Diamond Shavings: Your Friday Web Roundup

UPDATE: Breaking news from over the weekend: Leon Finker dies.

We had another sad goodbye at JCK this week. Richard Dalglish, an editor at the magazine for over 12 years and its managing editor for about a decade, is leaving and hopes to do some free-lance writing and editing. Rich has dealt with literally thousands of press releases and articles over the years and has an expert sense of what editors want and look for in company communications. He’s also an ace editor – I’m even a little nervous writing this, because I know I’ll get an email alerting me to all the grammatical mistakes in this post.

For those of you who don’t know what a managing editor does, the M.E. is the “inside” person who keeps the trains running on time. And I have never worked for any managing editor that has done that better, with more class, intelligence, and often-astonishing serenity, than Rich. When this magazine’s editorial staff was cut in half over a year ago, it was Rich who kept it going. Suffice it to say, I heartily recommend Rich, as does everyone who has ever worked with him. Those who want to get in touch with him can do it through his linkedin profile.

And now the news …

NRF predicts holiday sales increase.

– Amex sees increased affluent spending.

Jewelry does well at Saks, Neimans.

– Wall Street Journal: “Bling on the upswing.”

Hearts on Fire embraces e-commerce.

– My thoughts about channel conflict.

Michael Hill U.S. sales down 27%.

– Kim Kardashian, Hill look for “world’s best couple.”

Pandora IPO raises $1.6 billion.

The State Dept. raises idea of “Kimberley Process”-plus. For now this article is available to DIB subscribers only, but there is a little bit about the idea in Edahn’s memo. From what I hear, this is still in the idea stage, and is not being introduced as a formal proposal in the near future (if ever.) But I hope to have more on this next week.

– Zimbabwe: U.S. can “go to hell” for diamond sale dictates. A very intelligent addition to the discussion.

– Chinese army in Marange?

Indian industry “actively supporting” diamond sourcing cooperatives.

– GJEPC hosts diamond conference.

Rio Tinto: Prices “back to pre-crisis levels.”

DTC sight estimated at $420 million.

– Prices unchanged.

De Beers to boost South African output.

Diamond Trading Company Botswana workers threaten strike.

De Beers endorses “partnership – not nationalization.”

Alrosa wins approval for IPO.

– Company sold $2 billion this year.