Gem Pricing Report

As the holiday season approaches, dealers are expressing cautious optimism that consumers will return to the market. No one expects sales to be strong, but consensus is that the retail jewelry market is better prepared to cater to nervous consumers. Attracting customers—still concerned about job losses, tight credit, and debt—requires a proactive strategy. Retailers continue to focus on price points, value, and service to distinguish jewelry from competing products. The jewelry industry has evolved. Stores are providing quality products at price points that can be supported by their geographic market. Dealers also are reporting a broadening of product appeal. For awhile it seemed that unusual, collectible gems were the only consistent sellers. Today, the market is switching back to industry staples. During our October survey of colored-stone dealers, respondents were unanimous in identifying blue sapphire as outselling all colored stones this fall. Emeralds also are reportedly seeing good demand.

Jury Rules Against Blue Nile in $60.1 Million Lawsuit That Sought to Stifle Consumer-Friendly Price Comparisons

Jury Rules Against Blue Nile in $60.1 Million Lawsuit That Sought to Stifle
Consumer-Friendly Price Comparisons

SEATTLE, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Following a six-day trial, a federal jury here
dismissed Blue Nile Inc.’s $60.1 million claim against The Yehuda Diamond
Company, reaffirming Yehuda Diamond’s right to compare the prices of its
clarity enhanced diamonds to the untreated diamonds sold by online retailer
Blue Nile.

Yehuda Diamond, based in New York, has earned widespread industry and consumer
loyalty for its successful competition with Blue Nile and other online
jewelers, favoring consumers not only with lower prices but also with
unsurpassed expert face-to-face service and full Federal Trade
Commission-compliant disclosure.

The suit [No. C-07-2017 TSZ], brought by Blue Nile and heard last month in
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, involved Blue
Nile’s efforts to prevent Yehuda Diamond from comparing the price and
appearance of its clarity enhanced diamonds to those natural untreated
diamonds sold by Blue Nile.

Dazzling diamonds and glittering gems adorn the Field Museum

Beginning Friday, Chicago’s Field Museum may be every girl’s—or gemologist’s—best friend. The permanent gem exhibit at Grainger Hall reopens Friday, Oct. 23, complemented by “The Nature of Diamonds,” a temporary exhibit running through March 28. Together, the exhibits contain more than 1,000 gems, pieces of jewelry, and other bejeweled adornments, ranging from belt buckles to brooches. The Grainger Hall of Gems, a Field Museum mainstay, has been anything but set in stone since it originally opened 88 years ago, in 1921. Now, after its third renovation, the hall boasts brighter lights and a setting more suited to the subject. “We took the room down to the studs and rebuilt to give it more of a regal feel when you walk in,” said Lance Grande, senior vice president and head of collections and research for the Field Museum. Grande is also curator of the Grainger Hall of Gems. The revamped Grainger Hall of Gems exhibit showcases more than 150 pieces of jewelry, dating from before Tutankhamen’s time to today’s Tiffany & Co. According to Grande, some of the previous exhibit’s stones were “glass facsimiles” –fakes—which have now been replaced with the real thing.

Diamonds regain their lost lustre

Diamonds are “the ultimate luxury good”, says Garry White in The Daily Telegraph. So it’s no wonder demand plunged when the global recession struck. Polished diamond prices fell by a third as world retail diamond sales fell by a similar amount. Rough diamond prices slid 65% in the six months to March.

But the market now seems to have hit bottom. According to De Beers, the largest rough-diamond producer, demand is rebounding; Rio Tinto has felt confident enough to raise prices recently.

Meanwhile, polished prices have flattened out. Longer term, the outlook for diamond prices is positive. There have been no major diamond-mine discoveries since the 1990s and the easiest pickings are closest to the surface, so supply is constrained. Demand from industrialising Asia will rise along with the region’s wealth.

For now, however, “it is America that counts”, because it consumes around half of the world’s polished diamonds, says Idexonline.com. Until the US market “heats up”, it’s hard to see much of a “catalyst” for higher prices.

What’s more it’s likely to take US consumers some time to get back to their spending ways given their scant savings and heavy debt loads. So the likes of Petra Diamonds (AIM: PDL) look worth tucking away, but may not tick up much for some time.

These gemstones are associated with wedding anniversaries, many people give them as gifts to celebrate all kinds of anniversaries.

