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Industry News: Jewelry Sales Up 4.2% As Of September; DEF Good Awards Announced; More November 26, 2013 (0 comments)
Rapaport: U.S. Jewelry Store Sales Rose 4%; Jewelry CPI Flat
New York, NY—U.S. jewelry store sales rose 4.2% year on year in September to $2.258 billion, reports Rapaport. While the pace of growth for the month was weaker compared to the increase of 6.9% in August, overall jewelry and watch sales (all channels) in the U.S. for September rose 5.3%. Jewelry store sales for the first nine months of 2013 rose 8.8% to $21.933 billion, with the strongest showing in May, at $3 billion.
The consumer price index for jewelry in September was essentially flat, or up just 0.2% year on year. The U.S. consumer price index (CPI) for jewelry was basically flat, or down by just 0.4%, year on year at 177.72 points in October; however, the reading was a full three points lower than September's index. Gold was about 27% lower year on year in October and platinum was down by nearly 13%. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) dropped 5.3% year on year for polished 1-carat diamond prices in October. The index for 0.50-carat diamonds fell 2.5%, and fell 3.3% for 3-carat stones. Smalls were in demand, however; the RAPI for 0.30-carat diamonds jumped 6.6%.
DEF GOOD Awards To Salute Forevermark, More
New York, NY—The third annual GOOD Awards, saluting companies who make a difference, will be held Thursday, January 9 at the Empire Penthouse Lounge, 230 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s gala evening will salute Forevermark, Fred Meyer Jewelers, and JCK for their leadership in the area of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and promoting opportunity in Africa.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and journal ad information, visit http://www.goodawards.org.
PGI PR Spotlights Cushion Cuts; Engagement Bands
New York, NY—Brides.com, which has an audience of one million, recently featured a “get the look” series of cushion-cut engagement rings similar to the one reality princess Kim Kardashian received from rapper Kanye West. 13 of the 20 styles featured in the gallery were platinum.
Meanwhile, popular fashion site Refinery29 highlighted a trend it’s getting behind: platinum engagement bands. See the gallery here.
Ganoksin Puts Rare Jewelry Books Online
Merrick, NY—The Ganoksin Project, an online free technical resource for jewelers and goldsmiths, announces a milestone of 43 complete, rare, antique metalsmithing books scanned and published as searchable pdfs. These books are technical marvels, full of forgotten information no longer available, say the group’s leaders. They date from 1871 to 1926, with more than 5000 pages crammed with detail.
This project brings jewelry history alive and gives voice again to forgotten authors, their opinions, and technical secrets. There are literally thousands of recipes, alloys, and processes described in the books, as well as books on gemology and silversmithing masterpieces. Each book has a full review and description written by Charles Lewton-Brain, available on the Ganoksin site. There are more books that will be added.
These books cover special techniques in depth like chasing, repouseé, engraving, niello making, Japanese chiseling, soldering, construction, patination, metal coloring, silversmithing and more. Many of the tricks and recipes described will save the maker money, as older approaches can sometimes replace modern tools.
Unlike most e-books, the Ganoksin pdf is a full digital book of searchable text and images, with easy access through an interactive table of contents. Most images are scanned at high resolution and then embedded in the text allowing them to be magnified and stay readable. The books are available for $5.00 each, with the funds going to support the cost of the project and Ganoksin’s ongoing costs.
All customers who purchase the historical e-book—or selected other qualifying e-books—will be entered into a drawing for one of $10,000 worth of prizes from Rio Grande. Four winners will be chosen: first prize is a $5,000 Rio Grande gift certificate; second prize, a $3,000 gift certificate; third prize, $1,500; and fourth prize, $500.
To be entered into the drawing without buying a book, donate $35 to help defray the costs of maintaining the Ganoksin Project and providing valuable information.
The drawing will be held December 15. Here is the link to eligible e-books for purchase.
New Jewelry Blog Launched by Industry Veterans
Purcellville, VA—Joia Consulting has launched Joia Gems, a new blog about jewelry and gemstones; www.JoiaGems.blogspot.com. Hosted by Patricia Syvrud and Christine Webb (pictured at top of page), the goal of the blog is to teach, inspire and delight the reader to increase their knowledge and appreciation of fine designer jewelry and the colorful world of gemstones.
“So many talented jewelry designers are known only to a select group of discriminating collectors,” says Patricia Syvrud, president of Joia Consulting LLC, and creator of the new blog. “The goal of our blog is to share our passion for amazing jewelry design, and in the process introduce the work of these creative artists to a broader audience.”
Christine Webb states: “As graduate gemologists with lifetime careers working for some of the most prestigious organizations in the jewelry industry, we have a deep understanding of fine gems and what makes them so valuable. In addition to fine jewelry design, our readers will also learn about gemstones and the factors that impact their value and availability.”
In addition to her credential as a graduate gemologist, Syvrud holds an MBA from the University of Southern California, and has been honored to be former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s pro bono jewelry consultant since 2006. Webb’s undergraduate degree is in geology and her fascinating background includes sourcing rough diamonds in Russia, managing a successful Tiffany & Co. retail location and consulting to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection (NGC) since 1997.