US thanksgiving up almost 40% YoY!

From Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, more than 165 million Americans shopped either in stores or online, surpassing the 164 million who had said they would shop in a consumer sentiment survey conducted ahead of the holiday, the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics reported.

The average shopper spent $313.29 on gifts and other holiday items over the five-day period. Of that, $217.37 or 69 percent was specifically spent on gifts. The biggest spenders were older millennials and Gen Xers (35-44 years old) at $413.05.

Platinum likely to fall by 4% in 2018 YoY

This is in the accordance with the seventeenth Platinum Quarterly data set, published by the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC)-which examines activity in the third quarter of 2018, with a revised forecast for full year 2018 and a first forecast for full year 2019. Independent analysis is provided by our research partners SFA (Oxford).

The Foreword to the report describes platinum substitution for palladium in autocatalysts as a potential new demand driver, and notes that a range of WPIC partnerships are improving retail investors’ access to physical platinum. Also, our short pieces on platinum’s many and varied demand applications, described in our new 60 Seconds in Platinum publications, are now available as a free subscription through our website.

David Tait as CEO to WGC

The World Gold Council, the market development organisation for the gold industry, today announced the appointment of David Tait as incoming Chief Executive Officer.

David joins the World Gold Council following a highly successful career in the financial services industry. David was most recently Global Head of Fixed Income Macro Products at Credit Suisse, prior to that he held senior trading roles at both Credit Suisse and UBS Investment Bank.

Spellbind Diamond Earrings Collection

Put your partying foot forward with your office biffs with the latest diamond dangler edition curated by Jewellery Connoisseur Tanya Rastogi for Lala Jugal Kishore Jewellers. Crafted in 18K gold the edition plays with various tones of the metal including yellow, white and rose.

The edition is studded with purest of fine cut diamonds along with emeralds, blue sapphires and rubies.  This edition is meant for the working women who effortlessly woo the party circles after a long day at office. Diamonds of various shapes and sizes do the talking here.

New MoU to acquire 3 diamond projects

Pangolin Diamonds has reached an agreement with Umgeni Holdings International Limited under which Umgeni has agreed to acquire a royalty interest in Pangolin’s Precious Stones Prospecting Licences located within the Central District of Botswana, as well as an area defined as the Adjacent Area of Interest for $600K.

Under the terms of the agreement, Umgeni has agreed to pay Pangolin an additional $600K, for a total of $1,200,000 in funding to date, to acquire the following royalty interests in Pangolin’s Malatswae, Moenyenana and Motloutse diamond projects.

Polished diamond auction held in Israel

Alrosa held polished diamond auction in Israel on November 4-13, 2018. The companies from Israel, the US, Belgium, Hong Kong, India and Russia were among the participants.

The company presented colorless polished diamonds ranging in size from 5 carats, fancy colored stones over 1 carat, as well as polished diamonds of 0.3-0.99-ct category in batches completed by color. In total, Alrosa sold about 370 carats of polished diamonds for $2.9 million. Of these, 314 carats accrued to colored stones, mostly large (more than 40 fancy colored polished diamonds over 5 carats with a total weight of 215 carats).

Sustainable rough mining rate during 2019 to 2021

Mountain Province Diamonds provides guidance for fiscal year 2019 for the Gahcho Kué Mine as well as an update on company’s performance in 2018. All amounts expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

During the 2018 about 3.1 to 3.2 million ore tonnes processed & 6.6 to 6.9 million carats diamond production recovered.

During the year production costs remained around $110 – $120 per tonne processed that is $50 – $54 per carat recovered cost in 2018. In addition to the 2019 guidance, the Company also provides a 3-year production outlook for the Gahcho Kué Mine. The production guidance over the three-year period 2019 to 2021 is evidence of a sustainable and smooth mining rate as the mine performance maintains a steady state.

GJC organises PMI 4

The Indian Gems and Jewellery Industry is all set for a Grand & Royal Jewellery trade show in the Pink City of India! All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the apex gem & jewellery trade body is presenting its next in the series of the 4th edition of Preferred Manufacturer of India (PMI).

PMI is revered as India’s most premium and exclusive B2B marketing platform in the G&J sector as it not only provides a dedicated platform for focused business but also brings the best leisure and luxury for the industry. During this 3-day convergence event comprising the India’s leading 150 retail jewellers.

Paintings turn jewellery collection, Gala

The designs of the collection reflect Dali’s love for Gala. Gala is not only Dali’s wife, she is his muse, role model and life partner. The inspiration behind the Gala collection is based upon Dali’s paintings and writings about Gala.

The combination of the selective stones and historic motifs form an authentic collection inspired by Davis’s painting. This collection shows Davi’s aesthetics colors that he uses in his paintings. Every piece in the collection symbolizes the different emotions of their love. All designs are embellished with diamonds and colored gems.

A 10.62 Carat Vivid Blue Diamond Ring at auction

Sotheby’s December auctions of Magnificent Jewels, Important Watches and Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra are featured. The Magnificent Jewels sale will offer an array of exceptional and signed jewels, together with remarkable precious gemstones, led by a highly important 10.62-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, estimate at $20/30 million.

Magnificent Jewels to be auctioned on December 4, Lady Blue Eyes would open for bidding from 27 November & up to 7 December Online. This property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra, the Lady Blue Eyes would go under the hammer on December 6. Sotheby’s auction is scheduled at New York.