Diamond Jewellery News

Rio Tinto’s 2009 Argyle Pink Diamond Tender is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its iconic offering of pink diamonds with an exceptional collection, including four outstanding heart shaped gems.

Suitably titled Grand Passions, this year’s tender collection comprises 43 of the rarest and the best pink diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia. With around 10 years remaining of the Argyle Diamond Mine, these rare pink diamonds will be keenly contested by investors, collectors and diamond experts from around the world.

Josephine Archer, Business Manager for Argyle Pink Diamonds, comments on the 2009 collection, “the pink diamonds selected for this year’s Tender are a fitting tribute to the artistry and passion of all those who worked to bring them to the market place. These

diamonds are for appreciators of the truly exceptional and we are delighted to be showcasing them to the world.”

Included in this year’s collection is a magnificent 2.61carat intense pink heart shaped diamond named Argyle AmourTM. The Argyle AmourTM is the most valuable heart shaped pink diamond ever produced from the Argyle mine Exuding passion, romance and warmth, this extraordinary diamond captures all that is Amour. The two other “hero” stones set to captivate bidders are the Argyle ShalimarTM diamond, a 1.25 carat purplish pink round diamond named after the exotic garden sanctuary built by Indian emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, and in the theme of legendary passions, the Argyle ScarlettTM diamond, a 1.10 carat red oval diamond.

According to Jean-Marc Lieberherr, General Manager for the sales and marketing for all diamonds from Rio Tinto’s diamond mines, “excitement around this Tender collection is understandable. The rarity of Argyle pink diamonds has created a connoisseurship for them and there is a growing recognition that the earth will not produce pink diamonds for that much longer.”

This will be the first year that the Argyle Pink Diamond Tender will be presented in Mumbai. Also, for the first time, Argyle Pink Diamonds Select Ateliers in London, Sydney and Perth will showcase these rare diamonds to their respective clients at in-store preview events.

Tender viewings will held be in Mumbai (August 6 -10,), Perth (September 1 – 11) and Hong Kong (September 19-27).

Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the official representative of the Antwerp diamond sector, welcomed Belgian vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht on a working visit today.

Minister De Gucht visited the HRD Antwerp diamond lab and Diamond Office, and witnessed the control mechanisms for diamond export and import. After a visit to the Antwerp diamond bourses, he held a speech in the Diamantclub Antwerpen and had lunch with a delegation of Ambassadors of major diamond producing and exporting countries, including Canada, Australia, Israel, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Russia, Lesotho, Indonesia, Thailand, UAE, and the US.  

In his statement, Minister De Gucht emphasized that he has been following the diamond sector for over 10 years. According to him, the Antwerp diamond sector has not weakened by any means in the past few years. Instead, it has become even more structured and transparent than before. He underscored the importance of the diamond trade and confirmed the unconditional support of the Belgian government and Foreign Affairs in particular, to help Antwerp maintain its leading position as major diamond trading centre.

 “Antwerp is today by far the largest diamond trading centre. This success story is the result of its location at the centre of the European Union, of an unmatched political and economical stability, of the innovative dynamism of its traders and bankers and of the active support of the Belgian government”, Minister De Gucht stated.

This is with reference to reports in the Media with regards to the GJEPC organised India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), 2009 which is to be held in Mumbai in August this year. The reports have highlighted that a few members and associates from the industry have raised an objection to the proposal to provide non-vegetarian food at the event. The Committee of Administration of the GJEPC has duly noted these objections and has unanimously decided as follows:

“Keeping in mind the religious sentiments and sensitivities of our Industry and its members, the GJEPC Committee of Administration has decided not to offer the facility of non-vegetarian food at the IIJS 2009.

The IIJS is one of the biggest and most prestigious Gems and Jewellery Trade Show of its kind in the world and the second largest in Asia. Organised by the GJEPC, the event attracts thousands of buyers and sellers from across the globe and provides a unique platform for them to interact, observe new trends and designs, share information and transact business. Last year, the IIJS celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with a record-breaking 800 exhibitors and over 40,000 visitorsfrom different countries including Japan, China, Israel, Hong Kong, USA and UK.   This year too, the IIJS 2009 is expected to break all previous records and register a growth across all parameters.

