WorldBlizz

Russia’s Rough Diamond Exports Increase 30.6 million carats in 2010

2011-02-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

Russia's rough diamond exports raised almost four-fold to 30.6 million carats year on year in the first 9 months of 2010 and amounted to $2.16 billion, reports Itar-Tass.

Rough diamond imports fell by more than 200 percent to 52,600 carats generating $51.1 million during the nine month period, statistics from Russia's Finance Ministry revealed.

ALROSA produces 97 percent of Russia's diamonds and the company reported that production rose 5 percent to 34.4 million carats during the full year 2010.

Separately, Russia's finance minister Alexei Kudrin said that the government is considering opening a diamond exchange but stressed that it was important to ascertain whether a market to assure the exchange's liquidity exists before a final decision is made.

"As of now I doubt there are enough reasons for it and we continue to consider the question," he said.

By WorldBlizz, 2/20/2011

U.S. Patent Assigns a Patent for Element Six

2011-02-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office assigned a patented process to Element Six for a "thick single crystal diamond layer method for making it and gemstones produced from the layer".

According to the abstract, the patent refers to: A layer of single crystal CVD diamond of high quality having a thickness greater than 2 mm. Also provided is a method of producing such a CVD diamond layer.

The patent was filed on March 5, 2007, and issued February 15, 2011, with the patent number 7,887,628.

The patented process named several inventors from the U.K. Inventors listed included Geoffrey Alan Scarsbrook of Ascot, Philip Maurice Martineau of Littlewick Green, Barbel Susanne Charlotte Dorn of Bracknell, Michael Andrew Cooper of Wokingham, John Lloyd Collins of London, Andrew John Whitehead of Surrey, Daniel James Twitchen of Sunningdale, and Ricardo Simon Sussman of Reading.

By WorldBlizz, 2/18/2011

Samuels Diamonds Launches New Website and Adds New Features

2011-02-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

Samuels Diamonds launched a new e-commerce website, which allows customers to more easily navigate all brands and types of jewelry through a straightforward interface.

The new website also features tighter security measures to protect customer information. Additional features now include a product knowledge database, which was designed to offer quick responses to customer inquiries, a downloadable ring sizer, a click-to-buy product catalog, and educational content for the company's "Vow to Wow" loose diamond buying program.

“We decided to revamp our entire website so that our customers have the best shopping experience possible. We want our e-commerce store to have the informative personal touch that our customers currently receive in all of our brick and mortar stores,” said Dave Dell'Aglio of the company.

“The launch of our new website coincides with our new social media initiative through Facebook, Twitter, and blogs even further enhancing the customer experience at Samuels Diamonds.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/18/2011

WFDB Warns Members About Ivory Coast Conflict

2011-02-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) called on its members to heed warnings issued by the KP Chair earlier this week on the possible re-emergence of conflict diamonds from the Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

The WFDB asked its affiliated bourses to advise their members of the KP letter and assure that its contents are posted—accompanied by a translation in the various local languages—on the bourses' notice boards and websites.

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPSC) chairman Mathieu Yamba, in a letter to member states and distributed by WFDB, called ongoing unrest in Côte d'Ivoire of great concern to the diamond industry since rough diamonds from Cote d'Ivoire are reportedly being exported despite the global ban.

Since early December, Côte d'Ivoire has experienced renewed political and civil unrest following the runoff election between its former President Laurent Gbagbo and President-elect Alassane Ouattara. The U.N. has been taking steps to restore order in the war-torn country as Gbagbo refuses to concede the election. The U.N. operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) meanwhile has been protecting civilians and guarding the Golf Hotel, where President-elect Ouattara and his government are based.

The WFDB's notice followed a message from WFDB president Avi Paz sent earlier this year, calling on the WFDB member bourses to convene members' meetings to discuss how to protect the reputation of the WFDB-affiliated diamond bourses and their members.

By WorldBlizz, 2/18/2011

Michigan Jewelers Give Barack Obama a Signature Pendant

2011-02-17T11:36:00.000-08:00

Wattsson & Wattsson Jewelers in Marquette, Michigan, has given a signature piece of jewelry to U.S. president, Barack Obama, when visited the state.

The store was selected by the city of Marquette to give Obama a pendant shaped like Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

“We have lapel pins, pendants, earrings with the outline of the U.P. But the pendant is our most popular piece,” said public affairs and marketing director Faye Nesbitt Elder to JCK.

