May 26, 2021

Bling at the BAFTAs and SAG

British actors brought out their best bling for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) in April, and the overall look was eclectic glamour. Rene Zellweger…

British actors brought out their best bling for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) in April, and the overall look was eclectic glamour.

Rene Zellweger wore a sleeking silver-grey dress with a statement David Webb cuff made of black enamel, diamond, 18-karat gold and platinum, with an oval cut aquamarine as the centre stone. Priyanka Chopra made a colourful appearance with a colourful jacket accentuated by Bulgari jewels – a High Jewellery necklace of tanzanites, turquoise, sapphires and diamonds, set in 18-karat rose gold, along with Serpenti rings and Divas’ Dream earrings. Rose Byrne went with a sophisticated geometrical style, accessorising her beaded black suit with one Messika Jewellery Asymmetrical High Jewellery diamond earring.

While the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards were held as a Zoom meeting, the stars still dressed as if they were walking the red carpet.

Anya Taylor-Joy of The Queen’s Gambit wore a Tiffany diamond necklace along with several Tiffany rings. Kerry Washington wore a royal blue beaded gown and cap, set off by a magnificent Bulgari ring, featuring a dark blue stone. Helen Mirren wore a floor-length red gown, with a heavy gold statement necklace by David Webb and Gillian Anderson wore a necklace by Chopard.

News: Online bling at the Globes…and the Grammys

May 26, 2021

Watch federations joins CIBJO

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has confirmed the membership of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH. CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri welcomed the decision,…

Posted in News CIBJO Gaetano Cavalieri Swiss Watch Federation World News

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has confirmed the membership of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH. CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri welcomed the decision, stating that it underscores the convergent interests of the watch, jewellery and gemstones industries, and the need for all to work together to protect consumer confidence and support.

Representing around 460 members or more than 90 percent of Swiss firms active in the production and sale of watches, clocks and components, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH was established in 1982 following the merger between the Swiss Federation of Watch Manufacturers’ Associations and the Swiss Chamber of Watchmaking. It thus represents almost 150 years of association activity within the Swiss watch industry.

Among the organisation’s objectives are to protect and develop the Swiss watch industry, to uphold its members’ interests generally and in a legal context, and to represent the sector as a whole, both in Switzerland and abroad.

“We are delighted to have so important a leader in the international watch sector as part of CIBJO,” Dr. Cavalieri said. “Together the jewellery, gemstone and watch industries represent more than $250 billion of sales annually, reaching out to a very similar consumer base, often using the same chains of distribution, particularly at the retail end. We have parallel interests and face common threats. For all of us, consumer confidence is not simply desirable, but it is a business prerequisite. I look forward to working with my Swiss colleagues in creating a common front, allowing us work united and strengthened in the international markets.”

Pearls Classification Guide released by CIBJO

CIBJO webinars continue to offer valuable material free for all

May 26, 2021

Free gem courses online

The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has launched a series of free-of-charge, online courses, entitled “Understanding Gemstones.” With each covering a specific gem, the courses are…

Posted in Education & Courses, News Courses Gemstones SSEF The Swiss Gemmological Institute

The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has launched a series of free-of-charge, online courses, entitled “Understanding Gemstones.” With each covering a specific gem, the courses are comprehensive and self paced by the student, who is able to start and complete them at any time via SSEF’s Internet-based learning platform.

The courses are available in English, French and simplified Chinese. The gems currently covered are diamonds, emeralds, pearls, rubies and sapphires. SSEF plans on adding more gems and languages to the selection of courses in the future.

Each course provides students with an introduction to the selected gem, its history, properties, information about how it is formed, the locations from which it is sourced, treatments that it may be subject to, and, when relevant, its synthetic counterparts.

At the end of each course, students are presented with a quiz, and if they pass are awarded a certificate of completion for that unit.

This new online offering builds on SSEF’s in-person courses, which began more than two decades ago and range from introductory practical gemmology all the way to scientific gemmology. As a non-profit Swiss foundation, SSEF’s mission is to carry out gem research and provide gem education.

“We have had the privilege of testing many of the world’s most famous and exceptional gemstones, and as a consequence have amassed a vast quantity of knowledge that we would like to make available to the industry and jewellery buying public,” said Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, Director of SSEF. “Recent advances in online learning and technology enables us to launch these online courses, to share our knowledge and passion about gemstones, to a wide international audience at no cost to students.”

www.ssef.ch/masterclass

Jewellery business management course announced

May 26, 2021

Three fancy coloured diamonds lead sales at Christie’s

Three rings featuring fancy vivid colour diamonds created a sensation at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels, selling for a combined price of $8.4 million at the New…

Posted in News Auction Christie's Diamonds New York

Three rings featuring fancy vivid colour diamonds created a sensation at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels, selling for a combined price of $8.4 million at the New York sale.

The three colourful diamonds were known collectively as the Perfect Palette, with the 2.17 carat fancy-vivid purplish-pink diamond ring selling for $3.5 million. The 2.13-carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring sold for $2.7 million, and the 2.34 carat fancy vivid orange diamond ring went for $2.2 million.

The auction was held online and drew participants from 40 countries across five continents. Other notable sales included a diamond and onyx Serpenti wristwatch, donated by Bulgari in support of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. The watch sold for $50,000 and the proceeds will be donated to the charity.

Pink leads in desirability in fancy lab-grown coloured diamonds

Coloured diamond mining in Australia post-Argyle