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Two people are dead after a shooting occurred at a jewelry store in downtown Grand Haven.  

It happened around 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at RK Jewelers on Washington Ave. between 2nd and 3rd Street.  

Police tell Newschannel 3 they have identified the victims, 61-year-old Robert Karell, the owner of the jewelry store, and his business associate 77-year-old Louis Paparella, of Muskegon.  Both died of gunshot wounds to the head.

Police say Karell had recently been buying large amounts of gold jewelry and coins, and are looking into whether that had anything to do with the shooting.  

Because large amounts of jewelry were left behind after the shooting, police do not believe the suspect was attempting to rob the store.  

State police will continue to help Grand Haven Police with the investigation.
Source: wwmt

Tags: jewelry crimejewelry crime

At this year's Tucson gem shows, gem dealer Philip Zahm offered this 18-karat yellow gold and 950 platinum ring featuring a 13.3-carat Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique, with 0.56 carats tsavorite garnets and 0.87 carats diamonds; suggested retail price is $187,950. Philipzahm.com.

Concerns about gemstone treatments, the looming Burmese ruby ban, rough-supply shortages and the struggling U.S. economy brought a prickly sense of sobriety to this year's Tucson gem shows, usually known for their relaxed sunglasses-and-sandals vibe.

But there were some new finds this year—including a deposit of Tanzanian spinel and rubies from Greenland—and although traffic seemed lighter, some dealers were pleasantly surprised to find serious buyers instead of dallying browsers.

"People are intense in looking and comparing," said René Arnoldi of Carl Friedrich Arnoldi in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. "Higher-quality material is doing well, but the medium-to-lower quality is harder to sell."

Red and pink spinel from Tanzania were attracting interest, but stones in sizes above six carats were scarce, he said. In fact, top-shelf stones of any kind from gemstone centers such as Brazil and Africa remained elusive this year, Arnoldi said, echoing the sentiments of many of the other gem dealers at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair.

Prices on color's traditional troika—sapphire, emerald and ruby—rose in the 20 percent range, hoisted high by the weak U.S. dollar, tighter supplies and competing customers from the European and Asian markets.

Retail buyers, fresh off a holiday season that was disappointing for many, were shopping Tucson carefully.

"It's going to be another tough year," said jeweler Carla Ann Yeager, owner of Diamond Works in Chillicothe, Ohio, who said she picked up "funky pearls that you can't get from the suppliers," smoky quartz and brown quartz, all designed to appeal to her young female clients who accessorize clothing with jewels.

Despite the slowing economy, she is opting to ramp up her colored-stone marketing.

"I've started doing more full-color ads in the newspaper for jewelry with stones like pink tourmaline or (gemstones in) rainbow colors," Yeager said.

At the AGTA GemFair, Gems of Naples was offering some rare, blockbuster-size gems, including this 7.07-carat natural unheated Padparadscha sapphire, which it was selling for $9,500 per carat. (800) 477-2716 or info@gemsofnaples.com

Red alert for rubies Challenges in the U.S. ruby market have multiplied over the past year, with higher prices, a looming ban on Burmese stones and an influx of cheap, lead-glass-filled rubies among them.

"Prices on rubies have gone up 25 percent in the past six to eight months alone," said Sam Rahmanan of Sara Gems Corp. in New York, adding that prices increased 100 percent over the past two years. "The dollar is weak and the same money just doesn't buy as much anymore."

Depending on quality and origin, ruby prices throughout the shows ranged from as low as $400 or $500 per carat to as high as $100,000 per carat for natural, pigeon-blood-red Burmese rubies.

For fine stones, average prices ranged from $1,500 per carat for Thai rubies to about $2,500 for Burmese rubies from Myanmar's Mong Hsu region to about $4,000 per carat for stones from Myanmar's storied Mogok mines, said Richard Drucker, publisher of The Guide, at his popular "Best Buys in Tucson" seminar at the AGTA GemFair. While prices were up about 20 percent on natural stones, treated-ruby prices were flat, he said.

