BIRMINGHAM, England, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

WB The Creative Jewellery Group, one of the UK's foremost precious jewellery manufacturers with premises in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and London's Hatton Garden, has announced the acquisition of Gecko Jewellery, the silver-fashion jewellery company based in Essex and London.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120702/542967 )

Bringing Gecko within The Group's umbrella will create one of the largest jewellery businesses in the UK with a total staff of 175 and a combined turnover in excess of £32 million.

The Group was advised by the Midlands law firm SGH Martineau LLP Solicitors and the Birmingham office of accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP, with finance provided by Barclays.

"It is encouraging, in these troubled times, that a manufacturing business is expanding its remit.  A recent survey shows our customers value our prompt delivery, just-in time production techniques, exemplary service and on-going investment in design and production technologies. British design and production is back in fashion. We are positive about the future and look forward to growing the business further," says The Group's Joint Chairman, Patrick Fuller.

There are three companies within The Group: Domino, which sells British-made fully-finished and semi-finished fine jewellery; Weston Beamor which offers precious metal casting and rapid prototyping and AdValorem which distributes high-quality European jewellery brands.

Gecko Jewellery enjoys a formidable status in the branded, fashion silver and gold jewellery area and has a reputation for service which scooped it the 'Supplier of the Year Award' in 'The UK Jewellery Awards' in 2010.  The company is known for its 'Elements' and 'Fiorelli' collections for women, its 'Fred Bennett' range for men and its 'D for Diamond' jewellery for children.

"We see this acquisition as a significant step towards being able to offer jewellery retailers throughout Europe a complete solution to their jewellery needs. Gecko, like us, has built its business by providing great design, innovation and service and we believe there is real synergy between our companies.  Bringing them together will undoubtedly provide tremendous new opportunities for them and their customers," says Fuller.

The founders of Gecko will remain with the business during the hand-over period and the company will continue to trade as a separate entity with its current management and staff.  Andrew Morton, who is Managing Director of all the companies within The Group, will also become managing director of Gecko Jewellery.

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SOURCE WB The Creative Jewellery Group