Shanghai Fair Provides Buying Opportunities for Upcoming Holidays

Jewelry retailers in Asia will have a final opportunity to stock their shelves for the upcoming Christmas holidays and Chinese New Year festivities during the China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shanghai (Shanghai Fair), from November 9 – 12 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

More than 300 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions will showcase the latest contemporary jewelry, classic bestsellers and trends during the eighth edition of the annual trade fair, organized by UBM Asia.

In 2011, retail sales of consumer goods in Shanghai exceeded RMB677 billions, up 12.3 percent from 2010. Retail sales of gold and jewelry alone grew roughly 25 percent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China.

Given its November schedule, the Shanghai Fair provides the last-minute opportunity for buyers wanting to add to their inventory for the busy Christmas and Chinese New Year festivities.

Pavilions dedicated to luxury jewelry manufacturers, jadeite manufacturers from Taiwan and gems from Sri Lanka are among the features of the fair.

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‘Pigeon’s Blood’ Ruby Necklace Leads Diverse Christie’s Hong Kong Jewelry Sale

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

It’s a rare jewelry auction these days where diamonds are not the most prestigious items for sale. This auction will break the trend as leading the sale of Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Autumn sale is a Burmese no heat “pigeon’s blood” ruby and diamond necklace (pictured above) with matching earrings (below) by James W. Currens. The necklace has an auction estimate of $3.5 to $5.5 million; and the earrings have estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

Designed as twenty-six graduated oval-shaped rubies weighing between 5.38 and 1.27 carats, each ruby comprising the necklace named, “Red Scarlet” is accented by a cluster of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18k yellow gold. The matching pair of earrings are titled the “Red Butterflies” for their shape, and each feature a pair of Burmese rubies over 7 carats. The rubies all come from the Mogok Stone Tract in Upper Burma, which is considered to be the source for the finest quality “pigeon’s blood” rubies, the term used to describe the brightest and most valuable red color for rubies.

More than 300 items will be on sale for the November 27 auction at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The pre-sale estimate is valued at approximately $70 million. An assortment of diamonds, emeralds and sapphires from the world’s legendary mines, natural seawater pearls, and, being Hong Kong, jadeite jewelry will be among the items featured. Highlights include: 

Emerald, pearl and diamond earrings in platinum, featuring Colombian pear-shaped emeralds weighing 23.34 carats and 23.18 carats. Its estimate is $3.5 million to $4.8 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

Diamond and pearl earrings, featuring a pair of 6-carat pear-shaped diamonds from the legendary Golconda mine in India. Its estimate is $1.2 million to $1.9 million.  CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A natural pearl and diamond necklace with an estimate of $1.2 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A lavender jadeite bead necklace, consisting of 63 slightly graduated jadeite beads measuring from 8.8 to 11.3 mm, and a jadeite cabochon and diamond clasp mounted in 18k white gold. Its estimate is $1 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

A 36.58-carat fancy brown diamond ring with an estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

An 8.59-carat fancy pink cut-cornered rectangular-cut diamond and sapphire ring, by Paris-based American jeweler, JAR. Its estimate is $3 million to $4.5 million. CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2011

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Harvest Festival!!!!

This Saturday I will be at the Fall Harvest Festival at the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park.

I will be one of the many vendors there, and of course I will be selling my jewelry.

A lot went into preparing for this.....for starters this festival is geared toward children so I steadily worked on some daisy chain necklaces for little girls.  I had a lot of left over crystal and pearls and used them in the necklaces. 

 

All the centers of each flower are either pearls or crystal!!! They look wonderful!   Next I worked on my earring collection and used something called Hybrid seed beads.  Hybrids are unusual in the sense that they are a bead that is made in 2 different parts of the world.  They are first sized and cut in Japan for precision and then they are sent to the Czech Republic for there wonderful coloring....which makes them look like tiny gemstones!!!!  Just look at the earrings below! 

 

 

I will also be selling my necklaces and bracelets as well!

 

The Reformed Church of Huguenot Park is 163 years old!!!! It is a landmark on the borough of Staten Island, and tours will be given that day, so there is something for the adults as well. 

