BDI Newsletter – October 2016
BDI NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2016
We bring you the round-up of latest news, events, trends and developments in the diamond and jewelry industry
Lab-grown Diamonds
1. US jewelers are singing Lab-grown diamonds
Apart from recent entry of Ada Diamonds and AIDIA Fine Jewelers in the Lab-grown diamond segment, luxury department store Barneys New Yorkintroduced a jewelry collectionmade from Lab–grown diamonds, on 25th October. While the collection uses Lab–grown diamonds grown by Diamond Foundry, there are three designers involved in the collaboration – CVC stones, Eva Fehren and Nak Armstrong. Besides, Canada’s leading diamond jewelry retailer Spence Diamonds has announced opening of four stores in US, as a Proof of Concept of its expansion plan. Spence Diamondsplans to disruptthe jewelry industry in terms of consumer buying experience and going to offer Lab–grown diamond jewelry along with the mined ones. Read more….
2. AIDIA joins the burgeoning Lab-grown diamond club
More and more jewelry retailers now selling Lab-grown diamonds is amply clear. The latest addition to the burgeoning club is AIDIA Fine Jewelers, LLC that recently launched its signature Lab–grown diamond and fine jewellery design collection. Diamonds at AIDIA are grown in dedicated growing facility and cut and polished by experts from established cutting centers across the world. AIDIA’s 18K yellow, white and rose gold jewelry is designed with recycled gold. Read more…
3. Diamond miners considering to enter Lab-grown diamonds segment?
According to some surprising media reports, Russian state-owned ALROSA, world’s largest diamond miner, is exploring opportunities to venture into Lab-grown diamond segment. Detailed plan and further steps for the same are expected to be finalized within next one year. Lab-grown diamonds market has been on the radar of ALROSA’s think tank, which analyses diamond market conditions and possible threats to mined diamond industry happening due to development in technology. There are multifold reasons why diamond miners like ALROSA and De Beers may be considering Lab-grown diamonds. Read more…
4. Ada Diamonds becomes world’s first exclusive high-end jeweler of Lab-grown diamonds
A Silicon Valley based company – Ada Diamonds has vowed to make the world more beautiful using only conflict free, eco-friendly Lab-grown diamonds. It believes that modern technology, art and superior craftsmanship will be the future of diamond industry. Their jewelry is broadly categorized into – Signature designs from their collection and bespoke created designs. Apart from creating fine jewelry, Ada has partnered with several luxury brands like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Read more…
Diamond Applications
5. Diamonds are the new super material for data storage and material research
Digitization of more and more aspects of human world is creating enormous data at every single point of time. But even the modern avenues to store this data are saturating. Researchers from City College of New York published their research recently on how a type of defect in the diamond structure could be harnessed to store large amount of data practically, forever! Scientists are using Lab-grown diamonds for this research to efficiently control the concentration of the defect. On the other hand, in attempts to create superior materials in laboratory, researchers from University of Birmingham are using pressure greater than that found at the core of the earth. For this, nanocrystalline-diamond micro-anvil has been fabricated by using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and mask – less lithography techniques. The outcome of this research has potential application in various industries mainly biomedical, nuclear sciences, aerospace etc. Read more….
Markets
6. Recently concluded Gem and Jewelry fairs
September and first week of October saw some world class Gem and Jewelry fairs. Paris Biennale des Antiquaires took place in first week of September. Though the high jewelry segment shrunk comparatively this year, the event was scintillating. Four high jewelers who added to the glory of the event were – de Grisogono, Boghossian, Nirav Modi and Cindy Chao. The 34th edition of September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, a world’s top fine jewelry event, hosted around 3,600 exhibitors from 55 countries. UBM India organized 5th edition of Delhi Jewellery and Gem fair wherein over 300 brands participated. Read more…
ConflictDiamonds, Environment
7. Would Mother Nature Wear a ‘Conflict-Free’ Diamond?
Our Guest Author Anna-Mieke Andersontalks about her experience that compelled her to study about earth mined diamonds and create awareness regarding conflicts attached to them such as human atrocities, irreversible damage to ecosystem etc. While talking about types of diamond mining and listing certain fact–based issues, she focuses on how certification schemes like Kimberley Process Certification System have major loopholes and how conflict diamonds make their way into the market through countries like Zimbabwe, Brazil etc. despite such regulations. Read more…