WJA DIVA 2008 Design Competition

Applications are now being accepted for the annual Women's Jewelry Association DIVA Design Competition. The deadline for online entries is April 18. The competition is open to all women.

The theme of the competition is "platinum weddings," sponsored by Platinum Guild International. Women designers can compete in five categories arranged under three topics. They are as follows:

Two People, Three Platinum Rings
The engagement ring symbolizes the promise, while the wedding bands represent the commitment that a couple makes to each other. Your challenge as a jewelry designer is to depict these three rings using platinum—because the very best relationship is deserving of the world’s most precious metal.

Category #1 - Every Day Bridal ring trio suite (retail below $5k not counting center stone)

Category #2 - DIVA Bridal ring trio suite (retail above $5k)

Platinum Bride
Platinum jewels to adorn the bride and her girls to help them sparkle and shine.

Category #3 - Simply elegant jewels for the bride or bridal party (retail below $5k)

Category #4 -- DIVA bridal jewels for the bride or bridal party (retail above $5k)

Colorful Engagements & Weddings in Platinum
Today’s weddings/engagements are personalized; use natural color diamonds set in
platinum to celebrate your unique love.

Category #5 - One fabulous design showcasing natural color diamonds set in platinum.

First place winners in each category will receive $1,000 and a promotional and educational package from PGI. The category 5 winner will also receive a promotional and educational package from the Natural Color Diamond Association.

Designers can enter online with either a rendering or a finished jewel. Online entries must include specifically sized digital image of your design.

New this year is our online entry system. Designers can enter either renderings or actual jewels. However, competitors must submit digital images via our online application system. If it’s a problem contact Cindy Edelstein, competition chair, at 914-738-8485 or cindyedelstein@aol.com.

For a complete package of information, click here.
Source: jckonline

Jewelry Exhibits Sparkle

World-renowned jewelry houses Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. are adding sparkle to Seoul this month, as their dazzling jewels are on display in two separate exhibitions.

Visitors will have the chance to learn about the two companies' long history and appreciate their creative jewelry designs. Among the beautiful jewelry pieces that will fascinate visitors are an exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels tiara worn by Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, and the huge yellow diamond in Tiffany's stunning ``Bird on a Rock.''

Van Cleef & Arpels

French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels opened its ``Jewels of Eternal Glamour and Excellence'' exhibit Thursday, at Shinsegae Main Store, Myeong-dong. It runs through Friday, April 4.

The exhibit features 130 pieces illustrating Van Cleef & Arpels creativity and high-quality craftsmanship throughout its 102-year history. The brand's story begins with the marriage between Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels. The first shop was opened at no. 22 Place Vendome in Paris in 1906, where it remains as its flagship store until today.

Van Cleef & Arpels has carefully cultivated its image of luxury and style throughout the decades. It is easy to see why, with the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Maria Callas, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johanssen wearing the jewels.

When Princess Grace married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956, she received wedding jewelry composed of a set of diamond and pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings specially made by Van Cleef & Arpels. The exhibit features an elegant diamond tiara worn by Princess Grace during the wedding day of her daughter Princess Caroline in 1978.

Visitors will also be able to uncover the secret behind Van Cleef & Arpels' legendary ``mystery setting,'' a technique that holds the gems in place without showing the gemstone settings. One example is the ``peony clip,'' (1937) made of 700 square-cut rubies, 6 oval-shaped rubies, 43 baguette-cut diamonds in a platinum setting.

There are numerous pieces that will catch visitors' attention, such as delicate ballerina and fairy brooches, a Picasso clock, diamond-encrusted ribbon clips and exotic Indian and Chinese-inspired necklaces.

The latest Van Cleef collection ``Atlantide,'' inspired by the lost city of Atlantis, is shown in Seoul for the first time.

The value of all the jewels on display to estimated to be more than 20 million euros (approximately US$32 million). The Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit runs through April 4 at the Culture Hall, located on the 10th floor of Shinsegae Main Store (Hoehyeon station Line 4).

Tiffany & Co.

``The Jewels of Tiffany (1837-2007)'' at the Hangaram Design Museum showcases almost 200 pieces of jewelry made by Tiffany & Co. in the last 170 years.

Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the company in 1837, starting out as a stationary store in New York. Its international reputation grew, as it won various prizes at expositions around the world.

