Archive: September, 2009

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How to Keep the Sparkle in Your Diamond

Diamonds are extremely hard and durable. Take care of your diamond by avoiding breaks and scratches and keep it clean. With good care, your diamond will have the same sparkle and beauty in ten, a hundred or a thousand years. Diamonds do not fade, tarnish or wear out like most materials. The secret to keeping a diamond’s sparkle is keeping it clean.

Diamonds are the hardest natural material. Only a diamond can scratch a diamond. Use great caution when wearing multiple diamond rings on the same finger. If the diamonds of one ring touch diamonds in another ring, both diamonds will likely end up scratched in a relatively short time. If you have a diamond wedding band next to your diamond engagement ring, be sure their design allows them to fit together so the diamonds do not touch.

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Watch Buyers Guide

Do you have a collection of watches? Or do you at least own a watch? Is it real? Is it genuine? Or is it a replica? Having a watch and wearing it around our wrist makes us time conscious. And it is not a bad habit or bad connotation. In fact, I consider it as a positive character because it will lessen our tardiness when it comes to work, school, or meetings.

What things do you consider when buying a watch? Does it have to be big? Does it have to be small? Does it have to be Rolex? Or any watch will do as long as it tells you the correct time? Owning a factual watch would cost us a lot of money but buying a fabricated watch will not stay long on your ownership. So, what watch does an individual really need?

You need to consider many things. Though it’s just a watch, you might want to own something that is good, useful, and affordable. A material that is expensive is not always beneficial and not all low-priced things are useless. Sometimes, you just need to be meticulous to possess the things that you really want and you really need.

Now let’s see the most common factors that you need to consider in selecting a watch:

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What is a promise ring?

Promise ring is sometimes presented to a girl at the start of serious flirtation – many young ladies consider this gift as an engagement ring and might be scared – promise rings are not widely used and common compared to engagement rings. And she might be not prepared to be engaged to the man at that point in their relations. It is a good idea to explain the meaning of the gift to her.

Promise rings are, as a rule, cheap. In the long run, it is the symbol of friendship, not the proposal to marry. A promise ring can be worn on the right or left hand – does not matter. But now and then there might be confusion if a girl wears the promise ring on the left hand and on the ring finger. Her friends and relative can draw a conclusion she is engaged. It is better to avoid this kind of confusion.

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Gifts For Mothers: Personalized Jewelry

Looking for a great present for your mother, the woman who gave birth to you, raised you, and was there for you every step of the way? What can you give her that she would love, and at the same time would remind her of you, and her grandchildren?

Give Mom personalized jewelry – personalized jewelry is a great gift for a Mother and it could be personalized with different things, such as a names, initials, birthstones and many other things. The best thing about it is that it can be personalized with Mother’s name, or names and initials of her kids and grandkids. This will make the piece of jewelry one of a kind, and your Mom will know that you picked the gift just for her.

Here are tips to help you find a perfect piece of personalized jewelry for your Mom. Here are our tips to help you find that perfect personalized jewelry:

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NBA Logo Watches: A Slam Dunk Gift Choice

Holiday or birthday coming up and once again there’s that one person who is impossible to buy for because they seem to have everything. Is this person a basketball fan? If so there is a perfect gift idea. NBA logo watches are a functional gift that also showcases the favorite sports teams logo. No more endless hours spent trying to find the perfect gift.

Every NBA basketball team from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards have a logo watch. These watches are top quality and great time pieces, as well as featuring the official team logo and name. The watches feature citizen quartz movement and are water resistant with a lifetime warranty. There are four great styles to choose from that each offer a unique style and look. Finding the perfect NBA logo watch is not difficult at all.

