Trade Organization
NRF Says Holiday Spending On Track To Meet Its Forecast
The National Retail Federation said that retail sales in November increased 0.9 percent over October on a seasonally adjusted basis and were up 6 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations.
Online and other non-store sales grew 10.5 percent year-over-year, reflecting the growth of online shopping. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.
Christie’s Posts '24 Straight Years As Jewelry Auction Market Leader'
2017 was a "stellar" year for Christie’s jewelry sales, the auction house said in a statement.
"Nine new world record prices were achieved at our sales worldwide driven by intense competition from collectors who bid at the highest levels for important diamonds, rare gems and jewels, and superb objects," said Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry, Christie’s.
WDC Positive After KP Plenary, But IMPACT Decides To Leave
The World Diamond Council (WDC), which represents the industry at the Kimberley Process (KP), has expressed its gratitude to those who took part in the KP's Plenary Session last week for "embracing the spirit of collaboration and open dialogue around KP reform".
De Beers' Final Sale of 2017: $455M of Rough Goods
De Beers sold rough diamonds with a provisional value of $450 million in the 10th sales cycle (Global Sightholder Sales and Auction Sales) of 2017.
The mining giant said that there had been a continuation of good demand heading towards the end of the year.
Bain & Co Report Says Rough Diamond Firms to Increase Marketing
Bain & Company’s seventh annual Global Diamond Report says rough diamond players will likely raise their marketing spending by around 50 percent over previous years to promote diamonds.
Antwerp World Diamond Centre and De Beers in Blockchain Cooperation Talks
De Beers and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) are holding talks about potential cooperationin De Beers’ recently announced blockchain platform.
Katherine Bodoh Chosen as Next CEO of American Gem Society
The American Gem Society (AGS) says that Katherine Bodoh will be the new CEO, taking over on March 1 from current CEO, Ruth Batson, who is retiring.
Mark Gershburg Leaving U.S. Kimberley Process Authority
Mark Gershburg, the CEO and founder of Gemological Science International (GSI), has announced that he will no longer be a director of the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA).
The USKPA is a trade association that works closely with the U.S. government to prevent the infiltration of conflict diamonds into legitimate trade.
HRD Antwerp to Offer English/Korean and English/Chinese Grading Reports
HRD Antwerp will start offering bilingual diamond grading reports, with the first available in English/Korean and English/Chinese from February 1, 2017.
The announcement was made as part of an economic mission to South Korea (Seoul) and China (Shanghai), presided over by Antwerp's Mayor Bart De Wever.
KP Meeting Opening Disrupted by Chinese Protest Against Taiwan Delegation
The first day of the Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting in Perth on May 1 was disrupted by the Chinese delegation which opposed the presence of the Taiwanese group.
Australia complained to China's ambassador to the country following the disruption, which was described by one attendee as "extraordinary".