Survey: U.S. consumers reduce spending to combat gas prices
Schaumburg, Ill.—Nearly half (49 percent) of U.S. consumers are reducing their spending to compensate for rising gas prices, up four points from June 2007, according to new research from The...
Study: Gas prices disrupt U.S. consumer spending
Schaumburg, Ill.—Dramatic fluctuations in gas prices are disrupting U.S. consumer spending, leaving shoppers with less money to spend at retail and on entertainment and dining out, according to...
EBay launches eco-friendly marketplace
San Jose, Calif.—EBay has launched a new e-commerce marketplace called WorldofGood.com by eBay, which offers products that have a positive impact on people and the planet, empowering consumers...
India looking to source rough directly from Africa
New Delhi—A delegation of Indian leaders are Africa-bound, on a mission to cultivate rough-diamond relationships, according to various news sources.
TransFair to study fair trade diamonds
Courtesy of a grant from jeweler Tiffany and Co., TransFair USA will be conducting a study to assess the feasibility of Fair Trade Certification for diamonds, Yahoo Canada Finance reported.
Survey: 'Made in Italy' label adds allure
Stevens, Pa.—Products that carry a "Made in Italy" label hold a special appeal for U.S. consumers, according to a new survey conducted by Unity Marketing.
Israel's polished exports to U.S. drop in 2007
Ramat Gan, Israel—Israel's diamond-trading figures for 2007 show substantial increases over 2006, with net polished-diamond exports up 7 percent.
Retail e-commerce rebounds in April
Reston, Va.—Retail e-commerce increased 15 percent in April compared with the same period last year, following an increase of just 9 percent in March, according to comScore Inc.
Study: Pressure at pump curbs spending
Schaumburg, Ill.—Nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumers (63 percent) are reducing their spending due to rising gas prices, up 18 points since June 2007 and up 14 points in the last six months...
Bush says goodbye rubies, Tuesday
Washington, D.C.—President Bush has signed off on legislation that makes it illegal for rubies and jadeite from Myanmar, including stones that were processed in third-party countries, to be...
U.S. chain-store sales up 3.6 percent
New York—High fuel prices and severe storms across the nation this winter caused a modest same-store sales increase of 3.6 percent between Black Friday and Dec. 24 for U.S. retailers compared...
Macau to host 2009 CIBJO Congress
Milan, Italy—The 2009 CIBJO Congress will be held from March 1-4, 2009, in Macau, CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri announced on Monday.
U.S.-Belgian treaty cuts double taxation
Washington, D.C.—A new treaty between the United States and Belgium designed to avoid double taxation is the first in a series of measures the Belgian government is taking to draw more foreign...
Rapaport auction set for Thursday
New York—The next Rapaport Certified Diamond Auction, the latest in a series launched by Rapaport Chairman Martin Rapaport, will take place on Thursday.
Survey: Consumers making fewer store runs
Schaumburg, Ill.—High gas prices and other economic pressures mean consumers today are more likely to combine shopping trips, according to The Nielsen Co.
EXCLUSIVE: Jewelers see uptick in sales since Black Friday
New York—Sales were more robust over this second weekend of the holiday season when compared with the same time last year, with diamonds the clear jewelry-gift frontrunner, reported several...
JVC to discuss gemstones, rough diamonds at JA
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) will present seminars on colored-gemstone compliance and rough-diamond requirements for traders at the upcoming JA New York Summer Show.
Feds amend Clean Diamond Trade Act
Washington—The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has notified the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) of two important amendments to the Clean Diamond Trade Act,...
World watch associations—Another fruitful meeting
Watch associations in countries represented at Baselworld attended informal discussions regarding issues affecting the industry, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH reported. It was the...