Creating positive buzz this year was Canada-based True North Gems, which was selling rubies mined in Greenland in smaller and melee sizes.

Glass half full for treated stones But there was negative reaction to lead-glass-filled rubies, which some of the exhibitors at the Tucson shows were selling for telltale low prices of $10 to $50 per carat for polished goods. Since hitting the U.S. market in 2005, the stones have circulated to the point that the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) started calling the stones "composite rubies" on grading reports. The treatment, which involves heating and injecting glass into the stones, is easily detectable by labs, but the level of lead glass used to seal major flaws and fractures has set off alarms.

"Do you want to call it a ruby or do you want to call it ruby pieces in glass?" asked Dr. Lore Kiefert, laboratory director of the AGTA Gemological Testing Center, during a seminar where she displayed a slide of a lead-glass-filled ruby, splintered by cracks after it was exposed to heat during the resetting process. "It's not only cavity filling any more. It's more than that."

In addition to heat, the treatments are also susceptible to solvents, including everyday household cleaners.

Adding to the ruby challenges this year is a looming U.S. ban on gemstones from Myanmar, producer of 90 percent of the world's rubies. At press time, the act had not yet been signed into law, but most dealers were opposed to it, saying it will hurt small Burmese ruby miners and Thai cutters more than its real target—the ruling military junta responsible for human rights atrocities in Myanmar. It is also expected to drive up ruby prices.

Some retailers, including Tiffany and Co., have stopped selling Burmese rubies because of the Myanmar conflict, and Stuller has begun offering rubies from Madagascar.

Designer Diana Widman, a regular at the Tucson shows, created a new collection featuring homegrown gems from Montana. Hand-fabricated in 18-karat gold with several hinged joints for flexibility, this necklace features 20 carats of natural Montana sapphire crystals and a 4-carat unheated purple spinel; suggested retail price is $11,000. Widmandesign.com

Sapphires, particularly blue, remain a favorite among jewelers and consumers, dealers said. For fine-quality goods, average prices ranged from about $1,000 for Malagasy stones to $3,500 per carat and above for Burmese.

Although the stone remains one of the least controversial, a new treatment has emerged. During the Accredited Gemologist Association (AGA) conference, Christopher Smith, vice president and chief gemologist of the AGL, said he examined a batch of sapphires that were neon blue in color, similar to Paraiba tourmaline or Malagasy apatite. The stones were purchased by New York gem dealers, who bought them in Thailand, where they were described as beryllium-diffused. Analysis showed they were treated with cobalt in a new heat-treatment process detectable with a microscope or Chelsea filter, Smith said.

For the last few years, emerald has seen a resurgence in popularity, and prices have been steady, at about $1,800 per carat for a 1-carat Zambian stone and $2,500 per carat for a 1-carat Colombian emerald, but this year, the figures are steadily moving upward, Drucker said.

"There's a lot of good production coming out of the La Pita [mine in Colombia], but other forces like the weak dollar are likely to keep prices firm," he said.

But one issue that may impact emeralds this year is trade-press reports of poor-quality emeralds treated in their rough and pre-cut forms with polymers that are essentially gluing them together.

"People are concerned and that's what we're here for. That's what we tried to eliminate," said Bryan Alderhold, Eternity Natural Emerald's executive vice president. The company treats its emeralds with ExCel, a polymer-based treatment that, unlike others, can be removed and also carries a lifetime guarantee.

The company carries a 50-50 mix of Colombian and Afghani emeralds, with goods ranging from $500 per carat on the lower end to $12,000 and $40,000 per carat on the high end, though the average is about $3,500 to $4,500.

Rock stars of the show Prices for tanzanite, always a crowd-pleaser in Tucson, were holding steady at about $400 to $550 per carat for stones that are two to three carats in size. The Tanzanite Foundation has created its own grading scale, and has partnered with labs to produce reports that give grades for clarity, cut and color.

"This could be the first [grading system for color] that actually becomes universal, because it's not one lab imposing it on all the other labs," Kiefert said.

Dealers who specialize in fine and unusual stones cited strong demand, though they were surprised at who was buying.

