Fashion Talk: Pearl Stories of the Rich and Famous
from Wvgazette.com
The wearing of pearls is steeped in history and tradition. Style masters, celebrities and other famous women have influenced today's world of fashion. Pearls have proven themselves a safe political choice for former first lady Barbara Bush, who often wore a three-strand short necklace, and current first style icon Michelle Obama, photographed in an oversized strand of pearls. More    

Visit AGTA Pavilion at JA NY Summer Show
from AGTA
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) will once again host a pavilion of colored gemstone and cultured pearl suppliers at the JA New York Summer Show, July 26-28, 2009. AGTA exhibitors have had a presence at the JA Show for over twenty years. More    

Coral Makes a Splash
from The Los Angeles Times
A pop of coral can instantly take a simple summer item from plain to powerful, just by adding a splash of the fiery hue. From the real deal in jewelry containing the branch-like sea life to the imprint of its skeletal silhouette printed on sandals, mini-dresses and beaded maillots, coral in all forms is hitting stores in various pieces and in a refreshing range of prices. More    

Limited Edition Watches Showcase Colored Stones
from ViaLuxe
They look like candy, but they are priced like caviar. This is the new Alacria Royal collection from Carl F. Bucherer, and it is limited to just 25 pieces per each of the four models. The watches have diamonds and either blue sapphires, orange sapphires, emeralds, or diamonds. The cases are in 18k white gold, and delicately reverse tonneau shaped with pretty linked bracelets. More    

Fifteen Ton Sapphire Block on Display in Vietnam
from Vietnam.net
A huge block of sapphire of 15 tons in weight from a mine in the central Vietnamese province of Nghe An is on display at the Ruby Plaza trade centre in Hanoi. Named Dai Lam Ngoc, the sapphire block is 2.4 meters in height, 1.7 meters in width and is the biggest of its kind to be found in Vietnam so far. More    

Blue Nile Cuts Ties to North Carolina Affiliates
from The Puget Sound Business Journal
Online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile has terminated its North Carolina affiliates over pending legislation there. Blue Nile's move comes after Amazon.com Inc. took similar actions in North Carolina and Rhode Island. Amazon and Blue Nile Inc. are seeking to avoid efforts by states to force them to collect sales tax by classifying them as a physical retailer through their work with locally-based affiliates. More    

Incorrect Survey Costs Miners
from Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation
The Emerald and Semi-precious stones Miners Association of Zambia- ESMAZ-says some of its members have lost huge sums of money due to wrong geological survey data. Association General Secretary, Victor Kalesha, says geological survey data in some areas which the Ministry of Mines allocated the miners is wrong. Mr. Kalesha said that the miners have invested heavily in areas which showed huge deposits of gemstones, but turned out to yield very little. More