Jewelry in the news: The Good Ship Apprentice : Culture and Community News- Home Finance And Loan Approval News and Guide Onlypunjab.com

Trump is using his Apprentice show to launch some new businesses. A lot are clearly flashes in the pan. I pass by a store selling water with his face on it, clearly a novelty, not something that people would buy for years... Now he's launching a Jewelry line.

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Gen Art, the nation's leading arts and entertainment organization devoted to showcasing emerging artists, in conjunction with Trump Model Management, hosted a viewing party at Pressure on University Place for the October 14 episode of The Apprentice.

Jewelry in the news: Wal-Mart Has Risen to Number One in Jewelry Retailing, yet the Prime Target Market for Jewelry Doesn't Even Shop There, says Unity Marketing.

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In 2003 half of American consumers bought jewelry and/or watches and spent $53.6 billion. Jewelry sales rose 5.1 percent over previous year, corresponding with renewed strength in the luxury market. The typical jewelry consumer is a 'twenty-something' to 'fifty-something' higher-income woman. But these facts just scratch the surface of an increasingly fragmented market for jewelry, according to a new study of the jewelry market by Unity Marketing.
"Today there isn't just one jewelry market. Rather when we talk about jewelry consumers, we need to look at discreet segments characterized by entirely different patterns of buying behavior. There are men buyers vs. women buyers; fine jewelry vs. costume jewelry buyers; gift purchasers vs. self purchasers. These segments overlap and intersect, requiring marketers and retailers to shift and turn in response to which type of customer is in view. Whereas the jewelry business used to be simple, today it is much more complex due to increasing market fragmentation," explains Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Why People Buy Things They Don't Need.

If you're looking for studies on consumers and how they respond to Jewelry, the JCOC looks like a nice site with info on PDF files.

Jewelry in the news: IvanaTrump.com - Jewelry Collection.

Ivana Trump just announced a new reality show on her website. One wonders how long this reality show spree will last. But perhaps of more interest to our readers is her Jewelry Collection...

Jewelry in the news: LVMH WATCHES AND JEWELRY SALES UP 6%

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Luxury products group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton recorded 7 percent sales growth for the first nine months of 2004, with an increase of 6 percent in the watches and jewelry sector, where sales were US$440 million as compared to US$415 million one year earlier.

Jewelry in the news: Rockland jewelers make convertible jewelry.

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"Transformers" action figures, a huge hit in the 1980s, were a two-for-one toy. The small plastic figures started out as trucks, police cruisers and race cars, and with some maneuvering could be transformed into robots.
Think of convertible jewelry as "Transformers" for adults.
Last Tuesday the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent for "Convertible pendant jewelry" to Rockland residents William Molino, Mike Buryakov and Igor Dranovsky. Molino and Buryakov are partners in a Pomona jewelry store, Molino Jewelers.
Molino and Buryakov (Dranovsky is no longer part of the business) have developed and now sell about 12 different convertible pendants, which hang on chains. One pendant begins as two interlocked horseshoes. Open up the small hinged pieces and you have a new design that looks like two crisscrossed lines.
Other pendants start as a heart, a Star of David and a cross, then transform to other, more linear designs. The pendants range in price from $350 to $799.
"In the jewelry business, it's very hard to invent something new," said Buryakov, 49, a New City resident. "With this idea, you can make a thousand different designs. You can open almost anything."

Diamonds, not gold, are Henry's best friend.

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More accustomed to gold adorning her neck, Olympian Jodie Henry got up close and personal with Australia's largest and most expensive diamond yesterday.
The triple-gold medallist was in Melbourne to unveil a spectacular $2.5 million necklace featuring a 25 carat pear-shaped diamond.
The diamond and swimmer were the star attractions at the launch of a new Melbourne store for jeweller to the stars Stefano Canturi.
The unique diamond is suspended in a bed of black diamonds with wild vines growing over the stone.

Jewelry in the news: Rapper Williams settles suit over jewelry order

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Grammy-nominated rapper Bryan "Baby" Williams has settled a lawsuit alleging he failed to pay $85,000 for jewelry he ordered, court records show.
Williams and King's Jewelers in Bay Harbor Islands, near Miami Beach, settled for $57,500, according to the records available Friday. Williams gets the jewelry and neither party admits liability or wrongdoing under the settlement.

Bling Bling in the news: Baby Settles Lawsuit And Mack 10 Denies Allegations!

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Bryan "Baby" Williams has settled a lawsuit alleging he failed to pay $85,000 for jewelry he ordered, court records show.
Williams and King's Jewelers in Bay Harbor Islands, near Miami Beach, settled for $57,500, according to the records available Friday. Williams gets the jewelry and neither party admits liability or wrongdoing under the settlement.
Williams, ordered a $23,500 pendant made of 18-karat white gold and large diamonds to form the initials BM, along with nine white gold, diamond-studded pendants inscribed with the name of his record label, Cash Money Records, worth $54,000 total, the lawsuit in October alleged.

Jewelry design in the news: Rare Gold Exhibits and Maria Shriver Jewelry Line Featured at SF Gem and Mineral Show, August 7 and 8; Mayor Declares Gem and Mineral Week in SF

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recognition of an upcoming 50th Annual San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society Show and Sale, Mayor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed August 1 through 8 as "Gem and Mineral Week in San Francisco."

The nonprofit earth sciences society, one of the largest in the state, is also announcing several significant additions to its golden anniversary weekend event, August 7 and 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the County Fair Building, off Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way in Golden Gate Park.
Recently confirmed exhibits of rare gold will be presented along a special "Gold Row" by prominent museums and historical organizations In addition, a dealers gallery adjacent to the exhibition hall will feature a new line of handmade jewelry inspired by California First Lady Maria Shriver, launched recently to help fund the state's trade and cross-cultural initiatives.
The California State Mining and Mineral Museum will display rarely seen crystallized gold and nugget specimens dating back to the late 1880s, and Wells Fargo Historical Services will provide an assortment of historic mining tools and documents from the Gold Rush era

Jewelry in the news: Coke can yields unexpected prize of jewelry, man claims

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Jeremy Norman's story, which the folks at Coca-Cola label a "virtual impossibility," goes like this:
On Friday evening the 18-year-old Lansing man bought a can of classic Coke at a summer carnival hosted by the Moores Park Neighborhood Organization, in south Lansing.
The last swallow yielded something solid - something that lodged in Norman's throat. "I almost choked on it," he said.
Norman claims to have extracted a woman's ring from his mouth. Funny, but there was nothing on the can about a free prize inside.

Jewelry in the news: Navajo Jewelry Stamp to Showcase Artistry of Navajo Silversmiths.

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The U.S. Postal Service will issue a new two-cent Navajo Jewelry definitive stamp as part of its American Design series on August 20, at the Americover Stamp Show in Indianapolis, IN. The stamp features a painted detail of a Navajo silver and turquoise necklace with sand-cast "squash blossoms." The 11 a.m. (Central Time) first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.

Simulants in the news: CHARLES & COLVARD ANNOUNCES INTRODUCTION OF MOISSANITE JEWELRY IN 450 STORES OF A NATIONAL CHAIN AND REPORTS SECOND QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS

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Bob Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We have high expectations for the remainder of 2004. Moissanite continues to gain greater exposure. Additional test programs of moissanite jewelry are being discussed and implemented with a number of retailers. The most significant development is the planned national roll out of test distribution at one of the country's leading jewelry retailers. This top national chain plans on having moissanite jewelry in 450 of its U.S. stores on October 1, 2004. This jewelry will be consigned to these stores and we will recognize revenue as it is sold. We believe that this is one of the most important opportunities we have enjoyed to date and I am excited about what this could mean to the Company."

Jewelry in the news: Grizzlies' Wright robbed of $200,000 in jewelry

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While going to a day spa last week to relieve soreness from a workout, someone took more than $200,000 worth of Wright's jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Stolen From P-Diddy's Office

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Burglars stole an estimated $7.2 million dollars in jewelry from the building combs owns on Broadway.
The rapper and business mogul originally tried to keep his staff quiet about the incident. But obviously, somebody couldn't keep a secret.

Jewelry Design in the news: Jewelry designer moves to Astoria

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The McHones, who have moved to Astoria, will take over management of Mr. Diamond's at a new location, 1150 Commercial St.
Holly McHone is well known in the Hillsboro area for designing and exhibiting custom jewelry. Specializing in goldsmithing and gem placement, she has installed a upscale goldsmith shop at the Astoria location.

Jewelry in the news: Gold Rises as Dollar Drops, Lower Prices Spur Jewelry Demand

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Gold rose for the first day in six in London, as the dollar dropped against the euro and jewelers took advantage of prices near a one-month low.
Dollar-denominated gold tends to rise when the dollar falls as it becomes cheaper to buy with other currencies. The dollar gained 3 percent against the euro last week on speculation the Federal Reserve will boost U.S. interest rates further. Gold fell 4 percent in the period, touching $394.48 Friday, the lowest since June 18.
``A consolidation might be on the cards after such a huge sell-off, with a backlash in the euro, and as lower prices have fuelled physical demand,'' Alexander Zumpfe, an analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein in Frankfurt, said in an e-mailed report.

Jewelry in the news: Southern Utes, FLC help bring jewelry into spotlight

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Campbell’s jewelry is owned by well-known people. Campbell says Kevin Costner and the late Johnny Cash have his pieces.
"Mick Jagger ordered a bracelet and my son Colin was so excited to meet him that he delivered it personally," Campbell said. "I donated pieces to the Colorado Film Commission to give out to whoever finishes a film in the state. Billy Crystal and Paul Newman got one that way."

Jewelry in the news: Your jewelry can be one of a kind.

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Olathe residents who want jewelry designed specifically for them need look for farther than Niche Jewelry in Olathe.
Custom-designed jewelry created in gold, silver or platinum is one of several offerings at Niche Jewelry. The store also sells artwork by area artists, including pottery, pastels, custom lamps and frames and hand-blown glass.
Jewelry and glasses repair is also offered at the store, at 2143 E. 151st St. It is owned and operated by William and Wendy Elkins of Olathe.

Jewelry Design in the news: From media director to jewelry designer.

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all began with cigar boxes. Two years ago, after receiving a trendy purse made from a cigar box, Eileen Sanchez-Medina decided she could make her own and do a better job of it.
Armed with a healthy interest in improving the product, the Coral Gables resident started experimenting with different materials and last May decided to make a career of it. Stepping up production and adding new styles, Sanchez-Medina started selling her cigar-box purses by word of mouth to women she knew from church and her children's school. The new designer then made the leap to retail when a spa in South Miami and a retail shop in Little Havana started carrying her handbags.

Jewelry in the news: Finlay Enterprises and Finlay Fine Jewelry Announce Expiration of Tender Offers.

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Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation ("Finlay Jewelry"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finlay Enterprises, announced today that its offer to purchase for cash any and all of Finlay Jewelry's $150 million outstanding principal amount of its 8-3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes") expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City Time, on June 4, 2004, and has not been extended.

Jewelry in the news: Ethnic Jewelry Museum Tells Tribes' Stories.

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When walking between the galleries and the small museums of Samchong-dong, downtown Seoul, you may see a beautifully tarnished building covered with sunset-colored copper. If you associated it with an old jewelry box, you are right. The building cherishes jewelry ornaments from around the world with interesting stories to tell, though they are not as expensive or luxurious as Cartier or Tiffany diamond rings.

Jewelry in the news: American Idol Judge Paula Abdul Sets Hot Jewelry Trend.

Excerpt: Millions aspiring to chase their dreams - and also snag the hottest jewelry trends - can now be inspired by the encouraging words and trendy style of American Idol's Paula Abdul without facing the curt criticisms of Simon Cowell. SAM'S CLUB announced it has teamed up with Paula Abdul to sell to consumers nationwide her 'Innergy' jewelry line, which Abdul has given as gifts this season to American Idol semi-finalists and winner Fantasia Barrino.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry helps raise funds for library.

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MENDHAM - An elegant 14-karat gold, sapphire and diamond bracelet donated by JoEllen Jewelers of Mendham is the centerpiece of a fund-raising effort to benefit the Mendham Borough Library at 10 Hilltop Road.

Jewelry in the news: Diamond bracelet given to church.

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A rector could not believe his church's luck when he found a diamond-studded bracelet in its collection box.
Canon Christopher Samuels was alerted to the valuable donation when the woman who dropped it off rang him up.
Canon Samuels, of the St Mary without-the-Walls Church in Handbridge, Chester, said it is the most unusual donation the church has had.
Now the bracelet - thought to be worth at least £1,000 - is to be auctioned to raise money for church funds.

Jewelry Design in the news: Jewelry designer mixes high-tech, goldsmith skills.

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All Sean Ryan really wanted was to become an artist.

But his first job, on the surface, seemed far from artistic.

"I started out repairing clocks and watches in high school," he said. The part-time job eventually would lead Ryan to a 23-year career in jewelry design.

"You have to learn the mechanics of repair and manufacturing," he said. The skills would be essential to later creating rings, pendants and jeweled eggs.

Jewelry in the news: Council approves new downtown jewelry store.

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The St. Helena City Council decided on a quartet instead of a trio at its meeting Tuesday when it voted to approve a fourth jewelry store on Main Street. The vote was 3 to 1 to support the Planning Commission recommendation to grant a use permit to Lydia Wilson to do business as Marlowe & Company Jewelers.

