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11-year-old sells jewelry at Farmers Market

2008-08-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

The 11-year-old rocks a streak of blue dye in her blondish hair and has a soft spot for lime-green shoes. Cassie also has a social conscience: A couple of weeks ago, she started selling homemade jewelry at Steamboat Springs’ weekly Farmers Market for charity. Her profits will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Heart Association.

She sports her own beaded hemp creations, which she says she can whip up in about five minutes apiece. Cassie lets creativity be her guide. Rules? She’s got only one: “It kind of has to match. I wouldn’t put something on that didn’t match.”

Cassie learned how to make the necklaces and bracelets at her birthday party in December. Before she started selling the accessories at the market, she and a co-entrepreneur tried to market their wares.

“A friend of mine comes in every now and then from Tennessee for the summer,” she said. “We would go around our neighborhood with a wagon — door to door — and that didn’t work so well. We kept trying to find a better way to sell it.”

She decided to go the charitable route.

St. Jude’s was a favorite cause of Cassie’s grandmother, Patsy Wilhelm, who died nearly a year ago. Wilhelm often participated in Saddle Up for St. Jude. The horseback ride raises funds for the hospital, which is in Memphis, Tenn.

Patsy Wilhelm “had a special place in her heart for St. Jude’s,” partly because it doesn’t turn children away if their families cannot pay for care, said Cassie’s mother, Rebecca Wilhelm.

Cassie also chose the American Heart Association because she had heard about it through the Jump Rope for Heart program at her school, Strawberry Park Elementary School.

At the Farmers Market on Sixth Street, Cassie has done well, Rebecca Wilhelm said. She has set up her booth only once so far, on July 19, but raised nearly $40. Her jewelry sells for $1 to $3.

“We have a very generous town,” said Rebecca Wilhelm, who accompanied her daughter but said she stayed in the background.

Better all the time

Cassie calls her business Little Art DBA (doing business as) Tangles and Knots, and she also sells decorated picture frames, canvas bags and other crafts. Tracy Barnett, program manager of Mainstreet Steamboat Springs, waives the $35 booth fee for Cassie.

Cassie’s first day was a hot one, Barnett recalled.

“She didn’t have a tent or an umbrella, so she bought one of these giant floppy hats,” Barnett said. “She was so cute.”

Cassie, who intends to take along an umbrella next weekend, also accepts donations at her booth. Her family planned to spend this weekend at Steamboat Lake, but she said she would set up shop next week. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and goes through Labor Day weekend.

The soon-to-be-sixth-grader said she buys her supplies at Wal-Mart, practically for peanuts. The craft aisle there is one of her favorite spots.

“Hemp and beads come pretty cheap,” Cassie said. “I can get 100 yards for $3 or $4, so I usually take about $15 and get all that stuff.”

She constantly is improving her craft.

“I have found better ways to tie knots, better things to put on, better ways to invest,” Cassie said.

“She’s my little entrepreneur,” Rebecca Wilhelm said.

Cassie’s interests go beyond fashion. She spends her spare time on the family ranch playing mandolin, violin and piano; reading; riding horses and playing with her pets. The family has horses and dogs, but Cassie’s eyes lit up when she talked about the reptiles — though her dad, Rick, won’t let her get a snake.

She loves her bearded dragons, Elvis and Jimmy, and Poseidon, the family’s banana snail. Poseidon originally was supposed to be food for the blue-tailed skink that belongs to her 8-year-old brother, R.J.

R.J. isn’t interested in being a part of the hemp jewelry industry.

“R.J. is a bona fide cowboy,” Rebecca Wilhelm noted.

“And boys don’t wear bracelets,” Cassie chimed in.

But Cassie loves what she’s doing and plans to stay involved in philanthropy.

“I really like making the things,” she said. “That’s my favorite part. And the charities, of course. It makes you feel good.”
Source: steamboatpilot

Jewelry artist goes hippie chic

2008-08-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

In style and spirit, the 24-year-old jewelry designer has always yearned for the bygone era and its messages of love and peace. Now, with her new jewelry line, Solomon is using those ideals to make her mark in the competitive industry.

“I like the hippie ideals,” she says. “The music was very powerful and I like the psychedelic art. It was a very vibrant time and very inspiring in terms of jewelry.”

Solomon, who has a studio in Manhattan and at her parents’ home in Wayne, has already attracted a bit of attention with her retro-chic jewelry line. This month’s issue of Lucky Magazine features “Gossip Girl’s” Leighton Meester wearing Solomon’s turquoise thunderbird necklace on the cover; her jewelry has appeared in various other fashion features and jewelry blogs; and Ashley Olsen was also photographed traipsing through Manhattan wearing one of Solomon’s pieces.

“It’s nice when they actually choose your piece and they’re not being told by the stylist to wear it,” Solomon says. “I found it more exciting seeing Ashley Olsen in Us Weekly walking down the street or having lunch with friends wearing the piece rather than just posing in it.”

Growing up in Wayne and Ohio, Solomon was exposed to a lot of fine jewelry through her mother, who had friends in the business. Solomon always had a creative flair and knew she wanted to pursue art in college. She found her niche in jewelry design through a metalsmithing class at University of Michigan.

By her senior year, Solomon was already creating a line for Steven Alan, a celebrated New York designer and boutique owner. After graduating in 2005 with a major in metalsmithing, she worked at New York’s Ten Thousand Things jewelry boutique and as an assistant for designer Sharon Khazzam, whose jewelry is carried at Barney’s New York.

After three years of working, Solomon decided to go off on her own.

“I thought if I really want to do the most creative things that are in my mind and push my ideas forth, I have to focus full time on my own jewelry,” she says.

The ’60s theme is apparent in Solomon’s collection. Stud earrings are shaped into subtle peace signs; the flower theme is carried from rings to pendants to various styles of earrings. And then there is the Native American influence: ancient arrowhead pendants; bright turquoise carved into birds and hearts; small animal-shaped carvings, or “fetishes,” that are meant to empower the wearer with various forces.

“Native Americans really believed that [fetishes] could heal you if you’re ill and protect you if you’re going into a scary situation,” she says. “We all have these keepsakes that we kind of believe in whether it’s a locket or some sort of symbol that we’re superstitious about.”

In addition to various stones and ancient beads, Solomon’s jewelry uses diamonds, gold and silver. But with the rising cost of gold, it took some improvisation to keep her 18-karat gold pieces affordable: some now feature smaller gold charms; some pendants are made on suede straps rather than gold chains; and a few have been remade in sterling silver.

“The themes I put in my jewelry are supposed to remind you of happy things, and it’s supposed to be a whimsical fun thing, and I don’t want just people of a certain standing to be able to have that,” she says.

Solomon’s line is sold online at Elisasolomon.com and at boutiques in New York, California, Ohio, Oregon and Florida. She’s working on getting a few local retailers to carry her line, she adds. For the upcoming season, she plans to expand on the hippie theme by incorporating pieces inspired by rock-and-roll.

“Music was such a pivotal part of when hippies meditated, when they relaxed and hung out,” she says, adding that the new pieces will use colors and musical iconography representative of the era. “Ultimately, I really want people to have a sense of fun with the jewelry.”
Source: northjersey

Levinson Jewelers to Open Second Store

2008-08-03T23:01:00.000-07:00

Levinson Jewelers said it is planning to open a second South Florida location in the fall.

The store, set for a November opening, will be in Fort Lauderdale at 888 E. Las Olas Boulevard. This will complement the original Levinson Jewelers location in nearby Plantation.

“This new location is a major testament to the true value of customer loyalty,” said Mark Levinson, co-owner of Levinson Jewelers, along with his wife, Robin. “We have been fortunate to experience more than two decades of success, and now the demand for Levinson Jewelers quality and efficiency is reaching beyond our expectations. We feel we owe it to our current and future customers and friends to expand the Levinson brand.”

The Levinson’s have been hosting a series of 25th Anniversary Celebrations this year, which will peak with a grand opening party for the new store on Nov. 7.
Source: jckonline

Victoriana Jewelry return to original neighborhood

2008-08-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

Victoriana Antique & Fine Jewelry will move back to the neighborhood where it opened its doors 31 years ago when it relocates to Larimer Square next week.

The store, which specializes in antique jewelry from the 19th century to the 1940s and carries new and designer jewelry, is leaving Writer Square, where it has operated for the past 17 years, said David Prebble, who owns the store with his wife, Veronica.
Source: denverpost

National Retail Federation Says Jewelry is Hot

2008-08-03T22:50:00.001-07:00

Jewelry companies are well-represented among STORES magazine’s 2008 Hot 100 Retailers list. Tiffany, Blue Nile, Finlay Enterprises, and Birks & Mayors were considered among the fastest growing retailers in 2007.

The four companies reported a combined year-over-year revenue growth in 2007 of 14.6 percent, according to the annual ranking, which was published in the August issue of the official publication of the National Retail Federation.

Blue Nile, with its 16th ranking, leads jewelry retailers in sales growth. The Seattle-based Internet diamond and jewelry retailer reported a year-over-year increase in sales of 23.8 percent for 2007. Tiffany, making the list at 45, comes in second among jewelers with sales growth of 14.8 percent for 2007.

Finlay Enterprises, which reported a $10.3 million loss in 2007, landed on the list at number 52, reporting sales growth of 13.1 percent for the year. Birks & Mayors rounds out the list among jewelry companies at 93, reporting a 7 percent sales gain in 2007.

Among retailers that include jewelry in their product mix, Saks, which ranks 58th on the list, reported an 11.7 increase in sales in 2007, followed by Neiman Marcus at 75, with an 8.9 percent growth in sales. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, reported an 8.6 percent growth in sales, which placed the company at 80 on the list.

Overall, 2007 retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 3.3 percent unadjusted over 2006, according to NRF, the slowest industry retail growth since 2002.

All public companies with more than $100 million in sales were eligible for the 2008 Hot 100 Retailers list, which provides a definitive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing retailers. This is the third year for the list.

“Regardless of merchandise selection or customer base, the fastest-growing retailers know who they are and what their shoppers want,” said Rick Gallagher, STORES Publisher. “Retailers of all sizes have something to learn from the ingenuity and perseverance of this year’s Hot 100 Retailers.”

Topping the list was CVS Caremark with a sales gain of 74.2 percent in 2007; followed, in order, by Rite Aid (39.8 percent), IHOP (38.6 percent), Amazon.com (38.5 percent), American Apparel (35.8 percent), Coldwater Creek (33.8 percent), GameStop (33.4 percent), BJ’s Restaurants (32.3 percent), Chipotle Mexican Grill (31.9 percent), and FTD (31.8 percent).
Source: jckonline

WJA Celebrates 25 Years; Honors Yurman, Kaiser

2008-08-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Women’s Jewelry Association’s 25th annual Awards for Excellence was a festive tribute to the women who founded and nurtured the organization, and two exceptional industry leaders.

Sybil Yurman, president and chief management officer of David Yurman, received the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award and Steven Kaiser, president and chief executive officer of Kaiser Time, was honored with the Ben Kaiser Award, during the event held July 27 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

“It’s not often that you get to do what you love and get to do it with someone you love,” Yurman said. She also acknowledged Carolyn Kelly, former jewelry buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue, and now co-owner of Old World Chain, for “helping in the early years.” She spoke about the sense of “family” in the industry and acknowledged “all the people who have taught us so much.”

Kaiser, said his father, after whom his award was named, was ahead of his time for promoting women in the industry. He thanked his mother, Eta, wife, Vivian, and daughter, Emily, and acknowledged his female team, who were in attendance.

WJA’s president Yancy Weinrich, Industry VP, JCK Events (pictured in center with Kaiser and Yurman), recognized the association’s three “Pillar of Distinction” sponsors: Platinum Guild International, Jewelers Mutual Insurance, and David Yurman. She also introduced a special 25th anniversary video that had been produced by Filmworks Inc. and overseen by Anniversary co-chairs Linda Goldstein, a WJA founder and former president, and Billie Sutter, a former national board member. With interviews from many of the influential women responsible for the creation and growth of the organization, it highlighted key initiatives, such as WJA’s Student Scholarships, DIVA Awards, Awards for Excellence and the Women in the Know conferences.

In celebration of WJA’s 25th year, Weinrich announced that $25,000 will be distributed this year in student scholarships, one of the first programs of the national organization when it was established in 1983. WJA’s annual Scholarship Fund is supported by its Silent Auction, held during the Awards for Excellence gala, and donations from companies and individuals. Overseeing the 2008 Silent Auction was Nessi Erkmenoglu of Harper’s Bazaar.

Mony raised from a drawing for a special Hearts On Fire “Dream” diamond will also be donated to the WJA Scholarship Fund, according to Dinner Chair Lisa Cochin of Diamond Promotion Service.

WJA has had nine presidents, all of whom were celebrated at the event: Gerry Gewirtz, Linda Goldstein, Tina Segal, Helene Fortunoff, Rachel Rosin, Phyllis Bergman, Anna Martin, Ann Arnold, and Ms. Weinrich. Each will receive a special WJA President’s Pin designed by Judith Ripka.

WJA past and current presidents: (from left): Ann Arnold, first president
Gerry Gewirtz, Linda Goldstein, Tina Segal, Phyllis Bergman, Rachel Rosin,
Helene Fortunoff, current president Yancy Weinrich, and Anna Martin.

In addition, the dinner recognized the past Hall of Fame and Ben Kaiser Award winners, including: Babette Goodman Cohen and Jane Goodman Baum, Phyllis Bergman, Nancy Brewer, Terry Burman, Bill Boyajian, Ralph Destino, Helene Fortunoff, Mary Forte, June Herman, Laurie Hudson, Juell Kadet, Ben Kaiser, Kathryn Kimmel, Peggy Kirby, Anna Martin, Eunice Robinson Miles, Sallie Morton, Joan Parker, Beryl Raff, Harriet Schreiner, and Hedda Schupak.

WJA Hall of Fame past recipients with WJA president: (from left) Anna Martin,
Gerry Gewirtz, Hedda Schupak, Phyllis Bergman, Joan Parker, Peggy Kirby, Kathryn Kimmel,
Nancy Brewer, Jane Baum, Helene Fortunoff, with current WJA president Yancy Weinrich.

Other highlights of the evening included Broadway musical selections from Broadway Pops International. To top off the dinner, guests enjoyed a delectable dessert buffet and danced to hip music by DJ Aaron James, sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar.
Source: jckonline

What jewelry do consumers own?

2008-08-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

Gold jewelry, like this necklace by designer Marco Bicego, ranked highest for type of jewelry owned, with 80 percent of respondents saying they own some sort of jewelry made of gold.

When it comes to consumers and their jewelry, Madison Avenue has it right: There is more meaning to that diamond, gold or gemstone piece than its cost or how much it sparkles.

Even as many women consider jewelry a great fashion accessory, there is still a strong link between the pieces of jewelry they own and the story behind each one.

"I have several pieces that have special meaning to me," says Audra Perks, 26, of San Antonio. "One would be the most expensive ring I own—a three-stone diamond ring. It was a ring that I had wanted for a long time, and my husband purchased it as a Mother's Day/birthday/anniversary gift."

Perks also cites her engagement ring, which she says her husband purchased when he graduated from basic training for the Air Force. He proposed that same weekend.

"It's a very small diamond, but it means a lot to me," she says.

Perks was one of nearly 650 female consumers who responded to National Jeweler's Exclusive Consumer Jewelry Ownership Survey.

Sentiment is also key for Misty King, 21, of Aurora, Ind.

"If it was not given to me or bought for emotional or sentimental reasons, I just never tend to wear it," King says.

In addition to the emotional value, Perks says she appreciates the beauty and style of jewelry.

"I consider myself to be a big jewelry person but, of course, I can't really afford a lot of it or buy very expensive pieces," Perks says. "My favorite type of jewelry is a ring. I have been known to wear eight or more at a time, sometimes three on one finger. I just can't pick between them sometimes."

She says the reason her husband combined the three-stone purchase into one gift was because it was pricey (about $1,500) for the single-income family.

In fact, a little more than half of the consumers surveyed said the most expensive fine watch or piece of jewelry they own costs less than $1,000, with 23 percent noting their priciest piece costs less than $250. Thirteen percent said their most expensive jewel costs between $1,000 and $2,000, while 10 percent said between $2,000 and $3,500, and eight percent said between $3,500 and $5,000.

In terms of total value of their fine jewelry and watches, around a third (33 percent) of consumers surveyed placed it at less than $1,000. Twenty-seven percent said the value was in the range of $1,000 to $5,000, while 16 percent said between $5,000 and $10,000, and 10 percent said between $10,000 and $25,000 total.

The numbers diminish as one gets into the higher price ranges, with around five percent of consumers reporting that the total value of their fine jewelry is over $25,000.

Factors including household income level, marital status and age played a role in the value of individual pieces and the total collection.

Just 3 percent of respondents said they own palladium jewelry, but it could be a good margin opportunity for budget-conscious consumers. Here, a matching bridal set with HI1 diamonds from Hoover and Strong, available as a semi-mount set with 0.25 carats of diamonds; suggested retail price is about $760.

And it's no wonder the bridal business remains crucial, given the correlation between marital status and the most expensive jewelry owned. While nearly 38 percent of single consumers said their most expensive item costs under $250, more than half of married respondents owned jewelry worth $1,000 or more.

The top three items in terms of ownership were rings, necklaces and earrings. Rings, owned by 83 percent of respondents, were the most popular jewelry item overall. Seventy-three percent of respondents said they own necklaces and 68 percent own earrings. Bracelets came in fourth, with about half of respondents citing wrist jewelry and 36 percent citing watches.

Among types of jewelry, gold reigned supreme, with 80 percent of respondents saying they own pieces made of the metal. Diamond jewelry was next, with 66 percent, followed by silver jewelry (63 percent), colored gemstone jewelry (51 percent) and pearl jewelry (40 percent).

"I have many gold rings, some of them with diamonds, some with other gemstones, and a few that are just gold," Perks says. She adds that her favorite metal tone is rose gold.

Among King's jewelry possessions are a gold solitaire diamond ring, a gold and cubic zirconium ring and gold earrings.

Marisol Diestro, 30, who lives in orlando, Fla., says she owns some gold and silver, but that pearl jewelry is her favorite.

"I own a lot of pearl jewelry, with and without diamonds," Diestro says. "I love pearls because it is my birthstone, so I always want pearl jewelry."

Despite the ubiquity of chain stores, big-box stores and the Internet, about half of respondents said they buy or receive jewelry from independent stores. Thirty-eight percent cited chains, while 27 percent said department stores. Less popular (though not insignificant) were online and department stores, with 10 percent of respondents citing each.

Convenience is a big factor in terms of where consumers shop for jewelry.

"I don't really shop for jewelry, but my husband always shops at Jared [The Galleria Of Jewelry] because they have a great playroom for the kids and a really good earring selection," says Cindi Munroe of Clearwater, Fla. "He puts the kids in the playroom and he shops in peace. They all love going there."

Cost is another key consideration, especially for jewelry consumers with less discretionary income.

"I like buying a lot of jewelry online because I like having personalized pieces and I can usually find some great items online," Perks says.

She adds that she also likes chains such as Zales and Kay Jewelers, but finds that independent stores tend to charge more than she can afford.

That's also an issue for full-time student Eileen Mancha, 23, of Antioch, Calif., who says she buys jewelry online.

Mancha says she follows fashion jewelry trends and hopes to acquire jewelry from designers such as David Yurman, Bulgari and De Beers, as well as items such as Cartier's "Love" bracelet. A few years back, she bought herself a silver Tiffany and Co. bracelet, a category that's been extremely popular for the retailer.

In terms of ownership, rings topped the list, with 83 percent of respondents saying they own some type of ring. Silver jewelry, like this ring with attached star from Montblanc, is a popular category too, owned by 63 percent of those surveyed.

Tiffany was also the most popular jewelry brand among respondents in terms of both ownership and desire, cited by 43 percent of those who own designer jewelry brands. The next most prevalent brand was Gucci, owned by 20 percent of respondents.

More than half of those interested in acquiring designer brands said they wanted Tiffany and Co. jewelry. Respondents also cited Cartier (45 percent), Chanel (28 percent), Gucci (27 percent), Dior (25 percent), Harry Winston (24 percent) and De Beers (23 percent).

Notwithstanding these well-known brands and designers, including David Yurman, Scott Kay and Roberto Coin, consumers still seem to be less interested in jewelry brands overall. Almost 70 percent of respondents said they don't have any branded jewelry, and 60 percent said they didn't wish to own any.

Jewelry fashion quotient Even if jewelry brands haven't quite broken through for the average consumer, some are making progress, and women are definitely receptive to fashion jewelry.

Mancha says she likes to wear jewelry to accessorize outfits. In terms of what she likes, she says she's usually inspired by jewelry that she sees while flipping through women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan or Elle.

Finding jewelry that works with her wardrobe is also key for Mt. Vernon, Ohio, resident and teacher Anne Marie orr, 38, who says she buys or receives jewelry about once every couple of months.

"I like to have different colors and styles for different outfits. I think jewelry can make an outfit really stand out," she says.

Unlike Mancha, orr says she's not interested in designer or trendy jewelry and prefers traditional pieces.

Among the items she owns are platinum, sterling silver, diamonds, gemstones and rubies. On her wish list are sterling silver hoop earrings and emerald or sapphire rings with platinum.

"I like to purchase jewelry that will not go out of style and is functional for every day," she says.

Most wanted: Marketing and advertising campaigns like Journey diamond jewelry aside, consumers who responded to the survey were more interested in staple items when it comes to diamonds, and they are seeking color in a big way.

Of the jewelry they would most like to acquire across different jewelry categories, here are some top items:

1. Emerald jewelry: 146 respondents
2. Diamond tennis bracelet(s): 132 respondents
3. Gemstone necklace(s): 130 respondents
4. Gemstone drop earrings: 124 respondents
5. (tie) Diamond stud earrings, larger than a half carat each: 116 respondents
5. (tie) Gold earrings: 116 respondents
6. Sapphire jewelry: 114 respondents
7. Diamond drop earrings: 113 respondents
8. Platinum non-bridal ring(s): 110 respondents
9. Engagement ring: 105 respondents
10. Gemstone non-bridal ring(s): 104 respondents

Top three most-wanted brands:

1. Tiffany and Co.: 137 respondents
2. Cartier: 117 respondents
3. Chanel: 72 respondents

Most-wanted fine watches:

1. Dress watch: 117 respondents
2. Diamond watch: 112 respondents
3. Casual watch: 111 respondents

To download the complete National Jeweler Exclusive Consumer Jewelry Ownership Survey results, click here.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Maui Divers links with Kim Taylor Reece for new jewelry line

2008-07-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Maui Divers Jewelry plans to launch a new line of jewelry this week inspired by well-known hula photographer Kim Taylor Reece.

The new collection, based on Reece's photographs, will feature hula dancers in various poses, traditional hula implements and paddles in some 46 items including 14-karat gold charms, pendants, earrings and bracelets.

"Maui Divers Jewelry is thrilled to partner with Hawaii's foremost fine art photographer to bring his incredible hula pictures to life through unique high-quality hand-crafted jewelry," said Maui Divers President & CEO Bob Taylor in a statement.

The Kim Taylor Reece collection will be initially available at 16 Maui Divers Jewelry stores in Hawaii, including Ala Moana Center, Queen Kaahumanu Center on Maui, Kings' Shops on the Big Island and Anchor Cove Shopping Center on Kauai.
Source: bizjournals

Indonesia Begins Push into U.S. Jewelry Market

2008-07-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Indonesian jewelry industry officially introduced itself to the U.S. jewelry market Monday with a ceremony at the JA New York Summer Show led by the country’s ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat explained that while the United States is Indonesia’s second largest jewelry partner, the U.S. ranks at about 10th in jewelry exports from the Southeast Asian nation. The ambassador said the country is looking to improve those numbers.

"We are coming to boost our presence here [in the U.S. market] and enhance our position as one of largest manufactured silver jewelry suppliers," the ambassador said. "We look forward to working with you."

Indonesia is a nation of 18,000 islands and 230 million people, the ambassador explained. It has an abundance of precious metals and gems. Its ancient silver, gem, and jewelry industry has developed over hundreds of years. Today, about one million Indonesians work in it, with a large focus on hand-crafted jewelry.

