Diamond Diva Online

Looking for STOLEN JEWELRY???

One of my most difficult duties as an appraiser is to assist people in describing and replacing stolen jewelry. I'm going to venture out and say that 99% of the jewelry lost or stolen is never recovered by the owner. Now there is someone on your side. Here's an except from the Jewelers Security Alliance about www.stolenjewelry.org

JSA launches stolen jewelry Web site

FEBRUARY 27, 2006 - New York -- Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) has launched a jewelry industry clearinghouse for information on stolen merchandise.

JSA's Stolen Jewelry Web site, StolenJewelry.org, gathers information on jewelry that has been stolen or recovered in the United States for the jewelry industry, law enforcement, insurance personnel and the general public.

Those who have had jewelry stolen, and want to make information about the stolen merchandise available to law enforcement personnel and others in the trade, can post notice through the Web site. With listings that encompass watches, gems and jewelry, items reported as stolen can also be referenced on the site.

Art, furniture, stamps, coins and other valuables are not eligible for listing on the JSA site, according to the group. Items that are not identifiable or are of low value, and those that lack distinguishing characteristics may not be suitable for inclusion in the database. JSA will evaluate submissions to determine their eligibility for listing on the site.

Searches and listings on the Stolen Jewelry Web site are free. Access to the database requires online registration, including an e-mail address. Law enforcement personnel can list any recovered or stolen merchandise, while jewelers or members of the public can list stolen jewelry as long as they have filed a police report, and inform JSA when and with which agency the report was filed.

In keeping with JSA's commitment to maintaining the privacy of those who use and report information on stolen jewelry through its Web site, information reported to JSA will be used only to facilitate investigation, identification and recovery of stolen jewelry, and will only be provided to law enforcement personnel and others with a need to know, according to the group.

JSA urges law enforcement and the public to exercise caution with respect to the data provided via the site. The database is only a starting point for locating, identifying and recovering stolen jewelry merchandise. JSA recommends that no law enforcement or legal action be taken without further investigation.

JSA developed the site with a grant from the JCK Industry Fund.

For more information: www.stolenjewelry.org

Jewelers Alert! Security Warning!

This is from the Jewelers Security Alliance

WEEKEND BAD CHECK WARNING!

JSA issued a Wanted Bulletin dated February 1, 2006 for Sam Shepherd, an escaped convict who has on several occasions used personal checks written on closed accounts to pay for 2-carat diamond rings at retail jewelers in

Kentucky

,

Tennessee

and

West Virginia

. After making preliminary phone calls, Shepherd has visited retail jewelers on Saturday afternoons, after the banks have closed, making it impossible for the jewelers to call Shepherd’s bank regarding his account. As recently as February 13, 2006, he pawned a 2.09 ct. brilliant, round diamond in a six-pronged, white gold setting in

Chattanooga

,

TN.

He has been reported to be driving in a gold, two-door Lexus. He is a white male, 38 years old, 5’8”, 195 lbs, brown hair.

If you know anything that can help JSA contact them:

Jewelers' Security Alliance Crime AlertNetwork.

jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org

If you can't decide between a jewelry store and an candy shop..

Tuesday is the big old day! That's right. And diamonds are a girl's best friend. Here's an interesting item from the Tupelo Daily Journal.

Diamonds or Sweets?   Try both at once.

If you can't decide between diamonds and something sweet for your sweetheart this holiday season, a Japanese store has the answer: both!

Takashimaya Department Store in central Tokyo is offerina a diamond studded, $1.7 million cake. The sparkling pink creation which went on sale last Tuesday "has already received many inquireies" from prospective customers, said store spokesman Takeshi Murinaka.

A total of 223 diamonds- including a 5 carat, heart shaped stone, adorn the double layer, marzipan-coated fruitcake, designed by Tokyo-based sweets chef Jeong Hong-Yong.

"It's entirely edible, except for the diamonds, of course", Morinaka said.

Ok Guys, Let's get out there and start spending!

Ahh, only one week until Valentine's Day. As jewelers we used to think it the magic day to "pop" the big question. For the truly romantic at heart, it still is. A nice dinner, candles and well, you fill in the blanks here.

In case this scenario doesn't fit or you're still wondering what to do. Here's the results of a survey I found very interesting.

Survey: Valentine's Day spending to rise

FEBRUARY 06, 2006 - Washington -- Retailers, take heart: Consumers will spend an average of $100.89 on Valentine's Day this year, up from the $97.27 average spent last year, according to a new study from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Conducted by BIGresearch, NRF's 2006 Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey shows that 14.6 percent of shoppers plan to purchase jewelry as Valentine's Day gifts this year. The study finds that 60.9 percent of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, spending a total of $13.7 billion, up from the $13.19 billion spent last year.

More men will buy jewelry than last year, with 22.4 percent of men planning to pick up baubles for the holiday, an increase from the 18.1 percent who bought jewelry for Valentine's Day last year. Men will also represent the biggest spenders, with the average male spending $135.67—almost twice the $68.64 average spent by women.

So fellas, let's get out there and spend that $135.67!! May I suggest starting at my EBAY website?

http://stores.ebay.com/Tupelo-Jewelry-and-Gifts

So you think having a certified diamond is the answer?

Gemologists urged to double-check grading reports

The Tucson Gem Show is a must go for those in the gem trade. It's a gathering of the best gemstones and the worst gemstones from all over the world. The latest in gem information and technology is usually in the spotlight, but this year the buzz is about the frackus at the GIA Lab that grades diamonds. Here is an except from National Jeweler Magazine.

By Teresa Novellino

FEBRUARY 02, 2006 - Tucson, Ariz. -- Gemologists who gathered in Tucson for gem shows and seminars were urged to take a more active role in promoting consumer confidence and the integrity of their work, particularly in the wake of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)’s diamond
grading report scandal.

Speaking to attendees of the Accredited Gemologists Association conference, C.R. “Cap” Beesley, president of the American Gemological Laboratories in New York, said it is crucial that gem grading reports be verified by a gemologist, and if need be, challenged.

“The success of Blue Nile is in part due to their certification process,” Beesley said during a seminar on New Grading Challenges. “They use GIA certs and [American Gem Society] certs, then verify them and bounce them back if there’s any variation…Verification is a critical service that you can offer to your
clients.”

Citing an investigative report that aired on Dateline, which found variations in how diamonds were graded, depending upon which labs did the grading and where the diamonds were purchased, Beesley said such fluctuations are rampant.

“When you start tampering with consumer confidence, you tamper with the nature of our business,” he said.