Gold

Gold won't tarnish, rust, or corrode, and though it's very strong, it is also the most malleable of all metals.

24 karat = 100% gold
Too soft for jewelry

22 karat = 91.7% gold
Very soft — not recommended for jewelry

18 karat = 75.0% gold
Recommended for fine jewelry

14 karat = 58.3% gold
Recommended for jewelry

12 karat = 50.0% gold
Not acceptable for jewelry

10 karat = 41.7% gold
The legal karat limit considered as real gold in the United States

Tiffany & Co jewellery gallery opens in New York museum

Thursday, 2nd October 2008 (66 views)

A new state-of-the art jewellery resource centre at New York's Museum of Arts And Design has opened its inaugural show, it has been reported.

The Tiffany & Co Foundation Jewellery Gallery has been named after the famous brand due to a $2 million (?1.3 million) grant it donated to the project, according to Art+Auction magazine.

Elegant Armour, an exhibition featuring a gold ring designed by Italian sculptor Bruno Martinazzi, will be held at the venue until May 31st 2009.

Ursula Ilse-Neuman, who was recently appointed curator for contemporary jewellery, will be in charge of the new space.

"No one is better suited to leading the Tiffany gallery's programming than Ursula … she's been instrumental in shaping our collection," museum director Holly Hotchner told the news provider.

Meanwhile, the New York Times described the institution's jewellery section as "modernist and retro, functional and frivolous, understated and maniacally flamboyant".

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The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council. link

Benjamin Comar; Chanel Fine Jewellery

Chanel Fine Jewellery was launched in 1993, the first major fashion brand in modern times to move into fine jewellery. In a fascinating interview with Benjamin Comar, the International Director of Fine Jewellery, explains why gold is a key feature for Chanel.
View article »

Welcome to Gold Inspirations

The best independent gold jewellery style guide on the internet!
We bring you unique stunning jewellery from the top international designers and emerging stars; combining trends, cultures and a everlasting desire to look and feel just beautiful! link

Pakistani Jewelry

Pakistanfahion.net jewelry page is for all jewelry lover men and women.Pakistani jewellery is famous for its wide range of styles designs and delicatehand work. Jewelery is a very special item among Pakistani women on any occasion or celebration. It has a great role in bridal getup. Jewelry is not only wore by Pakistani women on functions but almost all women wearjewellery depending on nature of their work and life-style. So Pakistan fashion.net jewelry page brings to you all vriety of Pakistani jewelry worn in Pakistan. These include gold, silver, bronze, stones and alsofake jewelry items. The styles displayed in our jewelry portfolio arefor both casual wear and formal wear. Some of these styles are blendedwith western styles to produce elegant combination of gold and stones for bridal jewelry and also for casual wear. Stones and gems of various colors are embedded in yellow gold or white gold to produce jewellery to match clothes of different colors. Some of these stones are garnets, topaz, blue sapphire. This has given wide choice to brides for selecting color of their bridal dress and and giving rise to new trends. Write to Pakistani jewelry page about your needs and we will help you making best selections out of your range.

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Pakistan Traditional Jewelry

The Jewelry tradition of Pakistan is a combination of tradition and modern designs and techniques. In Pakistan, jewelry is worn by all women, sometimes even men, irrespective of their social status. It communicates a message of love, hate, power, hierarchy and marriage. Gems and semi-precious stones are worn not only for the fashion purpose but, they are also worn under the prescription of astrologers and spiritual leaders. These gems and stones are believed to affect ones future and destiny and believed to have strong influence on the live of a person. These people wear particular stone or Gem, especially prescribed to them to protect them from evil.

Women of Pakistan are great admirers of jewelry because jewelry is taken as a status of a person in the society and is counted as the wealth of women. The upper rich class wears gold jewelry with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls. Less wealthy wear gold with less precious stones, whereas poor class wear jewelry made of silver and base metal. Since jewelry shows the status and wealth of women, hence gold has an esteemed place as an investment.

Therefore in Pakistan you will find even an impoverished individual wearing at least ear studs that are or look like gold. Expensive jewels are not ceremonial symbols in Pakistan, even though they are used in abundance in big ceremonies such as weddings when bride is loaded with heavy jewelry, but women and some men too, wear it simply to show their wealth, and to impress their friends. Women wear jewelry with pride and look after them so that it can be handed down generation in the family. In this tradition, jewelry is usually worn by married women whereas widow hardly displays any form of jewelry.

History of Pakistan shows that sub-continent of which Pakistan was a part, was referred as the Golden Bird, because it was the largest importer of Gold in the world. Sub-continent was the principle production center for beads by 3000 B.C. sub-continent was the superior trade route because it was rich in mines and had large quantities of diamonds, rubies, pearls

Pakistan has come under variety of religious, social and political influences. And Pakistan jewelry is the true mirror of its past, reflecting the social and historical change. The present Pakistan jewelry is the combination of the jewelry of the villages which is reminiscent of the ornaments of Moenjodaro and Harrapa-a sophisticated urban civilization which flourished between the years 3000 and 1800 B.C., and is one of the most highly developed civilization of the ancient world, and of the Muslim designs introduced in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperors.

The traditional jewelry of Pakistan is timeless and hand-made. They seem fresh and distinguished to people today in industrial societies. Traditional ethnic jewelry is made to withstand daily usage and therefore it is fabricated from heavier metals.

Silver jewelry is fashionable now in cities as well. Every gold design is also copied in silver by the city shops.

