US re-evaluate a strategy on tariffs

The National Retail Federation urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to avoid 25 percent tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods and released a new study examining key product categories and the negative impact on American consumers.

“We support efforts to achieve better trade deals, but American consumers shouldn’t be caught in the crosshairs,” NRF Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French said during testimony prepared for a USTR hearing this afternoon. “It’s time to re-evaluate a strategy based solely on tariffs and work with our allies to put international pressure on China.”

Creation of workforce for handling AI

Technology advances with transformative changes such as globalization and disruptive business models shall have important implications in the world of work and associated skills in near future. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) have taken keen interest in aligning the learning methodologies as per new emerging skills and job requirement.

NAJ co-sponsors Award of BHC

The NAJ has become joint sponsor of a British Hallmarking Council (BHC) Award for Trading Standards, reflecting the importance of the effective enforcement of hallmarking in the UK. The annual Touchstone Award recognises the Trading Standards team who deliver the most effective enforcement or educational initiative related to Hallmarking.

The recent Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Symposium in Brighton saw many Trading Standards Officers rewarded for their outstanding contributions to the Service and the prestigious Touchstone Award was amongst these. The award was presented by Andrew Hinds of F. Hinds, former Chair of the NAJ and a member of BHC.

Iconic balance signature Ring by Tasaki

Tasaki is proud to announce the successful registration of the design of its iconic balance signature Ring, part of the balance series, as a three-dimensional (3D) trademark with the Japan Patent Office. This means that the shape of the product itself has now become 3D trademark, independent of the Tasaki logo.

The 3D trademark system began in 1996 to register and protect the 3D shape of products and services with distinctive characteristics that set them apart from other products and services as trademarks. This registration is official recognition that the 3D shape of the balance signature Ring, with its distinctive row of pearls, is widely familiar to members of the public as a TASAKI product, even without the Tasaki logo.

US EXIM bank accepting nominations for 2019

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) now is accepting nominations of persons to serve as members of the bank’s 2019 Advisory Committee and the 2019 Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee. The nominations period begins today and will close on July 24, 2019.

Notices inviting submissions of nominations for both committees have been published in the Federal Register. More information, including how to submit nominations, is available on EXIM’s website at Advisory Committee and Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee.

Botswana Diamonds to sell Thorny River diamonds

The Botswana Diamonds, associate Vutomi, received permission to sell diamonds recovered during bulk sampling at their Thorny River project. Untill, 256 carats of rough diamonds had been recovered. The sale of diamonds from bulk sampling will enable funding of further development by Vutomi.

Sequence of  bulk sampling site being worked, Consent received for the sale of diamonds, Sale of diamonds will fund further exploration activity and Mining Permit application accepted for coveted portion of the contiguous Marsfontein farm!

HRD Antwerp opens a new drop-off point in London

The supply of laboratory grown diamonds is ever increasing. As a result, jewellers are unknowingly selling jewellery which features a mix of natural and lab-grown diamonds. HRD Antwerp announces a new service for jewellery grading to help combat this growing problem. The new London drop-off point will give UK jewellers easy access to HRD Antwerp’s services, including jewellery and diamond grading reports at very competitive rates. The comprehensive grading report will provide jewellers with peace of mind, reassuring them that all of their diamonds are indeed natural, and not laboratory grown.

“There are increasing amounts of laboratory grown diamonds available on the market” says David Ziegler, Commercial Director of HRD Antwerp. “In an industry where so much relies on trust, it’s essential that you safeguard your reputation by certifying that all of your diamonds are natural and untreated. A cost-effective grading report from HRD Antwerp is the most trusted and efficient ways of ensuring all of your unmounted and mounted diamonds are 100% natural.”

Felicitation of Shri Kirtilal K. Doshi held!

Gem &Jewellery Exporters’ Association (GJEA) one of the pioneer organizations in the Gem &Jewellery Industry in India organized a glittering function to honor Shri Kirtilal K. Doshi, a founder Member and past President of GJEA, who is a living legend. The function was held at MCA, the Lounge, Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, Mumbai.

The function commenced with a music program presented by Avishkar group. The audience enjoyed popular Gujarati and Hindi songs for over an hour. Shri Seventilal P. Shah, Partner, Venus Jewel, was the Chief Guest and Arunkumar R. Mehta, Chairman, Rosy Blue (I) Pvt. Ltd. was Guest of Honor. Dr. AVR Reddy, Chief Cordinator, GII, introduced dignitaries Sri Kirtilal K. Doshi, Shri Seventilal Shah, Shri Arunkumar Mehta, Shri Arvind C. Parikh, President GJEA and Shri Navin Jasnani. Vice President, GJEA.

Maharajas & Mughal collection makes history at Christie’s

Christie’s salerooms witnessed history at New York on just passed June 19. Spanning over 500 years of history, the collection of Indian jewels and jewelled objects sells for $109.3 million! After a global tour that saw thousands of people flocking to Christie’s salerooms, a specially designed New York exhibition, and a 12-hour auction presided over by five auctioneers, the Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence  collection totalled $109,271,875 / £87,138,656 in New York-the highest for any auction of Indian art and Mughal objects, and the second highest for a private jewellery collection.

Almost 400 lots were offered, ranging from legendary Golconda diamonds to dazzling coloured stones, jewelled objects used in the royal courts to swords and daggers once owned by Indian rulers. Bidders came from 45 countries, and included a significant number of institutions.

HK June fair closes doors!

New products, innovative solutions and rich programme of events fascinated buyers at Asia’s No.1 mid-year fine jewellery show & now it is being concluded well! A world-leading marketplace for jewellery, gemstones, and industry-related design, manufacturing and retail solutions, the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair offered its exceptional brand of sourcing experience to thousands of buyers during the show days. The fair was scheduled for June 20 to 23 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the B2B show. Over all fair witnessed 1,900 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions.

 “The June Fair occupies a unique position in the industry,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets, “It literally brings the jewellery world under one roof, and it is perfectly timed for wholesalers, retailers and distributors who are building up their seasonal essentials.”