WJC Unveils New Rendering

The World Jewelry Center has released a new artist’s rendering of the 50-plus story tower that will be the focal point of the new international marketplace for the gem and jewelry industry in Las Vegas.

The WJC trade tower, designed by Altoon + Porter Architects, LLP, will contain office condominiums of more than 700,000 square feet and owned by several hundred companies from around the globe. WJC businesses will have access to grading labs, an educational center, meeting facilities, and exhibition space. There will also be banking facilities, an advanced security system, restaurants, an exclusive private club, and fitness facilities.

The top floors will be reserved for some 90 "ultra-luxury" residential condominiums with a dedicated elevator system. Condominium owners will have a complete array of services available to them in a high-security living-working environment.

“With over 100 companies having already reserved their space, the office tower is rapidly being filled with many of the industry’s leading companies in every sector of the trade," said WJC managing director Bill Boyajian. "It will not only be one of the world’s most iconic buildings, but also one of the industry’s most important.”

Robert Zarnegin, founder, president, and chief executive officer of Probity International Corp. is developing the project.

Winning Bids for Rio Tinto Pink Diamonds

A total of 65 pink diamonds were sold to 17 successful bidders from around the globe, many at record breaking prices, during the 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender, held in Perth, Australia, Hong Kong, and New York.

The exclusive diamond sale featured the world’s rarest pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia, with about 100 key clientele personally viewing the diamonds in secret locations.

The Argyle Signature Stones picked for 2007’s tender attracted substantial interest due to the range of vivid and deep colors. Purplish reds, deep pinks, and a rare grey-violet diamond were included in this year’s collection, Rio Tinto said in a statement.

Details of winning bids for the diamonds, amount of bidders, and total revenue generated from the Tender are not disclosed to protect successful bidders’ confidentiality. However, Rio Tinto pink diamonds are known to command prices exceeding $400,000 per carat, 20 times the price of equivalent white diamonds, due to rarity and market demand.

Leading colored diamond designer and luxury retailer, John Calleija, did participate in the tender for the 11th consecutive year, and spoke about it.

"I was thrilled to successfully win four diamonds, including three of the incredible purplish red diamonds," he said. "I am already planning jewellery designs for my Argyle Signature Stones, which will be the flagship of my new London store."

The Rio Tinto Pink diamonds are predicted to run out by 2018.

Swatch Chair Picks Clooney for Energy Firm

George Clooney will become an executive board member of a new Swiss company that will develop clean energy systems for car motors and other devices, The Associated Press reports.

The new company will have different branches doing research and development in the clean production of hydrogen, solar energy and fuel cells, said Nicolas Hayek, Sr., chairman of the Swatch Group, who is setting up the firm.

"First I hesitated between Al Gore and Clooney," Hayek said in an interview with daily Berner Zeitung on Oct. 20.

Hayek reportedly said he didn't ask Gore because he wasn't sure whether the former vice president would run for president and therefore might have accepted the post as a mere public relations exercise.

Clooney will sit on the board alongside Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier and others, Hayek reportedly said.

Clooney's spokesman, Stan Rosenfield, confirmed the report in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Hayek, who chairs the executive board of Swatch Group AG, the world's largest watchmaker, said he will also preside over the board of the new company, which will be based in Biel.

He did not say when the new company, which has yet to be named, will be launched, the AP reports.


George Clooney in an advertisement for Omega, part of the Swatch Group

JCPenney, Charles & Colvard Launch 'Milestone Moments' for Women

Moissanite creator Charles & Colvard and retailer JCPenney launched a Milestone Moments campaign in October asking women to share their personal or professional milestones.

The campaign is a way to honor those significant events in every woman's life that have marked her progress, moved her forward and created who she is today, the campaign partners contended. The Milestone Moment campaign is hosted on O Magazine's website (The Oprah Magazine.)

From now through January 16, 2008, women in the United States can share inspirational stories and at the completion of the contest, one grand prize winner will be selected to share her story nationally. The winner will also receive a one-of-a-kind platinum pendant set with an approximate 5ct. round, brilliant-cut, moissanite jewel surrounded and accented with micro-set diamonds valued at $10,500.