The craft of making jewelry is done by a specific groups and casts of people called "sonars". These sonars inherit the skill and methods by direct descent. The tradition which survived through centuries. The skill is handed down from father to son, and son is taught this skill at a very young age, and by the time he is grown up he becomes an expert in this skill. The Pakistani jewelers produce a perfectly balanced piece. These sonars can accommodate two diamonds or stones of different shapes with such dexterity that

The jewelers use different techniques. These designs and modes of techniques vary from region to region and the material used. The most popular technique is "Kundan", which was introduced by Mughals in 16th century. The Kundan technique is used for forming very delicate stuff. First, a basic form of jewelry is created with hollow spaces where stones are inserted. Then it is filled with Lac (Resinous substance). Lines are engraved to hold different colors. First the colors, which require high temperature are filled and heated with fire. The other colors are applied which require less temperature, and fired until both sides are enameled properly. Then the stones are placed in their respective areas. The formed piece is then polished with a leather cloth. The jewelry produced by this technique is famous for its grace and beauty. These sonars have their own shops or stalls in the main market.

Pakistan is full of Gold and Silver jewelers. Now due to the increasing demand of Pakistan traditional jewelry, this industry is now a full-fledged large scale organized industry. And women are so fond of wearing jewelry that a simple gold or silver ring or stud for ear or nose is a normal merchandise. link

GOLD JEWELRY

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Buying GOLD JEWELRY can also be a wise investment in order to store value. As to buying Gold Jewelry via internet, the same advises apply as to where to buy Gold Bullion online: Take a close look at the shop you intend to buy at.

Look for GOLD JEWELRY dealers, who ...
... operate a professionally looking site
... show full contact details
... have a history as gold seller
... offer a variety of payment methods and secure processing
... provide full information about delivery
... show internet adresses in your browser you are expecting to see

... also operate outlet stores

For More Information

If you have a problem with the gold jewelry you purchased, first try to resolve it with the jeweler in Pakistan. If you are dissatisfied with the response, contact the local consumer protection agency in Pakistan. You also may contact the Jewelers Trade Association in Pakistan. link

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist to Pakistan

When you're in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price, and service. If you're not familiar with any jewelers in Pakistan, you should ask the jewelry shop in Pakistan for the following:

• Ask for the store's refund and return policy before you buy.
• Check for the appropriate markings on all Gold and Platinum jewelry.
• Ask if the pearls are natural, cultured, or imitation.
• Ask if a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation.
• Ask whether the gemstone has been treated and if the change is permanent?
• Make sure the jeweler in Pakistan writes on the sales receipt any information you relied on during the purchase of the jewelry, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewelers in Pakistan also may supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory. link
  

Buying Pearls in Pakistan

Natural or real pearls are made mostly by oysters and mollusks. Cultured pearls sold in Pakistan also are grown by mollusks, but with human intervention; that is, an irritant introduced into the shells causes a pearl to grow. Imitation pearls are man-made with glass, plastic, or organic materials and have not much values.

Because natural pearls are very rare, most pearls used in jewelry are either cultured or imitation pearls. Cultured pearls, because they are made by oysters or mollusks, usually are more expensive than imitation pearls. A cultured pearl's value is largely based on its size, usually stated in millimeters, and the quality of its nacre coating, which gives it luster. Jewelers in Pakistan should tell you if the pearls are cultured or imitation.

Some black, bronze, gold, purple, blue and orange pearls, whether natural or cultured, occur that way in nature; some, however, are dyed through various processes. Jewelers in Pakistan should tell you whether the colored pearls are naturally colored, dyed or irradiated. link

Purchase diamonds in Pakistan

If you consider purchasing a diamond ring in Pakistan, the real value of the diamond is based on four C's: the Color, the Cut, the Clarity, and the size in Carat. The clarity and color of a diamond's in Pakistan are usually graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering to buy in Pakistan. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat.

Some diamond retailers in Pakistan describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer in Pakistan should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers in Pakistan refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers in Pakistan should tell you if the diamond you're considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers in Pakistan should tell you whether the diamond you're considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler in Pakistan if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones. link

Purchase gemstones in Pakistan

Natural gemstones are found in nature and if you look for gem stones in Pakistan, make sure and ask the jewelry shop in Pakistan that all gemstones have not been created and produced in a laboratory. These stones, which also are referred to as laboratory-grown, or synthetic, have essentially the same chemical, physical and visual properties as natural gemstones. Laboratory- created stones, sold in Pakistan do not have the rarity of naturally colored stones and they are less expensive than naturally mined stones.

By contrast, imitation stones look like natural stones in appearance only, and may be glass, plastic, or less costly stones. Laboratory-created and imitation stones should be clearly identified as such. If you bought labratory-created stones in Pakistan but the jewelry shop in Pakistan has not informed you that they sold you synthetic gemstones, you should file as soon as possible a complain with the Tourism Authority in Pakistan and as well with the Consumer Protection agency in Pakistan.

Jewelers in Pakistan should tell you whether the gemstone you're considering has been treated, when the treatment is not permanent; the treated gemstone requires special care; or the treatment significantly affects the value of the gemstone as heating can lighten, darken or change the color of some gems, or improve a gemstone's clarity. link

Platinum Jewelries in Pakistan

Platinum is a precious metal that costs more than gold. It usually is mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium.

If you shop for highly priced platinum jewelries in Pakistan, please make sure that the platinum jewelry you wish to purchase from a jewelry shop in Pakistan contain at least 950 parts per thousand pure platinum and are marked 950. link

Gold Jewelries

Because 24K gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. If a piece of jewelry in Pakistan is not 24 karat gold, the karat quality should accompany any claim that the item is gold.

The karat quality marking tells you what proportion of gold is mixed with the other metals. Eightteen karat (18K) jewelry contains 18 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with six parts of base metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry.

Most jewelry in Pakistan is marked with its karat quality, although marking is not always required by law in Pakistan.

