December 2006 Archives
Carats and Cleavage: Perfect Together.
This year's annual Victoria's Secret Runway Show featured plenty of carats to go along with the cleavage, including a $6.5 million Hearts On Fire (HOF) Diamond Fantasy Bra.
Combining two of nature's most precious gems—supermodels and diamonds—Karolina Kurkova wore the prized 800-carat lingerie as she sashayed down the runway. Completing the look was a $350,000 HOF diamond belt that adorned the model's panties.
Karolina Kurkova
Kurkova wasn't the only ice queen. HOF also dressed Gisele Bundchen (in 20-carat diamond stilettos and two diamond cuff bracelets totaling 150 carats) and Alessandra Ambrosio (in 15-carat diamond earrings), among others, for the "Glacial Goddess" segment of the show.
Alessandra
Giselle Bundchen
The Diamond Fantasy Bra was made with over 2,000 super-ideal-cut HOF diamonds, the first all-diamond bra for Victoria's Secret. It was featured in the store's Christmas catalog.
This fashion show will air on CBS on Dec. 5.
Hey Guys, this beats NFL Football, for sure!
Guys, 24 Shopping Days To Christmas. She's waiting for you.
Derek Jeter Scores with Movado's New 800 Series Watch
Yankees star Derek Jeter introduced the new Movado Series 800 Chronograph at a recent event held at Macy's Herald Square flagship store in Manhattan.
The New Movado Series 800
Jeter is currently featured in the company's new "Art of Performance" ad campaign, developed exclusively for the Series 800 collection.
In addition to launching the new timepieces, the event also kicked off a month-long initiative to support Jeter's "Turn2 Foundation," which he founded to create and support activities and programs that motivate youth to "turn to" a healthy lifestyle, academic achievement and leadership development, and away from things like drugs and alcohol.
Movado has been donating $100 to the charity for every Series 800 sold at the Macy's Herald Square store during the month of November.
Fans and watch aficionados packed the store to meet Jeter and to receive a Movado Series 800 baseball cap. Those who purchased the new watches were invited to attend a private cocktail reception where they had a chance to chat with Jeter one-on-one.
Movado President Jeff Cohen, Derek Jeter and Movado CEO Efraim Grinberg at Movado's Series 800 Chronograph launch at Macy's Herald Square.
The series is built to handle the most extreme sports activity, with features and characteristics that include a screw-down crown and case back to assure water resistance to 200 meters, a unidirectional timing bezel, and luminous markers and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for optimum dial legibility.
The Series 800 Chronograph features Performance Steel cases and Thermo Resin pushers. It is available with a yellow, white, black, blue or red dial, on either a Performance Steel bracelet or Thermo Resin strap. The suggested retail prices for the watch are $1,300 for the bracelet version and $1,000 for the strap version.
E-Commerce: Booming and Gaining Consumer Confidence.
More Americans shopped online this year, and spent more money per month on the Web, than in the past six years, according to a survey released today from the University of Southern California.
The USC Annenberg study has been conducted most years since 2000. In that first year, 45.1 percent of adult Internet users purchased something online, compared with 51.1 percent in the 2006 survey. And this year, Americans on average spent $118.57 per month, compared with $71.30 in 2001.
However, the phone survey of 2,269 U.S. households also showed the number of times the average shopper bought something online declined this year to 30.1 times, from a four-year high of 34.6 times in 2005.
Web and brick-and-mortar retailers can benefit from some degree of cross-pollination. The majority of survey respondents said they sometimes browse in a physical store, then buy online, and vice versa. Clothing and books topped the list of most popular online purchases this year.
The survey also showed Web surfers are less worried about giving out their credit card information and other privacy issues than ever before. Only 4 percent of online shoppers said they waited to make their first purchase because of concerns about giving out credit card information over the Web, compared with 32 percent who cited that concern in 2002. And the number of online shoppers "very or extremely concerned" about privacy when shopping online has declined to 46.5 percent from 65.8 percent in 2001.
The survey was conducted in both English and Spanish from February through April, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Who Actually Created The Famous & Classic Tiffany Diamond Engagement Ring?
While there is no argument that Tiffany has been selling the unrivaled Tiffany Diamond engagement ring for decades; the question of who actually created this timeless classic which has become a key part of the diamond culture, has been debated for quite some time.
Many historians and jewelry manufacturers point to the late master jeweler, Ferdinand J. Herpers and the firm that survived him, from about 1865 to 1900.
