March 2008

JM to Offer MJSA Members Insurance Solutions

Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers Mutual have joined forces to offer MJSA members a variety of security against loss solutions specifically designed for manufacturers, retailers, bench jewelers, wholesalers, and those involved in repair, custom design, and trinkets appraising.

“MJSA is pleased to join forces with an experienced insurance company that is exceptionally knowledgeable about our industry,”

“Our partnership with Jewelers Mutual will allow our members access to important and specific information on insurance, and the various coverage options to fit their unexampled business needs,” said Curtis Ley, MJSA interim president and chief executive officer.
 
“Our organizations share the common goal of providing critical services to the bijoutry industry, and we look forward to serving the needs of MJSA members,” added Darin Kath, Jewelers Mutual president and CEO.

As part of this alliance, MJSA members will receive a complimentary subscription to JM University, Jewelers Mutual’s virtual classroom, which provides interactive online training that educates the jewelry industry about safety, carelessness, and insurance. The site includes important tips and information on everything from protecting merchandise to reducing travel risks.

Jewelers Mutual offers various coverage options, including:

• Jewelers Block and Jewelers Standard, which cover jewelry stock and related record and the jewelry that other people deliver or entrust to the jeweler;

• Manufacturing Jewelers Block, which covers a manufacturer’s schedule of jewelry treasure up; works in process, samples, and raw materials; and property of others in the jewelry business;

• Jewelers Pak, Jewelers Standard Pak, and Manufacturing Jewelers Pak, which are convenient, cost-effective package policies for inventory, property, and liability coverage; and

• Craftsman Policy, which was created to meet the specific insurance needs of bench or repair jewelers, appraisers, and custom designers.

Jewelers Mutual is the only company specializing exclusively in jewelry insurance in the U.S. and Canada. as being more than 20 years, A.M. Best, an independent rating agency recognized worldwide for its benchmark ratings when assessing insurer’s financial strength, has given Jewelers Mutual an “A+ Superior” rating for its commitment to remaining the nationality’s leading jewelry insurance set.

For more information about this program, contact MJSA at 1-800-444-6572, or e-mail info@mjsa.org. To learn more about the available insurance options, visit www.jewelersmutual.com. MJSA members can contact Jewelers Mutual at 1-800-558-6411 and ask for the Sales & Marketing department.

IDL Unveils Jewelry Certification Services

International Diamond Laboratories on Wednesday revealed its modern product line of jewelry certificates. Available in three sizes, IDL Jewelry Certificates describe jewelry pieces, providing details on both the precious metals and precious stones, including diamonds. These new products will be available through its Antwerp, Dubai, and Mumbai offices.

The certificates provide a description of the entire jewelry piece. It comprises the identification, weight, and precious metals used. It also lists the number of diamonds and precious stones, their natural character as sufficiently as their shape and measurements, clarity, color and conclude. IDL Jewelry Certificates finally contain each enlarged high quality color photograph of the jewelry piece.

The certificates are available in three sizes: a luxurious pack, accompanying full pieces and sets; a compact certificate for single pieces; and a credit card size authenticity report.

IDL provides the option of co-branding the certificate with jewelry manufacturers and retailers, adding the client’s logo on the cover.

The certificates costs start at $25 USD in favor of small jewelry pieces containing diamonds up to 25 points and $50 for diamond jewelry containing one carat or greater degree lozenge pieces.

JFC Planning a National Campaign

Jewelers for Children, the jewelry results’s charity, is looking to expand its mission and its brand picture., according to a speaker at The Plumb Club Forum @FIT.

Phil McCarty, chief executive official of McCarty Partners, a firm that specializes in strategic charity campaigns, said that JFC is planning a national event that would get children involved with helping children in need. He was short on specifics, however, saying that more research is being done this year, but he told the audience at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology on March 2 to be on the lookout for an announcement.

"The industry’s passion for children is well known and well documented," he said. "(JFC) is now looking at the possibility of building a national campaign which promotes the cause. … A one-day or limited-time-frame event for the children by the children … It will cultivate loyalty in employees and customers."

