June 2008
AWDC announces election results
AWDC announces election results
June 19, 2008
Antwerp, Belgium—The Antwerp World crystallized carbon Centre (AWDC) has announced the names of the six representatives voted onto its 12-member board of directors by the Antwerp, Belgium, diamond community.
Held from June 17-18, diamond companies voted in the election according to annual revenues, with two representatives from each company size—large, mid and small—chosen.
According to a release from the AWDC, the six newly elected board members are: Ashit Mehta of Arjav Diamonds NV and Kaushik Mehta of Eurostar Diamond Traders NV from the large diamond companies; Mehul Kothari of Sushang Exports NV and Bharat Shah of Diampex NV from the mid-sized diamond companies; and Mihir Mehta of Interjewel Europe NV and Sunil Kumar Shah of Pink Star BVBA from the small diamond companies.
The election shows the continued importance of Indian companies in the Belgian diamond sector.
According to the AWDC, at least 750 out of Antwerp’s 1,800 diamond-dealing companies voted in the election, compared with 678 in 2006.
“The high number of candidates, the debates and the impressive attendance at the polls clearly demonstrate the commitment of the entire diamond community,” AWDC spokesman Philip Claes said in a media release. “The Indian community has confirmed its engagement to continue to defend the interests of the Antwerp diamond sector, together with all the industry stakeholders.”
In addition to the election, the AWDC announced that the diamond bourses chose Jacky Roth (president of the AWDC board of directors), Freddy Inzlicht and Philippe Barsamian as their three representatives.
Employers and employees of the diamond-manufacturing community will announce their two candidates in the near future, and an independent director will choose the conclusive member of the 12-person table.
The new board will be validated in the course of next week.
Sterling raises $16M for children’s hospital
Sterling raises $16M for children’s hospital
June 19, 2008
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| Workers put the finishing touches on the new Kay Kafe. |
Memphis—Sterling Jewelers, a long-running supporter of the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, has helped the hospital to open a new on-site cafeteria that will offer families at St. Jude a variety of menu choices in a playful, relaxed setting. The cafeteria, named Kay Kafe, debuts today.
Sterling Jewelers, parent company of Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry and various regional brands, raised $16 million for the effort, part of Sterling’s long-running partnership with St. Jude. In 1999, Sterling selected the children’s hospital as its charity of choice.
The newly designed Kay Kafe significantly expands upon the previous cafeteria’s capacity and meat menial duties capabilities. Designed by architecture and design firm Roger Ferris and Partners, Kay Kafe holds approximately 500 the million, serving up to 1,000 during a busy lunch hour. The cafeteria features a child-friendly design that includes colorful photographs and artwork, and lower counters so patients can interact face-to-face with staff.
“When my father founded St. Jude, he envisioned a place of hope and comfort under one roof for children and their families,” Marlo Thomas, national outreach director of St. Jude, said in a media release. “Kay Kafe perfectly captures his spirit and compassion and dedication to providing the best possible care to the precious children who come through the doors of St. Jude every day. We are so grateful to everyone at Sterling and Kay Jewelers, and to Roger Ferris and Partners, for their roles in creating this post of nourishment, comfort and care.”
WGI’s World Loupe may soon be available for purchase
WGI’s World Loupe may soon be available for purchase
June 19, 2008
Paso Robles, Calif.—The World Gemological Institute (WGI) is considering producing more of its trademarked World Loupe device following its good luck at the JCK Las Vegas jewelry show.
The loupe—which provides both a white light component and a UV light for detecting fluorescence in diamonds—originally was produced just as a free promotional item for the show.
But, after distributing nearly 1,200 loupes in four days, the WGI is considering producing larger quantities of the device and making them available for purchase.
Barak Green, WGI vice president of strategy and business development for the United States, said the loupe was a “tremendous success,” with word-of-mouth buzz generating excitement at the show.
“When thinking of a special giveaway for the JCK show, we unequivocal to create something that represented the goals of the World Gemological Institute; that is, helping individuals and companies in the diamond industry to do their job more easily and efficiently. Frankly, we were a bit surprised by the overwhelming demand for the item.”
According to the WGI, several companies have expressed a willingness to sell the loupe on their Web sites and purchase co-branded World Loupes to be used as promotional items for their own businesses.
The WGI was founded in 1977 as a state-of-the-art diamond-grading facility for the Israeli diamond industry. In 2007, the WGI began expanding globally in an striving to help retailers with improved reports and services based on consumer research.
Lera de Marini launches stateside
Lera de Marini launches stateside
June 19, 2008
Los Angeles—The Lera de Marini jewelry collection recently launched at Fred Segal Rocks in Santa Monica, Calif., marking the first West Coast treasure up opening for the line.
“I’m thrilled to showcase the Lera de Marini line at Fred Segal Rocks,” Co-founder Lera Lasater Lee said in a media release. “We design as antidote to today’s stylish, modern woman, offering up fine jewelry that complements her busy lifestyle, taking her from the office to her child’s recitation to Sunday brunch. Fred Segal’s clientele is a great fit for us, and I’m delighted to share my designs with new customers on the West Coast.”
Handcrafted in Florence, the collection blends Italian mastery with 18-karat yellow, rose and white gold and precious and semiprecious stones. The line’s signature pieces can be combined, enhanced with attachments or adjusted and stacked to create different sizes and styles.
Lera de Marini designs have recently been worn by Samantha Harris, host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and Giuliana Rancic of E! Entertainment Television’s E! News and E! News Weekend.
Lera de Marini also plans to expand to additional cities in California, including La Jolla, Santa Barbara and San Francisco; Las Vegas; New York; Sante Fe, N.M.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal in Canada.
To view the company’s latest group, visit its Web site, Lerademarini.com.