 

So if you are one of those people whoever wondered what to do on Staten Island I am giving you this option, and definitely bring your kids!!! There will be tons for them to do!

 

Hope to see you there!

 

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Harry Winston Is Not For Sale

The Harry Winston salon in Paris.

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. issued a statement Thursday saying it is not in talks to sell its luxury jewelry and watch business.

“While it is the company’s general policy not to comment on market rumors, it confirms that it has received various indications of interest regarding a potential purchase of its luxury brand segment. It is not in active negotiations regarding any such transaction,” it said in the statement. “The company does not intend to make any further public announcements regarding this matter unless it concludes that they are warranted by the circumstances or are required by law.”

The statement came as a result of stories from Reuters and other outlets stating that Harry Winston “has been approaching potential buyers such as luxury groups LVMH and PPR.”

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. is a business with assets in the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. Harry Winston supplies rough diamonds to the global market from its 40 percent ownership interest in the Diavik Diamond Mine. The company’s luxury brand segment is a diamond jeweler and luxury timepiece retailer with salons in key locations throughout the world.

Harry Winston shares ownership of the diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada with mining giant Rio Tinto, which owns a 60 percent stake. The miner has announced its intention to sell all of its diamond mines to concentrate in larger mining segments. Harry Winston was reportedly in talks to buy the mine outright.

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Tiffany Promotes Senior Executives

Frederic Cumenal

Beth Canavan

Tiffany & Co. said Wednesday that it is shifting and expanding responsibilities for two executive vice presidents, Beth Canavan and Frederic Cumenal.

Cumenal, 53, joined the international luxury jewelry retailer in March 2011 from the LVMH Group. He has been responsible for Tiffany's businesses in Asia, Japan, Europe and Emerging Markets. Effective immediately, Cumenal will expand his role to assume responsibility for all of Tiffany's worldwide sales activities.

Canavan, 58, joined Tiffany in 1987 and through progressively greater responsibilities has headed the Americas region in recent years. She will now report to Cumenal who reports to Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany's chairman and chief executive officer.

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50-Carat Flawless Diamond Sells for $9.5 Million

50.52-Carat Pear-Shaped Diamond that sold for $9.5 million.
CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

NEW YORK — Big diamonds sparkled during Christie’s sale of Magnificent Jewels in New York on Tuesday. Leading the way was a pear-shaped D color flawless diamond of 50.52 cts., which sold for $9.5 million, or $188,000 per carat, to a private collector. The stone is mounted in platinum and may be worn suspended from a necklace with a 2.28 carat, circular-cut D-color diamond surmount.

It was one of several major diamond lots sold during the auction of 369 lots held during two sessions Tuesday. The other top sellers were:

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A pair of pear-shaped fancy yellow and colorless diamond ear pendants of 52.78 and 50.31 cts.(pictured above)  that achieved $4.5 million. The diamonds are surmounted by circular-cut fancy yellow and white diamonds Mounted in yellow and white gold. The pendants may be easily swapped or detached completely, giving the owner three options for how to wear them. Its estimate was $4.5 - $6.5 million. The buyer was listed by Christie’s as Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A 68.35-carat oval-cut fancy intense yellow, internally flawless diamond sold for $3.16 million. The gem with excellent polish and symmetry had an estimate of $2.2 - $3.2 million.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A pear-shape fancy light pink SI1 diamond ring sold for of 10.52 cts sold for $2.21 million, or $210,000 per carat; well above its estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million.

* A 28.20-carat square-cut fancy intense yellow VVS1 diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels that sold for $902,000.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

* A 10.05-carat pear-shaped diamond on a ring, flanked on either side by a pear-shaped diamond, mounted in platinum took in more than $1.2 million.

* A 12.05-carat pear-shape F color flawless diamond that sold for $842,500.

* An 11.68-carat marquise-cut F color VS1 diamond ring by Harry Winston that sold for $746,500.

All totaled, the auction achieved $50 million and had a sell-through rate of 87 percent by lot and 93 percent by value.

