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Hari Krishna Exports Organises Mass Wedding For 53 CouplesHari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. organised a mass wedding (samuh lagan) ceremony for 53 couples on its factory premises in Surat on November 20th. More than 7,000 guests participated in the function and were given a dinner reception.

Dignitaries present on the occasion included Mahant Shri Devprasadji Maharaj, Govindhbai Dholakia, and Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. founder Savji Dholakia.

The company conducted its first mass wedding ceremony for 49 couples in 2014, and 66 couples tied the knot in 2015. The 53 couples who got married this year received a trousseau kit comprising diamond jewellery and household items.

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Nirmala Sitharaman Visits MMTC’s Gold FestivalNirmala Sitharaman, union minister of state for commerce and industry (independent charge), visited the MMTC’s Festival of Gold exhibition-cum-sale in New Delhi on late October. Rita A. Teaotia, commerce secretary, and other dignitaries had accompanied her to the show.

GIA Offers Internationally Recognised Jewellery Design Course

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has started offering its internationally recognised Jewelry Design (JD) Certificate in Mumbai beginning December 1st. The course gives students the skills to translate their ideas into a piece of jewellery.

The extensive nine-week JD course helps students understand jewellery design concepts and acquire a working knowledge of jewellery artistry. Taught by experienced instructors, students learn the art of conceptualising and rendering jewellery designs by combining technical and practical skills.

Students develop the skills to illustrate the shape, form and texture of metal; render faceted gems, cabochons and pearls; and apply traditional drafting techniques to design jewellery. Students finish the course with a portfolio of designs that showcases their work for potential employers, and gain enhanced skills to build their collections and the confidence to enter the jewellery industry’s creative domain.

The JD Certificate is ideal for students pursuing a career in jewellery design, and for manufacturers and other individuals entering the gem and jewellery industry.

For more details about GIA in India, email eduindia@gia.edu

Edujobs Academy Launches GJSCI’s RPL Programme In Kolkata

Kolkata-based institute Edujobs Academy, a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) partner company, launched the Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India’s (GJSCI’s) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Goldsmith Programme. The RPL programme is a GJSCI initiative formed under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana that will assist more than 8,000 unorganised goldsmiths of West Bengal to be certified.

The event was attended by Sadhan Pande, minister for consumer affairs, self help-group and self-employment, Government of India; Smita Bakshi, member of West

Bengal Legislative Assembly, Government of West Bengal; and Binit Bhatt, CEO of GJSCI.

“We are working towards ensuring that a skilled and certified labour force is created and has the right work environment for their financial and physical well-being, apart from increasing their productivity. For this initiative, we are constantly working with several state governments. RPL is the first step for an individual to explore career choices in the industry. On the other hand our Dakshagram initiative will catalyse the transition of the gems and jewellery industry into an organised sector,” said Prem Kothari, chairman, GJSCI.

GJSCI has been tasked with nurturing the 3.5 million skilled yet uncertified workers of the gems and jewellery industry. Due to the unstructured nature of the industry, skilled artisans who contribute to the jewellery creation process at times struggle to make ends meet.

“At GJSCI our aim is to create awareness and counsel candidates about career choices and prep them to enrol for courses. The RPL programme will play a very important role to achieve this aim. We have so far trained 80,000-plus candidates and certified more than 20,000 candidates. We have a massive target of training 2.7 million individuals and at the same time attracting bright talent to create a career in the industry that has several roles and job opportunities to offer,” added Bhatt.

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Olivier Dupon Unveils Couture Jewellery BookUK-based art, design and fashion expert, Olivier Dupon does it again! His new book, Fine Jewelry Couture features 35 top jewellery artists from Australia, Brazil, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, the UK and USA. All the artists have an innovative approach to design, and Dupon has used his expertise to handpick couture jewellery designers who are unique.

He has featured new talent as well as highly recognised names in the industry – Aida Bergsen’s flora and fauna-inspired designs; Anabela Chan’s finely detailed laser-cut brooches; and Elie Top’s

yellow gold spheres that are crafted with mathematical precision.

He introduces each designer through a biographical note, his or her working practices and a number of illustrations, sketches and images of beautifully finished one-off designs.

The book highlights a useful glossary and notes of designers’ websites to offer a perfectly well curated book for jewellery connoisseurs and professionals.

Dupon’s other books include The New Artisans, The New Jewelers, The New Pâtissiers, Floral Contemporary, Encore! The New Artisans and Shoe.

