Glittering Stones News,Diamonds news,Gems and jewelry news

Vietnam’s exports of precious stones and metals grew approximately 4 percent to $60.8 million in the first four months of 2008, the Xinhua news agency reported citing the Industry and Trade Ministry’s Trade Information Center.

The country exported $17.9 million value of gemstones and precious metals to France, its leading market, and $5.5 million to the United States. Hong Kong imported $4.6 million value in the four month period.

In total, Vietnam exported gemstones and precious metals to 16 countries and regions, including Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, Japan and South Korea, between January and April, Xinhua reported.

Jane Munro, 37, a waitress, of Restalrig, lists her top five places to buy birthday presents in the Capital.

1 Flux, Bernard Street. This is one of my favourites – I can spend ages browsing the shelves. I mainly loved the champagne flutes I purchased here for my sister’s 30th birthday.

2 Helios Fountain, Grassmarket. I love all the beads and gem stones they sell in here and if I’ve got the time I think it’s a nice contact to make a necklace or bracelet if any of my trinket-loving friends are celebrating a birthday.

3 The Soap Co Edinburgh, Canongate. For a lady a little elder, this place offers a beautiful selection of fragrant handmade soaps.

4 The Russian Shop, St Mary’s Street. As well as Babushka dolls, this gem of a shop sells plenty of little knick-knacks and ornaments that will bring a great deal of birthday joy.

5 Halibut & Herring, Bruntsfield Place. This is where to go if you’re looking for a girly current that’s a little strange. I got a beautiful fabric bag from here and the cards are creative too.

The 14th international exhibition of precious and semi-precious stones will be held here from August 28 to 31.

This was decided in a meeting of the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association (APCEA) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) here.

Exhibition Committee Chairman Muhammad Nasir said the expo would have 30 stalls including four stalls of studded gold jewellery, adding invitation would soon be sent to investors in the US, Thailand, the Gulf and Europe.

TDAP Director General Waheed Raza Bhatti directed the staff anxious to make arrangements and publish advertising material for the exhibition. He said the security situation in the region had improved and hoped there would be complete quiet and harmony at the time of the expo.

In November, he said, a designation of exporters would visit Germany to contact commercial attaches and invite investors to invest in the stone sector of Pakistan.

The exporters of NWFP would contribute to in exhibitions which would be held in the US and Thailand, he added.

The meeting was attended by APCEA Chairman Jamshed Khan and Vice Chairman Kamran Khan, Exhibition Committee Co-chairmen Muhammad Nasir Khan, Nawaz Khan and Abdul Aziz.

Tahiti pearls

The G.I.E. Perles de Tahiti – a non-profit financial interest group promoting Tahitian Pearls and their by-products around the world organized a grand Pearl Jewellery Contest recently at Beirut, Lebanon. It has also linked with renowned Lebanese fashion designer – Fouad Sarkis to create outfits motivated by and incorporating, Tahitian black pearls and mother of pearls.

This is G.I.E. Perles de Tahiti’s first risk outside Europe where it had already combined with famous designers.

Sarkis presented his Winter 2002 Collection in the fulsome gardens of a 19th century Oriental palace where a dinner was hosted for Lebanese and Middle Eastern VIP’s who were then treated to a trendy Fashion Show.

Lebanon was chosen because it is the fashion Capital of the Middle – East and the country which produced the most number of winners in a recent G.I.E. Perles de Tahiti International Tahiti Pearl Design Competition. Lebanon emerged with nine international awards in various categories, ahead of the United States, Brazil and France. The contest invited pearl jewellery in a head-ti-foot range in ten different categories.