Jewelry Blog

The American Gem Trade Association Gemological Testing Center (AGTA-GTC) and American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) have discovered a surface treatment for tanzanites to improve their color. It was discovered after a light repolishing of the stones resulted in a noticeable loss of color.

The treatment is not permanent and is not immediately obvious when examined. Testing pointed to cobalt in the coating which is easily detected using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy Lore Keifert, director of AGTA-GTC said. Additional evidence showed in abrasions, or scratches, and the facet junctions and culet where the coating had been worn off.

While heat treating for color has been around for years for tanzanite, this newly discovered treatment seemed to focus on smaller, calibrated, gems that are not normally tested due to their size and relative value.

David Goldstein, investigative reporter from CBS2.com, has been writing about DSN and presenting allegations of improprieties.

A former host stated, “I was instructed to lie.”, “I was instructed to fake phone calls.” Even fake auction bids. DSN has claimed that these reports are from a disgruntled former employee, but Mr. Goldstein claims otherwise.

Add these reports to the recent firings at JTV, and reports coming from independent gemologists that some Labrodite being sold as natural was actually treated, and we could be seeing a long series of investigations and charges being leveled at an industry that may not bear up against much scrutiny.

http://cbs2.com/goldstein/Direct.Shopping.Network.2.725487.html

http://cbs2.com/goldstein/Direct.Shopping.Network.2.730018.html

Jewelry Television, the on-air jewelry retailer, is cutting more than 200 jobs across its operation.

In their headquarters they will be losing 150 jobs, and 65 jobs from their sister network Shop at Home which ceased broadcasting in March.

The staff reduction is blamed on current economic trends.

Whitehall Jewelers Expands Operations. Purchases 78 Friedman’s Stores.

Chicago based Whitehall Jewelers Inc. has announced that they will be purchasing the 78 Friedman’s and Crescent Jewelry stores that are not going out of business. In January of 2008, Friedman’s filed for Chapter 11 banrkruptcy protection.

Currently, 377 Friedman’s are conducting “going-out-of-business” sales as part of the Chapter 11 filing and involuntary Chapter 7 case that was brought against them. Expectations are for these sales to conclude in 10-12 weeks.

It should not come as any surprise that Whitehall Jewelers is making this purchase. Having already pared back their operations to 297 stores, this purchase affords them the opportunity to begin regrowing their business. Reportedly, the purchase price amounts to 63% of the cost value of the inventory so as they say, “the price is right”.

Look for Whitehall to continue operating these store under The Whitehall and Lundstrom’s Jewelers names. 

At the recent stop in Iowa the question of blood diamonds was raised to Sen. John Edwards.

Sen. Edwards replied “I don’t even know what that term is” and when it was explained to him he commented “Can I tell you I have had probably hundreds of town hall meetings. I have literally never been asked that question.”

He did say that “I certainly know about the movie. But I would have to give that more thought that I have to give you an honest answer to it”.

Personally I think this just goes to show how focused some of us get with our own issues. I can’t think of anyone in the jewelry industry that has never heard of the issue, but I can see it being a non issue for a lot of people. I know that in our own store we have not had more than a couple of customers ever raise the issue. The only time it ever seems to be raised is when a diamond salesman brings it up in an effort to  sell his line to us.

Following a disappointing holiday season Zale Corp. has announced that over the next 90 days they will be closing 60 Zales, Gordon’s and Piercing Pagoda stores. The stores to be closed will be their unprofitable locations.

Zale corp. has yet to announce the details of the closings, but more locations are likely to close later this year.

The next evolution in diamond inscription, the Gemory Gemsafe diamond inscription process allows you to add as many as 100 pictures to a diamond without affecting it’s lab report ratings. Using a laser process similar to having a serial number inscribed on the girdle of a diamond, you can have any picture added to a facet of your diamond or other gemstone.

How much more sentimental can you get than having your wedding photo on your diamond, or a series of pictures on the diamond as it’s handed down from mother to daughter? I think that this may be one of the coolest diamond news items for 2008, and we are still in January!

If you bought a diamond between January 1, 1994, and March 31, 2006, you may be eligible for a piece of the $295 million settlement with DeBeers. The settlement is part of an agreement entered in to by DeBeers for anticompetitive practices while not admitting any wrong doing.

While some people are saying that you could get several hundred dollars for as small of a purchase as $2,000, I just don’t see it. The math doesn’t work.

In any case, if you would like to be a part of the class action lawsuit, you need to fill out a claim form before March 19, 2008. If you want a shot at getting a few dollars from DeBeers head over to the Settlement Website and fill out the form there.