100's Get First Exposure To GIA Careers At Africa Education Week

GIA Exhibits at Africa Education Week for the First Time

Institute introduces 1,000+ students to gem education

More than 1,000 African students were introduced to gem and jewelry education opportunities at the Career Indaba trade show in Johannesburg, June 20-22, as part of the seventh annual Africa Education Week. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) exhibited at the event for the first time, building on its endeavors bringing industry-leading gemological and design education to the nations that produce diamonds and other gems. The Institute’s representatives met with prospective students, handing out education materials and discussing gemology and jewelry program options.

GIA, a global independent organization dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry through research, education and laboratory services, was the only organization of its kind to exhibit at Career Indaba. Attendees learned that a passion for gems and a keen eye are the two most important prerequisites to embark on an education with the Institute, which offers courses in diamonds, colored gems, pearls and jewelry design.

“GIA was new and exciting to the students, and responses about our education programs have been pouring in since the event,” said Elizabeth Bokaba, GIA’s manager of alumni and client relations in South Africa. “Africa Education Week is an outstanding opportunity to reach students who wish to enrich their studies. We absolutely plan to return in the future.”

Since 2008, GIA has expanded its presence in Africa, opening two full-time laboratories and offering classes in Gaborone and Johannesburg, establishing partnerships with government agencies and universities throughout the continent, and maintaining a global network of active alumni. Today, there are more than 800 alumni and two GIA Alumni Chapters in Africa.  

Many students and schools were also interested in GIA’s Junior Gemologist Program™, which gives students from ages of 10-15 the opportunity to discover the world of gemology through hands-on, practical training. Plans are currently underway to expand the program, which was introduced to Africa in 2012.

For more information about GIA education in Africa, visit www.gia.edu, or email giaeducationafrica@gia.edu,cnel@gia.edu or ebokaba@gia.edu.   

New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show Returns to The Metropolitan Pavilion

Look for Raymond Lee Jewelers in NY

New York City, home to the renowned New York Diamond District, and many famed jewelry enthusiasts who will shop aisles and aisles of one-of-a-kind merchandise at the upcoming New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show. U.S. Antique Shows, the world’s leading producer of indoor antique shows which focus on antiques, including antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, announces today that it will host its 7th Annual New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show at The Metropolitan Pavilion, July 26 – 29, 2013.

More than one hundred of the most prestigious dealers in the industry will showcase their unique antique and estate jewelry and watches to New York’s celebrities, artists, musicians, residents and visitors during the annual show. “Not only is New York City the fashion and media center of the world, it’s also the jewelry capital,” said Dan Darby, GLM vice president and U.S. Antique Shows group director. “And celebrities, VIP’s and industry insiders from around the globe come to the city to attend the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show to discover extraordinary, one of a kind pieces. It’s the perfect occasion for them to connect with the most prominent dealers in the jewelry and watch community.”

This year during recent award shows movie stars and pop royalty dazzled the crowd and viewers at home while wearing one-of-a-kind, precious jewelry and timepieces from around the world. Jennifer Garner was stunning in a designer dress and diamond-studded necklace while Kristen Stewart wore rose gold and old mine cut diamond necklace, with 91 graduated diamonds, approximately 10 carats. Other celebs known for their sophisticated NYC jewelry and watch style include Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine and the queen of New York fashion, "Sex and the City's" Sarah Jessica Parker.

In its seventh year, the New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show offers an intimate setting for attendees to walk the Show floor and search for that one of a kind timepiece while learning about the fascinating world of antique jewelry from industry experts. Elegant and distinctive signed pieces from famous designers names including Cartier, Tiffany & Co., David Webb, Harry Winston, Patek Philippe, Van Cleef & Arpels and many others will infuse the show floor at The Metropolitan Pavilion. Additionally, all categories of jewelry such as cameos, tennis bracelets, rings, decorative necklaces, brooches, gemstones and pendants will be available. These stunning collections represent all eras of jewelry history from the Georgian to Art Deco era.

Show times are Friday, July 26, 1:00pm – 7:00pm; Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28, 11:00am – 7:00pm and Monday, July 29, 11:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is $20 to attend all four days. For more information about the show, or to purchase tickets, please call (239) 732 – 6642 or visit NYAntiqueJewelry.com.

About U.S. Antique Shows
The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show is produced by U.S. Antique Shows, a division of GLM. U.S. Antique Shows is the world’s largest producer of indoor antique shows that focus on antiques, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, 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 2,400 dealers and represents 22 countries that exhibit rare and signature collections to more than 50,000 consumers from around the world.

