Thai Jewelry Market

Thailand is renowned as one of the world’s leading gems and jewelry exporters. The skill of Thai craftsmen in cutting precious stones and diamonds to very high standards has long been appreciated by the industry, and international gems and jewelry merchants send large quantities of their gemstones to be cut in Thailand. Moreover, Thai manufacturers are very keen on initiating jewelry designs and standards are on par with international demands.

The gems and jewelry industry has been a powerful export earner for the country with the segment placing seventh amongst Thailand’s top ten exports, registering sales of U.S.$ 1.5 billion in 1999. Jewelry accounted for 55 percent of the export total followed by diamonds at 23 percent, gemstones and pearls at 18 percent, costume jewelry at four percent and synthetic gems at one percent. The largest markets for exports of Thai gems and jewelry are the United States, Israel, Belgium and Japan. In addition to this, it is believed that another 30-50 percent can be added to these export figures as a result of direct sales from merchant to tourists visiting the country.

The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) is active in showcasing Thailand’s gems and jewelry industry, co-hosting a trade fair for the industry twice a year. Recent attendance figures have seen the show becoming the best gems and jewelry show in the region, recently surpassing Hong Kong’s similar fair. At least five trade associations are busy with extensive public relations programs intended to boost the image of the Thai gems and jewelry industry overseas. The Board of Investment (BOI) has been successful in luring foreign gems and jewelry companies to set up operations in Thailand, and often lobbies for reduced taxes, tariffs and trade barriers related to the industry.

Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry has emerged as a major international player in the production, processing and trade of the products. The country has positioned itself as a regional hub for diamond and precious stone cutting, capitalizing on its low labor costs, skilled craftsmen and its proximity to major colored gemstone producing countries including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India. It currently ranks as the world's fifth largest diamond-cutting center, experiencing strong growth in this field since 1981 when the Thai government removed import duties on diamonds. In 1999, Thailand imported nearly U.S.$ 700 million of diamond and precious stones for domestic consumption, and export processing.

Thailand’s long experience in mining colored precious stones has given businesses and craftsmen a wealth of experience with gemstones. Thailand has extensive deposits of blue sapphires in Kanchanaburi province, 100 kilometers west of Bangkok, which provide local industry with a high quality source of the precious stone. Smaller deposits of rubies are found in Chantaburi province, near the Cambodian border, which yield steady supplies of the rare gemstone.

Thailand’s exports of gems and jewelry have slumped since economic problems hit Asia in 1997. Sales have fallen by 25 percent since 1995, reaching a low in 1998 at U.S.$ 1.3 billion. Asian markets have been particularly hard hit, with exports to Japan and Hong Kong slumping 60 and 75 percent respectively. Industry experts believe that the fall has been caused by liquidity problems faced by Thai exporters, reduced demand in Asia because of the economic crisis, and stiff competition from other markets.

Formidable opposition in the market for lower priced gems and jewelry is faced from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and India, who have more abundant resources of precious stones and lower labor costs than Thailand. These countries have been improving their skills and infrastructure to facilitate the cutting and processing of stones locally. On the other hand, designers in Italy, France and Hong Kong have established their own technologies and famous brand names adding premium value to their products, and allowing them to dominate the high-end gems and jewelry market.

Thailand’s solution to stay competitive in the global market has been to upgrade its production processes through improved technology. Particular focus has also been placed on the development of new design skills and on increasing marketing efforts to establish Thai brand names in the world market. In order to reduce costs, Thai companies are looking to source competitively priced gemstones and raw materials from Africa to process and re-export, while the Board of Investment (BOI) is lobbying for the removal of duties on necessary import materials. The recovery in export sales experienced over 1999 is forecast to continue as Asian demand recovers, and Thai companies continue to target new markets, styles and trends in the jewelry market.

EDiamondselect partners with Rachminov

Hollywood, Fla.—Diamond software solutions provider eDiamondselect has chosen Rachminov Diamonds as the site's exclusive source of natural fancy-color diamonds.

Rachminov offers a wide range of natural fancy-color diamonds from melee to large special stones in an array of colors, including yellow, orange, pink and blue.

The new partnership will give eDiamondselect retailers exclusive online access to one of the most extensive and highest-quality lines of natural fancy-color diamonds available in the industry, eDiamondselect Vice President of Sales David Norman said in a media release.

"As a result of this partnership, eDiamondselect now has more than 25 suppliers providing an inventory of more than 60,000 diamonds on our site," he said.

Since the most recent JCK Las Vegas show and Continental Buying Group Show, eDiamondselect has added more than 40 new retailers to the program, including Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers, Smythe Jewelers and Topper Jewelers.

The company says eDiamondselect is ideal for both large and small retailers, allowing major jewelers to become more efficient, productive and profitable in their diamond business, and also turning independent retailers into mega diamond sites.

The software can be integrated directly into a retailer's Web site, so that customers can remotely search the store's and suppliers' inventories. Jewelers can also use the software in-store, showing customers an extensive online inventory of diamonds and helping them choose their perfect stone, which can be shipped to the store within 24 hours.

information from : nationaljewelernetwork.com

Abacus Bluetooth Wristwatch

Here is a Fossil Bluetooth wristwatch that is labeled by the brand Abacus. It is the same one that is also branded as a Sony Ericsson and Fossil. I think Fossil is the actual maker, but I am not positive. I really hope more companies come out with Bluetooth watches as this one only works with Sony Ericsson cell phones. What is really cool is that you can see who is calling without taking your phone out of your pocket as well as reading your text messages and even rejecting calls. I love it! I have a Motorola KRZR so I want a watch that works with this phone obviously. Breitling, TAG, Seiko, Citizen or someone please make a Bluetooth watch that is compatible with more cell phones.