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Blue Nile To Be Sold For $500 MnLeading online jeweller Blue Nile entered into an agreement to be acquired by an investor group comprising funds managed by Bain Capital Private Equity and Bow Street LLC.

The investor group will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Blue Nile common stock for approximately $500 million in an all-cash deal. Blue Nile stockholders will receive $40.75 in cash per share, representing a premium of approximately 34% over Blue Nile’s closing price on November 4th 2016.

“Since its inception, Blue Nile’s guiding principle has been to provide value to its customers, suppliers, and shareholders, and this transaction provides tremendous value to all,” said Blue Nile chairman, CEO and president Harvey Kanter. “Blue Nile will continue its innovative drive that has disrupted the diamond industry and made us the smartest, easiest, and most pressure-free way for consumers to buy a diamond.”

“This is an opportunity to acquire a true disruptor in a fundamentally attractive and growing segment of the diamond industry,” said Ryan Cotton, managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity. “Blue Nile provides a clearly superior consumer value proposition and offers a convenient delivery model that enables choice and selection in a no-pressure environment. We believe the company will continue to grow as educated consumers continue to seek easy and convenient shopping experiences that deliver transparent pricing and enhanced value.”

“Blue Nile is a unique business with a strong platform in an industry that is rapidly evolving and migrating online,”

said Howard Shainker, managing partner at Bow Street. “We are excited to work alongside Blue Nile management and Bain Capital to execute on the company’s strategy.”

Blue Nile’s board of directors unanimously approved the deal and recommended that stockholders vote their shares in favour of the transaction. Blue Nile will become a privately-held company and continue to be headquartered in Seattle, WA. Closing of the deal is subject to customary conditions, including the approval of Blue Nile’s stockholders and required regulatory approvals. There are no financing conditions associated with the proposed acquisition.

The transaction is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2017. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Blue Nile may solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties during a 30-day “go-shop” period, following the date of execution of the merger agreement.

Hindustan Platinum Gets LBMA Accreditation For SilverHindustan Platinum (HP), an Indian manufacturer and refiner of precious metal products, received Good Delivery accreditation from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) for silver bars produced from its Navi Mumbai refinery. The accreditation ensures that HP’s silver bars will

be widely accepted and traded among global bullion banks and trading houses in major international markets.

Apart from silver, HP is the only Indian refiner in the London Platinum and Palladium Market’s (LPPM) Good Delivery list for platinum and palladium since May 2014.

Hindustan Platinum has satisfied the LBMA & LPPM as to its ownership, history, production capability and financial standing. It has also passed the exhaustive testing procedures under which its bars were examined and assayed by independent referees, and its own assaying capabilities were tested.

Speaking on the accreditation, Gautam Choksi, executive director, Hindustan Platinum said, “It’s a proud moment for India and Hindustan Platinum for being part of the LBMA’s and LPPM’s Good Delivery List. It showcases our capability of producing high quality precious metal bars in India with the ‘Made in India’ stamp which will be accepted in major international markets. Having a global customer base in over 50 countries, we will continue to refine and produce high quality precious metal products for our customers globally in a cost-efficient manner.” ©

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Alrosa’s Jan-Sep 2016 Revenue +48% To $3.9 Mn

demand for diamonds has driven up sales volumes and reduced the remaining diamond inventories. Cost control measures have allowed us to keep production costs growth rate at the minimum level.

Alrosa, the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds in terms of volume, said its revenue for the January-September 2016 period increased by 48% year-on-year and totalled RUB255.6 billion ($3.9 billion). The group’s net profit grew more than three-fold compared with a year earlier and reached RUB116.9 billion ($1.8 billion).

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 67% to RUB150.0 billion ($2.3 billion), and the EBITDA margin totalled 59%.

In a conference call, Igor Kulichik, CFO & vice-president of Alrosa, said,

“The 54% increase in revenue from diamond sales (RUB83.5 billion/$1.28 billion) was driven by the 31% sales volumes growth, and also by the ruble weakening against the US dollar by 14% year-on-year in 9M 2016. A drop in the average price of the sold diamonds in 9M 2016 was primarily due to the company’s price cutting initiatives back in 2015.”

Net income and free cash flow increased threefold year-on-year to RUB116.9 billion ($1.8 billion) and RUB104.1 billion ($1.6 billion) respectively.