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Zales Corp (ZLC) Can’t Get The Numbers Straight

Zale Corp. (ZLC), 901 W. Walnut Ln., Irving, TX 75038. In an 8-K SEC filing dated 9/17/09, Zale Corp.’s management and the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors, in consultation with its independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, reported that its financial statements for fiscal ’07 and ’08 contained certain errors and “should no longer be relied upon.” These financials will be restated and filed with Zales’ 10-K for fiscal ’09 on or before October 29, 2009, “although this date may change if unforeseen circumstances arise.” Specific issues were prepaid advertising costs of $23 million (’08) and ‘$18 million (’07) that should have been recorded as expense; certain other adjustments aggregating to $9 million pre-tax; and a $4 million charge for fiscal “08 relating to taxes. Adjustments required for fiscal ’08 and ’07 and subsequent quarters “have not been finalized and the restatement is not complete as of the date of this filing. Additional information may become available which could cause the Company’s current estimates to change, and such changes, if any could be material.” Hmmm, could those lease guaranties from the sale of the Bailey Banks & Biddle brand to Finlay (who is now bankrupt and being liquidated) comming back to bite them? No mention here about the off-balance sheet accounting for the potential liability, but it is coming.

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Gem & Lapidary Dealers Assoc. Bankrupt Chapter 7

And another one bites the dust!
Don’t book those plane tickets just yet and if you already paid in advance for a booth, well kiss that money goodby. The GLDA is Bankrupt. You may need to find some other to move that inexpensive gold jewelry, loose diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and other gemstones. Here is the offical release:

Gem & Lapidary Dealers Association, Inc., 181 W Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85701. On September 10, 2009 G.L.D.A Inc. d/b/a G.L.D.A., Inc. NV d/b/a G.L.D.A., Inc.-Expo., G.L.D.A. .Com d/b/a Gem And Lapidary Dealers Association, Inc. d/b/a G.L.D.A., Inc. Las Vegas Jewelry Gift Show At The Mirage Hotel d/b/a G.L.D.A., Inc. Tuscon Gem & Jewelry Show d/b/a G.L.D.A., Inc. Starr Pass Marriot Tuscon Gem Show filed a petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Case # 09-26972. The petition was filed at U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada, 300 Las Vegas Blvd., S. Las Vegas, NV 89101.

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Gordon Brothers (Boston, MA) Wins Finlay Bankruptcy Auction

(September 24, ‘09, 13:08 Michelle Graff, Courtesy National Jeweler Network)

Liquidation firm Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC (Boston, MA) emerged as the highest bidder in Wednesday’s auction for the assets of bankrupt retailer Finlay Enterprises, a source familiar with the auction has confirmed.

In an e-mail to National Jeweler, the source wrote that the auction concluded with Gordon Bros. entering an 85.75 percent equity bid on asset inventory-estimated at $116 million on the closing date-for the company’s 49 “ongoing” stores. This means that Gordon Bros. is guaranteeing that store-closing sales will generate at least 85.75 percent of the aggregate cost value of the merchandise.

In addition, Gordon Bros. will continue the current going-out-of-business sales that are taking place in 58 specialty stores under the current consulting agreement. Finlay’s freestanding stores include Bailey Banks and Biddle, Carlyle and Co., Congress Jewelers, J.E. Cadwell and Co. and Park Promenade Jewelers.

Finlay Fine Jewelry use to be one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry and the largest operator of licensed fine jewelry departments in department stores throughout the United States. They had two operating segments – department store based fine jewelry departments and stand-alone jewelry stores. Founded in 1887, the number of locations at the end of the second quarter ended August 1, 2009 totaled 182, including 67 Bailey Banks & Biddle, 34 Carlyle and four Congress specialty jewelry stores and 77 licensed departments with The Bon Ton.

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Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit

There is an old adage that says work isn’t really work if you enjoy what you’re doing. If one of your hobbies is jewelry making (gold necklaces, beading, gold modeling, gold jewelry), why not turn this activity into a source of income? You’re already having fun anyway, and it wouldn’t take a whole lot more to share your jewelry creations with people who would appreciate them and be more than happy to pay for them. With a bit of extra effort, time management and discipline, jewelry making is a great way to have fun and make a bit of extra money on the side. Whether you’re a novice about to enter the jewelry making field for the first time or whether you’ve been doing this for some time now, there are always several basic factors to consider.

