The Fifth China International Gold, Jewelry & Gem Fair, Guangzhou

The Fifth China International Gold, Jewelry & Gem Fair, Guangzhou will be held from 13 to 16 June 2008 at Guangzhou Jinhan Exhibition Centre in Guangzhou. This year's fair would have the highest level of government support and the greatest numbers of exhibitors and kinds of exhibits, accommodating more than 500 booths. According to a survey there would be over 250 exhibitors participating, coming from China, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and US. With great support from local government and industry associations, the scale of the Fair is expanding further.

The Panyu government is giving the greatest of support to the Fair this year and the response of the region 's companies is vigorous. Such prominent companies as Sinoble, Waddy, KTL, Yuanjun, Legend, Luk Fook, Dai Sun, Henry Jewelry and Helix Diamonds will participate, displaying their fine jewelry at the Fair. An-Ge-More, together with some other gemstone companies, will exhibit good-quality loose gemstones at the gemstone pavilion. Besides, the participation of Conghua and Sihui will promote their characteristic jewelry industry to overseas buyers. "

China International Gold, Jewelry & Gem Fair, Guangzhou keeps side by side knowledge of market needs in every improvement in order to create business for the jewelry industry. Mr. Chan, Manager (China) of CMP Asia said, "Because of the unique potential of Guangzhou, which possesses a rich supply of jewelry raw materials and is recognized as the wholesaling hub for jewelry raw materials in China, the Fair attaches the same importance to both materials and finished products. Apart from glamorous finished jewelry, diverse raw materials, including diamonds, gemstones, pearls, jade and jadeite, silver, semi-precious stones, synthetic stones and cubic zirconia, will be showcased beneath the same roof in different sections, allowing buyers to purchase efficiently the products they need. "

Apart from the fabulous products displayed, the organizers will arrange a series of technical seminars. These will be presented with the professional expertise of China Gold Association, Jewelry News Asia Chinese Edition, International Colored Gemstone Association, TTF Studio, Guangdong Provincial Gem & Precious Metal Testing Centre and the Gemological Institute of America. The seminar organized by the Testing Centre will be open to the public, offering everyone a chance to learn about jewelry connoisseurship.

As for visitors, in addition to visitors of two visit programs and regular buyers, currently more than 500 local and overseas buyers from 45 countries and regions have pre-registered to visit the Fair via the Internet and by other means.

Task Force Aims to Establish Diamond Grading Standards

A group of gemological experts recently held a meeting in Las Vegas, forming a Task Force to establish international technical standards for diamond grading, including inter-lab comparisons.

The move was initiative by the Accredited Gemologists Association, in reaction to “consumer dissatisfaction with inconsistent grades and a specific concern that current procedures used to color grade fluorescent diamonds result in grades that are inaccurate, unscientific and misleading,” the parties said in a release.

Its principal objective was to determine standard light sources for grading fluorescent diamonds; however, it was revealed that while the experts agreed that lighting standards must be re-examined, the urgent need for clearly defined technical procedures went far beyond this.

Gemologist Antoinette Matlins commented that the Task Force determined a need to establish illumination standards and procedural guidelines for the lighting used in grading diamonds and gemstones and to develop systems to ensure compliance among labs claiming to adhere to established standards.

The team will gather additional data on the broad area of lighting and its impact on diamond and gemstone grading, explore possible alternatives and carry out inter- lab comparisons.

AnchorCert Diamond Certification, a division of The Birmingham Assay Office in the UK, has agreed to draft the protocol for “round robin” testing, and start the process with GCAL in New York. Michael Allchin, CEO for The Birmingham Assay Office said, “The diamond industry needs proper international standards in order to provide comparable, meaningful and credible diamond certification.

“Modern diamond grading relies upon expertise coupled with sophisticated technical equipment. It is as much about scientific measurement as personal judgment, and it makes sense for the technical aspects of grading to be more tightly defined,” he said.

U.S. Polished Diamond Imports and Exports Rise Sharply in April

The U.S. imported $1.5 billion worth of polished diamonds, exporting $1.09 billion worth. With the average value of imports at $1,617 per carat (p/c), and exports at $406.62 p/c, the U.S. is clearly exporting the cheaper goods while keeping the higher value stones, a net of $424 million averaging $1,211 p/c.

Imports rose 24.6 percent over April 2007 with about half coming in from Israel: $780 million worth of goods.

Exports rose a sharp 33.6 percent, with Israel again being the main trading partner – and the destination of $421 million worth of polished diamonds.

Trade with Israel is an interesting case to examine. The average value of imports from the center was a high $3,874 per carat. Exports to it averaged only a tenth of that, $395 p/c, absorbing the low-cost goods. Similar trade trends happen with Belgium and even with India.

The ‘Flame Queen’ May Fetch $250,000

JCK jewelers.com -- An opal collection highlighted by what is arguably the most famous opal in the world—dubbed the "Flame Queen,"—the 263.18-cts. Gemstone will be part of Bonhams & Butterfields Natural History auction, scheduled for June 22 at the auction house’s San Francisco and Los Angeles locations.

The "Flame Queen" is oval in shape with a flat central dome surrounded by a blue-green band - lending it the appearance of a fried egg. It’s not only famous for its extraordinary large size (263.18-carats) but also but also for its unusual shape and color pattern.

The auction house said the legendary opal could bring as much as $250,000. Other opals in the collection include the "pineapple" (estimated price $40/50,000); and a pure black opal-filled Yowah nut (a type of nodule-estimated to bring $65/80,000).

