centre, 26 February 2024, 6pm GMT

Mercy-Argenteau: in the shadow of Marie Antoinette

L’ Ecole school of jewellery Arts, 28 February, 7pm Paris time

Daniel Brush thinking about Monet

L’ Ecole school of jewellery Arts, 12 March 2024, 7pm Paris time

‘Permeable to everything’: where do jewellers find their inspiration? 

Rachel Church, Goldsmith’s Centre, 8 April 2024, 6pm GMT