You know that the oil markets have truly gone to the dogs when they are suddenly riskier than one of the world’s most volatile commodities: bitcoin.   Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies are synonymous with extreme bouts of volatility. However, it’s crude oil that is now earning that dubious distinction after exhibiting price swings wilder than even the leading cryptocurrency.O...Read More

Sector expert Michael Ballanger charts the latest changes in the markets and prognosticates on when and why silver prices should make a move.One of my good friends from the 1980s and 1990s was the late Ian McAvity, a superb technical analyst, a founder of Central Fund of Canada, a Bay Street Mover and, most importantly, a humble and thoroughly enjoyable man. He was the first newsletter writer that...Read More

Richard Mills, Ahead of the herdWhether it's a Democrat or a Republican installed in the White House this November, you can count on fiscal discipline going out the window. Neither the incumbent, President Donald J. Trump, nor the leading Democratic contender to replace him, Bernie Sanders, appears to give a hoot about shoveling more onto the enormous pile of debt that a few months ago shot past...Read More

Dear Friend of GATA and Gold:A grudgingly approving reference to GATA comes today from the investment research chief of currency trading house BDSwiss, Marshall Gittler, whose essay at FXStreet is headlined "Another 'Risk-Off' day, But with Another Fall in Gold":https://www.fxstreet.com/analysis/another-risk-off-day-but-with-another-...Gittler writes:"The most interesting point of the day, thoug...Read More

By: Carolyn BorodenGold has potential upside to 1709.41 in the futures (GC) as long as two support areas hold. There's initial support at the recent low near 1626, and a wide cluster of support at symmetry projections between 1614.80 and 1621.30.As long as price holds above one of these two zones, we can begin to look at buy triggers. If price breaks beneath there, we'll back off until furth...Read More

Gold should start another wave of rise. Silver will now behave like a precious metals and not an industrial metal. Even USA is preparing for corona virus outbreak. Lack of demand from global tourism industry should result in crude oil prices sliding. Next week will be a big week for bulls and bears of gold. If economic data releases wins then gold prices will correct more. If corona virus wins t...Read More

Diamond market weak as coronavirus shuts down China and weighs on global economy. Financial markets slump with Dow -7% (Feb. 21-27). Gold rallies +4% to $1,653 per ounce (Feb. 1-27). Indian market facing severe liquidity crunch as sales to China stop. Luxury retailers reviewing Hong Kong presence after 2019 protests and ongoing epidemic lead to drop in sales. De Beers gives sightholders added flex...Read More

RAPAPORT... US retail sales will grow 3.5% to 4.1% this year, despite trade tensions and the spreading coronavirus epidemic, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF)."The nation's record-long economic expansion is continuing, and consumers remain the drivers of that expansion," NRF CEO Matthew Shay said Wednesday. "With gains in household income and wealth, lower interest rates and s...Read More

(IDEX Online) - It's a 1.53-carat lab-grown diamond  ???,? ? and it's made of Pepsi. A clear, caramel-free version of the soft drink, Crystal Pepsi, was boiled down to its most basic form, according to the ad agency that dreamed up the idea, and the resulting carbon powder was used in the HPHT process. Pepsi describe the cola stone, set in a platinum band, a an "IGI Laboratory Grown...Read More

RAPAPORT... A New York diamond wholesaler was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $65,000 after stealing nearly $600,000 in loose diamonds sent to him on memo.Isaac Dayan, whose business operates under the name Diamonds Direct, pleaded guilty to charges he failed to pay 11 New York-based diamond companies that had given him stones between November 2015 and November 2018, t...Read More

ASX-listed Newfield Resources is on track to produce the first diamonds from its Tongo diamond mine, in Sierra Leone, in the fourth quarter of this year.The miner on Thursday also said it would soon start the drilling and blasting of the underground decline at Tongo, following the arrival of the mining and support equipment on site.AdvertisementThe underground mining machinery comprises two jumbo...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Women are being urged to treat themselves to a piece of jewelry.They don't need a special reason, says a new consumer marketing campaign called March is Me Month."The goal is to empower every woman to celebrate herself, visit a retail jeweler, and treat herself to a piece of fine jewelry during the month of March," says the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) which is...Read More

RAPAPORT... Revenue at Michael Hill grew 4.4% year on year to AUD 329.5 million ($216.7 million) in the Australian jeweler's first fiscal half, as investments in digital platforms paid off.Same-store sales - at retail locations open for at least a year - rose 6.3% for the six months ending December 29, reflecting increases across its network in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Net profit cl...Read More

Diversified miner Anglo American has welcomed the measures to facilitate cross-border financial transactions, in support of trade and investment, announced by South Africa’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni during his National Budget Speech on Wednesday.In a statement on Thursday, Anglo explained that annexures to the Budget Review provided additional detail, including a shift from the current...Read More

(IDEX Online) - Organizers have announced new dates for the SEASONS | Spring - Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair, after it they were forced to postpone the event because of coronavirus. The show, originally scheduled for 3 to 6 March at the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, will now take place at the same venue from 19 to 21 May. "This decision has been reached following careful consideration and...Read More

RAPAPORT... The organizers of the Watches & Wonders Geneva show have canceled the April event due to the coronavirus. Baselworld is still set to take place, as it stands.Switzerland's Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie said it was its "duty" to anticipate the risks of travel and international gatherings given the global spread of the disease. The fair, formerly known as Salon International...Read More

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has confirmed a new mineral species discovered in Italy, which it has named "dutrowite."The moniker is in recognition of GIA governor Barbara Dutrow and her contributions to mineral sciences and crystal chemistry. The naming is particularly apt, as the substance is from the tourmaline group, and Dutrow has carried out well-known and comprehens...Read More

Artemis all set thanks to unique approachSPONSOREDartemis resourcesJacques said work was progressing well but the maiden resource wasn't quite ready.Read More

Artemis all set thanks to unique approachSPONSOREDartemis resourcesBut Sandfire has been beaten up more than most, with its 22% share price fall since the start of the year comparing unfavourably with the 10% fall for the copper/gold producer it is most oftenRead More

Two-time Vale president Eliezer Batista diesLeadershipLook beyond market approach to project valuations: van ZylLeadershipCardinal heading down familiar gold roadSPONSOREDcardinal resourcesSarama right in the middle of big exploration, corporate build-upSPONSOREDsarama resources The bulk of the budget has been earmarked for a 10,000m drill programme on the advanced Arctic project with the focus on...Read More