In pop culture, the brand is forever linked with Audrey Hepburn, thanks to the classic 1961 film ``Breakfast at Tiffany's,'' which was based on Truman Capote's novel. Today, young women adore the ``Return to Tiffany's'' bracelet, and hope to receive a Tiffany's diamond engagement ring.

The Tiffany exhibit is divided into 10 sections, starting with the company's history and shows its opulent designs throughout the years. There are sections devoted to nature-inspired designs, Art Deco and designs by G. Paulding Farnham and Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of the founder.

Tiffany's has created unique jewelry and accessories such as orchid brooches, crystal scent bottles, sterling silver spurs, cigar cases and watches using silver, gold, pearls, diamonds and other precious gems.

Many of the pieces were owned by famous people such as a pearl necklace and brooch worn by American First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and a diamond brooch worn as a belt decoration by Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Empress Eugenie.

However, the highlight is the ``Bird on a Rock,'' featuring one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world and designed by Jean Schlumberger.

The works of designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso (daughter of Pablo Picasso) and architect Frank Gehry are also on display.

``The Jewels of Tiffany'' runs through June 6 at Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center (Nambu Bus Terminal Line 3, exit 5). Admission is 12,000 won, but discounts available for students and senior citizens.
Source: koreatimes

Palladium finds niche amid record-high metal price

"Rainbow Bird" ring in palladium with aquamarine and 18-karat yellow gold bird inside cage by Tenthio Fine Jewelry; suggested retail price is $4,500.

As precious metal prices continue to break records, and consumers cut down on luxury spending, designers and manufacturers are moving toward lower-cost options such as lighter-weight designs and less expensive metals—including palladium and silver.

Seizing on the price-conscious trend is Palladium Alliance International (PAI), which recently hired DJS Marketing to design a new multiyear, global palladium campaign. The advertising, marketing, branding and public relations firm will launch a comprehensive program to educate trade professionals worldwide about palladium in tandem with a major consumer campaign.

Dollar figures for the new marketing crusade were not yet released at press time, but PAI says there will be a significant spend for marketing the metal in 2008 and beyond. Meanwhile, the metal's best ally just might be the prices on other precious metals: Gold prices had reached $945 an ounce, and platinum, $1,909 an ounce, as of March 19, compared with $459 an ounce for palladium.

Dawn McCurtain, marketing director for PAI, says one of the reasons the group hired DJS Marketing is because it wants to send a consistent message to both trade and consumers that palladium is a luxurious, natural, precious white metal. Although PAI has tried to convey this information previously, the push hasn't always been consistent, and this team-up will keep the drive strong, she says.

Deborah Scarpa, president of DJS Marketing Group, says once the trade is infiltrated with palladium knowledge, the campaign will immediately begin to create imagery to coax consumers to try the white metal. In a time of rising gold and platinum prices, she says, this is an optimal time to reintroduce the metal, which is already being offered as an option by manufacturers such as Christian Bauer, Michael Beaudry, Tenthio Fine Jewelry and Scott Kay.

Designer Scott Kay says he doesn't promote palladium, just his own brand, but he thinks the metal is making great headway.

"Palladium is taking staggering steps into the jewelry industry," Kay says, adding that he expects it will become mainstream in only a few years' time.

Bridal buyer Sara Kravetsky of the Diamond Cellar, with two locations in Ohio, says the jeweler first brought palladium into its stock with Scott Kay bridal designs. After finding success there, the store added other designers working with palladium.

Touting it as a precious white metal, Kravetsky says it also has a strong appeal among those watching their wallets and seeking quality.

Marquise-shaped gemstone enhancer in 18-karat yellow gold by Elyssa Bass, shown with, clockwise from top, smoky topaz, amethyst and lemon citrine; suggested retail price with one stone is $4,389.

Marina Elliot, president of Tenthio Fine Jewelry, has observed retailers' increasing knowledge of the metal, and says the company's palladium pieces are doing well, but she believes there is still more promotion to be done.

Elliot says her company maintains a variety of price points at all times, but stresses that the price tag isn't always the biggest issue, and that exclusivity and rarity play roles in jewelry sales too.

Tenthio Fine Jewelry also sells in several markets outside the United States, which helps to offset the current challenges in the domestic market, she says.

