January 2008
Ring manufacturer Kinsley dies
Ring manufacturer Kinsley dies
January 22, 2008
Union, Mo.—Felix P. Kinsley II, owner of Kinsley and Sons Manufacturing, died on Jan. 17.
Kinsley had been president of the company since 1957, working until 2001 when his health prevented him from daily business requirements.
Founded in 1917 by Kinsley’s father and a business associate, Kinsley and Sons became a frontrunner in high-end fraternal and men’s rings.
Kinsley, after taking over the company from his father, helped Kinsley and Sons become known for their remounts and filigree rings with an emphasis on the bead and bright setting technique. He also formed the company’s memo service.
Kinsley was a member of the Masons and the Rotary club, as well as an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
His son-in-law Kenneth Thoele is currently handling the business, now located in Union, and operations will continue as normal.
GemeWizard offers free online color system
GemeWizard offers free online color system
January 22, 2008
Ramat Gan, Israel—GemeWizard has announced that it will be offering a free online version of GemeSquare Lite, a color-communication application that allows colored-gemstone dealers to communicate electronically about specific gemstone hues.
Available through GemeWizard’s Web site, Gemewizard.com, the software application enables users to accurately describe a gemstone’s color, and then transfer that information to a third party by e-mail.
The announcement was made ahead of the upcoming Tucson, Ariz., gem shows, where members of the colored-gemstone industry gather for business and to share information and research.
“Our goal is to provide anybody handling colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds a common language by which he or she can communicate color information to colleagues, clients and suppliers,” Menahem Sevdermish, GemeWizard’s founder and developer, said in a media release. “By making the GemeSquare Lite available on our Web site, we have provided the industry with tools to make this dream of a common color language a reality.”
With a few clicks, professionals using the GemeSquare system are able to select the color of a gem from 31 master color hues, and then choose one of six tones within those master color hues, and then one of six levels of saturation within those six tones. Gem colors are described using standard Gemological Institute of America (GIA) terminology and GemeWizard’s own alphanumeric color code. The system then generates an e-mail message enabling the color information to be sent to a third party.
Endorsed by GIA’s educational programs, GemeWizard has been incorporated into the GIA curriculum since 2006.
Also ahead of the 2008 Tucson gem show season, GemeWizard is inviting those clients who earlier purchased the original GemeSquare software to upgrade to GemeSquare 2.0 for free.
The latest version of the program includes an application called GemeSampler Lite, which is able to scan a digital photograph of a colored gem and then automatically assign its color description and GemeWizard alphanumeric color code.
GemeWizard will have a booth at Stand 710 at the GJX Gem and Jewelry Show, which runs from Feb. 6-11.
DTC lifts sightholder suspensions
DTC lifts sightholder suspensions
January 22, 2008
By Michelle Graff
London—The Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) announced on Tuesday that it has lifted its sightholder supply ban.
The DTC suspended supply to an unspecified number of sightholders on Jan. 8 as a direct result of their alleged involvement in the Brenig diamond-smuggling case.
On Dec. 6, the Antwerp Court of First Instance convicted and sentenced Jerry Brenig to prison for smuggling diamonds based on fake invoices issued by diamond manufacturers. The case happened more than 10 years ago and is alleged to have involved a number of Antwerp-based companies.
The DTC stated that after conducting interviews with the sightholders that had their supplies suspended, it decided to lift the ban.
“Considering each separate case on its merits, the DTC can confirm that it is lifting its suspension of supply to the sightholders concerned on confirmation, where relevant, that appropriate remedial action has been taken,” the DTC stated.
DTC spokeswoman Lynette Gould told National Jeweler in cases where there were criminal judgments against individuals with direct or indirect links to sightholders, the sigtholders were taking action to remove these individuals from “all positions of influence.”
Gould said the DTC is “satisfied” it can resume business with these companies without risking its reputation.
She said the lifting of the ban is immediate “in most cases,” subject to confirmation that these individuals have been removed from positions of power.
