Upcoming Jewelry Auctions at Sotheby's

Coming Soon at Sotheby's...


Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite
HONG KONG | 8 APRIL 2013



The catalog for Sotheby's upcoming sale of Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Auction on April 8 is now available to view online.

Browse all items on offer in both our iPad app and online catalog.


Jewels 
LONDON | 11 APRIL 2013

The digital catalog is now available to view online or on your iPad.
Our spring sale features a wide variety of jewels from renowned jewellery houses and makers of exceptional creativity and talent from the 18th century to the present day. Among them are whimsical 19th-century pieces, including various animal motifs, for which the Victorians had a great passion.

Bayco to Unveil Important Gem at Baselworld

Witness the Unveiling of One of Earth’s Most
Extraordinary Gems Ever to be Found by Mankind
Bayco Jewels LLC of New York has announced that it will be revealing one of the most precious gemstones to ever exist at the opening day of Baselworld. The most important annual event for the watch and jewelry industries will begin on April 25th and continue through May 2nd in Basel, Switzerland. The exclusive unveiling will take place in the Bayco booth, April 25th, 2013, at noon local time (6:00am EST) in Hall 1.1, Stand E09.

The New York based fine jewelry company has chosen not to disclose any information about the piece until the presentation itself. However, Moris Hadjibay, a co-owner of the company discloses the following; “It will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. It is our great privilege to be the ones to unveil this gift from the earth of such magnitude for the world to see. This is truly a masterpiece of mother nature.”

This very special and impressive, mind-boggling gem has received one of the world’s most significant gemological reports, a monograph called a Gem Portrait from the Gübelin Gem Laboratory – an elaborate leather-bound book produced for only very exceptional gems. Just a handful of these Gem Portraits have ever been created by the Gübelin Gem Lab, and this gem will have one.

“This is the first of its type that we give such a book,” notes Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director of the Gübelin Gem Laboratory in Lucerne, Switzerland. “That in itself should make a statement about the exceptionality of this gem.”

In order to receive a Gem Portrait, Nyfeler tells us that the gem must be rated as exceptional by all senior gemologists on staff. “Everyone has to agree,” says Nyfeler, “and there were no doubts.” Each senior gemologist puts potential gems through a rigorous challenge of standards, tangible criteria that the stone must fulfill in order to get a Gem Portrait. And if just one gemologist doesn’t agree, then the gem does not receive the book. This gem is top quality, without enhancement everything is exceptional with its clarity and rarity.

Bayco’s worldwide clientele is familiar with the company’s astounding pieces of jewelry which are scrupulously composed of the most marvelous gems in the world. Co-owner of Bayco, Giacomo Hadjibay declares the grandeur this one of a kind gem possesses, “This is something we could not even imagine in the deepest parts of our imaginations. We are extremely excited to see people’s reaction.”

About Bayco Jewels LLC
Bayco Jewels was founded in 1982 with the jewel-centric family established by Amir Hadjibay and his two sons, Moris and Giacomo, current co-CEO’s of the New York based company. Voiding mass production, Bayco creates only one-of-a-kind pieces designed with old and new trends that feature some of the finest gems in the world: ravishing rubies, dazzling emeralds, celestial sapphires, and enrapturing diamonds. Bayco’s pursuit of gemstone purity is its own aesthetic truth, creating pinnacles of jewelry for their rarefied—luxury-loving elite clientele. For more information, log onto www.bayco.com.

CIBJO says Corporate Environmental Impact new benchmark

CIBJO releases Marketing & Education Special Report,

 says Corporate Environmental Impact new benchmark

With less than five weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the first of its commissions' Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Marketing & Education Commission, headed by Jonathan Kendall,  the report says that Corporate Environmental Impact will be a key concern of consumers in coming years, and one which the industry has to take note of.

"We only have to look at the headlines in 2012 to understand consumer concerns - pollution in Beijing and Hong Kong, massive storms in the United States, and the droughts in India and Africa show us why multitudes of people recognize the major issues related to the environment," Mr. Kendall writes. "No one can deny the management of Corporate Environmental Impact has become a hot topic in the world today, especially in the minds of 15-35 year old women, a key group of purchasers in the jewellery industry."

The report also looks at market expectation for 2013, suggesting that jewellery industry forecasts are for positive growth of 5 percent-plus, driven by greater political stability in China, reasonable growth in United States, and potentially a more positive year in India.

