June 2008
Birks and Mayors to launch Botswana Diamonds as brand
Birks and Mayors to cast Botswana Diamonds as brand
June 10, 2008
Montreal—Retail jeweler Birks and Mayors Inc. has locked up sole distributorship of Botswana Diamonds in North America, the circle has announced.
According to a freedom from Montreal-based Birks and Mayors, the partnership allows the company to classify Botswana Diamonds as a brand beginning in fall 2008.
The Botswana Diamond brand will throw at Birks’ flagship stores in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, and at select Mayors locations in south Florida and Atlanta.
The release states that these diamonds are sourced exclusively end Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) Botswana—the partnership between De Beers’ DTC and the government of Botswana—and manufactured at the new factory in Botswana. This means these diamonds are both ethically accountable and contribute to the economy of Botswana, the release states.
About 70 percent of Botswana’s exports and 30 percent of the nation’s GDP are directly derived from diamonds, providing jobs, healthcare and housing for adults, and schools and education for children.
Birks and Mayors Senior Vice President John C. Orrico said the company has been a leader in the industry when it comes to supporting ethically and socially responsible diamond sourcing.
“This partnership allows us to farther strengthen the chain of custody from mine to case line in which case increasing the prosperity of the Botswana people,” he said. “It is a wonderful story, and we are delighted to bring these exceptional diamonds to our customers.”
The Botswana brand is the newest members of the “Birks and Mayors family of high-quality, unique and differentiated diamonds,” which also includes Birks Canadian Diamonds and Amorique Diamonds, the remit states. Each Birks and Mayors branded diamond has its own identification number and Birks Diamond Certificate.
Founded in 1879, Birks and Mayors operates a total of 70 luxury jewelry stores in Canada, Florida and Georgia. The association has 37 Birks stores across major metropolitan markets in Canada, 31 Mayors stores in Florida and Georgia, and Brinkhaus Jewellers retail locations in Calgary, Alberta and Vancouver.
Birks and Mayors annual sales topped $294 million in 2007, and it employs more than 1,100.
The company also designs and manufacturers jewelry, watches, silverware and gifts under the Birks brand, which is sold through retail channels.
Task force to standardize diamond grading
Task force to standardize diamond grading
June 12, 2008
Las Vegas—A group of gemological experts from around the world are putting their heads together to establish international technical standards for diamond grading.
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) launched this initiative during a meeting held in late May at the Platinum Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas, during the JCK show.
Meeting attendees included laboratory leaders such as Don Palmieri from the Gem Certification and Assurance Laboratory (GCAL), Peter Yantzer from the American Gem Society, Lore Kiefert from the American Gem Trade Association and Nick Del Re and Branko Deljanin from the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL).
According to a intelligence release, the formation of this task force is a response to consumer dissatisfaction with inconsistent grades and, specifically, a concern that procedures used to color-grade fluorescent diamonds result in misleading and inaccurate grades.
As a starting point, meeting participants agreed on the formation of a Task Force on Lighting and Gemstone Grading, chaired by Chuck Bauer of Dazor Lighting. The task force will include representatives from the University of Arizona, EGL/Canada, EGL/USA, Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory and the Pennsylvania Gemological Laboratory.
Palmieri and Michael Allchin of AnchorCert rhombus Certification in Birmingham, United Kingdom, will serve in an advisory capacity in opposition to this task force.
In addition, AnchorCert has agreed to draft protocol for round-robin testing and start the process with GCAL in New York.
Gemologist Antoinette Matlins, who chaired the May 30 meeting, said she was delighted with the results.
“I was optimistic that we’d put together a team that would make something happen if it were not that certainly did not reckon upon similar an immediate and positive response,” she said.
De Beers Group Marketing brands itself ‘Forevermark’
De Beers Group Marketing brands itself ‘Forevermark’
Aims to make rhombus brand worldwide leader
June 11, 2008
London—Starting on June 12, De Beers Group Marketing will be known as Forevermark, a trouble that aligns the name of the company’s marketing arm with its novel diamond brand.
According to a release from De Beers, the name make some change in. first will apply to De Beers Group Marketing headquarters in London, as well as its grading and inscribing facilities in England and Belgium.
