http://www.goldinspirations.com/news/ Gold Inspirations Jewellery news. The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited (copyright) and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council. en info@gold.org Copyright 2010 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674037/indian_gold_jewellery_exports_jump_37.5_in_february http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674037/indian_gold_jewellery_exports_jump_37.5_in_february The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Exports of Indian gold jewellery saw a significant increase in February compared with last year, new figures have revealed.

According to statistics from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, $713.52 million (£465 million) worth of gold products were sold to international markets last month, compared with $518.89 million in February 2009.

This represented a 37.51 per cent year-on-year rise.

Overall gem and jewellery exports reached a total of $2.25 billion last month, a rise of 54.96 per cent on the $1.45 billion recorded in February 2009.

The figures come shortly after UBS analyst Dominic Schnider predicted that demand for gold jewellery will rise this year, with increases in sales already being seen in India, the National Post reported.

He put this down to "solid economic recovery" occurring in a number of emerging markets, which should in turn lead to more wealth creation and a resulting uptick in gold jewellery sales.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674575/chopard_released_18-c_gold_watch_to_mark_150th_anniversary http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674575/chopard_released_18-c_gold_watch_to_mark_150th_anniversary The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Luxury jewellery retailer Chopard has released a collection of 15 18-c gold watches in celebration of its 150th anniversary.

Featuring depictions of polar bears, monkeys and penguins, the brand says the pieces are "a feminine symbol of the brand's equally impressive accomplishments in fine jewellery and high-end watchmaking".

The animals are made from 18-c gold and then adorned with diamonds and mother of pearl, with skeletonised hands making seeing the time a little easier among the opulent scenery.

Beta ViaLuxe states while the watches are "fun and light", they are also well-suited for formal occasions by being "distinguished jewellery creations of the highest calibre".

Chopard was created back in 1860 and is now one of the leading brands in the luxury jewellery and high-end watch industry.]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674572/people_queuing_for_hours_to_see_gold_medals http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674572/people_queuing_for_hours_to_see_gold_medals The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Visitors to Vancouver have been prepared to wait in line for up to four hours to catch a glimpse of Olympic gold medals that are currently being displayed by the Royal Canadian Mint.

According to the Vancouver Sun, the average wait to see the gold pieces is three to four hours and people can expect to queue for 45 minutes to see a collection of 22-c Olympic gold coins, which are being exhibited alongside the medals at the Vancouver Public Library.

However, the publication states that while the 2010 Winter Olympics were being held, people who wished to see the items were waiting for up to eight hours to view the medals and 90 minutes to see the coins.

When the gold first went on display, it marked the first time in history that members of the public have been allowed to hold Olympic medals.

Christine Aquino, director of communications for the Royal Canadian Mint, said: "These medals are really a piece of the Games and people can actually physically touch them and feel a part of it."]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674570/artist_uses_18-c_gold_to_create_luxury_paintings http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/17/story/19674570/artist_uses_18-c_gold_to_create_luxury_paintings The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

An artist from New Zealand has just completed the process of using gold to create two paintings, which have been valued at more than NZ$500,000 (£233,875) apiece.

Gerard Smith used 18-c gold, as well as other materials, to paint the pieces, which depict a scene of oyster boats in Falmouth, Cornwall plying their trade, stuff.co.nz reports.

The paintings - commissioned by an anonymous private art collector - are set to go on display at the artist's studio on Monday (March 22nd).

Mr Smith said: "This is one of the most expensive commissions ever undertaken by a New Zealand artist."

However, he added that while the pieces may appear to be lavish, some 80 per cent of the 18-c gold that was used to create the paintings was recycled.

A piece of art created using gold leaf won the highly-coveted 2009 Turner Prize last December. Richard Wright, a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, made the intricate gold leaf mural cover an entire wall of the Tate Britain. ]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19671431/gold_jewellery_demand_predicted_to_rise http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19671431/gold_jewellery_demand_predicted_to_rise The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Demand for gold jewellery will increase this year following a period of low growth, according to one expert.

Dominic Schnider, analyst for UBS, says that gold jewellery sales tend to rise after a delay following soaring prices for the precious metal, the National Post reports.

He notes that gold jewellery demand is already beginning to pick up in markets like India and predicts that sales will see a 20 per cent increase compared with last year.

Indeed, a recent forecast from the All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation suggested that Indian gold jewellery sales could rise by up to 30 per cent during the Akshaya Tritiya festival in May, which is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the year by Hindus.

"With the solid economic recovery in emerging markets, wealth creation should provide the basis for demand growth and pent-up demand to find its way to the market," Mr Schnider comments.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19671549/rare_gold_watch_attracts_bidders_at_ny_auction http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19671549/rare_gold_watch_attracts_bidders_at_ny_auction The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A rare yellow gold watch by Patek Philippe was one of the lots in a recent auction that was successfully sold.