Switching it up at the bench Palladium isn't the only sign of budget-consciousness in the industry. Jewelry designer Jane Basch purposely uses 14-karat gold to keep price points reasonable for her "Indulge by Basch" pieces. Since she, herself, is the type of person who might save money by shopping for jeans at Target and then splurge on the occasional $1,000 purse, Basch strives to offer a range of price options to her customers.

"Many women want to look good but have a lot of financial obligations," she says.

Besides using 14-karat gold to cut down on prices, Basch uses open space in many of her designs to offer a big look at a smaller price tag.

One way designer Elyssa Bass is tackling rising metals prices is by offering jewelry with enhancers that allow the wearer to switch gemstones in and out to create various looks.

"The gold market is going so high, how to cut costs is on everyone's minds," she says, adding that her pieces walk the line between art and fashion, and because of this, she doesn't get too bogged down by metal prices and will keep on designing in 18-karat gold.

Other designers choose to use silver as a way to offer a variety of price points. One is Leslie Greene, who recently introduced a new sterling silver line in addition to her 18-karat line, so that women can continue to purchase more than one high-end jewelry piece for themselves at a time.

Still, worrying about costs is not an issue for some retailers such as Virginia Paterson of James Locke Jewelers in East Liverpool, Ohio, who says her customers show no resistance to higher prices.

"If they wanted it, they just wanted it," Paterson says. She sees the rising price of metals as more of a problem for jewelers, particularly if they are price-point driven or are operating chain stores.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories in which National Jeweler will examine ways to combat various retailing challenges this year. This story first appeared in the March 2008 edition of National Jeweler. Metal prices cited were updated as of March 19 for the online version of this story.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

East Coast Jewelry Hosts South Florida Benefit

The East Coast Gems of Time Invitational, sponsored by East Coast Jewelry, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation event in South Florida began March 16 with a cocktail reception at the Setai Hotel in South Beach.

The following day, at La Gorce Country Club, more than 300 guests enjoyed a day of golf, beauty, fashion and East Coast Jewelry's collections of gems and timepieces. Some of the collections that participated were Jacob & Co., Ulysse Nardin, Corum, Krieger, Dewitt, Hermes, Perrelet, Glashutte, Maurice LaCroix, Ebel, Leo Pizzo, Vertu, Hysek, Christian Dior, Zenith, Girard Perregaux, Vacheron Constantin, U-Boat, Daniel Roth, and de Grisogono.

East Coast Jewelry’s Gems of Time Invitational event was hosted and underwritten by Michael and Bobby Yampolsky (pictured), the father and son founders and owners of the retail Boca Raton-based jewelry operation with stores in Palm Beach and Sunny Isles Beach. Former Miami Dolphins football player, Louis Oliver, served as Master of Ceremonies. The all day affair began with a golf tournament with celebrity golfer's, including Brett Quickley, Nicholas Thompson, and Alexis Thompson.

A mid-day luncheon featured the designs of Teso Furs, making its debut in South Florida. The collection was complemented by the jewels of de Grisogono. Medici Spa sponsored seminars and complimentary beauty and skin treatments.

Next was an afternoon "Bubble Hour" reception with Veuve Cliquot champagne. Showcased were the diamonds of Leo Pizzo on models premiering the Vicky Moreinis swimwear collection. Meanwhile, male models paraded in the Nautica Spring Collection accessorized with U-Boat Timepieces. Miami's DJ Irie did the spinning.

Artist and sculptor Romero Britto was a special guest for the event in which he showcased artwork and sculptures.

The evening culminated with a "19th Hole" award dinner reception. Guests were entertained by Cirque performers, a silent auction presentation and dancing to the music of DJ Irie. The Grand Winners of the golf tournament were awarded a trip to The Cliffs Communities on a private Jet.
Source: jckonline

Jewelers mixed on pursuing De Beers settlement

Cooper and Binkley Jewelers in Brighton, Mich., generated interest in the De Beers settlement among its customers by alerting a local newspaper to the story.

Though jewelry storeowners nationwide are eligible, it is unclear how many will step forward to claim their slice of the De Beers class-action settlement.

Some say it involves too much paperwork for too little money, while others take the attitude that it's worth a shot.

