Jewelry Television responds to $5 million lawsuit over gem

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

Jewelry Television cuts more than 200 jobs

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

Jewelry Television Creates Tanzanian Relief Fund

Jewelry Television has created a Tanzanian Relief Fund to support people affected by the flooding disasters in the Arusha and Manyara regions of Tanzania, Africa.

Between April 1 and April 12, the network will donate 2 percent of the purchase price of each tanzanite sale to the American Red Cross. Jewelry Television is one of the largest retailers of this rare, blue gemstone.

These funds will enable the American Red Cross to support the Tanzania Red Cross Society’s humanitarian relief efforts associated with the flooding and to strengthen their capacity to respond to future disasters, the television retailer said. The fundraising effort will culminate on April 12, at the close of Jewelry Television’s annual Tanzanite Day that features tanzanite jewelry and gemstones for 24 hours.

Flooding in the tanzanite mines and surrounding areas of Tanzania has caused the tragic death of more than 75 miners and displaced thousands of people from their homes.

“Our employees and customers are deeply concerned about the disaster and we want to help in a tangible and meaningful way,” said Tim Matthews, Jewelry Television chief executive officer and president. “Jewelry Television’s mission is to open the world of jewelry and gemstones to everyone. The tanzanite mining community has played an instrumental role in bringing the rare, beautiful stone to our customers.”

“We are grateful to Jewelry Television and its viewers for their compassion in helping people affected by this tragedy,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president for International Services of the American Red Cross. “Working with our colleagues at the Tanzania Red Cross, this support will ensure that people in Tanzania receive immediate relief, and are stronger and better prepared for future disasters.”
Source: jckonline

Jewelry TV names new president, CEO

Knoxville-based Jewelry Television has named attorney and longtime adviser Tim Matthews as its new president and chief executive officer.

Matthews will take on the day-to-day operations of Jewelry Television previously held by co-founders Bob Hall and Bill Kouns.

Hall and Kouns will take on expanded responsibilities as CEO and president, respectively, of the network's parent company, Multimedia Commerce Group Inc., which includes the shopping network, retailer Gemstore by Jewelry Television, the Shop At Home Web site, and international buying operations and offices.

Jerry Sisk, who also helped found the shopping network in 1993, will retain his title and roles as executive vice president of Jewelry Television.

"Tim is no stranger to the JTV family. He has worked with us since the startup phase of the company, providing business and legal guidance and becoming a significant investor in the company. We could not be more pleased for him to take on this important leadership role," Hall said in a statement.

Matthews has practiced law for approximately 27 years and is currently a partner with the law firm Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since last April, Matthews has been working with Jewelry Television as the chair of its information technology steering committee and in various other director-level roles, the company said.

"I am proud to lead a company with a rich heritage of integrity, fairness and commitment to our customers and employees," Matthews said in a statement. "Those values, which have contributed greatly to the success of Jewelry Television, have been in large part due to the leadership and vision of Bob Hall, Bill Kouns and Jerry Sisk over the past 14 years. It is from that strong foundation that we will continue to grow and prosper."

Jewelry Television is a television retailer of jewelry and gemstones with more than 2,000 employees in Knoxville.
Source: knoxnews

Jewelry Channel revamps Web site

Television jewelry retailer The Jewelry Channel has announced the launch of a major redesign of its Web site, Tjc.tv.

The site now offers not only online "Web Drop" jewelry auctions but also an array of information and retail options for consumers.

One such offering includes a jewelry store for browsing and purchasing available items at a set sale price, rather than in a drop-auction format. Customers can search and sort items by type of apparel, metal, gemstone, shape, price or name.

The site also boasts interactive and social-media content including user forums and a blog by The Jewelry Channel hosts, as well as a live broadcast of The Jewelry Channel 24 hours a day.

In addition, the site showcases a "Spotlight Item" at a reduced price on its home page, as well as video brochures featuring the high-end Illiana Collection and the new Rhapsody line of platinum jewelry.