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Jewelry Appraiser Services

Jewelry appraisers can provide valuable services to people who own diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and jewelry or are in the process of buying diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and jewelry. First, the jewelry appraiser can identify your jewelry as to the material, quality, workmanship, condition and other characteristics that influence the item’s value. For example, diamonds that appear similar to the eye can vary in terms of color, clarity, cut, fluorescence, measurements and durability. These are all factors that uniquely identify one diamond from another and can cause the value of one stone to be more than double that of another even if they are identical to the unaided eye.

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Tips For Chosing The Ideal Jewelry To Match Your Wedding Dress

We here at TMJ think that the best place to start when making plans for your wedding is turn to your dreams. Let’s face it, we are women, and we’ve had a picture painted in our minds of how this day “should be” since we could pick buds and blooms from our mothers’ rose bushes and pretend that we were brides. So we’ve had a pretty good idea of what we are looking for long before we actually set ourselves free in the endless sea of choices in styles, colors, themes, and even textures of the wedding world.

Learn how to choose your jewelry color and style based on your perfect wedding dress. From simple to elaborate, learn the right factors to consider. Cultured Pearl necklaces, Pearl & Sapphire Necklaces, Pearl & Diamond Necklaces……..

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Jumping Through Hoops

One of the hottest jewelry looks this time of the year is gold hoop earrings and silver hoop earrings. While maybe no one carries off this view better than Jennifer Lopez, you can do it too! Gold hoops and silver hoops can be found in all sizes from the least important huggie, which might be exact for the bureau, to over amount hoops. Don them as very large as you sense cosy with; very large gold hoop earrings are very alluring. They are in addition more versatile than one might consider (you don’t have to drag out your “Flash Dance” outfit for this latest approach recall, please). Gold hoop earrings and silver hoop earrings go great with denim, a ruffle collar blouse, a straightforward dress, and freshly they’ve even commenced popping up on the red carpet. So, hoops rightly depart with everything.

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Lazare Kaplan (LKI) Receives Market Delisting Warning!

Lazare Kaplan risks delisting over its failure to file a timely 10-K.
JCK Staff — JCK Online, 9/21/2009 12:10:41 PM
Lazare Kaplan International announced it had received a Deficiency Letter from the NYSE relating to its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.
The NYSE informed LKI [...]

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Amsterdam Diamonds

Amsterdam is a major historical location for the diamond industry. Walking down the streets you will see a lot of jewelry stores as well as many diamond businesses with prominent security systems and signs reading “guided diamond tours”.

If you go on these tours you’ll see some breathtaking diamonds, as well a chance to see these stones being cut and polished. And if you have some cash to spare, purchase one for $4000 to $400,000.

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La Reina: Art Deco Styled Gold and Titanium Jewelry

La Reina fine jewelry is unparalleled in its vibrancy and opulence – emerald, ruby and sapphire-colored embroidered silk saris paired with equally extravagant gems, the clinking of pure gold bangles stacked from wrists to elbows mingling with the sounds of sitar music – India gave birth to the idea that jewels are de rigueur for every woman on every occasion. Jewelry designer Samir Bhansali, who was born in Mumbai, ushers this concept into contemporary life while paying homage to his rich heritage. “La Reina,” an assemblage of Art Deco elements fashioned from La Reina’s trademark enormous-but-light, laser-cut diamonds, mixes ancient techniques with innovation. The result is simply pure artistry meets incredible craftsmanship.