Ferdinand J. Herpers came to Newark in 1846 and worked as a journeyman for Durand, Carter and Company (1857-1869) and others before establishing his own small shop in 1865, where he made settings for other jewelers as well as his own complete jewelry.
He is credited for some gorgeous and important jewelry pieces, although never really known for his creation of what was to become the all-time favorite solitaire setting; the famous Tiffany Classic Engagement Ring.
Not unlike many jewelry designs and various other merchandise, certain designs and concepts never actually "take - off" until adopted by a company with brand and name recognition.
While the engagement ring by Tiffany is certainly created with a timeless elegance other solitaires can only aspire to, it did not become famous until it was successfully marketed by this world famous jewelry icon.
The Tiffany classic diamond engagement ring has become so incredibly popular throughout the ages, it has actually spawned a million copies and replicas of all types.
In fact, today, anyone who sells a cheap and generic 6 prong engagement ring, is apt to classify it as a "Tiffany style engagement ring".
While these cheap knock-offs certainly don't do justice to the authentic Tiffany ring, an attempt is still made to place the Tiffany "hallmark" on these products.
Our company manufactures a custom Tiffany Replica Diamond Engagement Ring which is viewed by many (including our several thousand customers of this specific ring since we introduced it just a few years ago..) as the highest quality Tiffany Replica engagement ring on the market.
Famous SuperbCert Signature Tiffany Replica on the finger of one happy customer!
Explore the quality and likeness of the SuperbCert 'Tiffany' inspired diamond engagement ring for yourself!
Just Completed Custom Sapphire & Diamond Engagement Ring
This beautiful ring features a deep blue (natural) Madagascar Sapphire (1.20 carats) in the center and flanked by two matching emerald cut diamonds (.60 total carats).
An exquisite ring for a discerning customer!
Here are a few pictures of the ring.
Do you agree?
For more photos of this ring click here:
What Is A 'Euro Shank' on a Diamond Ring?
I have had a few people ask me recently what a 'Euro shank' is on a diamond ring or diamond engagement ring.
'Euro', from the word European refers to the bottom portion of a ring setting that is flat instead of rounded.
You will find many of the newer diamond engagement ring designs and certainly many high end jewelry designers creating engagement rings and other ring settings with a Euro shank.
This gives the ring a certain 'look' which many people love and many people don't care much for....
Here is an example of a diamond ring by Designs by Vatche with a Euro shank.
Diamond ring by Vatche
View Some Of The Finest Jewelry Ever Created!
The Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault
Intensely hued jeweled masterpieces float wondrously in utter darkness, embodying the ultimate combination of natural perfection and flawless artistic execution. Opening November 17, 2006, The Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, a new permanent exhibit hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, completes the story begun by the now world-renowned Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals.
Sapphire brooch. This platinum brooch has a 168-carat, yellow sapphire center stone, a 0.65-carat, yellow sapphire side stone, 3.46 carats of green diamonds and 2.92 carats of pave diamonds. Designed and created by Ernesto Moreira. (Photo: Harold and Erica Van Pelt)
View the collection here:
Diamond Rings By Leo Ingwer...A Jewelry Star!
Periodically, I will showcase some real talent in the world of diamond engagement rings and designer jewelry.
Previously, I blogged on the incomparable jewelers, Leon Mege, Designs by Vatche and others.
This entry is dedicated to the old and reputable manufacturing company for some of the finest diamond engagement rings and jewery designs on the market; Leo Ingwer.
Ingwer's huge selection of diamond rings, mens and womens wedding band, pendants, necklaces, and anniversary rings are of excellent quality, at competitive prices.
Our company is proud of our long relationship with this manufacturer, who does not sell to the public and we are an Authorized retailer for this brand.
Harry Winston Is Top Jewelry Brand For Millionaires
According to the 2006 Luxury Brand Holiday Gift Guide, wealthy Americans consider legendary jeweler Harry Winston to be the top jewelry brand.
A Harry Winston Bauble
Tiffany and Cartier tied for second place in the Luxury Brand Status Index; Mikimoto came next.
Milton Pedrazza, CEO of Luxury Institute which conducted the survey, says: "In luxury jewelry, customer experience is the greatest differentiator for wealthy consumers."
Diamond Technology On The March!
The last several years have seen amazing progress and advances made in the evaluation of diamond characteristics and performance.
Cut quality and light performance of polished diamonds can be assessed and measured by machines such as the Megascope and the Brilliancescope. This has revolutionized the way Diamonds are marketed and purchased by consumers.
