John de Jong Celebrates 15 Years with a Bash!

http://www.bizbash.com/toronto/content/editorial/19601_jeweller_designer_collaborate_to_unveil_jdj_jewellerys_15th_anniversary_collection.php

Peterborough Jewellery Store Robbed on Dec. 6

http://www.mykawartha.com/news/article/912606--lakefield-jewellery-store-robbed

Fabergé Announce Historic Unveiling of the "Le Carnet de Bal" All White Diamond Collection

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Faberg%C3%A9+Announce+Historic+Unveiling+Carnet+White+Diamond+Collection/3932120/story.html

6-Month Complimentary Membership to The Jewelers Board of Trade

The Canadian Jewellers Association has introduced a new member benefit program to The Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT). JBT is the only credit reporting service dedicated specifically to the jewellery industry in the U.S. and Canada. A not-for-profit member-supported organization, JBT has provided vital credit information and collections support to its members for over 125 years. This complimentary package to an introductory JBT membership will allow CJA members to participate in JBT's premium interchange information-sharing platform. Participation will enable your company to experience the benefits it brings in the form of credit monitoring services, customized reporting, access to industry data, online functionality, 24/7 service, and managed by a team of JBT staff dedicated to the Canadian market. Qualified member participants will receive the following: Instant credit ratings/reports for over 70,000 U.S.-based and Canadian companies/individuals in the jewellery industry available online 24/7; 25 Free Credit Reports; and more. To qualify, CJA supply members must complete JBT application forms as well as submit accounts receivable aging and customer listing files upon application and each month during the Introductory membership period. To apply, contact Erica D'Ambrosio at JBT by calling 401-467-0055 ext. 3410 or email Erica at edambrosio@jewelersboard.com.

Rio Tinto Commits to the Chinese Diamond Industry

Rio Tinto confirmed the important role China will play in the long term sales and marketing strategy for its diamonds portfolio. Speaking at the 2010 China Diamond Conference in Shanghai, Mr Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager for the sales and marketing of all diamonds from Rio Tinto's mines, commented, “Diamonds have a small but important position in Rio Tinto’s diverse portfolio and attract much attention because of their growth potential. We see China playing an important role in that growth.” Rio Tinto recently launched its strategic partnership with leading Chinese retailer, Chow Tai Fook, to develop a fashion jewellery category, separate to the existing bridal market in China. Chow Tai Fook's superior expertise in the design, manufacture and retailing of diamond jewellery in China, along with Rio Tinto's world-class diamond productions, makes for a natural alliance. Mr Lieberherr highlighted the fact that China has entered a fast growth stage that will change the face of the diamond jewellery market, “The emerging middle class demographic in China is an ideal entry point for affordable diamond jewellery. Increasingly Chinese consumers will be seeking to differentiate themselves through fashion and fashion jewellery and this will be the driver of future growth in retail diamond jewellery demand.”

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Tiffany’s eBay Challenge

According to a report by the Dow Jones Newswire, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided, without comment, against a Tiffany & Co. lawsuit that cites eBay Inc. over the sale of counterfeit jewellery on the online auction website. Tiffany alleged eBay is responsible for infringing the brand’s trademarks because it facilitated the sale of counterfeit Tiffany items. Two lower courts sided with eBay, saying the auctioneer couldn't be held liable unless it had specific knowledge that particular items might be counterfeit. Tiffany noted a significant portion of the items found on eBay is counterfeit, alleging that hundreds of thousands of counterfeit silver SKUs have been offered on the site. Tiffany participated in a program with eBay to remove auction listings it deemed suspicious, but the company said the program did not resolve eBay's "massive counterfeiting problem."

Gemesis Diamond Company to Market Colourless Lab-Created Diamonds Direct to Consumers

Gemesis Diamond Company, a producer of gem-quality lab-created diamonds, announced it has realized significant product developments, the most noteworthy that it is preparing to launch high-quality colorless diamonds as part of its product portfolio. The privately-held international organization, headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., is now in full production of colorless diamonds that is said to equal the best quality mined diamonds. The colour and clarity of the diamonds being launched will be the first seen on a commercial basis. Most diamonds in current inventory average approximately half-carats, however, the sizes of the colorless diamonds have exceeded one carat. The company is in its final stages of developing its own line, designed especially for Gemesis lab-created diamonds. The brand will also launch a new e-commerce website in the coming months, combined with parallel sales through limited retailers who subscribe to the company program – including education, approach, and pricing philosophy. The company says its own Internet pricing will not undermine participating retailers. Gemesis Diamond Company has also made advances with its fancy color stones, achieving a beautiful vivid yellow color that is highly desired and recognized by the consumer. The new yellow stones will be available in significant carat weights on the e-commerce site.