Indonesia's jewelry industry is "blessed with (an abundance of) raw materials for precious and semi-precious gems, and with fine craftsmanship," Parnohadiningrat said.

The ambassador spoke at the show’s Indonesian Pavilion consisting of 16 jewelry making firms, displaying items made of silver, gold, gemstones, and other materials—including stone and wood. The delegation was organized by the National Agency for Export Development, in the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia.

It is the country’s first significant presence at a U.S. trade show and it is serving as a first step to building a strong presence in the U.S., the ambassador told JCK prior to his formal presentation.

Even without a strong U.S. presence, The Indonesian jewelry industry has been growing at an average rate of 7 percent per year, earning $4.61 billion in 2006, the ambassador said. Its largest trading partners are Middle Eastern countries, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China, he told JCK.

In addition, the ambassador and the country’s trade organizations were there to promote its upcoming TRADEXPO Indonesia, a merchandise and commodity show. It is being held Oct. 21-25 at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran-Jakarta, Indonesia.
Source: jckonline

Jewelry curator's a gem of a storyteller

2008-07-19T21:42:00.000-07:00

To Yvonne Markowitz, curator of jewelry at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, context is everything. Comment on a striking silver choker around her neck, and you learn it's one of a very limited edition created in the 1970s by Finnish artist/jeweler Björn Weckström as part of his planetary series. The kicker: it became known as the Princess Leia necklace after one was worn by Carrie Fisher in "Star Wars" as a royal, intergalactic adornment. Cool.

That kind of story is Markowitz's trademark. She doesn't just give the scholarly answer, she makes decorative arts come alive by relating them to their times. In her 20-year tenure at the MFA, much of it specializing in ancient jewelry, the Framingham resident has always focused on the big picture to draw viewers in.

Museumgoers will see her approach for themselves with the opening of the MFA's new exhibit, "Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry." It's Markowitz's premier show since being named the first dedicated curator of jewelry at an art museum in the United States. To emphasize the rarity of the position, even London's famed Victoria and Albert Museum, with more than 3,500 pieces of jewelry on display, has only a part-time curator.

The position was funded by MFA trustee Susan B. Kaplan through an endowment in honor of her mother, Rita J. Kaplan. Kaplan is also funding a permanent jewelry gallery at the MFA, which will open in the West Wing in 2010.

Early in the planning stages, Kaplan met with Markowitz. Though she was officially the MFA's curator of Egyptian and Nubian adornment, Markowitz served for 12 years as editor-in-chief of the now-defunct Jewelry: Journal of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, and remains editor of the scholarly Adornment magazine. She'd become the museum's go-to person for researching jewelry from a variety of historic periods.

"She's extremely knowledgeable - that's an understatement - thoroughly researches everything and is really focused on the jewelry," Kaplan says of Markowitz. In turn, Markowitz has found a kindred spirit in Kaplan. "She has a certain passion for the materials and scholarship as I do."

Both came into play when Markowitz began work on "Imperishable Beauty," a phrase coined by Art Nouveau architect Henry van de Velde to describe the turn of the 20th century art movement that rejected Victorian traditionalism. Markowitz describes the period's jewelry as "somewhat violent, with agitated curves," an often surreal exploration of flora, fauna, and the female form.

The 100-plus pieces in the show are on loan from one of the largest and most important private collections of Art Nouveau jewelry. The exhibit showcases the stunningly crafted jewels amid paintings, wallpaper patterns, and other decorative arts of the period. Even the walls and display cases play a part, echoing Art Nouveau's signature undulating curves.

"The problem with jewelry shows in the United States is they're segregated, not shown as part of a period," she continues, a situation she plans to correct.

Take a recent addition to the MFA's collection that Markowitz shepherded through the acquisition process. The fascinating history of an exquisite brooch and earring set once owned by Mary Todd Lincoln was equal to its beauty. As the widow of President Abraham Lincoln, she had been forced to sell the jewels, along with many other possessions, in 1867 to pay off mounting debts. Since Mrs. Lincoln's profligate spending habits were well known, the auction engendered much negative publicity (described by one newspaper as "low . . . sordid . . . disgraceful"), resulting in the articles selling for far less than expected. Press coverage also helped Markowitz verify the jewelry's provenance: an engraved drawing of jewels had appeared in a newspaper covering the sale.

Research into the Art Nouveau pieces proved a bit more daunting, due to the enormously complicated craftsmanship. Celebrated designers of the period, such as Rene Lalique, George Fouquet, and Louis Comfort Tiffany, didn't just create beautiful objects, they also invented entirely new techniques for making jewelry, such as adapting stained glass techniques to setting stones, and shaving horn so thin it resembles a transparent insect wing.

Then there was the basic issue of just who designed each piece, many of which are from France and Belgium. Unlike American designers, who signed each piece with a clear and relatively large inscription, the Europeans used tiny initials and a symbol, such as a sword or wolf, as their "makers' marks."

"When pressed into gold, it was often a blurry lump only 1/2 mm in size," says MFA curatorial research fellow Susan Ward, who worked on the exhibit with Markowitz. "We were using microscopes over three different magnifiers. I would say, does that look like a wolf to you? How about a chicken? At the end of the day, we started hallucinating," she jokes.

"We learned a lot," says Markowitz. "The museum didn't have one piece of Art Nouveau before." Happily, several items in the exhibit have been donated to the MFA's steadily growing cache, which now also includes the knockout Daphne Farago collection of 20th-century jewelry that drew large crowds when displayed earlier this year.

Another coup is the recent acquisition of an eye-popping emerald brooch formerly owned by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post.

"I'm very fond of Post, her style and taste," says Markowitz. She then fantasizes about a future exhibit featuring some of Post's jewels - along with some of the heiress's clothing, photographs, and portraits for context, of course.

MFA jewelry curator Yvonne Markowitz holds a brooch once owned by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post
Source: boston

Ashi Diamonds offers Web site-building service

2008-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Global diamond-jewelry manufacturer Ashi Diamonds has introduced Avalon Solution, a Web service designed to help jewelers build their brands and businesses online.

The company says that Avalon Solution utilizes the latest developments in technology, jewelry styling and fashion to help jewelers extend their businesses on the Internet, offering retailers end-to-end e-commerce solutions and the ability to customize and continuously update their Web sites as much, or as little, as needed.

In addition, a comprehensive, turnkey online services and support program is what sets Avalon Solution apart from its competitors, the company says.

Through Avalon Solution, jewelers can use one of the program's professionally designed Web site templates, Flash introductions and color themes, and customize them with their own content, jewelry products, custom pages, logos and links to their designer jewelry and watch brands.

Through the partnership with Ashi Diamonds, Avalon Solution is able to provide access to 1,000 jewelry designs, with images and detailed descriptions that can be used to launch the retailer's Web site.

Standard programs also include e-catalogs, a wish list, online chat and live help, personalized e-mails on Google Applications, "Map Us" directions to the store, enhanced search functionality, product detail and zoom page, an administrative section and much more.

The company says that upcoming features from Avalon Solution include promotional e-mail marketing, e-commerce capabilities, a loose-diamond database, ability to upload one's own products, and integration of advertising and marketing materials into one's Web site.

"Having a good Web site is an essential tool for any brick-and-mortar jewelry store to help you showcase your merchandise, attract new business and develop a strong, 24/7, long-term relationship with your customers," Rajeev Pandya, Ashi Diamonds and Avalon Solution partner, said in a media release. "We developed Avalon to help jewelers take their brands and their businesses online. Through Ashi's 25 years of experience and success, we have what it takes to help jewelers be successful online."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Wal-Mart to Sell Traceable Jewelry

2008-07-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on Tuesday launched a new line of jewelry that will allow consumers to see online where their jewelry was mined and manufactured.

The Love, Earth jewelry line will be available at Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Club locations, and on Walmart.com and Samsclub.com. The line being sold at Wal-Mart will feature 10k gold and sterling silver, and the Sam's Club line will include 14k gold and sterling silver. The collection is “designed to symbolize the Earth’s elements and based on the precepts of recycle, reduce, and respect,” the Bentonville-Ark.-based retailer said in a statement.

Wal-Mart says the new jewelry line marks a shift in how affordably-priced fine jewelry is produced and sold. The new line is the result of collaboration between Wal-Mart, Conservation International, a Washington, D.C.-based conservation group, and Wal-Mart’s supply chain partners, including: including Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto, Denver-based gold producer Newmont Mining Corp., and Florida-based jewelry manufacturer Aurafin.

Rio Tinto, in its own statement about the jewelry program, said it will initially supply gold and silver for the jewelry line from its Kennecott Utah Copper Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah.

“Companies like Rio Tinto and Wal-Mart have an opportunity to change the way products are manufactured and used to reduce impacts on the environment and local communities,” said Andrew Harding, President, Kennecott Utah Copper.

Aurafin, a Richline Group, said in its own statement that the Love, Earth program is in line with its, "corporate goal, of being responsible to ethical, social, and environmental practices."

Wal-Mart said it “selected partners in the mining and jewelry manufacturing industries that already demonstrated environmental and social leadership.” During the next phase of the partnership, the retailer plans to expand the number of approved mining and manufacturing suppliers and introduce diamonds to the Love, Earth line.

Consumers can trace the path of their Love, Earth jewelry from mine to store by visiting www.loveearthinfo.com. In addition, on the Web site, they can learn about suppliers’ environmental and social programs and the standards used to select suppliers and ensure the entire process is more sustainable.

Wal-Mart said its Love, Earth is its first step toward having all of the gold, silver, and diamonds used in the jewelry sold in its Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club locations come from mines and manufacturers that meet Wal-Mart’s sustainability standards and criteria. The criteria address both environmental, human rights and community issues. By 2010, the retailer aims for at least 10 percent of its jewelry offerings to achieve these standards.

“Wal-Mart recognizes that our customers care about the quality of their jewelry and its potential impact on the world,” said Pam Mortensen, vice president and divisional merchandise manager for Wal-Mart.

“With its considerable influence, market reach and commitment to sustainability, Wal-Mart has brought together like-minded suppliers, mining companies and conservation partners to work together to build a traceable jewelry supply chain at an impressive scale,” said Assheton Stewart Carter, senior director of Business Policies and Practices at Conservation International. “We hope others in the jewelry industry will follow this leadership example and thus enable consumers to make simple choices that benefit the environment and mining communities when shopping for jewelry.”
Source: jckonline

Silver industry to launch consumer-marketing push

2008-07-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

The Silver Institute plans to raise consumer awareness for sterling silver jewelry such as these rings from Nina Basharova's "Pod Collection."

The Silver Institute has announced plans for a marketing initiative to increase awareness and encourage consumer purchases of sterling silver jewelry.

Dubbed "The Silver Marketing Initiative" (SMI), the program will educate consumers and the trade press on sterling silver and be a source of marketing information and product news on the metal.

"The consensus of our executive committee is that the time is right to introduce an industry-supported marketing program in the U.S., with the initial focus being on silver jewelry," Silver Institute Executive Director Michael DiRienzo said in a media release.

Marketing and management services firm Michael Barlerin Associates has been appointed as the consultant to the Silver Institute in the development and rollout of the SMI.

"In light of what has been happening to the price of the other noble metals, now is definitely the time for silver jewelry," Barlerin said in the release. "I am also gratified by the response I have already received from key members of the jewelry trade when I told them that SMI was to be launched, and I look forward to discussing mutual opportunities at the JA Show in New York City later this month.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tiffany Defeated in Trademark Case vs. eBay

2008-07-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

Companies such as jeweler Tiffany & Co. are responsible for policing their trademarks online, not auction platforms like eBay, a federal judge said Monday.

Tiffany had sued eBay over the sale of counterfeit jewelry on eBay's sites. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan in New York Monday is a defeat for the luxury jeweler.

The judge ruled that eBay can't be held liable for trademark infringement "based solely on their generalized knowledge that trademark infringement might be occurring on their Web sites," The Associated Press reports.

Sullivan's ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed in 2004, in which Tiffany alleged that most items listed on eBay as genuine Tiffany products were fakes. The company said it had asked eBay to remove counterfeit listings, but the sales continued.

EBay spokeswoman Nichola Sharpe said Monday that the ruling "confirms that eBay acted reasonably and has adequate procedures in place to effectively address counterfeiting," the AP reports.

Last month, a French court ordered eBay to pay more than $61 million to LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, which charged it was hurt by sale of counterfeit bags, perfume, and clothes. EBay is appealing that ruling.

EBay says it spends tens of millions each year to combat counterfeiting. It runs a program that lets companies review listings and inform eBay of those they believe are for fake goods. The company also suspends and blocks users who have been found selling or are suspected of selling fake goods on eBay.

EBay says that in 2007, 50,000 sellers were thrown out for counterfeits, with 40,000 previously suspended sellers blocked from returning.
Source: jckonline

Rio Tinto Promotes Champagne Diamonds

2008-07-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

Rio Tinto Diamonds, the world's largest supplier of champagne diamonds, has released its latest range of champagne diamond promotional materials.

"The new range of promotional materials is aimed at supporting the retailer, educating the consumer and opening up new distribution channels." says Jean-Marc Lieberherr, head of Rio Tinto Diamonds NV, the Belgium-based company that sells the champagne diamonds from its Argyle mine in Australia’s isolated outback.

Rio Tinto Diamonds new material positions champagne diamond jewelry firmly with those consumers who like to express their individuality and appreciate the finer things in life, the company said in a statement. The brochure, sales training program, Web site, and other promotional material are aimed at showcasing the full color palette as well as communicating the versatility and accessibility of these very special gems.

Champagne diamonds from the Argyle mine are dated at several million years old, with the coloration due to stress on the crystal lattice structure as it was formed deep within the earth’s surface. The range of color, from light champagne to deep cognac, that is being embraced by jewelry designers.

"These diamonds mix and match perfectly, not only with each other but also with other colored diamonds, pearls and a variety of gemstones," said Swiss jewelry designer Suzanne Syz.

Rio Tinto Diamonds US representative office is distributing the champagne diamond promotional materials as part of its charter to drive demand for this product category in the U.S. market. Jewelry manufacturers who are interested in developing and promoting champagne diamond collections are encouraged to contact Rio Tinto Diamond's marketing team to learn how they can participate in this turn-key marketing initiative.
Source: jckonline

America's Best Jewelers announces diamond sponsor

2008-07-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

Arabov Group Ltd. is the official diamond sponsor of the America's Best Jewelers program, National Jeweler Network announced on Monday.

Launched this spring by National Jeweler in light of the challenges facing retailers, America's Best Jewelers is a multimedia platform—including print, online, face-to-face and data reports—for jewelers to learn from their peers on how to become more successful retail executives.

The program includes a survey conducted by Shaker Heights, Ohio-based MPI Group that offers in-depth information for retailers on best practices in operations, marketing, financial management, customer service and staffing/HR.

The program also includes educational programs intended to provide retailers with real-world strategies to apply to their businesses, and an awards segment for those retailers who are deemed to have the best strategies.

Arabov's Vice President of Global Business Development Gill Goshen said the America's Best Jewelers program is a "perfect complement" to Arabov's marketing and business objectives, as the company prides itself on lasting relationships with retailers and a reputation for quality and excellence.

"We are proud to be a sponsor of a program that not only focuses on the betterment of our industry, but also identifies and pays tribute to its professionals and business leaders," Goshen said.

National Jeweler magazine publisher Chris Casey said having a progressive company like Arabov sponsor America's Best Jewelers further supports the program's foundation.

"Both suppliers and retailers realize the program will be the vehicle that will drive every element of the industry in the right direction—from supplier to service provider to retailer and ultimately the consumer. We are delighted to have Arabov as the official diamond sponsor and our other sponsors that have joined us."

Other program sponsors include The Wall Street Journal, Stuller and Debbie Brooks.

The first Retail Benchmarking Symposium and Awards Presentation for America's Best Jewelers is scheduled for July 26 at the Westin at Times Square in New York. The ceremony will recognize 31 couture retailers for their progressive business strategies.

Future conference dates include Jan. 17, 2009, and July 26, 2009, both in New York.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Two killed in Grand Haven jewelry store shooting

2008-07-03T21:11:00.000-07:00

Two people are dead after a shooting occurred at a jewelry store in downtown Grand Haven.

It happened around 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at RK Jewelers on Washington Ave. between 2nd and 3rd Street.

Police tell Newschannel 3 they have identified the victims, 61-year-old Robert Karell, the owner of the jewelry store, and his business associate 77-year-old Louis Paparella, of Muskegon. Both died of gunshot wounds to the head.

Police say Karell had recently been buying large amounts of gold jewelry and coins, and are looking into whether that had anything to do with the shooting.

Because large amounts of jewelry were left behind after the shooting, police do not believe the suspect was attempting to rob the store.

State police will continue to help Grand Haven Police with the investigation.
Source: wwmt

2008 Tucson gem shows report: Cactus juice

2008-06-30T01:24:00.000-07:00

At this year's Tucson gem shows, gem dealer Philip Zahm offered this 18-karat yellow gold and 950 platinum ring featuring a 13.3-carat Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique, with 0.56 carats tsavorite garnets and 0.87 carats diamonds; suggested retail price is $187,950. Philipzahm.com.

Concerns about gemstone treatments, the looming Burmese ruby ban, rough-supply shortages and the struggling U.S. economy brought a prickly sense of sobriety to this year's Tucson gem shows, usually known for their relaxed sunglasses-and-sandals vibe.

But there were some new finds this year—including a deposit of Tanzanian spinel and rubies from Greenland—and although traffic seemed lighter, some dealers were pleasantly surprised to find serious buyers instead of dallying browsers.

"People are intense in looking and comparing," said René Arnoldi of Carl Friedrich Arnoldi in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. "Higher-quality material is doing well, but the medium-to-lower quality is harder to sell."

Red and pink spinel from Tanzania were attracting interest, but stones in sizes above six carats were scarce, he said. In fact, top-shelf stones of any kind from gemstone centers such as Brazil and Africa remained elusive this year, Arnoldi said, echoing the sentiments of many of the other gem dealers at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair.

Prices on color's traditional troika—sapphire, emerald and ruby—rose in the 20 percent range, hoisted high by the weak U.S. dollar, tighter supplies and competing customers from the European and Asian markets.

Retail buyers, fresh off a holiday season that was disappointing for many, were shopping Tucson carefully.

"It's going to be another tough year," said jeweler Carla Ann Yeager, owner of Diamond Works in Chillicothe, Ohio, who said she picked up "funky pearls that you can't get from the suppliers," smoky quartz and brown quartz, all designed to appeal to her young female clients who accessorize clothing with jewels.

Despite the slowing economy, she is opting to ramp up her colored-stone marketing.

"I've started doing more full-color ads in the newspaper for jewelry with stones like pink tourmaline or (gemstones in) rainbow colors," Yeager said.

At the AGTA GemFair, Gems of Naples was offering some rare, blockbuster-size gems, including this 7.07-carat natural unheated Padparadscha sapphire, which it was selling for $9,500 per carat. (800) 477-2716 or info@gemsofnaples.com

Red alert for rubies Challenges in the U.S. ruby market have multiplied over the past year, with higher prices, a looming ban on Burmese stones and an influx of cheap, lead-glass-filled rubies among them.

"Prices on rubies have gone up 25 percent in the past six to eight months alone," said Sam Rahmanan of Sara Gems Corp. in New York, adding that prices increased 100 percent over the past two years. "The dollar is weak and the same money just doesn't buy as much anymore."

Depending on quality and origin, ruby prices throughout the shows ranged from as low as $400 or $500 per carat to as high as $100,000 per carat for natural, pigeon-blood-red Burmese rubies.

For fine stones, average prices ranged from $1,500 per carat for Thai rubies to about $2,500 for Burmese rubies from Myanmar's Mong Hsu region to about $4,000 per carat for stones from Myanmar's storied Mogok mines, said Richard Drucker, publisher of The Guide, at his popular "Best Buys in Tucson" seminar at the AGTA GemFair. While prices were up about 20 percent on natural stones, treated-ruby prices were flat, he said.

Creating positive buzz this year was Canada-based True North Gems, which was selling rubies mined in Greenland in smaller and melee sizes.

Glass half full for treated stones But there was negative reaction to lead-glass-filled rubies, which some of the exhibitors at the Tucson shows were selling for telltale low prices of $10 to $50 per carat for polished goods. Since hitting the U.S. market in 2005, the stones have circulated to the point that the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) started calling the stones "composite rubies" on grading reports. The treatment, which involves heating and injecting glass into the stones, is easily detectable by labs, but the level of lead glass used to seal major flaws and fractures has set off alarms.

"Do you want to call it a ruby or do you want to call it ruby pieces in glass?" asked Dr. Lore Kiefert, laboratory director of the AGTA Gemological Testing Center, during a seminar where she displayed a slide of a lead-glass-filled ruby, splintered by cracks after it was exposed to heat during the resetting process. "It's not only cavity filling any more. It's more than that."

In addition to heat, the treatments are also susceptible to solvents, including everyday household cleaners.

Adding to the ruby challenges this year is a looming U.S. ban on gemstones from Myanmar, producer of 90 percent of the world's rubies. At press time, the act had not yet been signed into law, but most dealers were opposed to it, saying it will hurt small Burmese ruby miners and Thai cutters more than its real target—the ruling military junta responsible for human rights atrocities in Myanmar. It is also expected to drive up ruby prices.

Some retailers, including Tiffany and Co., have stopped selling Burmese rubies because of the Myanmar conflict, and Stuller has begun offering rubies from Madagascar.

Designer Diana Widman, a regular at the Tucson shows, created a new collection featuring homegrown gems from Montana. Hand-fabricated in 18-karat gold with several hinged joints for flexibility, this necklace features 20 carats of natural Montana sapphire crystals and a 4-carat unheated purple spinel; suggested retail price is $11,000. Widmandesign.com

Sapphires, particularly blue, remain a favorite among jewelers and consumers, dealers said. For fine-quality goods, average prices ranged from about $1,000 for Malagasy stones to $3,500 per carat and above for Burmese.

Although the stone remains one of the least controversial, a new treatment has emerged. During the Accredited Gemologist Association (AGA) conference, Christopher Smith, vice president and chief gemologist of the AGL, said he examined a batch of sapphires that were neon blue in color, similar to Paraiba tourmaline or Malagasy apatite. The stones were purchased by New York gem dealers, who bought them in Thailand, where they were described as beryllium-diffused. Analysis showed they were treated with cobalt in a new heat-treatment process detectable with a microscope or Chelsea filter, Smith said.

For the last few years, emerald has seen a resurgence in popularity, and prices have been steady, at about $1,800 per carat for a 1-carat Zambian stone and $2,500 per carat for a 1-carat Colombian emerald, but this year, the figures are steadily moving upward, Drucker said.

"There's a lot of good production coming out of the La Pita [mine in Colombia], but other forces like the weak dollar are likely to keep prices firm," he said.

But one issue that may impact emeralds this year is trade-press reports of poor-quality emeralds treated in their rough and pre-cut forms with polymers that are essentially gluing them together.

"People are concerned and that's what we're here for. That's what we tried to eliminate," said Bryan Alderhold, Eternity Natural Emerald's executive vice president. The company treats its emeralds with ExCel, a polymer-based treatment that, unlike others, can be removed and also carries a lifetime guarantee.

The company carries a 50-50 mix of Colombian and Afghani emeralds, with goods ranging from $500 per carat on the lower end to $12,000 and $40,000 per carat on the high end, though the average is about $3,500 to $4,500.

Rock stars of the show Prices for tanzanite, always a crowd-pleaser in Tucson, were holding steady at about $400 to $550 per carat for stones that are two to three carats in size. The Tanzanite Foundation has created its own grading scale, and has partnered with labs to produce reports that give grades for clarity, cut and color.

"This could be the first [grading system for color] that actually becomes universal, because it's not one lab imposing it on all the other labs," Kiefert said.

Dealers who specialize in fine and unusual stones cited strong demand, though they were surprised at who was buying.

"We hoped with the exchange rate to see more foreign buyers, but there were very few Europeans," said Laurie Watt of Mayer and Watt in Maysville, Ky. "And our American clients bought more than we expected. We've been selling finer, higher-end stones. Not necessarily bigger, but finer."

In addition to unheated corundum, Mayer and Watt favorites included mint Afghani tourmaline, selling for $250 to $450 per carat, and purple cuprian tourmaline, for $350 per carat.