1st Gold Jewelry		14th Opal		35th Emerald
2nd Garnet		15th Ruby		39th Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl
3rd Pearls		16th Peridot		40th Ruby
4th Blue Topaz		17th Amethyst		45th Sapphire
5th Sapphire		18th Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl		50th Golden Jubilee
6th Amethyst		19th Garnet		52nd Star Ruby
7th Onyx		20th Emerald		55th Alexandrite
8th Tourmaline		21st Iolite		60th Diamond Jubilee
9th Lapis Lazuli		22nd Spinel		65th Star Sapphire
10th Diamond Jewelry		23rd Imperial Topaz		70th Sapphire Jubilee
11th Turquoise		24th Tanzanite		75th Diamond
12th Jade		25th Silver Jubilee		80th Ruby Jubilee
13th Citrine		30th Pearl Jubilee

SWISS BLUE TOPAZ

SWISS BLUE TOPAZ

Topaz is one of the most popular gemstones among retail jewelers and consumers. All colors of topaz are accepted as the birth stone for the month of November. Although topaz comes in a variety of colors, blue is by far the most popular, perhaps because of its abundance and afford ability.
Round	Round shapes are available from 1mm to 15mm and in any quantity.
Oval	Oval shapes are available from 4X3mm to 20X15mm and in any quantity.
Heart	Heart shapes are available from 3mm to 15mm and in any quantity.
Trillion	Trillion shapes are available from 3mm to 15mm and in any quantity.
Pear	Pear shapes are available from 4X3mm to 20X15mm and in any quantity.
Square	Square shapes are available from 2mm to 15mm and in any quantity.
Octagon	Octagon shapes are available from 5X3mm to 20X15mm and in any quantity.
Marquise	Marquise shapes are available from 4X2mm to 20X10mm and in any quantity.
Baguatte	Baguatte shapes are available from 4X2mm to 14X10mm and in any quantity.

Note: custom made sizes, shapes and cuttings are available on request.

Please contact for more information

Consumers purchase antiques in struggling economy

Consumers are continuing to purchase antiques, including jewelry, paintings, furniture and collectibles, as investment opportunities during this struggling economy, according to DMG World Media.

“Our clients have confirmed to us that individuals are continuing to purchase antiques, sculptures, art and jewelry as investments,” DMG World Media Show Director Andrea Canady said in a media release. “We’re featuring these true treasures all in one location at The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, where consumers can view, touch and purchase these invaluable items.”

Some of the items that will be available at The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, to be held from Jan. 22-26, 2009, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla., include rare and unusual historical art collections and antiques from around the world such as 18th-, 19th- and 20th-century furniture, original paintings and works of art spanning more than three centuries, fine American and European silver, 19th- and 20th-century art glass such as Galle, Lalique and Tiffany, as well as world-renowned porcelain such as Meissen and KPM.

For show information about the show, call (239) 732-6642 or visit DMG World Media’s Web site, DMGAntiqueShows.com.

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show is just one of more than 300 trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs that DMG World Media produces every year in the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/industry-guides/trade-shows/e3ic8de2356a575492749569023fb41b8a4

IDI offering free hotel stays to diamond buyers

To help the country’s diamond industry through the economic downturn, the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is offering free hotel nights in Israel to diamond buyers from all over the world who are visiting the Ramat Gan diamond complex.

IDI Chairman and IsDMA President Moti Ganz announced the initiative, which requires that the approved buyer spend at least six hours a day in the Israel Diamond Exchange trading hall, the largest diamond trading floor in the world, according to a release from the IDI.

For those who meet the qualifications, the IDI will pay for accommodation in the nearby Sheraton City Tower hotel, which is adjacent to the diamond complex, for up to four nights.

“During the difficult economic situation affecting the jewelry and diamond markets, the IDI sees its most important function as coming to the aid of the Israeli diamond industry,” Ganz said. “This is our first marketing initiative, and we will continue to introduce new and innovative measures aimed at maximizing our diamantaires’ competitive advantages.”

And IDI Managing Director Eli Avidar said the IDI’s job is to provide the best possible service to the Israeli diamond industry by understanding what the industry needs to succeed.

“We are in daily contact with diamantaires and are extremely attuned to their needs. The IDI will continue to support the industry through its offices in Israel, Hong Kong and New York,” he said.

