JCK - Jewelry Industry News, Trends, and Analysis

Argyle Finds Three Ultra-Rare Red Diamonds

rbates — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Argyle announced that it will feature three ultra-rare red diamonds in its upcoming Pink Diamond Tender—the most it has featured in its 30-year history.

Among them is a 1.56 ct. I2 fancy red, dubbed the Argyle Phoenix.

“Since mining began in 1983, only six diamonds certified as Fancy Red by the Gemological Institute of America have been presented for sale at the annual Tender,” said Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson in a statement. “To have three of these rare red diamonds in one tender is very special.”’

Argyle announced that it will feature three ultra-rare red diamonds in its upcoming Pink Diamond Tender—the most it has featured in its 30-year history.

JCK Staff

Silver Price Sinks to Two-Year Low

rbates — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:59:00 +0000

Silver has followed gold in taking a major price tumble.

On May 20, the “spot” price of silver fell below $22 an ounce, its lowest price in over two years. At press time, it was trading at $21.98.

And that may just be the beginning, according to two Citibank analysts.

Silver has followed gold in taking a major price tumble.

JCK Staff

Survey: Consumers Prefer Brick-and-Mortar Stores to Online

rbates — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:58:00 +0000

More than two-thirds of American prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores than online, according to a new survey conducted on behalf of Synqera, which provides technology to retail stores.

Some 67 percent of consumers said they prefer the store experience to the online one, the company found.

More than two-thirds of Americans prefer to shop in traditional stores than online, according to a new survey.

JCK Staff

Oscar de la Renta Debuts Wholesale Fashion Jewelry Collection

sschaefer — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:15:00 +0000

Oscar de la Renta is making its fashion jewelry collection available to the fine jewelry industry for the first time this spring.

The Abbiamo Group will handle the wholesale distribution of jewelry, which will be showcased in the Oscar de la Renta boutique at the upcoming Couture show.

Handcrafted in the United States, the pieces—which include Czech crystals, semiprecious stones, and hand-poured resin—range in retail price from $100 to $1,500.

Oscar de la Renta is making its fashion jewelry collection available to the fine jewelry industry for the first time.

JCK Staff

WJA Announces 2013 Awards For Excellence Honorees and Nominees

jheebner — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

At the annual Women’s Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence gala on Monday, July 29, at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in New York City, three honorees and nine others will be recognized for their service and dedication to the jewelry industry.

The Women’s Jewelry Association recently announced its Hall of Fame honorees and nominees for its annual Awards for Excellence gala.

JCK Staff

10 Most Popular Jewelry News Stories: Week of May 13

dford — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:45:00 +0000

A roundup of JCK's top stories from the past week.

Gina Lollobrigida's Earrings, 74 Carat Yellow Diamond Set Records at Sotheby's

On May 14, a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings from the collection of screen legend Gina Lollobrigida fetched a record-setting $2,391,321 at Sotheby's Geneva. A 74 ct. yellow diamond also set a new record.

A roundup of JCK's top stories from the past week.

JCK Staff

$1 Million-Plus in Chopard Jewels Stolen From Cannes Film Festival

jheebner — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:05:00 +0000

Oh, the irony: While the movie Bling Ring was stealing the show at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, which opened May 15, real-life thieves were stealing Chopard jewelry from a hotel safe.

The longtime Official Sponsor of the Cannes Film Festival is a victim of jewel theft—particularly pieces that were destined for wear by celebrities at the affair.

JCK Staff

Report: Diamond Prices Will Increase 6 Percent a Year For Rest of Decade

rbates — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:49:26 +0000

Diamond prices will rise 6 percent a year for the rest of the decade, according to a new report by BMO Capital Markets analyst Edward Sterck.

The report notes growing demand, particularly from India and China, as well as a muted outlook for supply. The report forecasts U.S. demand for diamonds will remain stable.

The report also said that rough diamond prices have increased 8 percent to 9 percent so far in 2013, mostly because of reduced supply from De Beers, which has experienced production problems.

Diamond prices will increase 6 percent a year for the rest of the decade, according to a new report by BMO Capital Markets analyst Edward Sterck.

JCK Staff

Speakers at WJA's 2013 Spring Fling Discuss the Modern Consumer

sschaefer — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:54:04 +0000

Designers must think about the modern day consumer when building their brand, said industry leaders during WJA’s Spring Fling held in collaboration with W magazine on May 15 in New York City.

“Consumers today are so savvy, the most important thing for a brand to be is authentic,” said Lou Iacovelli, founder and president of Atelier Creative Services, Inc.

Brand building, however, doesn't happen quickly.

“You have to evolve with time,” said Colleen Caslin, chief operating officer of Verdura.

Designers must think about the modern day consumer when building their brand, said industry leaders during WJA’s Spring Fling held in collaboration with W magazine on May 15 in New York City.