To download a full copy of the report, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Two New Members - New Information Sheets Available

LMHC accepts two new permanent members, updates information sheets IS3 (corundum) and IS5 (emerald) Bangkok, Thailand - March 27, 2013: The Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) elevated two prestigious gemmological laboratories -- DSEF(Deutsche Stiftung Edelsteinforschung), also known as the German Gem Laboratory, of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, and CGL (Central Gem Laboratory) of Japan -- from observer status to that of permanent member, thus bringing the total LMHC membership to seven. The goal of the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee is to achieve the harmonisation of gemmological report language. The LMHC meets several times a year to discuss the most recent developments in gemmology and to update the relevant nomenclature and disclosure terminology in the LMHC's Information Sheets. Up to date, LMHC has published a total of 11 (eleven) Information Sheets. With the acceptance of its two new members, the LMHC has again reached its original number of seven committee members. Both DSEF and CGL have long and impressive track records as independent gemmological institutions and play an important role in their respective markets. The LMHC membership represents an important and influential segment of the global coloured gemstone trade. During the organization's 26th meeting, held in Bangkok in conjunction with the 3rd International Gem and Jewelry Conference of December 2012, the LMHC members discussed and agreed to update the following information sheets: IS3 (Corundum with glass filled fissures and/or cavities and Corundum-Composite Materials)and IS5(Emerald - fissure filling/clarity enhancement).Furthermore, the latest Information Sheets, on amber treatment (IS10) and on jade nomenclature and treatment disclosure (IS11) are now available for viewing and downloading on the LMHC website (click on the provided links for access). Pending projects are an information sheet on organic filler substances (IS12) in gemstones and an additional "General Report Information" document about the layout and basic terminology required for a gemmological report. Once concluded and approved, these documents will be made available on the LMHC website. In addition, the members discussed new treatments and new gem-related issues, such as lead glass filled rubies which do not display flash effects and sapphires containing blue (cobalt) glass. It was decided, that regardless of the do pant (e.g. cobalt in the latter case), such glass-filled corundum is to be disclosed according to Information Sheet 3 (IS3) (Corundum with glass filled fissures and/or cavities and Corundum-Composite Materials). With the large amount of Ethiopian hydrophane opal entering the markets, the LMHC will decide in the very near future about the production of an Information Sheet on the nomenclature for hydrophane opal.

About LMHC The Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) draws on the individual experiences of its members with the purpose of creating a general philosophy for proper gemstone nomenclature and disclosure for laboratories, as well as to initiate and suggest "preferable" language to be used on their gemmological reports. The LMHC's goal is to achieve the harmonisation of language on gemmological reports and consequently the revision of this harmonized report language as used by LMHC members.LMHC is currently comprised of representatives from CGL (Japan), CISGEM Laboratory (Italy), DSEF German Gem Lab, Gübelin Gem Lab (Switzerland), GIA Gem Laboratory (USA), GIT (Thailand) and Swiss Gemmological Institute - SSEF (Switzerland). LMHC does not entertain formal relationships with special interest or trade organisations.

U.S. Antique Shows Launches New Los Angeles Show To Great Success

U.S. Antique Shows Launches Its Latest Event in Los Angeles With More Than 2,100 Visitors

Nation’s Largest Jewelry District Hosts L.A. Antique Jewelry & Watch Show

Antique and vintage jewelry and watch enthusiasts recently gathered at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Beverly Hills for the launch of the L.A. Antique, Jewelry and Watch Show, hosted by U.S. Antique Shows.

More than 2,100 aficionados of antiques, fine timepieces and distinctive jewelry designs stepped through the doors to find hidden treasures and signature pieces commissioned for celebrities, musicians and Academy Award® winners.

“The best first time show ever!” said Maurice Moradof, Owner of Yafa Signed Jewels. “We look forward to coming back to Los Angeles again next year and to showcase our newest collection of jewels.”

Due to the record-breaking attendance and positive response from consumers in Los Angeles, U.S. Antique Shows is thrilled to announce the L.A. Antique Jewelry & Watch Show is coming back to Los Angeles for a second year at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, March 21-23, 2014.

The introduction of the L.A. show in the nation’s largest jewelry district in the U.S. had the highest attendance for an inaugural show in the history of U.S. Antique Shows,” said Dan Darby, GLM Vice President and U.S. Antique Shows Group Director. “The show was sold out more than a month before the official opening date with more than 2,100 visitors attending our newest show,” he added.
Brenda Whitfield heard about the L.A. show on the radio earlier in the week and decided to take a break from sightseeing on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on nearby Hollywood Boulevard. The Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

“We are thrilled to finally have a world class estate jewelry show in Los Angeles. The turnout was strong all three days and we met some great new clients,” said Nan Summerfield, Owner of Summerfield Stanton. “We look forward to building the show’s following and introducing the residents of southern California to the history and beauty of antique and period jewelry.”
The L.A. Antique Jewelry & Watch Show featured collections of rare jewelry and timepieces from famous global brands including Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., David Webb, Suzanne Belperron, Harry Winston, Patek Philippe and Van Cleef & Arpels. Signed pieces, previously owned by celebrities and royalty, were showcased to the public as well as cameos, rings, decorative necklaces, brooches, gemstones and pendants represented by all eras of jewelry history from the Renaissance to the Art Deco era. 

Some of the dealers from across the country presented their top-selling collections, including:

· Raymond Lee Jewelers featured a collection of diamonds and gemstones, including a 12-carat internally flawless fancy yellow ring, an 18 karat unheated Ceylon sapphire and diamond platinum cocktail ring, and a vintage Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. diamond ring. Vintage luxury time pieces round out an impressive selection.

· Jerome Heidenreich Inc. introduced a vast collection of vintage bridal rings from their new
division, Trumpet & Horn, as well as rare Art Deco diamond bracelets and jewelry.