Of the 10 retailers interviewed by National Jeweler, four planned on filing claims, two did not, and four were undecided.

"I frankly think it's a waste of everybody's time," says Fred Nasser of the Antiques Gallery Midwest in Sioux Falls, S.D. "If you [think you're] getting $5 a diamond, you're probably overly optimistic."

He adds that the attorneys are probably the only ones who will profit.

Meanwhile, jeweler Richard Huntington of Huntington Jewelers in Las Vegas, says he already has his office manager gathering up the paperwork necessary to file a claim.

"I have no clue if we're going to get anything at all," he says. "If it's worthwhile doing, you don't know until [after] you do it."

The notice and claims process to divide up the $295 million De Beers settlement fund began Jan. 9, with a hearing set for mid April to determine if the settlement gets final approval. May 19 is the deadline to file a claim.

The fund is the result of a series of class-action lawsuits alleging De Beers charged anti-competitive prices for rough diamonds, monopolized the market and disseminated false and misleading advertising.

The settlement fund will be divided between two classes, direct and indirect purchasers, with the majority of retail jewelers and consumers falling into the latter class.

Indirect purchasers are those who bought diamonds from someone other than De Beers or one of its mining competitors. The settlement applies to diamonds purchased between Jan. 1, 1994, and March 31, 2006.

How much retailers and consumers will receive depends on the number of claims.

Industry analyst Ken Gassman says research shows that more than 130,000 retailers are eligible for a refund.

As for consumers, the exact number is unknown, but statistics show about 1.8 million diamond engagement rings are sold annually in the United States, and in 2006, about 47 million pieces of diamond jewelry were sold.

Gassman says he expects very few people to file claims.

"There is too much required to get a rebate, and too little money, probably," he says, estimating that payouts could be as low as $1 for every $1,000 spent, in the unlikely event that every eligible person claimed a rebate.

While retailers' opinions on applying for the settlement vary, most jewelers who were interviewed by National Jeweler report few if any customer inquiries.

One exception is Barb Binkley of Cooper and Binkley Jewelers in Brighton, Mich. As a service to the customers of her 60-year-old family-owned jewelry store, Binkley says she sent a press release to the local newspaper, the Livingston County Press and Argus, which ran a story on Jan. 25 alerting readers that De Beers could owe them money.

The article set off a tidal wave of consumer inquires, with Binkley estimating, at press time, that she had given out claim forms to 110 customers who were interested.

She keeps extra copies of the forms on hand in her store, and is offering to print the buying history for any of the 35,000 customers in the company's database who are interested in filing a claim.

Binkley says she considers herself and her husband to be "ambassadors" for the jewelry industry in this bedroom community located about 60 miles from Detroit.

"We feel like we should be the answer person for jewelry in this area," Binkley says.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

Dalumi Launches Jewelry Design Competition

The Dalumi Group is hosting its first “When The Source Turns Into Inspiration” jewelry design competition, setting the stage for new talent to shine. Entrants are invited to create either a themed collection or a single piece expressing feminine allure, using Dalumi's flagship "Yellow-Shade Diamonds" as inspiration.

Designs must be received by May 20 and sent to liorab@dalumi.com. The winner will be announced at the JCK Las Vegas 2008 show—one of the world’s premier jewelry events, held from May 30 to June 3. The designer will have the pleasure of seeing the winning entry transformed into a new Dalumi collection and displayed worldwide.

Dalumi's “When The Source Turns into Inspiration” competition reflects its dual commitment to supporting new talent and discovering fresh ways to express femininity.
Source: jckonline

Jewelry business opens in Old Town

Brothers Tyson and Colby Homec grew up in the Coachella Valley and have returned to open a fine jewelry store in Old Town La Quinta.

Homec Jewelers opened opened Friday at 78-075 Main St. in Old Town.

The two gemologists said they want to bring back the personalized customer service of a family-owned neighborhood jeweler.

"You used to have the same family jeweler for 30 years," said Colby, 27. "We want to return to that type of personal relationship where they help you choose that special piece for an engagement or anniversary."

The store offers a range of products from custom-made pieces to designer jewelry.

Private viewings

The more high-end pieces won't be seen only in the shop's cases, Tyson said. They will be at country clubs and homes for private showings.