Toronto Designer Launches Necklace to Benefit Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada

For the new year, Toronto-based jewellery design Darlene Martin is donating 20 per cent of the proceeds from a special limited-edition necklace series to the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, a national organization dedicated to supporting patients and their families, while working with Canadaʼs leading research institutions in their efforts to eradicate Sarcoma cancers. Martin created the Tiny Dancer series with Swarovski elements and other semi-precious stones specifically for the cause, available for purchase on her e-commerce store at bijouxbead.com. “It is with great pride we are able to help Canadians deal with this disease through the sale of this jewellery series,” says Darlene Martin. “The SCFCs Founder and Chair, Diana Arajs, helped us when we first launched the Bijouxbead brand, and now that we are an established company, it is time to give back.”

Atelier Swarovski Launches Spring Collection with Canadian Designer Mark Fast

Swarovski has once again teamed with global designers (of both fashion and accessories) for its Atelier line of high-fashion, ultra-stylized jewellery for spring 2011. This time around, Canadian-born, London-based knitwear designer Mark Fast has been commissioned to add designs to the line with his Olga Collection, named after his grandmother. Fast adapted an original vintage necklace, based on the design of one belonging to his grandmother Olga, into a colourful collection focused around Swarovski Lily pendants, with blue opal, crystal silver shade and vintage rose stones. The collection is made up of necklaces, pendants, cuffs and dangling earrings, which can also be seen on the runway with Mark Fast’s Ready-to-Wear clothing for Spring/Summer 2011.

Jewellery Entrepreneur Honoured as One of Canada’s Top Women 2010

Rajeshwari Agrawal, owner of Best Bargains Jewellery in Toronto, has been named as one of Canada’s top women entrepreneurs of 2010 by PROFIT magazine. Ranking Canada’s female entrepreneurs on a composite score based on the size, growth rate and profitability of their businesses, the magazine profiles the country’s most successful female business owners. “It’s an honor to be recognized as a small business owner and Canadian manufacturer,” commented Agrawal. “I’m very proud that we were the only Canadian jewellery manufacturing company on the list. I think this gives us optimism considering that the jewellery sector has been one of the hardest hit over the last three years during this global recession.” The company is also celebrating 20 years of business in 2010, with the launch of a new line of custom jewellery products, Jewels by Anita. Rajeshwari credits the success of Best Bargains to the hard work and dedication of her husband, daughters and staff.

Scatola del Tempo Honours Actor John Turturro

Scatola del Tempo, maker of rotating watch holders, has recognized actor John Turturro for the timeless quality of his films, his relationship with Italy and his culture and style. Turturro received the award in Los Angeles during the Cinema Italian Style movie festival. Since 2008, the brand has recognized other media members, including George Lucas, Forest Whitaker, Steven Spielberg, and Robert De Niro.

OMEGA Expands Boutique Network

Swiss watchmaker OMEGA has announced that it will invest substantially in the US market, opening nine new boutiques in the fourth quarter of 2010, followed by around twenty more. The company’s president Stephen Urquhart said that the new boutiques will support the brand’s existing retail network, nothing that the new stores would represent “an eight-figure investment and create many new workplaces in the U.S. retail environment.” OMEGA’s boutique network already includes more than 60 stores globally, mostly in high-profile shopping areas; the decision to open the new boutiques in the United States is a logical continuation of that strategy. Each of the new boutiques in the United States will carry the entire product range, including the four iconic watch lines Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation and De Ville as well as the company’s selection of fine jewellery and leather goods. The first of the new Boutiques is now open on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, followed by stores in Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, White Plains, Hackensack, Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Seattle and Nashville.

Kassoy Discount Plan for CJA Members

For over 75 years, Kassoy has been providing retail jewellers, apprentices, craftsmen, appraisers and wholesalers with the solutions they need to succeed. Kassoy now is offering, as an exclusive benefit to members of the Canadian Jewellers Association, a continuous 10% discount on most products, including everything from gemological instruments and legal-for-trade scales and a wide selection of bench tools, sales aids, packaging/display essentials and bar coding and inventory control technology. For more information, visit www.kassoy.com. Enter promo code “WEBCJA” at checkout to receive the Kassoy CJA member discount.

Couture Time by Watch Journal Announced

Watch Journal magazine and Couture have joined together to hold Couture Time by Watch Journal, to be held concurrently with the Couture event in Las Vegas in 2011. The platform for this event will be Couture, hosted at its established venue, the five-star Wynn Las Vegas, June 2–6, 2011. It will be a show-within-the-show, dedicated to luxury watches. The event offers a single location that combines the best of both the watch and fine jewellery markets, allowing retailers to concentrate their buying time at a single venue.

