March US retail sales increased at a slower pace than the previous month’s as inflation eased and the job market improved.
Revenue grew 0.7% from the month before to $709.6 billion — adjusted for seasonal variation — compared to an increase of 0.9% in February, according to data the US Census Bureau released Monday.
“As inflation for goods levels off, March’s data demonstrates steady spending by value-focused consumers who continue to benefit from a strong labor market and real wage gains,” said National Retail Federation (NRF) CEO Matthew Shay. “In this highly competitive market, retailers are having to keep prices as low as possible to meet the demand of consumers looking to stretch their family budgets.”
Sales climbed 2.7% from a year earlier, on par with February’s year-on-year results, the NRF added.
March sales were up year on year in six of the nine retail categories the NRF monitors, compared to eight last month. Sales in the clothing and accessories segment — which includes jewelry — were flat compared to February, but advanced 2.1% versus the same period a year ago. Online sales saw the largest year-on-year gain, rising 15%, while electronics, furniture, and building and garden supply products fell.
A sapphire and diamond ring took the top spot at a recent jewelry sale at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, smashing its high estimate.
The piece, which contains a cushion-shaped, 17.50-carat, royal-blue Burmese sapphire surrounded by marquise-cut diamonds, sold for HKD 2.8 million ($357,226), the auction house said last week. That figure was well above its upper presale price.
In total, the January 31 Important Jewels auction brought in HKD 48.9 million ($6.3 million).
Yellow diamonds performed well at the sale, as did jewels by well-known design houses, including Graff, Cartier, Buccellati, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Sotheby’s also sold several diamonds and both green and lavender jadeite pieces with no reserve.
Here are the other four items rounding out the top five:
This cushion-shaped, 14.51-carat, fancy-intense-yellow, VS1-clarity diamond ring by Bulgari went for HKD 2.5 million ($324,751), within its presale estimate.
A ring set with an oval-shaped, 7.02-carat, Mozambican ruby center stone, surrounded by oval and pear-shaped diamonds, fetched HKD 2.5 million, just under its HKD 2.6 million ($332,422) upper price.Sotheby’s sold this Graff bracelet, featuring nine cut-cornered square or rectangular-modified, fancy-intense-yellow diamonds ranging from 1.62 to 5.21 carats and 18 yellow-tinted diamonds for HKD 2.4 million ($308,513), within its estimate.A pair of earrings, each suspending an oval ruby — one weighing 4.26 carats and the other 4.09 carats —and brilliant-cut diamonds, garnered HKD 1.9 million ($243,563) at the sale, within its presale price range.
In celebration of Haute Couture Week, Graff is exhibiting a collection of yellow diamonds at its flagship Paris boutique to complement the unveiling of its new high jewellery necklace
Launched yesterday (4 July 2023), visitors to Sunrise: A Celebration of Graff Yellow Diamonds will discover a world of rarity and lustre through a stunning showcase of high jewellery pieces featuring rare yellow diamonds, accompanied by displays detailing Graff’s storied history with these incomparable stones.
The House’s latest high jewellery creation features an extremely rare 30ct fancy intense yellow pear shape diamond, accompanied by a further 138ct of yellow and white diamonds.
Every element of the piece has been created using the stone-led design techniques for which the Graff atelier is renowned and has been crafted to emphasise the elegant silhouette of the centre stone.
Graff design director, Anne-Eva Geffroy explained: “Before we design, we study each diamond carefully to uncover the secrets that lie within its depths.
“Only then do we design, and when we do, we work to accentuate the natural beauty of each stone.
“The fancy intense yellow diamond set into this piece gives a golden sunshine glow.
“Yellow diamonds bring so much joy.
“It is an honour to be inspired by stones that radiate such beauty.
“The yellow diamonds we work with are exceptional in quality, cut, and quantity.
“Very few jewellers have the luxury of such a wide range of colour.”
