Jewelers Circular Keystone articles from April 2004

Jewelers Circular Keystone archives from April 2004

Valentine's Day sales 'very strong'.(News Trends People)
April 1, 2004... Valentine's Day sales at jewelry stores across the United States were strong, following on the heels of a strong 2003 holiday season and further bolstering the sense of renewed optimism expressed at the spring jewelry trade shows. Not...

Congress must act now to stop trade war, says Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America.
April 1, 2004... Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) is urging Congress to quickly repeal tax breaks for U.S. companies that have been deemed illegal subsidies by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The European Union (EU) has said it will...

JA adopts 'Supplier Code of Conduct'.(News Trends People)(Jewelers of America)
April 1, 2004... Jewelers of America (JA) has formally adopted a "Supplier Code of Conduct," the association said in a statement. This new document was adopted by the JA board of directors in January 2004 as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen consumer...

Suberi merges with Indian company.(News Trends People)(Suberi Brothers Inc.)(Laxmi Diamond Group)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In the latest sightholder initiative, the U.S. branch of the Laxmi Diamond Group, one of India's largest sightholders, has merged with New York's Suberi Brothers. The new company, Suberi Brothers LLC, will be headed by Suberi CEO Marvin Markman...

Yurman, Alisa reach settlement.(Golden Treasure Imports Inc.)(Alessandro Menegatti)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... A long-standing copyright infringement lawsuit between David Yurman of Yurman Design Inc., New York, and a New Jersey-based wholesaler and an Italian manufacturer has been settled. Under the agreement, filed in Federal District Court in New...

Jewelry sales hit $44 billion in 2003.(News Trends People)
April 1, 2004... Sales of fine jewelry in the United States totaled approximately $43.6 billion in 2003, according to the latest estimates from the National Jewelry Study, which was conducted via the Internet throughout 2003. Over the course of the year, 37,844...

NGOs target gold.
April 1, 2004... In a press release dated Feb. 11, Earthworks/Mineral Policy Center and Oxfam America announced their intention to target gold in a new consumer ad campaign about the environmental and social impacts of mining. At that time, the two...

Report: De Beers close to deal with U.S.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... De Beers is not commenting on a recent Wall Street Journal report that it is close to ending its long-running dispute with the U.S. Justice Department. Spokeswoman Lynette Hori told JCK: "There is nothing more to say other than we are...

The CEO Forum.
April 1, 2004... The educational programs at The JCK Shows have been signal accomplishments. Though designed primarily for retail jewelers, some also apply to the manufacturing and wholesale sectors of the industry. Regrettably, because the education program...

No indication of diffusion?(Enhanced blue sapphires.)
April 1, 2004... Diffusion has nothing to do with the new enhanced blue sapphires seen recently in the trade. That's the view of Dr. Henry Hanni of the Swiss Gemological Institute (SSEF) in Basel, but others aren't so sure. In a combined press release,...

Auction Market Resource shows interest in colored diamonds.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The December 2003 edition of Auction Market Resource (AMR) focuses on colored--as well as colorless--diamonds sold at auction. In his lead article, "Diamonds @ Auction: An Evolving Scenario," Howard Rubin, one of the leading experts in color...

An American Gem[m]ologist in London.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... U.S. jewelry designer Kathryn Kinev, Jewel Creations, Atlanta, Ga., was one of only a handful of Americans who attended the Gem-A annual education conference last fall, and she says jeweler/gemologists should consider traveling across the pond...

Bowersox: 'I know where bin Laden is'.(Book Review)
April 1, 2004... What do shock jock Howard Stern and the gem business have in common? Gary Bowersox, owner of GeoVision and an expert on gems from Afghanistan, made a surprise phone call to the Howard Stern radio show on the morning of Jan. 22. Bowersox claimed...

Gem pricing update from The Guide.
April 1, 2004... Market in brief: March 1, 2004... The colored-stone industry continues to experience increased demand for a broad range of products. The strongest sector of the market is for extra-fine unenhanced ruby and sapphire. Extra-fine Colombian...

Sightholders: De Beers price increase 'across the board'.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The recent De Beers price increase affected rough diamonds across the board, but it's too early to know if it will affect the price of polished, sightholders say. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That's because rough and polished prices aren't...

