Wedding jewelry reflects couple's personalities

It seems that nearly all of Hollywood's celebrities are either getting married or engaged these days. Since celebrities have the ability to effect and drive trends, it should come as no surprise that engagement ring trends are being shaped by what these celebrities are saying "I Do" to.

While celebrities can be trend influencers, the true personality of the brides and grooms-to-be become apparent with the fine jewelry and watches they select for their big day. The three main style and personality trends include fashion-forward design, romantic glamour, and modern sophistication.

Prices surge for platinum metals in 2007

Another report is out about Platinum Group Metals in the market. Commodities prices were all over the map earlier in the year, with white metals making big gains amidst power supply problems in South Africa and increased above-ground supply issues projected in the coming years. Palladium and platinum supplies are indeed tightening, and coupled with rising demand in the industrial sector, prices are projected to continue rising.

As the Palladium jewelry marketing campaign gathers speed for its fall launch, the market is expressing its desire for a precious white metal that can offer for maufacturers and retailers true margin. This is clearly reflected in global jewelry demand trends. Palladium's introduction to fine jewlery could not come soon enough! At a quarter the price of platinum and half that of karated gold, 95% pure, natural Palladium is going to be the white metal of choice for fine fashion jewelry comsumers in the very near future. See the article below (reprinted from National Jeweler, originally generated by CPM Group press release) click for the original article.

*******

June 25, 2008

New York—Prices for the three major platinum group metals—platinum, palladium and rhodium—continued to rise in 2007 and into early 2008, according to CPM Group's 2008 Platinum Group Metals Yearbook.

Platinum prices, which averaged $1,314.46 in 2007, rose to record levels in 2006, 2007 and 2008, spurred by a combination of strong fabrication demand worldwide, declining supplies and a surge in investor interest.

Palladium prices climbed to an average of $359.21 in 2007, up 10.7 percent from 2006, and rhodium prices averaged a record $6,051 in 2007, up 38.8 percent from the previous year.

Putting a damper on supply levels in 2007 were disruptions in platinum group metals production in South Africa. Total platinum supply declined to 7,418,000 ounces in 2007, down 4.6 percent from 2006. Total palladium supply declined 0.8 percent and rhodium supply declined 2.4 percent.

According to the report, the disruptions continued on into early 2008, with power shortages in South Africa a leading culprit. The country now continues to grapple with a tight electrical power supply and demand balance.

Total platinum supply could decline 1.4 percent this year to 7,317,000 ounces, the report says.

Total fabrication demand for platinum rose 0.8 percent to 7,060,000 ounces in 2007. High platinum prices affected demand in the jewelry sector, and that could continue on into 2008, the CPM Group predicts. However, total fabrication demand for 2008 could actually rise 3.2 percent.

Total fabrication demand for palladium rose 7 percent from 2007, while demand for rhodium fell 2 percent.

The 2007 platinum surplus—measured as total new supply less fabrication demand—was reduced by more than half last year to 358,000 ounces in 2007. It is expected to decline even more sharply this year to 32,000 ounces.

CPM Group produces annual Yearbooks on gold, silver and platinum group metals.

The reports are priced at $75 each plus shipping and handling, and are available by calling (212) 785-8320 or online at CPM Group's Web site, Cpmgroup.com.

Editor's note: For the most recent metals prices, visit National Jeweler Network's Wholesale Material Pricing Tools.

Treat Yourself Monday! Luxury Palladium Accessories

Whether it's a small indulgence or a luxury splash, you can start your week off with a smile with Palladium. As the world's most revered brands continue unveiling newer and more exciting Palladium designs, the newly renovated LuxuryPalladium.com will soon be online to connect you with a universe of breathtaking items available in Palladium, the Now Metal™.

Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Belt with Palladium Initials

Pink Hermes Palladium Cuff

Dolce & Gabbana Palladium Chain Belt

This Hermes Birkin Croc Bag with Pave Diamonds set in Palladium would be the perfect cure for the Mondays if there wasn't a two-year waiting list to get your hands on one.

But there's hope: Console yourself over the Birkin with a stunning Parmigiani Kalpagraph Palladium Timepiece

As white as they come

As white as they come

White gold is not silver. People often times refer to white gold as silver since it appear and feel like the latter. Partly it is true, since in reality white gold is an alloy of gold and another white metal usually silver or palladium.

The combination of silver or palladium eliminates the yellow gold look and creates the rather white silver appearance. But even if it is an alloy, white gold is still measured in Karats just like ordinary gold. Other white metals used to combine with gold include nickel and platinum.

Each metal used to combine with gold yield varying properties. A nickel based gold alloy, for example, creates a strong and hard metal which makes it ideal to be used for rings and pins.

While, white gold-palladium alloys are relatively softer and flexible which make them great for gemstone settings. However, the disadvantage of using white gold-nickel alloy in body jewelry is that is could cause various skin reactions since nickel is not bio-compatible. Some may have very mild reactions to the metal with only mild itchiness and skin rashes. However, these reactions might turn uglier if they lead to infections. It is therefore best to consider your body chemistry first before buying any type of body jewelry.

Now when hear a higher karat white gold, it doesn’t mean the gold is whiter. White gold is a combination of gold and other metals. The color is affected by the properties of the metals we add to gold and not the amount of gold. Basically, white gold can be either nickel-whites or palladium-whites.

The main difference of which is that nickel-white gold have a colder white color wherein the palladium whites’ color is a little warmer. Also it is very hard to achieve a good nickel white unlike with palladium whites which tends to be softer thus easier to process. Because of the price of palladium, however, palladium whites are a little more expensive.