McCarty, whose clients include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a large recipient of JFC funding, made his remarks about the charity inceptive during a seminar forward "Cause Marketing," which links as far as concerns profit organizations with non profits charities to increase firm sales while raising money and visibility for a incitement.

Quoting survey results, he said that among consumers, health is the top concern followed closely by education, environment, and economic development. Currently, troop support also is very current.

In addition, according to findings, that by all things being equal, 87 percent of respondents uttered they would switch to a product or service that supports a cause and 88 percent of respondents said that they expect companies to talk the causes they support.

A total of 72 percent said they would change jobs to work for a company that supports charitable causes.

He added that social issues and causes are critical to younger audiences (87 percent of respondents) and that 73 of respondents values a company that has workplace volunteer programs and provides time off from operate to participate.

McCarty said that developing a cause marketing program builds customer loyalty and increases sales. However, these programs must be authentic and have measurable results to be successful.

The Plumb Club Forum @FIT was created to define and spearhead an educational agenda for the jewelry industry, benefiting Plumb Club members and the industry at large. It was held March 2 and 3.

Zale ups stock repurchase program by $100 million

Zale ups stock repurchase program by $100 million
March 13, 2008

Dallas—Zale Corp. announced on Thursday that its board of directors authorized a $100 million increase to the company’s stock repurchase program.

The be augmented is an adding to the $200 million repurchase program launched in November. About $60 million of the original $200 million is still available.

Once the program is complete, Zale expects to retire 11 million shares of stock in total.

“As we have detailed, the company is committed to the generation of free cash flow through operational efficiencies, refinements in capital expenditures and a reduction in inventory levels,” Zale executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer Rodney Carter said in a media release. “This superadded authorization underscores Zale’s giving in adhesion to prudent uses of capital and is another step designed to generate value for shareholders over the long term.”

Zale, which operates 2,167 retail locations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, has struggled in recent months.

The retail jewels chain reported a 9 percent drop in same-store sales this past celebration season and, earlier this year, announced a number of store closings.

Blue Nile CFO resigns

Blue Nile CFO resigns
March 10, 2008

Seattle—Blue Nile Inc. has announced that Robin Easton has resigned as prime financial officer to pursue other interests, effective March 31.

The company plans to begin a search to fill the position.

Upon Easton’s resignation, Terri Maupin, Blue Nile’s vice president of finance and controller, determine assume the duties of the principal fiscal and accounting officer. Maupin has served to the degree that the company’s vice president of finance since July 2004 and controller since September 2003.

Prior to Blue Nile, Maupin served as the staff vice president of finance and controller at Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of airline companies Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., and director of financial reporting at Nordstrom Inc. Maupin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Washington University.

Gordon, Centurion Offer ‘Tool Box’ for JFC

Gary Gordon of Samuel Gordon Jewelers, Oklahoma City, discussed his self-published Employee Tool Box during his presentation, “Secrets to Keeping Employees Happy and Productive,” at the recent Centurion 2008 show in Tucson, Ariz.

“I look at our office like a evacuation with three legs: one of the legs is the inventory; another is the unalloyed corporate tillage; and that third leg is the people that Gordon Tool Box work for you and with you. It’s obvious that if one of those legs is not rank, the stool will be prostrated over,” Gordon said during his session.

Centurion is offering Gordon’s handbook, at his request, to jewelers with the entire $35 purchase price going to Jewelers for Children. Inside Samuel Gordon Jeweler’s Employment Toolbox are choke to 30 of Gary’s employee documents gleaned over 40 years in the business. They include: employee manual, confidentiality agreement, various job descriptions, performance reviews forms, a hiring checklist, copy for various help-wanted ads, and a edge of strategic questions.

To entertain a copy of Samuel Gordon Jeweler’s Employee Tool Box, send a check for $35 made payable to: “Jewelers For Children” to Centurion; 1745 Merrick Ave, Ste. 5; Merrick, N.Y. 11566. On the memo portion of the check write: “Samuel Gordon Tool Box.” Also include a flat 8 ½ x 11” self-addressed envelope, which will be used to mail the materials.

