Articles and News
INDUSTRY NEWS: ISRAEL DIAMOND MARKET LEAPS, ARTIST CREATES PLATINUM AND DIAMOND TREE, MORE October 12, 2011 (0 comments)
Israel’s Diamond Market Leaps By More Than 30%
Ramat Gan, Israel—Figures published by the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor show double-digit growth in exports and imports of both polished and rough diamonds for the first three quarters of 2011. The Ministry’s diamond controller, Shmuel Mordecai, says Israel’s net export of polished diamonds from January through September 2011 totaled $5.83 billion, a rise of 37.1% over the same period last year. Net rough exports stood at $2.98 billion, a rise of 31.8%.
Net imports of polished diamonds jumped 48.8% to $4.17 billion in the first three quarters 2011. Net rough diamond imports totaled $3.52 billion, an increase of 35% over 2010.
The United States remained Israel’s largest market, consuming polished diamond exports of $2.13 billion, or 37% of total exports. Hong Kong accounted for $1.71 billion, 29%; Belgium, $471 million, 8%, Switzerland, $338 million, 6%, Thailand, $114 million, 2%, and the rest of the world accounted for the remaining $1.07 billion, or 18%.
The Israeli Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) has been very pro-active in developing new business. Its delegation to the recent Hong Kong jewelry show was its largest, said IDI managing director Eli Avidar, The group plans to add shows in new markets in 2012.
Sicilian Artist Creates Platinum and Diamond Olive Tree
Sicily, Italy--Through a partnership with Platinum Guild International, Sicilian artist and theologian Agatino Cappella has unveiled a stunning interpretation of an olive tree, "L'Ulivo Blanco" (The White Olive Tree), made of platinum , diamonds and marble. The tree features a hand-sculptured Carrara marble trunk, 3,333 grams of platinum branches and leaves, and 366 carats of diamonds.
A staple within the Mediterranean culture and throughout the world, the olive tree holds many symbolic meanings that have now been brought to life through the use of platinum, which expresses purity, diamonds representing eternal light, and marble, the symbol of a new Italian Renaissance.
"L'Ulivo Blanco" has begun a world tour which began at the Venice Film Festival and will stop next at Palazzo Lascaris in Turin.
In Memoriam: Journalist Jose (Pepe) Arquero Hidalgo
Madrid, Spain—Jose (Pepe) Arquero Hidalgo, the long-time editor and publisher of the Spanish gem and jewelry magazine Gold & Time, passed away on Thursday, October 6, in Madrid, Spain. He was 55.
Arquero, who was known to his many friends, acquaintances and clients as "Pepe," suffered a brain hemorrhage as he was leaving his office for the day.
"Pepe was an icon in the Spanish gem and jewelry business community and known by all as a kind and affable man. His, knowledge, insights and mostly his warm, outgoing personality and friendship will be greatly missed," a close friend said.
Among his colleagues in the press, he was a familiar sight in the press room in Basel and other major international jewelry fairs.