Last year, an influx of blue-green Mozambique tourmaline that resembled Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil prompted the world's top gemological labs, via the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee, to expand the term Paraiba to other copper-bearing tourmaline.

An assortment of gemstones from Stuller are part of what the company dubbed the "Blue Music" trend, colors that appeal to consumers who value virtues like trust, clarity and balance. Stuller.com

Some opposed the looser terminology, but this year the debate seems to have cooled.

"Some really want the Brazilian material; some only care for the beauty of the piece," said Edelito Oliveira of Hubert in Los Angeles, whose African Paraiba tourmaline was about $3,000 per carat.

The weak U.S. dollar has had an impact on the price of rough colored gemstones for dealers, including those buying from Brazil, where the currency ratio has slipped from about $3 U.S. dollars to one Brazilian real, to $1.75 to one real, he said.

Mozambique tourmaline now fetches as much as $7,000 per carat for fine goods, and from $7,000 to $16,000 for extra-fine goods. For the Brazilian Paraibas, which remain more difficult to find, prices ranged from $6,000 to $15,000 for fine stones to $15,000 to $20,000 for extra-fine.

"Mozambique tourmaline is still getting a lot of buzz," said Philip Zahm of Philip Zahm and Associates in Aptos, Calif. Other hot sellers were Tanzanian spinel in pinks and reds, which were selling for $600 to $800 per carat for 1-carat stones and $1,000 to $1,500 for those sized two to three carats.

A surprise hit at the show was jade, according to Daniel Mason of Mason-Kay in Littleton, Colo., who said the company had its best Tucson show ever. A ban on Burmese gemstones would impact jade dealers as well as ruby dealers, but that didn't seem to be the reason behind the surge in interest, he said. Instead, the color green seemed to be trendy this year, in part because of the interest in the environment.

"With jade, there's not much [consumer information] on it and jewelers can sell it for more than keystone," Mason said. Prices range from about $15 per stone for commercial quality to $50,000 to $60,000 for fine quality.

Dealing with the topaz blues Since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stepped in last year to address the lack of licensees for testing irradiated blue topaz, several companies have received licenses.

Only those who initially import and distribute irradiated gemstones need licenses from the NRC, so retailers need only check with their suppliers to make sure that is the case.

Still, given the red tape and expenses involved in importing and selling blue topaz, other types of treated blue topaz and coated topaz were getting a fresh look. Joe Orlando, Stuller's vice president for gemstones, said that the company is applying for a distributor license from the NRC, but in the meantime is selling diffused blue topaz from Signity, which is promoting its diffused blue topaz with the motto: "Genuine topaz—no radiation, no complication."

"We stopped selling irradiated topaz eight or nine years ago because we saw this coming," said Hubert Salvenmoser, a product manager for Swarovski, which owns the Signity brand.

Also stepping up its topaz game is Azotic Coating Technologies, which uses its patented coating process to produce coated topaz, quartz and cubic zirconia in colors such as the popular blue-green iridescent "Mystic fire."

Kevin Bennet, the company chairman and a speaker at the AGA conference, noted that though the treatment is durable and permanent, the coatings can come off if the stones are placed in acids or pickling solutions.

"Treat them like pearls or opals," he said.

Jorg-Heinz's "Diamond Cages" necklace with South Sea pearls and 18-karat gold clasp with diamonds. Joerg-heinz.de

Freshwater fever In pearl jewelry, freshwater pearl sales continued to hold steady, and there were few changes in what retailers were asking for, according to exhibitors, who said demand for baroque pearls was still going strong.

"People are always looking for baroques in the South Sea and Tahitians," said Colleen Reynolds of A and Z Pearls in Los Angeles. With the price of gold at record levels, pearl jewelry is becoming an attractive alternative, she said. Favorite pieces included Ikecho freshwater pearls.

Peter Bazar of Imperial Deltah Pearls said this year's pearl buyers were going for the lower price points and lower quality of goods. To deal with the challenging economy, his company has purchased pearl farms in Tahiti, the Cook Islands and China.

"We've been able to reduce costs by aggressively going to the source," he said. Still, some challenges lie ahead, and the weak U.S. dollar has hurt the Providence, R.I.-based company. Bazar also noted production problems with the Chinese akoyas that will probably hit the market next year.

A strand of fine-quality freshwaters, 10-to-11 millimeters in size, was going for $2,800 at Imperial Deltah.

Kamlesh Kothari of Premier Pearl said he was getting more requests for pearl drops rather than baroques this year and said that Chinese goods remain plentiful though the better material is hard to find. Still, top-quality Chinese freshwaters are almost approaching South Seas pearls in quality, he said.

"Prices are firm this year, and they were already strong because of the European and Asian markets," Kothari said.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Strong International Growth for Online Jewelry Auctioneer Bidz.com

2008-06-30T01:21:00.000-07:00

Bidz.com, the online jewelry auctioneer, expects international sales to increase by more than 50% in comparison to the second quarter of fiscal year 2007.

The company reported that the Spanish-language version of its website has seen positive results. Columbia, Mexico, Chile and Spain are among the top 10 countries for visitors during the past month.

Bidz.com CEO David Zinberg stated: "The Spanish translation of our website is yielding the desired results, and we are encouraged that future translations into foreign languages will be equally successful. We believe our jewelry offering at value prices and in a fun and exciting format is attractive to consumers all over the world and we look forward to tapping into new markets."

The Arabic version of the jewelry site is scheduled to be launched during the third quarter of this year.

Bidz.com has reaffirmed its previous guidance for the second quarter with revenues ranging around $48 million-$50 million, and for the full fiscal year 2008 predicted revenues fall in the range of $225 million-$230 million.
Source: israelidiamond

Man Sang Pearls Sales Up 59% in FY/2008

2008-06-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Man Sang Holdings, Inc. said Friday that net sales for fiscal year 2008 rose 59.1 percent to HK$633.7 million ($81.2 million), consisting of HK$405.4 million ($51.9 million) attributable to pearl operations and HK$228.3 million (29.2 million) attributable to real estate sales.

Gross profit for the year was HK$281.5 million ($36 million), consisting of HK$124.5 million ($15.95 million) attributable to pearl operations and HK$157 million ($20.1 million) attributable to real estate sales. Gross profit for pearl operations for fiscal year 2007 was HK$112.7 million.

Net income for fiscal year 2008 increased by 42.8 percent, to HK$39.9 million ($5.1 million), year-over-year.

Pearl Operations
For fiscal year 2008, net sales to United States decreased 8.7 percent, year-over-year, to HK$104.2 million ($13.3 million), while net sales to European customers increased by approximately 8.8 percent, year-over-year, to approximately HK$168.6 million ($21.6 million). Together, this resulted in a net increase in sales from pearl operations of 1.8 percent, to HK$405.4 million ($51.9 million).

Sales of South Sea pearls stayed even with 2007 at approximately HK$149.5 million ($19.1 million), or 36.9 percent of total sales. Sales of jewelry products increased by 8.5 percent to HK$223 million ($28.5 million).

Gross profit increased by 10.5 percent, year-over-year, to HK$124.5 million ($15.9 million) for 2008. Gross profit margin increased from approximately 28.3 percent in fiscal year 2007 to approximately 30.7 percent in fiscal year 2008. The increase in gross profit margin is mainly due to cost reductions on the production line of assembled jewelry sectors following the implementation of effective cost controls and the enhancement of production efficiency.

Real Estate Operations
The group launched sales of phase one market centers in CP&J City in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 and recorded net sales of approximately HK$228.3 million $29.2 million), representing 32 percent of the total planned saleable area of the project. The group recorded rental income of approximately HK$6.8 million ($871,284), consisting of approximately HK$5.5 million ($704,717) attributable to the property rental in Man Hing and approximately HK$1.3 million attributable to property rental in CP&J City. As of March 31, 2008, the occupancy rate, representing leasing area of property in Man Hing and CP&J City, was 71.9 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Future Trends
“Emerging weaknesses relating to recent developments in the subprime lending market in the United States and the impact of such developments on the United States economy may threaten market conditions in the United States and globally,” the company said. “Despite negative developments in the subprime lending market, we expect to meet expected growth estimates for the year. We are diversified geographically and are well-positioned to react to fluctuating market conditions. We therefore expect to maintain steady growth in our pearls and jewelry segment.

The company added, “Reviewing the performance of phase one of the CP&J Project, many potential purchasers have signed contracts for their preferred units. The market feedback has met our expectations. In this regard, the Company is taking a positive view on the contributions of the CP&J Project.”

About Man Sang Holdings, Inc.
Man Sang Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (together the "Man Sang Group") are one of the world's largest purchasers and processors of Chinese cultured and freshwater pearls. The Group had two main business segments during the year.

One business segment is engaged in the purchase, processing, assembling, merchandising and wholesale distribution of pearls and jewelry products (“Pearl Operations”) and the other is engaged in real estate development and real estate leasing (“Real Estate Operations”).

The Pearl Operations include jewelry purchasing, processing, assembling, design, export, merchandising and wholesale distribution of pearls and jewelry products, including Chinese cultured pearls, Chinese freshwater pearls, Japanese cultured pearls, Tahitian and South Sea pearls, as well as pearls and jewellery products. The Group operates its own pearl processing facilities in Shenzhen, China.

The Real Estate Operations include the development and management of the China Pearls and Jewelry City (“CP&J City”) in Zhuji of Zhejiang Province, China. It is the single largest shareholder of the project. CP&J City will be the pearl and jewelry trading platform covering processing, manufacturing, research and development and trading of jewelry products and also provision of related services including logistics, electronic commerce, exhibition and convention, accommodation, catering, and entertainment.
Source: jckonline

Bangkok Fair has B2B Online Matching Service

2008-06-30T01:12:00.000-07:00

The next edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be held Sept. 11-15 at the Challenger Hall exhibition center. But retailers can meet exhibitors through online tools available at www.ospgemsjewelry.com.

The Bangkok fair’s B2B matching facility enables buyers to meet the right suppliers who can provide the products, services they need. Deals, contracts, and partnerships come easier at the fair through the e-Appointment and Online Sourcing Project business tools available on the Web site.

Buyers who used the business matching tools at the prior trade fair said they were interested in about 70 percent of the exhibitors that they met. After the fair they would contact these exhibitors further for placing orders, according to trade show officials. The buyers who participated also suggested that, it’s great for those early birds who join the Business Matching on the early day of the fair as they would have time to visit the exhibitors at their booths or factories after the session before making a decision of placing order.

Exhibitor also reported favorable results, according to trade fair officials.

TGJTA is urging trade visitors to venture in the OSP world to learn more about the business matching and to search through the online catalogue to see their needs and offering. After finding the companies they want to meet, they can make an e-Appointment to sit down face-to-face at the fair, look at physical samples, and visit their factories then talk about developing businesses together. Buyers can make e-Appointment by registering at www.ospgemsjewelry.com.
Source: jckonline

House of Taylor shutting down

2008-06-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

California-based jewelry company House of Taylor Inc. is closing up shop, a filing on Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shows.

Acknowledging that it is more than $11 million in debt to New Stream Secured Capital LP and "does not have sufficient working capital to continue its business," House of Taylor granted possession of its collateral to New Stream, the SEC filing shows.

"[House of Taylor] hereby surrenders, delivers and grants to lender peaceful possession of the collateral wherever located, and the products and proceeds thereof," the 8K filing states.

The SEC filing goes on to state that House of Taylor "knowingly waives any rights...to notice and a hearing before any court of competent jurisdiction and consents to lender's possession, sale, transfer, license or other disposition of or realization on the collateral."

The end of House of Taylor does not come as a surprise following a week in which it lost the licenses to both its branded lines—Dame Elizabeth Taylor- and Kathy Ireland-branded jewelry—lost its chief executive officer because it couldn't pay his salary and lost its name, literally.

In a filing with the SEC on Tuesday, the company that brings actress Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry line to market, Interplanet Productions Ltd., terminated its licensing agreement with House of Taylor, meaning the company lost both the right to sell Taylor-branded jewelry and the Taylor name.

Ireland's company, Sandbox Jewelry LLC, filed a similar termination notice the same day.

Both companies cited House of Taylor's financial problems as the reason for the termination.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Worried about jewelry crime? Try networking

2008-06-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

To make sure that jewelers keep their eyes and ears open about security incidents involving their peers, the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) has partnered with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. and Jewelers of America to organize hundreds of local crime-prevention networks.

Jewelers who are members of the local networks will share with other member jewelers information on crimes, suspects and suspicious circumstances, and will also work closely with local police.

Retailers who are interested in joining can ask the JSA to mail them a copy of a 25-page booklet entitled "A Guide for Organizing Local Crime Prevention Networks of Jewelers and Police," and a 24-minute DVD entitled "Jewelry Crime for Law Enforcement," that can be shared with local police personnel.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

V Vintage jewelry boutique opens in Beverly Hills

2008-06-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

CHANEL. Gucci. Dior. Fendi. No we're not on Rodeo Drive, but a couple of blocks over on Canon Drive, where Jill Garland has opened V Vintage, a jewel box selling vintage costume jewelry and handbags.

The under-the-radar boutique is by appointment, not only because of its small size, but also so that Garland can pay attention to customers who may want to discuss a piece's history, importance or even how to wear it.

The space may be diminutive, but its pale pink walls, white leather chairs and coffee-table books make you feel at home. "My customers love vintage so they seek me out," says Garland, 38. "They know vintage is cool and makes them look different from everybody else."

And now that statement jewelry has taken center stage on the runways, a great vintage piece is even more of a find. Highlights from Garland's collection include a pair of Yves Saint Laurent sterling silver chandelier earrings ($1,200), an eye-catching Nina Ricci coral cabochon bracelet ($425) and a 1967 Christian Dior enamel cuff ($575).

But it's not all high-priced designer items. There's a '60s Lucite rhinestone cocktail ring for $40, a pair of bright Bakelite bangles for $125 and sterling silver drop earrings for $155. The rotating selection also includes '70s-era Gucci logo bags, '60s-era Kenneth Jay Lane necklaces, Judith Leiber bejeweled belts and Miriam Haskell bib necklaces obtained from estate sales, auction houses and individuals.

Garland had worked in graphic and interior design. When she spied a "For Lease" sign across the street from Porto Via, the Canon Drive restaurant she co-owns with husband Peter Garland, her vintage dreams became a reality.

"The best way to wear this stuff is to do it really simple," Garland says. "Wear it with jeans and a T-shirt. Let the piece be the focus."
Source: latimes

Jewelry-site traffic strong in May

2008-06-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

The jewelry, luxury goods and accessories e-commerce category was one of the strongest gainers in visitors in May, according to comScore's monthly analysis of U.S. consumer activity at the top online properties.

The category was up 9 percent in traffic last month to 17.5 million visitors, compared with April.

Other categories showing visitor increases in May included flowers, gifts and greetings (up 15 percent to 42.4 million visitors), coupons (up 11 percent to 24.5 million visitors) and travel-information (up 9 percent to 47.2 million visitors).

The e-cards category also saw traffic increase, up 8 percent in May to more than 35 million visitors.

"Mother's Day was a key driver of Web activity in May, as the convenience of online shopping for flowers and gifts drew many to retail sites," comScore Media Metrix Executive Vice President Jack Flanagan said in a media release. "Summer travel was also on Americans' minds this month as warmer weather and the end of the school year spurred vacation planning. With Americans feeling the pocket pinch of soaring gas prices, rising food costs and an unsteady market, scouring the Internet for hot travel deals was essential for many to ensure an affordable summer vacation."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

On 'Today,' with which ring will they wed?

2008-06-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Bridal bands from Kwiat's "Fidelity" collection are among one of four designer choices in the "Today" show's "Race to the Altar" segment.

Today's a big day for bridal designers, as the Today show continued its famous "Today Throws A Wedding—Race to the Altar" segment with a feature on bridal bands.

Kwiat, Ritani, Kirk Kara and Bulgari were chosen out of a select group of the world's most prestigious jewelry companies as the four finalists to appear on the show.

Beginning today at 9 a.m., viewers were invited to vote on which of the wedding band sets would make it onto the fingers of LaDonna and Darnell, a couple from Atlanta who will wed on the Today show next week.

Kwiat's offerings are platinum bands from the brand's newest bridal collection, "Fidelity." Each band appears almost as if it has two intersecting rings. The bride's version is marked with brilliant-cut diamonds, while the groom's band is an endless circle of platinum.

The Ritani bands are from the "Endless Love" collection and feature a complementary, not matchy-matchy look. The ladies' band features 1.25 carats of diamonds, and the men's version features 22 points of diamonds. Both are set in platinum.

Tuning in to the vintage-inspired trend is Kirk Kara, whose Today show bands feature scrollwork on both the bride's and groom's versions. Both are crafted in 18-karat white gold.

Finally, Bulgari offered up a bolder look, with his and her bands featuring the double "Bulgari" signature scrolled across the side of the rings. The band for her features 0.5 carats of diamonds, while his is all metal.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Thai jewelry industry eyes Dubai market

2008-06-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

Thai industry leaders at the DMCC, from left: BGJF CEO Somchai Phornchindarak, DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem, TGJTA President Vichai Assarasakorn, TGJTA First Vice President Prapee Sorakraikitikul and TGJTA Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board Komson Opassathavorn.

Thailand, one of the world's leading gem and jewelry producers, is looking to add the Middle East to its growing list of export frontiers, based upon the region's high consumption of jewelry, strong purchasing power and booming economy.

Thailand participated in the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show that took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April, and the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) is now working with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a trade association, on the possibilities of Thai operators setting up offices in Dubai and establishing sales outlets in the DMCC's Gems Club later this year.

"We are moving systematically into the Middle East, initially through Dubai in the United Arab Emirates," TGJTA President Vichai Assarasakorn said in a press release issued on Thursday.

Dubai also offers the potential to be a stepping stone for Thai jewel firms to enter the region, thanks to its role as the economic center in the Gulf and its liberal trade and investment systems, he said.

The DMCC has agreed to dispatch experts to disseminate information and data about the jewel market in the Middle East to Thai industry members at the 42nd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, to be held from Sept. 11-15, 2008.
Source: jckonline

HRD Antwerp offering jewelry design course

2008-06-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

HRD Antwerp NV is now offering a five-day design course in contemporary diamond jewelry in Antwerp, Belgium.

The course is designed to educate designers on how to translate their creative ideas into practical concepts on paper. Students will learn the fundamentals of modern diamond-jewelry design and the aesthetics of presentation on paper.

Instructors for the class are Laurent-Max De Cock, a jewelry designer and associate professor at the Royal Academy of Fine arts in Antwerp, and Veerle Van Wilder, associate professor at St. Lucas in Antwerp and also a jewelry designer.

According to a release from HRD Antwerp NV, the dates for the Contemporary Diamond Jewellery Design Course in English are July 28-Aug. 1, Oct. 20-24 and April 2-6, 2009.

HRD Antwerp NV also will offer the course in French from Feb. 2-6, 2009.

Classes are limited to 15 students and no previous experience is required.

For more information, contact HRD Antwerp's educational department at education@hrdantwerp.be.

HRD Antwerp NV is a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the private foundation formerly known as the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD). HRD Antwerp operates the Diamond Lab, the Precious Stones Lab, Education, Graduates Club, Equipment and Research.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Jewelry Crime Gang Suspects Arrested

2008-06-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

The FBI Houston Major Theft Task Force said it has captured three men considered to be suspects in a jewelry store theft operation in the southeast Texas city, MyFox Houston reports.

The three men, who are natives of Colombia, were placed into the custody of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Thursday after Houston police stopped their vehicle for traffic violations, but have not been charged with any crimes yet, the television station reports.

Investigators reportedly said they believe the three suspects were scouting sites for future holdups.

The three men are identified as follows:

Wilson Javier Paez Pena, 31;

Luis Lopez Garcia, 35; and

Edwin Mursea, 35.

All three are felons who have been deported from the U.S. before, the television station reports..

Investigators reportedly said they believe that the three men are part of a larger network of jewel thieves that have targeted Houston businesses.

Investigators have released images of Pena, Garcia and Mursea in order to get information from the public about who the three men associate with and where they live, so that more suspects in the robberies can be found, the television station reports.

There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to suspects arrested and charged in this case. Any information that can help the FBI find the remaining suspects can be given to Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477.
Source: jckonline

Prime Jewelry Group announces Fall 2008 schedule

2008-06-14T02:36:00.000-07:00

The Prime Jewelry Group, a members-only organization that prides itself on offering upscale, exclusive trade shows, has announced the schedule for its Fall 2008 events.

A San Francisco show will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel from Aug. 23-24, and a Boston show will take place at the Hotel InterContinental from Sept. 7-8.

The Prime Jewelry Group membership includes 37 leading manufacturers who nominate retailers to attend any of the group's three exclusive buying events held each year. When selected, retailers can choose which of the two-day events they would prefer to attend.

The invitation also includes roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for two at the event's luxury hotel.

"The Prime Jewelry Group's mission is to provide a buying experience that meets the specialized needs of high-quality independent retailers and the manufacturers who sell to them," Prime Jewelry Group Executive Director Carol Young said in a media release. "The business relationships that are forged during Prime events are long-lasting and extremely beneficial to exhibitors and buyers alike."

Prime Jewelry Group members include Alisa, Alwand Vahan, Angelique De Paris, Armand Jacoby, Aurafin, B N/Alisa Unger Designs, Belair Time Corp., Bellarri, Breuning, Cherie Dori, Color Merchants, Color Story, Cordova By Ron Rosen, Cristian Geneve/Brokoe Mfg., Dangler Studios, Designs By Vatche, Elma Gil, Gottlieb Sons, H. Weiss Co., Henderson Collection By Wlh Ltd., I. Gansky Co./Designs By Carlo G., Imperial, J. Vincent Co., KC Designs, Leddel International, Lieberfarb, Makur Designs, Mastini Designs, Miami Metals, Michael Werdiger, Nouveau 1910/Rolling Stone Co., Parle Jewelry Designs/I.O.G.C., Pejay Creations, Raymond Hak Couture, Susan Michel Ltd., Tara Sons and Timeless Designs By Jacob Bryan.
Source: nationajewelernetwork

'Gossip Girls' go to bed in Kazanjian

2008-06-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

This cabochon ruby "flame" ring from Kazanjian by Patrick M was among the pieces selected for the new Gossip Girl billboard campaign.

The Gossip Girl cast may be on summer vacation, but fans of the hit television series will get a chance to get their fix through a new outdoor billboard campaign starring Serena, Blair and all the rest adorned in jewels from Kazanjian by Patrick M.

Famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton shot the campaign earlier this month, and the billboards will break in Los Angeles and New York.

Along with jewelry, the girls will don designer shoes from Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, and, to put it subtly, that's about where the wardrobing ends.

Among the jewels selected for the shoot were a chunky amethyst cuff, a cabochon ruby "flame" ring, a multicolored pearl bracelet and a 19-millimeter South Sea pearl ring—pieces with a playful yet classic design that echoes the fashion sensibility of Gossip Girl.

Kazanjian by Patrick M is a partnership recently formed between Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Kazanjian Bros., which is known for its unique collection of rare gems and fine estate jewelry, and the legendary Mauboussin family of Paris.

According to the stylist behind the shoot, Kazanjian by Patrick M was selected for its "young Hollywood appeal."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

New jewelry designers at German show

2008-06-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

More than 20 new jewelry designers will showcase their wares at the new Decorate Life consumer goods show in Germany.

The show is scheduled for July 4-8 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

According to a release, the show will present a "new and fresh" approach to jewelry design ideas from 22 "up-and-coming designers, young entrepreneurs and students."

Pieces showcased will include traditional gold and silver pieces, as well as pieces made from plastic, the seeds of the South Africa ivory-nut palm, latex and tagua nuts.

Designers from nine different countries, including Hong Kong, Netherlands, Australia, the Czech Republic and Norway, are slated to attend.

Decorate Life includes a total of four events: Tendence Autumn + Winter, Collectione Preview Spring + Summer, Outdoor Living and The Design Annual. The jewelry designers will be included as part of Tendence Autumn + Winter, and will be located in Hall 6.0.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Nature inspired jewelry draws visitors back

2008-06-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

While most niche shops in the Upper Peninsula specialize in a few brands, Beadazed Studio and Gifts in Calumet claim two, that everything's hand-made, and as a result, one-of-a-kind.

