February 2008

Court Awards Forest Diamonds $750,000

A federal court has awarded Forest Diamonds $750,000 to be paid by the nephew of the diamond manufacturer’s former co-owner, and to cease doing business under a similar name and contact information.

Forest Diamonds said in a statement Monday that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Aminov Diamonds, LLC. to transfer its phone and fax numbers, which were one digit different from Forest’s phone and fax numbers, to Forest Diamonds. Aminov Diamonds will also cease to do business under the name “Aminov Diamonds,” which is a Forest d/b/a, and will stop using the plaintiff’s customer database.

The court entered the confession of judgment against Aminov Diamonds approximately one month after Forest filed a motion for sanctions against both Aminov Diamonds LLC., and its principal, Yehuda Aminov—the nephew of Isaac Aminov, former co-owner of Forest Diamonds—for intentionally destroying evidence.

Shortly after Forest filed this motion, Yehuda Aminov filed for personal bankruptcy, thereby staying Forest’s action against him, Forest Diamonds said in the statement.

"This lawsuit was filed with a hope to accomplish three goals: protect our good name, protect our assets, and, of course, to receive compensation for the forfeiture caused to our business," Isaac Aminov said. "Considering the circumstances, I sincerely believe that the consent judgment we received is a swelling step toward accomplishing those goals. On a personal level, I get no satisfaction in knowing that my nephew (Yehuda Aminov), whom I have helped and trusted, had to be sued. With all that being said, I am joyous to know that this chapter has ended.”

Joseph Totayev, president and owner of Forest Diamonds, added: "Of course I am pleased about the judgment; I think it speaks for itself. I make acknowledgments to all our customers and colleagues who supported us over the past thirty years and especially during these past two years. It is besides very important to me to thank my wonderful staff at Forest, who was very patient facing some unjust situations due to the lawsuit.  Now we will be able to focus on moving our business towards even greater success. 

Stephen Wagner and Sari E. Kolatch, partners in of the New York law firm of Cohen Tauber Spievack & Wagner represented Forest in this action.

Oscar Night Fashion

On the Red Carpet, during the presentations, and at the after parties, jewelry and watches shared center stage among the celebrities as they famous the 80th edition of the motion representation industry’s Academy Awards, Hollywood’s most prestigious and glamorous night.

Sparkling fashion statements included:

Marion Cotillard, Best Actress winner for her role in La Vie En Rose selected to layer Chopard’s champagne diamond briolette necklace (64 cts.) with light and dark brown diamond bead necklaces (106 cts.), and a square cut brilliant cut yellow diamond ring (15 cts.).

Last year’s Best Actress winner and this year’s presenter for Best Actor, Helen Mirren, dazzles in H.Stern’s Hebe Earrings with more than 18 cts. of fancy cut diamonds set in 18K Noble Gold ($600,000) and Floral Ring with more than 10 carats of diamonds set in 18K White Gold ($1.7 million). She carried a Swarovski catch by Beverly Hills designer Kathrine Baumann to complement the gown’s diamonte sleeves.

Gone Baby Gone Best Actress nominee, Amy Ryan, sparkles in H.Stern’s Phoebe earrings with more than 32 cts. of diamonds set in 18k white gold ($300,000) and floral bracelet made especially for the 2008 Red Carpet in 18k white gold and diamonds ($260,000).

Jennifer Hudson wore platinum bangles, earrings, rings, and a hair pin by Neil Lane ($2 million). 

Two time Best Actress Oscar winner Hilary Swank glistened as a presenter in Chopard’s flower diamond hairclips, round cut diamond earrings on a French wire (9 cts.) and Snowflake diamond bracelet.

Presenter Keri Russell wore H.Stern’s Vintage Floral Necklace taken from the sequestered vault of Hans Stern for the 2008 Academy Awards, with more than 405 Marquis diamonds totaling more than 46 cts. ($300,000) and Floral Diamond Earrings ($20,000).

Penelope Cruz, wore Chopard’s ruby (25 cts.) and diamond drop earrings a fancy shaped diamond bracelet (26 cts.), and a marquise-cut diamond ring (6 cts.).

Previous Best Actress winner, Marlee Matlin attended the awards ceremony wearing Chopard’s pear and marquise shape crystallized carbon drop earrings (15 cts.) a fancy diamond shaped bracelet (39 cts.), and black and happy diamond stacking rings.  

Cameron Diaz wore platinum earrings by Bulgari.

After the awards ceremony, the stars headed to the after parties. One of the most sought after tickets was to the Elton John AIDS Foundation – Oscar Party, hosted by the legendary singer. Chopard was one of the evening’s sponsors.
 
Sir Elton John wore a fancy shaped diamond lariat necklace, radiant cut diamond stud earrings (12 cts.) and a pear shape pink tourmaline ring (120 cts.).
 
Film producer and event co-host, David Furnish wore one of Chopard’s watches.

