Jewelry News

Most don’t think of the ways in which jewelry stores give back to the community. This store has a smart plan that makes it easy for the customer to give and get in return:

While it’s experiencing some changes—relocating, closing and opening stores—one thing remains the same, Cartersville Jewelry Exchange continues to raise money for its favorite charity, Canine Assistants.

With its Batteries For Charity program, which began in 2009, the local business introduced a new concept in the jewelry industry—free watch batteries in exchange for charitable donations.

“It’s just something we wanted to do, it’s who we are,” Owner David Harrison said in a press release. “Here’s how it works: Your watch shoots craps, you need a battery, you bring it to us and we put you in a new one no charge, we ask you to contribute to our favorite charity, Canine Assistants. If its within your means dig deep, if not that’s cool, too, the battery is still on us.”

Cartersville Jewelry Exchange recently wrote a check for the $15,500 it raised through the program, and Harrison said it’s not stopping now. “Our goal is specific to raise another $15,500 to sponsor a second dog to donate to a child in need,” he added.

This year, the outlet has made several moves—closing its Jasper store and relocating it to Canton, moving the Cartersville store to another shopping center in town and opening a new location in Rome, while continuing its ongoing operation in Calhoun.

This article is part of Dispatches: The Changing American Dream, our ongoing series about how people in Cartersville are adapting to the challenges of life in the 21st Century. Source: Carterville Patch

Sotheby’s is at it again, stunning the jewelry world with its amazing pieces. On September 20, Sotheby’s kicks off its Fall season with some amazing pieces…at some amazing prices. Bring your check book!

A “Tutti Frutti” bracelet, one of Cartier’s rarest and most iconic Art Deco designs, will headline the Important Jewels sale at Sotheby’s in New York on September 20. The bracelet has a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.

Released by Cartier in 1928, the “Tutti Frutti” bracelet features  a flexible openwork foliate band set with carved sapphires, rubies and emeralds. It is set with old European-cut and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 7.00 carats, and is applied with black enamel.

The auction also features signed pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb, Buccellati and Tiffany & Co., with estimates ranging from $5,000 to $800,000. Collectors of high-quality diamonds will find a compelling selection of wearable white diamond rings ranging from 2 to 15 carats, as well as an array of fancy colored diamond jewels.

Among the items are a platinum and diamond Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, set with an emerald-cut diamond weighing 9.19 carats, D color, VVS2 clarity, which flanked by triangular-shaped diamonds weighing approximately 2.80 carats.

Also featured is a diamond pendant necklace set with pear-shaped diamond of fancy intense blue color weighing 2.59 carats, VS1 clarity, surmounted by two diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 carat.

Another items expected to raise interest is a platinum and 18-karat pink gold and diamond Ring, set with a  round diamond weighing 5.56 carats, D color, internally flawless with excellent cut, polish and symmetry, which is flanked by two round diamonds each weighing  0.70 carat of similar perfect quality; and a platinum, gold, ruby and diamond Ring by Tiffany & Co., which is set with a Burmese ruby and diamonds weighing approximately 3.50 carats.

The Important Jewels presale exhibition will be opens to the public in New York on Friday, September 16.

Source: Diamond Dealers Club

In the last few weeks, we’ve highlighted the economic trends in relation to purchasing engagement rings. Now we have some more specifics. Overall, you’ll see couples moving toward more affordable engagement rings with smaller carat sizes and alternative gems, such as moissanite.

The average American engagement ring costs $5,200. That’s just one of the results of the just-released 2011 Engagement & Jewelry Survey from XO Group Inc., formerly The Knot Inc., and owners of TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. The survey polled more than 10,000 U.S. brides and 1,000 U.S. grooms who were either engaged or married in the past year.

Below are highlights of survey data, featuring average prices, carat weights, and more:

1.		Engagement ring cost: $5,200
2.		Carat size: 1 ct. for center stone; 1.4 cts. t.w.
3.		Most popular diamond shapes: round (53%) and princess (30%)
4.		Most popular engagement ring metal: white gold (73%)
5.		Time it takes for groom to find engagement ring: 3 months
6.		Wedding band cost: $1,126 for brides; $491 for grooms
7.		Most popular wedding band metal: white gold (70% for brides, 34% for grooms)
8.		Luxury ring segment: About 12% of couples spend more than $8,000 on the engagement ring
9.		Luxury engagement ring cost: $13,500
10.		Luxury engagement ring carat size: 1.5 cts. for center stone; more than 2 cts. t.w.
11.		Luxury wedding band cost: $1,560 for brides; $731 for grooms

Other data reveals that just 14 percent of grooms claimed to have scaled down the size and cost of engagement rings purchased due to the economy, while 1 in 4 grooms spent more than he originally budgeted. Buyers are, however, still spending less than they did a few years ago; today, couples are spending just under $5,200 on the ring, compared with $5,800 for engaged couples in 2008.

Read more at JCK.

