Jewelry News Online | Jewelry Magazine India

There is just one month left for the industry to choose its champions and vote for the third annual Professional Jeweller Awards. Taking place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday, September 2 (the second night of International Jewellery London), the 2019 Professional Jeweller Awards will celebrate the achievements of the UK jewellery industry over the last 12 months across 17 exciting categories. As always the nomination process has been divided into two halves, both of which allow the industry to get involved and find this year’s worthy winners. The first half invites all jewellery industry professionals to nominate retailers, brands and suppliers they feel should take home a trophy at this year’s ceremony. These can include self-nominations. To have your say, simply email Professional Jeweller editor Stacey Hailes at stacey.hailes@itppromedia.com with your nominations by Friday, May 31. There is no limit to how many nominations you can put forward. For each entry though p

UK jeweller Kat Florence and Sarah Jessica Parker have settled a breach-of-contract lawsuit case against the American actress. In a joint statement, the two parties claimed they have “resolved their differences” and are excited to “resume their partnership”. Kat Florence sued the Sex in the City stay last year, arguing that the actress had failed to promote a collaborative line of jewellery. The jewellery designer told a New York federal court that Parker, who had final approval on the Flawless Diamonds collection’s designs, was paid $5 million in installments and received 10% of all profits from the jewellery sales, which ended up totalling around $7.5 million, through a licensing contract that also called for her to publicly endorse the line through photo shoots, interviews, and public appearances. According to Kat Florence, Sarah Jessica Parker did not live up to the terms of endorsement and therefore she was suing her for breach of contract and negligent misre

The International Diamond Council has announced leadership changes. Effective immediately, HRD Antwerp chairman, Julien Drybooms, takes over from Harry Levy as chair of the International Diamond Council’s board, while Pol van der Steen takes the role of vice chairman. Drybooms has served on the executive committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and is the owner of diamond company Drybooms & Zonen. He comments on the new role: “I am very pleased to take on this important position and I am honoured to have been elected. “I must express the gratitude of the IDC and its member organizations: the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) to Harry Levy, the former IDC President. He led the IDC for many years and gave outstanding service as its head. I am delighted that Harry has agreed to remain as an IDC Board member.” The IDC was established in 1975 to provide the WFDB and the I

The study of Aikhal underground mine allowed ALROSA to decide on the further development of the mine 300 meters in depth, making it possible to replenish the raw material base and extend the mine life up to 2044. ALROSA’s top management approved the project Stripping and mining of Aikhal pipe reserves at the levels of -100 meters/-400 meters. The total investment will be about RUB 10 billion (as previously planned according to the program announced on 18 March 2019). Implementation of the project will allow replenishing the raw material base of the mining and processing division and ALROSA by almost 20 million carats and maintain the annual production level of 500 thousand tons of ore up to 2044. Originally, commercial resources amounted to 6.2 million tons of ore with the date of completion of the mine operation in 2034-2035. “The project is also attractive due to no need for major re-equipment and no need to build new infrastructure, and so on. Development of deep level

De Beers Group announced that Nancy Liu will become the new Forevermark CEO, stepping up from her current role as COO and taking over the day to day responsibility for the diamond brand. Stephen Lussier will continue to oversee the strategic role Forevermark plays within the Group brand portfolio as Forevermark Chairman. “This is a moment of great opportunity for diamonds. As symbols of nature, uniqueness and positive social impact, they have huge potential to inspire consumers of all ages, and with a new CEO at the helm for Forevermark I will be able to spend more time ensuring we build even stronger consumer connections with these miracles of nature across all our activities,” Lussier said “Fortunately, we have an outstanding candidate to take over as CEO of Forevermark. As the brand sees rapid growth in Asia, Nancy exceptional expertise and knowledge of the region provide us with excellent continuity as Forevermark goes from strength to strength.” Nancy Liu com

Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced that Judi Holler will open the first annual Jewelers of America National Convention with her session, “Fear is My Homeboy®: 4 Ways You Can Transform Fear Into A Powerful Secret Weapon.” The Convention is focused on professional education beyond jewelry, with 4 Keynotes and a choice of 12 Breakout Sessions covering all aspects of retail business. It takes place July 28-29, 2019, at the InterContinental New York Barclay in New York City. In this fun and interactive session, Judi takes the experimental ideas she learned from improv theatre and helps participants apply them to the unscripted stage of everyday life. Judi’s mission: To stop fear from stealing your joy and robbing you of opportunities to succeed the way you really want. Judi helps audiences transform fear into a powerful secret weapon so you can connect in even more powerful and profitable ways

London-based jeweller Graff just unveiled the largest square emerald cut diamond in the world. The diamond was carved from the Lesedi La Rona, the third largest rough diamond ever discovered, along with 66 smaller diamonds. Found in the Lucara Karowe Mine in Botswana, the Lesedi La Rona – which was purchased by Graff for $53 million – is the largest rough gem the jeweller’s gemologists have ever worked with. Weighing in at 1,109 carats, part of the Lesedi La Rona was cut to create the astonishing 302.37-carat emerald cut diamond. The stone was so large, Graff had to purchase brand new software capable of analyzing a 1,109-carat gem. “We had an immense duty to cut the very, very best diamond imaginable from this rough,” Laurence graff diamonds, the founder of Graff Diamonds, said in a press release. With the new software, the Graff gemologists discovered which paths around the 1,109 carat stone’s imperfections would cut diamonds of the highest quality. Af

The 40th edition of OROAREZZO opened at Arezzo’s Fiere e Congressi on April 4th. Prof. Michele Geraci, Italy’s Foreign Trade Undersecretary, gave the keynote address during the opening ceremony. The show aims to showcase “the very best of Made in Italy jewellery on the international market.” In his address, Enrico Rossi, President of the Tuscany Region said: “Oroarezzo is still a young and much-alive show because it is backed by a remarkable organization, a manufacturing area that is much more than 40 years old and whose roots date back to ancient times.” Evoking the region’s rich past, Rossi highlighted the Tuscan business community’s abilities in innovation and foreign trade. He noted that in the last decade, Tuscany’s gold and jewelry exports had become one of the country’s most important export products. “Tuscany is standing firm on its feet and Oroarezzo with it. The leather industry, packaging, and, in part, textiles as well, and gold – which is linked to des