In vibrant halos of yellow and white diamonds, stones radiate outwards from the central fancy intense yellow diamond to replicate the rays of the sun.
A perfect synthesis of diamond design and hand-craftsmanship, each bespoke setting has been meticulously assembled by master artisans within the House’s London workshop.
CEO of Graff, Francois Graff added: “Celebrating Graff’s legacy of innovation and leadership in presenting the highest quality rare diamonds, this will be the most significant collection of yellow diamonds that have ever been brought together in one place, including a fancy intense yellow stone of incomparable beauty.
“These are truly jewels that represent the very best of Graff.”
Further pieces on display in the showcase at the flagship Paris boutique include unique high jewellery necklaces, Tribal-inspired jewels, earrings, and single-stone rings that unmistakably express Graff’s design DNA through the combination of superb stones with bold designs and unparalleled craftsmanship.
An impressive roster of important and famous yellow diamonds have passed through the House over the course of its history, beginning with the Star of Bombay in 1974.
The Star of Bombay is an historical yellow stone that was re-cut and polished by Graff using revolutionary expertise and new techniques.
Since then, Graff has introduced many famous and historical yellow diamonds over the years, including the 118.08ct Delaire Sunrise and the 132.55ct honey-hued Golden Empress.
Sunrise: A Celebration of Graff Yellow Diamonds is currently exhibiting at Graff Rue Saint-Honoré throughout Haute Couture Week in Paris.
Graff Unveils 50-Carat D Flawless Diamond At Palm Beach Boutique
Graffs 50 Carat D Flawless Oval Cut Diamond
A 50.08 carat D Flawless oval diamond is the centerpiece of an exhibition of gems and high jewelry by Graff, which opens today at Graff’s Palm Beach boutique.
Graff, in a statement, says it is the largest D Flawless diamond in 20 years to be unveiled by the high jewelry brand. It is available for view by appointment. It serves as the major attraction of a high jewelry exhibition titled, “Graffabulous,” that includes a number of high jewelry creations by Graff showcasing high quality diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
The unnamed 50.08 carat D Flawless diamond hails from a mine in Lesotho, a landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa. The gem measures more than 30 x 20mm with exceptional brilliance and fire, according to Graff. Graded by the GIA as having excellent polish and symmetry, its remarkable size, combined with perfect color and clarity, it is among the line of important diamonds that Graff has acquired over the decades.
Elevating the occasion even further, the new owner of this historic diamond will be given the opportunity to name it before the stone is added to Graff’s timeline of famous gems.
The oval cut is an exquisite shape that combines the renowned radiance of a round brilliant cut diamond with a curved, elongated silhouette. The proportions of an oval cut are key to its beauty, with the 50.08 carat D Flawless oval diamond displaying the most sought after combination of an excellent cut, with a perfectly symmetrical silhouette and a length-to-width balance, the company says.
The Graffabulous exhibition consists of pieces from Graff’s 2022 high jewelry collection and advertising campaign of the same name. It comprises 80 pieces of one of a kind high jewelry with more than 3,600 carats of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Necklaces and rings feature prominently in the collection.
Graff is known for its exquisite diamonds. The London-based jewelry house has acquired many notable diamond acquisitions, some that set world records. As a vertically integrated jeweler, the house cuts, polishes, and sets these incredible diamonds in-house, allowing it to control every facet of these stunning diamonds.
Graff is known for its incredible diamonds GRAFF
To coincide with the spring equinox, Graff unveiled Tribal, its newest high-jewelry collection. The collection focuses on white and yellow diamonds, with one exceptional emerald suite, in three sculptural motifs. The collection is inspired by the stories that our ancestors would tell themselves to explain the world around them and the heavens above, so these motifs focus on the sky, sun, and stars — a language understood around the world.
Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, tells Forbes, “Tribal is a fabulous collection, inspired by the magical folktale of the girl who created the stars. For me, the iconic, timeless symbols that unite the collection evoke a deep feeling of being connected to the world around us on a universal level. Tribal raises the bar in high jewelry and pushes the boundaries of creativity, craftsmanship, and exceptional stones for which we are known.”
The Graff Gateway pieces feature abstract ovals GRAFF
Graff Graff Gateway features striking, architectural designs. These pieces feature abstract ovals with pear-cut or round diamonds within. They evoke swirling galaxies with a brilliant diamond star at the heart. For a more delicate, almost lace-inspired look, the Graff Gateway choker and cuff bracelets alternate rows of round diamonds and diamonds with a more subtle oval motif.
The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy … [+] GRAFF
The powerful New Dawn collection is inspired by the sun’s rays as it rises above the horizon. These pieces feature sunburst motifs set in white or yellow diamonds. Some diamond rays spiral from a significant central stone, while other pieces focus on geometric compositions. The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond in the center.
Sara Sampaio wears the Night Moon pieces MIKAEL JANSSON FOR GRAFF
Finally, the Night Moon collection features glittering diamonds reminiscent of starry night skies. These pieces feature pavé diamond half-moons in striking geometric motifs inspired by elemental shapes found in nature.
The collection launched with a gorgeous campaign shot on location in the Atlantis Dune in South Africa. Mikael Jansson shot Portuguese supermodel Sara Sampaio in these remote dunes alongside custom-made blacked steel sculptures inspired by the motifs in the Tribal jewelry collection.
Graff is known for its exquisite diamonds. The London-based jewelry house has acquired many notable diamond acquisitions, some that set world records. As a vertically integrated jeweler, the house cuts, polishes, and sets these incredible diamonds in-house, allowing it to control every facet of these stunning diamonds.
Graff is known for its incredible diamonds GRAFF
To coincide with the spring equinox, Graff unveiled Tribal, its newest high-jewelry collection. The collection focuses on white and yellow diamonds, with one exceptional emerald suite, in three sculptural motifs. The collection is inspired by the stories that our ancestors would tell themselves to explain the world around them and the heavens above, so these motifs focus on the sky, sun, and stars — a language understood around the world.
Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, tells Forbes, “Tribal is a fabulous collection, inspired by the magical folktale of the girl who created the stars. For me, the iconic, timeless symbols that unite the collection evoke a deep feeling of being connected to the world around us on a universal level. Tribal raises the bar in high jewelry and pushes the boundaries of creativity, craftsmanship, and exceptional stones for which we are known.”
The Graff Gateway pieces feature abstract ovals GRAFF
Graff Graff Gateway features striking, architectural designs. These pieces feature abstract ovals with pear-cut or round diamonds within. They evoke swirling galaxies with a brilliant diamond star at the heart. For a more delicate, almost lace-inspired look, the Graff Gateway choker and cuff bracelets alternate rows of round diamonds and diamonds with a more subtle oval motif.
The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy … [+] GRAFF
The powerful New Dawn collection is inspired by the sun’s rays as it rises above the horizon. These pieces feature sunburst motifs set in white or yellow diamonds. Some diamond rays spiral from a significant central stone, while other pieces focus on geometric compositions. The Sun Worship necklace features 374 white and yellow diamonds with a 10.56-carat pear-shaped Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond in the center.
Sara Sampaio wears the Night Moon pieces MIKAEL JANSSON FOR GRAFF
Finally, the Night Moon collection features glittering diamonds reminiscent of starry night skies. These pieces feature pavé diamond half-moons in striking geometric motifs inspired by elemental shapes found in nature.
The collection launched with a gorgeous campaign shot on location in the Atlantis Dune in South Africa. Mikael Jansson shot Portuguese supermodel Sara Sampaio in these remote dunes alongside custom-made blacked steel sculptures inspired by the motifs in the Tribal jewelry collection.
The top lot is a Graff pendant necklace expected to fetch at least $300,000.