Another tremendous advance in diamond technology was announced this week by OGISystems, which will be a tremendous boon for Rough diamond dealers. In cooperation with Zvi Yehuda, who is the leading Israeli Color machines developer, these two companies introduced a new Colorimeter that will color predict white to yellow (D to K) and (Fancy yellow) rough diamonds at about + ½ color grade accuracy.
OGISystems Rough Diamond Color Evaluator
It will also scan and detect for brown hues in the color range D-F, give a computerized indication of both the yellow fluorescence (which indicates cloudiness in the stone), and the blue fluorescence. This new model detects fancy yellow in the following groups: No fancy, Light fancy yellow, Fancy, Intense fancy and Vivid fancy.
This system is fully automated system is a tremendous advancement and eliminates the considerable guesswork in accurately determining color in diamond rough.
Diamond rough has a light "skin" and therefore accurately determining color is often dependent on experience. Having a machine grade color eliminates the guesswork.
Ogitech technolgies is already credited with developing specialized diamond technologies including sophisticated laser technologies for inscribing and marking, both rough and polished diamonds.
Wanna Look Like a Hollywood Star?
Shoppers have a new online tool to visually search for the diamond jewelry and accessories the stars are wearing. Like.com, is the first visual search engine for jewelry, handbags, shoes, and watches. Simply click on the photo of a celebrity to find the necklace she is wearing at a variety of on-line jewelry stores!
Now how cool is that??
Wanna see how it works?
Here, try it.
Do you wish you had a pair of boots like the one
caught by photogs on Stacy Keibler at this recent event?
No problem! Simply click on her boots and see what you come up with!
Stacy Keibler at a recent event
Trendy Mall Stores Changing Their Facade
New York Times reports that in mall stores across the country, the floor to ceiling glass storefront is giving way to elaborate walls that make it impossible to see inside.
Intrigued by a store they cannot see into, connsumers walk in to solve the mystery and stay to shop.
Executives of hip retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch have already noted and mentioned the effectiveness of this game plan!
Architects note, however, that opaque storefronts could prove disasterous for retailers that must appeal to multiple generations.
I guess you could say, this brings to new meaning to the term "window shopping"!
Lance Armstrong Jewelry???...Yes!
Kendra Scott Design has taken Lance Armstrong's yellow rubber cancer awareness bracelet high-end with these solid 18kt. white or yellow gold bracelets featuring a yellow diamond set in the center of the "O."
The suggested retail price is $10,296 (a minimum of 50% will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation)
I think this is a tremendous concept and kudos to the people behind Kendra Scott Design for their largesse.
For more information, call them at 512-499-8400
Dead Fish Tells Diamond Tale!
From todays Russian News Service:
"Russian Customs authorities held a 51-year-old woman at an airport in Polyarny, Russia after her smelly luggage was found to contain a dead fish packed with large uncut diamonds.
Officials said the woman was stopped from boarding a flight to Moscow from Polyarny because of her smelly luggage.
Customs authorities inspected her bag and discovered a three-foot pike with 25 large uncut diamonds inside.
The police had started an investigation to determine the origin of the diamonds which they believed are stolen, and have called on experts to determine the value of the gems.
A spokesman for the police said, "The woman thought the stink from the fish would be enough to put guards off asking too many questions if she was stopped. Luckily, the guards were keen fishermen and didn't mind at all."
Crushed Gold Jewelry, In Style!
Pamela Froman is known for her crushed precious metal designs. She has been designing one of a kind jewelry pieces with her signtaure 'crushed gold' trademark style.
See her unique designs and collections here:
Pamela Froman Jewelry
Diamond & Watch Aucions Break Records!
Christmas came early for Sotheby's and Antiquorum auction houses, which both hosted record-breaking watch and jewelry sales last week in New York.
Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels from the Houses of Castellani and Giuliano: The Judith H. Siegel Collection sale, held on Dec. 6, brought in $7.4 million, while the jewels in its Van Cleef and Arpels Tribute Collection netted $4.4 million. Additional jewelry sales held on Dec. 6 brought the day's total sales to $28.3 million.
Of the Magnificent Jewels lots, 58 percent sold above their pre-sale estimates, while 78 percent of the Castellani and Giuliano pieces sold above estimates.
To date, Sotheby's principal jewelry showrooms have sold $175.4 million, a 24 percent boost over the same period last year.