Grand Rapids resident, Carol Richards and her daughter visited Beadazed on Monday. They took a break from the family fishing trip at Lac Labelle, to do a little shopping.

"We were here last year," said Richards. "The uniqueness of the store, I love it. I like beading. I like natural rocks and stones. I really like the store."

Nestled between other niche stores in historic downtown Calumet, Beadazed sells an assortment of eclectic handmade art, including jewelry.

"Everything that's in here is everything I love," said owner Kristy Walden. "I love making jewelry, I love rocks. I grew up around a mine."

Beadazed also sells pieces made by local artists, like clothing, wooden cutting boards, dolls, and more.

Walden says more people want to make their own jewelry, than in past years. She offers classes at the studio Monday through Thursday night in the summertime.

Where does she gets inspiration to create one of a kind necklaces, bracelets and rings? Kristy uses patterns from nature . For a silver bracelet she used mold made from a branch off the cherry tree in her backyard.

"You'll just look at a stone and from an agate, you'll find every color that wants to be included in that necklace," said Walden.
Source: wluvtv6

Cross-Country Journeys

2008-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

DIANE IRVINE

Chief executive, Blue Nile, an online diamond retailer based in Seattle.

AGE 49 BIRTHPLACE Libertyville, Ill. ASPIRATION To write a novel

BOTH sets of my grandparents were dairy farmers. When I was in fifth grade we moved to a farm that my father had purchased. We had a couple of hundred acres, 250 head of beef cattle and 5,000 chickens.

My job was to collect the eggs without mishap, wash them so they were clean, inspect them and pack the eggs in cartons. I also drove a tractor, at 14, before I learned how to drive a car.

I thought I wanted to be a sportswriter because I grew up with the Chicago Cubs and Bears. After a Bears-Dallas Cowboys game in 1973, I wrote a letter to Dick Butkus, the Chicago Bears linebacker. Fans were booing the Bears, and I said I was proud to be at the game and apologized for the fans.

When I was in high school, my accounting instructor laid out the path for me to become a C.P.A. He said it was a long road and a lot of hard work. I decided that it would be my major in college.

I interned for Coopers & Lybrand in Chicago during my senior year in college, and I loved it from the moment I got there. My first audit was at a company called Union Special that made industrial sewing machines. Our office was right next to the payroll department, and the four women there had a combined 100 years of experience. They would always bring us desserts. After graduation, I joined the company full time.

In 1985, my soon-to-be husband, who worked for SKF Industries, was being transferred to Seattle, and I arranged a transfer, too. I was close to my family, and we were the first people in our families to move away. We left on a Tuesday and arrived on a Sunday after a detour to Mount Rushmore. When we got to Seattle it was pouring. I remember thinking at first: “It’s not Chicago. We’ll stay a year and move back.”

My husband and I learned how to rely on each other. The new city was an adjustment. I learned how to try something completely new and have confidence in what I was doing.

In 1999, I was contacted by a recruiter who had been referred by a venture capital company that had invested in a company then called Internet Diamonds. While I was cautious about a start-up, I met the founder, Mark Vadon, for dinner and thought, “I think this can work.” I joined the company as chief financial officer. Before the end of the year, the name changed to Blue Nile.

The economy was bad, and we needed money to get to profitability. Mark and I flew across the country and met with about 90 private equity firms, and not one would give us money. Then our existing investors put in additional capital.

Shortly after we were funded again, a group of us arrived in New York City to visit our suppliers. We arrived on Sept. 10, 2001. The next morning we were having a breakfast meeting at the Palace Hotel before our meetings. I went back to the hotel room, and one of the housekeepers had the television on. I saw the second tower being hit. There were five of us from Blue Nile and we felt very far from home. Walking down Fifth Avenue to our meetings, I saw the towers burning. By that time the airports were closed and there was no way to leave the city. Pictures of missing people were posted everywhere.

The city was so quiet, and after two days we met for lunch and the five of us had to decide whether to wait for the airports to open or to drive home. Driving won by a 3-to-2 vote. We left our hotel at 4:30 on Friday morning and took a car service to Newark Airport where we rented a Ford Expedition. With five drivers we made it home in 46 hours. I was the only female on the trip.

We made it to Seattle just after midnight on Saturday night. August 2001 had been our first month of profitability. We’d made $1,000, and now $600 was spent on renting the Ford Expedition. Still, it was a bonding experience with one another and with our suppliers.
Source: nytimes

The Joy of Insects

2008-06-06T00:47:00.000-07:00

WHEN summer comes, and flowers and windows open, insects follow. They in turn are often followed, swiftly, by a fly swatter. But if you can’t beat them, why not let them join the party? This season, jewelry designers, perhaps recalling the imaginative little girl whose surreal interactions with insects brought a dreamy beauty to “Pan’s Labyrinth,” have shone a spotlight on the Insecta class, finding glamour and chic in all manner of creepy-crawlies.

Insects have of course enjoyed vogues in eras past — notably for the curious Victorians and the macabre Surrealists — but today’s swarm has a more whimsical bent. They range, at least in price, from the lowly (but winsome) bug brooches at Miu Miu to the high-flying jeweled creations of Sharon Khazzam, Sevan and Vernissage. And lest one think this is but a lapel-borne plague of the seven-year variety, bear in mind that there are about 10 quintillion insects in the world — bees, grasshoppers, praying mantises and walking sticks are just the tip of the termite mound. So if art should care to go on imitating nature, it will have some ways to go before the well of inspiration runs dry.
Source: nytimes

International Jewellery Kobe ends with solid results

2008-06-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

Organizers of this year's International Jewellery Kobe (IJK 2008) have announced solid business results for the show held last month.

A record 641 exhibitors from 23 countries attended the May 15-17 show, as did 16,228 visitors, accounting for the fair's largest scale yet.

A total of 168 overseas exhibitors participated in the event, increasing from 142 overseas exhibitors last year.

International exhibits at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall, where the show was held, included special country pavilions from Italy and Japan, a well as collections from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Among the elements drawing buyers in was the show's World Pearl Area, an exhibition held each year where buyers can source top-quality pearls, plus Design World and the Designer's and Craftsman Pavilion, featuring new, fashionable jewelry.

The next International Jewellery Kobe will be held from May 14-16, 2009, at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall. IJK's sister show, the International Jewellery Tokyo (IJT), will be held from Jan. 21-24, 2009, at Tokyo Big Sight. IJT is the biggest jewelry trade show in Japan, and it will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009. The First Tokyo International Watch Fair, the only international watch trade show in Japan, will be held concurrently with IJT.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Bench seminar to showcase 'dueling' master jewelers

2008-06-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

Platinum Guild International and Bench Media have joined efforts to offer Advanced Level Bench Seminars in a number of cities across the country starting this summer.

The seminars will lead with a session on platinum bench techniques. Acclaimed platinumsmith Jurgen Maerz will teach everything from platinum fundamentals and the latest technology to short cuts for platinum repairs and manufacturing. Maerz will also provide instruction on a variety of advanced platinum bench techniques, including specialty repairs and sizing, casting platinum in the small shop, polishing and finishing techniques, and many tips and tricks for working with platinum. Attendees will also learn the advantages, features and benefits of different platinum alloys.

A networking lunch will follow, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk with other bench jewelers. The lunch is included with registration.

After lunch, a session on advanced stone setting will be held, where master jewelers Brad Simon and Maerz will sit across from each other demonstrating their techniques. Attendees will learn intricate settings, including channel, flush, invisible, marquise and pavé, from two different perspectives. Close-up video-projection equipment will project the work of each craftsman onto a large screen so everyone in the room can easily see the techniques demonstrated.

The afternoon will continue with the master jewelers demonstrating fabrication techniques. This seminar goes beyond the basics and demonstrates advanced techniques to fabricate complex mountings, multiple stone rings, ornate crowns and intricate filigree. Soldering and fusion-welding processes will also be discussed, as well as advanced forming and shaping techniques. Attendees will also learn about how tool selection effects a finished product, and how new technology can help make better jewelry.

The day will conclude with a seminar titled Bench Tips and Other Tricks.

This full day of seminars is $195 with early registration.

Locations and dates include:

Philadelphia: July 31

Las Vegas: Aug. 21

Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Sept. 4

Portland, Ore.: Sept. 25

Indianapolis: Oct. 2
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

ASA to offer jewelry appraisal course

2008-06-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Gems and Jewelry Committee is offering a jewelry appraisal course in July.

The course, titled Gems and Jewelry Appraisal Theory, Methods and Application, will be held from July 8-11 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., just prior to Jewelry Camp.

Attendees will receive a concentrated study of GJ valuation theory and principles that includes the three approaches to valuing gems and jewelry; factors influencing value; appraisal terminology; literal versus interpretative description; types and uses of appraisals; value research methods for the three approaches to value; data analysis and adjustment; use of statistics in valuation; complete versus limited appraisal; self-contained, summary and restricted-use reports; components of the written appraisal report; and writing narrative commentary.

In addition, attendees will learn to write reports that are compliant with 2008-09 USPAP.

To register, click here. Dorm rooms are available on campus.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Jewelry Television responds to $5 million lawsuit over gem

2008-06-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

A California woman has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Knoxville-based Jewelry Television claiming the shopping network knowingly sold treated gemstones as though they were "extremely rare" and "all natural."

Marliese Weed, who filed the suit on May 23 and is seeking class-action status, alleges Jewelry Television engaged in "unfair and deceptive conduct" when it sold a gem called andesine-labradorite as being a "highly-coveted, extremely rare, all natural, expensive gem that looks like an Oregon sunstone."

Weed alleges the stones were "nothing more than the mass-produced result of chemical facelifts in gemological beauty parlors" that Jewelry Television acquired for "pennies per carat and sold … for extraordinary profits."

In December 2007, Jewelry Television sold the gemstones for $149 per carat and later offered customers "a brief return period which was not publicized or advertised, was ill-administered, and did not even begin to correct the harm that was done," the lawsuit states.

Jewelry Television expressed disappointment that "one customer in California has filed litigation against us. This customer chose not to take advantage of our liberal return policies."

In a statement today, Jewelry Television said andesine-labradorite has been sold in the gem trade since 2002 as natural and untreated material.

"Lab reports from major laboratories have consistently confirmed these gemstones as natural and untreated. Jewelry Television, like other major retailers, relied upon the lab reports and general industry information," Jewelry Television said.

The company acknowledged that it had in January discovered one source for this gemstone that reported treating the stone.

"That information was promptly reported to our customers. As additional information has developed, JTV continued to keep customers informed. Much of the information in the lawsuit is totally incorrect and we are satisfied that Jewelry Television acted completely responsibly and the true facts will vindicate us," the company said.

In May, Jewelry Television, located at 10001 Kingston Pike, downsized its corporate headquarters eliminating more than 200 jobs companywide. Plans to build a new headquarters at a West Knoxville business park have been put on hold.
Source: knoxnews

IIJS 2008 Expects 30,000 Attendees

2008-06-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Plans for the India International Jewellery Show 2008 are underway as it readies to celebrate its 25th anniversary. India's largest jewelry show will be held Aug. 7 - 11 in Mumbai.

About 30,000 trade visitors will attend IIJS 2008. Among the 750 exhibitors, 500 will be from India and 250 from other countries.

Business of $700 million was transacted during the five days of IIJS 2007.

IIJS also provides platform to the leading industry bodies such as World Gold Council, Platinum Guild International and Diamond companies such as Rio Tinto, Diamond Trading Company to effectively network for business.
Source: jckonline

India’s SRS Group Invests $12M to Launch Jewelry Unit

2008-06-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

India-based property developer SRS Group announced plans to enter the jewelry retail market.

The company said it plans to open 10 exclusive jewelry stores in India this year under the brand SRS Jewels, investing INR 500 million ($11.76 million) in the project.

Sunil Jindal, managing director of SRS Group, said the company would aim to increase the number of SRS Jewels stores by 25 per year from 2009 onwards.

Jindal added the company was confident it would be able to find its niche in the organized jewelry retail segment.

“The SRS Jewels store offers a wide range of gracefully crafted Hallmarked jewelry that comprises 80 percent diamond and 20 percent gold,” the company explained.

SRS Group has business interests in real estate and township development, multiplex cinemas, organized retail, hospitality and aviation sectors.
Source: diamonds

Leading Jewelers launches new brand program

2008-06-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Leading Jewelers of the World (LJW) introduced a new, multi-tiered brand-positioning program for the association last week during the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas.

Core elements of the program include a redesigned Trustmark Corporation, titled "The Mark of Distinction," a new LJW Pledge to be adopted by each current and future LJW Honoree and presented in-store, a new multi-element, occasion-driven advertising campaign, a new Web site and new point-of-sale signage and materials.

"All of us involved with this new initiative are very excited about the opportunity that it offers select retail jewelers who want to differentiate themselves in their respective markets," LJW Executive Director Michael Barlerin said. "Becoming a Leading Jeweler of the World Honoree, and maintaining that designation on an annual basis, will provide significant benefits to a retailer."

Barlerin also noted that with many of the industry's associations, service providers and buying groups trying to develop brands with a consumer-communication element, "LJW is the only organization for which the consumer, and consequently consumer communication, is the essence of its brand."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tiffany reports 19 pct rise in 1st-quarter profit

2008-05-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. reported Friday that strong growth in the Asia-Pacific and European markets helped its first-quarter profits rise 19 percent but said that it doesn't expect an improvement in the U.S. until later this year.

Tiffany said profits totaled $64.4 million, or 50 cents per share, in the three-month period ended April 30. That compared with $54.08 million, or 39 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

The company's sales rose 12 percent to $668.15 million from $595.7 million in the year-ago period.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected earnings of 40 cents per share on sales of $649 million.

Shares rose 5.8 percent, or $2.76, to $50.50 in premarket trading.

Total sales in the Americas region, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin and South America, rose 6 percent to $373.6 million from $353.3 million in the year-ago period due to incremental sales from new stores. Same-store sales, or sales at stores opened at least a year, in the U.S. were unchanged from the prior year.

Same-store sales rose 16 percent in Tiffany's New York flagship store due to increased foreign tourist spending, but same-store sales at branch stores fell 4 percent. Combined catalog and Internet sales in the U.S. rose 1 percent.

Sales in the Asia-Pacific region, which includes business in Japan, in Asia-Pacific countries outside of Japan and in the Middle East, rose 21 percent to $222.0 million from $183.1 million. On a constant-exchange rate basis, sales rose 10 percent and same-store sales increased 4 percent reflecting strong growth in all Asia-Pacific countries other than Japan.

Sales in Europe rose 38 percent to $60.1 million from $43.5 million. On a constant exchange rate basis, a 30 percent increase in sales was due to 12 percent same-store sales growth and incremental sales from four new stores.

In a statement, Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive, said that the company is continuing to pursue important expansion opportunities in 2008 and expects to open about 24 stores across the U.S., Asia-Pacific — other than Japan — and Europe, more than offsetting weakness in U.S. sales.

Tiffany said it remains on track to meet full-year earnings and sales growth goals. It expects worldwide net sales to rise by 10 percent in 2008 and now expects net earnings per share to increase anywhere from $2.80 to $2.90.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect $2.73 per share for the year.
Source: ap

Can pop culture savvy help jewelry sales?

2008-05-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

At an educational session preceding the opening of the JCK Las Vegas show Thursday, retail sales consultant Shane Decker called on retailers to stop the guesswork when it comes to diamond sales.

In a packed afternoon session titled "How to Find and Hit the Hot Spots in Your Diamond Sales," he admonished a crowd of retail jewelers to do some research on pop culture for key age groups, which he defined as 23- to 34-year-olds, 34 to 45-years-olds and 45 and up.

He said jewelers should know what type of music consumers in these key demographic groups are listening to when they drive to work and which TV shows they are tuning into when they get home at night, in order to know the best places and times for advertising.

"You want information that is extremely specific," Decker said.

In a presentation that kept the crowd laughing throughout, Decker also told audience members to keep track of which inventory is selling so they know what to buy more of when the time comes— whether it be diamond solitaire necklaces or bangle bracelets—and at what prices.

"Don't wing it marketing. Don't wing it buying. Don't wing it marking it up either," he said.

Decker said Web sites such as Blue Nile are getting ahead of some retail jewelers simply because retail jewelers are forgetting how to sell diamonds.

He encouraged audience members to rid themselves of what he termed their "poverty-level" mentality and urged them to buy higher-quality, larger goods.

He shared the story of a retail jeweler in Arkansas who recently sold a pair of diamond earrings totaling 20 carats simply because the jeweler had them in stock.

"Don't tell me you can't make money on diamonds anymore," Decker said. "That's your thinking. You've got to change how you feel about your product."

The show floor for JCK Las Vegas opens today at the Venetian hotel. The show runs through June 3.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

An earrings ad crosses FTC's legal line

2008-05-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) recently received an inquiry on an earrings advertisement that appeared in a local newspaper.

The ad boasted that the company's "laboratories" produced an "unflawed," "lab-created" diamond product that compared favorably to mined diamonds in terms of color and clarity, and in some ways, was superior to mined diamonds. The company's other marketing materials made similar claims.

The question before the JVC: Does such language violate the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries, also known as the "Jewelry Guides"?

As the JVC reviewed the advertising materials, a big question arose: What was the company selling? The references to labs and lab-created stones suggested synthetic diamonds, but it was unclear.

The JVC sent the company a letter, asking about the product, but received no response. JVC then purchased the featured earrings and examined both the product and the accompanying literature. Still stumped, the JVC took the jewelry to a respected, independent appraiser for analysis. The result: The mystery product was cubic zirconium (CZ).

From there, JVC's analysis was not complicated, as the FTC guides provide unambiguous direction on imitation and synthetic diamonds.

A synthetic diamond is man-made with pure carbon—the same chemical substance that turns into diamond when exposed in nature to extremely high pressure. While the natural process occurs either deep within the earth's lithospheric mantle, or at the site of a meteorite strike, the man-made process takes place above ground. Despite the difference in production, the laboratory-produced synthetic diamond has the same physical, chemical and optical properties as a natural diamond.

An imitation diamond, on the other hand, does not share the same physical properties as a natural diamond. It is a man-made simulant that resembles a diamond but is not made of carbon. Imitations are typically made of glass or plastic or, cubic zirconium. CZ is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), a material that is hard, optically clear and usually colorless. While CZ does a good job of imitating a diamond, it is not a synthetic, and it is not a real diamond.

The differences between the natural, the synthetic and the imitation diamond are reflected in their value, with the imitation being the least expensive. Hence, the goal of the FTC guides is to ensure jewelry buyers are not misled.

Compliance also puts jewelers on a level field, with no one losing market share to exaggerated claims.

The FTC jewelry guides clearly define natural, synthetic and imitation diamonds
and lay down the rules for describing each to consumers in Section 23.23(c): "It is deceptive to use the word 'laboratory-created' to describe an imitation diamond."

What about using the word "unflawed" in ads? Again, the guides are clear. Section 23.26(c) states that it is deceptive to describe any imitation diamond as "flawless" or "perfect"—or anything else that conveys that meaning. So the CZ ad violates this section.

Analysis complete, the JVC contacted the company with its findings and explained that the violations exposed the company to legal action, not only by the FTC, but by competitors who could bring false advertising claims pursuant to the federal Lanham Act.

Now understanding the law, as well as the possible consequences, the company acted quickly. Working with the JVC, it amended its advertisements to be in compliance with the law. For a nominal fee, the company also bought copies of Buying Gemstones and Jewels with Confidence.

This JVC publication (copies of which are available via its Web site, JVCLegal.com) explains the meaning of "synthetic" and "imitation" and includes a description of various diamond treatments that can improve the appearance of a diamond, but also affect its value. These brochures were distributed to the company's employees and became part of its training materials.

To stay in compliance with laws relating to marketing, jewelers should maintain up-to-date information on all applicable regulations and make sure that employees are trained on relevant law. The JVC is there to help by providing general educational resources-as well as jeweler-specific advice.

Suzan R. Flamm, Esq., is assistant general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC). In an occasional series of articles, the JVC offers its advice on how industry members can avoid litigation in an effort to benefit the parties to a dispute, and the industry as a whole. The advice is strictly the opinion of the JVC.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Nude Maid Steals $40G Worth of Jewelry From Florida Home

2008-05-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

After the 50-year-old man hired the woman from the Internet on Friday, the maid stole from his suburban Tampa home despite not wearing any clothes, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

The woman arrived at the home in a one-piece, light colored dress. She took off the dress and cleaned the house for $100-per-hour, authorities said.

The man told deputies he left the maid alone in the bedroom to clean, according to sheriff's office spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

When the man's wife came home from vacation, she discovered $40,000 in jewelry missing from their bedroom.

Police are investigating.
Source: foxnews

Faraone Mennella files copyright lawsuit

2008-05-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

RFMAS, Inc., which sells designer jewelry to upscale retail stores under the Faraone Mennella trademark has filed a $60 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Mimi So International and luxury conglomerate Richemont.

The suit, filed May 9 in the U.S. District Court of New York in Manhattan, names jewelry designer Mimi So; Mimi So International, Inc.; Richemont SA; Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA; Richemont North America; Richemont Holdings; and Richemont International, Ltd.

In the suit, RFMAS alleges that its Italian designers created a particular jewelry design, "Subject Works" and that the designs became well-known for their distinctive look, described in court papers as a "combination of distinctive design elements, including a unique arrangement of large, hand-twisted or apparently hand-twisted, non-uniform, open links in a loose pattern of two or three sizes that form a chain conveying a stylized and appealing sense of sophisticated freedom and motion."

The designs received extensive acclaim, including being named by Time Magazine on its list of "100 Most Influential Designs," and garnered sales to match the critical kudos, court papers said.

RFMAS says in court papers that Richemont approached the company about a possible acquisition and that meetings between the two parties included Mimi So and involved RFMAS sharing its trade secret information, including information on best-selling designs, top customers and marketing.

The suit claims that the parties entered into a confidentiality agreement, but that after the meetings Mimi So International began selling products that infringed on RFMAS' copyright and that the designs were produced at Richemont's manufacturing facility in Milan.
The suit alleges that the defendants have been profiting from "the blatant infringement" of plaintiff's copyrighted and trade dress, and that they breached confidentiality as well as an implied oral and written contract.

"Defendants have access to plaintiff's works and defendant's works are remarkably similar to plaintiff's and defendant's actions have caused plaintiff irreparable injury," the suit says.

In addition to the $60 million in compensatory damages and loss of profits, the suit also asks for an injunction that would prevent the defendants from importing, manufacturing and/or distributing the pieces alleged to have violated RFMAS' copyright.

Messages left at Mimi So International and Richemont were not immediately returned.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Christie's Hong Kong jewelry auction hits record

2008-05-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Christie's Hong Kong auction reeled in a record $60.1 million and was the largest jewelry sale ever organized by Christie's worldwide, the auction house said.

The top lot of the day was a 101.27-carat, F, VVS1 diamond which was the largest diamond ever sold at auction in Asia. A private collector snapped it up for $6.2 million.

Other records included the following:

— A 16.04-carat, D, VVS2 circular-cut diamond that sold to an Asian private collector for $3,341,809 and set a world record price-per-carat record for a colorless diamond.

— A square-shaped fancy green diamond of 10.36 carats that fetched $3,485,281 and set a world record price for a green diamond sold at auction.

— Finally, a pair of Romanov emeralds which sold to an Asian private collector for $2,409,241 set a price-per-carat record for emeralds sold at auction.

Also of note is that nine of the top 10 lots sold for more than $2 million a pop, an unprecedented event in the jewelry auction world, according to Christie's.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Amendments to Clean Diamond Trade Act

2008-05-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has added two amendments to the Clean Diamond Trade Act that assist in the gathering of statistical data relating to import and export of rough diamonds in the U.S., the Jewelers Vigilance Committee said Tuesday.

The first amendment emphasizes that Customs will not release a shipment of rough diamonds, without the formal entry documents (a “formal entry for consumption”) regardless of the value of the shipment, JVC said. This amendment clarifies the already existing requirement for this documentation for imports, but makes clear that the documents are required for all shipments, including those under $2,500 in value.

