IDEX Online News reported on the controversial decision that will enable the Kimberley Process’ review mission to take place in September.

KP Monitor Abbey Chikane will supervise the review and then again to certify the second supervised export. His report and future exports will then be reviewed by the Kimberley Process Monitoring Committee.

‘Although we can regard this as progress, there remains much to do,’ said World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff. ‘We need to build on this and to continue the hard work of the past several months.’

Delegates from Zimbabwe, headed by Minister of Mining Obert Moses Mpofu and
Attorney General Johanne Tomama, and from the U.S. led by Susan Page, Assistant U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, attended the Meet.

Also on the agenda was the issue of refining the Kimberley Process’ process steps. Industry representatives including government officials, members of banking communities, and media figures attended the Meet.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (Kimberley Process) is an international governmental certification scheme that was set up seven years ago to prevent the trade in diamonds that fund conflict. The scheme requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from blood diamonds.

Global Witness has recommended steps of ‘strengthening government controls, increasing government oversight of the industry, the publication of the statistics, and financing of the scheme by NGOs.’

Three of the world’s most expensive suits have been designed and decorated with 480 delicate diamonds.

The Sun newspaper reported the £599,000 hand-stitched two-piece suits are designed by tailor Richard Jewels and made from a cashmere, wool and silk blend.

Mr Jewels told the newspaper: “I hope to establish a luxury brand that will not only capture the eyes but the hearts of the consumers.

“The Jewels brand for men and women will offer unrivalled customer service…emphasis on our products is to solidify one’s individuality.”

600 hours of work are behind each garment. Each precious stone is 0.5-carats and total 240 carats of diamonds.

Ten percent of each suit sold will go to the Haiti relief fund. The first suit has already been sold to a buyer in France.

‘It’s not about showcasing ’super luxury’ but the traditions of Italians,’ noted Ernesto Miraglia, curator of the Italy Pavilion. ‘The Italian lifestyle has always held fascination for Chinese people, and through events like this we’d like to showcase the best of our best.

‘Of course, not everyone could afford to drive Ferrari or wear Prada, whether in China or in Italy, however, hopefully, by getting in touch with these high-end products at the Italy Pavilion, people will get the idea of what luxury is – and what is the best.’

Other jewellers from Czech and Belgium also showcased their sparkly works with a dazzling dance performance from Czech Republic champions, Martin Dvorak and Zuzana Sihanova, in crystal embedded costumes from leading manufacturer of crystal beads and pendants, Preciosa. The performance was then followed by a mini fashion show of the brand’s latest cut-crystal jewellery collection.

The Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC) also held an Antwerp Diamond Day in the Belgium Pavilion.

The diamond mine, which opened in November 2008, and is located 30 km north-east of Kroonstad in South Africa, now has 305 permanent employees, with over half from the local area in Fezile Dabi.

De Beers Voorspoed mine GM Mpumi Zikalala says that the mine’s staff comprises about 86% historically disadvantaged South Africans, and just under half of the workforce are women, 26% of which make up the the mine’s technically skilled workforce. 1.9% of employees are disabled persons and the mine also employs local suppliers (22% of its spend) and makes full use of local services, including transportation of employees, building maintenance, general officee cleaning and events management.

Mining Weekly reported that one half of the spend on local suppliers is firmly focused on regional black empowerment. The diamond mine is currently involved in establishing a multipurpose brick and paving manufacturing facility, due to open in September, and is supporting 25 schools and 39 educators in mathematics and science.

The diamond mine has also supported the creation of the Rearebetswe (meaning ‘we are answered’) papermaking group, in Viljoenskroon, which uses available agricultural waste including corn hushs and milkweed fibre to make container boxes,c ards, and creative packaging, and other projects as part of its corporate social investment initiatives.

IDEX Online reported the book is one of the CIBJO’s Blue Books, which details grading, methodology and nomenclature standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, precious metals, and gemological terminology and nomenclature. The updates to the book include the introduction of an appendix on precious metal finenesses.

