SSEF sets a benchmark for ivory!

The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has become the first gem laboratory worldwide to introduce DNA fingerprinting of ivory as a standard client service. It involves a scientific method that can provide valuable information about the species of ivory being used in jewellery and ornamental objects, in order to determine whether it is CITES-listed elephant ivory or non-listed mammoth ivory.

Demand for Sri Lankan sapphires

ICA Ambassador to Sri Lanka Altaf Iqbal report says, Sri Lanka is still the primary supplier of fine sapphires to the world. The report focuses the demand for sapphires remains very strong. To maintain our global position today, we believe that aggressive and continuous promotion of the industry is needed. Government agencies such as the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NJGA), and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board should play a leading role in carrying this forward.

Singer Track1London Edition

Reimagining watchmaking between Rob Dickinson, Founder and creative Director of Singer Vehicle Design, and Italian watch designer Marco Borraccino, the company was created to re-imagine high-watchmaking, combining obsessive attention to detail, unique perspectives and a love for the iconic sport watches of the 1960s and 1970s.

Departure Statement by Prime Minister for EEF

Departure Statement made by Prime Minister prior to his visit to Vladivostok, Russia for Eastern Economic Forum: I will be visiting Vladivostok, Russia on 4-5 September, 2019. My visit to Far East Region of Russia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, underlines the desire on the both sides to diversify and further strengthen the bonds of our robust bilateral relations.

The objective of my visit is twofold, 1:to participate as the Chief Guest at the 5th Eastern Economic Forum at the invitation of President of the Russian Federation Mr Vladimir Putin and 2: to hold the 20th India-Russia Annual Summit with him. The Forum focuses on development of business and investment opportunities in the Russian Far East Region, and presents enormous potential for developing close and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and Russia in this region.

Kimberlite Potential Identified at Thorny

Botswana Diamonds announces that pioneering geophysical work has identified what is believed to be kimberlite pipes buried at shallow depth on the Company’s Thorny River ground.

The targets identified are very similar to the pipe that constituted the high-grade and famous De Beers Marsfontein mine, in so much as the pipe had little surface indication due to dolerite rock cover but grew and swelled below the dolerite.

A$8.8M from Lulo and Mothae diamond sales

Lucapa Diamond Company announces the results from the latest sales of diamonds from the Lulo alluvial mine in Angola and the Mothae kimberlite mine in Lesotho. The latest sales from Lulo and Mothae take total sales from both mines to US$35.5 million (A$50.2 million) for the year to date (YtD) on a 100% basis.

Lulo: The run of mine parcel of 3,558 carats of Lulo diamonds sold for gross proceeds of US$4.4 million (A$6.3 million) representing an average price per carat of US$1,234 (A$1,768). This took total sales of Lulo diamonds to date in 2019 to US$26.5 million at an average price per carat of US$2,764.

3 mn Contracts for the First Time at DGCX

The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) in August traded over 3 million contracts in a month for the first time ever, smashing its previous record of 2.38 million contracts set in July. The 3.22 million lots traded and cleared in August were valued at USD 52.72 billion, also an all-time record.

The Exchange also recorded its highest ever daily volume on August 5th, trading over 220,000 contracts with a notional value of USD 3.86 billion. Average Daily Volumes (ADV) last month reached 146,502 per day, up 54.97% year-on-year (Y-O-Y).

New store opens in Jhansi, Bhuj &Mumbai

Reliance Jewels, one of India’s most trusted jewellery brands, has launched its three new showrooms in Jhansi, Bhuj& Mumbai. The launch coincides with Reliance Jewels’ 12th anniversary and to commemorate/celebrate; the brand has unveiled the new Aabhar Collection inspired by the creator’s most beautiful expression of grace - Peacock. The Aabhar collection consists of Gold & Diamond earrings in beautiful ornate designs created to dazzle extraordinary as well as everyday moments.

With a robust expansion plan, Reliance Jewels aims to provide its customers with not just exquisite jewellery collection, but also end-to-end services related to jewellery. The new showrooms are well equipped with all the modern technologies that will assist patrons in a holistic manner, thereby creating a complete jewellery shopping experience.

World Brand Piazza 2019 Inaugurated!

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2019, Prince Jewellery & Watch proudly returns to the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair from 3rd to 7th September and presents the 10th edition of World Brand Piazza, showcasing Haute Horology masterpieces from 13 top-tier brands including Blancpain, Breguet, Chopard, Corum, Franck Muller, Glashütte Original, Jacob & Co, Jaquet Droz, Juvenia, Parmigiani Fleuier, Piaget, Sarcar Genève and Zenith.

Among the magnificent showpieces are the Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P, driven by Piaget’s first hybrid movement that combines a self-winding calibre with a quartz generator, featuring meticulous traditional finishing on the black-coated cushion-shaped movement, priced at HK$650,000; and the Fleurs de Jardin by Jacob & Co, a mechanical spectacle embellished with 48 pink sapphires and 11 flowers made of various gemstones, including a sunflower forged with a 288-facet Jacob-cut citrine of 1 carat, priced at HK$3,168,000.

A quantum jump in the ITR e-filing

Income Tax department made history with a quantum jump in the e-filing of Income–Tax Returns with an all time high record of 49 lakh 29 thousand and 121 ITRs filed in a single day on 31st August 2019.

The Income Tax department has made history with a quantum jump in the e-filing of Income–Tax Returns (ITRs) with an all time high record of 49 lakh 29 thousand and 121 ITRs filed in a single day on 31st August 2019. This has perhaps created a history as the tax administration nowhere in the world has achieved such huge online e-filing ITRs in a single day and that too so smoothly; with the IT department actively interacting with taxpayers on social media to help them resolve their grievances and e-filing related queries and getting accolades in return.