Harry Winston Diamond Corporation appoints new Chief Financial Officer
by Jo BlackHarry Winston Diamond Corporation announced Alan Mayne will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. He will report to Robert Gannicott, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mayne is replacing Alice Murphy, who is leaving the company.
Most recently Mr. Mayne was Chief Financial Officer of CHUM Limited, one of Canada’s leading media companies. [...]
3.64 carat diamond recovered from AV2 Kimberlite at Aviat
by Jo BlackStornoway Diamond Corporation and Hunter Exploration Group reports that a 3.64 carat stone has been recovered from the AV2 kimberlite, one of eleven significantly diamondiferous kimberlites identified at the 2.2 million acre Aviat Project, located on the Melville Peninsula in eastern Nunavut, Canada.
Stornoway’s CEO Eira Thomas said that the recovery of a large, gem [...]
Brazilian Diamonds Limited bulk testing continues at Salvador 1 Patos Laboratory accredited to ISO 17025
by Jo BlackBrazilian Diamonds Ltd announces that bulk sampling on the Company’s 100% owned Salvador 1 diamond bearing kimberlite in central Bahia State, Brazil has recommenced and the important ISO 17025 accreditation for kimberlite indicator mineral recovery from heavy mineral concentrates at the Company’s laboratory in Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais has been reconfirmed following an extensive [...]
Mano River Resources appoints Lord Daresbury
by Jo BlackMano River Resources Inc, the TSX-V and AIM listed exploration and development company with divisions focused on gold, diamonds and iron ore in West Africa, announces the appointment of Peter Daresbury as Non Executive Chairman of its majority owned subsidiary Stellar Diamonds Limited (”Stellar”) in preparation for an IPO expected in the spring of 2008. [...]
Mexivada discovers two large diamonds at Malambani, Republic of Congo
by Jo BlackMexivada Mining Corp. reports the discovery of two large diamonds and probable kimberlite indicator minerals from a previously unexplored location on its 100% controlled Malambani Permis de Recherche concession, located near Mayoko, Republic of Congo.
According to government records, mining of alluvial gold (+33,000 ounces) by the Avoine Company at Mayoko after World War II included [...]
Swatch Group announces 20% rise in 2007 jewelry sales
by Jo BlackThe Swatch Group reported watch and jewelry sales grew 20.4 percent to CHF 4.71 billion ($4.28 billion) in 2007.
Last year saw record sales in all Group segments, with the finished watch segment as well as the Production segment once again reporting the strongest growth.
Electronic Systems also posted a substantial rise in sales thanks [...]
Bulgari appoints new Board of Director
by Jo BlackItaly-based luxury jeweler Italian luxury jeweler and luxury goods retailer Bulgari has appointed Paolo Cuccia as a Non-Executive and Independnet Member of its Board of Directors. Cuccia replaces Vito Varvaro, formely Non-Executive and Independent Member of the Board of Directors, who resigned for professional incompatibility with effect from January 15th.
The company said that Cuccia [...]
South India Jewellery Show 2008 opens in Bangalore
by Jo BlackSouth India Jewellery Show 2008 is scheduled to be held from Jan 18-20th at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bangalore. The venue had to be changed from KTPO Trade Center to the Stadium as the location and accessibility of the stadium was better suited for the trade event.
Hailed as south India’s premier B2B Jewelry show, [...]
Sarin Technologies triumphs in patent opposition proceeding
by Jo BlackSarin Technologies, a world leader in diamond planning, processing, and grading technologies, announced today the Israeli Patent Registrar rejected OGI Systems’ opposition to its Israeli patent application No. 138347 entitled “Laser Marking on Diamonds”. Equivalent patents have already been granted to Sarin in the United States and in Belgium.
The decision concludes a four-year opposition proceeding [...]
Pangea DiamondFields to raise C$15 million
by Jo BlackPangea DiamondFields plc has appointed a syndicate of agents led by RBC Capital Markets and including Ambrian Partners Limited to act on a best efforts basis in connection with a marketed private placement of new ordinary shares in the Company with a value of up to C$15.0 million (the “Offering”).