Square-cut or pear-shaped, colorless or fancy-colored, loose or mounted, the rocks on the block at Jewels Online: Summer Sparkle — Christie’s first-ever online sale dedicated to diamonds — are sure to delight new buyers and seasoned collectors alike.
With 50 lots ranging from a triangular diamond eternity band (lot 36) with a low estimate of $2,000 to the top lot, a 20.21-ct. pear-shaped yellow-brown diamond mounted in a Graff necklace (lot 41) and estimated at $300,000–$400,000, the selection covers all taste, style and price preferences.
Lovers of uniquely colored diamonds are in for a treat, as the sale is rich in rare gems in rainbow hues, including pinks, oranges and greens—not to mention grays, browns and yellows. There is a showstopper of a ring centered on a square modified fancy grayish yellowish-green diamond framed by pink and white diamonds and set in platinum and rose gold (lot 37, estimated at $20,000–$30,000); a ring topped by a 7.6-ct. fancy deep brown-yellow diamond mounted, rather cheekily, on the horizontal (lot 20, $12,000–$18,000); and a sculpted Sabbadini flower brooch studded with colored and colorless diamonds (lot 24, $6,000–$8,000)
Rings, such as a 5.03-ct. pear brilliant-cut diamond set horizontally on a highly polished band of 18-karat blackened gold (lot 1, $60,000–$80,000), dominate the mostly contemporary selection, but there are plenty of earrings, too — including multiple styles by Graff as well as the British jeweler David Morris.
Clients with a passion for high design likewise will not be disappointed. Consider the pear-shaped pendant necklace designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. and suspended on a chic gold link chain (lot 47, $5,000–$7,000), or the sale’s lone bracelet, an 18k yellow gold bangle style by David Morris set with pavé yellow diamonds and marquise diamond accents (lot 33, $15,000–$20,000).
The top lot is a Graff pendant necklace expected to fetch at least $300,000.
Square-cut or pear-shaped, colorless or fancy-colored, loose or mounted, the rocks on the block at Jewels Online: Summer Sparkle — Christie’s first-ever online sale dedicated to diamonds — are sure to delight new buyers and seasoned collectors alike.
With 50 lots ranging from a triangular diamond eternity band (lot 36) with a low estimate of $2,000 to the top lot, a 20.21-ct. pear-shaped yellow-brown diamond mounted in a Graff necklace (lot 41) and estimated at $300,000–$400,000, the selection covers all taste, style and price preferences.
Lovers of uniquely colored diamonds are in for a treat, as the sale is rich in rare gems in rainbow hues, including pinks, oranges and greens—not to mention grays, browns and yellows. There is a showstopper of a ring centered on a square modified fancy grayish yellowish-green diamond framed by pink and white diamonds and set in platinum and rose gold (lot 37, estimated at $20,000–$30,000); a ring topped by a 7.6-ct. fancy deep brown-yellow diamond mounted, rather cheekily, on the horizontal (lot 20, $12,000–$18,000); and a sculpted Sabbadini flower brooch studded with colored and colorless diamonds (lot 24, $6,000–$8,000)
Rings, such as a 5.03-ct. pear brilliant-cut diamond set horizontally on a highly polished band of 18-karat blackened gold (lot 1, $60,000–$80,000), dominate the mostly contemporary selection, but there are plenty of earrings, too — including multiple styles by Graff as well as the British jeweler David Morris.
Clients with a passion for high design likewise will not be disappointed. Consider the pear-shaped pendant necklace designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. and suspended on a chic gold link chain (lot 47, $5,000–$7,000), or the sale’s lone bracelet, an 18k yellow gold bangle style by David Morris set with pavé yellow diamonds and marquise diamond accents (lot 33, $15,000–$20,000).
Graff-owned diamond manufacturer Safdico will cut and polish a portion of rough from the Lulo mine through a partnership with Lucapa Diamond Company.