"We hoped with the exchange rate to see more foreign buyers, but there were very few Europeans," said Laurie Watt of Mayer and Watt in Maysville, Ky. "And our American clients bought more than we expected. We've been selling finer, higher-end stones. Not necessarily bigger, but finer."

In addition to unheated corundum, Mayer and Watt favorites included mint Afghani tourmaline, selling for $250 to $450 per carat, and purple cuprian tourmaline, for $350 per carat.

Last year, an influx of blue-green Mozambique tourmaline that resembled Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil prompted the world's top gemological labs, via the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee, to expand the term Paraiba to other copper-bearing tourmaline.

An assortment of gemstones from Stuller are part of what the company dubbed the "Blue Music" trend, colors that appeal to consumers who value virtues like trust, clarity and balance. Stuller.com

Some opposed the looser terminology, but this year the debate seems to have cooled.

"Some really want the Brazilian material; some only care for the beauty of the piece," said Edelito Oliveira of Hubert in Los Angeles, whose African Paraiba tourmaline was about $3,000 per carat.

The weak U.S. dollar has had an impact on the price of rough colored gemstones for dealers, including those buying from Brazil, where the currency ratio has slipped from about $3 U.S. dollars to one Brazilian real, to $1.75 to one real, he said.

Mozambique tourmaline now fetches as much as $7,000 per carat for fine goods, and from $7,000 to $16,000 for extra-fine goods. For the Brazilian Paraibas, which remain more difficult to find, prices ranged from $6,000 to $15,000 for fine stones to $15,000 to $20,000 for extra-fine.

"Mozambique tourmaline is still getting a lot of buzz," said Philip Zahm of Philip Zahm and Associates in Aptos, Calif. Other hot sellers were Tanzanian spinel in pinks and reds, which were selling for $600 to $800 per carat for 1-carat stones and $1,000 to $1,500 for those sized two to three carats.

A surprise hit at the show was jade, according to Daniel Mason of Mason-Kay in Littleton, Colo., who said the company had its best Tucson show ever. A ban on Burmese gemstones would impact jade dealers as well as ruby dealers, but that didn't seem to be the reason behind the surge in interest, he said. Instead, the color green seemed to be trendy this year, in part because of the interest in the environment.

"With jade, there's not much [consumer information] on it and jewelers can sell it for more than keystone," Mason said. Prices range from about $15 per stone for commercial quality to $50,000 to $60,000 for fine quality.

Dealing with the topaz blues Since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stepped in last year to address the lack of licensees for testing irradiated blue topaz, several companies have received licenses.

Only those who initially import and distribute irradiated gemstones need licenses from the NRC, so retailers need only check with their suppliers to make sure that is the case.

Still, given the red tape and expenses involved in importing and selling blue topaz, other types of treated blue topaz and coated topaz were getting a fresh look. Joe orlando, Stuller's vice president for gemstones, said that the company is applying for a distributor license from the NRC, but in the meantime is selling diffused blue topaz from Signity, which is promoting its diffused blue topaz with the motto: "Genuine topaz—no radiation, no complication."

"We stopped selling irradiated topaz eight or nine years ago because we saw this coming," said Hubert Salvenmoser, a product manager for Swarovski, which owns the Signity brand.

Also stepping up its topaz game is Azotic Coating Technologies, which uses its patented coating process to produce coated topaz, quartz and cubic zirconia in colors such as the popular blue-green iridescent "Mystic fire."

Kevin Bennet, the company chairman and a speaker at the AGA conference, noted that though the treatment is durable and permanent, the coatings can come off if the stones are placed in acids or pickling solutions.

"Treat them like pearls or opals," he said.

Jorg-Heinz's "Diamond Cages" necklace with South Sea pearls and 18-karat gold clasp with diamonds. Joerg-heinz.de

Freshwater fever In pearl jewelry, freshwater pearl sales continued to hold steady, and there were few changes in what retailers were asking for, according to exhibitors, who said demand for baroque pearls was still going strong.

