Industry News Round up…
The 206-carat Imperial Emerald. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
Bayco Jewels unveiled what it calls “one of the most precious gemstones to ever exist” in its showroom Thursday during the opening day of Baselworld 2013.
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(Apr 22 ‘13, Haute Horlogerie)
Exports of Swiss watches have increased eightfold over four decades. Switzerland’s four French-speaking cantons weigh in at almost 70% of the sector’s added value for the country as a whole.
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The current Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
(Apr 19 ‘13, Elizabeth Doerr, Forbes)
Rolex , TAG Heuer, Swatch, Seiko, and Casio G-Shock are some of the big names in horology celebrating important anniversary dates at Baselworld, the world’s biggest watch fair, which begins next week on Thursday, April 25.
The increased popularity of gold jewellery, particularly in India, has helped propel the price in recent years. Photo: REX
What has happened?
The gold price never seems to be far from the financial headlines. In recent years this has been because it has regularly hit new heights, but last week it was a fall in prices that was causing waves. It hit a six-month low on Friday afternoon, having plunged through the $1,600 an ounce earlier in the week – the first time it had breached this level since August.
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(Apr 12 ‘13, Rob Bates, JCKOnline.com)
As more investors sounded bearish notes about the yellow metal, on April 12, the spot price of gold sank below $1,500—its lowest level since July 2011.
Photo courtesy of Petra Diamonds
It’s only fitting on a day a 34.65 ct. pink diamond sells for $39.3 million that we also feature an equally impressive big blue diamond.
A 25.5 ct. blue diamond was recovered by Petra Diamonds Limited at the Cullinan mine in South Africa.
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The Princie Diamond (Photo courtesy of Sotheby's)
On April 16, The Princie, a 34.65 ct. fancy intense pink cushion cut, scored $39.3 million ($1.1 million a carat) at Christie’s New York – making it the most expensive jewel ever sold in the auction house’s 200-plus year history.
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74.79 ct. white, pear-shaped diamond (Photos courtesy of Sotheby's)
Another day, another multimillion dollar diamond sale.
At Sotheby’s New York Magnificant Jewels sale on April 17, a 74.79 ct. D-color, pear-shaped diamond earned more than $14 million.
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(Mar 14 ‘13, Diamonds.net)
Hong Kong show boosts market confidence. 0.30-0.40ct., G-K, VS2-SI2 certs are hot with good demand through 1ct. Oversizes bringing premiums. CAUTION: speculative rough prices unsustainable. U.S. retail improves with Jan. jewelry store sales +15% to $1.9B. Chow Tai Fook Jan.-Feb. same-store sales -2% with China -7% and Hong Kong / Macau +5%. Gem Diamonds 2012 revenue -34% to $202M, loss of $77M vs. profit of $35M. Belgium’s Feb. polished exports -9% to $1.3B, rough imports +8% to $1.2B. Christie’s expects pear-shape, 101.73ct., D, IF diamond to fetch estimated $20M ($197K/ct.) at May Geneva auction.
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The record-breaking necklace is designed around the yellow Incomparable Diamond, the worlds largest internally flawless diamond.
The L’Incomparable 637ct diamond necklace has been valued at US$55 million (£36.2m) and as such has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most valuable neckpiece in the world.
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(Mar 19 ‘13, Deena Taylor, Diamonds.net)
Graff Diamonds unveiled a unique diamond peacock brooch at the TEFAF luxury art and antiques fair being held in Maastricht, The Netherlands.
The brooch, which has a total carat weight of 120.81 is valued at $100 million, measures a little more than 10 centimeters in height and features a 20.02- carat fancy deep blue pear- shape diamond at its center.
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Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite". © A. Lange & Söhne
In Geneva, on 17 March 2013 at the Antiquorum auction “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces”, one of the most coveted A. Lange & Söhne masterpieces changed hands for 275.710 euros: a TOURBILLON “Pour le Mérite” with the very rare combination of a white-gold case and a blue dial. The fascinating watch belongs to a 1994 limited edition of 200 pieces. Fifty of these watches were cased in platinum and 130 were presented in 18-carat white-gold cases. Only 19 were endowed with white-gold cases.
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(Mar 14 ‘13, IDEX Online)
Luxury retailer Tiffany & Co reported a 4 percent increase in net sales in the fourth quarter and in full year 2012, but its bottom line was hurt by rising gold and diamond prices, leading to a 10 percent drop in net earnings.
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(Mar 22 ‘13, Tatiana Alexandrova, Rough&Polished, Moscow)
On the closing day of the US/International Diamond Week at the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) diamantaires from Israel and overseas were given a presentation by renowned diamond industry analyst Chaim Even-Zohar, President of Tacy Ltd., according to press release e-mailed to Rough&Polished.
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The cost of some gemstones, including rutilated quartz, remains high due to demand from emerging markets and shrinking supply.
Knoxville, Tenn.–Demand continues to push up the price of colored gemstones deemed desirable in emerging economies, forcing some dealers to turn to other stones, or sources, in order to be able to sell at a profit.
