Market News

Harry Winston buys $26.7 million Diamond at an Auction in Geneva

Harry Winston by Swatch Group bought a new colourless, flawless 101.73-carat diamond for a record $26.7 million at an auction in Geneva. Christie's representative Raul Kadakia told reporters after the sale that Harry Winston was the buyer of the diamond that smashed the previous auction-price record for a diamond in its category by more than $10 million. As the first ever buyer of the new diamond, Harry Winston had the priviledge of naming it and decided to call it the "Winston Legacy," Kadakia said. He noted this was the diamond dealer's first major purchase since it was bought up by the world's leading watchmaker for $1 billion in March.

Dubai holds the second most important international retail destination

Dubai has retained its position as the second most important international retail destination globally, with London continuing to hold the top position. But Dubai, isn’t just an important retail destination, it has been ranked among the world’s top five “hot markets” in 2012, with the global property consultancy stating that the emirate remains the highest ranked target market for new retailers.

Qatar GDP growth set to reach 7% in 2013 – according to Fitch

GDP growth in Qatar is expected to reach seven percent this year, Fitch Ratings has said in a recent report. The rating agency said public sector would drive credit growth related to the $95bn of planned infrastructure spending between 2011 and 2016.

Bahrain economic growth expected at 5% this year

Economic growth in Bahrain is expected to rise to more than five percent this year on the back of a rebound in oil production and expansion in non-oil sectors. The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) said the Gulf kingdom saw GDP growth of 3.4 percent last year with non-oil sectors expanding by 6.7 percent. The Kingdom of Bahrain is expected to host the most successful Jewellery Arabia exhibition towards mid of November 2013.

Company News

Trafalgar Opened New Versace Boutique in Kuwait

Versace announced the opening of its Kuwait boutique at Prestige, The Avenues Mall, with the new store concept conceived by Donatella Versace in collaboration with English architect Jamie Fobert. The 230 square meter store mixes the opulence and traditions of Italian architecture with the dynamism and energy of Versace today.

Montegrappa’s Pen will be kept in a Bonhams Auctions event to proceeds for Swiss Red Cross

Montegrappa will participate in a forthcoming Auction on June 11th with the house of Bonhams towards benefit of humane. The Montegrappa Bruce Lee Dragon pen in gold is on with the proceeds of the sales benefitting Swiss Red Cross. This pen is consigned by the Swiss Red Cross, and the funds raised by its sale will benefit humanitarian aid projects of the Swiss Red Cross.

Visconti inaugurated its first flagship store in Harrods, London

Visconti inaugurated its own flagship store in Harrods, London. Celebrities and VIP were present at the event like the famous footballer Emmanuelle Adebayor. It was the occasion for the official launch of the new Pininfarina Collection a very new nib pen made out of Carbongraphite.

Hublot's "H" has been revealed on Monaco helipads

Monaco helipad marked with Hublot’s “H” was unveiled in the presence of HSH the Prince Albert II of Monaco and Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot. This unique, innovative initiative was developed and led by the company Monacair, the official transporter of HSH the Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco, which had teamed up with Hublot to offer anyone arriving in Monaco by helicopter during the Grand Prix week.

Louis Vuitton opened its new store in Kuwait

Louis Vuitton opened its new store in Kuwait at the ‘Prestige’ area of the Avenues Mall, opened by Habchi & Chalhoub in Salhiya, the Maison reaffirms its attachment to the city and its clients by offering a real immersion into the Art of Travel a common bond shared by the people of Kuwait. For the first time in the region, the exclusive Haute Maroquinerie salon will also be available.

deLaCour announced their new partner in Oman

deLaCour announced the opening of their new authorized retailer, Al Faisal Company located in the prestigious Muscat city in Oman.

Product Launch

Tiffany & Co. results beat Wall Street expectations

Tiffany & Co. says its first-quarter net income rose 3 per cent as sales improved across all regions. The results beat Wall Street expectations, and its shares rose 6 per cent in premarket trading. Tiffany is a barometer of luxury spending so the latest results show the resilience among affluent shoppers despite economic challenges around the globe. The high-end jewellery company known for its blue boxes earned $83.6 million, or 65 cents per share, for the period ended April 30. That’s up from $81.5 million, or 64 cents per share, a year ago. Sales increased 9 percent globally to $895 million.