"People are always looking for baroques in the South Sea and Tahitians," said Colleen Reynolds of A and Z Pearls in Los Angeles. With the price of gold at record levels, pearl jewelry is becoming an attractive alternative, she said. Favorite pieces included Ikecho freshwater pearls.

Peter Bazar of Imperial Deltah Pearls said this year's pearl buyers were going for the lower price points and lower quality of goods. To deal with the challenging economy, his company has purchased pearl farms in Tahiti, the Cook Islands and China.

"We've been able to reduce costs by aggressively going to the source," he said. Still, some challenges lie ahead, and the weak U.S. dollar has hurt the Providence, R.I.-based company. Bazar also noted production problems with the Chinese akoyas that will probably hit the market next year.

A strand of fine-quality freshwaters, 10-to-11 millimeters in size, was going for $2,800 at Imperial Deltah.

Kamlesh Kothari of Premier Pearl said he was getting more requests for pearl drops rather than baroques this year and said that Chinese goods remain plentiful though the better material is hard to find. Still, top-quality Chinese freshwaters are almost approaching South Seas pearls in quality, he said.

"Prices are firm this year, and they were already strong because of the European and Asian markets," Kothari said.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tags: jewelry showjewelry show jewelry trendjewelry trend

Bidz.com, the online jewelry auctioneer, expects international sales to increase by more than 50% in comparison to the second quarter of fiscal year 2007.

The company reported that the Spanish-language version of its website has seen positive results. Columbia, Mexico, Chile and Spain are among the top 10 countries for visitors during the past month.

Bidz.com CEO David Zinberg stated: "The Spanish translation of our website is yielding the desired results, and we are encouraged that future translations into foreign languages will be equally successful. We believe our jewelry offering at value prices and in a fun and exciting format is attractive to consumers all over the world and we look forward to tapping into new markets."

The Arabic version of the jewelry site is scheduled to be launched during the third quarter of this year.

Bidz.com has reaffirmed its previous guidance for the second quarter with revenues ranging around $48 million-$50 million, and for the full fiscal year 2008 predicted revenues fall in the range of $225 million-$230 million.
Source: israelidiamond

Tags: jewelry businessjewelry business

Man Sang Holdings, Inc. said Friday that net sales for fiscal year 2008 rose 59.1 percent to HK$633.7 million ($81.2 million), consisting of HK$405.4 million ($51.9 million) attributable to pearl operations and HK$228.3 million (29.2 million) attributable to real estate sales.

Gross profit for the year was HK$281.5 million ($36 million), consisting of HK$124.5 million ($15.95 million) attributable to pearl operations and HK$157 million ($20.1 million) attributable to real estate sales. Gross profit for pearl operations for fiscal year 2007 was HK$112.7 million.

Net income for fiscal year 2008 increased by 42.8 percent, to HK$39.9 million ($5.1 million), year-over-year.

Pearl Operations
For fiscal year 2008, net sales to United States decreased 8.7 percent, year-over-year, to HK$104.2 million ($13.3 million), while net sales to European customers increased by approximately 8.8 percent, year-over-year, to approximately HK$168.6 million ($21.6 million). Together, this resulted in a net increase in sales from pearl operations of 1.8 percent, to HK$405.4 million ($51.9 million).

Sales of South Sea pearls stayed even with 2007 at approximately HK$149.5 million ($19.1 million), or 36.9 percent of total sales. Sales of jewelry products increased by 8.5 percent to HK$223 million ($28.5 million).

Gross profit increased by 10.5 percent, year-over-year, to HK$124.5 million ($15.9 million) for 2008. Gross profit margin increased from approximately 28.3 percent in fiscal year 2007 to approximately 30.7 percent in fiscal year 2008. The increase in gross profit margin is mainly due to cost reductions on the production line of assembled jewelry sectors following the implementation of effective cost controls and the enhancement of production efficiency.

