March 2008
Charles and Colvard honors cancer survivor
Charles and Colvard honors cancer survivor
March 03, 2008
Nichelle Eggleston wins ‘Milestone Moment’ contest
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| Nichelle Eggleston, winner of the “Milestone Moment” contest and a Charles and Colvard moissanite pendant. |
New York—Nichelle Eggleston, an 18-year cancer survivor from New Castle, Del., has received a custom-made moissanite pendant from Charles and Colvard as the winner of the national “Milestone Moment” contest sponsored by Hearst Communications.
Eggleston was one of more than 13,600 entrants and won the judges over with her story about being diagnosed with cancer twice and having her leg amputated to save her life.
She has gone on to dedicate her life to sharing her message with others.
The pendant is made from platinum and set with an approximately 5-carat brilliant-cut moissanite jewel surrounded by micro pavé-set diamonds. The chandelier is valued at $10,500 and was supplied by the agency of J.C. Penney and Charles and Colvard.
North Carolina-based Charles and Colvard is the world’s sole source for lab-created moissanite. Moissanite is a near-colorless jewel that has exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability and rarity. It has been marketed primarily to self-purchasing women celebrating achievements in their personal and professional lives.
Eggleston will be celebrating her own personal achievement with the world in the May issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.
“I am to such a degree proud that people will be able to read about people like me, who have lost a limb, but have a good quality of animated existence. We are out working and enjoying life,” Eggleston said in a media release. “This brilliant moissanite pendant symbolizes my commitment to encourage other people to be the most expedient. see the various meanings of good they can be.”
Milan’s ‘About J’ show debuts
Milan’s ‘About J’ show debuts
March 04, 2008
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| A necklace from Gurhan’s Spring 2008 “Bella” collection. |
By Mary Wisniewski
Milan, Italy—About J, a spick and span new by-invitation-only show created and organized by the The Vicenza Fair, debuted this weekend in luxury excellent Milan, boasting the best of the worldwide jewelry industry.
The March 2-4 event, held at the trendy Superstudio Piu, drew a select 60 Italian jewelry brands and 20 international brands, along by 150 invited buyers and representatives from 350 high-end Italian retail outlets.
Designers on expand included Aaron Basha, Calgaro, Garavelli, Gurhan, Hearts On Fire, Marco Bicego, Mikimoto, Nanis, Orlando Orlandini, Picchiotti and Roberto Coin, to name a few, and designs ran the gamut, with flattened metals, diamond pendants and hoops, dark hues and animal motifs as recurring trends.
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| Yellow Coronado butterfly necklace by Io Si. |
One of the standout designers in terms of creativity was Spanish jewelry designer Vicente Gracia Joyas, who revealed such detailed work as a trinkets piece reflecting a bird nesting its eggs. His client base includes the Spanish Royal Family, Spanish institutions and collectors from around the world.
Jewelry designer Gurhan Orhan said he really loved the show because of its high quality.
Typical best sellers concerning the designer included necklaces, rings and his more delicate pieces because of their versatility.
Gurhan also said the slowing economy hasn’t had a negative effect on his brand thus far.
“We are experiencing a shift in the perception in jewelry,” he said, referring to those who view high-karat gold as an investment.
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| A necklace from Roberta Porrati’s “Velvet” collection. |
Claudia Zaramella, spokeswoman for Pianegonda, said sales are good—even in America—and credits this to buyers’ appreciation of the brand’s handmade quality.
Partners of About J include Condé Nast, Studio Attila, TJF and Hangar Design Group.
Arkansas jeweler to win Lifetime Achievement Award
Arkansas jeweler to win Lifetime Achievement Award
March 03, 2008
North Little Rock, Ark.—The Arkansas Jewelers Association (AJA) will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Loyd Stanley on Aug. 16.
Stanley, who owns Stanley Jewelers Gemologists Inc., has been a jeweler since 1959, and was the first certified gemologist in central Arkansas.
“I can think of no greater honor than to receive acknowledgement from your peers,” Stanley said about receiving the award.
Stanley has proven to be a leader in his local jewelry community throughout his career. He was president of the Arkansas Jewelers Association from 1973-1975, and president of the Southwest Guild of the American Gem Society in 1986. He was also awarded Arkansas Jeweler of the Year in 1985.
Stanley is also currently on the local Rotary board and is a District Paul Harris Society Chairman, and has been involved with a number of other community involvements over the years.
