New York—The Jewelry Information Center (JIC) has added new downloadable content to its Web site, JIC.org.

Akron, Ohio—Sterling Jewelers has promoted merchandising directors Bruce Carter and Dawn McGuire to vice presidents.

New York—Three diamond rings designed and crafted by Donna Distefano will be featured on The Tyra Banks Show this Valentine's Day.

Sherman Oaks, Calif.—Fine-jewelry manufacturer Zalemark and publishing giant Hearst Corp. are joining together in a three-year agreement to create and develop a new jewelry line under the ESQ label.

Washington, D.C.—A new treaty between the United States and Belgium designed to avoid double taxation is the first in a series of measures the Belgian government is taking to draw more foreign investment, the Embassy of Belgium has announced.

London—A 4 percent increase in gold demand coupled with a price that raced toward the long-held $850 per ounce record, created a record-breaking $79 billion demand for gold in 2007, the World Gold Council (WGC) reported.

Washington, D.C.—Consumers focused more on buying necessities than discretionary items in January, edging up retail sales 2 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted from December, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).