Antiquorum's Important Collectors' Wristwatches, Pocket Watches and Clocks sale - which was held in New York last week - saw a Patek Philippe World Time timepiece in yellow gold sell for $84,000 (£55,630), National Jeweler reports.

The World Time range of watches was initially developed by Patek Philippe to display the time in 24 different international timezones and inspired the Travel Time series, which indicates the local and home times for those visiting other countries.

Antiquorum's two-day auction brought over $5 million worth of sales in total.

Other gold items offered to bidders at the event included a Rolex Stelline watch made in 1950, which features a tonneau-shaped 18-c yellow gold chronometer with a triple date calendar and moon phases.

An 18-c gold Rolex Oyster Chronograph anti-magnetic timepiece also went up for sale at the auction.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19672112/lauren_klein_releases_new_line_of_yellow_gold_necklaces http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19672112/lauren_klein_releases_new_line_of_yellow_gold_necklaces The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Luxury jewellery retailer Lauren Klein has released a new collection of yellow gold necklaces to celebrate two upcoming occasions.

"Springtime brings two of the biggest holidays of the year. For so many people, Easter and Saint Patrick's Day are meaningful occasions and jewellery has always been a wonderful way to commemorate holidays and traditions," says Sarah Leight, brand manager.

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, the company has released "unique" yellow gold necklaces in the shape of a shamrock - the traditional symbol of the Holy Trinity.

Similarly, the designer has introduced an extensive range of gold crucifix pendants in order to celebrate the Easter holiday.

Ms Leight states that while the designs of these necklaces reflect current jewellery trends, the necklaces are all high-quality "timelessly traditional" pieces.

A new gold jewellery collection was recently unveiled by Tiffany, inspired by the floral works of the luxury brand's early 20th century designer Paulding Farnham.]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19672111/people_in_saudi_arabia_love_to_buy_gold http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/16/story/19672111/people_in_saudi_arabia_love_to_buy_gold The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Purchasing gold jewellery continues to be a popular option for people living in Saudi Arabia, according to one retailer of the yellow metal.

Asrar Ahmad, a salesman at a jewellery shop in the Al-Balad District of Jeddah, told the Saudi Gazette that gold remains popular because of its cultural importance and the central role it plays in weddings in the country.

"I love gold and it doesn't matter if the price is increasing or decreasing. I am buying it to wear, as my wedding ceremony is very near. My parents are buying gold for my marriage as it is an important part of our culture," explained Qudsia Najmuddin.

Mr Ahmad went on to add that the precious metal can also be bought specifically as an investment, which can then be sold again if the owner needs to access their funds.

Under the law of the country, only 18-c gold and above is permitted to be sold in Saudi Arabia, with government inspection teams making sure this regulation is adhered to by retailers. ]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669268/royal_exhibition_to_showcase_rare_gold_items http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669268/royal_exhibition_to_showcase_rare_gold_items The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

An upcoming Buckingham Palace exhibition exploring the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is to feature a number of unique gold artefacts.

The Victoria & Albert: Art & Love display will open at the Queen's Gallery in the royal residence on March 19th and run until October 31st.

Among the items set to go on show are various pieces of gold jewellery presented to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert as gifts, as well as an ornate gold crown that used to belong to the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah, which was acquired by the monarch in 1861.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to view an unusual gold brooch holding one of the milk teeth of Princess Victoria, the couple's eldest daughter.

The Queen's Gallery holds a number of temporary exhibitions of items from the Royal Collection throughout the year.

Among these objects are paintings, furniture, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, books, maps, armour and textiles.

More than 3,000 items are loaned by the Queen's Gallery to other museums and art galleries in the UK and internationally on a long-term basis.]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669507/american_gold_eagle_coins_on_track_for_record_sales http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669507/american_gold_eagle_coins_on_track_for_record_sales The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

American Gold Eagle coins struck by the US Mint are proving popular with both collectors and investors alike, with sales figures showing that this month is on track to becoming the third best March in the coin's history.

Some 39,500 of the gold coins have already been purchased during the first two weeks of the month, Coin News reports.

In order to surpass the numbers of the numismatic pieces that were sold in March 1998 - the current third best March - 48,501 American Gold Eagle bullion coins will now have to be sold over the next two weeks.

A total of 208,500 of the gold items have already been purchased in 2010.

John Waggoner, a personal finance columnist for USA Today, recently suggested that purchasing 22-c gold coins can be an effective way for people to make a modest investment in the precious metal.

He stated that gold can provide protection against the falling value of global currencies and rising inflation. ]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669481/unique_gold_coin_to_go_on_display_at_the_british_museum http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669481/unique_gold_coin_to_go_on_display_at_the_british_museum The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A unique gold coin, which is thought to have been minted by Brutus following the assassination of Julius Caesar, has gone on display at the British Museum.