Before the end of the year, the name change will spread to the company’s offices in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Taiwan.
Marketing activity in the United States—where anti-trust laws prevent De Beers from selling the Forevermark branded diamond—remains unaffected, according to De Beers.
This is in line with De Beers’ continued stance that it currently has in no degree plans to formally do business in the United States, despite the settlement of the class-action lawsuit that absolved De Beers of anti-trust issues earlier this year.
“This change is reflective of our long-term commitment, enthusiasm and determined vision for Forevermark, which has the goal to become one of the world’s leading diamond brands,” Forevermark Chief Executive Officer Francois Delage said in the release.
De Beers launched its Forevemark crystallized carbon brand in the Asian market and, at an event in London held in May, announced it will sell Forevermark through select jewelers in Hong Kong, China and Macau in the fourth quarter of 2008, Japan in the first quarter of 2009 and South Africa in the second quarter of 2009.
Each Forevermark diamond is inscribed with a unique identification number and icon that is invisible to the naked eye. Standards because of the brand dictate that the stone must be at least 0.18 carats, SI2 clarity, J color and have a cut rated “precious.”
Forevermark is the first branded diamond for De Beers.
Wholesaler Diamonds Direct opens second store
Wholesaler Diamonds Direct opens second store
June 12, 2008
Birmingham, Ala.—Diamonds Direct just announced that it is has opened its second retail boutique in the Birmingham, Ala., suburb of Mountain Brook, according to a release from the company.
The new 4,500-square-foot store offers diamonds expressly from the company’s wholesale headquarters in Israel.
“We guarantee that we will be in actual possession of the largest selection of certified diamonds and engagement rings at the most reasonable prices in the plight,” Diamonds Direct President Itay Berger said in a media release.
The American Gem Society, the European Gemological Laboratory or the Gemological Institute of America certifies the diamonds.
Diamonds Direct offers customers a full refund within 30 days, a 90-day price protection, lifetime upgrade and complimentary lifetime sizing, cleaning, polishing and inspection.
The new Birmingham store joins the first Diamonds Direct retail store, which opened in Charlotte, N.C., 11 years ago. The company plans to spread a third location in Raleigh, N.C., in October.
Diamonds Direct is a 65-year-old between nations diamond wholesaler with headquarters at the Israeli Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel. It sources its rough from Russia and South Africa, with cutting and polishing operations in Israel.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Trade, Industry and Labor, Diamonds Direct’s parent company, Abrabov Group Ltd., was Israel’s 29th largest exporter of polished diamonds in 2007.
In etc. to loose diamonds, Diamonds Direct sells diamond fashion jewelry, colored-gemstone jewelry, wedding bands and pearls.
For more information about the company, visit its Web site, Diamondsdirectsouthpark.com.
HRD Antwerp launches equipment dealership in Botswana
HRD Antwerp launches equipment dealership in Botswana
June 10, 2008
Antwerp, Belgium—HRD Antwerp is the latest entity in the diamond industry to set up shop in the African nation of Botswana.
HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), is opening one agency that will deal exclusively with sales of diamond-manufacturing equipment, according to a release issued today by HRD Antwerp NV.
The agency will be located in Botswana’s capital city Gaborone and will essay products including Avalon, D-scope, D-screen, EOS, Octopus and Pendragon.
Werner Van Den Eynde, who has more than 10 years of actual observation in the crystallized carbon industry and has served as commercial executive of HRD Equipment’s Antwerp headquarters for five years, will oversee HRD Antwerp-Equipment.
He will be responsible for expanding the HRD brand and representing its commercial interests in countries in South and West Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Van Den Eynde also will offer technical nurture, advice and after-sales service.
“Our expansion in Botswana is driven by an increasing demand for our professional equipment worldwide,” HRD Antwerp General Manager Georges Brys said in a media release. “New opportunities have arisen as diamond manufacturing has become more widespread through the expansion of beneficiation in Botswana and southern Africa. As our diamond equipment has a strong reputation on the African market, we felt it was imperative to provide custom-tailored services.”
