Cartier has sued Apple Inc. in a New York court over claims of patent infringements by the US manufacturers iPhone applications, which violate a trademark for the petitioners Tank line of watches. The iPhone program Fake Watch, which displays the time of day on handset screens using the appearance of look alike famous wristwatches, contravenes Cartiers trademark by copying its 92-year old Tank design, according to a complaint filed recently in a Federal Court in Manhattan. The French Jewellery House also claims the applications also violate trademarks fir its Ballon Bleu de Cartier timepiece. Cartier seeks unspecified money damages and a court order barring California-based Apple from selling the Fake Watch applications.

Sales for Geneva-headquartered luxury goods company Richemont increased 2% in its last fiscal year, ending 31 March 2009 with a 10 % growth during H1 2008-09 offset by a 5 % sales decline in H2 of the fiscal year due to the worldwide economic downturn, according to a recently released management statement. Richemonts jewellery maisons sector, which includes Cartier & Van Cleef & Arpels, experienced a 4 % increase in sales of around USD $ 3.76 billion for the year. The companys specialist watchmakers sector saw sales increase 4 % to about USD $ 1.96 billion for the year. The company reported unspecified double-digit sales growth in the Middle East.

Retail gold sales rose 25-30 % in Abu Dhabi in April 2009, where sales were better than the receding first three months, as lower prices and the Indian wedding season brought buyers back to the market and sales are expected to rise in May 2009 as well, according to Tushar Patni, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Gold & Jewellery Group.

French haute jewellery house Boucheron, has celebrated the launch of the movie home, for which its parent company PPR is the exclusive worldwide partner. In this connection, it held an online auction of its especially created Magnetic Quatre benefiting the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, an effort to promote and verify more responsible mining practices for gold and other metals. Boucheron is also a member of CRJC (Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices) since 2006 to promote responsible social and environmental practices.

Blancpain is the title sponsor of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trpfeo Championship, the first of six European legs of which got off to a flying start in Italy on 16 May 2009. Blancpain President & CEO Marc A. Hayek took the wheel of a gleaming Gallardo LP560-4 decked out in the livery of the Manufacture Blancpain. Competing alongside other famous drivers, Marc A. Hayek was placed third after the second round. To mark the occasion and the partnership, Blancpain introduced its new horological gem—the Super Trofeo Chronograph with cutting-edge technological features in a limited edition of 300.

Chanel recently opened its first 663 sq. m. boutique dedicated to fashion, watches and fine jewellery in Dubai Malls Fashion Avenue. The boutique, designed by New York based architect Peter Marino, embodies luxury, elegance and a contemporary spirit. The Jewellery Case for watches & fine jewellery projects graphic lines in a pure Art Deco style.

34-year old independent, premium Swiss watchmaker Maurice Lacroix and British golf star Justin Rose have signed a contract over a close partnership. The collaboration begins with immediate effect and will last for three years with the option of extending for two additional years. Maurice Lacroix creates watches for unique personalities, the kind of profile that fits Justin Rose perfectly, commented CEO Martin Bachmann. The new Brand Ambassador will wear Maurice Lacroix watches when playing on the golf courses.

The finals of the Adler Jewellery Design Award, the international jewellery design competition held by the House of Adler in September 2009, will take place on the evening of 12 June 2009 at the Beau-Rivage Hotel in Geneva. The first competition centred on the theme Memories of Women, Memory of the World, was a great success and attracted 263 entries from designers aged 18 to 30 from 57 countries. Three winners will be announced from among 10 finalists and will also be awarded cash prizes.

Saks Fifth Avenue, a division of the Damas Group, conducted a week-long Luxury Pearl week from 6 to 12 May 2009, at its flagship salon in Dubais chic BurJuman Mall. During this period, Damas showcased its stunning collection of internationally acclaimed pearl jewellery brands such as Paspaley, Utopia, Jewelmer, Robert Wan Tahiti, Gelner and its own popular in-house brand Kiku Pearls.