It is anticipated that the [...]
Tahera obtains CCAA protection
by Jo BlackTahera Diamond Corporation has obtained an order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granting Tahera and its subsidiary protection pursuant to the provisions of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (”CCAA”). The Court has granted CCAA protection for an initial period of 30 days expiring on February 14, 2008, to be extended or terminated thereafter [...]
American Gem Trade Association announces election of new Directors
by Jo BlackThe American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) on Wednesday announced the results of the 2008 elections for the AGTA Board of Directors. The new officers will serve three-year terms and will be introduced at the AGTA Membership Meeting on Sunday, February 10, 2008, in Tucson, Arizona.
Elections were held for Vice President, Secretary and three Director positions. [...]
Vaaldiam Resources recoveres 7.97 carat diamond in Braúna sample
by Jo BlackVaaldiam Resources Ltd has recovered a 7.97 carat diamond during sampling of the Braúna 8 kimberlite dike, situated on the Company’s 100% owned Braúna project in the State of Bahia, Brazil. The diamond is the largest recovered from the Braúna kimberlites by Vaaldiam and confirms the presence of large, high value diamonds in the kimberlites. [...]
Harry Winston Diamond Corporation appoints new Board of Directors
by Jo BlackHarry Winston Diamond Corporation announced the appointments of Matthew Barrett and Micheline Bouchard to the Company’s Board of Directors. Their appointments bring the number of Board members of Harry Winston Diamond Corporation to nine.
I am delighted to welcome both Matt and Micheline to our Board of Directors. We will benefit greatly from their expertise and [...]
Israel publishes list of top polished diamond exporters
by Jo BlackThe annual list of the 30 largest exporters of polished diamonds in Israel was published by the Israel Diamond Controller’s Office in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. Topping the list once again is L.L.D. Diamonds Ltd., owned by Lev Leviev, with exports of $522 million in 2007. Second on the list of top [...]
Important developments affecting Kopane’s Diamond assets in Lesotho and Finland
by Jo BlackKopane Diamond Developments Plc, formerly European Diamonds Plc, has announced a number of important developments affecting its diamond assets in Lesotho and Finland. In summary these are:-The signing of the definitive Joint Venture Agreement (”JVA”) with Mantle Diamonds Limited (”Mantle”) to establish a new joint venture to operate and finance Kopane’s Finnish assets.
Diamond sales [...]
IDI Managing Director met with Sierra Leone President
by Jo BlackIsrael Diamond Institute (IDI) Managing Director Eli Avidar met today with the newly elected President of Sierra Leone, Dr.Ernest Korman. The President said that he was pleased to host this meeting. Avidar commended the President on the peaceful transfer of power following the last elections in Sierra Leone, which he said serves as a model [...]
Blue Nile announces Q4 revenue growth of 24%
by Jo BlackBlue Nile, Inc. announced that revenue for its fourth quarter ended December 30, 2007 grew approximately 24% over the prior year.
2007 was a great year for Blue Nile, and the holiday quarter was no exception, said Mark Vadon, Chief Executive Officer.
While we have not previously released our fourth quarter sales results in advance of [...]
Dahava Resources commences mining in Namibia
by Jo BlackDahava Resources Ltd. has commenced limited production activities at its Lower Orange River properties in Namibia.
Dahava’s exploration and production sampling activities have yielded encouraging results indicating the presence of commercially viable diamondiferous gravel deposits in Block 4, which comprises part of its Lower Orange River properties in Namibia. The acquisition, testing and deployment of processing [...]
HRD Antwerp highlighted presence at Macau show with seminar about synthetic and treated diamonds
by Jo BlackHRD Antwerp NV, which provides grading, gemmological, educational, technological and research services to the international diamond and jewellery industries, highlighted its attendance at the first Macau Jewellery and Watch by providing a seminar for trade show attendees about synthetic and treated diamonds.
The Macau Jewellery & Watch Fair, which held from January 10 to January 13 [...]