ICA and other Gemstone Industry News

ICA Newsletter - January 2020

Director's Report from China

Chen Shen, ICA Director

Happy New Year to all!

I would like to share with you the industry news from Mainland China, and while you are probably aware of the challenges that are facing the world economies, including China, the news is a combination of slow and yet promising. When one looks at the overall economy of China, it is slowing, but there are some shining stars, especially for the colored gemstone business.

China Slowing Down

In the third quarter of 2019, China’s GDP growth rate did drop to 6.0%, the lowest level in 27 years, but you couldn’t tell that from the activity in the shampoo, fabric softener or pet food aisles.

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ICA Tucson Reception Hosted by 2020 Shenzhen China Congress

Tucson ... The ICA's Tucson Reception is famous for being the top gathering of the colored gemstone industry, where ICA members can network for business opportunities and enjoy their friendships!

ICA Shenzhen Congress 2020 Hosts ICA Reception in Tucson

The ICA's 2020 Congress in Shenzhen China, Sept 20-23, will host the annual ICA Tucson Reception at the Marriott Tucson University Park Hotel on Wednesday evening, February 5th.

Located in Shenzhen’s preeminent gem and jewelry cluster, ...

GILC Tucson 2020 - Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference

An ICA Invitation Only event

A Conversation between Gem Suppliers and Professional Gemological Laboratories

Monday, February 3rd

9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Tucson Convention Center

Graham Room

Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:00 am

NEW YORK... For over two decades, the Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference (GILC), organized by the ICA every year, has provided a space for industry peers to discuss worldwide gemstone issues like ethical practices, nomenclature, consumer confidence, terminology, and accurate use of laboratories for certification and grading purposes.

Short presentations will include the primary theme of this year’s conference, focusing on ...

MEMBERS ONLY

ICA Accredited Ethical Member Status

NEW YORK... It is part of ICA's mission to provide greater consumer confidence by lifting the awareness and improving the practices of our membership in the areas of responsible, ethical and sustainable trading.

ICA has worked very closely with The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and other industry organisations to develop strategies to continuously improve the manner in which colored gemstones are traded.

For this purpose, we have developed this Ethical Member Accreditation* portal for our membership.

It is intended that members who undertake this accreditation process will understand more fully their duty of care within the gem and jewellery supply chain and improve the practices within their organisation.

It consists of a series of steps containing ...

Van Cleef Opens First Ever Jewellery Exhibition in Italy

ISRAEL... French luxury jewellery, watch, and perfume company Van Cleef & Arpels has opened its first ever high jewellery exhibition. The Milan-based exhibition, titled “Time, Nature, Love”, features more than 400 watches and pieces of jewellery produced since the Maison was founded in 1906. “Time, Nature, Love” will run until February 23, 2020. ...

The Pantone 2020 Color of the Year Is as Classic as It Gets

JCK Online... Pantone has announced its 2020 Color of the Year, setting the tone for what feels like a fresh start as we get ready to usher in a new year.

Classic Blue, described by Pantone as reassuring, familiar, and “elegant in its simplicity,” is a welcome choice as we embark on a new decade, a purposeful selection by the color giant...

Why do high jewellers like Louis Vuitton and Cartier want Kashmir and Burmese sapphires?

South China Morning Post... Derived from the Latin word for the colour blue (sapphirus), sapphires are believed to be the gems of the heavens. The saturation of the blue hue is key to determining the value of this coveted gemstone, one of the big three alongside rubies and emeralds. ...

World Royal Treasures Come to Shenzhen

CHINADAILY.COM.CN ... An exhibition titled "Awaken: Royal Jewellery Arts from Renaissance to the 20th Century" opened at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province.

More than 160 pieces of royal treasures collected from 20 countries and regions and spanning four centuries are on display. The exhibits cover necklaces, pendants, pocket watches, crowns, snuff bottles and other luxury items from Europe, as well as turquoise bottles and gold bracelets from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Among them over 100 treasures are on display for the first time. ...

Why are Chinese jewellery designers getting millions of dollars at auction for their creations?

South China Morning Post... Now firmly in the international spotlight, Chinese jewellery designers are commanding astronomical prices at auction, and talent from around Asia and the rest of the world who look to the East for inspiration are also enjoying long overdue attention. ...

The Most Stunning Jewels Worn at the 2020 Golden Globes

TOWN & COUNTRY... The 2020 Golden Globes red carpet was jam packed with a-list sartorial moments, from Gwyneth Paltrow in Fendi, but the jewels worn by the stars were no less dazzling. Stars such as Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Aniston turned it out for the 77th annual event thrown by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, wearing precious gemstones, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and jewelry designs that truly marveled. ...

Leave a Powerful Impression with These Showstopping Necklaces

SINGAPORE... When accessorizing for the purpose of making an entrance, a statement necklace is absolutely essential. There’s no better way to instantly draw attention than with e laborately designed jewellery proudly displayed front and center – even better if it is set with exceptional gems, then worn against a neckline that perfectly frames its magnificence.

We enjoy jewellery in two different ways – ...

Francesca Cartier Brickell on the early years of Cartier, Hope Diamond and ‘Hindou jewels'

CNBC... London-based Francesca Cartier Brickell’s 'The Cartiers: The Untold Story of a Jewellery Empire' chronicles the tale of the family as well as the firm’s most iconic jewellery.

The House of Cartier was founded in 1847, in Paris, by Louis-Francois Cartier. In the early decades of the 1900s, his grandsons – Louis, Pierre and Jacques – combined their unique talents to establish Cartier as the world’s leading jewellery firm. ...

Wondrous and Breathtaking Wilensky Gallery Exhibit, “Gemstone Masterpieces,” Honors Lapidary Artistry

NEW YORK... Raw and untouched, minerals are occasionally unearthed as specimens of exceptional beauty and rarity. When used for ornament—as an intarsia box, a carved instrument, sculpture or a remarkable piece of jewelry—minerals are altered as faceted gemstones, which meet a maker, ultimately being transformed into works of art. Wilensky, the Chelsea gallery exhibiting the art of exquisite minerals, celebrates craftsmanship that turns nature’s marvels into the extraordinary. ...

Fura Announces Update on Australian Sapphire Mining Project Acquisition

TORONTO... Fura Gems Inc. is a gemstone mining and marketing company which is engaged in the mining, exploration and acquisition of gemstone licences. Fura’s headquarters are located in Toronto, Canada and its administrative headquarters are located in the Gold Tower, Dubai. Fura is listed on the TSXV under the ticker symbol “FURA”.

Fura is engaged in the exploration of resource properties in Colombia and owns a 76% interest in the Coscuez emerald mine in Boyacá, Colombia. Fura is involved in the exploration and mining of rubies in Mozambique through its 80% effective interest in four ruby licenses (4392L, 3868L, 3869L and 6811L) and its 100% interest in ruby license 5572L. ...

ICA pavilions in Tucson, Hong Kong

NEW YORK... The ICA will have trade show pavilions in Tucson at the GJX, Gem & Jewelry Exchange, and in Hong Kong at the HKTDC Asia World Expo.

Click here to see our ICA Pavilion Locations:

Tucson GJX

Hong Kong March HKTDC

Crushing on Cabochon:

7 Unfaceted Jewels

JCK MAGAZINE... There’s nothing quite like the way a faceted gemstone sparkles when the light hits it—and it’s wonderful to see the way a lapidary artist can facet a stone—but a cabochon can be just as magical.

Among a sea of diamond statement necklaces, we saw that exemplified at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards ...

20 of Kate Middleton's Most Eye-Catching Necklaces

CAFE MOM... We all know how sunny Kate Middleton is. She can practically clear the clouds away. It makes sense that she would have a necklace to match her personality: royal, bright, beautiful, and golden -- just like her heart! ...

Medieval ‘love token’ ring goes on display after discovery by metal detectorist

NORTHERN IRELAND... The ring, which is set with ruby and emerald gemstones, was found by a metal detectorist in a field near York.

A medieval gold ring which has gone on display after being found by a metal detectorist is likely to have been a 15th-century love token, an expert has said.

The artefact, which is currently being shown at the Yorkshire Museum in York, is believed to have been owned by a “potentially prominent member of society”.

It was found by detectorist Paul Ibbotson, lying beneath ...