New group formed to promote colored diamonds.(Natural Color Diamond Association.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Two diamond companies have formed the Natural Color Diamond Association, an organization designed to promote the "other" stones in the diamond family. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "We want to get colored diamonds to the forefront of...

Belgian bourses express 'real fear' about De Beers policy.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Federation of Belgian Diamond Bourses has "real fears" about De Beers' Supplier of Choice policy, a group statement said recently. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Dealers and manufacturers are very worried about the future outlook of the...

Gemmological Association of Great Britain offers De Beers video on treatments.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) is marketing a CDROM from the Diamond Trading Company titled "Diamonds: Treatments, Synthetics, and Simulants." The CD-ROM contains animated graphics, videos, and 250 slides to provide...

De Beers promotes two to top titles.(Diamond Notes)(De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... De Beers has promoted two notable up-and-comers. Gareth Penny, architect of Supplier of Choice and JCK's "Person of the Year" for 2003, was named managing director (president) of the Diamond Trading Company, De Beers' marketing arm. ...

IDCA reelects Johari president.(Diamond Notes)(Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association)(Basant Johari )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Basant Johari has been unanimously reelected as president of the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association (IDCA). Prakash Lahki was elected vice president; Shshil Goyal, secretary; Dr. Ashok Surana, joint secretary; and Anuj Jain, treasurer.

Moti Ganz elected president of Israeli group.(Diamond Notes)(Israel Diamond Manufacturers' Association )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Israel Diamond Manufacturers' Association (IsDMA) has elected Moti Ganz president. Ganz replaces Uri Schwartz, who was elected president in 2001, after having served two previous terms in this position. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Golden Globe style.
April 1, 2004... As usual, Golden Globe fashion this year was dominated by diamond jewelry, though the trends were slightly different from those of the past few years. For one, it seems the chandelier moment has passed: Stars still are choosing draping,...

It's all in the presentation.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Hollywood award ceremonies aren't just about what the stars wear; for many companies, they're about what the stars receive as gifts. With goodie bags becoming more and more high profile (and pricey), several jewelry companies have joined other...

Diamonds: they're not just for jewelry anymore.(Fashion Facets)(Dali Diamond )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Antwerp-based diamond manufacturer Dali Diamond is bringing diamonds to the next level of fash-ionability, using them to adorn leather handbags. The newly unveiled "Diamond Delvaux" is a limitededition high-end luxury handbag designed and...

Hollywood darling joins LeVian.(Fashion Facets)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... In a clear-cut case of "classic meets contemporary," Los Angeles-based designer Charlie Lapson has joined LeVian as the company's newest designer. Lapson, a favorite of Hollywood's Red Carpet celebrities, was labeled by Time magazine as...

A precious cocktail.(Fashion Facets)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The nation's most valuable martini debuted recently at a Richmond restaurant, thanks to an innovative partnership with local jeweler Schwarzschild. The $12,800 Schwarzschild Engaging Martini at Bookbinder's restaurant sparkles with...

TAG Heuer named Indy 500 timekeeper.(TAG Heuer International S.A.)(Indy Racing League)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Swiss luxury sports watch TAG Heuer has been named "Official Timekeeper and Scorer" of the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the Indianapolis 500-mile race. The long-term agreement with IRL and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway "marks a new milestone...

Rolex USA donates $1 million to watchmaker school.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Rolex USA has donated $1 million to the watchmaker school of Saint Paul College, Saint Paul, Minn. The funds, which represent the school's largest-ever contribution, will be allocated over five years, starting this year. The watchmaking...

Swiss watch exports down 4.4% in 2003.(Watch World)
April 1, 2004... Swiss watch exports dropped 4.4% in overall value in 2003, to almost 10.2 billion Swiss francs (about US$8.2 billion), because of some serious global problems, says a February report by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). Still,...

Steve Forbes to jewelers: 'expect a good year'.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Forbes magazine's Steve Forbes told jewelers at a recent panel discussion that they could look forward to a "positive" year of business in 2004. Forbes's optimistic comments came at the end of a diamond jewelry presentation sponsored by Couture...

