February 2008

A. Jaffe to Focus on Change

Bridal jewelry manufacturer A. Jaffe is launching a new advertising campaign, a comprehensive retail training program, and a new approach to customer labor. 

The aggressive redevelopment of the brand and strengthening of A. Jaffe’s image began in December of 2007 through the appointing of Jim Grohn as executive vice president of Sales and Marketing (pictured left). Grohn joined the team with over 20 years experience in the jewelry industry, recently holding the position of director of Sales at Hearts on Fire. Since joining A. Jaffe he is directing many of the changes that will roll out this year.

Upon Grohn’s recommendation, A. Jaffe hired Kate Peterson as an independent consultant to provide training and innovative sales solutions to its retailers. Peterson is the president and co-founder of Performance Concepts with more than 30 years of retail experience. She will be in action closely with the A. Jaffe sales and marketing team to make known retailer training programs, focus forum groups, sales seminars, training manuals, and free in-store training.

In addition, A. Jaffe has hired Kinney + Kinsella to create a new brand image. This will include a new ad campaign, new packaging and retail displays. The new advertising campaign will roll off in June with a fresh look and feel that embodies the concept of “intimate relationships.” This new brand platform seeks to capture the essence of the real emotions shared in relationships. It will remind consumers that the every day moments in life are the most worthwhile. The campaign includes print, outdoor and interactive components.

Later this year, LGI Network will be working with the New York-based company to improve forecasting and production processes so that retailers may be better connected to the A. Jaffe manufacturing and fulfillment processes. LGI, known in the jewelry industry as cutting edge for their stellar inventory management consulting skills will ameliorate the brand and its retailers gauge product penetration, overall product performance, distribution, promotion effectiveness and price sensitivity.

Along with all these changes, A. Jaffe will also be offering a new range of bridal and fashion jewelry.

NYSJA 2008 scholarships now open to students

NYSJA 2008 scholarships at this time open to students
February 11, 2008

New York—The New York State Jewelers’ Association (NYSJA) has announced the launch of its 2008 scholarship program, offering several scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each to aspiring jewelry students.

To be considered, candidates must be employed by a current member of the NYSJA, an association in the New York State area that is composed of jewelry retailers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers.

Students enrolled in fine-jewelry and watch-design courses in the United States and those who will be taking impending courses are invited to apply.

Candidates must submit an NYSJA Scholarship Application Form and two written references from teachers or employers, plus complete a one-page, 750-word essay about their goals and aspirations, the way the scholarship will affect them and their interest in pursuing a procedure in jewelry or watches.

All application materials must be received by May 31, 2008. Scholarships will be announced in late June/early July.

For more information and to download the Scholarship Application Form, visit the NYSJA’s Web site, Newyorkjewelers.org.

Protesters call for V-Day boycott of Leviev

Protesters call for V-Day boycott of Leviev
February 11, 2008

New York—Outside the Leviev store on Madison Avenue in New York City put on Saturday, some 45 pro-Palestinian protesters urged shoppers to boycott the upscale boutique, which is owned by Israeli diamantaire Lev Leviev.

The group, Adalah-NY, chose the hindmost major shopping day before Valentine’s Day for the protest, which is the seventh one it has held since Leviev’s store opened in mid November.

The group says it is opposed to Leviev’s “illegal” construction of Israeli settlements on what it claims is occupied Palestinian land.

The protesters carried red, heart-shaped signs that peruse “Settlements are Heartless,” “Won’t You be Just?” and “Have a Heart Leviev.” Protesters also sang a parody, vaudeville-style version of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”

Londoners also joined the boycott campaign, by 25 activists picketing outside Leviev’s Old Bond Street store on Saturday.

Leviev is the largest diamond exporter in Israel, achieving more than $522 million in diamond exports latest year.

Leviev and the LLG Companies, who have called the protests “politically motivated,” adduce the philanthropic and humanitarian work that the diamantaire and his visitors have done in the communities where diamonds are mined and processed. Those efforts have included the construction of schools and orphanages, as well as fostering economic development, the company says.

Editor’s note: For earlier developments in this story, see Protestors to picket outside Leviev’s new U.S. store and Protests continue at Leviev’s new store.

