Signet Jewelers aka kay and Jared to buy Zales.

[Karl_K]

This is interesting.
They will have a lot of leverage in the industry.

http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=39137

 

[Roxy]

Very interesting indeed Karl! Talk about having quite a corner on the market. I was looking at their various branded stones and would love to hear your thoughts on Zale's Celebration line (71 facets/10 hearts, 102 facets, "grand", etc etc). I've never paid much attention to Zales so I was surprised to see the variety of faceting that they're offering now.

Oh, and I meant to say "Howdy" back to your Howdy thread!

 

[Karl_K]

They can't compete on price with the the internet on RB and princess cuts on price because of the high overhead so they are trying different designs.
The problem is none of them are really innovative.
There are a whole bunch of extra facet rounds on the market for example that are all designed for high performance of some sort or another and marketed as the next best thing since the diamond saw.
Some even have 10 hearts.

However they do throw lot of marketing dollars at them.
I think it is what they need to do to survive long term but how well they do it is another question.

 

[Karl_K]

Oh, and I meant to say "Howdy" back to your Howdy thread!

Howdy!!!

 

[Roxy]

They can't compete on price with the the internet on RB and princess cuts on price because of the high overhead so they are trying different designs.
The problem is none of them are really innovative.
There are a whole bunch of extra facet rounds on the market for example that are all designed for high performance of some sort or another and marketed as the next best thing since the diamond saw.
Some even have 10 hearts.

However they do throw lot of marketing dollars at them.
I think it is what they need to do to survive long term but how well they do it is another question.

Thanks a bunch Karl, that's what I was thinking.

I've seen other designs w/ additional facets, but the one w/ 10 hearts made me go ... what? So I had to ask an expert and I appreciate your taking time out to give me feedback.

 

[Karl_K]

Thanks a bunch Karl, that's what I was thinking.

I've seen other designs w/ additional facets, but the one w/ 10 hearts made me go ... what? So I had to ask an expert and I appreciate your taking time out to give me feedback.

10 heart rounds have been on the market for 7-8 years. Its called the Solasfera.
There were some here and there that predate it also but I think they were the first to mass produce them.

 

[Roxy]

Thanks a bunch Karl, that's what I was thinking.

I've seen other designs w/ additional facets, but the one w/ 10 hearts made me go ... what? So I had to ask an expert and I appreciate your taking time out to give me feedback.

10 heart rounds have been on the market for 7-8 years. Its called the Solasfera.
There were some here and there that predate it also but I think they were the first to mass produce them.

Duh!!! Okay, I've watched those GOG videos comparing the Solasferas w/ "traditional" H&A and remembered it had extra facets (91 I think?) but for some reason I forgot that they have 10 hearts.

Since you're in the trade, I don't want to cross any lines w/ specific brands and stuff (I don't know what's allowed), but when you mentioned them, the lightbulb went on (dimly, but it's on LOL ).

So this "Celebration Fire (tm)" diamond isn't anything groundbreaking, just another take on this idea ... got it. I'm going to revisit the threads that talk about additional facets and continue my research. Thanks!