"Offering outstanding beauty, quality and durability, moissanite is fast becoming the must-have piece in today's fine jewelry industry," said Beryl Raff, executive vice president at JCPenney. "It is an ideal gift for celebrating the key milestone achievements in a woman's life."

Bob Thomas, Charles & Colvard's CEO, added, "This contest is a way for us to honor extraordinary women who live brilliantly, celebrating her intricacies of spirit, individuality and milestone achievements.

"We hope this contest will help to create another unforgettable milestone moment in the winner's life."

Tiffany & Co. Aggressive U.S. Expansion

Tiffany & Co. said Wednesday that it plans a "significant increase" in the number of TIFFANY & CO. stores it plans to open in the U.S. To make this happen, the luxury jeweler developed a new, smaller-format store that will occupy approximately 2,000 square feet and offer jewelry designs with the exception of engagement jewelry. It has the working name TIFFANY & CO. COLLECTIONS and the first store is expected to open in 2008.

"The addition of this new format affords us with the opportunity to ultimately operate as many as 170 stores in the U.S.," said Michael J. Kowalski, Tiffany chairman and chief executive officer. "This new format has the potential to significantly accelerate U.S. sales growth over the medium- to long-term and enhance profitability due to a merchandise mix weighted with higher-margin products."

Kowalski said the company still plans to open five to seven traditional TIFFANY & CO. stores per year, averaging about 5,000 square feet. Tiffany currently operates 68 TIFFANY & CO. stores in the U.S.

Beth O. Canavan, Tiffany executive vice president, said the new stores will cater to the self-purchase customer theroughout the U.S.

"The location opportunities in existing and new markets are vast and geographically broad-based and add enormous sales potential and longevity to our store expansion strategy," Canavan said.

After opening the first store in 2008, Canavan said the company plans to open eight to 12 stores per year.

Movado Launches Tom Brady Limited Edition

NFL quarterback Tom Brady is the star of Swiss luxury watch Movado’s new Series 800 limited edition Tom Brady Automatic Chronograph. Brady, who plays for the New England Patriots football team, is only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to three or more Super Bowl wins. He worked closely with the Movado team on the watch’s design.

“Movado is very proud of our association with Tom Brady,” says Jeff Cohen, president of Movado Worldwide. “He is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL and embodies everything that Movado Series 800 stands for: timing, innovation and a commitment to excellence.”

The new timepiece is the first in what is expected to be an ongoing series of limited edition sport watches starring leading sports figures.

The limited edition automatic timepiece comes in two versions. One is made with Movado’s own trademarked surgical grade stainless steel alloy (“Performance Steel”), with black or silver dial, on Movado’s own composite resin XTremeResin strap, reinforced with Kevlar, the first strap of its kind in the Movado Series 800 line. There are 1,000 watches, $2,500 each. The other is solid 18K rose gold, on an alligator strap. There are 12 watches only, each numbered, $20,000 each.

Both versions come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Tom Brady and Efraim Grinberg, president and chief executive officer of Movado Group, and with the rotor of the Swiss automatic movement decorated with Brady’s jersey number, "12."

6.04 Carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Sells for $7.98 Million

Fancy vivid blue diamond fetches $1.32 million p/c Photo: Sotheby's

Demand for large diamonds with exceptional color drove the price of a 6.04 carat, emerald cut IF / fancy vivid blue diamond ring to $7,981,835 following an intensive auction at Sotheby’s Monday in Hong Kong. The winning bidder is reportedly Moussaieff Jewellers.

The sale, a record per carat price for Sotheby’s at $1,321,590 per carat (p/c), was part of the Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite auction in Hong Kong.

The bidding lasted eight minutes, with seven telephone bidders competing for the rare diamond.

According to Quek Chin Yeow, head of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Jewellery Department, Hong Kong dominates the market at the top end for white and colored diamonds in Asia.

The per carat price exceeded the previous record of $926,000 p/c for the Hancock Red, a 0.90 carat red diamond sold in 1987.