Style 10214-6.5mm Twisted Shank Engagement Ring With Side Stones Twisted shank engagement ring with just under 2/5ct t.w. pave’ side stones. Fits a 6.5mm (1ct) round center stone. (setting only, does not include center stone)

If you’re lucky enough to wear this purse, you better be careful not to leave it behind at a restaurant!

Inspired by the fascinating tales of Scheherazade, the ‘Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse’ is currently the most expensive purse in the world. It was designed by Robert Mouawad and it took ten artisans no less than 8,800 hours to finish it.

The heart-shaped purse was handcrafted in 18-karat gold, and studded with 4,356 colorless diamonds, 105 yellow diamonds and 56 pink ones. The total is a whooping 4,517 diamonds adding up to 381.92 karats. This all translates into $3.8 million.

Now you know why the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse is the most expensive handbag in the world. It was unveiled at the Doha Jewellery and Watched Exhibition by the House of Mouawad, and it will continue to be displayed until Sunday.

Source: National Jeweler

The Kimberly Process is designed to certify the origin of rough diamonds from sources which are free of conflict funded by diamond production. The certification scheme aims at preventing “blood diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market and assure consumers that they were not indirectly financing war and human rights abuses. This week, it was brought into question by Human Rights Watch:

Human Rights Watch called on governments, companies and consumers to refuse to buy Zimbabwe diamonds until all members of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme agree the country is protecting people’s rights.

The Kimberley Process, which was created in 2003 to prevent so-called “blood diamonds” from financing conflict, said on June 23 that exports from Zimbabwe’s Marange fields could resume. The decision was broadly supported by African countries, while the U.S. and Canada objected.

“If diamonds from Marange are KP certified we’d be arguing for consumers not to buy those diamonds from sellers,” Tiseke Kasambala of Human Rights Watch said by phone from Johannesburg today. “The allowing of exports while there are ongoing abuses is a terrible decision.”

In 2009, restrictions were placed on the export of gems from the Marange field, which is near Zimbabwe’s border with Mozambique, after an investigation found human-rights violations and smuggling at the site. In 2008, more than 200 people were killed when Zimbabwean security forces took over the concessions, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

Kimberley Process President Mathieu Yamba said June 23 that Zimbabwe was now complying with the organization’s requirements and had guaranteed cooperation with civil society representatives and special monitoring of its exports. Yamba did not answer his phone when called for comment by Bloomberg today.

“Consensus cannot mean that everyone has to say ‘yes’,” he said June 23 in response to Canada’s objection.

Source: Bloomberg News

 

Read more about our eco-friendly jewelry.

We’ve talked about the many wonders of palladium in the past. It’s durable, light-weight, with a remarkable luster. Palladium is considered a sister-metal to platinum. though palladium is a relative newcomer in the jewelry market. Several celebrities have joined up with Palladium Alliance International to co-create a campaign extolling its virtues.

Toledo, Ohio–Palladium Alliance International (PAI) is partnering up with celebrities Pamela Anderson, Kelly Osbourne and Rose McGowan for a new campaign to promote the metal’s use in fine jewelry.

“The campaign, which will launch nationally in September, is a play on the attributes of palladium,” said Ellen Fruchtman, president of Fruchtman Marketing, which developed and is launching the campaign for PAI.

Former Baywatch star and humanitarian Pamela Anderson, E! Fashion Police host Kelly Osbourne and Charmed TV actress Rose McGowan will be featured in a series of ads that will extol the virtues of palladium jewelry.

The campaign will appear in publications including Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Glamour, W, and Elle. The PAI campaign is the largest for palladium and highlights intrinsic qualities of the metal as those matching the desires of an active, busy consumer.

In addition to print, the campaign will include extensive digital and social media aspects.

“The campaign has a lot of legs and is very consumer and media friendly,” Fruchtman said. “The celebrities we have selected are recognizable, and the headline associated with the campaign will be attention-getting.”

One of the lightest precious metals, palladium has been used in jewelry since about 1939, and is naturally white, durable and pure.

Source: National Jeweler

Palladium Comfort Fit Wedding Band With Milgrained Edges Comfort fit wedding band, high polished with milgrain edges in palladium, 6mm wide.

50% Off!! Comfort Fit Diamond Wedding Band In Palladium

 

Probably not much. But not to worry – we’re here to help. Zultanite is a trending gemstone that’s been showing its chameleon-like qualities in several prominent collections. Read on about this color-changing gem.

(above) Rhonda Faber Green’s Juliet flower ring is made in 18-karat yellow gold and features 19 carats of zultanite, 3.5 carats of diamonds and color-change garnet accents ($52,070).

Use of the color-changing stone zultanite was noticeable at Couture this year, as designers such as Stephen Webster, Erica Courtney and Rhonda Faber Green incorporated the gem into their collections.

Erica Courtney’s pyramid charm (above) is made in 18-karat yellow gold and features 28 carats of zultanite with diamonds ($62,000).