“Private collectors and dealers reacted more than positively to a 369-lot auction that was finely-tuned in terms of prices and selection of gems to current market conditions,” said Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry, Christie’s Americas and Switzerland. “Natural pearls, colorless flawless diamonds, and colored diamonds of high quality once again dominated the day, making for a vibrant atmosphere in the saleroom.”

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

Natural pearls again proved to be a dynamic force in the auction market. This was underscored by the sale of a double strand natural pearl necklace for $3.66 million (pictured above). It has 120 large-sized individual pearls, ranging in size from 6.50 mm to 12.25 mm in diameter, and ranging in coloration from white to light cream, with subtle rosé and green overtones and superb luster. It is accented with a 3-carat, D color diamond clasp signed by Cartier. Its estimate was $2.8 – $3.5 million.

During the morning session, a single strand of 83 natural pearls, measuring from approximately 3.15 to 9.75 mm, sold for $158,500, nearly double its high estimate; and an antique diamond and sapphire brooch set with a natural baroque pearl, measuring approximately 15.90 – 16.70 x 20.40 mm, brought in $170,500, nearly tripling its high estimate.

CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2012

In addition, a 32.31-carat cushion cut Burmese sapphire ring (pictured above) sold for $986,500, nearly double the high estimate of $500,000.

Bidding was robust throughout the day, gaining strength in the afternoon session, with dealers in the back of Christie's saleroom loudly clamoring for attention, competing with those in the front of the room and many phone and online bidders.

Sharing the auctioneer duties was Kadakia, along with Christie's Asia president, François Curiel, the Christie’s jewelry veteran who moved to Hong Kong recently to head the auction house’s jewelry operation in the booming Asia market.

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My Workspace!

As some of you may know recently I have become somewhat of an empty nester.  It has been an interesting adjustment not having my kids around!  I miss my son, who always made me laugh, and my daughter who is my close buddy!

As an empty nester I have acquired an extra bedroom space which is now doubling as a guestroom/studio.  I would like to share what I have done with this space with you!

From the doorway you will notice its bright yellow color and who could overlook the rather large pic of Audrey Hepburn ( a donation from my daughter)!

My daughter bought this pic years ago....we both love watching the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" so this was my gift to her. 
Next we have my storage space.  I try to keep things labelled and neat as I can, but when I am working on projects it seems to be all I can do to just keep things in there labelled boxes!

Notice in the right hand corner my two owl friends, Lenny and Squiggy, which my mom made for me! She makes owls and they all seem to each have a different personality. 

I have a nice amount of window space, so the light during the day is incredible and the view is not bad either....it overlooks the community garden!

I also use my wall space as storage for my to do board,  beading boards, and rulers and cutting boards. 

 

My desk is always a mess!!!! But trust me, there's a method to the madness!

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this brief tour!





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High-End Brands Showed their Stuff at The Luxury Review Event

YNY Jewels specializes in well-designed pieces made with fancy colored diamonds, colored gemstones and precious metals.

LOS ANGELES — Jewelry and watches shared the spotlight with luxury brands from an array of industries during the recently held The Luxury Review: Los Angeles at The Petersen Automotive Museum.

Bozeman Watch Company is one of a few timepiece companies based in the U.S.

Hosted by Rand Luxury, the event brings together brands from multiple industries including automotive, jewelry, resorts, spirits, electronics and home design. These companies get exposure through a guest list that includes press and media, product analysts, studio executives, product integration and product placement professionals, tv/film producers, personal shoppers, stylists and of course affluent consumers.

Based in the The Woodlands, Texas, Dannini specializes in diamond jewelry designs.

The event was held October 3 and about 30 brands participated. There was food, wine and champagne and free samples from several vendors.

B.M.R. Watches specializes in high-end, high-performance mechanical timepieces primarily for auto racing enthusiasts. These are the creations of watchmaker Bernard Richards. Brand ambassadors in the racing world include: Jean-Eric Vergne, Manu Collard and Cyrille Lemoine.

The next Luxury Review will be held in New York on October 17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

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Gemfields Revenue and Profit Soar

Miners hold a rough emerald from the Kagem mine in Zambia.

