Profit from recurring operations of jewellery and watches increased by 87 percent to USD 195 mn notably as a result of Bulgari’s performance. In jewellery, Bulgari reported strong sales across all of its product lines, according to VMH , and benefited from the growing success of its Serpenti collection.

Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, said, ‘”Web approach the second half of the year with confidence and are relying upon the creativity and quality of our products as well as the effectiveness of our teams “

Said Onex Juwells, proprietor, R Rajagopal, “We showcased light weight jewellery in bangles starting from four grams and earrings from 0.5 grams and we got a very good response.” We are focusing more on lightweight jewellery. We manufacture jewellery that is 35 per cent lighter in weight than what is available in the market. Diastar Jewellery Pvt Ltd, director, Pramod Jain, states that they make 35 per cent lighter weight jewellery than the current ones in the market

Concept bbaasseedd jewellery seems to be the way forward if the World Gold Council’s debut of its own brand of wedding collections based on the theme of the seven vows is any indication. Also for the first time, the organizers had showcased fusion jewellery by blending Indian arts and crafts with precious metals.

Platinum gets limelight:-
ORO by Raia Jewels launched an exclusive range of platinum bangles at IIJS 2012. ORO is the first in India to manufacture platinum bangles. According to Avinash Pahuja, director, ORO, “Platinum has a beautiful shine. Its density and looks make it ideal for todav’s generation:’

Fancy shapes in demand :-
Among the diamonds, the major demand is for fancy shapes like marquise, pear and princess. KARP lmpex Ltd, a Mumbai-based company, deals With unround diamonds which starts from 2-3 pointers and round from one. The jeweller believes that unround enhances the elegance of the person who wears it. Sun Jewellery from Mumbai opined that loose diamonds starts from one carat and in unrounds also demands for rose-cut and emerald-cut is also noticeable. •

Colourstones equally hot :-
Fancy coloured stones are equally hot at !USA 2012. According to Apurva Kothari, a third generation diamantaire and gem aficionado, “Variety in colour stones is based on origin, intrinsic value and price. Of late colour stones are well appreciated in comparison with the diamond of same size. It is a win and win situation for the buyers and the sellers. Irrespective of economic slowdown, gem stones are doing well in the show.”

In an article for Retail Jeweller, he explains how India and China are driving global demand for platinum jewellery, while appetite for the metal is holding up well in Europe.

Worldwide platinum jewellery demand is forecast to reach a threeyear high of 2.7 million ounces in 2012, according to Johnson Matthey’s Platinum 2012 Interim Review.

An increase jewellery purchasing is expected to offset falling demand for industrial applications, ensuring overall demand for the metal stays flat in 2012.

Dr Butler, writer and editor of the Platinum 2012 Interim Review, says growth in the Chinese and Indian markets are mainly responsible for the rise in jewellery demand in 2012.

Demand in the Chinese jewellery sector rose by 14% to 1.9 million ounces in 2012, the highest it has been since 2009, he explains.

On the manufacturing side, high levels of demand this year were driven by the opening of fully stocked retail stores in cities across mainland China by a number of Hong Kong-based jewellery brands.

In India, Johnson Matthey forecasts that demand will have grown by 25 percent in 2012 to a new high of 100,000 oz.

In Europe, platinum jewellery demand is forecast modest growth of three per cent in 2012, reaching 180,000 oz. “This comes as lower prices relative to gold have encouraged retailers to upsell platinum pieces to consumers fond a smaller premium than usual, helping platinum gain market share relative to white gold. This has been particularly relevant to the UK engagement and bridal sector,” says Dr Butler.

Hallmarking of British-made platinum jewellery pieces rose two per cent in the first nine months, while hallmarking of Swissmade jewellery items was also “reasonable”.

In Japan, there has been a trend towards manufacturing lighterweight items to meet lower price points in the bridal market.

Platinum wedding bands are becoming more popular than white gold, but a drop in average weights means platinum consumption will fall by 10,000 oz to 305,000 oz.

North American platinum demand will fall by five per cent to 175,000 oz in 2012, though manufacturing is expected to remain strong. Looking ahead, Johnson Matthey expects another positive year fond the platinum jewellery market, although price volatility. competition from gold and uncertain consumer confidence will be “key factors determining the precise level of demand globally”. New retail outlets in shopping malls and chain stores in China will continue to drive platinum purchasing by the trade.

In Europe, Dr Butler expects to see another year of “modest growth” as the luxury end of the market continues to perform solidly. In the six months to May 2013, Johnson Matthey forecasts that platinum will trade on average at US $1,625 and in a range of between US $1,400 and US $1,800 per troy ounce.

“This moderated bullish forecast, compared with platinum’s year-to-date performance, reflects the ongoing disruption to South African supplies as well as a rise in overall platinum demand next year,” concludes Dr Butler.

Amongst PGI-USA Preferred Platinum Partners, 87 percent reported same or better sales, a 4.4 percent increase in platinum business and are expecting a 7.7 percent increase for 2013. This reflects a considerable profit opportunity for Preferred Platinum Partners as platinum bridal typically provides a gross profit dollar margin two and a half times white gold, Rapaport reports citing a press release by PGI.

Entry platinum semi-mounts priced under $2,500 at retail continue to be a positive driving force for platinum sales. Seventy-three percent of jewellers who ordered entry platinum product reported that it sold through and 61 percent will be reordering. The majority of jewellers who have purchased entry platinum feel that it had a positive effect on their overall platinum business.

In addition to sales data, the survey revealed factors contributing to platinum sales, the most frequently mentioned being the attributes of the metal. Forty-two percent of jewelers named qualities such as platinum’s unfading color, durability, high purity and popularity among consumers. The price of platinum in correlation to gold weighed in second, with 38 percent of retailers reporting factors such as the relative price of gold and platinum, and gold’s increasing rice.

Actress Samantha said, “The platinum jewelry range available at GRT Jewelers is beautiful and elegant and I am keen on taking home an exclusively crafted platinum pendant with Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity in this eternal metal for the occasion of Akshaya Trithiya.”Managing Director, GRT Jeweler, G.R. Anantha padmanabhan said, “All authentic platinum jewelry comes with a quality assurance card and bears the purity hallmark of ‘Pt 950′ stamped inside the piece that reassures a costumer.”