Stars rock Grammys in cuffs, drop earrings

Stars rock Grammys in cuffs, drop earrings
February 11, 2008

Grammy-winner Rihanna wears diamond studs, a right-hand ring and Chopard’s 27-carat “Barrel” cuff.

Los Angeles—The music industry was singing the blues when it came to fashion at last night’s 50th Annual Grammy Awards, with crooners such as Rihanna, Beyoncé and Nelly Furtado donning blue-tinted gowns.

In terms of jewelry, however, the stars hit a high note, with bold cuffs and drop earrings studded with diamonds taking first place as the top picks of the night.

Though cuffs have played a major role in red-carpet jewelry-wardrobing for some time at this time, the latest incarnations of the trend reveal sculptural forms that diverge from the ubiquitous smooth, circular, wrist-hugging style.

Natasha Bedingfield wears diamond earrings with 22-karat gold drops by Amrapali of Jaipur.

Grammy-winner Rihanna donned Chopard’s aptly named “Barrel” cuff, a 27-carat diamond stunner that clung to her wrist at both ends but ballooned out in the center; American Idol alum Fantasia wore H. Stern’s textured, snaking “Celtic Dunes” cuff in 18-karat Noble gold and diamonds; and Beyoncé, who shimmied onstage alongside Tina Turner, chose jagged-edged diamond cuffs by Lorraine Schwartz to anchor her tulle, sequined confection of a dress by Elie Saab.

When it came to earrings, music’s leading ladies chose to keep the baubles short, framing their faces at chin-length or even higher.

Miley Cyrus dons diamond and shell earrings by Bochic.

Beyoncé dazzled in chandelier earrings featuring pear-shaped diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz; Alicia Keys sparkled in 36.33-carat “Sodwana” hoop earrings by Diamond in the Rough, which featured a wavy 18-karat gold meaning studded with 30 rough diamonds in varying shades of cognac, azure, canary and rose; “Unwritten” singer Natasha Bedingfield matched a purple Reem Acra gown with diamond earrings featuring 22-karat gold drops from Amrapali of Jaipur; and teen queen Miley Cyrus went full-on with organic jewelry, donning shell earrings with diamonds by Bochic to go with her mermaid-like locks.

While necks (minus a conspicuous gold coil number worn through Nelly Furtado) were for the most part ignored in favor of accents for the wrists and ears, right hands got a lot of friendship at last night’s show.

Jay-Z chose diamond pins and diamond dress buttons by Neil Lane.

Fergie donned a diamond “Dome” right-hand ring by Cartier; Lisa Rinna wore H. Stern’s pavé diamond “Golden Stones” right-hand ring; Natalie Cole wore Chopard’s ashoka-cut fancy-yellow-diamond right-hand ring with pavé brilliant band; and Rihanna went with Chopard as favorably, donning the brand’s “So Happy” diamond right ring.

Men weren’t immune to the call of diamonds either, with Chris Brown, Akon, Ludacris and Ne-Yo all choosing to accessorize with diamond studs. Jay-Z took the bling one step further, wearing diamond pins and carbon crystal dress buttons by Neil Lane.

IDI’s Ganz: There’s enough rough

IDI’s Ganz: There’s plenty rough
February 11, 2008

Tel Aviv, Israel—There’s no shortage of impolite diamonds and profusion of polished.

That was the message delivered today by Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Chairman Moti Ganz to diamond miners, manufacturers and producing countries at the Third International Rough Diamond Conference in Tel Aviv.

In a session titled “Producer Strategies,” Ganz disputed claims that there is not enough rough in the pipeline, and said that manufacturers have accumulated polished stock in an unprecedented tome of $14 billion to $17 billion.

He also called on rough producers to stop using tenders and auctions, which he declared hurts manufacturers and, in the long run, the producers themselves.

“What hurts manufacturers will also hurt the rough producers—countries that base their income, or a considerable portion of it, on rough diamonds,” Ganz said in a statement.

Ganz said that rough diamonds have no value without the manufacturers, and that they must receive a rough supply on a regular basis according to periodic, fixed sortings.

“Only under these conditions can I commit to chains and stores…Only thus can I guarantee that the rough you cause will be worth something to the customer in the store,” Ganz said.

Ganz also said manufacturers must stop purchasing rough and polishing diamonds for stock.

“All industries, worldwide, have moved to manufacturing by demand…Only the diamond industry has failed to add this global trend,” he said.