The Israeli Diamond Industry today launched Stage 4 of its strategic marketing program “Together Works”, at a press conference organized by the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) at the JCK Las Vegas trade show. Stage 4 of this unfolding B2B program makes use of the most advanced tools available on the web today to spread the message of diamonds — in every social media platform from YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to blogs and Linkedin.

The centerpiece of this social media marketing campaign is the launch of the Israeli Diamond Industry YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=israelidiamond. This is the first ever diamond center channel and seeks to revolutionize the diamond industry’s presence on YouTube.  As on-line trade and marketing evolves at a breathtaking pace, the YouTube platform will enable buyers to virtually meet new suppliers, and provides an all important ‘meet and greet’ that is such an intrinsic part of the diamond business.  

To date IDI has uploaded 38 unique videos each featuring a different Israeli diamond company.  IDI produced these image films for YouTube as a service for Israeli diamond companies while introducing them to new and out-of-the-box forms of marketing. This complex project was filmed and edited by a leading film production agency in Israel. The next round of filming is set to take place in the Israel Diamond Center in June 2009 with a long list of companies waiting to embrace this new marketing challenge.

At the press conference IDI also spoke of the development of The Israeli Diamond Industry blog http://blog.israelidiamond.co.il/  which was launched at BaselWorld and has achieved a wide international following. In addition, the trade media was introduced to the new industry face on:  Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramat-Gan-Israel/Israeli-Diamond-Institute/67240223724 ,  Twitter http://twitter.com/isdiam and the professional network. Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/israelidiamond. These features can also be accessed via IDI’s flagship portal in English, Chinese, Russian and Hebrew www.israelidiamond.co.il

Las Vegas, May 30, 2009: The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has organized the India Pavilion at, Sands Expo, Las Vegas. The pavilion will have 45 exhibitors acquiring 63 booths spread across a total area of 630 sq meters. India joins jewelers from around the globe in the industry’s premier event; which has over the years evolved as the most desired jewellery event.

 Indo-US partnership has seen remarkable results in the year 2007 when India’s exports of gems and jewelry totaled US$ 19.79 billion, of which 32% was to the US. However, the previous financial year saw UAE emerge as the largest exporting destination with 31% of exports to the market, followed by Hong Kong with 25%, pushing USA to the third place with 20% of exports. Through this event, JCK aims to provide a platform to foster the Indo-US relationship and with the US market already showing signs of recovery, GJEPC is hopeful of leveraging it further to revive the export business.

According to Vasant Mehta, Chairman GJEPC, “We believe that demand for diamond & its prices are more likely to remain relatively untouched by the potential commodity market volatility in the future, once the US and the global economies stabilize. JCK provides a great platform to leverage the trade relationship and plan for an economically progressive 2009-10 that is the industry’s need at the moment”.

 At the Indian Pavilion this year, one will witness Indian craftsmanship at its best with a display of exquisite jewellery collection comprising of high-end diamond jewellery, gold and platinum jewellery, fine jewellery, loose diamonds & precious stones, precious colored gem stones, pearls, beads & silver Jewellery.

India has over the years established itself as the leader in diamond & colour gem stones supplies. Gem & Jewellery Industry today enjoys a leadership position worldwide in manufacturing of diamonds, which is attributed to the in house expertise of cutting and polishing. Today, Indian manufacturers & retailers have attained a global standard which has led to an increased demand for these precious gems from the Indian heartland. The Gem & Jewellery sector accounts for 13% of India’s total merchandise exports while catering to the growing demands of this sector across the globe.

GJEPC, the apex body for the industry is undertaking focused initiatives to help traders boost exports in challenging times.

GJEPC will host a ‘By invitation’, Diamond & Colorstone Show where manufacturers & select overseas & domestic buyers (jewellery manufacturers & Retailers) will form new business relationships & partnerships on 4th & 5th August, 2009 in Mumbai.

 GJEPC has planned additional marketing and promotion initiatives in the current year, some of them include, Buyer seller meets with China and European Nations.

 GJEPC’s flagship jewellery trade event ‘India International Jewellery Show 2009’ is scheduled from August 6 – 10, 2009 where the industry converges in larger numbers (upwards of 30,000 trade visitors). Country pavilions, networking events, informative education seminars and fantastic show features will be an attraction once again, attracting thousands of industry professionals and retailers. This platform will provide an unparalleled opportunity to discover the various facets of today’s India – especially the surge in its business and economic growth.