Buyers interested in taking advantage of the hotel stay offer can apply through their Israeli diamond suppliers or, for additional information, contact the IDI at hadas@israelidiamond.co.il.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/diamonds/supply/e3ic8de2356a5754927d5c1b5f3fef3059c

http://thejewelsworld.com/gems/2009/01/05/idi-offering-free-hotel-stays-to-diamond-buyers/

Swarovski heiress to launch lifestyle brand

New York–Jewelry designer and Swarovski heiress Vanessa Swarovski Piedra will debut her new lifestyle brand at the upcoming ENK Accessorie Circuit show.

The first products to launch for the new “VSP” brand–whose name comes from Swarovski Piedra’s initials–are five jewelry collections featuring the Austrian crystals for which the Swarovski brand is world-famous.

The “Turnstyle Collection” features microsuede bracelets with pave crystal bands and snaps that can be linked to form necklaces, belts, armbands and more. The “VSP Signature Pendant Collection” includes pendants available with or without embedded crystals, each suspended from a leather cord with sterling silver tips. Then there are the “Masters Collection” and “Renaissance Collection.” The first features one-of-a-kind crystal pendants depicting excerpts of old masters paintings backed by 24-karat gold leaf, while pieces in the latter collection include crystal pendants encased in hand-forged tumbago with cut-crystal detail. Finally, “I-Candy” is a line of children’s jewelry featuring tiny, colored chandelier crystal pendants.

Swarovski Piedra’s new line is a collaboration with her husband, Major League Baseball outfielder Jorge Piedra, and New York-based lifestyle and accessories designer Colleen Brennan.

Swarovski Piedra is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a certified gemologist. The great-great-granddaughter of Swarovski Corp. founder Daniel Swarovski, Swarovski Piedra first worked in the Swarovski Gemstone Division before branching off to start her own company, Vanessa S., specializing in fine jewelry and other luxury items.

The ENK Accessorie Circuit will take place from Jan. 5-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/fashion/jewelry-fashion-reports/e3ic8de2356a5754927cf5767b7213b7e4c

http://thejewelsworld.com/gems/2009/01/05/swarovski-heiress-to-launch-lifestyle-brand/

Thailand’s gem, jewelry exports rise in ‘08

Bangkok, Thailand–Figures released recently by the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) show the country’s gem and jewelry exports increased nearly 60 percent in the first 10 months of 2008, and the TGJTA believes it is well positioned to weather the current economic storm.

Between January and October 2008, Thailand’s gem and jewelry exports rose to $6.7 billion, a 58 percent increase over the same period in 2007, when gem and jewelry exports stood at $4.24 billion.

Thailand’s five top export markets for this period were: Hong Kong, Australia, the United States, Switzerland and Israel.

Looking at the January-October 2008 export data by category, exports of all jewelry categories, except for loose diamonds and gemstones, accounted for the bulk of the country’s gem and jewelry exports, standing at $5.25 billion, of which $2.43 billion consisted of jewelry and parts for jewelry.

Exports of polished diamonds totaled $971.3 million, with the Thai diamond industry serving as a cutting and polishing center for larger, high-quality stones, according to the TGJTA.

The main export destinations for polished diamonds from Thailand were Antwerp, Belgium ($247.4 million), Ramat Gan, Israel ($239.4 million), and Hong Kong ($187.2 million).

From January-October 2008, Thailand exported $480.4 million in loose colored gemstones, up from $313.7 million for the same period in 2007.

The top five destinations for Thailand’s loose colored gemstones were Hong Kong, the United States, Switzerland, India and Japan.

Looking ahead, TGTJA President Vichai Assarasakorn acknowledges that it won’t be an easy year, but said Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry has a number of strengths that will help it weather the economic downturn.

“Times are not easy, and in January, we’ll all have a better idea of where the market is heading. However, Thailand is one of the centers with the best chances to succeed this coming year. It offers a wide and high-quality product range, cheap labor costs, expert workmanship and manufacturing, as well as excellent service,” Assarasakorn said. “The 43rd Bangkok Gem and Jewelry Fair will be a showcase of our strengths.”

The fair is scheduled for Feb. 25-March 1 in Bangkok, Thailand.

http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/content_display/colored-stones/color-market-reports/e3ic8de2356a5754927ccb1ece6a3626fc7

http://thejewelsworld.com/gems/2009/01/05/thailands-gem-jewelry-exports-rise-in-08/