Editor’s note: For earlier developments in this story, see Sightholders implicated in smuggling case stung with supply suspension.
Martin Flyer Unveils New Brand Campaign
Jewelry manufacturer Martin Flyer has launched a new advertising and multimedia campaign for its FlyerFit bridal collection.
The New York City-based company said in a statement that it will execute new branding initiatives as a part of a larger growth strategy to become the number one selling bridal jewelry brand in the U.S.
Through a special trademarked design, FlyerFit sets fit perfectly together in unison, eliminating the gap that normally exists between the two rings. Under the new slogan, “When Two Become One,” the new campaign for FlyerFit will reflect the concept behind the brand.
“We have re-envisioned every aspect of the FlyerFit™ brand to create consistent messaging and brand synergy,” said Joshua Kaufman, Martin Flyer chief executive officer. “From point of sale in-store displays, to a new print advertising, web campaign and customer catalogue, all FlyerFit materials reflect the ‘When Two Become One’ campaign theme.
In addition to its FlyerFit Classic line, Martin Flyer will launch two new collections under FlyerFit brand—FlyerFit Vintage, an antique jewelry inspired line, and FlyerFit for Him, a line of wedding bands for men. The new collections will debut in February at the Centurion trade show in Tucson.
In conjunction with new branding initiatives for FlyerFit, Martin Flyer will additionally focus on the expansion of its Classic Martin Flyer collection of fashion-inspired diamond jewelry, including all handmade bracelets, earrings, custom necklaces and rings.
Web Site Offers Tools for Industry Pros
GemFind.net, an online portal built for jewelry wholesalers and diamond dealers, says it offers professional services and Web-based tools to jewelry industry professionals.
One of the main draws for its members, who consist of registered and verified industry-only diamond sellers and buyers, is the ability to add their current inventory into a diamond database that is accessible to all other members in the GemFind network. Through the database, each member can sell and buy over 40,000 different gemstones that are searchable by shape, cut, color, depth, weight, certificate type, table, and price range.
GemFind says it also has an online diamond appraisal system, diamond search, and e-commerce tools that they can integrate into their own Web sites, email tools to keep them in touch with their customers and other applications including a web-based gift registry system and a Flash-enabled ring design program that allows customers to design their own custom rings online. For members who do not already have a Web site, GemFind also specializes in building custom e-business Web sites.
Madison Avenue’s new mantra? Relax and enjoy the diamonds
Madison Avenue’s new mantra? Relax and enjoy the diamonds
January 20, 2008
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| Real estate heiress and reality TV star Ivanka Trump wears her own diamond briolette tassel earrings, priced at $95,000. She hopes her new collection will resurrect a touch of old-Hollywood glamour. |
By Michelle Graff
New York—Madison Avenue is fast becoming a jewelry retail destination, but the atmosphere inside two of the newest jewelry stores to join the tony Manhattan shopping zip code are worlds apart.
One, the brainchild of Trump real estate heiress Ivanka Trump, looks like a woman’s bedroom, enticing customers to get comfortable and sit down in front of a vanity to try on jewelry.
Leviev, the second retail store in the empire of billionare diamond tycoon Lev Leviev, modeled after his London store, resembles an English townhouse with muted color tones and a sophisticated, but not stuffy, air.
To find out more about Trump and Leviev’s design philosophies and to read an exclusive interview with Trump, download the January edition of National Jeweler’s Diamond news.
Sundance Diamonds offers free diamond testing
Sundance Diamonds offers free diamond testing
January 22, 2008
New York—Sundance Diamonds is now offering a free diamond-testing service that will indicate if high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) processing can increase the value of a diamond to a colorless, near colorless or fancy yellow, orange or pink color.
The service is being offered at Sundance Diamonds’ new, by-appointment-only diamond-testing facility located on 47th Street in New York City.
According to Sundance Diamonds General Manager Russ Myers, customers will now be able to know the diamond type of each submitted stone and an estimate of the final result of HPHT before committing to processing.