On Dec. 8, Antiquorum's Important Collector's Pocket Watches and Clocks sale brought in $7.3 million.
The sale, Antiquorum's last of the year, brought the world total of Antiquorum sales in 2006 to $78 million.
Beautiful Matching Diamond Studs!
It's never easy putting together a perfectly matching pair of diamond studs for the discerning customer.
This is especially true when the diamonds are of ideal cut quality and must share exactly identical specifications for cut precision and light performance.
The reward of a perfectly matched pair of ideal cut diamond studs, is superior brilliance and tremendous beauty in any lighting environment.
Here is a beautiful pair of matching diamond studs I put together yesterday for a customer.
Tiffany Inspired Custom Diamond Eternity Ring!
In keeping with our well deserved reputation for selling the highest quality Tiffany replicas and Tiffany inspired diamond jewelry on the Net, comes this new fabulous custom Tiffany style Baguette diamond eternity ring!
Here are a few photos I just took of this ring.
Custom Tiffany Style Baguette Cut Diamond Eternity Ring by ExcelDiamonds.com
Here are the specifications for this ring:
20 Baguette cut diamond
1.59 carats total weight
F/G Color
VS Clarity
Heavy Platinum Channel Band
On-line Spending Outpaces B&M Stores.
comScore Networks measured a 25 percent increase in online retail spending for November 1 through December 8, 2006, to $15.58 billion in the United States.
“Online consumer spending growth continues to beat expectations, increasing 25 percent versus last year,” said Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks.
“The single-biggest online consumer spending day last year was Monday, December 12 with $556 million spent, but this year we’ve already seen 7 days eclipse $600 million in spending. In fact, each of the five days in the most recent work week (Monday, December 4 – Friday, December 8) exceeded $610 million. We expect that the heaviest day of this holiday season will occur during the week of December 11, with sales that should approach $700 million.”
Online shopping in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany continues strong, comScore reported the week ending December 3 was the most active cyber shopping week to date in both the United Kingdom and Germany, up 69 and 72 percent respectively from pre-holidays.
Foot traffic to major shopping centers has been light to moderate, certainly less than one year ago. However despite a drop in traffic those shoppers hitting malls and stores were considered to be serious about buying goods for Christmas gifts. Online sales and website traffic continue to be very strong.
Blood Diamond Film Has Little Impact, Says Study.
National Jeweler reports today that of those consumers who saw Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, nearly 60 percent say the movie did not affect their opinion of the diamond industry.
The study, conducted by the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC) following opening weekend of the film, finds that 64 percent of those who saw the movie understand that the diamond industry has safeguards in place to prevent the sale of conflict diamonds.
Two-thirds of those who saw the movie believe it will not impact their willingness to purchase diamond jewelry, and three-quarters of those who saw the film say it will not affect their holiday diamond-jewelry purchasing plans.
Of the 2,900 JCOC members surveyed, 11 percent saw the film in its opening weekend. Of those, 50 percent considered it very good and 31 percent believe that it could win an Academy Award.
More than two-thirds of those who watched were impressed with Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Paris Hilton in The News, Again.
Paris Hilton’s spokesperson has denied that the heiress is engaged to on-and-off boyfriend Stavros Niarchos after she was spotted with a glitzy diamond ring on her engagement finger.
Paris and Stavros - and Paris’s finger gem - were spotted out and about together in Los Angeles last week and then again in Florida over the weekend.
The pair were seen looking loved up at the Ink nightclub in South Beach, Florida on Friday night and Paris even treated Stavros to a lapdance before the party, which included Paris’s sister Nicky Hilton and Brandon Davis, moved onto the Mokai club in Miami Beach.
A source told People magazine: “Not only are she and Stavros together, but they are in love.”
Elliot Mintz, Paris’ publicist, though hit back against the engagement rumours: “Paris is not engaged. She does wear rings on different hands and fingers and depending on what’s comfortable, but she is not engaged.”
WHO CARES??
See What A Beautifully Cut Asscher Diamond Looks Like!
I just took these few pictures of a magnificent 1.24 F VVS2 GIA Certified, Asscher Cut Diamond!
This stone is a stunner of an Asscher Cut Diamond.
Read on for more information on the history of Asscher cut diamonds.
Continue reading "See What A Beautifully Cut Asscher Diamond Looks Like!" »
Unique & Important Custom Diamond Engagement Ring
Check out this breathtaking diamond engagement ring we are showcasing.