The second amendment requires all rough diamond importers and exporters in the U.S. to file an annual report by April 1 of the year following the reported period. The report is filed via e-mail with the Office of the Special Advisor for Conflict Diamonds, U.S. Department of State. The first report for the calendar year 2007 is due on Sept. 1.

The report should include contact information regarding the identity of the importer or exporter (name, address, telephone number, fax, and e-mail address) and the total amount of import/export activity for each of the three harmonized tariff codes (7102.10, 7102.21 and 7102.31) that cover rough diamonds for the year reported. This should include the total amount of carats of each classification of rough diamonds imported and exported, the total number of import and exported shipments and information on remaining stockpiles or rough diamonds as of the end of the reporting year, reported both in number of carats and approximate value.

The e-mail address for filing these reports is USKimberleyProcess@state.gov.

Failure to file the annual report can expose a rough diamond importer or exporter to a civil fine of $10,000 for each instance of non-compliance, or criminal penalties of up to $50,000 in fines and 10 years imprisonment.

“The data contained in the annual reports filed by rough diamond traders is protected by U.S. privacy laws and will not be subject to disclosure," said Sue Saarnio, special advisor for Conflict Diamonds, U.S. Department of State. "The new regulations will enhance our statistical data gathering and reporting for purposes of complying with our obligations under the Kimberley Process.”

Cecilia Gardner, JVC president and chief executive officer director of the U.S. Kimberley Process Authority, “This effort to improve the data gathered on imports and exports of rough diamonds will further strengthen the U.S. industry’s efforts to end the trade in conflict diamonds.”

Saarnio, Vincent Dantone, program manager for Trade Policy Enforcement Programs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Kristen Nespoli of the U.S. Census Bureau, will be at JVC’s exhibit booth, L-13, at JCK Las Vegas, June 1 and June 2, to provide guidance to rough diamond importers and exporters on the Kimberley Process and Clean Diamond Trade Act regulations.

"Efforts to facilitate data collection of rough diamond trading in the U.S. meet the industry's goals of improving international implementation of the Kimberley Process," Eli Izhakoff, chairman and CEO, World Diamond Council.
Source: jckonline

China’s Jewelry Sales Reach $26B in 2007

2008-05-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

China’s jewelry sales reached approximately CNY 180 billion ($25.88 billion) in 2007, representing growth of about CNY 20 billion ($2.87 billion) a year from 2005, according to a report by research company Research And Markets (R&M.)

R&M added the ‘China Gold & Silver Jewelry Market Channel Report, 2007-2008’ to its research listings given the recent growth of the market.

Since 2003, the retail price index of China's gold and silver jewelry goods has risen continuously, at a higher rate than all other commodities, the report explained.

In 2007, China’s jewelry imports grew 35 percent to $6.2 billion, and exports grew 16.8 percent to $8 billion, M&R reported adding that sales of gold and silver jewelry kept a good momentum in the first quarter of 2008.

“That indicates China's jewelry market is increasingly prosperous and the import and export trade is continuously growing,” the report said. “China's position as one of world's main jewelry manufacturers and consumers has been further strengthened.”

By year-end, there were more than 10,000 jewelry retailers on mainland China, the majority of which were small outlets without independent brands and competitiveness, M&R said.

“So far, China's jewelry industry has become the third largest consumer hot spot preceded only by real estate and automobile industry,” the report explained.

M&R said statistics in the report were based upon those provided by the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, the China Gold Association, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Bureaus of Statistics and statistics bureaus at provincial or municipal level.
Source: diamonds

Vintage Costume Jewelry History Designers

2008-05-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

Dubai Gold Trade Up 73% in First Quarter

2008-05-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre said that gold trade through Dubai reached $7 billion in the first quarter of 2008, up by 73 percent during the same period in 2007.

Dubai’s gold trade has witnessed consistent growth over the last six months, registering a 42 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2007, when it reached $4.96 billion, DMCC said. Gold price averaged $925 per ounce during the first quarter of 2008.

According to figures compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai World, a total of 115 tons of gold was exported from Dubai in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 74 percent from the corresponding period in 2007, and 49 percent higher than exports during the last quarter of 2007. Gold exports from Dubai recorded 66 tons in the first quarter of 2007, rising to 77 tons in the fourth quarter of 2007.

In addition, 122 tons of gold was imported into Dubai during the first quarter of 2008, with imports mostly comprising scrap and jewelry. With a quarter-on-quarter comparison, this figure is an increase of 14 percent from 107 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2007, although imports have recorded an eight percent decrease from 132 tons for the first quarter in 2007.

“With global gold prices crossing the $1000 mark and remaining significantly high throughout 2007, there has been an impact on the volume of imports into Dubai,” said Ian McDonald, executive director - Gold and Precious Metals, DMCC. “However, in keeping with global trends, gold refining has also been on the rise. With scrap becoming an important component of imports, the Emirate’s growing significance as a gold refining centre has been further emphasized. In addition, increasing export volumes of gold bullion have given a boost to Dubai’s role as a leading physical hub for the regional gold trade.”
Source: jckonline

Faberge pursues deal with Alrosa

2008-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Will Russia's Faberge become next big diamond brand?

London— Faberge is seeking a deal to market gems from state-run Russian diamond giant Alrosa, a top official from Pallinghurst Resources, which owns the Faberge brand, told The Moscow Times Friday.

Pallinghurst partner Sean Gilbertson told the paper that the firm hopes to take advantage of a European Union mandate requiring Alrosa to stop selling its diamonds through top-ranking De Beers as part of an anti-monopoly deal.

"We think there's a unique opportunity to take Russian diamonds from Alrosa and help them with this marketing problem by creating a range of Faberge Russian diamonds and at a stroke creating one of the most powerful diamond brands in the world," he told the paper.

He said it was too soon to comment on any talks with Alrosa or how the project was progressing.

De Beers, which sold $600 million worth of Alrosa diamonds in 2006, has been phasing out Alrosa sales and is due to completely stop marketing the Russian stones by 2009.

The move to get in on Alrosa's cache is part of plans to return Faberge to its Russian roots and put out its first collection of art objects and jewelry next year, Gilbertson said.

Faberge previously announced plans to market branded colored gemstones, including emeralds and rubies. Under the plan, all Faberge gems will have a tiny laser inscription with the brand and mine, designed to appeal to consumers worried about conflict diamonds.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Mother and Son Caught Stealing in Jewelry Shop

2008-05-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

A mother and son were arrested red-handed stealing gold jewelry from a shop in the north of Riyadh yesterday.

Following reports by owners of jewelry stores in the gold souk, police traced the mother and son, who would sell their stolen goods at another souk in the east of Riyadh.

According to an official from the Riyadh police, the couple would steal while posing as buyers.

“Salesmen would show them a wide range of jewelry. They would then rob items when the salesmen would be distracted,” he said, adding that the son was the main culprit and that he got his mother involved by promising her half of whatever they stole.

The spokesman added that the pair have confessed to their crime and that they are following leads to see whether they are part of a larger gang. Both suspects will appear in court as soon as investigations are complete.
Source: arabnews

Isee2 helps jewelers merge brick-and-click

2008-05-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

Isee2 Diamonds will introduce a new retail concept that will help jewelry stores merge traditional retailing with e-tailing.

According to a release from isee2, the program, set to launch at the JCK show next week in Las Vegas, consists of two components: a microsite and physical upgrades for retailers' stores.

Isee2 will provide all of its retail partners with a microsite: an individual Web page to promote their store integrated with isee2's diamond Beauty Evaluator. Consumers will be able to select the diamonds they want on the site; then see them in person at the store.

In addition, isee2 will include a complete set of online marketing tools with the microsite, including search-engine-optimization assistance and e-mail marketing.

The second component of isee2's new program is a retail space that provides brand consistency for consumers and appeals to all their five senses.

The new retail space will include an interactive panel display combined with a signature scent, colors and music.

"Isee2 is the ultimate diamond, and we believe it deserves the ultimate in-store environment," Overseas Diamonds Managing Director USA Joseph Srodawa said in a statement. "The key to the success of isee2 is its authenticity, from our birth certificate detailing the diamond's origin to the ability to verify our diamond's superior light performance. Our new retail environment brings this brand premise to life."

Launched worldwide in 2002, isee2 are super-ideal-cut diamonds that feature a "birth certificate that tracks the diamond from mine to finger."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

World Jewelry Center appoints SVP

2008-05-23T00:52:00.000-07:00

David Girty is the new senior vice president of the World Jewelry Center's commercial office division.

The World Jewelry Center (WJC) has appointed David Girty to the newly created position of senior vice president of the commercial office division.

In his new position, Girty, who has extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry throughout southern California, will work closely with WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian and WJC sales associates as they transition clients from letters of intent to purchase and sale agreements in the second half of 2008.

"David is a seasoned real estate broker with an exceptional background and 20 years experience in the field," Boyajian said in a media release. "I am delighted to have him join our team of professionals."

Girty's experience includes posts with prominent commercial real estate firms such as Transwestern Commercial Services and PM Realty Group. He most recently worked as senior vice president with Grubb and Ellis Co., one of North America's largest commercial real estate services firms.

Girty graduated from California State University at Los Angeles with a degree in finance, real estate and law. He is co-chairman of the South Coast (California) Metro Alliance, Commercial Leasing Group. Each year from 2002 through 2005 he was honored with the National CoStar Group's "Power Broker" top brokerage distinction in the Orange County, Calif., area.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Tears of Christ Jewelry Committed to Charities

2008-05-23T00:48:00.000-07:00

Tears of Christ Jewelry is currently donating five dollars to the American Bible Society for every order they receive. In addition, Tears of Christ also donates a percentage of all proceeds annually to Christian children’s charities.

Customers who make any purchase at www.tearsofchrist.com receive The Life of Christ book as a gift with their order. The Life of Christ is a beautifully illustrated 127 page book published by the American Bible Society. The book highlights how Christ spread His Love to others through His works, His teachings, and His sacrifice to humanity.

The American Bible Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1816. Their mission is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford so all people may experience its life-changing message.

Tears of Christ Jewelry, the symbol of Christ’s Eternal Love, is sold world-wide through television, the internet, and a growing roster of retailers.
Source: catholic

Generic diamond promotional campaign heats up

2008-05-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

At the recent IDMA meeting in Shanghai, China, industry members expressed interest in an international marketing campaign for diamonds.

Discussions on an international marketing campaign for diamonds got underway last week in Shanghai, China, at the biennial meeting of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA).

Informally called the "global diamond manufacturing and promotion campaign," the goal of the effort is to bring together major industry players to establish a worldwide advertising scheme to promote diamond sales.

Jeffrey Fischer, president of Fischer Diamonds and immediate past president of the IDMA, said he was "very pleased" with the results of the meeting, which was held in conjunction with the 33rd World Diamond Congress.

He said all the appropriate parties— or "major players"—all expressed interest in the campaign.

The next meeting regarding this new marketing effort, which was the brainchild of the IDMA, is slated to take place in Mumbai, India, in September, around the time of the second annual Indo-U.S. Jewelry Business Relationship Development Conference, slated for Sept. 8-13.

Fischer said in choosing the next meeting location, they were looking for a location that was acceptable to all parties involved, and India offered to serve as host.

In addition to the marketing campaign kickoff, during the IDMA meeting, Israeli diamantaire Moti Ganz was elected president of the IDMA, replacing Fischer, who had served the limit of four years.

Ganz, who is also chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute, will serve a two-year term, with the possibility of being elected to a second term.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Jewelry Television cuts more than 200 jobs

2008-05-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

On-air jewelry seller Jewelry Television is the latest in the industry to cut staff in the face of trying economic times.

According to a media release issued on Friday, the television network is cutting 150 positions across the board at its headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn., from supervisors to vice presidents.

In addition, the company cut 65 positions at sister network Shop at Home, based in Nashville, Tenn., which Jewelry Television acquired in 2006, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

Jewelry Television ceased broadcast operations at Shop at Home in March.

The company, which acknowledged the cuts were needed to make it more competitive in the face of the current economic downturn, also has plans to sell the Shop at Home facility and equipment.

Jewelry Television paid $17 million for Shop at Home two years ago; no sales price has been set.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the 25 technology and e-commerce support personnel remaining in Nashville will be relocated to a smaller facility once the 70,000-square-foot Shop at Home building is sold.

Jewelry Television airs live cable programming selling jewelry 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company also sells jewelry and gems via its Web site, Jtv.com.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

More jewelers give lab diamonds a whirl

2008-05-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

Gemesis Corp. produces lab-grown yellow diamonds but has plans to expand into pink and, eventually, blue. The company is slated to share more details on its color scheme this summer.

For Colleen Rafferty of San Mateo, Calif.-based Christensen and Rafferty Fine Jewelry, the decision to sell lab-created diamonds from Gemesis Corp. was based on a solid business relationship.

For Karl Shrode of Shrode Jewelers in Sarasota, Fla., it was an attempt to reach customers who wanted to buy a yellow diamond but couldn't afford the price tags on natural ones.

While their reasons vary, both are among the growing list of jewelers nationwide who have chosen to add a selection of lab-created stones to their natural-diamond merchandise.

Gemesis diamonds are currently available in 150 to 200 stores in the United States, Hong Kong and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a large jump for a company that had a foothold in fewer than 25 doors a little more than a year ago.

Shrode, who says he took a tour of the Gemesis factory and was "mesmerized" by the yellow diamonds, has been selling Gemesis stones for about three years. He sells the stones in custom pieces and also carries the Solaura collection, which is Diamond Trading Co. sightholder Michael Werdiger's branded line.

Price points range from $8,000 to $10,000. According to Gemesis, its yellow diamonds are about one-third the price at retail of a comparable natural yellow diamond.

Rafferty says she chose to carry the Solaura line in her store because she trusted Werdiger's cutting techniques and was a fan of Jennifer Phelps-Montgomery's designs.

She says Gemesis pieces net her about $30,000 a year, accounting for about 2 percent of the store's annual sales.

"We've done quite well with them over time," Rafferty says.

Sarasota, Fla.-based Gemesis uses the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) process to develop its diamonds.

The stones are created in individual diamond chambers that squeeze graphite under 58,000 atmospheres of pressure at 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit until the material crystallizes into a diamond, atom-by-atom.

Gemesis Corp. has doubled its office space to 60,000 square feet and adds two new diamond chambers per week to keep up with growing demand for its diamonds.

In response to growing demand, Gemesis President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Lux says the company recently added another 30,000 square feet of production space.

He says Gemesis has "several hundred" chambers now, compared with 40 to 50 just two years ago.

The company's carat production averages about 100,000 per year, five to six times the production levels from two years ago. And the average size of the Gemesis diamond also has increased; the company is now producing polished stones as large as 2.75 carats, Lux says.

At JCK Las Vegas this June, the company is slated to announce its pink diamond release date for sometime in 2008, with blue diamonds slated to follow about six to nine months later.

Both Shrode and Rafferty say their customers are requesting larger stones, and Shrode says that he is eagerly awaiting the Gemesis pink.

To those retailers who might be critical of lab-grown diamonds, Shrode says he sees it as the wave of the future, as natural-diamond supplies shrink and prices climb.

"They can be negative all they want, but 10 years from now, they'll be saying to themselves, 'I'm sorry we didn't start this many, many years ago,'" he says.

While Gemesis specializes in colored diamonds, Apollo Diamond creates colorless diamonds using chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

President Bryant Linares declined to discuss production capabilities, saying only that the Boston-based company has been "steadily increasing production capabilities over the past several years," but "this capability has for the most part been transparent to gem consumers due to the demand for its diamonds in advanced technology applications."

Apollo Diamonds are currently available through Boston-based Bostonian Jewelers, and the company recently began a pilot to sell jewelry through its own Web site. The stones are priced 15 percent less on average than a mined diamond of comparable size.

Apollo produces diamonds ranging from 0.10 to 0.70 carats but plans to make larger diamonds available to consumers in the future, Linares says.

The issue of what to term a lab-created diamond has been a topic of debate for several years now.

Cecilia Gardner, president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), says according to the Federal Trade Commission, legally, lab-grown diamonds must be called "lab created," "[manufacturer] name created," or "synthetic."

The JVC discusses the topic in "Buying Gemstones and Jewels with Confidence," a brochure that the JVC would like retail jewelers to distribute to their customers.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

NY model can sue jewelry company anonymously over sexy video

2008-05-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

A model who says she was duped into starring in a sizzling online ad has won a round in her suit against the diamond dealer who commissioned it.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich refused to scrap the suit against Szul Jewelry and said the 37-year-old woman who appeared in the "Rock Her World" can remain anonymous.

The woman, a model and elementary school teacher, wore a teddy in the ad and moaned with pleasure to the hard-grinding sounds of a guitar.

The model sued Szul in January, charging she never signed a release for use of the video and that the company duped her into appearing in a commercial spot that was just too hot.

She insisted she had auditioned for a "comedic" ad, and not one that bordered on porn.

"Unfortunately, for me, everyone who has seen it says it looks like cheap porn, which is not my style at all," the model emailed the video's producer, after the ad's debut.

The 35-second bump-and-grind ad - which earned its sexy star a $200 payday - was viewed close to 1 million times on YouTube before it was taken down from the video-sharing site.

The judge said the woman could remain annoymous because she has "has kept her identity confidential throughout and has complained of harassment, ridicule and embarrassment." Naming her could result in her dropping the case.

The model, who is identified in court papers as the host of a national cable network program, has accused Szul of trashing her wholesome image by posting the video clip on the Web.

Szul had countered that she knew exactly what she was getting in to. The company provided the court with the half-page script, which outlined how the action between a man in boxer shorts and a woman "in the sexiest nightgown imaginable" took place in a dimly lit bedroom.

The script called for her to drop her nightgown around her ankles, lay on a bed and huff and puff excitedly "as though close to having an orgasm."

"Once the Szul necklace is placed around her neck, 'she screams in climax,'" the script says.

Lawyers for the model and for Szul Jewelry did not immediately return calls.
Source: nydailynews

Platinum demand remains resilient despite price

2008-05-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Global demand for platinum jewelry, such as this piece from Scott Kay, remained strong in 2007 despite the metal's high price, according to Johnson Matthey's 2008 report.

Despite platinum's rising price, which averaged $1,304 per ounce last year—36 percent more than in 2006—retail sales and manufacturing volumes of platinum jewelry in 2007 remained fairly resilient, boosted primarily by the high-end and bridal sectors, according to Johnson Matthey's annual platinum report for 2008.

Global demand for new metal in the jewelry industry actually dipped slightly in 2007, the metals consultancy said, falling 55,000 ounces to a total of 1.59 million ounces, yet demand from both the trade and consumers alike stayed strong for the majority of the year.

Platinum jewelry demand in Europe increased by 7.7 percent to a total of 210,000 ounces in 2007, and net demand for new metal from the Chinese jewelry sector increased by 20,000 ounces to a total of 780,000 ounces.

China remains the largest market for platinum jewelry, according to Johnson Matthey, with Chinese manufacturers buying 2.6 percent more of the metal compared with other markets. In the last year especially, platinum demand in China was particularly supported by the production of novelty platinum items and memorabilia manufactured in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In North America, however, where the economic slowdown has been accompanied not only by higher platinum prices but also by pressure on local manufacturing from imported jewelry, purchases of platinum by jewelry manufacturers declined by 5,000 ounces in 2007 to a total of 240,000 ounces.

Looking forward, Johnson Matthey expects platinum prices to remain volatile, though the high prices haven't yet been felt in the jewelry industry this year. The outlook for jewelry demand in 2008 is more dependent on price than previously, Johnson Matthey said in the report, but the high-end and bridal sectors will remain insulated from price changes.

While perhaps the biggest story regarding platinum for 2007 was supply—which fell by 4 percent in 2007—Johnson Matthey said there is still the possibility that supply for 2008 will increase. Among the biggest issues concerning supply in the last year were strikes and wage negotiations at mines in South Africa, plus a Lonmin smelter shutdown in the country, and general issues concerning improved safety and the acquisition of skilled staff.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Jewelry business loses lustre for Gatineau company

2008-05-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

More than 80 years after it was founded by his grandfather, M. Evenchick Jewellery will close next month in the face of what Brian Evenchick calls unfair competition from offshore.

In its heyday, M. Evenchick Jewellery Inc. employed more than 500 people, displayed the costume jewelry it manufactured in more than 300 stores and grossed $10 million in retail sales annually.

Earlier this month, the Gatineau-based, family-owned company, which has been in business since 1922, announced it will close its doors on June 18.

"We are an old company that the world has passed by," said Mark Evenchick, part of the third generation of owners of the business.

The owners said they decided to close shop because of a steady decline in business. They currently employ 19 people.

In a news release, the company lamented its inability "to compete against foreign markets where labour standards are far below Canadian standards."

For Mark Evenchick and his brothers Brian and Lawrence, the closing will bring to an end a family tradition.

Four out of five of the current generation of brothers in the Evenchick family have worked for the business at some point.

The company was started by their grandfather, Meyer Evenchick, a wealthy Russian landowner who, according to his sons, feared for his life after the Bolshevik Revolution and fled to New York City around 1919.

Approximately three years later, Meyer moved to Canada to manufacture jewelry. After the Second World War, his son, Abbey, took over.

Under Meyer, Evenchick was the first jeweller in Canada to import pearls from Japan. Under Abbey, it became the primary supplier of costume jewelry to major Canadian department stores such as as Eaton's, The Bay and Birks.

But "globalization has changed everything," said Brian. By the mid-1990s, many of the department stores had gone under, and the ones that remained began buying jewelry from developing economies in Asia.

"Everything is going offshore," he added. "Its a fact of life and I can't do anything about it."

Jewelry manufacturing is labour intensive. Costume jewelry is made mostly by hand, with non-precious metals such as brass, copper and pewter alloy metals.

"We follow labour regulations and provide insurance and pension for our workers; we can't compete with offshore companies who pay so much less for their labour," said Mark Evenchick.

The Evenchick brothers, who took control in 1982, did try to adapt to survive. They worked to expand their production base, taking over competitor Nemo Inc. in 2000 and entering the specific niche of "Canadian-made" brand manufacturing to win contracts to produce lapels, pins, badges and metals for the Department of National Defence.

But Evenchick found itself steadily losing out on bids to lower-priced competitors.

Mark Evenchick questions how well the government enforces its requirements for varying levels of Canadian content for goods and services -- for military medals, for example, 80 per cent of the "combined price" of production must be of Canadian origin.

"The government used to do inspections to ensure that the Canadian content policy was being met," he added. "But not anymore."

However, a spokeswoman for Public Works and Government Services Canada said the requirements are enforced.

"We monitor the bidder's certification to ensure the contractor's compliance with the Canadian content policy" said France Langlois, who added that "there are a number of measures that the government can take (to make sure requirements are met)."

Judy Roberts, owner of Davidson Jewellers in Ottawa and former president of the Canadian Jewellers Association, says more protection of such industries would benefit Canada as a whole.

"The government is actually losing out.

"These domestic industries die and the government loses the federal and provincial income taxes that they would gain from having a strong domestic economy in this sector," she said.

For the Evenchicks, however, the decision has been made.
Source: canada

GIA's 18th Jewelry Career Fair set for July

2008-05-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Designer Steven Lagos, whose rings are shown above, will be one of the "Working to Win" panelists at the GIA Jewelry Career Fair in July.

The Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) 18th Jewelry Career Fair will be held on July 25 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

The event will bring together the jewelry industry's most distinguished leaders, influential executives and visionaries to bridge the gap between leading companies looking for resources and talented individuals seeking a profession in the jewelry industry.

This year's event will start with a "Working to Win" panel that will give attendees insight on what it takes to be a success in the industry.

Panelists include: Ralph Destino, GIA chairman (moderator); Steven Lagos, designer and CEO of Lagos; Susan Jacques, president and CEO of Borsheims; Rahul Kadakia, senior vice president of Christie's Americas; and Ann Arnold, vice president and CFO of Lieberfarb.

In addition to recruiters from leading jewelry companies such as Tiffany and Co. and Jewelry Television, the full-day event will provide attendees with a comprehensive jewelry career agenda that includes career coaching sessions, an immigration-law workshop, a jewelry-design panel and a "marketing yourself for success" panel.

The GIA Jewelry Career Fair will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and is free and open to all of those interested.