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Savvy Shopper’s Guide to Buying Gold Jewelry

With the price of gold skyrocteting, shoppers MUST be very careful when buying gold jewelry. Buying gold jewelry can be tricky because there are different types of karats, 14K cubic zirconia jewelry, and different colors of gold (based on other materials that the gold might be alloyed with to give added strength).
Ask Questions before Buying

The phrase “buy now, ask questions later” should never apply to gold jewelry, even cubic zirconia gold jewelry. You should ask plenty of questions before making such an elaborate purchase. A reputable jeweler will be able to answer all of your questions honestly and will provide you with helpful tips concerning your jewelry needs. Here are some questions to ask:

* What is the actual karat of the gold? 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, or 24kt?
* Is it real gold or plated gold?
* Are the stones real or are they made of cubic zirconia?
* What factors were used to determine the gold jewelry’s price? Weight, ornamental detail, design or construction?
* What type of clasp is used? This is important with gold necklaces and bracelets. You need a strong, easy-to-use clasp.

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Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart: The Entertainment Wedding of the Year

As if their millions of fans collectively willed it — the blistering-hot young actors are truly, madly, deeply in love. So much so that they’re spending nights together in Rob’s suite at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center. And things have gotten so serious that on-set sources say the young superstars are even playing up their romance on set.

It is set to be the “Wedding of the Year”. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will be exchanging wedding rings. And a cast of hundreds are working hard, around the clock, to finalize all of the details. The even will more than likely be flooded with the most amazing jewelry featuring diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Oh and lets definitely not forget the sheer tonnage of gold jewelry that will also be on display.

But before teenage girls have a collective meltdown, this is the wedding between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”. As yet, the young stars have not made public any plans to marry in real life. Nonetheless, designers ranging from Monique Lhullier to Christian Siriano have sent in designs, hoping theirs is chosen as the perfect dress and fine jewelry for one of the most anticipated weddings of a human lifetime.

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$1,000+ Gold Market: New Wave Of Consumers To Sell Their Gold

Jewelers should be getting ready for a new wave of consumers pouring in to sell their gold jewelry. Jewelers need to capitalize on the fact that MOST of the major on-line and TV advertised Cash for Gold offers are rip offs. This is truely a great opportunity for retail jeweler to restore consumer faith the brick and mortar retail locations. The sell your gold jewelry scam/rip off was widely publicized on ABC News. While consumers should shop for the best values, here is where you, with a brick and mortar store have a leg up on the TV and on-line players in the gold jewelry buy back. It should not be difficult for the store owners to create a list of compelling reasons why consumers should sell you their gold jewelry. One of the most creative pitches, was to offer clients $50 over current 2nd London fix in exchange for in-store credit. Regardless, you should be offering your clients at least 90-95% of the fair market gold value. If you don’t offer them the correct price, they will NEVER come back to you again and they will more than likely tell no less than 10 other people how your tried to rip them off. The On-line and TV people really don’t care because they are reaching out to so many more people, that a few thousand bad reviews means nothing to them.

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What Jewelers MUST know about Moissanite

Around 1900, French scientist Henri Moissan (mwah-SAHN) identified a new mineral from a meteorite that fell about 50,000 years ago in what is now the desert of northern Arizona. That mineral was later named moissanite in his honor. (The American pronunciation is MOYSS-uh-nite.)

Although the natural form of moissanite is extremely rare, the man-made version – known as silicon carbide – has become one of the world’s most important abrasives. Most silicon carbide consists of tiny particles, but in the 1980s researchers found ways to grow large crystals for high-performance electronics equipment. While those early crystals were green, further refinements in the 1990s produced near-colorless material. This had the beauty and durability to qualify it as a remarkable new laboratory-created gem. Since then, moissanite jewelry (moissanite rings, moissanite stud earrings and moissanite engagement rings) has become a popular category in many jewelry and department stores.

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New York City Diamond Dash For Charity

Last Saturday, The Modern Jeweler and hundreds of other couples ran around Manhattan in search of a $20,000 engagement ring, a luxurious Hawaiian honeymoon, and many other prizes during the ‘Diamond Dash: Dash For a Diamond & a Cure’ event.

