Police in Sharjah, the third biggest Emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have begun enforcing a September 2001 decree prohibiting men from wearing jewellery or accessories. According to local reports, several men were recently apprehended by the Police in public areas including malls and their bracelets / chains / earrings confiscated. They were warned to discontinue wearing them. Only watches and rings were permissible. A senior Sharjah Police official told an English language daily that under Islamic law, men were not allowed to wear jewellery and fashion accessories.

French luxury & retail group Pinault Printemps Redoute (PPR) has revealed it was hit by a slump in spending on luxury goods in Japan and the USA but has still managed to post first half profits that beat forecasts. PPR made an operating profit of 707 million Euros for the period January to June 2009, down from 743 million Euros for the same period in 2008, according to Chairman & CEO, Francois-Henri Pinault. PPR is the retailer behind Gucci and owner of fashion brands Yves Saint Laurent, Boucheron, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Hermes among others.

Several major Indian diamond traders in the UAE are hopeful that the market for diamond jewellery will revive after September 2009, based on which partially closed jewellery manufacturing units will resume production in early 2010. According to sources, less than 20 percent of Indian owned diamond workshops in the UAE are working to full capacity. Many units had to send back employees to India in the face of falling sales and demand. Now though, some outlets are planning to recall some of the employees sent on long leave.

Following the participation of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) at the recently held (2 & 3 July, 2009) Asia Gold Focus 2009 Conference in Guangzhou, China, where investment strategies for the Dubai gold market was highlighted, it was observed that Chinese gold and jewellery manufacturers are increasingly eager to work closely with UAE based companies. In 2008, China was the world’s largest gold producer, second largest consumer and fifth largest holder of gold reserves. According to Harendra Kailath, Director Gold, DMCC, several Chinese gold refineries have expressed interest in applying for the Dubai Good Delivery standards.

The Antwerp, Belgium based International Diamond Manufacturer’s Association (IDMA) has welcomed the establishment of the International Diamond Bourse (IDB), which is to become the first industry wide supported organization to create and sustain strong consumer demand for diamonds worldwide through effective category marketing. According to Ronnie Vander Linden, IDMA Secretary General, the creation of the Board bodes well for the entire global industry including all major diamond miners as well as leading diamond manufacturers and jewellers.

Cartier International Polo recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, UK. The event, a major highlight in the British social season attracted over 30,000 attendees. At this Cartier supported event, Argentina played England in the Coronation Cup and the game was played in front of a specially invited Cartier guest list of 600 VIPs and socialites.

For the third Super Trofeo competition held at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium featuring some of the world’s greatest car drivers, Blancpain President & CEO Marc A. Hayek in the driving seat of his high-speed Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (number 24) with co-driver Peter Knox, took the third place in the 1st race of the leg. Lauding the Blancpain-Lamborghini partnership, Marc A. Hayek asserted that the two heavyweight brands share the same authentic character, the will to push back limits and boundless creativity. The Blancpain Super Trofeo Chronograph made in DLC-treated steel, powered by a self-winding movement and water-resistant to 100 metres is a tribute to the sturdy & demanding nature of the championships and of the partnership.

For more than 20 years, the Da Vinci in a round case with the perpetual calendar developed by Kurt Klaus was the iconic IWC watch. By popular request, the 5th Edition of the Da Vinci in honour of Kurt Klaus has now made its appearance in the warmest red gold 5N with a black dial. This iconic model displays date, day, month and year in four digits as also perpetual moon phase display and chronograph. It is powered by the 79261 calibre chronograph movement with automatic winding.

With the latest wave of its core values advertising campaign, which includes iconic pictures shot by renowned, internationally acclaimed photographer Anne Leibovitz, Louis Vuitton commemorates the 40th anniversary of man’s conquest of the Moon. According to Antoine Arnault, Head of Communications, Louis Vuitton, the brand has brought together three exceptional figures whose own remarkable personal journeys have taken them into space—Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride, who in 1983 became the first American woman to venture into space as a crewmember on the Space Shuttle Challenger.

