Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mostly lower at the close on Tuesday January 9, with only nickel trading in positive territory. The three-month nickel price climbed $160 per tonne higher while the cash/January-2018 nearby spread moved into a $3 per tonne backwardation. "The LME nickel market has tightened slightly since the start of the year, judging by the contraction in the...Read More

Peter KrauthAfter such a persistent three-week advance, it seems silver is taking a well-deserved break.With this week's slight pullback in mind, I've just released my newest silver price target…That silver price rally was fueled, at least in part, by a retreating U.S. dollar, whose index (the DXY) peaked at 94.10 on Dec. 11 and recently hit a low of 91.85.It was a 2.4% drop in as little as...Read More

High zinc prices could eventually lead to an irreversible dent in consumption of the metal, specifically in the form of zinc alloys in electric vehicles, market participants told Metal Bulletin.Substitution out of zinc is likeliest in the alloys sector, a zinc producer told Metal Bulletin, estimating that up to 3-5% of usage of metal at current levels could be at risk - albeit over a matter of yea...Read More

Comex copper prices weakened Tuesday January 9 morning in the US, although the complex remains well-supported due to positive Chinese and US data released in the past few weeks.Copper for March settlement on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange dipped 0.70 cents or 0.2% to $3.2170 per lb."We remain bullish for copper's fundamentals and the price's action seems to be supporting th...Read More

The latest metal markets news and price moves to start the North American day on Tuesday January 9.Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were on divergent paths this morning, with only copper and nickel continuing to edge higher.Here is how the LME base metals complex looked at 11.59am London time:For a snapshot of exchange news, check out our live...Read More

Good morning from Metal Bulletin's office in Singapore, as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Tuesday January 9. Base metals prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were mostly higher during Asian morning trading on Tuesday, with copper prices finding slight support from potential supply-side constraints, while tin was the lone metal in negative territory. Check Metal Bulletin's l...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hasrecruited Ruchita Sharma as executive director for promotions, marketing andbusiness development, the Indian trade organization said Tuesday.Sharma, an experienced luxury marketer and executive, willalso be responsible for national and international events, logistics andinternational ventures, the GJEPC added. She has been in...Read More

RAPAPORT... G? 1/4 belin Gem Lab has partnered with developer Everledger to establish a blockchain digital ledger for colored gemstones. The Provenance Proof Blockchain tracks gemstones throughout theirlifespan until they reach the end consumer, the Swiss-based lab said Tuesday. G? 1/4 belin plans to implement itssystem across all segments along the supply chain, including miners,dealers, cut...Read More

RAPAPORT... Stuller has acquired laser-welder and engraving companyB&D Sales Corporation, the Louisiana-based jewelry manufacturerannounced Monday. Partnering with B&D will allow Stuller to expand itsproduct line, broaden its equipment services, and meet clients' changing needs,according to Danny Clark, Stuller's president. "We are thrilled to be adding additional equipment andservice opti...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Debbie Azar, co-founder of Gemological Science International (GSI), took to the radio waves recently, participating in interviews on "The Ultimate Gift of Love: Diamonds - What to Know Before Making Those Sparkling Holiday Purchases", the GSI said.   Azar reached approximately 7.7 million listeners and appeared on 286 radio broadcast airings (some live, some syndicated) across...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will this year opena laboratory in Surat, and expand its operations in Antwerp to include diamondgrading.The GIA has secured premises for the two locations, and expects to open both in the second quarter, it saidMonday. The Surat laboratory will bring the GIA's services -including its Melee Analysis Service for detecting synthetics - closer to...Read More

(IDEX Online) - GIA will open a new laboratory in Surat, India, and expand its long-term presence in Antwerp, Belgium, in the second quarter of 2018 to meet the needs of the global gem and jewelry industry.   The GIA said that it has secured premises for both locations.   "Expanding our facility in Antwerp and opening a new location in Surat continues GIA's mission-driven effort to bring...Read More

RAPAPORT... India's Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)has called for clearer tax rules, an official said, after authorities raided diamond couriers whowere transporting finished goods back to their owners in Mumbai on Saturday.The preventive wing of the excise division, a branch ofthe Goods and Services Tax (GST) department, carried out the raid. Officialsfrom GST were not fully...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Environmental responsibility in the jewelry sector will be the focus of a seminar scheduled for January 22, the fourth day of VICENZAORO January 2018, organized by the Italian Exhibition Group and CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation.   "Environmental sustainability, which refers to the ability of biological systems to remain diverse and productive over the course of time,...Read More

High zinc prices could eventually lead to an irreversible dent in consumption of the metal, specifically in the form of zinc alloys in electric vehicles, market participants told Metal Bulletin.Substitution out of zinc is likeliest in the alloys sector, a zinc producer told Metal Bulletin, estimating that up to 3-5% of usage of metal at current levels could be at risk - albeit over a matter of yea...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Stuller, Inc. has announced the acquisition of B&D Sales Corporation, a laser welder and engraver company, located in Cranston, Rhode Island.   "We are thrilled to be adding additional equipment and service options to our existing selection," said Tammy Lail, vice president of tools and supplies. "Customers will be able to purchase the machine that fits not only their budg...Read More

(IDEX Online) - The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), organizers of the 7th International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI), reports that hotel rooms for participating buyers are rapidly running out. As a result those registering late for the event will not be guaranteed free hotel accommodations, the IDE said.    This year's event has attracted buyers from more than 20 countries, including th...Read More

INTL FCStone has merged its London Metal Exchange and precious metals departments, with the new unit headed by Barry Canham, the company said. In an email to the company's global metals team and seen by Metal Bulletin, INTL chief executive officer (CEO) for EMEA and Asia Philip Smith said that the move was made following the decision by Malcolm Leonard to retire after 46 years working in LME metal...Read More

Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange were mostly lower at the close on Tuesday January 9, with only nickel trading in positive territory. The three-month nickel price climbed $160 per tonne higher while the cash/January-2018 nearby spread moved into a $3 per tonne backwardation. "The LME nickel market has tightened slightly since the start of the year, judging by the contraction in the...Read More

Comex copper prices weakened Tuesday January 9 morning in the US, although the complex remains well-supported due to positive Chinese and US data released in the past few weeks.Copper for March settlement on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange dipped 0.70 cents or 0.2% to $3.2170 per lb."We remain bullish for copper's fundamentals and the price's action seems to be supporting th...Read More