Colored gemstone mining and marketing company, Gemfields, reported that revenue from sales increased 108 percent to $83.7 million, year-over-year, for the year ended June 20. Pre-tax profit for the same period increased 140 percent to $47.8 million.

“They certainly are great numbers,” said Ian Harebottle, CEO of the London (AIM)-listed company, which specializes in emeralds from the Kagem mine in Zambia.

Harebottle, speaking in a video from ProactiveInvestors, said the company spent the first six months of the year focusing on waste removal on the Kagem mine, the company's largest asset and one of the world's major sources of emeralds, in order to expand production at the mine. The last six months of the year was focused on emerald production.

“We had pleasing results but our decision to remove waste and look for long term is paying off,” he said.

The company also has been working hard in diversifying its product base. It owns a 75 percent stake in the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique. The company also owns the Kariba amethyst mine in Zambia that it plans to continue to invest in.

Alexandra Mor ring with Gemfields' emerald.

In addition to its mines, the company has been involved in an international advertising campaign focusing on Zambian emeralds and, last month, launched its emerald-focused campaign in the U.S. by having a number of jewelry designers make pieces with its Zambian emeralds.

The company’s cash balance nearly tripled to $36.7 million. Harebottle said that money will not be used for stock dividends but instead will be invested in the growth and diversification plans of the company.

“I believe right now if we could use it within the business, we’ll put it to much better use in terms of shareholder return,” he said.

Below is a video of Harebottle's interview with ProactiveInvestors:

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Winners of the JNA Awards

The 2012 September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, the tradeshow hosted the inaugural JNA Awards during a ceremony held September 20 at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The JNA Awards honors and recognizes excellence and achievement in the jewelry trade.

The event, the first of its kind in Asia, was organized by Jewellery News Asia of UBM Asia in collaboration with UBM Awards.

The success of the awards was prevalent in the fact that all of the sponsors agreed to participate in the next edition prior to the awards presentation. Recipients of the JNA Awards for 2012 are as follows:

Lifetime Achievement Award, Nicky Oppenheimer, former chairman of the De Beers Group
Oppenheimer received JNA's highest accolade for his outstanding contribution to the world diamond industry over the course of a career that spans 44 years. The third generation of the Oppenheimers to lead De Beers, he has added his own, distinguished contribution to a family legend that dates back to 1902 when his grandfather, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, arrived in Kimberley to work as a diamond buying agent. He presided over important changes in the history of the De Beers Group. Under his leadership, De Beers opened up new markets for diamond jewelry in China and India, and established the De Beers' Best Practice Principles, a standard of ethical business behavior that has set the benchmark for other global industries.

Three Decades of Excellence, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd.
The world's largest jewelry retailer by market value continues to raise the bar of excellence and creativity in the gemstone and jewelry industry. The Hong Kong-listed company has an extensive retail network, with more than 1,600 points-of-sale in Greater China, Malaysia and Singapore.

Brand of the Year, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd.
With its immense reach and presence in the Greater China market, the company is viewed as a trendsetter in the industry and one of the most iconic brands in Greater China.

Employer of the Year, Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd.
The 30-year-old diamond manufacturer continues to demonstrate the same passion and commitment that it has for a business that celebrates enduring love and romance. It has not lost sight of the core corporate values: excellence in innovation, manufacturing and talent management. By connecting with its employees and keeping them engaged, the India-based company is able to clearly communicate the group's vision and goals with its staff.

Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing, TTF High Jewellery
Since its establishment in September 2002, the Shenzhen-based jewelry manufacturer has been producing jewelry pieces of outstanding design and craftsmanship. TTF has mastered many high-level techniques in jewelry making, including K-gold production, which gives gold lasting color and shine.

Industry Innovation of the Year – Retail, Plukka (HK) Ltd.
Leveraging the power of social media and online marketing, Plukka (HK) Ltd is changing the dynamics of jewelry trade and manufacturing. Launched less than a year ago by partners Jai Waney and Joanne Ooi, the Hong Kong-based e-Retailer is bringing the concept of group buying to a larger audience.

Manufacturer of the Year, Pranda Group
The Thailand-based company prides itself on being a leading supplier of high-quality jewelry to some of the world's most recognizable retail brands, while offering its own branded jewelry products. With a 4,000-strong workforce in seven manufacturing facilities, the company produces more than 10,000 new designs and over 8 million pieces annually.

