Diamond Industry

From time to time, we get asked why our prices are so cheap. Whilst I don’t like answering that question, my standard answer usually includes statements like “our overheads are lower”, “we buy directly from the manufacturer”, “we manufacture our jewellery in-house” and so on a so forth. Anyway, today I was reading in the Australian Jeweller Magazine, an article about jewellery industry benchmarks in respect to cost of goods sold, labour and rent.

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“Brass and Glass” is the affectionate name given to silver replica rings set with cubic zirconias. It essentially allows jewellery shoppers to try on rings and other jewellery before they buy so they can see what it looks like on their hand, whilst keeping inventory cost for the retailer at a minimum.

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A few weeks ago, the Jewellers’ Association of Australia (JAA) released their highly anticipated Code of Practice.

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For a potential diamond buyer, it is easy to research online and find out which are the best diamond grading labs located overseas. For example, GIA and AGS have a stellar reputation, whilst IGI and EGL don’t.

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Ronnie Bauer, the current Federal Chairman of the GAA has just been awarded the Association’s only Diploma in Gemmology (Diamonds). At the same time he also was awarded the Association’s accredited Diploma in Gemmology and Diploma in Gemmology (valuations). “I feel very honoured to be the first and currently the only recipient of the Diploma in Gemmology (Diamonds).” Said Ronnie, “ But that’s it! At 53 I don’t want to do any more exams.” That statement however was short lived. Ronnie revealed in the next breath that he has enrolled in the GAA’s jewellery sketching and design courses.

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In the May issue of the trade publication Jeweller, Anthony Bates of SGTL (Auscert) sounds off about local vs international labs. In the article, he states that he got a call from a retailer who perceived Auscert’s certificates to be inferior to those produced overseas. He then goes on to counter the retailer’s claim and explain why local labs such as Auscert are actually superior to those overseas.

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This story is funny in more ways than one.

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From early 2007 till mid-2008, the Australian dollar was riding high - at one point it nearly reached parity with the US dollar. At that time, many in the industry, including myself thought that diamond prices in Australian dollars were at their lowest point in years.

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According to a good source of mine, DCLA is now offering their certificates for stupidly low $20 - provided the diamond has already been certified by Auscert.

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One thing that amazes me about diamond vendors in Australia is that lack any respect for GIA or AGS certificates, or any overseas certificate for that matter. By certificate, I mean the actual paper, that in the case of it being lost, stolen or damaged means that the actual diamond needs to be sent back to the lab overseas.

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