Jewellery designer's top award (24/10/09)

Self-employed designer and manufacturer Vijay Shah landed the top prize at the recent PlatAfrica competition for a hand-made Indian-style platinum necklace.

As a result, the piece will be on display at a number of exhibitions around the globe organised by Anglo Platinum, which is the world's largest producer of the precious metal.

"My piece will travel the world with my name appearing next to it and I will get recognition for it. That is just wow," Mr Shah told Times Live.

Student stands tall on the PlatAfrica podium (22/10/09)

Meanwhile, Anneke Pienaar took the runner-up prize in the individual student category of the competition, which is sponsored by leading platinum refiner Johnson Matthey.

Her platinum ring, which was inspired by Italian wedding culture, landed her a prize of R8,000 and followed up on her success last year, when she won the category outright.

Tiffany profit higher than expected; outlook raised (25/11/09)

Tiffany and Co saw its jewellery sales decline by three per cent to $598.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.

However, the luxury retailer noted that it enjoyed strong sales in Asia and Europe during the three-month period, limiting its year-on-year earnings decrease to $43.3 million from $43.8 million.

The company has now increased its full-year profit outlook from between $1.65 and $1.75 per share to between $1.88 and $1.98 per share.

Tiffany's lacklustre results brightened by Europe and Asia (25/11/09)

According to Tiffany's figures, European sales increased by 12 per cent to $65 million, while sales in Asia were up by ten per cent to $225.8 million.

"Global diversity is paying off for Tiffany," Matt Arnold, an analyst at Edward Jones, told the Daily Telegraph.

"It not only protects Tiffany, but it will yield a better growth profile as there are plenty more places it could still go."

UPDATE 3-Zale loss narrower than expected, online sales up (24/11/09)

Troubled jeweller Zale Corporation reported a better-than-expected quarterly sales decline of 9.6 per cent, with same-store sales falling by 6.8 per cent.

The company, which is under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commision in relation to its accounting procedures, also saw its online sales leap by 17 per cent.

Preciously platinum (26/11/09)

Platinum Guild International's attempts to promote the allure of platinum jewellery in traditionally gold-mad India are proving to be successful, the Hindu Business Line reports.

"The price of platinum has stabilised and corrected over the years," Vijay Jain, Chief Executive of leading Indian jeweller Orra, told the news provider.

"Platinum being a very rare and exclusive metal, it's considered a notch above gold. With not much difference in the prices of gold and platinum, people now prefer platinum for both jewellery and investment purposes."

Christie's twinkles big with 'Evening Star' (13/11/09)

Christie's has announced that it is set to auction a new pear-shaped, 39-carat diamond which is mounted in platinum.

The 'Evening Star', which was found in India's ancient Golconda mines, is expected to be snapped up for between $3.6 million and $5.5 million.

Shape-shifters (13/11/09)

Modern platinum jewellery is beginning to invert traditions by featuring increasingly irregular shapes and patterns, the National Jeweller Network reports.

Citing the example of Lori Bonn and Noam Carver's custom platinum engagement ring exhibit from their 'Splash Collection', the news provider suggests that designers are now being more daring.

"There is a new modernist design movement coming into frame, which is much more experimental than in past decades, when everything was derivative of the past," said Ellen Sideri, founder and Chief Executive of forecasting firm ESP Trendlab.

Decadent diamonds, cocktail rings play on at AMAs (23/11/09)

Meanwhile, a host of prominent celebrities have been pictured wearing platinum jewellery at various red-carpet events in recent weeks.

Rihanna selected diamond and platinum studs and two black and colourless diamond and platinum rings for the recent American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

A number of other famous figures - including Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, Shakira and Paula Abdul - also sparkled in platinum jewellery at the event.

Drew Barrymore - PLATINUM jewelry at Everybody's Fine Premiere (03/11/09)

Drew Barrymore picked a rock crystal and diamond bracelet, and a diamond pin, all set in platinum, for the AFI Fest 2009 screening of 'Everybody's Fine' in Los Angeles.

Amy Adams, Kate Beckinsale, Anna Kendrick, Asha Kamali - PLATINUM jewelry on the red carpet (09/11/09)

At the same event, Kate Beckinsale appeared in a platinum and diamond ball ring designed by Neil Lane.

LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Jessie James - PLATINUM jewelry at CMA Awards (11/11/09)

Moving to Nashville, LeAnn Rimes sported a black diamond ring and stud earrings set in platinum for the '43rd Annual CMA Awards' on 11th November.

Faith Hill was also present at the ceremony, wearing platinum and black diamond chandelier earrings, two long platinum and diamond chains, and a diamond cocktail ring.

Penelope Cruz - PLATINUM jewelry at Broken Embraces Premiere (17/11/09)

Penelope Cruz opted for a six-carat pair of platinum and diamonds stud earrings and a 26-carat platinum and diamond bracelet for the Cinema Society screening of 'Broken Embraces' in New York.

Amy Smart, Anjelica Huston - PLATINUM jewelry at Governors Awards Gala (15/11/09)

At the '2009 Governors Awards Gala' in Los Angeles, Amy Smart selected a pair of platinum and diamond 'flower' drop earrings, plus a bracelet and a ring.

Ivanka Trump weds in jewels from her own line (26/10/09)

Finally, Ivanka Trump tied the knot with Jared Kushner on 25th October wearing a number of platinum-based items from her own company, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.

The 27-year-old selected a platinum and mixed-cut diamond hair piece, platinum and mixed-cut diamond cluster earrings and an art deco platinum and fancy-link diamond estate bracelet - all worth a total value of $265,000.

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