Jewelry in the news: Maria adds glitter to fundraising.

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It seems Maria Shriver is taking her role as California's first lady seriously. And guess what is her way to contribute to the California State Protocol Fund. She has launched her own jewellery line.
According to National Enquirer, Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger wife is working with a LA designer to create jewelry for her Maria Shriver California Jewelry collection.

Jewelry in the news: LJ International Names Former CEO of Largest Jewelry Retailer in Far East as Head of Company's New China Unit.

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LJ International, Inc. (LJI) (Nasdaq: JADE - News), one of the fastest-growing fine jewelry companies in the world, today announced that Elliott Yuen, (48), will become chief executive of the Company's new China Division beginning June 1, 2004. Mr. Yuen, comes to his new position with over two decades of award- winning experience managing international brands in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jewelry in the news: Postal worker accused of stealing jewelry.

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Federal officials say a veteran U-S Postal Service employee stole jewelry from the mail and sold the rings, necklaces and bracelets for thousands of dollars at a pawn shop.

Jewelry in the news: Moody's rates Finlay Fine Jewelry senior notes B1.

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Moody's Investors Service assigned a B1 to Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation's proposed senior notes. The outlook was changed to stable from positive. The followings rating were assigned: Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation: Senior implied of B1; $200 million senior unsecured notes of B1; Senior unsecured issuer rating of B1. The following ratings were withdrawn: Finlay Enterprises: Senior implied rating of B1; Senior unsecured issuer rating of B3. On May 7, 2004, Finlay Enterprises and Finlay Fine Jewelry began a cash tender offer and consent solicitation for $75 million senior debentures at Finlay Enterprises (holding company parent of Finlay Fine Jewelry) and $150 million senior notes at Finlay Fine Jewelry (operating company).

Jewelry Design in the News: Northern artists selected to design Tiffany's jewelry.

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Famed jewelry retailer Tiffany's has set its sights on Canada's North, selecting the designs by Canadian artists for a new line of jewelry.
Tiffany's will transform designs by stone carver and jewelry designer Inuk Charlie of Cambridge Bay and Dene painter Archie Beaulieu, from the Rae-Edzo region of the North West Territories, into gold and diamond jewelry.

Jewelry in the News: Tiffany backs environmentalists' push for Earth-friendly jewelry.

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One gold ring, conservationists say, generates 20 tons of mine waste. This year, they passed out Valentine's Day cards reading, ''Don't tarnish your love with dirty gold'' in front of jewelry stores in New York, Boston and Washington.
The campaign caught the attention of Tiffany & Co., which took out a recent ad in the Washington Post that said a proposed mine under the Cabinet Mountains wilderness of Montana is a poor way to fill its jewelry cabinets on Fifth Avenue.
''Given the impact of mining for gold, silver and platinum, they are a company who cared about how they were viewed and what their customers think,'' said Steve D'Esposito, president of Earthworks, the environmental group leading the campaign.
The ad, signed by Tiffany chairman and chief executive Michael J. Kowalski, surprised leaders in the mining industry.
''I was stunned that a person of Mr. Kowalski's stature and obvious business acumen would write a letter like that,'' said Laura Skaer, head of the Northwest Mining Association in Spokane.
The jewelry industry has already started the process of guaranteeing that its raw materials came only from socially and environmentally friendly mining companies, according to Jewelers of America, an industry group.

Jewelry in the News: After jewelry is lost, connections are found.

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Losing a diamond pendant and topaz ring taught Elaine Jordan that the world really is a small place and that there are honest people in it.
The woman who found Jordan's jewelry turned out be the daughter of a former co-worker. The two women discovered they had a mutual friend. And all three have connections to the jewelry industry.
The story began on March 4, when Jordan, of Lexington, who owns The Gold Peddler, picked up her jewelry along with some items for her customers from Greg Wells, who makes and repairs jewelry in Eastland Shopping Center.

Jewelry in the News: Basinger's jewelry fetches $140,000 for PAWS at auction.

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A collection of Basinger's baubles, sold in an auction sponsored by Christie's in New York, fetched about $140,000 for PAWS, said Pat Derby, founder of the rescue organization.
Basinger, who won an Academy Award for her role in the movie "L.A. Confidential," is a longtime friend of the organization that houses abandoned and retired animals from circuses and other parts of the entertainment industry. PAWS residents include lions, tigers, bobcats, bears, primates and wolves.

Jewelry in the news: Imelda Marcos' jewelry to be auctioned.

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Jewelry once owned by former first lady Imelda Marcos is to be auctioned overseas, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said Tuesday.
At least two international auction houses have expressed interest in selling off the trinkets recovered by the PCGG, chairperson Haydee Yorac said Tuesday.
Asked at a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines for a valuation of the jewelry, Yorac said "around 10 million US dollars."
"We are looking at auctioning the jewelry in either Hong Kong, London or New York," Yorac added.
She denied media reports that much of the jewelry now held in the vault of the Philippines' central bank was in fact fake. "The jewelry has been independently valued and found to be genuine," she said.

Jewelry in the news: A Marriage of Creativity and Glamour: H. Stern to Launch Jewelry Collection with Diane Von Furstenberg.

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The Diane von Furstenberg by H. Stern Collection will be previewed to the press in June 2004, and available for the consumer at the H. Stern Flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York City the following October. H. Stern will support the collection with an advertising campaign beginning with October fashion and lifestyle magazines. International launches of the collection will follow.

Jewelry in the news: Judith Ripka Named Official Jewelry Designer for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios.

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As the Official Jewelry Designer, Judith Ripka will collaborate with the fashion designers courting this season's catwalk, by providing 18k gold and diamond jewelry for use in their shows. Additionally, Judith Ripka will co- host an exclusive on-site reception, with In Touch Weekly (Official Entertainment Magazine) at Smashbox Studios Tuesday night starting at 10:00 pm. With prominent exposure both on and off the runway, including extensive onsite signage, event advertising and an elegant Judith Ripka area for VIP guests to view the new collection, Judith Ripka will dazzle fashion- mavens with her latest jewelry designs. Distinct and versatile, with designs created with boldly colored gemstones and brilliant diamonds (always signature characteristics), Judith Ripka creates classic jewelry designs relevant for a new generation.

Jewelry in the news: The Best Jewelry Cleaners.

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What to do when your jewelry loses its luster? New jewelry-cleaning appliances promise to bring back the sparkle -- fast. Are they worth it?
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts put three new cleaners to the test using tarnished jewelry supplied by New York jeweler Michael Toback. They then compared the cleaning results to a homemade method (soaking each item in ammonia and water, followed by a warm-water rinse and a dip in rubbing alcohol).

Jewelry in the news: Stuart Weitzman Diamond Shoes Worn by Academy Award Performer Alison Krauss.

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The stiletto sandal on a 4 ½ - inch invisible heel is covered with more than 500 dazzling diamonds set in pure platinum giving the illusion that there is no shoe, just diamonds twinkling on the foot. Nestled among the clear classic diamonds is an extraordinarily rare colored diamond. Never seen before, this diamond, which is amaretto in color and approximately 5 karats, is being specially cut and polished for the Weitzman shoes. With the rare colored diamond valued at well over $1 million and the shoes adorned with an additional 55 karats of clear diamonds, this pair of shoes will likely sell for $2 million or more.

Jewelry in the news: Baubles, Bangles and Bling Bling: A World of Jewelry .

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On Wednesday, February 18, The Newark Museum opens Baubles, Bangles and Bling Bling: A World of Jewelry, an exhibition that explores the complex social and cultural meanings of jewelry, both for the people who wear it and for those who admire it. Curators from three different departments have mined the Museum’s diverse collections and solicited significant loans from private collections for a comprehensive presentation and comparison of personal adornment across cultures and throughout time. More than three hundred spectacular objects, from the beaded necklaces of ancient Egyptians to the flashy, large-scale bling bling popularized by today’s hip-hop stars, will be on view through Sunday, May 9, 2004.

Jewelry in the news: LVMH Announces a 30% Increase in Income for Year.

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"Margins for Louis Vuitton topped 45 percent - a record level, even if we invested a lot of money in publicity," Olivier Labesse, a spokesman for the conglomerate in Paris, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. Last year, Louis Vuitton, the 150-year-old luggage company, featured the actress Jennifer Lopez in its global ad campaign in very formalized poses, swinging one of the company's handbags with a stiff arm, as a male model appeared, apparently under her spell. (Despite the ad's success, the company announced last month that Ms. Lopez would not be part of its new campaign.)
All sectors except watches and jewelry showed increased profits. The watches division was dragged down by losses at Ebel, the Swiss watchmaker, that LVMH purchased at the height of the company's acquisition fervor of the late 1990's. Late last year, Ebel was sold to Movado for substantially less than was paid for it.
The operating loss at the watches and jewelry division widened to 48 million euros, or $59 million, from 13 million euros in 2002. Mr. Labesse said the company was "confident that we can reach the break-even point" for the watches and jewelry division in 2004.

Jewelry in the news: Wind of nature blows at HK international jewelry show.

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As people facing more and more pressure in the modern society, returning to nature has become a dream to many people. Nature has also become a theme of the Hong Kong International Jewelry Show 2004, which opened here on Tuesday.
From leaves, flowers, animals and other wonders of the nature comes the designers' inspiration.
Designer Lee Sang Mee, a winner of major jewelry design awards in the Republic of Korea, is constantly inspired by nature's beauty and harmony. He uses all his talents to design these splendid pieces and then create them by setting little color-stonemelees with so much care that the pieces are vibrant and alive.

Jewelry in the news: 2,500-Year-Old Jewelry Found in Israel.

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Israeli archaeologists excavating caves near the Dead Sea discovered jewelry, a makeup kit and a small mirror -- 2,500-year-old fashion accessories for women.

Jewelry in the news: Sisters turn jewelry hobby into Web gold.

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Founded by sisters Susan Hurley of North Andover and Lisa First of League City, Texas, www.forthegirlwhohaseverything.com (also www.lisafirst.com) is in its second year as an online shop for handmade jewelry, including bracelets that consumers can personalize by clicking and dragging charms onto online prototypes in six colors.
''There is nothing else like this on the Web as far as I have researched and seen," said 40-year-old Hurley, who is responsible for the company's sales and marketing, while 42-year-old First assembles the bracelets, necklaces, and earrings from her home in Texas. The sisters share design and shipping duties.

Jewelry in the news: Widow's Diamond Ring Returned To Daughter After 30 Years.

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Shortly after her husband died, Judie Vann gave her prized gold and diamond ring to his best friend in appreciation for the kindness he had shown her family.
On Wednesday, more than 30 years later, the best friend's 90-year-old mother returned the ring to Vann's daughters at a local restaurant. Now they can hardly wait to return it to their mother.

The International Herald Tribune has an interesting article about Jewelry that features Warren Buffet's take on making money in the Jewelry Business.

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"All jewelers turn their inventory very slowly, and that ties up a lot of capital. Once-a-year turnover is par for the course. The reason is that people buy jewelry infrequently, and then they are making both a major and a very individual purchase. Therefore, they want to view a wide selection. Given that turnover is low, a jeweler must obtain a relatively wide profit margin on sales in order to get a mediocre return."

Jewelry in the news: The clock is ticking for Classic Jewelry.

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PARK HILLS - Though the store has been open only 17 years, when the doors of Classic Jewelry and Awards close in April more than a century of experience in that business will be moving on.
When Jim and Marilyn Blake opened the store in 1987, they did so without a single piece of jewelry merchandise in stock. All they had was the engraving equipment for the awards side of the business.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry: protecting your investment.

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Consumer Reports used an antique diamond watch to see how large discrepancies in appraisals can be. Donald Palmieri, a Master Gemologist Appraiser, supplied a benchmark appraisal. He valued the watch at $1,550.
His appraisal included a pamphlet with a complete, stone-by-stone description of the watch and photos.
Consumer Reports then had four different appraisers assess the same watch. Two didn't come close to the watch's real value.
The highest priced appraisal was for $3,500, Freeman said. The lowest was for $500. So the range was extremely wide.

Jewelry in the news: Men Needn't Fear Jewelry Shopping.

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Some men circle the brightly lit cases nervously, their eyes darting from bauble to gem.

Others go right to the salesclerks, asking for suggestions, then buy the first thing they see.

"I've had some men come in and just tell me, `You pick something,' " said Christi Albright, store manager at Van Adams, a jewelry store in Snellville, Ga. "All that such customers provide is a spending limit."

Jewelry shopping can intimidate even the strongest of men.

Jewelry in the news: Valentine's sells jewelry.

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The annual day of hearts and flowers ranks as the second-biggest moneymaking holiday on the industry's calendar. And, each year, it continues to grow.
"There is a trend towards more women buying jewelry for friends and daughters on holidays," said Holly Wesche, owner of Wesche Jewelers in Melbourne. "And I would say that we see a slight rise in engagement-ring purchases before Valentine's Day. It's a natural fit."

Jewelry in the news: ALMAZHOLDING TO BUILD JEWELRY FACTORY IN KALININGRAD

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Russia's second largest diamond polisher by capacity, Almazholding Management, is to build a US$1.5 million gold and diamond jewelry factory in Kaliningrad, with construction due to begin in the near future.
Privately owned Almazholding, which began polishing diamonds in 1999, currently has a small jewelry division with 30 employees that makes exclusive gold and diamond products largely for export, while the new factory will employ about 400 people.