“We look for an individual who has contributed supremely throughout his life to the jewelry industry in Arkansas; someone who, by unselfish dedication and professionalism, has established traditions of ethics and has set the standards by which others are measured,” AJA Executive director Janisue Rigel said in a media excuse. “We certainly found that in Loyd Stanley who, through homage and example, has left a legacy that has become the lifeblood of the jewelry industry in Arkansas today.”
Stanley, who currently lives with his wife, Kaye, in Little Rock, said he is pleased with his career choice.
“I was not the best student, but when my dad brought home a gemscope, I enrolled in the GIA diamond hunt,” Stanley said. “I grew up excited about diamonds.”
This is the third Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on a member of the AJA since 1947.
For tickets to the dinner on Aug. 16, contact Janisue Rigel at (972) 743-5406. To purchase congratulatory advertising, e-mail arkjlrsassn@aol.com.
Rolex to support new Fisher Houses
Rolex to support new Fisher Houses
March 03, 2008
Dallas—Rolex will be supporting the opening of a renovated Fisher House in both Dallas and Los Angeles in 2008.
The Fischer House Foundation builds “comfort homes” on major military and VA medical center grounds viewed like a way for family members to have being close to their loved ones who have been injured or wounded on duty and require hospital care.
“We are extremely proud of our long connection with the Fischer House Foundation,” Rolex Watch USA President and Chief Executive Officer Allen Brill said in a media release. “We admire their address to our greatest national treasure: our military service men and women and their loved ones.”
Contributions from Rolex have aided the opening of Fischer Houses in Ft. Campbell, Ky., and in San Antonio, Texas, in recent years.
Gerald Genta supports ‘Dream Doctors’
Gerald Genta supports ‘Dream Doctors’
March 03, 2008
Geneva—Swiss watch brand Gérald Genta is working to bring laughs to sick children by donating a one-of-a-kind watch to the charity auction of the Théodora footing.
The foundation’s “Dream Doctors” program brings specially trained professional artists dressed as clowns to hospitals and other organizations, where the artists perform for the sick children they meet.
The program currently operates in more than 40 establishments around Switzerland, and the concept has been taken up in eight other countries.
Gérald Genta has been a partner of the Théodora Foundation because of the past two years, and the “Théodora” watch the brand will donate is a one-of-a-kind model that plays on the colors of the foundation.
The self-winding ladies’ watch displays the hours and minutes through central hands, plus the seconds on one of the brand’s retrograde counters, appearing at 6 o’clock. The dial features a richly colored composition set against a white-lacquered background. Thirteen rings appear on various levels and are individually colored, a decorative effect that is magnified by a circle of diamonds set on the bezel of the white gold case.
The Théodora Foundation charity auction will take post at Christie’s on April 16.
NCDIA Names Officers and Board Members
The Natural Colored Diamond Association held its first board meeting of the year and announced a new organizational structure that it says exist pleased position the association for increased growth and marketing. The new board will be organized with the leadership of the following members of the executive committee:
Executive director: Robert May;
President: Larry West;
Executive vice presidents: Jordan Fine of Amgad, Rebecca Foerster of Rio Tinto, and Joseph Khafi of Diatraco
“The 2008 marketplace demands smart, thoughtful and innovative strategies to reach the consumer and motivate purchases," West said. "NCDIA plans to be in the forefront of industry change with unexampled marketing and educational programs that will resonate with consumers and benefit our members.”
“Collaborating by the incoming board, the executive committee and our new team of professionals, we have the expertise to render certain that natural color diamonds will aggressively reach consumers with exciting and engaging experiences," May added.
NCDIA is the leading authority on natural color diamonds within the industry and represents global suppliers, manufactures and retail members. With resources in advertising, education, promotion and public relations for natural color diamonds, NCDIA is the important source for both consumers and the industry.
AGS Labs opens Toronto take-in window
AGS Labs opens Toronto take-in window
March 03, 2008
Las Vegas—A recent American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories LLC take-in window has opened in Toronto, easing the transportation of diamonds from Canada to the United States for grading.
According to a press release from AGS Labs, Harold Weinstein Ltd. will operate the window as some official representative of the lab.
Anne Neumann, president of Harold Weinstein, said the take-in window will allow the company to expedite the shipping process and eliminate the hassle of border issues and documentation requirements involved in shipping diamonds across the border, minimizing turnaround time.
AGS Labs President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Dallahan said the company already has cheat windows in Hong Kong, Israel and India.
The opening of a take-in window in Canada is just the next step for the Las Vegas-based lab.
“The move is part of AGS Laboratories global expansion plan and is part of our strategic vision,” Dallahan said.