12 tips to keep staff happy.
April 1, 2004... In a recent seminar at the JCK Show in Phoenix, David Richardson, CEO of Richardson Resource Group, Scottsdale, Ariz., offered 12 tips for retaining happy and productive staff. 1. Conduct performance reviews. "Be sure you've got an annual...

Recruiting great employees.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... When Jon Parker and Debbie Dern recruit employees for their clients, they don't just place an ad in the newspaper and wait for resumes to pour in. Parker and Dern, senior vice president and CEO, respectively, of DJP Executive Search Inc. in...

2003 spending on jewelry and watches.
April 1, 2004... According to the most recent results of the Mendelsohn Media Research Affluent Survey--which queries house-holds with income exceeding $75,000--discretionary spending on jewelry and watches still lags behind several other categories. Home...

Be your own critic.(Strategies for Selling.)
April 1, 2004... According to an old sports adage, "It's harder to stay on top than it is to get there"... and that's true in sales as well. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose track of the important things. But the professional...

Jewel of the month.
April 1, 2004... FIRED-UP COLOR A cornucopia of color, and an introduction to heat-treated gems, our photomontage includes (clockwise, from left) rings set with amethyst and golden citrine, accented by red garnets and near-colorless diamonds; "mint" light green...

Fashionably precious: platinum is challenging gold as the heavy metal of fashionable jewelry.
April 1, 2004... Platinum is perhaps best known as a very popular metal for bridal jewelry, but it is increasingly being used in fashionable styles as well. Platinum's strength makes it a winner when paired with diamonds or other precious gems--giving consumers...

PGI at 12: back to the future; Consumers want to buy platinum jewelry, and the new leaders of Platinum Guild International USA are determined to persuade more American manufacturers to make it and more American jewelers to sell it.(Platinum Guild International)
April 1, 2004... When the Platinum Guild International (PGI) opened its American office in 1992, it set itself the ambitious task of building widespread desire for the metal among American consumers. Platinum jewelry had been popular prior to World War II, but...

White magic: a look at what's new in platinum bridal jewelry.
April 1, 2004... Platinum wedding band has slight knife-edge detailing in center, Suggested retail, $2,599. Mercury Ring Corp., Englewood, N.J.; (800) 223-0930, e-mail: info@mercuryring.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Semimount for engagement ring set is...

Soft in the middle: consumers' changing buying habits are dissipating America's middle market for jewelry.
April 1, 2004... When Virginia jeweler Jerry McBride closed one of his Glassner Jewelers stores in a mall-based location last year, he told The Roanoke Times that he just "didn't figure out what the clientele wanted. We're in the middle [neither high-end nor...

Big bucks, big risks: a big cash sale can be a pleasant surprise. But before you stuff that bundle of bills in the safe, be sure the anti-money-laundering paperwork is in order.
April 1, 2004... One day recently a longtime customer walked into the JC Sipe jewelry store in Indianapolis to buy a $20,000 piece of jewelry--with an envelope full of cash he had saved. Owner Sam Sipe was taken aback. "I'm used to people using credit cards or...

Matrix-based management, part III: the Five-Point Matrix is designed to force alignment in a business by measuring past, present, and future "drivers" of productivity. In a healthy business, all parts work together in harmony to achieve one written objective encompassed in the Corporate Mission Statement. In our third article on the Five-Point Business Matrix, we will cover the Training and Education component.
April 1, 2004... The "drivers" of productivity are separate measurements that can be used to determine success in the organization. We will look at some of the more common drivers in the jewelry industry, but you may want to consider if there are others more...

Is the future of jewelry manufacturing spelled: I-S-O? International quality standards may finally be coming to the jewelry industry.
April 1, 2004... The three most important letters in jewelry manufacturing soon may be I-S-O. The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) is leading a drive to have jewelry manufacturers certified by the International Organization of...

Displaying jewelry in the best light: even the most gorgeous jewelry won't look its best without proper display lighting. But there's more to good lighting than just flipping a switch.
April 1, 2004... One of the most important aspects of jewelry store design is display lighting. Yet jewelry store owners often treat lighting as a cost rather than a tool to boost sales, say interior designers and lighting manufacturers. "People cannot...

Tucson 2004: a gemstone cornucopia; buyers were buying and sparks were flying at this year's gem carnival in the desert.
April 1, 2004... Attendance was up and buyers were buying, reports the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), host of the most important of the 38 gem and mineral shows held in Tucson during the last week of January and first two weeks of February. ...