Jewelry in the news: WestportNow Consumer Correspondent, Fran, has Jewelry in her latest column, Memo to Husbands and Boy Friends: Buy Jewelry.

Excerpt:

This one is strictly for the men.
If she tells you she really doesn't want anything for Valentine's Day this year ... assures you "Honey, you really don't have to get me anything" ... or agrees with you that it's a silly, made-up holiday that exists only for school kids and commercial purposes, and that you should feel perfectly free to ignore Feb. 14... Take it from me. She's lying.
So for the very wise men (you too, Y's Men) who are going to be looking for that perfect diamond heart necklace this weekend - you can't go wrong sticking with tradition

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Store Heist Suspects Possibly in the Upstate.

Jewelry in the news: Consumer/Technology: Shoes, jewelry popular online.

Excerpt:

NEW YORK - Who would have thought that online sites such as Zappos.com, which sells $350 designer shoes and other footwear, or Bluenile.com, which sells expensive diamonds, would thrive in the aftermath of the dot-com bust?
These and other Internet-only retailers once deemed unlikely to succeed in cyberspace are outpacing offline rivals in sales gains. And a robust holiday season showed that although they each tend to focus on a narrow retailing niche, they're growing at a faster rate than online purveyors of books and CDs.

Jewelry in the news: Shock and Ow: Janet Jackson's Flash of Jewelry.

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Jackson was wearing a nipple shield in the style of a Mexican sun. It attaches to the nipple the way in which one might put a tie tack on a four-in-hand. The shield circled the nipple and its flares radiated out and around the areola. If one can overlook the "ow" factor, it is an attractive piece of jewelry.
Owing to its extreme method of attachment, one might assume that Jackson's look wouldn't be readily copied. Of course, that would be a foolish bet. If a celebrity drove a wooden stake through the palm of her hand, one suspects there would be a good number of folks racing to the nearest lumberyard to try to find a similarly carved length of pine. It is possible to order a Janet Jackson nipple shield on the Internet and at piercing parlors. At BodyPunks.com, where business in the last week has reportedly been booming, the sterling silver shield costs $23.95. It is on back order. Presumably those who purchase it will be more cautious about who will be allowed to admire it.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry store owner murder mystery.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry forecast: Big, bright and colorful.

Excerpt:

In Hollywood, media and fashion industry circles, it's known simply as "the ring."

When Jennifer Lopez flashed her 6.1-karat, pink diamond ring for the paparazzi in November 2002, she sparked a jewelry stampede that, as it turned out, has lasted longer than her engagement.

Lopez and Ben Affleck ended their snaillike march to the altar in January, but jewelers still can't keep the pink diamonds in their cases.

Jewelry in the news: Russian Oil Baron Buys Prized Faberge Imperial Eggs

Excerpt:

Russian oil and metals baron Viktor Vekselberg has unexpectedly bought the Forbes family collection of fabled Faberge Imperial Easter Eggs and other pieces for more than $90 million, months before Sotheby's was to auction them, representatives said on Wednesday.

Jewelry in the news: Mardi Gras krewe queen loses her jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Burglars Take Safe From Jewelry Shop.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Worth SR4m Stolen in House Burglary

Excerpt:

A burglary at a private residence in the Al-Hamra district of Jeddah netted thieves around SR5 million in cash and jewelry. Twenty-one diamond sets totaling SR4 million and SR1 million in cash was stolen, Okaz newspaper reported yesterday. A group thieves broke into Hasan Mohammad Hilfawia's house while the family was away on vacation.

Jewelry in the news: Sachi Fine Jewelry
adds Everett store

Excerpt:

Snohomish-based Sachi Fine Jewelry & Design has expanded into Everett, opening a store in space formerly occupied by Nikolette's Fine Jewelry on Colby Avenue.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Heist Boggles Owner, Police.

Jewelry in the news: Painting, jewelry classes scheduled.

Jewelry in the news: Masked men rob Mira Mesa jewelry store.

Jewelry in the news: CMN holds jewelry raffle.

Jewelry in the news: The shine is off as Galleria jewelry store prepares to close its doors after 30 years.

Jewelry in the news: How much jewelry is too much?

Jewelry in the news: Platinum today: Platinum Hello Kitty on sale in Japan.

Jewelry in the news: Chillicothe man charged in jewelry theft from home.

Jewelry in the news: Shanghai jewelers take HK jewelry in their stride.

Jewelry in the news: Police recover thousands in stolen jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Rogue Valley Coin and Jewelry Exchange Offers the Unique.

Jewelry in the news: Kenneth's Fine Jewelry out of business.

Jewelry in the news: Wiren’s Jewelry closed its doors Dec. 31.

Jewelry in the news: Couple Accused Of Stealing Jewelry From Wal-Mart.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Store Robbed At Gunpoint.

Jewelry in the news: Third man charged in November jewelry store robbery.

Jewelry in the news: What's hot in fine jewelry.

Excerpt:

Here's a shopping list of what's hot in the fine jewelry world:
*Right-hand rings (either treat yourself to a new diamond ring or recycle heirloom pieces).

*Chandelier earrings (the bigger and flashier, the better).

*Coral (from pink to orange).

*Three-stone diamond jewelry (representing the past, present and future, three-stone jewelry is a fave rave on the hands and necks of the youthquake to convey commitment and love).

*Charms and pendants (Britney Spears, Madonna and Demi Moore all wear delicate charms - from initials to the zodiac).

*White gold and platinum bridal jewelry (it's still the dominant look, but yellow gold is making a strong showing as estate pieces get fashion's spotlight).

*Conversion pieces (versatility is the name of the game with necklaces that convert to bracelets, lariats or even belts; pendants become brooches; line earrings that become hoops and reversible rings or rings with floating stones).

*Sterling silver necklaces (popular looks include necklaces with ball chains, medallions with black cords and "floater" necklaces with nearly invisible cords featuring spaced pearls that appear to float on the wearer's neck).

Jewelry in the news: Police nab six in attempted Rockville Centre jewelry store heist.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry Store Owner On Phone With Police Chief During Heist.

Jewelry in the news: Southwest Florida's Information Leader.

Jewelry in the news: Team effort leads to quick arrest of suspected jewelry thief.

Jewelry in the news: $90,000 diamond robbery reported at Fashion Valley.

Jewelry in the news: Thieves Hit Brooklyn Jewelry Store.

Jewelry in the news: Two college football champions great for the jewelry business.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry making: From hobby to career.

Jewelry in the news: West End murder may be linked to diamond ring.

Jewelry in the news: Diamond thief caught after shop owner spotted him is jailed in Scotland.

Jewelry in the news: Raffle at Dubai festival may boost gold, jewelry market. Retail sales targeted to surpass $96 million .

Jewelry in the news: Jury seated for jewelry store shooting trial.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry stolen as a result of being a good samaratin.

Jewelry in the news: RING REPLACED FOR THEIR DIAMOND DAY.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry-store heist suspect arrested.

Jewelry in the news: 28 WBRE TV reports: Diamond Drop Out of New Year's Celebration.

Jewelry in the news: A new interest in jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry, an intimate insight into nature.

Jewelry in the news: Keeping jewelry clean.

Jewelry in the news: Amherst store robbed of $40K in jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: $100,000 diamond among El Pasoans' gifts.

Jewelry in the news: $1 Million In Jewelry Stolen From Store.

Jewelry in the news: Tanishq rolls out a 'diamond caravan'.

Jewelry in the news: Police say thief swallowed $20,000 diamond ring.

Jewelry in the news: Platinum lets couples tie the knot with elegance and style.

Jewelry in the news: Maui jewelry store will close in January.

Jewelry in the news: Jewelry thieves cut hole in roof.

Jewelry in the news: Royal Crest Diamond Ring disappears from store.

Jewelry in the news: Candente Resource Corp. - Diamond Drilling Canariaco Copper Property, Northern Peru.

Jewelry in the news: Salesman robbed of jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: RTHPort Inc. Launches New Consumer Website - Selling Fine Jewelry from Specialty Deals, at Deep Discounts, SimpleValue.com.

Jewelry in the news: Two Hurt In Jewelry Store Shootout.

Jewelry in the news: Check Jewelry Certification Before Buying.

Jewelry in the news: Perfect Wedding Jewelry…Online!

Jewelry in the news: Five Nassau jewelry stores busted for scamming customers.

Jewelry in the news: Shanghai seeks Jewelry Appraisers.

A Jewelry store employee was abducted by gem thieves. He was rescued Friday morning after neighbours of the townhouse he was hidden in called 911.

Jewelry in the news: SMP Designs draws a bead on jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Noelle selling off designer jewelry.

Jewelry in the news: Loot from jewelry store robbery found.

Jewelry in the news: Man allegedly stole jewelry from friend.

Jewelry in the news: Tiffini Dooris Jewelry Annouces The Launch Of Updated Online Store!

Jewelry in the news: Another Andrae retires, turns jewelry business over to next generation.

Jewelry in the news:
Artisans bring unique Jewelry here.

From the fool.com: Another Diamond Dustup, executive shakeup at Whitehall...

Excerpt:

More bad news from the diamond district: Chicago-based Whitehall Jewellers (NYSE: JWL) today said the company axed on-leave Chief Financial Officer Jon Brown, and John Desjardins will remain interim CFO.

Indystar.com has an article about an Opera star preparing for the philharmonic with Jewelry from Bulgari.

The Rocky Mountain Collegian has an online Guide to holiday jewelry shopping.

PLATINUM JEWELRY HUB PLANNED FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S NORTH WEST.

Excerpt:

The Platinum Jewellery Trust of South Africa is establishing a platinum design, manufacturing and training facility in the country's North West province, with the goal of increasing the availability of platinum jewelry in the country.

Calgary News reports LEAD in jewelry dangerous to children.

Excerpt:

Much of the jewelry contains large amounts of lead, which can be potentially poisonous if kids stick it in their mouth or if the coating rubs off.
Lesley Svendsen has been leading the fight to have all jewelry containing lead removed from the market.
Her daughter, Lindsay, got sick five years ago after chewing on a necklace that she got for Christmas.
Doctors found lead in her blood and when the necklace was tested, it was found to contain 100-percent of the metal.
Now, Health Canada is proposing new rules that would severely limit lead in children's jewelry.

Fredericksburg.com reports Friends turn jewelry hobby into business.

Excerpt:

Sharon Humes and Sallie Druiett are best friends, who have turned their pastime into a business.
The two local mothers create unique jewelry from beads, crystals and semiprecious stones.
"It's a hobby with a tax ID number," Humes said with a laugh.
The crafters are among a group of artists who'll exhibit their wares from 6 to 9 tonight at Studio a at 1011A Princess Anne St.
Other artwork on display by "little known artists of Fredericksburg" include hand-painted tiles, hand-dyed scarves, handmade baskets, watercolors and prints.
Humes and Druiett are beginning their third year creating one-of-a-kind jewelry. Their business carries the appropriate name, Spare Time Productions.

Brian Kelly wrote an article about Joe Bonafine of Bonafine Jewelers: In search of the best

Pat Summers reports for The Princeton Packet on a shindig held by Hamilton Jewelers to celebrate Marilyn Monroe and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Excerpt:

A great day, in short, to buy a diamond. Or two. Or many.
At the very least, it was a fine time to wallow in diamonds. Which Hamilton Jewelers made eminently possible at its annual two-day "Diamond Extravaganza," open to fancy-diamond fanciers of all stripes — dowagers to career women to husbands with a mission; young couples in love to long-marrieds, still in love with diamonds after all these years.
After a record-breaking day at its Lawrenceville store, Hamilton Jewelers Princeton had a festive air and what looked to be a steady stream of serious customers. Diamonds in their countless iterations may have been the initial draw, but that glamorous and symbol-laden attraction was not all.

Buffalo News: Firm sued for allegedly fake jewelry

Excerpt:

Overstock Chief Executive Patrick Byrne told Dow Jones Newswires the company received the merchandise from what it considers a reputable vendor in Canada. The vendor swears the products were authentic, Byrne said. The vendor's defense leads Byrne to have some doubts about Tiffany's claims.
At issue are heart-shaped pendants thought to be from Tiffany's sold at half the normal retail price on Overstock early this month. Customers complained about the inferior quality, leading Overstock to refund a few dozen customers, according to the article.

Heidi Klum has broken her 8 million dollar Diamond Bra on the Jay Leno show...

Excerpt:

HEIDI KLUM broke the $8 million Victoria's Secret bra she was wearing on the set of Jay Leno's Tonight show. The German supermodel walked on wearing the diamond studded bra and matching $3 million knickers under her clothes and was due to strip off later in the show. However, halfway through her interview, she suddenly looked shocked and announced, "I think my bra has broken."

Ever since Wired ran an article on Synthetically produced Diamonds, the story has been growing and growing in the media. China Daily reports on a new team that grow diamonds in the rough

Excerpt:

A Chinese research team has proclaimed success in synthesizing diamond crystals as large as half a millimetre across using new, unconventional methods.

The Washington Post has an article today about the Hope Diamond called Hope Diamond Cold to the Touch.

Christie's upcoming Jewelry Auction will feature a rare Diamond Necklace worn by Eva Peron.

Billionaire Kerry Packer finds Australia's only known gem ruby deposit on his property.