Equss Jewellery, the Australian fashion jewellery brand, plans to open a flagship outlet at Dubais Sunset Mall in Dubai Investment Properties (DIP). No time line was provided but the new boutique will feature a wide range of fashion jewellery and accessories made in silver and 18-carat gold.

Damas has opened two new boutiques at Dubais newest shopping centre, the Arabian Centre Mall in the Mirdif District, according to a press release by the company.

French film stars Virginie Ledoyen and Sarah Marshall wore Genevan celebrity jeweller deGrisogonos creations on the red carpet at the latest 62nd Cannes Film Festival held recently

Stacy Ann Ferguson, US singer & rapper better known as Fergie, wore huge Neil Lane grey & white diamond chandelier earrings and layers of black diamond, platinum and ball chains on her wrist and a diamond & platinum bracelet at a recent Hollywood bash hosted by a fashion weekly.

Vacheron Constantin has presented two new Overseas models in 2009an Automatic and an Automatic Chronograph. The Geneva based premium brand has opted for a sophisticated and trendy grey, giving full scope to this popular colour with a slate grey dial, mouse grey strap, anthracite grey titanium bezel and steel grey case. Both of these 42 mm diameter models incorporate all the identifying features of the Overseas collection sleek lines, a bezel inspired by the Maltese Cross, screwed-down pushpieces for the chronograph version, white luminescent hourmarkers and are water-resistant to 150 metres.

To mark its centennial this year, top international Parisian jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels has launched its latest jewellery collectionUne Journee a Paris. The leading premium brand invites its patrons to discover Paris, the city of lights and the city of its founding by embarking on tour and stroll with the House of Van Cleef & Arpels through this mythical, magical and enchanting city. Among the famous tour sites mentioned are the Jardin des Tuileries, Avenue Montaigne, the Eiffel Tower and Place Vendome.

This Fathers Day (US, 21 June 2009), Roger Dubuis has released the impressively crafted, limited edition, EasyDiver Chronographs. With only 28 pieces available in each model, EasyDiver incorporates classic complications with the smart-casual facade of a diving watch. The hand-wound chronographs bear the Poincon de Geneve quality hallmark and the RD logo on the strap secured by the triple lugs that are the brands signature provide an elegant sporty touch to the chronometer.

New York-based celebrity jewellery designer Daniel K has launched an assortment of diamond jewellery collections in the Middle East in conjunction with regional partner Damas, whilst on a recent personal visit to the UAE. These include the Empress-worthy cascading chandelier earrings, drop earrings, intricate cuffs, bewitching brooches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants & other wearable jewellery bearing the Daniel K stamp and made of GIA-certified gemstones.

Buben & Zorweg, creators of exclusive watch winders, fine mechanical clocks and luxurious Objects of Time, has launched another masterpiecethe Objet de Temps II in a limited edition of 75 pieces. The clock has an impressive double tourbillon complication, large world time display, 30-day power reserve, the set of 12 Time Mover watch winders and another firsta musical mechanism that plays Mozart three times a day.

Industry experts have acknowledged the growing significance of China in boosting the global gold trade at a recently concluded industry conference organized by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). Participants in the inaugural DMCC Gold Convention 2009: Year of the Bull or the Bear? highlighted that Chinas gold reserves, which rose rapidly to reach 1,054 tonnes this year, will re-ignite golds relevance as a monetary asset. As the worlds fifth largest holder of growth, China is attracting immense speculative interest on further increases in its gold reserves.

The 8th annual edition of KARA, the international creative jewellery show, will be held at the Carrousel du Louvre in the heart of the French capital Paris from 4 to 6 December 2009. According to the organizers, the 2,000 sq. m., three-day exhibition is expected to attract 15,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors from 10 countries. KARAs themes for 2009 are to discover new talents, new materials, new techniques and new trends