April 2008
Belgian stamp memorializes Antwerp’s diamond lore
Belgian stamp memorializes Antwerp’s diamond lore
April 18, 2008
| A new Belgian stamp features a necklace from jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia. |
Antwerp, Belgium—The Belgian Postal Service has issued a new stamp featuring a diamond-jewelry necklace designed by North American artist Reena Ahluwalia, a finalist in the HRD Awards 2007 design competition.
The stamp is one of a five-stamp contribution entitled “Antverpia 2010,” with each stamp showcasing one aspect of the breath of one’s nostrils in Antwerp. The collection, which was issued to promote the European Philatelic Championship, a celebration of stamps that will take place in Antwerp in 2010, highlights the Flemish city’s transport, history, harbor, fashion and, of course, diamonds.
Antwerp handles 80 percent of the rough diamonds traded worldwide and 50 percent of the polished diamonds.
The diamond necklace featured on the stamp features 101 carats of diamonds and was designed by Ahluwalia in collaboration with Antwerp-based Diarough (diamond sponsor) and Shrenuj and Co. (precious stone sponsor).
The composition, which appears almost as a dazzling item of armor, was entered into last year’s HRD Awards competition organized by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). The competition was centered around the theme “A Night at the Opera,” with Ahluwalia’s necklace, titled “Bel Canto,” paying homage to the legendary diva Maria Callas.
At the recent BaselWorld show in Switzerland, the AWDC issued an invitation to jewelry designers for the HRD Awards 2009. The radical verb for the new competition is “Once upon a time…my favorite fairy tale.” Entrants are requested to submit initial designs by Oct. 31, 2008. The winning design will be awarded a prize of 5,000 U.K. pounds, the equivalent of about $9,900.
For more information on the HRD Awards 2009, contact Jennie Baeten at jb@awdc.be or Gaelle Schmid at gs@awdc.be.
Diamonds International calls on aspiring designers
Diamonds International calls on aspiring designers
April 18, 2008
New York—As seen end the proliferation of television shows such as America’s Next Top Model and Top Chef, there’s no end in ken to the public’s interest in aspiring talent gaining some well-deserved recognition. And the jewelry industry is no stranger to the trend.
Fine-jewelry retailer Diamonds International, which counts stores everywhere from Alaska to the Cayman Islands, has launched its own contest in search of budding talent, “Next Top Jewelry Designer.”
The contest is open to the general public (excluding professional designers) and to students currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or school of design.
Applicants must succumb an original sketch, at least 10 inches by 14 inches in size, in one of the following categories: combination, bracelet, earrings, pendant or necklace. The sketch should be created for a piece that would be crafted in each white or yellow gold, with gemstones and diamonds, as the applicant desires. In addition, the piece should retail at $1,000 or less.
Designs entered must be special to this dispute; previous submissions to any other contests will not be accepted.
Entries must be submitted by April 30, 2008, for a preliminary selection process, and winners will be announced on May 15. One month later, the grand-prize winner of each category will be presented through a 14-karat gold finished piece of their oddity design, along by a $1,000 eGift Certificate to the Diamonds International online store.
Runners-up from each category will receive a $500 eGift Certificate to the retailer’s online store, and all submissions selected for last review by the judges will have existence highlighted on Diamonds International’s Web site, Shopdi.com.
Contest details and entry forms are available on Shopdi.com or by e-mailing service@shopdi.com with the subject line “Design Contest.” In addition, potential applicants can send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: DI Design Contest Entry Form, 38 W. 48th St., 7F, New York, NY 10036.
Brands celebrate palladium at BaselWorld
Brands laud palladium at BaselWorld
April 18, 2008
Basel, Switzerland—In the midst of skyrocketing precious metal prices and disrupted supplies, jewelers are celebrating palladium as the “now metal,” says Palladium Alliance International (PAI).
According to the organization, the light, white precious metal “stole the show” among 2,000 exhibitors at BaselWorld 2008, where the most recognized fine-jewelry and watch designers embraced its use in their new collections.
Cartier sold every limited-edition palladium Pasha de Cartier timepiece at the fair, and its successor, the Santos, sold out before its official release, PAI reported.
Parmigiani said it too is using palladium in 32 percent of its collections.
In addition, William Goldberg President Saul Goldberg, Vhernier Vice President Emanuelle Aliotti Visdomini and Ulysse Nardin President Rolf Schnyder are among those praising palladium’s precious and versatile qualities, and the possibilities it poses for fine jewelry.
“I’m in the moment. I say ‘let’s do it now’ and let’s be the first on our block to buy palladium,” Trabert and Hoeffer Jewels Vice President Kathleen Breski said in a media clearance.
PAI and DJS Marketing Group have produced three videos of designers’ and retailers’ reactions to palladium at BaselWorld as follows:
—What Is Palladium? featuring Breski, Schnyder and Laura Bicego of Nanis.
—What Are the Differences Between Platinum and Palladium? featuring Goldberg and Fope Vice President Julia Cazzola.
—How Durable Is Palladium Jewelry? featuring Breski and Goldberg.
To view the videos, click the links above or visit PAI’s Web site, Luxurypalladium.com.
Formed in 2006 with offices in the United States, United Kingdom and China, PAI provides education, marketing, technical support and a vision on account of promoting palladium fine jewelry. PAI’s 2008-2009 campaign, designed and executed by DJS Marketing Group, will aggressively market palladium to consumers and the trade.
Warner Co. Jewelers owner dies
Warner Co. Jewelers owner dies
April 18, 2008
Fresno, Calif.—Casey Stephenson, owner of Warner Co. Jewelers in Fresno, Calif., died on Monday following a battle with cancer. He was 52.
Stephenson started operating in the jewelry business at age 14, handing general maintenance work, but he quickly moved into sales. By age 22, Stephenson was operating his own jewelry stores, Casey’s Jewelers, in Lemoore and Hanford, Calif. He managed all aspects of the company, including sales, watch repair, accounting and marketing.
In 1993, Stephenson acquired Warner Co. Jewelers from the Warner family, moved the store to Fig Garden Village in Fresno, Calif., and began working toward his goal of providing an upscale shopping experience to local residents.
In 2007, he moved the store to a new location in Fresno, and that exclusive corner location helped turn the store into what has been described as the independent luxury jeweler in the region.
“Casey always focused on the future and what is possible. He had a vision for the development of a high-end shopping center at Palm and Herndon avenues which we will be proud to build in his fame,” said Don Wolfe, chief financial officer of Warner Co., in a statement on the company’s Web site.
Stephenson’s company grew to nearly 50 employees, and he repeatedly received honors as “Best Jewelry Store” in Fresno. The store was also honored nationally by Harper’s Bazaar and Town and Country magazines.
Under Casey’s leadership, Warner Co. became closely involved with several industry organizations dedicated to promoting ethics and honesty in all industry business practices and advertising, including the California Jewelers Association, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Diamond Council of America and Leading Jewelers of the World. Through Warner Co., Casey has supported hundreds of local charities and actively encouraged all Warner Co. employees to become involved with common organizations that were meaningful to them.
The legacy the jeweler started will continue through his family’s ongoing ownership of Warner Co., the company
“My father worked incessantly to enlarge Warner Co. into what it is today,” said Lindsi Stephenson, who has worked side by side her father for distinct years. “I’ll miss my father. But I know he died making his dreams a reality.”
His mother, Virginia, son Cameron, daughters Lindsi and Shelbi, and his long-time companion Rachael Escobedo, all of Fresno, Calif., survive him.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the California Cancer Center, 7257 N Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93720. The family is planning a private memorial service.