Real Estate Operations
The group launched sales of phase one market centers in CP&J City in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 and recorded net sales of approximately HK$228.3 million $29.2 million), representing 32 percent of the total planned saleable area of the project. The group recorded rental income of approximately HK$6.8 million ($871,284), consisting of approximately HK$5.5 million ($704,717) attributable to the property rental in Man Hing and approximately HK$1.3 million attributable to property rental in CP&J City. As of March 31, 2008, the occupancy rate, representing leasing area of property in Man Hing and CP&J City, was 71.9 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Future Trends
“Emerging weaknesses relating to recent developments in the subprime lending market in the United States and the impact of such developments on the United States economy may threaten market conditions in the United States and globally,” the company said. “Despite negative developments in the subprime lending market, we expect to meet expected growth estimates for the year. We are diversified geographically and are well-positioned to react to fluctuating market conditions. We therefore expect to maintain steady growth in our pearls and jewelry segment.

The company added, “Reviewing the performance of phase one of the CP&J Project, many potential purchasers have signed contracts for their preferred units. The market feedback has met our expectations. In this regard, the Company is taking a positive view on the contributions of the CP&J Project.”

About Man Sang Holdings, Inc.
Man Sang Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (together the "Man Sang Group") are one of the world's largest purchasers and processors of Chinese cultured and freshwater pearls. The Group had two main business segments during the year.

One business segment is engaged in the purchase, processing, assembling, merchandising and wholesale distribution of pearls and jewelry products (“Pearl Operations”) and the other is engaged in real estate development and real estate leasing (“Real Estate Operations”).

The Pearl Operations include jewelry purchasing, processing, assembling, design, export, merchandising and wholesale distribution of pearls and jewelry products, including Chinese cultured pearls, Chinese freshwater pearls, Japanese cultured pearls, Tahitian and South Sea pearls, as well as pearls and jewellery products. The Group operates its own pearl processing facilities in Shenzhen, China.

The Real Estate Operations include the development and management of the China Pearls and Jewelry City (“CP&J City”) in Zhuji of Zhejiang Province, China. It is the single largest shareholder of the project. CP&J City will be the pearl and jewelry trading platform covering processing, manufacturing, research and development and trading of jewelry products and also provision of related services including logistics, electronic commerce, exhibition and convention, accommodation, catering, and entertainment.
Source: jckonline

The next edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held Sept. 11-15 at the Challenger Hall exhibition center. But retailers can meet exhibitors through online tools available at  www.ospgemsjewelry.com. 

The Bangkok fair’s B2B matching facility enables buyers to meet the right suppliers who can provide the products, services they need. Deals, contracts, and partnerships come easier at the fair through the e-Appointment and Online Sourcing Project business tools available on the Web site.

Buyers who used the business matching tools at the prior trade fair said they were interested in about 70 percent of the exhibitors that they met. After the fair they would contact these exhibitors further for placing orders, according to trade show officials. The buyers who participated also suggested that, it’s great for those early birds who join the Business Matching on the early day of the fair as they would have time to visit the exhibitors at their booths or factories after the session before making a decision of placing order.

Exhibitor also reported favorable results, according to trade fair officials.

TGJTA is urging trade visitors to venture in the OSP world to learn more about the business matching and to search through the online catalogue to see their needs and offering. After finding the companies they want to meet, they can make an e-Appointment to sit down face-to-face at the fair, look at physical samples, and visit their factories then talk about developing businesses together. Buyers can make e-Appointment by registering at www.ospgemsjewelry.com.
Source: jckonline

Tags: jewelry fairjewelry fair

California-based jewelry company House of Taylor Inc. is closing up shop, a filing on Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows.

Acknowledging that it is more than $11 million in debt to New Stream Secured Capital LP and "does not have sufficient working capital to continue its business," House of Taylor granted possession of its collateral to New Stream, the SEC filing shows.

"[House of Taylor] hereby surrenders, delivers and grants to lender peaceful possession of the collateral wherever located, and the products and proceeds thereof," the 8K filing states.

The SEC filing goes on to state that House of Taylor "knowingly waives any rights...to notice and a hearing before any court of competent jurisdiction and consents to lender's possession, sale, transfer, license or other disposition of or realization on the collateral."

