January 2008

Rhonda Faber Green goes ‘green’

Rhonda Faber Green goes ‘green’
January 28, 2008

The Rhonda Faber Green “Green for Green” collection, which consists of two necklaces and a lapel pin, is made from recycled metals.

Beverly Hills, Calif.—Jewelry designer Rhonda Faber Green is getting into the environmental act with the launch of a new line of eco-friendly jewelry.

The Green for Green collection will be available at fine retailers, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Alliance for Climate Protection, the environmental group chaired by former Vice President Al Gore.

The Green for Green collection consists of two pendants and a lapel pin.

The All Green pendant is an 18-karat white gold necklace with gray rhodium and tsavorite that retails for $1,245.

The White and Green Pendant is also 18-karat white gold with white diamonds, tsavorite and set in gray rhodium, with a suggested retail price of $1,395.

The lapel pin retails for $625 with 18-karat white gold, gray rhodium and tsavorite.

“Heal the Earth” is inscribed on the back of each of the pieces, which are not treated with chemicals and are made using recycled materials.

“Just as the stones I use in my jewelry are precious, the world in which we live is equally precious,” Green said. “I want this collection to act as a constant reminder of just how delicate our earth and natural environment really is.”

The collection will debut at the JA New York Show in March.

Stars out in diamond force at SAGs

Stars out in diamond force at SAGs
January 28, 2008

Actress Christina Applegate in diamond stud earrings, a diamond right-hand ring and diamond and platinum hair clips by Neil Lane at last night’s SAG Awards.

With the Golden Globes running via press conference this year and the Oscars broadcast still in question, Hollywood’s A-list swarmed the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards last night, dressed to impress in dazzling diamond “power” earrings, bracelets and right-hand rings.

Diamond power earrings, defined as large diamond studs, diamond drops and diamond chandelier earrings, were seen on numerous starlets, including actress Kate Beckinsale, in diamond stud earrings by Van Cleef and Arpels, The Sopranos‘ Edie Falco, in triple-drop diamond earrings by Kwiat valued at more than $250,000, and Desperate Housewives‘ Teri Hatcher, in diamond flower-pendant earrings by Neil Lane.

Hoop earrings were also a top trend, seen on such stars as Angelina Jolie, in Amrapali of Jaipur’s 22-karat gold hoop earrings, and actress Marg Helgenberger, in pavé diamond hoop earrings by Le Vian.

“Ugly Betty’s” Ana Ortiz in Kwiat’s diamond cluster earrings, vintage diamond and platinum bracelet, and diamond and platinum flower brooch.

Stacked diamond bracelets, bangles and cuffs, still top accessory choices, were seen on actress Kate Hudson, in a white gold and diamond “Swirl” bracelet by Cartier, and 30 Rock star Tina Fey in four stacked diamond bracelets by Lorraine Schwartz.

Right-hand rings were also the rage, seen on such stars as Debra Messing, in a diamond right-hand ring by Neil Lane, and Desperate Housewives‘ Eva Longoria Parker, in one by Verdura.

Several starlets sported multiple jewelry trends, including Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz, in diamond cluster earrings, a vintage diamond and platinum bracelet, and a diamond and platinum flower brooch by Kwiat.

Marg Helgenberger in one of the SAG Award’s top accessory trends: diamond hoop earrings.

Christina Applegate of Samantha Who? fame, wore diamond stud earrings, a diamond and platinum link bracelet, a diamond right-hand ring and diamond and platinum hair clips by Neil Lane.

Rose-cut diamonds by Bochic were an accessory favorite amongst many too. Jenna Fischer of The Office chose Bochic rose-cut diamond, sapphire and Lucite drop earrings as well as bracelets from Roberto Coin’s “Diamond Collection,” Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton chose Bochic rose-cut diamond earrings and TV host and actress Debbie Matenopoulos chose Bochic rose-cut diamond earrings as well as a rose-cut diamond ring.

ICA launches colored-gemstone show in Dubai

ICA launches colored-gemstone show in Dubai
January 28, 2008

New York—In line with efforts to create a new colored-gemstone trading hub in the Middle East, the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) is launching the ICA International Gem Fair Dubai 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Oct. 13-15.