The pendant varies in style and can be custom-made. Second-generation owner Chris Wattsson custom-designed the pendant with a white diamond marking the location of Marquette. “It was gifted to Obama on Air Force One on February 10,” Elder says.

The presentation included a handwritten note with the history of the company.

Elder says because Obama wears only the American flag on his lapel, the jeweler opted to give the president a pendant. The president then gave the pendant to First Lady Michelle Obama.

“According to the Obama administration, at the end of Obama’s term, the piece will go to the Smithsonian,” she says.

The store’s founder, the late Ron Wattsson, created the pendant in 1985. Elder says there has been a surge in sales following the donation to the president. “Residents of the U.P. want something similar to what Obama has or they want a custom piece.”

President Obama left Michigan on February 10.

By WorldBlizz, 2/17/2011

EGL Asia and NGGC Offer Colored Gemstone Reports

2011-02-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

EGL Asia teamed up with NGGC, the state-owned Chinese diamond grading laboratory, for expanding their current cooperation and start issuing identification reports for colored gemstones, in particular for emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Customers who wish to receive a colored gemstone identification report from both organizations can do so by paying only for the EGL Asia certificate.

In a statement, Joseph Kuzi, EGL Asia's CEO, said “In Asia, and in particular in greater China, consumer demand for better quality colored gemstones is very much on the rise.”

“Our joint decision to expand our labs' identification and grading services to colored gemstones comes in response to the increased market demand.”

“The current expansion to full colored gemstone services is a logical step toward our labs' expanding range of services,” NGGC director Xie Qi Yao said in a statement. “While we expect that the majority of colored gemstones submitted for identification will be one of the big three, we will gladly accept other gemstones as well.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/17/2011

RAPAPORT Annual Conference to Take Place at Baselworld

2011-02-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

Rapaport will head to Baselworld for the annual conference. Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group, will give a special presentation, entitled “How to Make Money in the Diamond Business”.

Taking place on March 25, the presentation will take place at 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m. in the Montreal Hall at the Basel Congress Center, Basel, Switzerland.

The Annual Rapaport Fair Trade Jewelry Conference will follow at 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the same venue.

The conference will discuss how suppliers and retailers can participate in the growing market for fair trade jewelry, as well as how fair trade can be made economically viable.

The conference is free and open to all. RSVP to basel@rapaport.com. Further information, visit Diamonds.net/events.

By WorldBlizz, 2/16/2011

CIBJO Gemological Commission Issues Special Report

2011-02-16T14:18:00.001-08:00

CIBJO's Gemmological Commission has released its special report ahead of the 2011 CIBJO Congress next month in Portugal.

As previously reported, the congress will take place at the Hotel Palácio do Freixo in Porto, from March 14 to 16.

at the CIBJO Congress, the Gemmological Commission will examine the need for setting an international gemology standard. It will also look at how CIBJO annd especially the Gemmological Commission, will respond to and communicate regarding nomenclature matters with companies, educational and academic institutions, consumers, and consumer organizations.

The report also mentions the CIBJO Gemmological Forum, where participants can hold online discussions on topics raised at the CIBJO Congress, as well as other relevant issues. At the meetings, the commission will request that its officers and other interested parties begin using the forum.

To download the full report, click here. For more information about the CIBJO Congress 2011, visit Congress2011.cibjo.org.

By WorldBlizz, 2/16/2011

BHP Billiton Sold 78 carat EKATI Diamond for $6.1 million

2011-02-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

BHP Billiton have sold a 78 carat diamond for $6.1 million, or 78,205.13 per carat.

The rough diamond, which found from EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada, was sold at auction in Antwerp, Belgium, on Monday (February 14).

BHP Billiton owns 80 percent of the Ekati mine.

Prior to the auction, the company, said the stone was potentially the most valuable in the mine’s history.

By WorldBlizz, 2/16/2011

GIA to Host ‘Updates on Synthetic Diamonds and Treatments’ in Botswana

2011-02-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will host its alumni association's Africa chapter in Botswana on February 21.

Lecture called “Updates on Synthetic Diamonds and Treatments”, Thomas M. Moses, senior vice president of GIA's laboratory and research, will present at the Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone that evening.