Center diamond is a GIA (EX/EX) certified 2.56 F SI1 diamond.
Click on the picture above to link to our product page with additional photos of this beautiful diamond engagement ring!
Federal Trade Commission To Re-Consider the use of the term "Cultured".
Eleven trade associations lined-up in support of protecting consumers from deceptive or unfair business practices from use of term cultured to describe jewelry other than pearl.
Led by the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and in association with 10 other jewelry industry associations, the group filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to amend “the FTC Guides,” (FTC Guidelines for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries) to add the term “cultured” to the list of terms that are unfair or deceptive to use in conjunction with manufactured jewelry industry products.
The group request that the FTC pass the proposed amendment for several reasons:
· To protect consumers from deceptive or unfair business practices that can occur when the term “cultured” is used in conjunction with jewelry industry products other than pearls.
· To protect consumers from associating the phrase “cultured diamond” with a natural product or gemstone grown naturally with human intervention.
· To justify continued consumer confidence in the jewelry industry.
Cecilia L. Gardner, JVC’s president, CEO and general counsel said, “The jewelry guidelines provide explicit standards for trade practices in the jewelry industry. Given the widespread confusion and misconception found among consumers when asked about the meaning of 'cultured' when applied to products other than pearl, we felt it was important to ask the FTC to amend the Guides. The guides should address the important issue of full disclosure of the true nature of laboratory created jewelry products.“
Associations in support of the FTC adjusting the Guides, so far, include American Gem Society, American Gem Trade Association, The World Jewellery Confederation, Cultured Pearl Association, Diamond Council of America, Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America, International Diamond Manufacturers Association, Jewelers of America, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.
Gardner said that she is pleased the effort includes both United States-based and worldwide organizations.
Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of American Gem Society, said, “Consumers’ high regard for cultured pearls require the FTC to amend the Guides to prevent confusion, deception and mistrust that is likely to result from the use of the term ‘cultured’ in conjunction with materials other than pearl.”
The submission to the FTC includes substantial consumer survey data indicating widespread confusion in consumers’ understanding of the term “cultured” when applied to products other than pearls.
The staff of the Consumer Enforcement Division of the FTC will now consider the contents of the petition with its accompanying consumer survey data and determine if there is sufficient grounds to issue a Federal Register notice which could solicit comments from the trade on whether the Guides should be amended.
Visit: www.jvclegal.org. for more information on this issue.
World Jewelry Center in Las Vegas Gaining Clients.
Five more jewelry businesses have signed letters of intent to join the World Jewelry Center (WJC), a planned, service-oriented business hub catering to international and domestic retailers, manufacturers, dealers and wholesalers in the gem, jewelry and pearl industries.
The five firms include the American Gem Society (AGS), Focus Business Management, Giraux Fine Jewelry, I Do Diamonds and the International Gemological Institute.
"The leaders of these businesses have demonstrated great foresight by taking advantage of the opportunity to be part of what will become one of the world's most significant one-stop wholesale and retail locations for the international jewelry trade," WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian said in a statement. "We are proud to welcome them to our growing group of industry leaders."
We recently blogged on this new Las Vegas Jewelry Center and commented on how Las Vegas will be poised to become a major player in the Diamond/Jewelry industry. Las Vegas Jewelry Center
Contrast this forward proactive approach of Bill Bojajian's crew with the recalcitrant and Ostrichitis attitude of New York's Diamond and Jewelry Trade to the very similar proposed
Mega Diamond/Jewelry Center proposed by Gary Barnett for New York's 47th Diamond District.
We blogged about this here:
Hey, New York Jewelers! WAKE UP and smell the coffee! Kill this project and watch yourselves turn into Dinosauers.
Loose Heart Shape Diamond...A Beauty!
Loose heart shape diamonds are exceptionally elegant and even more so when they are cut for beauty and precision.
Here is one beautiful heart shape diamond (.71 F VS2) I just photographed today for a customer.
Pictures by Exceldiamonds.com
BlueNile Added to S&P 600 Small Cap Index.
In a note to clients, Caris & Company analyst Tim Boyd discussed impact of adding online retailer Blue Nile to the S&P 600 Small Cap Index.
Blue Nile (NILE) will replace Lone Star Steakhouse on the index, however the date has not been set. "We note that while NILE is already a member of the Russell 2000, the S&P 600 has more stringent requirements for inclusion. In our view, this highlights NILE’s long-term financial viability," Boyd wrote.