Retailer of the Year, Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd.
One of Hong Kong's most successful home-grown brands, Lukfook operates more than 920 retail outlets worldwide, more than 870 of which are in China. The company uses innovative technology to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs and enhance customer experience.

Sustainability Initiative of the Year, Jewelmer International Corp.
Renowned for its golden South Sea cultured pearls, Jewelmer champions sustainable development in its operations and projects. Based in the Philippines, it adopts the most ecologically friendly practices in its pearl farms in Palawan. Jewelmer's Save Palawan Seas Foundation also provides coastal communities with livelihood alternatives to destructive fishing practices.

Young Leader of the Year (Age 30 or below), Chris Benham (The Inspired Collection)
Benham has led the New Zealand-based company into winning several domestic and international jewelry design awards over a span of just three years. Known for its fresh, innovative approach to diamond jewelry design, The Inspired Collection has also won major design contracts with highly respected companies, including Hiersun, a retailer with more than 200 bridal jewelry shops in China.

The following companies have been selected as honorees of the inaugural JNA Awards 2012, Wonder of the World category:

Vitalit, Thailand, two entries — Vivid Orange Natural Mandarin Garnet in finest cut cushion shape or Natural Spessartite (Garnet); and Pinkish Red Spinel of Pamir Mountains origin.

Makhni Enterprises, Thailand — A pair of rare 8 carats unheated rubies

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Punkin' pickin'

The leaves have fallen and an autumnal chill has hit New York City.  It's time to start clearing my summer clothes out of the closet and committing to putting my fall clothes in!  It's also time for all those wonderful fall activities here in NYC!  Walks through Central Park and pumpkin picking on Long Island's East End! The weekends are usually the time I rest my hands from beading all week and partake of all the fun things the city has to offer!

When my kids were younger we use to take them to hanks pumpkintown in Watermill NY on Long Island.  There are so many pumpkins and things to do for the kids and some of my best family memories were from those times! 

This year I took a little friend with me :-)

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/riverhead

This is my little friend!  While her mom was busy one Saturday me and the hubby treated her to activities on the East End!  Here she is as the train conductor at the Tanger Outlet!!!  Woot Woot all aboard!!!!

We then grabbed a bite to eat and headed to Hank's pumpkintown!
The day we went it was raining off and on, but you would have never known it by the amount of kids (big and small, us included) were out at the pumpkin patch!

Tons of bright beautiful pumpkins greeted us when we drove up!!!

http://hankspumpkintown.com/farm/

But the main attraction was all the things they had for the kids to do and of course the food!  Candy apples, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, pies of all kinds and pumpkin bread all cooked there at the farm!!!! Delish!

My little friend loved all the activities for the kids....we took lots of pics!!! What a character she is!

This place is a kids paradise....us big kids liked it too!

The husband even got with the festivities and started hamming it up....after he bought his pumpkin pie of course!

Time to pick some pumpkins to take home!!!! What about these two?....how strong is that kid????

I guess these two will do.  We like the small cute ones! Notice the red lips....we just devoured a candy apple!!!

 

It was a fun day for all of us!!!!

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September Hong Kong Jewelry Fair Honors Award-Winning Jewelry Designers

Design talents from across the jewelry and gemstone field were honored during the Welcome Reception of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair on September 21. The ewinners of the IU Awards were named and awarded, celebrating their achievements in the field of lapidary arts in colored gemstones, while guests at the event enjoyed a parade of the finalists and winning pieces.

Organized by the International Colored Gemstone Association and UBM Asia, the IU Awards is billed as the world’s first international gem-cutting and jewelry design competition dedicated to colored gemstones. Divided into two major categories—Jewellery Design and Gem-Cutting—the competition received 221 entries from 25 countries and regions.

The Top winners in the IU Awards are:

Jewelry Design Compeition: Dragon Awakening, by Ip Suen Hang of Hong Kong

Gem-Cutting Compeition: Chrysanthemum by Natalia Samorukova of Russian Federation

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