The end of House of Taylor does not come as a surprise following a week in which it lost the licenses to both its branded lines—Dame Elizabeth Taylor- and Kathy Ireland-branded jewelry—lost its chief executive officer because it couldn't pay his salary and lost its name, literally.

In a filing with the SEC on Tuesday, the company that brings actress Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry line to market, Interplanet Productions Ltd., terminated its licensing agreement with House of Taylor, meaning the company lost both the right to sell Taylor-branded jewelry and the Taylor name.

Ireland's company, Sandbox Jewelry LLC, filed a similar termination notice the same day.

Both companies cited House of Taylor's financial problems as the reason for the termination.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tags: jewelry companyjewelry company closeclose

To make sure that jewelers keep their eyes and ears open about security incidents involving their peers, the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) has partnered with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. and Jewelers of America to organize hundreds of local crime-prevention networks.

Jewelers who are members of the local networks will share with other member jewelers information on crimes, suspects and suspicious circumstances, and will also work closely with local police.

Retailers who are interested in joining can ask the JSA to mail them a copy of a 25-page booklet entitled "A Guide for organizing Local Crime Prevention Networks of Jewelers and Police," and a 24-minute DVD entitled "Jewelry Crime for Law Enforcement," that can be shared with local police personnel.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tags: jewelry crimejewelry crime

CHANEL. Gucci. Dior. Fendi. No we're not on Rodeo Drive, but a couple of blocks over on Canon Drive, where Jill Garland has opened V Vintage, a jewel box selling vintage costume jewelry and handbags.

The under-the-radar boutique is by appointment, not only because of its small size, but also so that Garland can pay attention to customers who may want to discuss a piece's history, importance or even how to wear it.

The space may be diminutive, but its pale pink walls, white leather chairs and coffee-table books make you feel at home. "My customers love vintage so they seek me out," says Garland, 38. "They know vintage is cool and makes them look different from everybody else."

And now that statement jewelry has taken center stage on the runways, a great vintage piece is even more of a find. Highlights from Garland's collection include a pair of Yves Saint Laurent sterling silver chandelier earrings ($1,200), an eye-catching Nina Ricci coral cabochon bracelet ($425) and a 1967 Christian Dior enamel cuff ($575).

But it's not all high-priced designer items. There's a '60s Lucite rhinestone cocktail ring for $40, a pair of bright Bakelite bangles for $125 and sterling silver drop earrings for $155. The rotating selection also includes '70s-era Gucci logo bags, '60s-era Kenneth Jay Lane necklaces, Judith Leiber bejeweled belts and Miriam Haskell bib necklaces obtained from estate sales, auction houses and individuals.

Garland had worked in graphic and interior design. When she spied a "For Lease" sign across the street from Porto Via, the Canon Drive restaurant she co-owns with husband Peter Garland, her vintage dreams became a reality.

"The best way to wear this stuff is to do it really simple," Garland says. "Wear it with jeans and a T-shirt. Let the piece be the focus."
Source: latimes

Tags: jewelry shopjewelry shop

The jewelry, luxury goods and accessories e-commerce category was one of the strongest gainers in visitors in May, according to comScore's monthly analysis of U.S. consumer activity at the top online properties.

The category was up 9 percent in traffic last month to 17.5 million visitors, compared with April.

Other categories showing visitor increases in May included flowers, gifts and greetings (up 15 percent to 42.4 million visitors), coupons (up 11 percent to 24.5 million visitors) and travel-information (up 9 percent to 47.2 million visitors).

The e-cards category also saw traffic increase, up 8 percent in May to more than 35 million visitors.

"Mother's Day was a key driver of Web activity in May, as the convenience of online shopping for flowers and gifts drew many to retail sites," comScore Media Metrix Executive Vice President Jack Flanagan said in a media release. "Summer travel was also on Americans' minds this month as warmer weather and the end of the school year spurred vacation planning. With Americans feeling the pocket pinch of soaring gas prices, rising food costs and an unsteady market, scouring the Internet for hot travel deals was essential for many to ensure an affordable summer vacation."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tags: jewelry websitejewelry website