Swatch Watch, Jewelry Sales -6% in 2H 2008

By Avi Krawitz
RAPAPORT… Swatch Group posted a decline in sales in the second half of 2008, but said it expects to see some modest growth through 2009. According to Rapaport calculations (see table below), group net sales in the second half fell 6.3 percent to CHF 2.853 billion ($2.469 billion), while gross watch and jewelry sales declined 5.6 percent to CHF 2.451 billion ($2.122 billion). The company did not provide separate half-year sales figures in its full-year report published Thursday. Read more about Swatch Watch, Jewelry Sales -6% in 2H 2008

Locally-based website buys old jewelry for cash

By Amy Buckman

February 4, 2009 (WPVI) — If you have single earrings, broken bracelets or knotted necklaces, there’s an easy way to turn them into cash.

When Kara Gibbons’ sister was diagnosed with colon cancer, Kara started an email campaign, asking her friends — and their friends — to send their unwanted jewelry into RedSwan.com. RedSwan is an online jewelry-purchasing site. Read more about Locally-based website buys old jewelry for cash

ShopNBC lowering its jewelry ambitions

By Michelle Graff
Minneapolis, Minn.–After a year in which jewelry product slowed sales and shrunk margins, ShopNBC will set its sights on lower-priced pieces, the company’s new head said in a conference call on Tuesday.

In a question-and-answer session following the call, new ShopNBC Chief Executive Officer Keith Stewart said the company had to discount higher-priced jewelry during the 2008 holiday season to remain competitive in the market. Read more about ShopNBC lowering its jewelry ambitions

G3 Jewelry Adds 30 New Pieces to its "Glamour" Line of Customizable Diamond Jewelry for Women

NEW YORK, NY, January 22, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — G3 Jewelry Inc, a New York City-based designer of customizable diamond jewelry and Swiss-made diamond watches, has added over 30 new pieces to its “Glamour” line for women. Since its debut in the summer of 2008, the “Glamour” line has been spotted on various celebrities who rave about the lines’ unique styling, beautiful diamonds and customization options. “We’ve expanded our assortment of diamond rings, diamond pendants and diamond earrings and we’ll be adding several new styles of diamond necklaces and diamond bracelets in the coming weeks,” explains Quincy Brown, CEO and Lead Designer of G3 Jewelry. Read more about G3 Jewelry Adds 30 New Pieces to its "Glamour" Line of Customizable Diamond Jewelry for Women

Zales Promotes Valentine's Day Jewelry Gifts for Men

By Deena Taylor
RAPAPORT… Zales Jewelers is promoting five types of jewelry for men — watches, bracelets, dog tags, cufflinks and rings — ahead of Valentine’s Day. “Instead of giving a man a sweater or shirt that will fade with time, the gift of jewelry is a lasting and meaningful way to express how much you care,” the company noted in a statement. Read more about Zales Promotes Valentine's Day Jewelry Gifts for Men

Twelfth Annual Gemstone, Jewelry Showcase

The Pattillos of rockfoodtable.com will have their banquet table set up Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25 at the East Texas Gem & Mineral Society’s 12th Annual Gemstone & Jewelry Showcase in the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Show hours are, Saturday, 10am- 6pm; Sunday, 10am- 5pm.

Along with the Pattillos (who have been inducted into the National Rockhound Hall of Fame) will be dealers selling jewelry, gemstones (cut and uncut), fossils, minerals, beads and much more. Read more about Twelfth Annual Gemstone, Jewelry Showcase