The presentation will feature information on the latest developments in treated and synthetic diamonds, including high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) and irradiated diamonds, and new developments in synthetics grown by HPHT and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods.

Moses’ lecture is a free event that will begin at 6 pm Due to limited seating, please RSVP by February 18 to either Kago Mmopi, president of GIA's Africa chapter at kago786-at-gmail.com or Elizabeth Bokaba at ebokaba-at-gia.edu.

By WorldBlizz, 2/15/2011

WJA Teams Up with JobTarget to Create Online Jewelry Industry Career Center

2011-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) teamed up with JobTarget, a career services provider, created a web-based career center that connects job seekers with prospective employers in the jewelry industry.

This new job board can be found at Womensjewelryassociation.com. Access is available to WJA members and non-members alike.

WJA’s employment marketplace offers a targeted focus on employment opportunities in the jewelry sector by location, or demographic; allows for anonymous resume posting and advanced job alerts; and provides a cost-effective method for promoting available positions with discounted rates for WJA members.

“Niche job boards, like the one we’ve designed for WJA, are an ideal way to recruit top candidates,” said JobTarget chief executive Andrew Banever.

“Our customized career centers also attract new members—both individuals and businesses—to associations such as WJA. That helps drive participation in conferences, professional development workshops, award programs, and other exclusive benefits.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/15/2011

JIC’s Ultimate Proposal Contest is Opened to The Retailers

2011-02-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Jewelry Information Center (JIC) opened registration for jewelry retailers to join its second annual Ultimate Proposal Contest, the nationwide search for the best proposal story, the company announced today (February 15).

Retailers, who register by March 15, 2011, will be entered to win an iPad.

The contest will launch officially launch to the public on April 4, at JIC.org/proposalcontest and will run through June 20. Members of the Jewelers of America Retail can register online.

The contest helps retailers marketing efforts by encouraging customers to share their proposal stories and remind them to return for wedding band and future jewelry purchases. Participating retailers will receive free marketing materials.

The retailer who refers the Ultimate Proposal Story will receive a trip for two to New York to attend JIC's GEM Awards in January 2012. Plus, each week, the sales associate who refers the most stories will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.

By WorldBlizz, 2/15/2011

Israel’s Polished Diamond Exports Rise 9 percent for January

2011-02-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Israel’s polished diamond exports inclreased 9 percent year over year to $617.9 million in January 2011, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reports.

Rough exports during the month increased 25 percent to $381 million, while total imports of rough and polished diamonds grew 38 percent to $742.1 million.

Israel’s January net diamond account, representing total exports less total imports, fell 23 percent to $256.8 million.

By WorldBlizz, 2/15/2011

56 carat Heart-Shaped Diamond to Be Autioned at Christie’s in Geneva

2011-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Christie’s is set to auction an heart-cut 56.15 carat D color, internally flawless diamond at upcoming Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva in May.

The loose diamond is expected to fetch between $9 million and $12 million at the auction.

Jean-Marc Lunel, head of Christie's Geneva's jewelry department, revelaed that the carat, clarity and color of the stone is the most noteworthy heart-shaped diamonds to be offered at auction in the last 15 years.

Less than a handful of perfectly cut and polished heart shaped diamonds in excess of 50 carats have appeared at auction in the last 20 years, Christie's noted.

By WorldBlizz, 2/15/2011

GlobalDESIGN Trade Show to Feature Eight Jewelry Designers

2011-02-14T19:52:00.001-08:00

Philadelphia will host the globalDESIGN trade show, which will only open to members of the trade.

Taking place from February 18 to 20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, room 202, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, the show will display unique jewelry pieces of all kinds, made by artisans from around the world.

Featured this year are eight new designers including -- Annie Fenterstock, who makes handcrafted gold jewels with a signature style -- Heather Moore, who specializes in personalized jewels -- Anna Ruth Henriques, who masters in mixing her illustrations and photography with fine metals and gems -- and Lika Behar, who makes gold and darkened silver designs from Turkey.

Other designers making their U.S. debut include -- Khushboo with fashionable rose-cut diamond designs in gold and sterling -- Zaiken Jewelry with gold and sterling designs reflecting global influences and Larisa Makhbova, from Russia, who specializes in enamel jewels.

