De Beers’ Forevermark hits the streets
The story: De Beers has announced plans to distribute its Forevermark diamond brand to a select group of retailers and diamontaires in Hong Kong, China and Macau in the fourth quarter of 2008.
The latest branded diamond company to hit the market, Forevermark diamonds must be at least 0.18-carats with SI2 clarity, J-colour and a “good” cut rating.
The stones have a unique identification number and icon inscribed on the facet that is invisible to the naked eye. This concept represents the first branded diamond for De Beers.
Tolkowsky to visit Sydney fair
The story: Gabi Tolkowsky, arguably the most famous diamond cutter in the world, will be attending the JAA Australian Jewellery Fair in September this year. Visiting as a guest of Nationwide Jewellers, Tolkowsky will conduct seminars on how to sell diamonds, as well as launch his latest fancy cut.
“Many of our members have been privileged to meet Gabi on our Antwerp trips, and are looking forward to his presentations at the fair,” Nationwide Jewellers managing director Colin Pocklington said. “He is without doubt one of the most inspirational speakers in the world when it comes to diamonds.”
Among other achievements, Tolkowsky is best-known for cutting three of history’s most famous diamonds: the Pink Sun Rise; the Golden Jubilee; and, the Centenary – a 273-carat D flawless stone.
ACCC versus Prouds case rolls on
The story: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is to appeal parts of the Federal Court’s was/now advertising ruling over the Prouds jewellery chain. According to a release from the ACCC, the court ordered Prouds to undertake corrective advertising after the consumer watchdog successfully alleged misleading advertising in some Prouds’ catalogues.
The ACCC had alleged that the advertising of certain jewellery items in Prouds’ mass-distribution catalogues published to coincide with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day in 2006 contravened the Trade Practices Act (1974).
On 15 February 2008, the court found that was/now discount advertising by Prouds contravened the act and ordered Prouds to place an A3-sized corrective notice at the point of sale of every Prouds store in Australia for a period of no less than three months, place corrective advertisements in national and local newspapers, and pay a proportion of the ACCC’s costs.
Black opal goes official The story: Black Opal is now the official gemstone of New South Wales after NSW premier Morris Iemma bestowed the title in recognition of the importance of the commercial production of the gem to the state. The Jewellers Association of Australia is pleased with the additional prestige that the honour will bring to this uniquely Australian gemstone. “We hope that the Premier’s announcement will bring the attention of both jewellers and jewellery purchasers to the diversity of stunning black opals available within Australia,” JAA CEO Ian Hadassin said. “Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, instigated the move a year ago. “With the Lightning Ridge community so passionate about its mining industry and the black opal, the decision seemed only natural,” Humphries said, stating the move to formally recognise the black opal would be “a boost” to the Australian opal mining industry. Black opal is the rarest and most valuable type of opal, ranking with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires as the most sought after gemstones in the world. |
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