Platinum jewellery sales continue to drive industry recovery

 The metal has emerged as a key product for jewellers, the Platinum Guild International (PGI) revealed in its latest Platinum Jewellery Business Review (PBJR).

Its uniquely differentiating qualities, potential for higher margins and ability to drive incremental sales and profits have made it a value generator for manufacturers and retailers, PGI claimed.

PGI’s report took a look at China, Japan, India and the US and found that platinum is performing well in all four countries.

Platinum unit sales in the US registered a 14% year-on-year growth in Q4, for example.

Huw Daniel, CEO of PGI, commented: “The latest quarterly PJBR shows that platinum has played a leading role in the jewellery market’s recovery.

“Retailers and manufacturers have prioritised platinum in their merchandising selections, driven both by favourable metal pricing and a new generation of products better suited to today’s consumers, who more than ever are seeking jewellery of meaning for both gifting and self-purchase.

“The latest research indicates strong consumer appetite for fine jewellery purchases in 2021 which bodes well for continued growth into 2021.”

Use of platinum has been a growing trend in the last year as brands, retailers and consumers realised that the metal was in some places selling cheaper than gold. 

A Buying Guide For Gold Jewellery: 5 Things To Keep In Mind

 

One of the most loved and precious metals, gold has been on the top of our buying list whenever we have wanted to invest in jewellery. A hit during weddings and festivities, gold jewellery defines a whole new level of elegance. It is not only an investment but a versatile fashion accessory that is considered auspicious too. With latest designs and trends, gold jewellery has become all the more attractive and our fascination with it is here to stay. When it comes to buying gold jewellery, most of us prefer to step out to various stores, compare prices and then buy it. But even the best of us might make mistakes while buying gold. So, to keep you on track, we have tips for you to keep in mind while buying gold jewellery.

Tips For You To Keep In Mind While Buying Gold Jewellery

1. Know The Purity

The purity of gold can be determined by carats. A 24kt gold piece is considered 99.9% pure and it descends as you pick 22kt, 18kt, 14kt etc. Investing in gold jewellery without checking is a big no. Hallmark is another way that indicates purity, and it is advisable to purchase hallmarked jewellery.

2. Price

The price of the jewellery is indicated by its purity as well as what alloy it is mixed with and how much labour has been put in while making the piece. It is good to compare prices before investing in it but at the same time it is also advisable to buy from a trusted jeweller or known brands.

3. Colour

Gold might have colour variations. Combining pure gold with other metals will create another colour but in our country, the greatest demand is for yellow gold. Though if you want variety, you can choose from other colours like white and rose gold.

4. Weight

It is essential to check the weight of the actual gold that you are buying before paying for it. Since other used stones can also make the weight heavier and you might end up paying a higher price.

5. Hallmarked Jewellery

Investing in gold jewellery might be a big decision for most of us, since it requires a large amount of money. Purchasing hallmarked jewellery is highly recommended. It not only indicates the purity but also is a way of safe investment.

Let’s All Wear Choker Necklaces Again

 There was an outfit change made by Amy Poehler during last Sunday’s Golden Globes that really got me thinking about chokers.

“Why is she wearing a black ribbon on her neck? She looks ridiculous,” said my husband, Mr. Fashion Critic himself. I was inclined to disagree—in fact, I had been thinking she looked fantastic, beautiful, radiant. The outfit may have been a bit schoolgirl-era Britney Spears twee, but that’s never stopped me from liking something before. It’s actually precisely that ode to ’90s fashion that will always envelop me—an era of style often ridiculed but in fact the best one, for nostalgic purposes (for this ’90s kid, at least) and for its ability to keep cropping up again. (If you look to the fashion choices of Gen Z and younger, you’d think maybe they were purveyors of ’90s styles themselves, though they tend to see themselves as pioneers.)

Poehler’s midshow ensemble wouldn’t have been complete without that velvet choker, the detail that tied it all together. So simple yet effective, like the days we used to just tie a ribbon around our necks.

But chokers have come so far in range and style, and so far from an exclusive-to-youth status, that there really is something for everyone. No matter the age of the wearer, donning such a piece tends to evoke a youthful vibe, brightening the face and adding sparkle to the eyes.

