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Jurgen Maerz, master metallurgist and director of technical education for PGI, is at the bench in a series of online videos. New York– In response to increased interest from the industry, the Platinum Guild International (PGI) USA has announced it will expand its technical education courses and resources in 2009, in particular its online instructional videos.Among the newest of offerings is a new PGI-focused channel on the Bench Television Network.
(Full post PGI expands technical offerings in 2009…)

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New York–Pearl powerhouse Mikimoto has been tapped to create the The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, which will be presented to Emmy Award-winning actress Glenn Close on Dec. 5.
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Geneva–A day after the three top diamond lots failed to sell at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, a Christie’s auction in the same city sold only 50 percent by lot.

“Jewels: The Geneva Sale,” held on Thursday in the Swiss city, totaled $22.5 million, with the level of prices falling 20 percent-30 percent below what was realized last spring, according to a release from Christie’s.

Despite difficult economic times, the top lot sold, a 42.28-carat Kashmir sapphire that went for $3.49 million or $82,500 per carat, setting a new world record price for a sapphire sold at auction.

Other lots sold included a Van Cleef and Arpels ring featuring a 22.9-carat rectangular-cut, D-color, potentially internally flawless diamond, purchased by a private European buyer for $2.04 million, and a 63.22-carat rectangular-cut fancy intense yellow diamond ring, which fetched $1.3 million.

Eric Valdieu, senior vice president of Christie’s Switzerland, acknowledged that it is a difficult market, but also noted the record sale price for the sapphire and overall strong bidding.

“Even though the level of prices is 20 to 30 percent below what it was in the spring, there was healthy bidding in the room, resulting in a sale that totaled $22.5 million,” he said.
(Full post Latest Christie’s auction sells 50 percent by lot…)

Amer Radwan of Radwan Diamond and Jewelry Trading in Dubai paid $6.3 million for the 70.87-carat and 102.11-carat Pohahalo diamonds at a Christie’s auction on Oct. 15. New York–The Ponahalo Diamonds, the two stones cut from a 316.15-carat piece of rough mined in South Africa, sold for more than $6 million at a Christie’s auction held on Oct.
(Full post Ponahalo Diamonds sell for $6.3 million…)

New York—The World Gold Council (WGC) is asking A-list celebrities to design a gold jewelry item that will be auctioned off to charity.

The initiative, titled “Leaves of Change,” will culminate at a May 2009 gala event in Los Angeles featuring both a live and online auction.

Participating celebrities are being asked to design a gold pendant necklace incorporating a leaf motif.
(Full post A-list to design gold pendants for charity…)

Similar Stories | Topics STORIES Victoria’s Secret unveils 2008 ‘Fantasy Bra’ Tiffany to open a store in Columbus, Ohio Hearts On Fire creates bra with bling Tiffany debuting smaller format in fall Report: Same-store sales slow in October TOPICS Clothing | Culture and Lifestyle | Fashion and Style | Ready-to-Wear and Sportswear October 20, 2008 The Victoria’s Secret 2008 Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra features 3,575 black diamonds, 117 one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies.
(Full post Victoria’s Secret unveils 2008 ‘Fantasy Bra’…)

(Full post Van Cleef settles case with Mouawad, Heidi Klum…)

These earrings by Shaill feature mother-of-pearl and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold; suggested retail price is $1,850. (212) 995-9107 or Shaill.com By Catherine Dayrit New York—The upward swoop of gold prices might be deterring some, but a heightened cost can also help to drive desire, and a variety of innovative designs are keeping gold jewelry at the top of many a fashionista’s wish list. The latest looks highlight texture, detail and color, but often keep metal weight in check through openwork design.
(Full post Gold classics with twist emerge in face of higher prices…)

This image of “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively has appeared in the pages of “OK” and “Life and Style Weekly” magazines. Lively wears nine necklaces from jewelry designer Margo Morrison, a coup that the designer has promoted in marketing materials. By Catherine Dayrit New York—Rather than flipping through Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar for style tips, fashion-loving teens and 20-somethings are more likely to mine celebrity gossip magazines each week to see where their favorite stars are vacationing, whom they’re dating—and, of course, what they’re wearing.
(Full post Hollywood ingenues draw young ladies to jewelry…)

Similar Stories | Topics STORIES Kwiat to open Madison Avenue flagship Fred Leighton files for bankruptcy PGI-USA to deck TV stars in platinum for Emmys Christie’s auction held without Fred Leighton jewels Ideal Diamond Solutions names new sales VP TOPICS Celebrity News | Clothing Accessories | Culture and Lifestyle | Entertainment | Fashion and Style | Jewelry September 22, 2008 “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrera wore a 19th-century diamond flower necklace, old mine-cut diamond pendant earrings, a rose-cut diamond cluster bracelet and 19th-century diamond line bracelet from Fred Leighton to the Emmy Awards.
(Full post Diamond jewelry wins on Emmys night…)