Solid gold refers to an item made of any karat gold, if the inside of the item is not hollow. The proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry still is determined by the karat mark. link

Guess Where You Can Buy Diamonds & Jewelry? You Won't Believe It!

Idex Research today reports that Specialty jewelers who lament that they are losing sales to discounters, department stores, and many other retail categories are correct. Just-released information from the U.S. Department of Commerce reveals that for every specialty jeweler in the U.S., there are three other merchants – whose primary business is not jewelry – who are also selling diamonds, precious metals, and other goods that have traditionally been the There are just over 128,000 retailers in the U.S. who sell jewelry in their stores, according to the latest Business Census data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Roughly 28,000 of those stores, or about 22 percent of all jewelry retail outlets, are specialty jewelers; the others represent a wide variety of retail categories including department stores, general merchandise stores, warehouse clubs, apparel retailers, non-store retailers, and a number of other specialty retailers. The graph below illustrates the mix of specialty jewelers to total retailers of jewelry in the U.S.domain of specialty jewelers. Stores Selling Jewelry by CategoryPercent of Total of 128,000 Stores
Source: Dept. of Commerce
Because jewelry is such an attractive industry – gross margins are healthy and the long term characteristics of demand are positive – there are many merchants who are trying to sell jewelry. U.S. Specialty Jewelers’ Market Share
Source: Dept. of Commerce
Who Is Taking Jewelry Market Share?Sales Growth over Past Ten Years by Retail Category
In addition to the list of logical purveyors of jewelry, there are a number of surprises on this list of jewelry outlets. For example, the Commerce Department’s Business Census, lists 117 stores which primarily sell beer and wine that also sell jewelry. You can gas up your car at 178 gasoline stations that also sell jewelry. In addition, there are about 385 convenience stores (such as 7-Eleven) which sell jewelry; 1,210 book stores sell jewelry; and, 37 pet stores also sell jewelry. In the prior Business Census (1997) about 85 automobile dealers also sold jewelry; by 2002, however, those car dealers apparently had stopped selling gemstones and watches.
Here’s an exhaustive list of all merchants who sell jewelry, but whose primary product line is not jewelry.
* Furniture & furnishings stores* Consumer electronics stores* Appliance stores* Home centers, including building materials, lawn & garden supplies, nurseries, farm supply and hardware stores* Grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores* Fruit, vegetable, confectionery, and nut stores* Beer, wine, and liquor stores* Cosmetics, beauty supplies, and perfume stores* Optical goods stores* Gasoline stations* Clothing stores, including men’s wear, women’s wear, children and family clothing, shoe stores, and infants’ stores* Luggage and leather goods stores* Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores* Sewing, needlework, and piece goods shops* Book stores, news dealers, college book shops* Music stores* Department stores* Warehouse clubs* Variety stores* Florists* Office supply, stationery, and gift shops* Used merchandise stores (pawn shops are included in this category)* Pet stores, art dealers, tobacco stores* Electronic shopping and mail-order retailers* Vending machine operators and direct selling, including in-home sales
Posted by Barry Gutwein on March 23, 2006 12:54 PM in E-Commerce. Comments (1)
Further, as a result of few barriers to entry, retailing attracts a large number of merchants who will try to sell anything to make a profit.
The bad news for specialty jewelers is that they are losing market share to those merchants whose business is not primarily selling jewelry. Over the past decade, specialty jewelers’ market share in the U.S. has dropped from about 50 percent to just over 47 percent, as the graph below illustrates. There may be some surprises among the list of retailers who are gaining – and those who are losing – market share in the jewelry category. As expected, non-store retailers have among the strongest growth of any retail category. Stores that retail sporting goods, hobby supplies, books, and music (a single category, according to the Department of Commerce) have also posted strong jewelry sales gain, though this category generated an aggregate of just over $100 million in sales. That was just enough to be included on the Idex list, which analyzes only retail categories with $100 million or more in annual jewelry sales.
A graph of those retail categories that are gaining market share and those which are losing market share is shown below. These are all of the retail categories which report that they have $100 million or more of jewelry sales annually.

Buying Loose Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands, & Wedding Rings: Trust and Verify.

Marshall Loeb of Market Watch quotes our friend and colleague, Jay Mednikow with advice to consumers on how to safely shop for loose diamonds, engagement rings, wedding rings and bands, both in jewlery stores and through internet websites. It is advice we agree with 100% and worth following.
Few purchases are more mystifying for first-time buyers than fine jewelry. There's more information out there than ever - from jewelers' Web sites and online forums to nearly ubiquitous grading reports from independent labs. But buying expensive gems and precious metals is still largely a matter of trust between you and the jeweler.
First, educate yourself on the basics. For diamonds, that means the four Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. For gold, platinum and silver, it means purity.
You can find helpful information on these fundamentals from the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The Gemological Institute of America, the most prominent diamond grading agency, provides tutorials on buying diamonds and colored gems at (GIA Education).
"It's less of a blind purchase than it used to be," says Jay Mednikow, president of 115-year-old Mednikow Jewelers in Memphis and Atlanta. "But a jeweler who knows what he's doing can take advantage of you if he wants to."
Thus, there is still no substitute for a reliable dealer with an established reputation. Many jewelers are GIA-certified gemologists and display their credentials prominently.
For diamonds, Mednikow recommends buying only those with grading certificates from GIA, the American Gem Society or another independent laboratory. If a jeweler says he can offer you an uncertified diamond at a discount, tell him you'll pay to have it analyzed since the cost should be only $50 to $300 depending on the size of the stone. Read warranty and return policies carefully and make sure all guarantees are written on your sales receipt - it's your legal contract.
You may have a hard time distinguishing between slight variations in color and clarity, but still trust your own eyes.
Mednikow recommends holding diamonds with a pair of tweezers over your finger or against a white background and under lights of different types and varying brightness. With shapes other than round-cut, which has standard specifications, and with colored gems, you will have to rely much more on the jeweler's expertise.
If you are buying a colored stone such as a ruby, sapphire or diamond, ask if it has been "treated" to enhance the color. Some processes are routine, like heating for sapphires and rubies and oiling for emeralds, but others are temporary or undesirable.
Up to half the gold jewelry sold in the U.S. bears a false karat rating, says Mednikow. Choosing a reliable merchant is your only insurance, although national retailers like Zales and Sears are diligent about the purity of their gold.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on March 23, 2006 12:27 PM in Jewelry Stores Comments (1)

