Quinn's Fine Jewelry expands

To celebrate its second anniversary, Quinn's Fine Jewelry, located at Wilbraham Crossing Plaza, 2040 Boston Road, has undergone some renovations to its store, including expansion of its showroom floor.

The expansion has allowed Quinn's to work closely with customers in a more intimate setting to design one-of-a-kind pieces.

Owners Denise, Brian and Corey Quinn have responded to their customers' requests and Web site feedback by bringing in more fine jewelry and giftware selections. They are a local, independent, family owned and operated jewelry store.

Quinn's continues a history of giving back to the community through support of many charitable events. Quinn's Fine Jewelry was the recipient of the Boston Road Business Association's New Business of the Year Award.

Quinn's will hold an anniversary sales event through Sept. 1 with all in-store fine jewelry and giftware on sale from 10 to 40 percent off.

Corey Quinn is the in-house jeweler at Quinn's, and he is at the store full time to provide jewelry repair and custom design service.
Source: masslive

Spot Runner Creates Jewelry Ads

Spot Runner, the Internet-based ad agency based in Los Angeles, formed a partnership with Stuller, a leading jewelry manufacturer and distributor, to create localized TV advertising campaigns for independent jewelry retailers.

A previous deal, with Diamond Promotion Service, aids jewelry store chains and other retailers craft local advertising campaigns.

Local jewelry businesses can access Spot Runner’s commercial production, media planning and buying services via either Spot Runner or Stuller. Retailers can customize an ad by uploading up to five images into an ad, such as pictures of Stuller-manufactured jewelry or pictures of local storefronts. The partners assert that using the Spot Runner template, local businesses can create and place an ad on channels as varied as CBS, HGTV or Bravo for as little as $1,500.
Source: multichannel

China seizes fake "Tiffany" jewels headed for U.S.

Chinese customs officials have seized more than 6,000 pieces of counterfeit "Tiffany" jewelry headed for the United States, state media reported on Tuesday, as Beijing battles accusations it is soft on pirates.

Three shipments of the fake jewelry, inscribed with the upmarket brand of Tiffany and Co., were intercepted in east China's Zhejiang province, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The items included necklaces, earrings and bracelets. The report did not describe their quality.

Beijing has been fending off complaints from the United States and European Union that it has not done enough to stamp out counterfeiters who copy films, music, software and luxury brands.

Washington and Brussels also say that many of the counterfeits reach overseas markets.

Tiffany & Co. said on Monday it had won an injunction from a federal court against Starglam Inc., an e-commerce business which the high-end jewelry retailer said had been selling fake Tiffany-branded items made in Asia.

The Chinese report made no mention of that case.
Source: reuters

Rapaport Group joins World Jewelry Center

The Rapaport Group has joined a growing list of companies that have signed Letters of Intent to purchase office space at the World Jewelry Center (WJC).

The company provides diamond price and market information, with products that include the Rapaport Diamond Report and RapNet, the electronic diamond-trading network with daily listings of more than $3.1 billion in diamonds.

Chairman Martin Rapaport said Rapaport USA has profited greatly from being based in Las Vegas since 1998.

"The World Jewelry Center is a great opportunity for diamond and jewelry companies seeking to develop and expand U.S. operations," he said in a statement. "Improved access to superior employees at reasonable rates, a 24/7 work environment, no state or city taxes, and a can-do pro-business attitude have made Vegas a great place to do business."

WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian welcomed Rapaport to the fold.

"Martin Rapaport is a noted industry leader and visionary, and the Rapaport Group's participation will enhance the diversity and quality of firms that are part of the World Jewelry Center," he said.

Boyajian said the move also shows the confidence the gem and jewelry industry has in the project.

"We are attracting companies of all sizes, regions of the world, and products and services, making it truly the ideal international marketplace for gems and jewelry," he said.

In June, Boyajian said more than 80 companies were onboard and the center could officially break ground on the project by next April. The multi-use center will include a 60-story business-to-business trade tower, educational center, condominiums and a three-story retail center.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Top 5 Jewelry Gifts for Her

GlamForLess has taken the guess work out of gift-giving. We surveyed over 10,000 women to uncover the top 5 most desirable jewelry gifts. Below, are the

Diamond Stud Earrings
It should surprise no one that earrings and other jewelry featuring diamonds make fitting birthday gifts. These exquisite, yet classically styled diamond earrings will shine with a brilliance and fire like none other. A perfect gift for any occasion, diamond stud earrings will make any occasion one to remember. The elegant simplicity of these diamond earrings makes them the best compliment to any jewelry collection. Diamond stud earrings add a classic look to any season or style. These earrings will garner attention and compliments from friends and strangers alike. Wonderfully versatile, these diamond earrings can be paired with business attire for a sophisticated, sleek look or with casual dress for a relaxed, classic look. Why not surprise her, treat her, or simply amaze her with a pair of dazzling diamond stud earrings for women?