For more information, visit us online at USAntiqueShows.com.
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/NYAntiqueJewelry,
Follow us on Twitter: @USAntiqueShows and Pinterest: pinterest.com/usantiqueshows

NAJA's Mid-Year ACE-It Conference in Pittsburgh August 10-13th

ACE™ It Conferences by NAJA

Appraisers Continuing Education

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers announces its 40th Annual Mid-Year Conference to be held in Pittsburgh  PA, August 10 – 13, 2013 at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. 

The appraisal organization dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an unparalleled networking experience. 

This unprecedented four day conference has overall themes – Workshops, Antique Jewelry, Jewelry and Appraisals!  Every session is an experience on various aspects of the focused topics - a real service for appraising gems and jewelry.  THIS is what every professional gemologist/appraiser needs!

Saturday – August 10, 2013 – Simultaneous Hands-On Workshops

Hands-on with Ivory & the Look Alikes – Bobby Mann

Rolex 101: Identifying Counterfeit or Replica Rolex Watches and Parts – John Brozek

           

Sunday, August 11, 2013 – Jewelry!

Let There Be Light - Illuminating the Crown of Light Brand – Tammy Cohen, Asaf Nahum & Lauren Strachan

Beauty or The Beast – Cutting Corners Cutting Gemstones – Geoffrey Dominy, FGA

50 Amazing Ways to Energize Your Appraisal Business and Maximize Your Time While Enjoying Life – Jeff Averbook, GG

           

Accelerated Antique Assessment – Louis Scholtz

Monday, August 12, 2013 – Antique Jewelry

 Stop Wasting Time! (Helpful Information When Appraising Timepieces) – Dean Powell

 World Hallmarks-Europe (A Refresher and Update Session) – Danusia Niklewicz, GG

 A Sneak Peek into World Hallmarks - Volume 2 (Hallmarks - the World Outside Europe) – Danusia Niklewicz, GG

Faberge and Russian Gold & Silversmiths: Mid 19^th –early 20^th Century- given – Joseph DuMouchelle, GG

Oscar Heyman- 100 Years of American Craftsmanship- given – Melinda Adducci, GG

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 – Appraisals – What Matters

Estate Appraisals - As Unavoidable as Death & Taxes! – Martin Fuller, GG

 USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and the Personal Property Appraiser – Lee Robinette, ASA

Uh-oh! What Do I Do Now? (Panel) – David Atlas, GG

To receive a conference brochure or for further information and conference reservations, contact: 

Gail Brett Levine, GG, 

Executive Director, 

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers,  

p.718.896-1536f.718-997-9057

naja.appraisers@netzero.net, 

http://www.NAJAappraisers.com

                                                                               

‘Fancy Royals’ collection by Royal Asscher® Honors The "House Of Orange"

‘Fancy Royals’ collection by Royal Asscher®

Honors The "House Of Orange"

Earlier this year, to honor the coronation of King Willem-Alexander, Royal Asscher® launched a grand, new jewelry collection. The aptly named ‘Fancy Royals’ collection is set with the most lively orange diamonds and sapphires in honor of the Dutch Royal family (The House of Orange). 

The line features three unique rings available in 18 carat gold set with orange and white diamonds and silver with orange sapphires and white diamonds. Prices start at  $2.575

Over the years, Royal Asscher® has always had a close knit relationship with various Royal families throughout the world. 

In 1908 the Asscher brothers from Amsterdam cut the biggest diamond in the world: the Cullinan. The Cullinan I (530cts) was so large that 9 sizeable diamonds were cut from it and mounted in the cross of the Scepter, the Cullinan II (317crts) is mounted in St. Edward's Crown. Both are part of the Royal Crown Jewels and on permanent display in the Tower of London. 

In 1980 Her Majesty Queen Juliana of the Netherlands granted the Asscher Diamond Company the Royal title as acknowledgment to both the company and family's leading role in the diamond industry. In 2011 this Royal title was extended for another 25 years so in honoring the House of Orange they also pay homage to their own history.