The three-day show, the region’s first-ever dedicated colored-stones trade fair, will be held under the patronage of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and supported by the ICA GemBureau Middle East.

The event is expected to attract a diverse range of participants from across the value chain of the colored-gemstone industry, including manufacturers, technical-instrument providers and others, and will be used as a networking platform for traders and allied service providers.

Organizers also expect more than 150 exhibitors from Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, the Middle East, Japan, Thailand and the United States to participate.

“Dubai has established itself as a prominent international center for the precious-commodities trade,” ICA President Andrew Cody said in a press release. “The emirates’ geographical advantage, located amidst international trade flows, [its] ease of doing business and the government of Dubai’s commitment to playing a crucial role in boosting the commodity trade, make it a natural choice for a dedicated trade fair.”

The DMCC hopes the event will attract colored-stone traders of global repute to Dubai, further raising the region’s prominence in the high-growth sector, Gaiti Rabbani, executive director of the DMCC’s colored-stones and pearls division, said in a release.

“DMCC launched its own dedicated colored-stones and pearls division last year, not only to complement its existing commodities portfolio but also to capitalize upon what we believed to be a strong growth sector. The outlook for the colored-stone trade has never been brighter, and this event will help shine the global spotlight on the business opportunities across the Middle East and here in Dubai,” Rabbani said.

Bremont launches stateside at Barneys New York

Bremont launches stateside at Barneys New York
January 28, 2008

New York—Bremont, a British watch brand that has found success in the United Kingdom since its inception one year ago, will make its U.S. debut this month at luxury department store Barneys New York.

Bremont timepieces are hand-assembled in Biel-Bienne, Switzerland, and are made using only Swiss components, but the brand also prides itself on its air of “quintessential Britishness” derived from the background of its founders, Nicholas and Giles English.

The brothers have a shared passion for aviation and have aimed to make beautifully crafted pilot’s watches of exceptional quality; watches that are both professional and durable.

Each Bremont timepiece features a stainless steel case made to a hardness of 2,000 Vickers, meaning it is nine times as durable as an average steel watch case, the company said in a media release. In addition, the timepieces feature an anti-reflective, convex sapphire crystal that is equally as hard.

Barneys New York will carry all six Bremont offerings: the ALT1-C, ALT1-Z and ALT1-P chronographs, plus the classic “three-handers,” the BC-S1, BC-F1 and BC-F2.

The brand said that as a result of the considerable time and skill it takes to meet the high standard of finish and attention to detail seen in Bremont watches, only 1,000 editions of each model will be produced annually.

Bremont watches range in price from about $3,000 to $10,000.

Women Want Diamonds for Valentine’s Day

Women’s expectations for a romantic Valentine’s Day will be mostly unfilled, according to a Jewelry.com survey.

The Web site, which connects jewelers with national, multi-channel jewelry retailers, asked several hundred women what they want for Valentine’s Day and what they expect to receive. Its findings include:
 
* Money isn’t everything. It’s the thought that counts this year with more than 50 percent of woman surveyed noting that this Feb. 14 all they wanted was a romantic surprise or a simple card/flowers/ chocolate.

* Unfortunately almost half (47.4 percent) also noted that what they expected was "disappointment" or "something he picks up last minute."

* When it comes to "how much to spend—38.4 percent said their partner usually spends no more than $99, with 30 percent responding he spends a big fat $0.

* However, this year’s struggling economic is bringing guys and gals closer together with 39 percent saying they agree with the men and suggesting he spend no more than $99. On the other hand 24 percent of women disagreed stating "the sky" should be the limit when it comes to the Valentine’s budget.

“It seems Cupid’s more budget-conscious than ever this year,” said Virginia Halevi, editor-in-chief of Jewelry.com, which attracts an average of 3.5 million unique visitors a month. “Each year, the survey shows the disconnect between expectations and reality, but this year, what really surprised us is that women have lowered their financial expectations—even on Valentine’s Day. They many want diamond jewelry, but they want cost-conscious diamond jewelry.”

More than half of those surveyed said they’d like "cupid" to bring them a piece of diamond jewelry, with rubies being the second favorite, garnering 16 percent of votes. And if he won’t bring it, she will, according to the survey.

