WDC President at Dubai Diamond Conference

WDC President Highlights 

Successes and Challenges to the Industry 

and Kimberley Process 

at Dubai Diamond Conference

Edwaed Asscher in a photo by http://www.duynsteepolak.nl

Edward Asscher, president of the World Diamond Council (WDC), was an opening session speaker at the Dubai Diamond Conference held on April 21 and 22, 2015 at the Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE.

The list of speakers included the former president of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy and the Kimberley Process 2015 Chair, Mr. Bernardo Campos of Angola, among other illustrious speakers.

In his speech, Mr. Asscher explained the ‘tri-partite’ composition of the Kimberley Process (KP), whose members and observers include the governments and agencies of diamond producing and trading countries, representatives of NGO’s, collectively known as the ‘Civil Society Coalition’, and the WDC, which is representative of all sectors of the diamond industry. He also stated that the industry could be proud that “the largest majority of diamond companies are totally compliant and transparent.”

Mr. Asscher also spoke of the challenges to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, including the need to focus on a ‘level playing field’ of KP rules and procedures in order to avoid diamonds entering the market through the weakest link in the diamond pipeline.

The tasks of the KP are accomplished through the work of the various KP committees, including the Working Group on Monitoring, the Working Group on Statistics, and the Working Group of Diamond Experts. The WDC has representation on all committees of the KP.

In conclusion, Mr. Asscher said: “... the industry is in good shape and we can be proud of it and its participants. There are a few exceptions and as an industry we should purge those who tarnish our image. But those are the exceptions in an otherwise fantastic industry with a brilliant future.”

About the World Diamond Council
The primary objective of the WDC is to represent the diamond industry in the development and implementation of the regulatory and voluntary systems to control the trade in diamonds embargoed by the United Nations or covered by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. 

Visit:   http://www.worlddiamondcouncil.org  to learn more.

#DesignerSpotlight Mattioli to Basel and Back... “Les Epoques” #DailyJewel

“Les Epoques” Capsule Collection 

A Journey Through the Twenties, Forties and Sixties

Licia Mattioli expresses her love of culture and art by revisiting the past and bringing to life the capsule collection Les Epoques: three rings in the style respectively of the twenties, the forties and the sixties.  A ceaseless progression, a natural evolution of the journey between art and time typical of the world of Mattioli and its collections. 

For Les Epoques,  Designer, Licia Mattioli developed tangible entities to express of her love of art and culture. Representative of three design-driven decades, the 20's, 40's and 60's, the capsule collection includes a ring indicative of the style of each period.  For example, the Puzzle range and its glimpse of Mondrian’s colour blocks, or the Nuvole models that evoked the unforgettable canvases of René Magritte. But also in the enameled forms of Lips, an homage to Mae West’s famous mouth, immortalized by Salvador Dalì, and the ring Arcimboldo: a trait d' union between past genius and contemporary vitality.  

The capsule collection of three rings, Les Epoques, begins with the twenties swirls of a disquieting Art Nouveau style, springing from an intricate frame of pink gold, with a boldly opulent aquamarine perfectly symbolizing a period dedicated to naturalism and Rococò entanglements.

Then comes the rational minimalism of a linear gold setting, which highlights the burning embers of a Rhodolite Garnet igniting with pure voluptuousness belying the severe style of the forties architecture.   

Finally, the spirit of new times and the colorful fun of the sixties, in a continual chase of vitamin shapes and hues. Precisely the years that, on the last ring by Mattioli, return to the soft confectionery shade of a Morganite set in shiny enamels, coordinated in the sweet tints of cotton candy, pale blueberries and lilac, in a triumph of vitality in pop tones.  

Website:       http://en.mattioligioielli.it/
Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/MattioliJewelry
Twitter:        https://twitter.com/mattiolijewelry
Instagram:  https://instagram.com/mattiolijewelry/

Brenda Smith Working Up Designs For Smithsonian's Tennessee River Pearl Collection

Smithsonian Jewelry Project with Natural Freshwater Pearls from the Tennessee River Brenda Smith, The Fine Art of Jewelry chosen to create jewelry   for the  Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  Pictured - all natural, freshwater pearls from the Tennessee River. Below is Brenda with Gina Latendresse, from the American Pearl Co, choosing pearls for the project. The American Pearl Co. was founded by her father, John Latendresse, pioneer and doyen of pearl culturing in the US.

#DesignerSpotlight Introducing E. Shaw Jewels #DailyJewel

Recently...on the opposite end of the country there was a Press Preview 

for E. Shaw Jewels...I just wanted to make sure that my DJ readers are informed

even though it is a bit of a trek to get to events in NYC!

E.Shaw Jewels. Designed by mother-daughter duo, Eva and Elizabeth Shaw, is precious gemstone, one-of-a-kind jewelry handcrafted in New York City. 

Eva and Elizabeth create thoughtful, precious and uniquely meaningful jewelry designs steeped in the tradition of adornment. 

E.Shaw Jewels has a variety of gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in elegant and modern styles sold at their boutique in Soho (107 Sullivan Street) and online at www.eshawjewels.com. 

Their "lifestyle" shots are fabulous and will appeal to so many working women....

One of my FAVORITES....this bracelet from their Bridal Collection. 

The PERFECT Gift to the Bride on her Wedding Day 

Sapphire & Pearls with a Cameo - handknotted on silk

...and you can assure that she remembers her "Something Blue"!

#ACRE Show - Great Stop During Jewelry Week in Las Vegas! #JWLV

I am very excited to be attending the ACRE Crafts Show this year while in Las Vegas!