The GIA and The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California founded the Jewelry Career Fair. The Nielsen Jewelry Group, the parent company of the National Jeweler Network, is the prime sponsor of the New York fair.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Kath Resigns as Jewelers Mutual president, CEO

2008-05-16T01:55:00.000-07:00

Darin L. Kath has resigned as president and chief executive officer of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., after only a year, to head another insurance company. He informed Patti Geolat, who has chaired Jewelers Mutual’s board of directors for eight years, on May. 12. The board accepted his resignation, May. 13.

Geolat, who joined the board in 1994, was named interim president and CEO by the board, effective immediately, until a permanent replacement is chosen. “The company will move forward to accomplish its vision and strategic goals, while we seek a new company president and CEO,” she said, following Kath’s resignation.

She told JCK that there is no timeframe, yet, or deadline for selection of a replacement. “We will take whatever time is necessary and go through a deliberate process to find the right person,” she said. Candidates both inside and outside the company will be considered. “We are looking at all options,” she told JCK.

“There’s no pressure to react quickly and name someone,” she said, because, “we have such a great management team that knows so much about the insurance business, we can take the time necessary.” The board has full confidence, she added, in Jewelers Mutual’s “talented staff, outstanding financial results, and exciting future. We will continue to provide superior products and service to policyholders and be the insurer of choice for the jewelry industry and owners of jewelry.”

Kath, a 20-year veteran of the insurance business, was the handpicked and groomed successor of Ronald Harder, Jewelers Mutual’s former president and CEO for 25 years.

Kath joined Jewelers Mutual, based in Neenah, Wis., as vice president of underwriting in 1997 and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2001. He was promoted again to president in 2005, as part of a succession plan in preparation for Harder’s retirement. He took over as CEO when Harder retired in May 2007.

Kath has left Jewelers Mutual to become president and CEO of Integrity Mutual Insurance Co., in Appleton, Wis., Kath’s hometown, effective June 2, pending approval by Integrity’s board. He will replace Richard Schinler, Integrity’s president for 25 years.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. is the only company specializing exclusively in jewelry insurance in all 50 states of the United States and in Canada. It was founded in 1913 by jewelers who needed affordable insurance. Today, it has 10,000 commercial policyholders and 180,000 individual policyholders, carrying $2.5 billion in personal insurance coverage.
Source: jckonline

Blue Nile, Bidz.com top jewelry e-tailers

2008-05-16T01:50:00.000-07:00

Not surprisingly, online jewelry seller Blue Nile and jewelry auction site Bidz.com continue to rank among the top 500 Internet retail sites, according to Internet Retailer magazine's 2008 "Top 500 Guide."

The guide is a comprehensive analysis of the country's 500 largest retail Web sites ranked by 2007 sales.

In addition to the usual jewelry-seller suspects—eLuxury.com Inc., Fortunoff, Fossil Inc., Jewelry Television, QVC Inc., Ross-Simons Inc., Tiffany and Co. and Zale Corp., among others—Ice.com Inc., Limoges Jewelry and PalmBeach Jewelry also cracked the top 500 this year.

According to the list, the country's No. 1 e-tailer was again Amazon.com Inc., which recorded $14.8 billion in sales in 2007, more than double the sales of the second-ranking e-tailer, Staples Inc.

Staples recorded $5.6 billion in Internet sales in 2007, followed by Office Depot Inc. with $4.9 billion, Dell Inc. with $4.2 billion and HP Home and Home Office Store (Hewlett-Packard Co.) with $3.4 billion.

Rounding out the top 10 were OfficeMax Inc. ($3.2 billion), Apple Inc. ($2.7 billion), Sears Holding Corp. ($2.6 billion), CDW Corp. ($2.4 billion) and Newegg.com ($1.9 billion). Newegg.com sells discounted computers, electronics and DVDs.

Internet Retailer is a monthly national business magazine, Web site conference and directory serving the retail community and published by Chicago-based Vertical Web Media LLC.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

World's Most Dazzling Royal Jewels

2008-05-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

Why wait in line to see the royal jewels at the Tower of London when you can have a princely piece of your own?

That's what buyers at Sotheby's auction of important pieces once owned by royalty found Thursday at the Beau-Rivage Hotel in Geneva. The event, called "Magnificent Jewels, Noble Jewels and Jewels from the Collection of Lily Marinho," fetched a total of 60 million Swiss francs ($57.1 million), including buyer’s premium. This was the highest total for any sale held in Geneva this week and the second-highest total for any sale of magnificent jewels worldwide in U.S. dollars.

The auction featured an enamel and diamond cocktail watch by Cartier, a diamond devant de corsage and a pink topaz and diamond bracelet that once belonged to Henriette de L'Espine, S.A.S. la Princesse Louis de Croÿ.

The auction featured an enamel and diamond , a and a that once belonged to Henriette de L'Espine, S.A.S. la Princesse Louis de Croÿ.

But perhaps the most important piece of the Sotheby's auction was a sapphire pendant set with diamonds. that was formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Windsor, for whom the King of England had abdicated his throne. Throughout their lives together, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor shared a passion for jewelry and commissioned many pieces, including the 206.82-carat sapphire pendant that was created by Cartier in 1951--from some of the greatest jewelers of their time. It was expected to sell for between 1.1 million to 1.5 million Swiss francs, however, the lot was withdrawn from the sale as the owner decided he couldn't part with it.

Sotheby's has a long tradition of offering aristocratic jewels at auction. In 1987, the auction house sold the collection that belonged to the Duchess of Windsor, and fetched a total of $50.3 million, which to this day is a record for a single-owner jewelry collection at auction.

Jewels from the princely house of Thurn und Taxis were sold by Sotheby's in 1992 for a total of $23.2 million. Five years later, the company also sold several pieces belonging to Queen Marie Amelie of France, wife of Louis-Philippe, King of France (1773 to 1850).

In November 2005, Sotheby's sold a Russian Imperial diamond necklace that belonged to Empress Catherine the Great for $1.5 million, and in April, Christie's sold a $6 million brooch once owned by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

The 1987 Sotheby's auction of the Duchess of Windsor's jewelry collection was broken down into over 305 lots, including 87 pieces signed by Cartier, the Duke and Duchess's favorite jeweler, and 23 items by Van Cleef & Arpels. Many of these pieces bore personal inscriptions, such as "My Wallis from her David 19/3/36," engraved on a ruby and diamond necklace signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Buyers included Elizabeth Taylor, the Cartier Museum, and jeweler Laurence Graff. In accordance with Wallis' final wishes, the entire proceeds of the sale were donated to the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

Pricey Purchases
Certainly a royal provenance can alter the value of a jewel, although much of the excess value will depend on which royal owned it, says Raymond Sancroft-Baker, Christie's senior European jewelry director.

"We sold Princess Margaret's jewelry," he says, "and often the sold price was 10 to 15 times the estimate that was based on it being an ordinary jewel."

In the past, Christie's has sold jewelry from minor royals for only a little over their usual value. "Naturally," says Sancroft-Baker, "jewelry that had belonged to Princess Diana would be very keenly sort after and fetch maybe 10 to 20 times its usual value."

What's the most you've spent on a single item? Weigh in. Add your thoughts in the Readers' Comments section below.

Thursday's sale featured a piece once owned by the Queen Mother, otherwise known as Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and wife of Prince Albert. The enamel and diamond cocktail watch was made in 1924 by Cartier and is inscribed with "Elizabeth 1924."

Her brother-in-law, the future King Edward VIII of England had given Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon the watch. Following his abdication in 1936, Prince Albert was crowned George VI of England, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon became his queen. In the 1930s, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (then the Duchess of York), gave this watch to her personal companion, Katta Maclean.

Collectors were offered several pieces from the Collection of Henriette de l'Espine, S.A.S. La Princesse Louis de Croÿ, member of a royal family that once had branches in Belgium, France, Prussia and Hungary. The pieces included a topaz and diamond bracelet, dating from circa 1830.

The central oval pink topaz, set off by vine leaf motifs set in diamonds, can be detached to be worn as a brooch. A mid-19th-century diamond that belonged to the princess was also sold.

Sotheby's also auctioned off a pearl and diamond tiara from an "anonymous" aristocratic collection, which is set with diamonds, as well as another tiara, decorated with diamonds and dating from circa 1900.

The central diamond rivière is believed to have been commissioned by Carl, Count Scheel-Plessen, either circa 1882 (for the occasion of his marriage to his wife, Louise) or in 1896, when his Danish title of greve (count) was recognized by Prussia.

In April, Christie's scheduled a sale featuring a diamond bow brooch once owned by Empress Eugénie (1826-1920), wife of Napoleon III. The last time the brooch was sold was in 1887 when the French government decided that the once exclusive property of French queens and kings would be made available to the highest bidder in a public auction. The brooch was then purchased by the jeweler Emile Schlesinger for 42,200 French francs (or 85,000 pounds) at the time, on behalf of Mrs. Caroline Astor (1830-1908) and remained in the Astor family for more than 100 years.

The auction, which was planned for April 15 at Christie's New York, was canceled at the last minute for judicial reasons. But soon after, François Curiel, president of Christie's Europe, with the agreement of the owner, negotiated a private sale to the Louvre. The brooch was estimated to be worth approximately $6 million.
Source: forbes

World Record for a Color Diamond

2008-05-16T01:28:00.000-07:00

A blue diamond of 13.39cts became the most important colored diamond sold at auction anywhere in the world during the past 10 years, according to Christie's. Offered at auction house's in Geneva location on Wednesday, it achieved a world record price of $8.9 million.

"This impressive result is due to the scarcity of colored diamonds on the market, and to the great demand from collectors around the world for exceptional artworks and jewels that is currently dominating the auction world," said François Curiel, chairman of Christie's Europe and auctioneer of the sale.

The auction took in nearly $48.3 million, with 11 lots fetching more than a million dollars. Other big sellers included the following:

* An emerald colored diamond and pearl necklace for $5.6 million.

* An emerald colored diamond and pearl pendent, $4.4 million.

* A colored diamond necklace, $3.1 million.
Source: jckonline

LID inventory bound for Bidz.com, others

2008-05-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

A group of companies, including online jewelry auctioneer Bidz.com, submitted the winning bid on Wednesday for the assets of bankrupt diamond company LID Ltd.

The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved
the sale earlier today.

LID Ltd. Chief Restructuring Officer Chris Ellis, a partner with investment banking and financial advisory firm Consensus Advisors, said Bidz.com, along with AV Jewelry, Fairlway Diamonds and Kiran Jewels Inc., bid $32.85 million for LID's jewelry and loose-diamond inventory.

The bid represented 47.4 percent of the inventory's value.

It also topped the nearly $27 million in stalking horse bids submitted prior to the auction: SimplexDiam and GBC Inc. together bid $16.25 million for LID's jewelry inventory, while Disons Gems Inc. bid $10.68 million for the loose-diamond inventory.

In the end, however, the competition for LID's assets proved fierce.

Ellis said more than a dozen companies from all over the world packed the New York law offices of Mayer Brown and Platt for the auction, held on Wednesday morning.

"Everybody was surprised, including me, that it was robust a process as it turned out to be," he said.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Turquoise Jewelry from Di Modolo, De Grisogono, John Hardy

2008-05-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

A burst of interest in turquoise jewelry is occurring this year with several different luxury jewelry designers by introducing a few choice jewelry items set with turquoise. Each designer creates jewelry with a different style, feel and mood. For this reason, the jewelry creates a cohesive balance rather than competing against each other. Each designer creates a niche for the jewelry style giving each piece an appropriate time and place.

Italian designer Di Modolo has had turquoise jewelry in the Favola collection for some time. In this collection, turquoise is held by bars of white gold or yellow gold set with diamonds. These Di Modolo pieces have a medieval feel with a contemporary style. De Grisogono showcases turquoise on white gold, with diamonds, or rubies and emeralds. These couture rings and bracelets represent high craftsmanship especially in setting techniques. Like all of the de Grisogono jewelry, the turquoise pieces have rhythmic movement and are seductively entrancing. John Hardy pairs turquoise with his signature metal of choice – sterling silver – and makes pieces that have an exotic and even ethnically rich aesthetic. With designs and jewelry making techniques inspired by the Balinese culture, his jewelry is a marriage of old world custom and new age intrigue.

For those who thought turquoise jewelry was not fashionable, allow Di Modolo, de Grisogono and John Hardy to persuade you otherwise. They can be easily convincing.
Source: vialuxe

Saks' jewelry sales wow over holidays

2008-05-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

Jennifer DeWinter, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue.

In a holiday season marred by disappointing sales, Saks Fifth Avenue was among the few to prosper.

For the two-month holiday selling period ended Jan. 5, Saks' same-store sales increased 10.2 percent, while total sales increased 10.6 percent to $795.3 million. No specific figures were given for jewelry, but it outpaced the 9 percent rise in same-store sales for the fourth quarter, a spokesperson said.

Jennifer DeWinter, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue, credits the holiday success to the retailer's aggressive strategy of selecting and securing key designers and then offering the right names in the right geographic markets.

"Saks always pursues as many exclusives as possible, and this holiday season we have been very successful," DeWinter says. "We have a talented merchandise team that works closely with our store management team to ensure there are appropriate stock levels and the right assortments."

Saks has also experienced a dramatic increase in the number of large-transaction sales and strong growth in the top end of the market, she adds.

Not surprisingly, DeWinter says Saks' retail clients are drawn to the most coveted brands—both newer brands and iconic ones such as Cartier, Chopard and Chanel. The chain's exclusive agreement with high-end diamond brand Graff did well too.

"[Graff's] success at Saks is a further indication of increase in the large-transaction sales," DeWinter says.

In terms of marketing, DeWinter says Saks tailors its material to the different market segments.

For example, one fine-jewelry catalog is designated for high-end clientele and another for its best ready-to-wear clients. For Mother's Day, Saks sends out a direct-mail catalog focusing on products in more accessible price points.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Nelly Maqdisi, an Ambassador for jewelry

2008-05-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

Lebanese artist Nelly Maqdisi presented a new collection for a famous brand of jewelry in Dubai.

She also performed a number of her songs at the celebration that was held for the opening of a new branch for a famous international company in the Middle East. She performed in front of a number of well-known personalities in Dubai, members of the press, and representatives from the jewelry company.

According to the London daily Elaph, Nelly is very pleased to be the new face for the brand of jewelry brand in the Middle East, stating that advertising for a commercial brand adds to the accomplishment of an artist.
Source: albawaba

Veteran jewelers share recession-beating tips

2008-05-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

Emphasizing custom-design work, like this ring in progress, above, from Gholson Originals Fine Jewelry in Waco, Texas, is helping some retailers navigate the tough economic times.

Sticking with tried-and-true merchandise, plunking down money on advertising and sharpening customer service are just a few of the tactics being employed by retailers to get through these tough economic times, which analysts predict will ultimately be labeled a U.S. recession.

On an April day at Baker and Baker Jewelers in Marietta, Ohio, Larry Hall had made three deliveries by noon, and planned another 30-mile trek that day, all in the name of keeping customers happy.

The motto at the jewelry store, which has weathered its own share of recessions during its 142 years in business: "If there's a recession, we're not participating," says Hall, who has run the business for 17 years.

One of his morning deliveries involved a $2,000 pair of turquoise earrings he had sold to a customer only to find that one of the stones was loose. After the store made the repair, Hall hand-delivered the earrings, plus a gift certificate for one of the best restaurants in town, to the man's office.

"When you do get a little nibble, you run with it," Hall says.

At Nielsen's Jewelers in Portland, Ore., Jan Corbin is doing the same.

She says she recently sold a clock to a customer, who broke the item upon reaching home. Though it was not the store's fault, the jeweler offered to ship the clock back to the manufacturer as a convenience to the customer, who will pay for the repair.

"You take care of them, or they'll go somewhere else," Corbin says. "Don't drop the ball."

Nielsen's sales were up 50 percent in December 2007 and rose 7 percent for the entire year. Sales are down only slightly in the first three months of this year. Given the economic climate, that's a strong showing, and Corbin attributes it to custom work.

Her strategy: don't overbuy; instead, remain stocked up on practical items such as bridal and anniversary jewelry. However, one area where Corbin—the fourth generation to run the 116-year-old family-owned store—won't be cutting back is advertising.

"You have to get all you can," she says.

Like Corbin, Hall says he doesn't believe in cutting back on advertising just because the economy is in a slump.

Coleman Clark of B.C. Clark in Oklahoma City agrees. His store has been in business, and in the family, since 1892.

Clark is maintaining advertising in television, print and billboard, and on the Web sites of a local television station and a local radio station.

"There are still people shopping, and if you don't have your name out there, they'll go somewhere else," he says.

Reaching out to potential customers and adding an artistic flair to its jewelry display cases led Gregory's in Salado, Texas, to the best March in its 30-year history.

Like Corbin, Clark says he is keeping "fast-turn" merchandise in stock such as diamond stud earrings, watches and lines by popular designers such as David Yurman and Roberto Coin.

His advice to jewelers: Avoid opening new lines or sinking a large amount of capital into inventory when times are tough.

At Gregory's in Salado, Texas, Carolyn Dachs brainstormed with her staff on how to improve business after a weak January and February.

Their solution was to redesign the display cases with a more artistic flair and reach out to potential customers—those who had visited the store and left their contact information—via phone and e-mail. So far, the strategy is working: Dachs just recorded her best March in history.

Going forward, though, Dachs is strictly limiting what she will buy for the year.

"I don't know where the economy is going and I'm not buying inventory," Dachs says. "I'm just not buying anything."

Meanwhile, at Leonard's Jewelers in Mount Airy, N.C., Walter Leonard Jr. is buying in bulk.

But it's not new merchandise that's keeping this 115-year-old store afloat.

Leonard says times are especially hard in his area, which has been impacted by the loss of manufacturing jobs.

People are looking for ways to turn their possessions into cash, so his store is concentrating on the buying and reselling of previously owned jewelry.

Leonard says this strategy has been working well for his store; sales were up about 20 percent over the holidays and they are up slightly this year.

As the store focuses on this area, Leonard, who has run the business for 55 years, is stepping back on advertising.

He says the store has done less advertising in recent years, in general, as newspaper advertising rates have increased dramatically.

"We just don't get the results from it [like we used to]," he says. "I feel that after 115 years, they sort of know where we are."

At Gholson Originals in Waco, Texas, Bob Gholson also doesn't advertise much, just in the local magazine.

He says word-of-mouth has worked well for the business, and adds that during slow times, the store keeps itself busy with repair and custom-design work.

Tips on navigating slow retail waters

—Emphasize customer service. Give 110 percent to those customers who are buying.

—Keep on advertising. It might be tempting to cut back, but there are still people out there shopping.

—Maintain a positive attitude. And ensure the sales staff is similarly upbeat when dealing with customers.

—Stick with staples. You can't go wrong with traditional pieces such as diamond stud earrings and bridal.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Nasdaq to Delist House of Taylor Stock

2008-05-13T03:03:00.000-07:00

The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, on Monday has determined to remove House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc. stock from the exchange, effective at the opening of the trading session on May 22.

House of Taylor released the delisting notice Monday through a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Nasdaq Staff, according to the filing, determined that the jewelry company no longer qualified for listing on the Exchange as determined through its Marketplace Rules4310(c)(13) and 4310(c)(14).

Nasdaq said the company was notified of the staff's determination on April 15. The company did not appeal the decision. Nasdaq's determination to delist the company became final on April 24.
Source: jckonline

MJWA Elects Officers; Honors Sharon Blair

2008-05-13T02:57:00.000-07:00

Dale Gordon, of Gordon Jewelers in Boonville, Mo., was elected president of Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association at the group’s Annual Convention, held in Springfield, April 19-20. Gordon succeeds Leo Anglo, of Vincent’s Jewelers in Creve Coeur. Anglo’s two-year term ended at the meeting.

“It is truly an honor to be elected to this prestigious office,” Gordon says. “I look forward to working with the MJWA board of directors to help our members survive and thrive in this difficult time.”

Also elected to the MJWA Board of Directors were the following officers:

* Stacey Stauch, Crews Jewelry, Grandview, first vice president
* Melody Farnen, Melody’s Quality Jewelers, Mexico, second vice president
* Paul Dodds, Paul Dodds Jewelry, Lee’s Summit, treasurer

During the association’s convention dinner, MJWA honored Sharon Blair, of Shawnee Mission, Kan., on her 25th anniversary as the group’s executive director. Anglo presented Blair with gifts from the board of directors and produced a multimedia tribute, citing Blair’s many accomplishments and successes during her tenure.

David Lafleur, vice president of Jewelers of America, called Blair, ”a tremendous resource to jewelers throughout Missouri and a wonderful and supportive colleague to her peers in other JA affiliates around the country.”

Carolyn Pope of Crews Jewelry in Grandview, and a past president of
MJWA presents an award to Sharon Blair to mark Blair’s 25th anniversary
as the group’s executive director.

Founded in 1906, MJWA is among the oldest state associations of jewelry professionals in the United States.
Source: jckonline

Serial thieves steal $100,000 in jewelry from JCPenney

2008-05-13T02:14:00.000-07:00

Serial thieves preying on JCPenney jewelry counters in California have taken more than $2 million worth of gold, silver and gems, including a $100,000 heist in Escondido this week.

There have been at least nine recent thefts from JCPenney department stores in the state, leading store officials to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.

On Wednesday, a trio of masked burglars hit the jewelry counter at the JCPenney store in Escondido's Westfield mall. It was all caught on surveillance cameras.

Investigators say the theft is related to a string of similar burglaries since December. JCPenney estimates it has lost $2 million in merchandise.
Source: sfgate

Egypt's first lady of jewelry

2008-05-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

At London Fashion Week, all eyes are usually on the clothes.

But the Arab and Islamic-influenced brooches, bracelets, necklaces and rings adorning the models heading down Julien Macdonald's catwalk are also getting attention.

They are part of a collaboration between the fashion powerhouse and former British Designer of the Year and Egyptian jewelry designer, Azza Fahmy.

"I really love the craft and the skill and the romance that goes into the pieces. So, that teamed with my sense of high octane glamour and my London high living twist is a great mix and a contrast. And that's what I like," Macdonald enthused to CNN.

In return, "Azza Fahmy Jewellery" gets international exposure, to the likes of Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal and OK!.

But don't -- as one London paper did -- call the catwalk collection "designer bling."

"It's quite a deep and nice collection -- not bling bling. I hate bling bling collections," Fahmy exclaims.

Starting at $250 to 'the sky's-the-limit', Fahmy's pioneering blends of gold, silver and precious stones, makes her one of the Arab world's preeminent jewelry designers.

The only problem is, a mere 30 percent of these 'jewels of the Nile' are sold outside Egypt -- Fahmy was missing out on the lucrative Gulf Arab market.

One of the challenges of marketing designer jewelry in the Middle East is getting past the traditional mentality that measures an item's worth not by exceptional finishes but by its weight in grams and karats.

To do well in the East, Fahmy and her daughters Fatma and Amina steered the family business to the West.

It started with the Julien Macdonald collaboration, and now exclusive Western stores like Kabiri, Harrods and Harvey Nichols are selling their jewelry.

Arabs tend to imitate Western spending habits, paying big money for luxury foreign items like Bulgari or Cartier -- but they don't give the same attention to their own Arab brands.

Fahmy believes that as her jewelry becomes popular in the West -- more Middle Eastern buyers will follow suit.

The marketing strategy seems to be working. Her team says the collections now sell in the U.A.E., Qatar and Bahrain. Next stop -- Saudi Arabia.

"To have a product which stands beside Cartier, etcetera -- it's a challenge. But we are sure of the ourselves because we are presenting something special, something which is different from all these brands," Fahmy said.

At her workshop on the outskirts of Cairo, Fahmy's craftsmen work in the belief they're turning precious metal into something different -- art.

Fahmy's daughter, Amina Ghaly, works for the family business as a designer and says there's value in the design, the marketing and workmanship poured into each item.

"At least 20 to 25 people will have touched that piece just to have one perfect piece at the end," Ghaly explained.

In the 60's, Fahmy was the first woman to apprentice in Egypt's jewelry district. The one-time government employee used to run a one-woman shop in her spare time.

Today, more than 180 employees drill, solder, hammer and file under her watchful eye, crafting two to three thousand pieces every year.

The luxury goods market is a crowded one, as Fahmy well knows: "Like any business, it's not a joke," says the designer.

