PNG opens its first franchise store

India’s most trusted jewellery brand, PNG Jewellers has entered the franchising segment with the opening of its first franchise store at Aundh. The store was inaugurated on the occasion of Dussherra. For almost two centuries, PNG Jewellers has fulfilled customers’ expectations for generations and build credibility with their superior quality jewellery.

The store is strategically located at ITI Road, Aundh, also known as shopping hub of western suburbs of Pune. Aundh and Baner areas have mushroomed in the last few years and there has been a steady demand from PNG Jewellers loyalist to open a PNG Jewellers store in that part of town. The store is on the ground floor with enormous space of 2000 sq. ft. PNG's wide range of signature gold, silver and diamond jewellery will be available at the store.

Three ideas with festival & jewellery

Caratlane is sharing three story-n-ideas to celebrate this festive season until Diwali. 1: statement with Chandbalis, 2: Traditional motifs & 3: celebrate by gifting!    

1: statement with Chandbalis:

Traditional designs have a charm of their own. The perfect amalgamation of both makes for the look of today’s modern Indian woman. Maathapattis & Headgears, a myth that these are only for brides, this can help you steal the show during the festivities. Exclusive picks such as a diamond drop Maathapattis with kundan or a sleek headgear can cover all your occasions starting from festivals to wedding seasons. Best way to make a statement with Chandbali.

Merchandise exports India grew by 19.93%

India’s Merchandise Trade Mid-year assessment shows exports growing in a healthy manner, building on export growth seen in 2016-17 and 2017-18. In first six months that is April-September 2018, merchandise exports exhibited positive growth of 19.93 per cent in Rupee terms and 12.54 per cent in US$ term.

Merchandise Exports in September 2018 exhibited a positive growth of 9.65 per cent in Rupee terms. Merchandise Trade deficit is USD 13.98 Billion in September 2018 which is the lowest in last 5 months, despite high oil prices.

Road Show of GJSCI with NSDC in SEEPZ

Recently Gem and Jewellery Skill council of India (GJSCI) hosted its first Press Meet after Mr Sanjay Kothari taken over the charge as the new Chairman of GJSCI. GJSIC looks forward to gain larger participation from the industry and attract fresh focus on its various skilling activities and initiatives.

 Being a Chairman, Sanjay Kothari shared his vision for GJSCI:

1:            to ensure that all the current workforce is certified based on NSQF aligned QP/NOS;

                -at least one train the trainer institution per cluster;

2:            improving the skills of workforce to make them ready for modern factories;

3:            improving the company management skill so that they can be ideal entrepreneurs on their own;

4:            ensure that the next generation of workforce comes into the business;

5:            make India a world leader in jewellery manufacturing after attaining leadership position in diamonds           -and some varieties of coloured stones.

Rio Tinto lowers diamond production

In the just released third quarter Q3 production results Rio Tinto does not included diamond in its Key Points, and does not highlighted diamond production at a glance!

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “We have delivered consistent operational performance in the third quarter, highlighted by strong production from the Group’s copper assets. We made strong strategic progress with the full exit from coal, the announcement of the additional $3.2 billion of share buy-backs, and the signing of a binding conditional agreement to exit Grasberg for $3.5 billion.

Buy only certified Natural Diamonds

Own A Billion-Year Old Diamond-

Campaign till November 5, 2018

The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the largest global independent gem certification and appraisal institute, has urged consumers to buy only certified Natural Diamonds this festive season! IGI has partnered with many leading jewelers in the City (24 cities across India) for the ‘Own A Billion-Year Old Diamond’ month-long awareness campaign till November 5, 2018, to cover auspicious festival days such as Navratri, Dassehra, Durga Asthami, Ekadashi, Sharad Purnima, Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras and Diwali amongst others.

2018 CIBJO Congress opens in Bogotá

The 2018 CIBJO Congress opened yesterday in the Colombian capital of Bogotá, with a strong focus on responsible sourcing in the jewellery industry. This included the introduction of a Responsible Sourcing Guidance document, which will serve as a reference for responsible sourcing practices developed and applied by industry organisations and commercial bodies worldwide, and will come to have the status of a CIBJO Book. To oversee the process, a Responsible Sourcing Commission was established.

“At the end of last year, we decided to investigate whether the methods by which we have compiled our standards for diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, precious metals, coral and gemmological laboratories could be applied to the subject of responsible sourcing,” explained Dr. Cavalieri. “We asked ourselves, would it be possible to create a responsible sourcing protocol that could be universally accepted, which would meet the ethical standards that our industry expects from itself, and at the same time be acceptable from the perspective of the international community?”

Aisshpra launches a No Plastic Campaign

Known for being a socially responsible jewellery house, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels launches Swacch Bharat, Swacch Imaan, Yeh Hai Meri Pehchan-a No-Plastic Campaign. Under this initiative, the brand has launched recyclable, reusable bags that will curb the usage of plastic bags that are harming the environment and causing plastic pollution.

According to statistical surveys, only 12 million tonnes of solid plastic waste are treated out of 63 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in India. Untreated solid waste is slated to reach about 436 million tonnes by 2050 in the country.

CVC analyses 100 top bank frauds

Sharing the details Dr. T.M. Bhasin, Vigilance Commissioner, CVC informed that the Commission has sub divided the study into 13 sectors comprising of Gems and Jewellery, Manufacturing, Agro sector, Media, Aviation, Service Sector, Discounting of cheques and bills, Trading sector, IT Sector, Exports sector, Fixed deposits and Demand Loan etc.

Dr. Bhasin said that as a conscious decision and with a view to maintaining discreteness, the names of borrower accounts/entities and the names of the Banks have not been disclosed in the report. However, steps are being taken for all encompassing actions such as investigation by the Premier investigative agencies, fixing staff accountability and recovery measures, etc. for effective action.

De Beers Cycle 8 worth US$475

De Beers Group today announced the value of rough diamond sales (Global Sightholder Sales and Auction Sales) for the eighth sales cycle of 2018.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “While the Rupee-Dollar exchange rate has impacted demand for lower value categories, we continue to see steady overall demand for De Beers Group rough diamonds, reflecting ongoing consumer demand for diamond jewellery in the US.”