The World Gold Council is sharing half a dozen trends emerging from the recent VicenzaOro First jewelry show that it predicts will influence fine jewelry design and demand through 2011.

Gold demand fell slightly in the first nine months of the year in the United States, according to a newly issued report by the World Gold Council. Released last week, the WGC’s Gold Investment Digest for the fourth quarter and full year 2010 notes that the value of gold jewelry imports declined 8 percent in September year-over-year, an indicator that jewelry retailers were trying to manage gold inventory levels tightly for the holiday season as prices rose toward the end of the year.

The U.S. Department of Labor has added 12 countries to its list of nations that use child or forced labor in a number of industries, including diamond and precious gemstone mining in countries such as Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

Gold prices hit $1,273 per-ounce Thursday, amid concerns about slow economic growth, with some analysts reporting that the price could top $1,300 an ounce.

New York--Leslie's has released its 2009-2010 catalog featuring a multitude of new items, especially pieces with targeted price points given the current trends in the economy.

New York--The Chinese government has opted to transfer its gold reserves from a state agency to the People's Bank of China (PBOC), a move that highlights the growing importance of the metal as a monetary asset, according to a news release issued by the CPM Group.