The Rocky Mountain News has a little article called Jewelry giant still sparkling about Tiffany's excellent fiscal second quarter...

The Jupiter Courier has an article about a Custom Jewelry-designer.

In case anyone missed the Jewelry-Related Ask Yahoo question about the Hope Diamond, here it is.

In Energy Science News: Diamonds are a MEMS Best Friend.

Excerpt:

A revolutionary new method for growing the world's smoothest and purest diamond films has been developed at Argonne. This technology "ultra-nanocrystalline diamond films" could provide the materials breakthrough needed to push the fledgling field of micro-machines called "MEMS" into the commercial mainstream.

Heidi Klum is teaming up with Mouawad Jewelers for a new collection. It's called, appropriately, Mouawad, the Heidi Klum Collection.

AP "Strange News" reports: Jeweler's Dog Eats $1,800 Diamond. Now that's an expensive meal!

Jaguar had a promotion in Monaco involving a massive Pink Diamond. Seems that Helen Stewart, wife of Sir Jackie Stewart, had the key that turned the lock to win a Diamond Necklace. Congratulations!

Also, congratulations to JPM and Kimmi on being one-two in the Monaco Grand Prix. I won't bother mentioning the third man on the podium...since it isn't too hard to guess who it is...

Ask Yahoo covers a jewelry question today: Why are diamond bracelets called tennis bracelets?

CNN reports about a diamond cell phone.

Stuart Weitzman designed a one million pounds sterling pair of shoes woven from platinum thread and set with 642 round and oval rubies for a total carat weight of over 120 cts.

2 million sold??? I'm speechless.

The NYTimes reports: Squeezed, a Jewelry Designer Closes Shop.

Excerpt:

Ms. Cummings, one of the country's best-known jewelry designers, is closing her Manhattan office, paying off her staff and withdrawing all her diamond, gold, moonstone and enameled inventory and closing down boutiques in her two main outlets, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, effective June 1.

Some big news today. Bill Gates has announced that Microsoft is buying De Beers!

I really don't see the synergy but Gates believes that Microsoft can capitalize on their web properties and bring in a whole new dimension to the Jewelry industry. He said it is the first move in a new strategy to help grow Microsoft by bringing E-Commerce into the fold of the Microsoft family.

The Globe and Mail reports that the Northwest Territories want tighter restrictions on the definition of a Canadian Diamond.

Excerpt:

The Northwest Territories, frustrated at seeing many of the benefits from its newfound diamond riches flow abroad, wants federal rules rewritten to compel companies to keep gem-finishing work in Canada or lose the right to call their stones Canadian.
The NWT government is lobbying Ottawa to have regulators revisit the definition of "Canadian diamond" in hopes it will be changed from any gem "mined in Canada" to only those "mined, cut and polished in Canada."

The Statesman has a detailed article on the Belgian diamond heist.

Excerpt:

ANTWERP, Belgium: The thieves stood ankle-deep in a mess of diamonds, gold, jewelry, stocks, bonds, cash and lockboxes strewn on the vault room floor.
After outwitting security in the world's diamond-cutting capital and prying open 123 vaults, they had one unexpected problem: There was just too much loot to carry.
Two weeks later, authorities are still trying to figure out how much the thieves actually did get away with. Their rough estimate is $100 million.
That would easily make the Antwerp heist the largest safe-deposit box robbery ever %u2014 twice the 1976 hit in Beirut, Lebanon, when a guerrilla group blasted its way into the vaults of the British Bank of the Middle East and into the Guinness Book of Records.
It would also beat the largest jewel theft on record, when machine gun-toting thieves took $45 million in gems from the Carlton Hotel in Cannes on the French Riviera in 1994.
So far, authorities have three Italians and a Dutchwoman behind bars, but no clue where the loot is.
The robbery has Belgians reaching for Hollywood metaphors. "Ocean's Eleven," the daily La Libre Belgique wrote. "Mission Very Impossible," says diamond dealer Marcel Fuehrer, one of the few whose vaults were spared.

Diamond.com is apparently offering Diamond Underwear on Amazon. (Thanks Nate)

The Kimberley Process has a website.

Black Enterprise reports: Jewelry Retailer Faces Federal Suit.

Excerpt:

One of the nation's largest jewelry retail chains, Savannah-based Friedman's Inc., is being challenged for alleged racial discrimination in their hiring and promoting of African Americans, and for fostering a hostile work environment. Yesterday, Attorneys Morris J. Baller and Thomas A. Warren of Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian filed a federal class-action suit in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on behalf of former, present, and future employees and job applicants, then held a press conference about the case in Washington, D.C.

The Boston Business Journal reports: Study to be conducted on local jewelry industry

Excerpt:

A study is being done of the jewelry industry in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which is expected to lose one-third of its work force to retirements over the next 19 years.

Innovative, but not too bright.

Fort Frances Times reports: Fight between N.W.T. and diamond company over polar bear trademark settled

Excerpt

A dispute between Sirius Diamonds Ltd. and the Northwest Territories government over use of a polar bear trademark has been settled.

Sirius has used a particular four-legged pose of the polar bear to market its fire and ice diamonds from the Ekati mine northeast of Yellowknife.

The government has always said the trademark is theirs and Vancouver-based Sirius, which has a manufacturing facility in Yellowknife, had no right to use it.

The settlement stipulates Sirius is the only manufacturer that can use the four-legged polar bear logo for 10 years. The company has agreed to join the government's diamond certification program in exchange.

JCK reports: Four arrested in Antwerp's biggest Diamond Robbery. Here's an excerpt:

Four people have been arrested by Belgian police in connection with biggest diamond theft in the history of Antwerp, the diamond-cutting capital of the world. According to United Press International (UPI), the arrest of the suspects--a Dutch woman and three Italian men--was announced by the city prosecutor's office on Feb. 25, a week after the weekend theft.

ABC News reports: Belgian Diamond Theft Estimated at $100M.

Here's an excerpt:

Authorities put a price tag of $100 million Thursday on the jewels, gold and securities stolen this month in what is widely considered to be the theft of the century in Antwerp, the world's diamond-cutting capital. Police are still looking for the goods taken from 123 of the 160 high-security vaults at Antwerp's Diamond Center and the burglars who actually broke into the building Feb. 16.

Why do Americans covet Diamonds? is a study by University of Arkansas Sociologists. The study involves conflict diamonds, here's an expert:

Researchers at the University of Arkansas say women who received diamonds this Valentine's Day may have gotten more - and less - than what they bargained for. In a study examining the social value of this coveted stone, UA sociologists declare that a diamond's worth has become largely symbolic. They also assert that cultural symbolism hardly justifies the political and personal atrocities committed by portions of the diamond industry.

Yahoo Reports: Smugglers Eat Gem-Filled Condoms.

Anil Dash has quite a discussion going on at his blog about DeBeers and Diamonds....

JCK, founded in 1869, has launched the JCK's Research & Data Store.

NATIONAL POST Reports that Canada will soon be the third largest diamond supplier in the world. An excerpt:

Canada will supply more than 20% of the world's diamonds within 10 years, if the leading development projects proceed according to plan. The Ekati and Diavik mines, both located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, have already given Canada about 10% of world's market for rough gems. Those familiar with the diamond business know that is only the beginning.

Townsville Bulletin reports: Rio's deep-pocket dig [ 18feb03 ]

Here is an excerpt:

RIO Tinto is about to take a $70 million punt it can head off the plan to close Argyle, the world's largest diamond mine, by its present 2007 deadline.

The key is whether there are enough diamonds at depth to justify the expense of underground operations.

Reversible is a clever idea. Self named categories. It has tremendous potential, however, spammers tend to do a great job killing off wonderful ideas with self-serving behaviour. Well, it should be fun until it gets enough traffic to attract too many spammers. So here, let's contribute to the project with a reversible: Jewelry category.

Although this DIAMONDS exhibition at the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City is long over, there is some content and pictures worth looking at.

Just ran across this cool site, American Society of Jewelry Historians. They study the History of Jewelry and have lectures and special events.

WatchClick.com for Watches. I like it!

The Statesman reports:

PITTSBURGH (AP)--Fans of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright can now wear a tiny piece of his masterpiece Fallingwater around their necks, on their wrists or dangling from their ears. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which owns a home that is one of the most famous examples of Wright's architecture, about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, started to sell its Fallingwater Restoration Jewelry last summer and recently made the pieces available online.

Royal guests visit Asscher

Twenty-five royal guests have visited the Royal Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam. The visit formed part of the festivities connected with the marriage of the Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta. The party included Queen Silvia of Sweden and her daughter Crown Princess Victoria, the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward and his spouse Sophie Rhys-Jones of the United Kingdom), Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. One distinguished visitor was Begum Inaara Aga Khan, spouse of Aga Khan. In addition to numerous German Princes and Princesses, Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg were present. The Asscher family business is the only diamond company in the world with the designation "Royal".

Wedding Ring Lost 17 Years Ago Found At Sewage Plant

This is a cool story. A snippet:

A treatment operator at the Metropolitan District Commission's sewage treatment plant in Hartford found a one-carat diamond ring and another stone ring at the bottom of a wastewater drainage pool. The treatment operator found engravings on the inside of the ring that led him to Diane Kurtz of New Hartford, Conn. She lost the rings, including her wedding ring, in 1985.

allAfrica Reports: De Beers to Refuel Fight Over Licence...Here's an excerpt:

De Beers has agreed to take over the financing of Archangel Diamond Corporation's fight to recover its Russian diamond mining licence.

For an outlay of a mere C3m, which Archangel apparently cannot afford, De Beers believes it will improve its chances of winning back the mining licence and enforcing the legal agreement on which it was based. If that were to happen, De Beers would gain a 40% stake in the best new diamond deposit in Russia.

If you go to the EKATI website, They redirect you to Aurias.com, and inform you of the new name.

The Amarillo Globe News has a gem of an idea for Christmas...Colored Jewels as gifts...

Another one for the scientists: Diamonds are a scientists best friend.

For you scientific types: Diamond - Molecule of the Month

Don't miss Blogcritics: Scattered Diamonds, an interesting post about the books "Diamond Stories: Enduring Change on 47th Street" and "Hiding Places: A Father and his Sons Retrace Their Family's Escape from the Holocaust "...

The NY POST reports: DAMON TYING THE KNOT... he got her a 3 carat ring...when pictures are available, I will post them...

Hmm, for the year in review: Science News of the Year 2002 claims that "Diamond isn't the sturdiest material." Must have missed that story somehow... Here's another one on synthetics.

Coloradoans Win Diamonds in December!

"What woman wouldn't want diamonds for her birthday," asks Jamie Johnson, the first recipient of the Celestial Seasonings Great Diamond Giveaway necklace. "I've never won anything in my life and my birthday's Monday, so I'm doubly excited." Hailing from Golden, Colorado, Jamie is one of three winners announced by Celestial Seasonings and High Altitude Promotions on December 13, 2002.

A Yahoo report: Red Gems are Hot for Valentine's Day

An excerpt:

Think red for Valentine's Day -- as in red gemstones. The world of red gemstones is fascinating. They're hot, sexy, confident, passionate... and never boring! Each red gem has its own personality -- and it radiates from every facet. If you are shopping for a red gemstone for Valentine's Day, there are several intriguing choices available -- and one is bound to be right for you. Colored stone experts at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world's foremost authority in gemology, provide the following insightful glimpses into four of the most popular red gemstone choices:

MSN reports on Diamond's Sparkle Goes High-Tech...an excerpt:

Jewellers in the United States and Japan may find it easier to entice shoppers to part with their cash this Christmas, thanks to a new counter-top box that claims to let customers measure a diamond's sparkle.

International dealer Overseas Diamonds has developed an electronic scanner that gives a numerical rating for a diamond's ability to capture and reflect light, or what jewellers simply call a stone's "sparkle".

The Antwerp-based company also says the device, called the "Isee-2", will allow buyers to verify the provenance of stones, by reading laser-engraved trademarks and serial numbers.

I was planning to blog about this Russell Crowe Story:

SYDNEY (AP) - Oscar-winning Gladiator star Russell Crowe is to marry his longtime girlfriend, a news report said Saturday. Crowe's Australian publicist Wendy Day said that the 38-year-old actor will marry Danielle Spencer, the Associated Press reported. No date was announced.

The announcement follows tabloid reports that Crowe, who formerly dated Hollywood actress Meg Ryan, recently bought Spencer a $100,000 US diamond ring and asked her to marry him.

but something happened after I set off looking for a picture of the ring. The first place I looked was at Cartier's Website. I clicked on one of their features and their website designers decided that the coolness of their site and latest flash/macromedia style tricks was more important then the end user.

They have taken up the whole screen and not offered any simple way to click out of the screen. For some less savvy users, who don't know how to use Alt-Tab, and this may be as high as 80%, it would mean rebooting their entire computer cold, potentially losing data, corrupting their hard drive, etc...

This is arrogant, selfish and very upsetting even to me, because I will have to kill IE, including some important windows I was planning to leave open all day, just to close the Cartier window. At least the annoying talking stopped...

This is the second time that I've seen an important company make such a huge mistake, annoying the customers they should be courting. Universal did something similar with Castaway, making their internet visitors feel abandoned themselves.