Some designers returning from previous years are: Alishan, Alex Sepkus, Chris Ploof, Janis Kerman, Sugarman/Frantz and Ann Cahoon among others.

By WorldBlizz, 2/14/2011

Lazare Kaplan Appoints Three New Sales Managers for Three Regions

2011-02-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

Lazare Kaplan International appointed three regional sales managers to cover its U.S. territory.

The three regions include the Pacific Northwest, Southern California and the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana region. Sam Panisuik will be responsible for the Pacific Northwest area, Peter Stirtzinger will be responsible for the Southern California area, and Jay Lipinsky will cover Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

All three bring extensive experience in the diamond and jewelry business, they know the quality jewelers in their respective areas and are familiar with the customers’ needs.

“While diamond consumption in other parts of the world is growing, the important U.S. market still represents 40 percent of global consumption,” said Charles Rosario, senior vice president of Lazare Kaplan.

“Lazare Kaplan is participating in the new markets, but is making these additional investments to build on its long history of service to American jewelers and continue to work more closely with them in these competitive times in a spirit of reciprocity.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/14/2011

GSI Uses QR Barcode to Grading Reports for Instant Verification

2011-02-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Gemological Science International (GSI), headquartered in New York City, includes a QR barcode on its reports for its real-time marketing and data tracking, which will allow suppliers, retailers and consumers real-time verification of GSI diamond reports.

Using any smart phone, a person can scan the barcode on the report and instantly be directed to the GSI webpage that shows the actual document. GSI claims to be the only gem lab that offers an image of the actual grading report online.

“QR technology provides a rapid, third-party verification for the consumer and others, which can help overcome considerations regarding authenticity at the sales counter,” said GSI chief executive Mark Gershburg, who founded the lab in 2000. “In addition scanning is relevant across all age and income groups,” said Gershburg.

Linking to a website is the most popular action delivered by 2D barcoding, according to industry experts. Calvin Klein replaced its New York City billboards in 2010 with large barcodes directing consumers to a 40-second commercial online. High-tech barcodes have also been used on print ads, in-store displays, event ticketing and tracking, couponing, business cards, email marketing, and even on cookies as the inventor of the QR code, Denso, did for a Japanese trade show promotion.

By WorldBlizz, 2/14/2011

Products of Pandora and Tiffany to Appear on Google Insights Blog

2011-02-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

Two famous jewelry retailers, Pandora and Tiffany & Co. will appear for product searches on a Google Insights blog for Valentine's Day.

Pandora used the opportunity for outreach to build brand awareness. Specifically Pandora bracelets and Pandora charms came up as top product searches for the Google Insights gems and jewelry category, as did engagement rings, birthstones, diamond rings, and pearl necklaces.

Pandora also made digital and mobile gift shopping easier before Valentine's Day using social media.

The brand recently launched a bracelet-building application for Facebook, and it allows those with an iPhone and iPad to shop and share creations on the networking website before hitting a Pandora retailer.

By WorldBlizz, 2/12/2011

Rokstok Offers New Men’s Jewelry Collection

2011-02-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

Jewelry designer Andrew Moquin creates a new men’s collection for his online retailer Rokstok.com.

The collection, called ‘Bound’, features men’s wedding rings in tribal flames, barbed wire, and tribal Celtic patterns, among others.

President of Rokstok, Moquin, said “A lot of focus is put on women’s wedding rings, but men want something special, as well. The Bound collection that I have created gives men a chance to have special wedding rings, too.”

‘Bound’ wedding rings, which have prices range from $459 to $1,159, are made from white or yellow gold, platinum, palladium, and can be two-tone.

“Celtic wedding rings are a great choice because they provide such interesting styles,” said Moquin. “Whether focusing on custom wedding rings or exclusive men’s designs, we have you covered.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/11/2011

BHP Billiton to Auction Off 78 Carats Loose Diamond Stone

2011-02-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

BHP Billiton is set to auction off 78 carat EKATI Spirit diamond in Antwerp, Belgium, on Valentine’s Day, the company announced today (February 10).

The loose diamond, which was discovered at BHP Billiton EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada, is the most significant gem quality diamond.

The auction will use a hybrid system for the first time, combining the features of the two auction platforms used by BHP Billiton in the past.

A Uniform Price Auction for stones up to 7 carats in size, and an Ascending Clock Auction for larger and special stones.