Charm bracelets
Charm bracelets are good to give her on a first-time occasion, such as a first anniversary or a first vacation together. Include one charm with the bracelet to get her started -- one that references the occasion -- and you're set. The great benefit to the charm bracelet should be obvious: It's provides built-in, relatively foolproof gift solutions for the future -- more charms to add to the bracelet.

Teardrop necklaces
Versatility is not a general hallmark of jewelry, particularly as prices go up. However, teardrop necklace come in countless styles, are made out of many different materials and play a big part in a woman's accessorizing. This versatility, along with a lack of any overt symbolism, helps to make such a piece of jewelry a great gift to present on a whim, as a way to show your love and appreciation.

Horseshoe pendants
Without a doubt, the most commonly encountered lucky charm in modern North America is the horseshoe. We like it so much we added to our jewelry collection above. Sterling Silver Horseshoes with gems or without will keep the luck year round. Horseshoe necklace pendants have become the icon du jour for women around the globe, including famous celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Catherine Zeta Jones, Faith Hill, Kelly Preston and Kelly Ripa.

Cultured pearl necklaces
It's OK to gasp at the price; in fact, get out that gasp now. The idea here is that you're not going to be making this kind of purchase with any frequency, so target the best pearls (Akoya / Hanadama) or at least the best you can afford. This is a serious investment and should be treated accordingly. This is not something you buy your brand new, two-weeks-passed girlfriend, but rather a gift for the long haul. While it is an elegant and fitting gift for very special occasions only, it may perform best for you during the holidays. If the Akoya pearl is absolutely beyond your budget, freshwater-pearl strands cost around one quarter as much and make great gifts.
Source: prweb

Gold to Rise Above $1,000 on Jewelry

Gold will surge to more than $1,000 an ounce driven by increased jewelry demand and a weaker dollar, Newmont Mining Corp. Vice Chairman Pierre Lassonde said.

``Gold's time is coming,'' Lassonde said at the Diggers & Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia today. The price will have three zeros, ``I just don't know what the first number is going to be,'' he said, without giving a timeframe.

The supply of gold from mines is dropping as companies fail to make major discoveries and licensing issues slow down construction, Lassonde, 60, said. Gold jewelry demand is expected to rise from last year's value of $45 billion, he said. Gold at $1,000 would be 49 percent higher than today's price.

``The outlook for gold is bullish, but there's perhaps some vested interest in those forecasts,'' said Michael Widmer, the head of metals research at Calyon, the investment banking unit of Credit Agricole SA.

Gold for immediate delivery rose as much as $1.30, or 0.2 percent, to $674.30 an ounce today, and traded at $672.68 at 6:31 p.m. Sydney time. Gold futures reached a nominal record of $873 an ounce in January 1980, while the spot price reached a 26-year high of $730.40 in May, 2006.

`Bull Market'

``This bull market in natural resources will last a whole generation, that's 20 years,'' Lassonde said in remarks to the conference. ``China and India will have hiccups but, no, they will not stop growing.''

Gold and oil will be the best performing commodities in the current cycle, while the prices of copper and molybdenum have peaked, he said. Gold will rise to more than $850 within 12 months, and will rise above $750 by fall, Lassonde said.

Calyon's Widmer said he's forecasting average prices of $650 for the current quarter, and $700 for the final three months of 2007. ``The average for next year, I think, will reach $720,'' he said. ``We can still go higher from where we are.''

The price of gold will be boosted by increased global wealth, which will spur jewelry sales, Lassonde said. Jewelry accounted for two-thirds of gold demand in the first quarter.

Demand in India, the world's largest buyer, rose by half in the first quarter from a year earlier to 211 metric tons, while demand in China gained 31 percent, the London-based World Gold Council said in May. Demand growth may have continued at that rate during the second quarter, the Council said July 3.

``That is what is underpinning the demand for gold, is that the world is getting richer and richer,'' Lassonde said separately in an interview. ``It is not just the China, India story here, it is a world story.''

The precious metal, which often moves in the opposite direction to the dollar, may also gain as the U.S. currency declined, Lassonde said. The euro has risen 7.7 percent against the dollar in the past 12 months.

Lassonde retired in December as president of Denver-based Newmont, the world's second-biggest gold producer. Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corp. is the world's biggest gold producer.
Source: bloomberg

Amazon.com goes global with jewelry, watches

Amazon.com has announced the launch of three new Jewelry and Watches stores in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

Jewelry and watch consumers can visit Amazon.co.uk in the United Kingdom, Amazon.de in Germany and Amazon.jp in Japan to access the recently launched stores.