I do hope that Cartier takes steps to fix this issue. Looking at it again, I am astonished at how many people must have seen this and actually thought it was a good idea. I have to admit the actual Flash is well done and the images pretty, but you have to take this analogy to a store. If you make a store with beautiful Jewelry and people choose democratically to visit and stay as long as they want to at their leisure, you have something. But no matter how gorgeous the Jewelry, if you kidnap people on the street and force them to watch your presentation, they will not buy of their own volition. I'm really speechless. Feel free to take a look, but be warned, make sure to clear up your desktop before you visit....

Casavant Mining Kimberlite International to Launch Corporate Website www.cmkidiamonds.com

Casavant Mining Kimberlite International Inc. announced today that it was launching a corporate website.

The website will provide shareholders with access to the latest news and developments of the Company in real time. The website is being professionally designed to promote the branding of the "Casavant" diamond as a leader in the mining of Canadian diamonds and "conflict free" diamonds.
Drilling data, financial reports, news releases, management profiles, diamond facts, and related topics will be kept current with easy to click access links to related information about diamonds throughout the world.

A Jewel of a Jewel: Legendary 'Black Star of Queensland,' Valued at $50 Million, has Commanding Appeal, World Class Status

Said to be World's Most Valuable & Largest Sapphire: After 50 Years in Private Hands, Rare 733 Karat Gem to be Sold for First Time in Its History Larger Than Both Princess Diana's Engagement Ring, Louis IV's 137 Karat Crown Jewel.

Recipient of Diamond in contest missed riding with officer killed in moose crash

Don Mills had a personal reason for buying a ticket on a $12,000 diamond in Amanda Dobson's name.

The Saint John resident has been an auxiliary member of the RCMP for 23 years. On July 8, 1995, he was scheduled to ride along with Const. Norm Atkins on a night shift. He ended up missing Const. Atkins that night and had to tag along with another officer.

Their first call of the night was to a fatal moose accident on Highway 7. Const. Atkins's cruiser had struck a moose near the county line. The 41-year-old officer died at the scene.

Business Day Reports: De Beers sinks $710m into debt:

Global diamond giant De Beers on Tuesday announced it had made a $710-million voluntary prepayment against its existing debt.

The ICA has a nice gemstone image library on their site.

Diamond.com purchases Ashford.com from GSI Commerce

Diamond.com announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of Ashford.com, including Ashford.com's trademark, URL, other intangible assets and selected inventory.

I just ran across this interesting site called Fabulous Jewelry of the Stars:

"Fabulous Jewelry of the Stars" is one of the largest collections of celebrity memorabilia ever assembled. Including jewelry, costumes and personal mementos from the famous and infamous, each piece in the collection is a small, personal bit of history.

Stars from past and present, from television, movies and music are represented in
"Fabulous Jewelry of the Stars"

They're selling things like "Bette Davis' Baby Rattle: Sterling Silver "Tiffany" w/ Letter from Her Daughter for $3,000.00 ".

The ftc has published a guide to Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls, here is the PDF version, but be sure to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader first here.

In The Loupe: Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls If you advertise or sell jewelry, the claims you make about the products must be accurate. The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Jewelry Guides offer specific information on how to describe jewelry products truthfully and non-deceptively and how to disclose material information to consumers. This brochure highlights the sections of the Jewelry Guides that concern diamonds, gemstones and pearls. You may need to scrutinize your product descriptions to make sure they are not misleading and that they disclose material information to consumers.

MIT is working on a project for wearable jewelry that has biosensors: Affective Computing research project: Affective Jewelry and accessories

The Affective Jewelry project is an attempt to create low-cost biosensors that are comfortable, aesthetically acceptable, and fit into the existing kinds of clothing that people wear. We have integrated skin conductivity sensors into rings and shoes and made an earring out of a blood volume pressure sensor.

ASIA POLICE URGED: HELP 'FINGERPRINT' DIAMONDS is an old article dating back to 1998. The project was to take 3 years. I wonder how they're doing?

Physicians for human rights maintains a Jewelers List of those commited to not dealing in Conflict Diamonds.

Amnesty International has a page on the same subject.

Diamond Exploration Lab is definitely a worthwhile place to look around.

Links to Groups studying CVD Diamond and related materials.

This is an excellent resource if you are interested in studying CVD Diamond.

Let's Make Diamonds

This is a very cool site, discussing chemical properties of Diamonds.

An excerpt:

Introduction Diamonds are valuable because of their unique physical and chemical properties. Yet diamonds are almost pure carbon, the same element that makes up graphite, a common substance with properties VERY different from diamond. How can two materials with basically the same chemical composition be so different? Why is it that diamonds are so rare, when carbon occurs so commonly in other forms and compounds? Objectives To explore the differences between graphite and diamond, the two common naturally occurring forms of carbon. To investigate the conditions required for the formation of diamonds To begin to understand how crystalline structure affects physical and chemical properties of a substance To gain some understanding of how materials change under varying conditions of temperature and pressure

Claflin Jewelry Studio is a cool site featuring galleries of pieces that have been made in their studio.

Welcome to the Donald Claflin Jewelry Studio's web site! Have you ever wanted to design and make your own ring? Would a friend or relative enjoy a bracelet, pendant, or belt buckle you made by hand? If so, how big should it be? What color are his or her eyes? What does he or she like to wear? How should you make the piece: casting or fabrication?

Here in the Claflin Jewelry studio, located on the lower level of the Hopkins Center in Room 63, we can help you give form to your ideas. You can make a silver or gold ring, set a diamond for an engagement ring, raise a bowl, form a chalice for your church, or make a steel bracket to mount your computer. Browse our online photo galleries to view samples of pieces created in the studio. We hope these images demonstrate the capabilities of the shop and inspire you to develop your own ideas. Visit the studio to see even more slides, examples from our display cases, and artists like yourself at work.

allAfrica.com: De Beers Warns Customers to Meet Deadline

Failure to adhere to the Kimberley Process will mean that the industry will be unable to trade with the US

DE BEERS has sent out a strong warning to its customers that unless the diamond industry meets the January deadline to be fully compliant with the Kimberley Process, the industry will be unable to trade with the US the industry's main sales outlet.

In an address to De Beers Sightholders this week, Rory More O'Ferrall, director of public and corporate affairs, took a Churchillian stance when he said the scheme launched to eradicate the use of diamonds to fund conflict was "merely the end of the beginning", noting that the task was now to ensure that the scheme was as effective as possible.

"The reality is that unless the industry is fully compliant with Kimberley from January next year now just four weeks away we will be unable to trade in rough or polished diamonds with the US," he said.

Bottomquark.com points to an article at CNN about DNA Jewelry. What will they think of next?

FT.com: Diamond Dealers keeps his hard edge

The fast-changing southern African diamond business could see one of its leading dealers, Lev Leviev, the Israeli industrialist, lose his monopoly over the export of Angolan diamonds in the coming months.

Pressure from De Beers, the global diamond group, and the Angolan government's desire to better its international standing are likely to result in the restructuring of Angola's diamond sales under four licences.

Museum gem theft dazzles Dutch police

A gang of particularly adroit thieves had no need of a Dutch science museum's tips on how to tell real diamonds from fakes when they made off with a king's ransom of its most precious exhibits yesterday.

Embarrassed officials at the Museon in the Hague said the robbers "knew exactly what they were looking for" and that their haul included millions of pounds worth of necklaces, tiaras and gems lent by other institutions and individuals - including some of Europe's royal families.
"They took only the most valuable items in the exhibition," said the museum's director, Bert Molsbergen, adding that the full list of jewellery was still being compiled by police.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said no British royal jewellery was on show in the Hague. The crown jewels are never lent out, he said, and the tiara collection was recently returned from the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The educational exhibition, entitled The Diamond - From Rough Stone to Gem, opened on October 5 and set out to offer visitors an insight into the gem business from mining through valuation to cutting and mounting. It also offered to assess stones and identify imitations.

Gift catalogs help the more fortunate

Robb Report offers a 144-carat diamond necklace at $10-million, the new $350,000 Daimler-Chrysler Maybach 62 sedan, a $1.6-million Formula One Ferrari, a residence in London's fabled Regent's Park for $29.9-million and a $1.25-million America's Cup vacation. Too expensive? How about an original copy of Ian Fleming's You Only Live Twice, signed by the author, for $75,000?

Hidden beneath the surface: Authenticity

In another tagging method, minute mixes of metals are sprayed on goods and then examined using X-rays, Barron said. A South African diamond supplier uses the method to mark gems, and a copper supplier uses it in overhead high-voltage wires, which are often stolen and resold as scrap in poor countries.

Asia Times: India's Little Gems

China, though, is nibbling away at the diamond processing pie that India controls, with increasing numbers of diamond processors from Israel and Belgium, and even India, setting up bases in China, for a variety of reasons:

The labor force is cheap and disciplined.

China's economic growth is continuing, and the number of wealthier consumers within the country rising, while India has to rely almost solely on exports.

De Beers, the world's largest supplier of rough diamonds, is increasingly favoring China in order to reduce its dependence on India.

The quality of Chinese workmanship is steadily improving.

Policies such as single window clearance largely favor foreign businessmen.

When the doors do open -- the plan now is for a Dec. 3 debut, 10 days late but still in time for the main holiday shopping rush -- the store will offer diamond items ranging from US$750 trinkets to -- theoretically at least -- the 203-carat De Beers Millennium Star, which was the object of a failed November 2000 robbery at London's Millennium Dome. Lorenzo said the stone was worth "several dozens of millions of dollars" and is not kept at the store. The London store is meant to be the forerunner of a chain that would include a New York store on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, which the company hopes to open in 2004. The US accounts for half the world's US$60 billion in sales of cut and polished diamonds, but it is also problematic for the parent company, De Beers, because of a variety of antitrust investigations that preclude it from openly doing business there.

Would you like a Belgian chocolate?

A Rolex wristwatch that belonged to the former emperor of Vietnam sold for a record $235,000, the auctioneers said Tuesday.

Lydia Diamond founders receive trading bans over misuse of company funds

The husband-and-wife founders of Lydia Diamond Exploration Ltd. plan to appeal an order by the country's largest stock regulator that forces them to sever formal ties to the company for misusing funds and improperly selling millions of shares to the public. A panel of the Ontario Securities Commission also ordered Tuesday that Jurgen von Anhalt and Emilia von Anhalt - who claim royal titles of prince and princess from Saxony, a former German principality - must resign as directors and officers of the company and can't attend directors meetings.

Buffalo Reflex has a report about State Commemorative Coins.

"Illinois will feature Abraham Lincoln; Alabama plans to honor Helen Keller. Maine will feature a lighthouse on the coast and a ship at sea. The Arkansas quarter, which will follow Missouri's, will showcase the state's natural resources, showing a stalk of rice, a duck in flight and a cut diamond."

Ora Coren of the newspaper Ha'Aretz reports Dozens of diamond merchants to lose preferred De Beers Status.

The European Commission's Antitrust Authority has approved global diamond monopoly De Beers' new strategic plan. Israeli diamond merchants noted that implementation of the plan was expected to cause a revolution in the global diamond trade. They said it was slated to halve the company's regular customer list of about 120 site owners, including about 35 in Israel.

The global industry is expected to go from basing its relationships on per-month contracts to six-month to two-year contracts, which will require restructuring in the finance, production and marketing areas.

The De Beers strategic plan is based on two-year contracts in which diamond merchants will prepare marketing plans for periods no shorter than six months, on the basis of which they will ask for rough diamonds from De Beers. De Beers will attempt to meet those demands in order to maintain its status as their central supplier.

TheStar reports:

Canada's growing diamond industry could see its first northern jewelry manufacturer as a result of an agreement northern aboriginals signed with renowned U.S. jeweller Tiffany & Co. The memorandum of understanding, signed last week between Tiffany's and Kitikmeot Corp., commits the parties to look for new ways to exploit the North's rich diamond deposits.

In the matter of Lydia Diamond Exploration of Canada Ltd., Jurgen von Anhalt and Emilia von Anhalt

The decision of the panel in the matter of Lydia Diamond Exploration of Canada Ltd., Jurgen von Anhalt and Emilia von Anhalt will be released on November 19, 2002. The hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. will not be convened.

If you have $150,000 to spare this diamond ring given to Princess Diana may interest you.

Royal Memorabilia has lots of items for sale. You can learn more about the topic in this Mirror article.

ABC News has a nice slideshow of Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry.

Those of you who have been interested in the beautiful Jewelry worn by various celebrities may enjoy Cathy Waterman's site. She designed Sarah Michele Gellar's engagement ring for Freddie Prinze, as well as pieces for Gwyneth Paltrow and a line of Jewelry for Tom Hank's wife, Rita Wilson.

New York Metro has a breakdown of celebrity rings...

De Beers, LVMH to open first store

De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd and luxury goods group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton will open their first joint venture jewellery store in London shortly

Mineral collecting is really cool.

While you're there don't miss Mineral collecting is in their blood and The Show: This year, emeralds are Carnegie's best friend...they even have a Bride's Guide.

If you're doing any skiing in Colorado, you may also want to catch some upcoming Gem and Jewelry shows and auctions...

Jerusalem Post Internet Edition: Exports decline 3.2%, Diamond Exports up.

The Natal Witness Group has an article about the effects of the Kimberly Process

It was an interesting episode. If you can catch a rerun, it's worth it to see a Jewelry Auction at Sotheby's. Seems it isn't the first time Joan Lunden has covered Jewelry. She also did a show on DeBeers.