The short style won’t ever fall off the map, but it has definitely had periods of bigger, more in-your-face popularity—the last time I wrote about chokers frequently for JCK was in 2016 and 2017. It was that mere few years ago when everyone was making chokers, flooding the market with an impossible array of options. Those options still exist, thankfully, and surely there are more to come.

There’s something so free-spirited and summery about a shimmering chain worn close to the neck, and plenty of other styles cooperate well in other seasons. We won’t all choose to string our necks with a velvet ribbon, but from the subtle to the extravagant, we have our choices.

My current hankering: a single charm dangling from a barely there gold choker-length chain, where the chain glimmers ever so but the charm appears to almost float. I picture a heart-shape diamond or something in colorful enamel, if I’m to imagine my perfect piece (which I’m almost always doing).

This summer, it’s time to welcome back the choker necklace in a big way, with playful color, style, and fun.

Gigi Hadid Wears Baby Khai’s Name on a Gold-Plated Necklace

 

Earlier this week, the supermodel was photographed wearing a gold chain-link necklace from The Sis Kiss that features bedazzled letter charms spelling out Khai, the name of her six-month-old baby with her longtime boyfriend, Zayn Malik.

The rest of Hadid’s outfit exuded her typical neo-bohemian street style, including a lime-green knit beanie, a gray cardigan with floral and paisley prints, two-toned gray jeans, and chunky black boots.

The new mother-daughter duo are growing their moniker-jewelry collection. In a recent Instagram Story, Hadid posted a photo of a charm bracelet that has a gold heart and four-leaf clover sandwiching letter charms that spell out “Khai.” Below the baby-sized bracelet is a handwritten note from Donatella Versace.

“Love you so much @donatella_versace,” Hadid wrote over the picture. “Khai is a lucky girl.”

Hadid and Malik welcomed Khai late last September. At the time, sources revealed that the model was easily growing into her new role as a mother.

“Gigi is very tired but is already an amazing mom,” a source told E! News. “The first couple of weeks have been a hard transition but she hasn’t complained and is very elated to be a mom.”

Hadid’s mother, Yolanda Hadid, has been assisting the couple as they navigate newfound parenthood, per the insider, who added that she has been “helping them tremendously. She is their built-in nurse and they are so grateful to have her.”

You can now Propose with an 18 Karat diamond-encrusted “Haribo” Ring

 Ready for the most expensive and delicious engagement ring yet? Remember when we use to use jelly candy rings to jokingly ask our friends to marry us when we were kids…well now it’s come to life. The bespoke jewelry brand Taylor & Hart has created a diamond-encrusted Haribo-inspired ring that you can *actually* propose after being inundated with requests.

The ruby-red band includes 224 diamonds and is topped with an 18 karat yellow gold basket of 40 diamonds and a 2.70 karat cabochon yellow sapphire to create the ultimate proposal ring for your childhood sweetheart. You could buy over 1.2 million of the sweet Haribo treats for the cost of this ring, which could be yours for $34,300. Wow!

Inspired by childhood dreams of marriage and ‘forever love’, this Haribo-inspired ring features a vibrant red and yellow color palette that harks back to an age of fun, play, and being home in time for tea before the street lights come on.

Kate Earlam-Charnley, Design Director at Taylor & Hart said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this brand new design to life. Combining custom-cut rubies and a syrupy cabochon yellow sapphire, this ring is one of the most ambitious we’ve ever created and definitely one of the most original.”

The Sweet Ring features:

• One 2.70 karat cabochon yellow sapphire
• 40 fancy-intense yellow diamonds in an 18 karat yellow gold basket
• 224 custom cut 2.50kt rubies invisible set into an 18 karat rose gold band

More information about the Haribo-inspired ring can be found here, where customers can also get in touch with Taylor & Hart to create their own candy ring.

Jewellery that suits modern women’s sensibilities

 There has been a significant rise in demand when it comes to purchasing jewellery in tier 2 and 3 cities, says Dipu Mehta, Managing Director, ORRA — a diamond jewellery brand.