Going to the West to find a better footing in the East is seriously savvy move.

A move that could lead to future success on the catwalk -- and with more consumers worldwide.
Source: cnn

Jewelry Shanghai: Visitor Numbers Down but Quality Up

2008-05-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Jewelry Shanghai 2008 concluded Sunday after a weekend-long exhibition that started May 8 at the Shanghai New international Expo Center. On the last day of the show, hours before companies began packing up their booths, foot-traffic was light, mostly made up of members of the public, with a few trade members here and there.

Prominent designs included gold jewelry set with small size diamonds, with a good deal of jade, amber, pearls and precious stone pieces all around. Diamantaires noted good sales of SI+ / D-G goods.

Jane Kao of Taipei, Taiwan-based jewelry wholesale company Bennie Wang Jewelry, exhibiting for the first time at Jewelry Shanghai, remarked that the visitor numbers were much lower than she had expected and that most of the attendees she saw were consumers. The company sells its own designs to retailers, and, although Kao says that the industry members she did meet were interested, sales were “not good.”

“We are mostly here to promote our company and to test if people in Shanghai like our product. We are different from others who sell mass-produced items. Ours are all designed in-house, in small numbers. Nevertheless, I expected to see more people here.” Kao commented that a recent downturn in the Shanghai stock market, as well as overall concern about the economy kept people away.

Anna Tchapovshaia, of Botswana Diamonds, a brand manufactured by DTC Botswana Sightholder DIA Holdings and distributed in China by Trinity Diamond, echoed the sentiment, that most of the attendees they saw were consumers, not trade members. However, despite this she says that the brand is there almost purely for the PR opportunity, and “in terms of this, we’re happy with the show.”

Official visitor numbers were not made available from show organizers.

Raymond Cohen, sales executive of Antwerp-based DTC Sightholder Tache Company NV, emphasized that the relatively sparse crowds at the show didn’t faze him. “Numbers are down, definitely, but the quality of buyers is up,” he says.

Cohen also gave some advice to foreign companies exhibiting in China. “Chinese buyers want a large range of goods. I think a lot of companies come here with a very specific set of goods, that people here may or may not want, but you can’t do that.” When asked how the show is going for him, he said that it is going very well. “It’s simple,” Cohen says. “If you have the goods, it’s fine; if not, it’s not good.” He said most buyers had been interested in everything but SI goods.

Raj Impex Shanghai Limited is a company that has been selling in Shanghai for approximately two years now and that specializes in small goods below 0.30 carat. “Mac,” a sales executive, echoed the complaints of other exhibitors that people were simply not buying. Those that had been buying were mostly Chinese, Japanese and Korean buyers.

He stressed that the show is very small in comparison to others in the region, such as Hong Kong, but that the event is a good opportunity to meet and gain new customers from cities in the Shanghai area that may not come to Hong Kong.

Show organizers said that there were 400 exhibiting companies from China, Hong Kong, India, Belgium, Israel, Taiwan and others. Shanghai, they say, makes up 20 percent of the Chinese jewelry industry’s total sales and is an important distribution and consolidating center for the country’s industry.
Source: idexonline

Italy jewelry output, exports seen down '08

2008-05-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

Output and exports of jewelry from Italy, Europe's biggest producer, will fall this year owing to high gold prices and a weakening global economy, an industry expert said on Friday.

In 2007, foreign sales of export-focused Italian jewelry fell a greater than expected 6.2 percent by volume, while their value rose 4.1 percent, said Stefano de Pascale, director of Italian goldsmiths' body Federorafi.

In the first quarter of this year, jewelry exports from Veneto, one of the three main Italian jewelry manufacturing regions, fell 4.7 percent in value, indicating weakness across the sector, de Pascale told Reuters.

"There are reasons to consider 2008 as another year of suffering for the sector, of falls in output and exports," Stefano de Pascale, director of Italian goldsmiths' body Federorafi said in a telephone interview.

Italy, the world's biggest jewelry exporter and design leader, has seen output and export volumes fall in the past few years as India, China and Turkey have fought their way into key export markets by improving quality.

Italian jewelry export volume had been forecast to fall between 2.5 and 5.0 percent in 2007, according to different preliminary industry estimates.

"The decline that we saw in 2007 extends into the first quarter of this year," de Pascale said.

The jewelry sector was among those hit first and hardest by weakening consumer demand as global economic growth slows and fears about recession intensify, especially in the United States, the main jewelry market, he said.

Extreme volatility of gold prices on world markets this year has been "extremely penalizing" for jewelers, as buyers were reluctant to place orders in the hope that metal prices would stabilize, he said.

Gold prices spiked to a lifetime high of $1,030.80 per ounce on March 17 but have fallen about 14 percent since then, dragged by profit taking and falls in other commodities.

Jewelry output in Italy fell 5 percent to 207.9 tonnes in 2007, or less than 40 percent of the 1998 production peak, according to the latest report by metals consultancy GFMS Ltd.
Source: reuters

Va. jeweler provides secret Bush ring

2008-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Jenna Bush's engagement ring came from Charles Schwarzschild in Virginia.

When Jenna Bush ties the knot in Texas tomorrow, a Virginia jeweler will have the satisfaction of having a hand in the high-profile nuptials—or at least a finger.

Charles Schwarzschild Inc., of Richmond, Va., provided the diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring now sported by the president's daughter, who will wed Henry Hager.

Jane Sternheimer, owner and president of Charles Schwarzschild Inc., found out about the top-secret engagement before the question was popped. But today, the secret's out, and Sternheimer was able to share her story.

She met with Henry Hager and his mother, Margaret Chase Hager, last summer in mid-July to discuss a ring for Bush that would feature his great-grandmother's diamond. Hager said he needed the ring by Aug. 9.

"Henry had well-considered ideas regarding the type of ring he wished to present: classic and conservative," Sternheimer says. "He wanted the center stone flanked with sapphires and the ring to be made in platinum."

The young man asked for a sketch to be faxed with the details of the design. The shank would have tiny, brilliant-cut round diamonds pavé set within a rim of platinum, and the look would be reminiscent of the 1920s.

Sternheimer couldn't be specific about the costs or carat sizes used in the ring.

The jeweler had also worked with Henry's older brother, Jack Hager, when he got engaged. The Bush engagement, however, was top secret of course.

Pressed for time, Sternheimer hastily began making phone calls. In search of sapphires, Sternheimer asked a friend, gem merchant Rajul Gupta of Incon Gems in New York, who obliged by providing a whole parcel for her to peruse. After receiving permission to have the European-cut diamond polished, she tapped another trusted peer, Rick Shatz of Rick Shatz Inc. Finally, to design the ring itself, she commissioned New York jeweler Andy Calabrisotto of Platinum Plus, whose face lit up when he learned who the ring was for.

After Henry Hager and his mother arrived to pick up the ring on Aug. 9, his mother took a few photos as the young man chatted about his plans.

"He was completely unpretentious," Sternheimer says. "As they were leaving, Henry slipped a thank you note onto my desk."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Young designer shapes future in jewelry

2008-05-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Who knew, when Jessica DiRubio started stringing beads as a little girl, that she’d grow up to see her jewelry sparkling back at her from a movie screen?

At just 24, the up-and-coming designer has already had her bejeweled, 18-karat gold pieces worn on a half-dozen television shows. Several more of her items will be seen adorning the stars of a Hollywood film that is due to be out this fall.

The New Canaan native was also selected by industry leaders as one of eight “Rising Stars” this spring at JCK Las Vegas, a trade show attended by more than 3,000 exhibitors, including big names such as Cartier and Tiffany & Co.

“As a new designer, it’s one of the highest accolades you can receive,” said Ms. DiRubio, who was judged on the uniqueness of her jewelry and its ability to adapt year-to-year. “It’s really a validation of your designs and you as a designer and as a new force in the jewelry industry. It really gives you some validity approaching stores.”

Along with being assigned a prominently placed booth at the show, she will join the ranks of previous “Rising Stars,” which include David Yurman and Leslie Greene.

Ms. DiRubio, who has no artistic training, started seriously making beaded jewelry while studying English at Colgate University. She got her start in town when, as her father put it, “she used to come to the Sidewalk Sale and knock them all out of the park.”

Although she now lives and works in Manhattan, Ms. DiRubio will return to her roots with a trunk show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at Henry C. Reid & Son, 72 Elm Street, her exclusive distributor in New Canaan.
Jewelry has been Ms. DiRubio’s full-time pursuit since she graduated in 2005 — “I don’t even have a resume,” she said.

Her beaded collections were sold in stores up and down the East Coast, but she turned her attention last year to the launch of her 18-karat gold line, starting at $290.

“I’ve always loved fine jewelry,” she said. “The other line just really wasn’t scalable.”
Ms. DiRubio works in green gold — a softer-colored alloy than traditional yellow gold she said is popular in Europe — and embellishes with cut stones and cabochons of diamond, tourmaline, pink sapphire, blue topaz, aquamarine, chalcedony, moonstone, kunzite and peridot.

She hires seven goldsmiths and gem-setters in the city to manufacture her jewelry by hand, but shops for materials herself in New York’s Diamond District.

“That’s the fun part, playing with the stones,” she said, barely pausing for breath to rattle off a gemstone hardness scale.

The soaring price of gold is of concern to Ms. DiRubio: “It’s the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check at night.”

Inspiration comes from “all over and everything,” from antique jewelry and buttons from the 1920s to the windows of Manhattan architecture.

A long-stemmed rose in her studio blossomed into the rings, earrings, necklaces and cuffs of her “Vine” collection, while peacock’s feathers are the theme of another set.
Snorkeling in St. Bart’s gave her the idea for a ring patterned after a sea anemone.

“It was really important to me to design for everyone,” she said, from “people who work in corporate New York to my mom. A lot of our pieces are very classic but have a sort of whimsical look. It’s all meant to be wearable, very mix-and-match. You want a hand-me-down feel to it, something you’d love to pass down to a daughter or a granddaughter.”

The wearability and comfort associated with each design is a major concern: “It’s important to be aware of the texture of the piece, how the piece feels on. If it’s uncomfortable, you’re not going to wear it,” she said.

Her set of three separate, stacking vine rings are meant to be worn together, but their flexible design allows freedom of movement.

Bezel settings, “with no prongs to pull out,” are common throughout her work.

A computer-aided design program is a handy tool for designing comfortable, perfectly symmetrical ring bases and for determining whether a concept even workable, she said, holding a pair of earrings that took three tries to get the curve of an earlobe just right.

“Some pieces,” Ms. DiRubio added, “we bail ‘em because mechanically, they just won’t work.”

How long from fantasy to finished piece? Anywhere from three weeks to three months.

Her parents, Jeff and Joanna, deserve credit for their roles in what has “really become a family-run business,” she said.

“My mom has been hugely involved in terms of design work. I think a lot of inspiration I get from her, she has a great eye and a great sense of color.”

That her father, also an entrepreneur, has worked from home for the past 13 years has been a boon for her business education, she said.

“He really has been a guiding hand and a wealth of knowledge. I would never have been able to do it without my dad.”

Learning the financial side of her livelihood was hard at first, she said, but now, “It’s definitely business first and foremost and design second.

“I think, ‘How many models can I get out of one piece, one model, one concept? How can I allocate the money from selling a ring so it’ll make me three more rings?’” she said, “Even though I love the design aspect.”

Being young and breaking into a competitive, male-dominated industry that requires significant start-up capital poses its own challenges.

“Most people take one look at me and think I’m not the designer because I look really young,” said Ms. DiRubio, adding that her long, blonde head of hair doesn’t help.

But selling and the ability to read people comes naturally, she said, and by now she’s pitched her company to hedge funds and venture capitalists.

“Explaining your jewelry to a man isn’t always the easiest thing,” she said. “I’ve found I’ve really been able to start holding my own in terms of what I need from investors. But the jewelry has really spoken for itself. With most stores, we come back with an order because people have seen something new and fresh.”

Ms. DiRubio balances a dream of long-term success in the jewelry industry with a desire to add sparkle to the lives of others. From the very beginning, she has donated pieces to raise money for local causes, including domestic violence awareness, animal welfare and a multiple myeloma charity.

“I love what I do, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. If I do end up big and successful with this I’d love to find a way to inspire women in business because I do think there are so many opportunities for women in business and so few who really get there,” she said. “I’d love the opportunity to give back.”
Source: acorn-online

Jewelry artist opens first studio

2008-05-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Julie Sanford put some finishing touches on a tiny multicolored cylindrical box with a silver mold of her father extending from one side on Wednesday

Her father, Thomas Hughes, was a silversmith and stone artist.

Now, after opening her first jewelry design studio, Sanford is still walking in her father's footsteps.

"I just thought I was going to do like dad does," she said.

The 42-year-old Kalamazoo native always had an interest in jewelry. She remembers at age 10 transforming a boutonniere pin into a pair of earrings, which she wore with pride.

When her father died in 1981, Sanford inherited both is love for jewelry design and equipment. She uses both to create decorative pendants, earrings and other jewelry by soldering metals together with a acetylene torch.

Getting to the point where she could open her own place wasn't easy. She spent 15 years working for a retail jeweler and five years as an art
teacher, and was also on staff at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art.

More recently, she has been working out of her Grand Haven home — where she lives with her husband, Jeff, and three children.

This spring, Sanford opened Studio JSD at 1101 Columbus Ave., across the street from the Grand Haven Area Arts Council building.

"Now I finally feel like I can do this for a living," she said. "I like it here, and I like that the arts council is across the street."

Sanford sells her work at weekend summer art festivals, including the Art on the Riverfront show in Grand Haven in August. The other half of her business comes from selling at six or seven Michigan retailers, including Imagine 360 Gallery in Grand Haven and Dreese Fine Art and Framing in Spring Lake.

Sanford also does commission work, and sometimes makes pieces for friends on a whim. She recently turned a flashy bottle top into a pendant for a friend who misses Michigan's specialty drinks.

"I get excited about doing projects that are really special to people," she said.

Sanford's assistant, 20-year-old Carolyn VanderKooi of Hart, only wears jewelry created by her boss.

"I am probably her biggest fan," VanderKooi said. "It's all so unique and beautiful. Most all my friends own a piece now because they think it's so neat."

Although Sanford's work has been featured in artisan publications, she's somewhat taken aback by such praise.

"I don't feel worthy," she said.

Sanford won't sell jewelry out of her studio, but does hope to conduct classes on such topics as jewelry design and glass fusing.

Sanford doesn't cut the stones she uses in her pieces, but may someday put the stone-cutting equipment that sits in the corner of her studio to good use.
Source: grandhaventribune

New Ways To Trade In Your Gold Jewelry For Cash

2008-05-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

The price of gold has been skyrocketing to record highs. So much so that people are finding ways of 'cashing in' on their own jewelry in a big way.

Ever wonder what to do with that single gold earring you lost the match to five years ago? Or the broken chain you never got fixed and just haven't worn since?

Robert Madruga has decided to sell his old 14kt gold necklace and four rings to Sharif Jewelers in Sacramento.

"Just gold jewelry I knew that I had that I've just been kind of hanging onto for too long and thought it was time to make some money on it," says Robert.

And timing is key here. The value of gold has been steadily going up for five years and is now valued near $900 an ounce. And, Madruga isn't the only one cashing in.

"I think people are taking little bit more notice to it," says Erica.

Erica Clark, who works at Sharif Jewelers, says everyday several people come in asking about selling or trading in their gold pieces. With a single earring, you have three options:

"You're first option would be to bring it in, and we can custom make an identical match for you, you would be paying for the labor and the materials need to make the additional pair," says Erica.

The second option is to trade in the jewelry for something else in the store.

"And your third option would be to sell it outright," Erica explains.

And that's exactly what Madruga wanted.

"I'm cashing out. I'm getting $800 for this right here," Robert says.
Source: cbs13

'May is Gold Month' returns

2008-05-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

May is Gold Month" ads like this one created for Ben Bridge Jeweler are scheduled to run throughout May.

Though the rising price of gold has made retailers skittish about sales, "May is Gold Month," a national retail promotion aimed at increasing consumer sales of gold jewelry throughout the month, will be targeting spring shoppers.

Duvall O'Steen, director of jewelry public relations and promotion at the World Gold Council (WGC), says May remains a great time to buy gold for special occasions such as Mother's Day and graduations, or for self-purchase.

Part of the buzz this May will be generated by the official participating retailers who have collectively spent some $3 million so far to launch their new, fashion-forward gold assortments in a national media campaign in magazines such as Elle, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, People and Redbook.

The campaign will also be supported at retail with point-of-sale signage, window displays and direct-mail catalogs. More broadcast retailers are jumping on board this year too, O'Steen says, which will heighten consumer awareness.

The campaign isn't just growing by way of media attention, but also in terms of dollars spent. In 2006, the campaign partners spent $3.2 million, and last year that figure rose to $3.6 million. It's hoped that this May's total sales, to be tallied this summer, will be even higher.

Although the WGC can't release sales growth figures because of confidentiality reasons, O'Steen says that partner stores witness double-digit sales growth in May, on average, as a result of the promotions. She acknowledges this year could be different due to the faltering economy, but remains hopeful.

John Calnon, WGC's U.S. managing director, says prior to 2007, gold sales had been increasing rather nicely, and 2007 saw increases until the fourth quarter, which saw a downturn.

With the troubled economy and increasing price of gold, O'Steen advises retailers to focus on the precious metal's value, and adds that the consumer perception of gold's intrinsic and lasting value has actually been strengthened by the higher prices.

"When things are expensive, we want them," O'Steen says. "We aspire to them."

Value doesn't mean cheap, O'Steen emphasizes, and customers still want to buy the best they can afford. Consequently, she says, selling inexpensive pieces isn't necessarily the way to go.

"Consumers want to make sure it lasts and is durable," she says.

O'Steen adds that in addition to consumers seeking luxury items, regardless of price, gold's own attributes can also help keep sales up.

One such quality to emphasize is its lasting nature. Unlike a pair of shoes or a purse that wears out quickly, 15 years after purchase, gold will still be around. She adds that value on the design side also helps for greater sales, as do pieces that offer versatility.

The co-sponsors of the program, the WGC, Jewelry.com and the Richline Group, will collaborate with retailers including Belks, Ben Bridge Jeweler, BJ's, J.C. Penney, Jewelry Television, Macy's, ShopNBC, Sterling Jewelers and QVC to launch the campaign, which will feature new gold collections.

Independent retailers are, once again, invited to participate in the campaign by downloading the May is Gold Month logo and point-of-sale materials from the WGC's Web site, Marketing.Gold.org.

O'Steen says the WGC always intended to make the campaign industry-wide but wanted to ensure it was strong before welcoming it to all.

"Independents should capitalize on the buzz," she says.

May is Gold Month will also raise funds and awareness for Jewelers for Children, an organization benefiting children who have been affected by illness, abuse or neglect, through a sweepstakes to be hosted on Jewelry.com.

The sweepstakes offers consumers the chance to vote on and win their favorite new gold jewelry design, with the Web site making a contribution of 10 cents—up to $50,000—for each completed sweepstakes entry.

The online sweepstakes will be supported with digital marketing.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

U.S. Bankruptcies Down 15% in First Quarter

2008-05-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

The latest financial statistics from the Jewelers Board of Trade offer some encouragement in a tough market. For the first quarter of 2008, the total number of U.S. bankruptcies—combined totals among retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers—declined by 15 percent compared with the first quarter of 2007.

The total number of new retail businesses in the first quarter of 2008 grew slightly, 1.7 percent, over the first quarter of 2007. For retailers, it appears the money is headed south, as all gains in new retail businesses happened in the Sunbelt. New jewelry businesses in the Southwest leaped 150 percent, the South Central region posted a 20 percent gain in new retail businesses, the Southeast a modest 7.1 percent gain. Meanwhile, snow is out—the Northeast, North Central, and Northwest regions all showed significantly higher declines in the number of new jewelry businesses opening this year vs. the same period last year. (Note: These figures indicate the number of new jewelry retail businesses opening in the quarter, not the total number of businesses in the region for the quarter.)

The number of new wholesale businesses grew 60 percent in the same period, but these increases were offset by a decline in the number of new manufacturing businesses, which posted a 75 percent decline from first-quarter 2007 figures. Overall, the number of new jewelry businesses in all three categories declined slightly, by 2.5 percent, in the first quarter 2008 over the same period of 2007.

JBT reports 9.4 percent fewer claims placed with its collections department in the first quarter of 2008 vs. the same period in 2007, however, the average amount per claim grew 24.6 percent, from $6,583 last year to $8,203 this year.
Source: jckonline

What do women think about jewelry?

2008-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

A new, online community-based Web site for jewelry lovers has launched, giving women a forum to share their interest in jewelry and provide and receive jewelry-related advice.

Visitors to the site, Finejewelrynews.com, will find a reader forum, titled "Fine Jewelry Connection," where they can ask questions, share advice and tell stories, plus a weekly poll, "A View from You," which lets women cast a vote and find out what they have in common with other jewelry lovers around the world.

Both features are accessible at no charge and are available to both consumers and the jewelry industry.

"Fine Jewelry News is a great resource for consumers, but it's valuable to the jewelry industry too," editor Jodi Goldberg said in a media release. "It's a place to find out what's on women's minds, and to gather insight about what's important to them."

In addition, the site offers a subscription-based, bimonthly e-newsletter, which provides exclusive jewelry news, including the latest jewelry fashion trends, new and upcoming jewelry designers, and information to help consumers make informed decisions about jewelry purchases.

A sample issue is available for free, and six bimonthly issues are available for $15.95.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Five diamonds stolen at HCM City int’l jewelry fair

2008-05-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

Three foreign diamond traders lost five diamonds at the International Jewelry Vietnam 2008 held at the International Fair and Exhibition Centre on Hoang Van Thu road, HCM City at noon on May 2.

According to HCM City police, an Indian trader, Kumt Parkn Jkumar Vitth Laai, lost a diamond worth $37,000; an American seller, Bi Jam Andoo, lost four diamonds worth $15,000; and an Italian man, Trademax’s Bari Mario, lost a necklace and a bracelet worth $2,300.

At the time the incidents happened there were five Chinese people at the three above stalls. Guards at the International Fair and Exhibition Centre detained one of the five Chinese men and handed him over to police for investigation.

Police found six fake diamonds on this man’s person but they didn’t detect any evidence related to the three above incidents so they had to release him.

Police are further investigating the case.

International Jewelry Vietnam 2008 was organised from May 2-4, attracting more than 100 jewelry firms from 15 countries and territories who brought a large volume of gems and jewelry. The event was protected by 15 guards. Some traders even hired extra guards to protect their stalls.
Source: vietnamnet

French Jewel Heads Home

2008-05-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

In 1855 the Parisian jeweler François Kramer created a diamond bow brooch for the beauteous tastemaker Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. But on May 12, 1887, the French crown jewels were sold at public auction in the Louvre by order of the Third Republic. The buyer, for $135,000, was the jeweler Emile Schlesinger acting for Caroline Astor of New York. The brooch, above, remained in the Astor family but after 121 years was to be offered for auction at Christie’s in New York on April 15. Then the Louvre and the Friends of the Louvre decided the jewel belonged in France. So when the auction sale was canceled for legal reasons, the Louvre was able to negotiate a private sale with the agreement of the owner, the jeweler Ralph O. Esmerian, Christie’s announced on Tuesday. François Curiel, president of Christie’s Europe, expressed pleasure that “a French crown jewel has reclaimed its position among the museum’s royal collections.” The brooch was recently estimated by Christie’s to be worth $6 million to $8 million.
Source: nytimes

Jewelry the Focus at Tendence Autumn + Winter

2008-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

The upcoming Tendence Autumn + Winter trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, will include an area dedicated to jewelry design called "Carat."

Jewelry will be placed in Halls 5.0 and 6.0 in the Frankfurt am Main exhibition center for the trade show. Exhibitors will include: A. Ruppenthal, Alfred Schmiesing, Anton Hübner, Bernd Wolf, Coeur de Lion Schmuckdesign, Horwitz, Konplott Luxembourg, Kreuchauff Design, and Pilgrim A/S who will be presenting their new collections of fine, fashion, and designer jewelry for the fall and winter seasons.

Tendence—which is normally held in late August, early September—will be held for the first time on July 4-8. Jewelry plays a part of the design and lifestyle show.