From their Website:

MEET our artists in-person for a unique shopping, education, and networking experience at our American Craft Retailers Expo™ (ACRE™) trade shows, held twice per year.

FIND something completely unique among our many never-before-seen Emerging Artists and seasoned showcase exhibitors.

ORDER direct from hundreds of quality juried American & Canadian wholesale artists. No reps, no importers. 

LEARN from industry experts with our FREE onsite education and networking opportunities. 

ENJOY all of these benefits, plus FREE retailer registration, and an array of retailer resources at every ACRE™ event.

I am really looking forward to covering this show!

#AGSConclave Forevermark's Opening Remarks at AGS Conclave, New Orleans

from Press Release


Following the Opening Keynote Luncheon at the AGS Conclave featuring Hall of Fame Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, Forevermark's Opening Remarks  in New Orleans

ALERT: FOREVERMARK ENCOURAGES CHANGE AT THE AGS CONCLAVE

Forevermark, the diamond brand with a promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing, presented the Opening Keynote Luncheon at the AGS Conclave, featuring Hall of Fame Quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

During his opening remarks, Forevermark US President Charles Stanley stated the need to drive change within the industry, saying, “To be our best we need to continually think in a new ways, and find the courage to change the way we operate. There are big shifts happening in our consumers that if we ignore, we shall become irrelevant and will lose sales.”

Later in the afternoon, Stanley gave the presentation “Global Diamond Insight Report”, where he spoke on the trends influencing global demand for diamonds with an emphasis on US consumers.

On Wednesday evening, Forevermark graced the runway of the 2015 Jewelers of America Fashion Show. The Forevermark model donned pieces from Forevermark Manufacturers Leo Schachter, Natalie K, and Premiere Gem, including a ring featuring a Forevermark Exceptional Diamond.

The Look:

·         Forevermark by Leo Schachter Necklace with 5.43ct Pear Forevermark Diamond set in 18k White Gold

·         Forevermark by LVE Chandelier Earrings with Round Brilliant Forevermark Diamonds set in 18k White Gold

·         Forevermark by Natalie K Three Row Bracelet - Round Brilliant Forevermark Diamonds set in 18k White Gold

·         Forevermark Natalie K Mixed Fancy Shape Ring - Marquise & Pear Forevermark Diamonds set in 18k Rose Gold

·         Forevermark by Natalie K Diamond Line Bracelet - Round Brilliant Forevermark Diamonds in 18k White Gold

·    Forevermark by Premier Gem Fancy Yellow Diamond Ring - 10.67ct Fancy Yellow Radiant Forevermark Exceptional Diamond in Platinum   

 

ABOUT FOREVERMARK

Every Forevermark diamond is inscribed with a promise; a promise that it is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced. Less than one per cent of the world’s diamonds are eligible to become a Forevermark diamond and be inscribed with the Forevermark icon and individual number. Forevermark is the diamond brand from The De Beers Group of Companies and benefits from over 126 years of diamond expertise. Forevermark diamonds are carefully selected and come from sources committed to high standards; they are beautifully crafted by a select group of Diamantaires and exclusively available from select Authorized Forevermark Jewelers. 

Forevermark by Galili & Co.

FOREVERMARK INSCRIPTION & GRADING

Invisible to the naked eye, the inscription is made using bespoke technology from The De Beers Group of Companies. It is also recorded on the personalized Forevermark identification card which comes with every Forevermark diamond. The actual size of the inscription found on Forevermark diamonds is only 1/20^th of a micron deep and can only be seen using a special Forevermark viewer which can be found in Authorized Forevermark Jewelers.  It is confirmed by leading gemological institutes that the Forevermark inscription does not affect the internal quality of a diamond in any way.

Authorized Forevermark Jewelers are able to provide a Forevermark Diamond Grading Report.  It is an accurate blueprint of the qualities - cut, color, clarity and caratage of each Forevermark diamond.  The Forevermark Diamond Grading Report also features the individual identification number inscribed on the diamond and a specifically designed security hologram, providing reassurance that the Forevermark Diamond Grading Report is valid and genuine. For more information and to find your nearest Authorized Forevermark Jeweler offering Forevermark Diamonds, go to www.forevermark.com

#JWLV VIVA LAS VEGAS! ...LET THE SHOWS BEGIN!

IT IS TIME FOR JEWELRY WEEK IN LAS VEGAS!

Some of you are saying, "YAY! see you at JCK!" but did you know that there are actually nine (9) shows (three are under the JCK title) in Las Vegas during the week that runs from May 25th through June 1st?

According to the XpoPress page they are...

International Watch and Jewelry Guild Show

Tropicana Las Vegas

May 25-26, 2015

GLDA Las Vegas Gem & Jewelry Show

Mirage Resort & Casino Hotel at The Mirage Event Center

May 25-28, 2015

LUXURY

Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center

May 26 - June 1, 2015  (May 26th - 29th is by appointment only)

Swiss Watch by JCK

Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center

May 26 - June 1, 2015  (by appointment only)

American Craft Retailers Expo™ (ACRE™) Las Vegas

South Point Hotel Casino & Spa

May 28-30, 2015

Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show

Paris Hotel

May 28-31, 2015

AGTA GemFair™ Las Vegas 

Mandalay Bay Convention Center

May 28 - June 1, 2015

Couture

Wynn Las Vegas

May 28 - June 1, 2015

JCK Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay Hotel & Convention Center

May 29 - June 1, 2015

I will see you at about 7 of these shows...impossible to make it to all of them...say Hi if you see me and for those who can't make it to Las Vegas...subscribe to my blog and follow The Daily Jewel on Facebook and you won't miss a thing!