Orra has launched new category of jewellery for the growing base of young women consumers. The collection is called ‘Desired’ and is designed to suit the more modern sensibilities of the young woman who is confident and unafraid to carry off her individual style, says Mehta.

IANSlife spoke to him to know about how the industry will shape in 2021, and how demands are growing in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Excerpts:

Tell us about the new collection and the inspiration behind it.

Mehta: ‘Desired’ collection has been designed to target the millennials who are far bolder and edgier in their style choice. This collection is crafted in 14kt rose gold with rings, earrings, pendants, lariats (layered necklaces) and bracelets in diamond studded as well as bold gold jewellery. For the first time, ORRA has launched even gold jewellery in 14kt gold. This collection has been designed to suit the more modern sensibilities of the young woman who is confident and unafraid to carry off her individual style.

Hence this collection is crafted to ensure that you can mix and match different jewellery to achieve any look you wish to, either for an evening out with your girls or a lounge date night. This collection focuses on layering and stackable jewellery.

The inspiration behind this collection has been Disha Patani whom we have signed on as our brand ambassador. Her style and confidence and the ease with which she carries herself, has been our biggest inspiration.

Has the pandemic changed the design philosophy?

Mehta: The pandemic has had no hand in changing our design philosophy as Disha has been our muse. This is the first time that we have specifically designed a collection targeting the younger consumer.

How do you think the industry will do in 2021?

Mehta: We are optimistic about the growth in the industry. With the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines we expect the things to get normalized. The demand for jewellery will be existent since the desire for women to adorn jewellery is always going to be there.

Are sales steadily increasing, led by millennials & younger buyers?

Mehta: The sales have been more positive and getting back to normalcy. But our loyal customer base is largely the older generations since we are primarily a diamond bridal jewellery brand. However, with the growing interest of youngsters in diamond jewellery across the country, we see a huge potential in catering to them and hence we have launched this collection. The youngsters need more trendy designs and lighter, edgier designs and that is exactly what ‘Desired’ is.

How do you see the demand from tier 2 and 3 cities? How have the choices and buying trends evolved in these areas?

Mehta: With our retail presence in tier 2 and 3 cities, we have seen a significant rise in demand when it comes to purchasing jewellery as exposure to brands is increasing over time. They are now unafraid to move from their local jewellers and are showing confidence in trusted national brands like ORRA.

What is ORRA’s business strategy for the near future?

Mehta: We are very positive of growth post Covid and we will get back on track in terms of expansion plans that were in full throttle before the pandemic. Our focus will remain on innovation in diamond jewellery and customer service par excellence.

A Glimpse of Indischen Fashion Jewellery

 Fine jewelry brand, Indischen, featuring the Trendy Bracelets, . This entire collection is inspired by the simple yet important things in life; a collection that voices the message that “less is more” by creating elegant pieces that embody art and unique designs. It features a wide range of dainty and opulent jewelry that is derived solely from nature and life. Indischen embraces purity and the beauty of the little things in life that people take for granted.

The Trendy line is passionately and beautifully made for women who can find a piece of themselves in Indischen. This line ranges from simple earrings, rings, bracelets and a one-of-a-kind collar necklace adorned with pearls. These graceful accessories can be delicately stacked and layered together in an attractive and elegant way to create a striking trendsetting look.

Behind every piece of jewelry there’s a story, a journey of self-discovery represented through the art of jewelry. It’s inspired from different elements and shapes found in nature imbued with the colors and forms of natural life. Indischen has creatively managed to fuse these ideas into this golden line of jewelry.

It all begins with a single heartbeat a single seed that grows into something beautiful. Love, compassion and acceptance are what bind people together.

Anyone can find themselves in the grace yourself collection, not only does it offer jewelry of elegance and style, but also has a powerful impact on society and environmental responsibility. The designs go beyond being exceptional and trendy, they also represent elegance, youth, and compassion.

Leading the way is the jewellery brand Indischen. With superior craftsmanship and a diverse range of designs, Indischen has become a bride’s best friend. No matter what your bridal style is, Indischen will always have the right jewellery pieces for you.