The S&P 600 has a market cap of about $550 billion, and based upon Blue Nile's $550 million market cap, the online diamond retailer will receive an index weight of about 0.1 percent. "While it is difficult to estimate what kind of impact this will have on the shares, we note that Google shares rose 14 percent between the announcement of its inclusion in the S&P 500 [March 23, 2006] and the replacement date [March 31st.] On the one hand, NILE shares may not enjoy as much of a boost since the S&P 600 is not as widely replicated as the S&P 500; on the other hand, NILE could get an incremental pop because of the large short base [28 percent of the float, by our last count,]" Boyd concluded.
Boyd estimates a target price of $40 per share for Blue Nile -- a target price mentioned by several analysts for more than one year. Blue Nile rose above $40 per share briefly around Christmas 2005, but held within a range of $31-$36 per share for most of 2006. At opening bell on December 15, Blue Nile was at $35.53.
Potential risks, Boyd wrote, include decelerating revenue growth; minimal international presence; a challenging online marketing environment; and rising diamond and precious metal costs.
This indeed bears close monitoring as company insiders are selling their shares at a brisk pace.
ExcelDiamonds Launches New Diamond & Jewelry Search Tool
www.ExcelDiamonds.com, home of the SuperbCert Signature Hearts & Arrows Diamonds, announces today the launch of a new website tool which will allow customers to store and save past diamond & jewelry product searches for further review.
We anticipate this feature will be of invaluable assistance to our savvy customers, who take the time to research and compare many diamonds from our extensive loose diamond database before making their decision.
Check out this new feature here.
Internet Sales Are Surging..Up ..Up..And Away!
I was really happy to read this news report out today indicating a recent record day of Internet sales to the tune of a whopping $670 million dollars!!.
It is really noteworthy that consumer confidence for online shopping is increasing by leaps and bounds!
Who knows......maybe one day Brick and Mortar jewelry store staples like Zales Jewelers, Kay's Jewlers, & Helzberg Jewlers will only exist on the Internet...
.....highly unlikely since they are selling a far different product.
A Heartfelt Testimonial For Excel Diamonds
It is always very gratifying when we receive a heartfelt diamond testimonial from one of our happy customers. Here is one that we received today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barry and Judah,
I just wanted to thank you both so much for your help :)
After a long and frustrating day with UPS I finally received the package.
Must have been a new driver or just the time of year but
that package went all over the place and UPS didn't have a clue where it was.
I was told it was in 2 different places at once at one point by.
But when I opened that box, I didn't want to give it to my girlfriend....
...I wanted to keep it. It was much more beautiful than I could've even pictured.
Barry, you were right about the color not being noticable at all,
the platinum makes it shine. But the engagement went great
and she couldn't believe her eyes.
It sparkles like crazy in the light and she can't stop staring at it.
We were already incredibly happy together
and she would have been happy with anything.
But this definately tops anything I could have bought around here.
I won't even get into the details of how horrible the retail stores are in Houston.
I would have ended up paying twice as much for something
not even comparable to what I received from your store.
The Vatche ring was definately worth the wait...
...I wasn't expecting that great of quality for that price.
I can't say enough.....I'm just amazed by everything.
After all the crap I had to deal with going to retail stores
and listening to BS all day.....you were both a pleasant suprise.
I'm sorry if I was a pain or got on your nerves, I was just going a little crazy waiting.
But it was all worth the wait and all that research paid off.
I'm sure we'll be getting the wedding bands from you.
She won't want to deal with anyone else either.
Can't thank you enough,
Eric
Retailers: Better Have Those Decorations Set Up!
Surveys conducted by America's Research Group (ARG,) based in South Carolina, found that shoppers in 2006 were disappointed with the lack of Christmas decor in retail stores.
"More and more shoppers buying Christmas gifts this holiday season are expressing their displeasure at the meager decorations they are seeing in the stores," ARG reported.
Some 41 percent of shoppers said it was their observation that retail stores decorated less in 2006 than one year ago, whereas only 24 percent felt this way in 2005.
“Consumers cite three principal lacks in store decoration: No Santa Claus or Christmas signage, no decorations/very few decorations in or on the windows, and no real distinctiveness about the store – looks like any other store,” said C. Britt Beemer, founder and CEO of ARG.
Nearly 22 percent said they did shop at a store with very little decoration in place. However, those who specifically said they would not enter a retail store if decorations were not visible doubled from one year ago to 8 percent.