The Flame Queen was found at the Lightning Ridge black opal mine in Australia in 1915 by miners Jack Philips, Walter Bradley and “Irish” Joe Hegarty. The most unusual color pattern of this opal is best described as having the appearance of a fried egg—gemologically known as the “eye-of-opal” effect—created when opal infills a cavity. The Flame Queen is the best known gem of this type. Polished as a broad, pear-shaped buff top cabochon, its flashes change from vivid red to fiery bronze when viewed from different angles and in different light.

Platinum demand remains resilient despite price

New York—Despite platinum's rising price, which averaged $1,304 per ounce last year—36 percent more than in 2006—retail sales and manufacturing volumes of platinum jewelry in 2007 remained fairly resilient, boosted primarily by the high-end and bridal sectors, according to Johnson Matthey's annual platinum report for 2008.

Global demand for new metal in the jewelry industry actually dipped slightly in 2007, the metals consultancy said, falling 55,000 ounces to a total of 1.59 million ounces, yet demand from both the trade and consumers alike stayed strong for the majority of the year.

Platinum jewelry demand in Europe increased by 7.7 percent to a total of 210,000 ounces in 2007, and net demand for new metal from the Chinese jewelry sector increased by 20,000 ounces to a total of 780,000 ounces.

China remains the largest market for platinum jewelry, according to Johnson Matthey, with Chinese manufacturers buying 2.6 percent more of the metal compared with other markets. In the last year especially, platinum demand in China was particularly supported by the production of novelty platinum items and memorabilia manufactured in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In North America, however, where the economic slowdown has been accompanied not only by higher platinum prices but also by pressure on local manufacturing from imported jewelry, purchases of platinum by jewelry manufacturers declined by 5,000 ounces in 2007 to a total of 240,000 ounces.

Looking forward, Johnson Matthey expects platinum prices to remain volatile, though the high prices haven't yet been felt in the jewelry industry this year. The outlook for jewelry demand in 2008 is more dependent on price than previously, Johnson Matthey said in the report, but the high-end and bridal sectors will remain insulated from price changes.

While perhaps the biggest story regarding platinum for 2007 was supply—which fell by 4 percent in 2007—Johnson Matthey said there is still the possibility that supply for 2008 will increase. Among the biggest issues concerning supply in the last year were strikes and wage negotiations at mines in South Africa, plus a Lonmin smelter shutdown in the country, and general issues concerning improved safety and the acquisition of skilled staff.

Italian bran Io Si. jewellery

Gold and precious stones combine to exotic effect in a new range of jewellery from Italian bran Io Si.

Launched this week by Middle East jewellery house Damas at the Basel Fair 2008, the range features pendants, earrings and rings in gold and gemstones.

Amethysts, green zavorites, diamonds and pink, yellow and orange sapphires can all be embedded in yellow and white gold settings.

Tawfiq Abdullah, chairman of Damas Jewellery, commented: "Io Si's jewels exude a strong, sculptured artistry that's both eye-catching and exotic."

The brand exemplifies the glamour and culture of its homeland, Italy, Mr Abdullah said.

Founded in 1907 in the United Arab Emirates, Damas sells brands including Tiffany, Perreley and Montega and its network spans a number of continents.

According to Mr Abdullah, the ring collection is famous for its reflected equilibrium, with the distinctive forms of the upper section reproduced in miniature in the lower section.

IGI, Brinks Collaborate to Bring Services to Shanghai Diamond Exchange

Shanghai, China: The International Gemological Institute (IGI) and its strategic partner, Brink’s Far East Ltd., today jointly announced the initiation of IGI certification services exclusively for Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) members.

Under a collaboration agreement, SDE members who send their diamonds, gemstones and jewelry to IGI for analysis, grading and certification, will receive complimentary shipping services provided by Brink’s, from its SDE counter to the IGI Hong Kong lab and then back to the SDE, point-to-point.

Initially, there will be a weekly turn-around service, the frequency of which may be increased, dependent on demand patterns.

“In response to the increasing demand for IGI Reports in mainland China and at all levels of the diamond pipeline, we felt it imperative to offer our clients easy access to our services. We provide SDE members the opportunity to certify their goods at IGI, with the added benefit of free shipping from Shanghai to IGI Hong Kong,” said Marc Brauner, CEO of IGI Hong Kong.

Encouraged by the recently reviewed China import taxation laws that state diamonds that remain within the SDE can be shipped to Hong Kong and back to China without being taxed again, IGI and Brink’s opted to launch the same strategy the partners used with Israeli diamond companies shipping gemstones between Tel Aviv and IGI Antwerp daily for more than 10 years. Due to IGI/Brink’s collaboration agreements, no shipping or insurance costs were charged.

“We are very excited about the prospect of actively contributing to the growth of China’s diamond trade,” said Sally Lee, senior manager of the China business development unit at Brink’s. “SDE members will benefit from Brink’s world-class professional shipping services when choosing to certify with internationally recognized laboratory, IGI; this will save them money—and time—which is absolutely vital to the trade.”

In addition to its global network, Brink’s has five operational addresses in Hong Kong, and offices in Beijing, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Shanghai, where, as a member of SDE since 2002, its service counter is right inside the exchange.

Brauner added, “We have been monitoring the development of the Chinese market for many years and are acutely aware there has been rapid growth of the SDE membership since the announcement was made to reduce value added tax (VAT) to four percent for the diamond trade – in July 2006. This opportunity has come to us at a time when we must respond to the market. ”