Here's a video of Joan grabbing a huge parcel of diamonds.

And here's one where she tries on some amazing Jewelry.

Ben Affleck's purchase of a Pink Diamond Ring for Jennifer Lopez is sure to make pink diamonds a hot fashion trend, so here's a site that specializes in Pink Diamonds.

The Internet Lost and Found: The world's online lost and found resource.

This is a great resource and they have a Jewelry section of course.

The Iowa Channel talks about J-Lo's ring. Here are the important bits:

"Entertainment Tonight" reports that it's a 6.1 carat intense pink, radiant cut diamond.

That kind of diamond is among the most sought-after in the world. And it's rare even to find a one-carat stone. The ring was custom-made by Harry Winston Jewelers.

The diamond's mounted on a classic platinum and 18-carat pink gold band with two, white diamond trapezoid-shaped, side stone accents.

The owner is as yet unidentified...

Woman Finds Diamond Ring in Storm Debris

Amidst the death and destruction of Sunday night's tornadoes in Morgan County, a small surprise has emerged.

Terry Vespie was looking through a relative's home in the Joyner Community when she found a woman's diamond engagement ring. She says she thinks the wind may have carried the ring from a nearby mobile home.

Pawn Ware up for grabs: $1 million in Jewelry

Pawn ware up for grabs A GLITTERING event will take place next Tuesday in the presidential room at Hotel Royal - the official receiver of Wang Wang Pawnshop will auction jewellery worth more than $1 million. According to the auction notice, 'more than 750 lots of new and used set jewellery including diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, jade, star ruby, star sapphire and pearl rings, necklaces, bangles, diamond pendants, earrings, bracelets, and gold etc' will be up for grabs. The notice also invites tenders for the purchase of the pawnshop's shares, outstanding pledges and computer software - with a database identifying the pawners.

Judge rules in Aussie countess con claim.

And Pennsylvanian Judge Stephen Levin agreed with Mr Smith, finding he was conned into an engagement by the woman who took the $24,000 ring back to Sydney and weeks later vanished from his life.

"Mr Smith, unfortunately, was conned into entering into an engagement," the judge found.
Judge Levin said Mr Smith was conned by Ms Rothschild. He expressed sympathy for Mr Smith, who told the court he was left disillusioned by the experience. The judge suggested the Sydney woman was suspicious and may have fabricated her name.

Countess von Buelow said her full name was genuine and it was listed in her passport.
"It is not a fabrication," she said. "This judge doesn't know me. He did not talk to me or hear from me before reaching this verdict. I am deeply hurt by what he said. My name is being dragged through the garbage."

Judge Levin's finding was made during a court hearing into a claim by Mr Smith to force his insurance company to cover the cost of the $24,000 ring.

He claims it was stolen by the Sydney woman.
The judge has ruled in favour of the insurance company, saying it is not liable for the claim. Mr Smith is appealing against the verdict.

Countess von Buelow disputed Mr Smith's account of the ring. But she did admit after returning to Sydney she sold it for $4500.

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They came up with a perfect name for their forthcoming Jewelry Store in Perth:

MAKING people feel comfortable in the presence of precious stones that are more expensive than a small car is one of the aims of the owners of Perth's newest jewellery store.

Dee Taylor and Marie Georgiou will open their first jewellery store, Carbon: Chemistry of Diamonds, in Subiaco later this month and promise to offer something unique to Perth's jewellery store market.

Here's another picture of Jennifer Lopez's Pink Diamond Engagement Ring.

The Kentucky Post has the whole story.

ABCNEWS.com : Idaho's High Desert Hides Opal

Spencer, population 38, holds one of the largest opal deposits in the United States and is home to rare star opals. Though white is the most common color worldwide, Spencer miners find rarer blue, pink or red gems. "Our customers are generally jewelers and distributors," said Bob Thompson, who owns Opal Mountain Mines with his wife, Susan. "In the winters we close up and go to California because you can't mine when the ground is covered in snow. But people do stop in from the highway, and they're generally surprised at all we have."

45 Countries to endorse rules to combat conflict diamonds

LONDON - Representatives of 45 countries that produce, sell or trade in diamonds are about to endorse the beginnings of a system to prevent Africa's warlords from fueling their conflicts through so-called blood diamonds. The representatives will meet at Interlaken, Switzerland, on Monday and Tuesday, two years after a passionate debate over illicit diamond sales galvanized the gem industry and forced even the giant De Beers cartel into a major shift of corporate strategy. The 45 nations, which include the United States, are to give formal approval to new rules intended to make sure that diamonds will be certified as untainted. The goal is to prevent illicit diamonds being used to pay for the weapons used in wars, from Angola to Sierra Leone.

Reviving Tiffany at Tiffany's

John Loring is trying to put the Tiffany back into Tiffany & Company. Louis Comfort Tiffany, that is, the son of the company's founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany, and its design director from 1902 to 1918. Apparently, the company has been trying to forget him since 1955, when Walter Hoving bought a controlling interest in it from Tiffany family members.

The Frontier Post From Peshawar Pakistan: Gemstones worth $60.5m exported since '96

ISLAMABAD (APP): Gemstones worth $ 60.5 million were exported since 1996 due to measures taken by the present government, Director General, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), NWFP, Sayed Asif Ali Bokhari said on Saturday.The gemstone being exported to various countries included Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Quartz, Garnet, Pargasite, Spinal, Diamond Albite, Neutrofite, Polucite, and Peridote, he said while speaking in a PTV programme.

Photography is this company's real gem

Harmon Group is a full-service advertising and marketing company that produces, among other things, high-quality photos of jewelry for the nation's top retail and wholesale jewelers. Those high-quality photos, which show even the tiniest details of diamond rings or Rolex watches, are at the heart of the agency's core business %u2014 catalogs. The photos become part of a company library that is used to customize catalogs for jewelers.

The NYTimes has added to the list of papers covering the JAR exhibition.

"The Jewels of JAR," on display here at the Gilbert Collection through Jan. 26, represents the kaleidoscopic mind, and the improbable career, of the Bronx-born jeweler Joel A. Rosenthal. With some 400 pieces lent by private clients, this is the first full-scale JAR retrospective, and it was Mr. Rosenthal's idea, with a nod from Lord Rothschild, who initiated the exhibition, to show his work by flashlight. And let people play.

DiamondDave points out at DT that 400 red diamonds have been found in the Lipetsk region of Russia. If this pans out, we should be seeing some magnificent Red Diamonds soon...

Business in Brief

Uncut diamond monopoly Alrosa plans to launch four new mines before the end of 2010, Alrosa president Vladimir Kalitin said at a diamond and precious metals market conference Thursday. He said these four mines would have an annual production capacity of 6 million metric tons and require $2.6 billion of investment.

BBC NEWS: De Beers opens Angola negotiations

International mining giant De Beers has opened negotiations with the Angolan government to restart diamond mining in the central African country.

Ice, ice baby

Trading ban on Lydia sought.

The Ontario Securities Commission is asking for a permanent trading ban in shares of Lydia Diamond Explorations of Canada Ltd., a junior mining company that used a psychic to attract investors.

Sunday Times: BHP warns of uncertainty [ 31oct02 ]

BHP Billiton, the world's largest resources company, today posted a 9.0 per cent fall in first quarter net profit and said it expected the second quarter to be just as tough.

IGL, India's first Diamond Grading Laboratory, now certifies Champagne Diamonds.

Samrat Zaveri MD Trendsmith announced that all the diamond jewellery sold by Trendsmith will be certified exclusively by IGL. The Champagne Certificate will contain specific details such as weight, shape, cut and measurements, proportions (which include depth, table width, crown height and angle, pavilion depth, girdle thickness), clarity (standard clarity grading scale), finish (which includes polish and symmetry), colour grade (C1-C7) and comments by the diamond grader.

DiamondWorks Ltd. 3rd quarter earnings announcement.

DiamondWorks Ltd. (the "Company") is pleased to announce its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended August 31, 2002. The substantial improvement of results over comparative periods reflects the consolidation of the financial results of its recently acquired subsidiary Otterbea International (Proprietary) Limited ("Otterbea"). The Company owns 80.1% of Otterbea. All figures are stated in US dollars.

Diamond Cutting and Cleaving Demonstration.

Michael's Diamond Center is hosting a live demonstration in the art of cleaving and cutting a diamond by a skilled craftsman from Lazare Kaplan International Inc.,

Maurice Levit, Houston Jeweler, has passed away at 81 years old.

I'm sure a lot of DTers will be interested in watching Tech TV tonight at 8:30pm Eastern and repeated 11:30pm and 9:30 am tomorrow. For the full story click on TechTV: New diamond-cutting technique is creating what some believe to be the world's most perfect diamonds.

Andrew Koppell writes an article about fashion & Jewelry for the Pinescrest Tribune.

An excerpt:

More than 20 show biz types have joined with the platinum guild for the Women With Heart project. Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Faith Hill are just three of the stars who signed on to design their own heart pendant in platinum. The hearts will be auctioned off and the profits from each will be donated to different charities....

SEX IN THE CITY A STRONG INFLUENCE
It’s just a TV show and a cable one at that. But, you might think it was mandatory viewing for every citizen if you counted its influence on jewelry fashion.

We’re talking about the perennial favorite Sex in the City, the show with reigning fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker. Among the jewelry trends she and other characters have spawned by merely wearing them are diamond horseshoes, the nametag necklace, the interlocking C-style earring and now, an up-and-coming favorite of the fall season, the four-leaf clover pendant.

Auction of $3 million in jewelry

NORTHAMPTON - Some 600 pieces of jewelry - an estimated $3 million worth - obtained from police seizures, attorneys, store closings, estate sales and bankruptcies - will go on sale tonight in one of the more unusual auctions staged in the city. A New Jersey-based auction company says $3 million of the finest jewelry - Rolex watches and six-carat diamond solitaires - will be sold to the public. Armed guards will be on hand to protect the bounty gleaned from police departments, bankruptcy sales or customs seizures, said Julian Turobiner of the State Auction Services Inc. of Teaneck, N.J., which is holding the auction.

Morgan's Jewelry robbed

The owners fought back with a gun...started firing. The thieves dropped some of their stash but got away..

Brussels fines Sotheby's for fixing fees with Christie's

Sotheby's has 2 months to appeal.

MTV.com: Jennifer Lopez Feels Ben Affleck's Love, Sports Big Pink Rock To Prove It

Picture of JLo's Pink Diamond Ring from MTV Interview:

Updates and Links:


Picture

Ziamond version of ring

More info on Jennifer Lopez Ring

Jennifer Lopez, Her Ring, Her Engagement & Journalism

J-Lo Glow

PrimeTime Live Article

Tiffany to Produce Diamonds

TIFFANY is going the whole way with diamonds. The celebrated jeweller is becoming a diamond manufacturer and dealer to secure the supplies of the gems that made its name.

Traditionally, Tiffany bought polished diamonds from major centres in Antwerp, Tel Aviv and New York. It is now going into manufacturing and dealing to have a greater control of the product supply chain, it says.

But the key issue is guaranteeing solid sources for diamonds, which is becoming a major concern among diamond and jewellery companies.
"The move shows how significant the issue of supply has become and Tiffany can do it because they are selling at a premium," says Charles Wyndham of WWW International Diamond Consultants. This is especially the case for customers of De Beers, which faces a shortage of rough and was looking to reduce its client list of about 120 companies by about half.

Women take a night out for serious fun

She may have left her diamond-encrusted Miracle Bra at home, but there was no mistaking who the guest of honor was.

Heidi Klum, the supermodel best known for her Victoria's Secret catalog work, was the special guest at Thursday's Babes and Baubles Gala. The event, held at the Governor Hotel, was a benefit for the Center for Women's Health at Oregon Health & Science University.

The jewelry-themed girl's night out included a showing of gowns from the downtown boutique Mario's as well as exquisite jewelry from Portland's Zell Bros and New York-based Mouawad Jewelers, for whom Klum has designed a small collection of gold and diamond pieces.

German-born Klum, 29, all doe eyes and cheekbones, said it made perfect sense to her that the evening theme was No Boys Allowed.

I think it's wonderful,she said. It's usually a man's world, isn't it? This is a great way to turn it around. It's also a great cause. Women need to be reminded to take care of themselves; we're used to nurturing other people.

The sold-out event was the brainchild of Portland philanthropic leaders Arlene Schnitzer and Julie Neupert Stott. Schnitzer, who is co-chairwoman of OHSU's Campaign for Women's Health, said the idea for Babes and Baubles came about during preliminary meetings with Jake’s restaurant, which provided the evening’s lavish fare.

New Body is Formed to Certify Diamond Origins

New Body is Formed to Certify Diamond Origins

Business Day (Johannesburg)
October 29, 2002
FORMER KPMG head of certification, Jim Keegan, has formed a new body to certify the origins of diamonds under the Kimberley Process.
The new company, International Diamond Certification, will take on WWW International Diamond Consultants as an associate for its expertise in the diamond industry.

"The new company has been established to meet the growing demand from across the diamond industry for credible independent audit and certification relating to the Kimberley Process," it said in a statement.

The launch of the company comes three days before the World Diamond Congress starts in London and less than two weeks before the landmark meeting at Interlaken, Switzerland on November 5, which is expected to ratify the adoption of the Kimberley Process by the European Union for implementation beginning early next year.