By WorldBlizz, 2/10/2011

Rio Tinto’s Diamond Sales Rise 52 percent in 2010

2011-02-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

Rio Tinto’s diamond sales rose 52 percent year on year to $682 million in 2010, the company reported.

The increasing was spurred by higher rough prices and rising demand from the Far East. Net earnings from the diamond business were $70 million for the year, compared with a loss of $68 million in 2009.

In a statement, Rio Tinto said, “Rough diamond prices demonstrated a robust recovery throughout 2010 as demand from emerging markets, notably India and China, accelerated.”

However, the company noted that sustainability of the recovery in the short run remains dependent upon U.S. consumer confidence.

Rio Tinto has full ownership of the Argyle min in Australia and a 60 percent stake in the Canada’s Diavik mine. The company also holds a 77.8 percent share of Zimbabwe’s Murowa mine. Combined production at these assets fell 1 percent to 13.843 million carats in 2010.

Production fell due to the processing of lower grade ore at the Argyle mine's open pit. During the year, Rio Tinto approved an $803 million investment to complete the underground development, and expected to be fully operational by 2013. The underground development will extend the life of mine beyond 2019.

Rio Tinto also started underground mining at Diavik and began pre-feasibility studies at its Bunder project in India.

The company’s operating diamond assets were valued at $1.19 billion at year end 2010.

By WorldBlizz, 2/10/2011

ENDIAMA Expects Diamond Production Increase in 2011

2011-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

ENDIAMA, Angola-based diamond mining company, expects to increase production to 9 million carats in 2011, the company revealed.

ENDIAMA's reached 8.5 million carats with revenue from diamond sales totaling $955 million, in 2010.

the company spokesperson, Antonio Jose Freitas, told Reuters this week that increasing production in 2011 because of the increasing of diamonds' average price.

"I think 2011 production will increase and the revenues [will] also because the average price of diamonds is increasing. Last year it finished at $111 per carat; in January the average price was $134," he said.

The company resumed production at three of its mines last year as the diamond market began to see recovery from the slump of the global financial crisis.

By WorldBlizz, 2/10/2011

54 Jewelers Join Boycott Bristol Bay Gold Mine

2011-02-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

54 jewelers, Commercial fishermen, and Alaska Natives have signed a pledge to boycott any gold from the proposed Pebble Mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay in southwestern Alaska.

The mine, a project of Anglo American, a shareholder in De Beers, and Northern Dynasty Minerals of Vancouver, would be the biggest open-pit mine on the continent. It has not yet received formal approval.

Anti-mine campaigners claim it will generate up to 10 billion tons of toxic waste that would be disposed in the Bristol Bay watershed, threatening the world’s largest wild salmon fishery. But the mine’s proponents argue it will bring jobs and economic growth to the area.

Among the jewelers who have joined the campaign included Zale, Helzberg, John Hardy, and Tiffany.

Richard Stoebe, communications director of Jostens, a prominent class ring company, said, “Jostens recognizes that Alaska’s Bristol Bay Watershed is an ecosystem of national and international significance and.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/10/2011

Michelle Obama Expects Jewelry For Valentine’s Day

2011-02-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Michelle Obama said that she would love jewelry for Valentine’s Day, the US first Lady has revealed on an appearance on Live! With Regis and Kelly on February 7.

When asked what she wanted from her husband, Barack Obama, she said: “Jewelry always. You can’t go wrong.”

Michelle Obama also said that her husband is “very romantic” and never forgets important dates, though the couple does not make a big deal about Valentine’s Day because her birthday was last month.

“He always comes through,” she said. “You gotta keep the romance alive, even in the White House.”

By WorldBlizz, 2/10/2011

JCPenney Elects Two New Directors

2011-02-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

The board of directors of JCPenney Company elected William A. Ackman and Steven Roth as directors.

Both of Ackman, who is founder of hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management and Roth, chairman of the board at Vornado Realty Trust, will be elected by the retailer's board in January.

Pershing Square Capital and Vornado are among the largest shareholders in JCPenney. In October, Pershing Square Capital acquired a 16.5 percent stake in JCPenney at the same time Vornado disclosed a stake of 9.9 percent. Shares in JCPenney were trading 2 percent higher midday at $35.74.

By WorldBlizz, 2/9/2011