Thursday, October 18, 2012

Harry Winston Is Not For Sale

The Harry Winston salon in Paris.

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. issued a statement Thursday saying it is not in talks to sell its luxury jewelry and watch business.

“While it is the company’s general policy not to comment on market rumors, it confirms that it has received various indications of interest regarding a potential purchase of its luxury brand segment. It is not in active negotiations regarding any such transaction,” it said in the statement. “The company does not intend to make any further public announcements regarding this matter unless it concludes that they are warranted by the circumstances or are required by law.”

The statement came as a result of stories from Reuters and other outlets stating that Harry Winston “has been approaching potential buyers such as luxury groups LVMH and PPR.”

Harry Winston Diamond Corp. is a business with assets in the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. Harry Winston supplies rough diamonds to the global market from its 40 percent ownership interest in the Diavik Diamond Mine. The company’s luxury brand segment is a diamond jeweler and luxury timepiece retailer with salons in key locations throughout the world.

Harry Winston shares ownership of the diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada with mining giant Rio Tinto, which owns a 60 percent stake. The miner has announced its intention to sell all of its diamond mines to concentrate in larger mining segments. Harry Winston was reportedly in talks to buy the mine outright.


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