Celebrating the jewels of JAR

. On display at Somerset House in London is the work of the world's most respected and reclusive jeweler, who hides his name like he buries a diamond in a gem-set lattice. . Behind the acronym JAR is Joel Arthur Rosenthal, an American artist-jeweler in Paris, who has been working for 25 years for a clientele as elite and rarefied as his one-of-a-kind creations. . "The Jewels of JAR, Paris" (from Nov. 2 to Jan. 26) is being held at the Gilbert Collection under the auspices of Lord Rothschild. The only other display by the intensely private designer was a one-night show (also by torchlight) in New York 15 years ago.

Happy story of the king of diamonds

Learn how the Asscher Brothers transported this gem and the history of the Cullinan. Great article!

The Financial Times reports that Iamgold and Repadre Capital will merge.

An excerpt:

Consolidation in the gold mining industry continued on Monday as Canada's Iamgold and Repadre Capital announced an all-stock merger that values the latter at about C$340m (US$217m).

WTNH reports on Al Qaeda funding sources.

An excerpt:

The CIA also casts doubt on press reports that al-Qaida is profiting from the diamond trade in war-ravaged parts of Africa, saying it has uncovered little evidence to verify those reports.

Oryx 'link to Mugabe army'

Here is an excerpt:

Diamond mining firm Oryx Natural Resources, which is claiming multi-million damages from the BBC for wrongly linking it to the al-Qaeda terrorist group, is now alleged to be a front for the Zimbabwe Defence Force. Unless Oryx can disprove the latest claim, its mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo faces closure within four months and its claim against the BBC - potentially the largest of its kind in UK libel history - will be jeopardised.

A United Nations Security Council report lists a number of damning allegations against Oryx, including a claim that it smuggled diamonds out of the Congo, and channelled money to the Zimbabwean military. It recommends sanctions against Oryx unless the firm can refute the allegations.

Blood diamond talks begin

The World Diamond Council is meeting in London to discuss moves to crack down on the illegal trade in gems mined in war zones - so called blood diamonds.

Proceeds from the sale of blood diamonds are used to fund some of Africa's bitterest conflicts, including wars in Sierra Leone and Angola.
Pressure has been mounting on the industry to find a way of stamping out trafficking in the gems.

The WDC Chairman, Eli Izhakoff says:

"I'm confident that we will be able to come up with a type of system that will be workable...But putting the certification system in place clearly is going to make it extremely difficult for anybody to try to deal in this type of diamond. Anybody who is trying to sell diamonds better have proof where those diamonds come from."

I'm curious to know details of this plan.... The number of issues to overcome in a plan of this nature is truly of a magnificent scope.

Gold loses sheen this season

New Delhi, October 28

The yellow metal seems to have given up its place of pride for the Indian woman with diamonds, pearls and polki (diamond chips) fast catching up with her fascination.

Heavy sets in gold are out, small, trendy and westernised designs in white gold, diamond, silver and platinum are in -- and this is the fashion statement for the coming season, say top designers.

The NY Post reports that Aniston, Pitt & Damiani have cut a deal stemming from the lawsuit over Damiani's internet advertising. Numerous celebrities have appeared on Damiani's website wearing Jewelry, including Claudia Cardinale, Penelope Cruz, Catherine Deneuve, Mena Suvari & Geraldine Chaplin. As a result of the new agreement, Pitt is designing a line of Jewelry for Damiani and Jennifer Aniston will model.

Here is an excerpt of the NY Post report:

Diamonds truly are Jennifer Aniston's best "Friends." This is a first look at the 33-year-old Emmy Award-winning actress in a new ad campaign for a pricey Italian jewelry company she and husband Brad Pitt once sued. Aniston and Pitt resolved their $50 million ring-rage lawsuit against Silvia Damiani in January over claims Damiani's company had made cheap knockoffs of their wedding bands and made them unwilling participants in one of her Internet advertising campaigns.

Mining giants puzzled by UN allegations

De Beers spokesman in South Africa, Brian Roodt, told IRIN the diamond company was puzzled by its inclusion in the report. "We're trying to get hold of the UN to find out what the specifics are in relation to their allegations," he said.

Meanwhile, Anglo American issued a statement saying it has had no operations in the DRC "for several years".

"The group's interests have included a couple of potential projects, only one of which ... proceeded beyond the earliest form of pre-feasibility stage. It was precisely because of the company's concerns with regard to broad governance issues surrounding mining in the DRC that Anglo American hesitated to become further involved in the country.

"We discussed our concerns with the World Bank and participated with groups involved in the drafting of the new Mining Code which we fully support the objective of which was to increase transparency in the allocation of mineral rights and set clear rules," the company said.

Woodie Woodie gets the magic 10-year mine life - smh.com.au

Confirmation that Michael Kiernan's Consolidated Minerals has established a 10-year mine life at its Woodie Woodie manganese mine should have generated a little more interest in the stock.

That's the view of some analysts who believe that the Consolidated share price is now due for a re-rating.

The argument is that the company has been trading on a low price/earnings ratio for some time largely due to the fact that it hasn't hit the magic 10-year number on the projected mine life of Woodie Woodie.

But having boosted resources from a successful exploration program, Consolidated has now identified 8 million tonnes of manganese at Woodie Woodie which should generate additional confidence in the overall project.

According to Intersuisse's Gavin Wendt, the Woodie Woodie upgrade should add another 25 per cent to Consolidated's current 65c share price.

LiquidMetal is harder and stronger than any other alloy.

Think plastic," John Kang says with a smile, holding up a small slab of blue-gray metal and passing it over for inspection in his Lake Forest, Calif., office. The shiny ingot doesn't look or feel like plastic. It looks more like coal and hefts like gold.

But when heated in its raw form to 750 degrees Fahrenheit at Kang's new factory in South Korea, the mysterious alloy does something that amazes even the most unflappable metallurgist. It softens into a viscous tar that can be molded like plastic. Then, when cooled rapidly, it congeals into a solid that's twice as hard as titanium or stainless steel, and so smooth that paint won't stick to it. The alloy, which scientists liken to "metallic glass" is called LiquidMetal.

This is a Cool Site.

Some officers decided to make the police auctions more profitable and manageable and created this online police auction site. The link above is to the Jewelry section.

It's nice to hear stories like this once in a while..

To the honest person who Oct. 16 found my diamond ring in the bathroom at Meijer on Columbia Avenue and turned it in to the courtesy counter. This ring is very special to me and I was devastated when I realized that I had lost it. Thanks to your kindness, I now have it back. You truly are my guardian angel. - Ellie L. Rothchild, Springfield

Richard Heller & Moira Forbes: Fight to Quality

Here's an excerpt:

Richard Heller Francesco Trapani sees a safe haven for Bulgari in top-of-the-line jewelry. After buying Elizabeth Taylor a ring in the Sixties, Richard Burton remarked, "I introduced Elizabeth to beer; she introduced me to Bulgari ." On Sept. 26, 40 years later, Christie's auctioned the ring in New York for $80,000, with the proceeds going to the actress' AIDS charity. It may not have been the world's best investment, but it garnered Bulgari lots of free publicity the second time around.

Such is life in the estimated $5-billion-a-year market for expensive rocks, where $684 million( 2001 sales) Bulgari is a major player. Amid a downturn in demand for luxury goods, the Italian company's chief executive, Francesco Trapani, 45, has decided to reemphasize jewelry priced in excess of $70,000. "I believe in this market; it's what made us famous, and, economic downturn or no, wealthy customers are still buying high-priced luxury jewelry," he says.

Harry Winston's son is trying to protect the family jewels.

Wow, quite a battle...here's an excerpt:

Bruce Winston claims about $1.3 billion worth of diamonds, rubies and other inventory have been siphoned from the family business since his father's death in 1978, and accuses Deutsche Bank...Winston believes Bankers Trust...bought by Deutsche Bank in 1999...allowed inventory and jewels worth approximately $700 million to disappear during the past 24 years. With interest, the value would be $1.3 billion...

Harry Winston has long been the diamond maker to the wealthy and famous [like Serena Williams]...earning a mention in Marilyn Monroe's famous rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." Winston was also the maker of the 18K gold Maltese Falcon statue that appeared in the Humphrey Bogart film of the same name...

It's where Ben Affleck bought J. Lo a yellow and white diamond bracelet, and Kate Hudson got her diamond engagement ring.

Excellent results from Seppelt.

Diamond explorers operating in Western Australia's Kimberley region got a boost yesterday on news of some impressive bulk sampling results from Striker Resources. A 183-tonne bulk sample of Striker's Seppelt 2 kimberlite pipe in the northern Kimberley yielded 412 carats of commercial-size diamonds. Striker said the indicated average grade of 2.25 carats per tonne was on face value, a world-class grade. Normally, grades at operating diamond mines are measured in carats per hundred tonnes.

Tiffany & Co. to Open Boutique At Le Printemps in Paris

Tiffany & Co. plans to open a boutique this November at Le Printemps in Paris. Located on Paris' famous Blvd. Haussmann, the boutique occupies approximately 105 square meters (1,130 square feet) on the first floor of Le Printemps. Tiffany currently has a store in Paris at 6, rue de la Paix that opened in 1999. The new boutique will feature many design elements of the company's famous New York flagship store on Fifth Avenue, including cherry wood accents and stainless steel detailing on the showcases and vitrines. Among the designs that will be offered are: Tiffany Mark(TM), the company's newest watch collection; Tiffany Lace, a jewelry collection of diamonds and platinum; and Lucida(TM), Tiffany's patented diamond engagement ring, as well as other engagement jewelry. Also included are some of the incomparable designs of Jean Schlumberger; Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso. Other celebrated collections for men and women include Tiffany Atlas(TM) and the 1837 Collection(TM), as well as writing instruments, timepieces, baby gifts, and sterling silver accessories.

Timmins Daily Press: DeBeers and Attawapiskat reach deal

Attawapiskat and De Beers have finally reached an agreement to move forward with the possible development of a diamond mine.

After weeks of talks, the two sides announced Tuesday an agreement has been reached to proceed with the winter program for the Victor diamond project, 90 km west of the First Nation community on the James Bay coast.
Thomas Tookate, band councillor and general manager for Attawapiskat Development Corporation, said the community is happy the winter program will proceed.

'Retired' Diamond Dealer Shefer Denies Diamond Plunder

East London Israeli businessman Niko Shefer, whose SA Tandan Holdings diamond company was in a United Nations (UN) report which accuses criminal cartels of plundering resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo, says he has retired from business. Several Zimbabweans also in the report have denied its claims. Fifty-four individuals are mentioned in the report, which was chaired by Egypt's ambassador Mahmoud Kassem. Congo, Rwandan, and Ugandan authorities were also fingered.

Ghost Tales

'Tis the season to be frightened, and tales of haunted buildings on the campus of Augusta State University do the trick for many faculty and students.

The legendary spirits in several Civil War-era homes and a former military arsenal on campus prompted history professor Ed Cashin to include a chapter about them in his book, "General Sherman's Girlfriend and Other Augusta Stories."

"There are lots of weird things going on that people swear to you that they can't explain," Cashin said.

The most interesting story, he said, revolves around Bellevue Hall - the oldest building on campus and former home of Emily Galt, a 21-year-old woman who legend says killed herself after her fiance died in the Civil War.

The couple had argued bitterly about him joining the fight, the legend says. After he was killed in battle, Galt leaped to her death from an upstairs window in Bellevue.

Before killing herself, Galt used her diamond engagement ring to etch "Emily Galt, 1861" in a window on the second story. The etching can still be seen today.

Russian diamond giant Alrosa to expand business in Angola

Alrosa is thinking about acquiring an interest in the Luo property, which includes two new diamond pipes and which could yield up to $400 million in diamonds per year.

Kinshasa: UN Names Miners in Billion Dollar Congo Scams

The United Nations Security Council has recommended financial restrictions be imposed against 29 companies active in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, the report fingers dozens of other public and private companies for violating commercial guidelines in relation to Congo dealings. The sanctions are being proposed by the UN to curb "illegal exploitation of raw materials" in the war ravaged country by "criminal organizations and persons". The DRC has become a cookie jar for the brave with seven regional countries involved in the civil war which has mostly to do with the spoils accruing to mining concession holders, both legal and illegal. The UN report says the stripping of the DRC is being orchestrated by three circles of influence involving Zimbabwe, Uganda and private individuals trying to get their hands on diamonds, cobalt, copper, germanium. The UN Panel believes more than $ 5 billion of assets have been transferred from the State mining sector to private companies in the past three years without any public treasury benefit.

I don't know about this one:

They say a dog is a man's best friend - and it would have to be if you're considering forking out £1,000 for a silver dog bowl this Christmas.

It may sound a bit far-fetched but there are some wealthy people who won't think twice about popping to jewellers Rudell to treat their pooch to such an extravagant gift.

The jewellers, which has branches in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Harbourne, has today put on sale its latest luxury item: A solid silver dog bowl. And animal lovers may snap it up.

Some may consider it a bit on the frivolous side to splash out a "grand" on a pet but it is really down to choice, said sales director John Harlow.

They also mentioned something a little more up my alley. Turns out I'm not the only chess nut. They sold one for 1 million pounds sterling. I wonder if it was this one?