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(Mar 20 ‘13, JCK Online)
The price of gold will sink down to $1,300 an ounce in the coming years, according to a report from the Australian government’s Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics.
While the price of gold has increased for the past 11 years, says the report, 2012 showed the lowest annual increase in more than a decade.
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(Feb 20 ‘13, JCK Online)
Security experts and local prosecutors say the thieves that perpetrated the audacious headline-making $50 million diamond theft on Feb. 18 at the Brussels airport likely had some inside information that allowed them to precisely plan their robbery.
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Derbyshire's CW Sellors says it is vital for British companies to keep telling consumers about their history of manufacture.
Being part of the British jewellery industry – and, more precisely, being a British manufacturer – conjures up the image of a company that holds fine craftsmanship, attention to detail and originality close to its heart. It also harks back to an era when manufacture was small and refined, long before the advent of mass production.
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(Feb 22 ‘13, Professional Jeweller)
Bulgari hosted a party at its store in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, in celebration of the late actress Elizabeth Taylor. Some of the Bulgari jewels owned by Taylor were on display and guests were wined and dined. Notable guests included Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, Naomi Watts and Julianne Moore who wore a Bulgari emerald necklace once owned by Taylor.
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(Feb 23 ‘13, Team Luxe, Luxpresso.com)
FLORENCE WELCH has created a capsule jewellery collection exclusively for her Flotique webstore and inspired by her album Ceremonials, which the Florence and the Machine singer finished touring at the end of 2012.
The collection comprises earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring geometric shapes and dangling chains, whilst a birdcage ring references the cage tattoo on the singer’s own finger.
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(Feb 23 ‘13, Team Luxe, Luxpresso.com)
While we wait to see who wears what jewellery to the 2013 Oscars, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most beautiful jewels.
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(InStyle.com)
The stars shined extra bright at the 2013 Academy Awards—thanks to their sparkling accessories! From bold earrings on bare necks to the new way to wear necklaces—draped down the back, à la Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence—click through to see all our favorite Oscars jewelry moments.
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Anne Hathway
(Feb 25 ‘13, Karishma Rajani, Luxpresso.com)
Awards come and go but carpet appearances remain. And what’s better than a diamond-studded beauty to take the perfectly constructed gown to the next level. Here’s a look at some of the jewels that made our hearts skip a beat.
Chopard diamond drop earrings and necklace that flowed down her back. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
(Jan 14 ‘13, Kate Donovan, Retail Jeweller)
Stars who chose jewellery from French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels included actress Catherine Zeta Jones, British song writer Adele, who won the Best Original Song – Motion Picture for her work in Skyfall, award nominee actress Sienna Miller and actress Isla Fisher.
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(Dec ‘12, JCK Magazine)
Now that the holidays have come and gone, colored gemstone dealers have turned their attention toward Tucson. Among those heading to the gem shows at the beginning of February, the consensus is that they will see modest improvements in sales this year. Many dealers also feel that, at retail, the business climate is improving, albeit gradually. The slow comeback, however, continues to restrain exploration and production.
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(Jan 14 ‘13, Rob Bates, JCK Online)
The price tag was $1 billion, with Winston netting $750 million, and Swatch assuming $250 million in pro forma debt.
The Harry Winston brand comprises 21 directly operated retail salons worldwide, four licensed salons, and a wholesale line of watches.
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Jessica Alba (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
(Jan 14 ‘13, Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger)
Jessica Alba was one of the luckiest — and probably most well-guarded — starlets at the 2013 Golden Globes, thanks to her $5.8 million diamond necklace Mrs. Winston by Harry Winston necklace. (It more than made up for her orange feathered clutcj; so that’s what happened to the Lorax.)
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Picture credit: GoRunway
(Jan 7 ‘13, Lisa Niven, Vogue)
SUPER-SIZED chokers, over-the-top earrings and colossal cuffs – the spring/summer 2013 shows have put the spotlight on statement jewellery this season.
Earrings were of epic proportions at Dolce & Gabbana, Etro and Gucci, whilst necklaces were studded with jewels at Christian Dior, formed from large pearls and baubles at Chanel and finished in the boldest of colour at Versus.
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50.01 ct. rectangular-cut D-color potentially flawless diamond
The London diamond magnate purchased the top lot at Christie’s New York Dec. 10 Magnificent Jewels auction—a ring that he originally designed, featuring a 50.01 ct. rectangular-cut D-color potentially flawless diamond. He paid $8.37 million, or $167,400 per carat, said the auction house.
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Evelyn Lauder’s 6.54 ct. fancy intense pink diamond ring (photos courtesy of Sotheby's)
(Dec 6 ‘12, JCK Staff)
That exceeds its $5 million estimate, and works out to $1.3 million a carat.
Six bidders competed for the internally flawless stone, whose pink color correlated with Lauder’s work on breast cancer awareness and research, said representatives from the auction house.
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Emerald green, or PANTONE 17-5641, is the PANTONE Color Institute’s Color of the New Year for 2013.