Ganz also implored grating producers to stir up diamonds as a luxury product, spending 3 percent of sales turnover onward advertising.

“In the long-run, this investment will be repaid, as the awareness of diamonds increases in the consumer market,” he said.

De Beers Managing Director Gareth Penny, Harry Winston Diamond Corp. President Bob Gannicott, Gem Diamonds Managing Director Clifford Elphick, Alrosa President Sergei Vybornov, Namdeb Managing Director Inge Zaamwani, Mwana Africa Chief Executive Officer Kalaa Mpinga and Petra Chief Executive Officer Adonis Pouroulis also attended the session.

M&G Celebrates 15 Years with New Facility

M&G Jewelers, which services most major national retail outlets in America, is celebrating 15 years of jewelry repair with a move to a 10,000-square-foot jewels repair center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

The Grand initiatory will be held March 8, at 6:30 p.m., under the auspices of the Consul General of Colombia.

M&G owners are Juan Guevara and Michael Insalago. The company’s clients include Macys, JCPenney, Mervyns, and Sears.

Ganz, ‘No Shortage of Rough’

Moti Ganz, Israel Diamond Institute chairman, told diamond miners, producing countries, and fellow manufacturers, there is no shortage of rough or polished diamonds, at a session loving to “Producer Strategies” at the Third International Rough Diamond parley that opened Monday in Tel Aviv.

“There is no shortage of rough. But even more than that we also have plenty of polished," he said. "Manufacturers have accumulated stock in an novel volume of $14 to 17 billion."

Ganz called on producers to refrain from the use of tenders and auctions, which he said hurts manufacturers and, in the long-run, the producers themselves.

Ganz said that rough diamonds have no value without the manufacturers, and that these must receive a rough supply on a formal foundation according to periodic, fixed sortings. “Only under these conditions can I commit to chains and stores," Ganz said. "Only thus can I be responsible for that the rough you produce resolution be worth something to the customer in the store.”

Ganz also delivered a clear message to manufacturers: no customers, don’t polish. He said that manufacturers must stop purchasing rough and polishing diamonds for stock. “All industries, worldwide, have moved to manufacturing by demand…Only the diamond industry has failed to join this global trend,” he said.

Ganz implored rough producers to support the promotion of diamonds as a luxury product.

“Every rough producer should take part in the generic advertising of diamonds. This task must not be left in the hands of a single rough producer,” he said. In Ganz’ view all producers should act as De Beers does—to spend 3 percent of sales turnover on advertising. “In the long-run this investment will be repaid, as the awareness of diamonds increases in the consumer market.”

The”Producer Strategies” session also featured De Beers managing director Gareth Penny, Harry Winston Diamond Corp. president Bob Gannicott, Gem Diamonds managing director Clifford Elphick, Alrosa president Sergei Vybornov, Namdeb managing director Inge Zaamwani, Mwana Africa CEO Kalaa Mpinga, and Petra CEO Adonis Pouroulis.

The Third International Rough Diamond Conference was launched Monday with the gala re-opening ceremony of the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum in Ramat Gan. The conference was attended by over 400 participants from Israel and around the universe.

Survey: Luxury consumers want Winston

Survey: Luxury consumers want Winston
February 11, 2008

New York—Wealthy consumers have named Harry Winston the top animalism brand due to its great reputation and for being the “ultimate in diamond design,” according to the Luxury Intitute’s 2008 Jewelry Brand Status Index study.

The study, which polled more than 500 consumers by a net worth averaging $15.1 million, asked respondents to choose the top 10 luxury jewelry brands from a predetermined list of 20, based on four criteria: superior quality, uniqueness and exclusivity, their genial status and which had excellent customer service.

Harry Winston came out on top, followed by Buccellati, Van Cleef and Arpels, Graff, Tiffany, Piaget, Cartier, Chopard, Bulgari and Mikimoto.

“This ranking tells us which the wealthy deem to exist prestigious, true luxury brands,” Luxury Institute Chief Executive Officer Milton Pedraza said in a statement.

Luxury watch brands were too ranked, with Vacheron Constantin emerging victorious, followed by Patek Philippe and Piaget.

Respondents said Vacheron Constantin is “one of the best in skeleton movements and finishing” and is “remarkably dependable and unique.”