Veiled Watch

Here is the new Veiled watch by Fossil. The crystal is electroplated to make it look like part of the bracelet. The design is very unique and uncluttered, and looks more like a bracelet than a watch.

Ultra-Limited CHANEL J12 Watch

To celebrate the opening of their new flagship store Chanel has created a one-of-a-kind J12 Tourbillon. This model has "Beverly Hills No. 1/1" inscribed on the caseback. The new store on Rodeo Drive is 14,700 sq ft. and is 4 stories tall.

J12 3125 by CHANEL & AUDEMARS PIGUET

Chanel partnered with Audemars Piguet to make this special edition J12 Calibre 3125. The watch has the Chanel label on it , but the movement was done by Audemars Piguet. It uses 18k yellow gold on a nice black ceramic finish. I really like when watch companies work together to produce even better products, however I am not sure this would be enough to sway me towards a Chanel watch.

El Primero Zero-G Multi-Dimensional Tourbillon

The Zenith El Primero Zero-G Multi-Dimensional Tourbillon will be debuting at Baselworld 2008 in April.

Aéronavale Limited Edition

At the request of the French Naval Air Force, Bell & Ross is producing two Limited Series of 150 watches specially designed for aerial navigation. These Pilot chonos come in either acrylic glass or sapphire glass. The Bell & Ross Type Aéronavale has the colors of the French Naval Air Force.

BR-01 Instrument Phantom Tourbillon

Check out the new Bell & Ross Phantom Tourbillon. It has a cool DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) finish for high resistance to scratching. At 46 mm it is properly sized by todays standards. It has carbon fiber and gold to complete its' impressive look. You can see the beautiful tourbillon through the opening at 6 o'clock.

BR01-92 and BR01-94 Instruments

Bell & Ross recently released two Limited Edition Instrument wristwatch models. They released the BR01 Instrument Red and the BR01 Instrument Yellow, which actually consist of two versions each, so there are actually four models. The model numbers end with either a 92 or a 94. The models that end with 92 have automatic movements and the models that end with 94 have automatic chronograph movements. Each version is limited to 500 pieces, which is a respectable number for a limited edition. I hate when manufacturers make over 1000 pieces and then abuse the term "limited edition".

Ulysse Nardin Tellurium J. Kepler Limited

It is a timepiece that rotates the Earth in its true geographical shape seen from above the North Pole. A flexible spring bends from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn to reveal the part of the Earth lit by the Sun and to indicate the time and place of sunrise and sunset. The moon rotates around the Earth. The dragon hand indicates the eclipses of the sun and the moon. The perpetual calendar completes one turn each year. It is limited to only 99 pieces. It has a platinum case, sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 meters.

Maxi Marine Diver Limited Edition

Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Limited Edition with a very nice look.

• Officially certified chronometer movement.
• Power reserve indicator.
• Oversized seconds-hand.
• Screw down security crown.
• Unidirectional turning bezel. Ref. Nr.260-32-3A.
• Diameter: 42.7 mm. 18 ct white gold case. Blue dial.
• Movement UN-26.
• Power-reserve of approx. 42 hours.
• Self-winding.
• Water-resistant to 200 meters.
• Sapphire crystals.
• Strap: Rubber bracelet with 2 WG elements.
• Buckle type: Deployant clasp.

Sonata

Ulysse Nardin proudly unveils the Sonata, a unique and amazing multifunctional mechanical instrument. It is an in-house development, inspired by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, constructed by Pierre Gygax and Lucas Humair, executed by the UN Dream Team conducted by Rolf Schnyder.

The in-house engineers and technicians of Ulysse Nardin spent nearly seven years on the development of this patented self-winding in-house caliber.

It combines the novel Alarm setting with a Countdown indicator and the Dual time system with the instant time zone adjustor conceived by Dr. Oechslin and featured in many Ulysse Nardin watches.

This patented Dual time function permits time zone adjustments forward and backward by simply pressing the pushers plus (+) or minus (-) to change the position of the hour hand. The original home time (reference time) stays displayed while the date, the Alarm and Countdown adjust automatically when a time zone adjustment is made.

The melodic chiming of the Alarm is based on a novel 24 hours mechanism which allows setting the Alarm 23 hours ahead, for 7.35 pm the same day or 7.35 am the next day. The Sonata will be available in red or white 18kt gold and comes with a deployant clasp. The case is individually numbered and water-resistant to 30 meters.

New Maxi Skeleton

Ulysse Nardin is well known for developing and producing specialized timepieces of the highest technical level in limited editions. Using the company's patented inventions, these often include complications offered by no other watchmaker, such as the renowned Trilogy of Astrolabium, Planetarium and Tellurium; the Jaquemart Minute Repeater and the Hour Striker San Marco. Now, Ulysse Nardin has launched the 'Maxi Skeleton', a watch with a hand-engraved skeleton movement that acts as the dial.

By showing the manual wind movement of the Maxi Skeleton, Ulysse Nardin flamboyantly displays the the hundreds of tiny pieces combined in an intricate web of gears and wheels - a true masterpiece both from a workmanship and visual perspective.

The watch case is 43.5mm in diameter and available in 18ct rose gold (ref. 3006-200) and 18ct white gold (ref. 3000-200). Both are limited to 80 pieces.