Andrey Zharkov, CEO of Alrosa, said: “The recovering

The threefold growth in the net cash flow and net profit of the company creates enough liquidity to increase dividend payments to the shareholders and early debt repayment”.

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Vicenzaoro Jewellery Show Realigns Dates

Fiera di Vicenza announced strategic changes to its 2017 calendar of the Vicenzaoro jewellery trade shows that will enable the events to support dynamic growth in international gold and jewellery trade.

Vicenzaoro January is now slated from 20 to 25, and Vicenzaoro September will be shifted to the end of the month from the 23rd to the 27th. The September show will now coincide with Milan Fashion Week. Consequently,

Italy will be the international hub of fashion and jewellery in September 2017, favouring a systematic approach that spotlights the best of Italian luxury, all in one place.

Through the DV Global Link LLC joint venture between the Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre, significant new changes are also taking centre stage at the Vicenzaoro Dubai international jewellery show. The show will be shifted from spring to late fall, scheduled for 15-18 November in order to support November-March high season sales in the Middle East.

Vicenzaoro Dubai 2017 will also feature a revamped format reinforcing the show’s role as a strategic springboard for the international jewellery community. The show will indeed double its target markets, opening to the public whilst providing a new and exclusive space for trade professionals, thus preserving the B2B spirit that has always set the Vicenzaoro jewellery shows apart.

With the September event scheduled at the end of the month, the 2017 calendar will also leave room to expand the exhibition offering to promote Made In Italy brands. For this purpose, the blueprint for a third Italian show is now being finalised for late spring, with the aim to strengthen relations between Italian and classified international gold and jewellery companies. A momentous task, this calls for the addition of a third annual show in order to cover all Made in Italy jewellery categories nationwide.

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Bluestone.com Introduces Gold-dispensing ATMs Allowing shoppers to purchase gold off a vending machine, Bluestone.com, an online jewellery retailer, has launched gold ATMs. The machines located at Forum Mall in Bengaluru and Select City Walk in Delhi are equipped to dispense certified 24-karat gold coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 grams.

Introducing shoppers in the two cities to a gold ATM for the first time, the concept is aimed at providing exceptional convenience during the festive rush. It also offers the most unique shopping experience for buyers of gold who have so far purchased precious metals either from a jewellery store or online. First-time buyers and men especially are expected to make the most of the gold ATM owing to its functional and practical aspects. Installation of the machines at two very popular locations in the cities of Bengaluru and Delhi ensure convenience to shoppers in a rush to buy gifts for the auspicious festive season.

Speaking on the launch, Arvind Singhal, COO, Bluestone.com said, “Introduction of the gold ATM during the festive season not only adds convenience to buying gold but is also a means to connect with our customers by providing them with physical touch points. Customers can purchase gold coins of multiple denominations by cash or card, making it ideal for buying gold for gifting or as an investment option.”

Visitor Hits Upon 2.03-ct Diamond At Crater Of Diamonds State Park

diamond’s metallic shine on top of the ground about three feet away from where he was standing.

Park interpreter Betty Coors noted, “Dan Frederick has proven, once again, that it is possible to find large, beautiful diamonds while surface searching. This is an example of a diamond that all park visitors dream of taking home.”

Larger diamonds are occasionally found on top of the search area by park visitors. Diamonds are a bit heavy for their size, and when rain washes dirt away, they are sometimes exposed to the surface. When the sun comes out, they sparkle and are easier to spot.

Coors noted, “The Lucky Diamond is pearly white in colour. It appears to be a macle gem, a distinct triangular shape that results when two diamond crystals share part of the same structure during formation deep within the earth.”

It took less than an hour for Dan Frederick of Renton, Washington, and his daughter Lauren to spot a 2.03-carat white diamond on the side of a ploughed furrow at Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park. The Fredericks arrived at Arkansas’s diamond site at 8am on Monday, October 3, 2016, and by 9am they were holding ‘The Lucky Diamond’.

The Fredericks had never been to the Crater of Diamonds State Park before. They found the diamond near the Star of Arkansas diamond marker on the north end of the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area. Dan spotted the

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GIA Acquires Joel and Barbara Hauser’s Mineral Collection

GIA’s museum has acquired 63 ornamental minerals of exceptional size and quality, made possible through a generous donation by the family of Joel and Barbara Hauser. Many of the pieces are from localities with restricted access or that are no longer producing. These will serve as prime learning tools for students and visitors to GIA about mineral formation and lapidary artistry. Nearly 50 of these minerals went on view at the institute’s Carlsbad museum on November 9th.