"We are thrilled to be able to offer our international customers the opportunity to purchase jewelry and watches online," Amazon.com Jewelry and Watches Director Peter Lai said in a statement. "Customers love Amazon.com's outstanding selection and low prices, and we know our customers in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan will too."

The launches come as Amazon.com reported strong growth in jewelry and watches for the second quarter of 2007. Diamond sales increased 260 percent, colored-gemstone sales increased 169 percent and sterling silver sales increased 107 percent. The Jewelry and Watches store also had its most successful Mother's Day to date, boosted by the addition of new brands such as Miss Sixty, Crislu and Sajen.

Women's watch sales were also up significantly, with top-selling brands such as Baume and Mercier, Cartier, Invicta, Movado, Omega and TAG Heuer contributing to a 100 percent increase. The watch store has also added new brands Avirex, Elle, Marc Ecko, Nautica, Penguin and Technomarine.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Russian diamond giant Alrosa may launch Armenia jewelry business

Russia's largest diamond producer Alrosa [RTS: ALRS] could launch a jewelry business in Armenia, the company's president said Monday.

The government of Armenia and Alrosa, which accounts for 97% of Russia's raw diamond production and for 25% of global output, signed on August 6 in Yerevan an agreement on cooperation in the jewelry and diamond-cutting sectors.

"The Russian jewelry market has huge vacant niches and we do not rule out the possibility of utilizing the capacities of Armenian jewelry enterprises for the placement of orders," Sergei Vybornov said.
Source: rian

MONTBLANC INTRODUCES WOMEN'S DIAMOND JEWELRY

Montblanc, the luxury brand known for its high-end pens, leather goods and men’s accessories, is now reaching out to female customers with a new diamond jewelry line for women. The company introduced diamond jewelry in Thailand aimed at women aged 30 years and older in the first quarter of this year, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

Product Manager for Montblanc Srocha Laysuwan told the local paper that 30 percent of Montblanc’s customers in Thailand are women who purchase pens for men as gifts. Therefore, she says, an opportunity exists for new product lines that such female customers can buy for themselves.

According to Srocha, in Thailand, Montblanc pens generate about 50 percent of the company’s total turnover, followed by 25 percent for watches and 25 percent for high-end jewelry, leather and accessories.

She added that Montblanc’s long-term brand value and reputation will help the company become “an alternative luxury brand not only for pens but also for jewellery.”
Source: diamondintelligence

Care key to extending life of jewelry

Taking proper care of your jewelry is one way to extend its life and value. Here are some tips from jeweler David Runyan and antique jewelry collector and former goldsmith Judy Lauterbach.

Pearls in peril

People don’t know how to take care of pearls, laments Lauterbach. Hairspray and perfume will kill them. Sweat, too. They get dirty and start to disintegrate. Don’t wear perfume around the neck, and don’t spray your hair while wearing them.

Wipe them off with a damp, soft, lintfree cloth when finished wearing them, and then put them away.

And be sure to restring your pearls every few years if you wear them frequently.

Wearing down

If you wear two rings together, be sure to solder them. Over the years, the rings rub together. Many older rings will be damaged the most, Runyan said, because they might not have much wear left or be made of a thinner mold.

And speaking of wear, Runyan said wearing your jewelry to bed causes that, too.

“A ring will actually push on sheets, rub back and forth. With a chain, it probably causes more wear and tear on it during the night than in the day. It twists and rubs back and forth on the sheets.”

Clean is good

“Some people are really startled to see what a piece looks like clean,” Lauterbach said.

Jewelry can be professionally cleaned, or you can try your hand at it at home.

Get a glass of warm soapy water (mild, not detergent), put the jewelry in it overnight and clean with a soft brush or lint-free cloth.

But be warned: Most costume jewelry can’t take moisture.

“It turns the stones dark and then it has no value,” she said. “The stones have foil on the back and that will separate from the glass.” Runyan said that regular cleaning of jewelry also helps the pieces last longer.

“With rings, there can be a lot of soap, grime and lotion, which can also cause damage.”

Stay away

Make sure to not wear your jewelry while soaking in a hot tub or going for a dip in the pool.

Runyan said chlorine and bleach are not very good for jewelry, especially when it is made of white gold. White gold has nickel in it, which can break down and become brittle.

“It can happen over a period of years,” he said. “You may not remember swimming while wearing it, but your grandmother may have.”

Get regular check-ups

Runyan suggests getting your rings checked and cleaned every three to six months, depending on how much you wear them and how hard you are on them.

Lauterbach said it is a good idea to frequently check to see that the stones are tight in the ring.

“I’ve seen a carat diamond missing a prong,” she said. “If a ring starts to snag on things, then you know it needs to be looked at.”
Source: columbian