"The site enhancement represents not only an improvement in function and usability but also atmosphere and options," The Jewelry Channel President Sri Burugapalli said in a media release. "We sought to provide a complete shopping experience, whether the customer is purchasing via TV broadcast, online retail or an interactive auction."
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Jewelry Television Brings Viewers to School

Jewelry Television(TM) (JTV) has something in store for fashionistas and crafters who love jewelry. Jewel School, the network's first-ever instructional DVD, will be available to jewelry enthusiasts beginning November 8. The "Basic Wire Wrapping" DVD provides step-by-step instructions from artist, master teacher and jewelry designer, Dale "Cougar" Armstrong. Armstrong introduces the ancient art of wire wrap jewelry making by teaching basic wire wrapping techniques that, when combined with imagination, transform cabochon cut gemstones into beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. Each DVD is accompanied by a wire wrap kit that contains all necessary tools and supplies to follow along and create Armstrong's projects.

"Crafting something as expressive as a piece of jewelry is personally satisfying, a great stress reliever, and a way to be productive and creative at the same time," comments Armstrong. "From the novice to the advanced, people of all ages and from all lifestyles can learn how to easily create their own accessories by watching Jewel School and using just a few hand-held tools. My hope is that people will watch and get the creative juices flowing, and then continue developing their own personal designs."

"Our Jewel School kit is the most comprehensive in the market place," explains Joyce Richman, vice president of broadcast content for JTV. "There is no DVD out there that offers step-by-step instruction for three wire-wrapping projects at this price point. We have discovered that women have a strong appetite for creating jewelry that expresses personal style and we are a delivering a product that creates an outlet for that creativity," said Richman.

JTV show host Dawn Tesh will introduce the "Basic Wire Wrapping" kit to JTV shoppers on November 8 at noon EST. It will also be available at http://www.jtv.com/ for $99.99, compared to a retail value of $200.

A second DVD kit will be introduced in 2008, featuring artist Linda Kline and some of her precious metal clay (PMC) jewelry creations.

About Jewelry Television(TM)

Jewelry Television(TM) is the nation's fastest-growing home shopping network, focusing exclusively on the sale of fine jewelry and loose gemstones. Jewelry Television(TM) airs live programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The network is the 11th largest fine jewelry retailer in the United States and is distributed to 68 million full-time households. http://www.jtv.com/ is the 5th largest online jewelry store according to Internet Retailer.

Industry experts host Jewelry Television(TM) programming, bringing rare, beautiful and affordable merchandise to people everywhere. Many of the on-air hosts hold Accredited Jewelry Professional certifications and even Graduate Gemologist degrees from the Gemological Institute of America. Jewelry Television(TM) shows can be viewed live from http://www.jtv.com/, which contains all merchandise for sale and a learning library with informative videos and articles about gemstones.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Jewelry Television(TM) acquired Shop At Home Television Network in 2006, including its popular branded line Bella Luce. Jewelry Television's revenues are approximately $530 million. In 2006, the East Tennessee Business Journal named Jewelry Television(TM) one of the best places to work and Business Tennessee magazine ranked it as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the state.
Source: yahoo

Jewelry Television Falls for Fashion Week

In conjunction with New York Fashion Week, Jewelry Television(TM) will debut its first-ever Fall Fashion Week September 10-14, showcasing the latest jewelry styles. Featured collections include Nature's Elements, Colors of Gold, Designer Drama, Designer Statements and Color Vibe.

"Jewelry Television is strengthening its presence in the fashion marketplace, keeping up with and setting seasonal trends. We are more than an on-air and online shopping portal. Our viewers consistently look to us for fashion inspiration, advice and our quality jewelry at unbelievable prices," explains Natalie Parman, Vice President of Merchandising.

The diverse jewelry collections to be featured during Fall Fashion Week cover the gamut in terms of styles and colors. For example, the Nature's Elements collection will showcase how nature influences fashion in a sophisticated way through gemstones like Tiger's Eye, Smoky Quartz and Turquoise. The Color Vibe collection is all about hue thanks to colorful gemstones and vibrant enhanced gold settings. Diamond Drama highlights the numerous colors of diamonds. Choose from red, blue, green, champagne, chocolate and even black and white diamond collections.

Fall Fashion Week features will be interspersed all week among regular Jewelry Television(TM) programming. Tune in to Jewelry Television(TM) or visit http://www.jtv.com/ to get inspired and shop for fall.
Source: earthtimes