For more than 60 years, native Californian Joel Hauser ardently pursued his hobby of collecting agates, geodes, ornamental minerals and petrified wood. His decades of devotion culminated in an impressive and celebrated mineral collection. On one trip in pursuit of mineral marvels, he unearthed a deposit of agate geodes in Riverside County’s Little Chuckawalla Mountains, known today as the Hauser Geode Beds.

Hauser was also a skilled lapidary, mastering the art of contour polishing. “His freeform, undulating polishing

style adds interest and texture while removing blemishes, without having to grind away more material than necessary. Joel’s expertise, guided by an artistic eye and perspective, revealed the lovely patterns, markings and colours in the minerals,” says Terri Ottaway, GIA’s museum curator. Hauser also designed and modified saws and grinding equipment that could handle the cutting and polishing of even large pieces of petrified wood.

His wife Barbara and their four sons have donated the collection’s finest ornamental minerals to GIA in his memory. The significant acquisition helps the institute fulfil its mission to educate and inspire students and the public about gems, gem minerals and jewellery.

Azurite (Bisbee, AZ). Photo by Orasa Weldon; © GIA

Laguna Iris Agate (Mexico). Photo by Orasa Weldon; © GIA

Petrified pinecone and wood (Argentina and Utah). Photo by Orasa Weldon; © GIA

Variscite (Utah). Photo by Orasa Weldon; © GIA

Sarine Q3 Revenue Leaps 82% To $17.3 MnSarine Technologies Ltd., an Israel-based manufacturer of diamond and gemstone processing equipment, recorded a net profit of $4 million on revenues of $17.3 million in the third quarter of 2016. The company reversed a net loss of $1.4 million in Q3 2015, while its revenues jumped 82% this quarter on the back of increased

viable prices and the absence of inventory overhang, Sarine stated.

During the quarter, Sarine deployed a record 22 Galaxy family systems, comprising 12 new Meteor small stone machines, 7 Solaris machines, 2 Galaxy Ultra machines and 1 Galaxy system. One of the Galaxy Ultra systems was deployed to the group’s

manufacturing equipment sales and higher recurring revenue.

The growth was broad-based across most geographical segments as business conditions continue to improve with positive renewed consumer demand for polished diamonds in key markets, robust supply of rough diamonds at economically

service centre in India to meet strong demand for these high-end services. As of September 30 2016, the group has an installed base of 275 Galaxy family systems.

For the nine months ended September 30 2016, group revenue rose 49% to $53.6 million, and net profit surged significantly by 515% to $13 million.

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De Beers Pilots Third-Party B2B Polished Selling Service

De Beers said that its Auction Sales business will offer midstream diamond companies the opportunity to sell certain types of polished diamonds to other trade participants on its auction platform.

The new limited scope, business-to-business pilot is an extension of the service for rough diamonds that was launched earlier this year. It follows existing customer demand for an equivalent service for their polished diamonds. As with the third-party rough diamond auction pilot, any seller wishing to use the service will need to comply with a range of ethical requirements, including:1. Seller Integrity: All sellers must comply with the

Registered Seller Declaration of Compliance, Integrity and Probity, which outlines the requirements for auction participation, comply with the De Beers Best Practice Principles and comply with anti-corruption laws.

2. The De Beers Auction Sales Source of Origin Provenance Process: All polished diamonds must be accompanied by a suite of evidence that documents the diamond’s

manufacturing history. This enables De Beers Auction Sales to confirm that the polished diamond has been manufactured from a rough diamond whose provenance is assured through the Kimberley Process. The De Beers Auction Sales Diamond Trading Standard, initially introduced when the third-party rough diamond selling service was launched, has been extended to provide assurance as to the provenance of polished diamonds.

3. Product Disclosure: All diamonds offered for sale on the platform must undergo a comprehensive three-level screening process to identify synthetic and/or treated polished diamonds.By ensuring that sellers comply with these additional

requirements on integrity, polished diamond provenance, and product disclosure, buyers will be able to bid on these stones with confidence, De Beers said.

In line with De Beers Auction Sales’ rough diamond service, the polished diamond service is available for single stones over 5 carats in weight or of fancy colour. The service will offer eligible diamond businesses a new route to market and enable them to benefit from De Beers Auction Sales’ expertise, technology and distribution network.

