An Early Start for Asia’s Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair

Asia’s Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair (3FJ) will be held February 18 – 21, at Halls 3, 6 and 8 of the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong. It is being held several weeks earlier than its usual March run to suit the international trade-event calendar, allowing buyers an early view of the trends for autumn and winter of 2012.    More than 370 exhibitors will participate, up 14 percent from last year.

Beny Steinmetz Group to Float Sierra Leone Diamond Mine

Koidu diamond mine in Sierra Leone

The Beny Steinmetz Group, will soon issue an initial public offering for its Koidu diamond mine in Sierra Leone, according to the Financial Times and other reports.

The privately held natural resources company will issue its float on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in later half of 2012 through a spinoff company called Octea, which serves as the holding company

Christie’s Hong Kong Auction Sets Several Records

A pair of round diamonds and emerald ear pendants both set auction records at Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels sale Tuesday.
The auction brought in $82.7 million, the most ever for a jewelry auction in Hong Kong, said said Vickie Sek, director of Christie’s Asia Jewellery and Jadeite Department. Fine colored stones and natural pearls “fetched extremely strong prices.”
A total of 241 of

Chow Tai Fook Set to Issue IPO that Could Raise $3 Billion

Hong Kong jewelry retailer Chow Tai Fook is looking to raise nearly $3 billion in an initial public offering that would be one of the largest in Hong Kong this year, according to published reports.The company will offer 1.05 billion shares at HK$15 to HK$21 each, putting the total deal size at up to HK$22.05 billion ($2.83 billion), Reuters reports. In another report by The Standard in Hong Kong

Two Flawless Diamonds May Fetch $18 Million at Hong Kong Auction

Leading Christie’s Hong Kong sale of Magnificent Jewels is a pair of unmounted round brilliant-cut D flawless diamonds, weighing 35.77 and 35.61 carats each. The auction house said it is the largest pair of its type to ever be offered at auction.
The diamond pair—each roughly the size of a cherry tomato—received a “Triple Excellent” rating for their polish, symmetry and cut grade. Adding to

The French Connection at the Hong Kong Trade Fair

The Blue Lagoon Butterfly Necklace: 18k yellow gold, translucent enamel with diamonds from Commelin, Paris.

For the first time French companies participated in the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair as a group and they came putting their best foot forward. A total of 11 companies (eight jewelry manufacturers and three pearl and gem dealers) were organized by the French Watch, Clock, Jewellery,

First Impressions of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

HONG KONG—From the lion dance welcoming visitors to the second part of the two-tier event, to the mad scramble at buffet tables during the evening reception, the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair kept me very busy. Unfortunately, I didn’t see much jewelry. That will come tomorrow.
The weeklong event, held in two venues (September 19-23 at the Asia World-Expo near the Hong Kong

JNN at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

The registration area at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

The Jewelry News Network (meaning me) will be leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow to attend the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The former British colony, with its bustling port, international banks and robust stock market, is the gateway to China, the most dynamic jewelry and luxury market in the world. This alone makes it one of the

LJ International Revenue Up 26%, Profit Up 59%, Led by China Retail Business

The Enzo retail chain in China is a stellar performer for  LJ International.

Hong Kong-based jewelry manufacturer and retailer, LJ International Inc., reported Thursday that operating revenue in the second quarter increased 26 percent to $41.5 million. Gross profit increased 59 percent to $20.6 million. Operating income increased 13 percent to $3.3 million. Net income for the period ended