(IDEX Online) - Signet Jewelers Limited the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, said that same store sales (SSS) decreased by 5.3 percent, while total sales decreased by 3.1 percent in the 9 week holiday season ended December 30. The jeweler said that the implementation of strategic priorities drove double-digit eCommerce growth overall, while SSS increased by 4.0 percent at t...Read More
RAPAPORT... Chow Tai Fook reported a sharp rise in gem-set-jewelry sales in Hong Kong, while expansion in mainland China helped drive growth in its fiscal third quarter, as the local retailsector continued to improve.Overal retail sales grew 12% in the mainland and were flat in Hong Kong, the company reported Tuesday. However, same-store sales at branches open for at least one year increase 5...Read More
(IDEX Online) - The second edition of CARAT+, will take place at the Antwerp Expo from May 6 to 8. The fair will have new features and will welcome leading industry professionals from across the globe, the organizers said in a statement. The CARAT+ was launched last year and featured 130 exhibitors from 13 countries. The debut event attracted 3,000 visitors from 33 global markets. Th...Read More
(IDEX Online) - Sarine has introduced what it calls an added-value upgrade for existing or new DiaExpert platforms - the DiaExpert Edge - for increased rough diamond planning accuracy, efficiency and yield. "The very first step necessary for a rough diamond's automated evaluation and planning is its accurate three-dimensional modeling. As a rough diamond is not a smooth uniform object,...Read More
(IDEX Online) - Environmental, as well as social and economic responsibility in the jewelry sector will be the focus of a seminar scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2018, during the VICENZAORO January 2018 jewelry trade show in Vicenza, Italy. Titled "Green and Blue Jewellery, Environmentally Sustainable Luxury," it is being organised by CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, and the Italian Exh...Read More
RAPAPORT... RapNet launched a new site on Tuesday, promising asafer, simpler and smarter way of trading diamonds online. The aspects of RapNet that users enjoy will stay, but theredesigned platform will be easier to navigate, getting those users to theirdesired diamonds with fewer clicks. There are also handy tools such as a pricecalculator, the ability to compare up to 10 diamonds at once,...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
(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
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
Diamond miners have started the year off on the right foot as two Africa-focused producers announced Monday the recovery of three huge diamonds, each bigger than 100 carats.Gem Diamonds' (LON:GEMD) unearthed a 117-carat and a 110-carat D color Type IIa diamonds at its flagship Let??eng mine in Lesotho, bringing the number of 100-carat-plus stones the company has found at the operation since ea...Read More
RAPAPORT PRESS RELEASE, January 8, 2018, Las Vegas... RapNet, theworld's leading diamond trading network, will launch a new, upgraded platformtomorrow, January 9, 2018. The upgrade will provide members with a moresecure, intuitive and smarter trading environment. It is the first step in a $5million Rapaport and RapNet development project that will revolutionize theelectronic market for diamonds.&n...Read More
RAPAPORT... Gem Diamonds has recovered two large rough diamonds at itsLet??eng mine in Lesotho, it said Monday. The "high-quality," type-IIa stones weigh 117 (pictured) and 110carats, and both have D color, the company noted. The London-based miner'sshare price jumped about 6% in early trading following the announcement. "While we do not know the final value of the stones, it islikely that good-qu...Read More