April 17, 2008

Champagne to inspire jewelry designers

by Jo Black

Rio Tinto Diamonds, the world’s largest supplier of champagne diamonds has released its latest range of champagne diamond promotional materials.
Whilst champagne diamonds are not a new phenomenon, they are gaining considerable cachet with high profile jewelry designers and diamond jewelry retailers around the globe.
The new range of promotional materials is aimed at supporting the retailer, [...]


GIA’s Susan elected as ACCSCT

by Jo Black

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) today announced that Susan B. Johnson, GIA’s director of Education Administration, has been elected to a full term as a school commissioner for the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Johnson will serve as one of 13 ACCSCT commissioners through June 30, 2012.
Last year, [...]


April 11, 2008

HRD’s Mumbai lab link service

by Jo Black

HRD Antwerp NV has notched another milestone in its global expansion, with the inauguration in India of its Lab Link service. Its logistics partner in the venture is Malca-Amit JK Logistics PVT.
The new service will provide members of the Indian diamond sector with direct access to the HRD Antwerp - Diamond Lab, one of the [...]


Signet reports year end results

by Jo Black

Signet Group plc, the world’s largest speciality retail jeweler, which operates leading operations in both the US and UK, provides 2007 year end results.
Terry Burman, Group Chief Executive, said that 2007/08 was a very demanding year for the Group, with a particularly difficult fourth quarter. While the US business saw an unprecedented weakening in sales [...]


April 10, 2008

HRD Antwerp at BaselWorld 2008

by Jo Black

HRD Antwerp NV, which provides grading, gemmological, educational, technological and research services to the international diamond and jewellery industries, will be highlighting its attendance at the leading event for the watch and jewellery industry Baselworld, by providing diamond evaluations at its booth.
BaselWorld, which opens on April 3 and runs through April 10, provides a unique [...]


April 8, 2008

Local musher beck wins Diavik 150

by Jo Black

Diavik Diamond Mine announces another successful Diavik 150 Canadian Championship Dog Derby. The action over the 3-day race was exciting, drawing teams not only from the home town of Yellowknife and elsewhere in Canada, but also from France and the United States.
John Beck of Yellowknife took top honours in this the 54th running of the [...]


April 7, 2008

GIA’s first two graduates of BBA program

by Jo Black

The first two graduates of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Bachelor of Business Administration program have been granted their BBA degrees. They are Wade H. Clar, Jr. and Tyler Harden.
The BBA program provides a comprehensive business education with a specialized focused in the jewelry industry.
Clar, from Canandaigua, New York, received his BBA on December [...]


Novori named online distribution for Demeter

by Jo Black

Novori Inc. — a leading online interactive retailer of fine diamond engagement rings and jewelry — announces an agreement with Zalemark Inc., granting Novori the exclusive online distribution rights for the Zalemark celebrity-endorsed Demeter jewelry line. This women’s collection of fine jewelry features exquisitely crafted and designed pieces by award winning designer Steven Zale in [...]


April 4, 2008

GIA’s 2009 Gemological Research Conference

by Jo Black

A broad, international spectrum of individuals across academia, the research community, and the gem and jewelry trade have agreed to serve on the Advisory Committee for GIA’s second Gemological Research Conference (GRC), planned for August 21–23, 2009.
GRC Advisory Committee members will help with program planning, review abstracts and disseminate information about the conference. A number [...]


April 2, 2008

IDL diamond certification to Damas

by Jo Black

Consumers wishing to purchase the best quality diamond jewelry and products, can now buy with confidence as the result of a new agreement signed between the International Diamond Laboratories (IDL) and Damas. As from this week, IDL certificates are available with diamond jewellery from any of Damas showrooms with in-house brands including Hayati, Dibla, Solitaire, [...]


April 1, 2008

IDL laboratory at Istanbul

by Jo Black

IDL will set up a fully fledged laboratory in Istanbul at the headquarters of the Istanbul Chamber of Jewelry (IKO). This was announced during the Istanbul Jewelry Show. The IDL lab will be the first of its kind in Turkey.
The IDL laboratory will be located in the headquarters of IKO in the heart of the [...]


March 27, 2008

JA announces winners of 2008 Affiliate Design Competition

by Jo Black

Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the winners of its 18th annual Affiliate Design Competition, held during the JA New York Show, March 9-11. Designers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin took home the first place prizes in four categories (based on the cost of materials used): $1,000 and under; $1,001-$3,000; $3,001 and over; and [...]


March 26, 2008

IDI focuses on luxury at Basel

by Jo Black

The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) annual high profile breakfast press conference at BASELWORLD 2008 will focus on diamonds as a symbol of luxury, featuring some of Israel’s most innovative companies.
The press conference will be held on April 4, 2008 from 8:45 – 10:00 am in the Osaka - Samarkand Congress Room of the Basel [...]


March 25, 2008

CIBJO releases special reports

by Jo Black

CIBJO released three more special reports compiled by the group’s Diamond Commission, the CIBJO Marketing and Education Commission, and the CIBJO Gemmological Commission.
Diamond Commission
In its report, the authors of the CIBJO Diamond Commission (CDC) express their hope that in Dubai, it can resolve some of the ‘hot’ issues that were the cause [...]


March 24, 2008

India launches African diamonds initiative

by Jo Black

As the first-ever India-Africa conclave organised by the Ministry of External Affairs approaches, the Indian Commerce Ministry has, for the first time, taken the initiative to establish systems for the direct imports of rough diamonds from Africa. To kick-start this initiative, the Minister of State for Commerce, Mr. Jairam Ramesh is leading a high-powered delegation [...]


HRD Antwerp at Istanbul Jewellery Show

by Jo Black

HRD Antwerp NV, which provides grading, gemmological, educational, technological and research services to the international diamond and jewellery industries, will highlight its presence at the Istanbul Jewellery Show later this month with a seminar for trade show attendees about synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants.
The Istanbul Jewellery Show, which opens on March 26 and runs through [...]


March 20, 2008

Security Track to launch new products

by Jo Black

Worldwide Security Network’s Security Track division will introduce its new line of security products for travelling jewelers at the MJSA Show in New York on April 13, 14, and 15th.
The Security Track manufactures a complete line of Secure Salesman’s Cases that deter theft, save lives, and improve chances of recovery in the event of a [...]


March 19, 2008

MJSA, Jewelers Mutual join forces

by Jo Black

Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) and Jewelers Mutual have joined forces to offer MJSA members a variety of insurance solutions specifically designed for manufacturers, retailers, bench jewelers, wholesalers, and those involved in repair, custom design, and jewelry appraising.
MJSA is pleased to join forces with an experienced insurance company that is exceptionally knowledgeable [...]


March 14, 2008

WGI collaborates with SSEF institute

by Jo Black

World Gemological Institute and SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute have initiated a collaboration program intended to enhance the understanding of diamond treatments and their detection methods. World Gemological Institute research staff members have visited the SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute in Basel, Switzerland, to acquire frontier knowledge concerning the latest findings in the field of diamond treatment [...]


PhotoScribe updates on patent suit

by Jo Black

PhotoScribe Technologies Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of diamond laser inscription equipment, has prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit brought against it and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) by diamond distributor Lazare Kaplan International (LKI.)
On Friday, March 7, 2008, following a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New [...]