· J.S. Fearnley unveiled a variety of platinum pieces set with various precious gems, including an Art Deco platinum and diamond pendant by Tiffany & Co., as well as a large selection of antique rings.

About U.S. Antique ShowsU.S. Antique Shows is the world’s leading producer of indoor antique shows including The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, the world's largest indoor antique show, Miami National Antique Show and shows focused on antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches. U.S. Antique Shows produces events in major markets including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Miami Beach and New York and brings together well-established dealers with a targeted audience of antiques collectors as well as novice enthusiasts to promote the purchase and appreciation of rare and unusual historic merchandise. U.S. Antique Shows annually draws more than 1,500 dealers and represents 22 countries that exhibit rare and signature collections to nearly 28,000 consumers from around the world. 

Website:  www.USAntiqueShows.com 

Facebook:Facebook.com/USAntiqueShows

Twitter: @USAntiqueShows 

Pinterest: pinterest.com/usantiqueshows

GIA LAB CLASSES AT AGS CONCLAVE 

For nearly 80 Years, GIA has Played a Role in the American Gem Society’s Annual Event
Tweet It: GIA Offering Lab Classes at AGS Conclave #AGSConclave

When the American Gem Society held its first Conclave in 1937, the Gemological Institute of America was there. Both organizations were founded by Robert M. Shipley, so it was only natural for the GIA to be a vital part of what would become a mainstay event of the jewelry industry.  2013 is no different, and once again, GIA is offering lab classes at the annual Conclave, this year in Phoenix, AZ, April 24-27 at the Arizona Biltmore.  

In total, there will be four different GIA classes: The sessions, “Emerald Enhancements,” “Country Origin of Corundum,” and “Unusual Synthetic Gems,” will give participants hands on training that will increase their gemological skills. Each class will be offered twice during the event. There will also be a GIA lecture, “Synthetic Diamonds,” presented by Dr. James Shigley. 

“It can be difficult to hone your gemological skills year-after-year. There are new synthetics and treatments that come into the market with few gemology classes available for continued study,” said Ruth Batson, CEO of the American Gem Society. “The GIA at Conclave is a tremendous benefit to our  members and the best opportunity to receive personal guidance and hands-on experience in identifying these stones.” 

Conclave will offer over 50 unique classes at Conclave---for a total of 80 sessions over four days. In addition to the GIA labs, there are four other lab classes: “Advanced Jadeite Testing and Grading,” by Dominic Mok of the Asian Gemmological Institute & Laboratory;  “Emeralds of Colombia,” by Ron Ringsrud, GG, an expert Columbian emerald dealer; “Sapphires: Untreated and Treated,” by Chris Smith, from the American Gemological Laboratories; and, “Identification of Diamond Treatments & Synthetics,” presented by Tom Gelb, NCDIA.  

The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is a professional organization awarding credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than five percent of jewelers in the country have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership.  

For more information regarding the American Gem Society, please call 866.805.6500. To register for Conclave, visit www.ags.org/conclave.

International Consortium of Gem Testing Laboratories (ICGTL) Uniting Gem Labs Worldwide

Last December (2012), seven gemologists from different corners of the world -- Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and Thailand -- convened to form the International Consortium of Gem Testing Laboratories (ICGT).

This international consortium, initiated by Dr. Jayshree Panjikar and  Henry Ho, aims to unite independent laboratories around the world in order to share and exchange knowledge and experience. In doing so, the ICGL would be providing each laboratory an access to a pool of experts, as well as a common platform to communicate for the betterment and advancement of its members.

About 30 independent professional gem testing laboratories are expected to be invited to join the consortium based upon their expertise and as per the criteria defined in the rule-book of ICGL. A data center is expected to be established to archive articles and lab data, such as the origins of gemstones. The latest information on gem treatments, advanced lab testing techniques, mines, general educational and training, and diamond treatments are among the many topics that have been mentioned as part of the objectives of this initiative.

, seven gemologists from different corners of the world -- Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and Thailand -- convened to form the International Consortium of Gem Testing Laboratories (ICGTL). 

The purpose of ICGL is to promote excellence in the field of gemology and to reach the final consumer by providing reliable sources as an alternative to the plethora of misleading information available today, in particular on the Internet. Besides, the ICGL plans to undertake joint research projects, including the publication of documents and articles and other relevant laboratory activities. Accordingly, the first newsletter of ICGL was released at the 2013 Tucson Fair by Branko Deljanin in the U.S.

ICGL's FOUNDER MEMBERS

Henry Ho with  the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand; Jayshree Panjikar with Pangem Testing Laboratory, Pune, India; Branko Deljanin with the Canadian Gemological Laboratory, Vancouver, Canada; Tay Thye Sun with the Far East Gemological Laboratory, Singapore; Elisabeth Strack with Gemmologisches Institut Hamburg Germany; Masaki Furuya with Japan Germany Gemtesting Laboratory Kofu, Japan, and Dominic Mok with the Asian Gemmological Institute & Laboratory Ltd, Hong Kong.