Global branding consulting firm Interbrand released its “Best Global Brands 2012” list with Coca-Cola coming in at the top followed by Apple and IBM.  Rounding out fourth spot was Google, which for the first time exceeded Microsoft’s brand value, which came in at fifth place.  

Apple had the biggest brand value increase in 2012, at 129 percent year on year, followed by Amazon at 46 percent and Samsung at 40 percent.  New entrants to the list included Facebook, which just became a publicly traded company this year, at number 69, as well as Prada, Kia, Ralph Lauren, MasterCard and Pampers. 

While technology brands dominated the list, many “fast-moving consumer goods” brands have grown their value consistently by expanding into emerging markets.  Automotive and financial service brands are still feeling the effects of the weak economy. 

Many jewelry and jewelry-related brands made the list as well.  Louis Vuitton, for example was eighteenth overall, while eBay was 36, Gucci at 38, Cartier at 68, Tiffany & Co. at 70, and Avon at 71.  

Interbrand noted that despite the slow global economic recovery, luxury brands increased their brand value from 2011, and have proved resistant to slowdowns in the market.  Success in luxury, it added, is dependent “not only upon a portfolio of superior products and superb quality of service, but also a strong cohesive brand, a formidable digital presence, and reputation that is timeless, elevated, and refined.”

www.diamonds.net

Kate Middleton's $78,000 Olympic Necklace: Love It or Leave It?

Kate Middleton's royal wardrobe is on target for a gold medal in Extreme Style.
The Duchess of Cambridge was in full 2012 Olympics mode on Thursday as she launched a series of Olympic-themed royal events in London.

According to People, she wore an electric-blue crepe dress by Stella McCartney, along with one of her own pieces of jewelry — a necklace made from white and yellow gold, featuring a large gold ring and four other rings along the chain.

A source at the Cartier store in London told People Kate’s Olympic-style necklace was priced at $78,000. A spokesman at Kate’s office confirmed to People that it was from her “private collection” but wouldn’t comment on the price or whether she received it as a gift. As we've said before, Kate could just snap her fingers and have designers and jewelers just drop every luxury item they have at her feet, but she's made a point of not accepting free clothes from designers. But if, say, her hubby or a family member got her the necklace as a gift? Different story.

UsMagazine also has a story on Kate’s dress, Prada pumps and Trinity de Cartier necklace — but they price the five-ring piece at $70,500.

Do you think the necklace is worth the high price?

DIAMOND INDUSTRY LEADERS DISCUSS FAMOUS DIAMONDS

Diamonds were the talk of the Tower of London at a private dinner held last week to mark the start of a three-day summit where, for the very first time, global diamond authorities including Rio Tinto's Tom Albanese, Cartier's Arnaud Bamberger, Christies' Jewellery specialists David Warren and Raymond Sancroft-Baker and senior figures from the Gemological Institute of America, De Beers, and the major auction houses came together as a specialist council to spearhead the search to discover as-yet undocumented rare diamonds and ensure they are showcased to an international audience.

The talks were hosted by Robert Procop, a former Crown Jeweller and leading international authority on diamonds and gemstones, to mark his recent succession from Lord Balfour as Editor-in-Chief of Famous Diamonds.

Procop commented: "For the first time, we have a team of the world's leading diamond experts - people who have mined, cut, classified, bought and sold these gemstones - joining me to embark on a quest to identify Famous Diamonds. I am delighted to say that we already have several exciting new additions which will be published in the next edition in 2012."

With over 100 diamonds in the world at 100 carats or more, the criteria for Famous Diamonds must necessarily extend beyond size to focus on the rare qualities and historical provenance of these extraordinary gemstones.

-The Israeli Diamond Industry