Almost 30 percent of women stated in the past, they’ve "Valentined" themselves with some self-gifting. About 90 percent said they bought themselves a piece of jewelry as a way to say "I love myself."

We also asked "What’s Your Idea of The Perfect Valentine’s Gift?" From a kids-free night to sex and steak. No one mentioned card/flowers or disappointment. The most popular answer was jewelry.

ICA to Launch Trade Show in Dubai

The International Colored Gemstone Association said Monday that it will launch the ICA International Gem Fair Dubai 2008, to be held under the patronage of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and supported by the ICA GemBureau Middle East. The show, which will be the region’s first-ever dedicated colored stones trade fair, will be held in Dubai, Oct. 13-15.

This three-day event is expected to attract a diverse range of participants from across the value chain of the global colored stones industry, ICA said in a statement, including manufacturers, technical instrument makers, and others, traders and service providers. More than 150 exhibitors from the Middle East, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia, USA, Germany, and Japan are expected at to participate.

"Dubai has established itself as a prominent international center for the precious commodities trade," said Andrew Cody, ICA president. "The emirate’s geographical advantage located amidst international trade flows, ease of doing business, and the government of Dubai’s commitment to playing a crucial in role in boosting the commodity trade, make it a natural choice for a dedicated trade fair. Capitalizing on Dubai’s established and prospering retail jewelry industry, we are confident that the ICA International Gem Fair will evolve into an important highlight in the calendar of the global colored stones industry."

The event will include participation from members of the ICA, DMCC, and the Dubai Gems Club, in addition to country specific representation from key colored stone producing countries worldwide, thus ensuring that the event is accessible only to ethical gem traders.

"DMCC is extremely pleased to partner with ICA and provide support to this significant B2B event, which will attract colored stones traders of global repute to Dubai, further raising the emirate’s prominence in this high-growth sector," said Gaiti Rabbani, executive director, Colored Stones and Pearls division, DMCC. "More importantly, the ICA Gem Fair will effectively fill the gap in the current product offering for the regional trade, and will enable the growth of the physical trade in colored gemstones in Dubai."

Irradiated Gemstones Seminar in Tucson

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee and the American Gem Trade Association are presenting “What You Need to Know About Irradiated Gemstones from the NRC” at the AGTA Gemfair, Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 8. It will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Leo Rich Theater in the Tucson Convention Center. The seminar will review the rules for distributing irradiated gemstones in the U.S.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission official Joseph E. DeCicco, senior health physicist, Division of Materials Safety and State Agreements, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management, will review regulatory requirements for trading in irradiated gemstones and answer questions. Also participating are Doug Hucker, AGTA chief executive officer, and Cecilia Gardner, JVC president and CEO.

The seminar is free and no registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.

In conjunction with the seminar, JVC and AGTA will publish “The Essential Guide to the Trade in Irradiated Gemstones.” The brochure will explain NRC rules and the industry’s compliance obligations, and will guide retailers to develop their own policies regarding trade in these gemstones. Seminar attendees will receive a copy of this guidebook.

"In late 2007, JVC worked closely with the NRC to re-establish clear channels of communication and will continue to represent the jewelry industry’s needs on the subject of distribution licenses and other matters pertaining to irradiated gemstones," Gardner said.

Friedman’s Files for Chapter 11

Following a petition by debtors to force it into Chapter 7, Friedman’s Jewelers has filed a motion to covert its case into Chapter 11. The motion was granted by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware.

This is be the second time the chain has gone into Chapter 11 in three years. It filed for Chapter 11 in early 2005 and it emerged a reorganized company later that year.

Friedmans owns 388 stores in 19 states, and wholly owned subsidiary Crescent Jewelers operates 85 stores in three states, papers say. Crescent Jewelers also plans to file a Chapter 11 case, the company said in court papers.

The company estimated its assets are between $100 and $500 million, and its debts are more than $100 million.

Top creditors include Sumit Diamond ($7.5 million), Rosy Blue ($6.2 million), and Masterpiece Diamond ($3.3 million).

The company said it took this action because its "revenues failed to meet expectations, as it experienced "declining store revenues … infrastructure and expenses became disproportionate to revenues."