2011 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ entry form available online
AGTA
The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ have become the benchmark for jewelry designers striving to gain recognition for their work using colored gemstones and pearls. Since its inception more than 25 years ago, the Spectrum Awards competition has launched trends, increased visibility for designer jewelry, and inspired great innovation in the use of colored gemstones and other materials. The Spectrum Awards is considered the finest jewelry and gemstone competition in the world. The judging panel changes each year and consists of experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry.More
Visit AGTA Pavilion at JA New York Summer Show
AGTA
AGTA again will host a pavilion of colored gemstone and cultured pearl suppliers at the JA New York Summer Show from July 25 to 28. AGTA exhibitors have had a presence at the JA Show for more than 20 years. The AGTA Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Pavilion provides buyers with the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of gemstones and pearls from the most respected dealers in the industry. Buyers can also shop with confidence knowing that all of their transactions with AGTA members are backed by the AGTA Code of Ethics.More
Fashion-forward shoppers spend more, swayed by social media
MarketingProfs
Consumers who describe themselves as "fashion forward" are at least twice as likely as other consumers to spend more on a wide range of consumer products — including apparel — and are most likely to refer friends and colleagues to their preferred retailers, according to a survey from Acxiom. Two-thirds of such trendy consumers are Millennials (aka Gen Y, those now roughly ages 18 to 33) and are most influenced by new media channels when making their buying decisions.More
Floral fashion explodes in Paris
Jewelry Insider
The Paris Fall/Winter Haute Couture shows kicking off with a wild display of flower power from one of my favorite designers, John Galliano for Dior. Jewelry was a no-show on the runway, but after you get a glimpse of the cornucopia of color, you'll see why it would be a useless afterthought. The eccentric British designer explained to the press that he wanted to do something bold and fresh with flowers, "allowing their color, texture and structure to inspire a new, modern beauty."More
Peruvian government, CIBJO sign $6.2 million training agreement
CIBJO
CIBJO has reached a multilateral cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Peru. The agreement involves the establishment of a U.S. $6.2 million training program designed to improve the skills and efficiencies of 12,000 Peruvian jewelry artisans as a first step to building a sustainable, responsible and ethical jewelry industry in Peru. Also party to the agreement are the Peruvian Exporters' Association and the National Service of Occupational Training in Industry. It was finalized July 3 in Lima.More
David Yurman discusses how he got started in jewelry design, why jewelry matters
Firstwater News
David Yurman is one of America's best-known and most-loved designers. Firstwater News sat down with Yurman at Holt Renfrew's Toronto flagship.More
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Christie's auction
The Deleuse Jewelers Blog
How much is a flawless heart shaped diamond of 28.28 carats worth? Christie's auction house brought down the gavel to a sale of $3.78 million in New York this April. Christie's also sold two historically important jewels at the same time. A 39.55-carat diamond that belonged to Emperor Maximilian sold for $1.76 million and the famous emerald brooch surrounded by diamonds that belonged to Catherine the Great went for $1.65 million.More
New publication highlights immense appeal of pink diamonds
Rapaport
Rio Tinto has announced the launch of its new publication, Rare and Collectable, which focuses on the unique market position occupied by the rare pink diamonds from Rio Tinto's argyle diamond mine. Timed to coincide with the 26th Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender, Rare and Collectable places the rarity of argyle pink diamonds in the context of global supply and demand and the resulting strong price appreciation. This publication is considered timely given the increasing propensity for affluent investors and collectors to diversify their portfolios through acquisitions of rare diamonds.More
How social media has prepared us for collaborative business
Mashable
While Facebook and Twitter often are cited as distractions for employees, the networks' immediacy, collaboration and community offer great hope for business. Today, a massive technological shift is under way — led for the first time by employees — to bring these benefits to the workplace. And this change has happened only very recently. Facebook has surpassed 400 million active users in just six years, and Twitter counted 105 million registered users in just four.More
Kanye West's $300,000 BET bling
Styleite
Scorned star Kanye West may have made a comeback performance during the recent BET Awards, but the post-show buzz focused mainly on Kanye's gigantic and Egyptian-inspired adornments. As it turns out, the jeweler behind this ambition is none other than hip-hop's go-to supplier of some of today's most ridiculous bling, Jacob the Jeweler. So it should come as no surprise that each of the 24-carat gold pieces retail for $300,000.More