Styles presented in the photos above:

-Fancy Royal ring 18ct white gold with 1.50 ctw orange diamonds and 0.70 ctw white diamonds

Price $7675

-Fancy Royal ring 18ct yellow gold with 1.50 ctw orange diamonds and 0.70 ctw white diamonds

Price $7675

-Fancy Royal ring silver with 1.99 ctw orange sapphires and 0.70 ctw white diamonds 

Price $2575

  

 

Connect with Royal Asscher:

Website:  http://www.royalasscher.com

http://facebook.com/royalasscher

http://twitter.com/royalasscher

http://pintererst.com/royalasscher 

The Buzz Is Growing For International Diamond Week - Following An Exciting JCK Las Vegas

If the excitement about the demand for polished diamonds at the JCK Las Vegas show is an indication, the upcoming US & International Diamond Week in Israel in August is going to be extraordinary, both for the foreign visitors and for the Israeli diamond companies participating in this prestigious event, Yair Sahar, President of the Israel Diamond Exchange said, speaking at the Israeli diamond pavilion at the JCK Las Vegas show.    

"The demand for diamonds in the US market is much stronger now," Sahar said. "Wholesalers and retailers need to replenish their stocks. Surely, at the upcoming Diamond Week in August, we will see this translated into healthy business transactions on the trading floor of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE)."

"We've been receiving a lot of interest in the next edition of the Diamond Week in August. During the past week alone, in Israel, hundreds of local firms have already signed up to exhibit their goods. At the same time, we're busy processing numerous registrations for foreign, accredited diamond dealers. They will be meeting and doing business with some 500 Israeli companies exhibiting a vast range of loose diamonds at prices direct from the manufacturers," Sahar added.

"We've come up with a unique, purely business-oriented model for this event. All activities will take place on the spacious and secure trading floor of the Israel Diamond Exchange. There are no costly booths or advertising or marketing expenses. In addition, we are offering foreign visitors generously subsidized hotel accommodation at hotels close to the exchange. In short, the summer edition of US & International Diamond Week in Israel will be a great business experience," Sahar concluded

UK Jewellery Awards Winners 2013

The UK Jewellery Awards were given out, 17 in all, by TV personality Dawn O'Porter who hosted a lively crowd at the Natural History Museum in London.

Highlights included Designer of the Year going to Sophie Harley - Store Design to Bremont (who took two awards) and a special nod to Simon Fraser Author and Course Director at Central Saint Martins for his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

Boutique Retailer of the Year  - Harriet Kelsall


Multiple Retailer of the Year  - Chisholm Hunter

Jewellery Designer of the Year 

Sophie Harley Design

Etailer of the Year 

TheDiamondStore.co.uk

Luxury Watch Brand of the Year  -  Bremont

Marketing Campaign of the Year  -  Keanes Jewellers Start Your Own Story

Platinum Bridal Collection of the Year - Sharman D Neill

Retail Employer of the Year  -  Allum & Sidaway

Watch Brand of the Year  -  Bering Time 

New Designer of the Year  -  Ros Millar

Jewellery Brand of the Year  -  Jersey Pearl

Store Design of the Year  -  Bremont

Independent Retailer of the Year  -  Rox

Retail Star of the Year  -  Abigail Stradling  and Allum & Sidaway

Supplier of the Year  -  Citizen Watch

Watch Retailer of the Year  -  The Watch Gallery

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

Simon Fraser, Central St. Martins

#JWLV - Rio Tinto's "Diamonds With A Story" Part 1 - the Glamour #LUXURY #JCK2013

One of the best bits of information, for me, to come out of LUXURY was the news that Rio Tinto would be retaining it's Diamond Companies, and has, in fact expanded on their "Diamonds With A Story" campaign.

According to it's description on JCK Marketplace: Rio Tinto is one of the world’s major diamond producers through our 100 per cent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 per cent share of the Diavik mine in Canada, 78 per cent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe and 100% ownership of the Bunder Project in India.   All of our diamond operations are committed to making a positive contribution towards sustainable development, with our stewardship interest focused on the exploration, production and sales of rough diamonds.

A little recent history - Rio Tinto owns a majority stake in three major Diamond Mines - the most productive of which is the Argyle mine, famous for it's fancy brown, pink and red diamonds. Earlier this year, Rio Tinto announced that it would be selling off it's Diamond Division...then in a reversal they announced that it has decided to “retain its diamonds businesses after concluding a strategic review which considered a range of options, including potential divestment.”

In a quote from Anthony DeMarco's blog on Jewellery Net Asia:“The medium to long-term market fundamentals for diamonds remain robust, fuelled by growing demand for luxury goods in Asia and continuing strong demand in North America,” said Rio Tinto Diamonds & Minerals chief executive Alan Davies. “We have valuable, high-quality diamonds businesses that are well positioned to capitalise on the positive market outlook. After considering a number of alternative strategic ownership options it is clear the best path to generate maximum value for our shareholders is to retain these businesses.”