Diamond-Studded Top on the Auction Block

The $1.4 million diamond-studded top unveiled in February during Milan Fashion Week will go on the auction block in Dubai in mid December.

The top was created by the late renowned fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré in a joint effort with diamond company and DTC sightholder Dalumi. It concluded Ferré's women’s collection for fall/winter 2007/2008. Matched with black tuxedo pants and a black silk cape, the outfit was worn on the runway by British rock singer Skin.

More than 900 diamonds weighing more than 300 cts. were stitched in curved horizontal rows across a sheer black vest. The diamonds were of G color and VS and higher clarity and were set in white-gold studs. A single Ferré employee hand-stitched each diamond onto the fabric.

The glittering top was displayed in jewelry shows around the world, including BaselWorld, The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair, and the Forevermark DTC event in Tokyo.

Dalumi, in a statement said placing the top up for auction is the logical next step. The auction is scheduled for mid-December in Dubai. No other details were released.

"All the world will have the possibility to admire the wonderful top," the statement read.

Ferré, who died June 17 of a massive brain hemorrhage, spoke about his love of diamonds in a story that appeared in the May issue of JCK.

“The diamond has a place in everyday life, obviously, as long as there is no loss of style, no pointless ostentation,” he said. “In my opinion, the diamond has all the natural allure and personality necessary for always making the difference, for adding a truly special touch. Even in the case of a simple white shirt and pair of jeans.”

Ring Box with LCD Technology

A new electronic invention, sourced from the world of cell phones, provides consumers with highly personalized packaging. Its inventor is calling it "YouTube in a luxury ring box."

Danny Oh, founder and president of Euri, Inc., Torrance, Calif., has patented Euricase, a multimedia ring box that incorporates a LCD panel that automatically plays a customer’s personalized video, picture slideshow, or audio when opened.

Each case, which can be customized, is about the same size as the average ring box. Soft perimeter lighting focused on the ring when the box is opened enhances the presentation. The 2-inch LCD panel includes a clock, alarm, calendar, and photo-album display.

It is available in various colored and metallic finishes. The box interior can be lined with leather or velvet. When the ring is not in the box, a placeholder with the retailer’s logo is available.

Even technically challenged customers will be able to drag and drop, via a USB port, an enhanced marriage proposal, a slide show or video with music of special courtship moments, such as the wedding, honeymoon, or birthdays, Oh said. The multimedia can be easily updated at any time. It can store more than 500 pictures or 60 minutes of video.

Oh—who previously spent more than 12 years in the semiconductor industry, developing components for companies such as Samsung, Motorola, and LG—said Euricase will change jewelry gift-giving.

“It will not be thrown away or put in a drawer," Oh said. "The box will be shared with family and friends as an ongoing reminder of the couple’s special life events."

The keepsake nature of the Euricase is an ongoing benefit to the retail store, Oh said. Retailers can customize the box with their store colors, logo, promotional videos, and advertising.

The Euricase ring box retails for $198.95, which Oh says provides a potential profit center as opposed to an expense.

Charles & Colvard Battles Breast Cancer

For the first time, Charles & Colvard created Moissanite and Boscov’s, the country’s largest family-owned department store, are teaming up to help women fight against breast cancer. For the month of October, as part of Boscov’s annual storewide efforts to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, 5 percent of all moissanite jewelry purchased in-store and sold nationally online will go toward funding the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization.

In addition, to help educate women and raise awareness for the cause, the two companies are giving away a free moissanite ribbon pin with every moissanite jewelry purchase. The ribbon pin features a moissanite set in the center and will also be accompanied with an educational bookmark detailing tips on combating breast cancer.

The store will also have a moissanite ribbon pendant specially priced at $299.97 for the month of October. It is normally available for purchase at $829 suggested retail. The pin and pendant were created by jewelry manufacturer Samuel Aaron Intl. exclusively for Boscov’s. Customers can purchase moissanite from any of Boscov’s fifty store locations or by logging onto the store’s Web site.