Palladium Branding Campaign Heats Up Jewelry Tradeshows in Las Vegas

At the luxurious poolside opening fête for jewelry trade show Couture 2008 in Las Vegas, one word rippled through a gathering of fine jewelry’s elite – Palladium. Elegant, oversized displays lining the stairways and pool deck of the Wynn Las Vegas declared “Palladium is Now,” “White, Light, Natural, Now,” and “Do You Have the Metal?” – messages of a Palladium jewelry revolution. Conceived for Palladium Alliance International (PAI) by DJS Marketing Group, the first phase of branding for Palladium – a white, light, natural precious metal whose fans include the world’s top designers – was unveiled at the most celebrated jewelry tradeshow in Vegas. From JCK to Couture, jewelry tradeshow week was dominated by Palladium’s much-anticipated demand and introduction to the market.

A striking teaser video for PAI’s forthcoming 2008/2009 global consumer campaign turned up the jewelry tradeshow’s energy before an intimate, two-hour live performance in Las Vegas by Grammy®-award winning artist Seal. A crowd of more than 1,200 roared with applause for songs from his latest album, System, and career staples such as “Kiss from a Rose.” In the VIP pavilion sponsored by PAI, exclusive guests like Scott Kay, Paul Morelli, Barry Kronen, Michael Bondanza, and executives from Bailey Banks & Biddle and Tivol Jewelers enjoyed a gourmet, organic banquet and white lychee martinis from the best seats on the pool deck.

PAI Chairman John Stark, Stillwater Mining Co. CEO Frank McCallister and others joined Seal backstage after the show to present him with a special piece of Palladium jewelry. The Nautilus necklace was designed by Lloyd Pasach for R&R Grosbard and specially produced for Seal by Carrera Casting.

Used in jewelry since the 1940s, Palladium is a platinum group metal that is mined naturally white – directly from the earth. It is slated as the last major development in precious metals. A beautiful, light element that is truly precious, Palladium shines white forever with no need for plating. This isn’t a new metal, it’s the Now Metal™, and growing demand for fine Palladium jewelry is pushing the industry toward a historic turning point.

Palladium’s new brand image reflects the ideals of 21st-century consumers, radiating beauty and social awareness from the mine to the marketplace. This stunning, natural element is becoming the metal of choice for a forward-thinking market. Stillwater Mining Co., North America’s largest Palladium producer and the chief sponsor of PAI, is a Sierra Club-endorsed green mine.

Palladium has already become an in-demand material muse to the biggest names in fine jewelry and couture fashion. Trendsetting brands like Cartier, Bvlgari, Ulysse Nardin, Chopard, Parmigiani, Armani, Louis Vuitton and more, who recognize the metal’s power to creatively stand out, have eagerly embraced Palladium in their jewelry. A surge in consumer awareness and Palladium’s increasing international demand are making it the chic, must-have Now Metal™.

Analysis: Investors could warm again to palladium

According to this article on palladium, investors could warm again to the precious metal:

Lured by a relatively low price and cheaper investment costs, investors could warm again to palladium, which was left in the cold after market restrictions and price volatility in the early 2000s.

Palladium rose in March to its highest level since 2001, renewing investor confidence in the precious metal, and analysts said a bullish outlook for its sister metal, platinum, could help spark another rally.

Cash-rich investment funds could see palladium, used in car exhausts, jewellery and dental equipment, as an alternative to gold or platinum, as both metals had hit lifetime highs.

"I see potential in palladium,'' said Akira Doi, a director at Daiichi Commodities. ''It is still far behind the value of platinum and gold."As long as platinum is strong, palladium will be supported. Considering that it is well below its record highs, palladium could jump with fresh fundamentals," he added.

The precious metal fixed at $446 (R3 401) an ounce yesterday afternoon in London, up more than 20 percent from the beginning of the year, after rising 10 percent in value last year.

Palladium's surge had been given a boost and would continue to be well supported by platinum's strength, traders said. Platinum hit record highs this year after a power crisis stopped mining in South Africa, the world's biggest producer, raising fears of a widening supply deficit and sparking speculative buying.

Platinum demand to climb despite high oil price

According to this article on platinum and palladium, Investec Asset Management believes autocatalyst demand for platinum metal will increase this year, despite the strong oil price that could have a lagged effect on diesel vehicle sales.

Analyst Cara Geffen told Mineweb today there was no evidence yet of a slowdown in demand for autocatalysts or metal for autocatalysts resulting from lower demand for vehicles as the oil price hovers around $130 a barrel.

This comes as higher demand for vehicles in the East, in particular India and China, is exceeding a reduction in demand for vehicles in the United States and Europe.

"We still expect to see growth in autocatalyst demand out of the East," Geffen said.

The analyst said they were bullish on the platinum price as it was driven by legislation in the United States and Europe that is increasingly trying to deal with vehicle emissions.

The palladium price was expected to remain at current levels as long as the platinum price remained high. Although the supply demand balance was improving in support of the palladium price, there was a huge amount of above ground palladium stocks that could provide a constant feed of metal to the market.

"If the palladium price reaches too high, those that are sitting on the metal will sell it off," she said.

Palladium was also produced as a byproduct of platinum and nickel, which implied that increased supply of palladium to the market was not always met by demand growth.

The price differential between platinum and palladium was currently at an all-time high, but platinum could only be substituted in gasoline autocatalysts and not in autocatalysts for diesel vehicles.

"If platinum holds at high levels, the palladium price will remain in the same band over the next six to eight months," Geffen said.