What’s new in the world of jewelry? Here are hot news items culled from various fashion, entertainment and jewelry sources from around the world.
- Fall jewelry colors: bright and warm. Fall jewelry colors will contrast brighter-than-usual warm colors against versatile neutrals. Some “in” colors include Phlox (deep purple), Orchid Hush (gray with orchid undertones), Deep Teal (watery blueish green), Quarry (cool medium gray) and Cedar (midtone neutral green), Nougat (warm tan), Emberglow (bright warm orange), Bamboo (warm yellow with greenish undertone), Coffee Liqueur (rich creamy brown) and Honeysuckle (Awarded “Color of the Year” for 2011 by color technology company, Pantone).
- Real jeweler visits “Real Housewives.” Real-life jeweler Erica Courtney appeared on the October 3 episode of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Courtney did a walk-on to show housewife Camille various glittery gems she could wear to the Tony Awards.
- Celebrities gaga over cocktail rings. Celebrity Jewelry Gawk observed that today’s hottest celebrities are all about cocktail rings this season. From large, ornamental designs to more delicate feminine styles, cocktail rings are being seen on the red carpets of the world.
- Survey reveals most consumers prefer to sell to a jeweler. Most consumers prefer to sell their unwanted gold at local jewelry stores, according to a survey by MVI Marketing’s Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council. The survey found that 60 percent of people who sold gold did it at a local jewelry retailer, while 14 percent sold their gold through a television offer. Only 10 percent sold their jewelry at a one-day event.
- Company claims it can determine origin of diamonds. Texas company Materialytics claims it can determine the origin of a diamond with 95 percent accuracy. Materialytics uses lasers to determine the chemical composition of a mineral, then matches it against a database of that object’s properties. The company does not yet plan to market its technology, but there is much interest in the industry, in part due to its impact on the blood diamond trade.
- Citizens in Southwest Alaska voted to prevent the construction of the Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay. The ballot vote was conducted by mail among residents of the Lake and Peninsula borough. Residents voted 280-246 against building the mine. The Pebble project is controversial because critics say it will destroy the surrounding salmon habitat, along with the long-standing fishing business that goes with it. Jewelers including Zale and Tiffany support anti-mining efforts. The Pebble Partnership and the State of Alaska view the initiative as unconstitutional since it covers state-owned lands, and will challenge it in Alaska’s Superior Court.