The CIBJO Blue Books were originally compiled, and are now continuously updated, by several committees comprised of representatives from various trade organizations.

It says: ‘the standards represent a consensus derived from the broad expertise on the subject within these committees, and from individuals outside the committees who had expressed an interest in participating in the development of the guidelines.’.

Gemstone, Diamond and Pearl Books

The first three publications were printed with different coloured covers; blue for the Gemstone Book, grey for the Diamond Book, and green for the Pearl Book.

The Precious Metals Book was launched in 2007 and in 2010 the CIBJO Gemmological Book was released. Today, these publications are generally referred to as the CIBJO Blue Books.

Founded in 1961, the CIBJO is an international confederation of jewellery, gemstone horology and silverware trade organisations. Its main aims are to act as a decision-making body, to create and maintain standards and promote cooperation within these interconnected organisations.

The Swiss-based confederation also aims to cement nomenclature and set best practice guidelines to improve consumer confidence. It includes 36 representative countries and the president is currently Gaetano Cavalieri.

‘The vigour seen in the US and Asia was equalled here in Europe, with strong prices achieved for fine jewellery, watches and wine. Demand for stellar examples rivalled that seen at the height of the market, which very much seems to have returned ‘en force’,’ Francois Curiel, President of Christie’s Switzerland, said in a statement.

A flawless white 40.21-carat diamond originally estimated at $4.5 million-$5.5 million was sold for 5.69 million Swiss francs ($5.14 million) at Wednesday’s auction.

The auction house’s sum jewellery sales totalled $33.9 million, above the high end of its pre-auction estimate. It stated 89 % of the 220 lots were won by new owners.

Jean-Marc Lunel, head of Christie’s jewellery department in Geneva noted: ‘Once again diamonds dominated the total, although signed period jewels proved the most popular pieces in the sale.

‘Two private collections of fine vintage jewellery virtually sold out for $9.9 million, while every lot in the special ‘Cartier section’ found a buyer, achieving a total of $4.2 million.’

Key rival Sotheby’s netted 60 million Swiss francs ($54.10 million) at its jewellery sales in Geneva on Tuesday. Sparkly highlights included a Cartier piece, an Art Deco ‘Tutti Frutti’ set with rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and emerald and onyx beads, which sold for more than five times its pre-sale estimate.

‘White Light’, a 41-carat diamond and enamel brooch mounted in white gold with 13 pear-shaped diamonds and pave diamonds, designed by award-winning British jeweller Shaun Leane, sold for 1.1 million Swiss francs.

Family-run business, Rogers Jewelery Co. and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) are launching the Race for the Rock event, now in its second year.

“We have a year under our belt with this new event, and our relationship with Rogers and our participants continue to get stronger and stronger,” said Blake Young, SFBFS president. “Participants should expect a very exciting event with really good prizes and a good feeling that their efforts and time will result in families receiving help through this combined effort.”

Hearts of Fire diamond ring worth $20,000

On June 5, around 1,000 cyclists will meet in the Capitol to receive clues and take part in the text message-based search for up to $35,000 of diamonds. Clues will lead to the grand prize of a Hearts of Fire diamond ring worth $20,000. Second and third prizes are a set of diamond earrings and floral diamond necklace, both set in white gold and worth more than $3,500 each.

“Right now, there are a lot more people out there needing help to make ends meet,” said Rogers Marketing Director Calvin Curtin about why they decided to launch the rave. “The question is, how can a group of jewellery stores help people struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table?”

Rogers decided to team up with SFBS who match every donated dollar to $10 worth of services and goods. All proceeds from the $40-per-team entry fee goes directly to SFBFS whose goal is to raise more $500,000 for its programs.

“Race for the Rock is like a party,” Curtin said. “It’s the coolest feeling to bring a huge group of people together and give them a common experience to share.”

70 teams have registered so far with many more expected to join the Race in a few weeks.

See www.thinkrogers.com/race for more details.