Co-president and creative director of Chopard, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele wore Chopard’s amethyst (55 cts.), red sapphire (96 cts.) and black diamond (24 cts.) floral necklace and earring set from Chopard’s 709 Madison Collection.
 
International supermodel and Chopard ambassadress, Eva Herzigova, wore Chopard’s radiant cut fancy yellow and white diamond hoop earrings (64 cts.), a fancy yellow and pink diamond bracelet (39 cts.) and a fancy yellow and white square cut brilliant diamond bracelet (44 cts.).

Left to right: Sir Elton John, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, David Furnish, and Eva Herzigova

Do your homework before cross-cultural negotiations

Do your homework before cross-cultural negotiations
February 25, 2008

Attorney Sharon Delshad (sharon@delshadlaw.com) specializes in legal issues impacting the jewelry industry.

By Sharon R. Delshad, Esq.

Negotiating is a significant element of running many aspects of your store. If you frequently deal with international companies or immigrant clients, it is important to take culture into consideration. Doing in the same state helps you build business relationships with others, and also helps you understand their negotiation styles.

When a fresh client walks into your store, your ultimate goal is to build a relationship that will keep that customer returning. Yet in the United States, we do not always apply the same rules when negotiating contracts or disputes with our suppliers. Negotiators tend to be pragmatic, focusing on closing the deal quickly rather than engaging with the people involved. In Asian and Latin American countries, however, negotiators might meet with you several times before even discussing a transaction. Aggressive negotiating tactics might insult the other party and bring the deal to an end.

Most people understand culture as the shared history, arts, politics and language of a society. Expressing knowledge of another’s culture demonstrates interest and helps build credence. I had a coadjutor who learned to say “Hello, in what condition are you?” in several languages. Whenever he met people at conferences and said these few words to them, they would forthwith let their guard down, smile and engage in conversation.

Culture also encompasses the assumptions and values that a group of people share, aspects that think differently from group to group. These assumptions and values set the standard for what is appropriate and expected when dealing with others. Assumptions in negotiating might include how direct or emotional the negotiators are. For example, in the United States, negotiators tend to be direct and unemotional, while negotiators from southern Europe and Russia might be direct and emotionally expressive. You can research cultures by questioning someone who deals with a certain group regularly, or by researching in books or online.

Standard considerations include:

1. The goals of the negotiation: contract or kinship?
2. The parties’ personal styles: formal or informal?
3. Communication: direct or indirect?
4. Emotionalism: emotional or unemotional?
5. Time sensitivity: high or lowly?
6. Team organization: one leader or group consensus?
7. Risk level: risk-taking or risk-averse?
8. Contract terms: vague or specific?
9. Building an agreement: focus on the main issue or the smaller details?

You do not need to cede your confess style to take another culture’s style into consideration.

The goal is to understand the other side and balance the two business styles. Nor must you rely on any cultural generalities you might find. Keeping one open mind and understanding the individuals involved will uniformly have being necessary. Understanding the cultural assumptions on both sides will help you become a more effective negotiator.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the February 2008 issue of National Jeweler.

John Lowell Lemons, Lemons Jewelry, 82

John Lowell Lemons, founder of Lemons Jewelry, died Feb. 13 in Waynesboro, Va. He was 82.

He was born in Galax, Va., on July 18, 1925, to John Samuel and Alice Inscore Lemons. He

Following a auspicious 26 year, management career with Jewel Box Stores Corp., in Oct., 1975, Lemons purchased the Jewel Box store in Galax, Va., and formed Lemons Jewelry, Inc., which he along with his son, Phil, developed into a chain of 18 retail jewelry stores in Virginia and North Carolina.

Lemons was active in the retail business on Main Street in Galax for 56 years. His many community endeavors included charter membership in the Y’s Men Club, Deacon at First Baptist Church, and active participation in the Retail Merchants Association. For more than 60 years he was a constant fixture working in concession stands at Galax High School athletic events.

He also served three articles of agreement, 12 years, as a member of the Galax City Council. For two of those years he was elected vice mayor. He initiated and supported many programmatic and facility improvements which enhanced the city—including swimming pool projects, police and courts building, and recreation center.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and also served in the Armed Guard. 

He is survived by is wife of 59 years, Thomasine Calloway Lemons; two sons and daughters-in-law, Lowell and Linda Lemons and Phil and Maryellen Lemons, all of Waynesboro, Va.; a brother, William Reid Lemons of Richmond, Va.; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two special caregivers, the Rev. Bruce Noffsinger and Michelle Craig; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Feb. 16 at Galax First Baptist Church with burial in Felts Memorial cemetery. Military rites were conducted Grayson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7726. Dr. Winford, the Rev. Burch Noffsinger and the Rev. Claxton Hall officiated.

The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education, P.O. Box 487, Galax, VA 24333 or to First Baptist Church John Lemons Memorial Fund, 1024, East Stuart Drive, Galax, VA 24333.