The recently held ESPY Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles brought the world top athletes to the City of Angels. The awards were hosted by an avid Ritmo fan, Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson who wore his Diamond Persepolis in steel and yellow with three time zones and Mystery Dial as well as Automatic Dual time zone, Diamond Persepolis in steel and rose. Ritmo Mundo was founded in 2002 in Beverly Hills, California by luxury retailer and watch aficionado, Ali Soltani, who is also the company’s President. Ritmo Mundo released its iconic limited edition Automatic Persepolis and Puzzle models at Baselworld 2009 and the brand is the official timepiece for such high profile events as The Indycar Series (featured in American Idol), Sex & the city and the Miss Universe Pageant.

Parmigiani Fleurier, the independent luxury Swiss watch brand, has for the second consecutive year, become the main sponsor of the recently concluded 43rd Edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The festival was attended by over 100 artists from various musical genres. At the event, Parmigiani previewed its first Collection Atelier, which brought together exceptional timepieces.

Ed (Jason Mesnick) has proposed to Jillian (Melissa Rycroft) with a Neil Lane diamond and platinum ring during the dramatic two hour season finale of ABC’s hit romance reality show, The Bachelorette. As a leading Hollywood jewellery designer, Neil Lane is hailed in the media as the King of Bling and the Ace of Diamonds. Neil Lane is the favourite jeweller for such Hollywood celebrities as Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields and Jennifer Hudson among others. Neil Lane is represented in the UAE and Bahrain by Azal stores.

Hong Kong based R.A. Gem Centre Ltd., a division of S. Vinodkumar Diamonds Pvt. Ltd., is poised for strong take off in the second half of 2009, the company has stated in a press release. To accommodate this projected growth, the Hong Kong Office has expanded massively from the current 6,000 sq. ft. to 14,000 sq. ft., according to Ketan Shah, Director of the company. For the past eight years, the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India has awarded R. A. Gems Centre Ltd. as the Number One Importer of diamonds from India in South East Asia.

Four new, all-steel variations on polished / satin-brushed bracelets from Baume & Mercier’s Classima Executives collection will be available to brand aficionados in the Middle East. These four launches in round 39 mm and 42 mm-diameter cases contain classic Roman numerals and hour markers, mechanical self-winding movements and complications such as dual time zone and power displays. The four models include the MOAO8836 hours, minutes, seconds; MOAO8837 line guilloche décor; MOAO8838 GMT Power Reserve and MOAO8833 with visible balance.

De Beers has unveiled its newest Luck & Love collection in the Middle East that comprises an eclectic mix featuring rings, sleeper earrings, stud earrings, bracelets and pendants, all made of white gold and polished white diamonds ranging in caratage from 0.20 carats to 0.40 carats. De Beers operates two exclusive boutiques in Dubai, UAE. De Beers Diamond Jewellers Ltd. is an independently managed 50 50 joint venture between the De Beers Group and the French luxury goods company LVMH, Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton.

Set in their signature curved case, the 2009 City Medium line from deLaCour presents three new designs, the City Medium Elle, the City Medium Care and the City Medium Forward. The dials, graced with geometric and circular shapes are set in diamonds against white mother of pearl to enhance their beauty or black, to create a luxurious contrast. The three models are encased in diamond set steel or black PVD.

Handcrafted in England, the eagerly awaited limited edition Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre from Vertu, manufacturer of some of the world’s most exclusive mobile phones, is a testament to the brand’s uncompromising standards of design and engineering. The Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre, repeatedly tested to ensure the optimum amount of fibres and resin and processed together to attain a flawless look, is made from coveted modern luxury materials used in the motor-sport, marine and aerospace industries. This collection includes the Carbon Fibre Grip, Carbon Fibre & Aluminum Grip and Carbon Fibre & Copper Grip.