Edward Levin, Jewelry Designer, 87

Edward Levin, of Cambridge, N.Y., and Cedar Key, Fla., died Feb. 23 at his home in Cedar Key. He was 87. He was an artist, craftsperson, jeweler, painter, sculptor, ceramist, and inventor of machines, tools and processes to enhance creativity in jewelry-making.

Levin was born Feb. 4, 1921, in New York City and grew up in Long Beach on Long Island. He studied fine arts at Columbia University, and later at Alfred University, the New School, and the Barnes Foundation.

He favorably obtained conscientious objector status during World War II. In 1948, Levin lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and studied with a Florentine master jeweler. In 1949, Levin married Ruth Perlmutter, and lived on the Upper West Side in New York City.

In 1950 with his wife, he founded Ed Levin Jewelry and made jewelry on the stove top in their New York apartment. He traveled by bus throughout New England to sell his jewelry to college students. In 1953 the couple moved to Shaftsbury, Vt., where Levin sold his artwork and jewelry from Ed Levin Arts Workshop, established in a building on their property. In 1964, he moved his workshop to Bennington where he opened a retail shop.

In 1968, Levin married Ruth Pearl Bluestone Dale, bought a house in Cambridge, N.Y., and moved his wholesale business to Cambridge. While Levin continued to design jewelry, he also spent time in his studio at home painting, sculpting, throwing pots, and inventing tools.

Ed Levin Jewelry, Inc., considered the oldest and largest hand-crafted jewelry manufacturer in the United States, is owned by the line of ancestors and currently sells to hundreds of retail shops throughout the country.

Levin was crystallized carbon in his beliefs and followed his own path. Life, for him, was a continuing exploration of ideas, the senses, and challenging the status quo. He actively supported good order, human rights, complaisant liberties, and environmental protection. Levin said, "The diversity and richness of the natural world and all of the peoples who have inhabited it will always inspire both art and jewelry. The connections are not necessarily direct or obvious…Nevertheless, our present is still connected to the earth forms and ancestor creations that abound and still touch us."

Ed was predeceased by his second wife, Ruth Dale Levin, and his brother, Ernest Levin. He leaves his highest wife, Ruth Perlmutter Levin, his three children, Rachel Levin, Flo Levin, and Alexander Levin; and two stepsons, Paul Bluestone and Donald Bluestone.

Levin will be buried in Cambridge, N.Y., in the spring. Contributions in Levin’s memory may exist sent to: Allen Gilbert, ACLU Vermont, 137 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Whimsical jewelry tops trends at JA NY

Whimsical jewelry tops trends at JA NY
March 12, 2008

Butterfly themes, as seen in this pendant by Rhonda Faber Green, were a top trend at the recent JA New York Winter Show.

By Mary Wisniewski

New York—Spring was in the air at the JA New York Winter Show, with whimsical designs topping the trends, along with nature-inspired pieces and imaginative themes.

From leaf motifs to subtle butterflies and bold serpents, designs capturing flora and fauna popped up at a plethora of designers’ booths. Flower-themed jewelry bloomed throughout the show too.

Romantic flourishes such as bows, hearts, stars and wings were also in full force. A standout pair of hoops was shown at Julez Bryant’s booth, with a moon on one earring and a shooting star on the other.

Many designers chose to use dream catchers in their patterns too, with John Christopher and J. Han principal the way.

“Dreamcatcher” pendant by John Christopher.

Gold designs showed a lot of openwork to accommodate a lower price point, while oxidized silver, a more affordable metal, proved its move into the mainstream.

Other rise above trends included swirly circle earrings, cocktail rings, big hoops, gemstone clusters and bold, eccentric necklaces.

The JA New York Winter Show was held from March 9-11 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

The JA New York Summer Show will be held from July 27-30 at the Javits Center. For more information, see the show’s Web site, Ja-newyork.com.