Zales Premiers Fashion-Forward Column on Website

Zales Jewelers recently introduced a new fashion-forward feature on its website, http://www.zales.com/. The new “Z Trends” column will focus on the season’s ‘in’ looks, each month, from both the runway and the red carpet and everywhere in between.

The column will also give site visitors regularly updated news and information about the selection of fine jewelry and accessories available at Zales.com.

The first column, which premiered this week, highlights the latest trends for pearls, the oldest precious gem, according to the firm. Pearls, says Zales, are showing up everywhere this season from traditional stud earrings to diamond jewelry enhanced by the pearls.

The latest color trends in pearls, which include chocolate, brown, khaki and pink, are also featured in this month’s column, including an assortment of rings, pendants, necklaces and earrings featuring the stone.

"The Z Trends feature is a great new resource for busy consumers who want to keep up with the latest styles and trends in fine jewelry," said Steve Larkin, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Zale Corporation.

Z Trends will be updated monthly, and all merchandise offered will be available on the website.

IGI offers batch testing for coated tanzanite

New York—The International Gemological Institute (IGI) will now offer batch testing to detect all surface-coated tanzanite.

This is in response to a recent incident where the IGI identified a cobalt-surface-coated tanzanite, a treatment that is not considered to be permanent and, according to Federal Trade Commission guidelines, must be given full disclosure at the point of sale.

The IGI's tanzanite batch testing includes a quality-assurance document describing an individual stone's weight, shape and color, and attests to surface-coating treatments the stone has undergone, if any.

A minimum of 10 submitted stones, regardless of individual weight, is required for batch testing, which costs $50 or $5 per stone. If less than 10 stones are submitted, the batch fee remains at $50. Turnaround time is 24 to 72 hours.

The IGI was founded in 1975 and is located in Antwerp, Belgium; Bangkok, Thailand; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong, India's SEEPZ Zone; Kolkata, India; Los Angeles; Mumbai, India; New Delhi, India; New York; Tokyo; and Toronto.

The institute has been an instrumental contributor in the development of the first tanzanite-specific grading system as well as the first laboratory to issue reports in accordance to the Tanzanite Foundation's trademarked Tanzanite Quality Scale.

For more information about the IGI, visit its Web site, IGIWorldwide.com.

A Diamond is Forever Floral Spectacular Kicks-off at Grand Central

New York, NY – A bevy of Hollywood elite and New York glitterati flocked to historic Grand Central Terminal to kick off the opening of the A Diamond Is Forever Floral Spectacular designed by chic celebrity floral designer Antony Todd, commissioned in celebration of Mother’s Day.

The stunning installation was created with more than 24,000 long stem red roses spelling out A Diamond Is Forever. Located along the Vanderbilt Hallway Bridge inside Grand Central Terminal, the floral spectacular is as beautiful as it is meaningful. The concept of using roses as the material for the installation illustrates the idea of the temporary versus the permanent. Over time these roses will age. And as they do, the timelessness of diamonds becomes even clearer to those observing it.

To honor Todd and his vision, A Diamond Is Forever hosted a small intimate luncheon overlooking Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse and the floral spectacular. The star studded lunch was attended by the likes of Diane Kruger, Lake Bell, Natasha Richardson, Tory Burch, Coca Rocha and Elisabeth Hasselbeck who joined Todd in celebrating the brilliant and beautiful installation amidst a sea of flowers and diamonds.

As part of the festivities, A Diamond Is Forever is also giving away a diamond gift each day for three days. Beginning Wednesday, May 7th through Friday, May 9th anyone who walks by the Floral Spectacular inside Grand Central Terminal has the chance to pick up one of 1,000 roses being handed out daily by A Diamond Is Forever. Everyone who picks up a rose will get a code that they can then enter online at http://www.adiamondisforever.com/ for a chance to win a 3 Stone Diamond Necklace worth $5,000. If you can’t make it to Grand Central Terminal, you can also register at http://www.adiamondisforever.com/ for a chance to win.