JCK Staff

Free Hot Rocks and Heavy Metal Event May 21 in New York City

jheebner — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

New York City’s Diamond Dealers Club (11 W. 47th St.) will host a free evening of networking on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The evening of networking and education takes place at the Diamond Dealers Club next week.

JCK Staff

Harry Winston Pays Record $27 Million for 101.73 Carat D Flawless Diamond

rbates — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

On May 15, a spectacular 101.73 ct. D flawless diamond fetched an equally spectacular price at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva—$26.7 million, or $254,400 per carat, a new world record for a colorless diamond sold at auction.

On May 15, a spectacular 101.73 ct. D-Flawless fetched an equally spectacular price at Christie’s in Geneva—$26.7 million, a new world record for a colorless diamond sold at auction. The buyer was Harry Winston, in one of its first moves under new owner Swatch.

JCK Staff

U.S. Gold Jewelry Demand Rises for the First Time in Eight Years

rbates — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:59:00 +0000

U.S. demand for gold jewelry rose 6 percent in the first quarter of 2013, the first time it has risen since 2005, according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report.

The report attributes the demand jump to the decline in the gold price, as well as the continued improvement in the U.S. economy.

Mass-market retailers “re-introduced their gold offerings at key price points in recognition of solid underlying demand," the report said.

U.S. demand for gold jewelry rose 6 percent in the first quarter of 2013, the first time it has risen since 2005, according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report.

JCK Staff

Q&A With ‘Twilight’ Star and Jewelry Designer Nikki Reed

sschaefer — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Contemporary fashion and denim brand 7 For All Mankind has collaborated with Twilight star Nikki Reed on an exclusive jewelry collection.

The collection offers five pieces designed by Reed that are directly inspired by 7 For All Mankind’s spring 2013 clothing line, including sterling silver necklaces and earrings and gold bangles.

Actress, singer, and jewelry designer Nikki Reed, who recently debuted a capsule collection with 7 For All Mankind, talks to JCK about style and design.

JCK Staff

Survey: Affluent Customers Don’t Care if Luxury Brands Go Mass

rbates — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Most luxury shoppers say they don’t care if a high-end brand branches into the mass market, according to a new survey by the Luxury Institute.

Some 84 percent of wealthy women and 78 percent of wealthy men would continue shopping with a high-end company that branches into the mass market, the survey found.

Most luxury shoppers say they don’t care if a high-end brand branches into the mass-market, according to a new survey by the Luxury Institute.

JCK Staff

ICA Honors Late Co-Founder of JTV

sschaefer — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:25:04 +0000

The International Colored Gemstone Association has honored the late Gerald D. Sisk Jr., co-founder and executive vice president of Jewelry Television, with a lifetime achievement award.

Sisk passed away unexpectedly in January. A graduate gemologist and a member of the International Colored Gemstone Association, he spent much of his life finding the best quality gemstones for JTV’s customers.

The International Colored Gemstone Association has honored the late Gerald D. Sisk Jr., co-founder and executive vice president of Jewelry Television, with a lifetime achievement award.

JCK Staff

What’s Selling In Stores: Men’s Wedding Bands

dford — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

We asked four retailers across the country to share their best-selling men’s wedding bands of the week:

South

We asked four retailers across the country to share their best-selling men’s wedding bands of the week.

JCK Staff

Gina Lollobrigida's Earrings, 74 Carat Yellow Diamond Set Records at Sotheby's

dford — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Screen legend Gina Lollobrigida may have turned heads during her days as a sex symbol in the 1950s and 1960s, but her jewels—including a 74 ct. yellow diamond that once belonged to a Persian Shah—were the center of attention at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva on May 14.

On May 14, a pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings from the collection of screen legend Gina Lollobrigida’s collection fetched an auction record $2,391,321. A 74 ct. yellow diamond also set a new record.

JCK Staff

DKSH to Distribute Maurice Lacroix

sschaefer — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:59:00 +0000

Market service provider DKSH will distribute and sell Maurice Lacroix watches in North America, the company announced.

The Swiss conglomerate is also looking at other watch brands to join its newly established DKSH Luxury & Lifestyle North America division.

The company has also announced that Hartmut Kraft, previously with Princeton Time and Chronoswiss, has joined the North American division as president.

Market expansion service provider DKSH will extend its American presecence with the addition of DKSH Luxury & Lifestyle North America Inc.

JCK Staff

Blue Nile Appoints Board Member

sschaefer — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:25:50 +0000

Online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile has appointed Mindy Meads to its board of directors.

Meads brings more than 35 years of experience in the apparel industry to her new role, previously serving as co-CEO of clothing brand Aeropostale. Prior to Aeropstale, she served as CEO and president of Victoria's Secret Direct.

Online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile has appointed Mindy Meads to its board of directors.

JCK Staff

Joshua J Names New Director of Sales

jheebner — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Joshua J Fine Jewelry has appointed Michael Newman director of sales for the western half of the United States.

Michael Newman

Joshua J Fine Jewelry has appointed Michael Newman director of sales for the western half of the U.S. market.

JCK Staff