Leaving behind oppressive heat – of the mid-summer weather, a visit to Alaska was refreshing, invigorating as well as illuminating, as my cruise through this off-beat region of the USA proved by revealing its inside gems and jewellery trade and tenancies.%%My overseas tour in June, 2008 took me to the USA where I visited the far off Alaska region for the first time. This long expedition which enabled me to cool my heels after a hectic half-year of inland and foreign journalistic activity. During the long Alaska cruise, I also remained active professionally to observe the gems and jewellery scenario and gather relevant information about the precious goings on.%%It has been common knowledge that Tanzanite, the comparatively new colored gem and its jewellery are more popular in the USA, but what I observed at close quarters during my passage through Alaska revealed much more- Tanzanite has been accorded the pride of place so much so that wherever you go the fancy ‘Queen’ is there to welcome you. I am tempted to say that diamonds & tanzanite has virtually become omni present, as the Goddess of glamour and beauty! In cities like Juneau, Sitka, Ket Chikan and others, all precious outlets stock tanzanite and diamond jewellery showrooms display it prominently. Pampered and boosted by profuse publicity, it is selling like hot cakes ! Diamond International, Tanzanite International are big companies which has its branches all over Alaska for retailing Tanzanite and diamond jewellery. Even during our Alaska cruise, the daily jewellery expo on board the ship displayed tanzanite and diamonds variously.%%Although fashion jewellery, CZ jewellery and synthetic jewels are quite popular in USA, diamond jewellery enjoys high-end patronage.%%After my Alaska cruise, I returned to New York where I discussed the precious trade situation with the Universal Gem Traders head Haridas Kotahwala, the well known gemsman from Jaipur now operating from USA. He reported that big size colorstones were moving but were somewhat expensive; as an example he recalled the sale of big emeralds for US$ 2 lakh per carat. Big size Burma rubies are also sought.%%There has been a drop in low quality colored goods because their processing factories have been shifted to China and Hong Kong. Good demand continues for 10 ct. plus emeralds, rubies and sapphires, as well as tanzanites, but most buyers want the quality gems with certificates. He added that diamonds too are looking up. In the meantime, many colored gems traders have diversified into diamonds and colored stones jewellery.%%Haridas Kotahwala mentioned that precious trade has become very apprehensive about treated gems and they seek certification about all expensive gems traded.

{{Recession Short-Circuits JCK Las Vegas}} :%%Unfortunately, prevailing US depression also short-circuited the globally popular annual JCK Show held at Las Vegas. The crowd puller Show, which had been generating good B2B deals was a shadow of its substantial self this year with at least a 30 per cent drop in turnout. A reason for this may be the fact that so many gems and jewellery Shows are cropping up, but the capacity of buyers remains the same, hence the problem of fewer visitors. %%{{Diamonds Carry the Cake}}:%%This year the Antique Show has been extremely good because of rare diamonds. Bigger diamonds of higher quality are much sought after and their sales graph keeps climbing.%%Another gemsman of Fine Gems NY Inc., President Amar Jyoti Jain reviewed the overall precious US situation for me summarizing the fact that market remains dull with low demand colored gemstones in particular being very sluggish. Cheap and big-look gems are in demand, as well as very fine, exclusive goods are picked up. Red and green colored gemstones are generally preferred. Ruby, Rubellite, Tourmaline and Emerald of high quality remain moving. Peridot in big size remains costly, but not in as much demand.%%{{ Money Market Tight}} :%%He also disclosed that the money market is extremely tight. According to him, in the January-April, 2008 period gems and jewellery sales were lower by about 25 per cent. Later in May-June 2008 the decline turned to about 30%. There is no excitement in the market. Traders are endeavouring to survive. If such depressing conditions continue for longer times, many people may be forced out of business!