“I’m particularly interested in the phenomenon of color-change stones, and it’s compelling to be able to offer my customers a gem that has a point of difference from the marketplace,” Webster said.

Stephen Webster’s 18-karat white gold drop celestial earrings (above) feature zultanite and diamonds ($54,000).

Zultanite is marked by its chameleon-like nature, changing color from kiwi green with flashes of yellow in sunlight conditions to raspberry hues in candlelight, and a rich champagne color indoors. Named in honor of the 36 sultans who ruled the Ottoman Empire, the gemstone has been in commercial production since 2006.

John Buechner’s platinum ring (above) features a nearly 13-carat cushion cut zultanite and diamonds.

Only found at one location in the world, zultanite is mined from Turkey’s remote Anatolian Mountains exclusively by Ottoman Gem (Suisse), GmbH, at the height of just above 4,000 ft. Through increased mechanization, production of the stone is expected to double this year.

Daniel Gibbings’ 20-karat yellow gold teardrop earrings (above) hold nearly 34 carats of zultanite and ruby accents ($43,290).

According to Milenyum, most zultanite rough yields one- to three-carat gemstones and up, and is never enhanced. The company is a member of AGTA, MJSA, JBT and the International Colored Gemstone Association.

For more information, visit the official zultanite website.

Source: National Jeweler

This wonderful piece in in The New York Times no Japonisme gives the reader a glimpse into the Japanese culture, with its delicate depiction of nature, elegance and a hint of spirituality.These pieces and more are on display at They are an exhibition at Wartski, the London jeweler that fashioned the Welsh gold ring that Prince William put on Kate Middleton’s finger.

K. Faerbar

(above – A floral brooch designed by Vever of two chrysanthemums in white pearl.)

Colored diamonds and gems seem to do particularly well in Spring. They possess radiant and colorful bursts of color, bound to appeal to anyone desperately wanting a change from a long, dark Winter.

One stunning piece at Christie’s auction last week in NYC was sold while another remained without a home.

Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction realized total sales of $31.8 million April 12 but its top lot, the 10-carat purple-pink diamond (shown below) and estimated to bring in between $12 and $15 million, did not sell.

Overall, the auction sold 80 percent by lot and 71 percent by value.

“While we were disappointed that the 10-carat purple-pink diamond did not find a buyer, top-quality white, blue, pink and yellow diamonds fared very well, with a strong price of $3 million, or $1 million per carat, achieved for a fancy vivid blue diamond,” Rahul Kadakia, head of jewelry for Christie’s Americas, said.

The auction’s top seller was a rectangular-cut 37-carat diamond (below), flanked on either side by three graduated baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum and selling for $4,450,500 to a private collector.

Another lot, a 3-carat, square emerald-cut fancy vivid blue diamond mounted in platinum, sold for $3,666,500, after being estimated to sell for $2 – $3 million. Additionally, a 50-carat cushion-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond ring (below), by Carvin French, estimated to sell for between $2 and $3 million, sold for $2,546,500.

A signed 1959 pear-shaped 16-carat diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels (below), flanked on either side by tapered baguette-cut diamonds and mounted in platinum, sold for $1,082,500.

“In all, five jewels exceeded the $1 million mark, with heavy competition among both trade buyers and private collectors for colorless diamonds, large gemstones and signed jewels,” Kadakia said. Christie’s will be holding three additional jewelry auctions this month, in Amsterdam, London and Dubai.

You might want to stop at the ATM first.

Our breathtaking Gemesis pieces are much more affordable than Christie’s latest offerings, yet still contain that “pow” of Spring color.

Style 9035GM Cultured Diamond Pendant Classic solitaire diamond pendant with a fancy pink, blue, orange or yellow cultured diamond on an 18" cable chain. Available Metal: 14kt White Gold and 14kt Yellow Gold

Source: National Jeweler

While I don’t religiously watch The Bachelor (heck, I don’t watch it at all), it seems to be quite the rage among our clientele. Neil Lane jewelry was in the forefront of a a recent proposal of bachelor Brad Womack to Emily Maynard with a ring set by the brand. Remember, we specialize in recreating pieces like this in a way that is individualized and specialized just for you.

Maynard was presented with a diamond and platinum ring set with a cushion-cut center diamond accented with 263 round-brilliant-cut diamonds, for a total diamond weight of 3 carats. The set, valued at $50,000, was hand-crafted, designed and signed by Neil Lane.

The Bachelor is a primetime reality series that features one man offered the chance to find true love. Throughout the season, Womack became acquainted with a bevy of bachelorettes, gradually narrowing the field until he was ready to make a commitment, proposing with the Neil Lane ring set.

Neil Lane is a popular choice for Hollywood brides to be. He has supplied engagement rings for Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields, Nicole Richie and Jennifer Hudson, among others. Additionally, the jewelry is commonly seen at red carpet events, such as the Oscars.

Lane recently unveiled his new bridal collection at Kay Jewelers.

Source: NationalJewelry.com