Diamond News Archives

Home prices have been surging in recent months, as the media declares its due to a "housing shortage." We explore why there is "NO" such thing.

(IDEX Online) - Insurers Jewelers Mutual is set to acquire Wexler Insurance Agency, one of the world's largest privately-owned independent insurance agencies for the jewelry trade. 

The move will bring together two of the most recognized names in the USA's jewelry insurance industry 

Jewelers Mutual Group announced on Friday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wexler  and its affiliate IJB (International Jewelers Block & Fine Arts Insurance Services).

Scott Murphy (pictured), Jewelers Mutual president and CEO said: "Wexler has a strong track record of developing relationships with, and providing risk management solutions to, the jewelry industry and is an ideal complement to Jewelers Mutual."

Gary Wasserman, vice president of Wexler, said: "The combination of Wexler and Jewelers Mutual is a winning partnership that creates value for both companies, as well as the jewelry industry. We are excited to join a company that has a long-term mission to raise the tide of the jewelry industry."

Wexler Insurance Agency / IJB was founded in Miami, Florida, in 1968 and specializes in insuring jewelers, pawnbrokers, check cashers, museums, antique and fine art dealers.

Jewelers Mutual Group was founded in 1913 by a group of Wisconsin jewelers to meet their unique insurance needs. Today it provides insurance for jewelers across the USA and Canada....

(IDEX Online) - October saw a blitz of price rises among smaller fancies (0.23-0.44cts) and some positive movement among 0.45-0.69cts. After a quiet September there was more movement overall, characterized by a rise in demand for these smaller, less costly stones. The economy has started its recovery, but there's still less of an appetite for larger diamonds.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rounds

0.30-0.39 ct. I-J / IF-VS1 -2.5-3%, F-H / VS2 +2.5%

0.50-0.69 ct. J-K / IF +2-3.5%, G / VS1-2 +2.5-3%

1.00-1.24 ct. E / IF-VVS1 -3.5%, N / IF-VVS1 -2.5%

Fancies

0.30-0.39 ct. I+ & SI1+ almost all categories +2-5%

1.00-1.24 ct. D-E / VVS2 -2.5-3%, E-F / I1 +3%    

2.00-2.99 ct. E / IF-VVS2 -3%, K / IF-VVS2 -3%

IDEX Online subscribers please click here^[1] to read the full report....

Editor's Note: This is a guest perspective on the markets from our partners at Peak Prosperity; we hope you enjoy it. Jim Rogers is not only one of the most successful investors of our era, he’s also an avid scholar of history. Seeing that the world is buried under an unprecedented mountain of debt that is requiring more and more central planner intervention to keep from imploding on itself, Jim says history is clear on what happens next. A clearing of the debt either via massive default, or destruction of the currency it’s denominated in.