Marc Newson's Fractal Necklace Shines With Sapphires
from Core77
Even using "rapid" prototyping, it took French jewelry house Boucheron's craftspeople 1,500 hours to produce Marc Newson's fiendishly complicated Julia necklace. The fractals-based diamond and sapphire piece debuted in Paris, and unsurprisingly, it will likely be "one of the most expensive necklaces Boucheron's ever made." More    

Is the Worst Over? Most Economists Say Yes
from NPR
At the beginning of 2009, many Americans feared an economic depression was at hand. In January alone, U.S. employers slashed nearly three-quarters of a million jobs. Now, as the year's second half begins, most economists are saying the worst of the recession is over, and that slow growth will begin in the fall. More    

Sri Lankan River Auctioned for Gem Mining
from ColomboPage
For the first time in Sri Lanka history, one of the main rivers in the country was auctioned for gem mining. The Gem and Jewelry Authority said that they have auctioned one-kilometer area of the Kalu Ganga in Kahangamuwa. More    

Power Pink is Red Hot
from The Associated Press via The Detroit Free Press
It seems hot pink is aiming to do this summer and fall what yellow did last year. The industry is using bright, happy, smiley face-worthy color to court customers back into stores. Sure, there are browns and blacks on the racks, and that very well may be what people end up with in their bags, but eye-catching they are not. More    

Data Privacy Rules Coming
from BNET Retail
A privacy bill under consideration in Washington would significantly impact retail through provisions that would spell out how companies would have to protect customer data and what they must do if information is compromised, yet, as worrisome as that might be for some, any concern is essentially moot because a Massachusetts regulation with substantially the same provisions will go into effect Jan. 1. And the rule is written in a way that essentially gives it jurisdiction in all 50 states. More    

New AGTA Holiday Cards from AGTA The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has released a new, customizable card with an image of a unique inclusion resembling a Christmas tree from a 21.02 ct. Burmese sapphire. The photo was taken at the AGTA’s Gemological Testing Center. "This image was something we knew would be of interest to many companies in the industry, especially those with clients who appreciate colored gemstones," said Adam Graham, AGTA Marketing Manager. More