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.