Safdico will have the rights to buy up to 60% of Lulo’s annual rough production under the terms of Angola’s new reform program, which went into effect last year. The new guidelines open sales to a wider range of buyers of the miner’s choosing, rather than forcing producers to sell to a list of clients approved by state-owned diamond company Sodiam.
All diamonds Safdico purchases from Lucapa will be placed into the joint partnership, the miner said Wednesday. Once polished, procurement and manufacturing costs will be deducted, with any profit from the sale of the polished diamond to be split equally between Lucapa and Safdico.
Safdico has already purchased 4,900 carats of rough from Lucapa through the partnership. Profits from the sale of the first batch of polished will be realized in the first quarter, Lucapa noted.
Lucapa, which operates the mine in Angola, first announced its intention to polish its own diamonds in February 2019 in an effort to maximize shareholder value by cutting out third-party manufacturers. Earlier this month, the company also debuted its first polished stones from the Mothae mine in Lesotho. Those included six D-color diamonds from a 36-carat rough, the largest of which was a pear-shaped, 8.88-carat, flawless stone.
Lucapa also plans to expand its total group production to more than 60,000 carats in 2020, it said.
“This production increase, coupled with the new revenue streams generated from the cutting and polishing agreement with Safdico, will enable [the company] to generate higher returns for its partners,” Lucapa explained.
Graff-owned diamond manufacturer Safdico will cut and polish a portion of rough from the Lulo mine through a partnership with Lucapa Diamond Company.
Safdico will have the rights to buy up to 60% of Lulo’s annual rough production under the terms of Angola’s new reform program, which went into effect last year. The new guidelines open sales to a wider range of buyers of the miner’s choosing, rather than forcing producers to sell to a list of clients approved by state-owned diamond company Sodiam.
All diamonds Safdico purchases from Lucapa will be placed into the joint partnership, the miner said Wednesday. Once polished, procurement and manufacturing costs will be deducted, with any profit from the sale of the polished diamond to be split equally between Lucapa and Safdico.
Safdico has already purchased 4,900 carats of rough from Lucapa through the partnership. Profits from the sale of the first batch of polished will be realized in the first quarter, Lucapa noted.
Lucapa, which operates the mine in Angola, first announced its intention to polish its own diamonds in February 2019 in an effort to maximize shareholder value by cutting out third-party manufacturers. Earlier this month, the company also debuted its first polished stones from the Mothae mine in Lesotho. Those included six D-color diamonds from a 36-carat rough, the largest of which was a pear-shaped, 8.88-carat, flawless stone.
Lucapa also plans to expand its total group production to more than 60,000 carats in 2020, it said.
“This production increase, coupled with the new revenue streams generated from the cutting and polishing agreement with Safdico, will enable [the company] to generate higher returns for its partners,” Lucapa explained.
A crossover ring with two fancy vivid blue diamonds designed by Graff Jewellers has smashed its pre-sale estimate. The ring has sold at the Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction fetching more than $12.5 million USD.
A crossover ring with two fancy vivid blue diamonds designed by Graff Jewellers has smashed its pre-sale estimate.
The ring has sold at the Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction fetching more than $12.5 million USD.
Fancy colour diamonds will lead Magnificent Jewels sale on Wednesday.
Topping the sale is a Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond ring designed by Graff Jewellers. Estimated price is $6.5 million – $8.5 million USD.
The two Vivid blue Diamonds weighing approximately 3.36 and 2.71 carats with VVS2 and VS1 clarity grades are set in a crossover design, In a platinum setting.
Fancy colour diamonds will lead Magnificent Jewels sale on Wednesday.
Topping the sale is a Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond ring designed by
Graff Jewellers. Estimated price is $6.5 million – $8.5 million USD.
The two Vivid blue Diamonds weighing approximately 3.36 and 2.71
carats with VVS2 and VS1 clarity grades are set in a crossover design,
In a platinum setting.