Garden expert David Domoney is designing the ‘Ace of Diamonds’ display, which will feature £20 million worth of the precious stones.

“This year it is high-end and extreme but with a strong horticultural message,” Domoney said. “We want to show how jewellery has been inspired by plants throughout history, such as use of the thistle in Celtic designs. Many varieties of plants and flowers have been named after jewels and gems.”

Peony-shaped Ring set with Pink Diamonds

The display deal struck with the Bond Street jeweller Leviev will feature a £1 million, peony-shaped ring set with pink diamonds and a central green diamond, and a rare fancy vivid blue diamond flower ring set amid eight pear-shaped diamonds, worth a cool £3.2 million.

Bob Sweet, director of the show, said: “There are security issues to address but we support the novel approach from the designer. David Domoney always seeks to bring an extra thrill to his gardens. We have had valuable sculptures and works of art at Chelsea before, but I think this will be the highest value garden ever to be shown.”

Visitors to the garden expo can stroll along the garden’s pathway, designed to represent the loop of a chain (and when viewed aerially, the layout resembles a necklace with the central diamond-shaped patio forming a pendant.)

The Ace of Diamonds display will be the most expensive garden design in the event’s 88-year history, with a value of approximately $30 million.

The Chelsea Flower Show begins on May 25, 2010 and closes on May 29.

De Beers says it will now reduce its production to extend the life of its mines which means diamond prices could increase by 5% a year for at least five years, according to Des Kilalea, a diamond analyst at RBC Capital Markets.

Gareth Penny, managing director of De Beers, told the Financial Times: “Do we want to ramp production back up to 48m carats, given the lack of availability in the future?”

40% of global rough diamond sales

The company accounts for 40% of global rough diamond sales. In 2008 De Beers produced 48m carats and will cut production to 40m in 2011.

De Beers is active in every category of industrial diamond mining: open-pit, underground, large-scale alluvial, coastal and deep sea. Operations take place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.

The group employs about 20,000 people around the world on five continents, with 17,000 employees in Africa. Over 7000 people are employed in Botswana, over 7100 in South Africa, 3800 in Namibia, 700 in Canada and over 800 in Group Exploration.

The mining company has also been markedly successful in increasing consumer demand for diamonds and marketing the precious stone as a sparkly symbol of love and commitment.

Three key campaigns are the ‘eternity ring’ and symbol of continuing affection and appreciation, the ‘trilogy’ ring, representing the past, present and future of a relationship, and the ‘right-hand ring’ bought and worn by women as a symbol of independence.

The Telegraph newspaper reported how the two suited robbers, made up to look older, walked past three security guards at Graff diamonds before producing handguns.

CCTV footage revealed one of the robbers pushing a gun into the back of female assistant, forcing her to empty the precious stones from display cabinets, including a diamond necklace worth £3.5million. The robbers then fled, taking the Miss Ehnar with them who then managed to escape when a security guard gave chase and gun shots were fired.

The robbers made their getaway in a BMW and the stolen gems was passed to a man on a motorbike who has never been found.

Aman Kassaye, 24, and Craig Calderwood, 27, are alleged to have planned and executed the robbery, conspiring with seven men who helped block the streets nearby with white vans to enable the pair to escape.

Detectives found the pair’s DNA on mascara brushes used by a make-up artist who was told the two men were taking part in a music video, the court heard.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts said: “The victims were “the real centre of this case, not the value of jewels that were taken”.

Miss Ehnar told jurors ar Woolwich Crown Court: “”I could feel the gun being pushed into my back,” she said. “This really worried me because I felt the men would shoot, I really did. The next thing I heard was the gun being fired and the noise was so loud. I realised I wasn’t shot because I was still in one piece. I ran into the doorway [of another jewellers]…I was petrified. It is the most terrifying experience a person can be put through.”

The nine defendants deny conspiracy to rob. Kassaye and Calderwood deny possession of a handgun and a sawn-off shotgun, and kidnap. The case continues.