In its 30th year of service to the Canadian jewelry industry, Harold Weinstein is any accredited gem lab of the AGS and is one of only 15 AGS Independent Certified Gemologist Appraisers in North America.
New lab service links Hong Kong, Antwerp
New lab service links Hong Kong, Antwerp
March 03, 2008
Hong Kong—HRD Antwerp NV and logistics partner Malca Amit will conduct a new service that will provide members of the Hong Kong diamond and jewelry center direct access to the HRD Diamond Lab in Antwerp, Belgium.
HRD Lab Link is set for introduction on March 8 at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Fair. Information about the service will be available at the HRD Antwerp Booth, located in the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
HRD Lab Link offers clients the without fault range of services provided by the HRD Diamond Lab in Antwerp, including full diamond certificates, fancy-color diamond certificates and laser inscription.
The service is even tailored for paltry to mid-sized companies that send out smaller parcels or single stones.
Diamonds are picked up at the clients’ offices and are returned after grading, complete with their certificates.
HRD Antwerp NV first introduced its Lab Link good in Israel in July 2007. The start of the service in Hong Kong is its first use in an Asian market.
Stuller Lays Off 45 in Restructuring
Jewelry manufacturer and distributor Stuller Inc. is reducing its workforce by 45 employees in a realignment of its management team.
JCK has learned that among the laid off were Joseph Buttross, Stuller’s vice president of diamonds and Ray Weiland, badness president of manufacturing.
"This restructuring process is designed to streamline our daily business operation," Matt Stuller, chief executive functionary and founder of the Lafyette-based body, said in a statement. "We believe this will help us sharpen our focus on our core customers while enhancing our vigor to react to constantly changing conditions in the marketplace."
The comapny cited the high-cost of precious metal prices and the national relating to housekeeping outlook for the remainder of 2008 in the manner that reasons for that layoffs.
The reduction represents 2.5 percent of Stuller’s 1,770 employees.
“Our mission fragments to be the fastest, most reliable supplier of high quality, value added products for the jewelry industry,” says Charles Lein, Stuller president and chief operating officer. “By realigning part of our management structure, we will be even more responsive to our customers’ needs.”
Forum ends with blast on Rap price list
Forum ends with blast on Rap price list
March 04, 2008
By Michelle Graff
New York—A relatively quiet day at The Plumb Club Forum ended with a few sparks on Monday when diamantaire Jeff Fischer, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), spoke out against the latest reorganization of the Rapaport Price List.
In one of the final speeches of the afternoon, Fischer, who said he was speaking “as a diamond guy” and not as head of some industry organization, called for Rapaport Chairman Martin Rapaport to “reconsider” the changes to his price list.
He said Rapaport made changes to his list to make it work from a graphic perspective since Rapaport not long ago added prices for larger stones to the list.
But, in an conference with National Jeweler on Tuesday, Rapaport defended his actions, saying the changes to the list were made in reaction to conditions in the market, not graphic appeal.
“That statement he made is false,” Rapaport said.
Previously, the Rapaport Price List grouped stones into three price grids: 30 to 37 points, 38 to 45 points, and 46 and 49 points.
But Rapaport restructured it into two size groupings—30 to 39 points and 40 to 49 points—and added 10-carat stones.
Rapaport said based on his research, it is inappropriate in today’s marketplace to sell 38- and 39-point stones with 40-point stones. He said his price list is an “honest and accurate” reflection of what’s going on in the world.
“Everyone is encouraged to voice their views and their suggestions as to how we can do a better job (with the list),” Rapaport said.
Also at The Plumb Club Forum on Monday:
Jean-Marc Lieberherr, total manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds NV, said his company was “into diamonds for friendly.”
Rio Tinto recently staved off a $147 billion buyout attempt by larger rival BHP Billiton.
Though Lieberherr said Rio Tinto has no interest in expanding at the retail equal elevation, it is looking at transitioning to underground operations at the Argyle and Diavik mines.
In addition, Lieberherr said, the company is concentrating on assisting with the marketing of now-popular brown and pink diamonds.
Richard Lennox, executive vice president of JWT, the New York-based firm that handles the Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) advertising account, said, “the Internet is the Internet is the Internet.”
He said what’s important to the jewelry industry is marketing ideas that differentiate the products. He also called despite fewer advertising campaigns and more collaboration in advertising and marketing among various sectors of the jewelry industry.
Recently, De Beers cut 11 employees from the DTC account at JWT, slashed its U.S. marketing budget and announced it was focusing on male-targeted advertising due to tough economic times.