“The ability to evaluate natural diamonds for potential color improvement provides manufacturers and dealers with a valuable tool that will maximize their diamond inventory,” Myers said in a statement. “We’re seeing a significant upturn in demand for heated diamonds. To meet that demand and to help customers understand the potential value of their diamonds before processing, it was a natural fit to open a testing facility in this important diamond center.”
All HPHT processing is done at Sundance Diamonds headquarters in Orem, Utah, where, for more than 30 years, the company has been developing its diamond expertise in HPHT analysis, technological innovation and processing.
Through its expertise, Sundance Diamonds is able to improve the color and value of most low-color higher-clarity (VS and above) diamonds. Natural brown and cape diamonds can be permanently transformed into a variety of colors, from colorless to fancy-intense yellow, green and pink.
To make an appointment for free testing at Sundance Diamonds’ 47th Street facility, manufacturers and dealers can call the company’s headquarters at (801) 426-0431.
Keys to the store
Keys to the store
January 20, 2008
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| Chippenhook’s custom packaging shows off a coordinated aesthetic featuring bags, boxes and ribbon. |
By Catherine Dayrit
For a customer who is new to a jewelry store, it’s no small truth that the intimidation level can be high. From the glass and steel barriers of locked-up showcases to pouncing sales associates and the mystique of esoteric gems, there’s a whole lot to navigate before bringing home that ring or necklace.
So what is a jeweler to do? Try to view your store through the eyes of a stranger you’d like to turn into a loyal customer.
Store designers are creating friendlier spaces, rethinking showcase placement to get buyers circulating, mixing up the lighting, adding areas for kids to play in—all things that will differentiate a jeweler from the competition down the street.
Because brand-building begins with your store’s look, its lighting and even the boxes your customer walks away with matter, nearly as much as what’s inside of them.
To see the latest trends in showcases, lighting, packaging and display accessories, download Keys to the store.
Nature designs spring up at Vicenza’s ‘First’
Nature designs spring up at Vicenza’s ‘First’
January 22, 2008
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| Cuff by Graziella from the Flowers Collection Gold. |
By Mary Wisniewski
Vicenza, Italy—The Vicenza Fair’s gold-jewelry exhibition, “First,” held from Jan. 13-20, proclaimed “Nothing as before” as one of its mottos, but when it came to the actual jewelry designs on display, several trends took a cue from the past.
Bangles, cameos and chain necklaces, popular accessories for several seasons now, abounded in many designers’ booths, as did serpent-themed jewelry, brown diamonds and the mixing of yellow, rose and white gold.
But nothing dominated the show as much as flower designs, with rose-motif rings taking center stage.
Also in line with the flower theme were nature-inspired pieces, including those with leaf, butterfly and ladybug designs.
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| A model in Ambrosi jewelry, reflecting the year’s top trend: flowers. |
Stars and other celestial themes proliferated throughout the show too, as did color degradation in the designs themselves, which was revealed at Superoro’s booth.
Superoro designer Raffaella Zanetello said they chose to incorporate this fading-color element into their latest collection because it’s what’s going on in fashion these days.
As for color, white enamel held its own as did white agate, white coral and white mother-of-pearl, making the jewelry designs fresh and fitting for spring.
The chill factor
The chill factor
January 20, 2008
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| Barbara D’Oro’s “Apollo” necklace in 18-karat gold; suggested retail price is $6,200. |
By Mary Wisniewski
Large, lengthy coats; colored, textured tights; and boots, scarves and hats of different varieties may all stylishly prevent frostbite, but the layered looks of winter can also make it difficult for jewelry to stand out.
To battle this jewelry-wardrobing conundrum, the new winter edict is that bigger really does mean better, especially when the emphasis is placed upon areas that peer out of the sea of clothing bulk, like wrists and hands.
Download The chill factor to see the hot new rings and things that will command heated attention all winter long.