“When you are looking at a Christmas season where comp store sales growth will be 3 percent or less and that 8 percent of consumers are not shopping your store due to a poor decorations, retail executives need to take notice,” Beemer said. “Based upon these trends, retailers need to re-prioritize their store displays during the Christmas shopping season or more shoppers will walk out next year,” he predicts.
Beemer blamed the trend on “Wall Street-driven” executives at retailers who place short-term earnings above long-term market success.
On-Line Holiday Spending Setting Records!
Consumers in the United States took advantage of heavily promoted online sales since November 1, 2006, and have so far spent about $19.5 billion according to comScore Networks. The increase in online sales represents growth of 25 percent and is inline with earlier projections.
Free shipping and guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas (an offering most online retailers skipped in 2005) is driving online sales said Gian Fulgoni, comScore chairman.
Online spending on December 15, 2006, rose 38 percent and the rise was attributed to workers taking advantage of office high-speed connections.
Global Jewelry Sales to reach $230 Billion by 2015
Worldwide jewelry sales will grow 4.6 percent per year to reach $185 billion in 2010 and $230 billion in 2015, according to a new report by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India and KPMG.
"The Global Gems and Jewellery Industry: Vision 2015: Transforming for Growth" finds that gold and diamond jewelry will continue to dominate the industry, with about 82 percent of the market, and that palladium will grow in importance. Diamonds will represent the slowest growing segment of the industry, with a compound annual growth rate of about 3.3 percent.
The report also finds that India and China together will emerge as a market equivalent to the U.S. market by 2015. Further, India's share of the diamond-processing industry will drop from 57 percent today to around 49 percent in 2015, while China will control 21.3 percent of the diamond-processing industry by that time.
Continue reading "Global Jewelry Sales to reach $230 Billion by 2015" »
Diamond Prices To Go Up in 2007
Reuters reports today that Diamond prices are set to rise in 2007 as global supply falls significantly below demand, quoting Firestone Diamonds Chief Executive Philip Kenny.
Kenny told Reuters that an imbalance had been created by diminishing stock-piles at the world's biggest producer De Beers, coupled with a shortage of new mines coming on stream.
That will mean that prices would have to rise next year, despite a softening of prices in 2006, he said.
"There is a broad consensus that there will be a shortfall in supply in 2007," "In recent years the shortfall was made up by De Beers selling down stockpiles, but now they are just selling what they mine."
He added that there were no major mines about to come into production, partly as it has been seen as a major challenge in recent years to build a mine able to make a decent return.
"It's very difficult to find an economically viable diamond mine, and a lot of suitable locations are climatically or politically difficult places to work -- like Angola or Northern Russia," Kenny said.
"The fundamentals on prices weren't the same five to 10 years ago; the price forecast was not as bullish as it is now," he added.
Kenny added that growth in demand for diamonds had historically been roughly linked to global GDP growth, around 5 percent a year.
Is that You behind those Tiffany Sunglasses?
Diamond and jewelry retailer Tiffany & Company has signed with Luxottica to manufacture and distribute Tiffany eyeglass frames and sunglasses.
The agreement marks Tiffany's entrance into the eyewear market, with the launch of its first luxury brand collection scheduled for early 2008.
"As a luxury fashion accessory, eyewear seems like a natural addition for us," said Michael Kowalski, chairman and CEO of Tiffany. "Tiffany's success has always been tied to offering a wide range of extraordinary product designs, in jewelry timepieces, tableware and accessories."
Luxottica chief executive Andrea Guerra said that Tiffany's entry into the eyewear market further demonstrated that eyewear has evolved into a high style, luxury accessory. Luxottica said distribution would be selective and exclusive and anticipates strong growth from the Tiffany & Co eyewear collections.
The Luxottica Group expects the Tiffany line to generate revenues of at least $50 million a year.
Have You Finished Your Holiday Shopping?
Holiday shoppers are once again proving to be procrastinators this season, with more than 33 million (15.4 percent) indicating they've yet to start, according to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2006 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.
The survey, conducted by Big Research, shows that not all consumers wait, with 23 million (10.8 percent) saying they've completed their holiday shopping. Among those shoppers who have yet to get started, 17.8 percent of men and 13.1 percent of women are waiting until the last minute.
With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, retailers have one more weekend to bring in those holiday procrastinators.
Credit Card Debt Skyrocketing.
Consumer Reports says that Consumer Credit Card is growing rapidly.