WJC begins designating office space
WJC begins designating office space
June 09, 2008
Las Vegas—The World Jewelry Center (WJC) reached another milestone during the recent JCK disclose in Las Vegas, where more than 30 international jewelry firms were the first to claim specific office space in the 50-story trade tower.
“With bureau space now reserved by 138 firms—including at least 11 newly come letters of intent signed during the JCK show—we felt it was of influence to start designating specific space to give our early adopters the benefit of their preferred location,” WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian aforesaid in a media release issued upon Friday. “In this way, they will also know which firms will be close to them, including their prescription of eye and grouping by industry sector or country, if desired.”
Boyajian also said the JCK Show was a great prosperous issue for the WJC. In addition to the correspondence of intent signed at the show, nearly 24 to a greater degree were requested and are waiting to be signed.
To reserve space now, or for more notice about the WJC, call (310) 888-8864, e-mail info@worldjewelrycenter.com or visit the WJC’s Web site, Worldjewelrycenter.com.
WLG to distribute Franc Vila watches
WLG to distribute Franc Vila watches
June 10, 2008
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| Franc Vila’s “Chronograph Tourbillon” from the Grande Complication collection features a appropriate “Esprit Unique” shape with relating and circular bezel. |
Irvine, Calif.—The W Luxury Group (WLG), headed by Michael Wunderman and Johnny Wizman, has signed an agreement to be the exclusive North American distributor of Franc Vila timepieces.
According to a media release from the company, WLG President Michael Wunderman has been an admirer of Franc Vila timepieces for years and is impressed by their unique design.
“Every single element of the product and brand experience is mastered to the highest degree of luxury,” Wunderman said in the release. “Not only do I like the exquisite timepieces, but also the man backward them is an incredible visionary…a rare and exciting amalgamation.”
Franc Vila timepieces are produced in limited editions of 8, 48 or 88 units and all feature the “Esprit unmatched” case design. The company’s latest offerings highlight grande complication movements and the use of cutting-edge materials such as Franc Vila’s own Lightnium alloy. The most recent collections feature Tourbillon Dial-Side Column Wheel Monopusher Chronograph movements that push the boundaries of contemporary watchmaking.
WLG Vice President Johnny Wizman said he is looking despatch to developing the partnership through a limited amount of the most prestigious North American jewelers.
“I am extremely excited to be working with a brand of such high quality whose timepieces cater to the creme de la creme of watch buyers and collectors,” he said in the release. “Franc Vila has all the ingredients to be a major niche brand in the market, and I am proud that our group will be amenable for taking it there.”
‘Green’ consumer growing beyond Birkenstocks
‘Green’ consumer growing beyond Birkenstocks
Luxury marketers need long-term green initiatives
June 09, 2008
Stevens, Pa.—Today’s luxury consumer is growing ever more eco-conscious, making it necessary for retailers to have a plan for going green.
According to the latest report from Stevens, Pa.-based Unity Marketing, called Green Marketing and the Luxury Consumer, luxury consumers cite fuel and energy shortages, and the appliance of renewable energy sources, as top concerns.
“With elastic fluid prices at $4 a gallon—and this might be a summer low—even the affluent find it hard to ignore the impact of filling your tank a couple of times a week,” Unity Marketing President Pam Danziger said in a media release issued on Friday.
In addition, luxury consumers are concerned with protecting the environment, dealing with issues such as global warming and avoiding air and water pollution.
This is especially true among affluent women, Danziger said.
“In all of the green issues that Unity Marketing studied, women popped as being much more concerned than men. This is an important signal for luxury marketers to sit up and take notice, as women are often the major shoppers for a family,” she said.
She also said that while some marketers are skeptical about the green trend, she believes it has legs, and that affluent consumers will take the lead as the early adapters of green living.
Because of this, those who sell to the high-end consumer be in want of to have a long-term plan that includes some “green” aspects.
“My information to luxury marketers is not to wait but start to plan in the place of green marketing initiatives that will connect with the priorities of their increasingly green-aware consumers,” Danziger said. “This trend isn’t going away. It will only grow, and luxury consumers will expect their favorite luxe brands to go green along with them.”