Read the latest from Jenni Middleton's jewellery blog

Clogau launches duty free collections

4000BC: The year opals date back to. They are most likely to originate from Ethiopia
90%: Australia has dominated opal production since the 1800s with more than 90% of the global output coming from down under
19th: The century when the opal was considered bad luck in Europe. However, Queen Victoria was quite a fan of opal and wore her personal collection throughout her reign
15,000: Black opals, the most rare and prized, can cost more than Aus$15,000 (about £8,750) a carat

Clogau Gold is continuing to expand its jewellery offer with the launch of a new series of travel retail only collections.

The classic Welsh jewellery brand will unveil the eight new ranges at the annual Tax Free World Association (TFWA) exhibition in Cannes.

Taking place from October 27-31, 2008, the TFWA exhibition is one of the biggest international networking events for the luxury industry. Clogau will be one of the 3000 brands on show and there are expected to be over 5000 visitors attending this year.

The move comes on the back of a 20% rise in turnover for the brand, announced in October.

Exclusive Clogau Gold ranges will now be available on British Airways, Virgin and Flybe flights and on the QE2, Stena Line and Harding Brothers cruise ships as well as the P&O superliner Ventura.

Managing director of the brand, Ben Roberts, said: “It is great to have a presence at TFWA this year - and even better to be launching eight exclusive collections.

“Our growing presence in the travel retail sector has enabled us to obtain the label of a “Top-selling Duty Free Brand”.