Polar Bear a Bust

According to a report in Rapaport Online, ABN Amro Bank filed an insolvency action against Polar Ice and its subsidiaries on November 3. The action is similar to filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy against an entity in the U.S. ABN Amro seeks all fees associated with the action. The diamond firm, which has offices in Toronto and Montreal, was then placed into receivership by the court. RSM Richter, acting as the receiver, listed company "book value" of company assets at US$13.5-million, which included diamond inventory of US$7.7-million. Richter noted that actual values were likely to differ substantially following its full review. The diamond firm reportedly owed ABN Amro a combined loan balance of US$21.849-million, and Polar Ice, which also operates as Polar Bear Diamonds and 4114159 Canada Inc., owed unsecured creditors US$20.655-million. Note: This story has been amended in light of new information. Apologies to Shai Basal, who is not an owner of Polar Ice.

The following list includes only the top 30 creditors for which the diamond firm owes more than US$250,000 (all amounts are in US dollars):

A. Moneta $1,519,270
Argaman Trading $204,150
4C's Ltd. $851,977
Basal $602,734
Belgium Diamond Inc. $320,719
Bertucci $315,330
Borsheim $354,600
Diamond Trading Company (not De Beers) $298,209
E.Z. Diamonds $300,763
Esskay Diamonds Ltd. $693,123
Haimov Jewelers $493,600
Infinity Gems Ltd. $399,380
Jaz Gem Corp. $226,280
Julius Klein Diamonds $243,970
KGK $3,709,815
Lazare $876,551
Leo Schachter Diamonds $473,994
M. Aharonoff Inc. $295,635
M.Ben-Dor Diamonds $324,677
Nex Diamonds $238,018
Novel Collection $218,407
Octagon Blue $401,434
Ofer Mizrahi Diamonds $769,188
Rosy Blue $209,294
Royal Gem $740,917
Sanghavi Diamonds $686,813
Universal Diamonds $216,000
Virgin Diamonds $312,312
Weinreb Diamond $519,490

Armed robbers hold up Yorkdale jewellery store in Toronto

http://www.thestar.com/article/575804

India seen as fastest growing jewel market as IIJS begins

http://jewelleryoutlook.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=443

Man shot during jewellery store robbery

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/845824--man-shot-during-jewellery-store-robbery

New Exhibition of Carved Gemstones at Israel Diamond Museum

A new exhibition of jewelry, cameos and artifacts carved from gemstones will open at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum here next month. Entitled “And thou shalt breathe life into a gem”, the exhibition is based on the work of master carvers in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, and is the result of cooperation with the Deutsches Edelsteinmuseum there. It is presented under the auspices of Dr. Harald Kindermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the State of Israel. Brinks Israel is a sponsor of the exhibition.

The exhibition encompasses a vast range of sculptures, objets d’art, cameos, jewelry and utensils, comprising about 150 items valued at approximately one million dollars. It includes cameos, animals, human figures, flowers, fruits and sweets -- all carved from gems, yet remarkably lifelike. A wide variety of gemstones have been used – agate, carnelian, tourmaline, amethyst, quartz, rose quartz, chalcedony, onyx, ruby emeralds and sapphires.

Shmuel Schnitzer, Chairman of the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum, said that this exhibition is part of the efforts of the Israeli Diamond Industry to broaden the areas of interest of the diamond community and the general public. “Carved gemstones are part of the crown jewels worldwide. They are most desired items in prestigious jewelry shops and serve as an artistic expression for jewelers who wish to be regarded as artists of miniature sculpture,” he said.

He added that the exhibition is an important manifestation of the close relations between Germany and Israel.

Yehuda Kassif, artistic director and curator of the Ramat Gan museum, said that he wanted to bring the artistic creations and the heritage of the carvers of Idar-Oberstein to the Israeli public. “These master craftsmen, thanks to their artistry, have succeeded in using the colors and textures and even the imperfections of the gemstones to create objects that come alive with warmth and spirit. My goal in curating this exhibit is to expose these unique works of art to the Israeli public, as well as to pay tribute to the great talent of the artist carvers,” he said.

The exhibition will be launched on September 7, 2010 and will be open till the end of December 2010. The opening will be attended by leaders of the diamond and jewelry communities of Israel and Idar-Oberstein, as well as high-ranking representatives of the German embassy in Israel.

The Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum, a member of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI), is a state of the art, interactive educational facility, showcasing the diamond’s journey from mine to jewel. Located in the heart of the Israeli diamond complex, it attracts thousands of visitors every year to its permanent and changing exhibitions.

Tiffany Introduced Yellow Diamonds

The reputation of Tiffany & Co. will be enhanced with the new jewellery collection of fancy yellow diamonds. Only 1 of 10,000 diamonds is considered fancy coloured and few of those meet the Tiffany standards. This rare collection includes modern and traditional designs of yellow diamonds with white pavé diamonds, sparkling Tiffany Bezet setting with pear, heart, oval, or cushion shapes in 18karat gold, Solitaire and Statement Diamond Rings, and Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard. Come October, the highest quality of fancy diamonds will be at Tiffany & Co. The brand also announced the introduction of luxury handbags as part of their 2011 strategy, with select samples being introduced in New York this fall.