Diamond Shavings: Your Friday Web Roundup

By Rob Bates

Posted on May 8, 2009 in Cutting Remarks

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So the rough market is picking up, and, from the retailers I’ve spoken to, things are certainly better than in January and February. We are definitely starting to see some light at the end of this very dark tunnel.  (Though, make no mistake, we are still in the tunnel.)

Also, as I’m always looking for company in the jewelry trade blogosphere, check out the newest blog from the Israel Diamond Institute. Have fun with it, guys!

Here’s the news:  

Signet 1Q same store sales down 2.7 percent.

- My thoughts.

Finlay loses $100 million.

- GLG on the Zale/BBB/lease issue. Also: seeking info on Zale.

Retail looking better in April. (via retailwire.)

- Consumers want “smaller luxuries.” (via Smartbrief)

- Retailers “embrace private labels.”

Tanishq closes US jewelry boutiques.

“Diamonds” miniseries set for Memorial Day weekend.

Birks and Mayors cuts staff 15%.

Blue Nile 1Q sales down 11%.

- Analysts raise targets.

- “Signs are encouraging.”

- Interview with technology VP.

Bidz 1Q sales down 49.7%

- Shareholder class action.

Home Shopping CEO: Jewelry is “out.”

Moissanite sales down 27 percent.

 “Warring briefs” at Diamond Dealers Club.

Industry “not out of woods.” (Varda Shine interview.)

- Chaim on the diamond pipeline and supplier debt forgiveness.

Alrosa resumes sales.

Diavik cuts production 41 percent.

Surat faces rough shortage.

CIBJO wraps up.
- My thoughts.

Jewelers Closing (and owner disappearing):

Strand Jewelers in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Jewelers Opening:

Adylon.com in downtown LA.

Peggy Jo Donahue leaves Jewelers of America. Sad to hear. Best of luck to her.

- Connect with her on linkedin.

Paragon Lake gets new CEO.

- Local coverage.

Zalemark appoints VP.

Jewelers Mutual gets new CEO.

Rio’s Zimbabwe output hits record.

Archangel seeks refinancing.

A Forevermark display in Hong Kong.

De Beers San Francisco store vandalized.

Shanu ponders a diamond UCC.

Tiffany cited in “Top Green Design 100.”

“The Michelle Obama boost” for fashion retail. Not one mention of jewelry in there! How do we get on this gravy train?

Media Watch:

Dallas Morning News talks to Beryl Raff.

The LA Times on selling gold and diamond jewelry.

Times of South Africa: “Open letter to Nicky Oppenheimer.”

Portland station investigates Cash4gold.

Consumerist skeptical of Amazon diamond reviews.

From the Blog:
CIBJO and Synthetics.
Sterling’s Sales are Down! Hooray!

"Diamonds" Mini-Series to Air Memorial Day Weekend.

Have a great weekend, and best of luck for Mother’s Day. This Zale Mother’s Day commercial is still one of the best jewelry ads I’ve ever seen ..

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