Diamond Identification Method for Consumers: Bring Napkins

The Financial Times of London reports on a novel way to identify Diamonds from fakes:
It is said that Alexander the Great found a valley full of both diamonds and poisonous snakes. No one could work out how to retrieve the jewels until Alexander had the idea of throwing down raw meat, to which the diamonds attached. When eagles flew down for the meat, Alexander's men just had to follow them to their nests.
It sounds like fantasy but diamonds are attracted to fat, and the story reminded people how to tell real diamonds from fakes. De Beers still practise Alexander's trick in their South Africa mines today: They use "grease tables" and only the valuable stones stick.
Today, most engagement rings are diamond but after the war, people wanted holidays, cars or colorful gems to celebrate a future marriage.
In 1947 a New York copywriter, given the task of finding a slogan for her client's product, stayed late in the office. "I put my head down and said: 'Please God, send me a line.'" Then she scribbled: "A Diamond is Forever" and the rest is History.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on March 21, 2006 8:52 AM in Tidbits Comments (5)

Tiffany To Open Two New Diamond & Jewelry Stores In China.

Luxury retailer Tiffany & Co., plans to open two new stores in China during 2006. One store will open at Beijing's Oriental Plaza, and a second store at Shanghai's Plaza 66. Beijing is scheduled to open in May, and Shanghai could open towards the end of the year, the company reports.
"The Oriental Plaza in Beijing and Plaza 66 in Shanghai are ideal environments for a Tiffany store," said Darren Chen, group vice president at Tiffany & Co. "These convenient locations expand our presence both in Beijing and Shanghai, cities of growing importance as global business centers and as destinations for both domestic and overseas tourists."
Once the new stores open, Tiffany will have a total of two stores in each of those prominent cities. Tiffany currently has a boutique in Beijing's Peninsula Palace Hotel, which opened in 2001, and a boutique in the City Plaza shopping complex in Shanghai, which opened in 2004.
How do say "Bling-Bling" in Chinese?
"Bring-Bring"!
Posted by Barry Gutwein on March 21, 2006 8:48 AM in Jewelry Stores Comments (0)

Zales To Get New CEO.

Mary L. Forte has resigned as president and chief executive officer of Zale Corp., effective immediately.
The company has appointed board member Betsy Burton as interim chief executive officer, pending the selection of a new chief executive officer. Burton has served on the Zale board since 2003.
Burton, 54, has held the position of chief executive officer of various companies, including Supercuts, Inc., PIP Printing and the Cosmetic Center. She has also provided interim management and consulting services in the retail industry. Burton also holds posts on several other public company boards including Staples, Aeropostale and Rent-A-Center.
Zale Corp. is North America's largest specialty jeweler with about 2,400 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico as well as online. The company's brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Gordon's Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda. The company also operates direct sales through www.zales.com and www.baileybanksandbiddle.com
In the all important 4th Quarter sales rose only by 0.9% despite re-doing it's product mix and going more upscale.Pressure from Internet Diamond & Jewelry websites also cut into Zale sales.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on February 1, 2006 6:38 AM in Jewelry Stores Comments (0)

Changing Landscape in Retail Jewelry

Investment fund Newcastle Partners LP has filed a lawsuit against Whitehall Jewellers Inc., claiming the jewelry chain is trying to stymie Newcastle's takeover efforts.
In a lawsuit filed January 4, in the Southern District of New York, the Newcastle said Whitehall's directors and Prentice Capital Management LP have conspired to rig a proxy fight over a proposed change in the company's charter that would allow the board to issue more shares and transfer control of the company to Prentice.
In October, Whitehall announced it had reached an agreement with Prentice to restructure its debt and improve its financial condition. Under the agreement, it would receive a $30 million bridge loan and issue $50 million in secured convertible notes in exchange for giving Prentice control of 87 percent of its common stock.
Shareholders are set to vote on the changes in Whitehall's corporate charter on Jan. 19.
Newcastle, which said it's the second largest independent shareholder of Whitehall, has made several tender offers for the company since the financing package was announced. Its latest offer was $1.50 a share.
A Whitehall spokesman wasn't immediately available to comment late Thursday. Whitehall shares rose 1 cent, at $1.24 in morning trading Friday on the OTC Bulletin Board.
In its complaint, Newcastle alleges that Whitehall's directors would remain in place under Prentice's proposal and that they have implemented a variety of measures intended to stack the deck in favor of Prentice, including waiving "poison pill" protections for Prentice, but not Newcastle.
The lawsuit also claims that Prentice has contacted selected shareholders who own significant blocks of the company's stock and offered to purchase their shares at a substantial premium to the market price on the condition they cast their proxy vote in favor of Whitehall's management.
Earlier Thursday, Whitehall asked its shareholders to take no action on the Newcastle proposal. The company said the board would disclose its position on the revised offer at a later time after reviewing the offer's terms.
The company said that its board has previously determined that it cannot consider any proposal without a firm commitment for refinancing the company's outstanding debt and meeting its future financial needs. Newcastle has failed to demonstrate its ability to do so, the company said.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on January 8, 2006 9:47 AM in Jewelry Stores Comments (0)

What Will Happen To Zales?