Charles & Colvard Announces Follow-On Share Repurchase Program

MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002--Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR - News) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 1,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time over the next 12 months in the open market at prevailing prices or in privately negotiated transactions at prices at or below prevailing open market prices. As of October 21, 2002, Charles & Colvard had approximately 13,324,555 shares of common stock outstanding. In September 2001 the Board of Directors of Charles & Colvard adopted a similar share repurchase program under which the Company repurchased 133,800 shares at an average purchase price of $2.24 per share.

Pittman to wed

JANA Pittman is taking on another big challenge in life - this time off the track. The 19-year-old 2002 Commonwealth Games dual gold medallist announced her engagement to her partner of 12 months, 30-year-old Rohan Robinson on October 14. Robinson, Australia's top men's 400m runner, proposed to his golden girl twice; once overseas with a substitute ring where his presence was a surprise to Pittman and again in Sydney with a white gold, 1.2 carat princess cut diamond, given to the couple for half-price by Parade Jewellers in Central Plaza Sydney. "It was incredible," Pittman said. "We couldn't wait any longer. He asked in Switzerland. He got down on his knee with a bunch of 20 red roses and a fake ring. Then he proposed again in Sydney with the real ring. It has been a long time of engagement celebrations."

No pictures of the ring were available.

Tiffany Lights Up the Holidays With Gifts of Dazzling Jewels

They've released a photo of this watch:

One of this season's timeliest evening accessories is an eighteen-karat white gold and diamond cocktail watch on a red satin strap from Tiffany & Co. The vibrant color contrasted with dazzling diamonds create an ultra sleek and totally chic timepiece that brilliantly accents eveningwear from gowns and dresses to tuxedos. (PRNewsFoto)

the deputy minister for mining and oil has said that the Congo has last $800 million per year to illegal exports of Diamonds

KINSHASA - Since the outbreak of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo four years ago, the vast central African country has lost some $800-million a year to fraudsters who illegally export diamonds, the deputy minister for mining and oil has said. "Our country, the world's leading producer of industrial diamonds, has lost $800-million a year since the start of the war of aggression" in 1998, Ambroise Mbaka said, citing statistics published by the High Diamond Council. The government of the DRC hopes that the application in November of the so-called Kimberley Process - which establishes standards for national certification schemes for trade in rough diamonds - will curb the fraudulent export of diamonds from DRC.

Nelson Auction results

Nelson artefacts fetch 2m... A collection of rare artefacts associated with Lord Nelson, Britain's greatest naval hero, have raised more than 2 million at auction. One of the star lots, a blood-stained silk purse containing 21 gold coins which he was carrying when he was killed during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, sold for 270,650, including buyer's premium.

Over on Movable Type I noticed a blog I hadn't seen before called sapphireblue. Naturally, the name caught my eye.

So even though I'm late on the congratulations, I know how much our readers love to see rings, so here's a couple of pics and the engagement story.

Belated congratulations, guys!

Plunder goes on...

A United Nations monitoring group is warning that the plundering of forests, minerals and precious stones - by both domestic and foreign soldiers - persists. BBC News Online business reporter Jeremy Scott-Joynt examines the group's call for sanctions against the culprits.

Fenelon enters into agreement with Majescor.

The Fenelon Joint Venture Partners (the 'JV Partners') (Fairstar - 38%, Taurus - 62%) have entered into an agreement dated October 15, 2002 with Majescor Resources Inc. ('Majescor') whereby Majescor has been granted a three (3) year option to explore the property exclusively for diamonds. The option may be exercised upon written notice to the JV Partners, an initial advanced royalty payment of $25,000 ($9,500 net to Fairstar) and an agreed upon program and budget for further work.

Bahraini Police are searching for 2 European Men.

Bahraini police are searching for two European men suspected of stealing a $1.5 million diamond necklace...

The necklace was an exquisite creation of renowned jewelers Cartier, on display Friday at the Jewelry Arabia exhibition when the two men struck.

"An employee at the stand handed it to them (the suspects) to inspect, then turned to deal with another customer," the paper said, quoting an official at the shop which ran the stand.
"When he turned back, one man had vanished with the necklace and the other man melted into the crowds in the ensuing confusion...

Renowned jewelers such as Chopard also had their glittering ware on display.

Zale Corporation Updates Expectations for First Quarter

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002--Zale Corporation, North America's largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry, reported today that it now expects comparable store sales to be flat to down 1% for its first quarter, ending October 31, 2002. The Company indicated that based on these current sales trends it now expects diluted earnings per share for the first quarter ending October 31, 2002 to range between a net loss of $0.19 and $0.21.

Business First reports: Retailer William Gross returns with jewelry store in Springs.

Retailer William Gross is back in Louisville and has opened an upscale diamond and fine jewelry store in Springs Station on Dutchmans Parkway.

To tell you the truth I'm not that interested whether or not Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck are engaged. I've seen several stories on it but I'm just trying to find one with a good picture of the apparently Pink Diamond Ring.

Clay Thompson of The Arizona Republic offers a nice history of the name Diamond Fields in Arizona.

Turns out:

In 1872, a pair of prospectors named Philip Arnold and John Slack walked into a bank in San Francisco with a bag full of diamonds and rubies and other gems they had found at a site that they refused to divulge.

They were, of course, crooks, and the gems were industrial-grade stuff they had picked somewhere.

Nonetheless, they conned a pack of investors into setting up a $10 million syndicate in what became known as the Great Diamond Hoax.

Well it seems that show in Bahrain attracted a thief. CNN.com: Million dollar necklace stolen at exhibition

The Cartier necklace was stolen Friday night from the stand its owners, a well-known local company known as Asia Jewelers, had set up at the Bahrain Exhibition Center. The jewelry show, which opened October 15, opened as planned for its last day Saturday. Asia Jewelers officials were not available for comment. Police and exhibition security officials told The Associated Press they had two suspects but no arrests has been made. They declined to elaborate. It was the first such theft at the annual exhibition, which began in 1992. "I think it is done by a professional," said Younis al-Jama', owner of Home Secure, which has provided surveillance cameras to the event for the past six years.

Weiss abandons marine biology for jewelry making.

When Jessie Weiss was at the College of Charleston in South Carolina she was like a fish out of water. "I was a marine biology major," Weiss recalled, "but it just wasn't working out." She didn't care much for the study of mollusks. However, the pearls they produced were another story. Now a jewelry designer, Weiss will be among the artists at the 11th annual Jewelry Show and Sale, presented by Bennett Galleries and the Wellness Community.

They have a population of 38. But Spencer has one of the largest opal deposits in the United States and is home to rare star opals. Though white is the most common color worldwide, Spencer miners find rarer blue, pink or red gems.
Click here for the full story.

Carson Antiques uses relocated warehouse. Should be fun browsing their Jewelry section.

Reeds Jewelers, a Wilmington-based mall jewelry chain with four Triangle stores, coming off a dismal holiday shopping season last year that saw shoppers snubbing jewels for creature comforts such as electronics, furnishings and accessories, is taking an aggressive approach by promoting a new diamond that's exclusive to the chain. Called the Venus Cut, the diamond is from Russia and cut with 81 facets instead of the typical 58 to give the gem more sparkle.

EDP24 News covers the sale of Nelson Treasures...

Money is pouring in to the National Maritime Museum as we race against time to save remarkable Nelson relics from being scattered abroad.

With only two days to go before the Trafalgar Day auction of treasures amassed and preserved by the Norfolk-raised naval hero's closest male friend, hopes are rising that key items may yet be rescued.

The Sotheby's sale of the Alexander Davison collection ranges from a blood-stained purse with 21 gold coins which was in the admiral's pocket when he fell, to a diamond anchor brooch entwined with the initials HN.

In addition there are swords, guns, medals, porcelain, glass and plate %u2013 all having been packed away in trunks and unseen for almost 200 years.

But the heart of the collection may lie in scores of letters which throw new light on the love triangle between Nelson, his mistress Emma Hamilton and Frances, his deserted wife.

The Miami Herald has another article on the Antique show:

In a month or so the snowbirds will make their annual migration, winging it down from the harsher climates of New York, Greenwich, Montreal and Toronto, the recent sagging of the Dow notwithstanding; these birds have well-padded nests. Nests with 18-karat eggs. The Antique Jewelry & Watch Show this weekend at the Miami Beach Convention Center gives buyers a chance to feather their nests a little more -- with platinum and gold, diamonds and sapphires. There are no rhinestones among this bunch.

It's a 13-carat gem that even has a name, "The American Star".

The rare diamond carries the highest rating ever for clarity and color. It's flawless and considered to be the "perfect cut". It's said to be worth 2 million dollars.

Four miners plunge to death

Barkly West - Four men were killed in a Northern Cape mine accident on Thursday. Managing director Deon Kotzé of the Loxton Exploration diamond mine at Barkly West said on Friday a hauling cable snapped on an underground cage suspended in a shaft. The four men were in the cage when it dropped a distance of around 180 metres to the shaft bottom.

Reuters AlertNet: U.N. considers ending sanctions on Angolan rebels

"With Angola's long civil war at an end, the U.N. Security Council voted on Friday to consider lifting within a month sanctions imposed on the now-defunct UNITA rebel group over the past decade. With Angola poised to become a member of the council in January for a two-year term, the 15-nation body unanimously approved a resolution immediately ending a travel ban on UNITA leaders while leaving other sanctions in place for at least another month."

I don't know if this lady's suggestion will go over that well with people :)

Liz's True Loves

Newsday has an article on Liz Taylor and Jewelry. Here's an excerpt:

"When Elizabeth Taylor bumped into Britain's Princess Margaret years ago at a wedding, the royal was rather stunned by Taylor's ring - a grandiose diamond worthy of Stonehenge, and utterly vulgar in the opinion of the princess. "Why don't you try it on?" Taylor offered coyly."

Margaret obliged, and the two stood a moment, taking in the brilliant, sparkling rock. "Not so vulgar now, is it?" Taylor said.

Kris Frieswick has written a really funny article about what has happened to her hand since she got engaged. Our readers should get a real kick out of it!

The Financial Gazette has an interesting article about the fighting in the DRC.

RUSSIAN and African officials met in Moscow for session aimed at promoting trade and investment by Russians in Africa.

It would be great to see more cooperation between the two. But there are many obstacles.

Fran Cook's Goldsmith shop just moved into new digs when a pipe burst damaging the store and causing them to redo what they spent one month doing. Now they are reopening.

This is a cool idea!

Miami Beach hosts Antique jewelry show.

On display will be 80-carat diamond necklace; a 30-carat diamond bracelet & a 10-carat diamond ring.

There is an article discussing the Emerald trade in Afghanistan. Here's an excerpt:

"The internal emerald market in Afghanistan reflects longstanding tradition that may or may not mesh with President Hamid Karzai's economic strategy. The emerald prices are set by a group called the Boury which is made up of Afghan merchants and representatives of the local government. Buyers pay 10 percent of the sales price as a tax to the province government. And until they pay the tax, the stone cannot be removed from the local government office. Local prospectors like to sell to Northern Alliance veterans. ``We prefer to sell to Mr. Rashid [Mohammadi]," said Farid, a local miner. "He has a great reputation." Mohammadi wants to enhance that reputation; in summer 2003, he plans to host the first ever Afghan jewelry exhibition in Kabul. He expects dealers from around the world to come see the yield from the Hindu Kush mountains.

The exhibit features over 250 Russian artifacts including portraits, artifacts and Jewelry.

The Ludwig Store is preparing to go from 4 generations of Jewelers to the 5th.

Boscov's Robbery Recorded By Surveillance Camera. The store surveillance cameras recorded the thief getting the clerk to open the jewelry case and then the suspect made off with the goods.

State police say the suspect stole two diamond bracelets worth $5,000 each, but dropped one in the parking lot.

If you have any information on this robbery, call police at (484) 840-1000.

Archangel loses Denver court decision.

"Denver-based diamond exploration firm Archangel Diamond Corp. lost its $1 billion lawsuit against the largest oil company in Russia and its subsidiary in Denver District Court. "

Independent Online : Mugabe's 'heir' linked to blood diamond trade

"Zimbawean President Robert Mugabe's likely successor, speaker of parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been implicated in a shady deal involving money laundering and the trading of blood diamonds from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)."

ExtraTV has an article about the Victoria's Secret's 2002 Star of Victoria fantasy bra and matching underwear, bejeweled with thousands of rubies and emeralds. And right in the middle right is a big 60-carat diamond.

An economics commentator, Dr. Brett has written a paper about Botswana & the Diamonds Trade. He contends that Botswana became an African success story almost from day one using its diamond resources to sustain an unprecedented rate of economic growth.

The way Diamonds are bought & sold, often with cash, nothing will stop them from being sold from any country. A ban may make it harder, but the people dealing in these diamonds will continue to do so and will never have trouble finding buyers.

Three men who committed a midday smash-and-grab robbery Saturday at a Palo Alto jewelry store were captured after trying to escape officers.

The Sydney Morning Herald has an interesting article about Namakwa, a diamond mining company. They're averaging 28 carats per 100 tons but need more investment.

The Times Recorder in Ohio has a story on Hearts on Fire.

At the upcoming Sotheby's auction there will be a rare pair of pink and blue diamond, pendant earrings with matched stones. The earrings feature pear-shaped fancy intense blue and fancy purplish pink diamonds, weighing more than 4 carats each. They expect to go for $1.3 million.