It is believed that the gold coin would have been worn by one of the killers of the emperor as a way of boasting about his death, the Guardian reports.

Today (March 15th) marks the 2,054th anniversary of Caesar's death and while the numismatic piece was first shown to the British Museum back in 1932, it could not afford to purchase the coin.

Subsequently, the gold item has now been loaned to the museum, where it will go on display for the first time today.

The head of Brutus is depicted on one side of the coin, with two daggers and the date of the emperor's death featuring on the obverse of the piece.

Despite there being approximately 60 known examples of the silver version of this coin, there are only believed to be two of the gold pieces in the world.

The British Museum is also currently playing host to some 40 pieces of Britain's largest ever collection of Anglo Saxon gold - the Staffordshire Hoard.]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669855/gold_ring_returned_to_owner_after_29_years http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/15/story/19669855/gold_ring_returned_to_owner_after_29_years The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A gold ring from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland has been returned to its owner almost 30 years after it was lost on a New Jersey beach.

The Class of 1970 ring belonging to Bill Keller was lost in the summer of 1981 when he was walking along the beach with his wife, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mabel Cowan recently discovered it while out treasure hunting with a metal detector. As Mr Keller's name was engraved in the ring, she was able to track him down through a Naval Academy alumni association.

Ms Cowan said that the item was in such good condition, she thought it must have been lost recently.

For Mr Keller, the return of the ring marks an important step in his recovery from a fall a decade ago that resulted in severe memory loss.

"I left Maryland 40 years ago with nothing but this ring, and now I'm going back with it on my hand," he said.

In related news, a gold wedding ring lost at Caernarfon Castle in north Wales by Texan tourist Carl Mondy was returned to him in time for his 35th wedding anniversary after it was spotted and handed in by Australian visitor Kelly Webb, the BBC reported.
]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19666856/gold_lockets_a_great_gift_to_give http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19666856/gold_lockets_a_great_gift_to_give The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Those looking for an appropriate gift to give to a young girl may be wise to select a gold locket, as they have been described as "a great gift".

Clogau Gold states that by giving a child a piece of Welsh gold jewellery, a person is providing them with a portion of Welsh heritage.

The jewellery designer advises that one particularly child-friendly gold piece from its collection is the Fairy line, which offers a matching locket and earrings in the form of a group of branches intertwined into the shape of a heart, which then opens to reveal a small fairy.

"According to Welsh folklore it is said that fairies live in the ancient trees of the forests. She will cherish the idea of a magical fairy being gifted to her which will keep her from harm's way," the company says.

Disney recently created an exclusive range of gold jewellery specifically for children, with necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings and earrings featuring depictions of some of the most popular Disney characters crafted from the precious metal.]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19666847/commemorative_gold_coin_to_mark_2010_capital_of_islamic_culture http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19666847/commemorative_gold_coin_to_mark_2010_capital_of_islamic_culture The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A commemorative gold coin has been issued in order to mark the announcement of the 2010 Capital of Islamic Culture - the city of Tarim in Yemen.

At the inauguration ceremony for the gold coin, Mohamed Abu Bakr al-Maflahi, Yemen's minister of culture, said that the piece has been designed in the hope of enabling future generations to remember this culturally-significant event.

He stated that Yemeni people and worldwide numismatic collectors alike will be able to keep the coins for sentimental value, while museums may wish to display them in exhibitions to mark the occasion.

On the front of the gold piece the logo of Tarim is printed, while on the reverse, a depiction of the Central Bank of Yemen and the date of issuance will be featured.

Writing for Numismaster, Richard Giedroyc recently advised that gold coins have been a store of value for investors since ancient times. ]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19667279/guilding_making_a_comeback_in_calligraphy http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19667279/guilding_making_a_comeback_in_calligraphy The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Guilding, overlaying or covering with gold leaf, is making a comeback in the world of calligraphy, according to Qatar newspaper the Peninsula.

During the Aqlam Exhibition, which opened this week at the Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre, artists will attempt to set a Guinness world record as they look to create the largest gilding work on Saturday (March 13).

A total of 22 gilding, ornamentation, Ebro and calligraphy experts have been brought in from the exhibition, hailing from destinations such as the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Bosnia, the United Kingdom, Egypt and Kuwait.

Visitors to the exhibition, which concludes on March 15th, will get to see these artists at work on a number of pieces, as well as participate in a number of live workshops demonstrating gilding and calligraphy.

Earlier this month, an intricate floor mosaic crafted from 24-c gold leaf was described by the Times as a "standout feature" in a Surrey mansion.

The Updown Court, in Windlesham, Surrey, features the mosaic in all 27 bathrooms and 22 bedrooms on the site.]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19667276/tiffany_launches_new_gold_collection http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/12/story/19667276/tiffany_launches_new_gold_collection The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A new collection of gold jewellery from Tiffany has been crafted in celebration of the beauty of nature.