(Dec 7 ‘12, JCK Magazine)
It’s been a jewel-tone hit on the red carpet for some time, and now emerald green has officially taken hold of the fashion world given that PANTONE has dubbed it the Color of the Year for 2013.
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(Dec 12 ‘12, IDEX Online)
With the countdown to Baselworld 2013 already underway, show organizers have announced that the planned changes to the fair’s layout have been completed.
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The 45 mm Superfast Power Control on the wrist. © Kristian Haagen/Worldtempus
(Dec 12 ‘12, WORLDTEMPUS)
“We are adding two new engines today,” car enthusiast, movement aficionado and Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele claimed as the new 41-millimeter Automatic and the two 45-millimeter Power Control and Chronograph timepieces were presented at the privately owned Ascari racetrack in Marbella, Spain.
(Nov 14 ‘12, Hannah Connorton)
Although vivid color has been all over the red carpet as of late, sometimes celebrities have to cross over to the dark side, even if just for a night. From dark sterling silver and blackened gold to onyx, drusy and chocolate diamonds, here are some of the best in dark designs donned by celebrities over the past few weeks.
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(Dec 6 ‘12, Emili Vesilind, JCK Magazine)
Keeping in touch with couples who bought engagement rings from you sounds like a no-brainer.
But according to The Knot’s most recent Market Intelligence Report, since their major purchase, only 48 percent of brides had heard from the retailer who sold them their ring.
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(Dec 12 ‘12, Jeff Miller)
The Birmingham Assay Office in the U.K. participated in an industry-wide initiative to produce a special brooch for Her Majesty the Queen in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. Members of The British Jewellers’ Association (BJA) created a platinum, gold and diamond brooch, titled ”The Eternal Dove,” which was given to Queen Elizabeth on December 5. The design, by Ivonna Poplanska, was chosen by a panel of industry experts following a national competition open to all U.K.-based jewelry designers.
(Dec 12 ‘12, Jewellery Outlook)
BIRMINGHAM, December 12, 2012 – Patrick Fuller, Chairman of WB The Creative Jewellery Group, has received the British Jewellers’ Association’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
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(Nov 4 ‘12, The Independent)
Ian Harebottle is searching for a global celebrity to do for emeralds what Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn did for diamonds.
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(Nov ‘12, The Jewellery Editor)
With Skyfall debuting on UK screens this week, London and New York saw stars turn out in their most impressive jewels for the red carpet. London hosted the film’s world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, and the jewellery on display was more than a match for this splendid Victorian landmark.
(Nov 6 ‘12, IDEX Online)
The De Beers Group of Companies is the latest to receive Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) certification. De Beers is a Founder Member of the Council.
(Nov 2 ‘12, JCK Online)
The company’s net sales reached $89.8 million for the third quarter ended Sept. 30. However, net income totaled $1.7 million, a 7.3 percent fall from last year’s $1.9 million. As a percent of net sales, gross profit was 18.8 percent, compared with 19.8 percent for the third quarter of 2011.
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(Nov 16 ‘12, National Jeweler)
Geneva–Just one day after the “Archduke Joseph” diamond raised the bar for colorless diamonds at Christie’s, Geneva witnessed another record-setting sale. A 10.48-carat fancy deep blue briolette-shaped diamond sold for $10.9 million at Sotheby’s on Wednesday, setting two world auction records.
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(Nov 5 ‘12, JCK Staff)
On Nov. 5, Bahrain investment company Investcorp announced it will acquire Scandinavian luxury retailer Georg Jensen for $140 million.
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(Nov 1 ‘12, JCK Staff)
A “pigeon’s blood” Burmese ruby necklace and earrings highlight the upcoming Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels auction on Nov. 27.
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Estée Lauder (Photo: Victor Skrebneski; courtesy of Sotheby's)
(Nov 6 ‘12, JCK Staff)
Proceeds from the sale, expected to exceed $13 million, will go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which was founded by Evelyn in 1993.
Sofia Vergara wore Neil Lane jewels to the 64th Primetime Emmys, held Sunday in Los Angeles.
(Sep 25 ‘12, National Jeweler)
Los Angeles–The 64th Primetime Emmys took place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live here on Sept. 23, providing celebrities with an opportunity to showcase their jewelry.
(Sep 25 ‘12, National Jeweler)
Geneva–On Nov. 13, Christie’s Geneva will auction a loose diamond that can be traced to the famed Golconda diamond mines in India and once belonged to one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe.
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(Oct 10 ‘12, RAPAPORT)
Rio Tinto is showcasing its rare Argyle pink diamonds in a unique exhibition at Kensington Palace in the U.K. The exhibition, titled “Out of the Vault: Pink Diamonds and Royalty,” features more than $60 million worth of pink diamond jewelry.
(Oct 8 ‘12, National Jeweler)
New York–Christie’s New York will hold a sale of Magnificent Jewels here on Oct. 16, which will include large diamonds and rare, natural pearls and is expected to achieve more than $35 million.
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