Linde Werdelin, the UK based manufacturer of luxury sports & attachable instrument watches, has recently presented the second limited edition series (limited to only 88 pieces) of the Hard Black DLC to its portfolio of elegant sports watches. According to Morten Linde, Creative Director & Brand Co Founder, the new Hard Black series features a colour contrast of bright yellow luminous hour markers and the all black of the case created to three times harder than steel and second only to diamond in hardness.

Leo Pizzo, the internationally acclaimed Valenza-based Italian luxury jewellery brand founded in 1971 by namesake Leo Pizzo and his wife Sara Di Giorgio, has introduced its newest collections Dream and Flowers & Hearts that combine the finest materials such as gold, diamonds and precious stones. The former features pendants and rings made of diamonds and pink sapphires set in pink gold or 18-carat white gold. The Flowers & Hearts collection features pendants and rings blending diamonds and rubies in pave settings. Crop, Griffe, Pave, Dream and Colour are among the brand’s other collections.

Valentino, part of the Timex Group Luxury Watches, has issued its Homme Limited Edition, a high performance chronograph that functions both as a sport and luxury model. The collection featuring contrasting shiny and opaque black, is crafted entirely from stainless steel treated with a high tech finishing. The 45 mm model is powered by a Swiss automatic chrono movement, which houses a black dial with Clou de Paris pattern and is water resistant to 10 ATM.

1997 established renowned Italian jewellery brand Utopia, part of the 60 year old GAIA a purveyor of fine pearls and gemstones, has introduced its bewitching Notturno collection inspired by the musical composition of the same name paying tribute to a lyrical night of romance. The collection expresses itself in a blend of white gold, South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls and diamonds to offer an enchanting pentagram of two varieties of long necklaces, a scarf necklace, chandelier earrings and rings.

Jet set Italian designer Alessandro Baldieri, who has designed the homes of Hollywood stars Lionel Ritchie and Nicolas Cage, designed his first watch collection in 2006 after 20 years in the designing business. Alessandro is the only Italian fashion designer who makes fashion watches. He personally designs his lines and follows up the production process paying careful attention to every detail and component from the watchcase to the strap.

The upcoming 26th Edition of 46,000 sq. m. India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2009 will be held from 6 to 10 August 2009 at the NSE Grounds in the Western suburb of the country’s commercial metropolis Mumbai. Conceived and organized by the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India, IIJS 2009 is the nation’s and indeed Asia’s biggest jewellery exhibition. According to Mr. Vasant Mehta, Chairman, GJEPC, the Exhibition, which will host over 1550 individual booths and expected to attract over 30,000 official visitors will also feature country pavilions from UAE, Turkey, Thailand, Belgium and Italy among others. Leading industry bodies such as the World Gold Council, the Platinum Guild International and diamond giants Rio Tinto and Diamond Trading Company, a division of the De Beers Group will be participating. Debuting at IIJS 2009 will be the Indian Diamond & Colourstone Show (IDCS), organized to highlight the advantages of sourcing loose gemstones from India, a leading source. It will be held on 4 and 5 August 2009, in the run up to IIJS 2009.

The annual Abu Dhabi International Jewellery & Watch Show will be held at the newly constructed, ultra modern Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the UAE capital from 14 to 18 October 2009. The exhibition is supported by the World Gold Council and the International Gemmological Institute (IGI). Over 8,000 visitors attended the 2008 Show that saw the participation of 101 exhibitors from 15 countries.

MGI Luxury Group SA has announced the appointment of Alex Grinberg to the position of Worldwide President of concord with immediate effect. In a welcome statement, Movado Group Chairman, President & CEO Efraim Grinberg praised Alex Grinberg’s 15 years experience with the company and his professional abilities. The Movado Group designs, manufacturers and distributes Movado, Ebel, Concord, Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and Juicy Couture watches.