The Tiffany Garden range is inspired by the diamond floral works of famed jewellery designer Paulding Farnham (1859-1927), who was chief designer of exhibits at the luxury goods manufacturer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Modern-day "delicate garden scenes" are set in 18-c gold and incorporate gemstones such as amethysts and diamonds to capture a springtime mood.

The new collection is currently available worldwide at several retailers selling the Tiffany brand.

Meanwhile, organisers have confirmed the dates for the next London Jewellery Week, which is set to take place between June 7th and 13th.

The event is supported by the London Development Agency and a number of organisations - including the British Jewellers' Association, the London Assay Office, the National Association of Goldsmiths and the Gemmological Institute of America - have also pledged to get involved.]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664347/gold_a_key_feature_in_alexander_mcqueens_posthumous_collection_ http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664347/gold_a_key_feature_in_alexander_mcqueens_posthumous_collection_ The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

All the eyes of the fashion world were on the showcase of Alexander McQueen's autumn/winter 2010 posthumous collection in Paris on Tuesday (March 9th), with commentators noting that a key feature of the new line is gold detailing.

The 16 pieces that were showcased in the final collection featured a variety of gold additions - thousands of gold sequins adorned a crimson column dress, while a silk and satin chiffon blouse featured gold thread detailing, the Telegraph stated.

Gold-feathered wings were attached to the shoulder of a jacquard 'angel' gown, while models wore ankle boots or heels in the colour of the precious metal.

The posthumous collection was hailed a success by the fashion industry, with the Independent's Susannah Frankel describing it as "heartbreakingly beautiful", adding that the showcase serves as a testament to "one of the greatest talents the fashion industry has known".

Similarly Suzy Menkes, of the New York Times, called the catwalk show "a requiem for a great designer". ]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664345/understated_gold_jewellery_complements_a_brides_look http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664345/understated_gold_jewellery_complements_a_brides_look The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Brides-to-be who are looking for inspiration regarding their wedding jewellery could be wise to take note of one expert, who has suggested that understated gold pieces are the best option.

Holli Dobbs, designer and sales associate at Albarre Jewellery, told St Louis' Best Bridal that modest gold jewellery will perfectly complement the bridal look.

She said that a classic necklace should always be part of a bride's wedding ensemble: "A necklace should be a standard, because it brings the focus back up to the bride's face."

However, Ms Dobbs added that it is important to select gold jewellery that will complement, rather than overshadow, the wedding dress.

"Big, bold jewellery for the wedding day is not in and not recommended," she advised.

A recent nuptial trends forecast from The Knot magazine suggested that gold wedding and engagement rings will be a particularly popular choice for brides and grooms-to-be throughout 2010. ]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664341/gold_jewellery_oozes_feminine_glamour http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/11/story/19664341/gold_jewellery_oozes_feminine_glamour The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

A new gold jewellery collection, fronted by Joan Collins, has been described by one commentator as oozing feminine glamour.

Cintra Wilson, writing for the New York Times, went to sample the new Alexis Bittar gold jewellery collection and was particularly complimentary about the designs.

One piece that stood out in the collection was a gold necklace with links fashioned in a shape not dissimilar to that of a wonton, she said.

Ms Wilson also praised the design and quality of a pair of gold earrings that she witnessed one of the shop's customers purchase.

"The earrings looked smashing: the bright gold picked up warm highlights in her dark amber skin," she commented.

A recent study, undertaken by the Export-Import Bank of India, revealed that gold jewellery continues to be a popular choice for Indian consumers and investors.

It also found that the nation has one of the world's fastest-growing fine jewellery markets, with demand for hallmarked gold pieces expected to continue to add to the popularity of the precious metal in the future. ]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/10/story/19661653/18-c_gold_fifa_world_cup_arrives_in_england http://www.goldinspirations.com/headlines/2010/03/10/story/19661653/18-c_gold_fifa_world_cup_arrives_in_england The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

England has become the latest nation to receive the iconic 18-c gold Fifa World Cup on its worldwide tour, ahead of the start of the tournament in South Africa later in the year.

The solid gold trophy arrives in the country today (March 10th) and will be on display at Oxford Street department store Selfridges, before moving on to an exhibition tomorrow.

According to the Mirror, Wayne Rooney is set to be guest of honour at the event, which is to be held at Earls Court, but he has been told that he is not allowed to touch the 13lbs gold cup.

A Fifa rule stipulates that the trophy is only permitted to be touched by former winners of the tournament and heads of state.

The arrival of the World Cup in England marks the continuation of the trophy's 225-day world tour, in which thousands of fans in 83 nations will be given the opportunity to view the solid gold item. ]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000