Neil Ventura, executive vice president, De Beers Auction Sales, said: “As a business, we’re always looking to innovate and find new ways to meet our customers’ needs. Testing new ideas through pilots such as this is an important part of this process and we look forward to seeing how the trade responds to the extension of the third-party selling service – once we have some initial feedback we can decide whether there is sufficient demand to continue with it.

“An important consideration was whether we could offer the same industry-leading level of assurance regarding provenance – and with our provenance checking process, created in consultation with existing customers, we are confident that we are able to do so.”

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Gold/Italy A Middling FairGold/Italy, the second autumn trade show of jewellery made in Italy, ended as expected. Visitor attendance was 8% higher than the previous year, which is significant in view of the slack gold export markets especially in the UAE and North Africa.

“The balance between the combination of gold and fashion jewellery is on the rise this year,” noted Andrea Boldi, president of Arezzo Fiere and Congressi of the fourth edition of Gold/Italy.

“For the first time we had buyers from India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. We are confident that the orders placed will help turn around end-of-the-year sales. There has been only a modest signal from the internal market. With respect to silverware, it was a cash and carry area at the show.”

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Australia’s Q3 Gold Output Up 3% Despite Wet WeatherMelbourne-based gold mining consultants Surbiton Associates said Australian gold production for the September 2016 quarter rose marginally to 75 tonnes despite heavy rainfall which affected some operations in the Eastern States. Gold output in the latest period rose 2% on the June 2016 quarter and was some 3% higher than the September quarter in 2015.

“It was a good performance given the wet weather that took its toll on some of the gold producers in NSW, Victoria and South Australia,” said Dr Sandra Close, a director of Surbiton Associates. “Overall, local producers have continued to take advantage of the higher Australian dollar gold prices that have prevailed for much of 2016.”

Earlier last month gold prices spiked to almost $1,340 (A$1,760) per ounce in the run up to the US presidential elections. This followed the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom in June when local gold prices rose to a record of more than A$1,830 per ounce.

“Although the prevailing local gold price is considerably below these peaks, it has still been pretty encouraging,” Dr Close said. “So far, throughout much of 2016, gold has traded in Australian dollar terms mostly between A$1,600 and A$1,800 per ounce and averaged near A$1,700 per ounce.”

Dr Close said that the various “hedging” mechanisms that had attracted much criticism when gold prices were rising during the interval 2003-2011, had come back into favour, with the two recent sharp peaks providing gold producers with brief opportunities to lock in gold sales at very attractive prices.

She noted that financial markets expected the US Federal Reserve would increase interest rates in mid-December. The likelihood of rising US interest rates and some of the proposed policies of President-elect Trump have boosted the value of the US dollar and have seen the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record levels on Wall Street. Both of these factors are negative for gold.

“The recent decline in both the Australian dollar and US dollar gold prices reflects the latest market views on interest rates,” Dr Close said. “But the local gold industry has the benefit of the exchange rate effect, where the Australian dollar has fallen considerably against the US dollar over the past few years.”

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GJTCI Excellence Awards Given Away

The Gem & Jewellery Trade Council of India (GJTCI) presented the fourth edition of Excellence Awards on November 20 at YMCA International, Ahmedabad.

GJTCI Excellence Awards recognises and honours the best in the Indian gems and jewellery industry, and

those who fulfil their social responsibilities through their business.

Shantibhai Patel, president, GJTCI, informed that this year it aimed at encouraging women entrepreneurs in the industry. Awards were given to Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA India, jewellery

rewards hard work and unmatched quality and craftsmanship that jewellers strive to achieve throughout the year. Unlike other awards that focus only on jewellery design, the Excellence Awards also focuses on people who take the industry to higher heights as well as

designers Farah Khan Ali and Suhani Pittie.

This event was presented by Swarovski and powered by GIA. It was supported by IndextB, Gujarat Tourism and JewelTrade. Chief guest Vajubhai Vala, governor of Karnataka, presented the awards.

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De Beers Q3 Diamond Output +4% To 6.3 Mn CtDiamond production increased by 4% to 6.3 million carats compared with Q3 2015 when production was reduced in response to the prevailing trading conditions.

Mark Cutifani, Anglo American chief executive, said “The modestly higher production at De Beers is reflective of improved market conditions relative to Q3 2015, but we maintain a cautious outlook.”

At Debswana, Botswana, production increased by 12% to 4.5 million carats with production at Jwaneng increasing by 47% as a result of planned maintenance in Q3 2015 being prioritised in light of trading conditions. This was partly offset by a planned 22% decrease at Orapa to align aggregate production to trading conditions.

