A perfect gift to start coin collecting

Connecting Canada set is a three-part celebration of who we are: a diverse nation of communities and landscapes bound together by our three coasts. Each 25-cent coin looks at the unique character of Canada's ocean borders, with iconic wildlife and GPS coordinates for a famous coastal point. Together, they complete a proud portrait of Canada and the red maple leaf that connects us all.

Celebrate Canada with this affordable 3-coin set. The world's longest coastline and the second-largest country are too big for one coin! Our special edition Connecting Canada set is a three-part celebration of Canada and our vast coastline. All designs include the engraved latitude and longitude coordinates for points on Canada's Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic coasts.

US Fed lowers federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage

The fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point, to 1 to 1‑1/4 percent. The Committee is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy.

Polished prices slide amid coronavirus fears

Diamond trading declined sharply in February due to economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus. Manufacturers and dealers are facing a severe liquidity crunch as sales to China and Hong Kong have stopped. Diamond prices dropped as a result of the slowdown, with the RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI) for 1-carat diamonds down 1.6% in February. RAPI for 0.30-carat goods, a popular category in the Chinese market, fell 2.1%. 

The downturn in China will have a broad impact on the industry. Major trade shows in Hong Kong and Basel, Switzerland, have been canceled and buyer traffic in the bourses has declined. With Chinese retail at a standstill, the slump in jewelry sales means stores have more inventory than usual for this time of year. Chinese buyers are not expected to return to the market in the coming months. That will result in a build-up of excess goods and a squeeze on liquidity among polished-diamond suppliers.

DGCX attains volume growth over 700%

The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) last month saw its flagship Gold Futures product continue its strong start to the year, with year-to-date (Y-T-D) volume growth of 773.6% compared to the same period last year, aided by a multi-year record in January.

The spike in trading is a response to a global backdrop of economic uncertainty, with investors increasingly looking towards safe-haven assets. Total volumes on the DGCX in February hit 1.49 million contracts, while Y-T-D Average Open Interest (AOI) was 367,878 contracts, up from 243,409 a growth of 51.1% during the same period in 2019.

Platinum in fuel cells provides zero-emissions

Platinum in fuel cells is providing ground breaking, zero-emissions public transport solutions

The iconic red London double-decker bus gets a platinum makeover this year when, in a world first, twenty such vehicles will service routes throughout the UK capital, powered by hydrogen fuel cells which have a platinum catalyst as a key component.

Crucially, these ground breaking buses produce zero emissions. They join a growing number of global initiatives across all modes of public transport that are demonstrating the vital role fuel cells can play in decarbonising transportation, especially as they offer the range and power output that batteries alone cannot offer. What is more, fuel cells do not necessitate lengthy recharging steps to 'refuel,' a further advantage.

RW celebrates the genius of David Bowie

In collaboration with the David Bowie Estate, Raymond Weil (RW) pays homage to legendary musician – David Bowie with its most free-spirited model– freelancer. The limited edition freelancer “David Bowie”, is a tribute to the life and musical career of one of the most influential artists of all time.

Created to celebrate what would have been Bowie’s 70th birthday, this timepiece is dedicated to a few of the many personas created by David Bowie, an artist with unparalleled creativity, a singular visionary, a man of a thousand faces and voices. Bowie’s boundless talent and fearless innovation shone through his final masterpiece, ★, released last year to some of the best critical notices of his distinguished career and winning five Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards in 2017.

Voyage of Discovery Endeavour Coin

Marking 250 years since Captain James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour sighted the east coast of Australia in 1770; this innovative 2oz silver collectable celebrates the scientific achievements made possible by the historic voyage. Featuring, 1: 99.99% pure silver, 2: 250th anniversary Endeavour themed design, 3: Australian Legal Tender, 4: Replica ship’s wheel insert & 5: Limited mintage – 1,770.

British Royal Navy’s research vessel Endeavour, captained by explorer and navigator James Cook, was tasked with exploring the Pacific Ocean in 1768 and reached the east coast of Australia in 1770. This historic journey led to scientific developments in the measurement of longitude and hydrographic surveying as well as the record of new species of plants by botanist Joseph Banks. Featuring a replica ship’s wheel insert, this 2oz silver antiqued coin celebrates the profound impact Endeavour’s achievements had on navigation, mapping and natural sciences.

Sierra Leone Mano River Union in support of KPCS

Elodie Daguzan, Executive Director of the World Diamond Council (WDC), has expressed the WDC’s strong endorsement for the regional approach by the Mano River Union (MRU) to reinforce the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPSC), declaring that it will assist artisanal diamond miners gain better access to the legitimate diamond supply chain, while receiving fair value for their work.

Ms. Daguzan was addressing a meeting of the MRU in Freetown, Sierra Leone, held February 25-27, 2020. It focused on a program designed to enhance the implementation of the KPCS and includes capacity-building measures for the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, as well as addressing the prevention of smuggling of precious minerals and gemstones within and from the region.

GJC organises 60th Labham programme

All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the apex domestic council of the gems & jewellery industry, conducted the 60th “Labham” educational programme for jewellers in Kolhapur on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Labham, an educational seminar on compliance, taxation, credit & best business practices organized by GJC, attracted more than 400 jewellers from Kolhapur.

Labham Programme for Compliance, Best Business Practices & Customer Confidence is very useful for small, medium and even large jewellers. Labham was supported by Kolhapur Jilha Saraf Sangh and therefore attracted an overwhelming response.

Flecha de Oro Gold Project

Golden Arrow Resources Corporation provides an update on field activities and results for its Flecha de Oro gold project in Argentina, comprised of two separate properties: Esperanza and Puzzle.Sampling and mapping continued throughout the month of January at the Esperanza property, identifying high-grade and visible gold hosted in epithermal quartz veins.

Visible gold was observed in the vein sample which assayed 18 g/t gold. These four high-grade samples were collected up to 400 metres west of a previously reported vein chip/channel sample that returned 5 metres grading 13.1 g/t gold.