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Jewelry References

  • Jewelry Information Center (JIC) Jewelry Information Center (JIC) is the public relations arm of the fine jewelry and watch industries. Founded as a non-profit trade association in 1946 in New York City, JIC is funded by its members (nearly 1,000 manufacturers, designers, and retailers o Jewelry Information Center (JIC) is the public relations arm of the fine jewelry and watch industries. Founded as a non-profit trade association in 1946 in New York City, JIC is funded by its members (nearly 1,000 manufacturers, designers, and retailers o
  • Fashion Conversations
  • AGS Laboratories AGS Laboratories is the world’s premier diamond grading laboratory for diamond cut, the first diamond laboratory to offer a diamond cut grade based on proven science and the first laboratory to offer cut grading for fancy shapes including princess, emeral AGS Laboratories is the world’s premier diamond grading laboratory for diamond cut, the first diamond laboratory to offer a diamond cut grade based on proven science and the first laboratory to offer cut grading for fancy shapes including princess, emeral
  • Cultured Pearl Association of America The Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc is a non profit group founded in 1957, comprised of the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and suppliers of Cultured Pearls in the United States.  Our intention is to “cultivate” awareness, interest, The Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc is a non profit group founded in 1957, comprised of the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and suppliers of Cultured Pearls in the United States. Our intention is to “cultivate” awareness, interest,
  • American Gem Labs (AGL) American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is an international gemstone testing facility specializing in comprehensive colored gemstone analysis. AGL provides identification reports, detailed enhancement reports, country-of-origin or provenance reports, as w American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is an international gemstone testing facility specializing in comprehensive colored gemstone analysis. AGL provides identification reports, detailed enhancement reports, country-of-origin or provenance reports, as w
  • The World Jewellery Confederation CIBJO is an international confederation of national jewelery trade organizations. CIBJO’s purpose is to encourage harmonization, promote international cooperation in the jewelery industry, and to consider issues which concern the trade worldwide. CIBJO is an international confederation of national jewelery trade organizations. CIBJO’s purpose is to encourage harmonization, promote international cooperation in the jewelery industry, and to consider issues which concern the trade worldwide.
  • AGTA Gem Industry Guide The AGTA is recognized within the jewelry trade as the authoritative source on natural colored gemstones: “The voice of the natural colored gemstone, pearl and cultured pearl industries.” The AGTA is recognized within the jewelry trade as the authoritative source on natural colored gemstones: “The voice of the natural colored gemstone, pearl and cultured pearl industries.”
  • Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit institute of gemological research and learning.  GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through the GIA Laboratory and GIA Instrument Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit institute of gemological research and learning. GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through the GIA Laboratory and GIA Instrument
  • Platinum Guild International The Platinum Guild International is the official website for platinum jewelry; offering advice and information, design inspiration, and where to find a recommended platinum retailer in your area. The site is brought to you by Platinum Guild International, The Platinum Guild International is the official website for platinum jewelry; offering advice and information, design inspiration, and where to find a recommended platinum retailer in your area. The site is brought to you by Platinum Guild International,
  • The Silver Institute The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international association that draws its membership from across the breadth of the silver industry. This includes leading silver mining houses, refiners, bullion suppliers, manufacturers of silver products and wholesale The Silver Institute is a nonprofit international association that draws its membership from across the breadth of the silver industry. This includes leading silver mining houses, refiners, bullion suppliers, manufacturers of silver products and wholesale
  • World Gold Council Founded in 1987, the World Gold Council is an organization formed and funded by the world’s leading gold mining companies with the aim of stimulating and maximising the demand for, and holding of Gold. Founded in 1987, the World Gold Council is an organization formed and funded by the world’s leading gold mining companies with the aim of stimulating and maximising the demand for, and holding of Gold.

