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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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It is a common belief amongst the diamond buying public that diamonds are unbreakable. After all, they rate 10 on the Moh’s scale, so they must be tough, right?
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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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There’s been quite a bit of hoopla in the American media lately about the price of gold reaching US$1000 per ounce. However, as this article explains, it has really dropped about 25% in Australian dollar terms from its highs in February.
Over the past few months, we’ve been working on building a new jewellery workshop. This past week, we finally finished it, so I guess it’s time for photos.
Over the past 18 months, we have been stocking a good number of diamonds with fluorescence. In days gone by, high colour diamonds with strong fluorescence were marketed as “blue-white” diamonds and commanded a premium. In modern times however, fluorescence has been typically frowned upon by the trade and therefore consumers. However, is this about to change?
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Even with huge progressions in diamond technology, a lot of jewellers still say that a prospective diamond buyer must view a diamond prior to purchase. Of course, not trading online means that they are completely biased, but is it a really valid assertion?
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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.
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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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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