Hong Kong—The World Gemological Institute (WGI) is the latest entity in the jewelry industry to make its presence felt in China.

Tustin, Calif.—Gemfind.com, an Internet portal that unites jewelry buyers with diamond and gemstone wholesalers, is changing the way consumers shop for jewelry.

Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that the 2008 S.H. Silver Company Scholarship, an award that goes to a student enrolled in the GIA Jewelry Design Program, has been given to Shauna McDonough of Prince Frederick, Md.

Tucson, Ariz.—At a presentation held during the recent AGTA Show in Tucson, Ariz., American Gemological Laboratories' (AGL) C.R. "Cap" Beesley and DWA Communications' Diane Warga-Arias set forth several key points to selling gemstones to the wealthy, a presentation that is now available to retail jewelers.

Washington, D.C.—Consumers are filing their tax returns earlier this year in anticipation of a refund from Uncle Sam, according to the latest survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Irving, Texas—Zale Corp. plans to layoff 140 employees and close another 23 stores in fiscal year 2008 in what the company is billing as an "operational efficiency program."

New York—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Federal Register Notice asking for comments on its proposed amendment that would allow jewelry marketers to use the term platinum, or an abbreviation, to describe platinum and non-platinum group metal alloy products.

Irving, Texas—Zale Corp. plans to layoff 140 employees and close another 23 stores in fiscal year 2008 in what the company is billing as an "operational efficiency program."

Man Sang International Ltd. on Thursday reported a year-over-year sales increase of 6.2 percent to approximately 40.8 million for the first nine months of the fiscal year, due to a rise in sales of assembled pearl and non-pearl jewelry.

Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. said Wednesday that it will close 105 stores (23 more than previously announced) and cut 225 staff positions as part of a program to generate more than $65 million in ongoing, annualized savings beginning in the company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.