MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 | NEW YORK WALDORF-ASTORIA
HOTEL | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
2010 - The Next Decade
The Future of the Diamond Industry
On September 8, 2008, the Rapaport Conference predicted the global financial crisis.
The highly acclaimed Rapaport International Diamond Conference is now available on DVD
You can now watch the exclusive presentations of Martin Rapaport, along with eight
industry leaders
on this special commemorative two-disc Rapaport International Diamond Conference
DVD. This one-time offer features valuable insights from the industry’s most important
leaders into today’s turbulent economy.
The diamond and jewelry industry is undergoing
a period of great change, challenge and
uncertainty. Powerful economic forces are shifting the global balance of trade.
Soaring
commodity prices, a plummeting dollar, the housing crises and U.S. recession, a
billion new
Chinese and Indian consumers.Where will it all lead? What will happen to the diamond
and
jewelry industry?What will happen to your business?
Order a Copy of the Conference DVD
Receive this two-disc special featuring the full day of the Rapaport International
Diamond Conference events. Includes an industry overview and introduction by Martin
Rapaport as well as the full presentations of the featured panelists.
To order your Rapaport Conference DVD, please contact us by email or phone or order online here.
Email: IDC@Diamonds.Net Telephone:
+1-702-893-9400
Order Fee: $100 plus shipping
Featured Speakers
Martin Rapaport,
CEO: The Rapaport Group
Martin Rapaport, CEO of the Rapaport Group, says he has rarely seen a diamond market
so filled with
change. Wild price swings for rough and polished stones; the rise of consumerism
and new wealth
in India, China and the Far East; the growing importance of better quality goods—all,
says Rapaport,
present the industry with challenges and, perhaps, unprecedented opportunities.
Rajiv Mehta, CEO: Dimexon International/Eurostar
Rajiv Mehta, CEO of DTC sightholder Dimexon International, sees massive changes
on the horizon for
the entire diamond and jewelry industry with major shifts in purchasing patterns,
supply and production
taking place on a global scale. Mehta predicts that the increase in prices for diamond
rough is likely to
continue, “irrespective of whether existing players in the industry can absorb it
or not.” With supply
expected to remain flat until 2016 while demand soars, Mehta says consolidation
of the supply chain
is inevitable with the diamond processing segment most at risk.
Rahul Kadakia, Senior Vice President: Christie’s Americas
Rahul Kadakia of Christie’s Americas Jewelry Department says the prices earned at
auction for large
colorless diamonds finally reflect their true worth after having been undervalued
for years. As consumer
wealth moves from the United States and Europe to India, China, Russia and the Middle
East—cultures
comfortable and experienced in purchasing diamonds, gemstones and jewelry for both
personal
adornment and security—auction house clients will start to buy jewelry and gemstones
as works of art,
further increasing their value as supplies of diamonds of exceptional size and quality
continue to grow
more elusive.
Victor van der Kwast, CEO: ABN AMRO, International Diamond and Jewelry Group
As the head of the jewelry division at one of world’s leading lending partners to
the diamond trade,
Victor van der Kwast plays a vital role in forecasting trends across this specialized
industry. His current
views on the availability of credit are sobering: Banks will loan money cautiously—if
at all, says Van der
Kwast, who believes the time is right for companies to examine their business plans
and do whatever is
necessary to maintain solvency including trimming production, eliminating unprofitable
markets and
most importantly, planning ahead.
Gerald Celente, Founder: The Trends Research Institute
“ We are headed for a financial 9/11,” announced Gerald Celente of The Trends Research
Institute,
addressing IDC attendees six days before the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped
a precipitous 500
points and the global financial markets subsequently spun into chaos. Celente forecast
depressions
or recessions of varying degrees for economies throughout the world. Calling the
subprime problems “the
cracks at the bottom of the foundation,” Celente rang the alarm for an impending
commercial lending
crisis, continuing consolidation at the retail level and a U.S. depression whose
effects will be much more
severe than the “Great Depression” when America still maintained a healthy manufacturing
base and
consumer credit was practically nonexistent. As for industry-specific bright spots,
Celente notes the
history of diamonds and precious metals as “safe havens” during times of economic
strife and a tangible
investment.
Ralph Destino, CEO, Gemological Institute of America and Chairman Emeritus, Cartier,
Inc.
Ralph Destino, a jewelry industry veteran believes strongly in the value of branding.
Destino, who
helped to polish such renowned Cartier brands as the Love bracelet and the Tank
watch, believes true
branding is a far cry from simply slapping a name on a new diamond cut and calling
it a brand. His
recommendations to the industry at large include not branding loose goods but applying
increasingly
scarce marketing dollars to both a company and its finished products.
Neal Goldberg, CEO, Zale Corporation
When he joined Zale Corporation in December 2007, Goldberg was an experienced executive
in the
retail industry, having held top positions with some of America’s leading retail
brands—The Gap, Macy’s,
Victoria’s Secret. During his first holiday season in the jewelry industry, Goldberg
says he was horrified
to see diamonds and precious gemstones branded with as much enthusiasm as a handful
of nuts and
bolts. Goldberg gave the nod to Zale’s new and aggressively emotional advertising
campaign, designed
to connect consumers on a gut level with their Zale purchases. He recommends that
retailers step away
from the counter as much as possible to learn about the sales and product experience
their own stores
generate.
Mark Moeller, CEO, R.F. Moeller Jeweler and President, American Gem Society
According to Mark Moeller, retailers interested in building a successful business
need to rise above the
price wars by leveraging their strengths with unique products, services and brands.
Diamonds with a
story, says Moeller, enjoy an edge that will command better margins and help to
cement a store’s bond
with its customers, paving the way for future sales and referrals.
James E. Shigley, PhD, Distinguished Research Fellow, Gemological Institute of America
Lab-grown synthetic and treated diamond detection continue to be of paramount importance
to the
Gemological Institute of America, says leading research scientist, Dr. Jim Shigley.
As synthetic diamonds
increase in crystal quality, size and production, and melee-sized synthetic diamonds
become more of a
reality, Shigley says the gemological laboratory is striving to identify and confront
the 100+ synthesis
presses worldwide about the need for transparency. Shigley says the GIA is also
concerned with correct
identification and disclosure of diamond treatments including irradiated colored
diamonds; HPHT-
treated diamonds (types I and II); the expanded use of multiple treatment processes
that can include a
combination of annealing, radiation and low-temperature heating; diamond coatings
that change a
diamond’s color or add a small amount of weight to a polished natural diamond; nitrogen
removal to produce colorless diamonds; as well as “diamond” coatings on
other gemstones.
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
Order DVD
Full conference day features: $100
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