The Dallas Morning News reports that Zales, the largest United States jewelry chain's stock price has fallen more than 12 percent since Thanksgiving, as Wall Street expresses concerns about the Irving, TX-based company's shrinking market share.
The company has lowered sales and profit expectations in recent months and has admitted that it has lost market share to Kay Jewelers.
Since reaching its split-adjusted high of $34.50 in July, Zale stock has fallen more than 25 percent, closing December 27 at $25.28, down 47-cents.
After disappointing results for Christmas 2004, the company shuffled management at Zales Jewelers, which makes up 45 percent of Zale Corp.'s sales. But a year later, the chain is still stumbling.
In a shift in direction, Zales is getting away from its "price-driven strategy" and emphasizing "a more style and quality image," said David Sternblitz, Zale vice president and treasurer.
The chain is buying basic jewelry directly from overseas sources, bypassing traditional wholesalers in the United States. And it has hedged against rising gold prices in recent months, he said December 23.
Zales is advertising for the first time in The New York Times Sunday magazine and has ditched its longtime television commercials for image ads. It's also using more direct mail and fewer newspaper inserts, Mr. Sternbiltz said.
The many moving parts have put Wall Street on guard. In November, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock.
Analysts say major competitor Kay Jewelers and department stores such as J.C. Penney Co., and Federated Department Stores Inc., which operates Macy's and Bloomingdale's, are luring away Zales' traditional customers.
In a note issued last week, Goldman downgraded Zale stock because of "extensive internal merchandising and marketing repositionings during the critical holiday season, which accounts for 100 percent of earnings."
Penney's jewelry offerings were "more contemporary and fashion-forward," the report said. "Zales continues to bleed market share to Kay, as demonstrated by the annual same-store sales trends since 2003."
Kay Jewelers and off-mall chain Jared are both owned by London-based Signet Group and operated by its subsidiary, Sterling Jewelers Inc., based in Akron, Ohio.
"We've experienced an erosion in market share to our next largest competitor over the past three years, and that's why we're repositioning Zales," Sternblitz said.
"We have been visiting Zales stores across malls over the past few weeks in search of positive evidence that management has been executing its brand repositioning efforts well. We have come up empty," wrote Goldman Sachs analyst Adrianne Shapira.
The week before Christmas, Zales stores put up "Lowest Prices of the Season" banners in an attempt to meet sales targets.
Sternblitz said that the company estimates comparable store sales to increase 2 percent to 3 percent. It plans to announce combined November-December results on January 5, when chain stores are scheduled to report December sales.
In addition to its flagship Zales Jewelers division, Zale owns Gordon's Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers and other chains.
Zale expects to report fiscal second-quarter earnings of $2.05 to $2.08 a share, excluding a one-time gain.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on January 4, 2006 9:31 PM in Jewelry Stores Comments (2)

No Kidding? What A Revelation!

According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive and sponsored by Kronos Inc. consumers are more likely to make purchases and inclined to buy more merchandise per transaction when retailers provide attentive, knowledgeable service.
Savvy retailers who focus on providing higher levels of customer service are able to influence shoppers to increasing their holiday spending, Recognizing that their workforce is critical to sales,leading retailers are utilizing their workforce as a strategic asset to satisfy customers and boost sales this holiday season.
The survey found that 85 percent of respondents were “somewhat to very likely” to purchase additional products if they interacted with a competent sales associate while shopping.
The survey also found that potential buyers will return merchandise to the shelf if they were unable to find the assistance they need, effectively reversing their decision to buy. An overwhelming 82 percent of consumers will wait on line no longer than15 minutes.
Additionally, 45 percent of those polled said that they shop for themselves during the holiday season, giving retailers another incentive to ensure that they are catering to the service needs of their customers.
"Because this survey gives retailers a glimpse into the consumer psyche during the holiday shopping season, they can work to ensure they are focused on the factors that most contribute to increased spending and customer loyalty," Stuart Itkin, vice president of marketing at Kronos, said in a company press release.
Stuart, you're a frickin genius. All that money spent on the MBA degree. Common sense costs a lot less.
+
Posted by Barry Gutwein on December 23, 2005 9:01 AM in Jewelry Stores Comments (0)

Jewelry Stores ArchivesWhitehall Reports Loss.

Sales at Whitehall Jewellers slid 7 percent to $58.9 million during the company's third quarter of fiscal year 2005. Whitehall's net loss grew from $8.3 million to $43 million for the quarter, which ended October 31, 2005.
Year-to-date Whitehall sales fell 5 percent from 2004 to $198.3 million. Net losses grew by nearly a multiple of five to $71.9 million.
On December 7, 2005, Whitehall received more than $2 million from the exercise of warrants resulting in the issuance of 2,792,462 Whitehall common shares to the Prentice and Holtzman investors.
Whitehall expects to close 77 stores before February 2006, which will liquidate approximately $44 million in inventory.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on December 10, 2005 8:12 PM in Jewelry Stores Comments (1)

Pakistan Has Diamonds: You Kidding Me?