Graham launched new Chronofighter Oversize Superlight TT watch

Graham launched the new Chronofighter Oversize Superlight TT. Enhanced with a lightweight black carbon nanotube composite case, the highly shock absorbing watch weighs less than 100g. The new Superlight chronograph facilitates the measurement of speed because of the specific tachymeter scale based on the TT circuit. The yellow indicator on the minutes counter is at 17 min. The chrono starts when the race start is given. When the red minutes hand overlaps the yellow marker, the speed can be read in an instant on the scale.

Bloomingdale's -Dubai introduces Robert Wan Jewellery collection

Robert Wan celebrated Tahitian ‘Emperor of Pearls’ at Bloomingdale’s in Dubai. Bloomingdale’s- Dubai brings you three elegant collections; Trésors des iles or Island Treasures Collection inspired by the island of Marutea; Divas Collection a tribute to the great classic pieces of Robert Wan; and the playfully contemporary Wan Design Collection. These beautiful pieces are now available in the Fine Jewellery and Watches Department on the Ground Floor, Bloomingdale’s-Dubai, The Dubai Mall.

Exhibitions & Events

Stars dazzled in Chopard jewellery at the ‘In Love with Cinema’ Event

Naomie Harris wore white gold ring from the Temptations collection set with a pear-shaped tourmaline, a pair of rose gold earrings set with diamonds and rubellites and a rose gold bracelet set with rubies. Selita Ebanks wore a titanium ring from the Red Carpet Collection set with one oval diamond and diamonds and a pair of platinum earrings set with fancy cut diamonds. Erin Heatherton wore white gold necklace set with rubies, oval-shaped rubies and a pear-shaped diamond and a white gold ring set with a marquise cut brilliant diamond. Petra Nemcova wore white gold bracelet set by sapphires and white gold ring set with an oval pink diamond and a white gold pair of earrings set with pear-shaped, rose cut, round brilliant cut.

Fifth edition of Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair to be held in 2014

The organizing committee of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF) is pleased to announce that the Fifth Edition of the show will be held from January 26 to 28, 2014 in Antwerp. "The choice of the 2014 dates reflects our strategy to continue to attract buyers from all over the world who will be able to fit ADTF 2014 into their travel schedule," Polakiewicz added. Since 2010, ADTF has forged strong relationships with jewellery wholesalers and retailers in Europe, Asia and America. ADTF 2014 will be hosting delegations from diamond exchanges operating in the world's major consumer centres, including Hong Kong, Greater China and the United States. ADTF will be represented at the JCK Show - Las Vegas (29 May- 3rd June 2013) at the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC) pavilion, Booth B3819.

Celebrity News

Omega ambassador Nicole Kidman wore Ladymatic “Diamonds and Pearls” in Cannes

Omega ambassador Nicole Kidman displays Ladymatic collection, the “Diamonds and Pearls” wristwatch. The exquisite timepiece was at the jury photocall at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in France. The OMEGA De Ville Ladymatic “Diamonds and Pearls” is enriched with Omega’s Sedna gold, a stunning alloy of gold, copper and palladium.

Agathe de la Fontaine and Zhang Ziyi wore Boucheron jewellery in Cannes

Zhang Ziyi and Agathe de la Fontaine wore Maison Boucheron for the 66th Cannes Film Festival. Zhang wore the Serpent Bohème earrings in white gold set with diamonds and Agathe wore Pompon bracelet, dating from 1946 in yellow gold set with diamonds.

Zhang Ziyi wore Mouawad Jewellery in Cannes

Zhang Ziyi wore a Diamond set by Mouawad for Cannes Film Festival.

Nicole Kidman wore Harry Winston Diamonds at the annual Cannes Film Festival

Nicole Kidman wore Belle by Harry Winston Diamond Earrings; Two Ruby and Diamond Bracelets for the Cannes Film Festival Closing Ceremony.

Carey Mulligan and Elizabeth Debicki wore Tiffany diamonds to the Sydney, Australia premiere of the Great Gatsby

Carey Mulligan wore Tiffany Fancy Intense Yellow diamond earrings in platinum and gold with white diamonds and Tiffany Lucida Diamond Ring in platinum. Elizabeth Debicki wore Fancy Intense Yellow diamond flower bracelet in platinum with white diamonds from the 2013 Blue Book Collection. Daisy Fancy Intense Yellow diamond drop earrings in platinum

Stars Dazzled in Mont Blanc Jewellery in Cannes Film Festival

Sarah Marshall wore PGDM Seven star earings and Necklace with JC Jitrois wore TimeWalker and Jessica Miller wore collection 4810 pendant in red gold and diamonds.

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