At the 2012 LUXURY show in Las Vegas, Rio Tinto introduced the "Diamonds With A Story" campaign in an effort to educate buyers, manufacturers, and consumers about the origins of Rio Tinto diamonds. Armed with information from a Shand Group research project, the company indicated that more than three quarters of consumers care about where their diamond is from and how it is mined.

“The four Cs are still important, however for today’s consumer we need to go further and explain the other layers which are the human, geological, and cultural histories wrapped up in every Rio Tinto diamond,” Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager for the sales and marketing of diamonds of Rio Tinto mines, said in a statement to JCK's Jennifer Heebner.

Carrying that product one step further - this year at LUXURY the mining giant introduced ...the rest of the story!

This year, in a statement to Centurion Editor Hedda Schupak, Bruno Sane, general manager of marketing for Rio Tinto Diamonds, said, "Diamonds With A Story is the umbrella signature of our global market development initiatives in both established and emerging markets. It is also recognizes that diamonds are not commodities, that every diamond has a story worth telling which consumers are keen to hear.”

Rebecca Foerster, US vice president at Rio Tinto Diamonds, talked about the new chapter of their campaign as "inspiration to the industry"...she explained that today's younger consumer isn't looking for the bling factor - they really want the "story" of their stone.

How does Rio Tinto seek to inspire? 

 ...four new, unique diamond stories—Shaped by Origin, Cutting Impact, Mixed Medium, and Color My World. 

Press and Designers gather in the Rio Tinto Booth at LUXURY - the four distinct new stories, visible above our heads

At their annual Press Event at LUXURY, they showed how these stories could inspire. Rio Tinto engaged 8 designers to address a specific story and those collections were for sale to Retailers attending the JCK and LUXURY events. 

According to Forester: . “The hope is that retailers will be interested in showcasing these collections in stores, since the designers brought the stories to life, and for others to be inspired to make their own beautiful jewelry based on these themes.”

The always charming and very competent hand orchestrating the many facets of this event was the Industry's favorite Spokeperson, Michael O'Connor. 

Using diamonds sourced from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Australia and Diavik mine in Canada these designer pieces were chosen because of their unique representation of the company's initiative.

Shaped By Origin concentrates on the origins of Rio Tinto's stones and the company's projects in the regions it mines - represented by designer Zoltan David's Dreamcatcher Collection, from the Aboriginal, Dreamtime. This very elegant tribal look of a blackened Stainless Steel open structure set with Argyle Diamonds on a rose gold backing the color of Australia's red earth, spoke to the Maori people, indigenous to Australia's Outback and the location of the Argyle Mine. 

Zoltan David was joined in this category by the effervescent Shelly Purdy, the designer is as sparkling as her Royal Collection utilizing Canadian Diamonds from Rio Tinto's Diavik mine...

...and Belgian company, Casa Gi, was represented in Las Vegas by Dennis Leemans.  This rugged, masculine collection will have every man wearing diamonds! 

Mixed Media this category really proved that these were NOT your Grandmother's Diamonds, presenting Diamonds in some of the many diverse media that Designers are creating in today!  Beautifully represented by Kara Ross of Kara Ross New York, LLC, her work with Diamonds in Concrete (the obviously diverse dichotomy of the materials represented the streets of New York) and in Wood was a collection of bold and forward thinking pieces.

Cutting Impact  plays up sustainability and ethical issues - emphasizing company projects in the regions it mines...this category was represented by Alexandra Hart's Pure Flight Collection...the designer's own blog features a 5 part write up of her journey with this collection.

....and Phyllis Bergman of Mercury Ring - as the co-founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, being chosen in this category is, I would imagine, dear to her heart.

Color My World is the heart and soul of the Argyle Diamonds - natural colored diamonds from this location range from champagne to cognac and pale pinks to reds...Rio Tinto mines have also produced Silvermist.   Representing color was Kristin Hanson whose Skyline Collection paid homage to the skyline of her home in New York.

 

Also in this category is the aptly named "Color Me Vivid"  Collection from Joan Park with its colorful and distinctly Bollywood feel - this was a very consumer friendly collection.

Rio Tinto hopes that retailers will not only purchase these lines for their stores but that these collections will inspire them to create their own "Stories".

Part Two of this story will cover the Mines - the presentation at LUXURY gave a rare glimpse into the actual mining process.