Short administrative note: Next Thursday I leave for the Israel Rough Conference, where I am told, over 99% of the world’s rough diamond producers will appear. I wonder: Who is the under one percent that’s not coming? Were they not invited? Why are they missing all the fun? Anyway, if all works well with the blog tool – always a big “if” – I’ll post this round-up at the regular scheduled time (about 2:30 EST) next week.
Now the news –
Lord and Taylor may rescue Fortunoff. And by the way, Fortunoff needs rescuing.
– In the comments, the astute Mall Jewelry Boy notes that if L and T buys Fortunoff, it will hurt Finlay.
– Newsday: L and T left table weeks ago, but returned.
Friedman’s goes Chapter 11.
– “Change” in trade thinking?
– GLG: Hedge funds “fail” at jewelry.
The State of the Jewelry Nation is …
– Gassman on jewelry demand.
– The outlook for chains.
– De Beers: “challenging” year for US.
– Saks: Luxury isn’t dead! (via Smartbrief.)
Whitehall’s new funding agreement.
De Beers (retail) opens in Dallas.
Foreign retailers target New York. (mentions Japanese jeweler Nikawa.)
Survey: A “cost-conscious” Valentine’s Day.
Will gold shoot past $1000?
Much-debated Helzberg’s “That Guy ad,” to air during Superbowl.
Diamdel’s first e-auction.
– Chaim: “Pandora’s box.”
– Auction closed to Americans.
De Beers South African mines reopen.
– Cost of closure: $3 million a day.
Some jeweler’s alarms won’t work soon.
“Junior” miners suffer. Commentary.
Michigan has diamond rebate fever.
Declining jewelry ads hurts newspapers.
DDC debates term limits.
Diamond Development Initiative appoints executive director.
– As a JCK staffer, I was pleased to hear that the JCK Industry Fund just gave a grant to the DDI.
Media Watch:
– This LA Times article is out-of-date and pretty bad, but shows how this industry is still perceived by outsiders. It’s not pretty. (Article also here.)
– Whole Life Mag and Common Ground Mag on eco-friendly jewelry. While this is an important topic, one I just spent the last week researching, I wish reporters would talk to independent authorities on this topic (i.e. NGOs) instead of just google searching and talking to companies with a product to sell.
– Seeking Alpha analysis of Tiffany.
– Wall Street Journal on investors and retail stocks. (Nothing new, but mentions Zale and Tiffany.)
– Australia’s The Age on “blood”/conflict diamonds.
From the blog:
– Friedman’s: A Change in Thinking?
– The Diamond Dealers Club – Without Limits?
Have a great weekend ..
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