In Hall 6.0, gold, diamond, pearls and gemstone suppliers will be featured. In Hall 5.0, the focus will be on fashion jewelry. In both halls, special emphasis will be placed on the theme of design.

“Jewelry appeals to the emotions, reflects the trends of the moment and is a way of expressing creativity—few consumer goods are this versatile," said Susanne Schlimgen, Tendence director. "The Carat platform, with its diverse product range and optimal timing, does justice to this wealth of facets.”

In addition, 22 new creative talents will showcase their jewelry in Hall 6.0. In this area, design students, college graduates, young designers, and design agencies show what the jewelry and accessories of the future will look like.

The German Crafts Association (Bundesverband Kunsthandwerk) will also be on display in Hall 6.0. In addition to jewelry design, themes will include creative segments such as home accessories and textiles. Pieces which are outstanding in artistic quality and workmanship have a good chance of winning the Hessian State Prize for German Arts and Crafts. The award has a long tradition. It has been awarded, at Tendence, formerly the Frankfurt Autumn Fair, to a participating exhibitor since 1951, which makes it Germany’s oldest, state-sponsored prize. The 2008 ceremony will be held on July 7.
Source: jckonline

In diamond world, brown is new white

2008-04-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

This Le Vian earring and ring set features pave "chocolate" diamonds set in 14-karat white gold. The 2-carat earrings retail for $4,048 and the 1.5-carat ring sells for $3,498.

Long the redheaded stepchild of the diamond world, earth-tone diamonds in varying shades are now emerging as a favorite son.

Just don't call them "brown."

Marketed as "cognac," "champagne" or "chocolate," brown diamonds are in demand by today's fashion-conscious consumers who want jewelry that can be matched to their outfits.

Brown and yellow are the two most commonly found colors in the diamond world. "Common" is a relative term, however, as only one out of every 10,000 diamonds officially qualifies as a colored diamond, says Robert Mays, executive director of the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA).

May recommends that jewelers who are interested in selling colored diamonds begin with the more plentiful—and comparatively affordable—browns before spending top dollar for the extremely rare and expensive colors such as pink and blue.

"Champagne, cognac and chocolate diamonds are the perfect entry point to come into the market if you want to get into the colored-diamond business," May says.

Australia's Argyle mine is the world's largest producer of brown diamonds, with a haul between $150 million and $200 million annually, according to mining company Rio Tinto. The NCDIA says brown diamonds are also found in southern Africa and Siberia.

Liz Chatelain, chief executive officer of MVI Marketing and co-founder of the Indo-Argyle Diamond Council, began working with the Argyle mine in 1989, and she says at that time, the general attitude toward brown diamonds, or "champagne," as Argyle has termed them, was negative.

"The trade has always been the gatekeepers," she says. "They did not like, or think the consumer would like, champagne diamonds. They had always been taught by De Beers that the best diamonds were white, therefore champagne diamonds had no place in jewelry."

But, she says, that started to change around 1992 when David Yurman made his first champagne-diamond piece. Brown diamonds as a category then began to pick up steam.

Chatelain says today's high-end designers mix champagne diamonds with white ones.

"It is still a small part of the diamond jewelry business but adds style and interest to jewelry collections around the world," she says.

When converted into polished diamonds and mounted into jewelry, brown diamonds constitute $4 billion to $5 billion of the world's retail diamond jewelry sales each year, or roughly 7 percent, according to Rio Tinto.

Le Vian is another well-known brand that contributes to brown-diamond retail sales.

Headed by Eddie LeVian, CEO, designer and director, Le Vian has its own brand of "chocolate" diamonds.

"The chocolate color is one that women understand," LeVian says, noting the idea of "chocolate" appeals to women more so than "champagne" or "cognac."

Celebrities who are dipping into the trend include hotel heiress Paris Hilton, tennis pro Serena Williams and Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere.

"It's everywhere," LeVian says. "They are all drawn to it."

And while the average retail jeweler won't have a great number of Grand Slam champions or Heroes as customers, LeVian points out that celebrities are no different than other women.

Jewelry, LeVian says, is no longer about a woman's husband buying her one piece she keeps her entire life.

Price points for Le Vian chocolate pieces range from $200 to more than $100,000.

Another designer cluing in to the brown trend is Justine Simmons, sister-in-law of Simmons Jewelry Co. owner Russell Simmons.

Simmons launched "Brown Sugar," which is being produced by Simmons Jewelry Co. on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and HSN.com.

With price points ranging between $199 and $599, Simmons says she has designed a line that is fashionable and can be worn with everything from a ball gown to blue jeans.

Future plans call for expanding into men's jewelry and incorporating brown topaz and quartz pieces into the line.

Shades of rare

Only one in 10,000 diamonds that comes out of the ground qualifies as a colored diamond. Here is a guide classifying natural-colored diamonds by rarity of color.

—Rare: Brown, gray, black

—Very rare: Orange, yellow, olive

—Extremely rare: Pink, blue, green

—Most rare: Red, purple

Source: Natural Color Diamond Association

DMCC, Panyu, China to Promote Jewelry Trade

2008-04-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the People's Government of Panyu District, China, for increased cooperation towards mutual growth and the promotion of jewelry trade between both countries, with a special focus on diamonds and colored stones.

The MoU is in line with the recent visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to China to strengthen ties between the UAE and China.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will mutually promote the jewelry trade, with the intention of collectively developing a strong presence in international markets and establishing a global influence. This will be accomplished through the exchange of market expertise in jewelry design, training, business opportunities, and educational initiatives, in addition to facilitating the reciprocal operation of visiting jewelry trade delegations.

Led by Mr. Tan Ying-hua, party secretary of the Panyu People’s Government, the 11-member delegation from the Government of Panyu visited the DMCC offices, ahead of the signing of the MoU. Delegation officials from the Panyu People’s Government included the vice president of the Panyu Jewellery Manufacturers Association and the Jewellery and Diamond advisor to the Panyu Government. Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC, presented each member of the delegation with a Chinese version of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s book: “Royati – My Vision”

“Our MoU with DMCC … will enable us to explore the extensive scope of the emerging markets in the high growth economies of the Middle East," said Tan Ying-hua. "We aim to jointly create an environment conducive to business, and a solid platform for the exchange of knowledge. This will be of immense value to the diamond and gemstone traders between Panyu and Dubai, and will enhance opportunities for increasing jewelry trade volumes.”

DMCC and the Government of Panyu will form a four-member steering committee to assist in discussing the wider scope of the MoU. The MoU also seeks to encourage youth exchange programmes and establish cultural delegations in the fields of art and music, with the intention of promoting friendship between the two countries.

“DMCC is very pleased to enter into this cooperative relationship with the Government of Panyu, China, which will open up new avenues for strengthening trade links between two prominent economies," said Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC. "Panyu has rapidly emerged as the gem and jewellery capital of China. Through DMCC’s partnership with them, we are confident that we will see greater acceleration in jewellery trade between both countries.”

Panyu, a district of Guangzhou situated in the Guangdong province, accounts for more than a fifth of China’s export of gold and inlaid jewelry. Panyu has nearly 400 enterprises employing more than 70,000 workers within the jewelry trade. In 2007, the total value of domestic export was $1.32 billion. Panyu is also set to host the ninth International Coloured Gemstone Association Congress in 2009.

Seated Left to Right: Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC;
Tan Ying-hua, party secretary of the Panyu People’s Government at the MoU
signing ceremony between DMCC and the People's Government of Panyu District, China.
Source: jckonline

Spring jewelry has a garden glimmer

2008-04-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

NOW that the patina of the "it" bag has worn off, along with the appeal of the red sole of a Christian Louboutin pump, jewelry -- both fine and faux -- is having its moment.

We're not talking about a single strand of pearls, a subtle lariat or a few stacking rings. We're talking statement jewelry, the kind of pieces that are so colorful, intricate or just plain enormous, they demand to be noticed.

For spring, jewelry is alive with birds, butterflies, blossoms and blooms echoing the garden of delights on the fashion runways. The details are so lifelike on these fantasy pieces, they look as if they could have been plucked from the wild. Leviev's 60-carat fern frond, dazzling with green garnets and yellow diamonds, is as realistic as a sketch from a botany book. Chanel's Camellia Feuille aquamarine and blue sapphire ring may be small, but the intense color of the stones makes it look like the prize bloom in a garden. Chopard took the trend and turned it into one major cuff clustered with "blossoms" of pink sapphires and diamonds, and priced at $650,000. Talk about flower power.

But just as the runways set the trends for the mass market, these works of art are leading the way for some of the best costume jewelry since the 1980s. Because we may not be rich, but at least we can look like it.

Fashion designers leapt into the fine jewelry business about 15 years ago, as part of the global rise of luxury brands. Chanel launched its fine jewelry collection in 1993, using its camellia signature on rings and necklaces, followed more recently by Christian Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. And soon, Ralph Lauren will introduce a fine jewelry line.

Now, high-end designers, including Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Marni, are expanding their costume offerings, seeing the category as an entree for would-be luxury shoppers. Miu Miu's critter brooches -- quirky spiders, lizards and dragonflies -- reflect the spring collection's nocturnal whimsy and give a lot of personality to a dress or blazer.

Tom Binns, a Venice Beach designer, is one of a new generation of independent costume jewelers elevating the craft. His floral collar with intertwining blooms and vines in every color of the rainbow, looks as if it could be an estate piece. New York designer Alexis Bittar specializes in Lucite, hand-painting stunning floral brooches. Then there's Kenneth Jay Lane, the king of costume for nearly 50 years, who made jewelry for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Diana Vreeland and Elizabeth Taylor. (He also designed the three-strand pearl necklace famously worn by Barbara Bush.) Lane's $90 enamel flower cocktail rings are spring's best buy.

Even more accessible, J. Crew is focusing on jewelry like never before, with flower, bird and butterfly baubles in the spring collection. The $150 Magnolia cuff, a vintage-feeling piece in brown enamel with a blossom bursting from the center, is one of the season's true statement pieces.

Of course, jewelers have been translating flora and fauna into sparkling creations forever. Leaves and flowers decorated some of the earliest jewelry in Egypt, where they were linked to life and resurrection. The Greeks and Romans draped themselves with gold leaf ornaments and wreaths, to symbolize prosperity. And the 21st century Angeleno? Think of it as fashionable armature, of the most delicate sort.
Source: latimes

French Jewel Heads Home

2008-04-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

In 1855 the Parisian jeweler François Kramer created a diamond bow brooch for the beauteous tastemaker Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. But on May 12, 1887, the French crown jewels were sold at public auction in the Louvre by order of the Third Republic. The buyer, for $135,000, was the jeweler Emile Schlesinger acting for Caroline Astor of New York. The brooch, above, remained in the Astor family but after 121 years was to be offered for auction at Christie’s in New York on April 15. Then the Louvre and the Friends of the Louvre decided the jewel belonged in France. So when the auction sale was canceled for legal reasons, the Louvre was able to negotiate a private sale with the agreement of the owner, the jeweler Ralph O. Esmerian, Christie’s announced on Tuesday. François Curiel, president of Christie’s Europe, expressed pleasure that “a French crown jewel has reclaimed its position among the museum’s royal collections.” The brooch was recently estimated by Christie’s to be worth $6 million to $8 million.
Source: nytimes

Gold prices dominate spring buying plans

2008-04-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Many retailers at the JA New York Winter Show did not buy more merchandise than last year due to high metal prices.

Retailers strolling the aisles at the JA New York Winter Show presented a mixed picture of expectations for 2008, a year overshadowed by the threat of recession and increasing gold prices.

Some were optimistic in the face of the economic downturn, while others were bracing for a rocky year—divergent viewpoints seemingly fueled by geographic location.

One common thread among retailers interviewed by National Jeweler at the March 9-11 event was that they were not buying more merchandise than they did last year, with many feeling the pinch of rising metal prices.

One buyer, Bobby Vellios of Bobby's Jewelry Ltd. in Brooklyn, N.Y., said that with holiday sales down at his store, he had to downsize his expectations for 2008, and planned to buy less than he did in 2007. Still, he was optimistic, viewing the business as a roller coaster ride that will swerve up again.

Angela Defelippi from the Farmington, Conn.-based Monarch Jewelers was also stocking less merchandise this year, with the expectation that business will not improve for at least another two years. On her to-buy list at JA were traditional items, such as diamond jewelry and bridal sets.

"Everyone will always be getting married, no matter what the economy [does]," she said.

On Defelippi's not-to-buy list: gold, because the prices were, in her words, "astronomical."

"Everything is down with everyone across the country," she said, noting this is especially true in the Northeast, where high oil and gas prices are forcing consumers to be more frugal.

A cold front in Northeast retail? Vellios and Defelippi were not the only Northeast jewelers feeling the sting of a consumer spending drop.

National Jeweler's Year-End Sales Survey, 2007 depicted a slow year nationwide, but the Northeast was hit particularly hard, with the highest percentage of retailers surveyed—60.5 percent—reporting sales were down or flat for the year.

Rick Billig of Billig Jewelers in Marlton, N.J., was buying limited amounts of merchandise and said he was hoping for an average year. Yellow gold jewelry has been selling despite the price, but the pieces moving off the shelves have been lighter fashion pieces, he said.

Like Defelippi, Wendy Billig was skittish about new products, and said she was sticking with "proven sellers" and lighter gold pieces.

"It's all about that gold price," she said.

Similarly, Carol Mitnick of The Cosmopolitan Collection in Haddonfield, N.J., was searching JA for less expensive, lighter-weight gold pieces and sterling silver.

Despite economic woes, Mitnick said her holiday sales were good, thanks to colored gemstone sales, specifically.

At William S. Rich and Son in Union, N.J., Sherry Sablosky was poised for a down year and planned to buy less.

"With the price of gold, retailers are definitely down," Sablosky said. "We're trying to sell [gold], but you can't even buy a chain to sell. People don't want to pay those prices."

Retailers from other areas of the country attending the show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York had a more optimistic outlook for 2008.

C. Niki Hunn of Thomas Hunn Jewelers in Grand Junction, Colo., said that thanks in part to the store's "recession-proof" location, holiday sales were strong and she anticipated a good year.

Designer Sonya Ooten of the Sonya Ooten Gem Bar in Los Angeles was also upbeat.

"I'm feeling like we've made it through the worst of it," she said, adding that in the L.A. area, the writers' strike, now over, had slowed sales.

Still, Ooten hopes gold prices level out this year, noting they were as low as $212 an ounce just a few years ago.

"It's crazy," Ooten said. "I'm hoping we've reached the max and they'll be going down."

While her margins have shrunk, Ooten refuses to raise prices and risk losing customers, but she is also creating more pieces using all gemstones and no gold.

The power of positive thinking Cheryl Schneider from Romance Jewelers in Concord, N.H., has adapted a new strategy that has had sales rising every month since November. She is teaching her salespeople to approach customers with the attitude that if they are inside the store, they want to buy something. Plus, she has lowered prices on older merchandise that hasn't moved in a long time.

"I think it's a mindset," Schneider said. "Just because the economy's bad doesn't mean it has to be doom and gloom in your store."

Though she will not buy more merchandise in 2008, Schneider is changing her buying strategy, investing in colored stones and diamonds, plus "bigger looks for your money," while staying away from gold because of the price.

Gina Stout, a buyer for New York-based Platinum Plus Jewelry, also planned to buy the same amount of stock in 2008 as she did in 2007.

"I'm looking for specific pieces customers have asked for," she said.

Lourdes Zeik-Chivi of Leonardo Jewelers in Red Bank, N.J., had the same concerns as her Northeastern counterparts but said the luxury consumer will still buy.

"The haves will be buying and the have-nots will be falling by the wayside," Zeik-Chivi said of the upcoming year.

She said she planned to spend the same dollar amount on inventory at JA, but was expecting to get less product for her money.

She has a strategy, however, for a challenging year, and said retailers who want to survive should understand their customer base and offer interesting products. On her shopping list were gold and diamond pieces, although higher gold prices would limit the quantity of goods she could buy.

Zeik-Chivi, who has been focusing on yellow gold for two years, said yellow gold with colored gemstones continues to be a popular seller.

"Only the haves are buying gold," she said, referencing consumers. "It creates an aura that 'If I like it and can buy it, I will buy it.'"
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Mother's Day Jewelry Sales to Hit $2.7 Billion

2008-04-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Of the 84.2 percent of consumers celebrating Mother’s Day, the majority will invest in one major gift for mom, instead of several smaller gifts, according to a National Retail Federation survey. This is largely apparent in the jewelry category: while the percentage of those buying jewelry decreased from last year (32.8 percent vs. 29.7 in 2008), those planning on buying mom something shiny will spend a total of $2.7 billion, compared to $2.1 billion last year.

Overall, consumers will spend an average of $138.63 this year for Mother's Day, compared to $139.14 last year, according to NRF’s 2008 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. Total consumer spending is expected to reach $15.8 billion.

“Mom has been saying for decades that it’s the thought that counts on Mother’s Day, and this year, kids might actually be listening,” said Tracy Mullin, NRF president and chief executive officer. “Retailers will offer specials on popular items such as digital cameras and gardening tools to make it easy for those who want to surprise mom with a gift.”

When it comes to popular gifts, consumers will shell out nearly $3 billion on a special dinner or brunch, $1.2 billion on consumer electronics like digital cameras, digital photo frames and video cameras, $2 billion on flowers, $1.4 on clothing and accessories and $1.1 billion on personal service gifts like a trip to a favorite spa or salon, NRF says. Shoppers will also spend $1.6 billion on gift cards/gift certificates, $696 million on housewares and gardening tools and $672 million on greeting cards.

The majority of consumers shopping for Mother’s Day gifts will head to specialty stores (35 percent), discount stores (25.7 percent) and department stores (28.8 percent). Others will shop at specialty clothing stores (6.6 percent), online (18.3 percent) and through catalogs (3.4 percent).

Young adults aged 18-24, many of whom have wives, mothers, grandmothers, and sisters, will spend the most at an average of $170.71. The 25-34 year-old age group will spend an average of $153.17, followed by 35-44 year-olds who will spend an average of $145.86, according to the survey.
Source: jckonline

Jewelers Mutual to pay out $5.8 million dividend

2008-04-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has announced it will pay out a $5.8 million dividend to its U.S. commercial policyholders and personal jewelry insurance policyholders this spring, the largest dividend in the company's nearly 100-year history.

Each year, the Jewelers Mutual board of directors evaluates whether or not it can pay a dividend to policyholders based on specific financial criteria. As a mutual company owned by its policyholders, Jewelers Mutual has no shareholders that receive profits. Instead, the company uses profits to pay dividends, reduce rates, offer new or expanded coverages, and develop additional services.

With relatively few weather-related losses in 2006 and 2007, and policyholders' continued focus on loss prevention, the board voted to return $5.8 million to its customers, Jewelers Mutual President and CEO Darin Kath said in a media release issued on Monday.

Jewelers Mutual plans to mail the dividend checks after its annual policyholder meeting on May 21.

To qualify for the dividend, U.S.-based policyholders must have a policy in force as of Jan. 31, 2008, with a current-term written premium of $1,000 or more.

Policyholders insured for one year or longer as of Jan. 31 will receive a dividend of 8 percent of their current-term written premium. Those insured for less than a year as of Jan. 31 will receive a dividend of 4 percent.

The last dividend paid by Jewelers Mutual was $5.1 million in 2004, the year before Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma caused major damage along the southern U.S. coasts.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Study shows rich getting richer, more diverse

2008-04-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

U.S. households with an annual income of $100,000 and up grew more quickly than any other segment of the U.S. economy, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.

The number of affluent households increased almost 13 percent between 2005 and 2006, rising from 19.7 million to 22.2 million.

Among these households, it was those with an annual income of $150,000-$249,999 that experienced the most rapid growth in numbers, census data shows.

In addition, between 2005 and 2006, the number of households with an income between $150,000-$199,999 increased 17.9 percent, while the number of households with an income between $200,000-$249,999 increased 16.2 percent and the number of households that earn more than $250,000 a year increased 10.7 percent.

In analyzing the data, Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, points out that affluent U.S. households also are becoming increasingly diverse.

Census data shows that about 13 percent of affluent households are headed by an ethic minority, 5 percent are headed by a single woman and 30 percent of affluent households are members of Generation X or the Millennial Generation, thereby bringing a more youthful attitude to shopping.

"Given the growing numbers of affluents and the increasing diversity among that population, it is dangerous for marketers to take a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to marketing to these consumers," Danziger said in a media release. "Savvy luxury marketers need to account for differences in buying preferences and behavior among the increasingly diverse segments that make up the affluent population."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Designer Showcase to open in New York

2008-04-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

The National Jewelry Institute will inaugurate its first-ever exhibition of contemporary jewelry from leading designers, the "2008 Designer Showcase," opening this week at the Forbes Galleries in New York City.

Almost 40 designers, including prestigious global brands and independent designers, are represented in the show, which is curated by jewelry expert Ralph Esmerian, with the help of guest curators Beth Rudin DeWoody, Saks Fifth Avenue and the World Gold Council.

The exhibition opens to the public this Friday, April 25, and the jewelry will be on display through June 28, 2008.

Designer Showcase will then move to Pittsburgh, where it will run from July 19, 2008, through Jan. 18, 2009, at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Jewelry designers featured in the exhibition are: Stephanie Albertson, Giorgio Armani, Cynthia Bach, Elyssa Bass, Lorenz Baumer, Marco Bicego, Katy Briscoe, Bulgari, Cartier, Cinta by John Hardy, Dominique Cohen, Roberto Coin, Lydia Courteille, Adria de Haume, Enigma, Tanya Farah, Mia Fonssagrives-Solow, Veronica Garaycochea, Graff, Gucci, Gurhan, Erhan Gursen, Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler, Joan Hornig, Ippolita, Marchak, Sandra Muller, Judith Ripka, Fabio Salini, Leila Tai, Temple St. Clair, Utopia, Vhernier, Donna Vock, Stephen Webster, Tracey Zabar, Zaffiro, Steven Zale, Irene Zelinsky.

The National Jewelry Institute is a New York-based nonprofit whose mission is to preserve, research and exhibit fine jewelry from all over the world.

For more information about the institute and the 2008 Designer Showcase, visit Nationaljewelryinstitute.org.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Sarin acquires Israeli technology company

2008-04-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

Sarin Technologies Ltd. now has a 100 percent equity stake in an Israeli company with an innovative method for evaluating the internal features of rough and polished diamonds.

According to a release issued earlier this month, Sarin acquired Galatea Ltd. for $10.77 million, of which $9 million is to be paid in cash and the balance through the issuance of new shares of Sarin stock.

Sarin CEO Zeev Leshem said Galatea's technology is quicker and less costly than other technologies tested by Sarin. He expects the benefits of the acquisition to materialize in the next year.

"With this groundbreaking technology, Sarin will again revolutionize the current rough-diamond analysis methodologies and tools as the industry has come to expect of us over the past two decades," he said.

Sarin Technologies, which is traded on the Singapore Exchange Mainboard, develops, manufactures and markets diamond planning, evaluation, production, measuring and grading systems.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

House of Taylor receives Nasdaq notification

2008-04-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Stocks for House of Taylor Jewelry Inc. will be delisted on April 24 following a series of Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. violations, the company has announced.

House of Taylor Jewelry missed the extended April 15 deadline for filing its annual report and failed to pay the Nasdaq listing fees, the company stated in a news release.

In addition, Nasdaq notified House of Taylor Jewelry on Oct. 29 that it was not in compliance with the minimum bid price—$1 per share—required for continued listing on Nasdaq and had until April 28 to meet the minimum requirements.

Since that time, House of Taylor Jewelry stock has not met the $1 minimum requirement for 10 consecutive business days.

House of Taylor Jewelry is not the only industry player to run into stock market trouble recently.

Finlay Enterprises Inc., which operates the jewelry sections of department stores as well as a number of standalone stores including Bailey Banks and Biddle, faces delisting in July if it cannot increase the value of its stock.

House of Taylor Jewelry is a Los Angeles-based international jewelry company owned by actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor, model Kathy Ireland and members of the Abramov family.

It supplies fine-jewelry retailers with the brands Elizabeth, House of Taylor Jewelry and Kathy Ireland Jewelry Exclusively for House of Taylor Jewelry.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork