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 imported into the United States. The "Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008," was signed by Bush on Tuesday and is to take effect 60 days later. Read Full Story Read Full Story

For the first time in its history, the Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) plans to release cumulative price-increase data for the year, National Jeweler has learned. DTC spokeswoman Louise Prior said the DTC most likely would make this announcement on Aug. 15, just before that month's sight, which is slated for the week of Aug. 18. The announcement will cover the cumulative changes in rough prices to date for 2008, which will give a "directional snapshot for the year," Prior said. Read Full Story... Read Full Story

Stornoway Diamond Corporation  closed a $22 million private placement comprising 24,444,444 common shares at a price of 90-cents per common share split equally between Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited and Lorito Holdings Limited. As a result of the private placement, Stornoway is now debt-free. Agnico-Eagle and Lorito held, equally between them, convertible debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $20 million, which were due in March 2009.  Read Full Story Read Full Story

Strong jewelry sales helped spur Christie’s International performance in the first half of 2008 as total company sales rose 10 percent to GBP 1.8 billion ($3.5 billion.) The auction house said it had record sales results in each of the jewelry and watches; impressionist and modern art; post-war and contemporary art; and Asian, Indian and Arab art categories. Jewelry, jadeite and watches sales rose 34 percent to GBP 140 million ($275 million,) with Asian art being the biggest growth area, up... Read Full Story

The Fortis metals monthly says the outlook for platinum is comfortably above $2,000/ounce on new investment demand, higher capital costs stemming from power generators and a looming Cosatu strike in South Africa. The Fortis/VM Group said in its monthly metals report more mining companies were likely to follow Eastern Platinum in installing their own diesel power generators that will add to their capital costs and could involve "new problems" given the high cost of crude oil. Read Full Story... Read Full Story

Moissanite maker Charles and Colvard and manufacturer K and G Creations are locked in a head-to-head battle in a North Carolina court, over which one owes the other money. Morrisville, N.C.-based Charles and Colvard fired the first shot on June 16, when it filed a complaint against K and G Creations in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Western Division. The complaint alleges that K and G Creations, also referenced in court documents as Jewelnet Corp. and Jewelnet... Read Full Story

Global diamond-jewelry manufacturer Ashi Diamonds has introduced Avalon Solution, a Web service designed to help jewelers build their brands and businesses online. The company says that Avalon Solution utilizes the latest developments in technology, jewelry styling and fashion to help jewelers extend their businesses on the Internet, offering retailers end-to-end e-commerce solutions and the ability to customize and continuously update their Web sites as much, or as little, as needed. Read... Read Full Story

G3 Jewelry, headquartered in New York City, NY, launched the "Glamour" line on its website in early July and wasted no time in finding a female endorser to represent the collection of customizable diamond jewelry for women. "We're very excited to have Riskay represent the 'Glamour' line. In seeking an endorser, we felt it was important to collaborate with an up-and-coming female artist who is confident and outspoken, but also embodies the everyday women who finds a way to manage the obstacles... Read Full Story

GemFind, one of the first and currently foremost internet sites to offer consumers access to an affiliated network of jewelers for loose diamonds (http://www.gemfind.com), designer jewelry and other precious gems, announces that International Diamond & Jewelry of Chicago, Illinois has become an affiliate member of its extensive collective of diamond merchants, appraisers, gemologists, diamond cutters and diamond jewelers. IDJ is a family owned-and operated diamond jeweler now it its 25th year... Read Full Story

Sales for luxury goods company Richemont increased 13 percent in actual exchange rates (20 percent on a constant exchange rate basis) in the first three months of its current fiscal year, including a slight increase in sales in the Americas. According to an interim management statement released on Wednesday by the Geneva-based company, sales from April to June for its Jewellery Maisons group... Read Full Story Read Full Story