Jewelry Titans

  • Tiffany & Company The year was 1837. Charles Lewis Tiffany and his schoolmate John Young traveled from New England to New York City with an idea and a dream that were to become Tiffany & Co. While the first day of business brought a mere four dollars and 98 cents, the The year was 1837. Charles Lewis Tiffany and his schoolmate John Young traveled from New England to New York City with an idea and a dream that were to become Tiffany & Co. While the first day of business brought a mere four dollars and 98 cents, the
  • Harry Winston Harry Winston always possessed a gift; he had an eye for the best gemstones and a nose for what the customer wanted. Winston is still known for exquisite jewelry. His name is still linked to some of the most beautiful jewels and settings in the world. Harry Winston always possessed a gift; he had an eye for the best gemstones and a nose for what the customer wanted. Winston is still known for exquisite jewelry. His name is still linked to some of the most beautiful jewels and settings in the world.
  • Cartier Louis Francois Cartier the son of a powder horn maker, founded Cartier in 1847; the year his workshop master Adolphe Picard died. Cartier would take over Maitre Picard’s Jewelry shop located at 31 Rue Montorgueil, Paris. Louis Francois Cartier the son of a powder horn maker, founded Cartier in 1847; the year his workshop master Adolphe Picard died. Cartier would take over Maitre Picard’s Jewelry shop located at 31 Rue Montorgueil, Paris.
  • JA New York Summer Show off to 'lively' start
    The JA New York Summer Show opened its doors on Sunday morning at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with brisk foot traffic, optimistic exhibitors and timely, on-point educational sessions helping to bring a palpable sense of energy to the show floor. […]
  • JA New York keynote: Talkin' to the new generation
    Jewelers attending the JA New York Summer Show's opening day keynote speech Sunday got some answers on a topic of tantamount importance to jewelers today: How to reel in the ultra plugged-in, Internet-savvy and often elusive Generation Y consumer for those ever-important bridal sales. […]
  • Citibank issues Zale third termination notice
    Zale Corp. must cough up yet a little more money if it wants to avoid seeing its private-label credit card program end early next year, Zale's latest Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing shows. […]
  • Why jewelers can learn from shoe e-tailer Zappos
    Jewelers should take some cues from online shoe retailer Zappos, writes marketing expert Ellen Fructhman, whose latest marketing column explains how the company "sets the bar in customer service, selection and HR superiority in a way most other companies could only dream of." […]
  • Will your diamond jewelry sales rock this holiday?
    The diamond market has come back to life, with De Beers' recent announcement of a 74.1 percent sales increase the latest in a series of positive signs. But will diamond jewelry perform for U.S. retailers at the counter come holiday time? […]
  • Platinum and gold manufacturers test drive silver
    With the price of gold continuing to be a hurdle at the sales counter, more jewelry manufacturers that once worked solely in gold and platinum have been moving into the silver market. […]
  • GIA hosts career fair, Melo pearl lecture
    The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced plans to host a career fair in Carlsbad, Calif., headquarters in October, and is also inviting the gemological community to attend a lecture on the much buzzed-about Melo pearl in Bangkok, Thailand, next week. […]
  • SPS to intro 'Silvermark Manufacturer' program
    After launching areas on its Web site to recognize silver jewelry designers, products and services, the Silver Promotion Service (SPS) is turning to silver jewelry manufacturers, announcing on Thursday that it will introduce a "SilverMark Manufacturer" section on its "Savor Silver" Web site. […]
  • De Beers CEO Penny to exit company
    De Beers Chief Executive Officer Gareth Penny will step down this fall after five years at the helm of the world's largest diamond mining company, a tenure that included guiding De Beers through one of the worst financial crises in history.  […]
  • Judge rules Cohen need not buy Carlyle and Co.
    A federal bankruptcy court judge has ruled that Russell Cohen, a member of the family that founded the Carlyle and Co. retail chain, is off the hook when it comes to buying back his family's former business. […]

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