Diamond output at De Beers Consolidated Mines, South Africa, increased by 6 % to 1.1 million carats largely as a result of processing higher grades at Venetia and increased throughput at Voorspoed. This was partly offset by the early completion of the sale of Kimberley Mines in January 2016.

Namdeb Holdings, Namibia, saw its diamond production decrease by 13% to 0.4 million carats with lower grades at Namdeb Land, and the Debmar Pacific vessel being in port for planned maintenance in Q3 2016 at Debmarine Namibia.

Diamond production in Canada decreased by 48% to 0.2 million carats due to Snap Lake being placed on care and maintenance in December 2015. This was partially offset by first production at Gahcho Kué, which was officially opened on September 20 2016 and ramp-up is progressing well.

Consolidated rough diamond sales in Q3 2016 increased by 77% to 5.3 million carats, reflecting improved trading conditions from those experienced in Q3 2015, when higher pipeline stock impacted midstream demand.

De Beers said its full year production guidance remains unchanged at 26-28 million carats, subject to trading conditions.

Platinum Evara Presents Band Baajaa Bride With SabyasachiPlatinum Evara presented the 7th season of Band Baajaa Bride with Sabyasachi. The new season of Band Baajaa Bride coincides with the launch of Platinum Evara’s new collection to widen its appeal to the new modern bride. This year, Platinum Evara took an interesting step during registrations and gave brides-to-be an opportunity to be a part of the show through a digital contest. The winner gets direct entry into season 7 and will be crowned the “Evara Bride”.

With love at the heart of every design, Platinum Evara is a classic representation of modern marriage. The design has a ‘Platinum Bond’ that holds together multiple strands symbolic of the coming together of two families to create a beautiful, new relationship. The show will capture precious moments of eternal love and blessings between the couple and their families.

Thirteen lucky brides will get makeovers and celebrate their everlasting love with Platinum Evara’s blessings on Band Baajaa Bride exclusively aired on NDTV Good Times.

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The One And Only Graff Venus!

Middle East Jewellery Of The Year Awards 2016 Declares Winners

Graff has dominated the list of exceptional stones cut and polished this century – over half of the world’s top 20 largest diamonds discovered this century have been cut and polished by Graff. It continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence and one of the glowing results is the Graff Venus, the largest D Flawless heart-shaped diamond in the world weighing 118.78 carats. The Graff Venus was cut from a 357-carat rough diamond discovered in 2015 at the Letšeng Mine in Lesotho. From discovery to completion, the process of analysis, cutting and polishing took 18 months. In a first of its kind, special tools were developed in order to cut the Graff Venus and the process required the world’s most skilled and experienced diamond craftsmen.

Laurence Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds, noted, “We were given an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the Graff Venus and we created absolute perfection. I am proud to say that we delivered the very best. The stone itself is beyond words. It is the most beautiful heart shape diamond I have ever seen.”

Fifteen winners of the Middle East Jewellery of the Year Awards 2016 were announced at a glittering ceremony held under the patronage of His Excellency Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani, Bahrain minister of industry, commerce and tourism at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Bahrain in November. The Awards were

instrument industries and invited VIPs.

Initially conceived in 2005 by Arabian Watches & Jewellery magazine, the Awards serve to recognise and reward the best brand performers, while highlighting the importance of the Middle East luxury market. The Awards are also

held for the 12th consecutive year in conjunction with the Jewellery Arabia exhibition that took place from November 22-26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The ceremony was attended by more than 300 senior representatives from the jewellery and fine writing

a reflection of industry trends and a barometer of industry and public sentiment.

A total of 260 pieces were nominated this year. An independent 16-member committee comprising veteran industry figures, designers and connoisseurs of jewellery and pens judged the Awards apart from the public votes.

The winners and details of the 2016 Awards categories are as follows: Best Bespoke Jewellery, Van Cleef & Arpels; Best Colourful Jewellery, Faberge; Best Diamond-Studded Necklace, Tiffany & Co; Best Eastern Design Jewellery Piece, Buccellati; Best Everyday Jewellery, Suzanne Kalan; Best Fashionable Jewellery, Messika; Best High End Jewellery Collection, Chopard; Best Pearl Jewellery, Yoko London; Best Red Carpet Jewellery set, Chaumet; Best Theme Jewellery, Goldesign.