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said today that his government would work towards establishing the nation as an internationally competitive, world-class hub for diamond and gemstone cutting and polishing, and for jewelry manufacturing. Pakistan borders India's northwest.
The minister is working on a development strategy for the country's jewelry sector and concluded that Pakistan holds great potential due to the availabilty of natural resources and skilled craftsmen. Pakistan is rich with a variety of gemstones and deposits have been largely untapped by explorers.
The country established the Pakistan Gems and Jewelery Development Centre after a two-year working group delegation studied best practices used in other major trading centers. The group's project leader, Ambarine Bukharey, and a delegation visited the United States in 2005 in time for the JCK Las Vegas Show and to meet with New York industry leaders in July that year. The development center's main focus for now is to increase gemstone and jewelry exports.
Some of the issues Pakistan's Ministry of Industries and Production would work out in coming months include conducting market and industry surveys in order develop a Pakistan brand and roadmap for international recognition. The ministry will also be conducting geological surveys on gemstone deposits to identify potential mining locations.
At present, Pakistan exports about $25 million of gemstones and jewelry, but the government targets growth to $500 million in exports by year 2010.
The government plans to establish gemstone testing and certification centers in the cities of Gilgit, Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi.
Posted by Barry Gutwein on October 19, 2006 7:27 AM in Diamond News Comments (0)
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TYPES OF DIAMONDS

Pink Diamonds The pink diamond is the world's most rare and valuable diamond.The Argyle mine is the world's foremost source of unrivalled intense pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world's supply. However, an extremely small proportion of Argyle Diamonds production is Pink colour, in fact less than one tenth of 1% is classified Pink.
The legend of Argyle pink diamond has grown over the past ten years. At the 1989 Christie's auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat.

For years the white diamond was considered the world's most beautiful diamond, until the discovery of the Argyle mine heralded the arrival of the Argyle pink diamond. Never before had pink diamonds displaying such intense shades of colour been seen. The pink diamonds of India, Brazil and Africa were characteristically light in colour and paled even further when placed beside the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. The natural colour diamonds have in fact been around as long as the classical whites but in much smaller quantities and never in great demand.


The Argyle pink diamond comes in shades ranging from delicate pastel rose to robust raspberry and full-blooded purple-reds. The prices per carat are determined by the intensity of colour. Argyle selects only its most vibrant pink diamonds for polishing at its head office in Perth. There, the stones are polished in a wide range of cuts, such as round brilliant, marquise, oval and pear, to enhance their natural beauty. Polished pink diamonds are available in the same size ranges as traditional commercial sizes.

Once a year, Argyle Diamonds issues a special release of outstanding pink diamonds that are sold by special bids in the international and invitation-only, Pink Diamond Tender.


White Diamonds White diamonds are produced by mines all over the world in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.The white diamonds recovered from the Argyle mine are particularly brilliant and of high quality.
White diamonds with secondary pink colour
The Argyle mine also produces white diamonds with secondary pink colour that command a higher price per carat. In an effect similar to that described of pink champagne diamonds, the white diamond will display slight to bold flashes of pink when viewed from the top. A higher price is commanded for pink secondary colour depending on its depth and strength, because pink is one of the most rare colours found in diamonds.


Champagne DiamondsChampagne diamonds are naturally coloured diamonds that are produced in a wide range of colours from light straw to rich cognac.
The 4C's of colour, cut, clarity and carat weight apply to coloured diamonds just as they do to colourless diamonds except the intensity of colour, not lack of it, plays a greater part in the valuation.
Argyle Diamonds created the following scale specifically for champagne diamonds. The diamonds are graded on a C1-C7 colour scale. C1 and C2 represent light champagne, C3 and C4 medium champagne, and C5 and C6 dark champagne. The fancy cognac diamond is graded C7.


Pink Champagne Diamonds Attractive champagne diamonds with secondary pink colour are also available and command a higher price per carat than champagne diamonds. These stones display slight to bold flashes of pink in their fire.
Argyle Pink Champagne Diamonds are available in three ranges of shades, from light pink champagne to medium and dark pink champagne.
As pink is one of the rarest colours found in diamonds, even secondary colours demand a higher price depending on depth and strength of colour.

Yellow Diamonds Fancy yellow diamonds come in a broad range of shades ranging from light yellow to a rich canary colour.
A limited quantity of fancy yellow diamonds is recovered from the Argyle mine.
Blue DiamondsFancy blue diamonds are available in a wide range of shades, from the blue of the sky to a more "steely" colour than sapphire.
Limited quantities of fancy blue diamonds are recovered from the Argyle mine.


Green Diamonds Fancy green diamonds are also available. Usually, penetration of the colour is not very deep and is often removed during the fashioning of the stone.
A limited quantity of fancy green diamonds is recovered from the Argyle mine.


Diamond SimulantsCubic Zirconia Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is the most commonly encountered diamond simulant. All commercial CZ is formed in laboratories however, it is also found in nature. In both its synthetic and natural forms, CZ is colourless but colour can be introduced. A thermal pen tester can quickly and easily detect CZ.
Synthetic moissanite Synthetic moissanite is a new diamond simulant to join the long list of products that imitate diamonds. Although moissanite is being marketed as a new unique, synthetic gemstone, some of its properties are close enough to those of diamonds to lead to confusion in the trade.
Natural moissanite was first identified in a meteorite crater at the beginning of the twentieth century however, most is produced synthetically as natural moissanite is very rare. Chemically, it is 'silicon carbide', also known as 'carborundum', which is widely used for abrasive purposes and for use in the electronics industry.
Synthetic moissanite is a diamond simulant like Cubic Zirconia however, it can be passed as a diamond by the widely used thermal pen testers because it has similar thermal characteristics to diamonds. However, it can be easily identified by other methods.