In the broad field of averages, consumers in the United States predicted they would be spending between roughly $1,000 and $2,000 on gifts during the December holidays in 2006. Taking into account that the "average" household is already saddled with $9,000 in credit card debt alone, additional charges are seen to present a long-term problem.
The majority --or 77 percent-- planned to use cash, 48 percent of shoppers told Consumer Reports they would use credit cards, 46 percent planned to use debit cards. And those paying with plastic will see the bills --and interest-- pile up. Among those using credit cards to pay for holiday gifts, the average bill will be $626, though 17 percent of shoppers plan on racking up $1,000 or more in holiday charges.
Many say they'll retire holiday credit card debt by the end of January (59 percent,) but 23 percent won't pay off those bills until March or later," which adds $14.6 billion in interest-accruing debt for primarily Christmas gift spending.
Over one-quarter of Americans (26 percent) use credit cards most often when holiday shopping, contributing to the $63.6 billion charged on credit cards throughout the shopping season," according to the statement by Consumer Reports.
"Credit cards can be hazardous to your holiday spending," says Tom Marks of Consumer Reports. "Cash forces you to be much more disciplined, purchasing only what you can afford."
Consumer Reports' poll shoppers planned to buy about 15 gifts, women on average planned to buy 19 gifts and men only 13.
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend: Maybe Not !?
Suggests Channel 23 in Bakersfield, California.
Move over diamond rings, there is a new gift in town that may be topping women's holiday wish lists.
Cosmetic surgery has become a popular gift request from women.
Many cosmetic offices have seen an increase of women coming in to their offices for botox, chemical peals and other procedures for the holidays, according to many doctors.
Several local Bakersfield businesses are offering a holiday packages for those last-minute shoppers.
Guys, you probably will have enough money left over for a Cubic Zirconia ring.
This Christmas, Diamonds Speak Louder Than Words.
www.adiamondisforever.com (subsidiary of DeBeers) has flooded the print media with this years holiday theme for diamond jewelery shoppers; "if a picture alone is worth a thousand words", imagine what a piece of diamond jewelry will say!
You have probably noticed the various ad slicks like the one below that have begun popping up on billboards and bus stops all over the country.
The Diamond Trading Company has increased holiday ad spending and created a new holiday campaign.
There is a great article regarding this new marketing initiative. You will read all about the TV commercial designed to highlight this new theme.
Read the full article here.
Update on E-Commerce
Interesting Overview and Update.
I Left My Gucci In San Francisco, High On A Hill...??!!
No, Tony Bennett is not changing the lyrics to his world-famous song.
San Francisco International Airport's (International Terminal,) now has a Gucci store. The luxury retailer claims it is the first to set-up a duty-free shop at an airport in the United States.
The store sells its namesake items including diamond jewelry, the most expensive of which is their large ladies' watch with a mother-of-pearl face framed by 'G' encrusted in diamonds for $1,900.
Management at SFO --as the airport is called-- said there were a dozen applicants for the space Gucci opened days ago, but the decision to permit the luxury brand fit the trend management felt is important to international travelers. Visitors from outside the United States spend between 15 percent and 20 percent more at the airport's retail stores than locals, according to the management.
You Very Last Minute Shoppers: HURRY UP!
Just a few shopping hours left for you procrastinators.
Haste can lead to accidents, so be careful out there.
Happy Holidays!
Profile In Courage.
Happy Holidays.
Despite Laws, Gay Wedding Industry Is Booming.
The San Jose Mercury News has the story here:
Here Is A Beautiful Radiant Cut Diamond!
Radiant Cut Diamonds with good cut proportions, are some of the prettiest and most scintillating diamonds money can buy.
Here is a real "looker" I had a chance to photograph today for a customer.
This diamonds vitals are as follows:
Size: 1.50 carats
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
Certification: GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
Consumer's Rights on Diamond & Jewelry Appraisals.
Consumers buying diamonds and diamond jewelry should get Independent Appraisals of their merchandise.
Getting an Appraisal from the Merchant who sold you the item(s) is not the best way to go. In fact, it is extremely unethical for a seller of diamonds & jewelry to issue "an appraisal" for his own merchandise. This is frowned on by every one of the appraisal organizations and insurance companies alike because of the obvious vested interest a jeweler has in validating (at the very least) what he's charged for the item, on one of his own in-house generated "appraisal" reports.
Certainly, anybody who gives you an "appraisal" together with their merchandise is going to tell you whatever they know you wish to hear.....truth is, these kind of "appraisa