"This is a new, young generation of jewelers," said Tyson Homec, 30. "The majority of jewelers around here are corporate. We want to bring a different vibe to buying jewelry."

Tyson called the Old Town setting quaint and low-profile for buyers who seek privacy. An office in the back of the shop will be used for appointments.

He described the setting as a casual atmosphere where shoppers can browse in peace without being hounded by commission-only employees.

The shop will have two employees besides the brothers, one of whom will do repairs on-site.

Not stuffy at all

"We're not a stuffy type of place," Tyson said. "We didn't want to be a mall jeweler or in a strip mall next to a Subway restaurant. We have the best location here we could ask for."

The brothers, two of nine children, grew up in Palm Desert, and said they wanted to return to their roots to open their first business.

"We love our jobs," Tyson said.

"It's always fun and exciting. We both have different qualities to offer."

Five percent of the proceeds from Friday's opening will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley, they said.
Source: mydesert

'Flame Queen' Opal to be Sold at Auction

International fine arts auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields will offer in its June 22 sale of Natural History perhaps the most famous and recognizable opal in the world.

Dubbed the "Flame Queen," the legendary stone highlights the core of an opal collection on offer this summer in the auctioneer's first simulcast Natural History sale in seven years. The auction house said bidding from the San Francisco and Los Angeles salesrooms is expected to be competitive. 

Extraordinary not only for its large size (263.18-cts.), but also for its unusual shape and color pattern, the "Flame Queen" is one of only a handful of large museum-quality opals known to man, even fewer have ever been offered at public auction. The "Flame Queen" is oval in shape with a flat central dome surrounded by a blue-green band - lending it the appearance of a fried egg. 

Known to aficionados around the globe, The "Flame Queen" could bring as much as $250,000, the auction house said. It is one of the most prominent examples of the eye-of-opal effect, which is created when an opal in-fills a cavity. It possesses the ability to change color when viewed from different angles. 

The "Flame Queen" opal was discovered in 1914 at the Bald Hill Workings in Lightning Ridge, Australia by three partners: Jack Phillips, Walter Bradley, and Joe Hegarty.
Source: jckonline

IDL to open Turkey's first diamond lab

International Diamond Laboratories (IDL) has announced that it will open Turkey's first diamond lab at the headquarters of the Istanbul Chamber of Jewelry (IKO).

IDL made the announcement during the Istanbul Jewelry Show, being held from March 26-30.

According to a release from IDL, a team of "international experts" will run the Turkish operation, and they expect to issue the first diamond certificate in June.

The lab will offer both diamond and jewelry certification services.

The opening of the lab is in reaction to the growing consumer demand for diamonds in Turkey.

"Turkey has become a leading jewelry manufacturing center and a rapidly growing diamond jewelry consumer market," IDL Chief Executive Officer Peter Meeus said in a statement. "A presence in Istanbul is a logical next step for IDL. We are delighted to have the support of a trade organization like IKO."

IKO President Allaattin Kameroclu said they are happy to welcome the IDL lab to Istanbul.

"High-quality certificates, offered locally to the business community, are essential for the further development of the Turkish diamond and jewelry business," he said. "IDL has the right products and services to respond to that need."

The IKO represents 6,000 wholesalers and retailers from the Istanbul region.

IDL, which provides certification for diamonds and jewelry, has offices in Antwerp, Belgium; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Mumbai, India.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork

RICHIE LAUNCHES JEWELRY LINE

Nicole Richie is set to extend her portfolio of moneymaking ventures: She is launching her own jewelry line.

The reality TV socialite is designing pieces, which will be produced by Mouawad, the exclusive jewelers behind supermodel Heidi Klum's fine jewelry collection, according to People.

And the new mum is ecstatic with the way the production process is going, because she can fit in time for designing as she looks after her newborn daughter, Harlow Winter.

She says, "It's all costume jewelry. I like to play with jewelry and mix and match. (I'm working with) this really talented woman named Shelley Gibbs. She's an artist and she sketches everything.

"Everyone's been really mellow and able to work around my schedule. If I need to go feed the baby, I do it."

As well as the jewelry project, Richie, who already has author, actress and singer on her resume, is launching a children's clothes range in addition to rumors of plans for her own fragrance, reports People.com.
Source: sfgate