Jewelry in Pakistan

The jewelry in Pakistan is one of the best things which you can purchase while shopping in Pakistan. The traditional jewelry are what the tourists must always check out. The mind boggling variety of jewelry items which are available in the country of Pakistan is something which would not fail to delight those shopping in Pakistan. The wonderful combination of the modern and traditional jewelry can be understood by purchasing many of the jewelry items which are available in the country. Jewelry in Pakistan is mostly worn by the women folk of the country. It does not matter what the social status of the women is, you would still be able to find one or two items of jewelry adorning the lady in Pakistan.
Those who can afford it, wear gold jewelry which is studded with gems. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls are some of the stones which adorn the gift of jewelry items in Pakistan. Those who are not well off, purchase those items of jewelry which do not have studded stones and gems. The items of jewelry in Pakistan function very well as one of the items of gifts for your near and dear ones. Weddings are the perfect time in Pakistan when you could present jewelry as a gift. You could purchase the wonderful jewelry items during shopping in Pakistan. There are numerous jewelry shops in Pakistan from where you could make your purchase.The history of jewelry in Pakistan is something as interesting as the items themselves. The different social and political influences which the country of Pakistan has come under, at various points in time, can be felt in the craft of jewelry making which is now exhibited in the country. You should not be surprised if some of the jewelry in Pakistan reminds you of the ones found during the Mohenjodaro and Harrapa archeological excavations. Apart from the gold ornaments, you could also check out the silver jewelry in Pakistan. The hand made items of jewelry which are easily available in the country of Pakistan are another one of the things which you could consider buying. When you are planning to gift jewelry items, then you could also purchase a beautiful jewelry box to accompany it.

Amber Jewelers Bring Glittering Jewelry to Town

Amber Jewelers Bring Glittering Jewelry to Town
By Asif Khan
Artesia (CA): The recent opening of Amber Jewelers in Artesia is a piece of good news for the Pakistani and Indian families of the area who have been vainly looking for Pakistani jewelry for a long, long time. The grand opening was held in mid-February this year. Khalid and Mahnaz are excited about their new ven
Khalid Mahmood is no newcomer to the business as he has been in the wholesale jewelry trade for the past three years and comes from a well-known family of jewelers in Pakistan. His wife Mahnaz works with the Bank of America during the day and fully supports her husband in the evening at their store. Their three children, Ambreen, Imran and Sabeen also lend a helping hand to their parents in the growth and expansion of their business.
In their view, “This is a niche market that we are trying to capture. There is a big demand for this kind of jewelry. Precious stones like Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires and semi-precious stones like Topaz, Amethysts, Peridots and others, because of their dazzling colors, are in demand,” said Khalid.
The store does not only have Pakistani jewelry; it also has the Indian-style jewelry on sale. Pointing out the difference between the two, Khalid says, “Pakistani Jewelry places an emphasis on the stones, so the design and craftsmanship are focused toward making the colors come out and the jewels glow. Indian jewelry on the other hand plays up the gold and filigree work rather than the stones. The closest Indian jewelry to this is found in Hyderabad where stones of all kinds are used.”
They have their own manufacturing unit in Karachi where the jewelry is made. Khalid also revealed that his family was the pioneer in die-casting - an important step in the jewelry making process. He has had an interest in jewelry business since his childhood, when his father owned a jewelry store - Modern Jewelers - in Lahore.
Khalid is a well-educated, affable individual. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering and served in Siemens Pakistan Engineering Company and Hashmi Can Company before migrating to the US. Now, after a long break, he is back in the jewelry business.
Khalid and Mahnaz are confident and ready to take on competition. “If we offer nice jewelry, provide good service and give customers what they want, Insha-Allah we will be successful. We always welcome customer feedback and suggestions to improve our products. Since we do our own manufacturing, we can take customers’ orders of their own designs and can also offer very reasonable prices.”
As an inaugural offer, the store is giving a free gold nose pin to anyone who makes a purchase of $500 and up.
Amber Jewelers is located next to Watch Palace, at 18500 Pioneer Boulevard, Suite B, Artesia, CA 90701. Phone: (562) 865-7499.
It is an ideal shopping venue for those who value quality and a must-to-visit shop for pretty brides-to-be.
Back to Topture. And rightly so!

ABOUT DIAMONDS

It was these conditions that caused deposits of carbon to begin to crystallise deep in the earth. As the earth's surface cooled, volcanic activity forced streams of magna (liquid rock) to the surface, carrying with it the diamond crystals. Later, the diamond-bearing rock hardened, encasing the diamonds in vertical volcanic "piBut not all diamonds are found where they first came to the surface. Subsequent erosion of the topsoils over millions of years washed some of the diamonds into streams and rivers, and sometimes as far away as the sea. It is highly probable that they were first discovered in areas such as these, far away from their original location.
pesThe atomic structure of a diamond gives it the property of being the hardest substance known to man, natural or synthetic. The diamond is thousands of times harder than corundum, the next hardest substance from which rubies and sapphires are formed. Even after many years of constant wear, diamonds will preserve their sharp edges and corners when most other stones will have become worn and chipped. However, many people expect a diamond to be unbreakable. This is not true. A diamond's crystal structure has "hard" and "soft" directions. A blow of sufficient force, in a very exact direction, can crack, chip, split or even shatter a diamond.

ABOUT DIAMONDS

Diamonds have been a source of fascination for centuries. They are the hardest, the most imperishable, and the brilliant of all precious stones. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word adamas, meaning "unconquerable".A diamond is a transparent gem made of carbon, one of the earth's most common elements. The formation of diamonds began very early in the earth's history, when the condensation of solid matter into a sphere caused the centre of the planet to become subjected to incredible extremes of temperatures and pressure.

Recent Times

During the mid-nineteenth century, diamonds were also being discovered in eastern Australia. However, it was not until late 1970's, after seven years of earnest searching, that Australia's alleged potential as a diamond prodOn October 2nd 1979, geologists found the Argyle pipe near Lake Argyle: the richest diamond deposit in the world. Since then, Argyle has become the world's largest volume producer of diamonds, and alone is responsible for producing over a third of the world's diamonds every year.
ucer was validated.

The Middle Ages

The popularity of diamonds surged during the Middle Ages, with the discovery of many large and famous stones in India, such as the Koh-I-Noor and the Blue Hope. Today India maintains the foremost diamond polishing As the Indian diamond supply dwindled, smaller finds occurred in Borneo and Brazil, but these were not sufficient to meet the ever-increasing demand for diamonds. The mid-nineteenth century discovery of diamonds near the Orange River in South Africa sparked the world's biggest diamond rush, and helped to satiate the world's increasing appetite for diamonds.
industry in the world.

The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages more attention was paid to the worth of diamonds, rather than the mystical powers surrounding them. Due to the heightened public awareness of the value of diamonds, mine owners perpetuated myths that diamonds were poisonous. This was to prevent the mineworkers swallowing the diamonds in an attempt to smuggle them out of the mines.

The Dark Ages

The diamond was also used for some time as medical aid. One anecdote, written during the Dark Ages by St Hildegarde, relates how a diamond held in the hand while making a sign of the cross would heal wounds and cure illnesses. Diamonds were also ingested in the hope of curing sickness. During the early Middle Ages, Pope Clement unsuccessfully used this treatment in a bid to aid his recovery.

Early History

The first recorded history of the diamond dates back some 3,000 years to India, where it is likely that diamonds were first valued for their ability to refract light. In those days, the diamond was used in two ways-for decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in battle.

HISTORY OF DIAMONDS

From myths about valleys of diamonds protected by snakes, to the production of millions of carats in rough diamonds each year, the history of diamonds is one of mystical power, beauty and commercial expertise.

Sterling Silver Anklets

All our sterling silver anklets are stamped 925 to assure silver content.Silver is beloved jewelry metal. Not only is it durable, but it wears well and works beautifully with thousands of different combinations of other metals, gemstones, many other materials. Caring and cleaning for sterling silver jewelry also takes minimal care; the patina that comes with wear adds character and depth to the jewelry items.

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver jewelry from KVK Designs. Anklets, toe rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings all stamped .925 for silver content.Sterling is extremely versatile and is easily molded or hammered to create all sorts of patterns and designs. When you think about it, sterling silver jewelry is a great value. It offers as lovely a shine as more expensive metals, and makes a great setting for your favorite gems. If gem stones aren't your style, patterned sterling with a natural patina looks fabulous all by itself. Have fun exploring all the possibilities!

Wooden Jewelry

Wooden Jewelry by fashion designer brand LoeweStamm. Loewestamm Company manufactures stylish accessories handcrafted from natural wood. Adhering to its own philosophy, Loewestamm offers conceptual collections composed of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and belts made of endemic species of wood grown on the Black Sea Coast. The principal raw materials are grey mountain oak, ash, and pistachio wood, harvested during the professional thinning of the National Reserve. The finished products are covered with a wax-based polish. Some of products have natural Baltic amber. Each product presented by the Loewestamm Company is hand-made and unique since there are no two identical pieces of wood. Each piece is handmade in the Ukraine.Loewestramm's jewelry designs have been featured in People, Cosmopolitan, Instyle, City Life and the November 2006 Italian issue of Cosmopolitan.

Welcome to Natural Stone Jewelry and Unique Gifts by KVK Designs

Natural stone jewelry can be a balance to the busy glitzy world we live in. Natural stone jewelry can enhance your jewelry collection by combining natural beauty with timeless style. KVK Designs offers unique handcrafted natural stone jewelry that is stylish, unique and combines the best of semi precious stone jewelry with awe-inspiring designs that capture your own unique personality. Our amber collection is wonderfully stylish and unique. Our gemstone bracelets are a dazzling work of art. Our stone necklaces offer an array of designs; choose from semi-precious and precious stone necklaces. Our gemstone earrings in designs that are incredibly original. Our hematite jewelry and hematite rings are known for their healing properties. “Sumptuous colors in beautiful designs.We also carry sterling silver jewelry stamped .925 for silver content. Our wooden jewelry by LoeweStamm is made from natural wood grown on the Black Sea Coast. Beautiful sea shell jewelry is handcrafted from natural sea shells. Gorgeous hand blown glass pendants handcrafted from dichroic glass. Funky glass rings and necklaces handcrafted with retro art paper. Fabulous jewelry boxes create a beautiful home for your precious gems and Unique gifts that are sensible as well as sensational. We have something to meet every taste and style.We want each item that you find on our web site to be that certain something special that makes shopping with us a wondrous journey. Thank you for letting us share the beauty of nature with you.We are always working to add new and trendy pieces to our site, so check back often.

Welcome to Infinity Jewels

At Infinity Jewels you will find some of the newest styles in high quality, designer inspired jewelry. Each piece is inspected for the conformity, superior workmanship and beautiful detail we believe our customers demand. We make it our business to know the latest trends and offer designer inspired jewelry at a price you can afford each and every day. No one has to know!
Read more... At Infinity Jewels you will find some of the newest styles in high quality, designer inspired jewelry. Each piece is inspected for the conformity, superior workmanship and beautiful detail we believe our customers demand. We make it our business to know the latest trends and offer designer inspired jewelry at a price you can afford each and every day. No one has to know!

We always strive to carry the newest designer inspired jewelry and latest styles made of precious and semi-precious metals plated in Rhodium for a Platinum look or 18kt Gold for a yellow Gold appearance. Our jewels are genuine crystals, cubic zirconias, gems such as freshwater pearls, amethyst, garnet, peridot, citrine, and natural stones of Turquoise, Tiger Eye, and Lapis. We offer the best quality jewelry as close to the original creator's design and the latest trends in style and color for much less than you would pay for the authentic designer pieces. You can be sure of prompt delivery and helpful service too.