International News
Gold near fresh all-time highs ahead of US trading session
Gold’s price (XAU/USD) is seeing gains tick up trading near $2,952 at the time of writing, fueled by a weaker US Dollar (USD) and softening US yields in a reaction to the recent German federal election outcome. Although the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained 20% of votes, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) is comfortable in the lead with 208 seats against AfD’s 152. US yields dropped off and the CME Federal Reserve (Fed) Futures are now favoring a 25 basis points (bps) rate cut in June, where last week odds were rather for no rate cut in June.
Meanwhile, traders will watch the US Gross Domestic Product (GBP) release for the fourth quarter of 2024 later this week. Given the recent slowdown in US activity and economic data (for example, the softer Services Purchase Managers Index (PMI) reading on Friday), another drop in US yields could be triggered, with markets anticipating the Federal Reserve lowering its monetary policy rate to boost the economy and demand. The US dollar weakened after several reports and economic data points last week revealed that US business activity slowed and consumer confidence waned, with expectations for inflation surging and markets pricing in more rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year.
International News
Cartier Romanov sapphire bracelet nets $4.9mn at Sotheby’s Geneva auction
The cushion-shaped sapphire attributed to onetime ownership of Russia’s imperial family was billed as a very rare stone, and had been expected to fetch between 850,000 and 1.7 million francs ($1 million and $2 million)
A Cartier bracelet that was previously part of the imperial Russian crown jewels more than doubled its high estimate to bring in CHF 4.1 million ($4.9 million) at a recent Sotheby’s auction in Geneva.
The cushion-shaped sapphire attributed to onetime ownership of Russia’s imperial family was billed as a very rare stone, and had been expected to fetch between 850,000 and 1.7 million francs ($1 million and $2 million) at the Geneva auction.
The piece centers the cushion-shaped, 197.80-carat Romanov sapphire with the bracelet featuring brilliant-cut diamonds and accented with modified shield-step-cut diamonds. It has an interchangeable engraved rock crystal center embellished with triangular diamonds. The lot was the top seller, beating its CHF 850,000 to CHF 1.7 million ($1 million to $2 million) estimate.
-
National News5 hours agoThis Men’s Day, say it with Candere: Jewellery Gifts he didn’t know he needed
-
National News9 hours agoFGLOC to host inaugural Gold Summit in Kochi
-
International News8 hours agoCartier Romanov sapphire bracelet nets $4.9mn at Sotheby’s Geneva auction
-
National News11 hours agoDomestic precious metal markets record steady retail pricing
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.