Bursting with optimism: if this year's early trade fairs are any indication, the jewelry industry should be in for a good year.
April 1, 2004... A JCK STAFF REPORT Like spring itself, it's a breath of fresh air: Most of the spring season's jewelry trade shows were busy and upbeat, signaling a return to optimism in the industry after several years of relative doldrums. The first...

The American Gem Society: 70 years and counting.(Excerpt)
April 1, 2004... In honor of the American Gem Society's 70th anniversary, JCK reprints an excerpt from Legacy of Leadership: A History of the Gemological Institute of America, written by JCK senior editor William George Shuster and published by GIA in 2003. ...

Jewelry.(What's New)(The Marathon Company)(ASBA & Dangler Designs)(M & L Jewelry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Heart locket in 14k white gold is bordered by .34 ct. t.w. diamonds and has a suggested retail price of $860. Locket also is available in 14k and 18k yellow and white gold. The Marathon Company, Attleboro, Mass.; (800) 451-1515 or (508)...

Giftware.(What's New)(Carrol Boyes )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Kurt S. Adler has released a new line of holiday ornaments with the unique theatrical look of the Roaring Twenties. Designed by doll artist and retail designer Van Craig, the "Van Craig Presents..." collection incorporates beads, feathers,...

Business service.(What's New)(Mediability Plus Inc. )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... MEDIA PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE Mediability Plus Inc. is a new media planning and media placement service specializing in the fine-jewelry industry. It was created to help designers and manufacturers develop and implement effective and...

Catalogs.(What's New)(Leo Ingwer Inc.)(First Class Imports)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Royal Chain has released its newest catalog featuring its "What A Steel!" collection. The men's collection consists of a combination of stainless steel, 18k gold, and genuine diamonds. The women's collection consists of stainless steel, 18k...

Packaging display.(What's New)(Designers Group International)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Tecno Display's new pre-assembled curved quarter-vision corner jewelry showcase features tempered glass, a halogen light strip, locked hinged glass or mirrored doors, and lockable storage. The case is 42 in. tall by 44.5 in. wide by 24 in. deep...

WJA awards $9,700 in member grants.(Associations)(Women's Jewelry Association )
April 1, 2004... The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) Member Grant Program recently awarded $9,700 to 19 of its members. The program aims to provide a financial contribution for ongoing education that will empower women in the jewelry, watch, and related...

CJA names Rossana Aguilar exec director.(Associations)(California Jewelers Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Rossana Aguilar was appointed executive director of the California Jewelers Association, effective Dec. 1, 2003. Aguilar had shared executive director duties with Noel Cheney, who resigned to open her own retail store. During that time Aguilar...

WJA calls for entries.(Associations)(Women's Jewelry Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced its 2004 Annual Student Scholarship program for deserving women students enrolled in fine jewelry and watch design courses in the United States. Scholarship awards start at $500 and are based...

JSA elects chairman.(Associations)(Jewelers' Security Alliance)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Walter Fischer, president and CEO of Rolex Watch (USA), has been elected chairman of the board of Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) for a two-year term. Fischer, a member of JSA's board for several years, has supported JSA in lobbying for more...

MJSA Buyers' Guide honored.(Associations)(Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) has won the Gold Award in the Membership Directory category of the 23rd Annual Media Contest. The association received the award--the competition's highest honor--for its 2003-2004 Buyers'...

Call for curatorial proposals.(Associations)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), an organization for jewelers, designers, and metalsmiths, is soliciting proposals for "Exhibition in Print 2005," a special curated issue of the internationally distributed art publication,...

Charles & Colvard expands international presence.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Charles & Colvard Ltd. has announced the opening of three new international moissanite boutiques in the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The company opened its third retail location in the People's Republic of China in...

Jewelex Pvt. Ltd awarded.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Jewelex (India) Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India, was recently awarded the Certificate of Merit by The Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) for standing second in the exports of studded precious metal jewelry. Jewelex is an offshoot of...

Super Bell moves to larger quarters.(Supplier News)(Super Bell Jewelry Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Super Bell Jewelry has relocated its headquarters to 611 W. Sixth St., Suite 2288, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Super Bell made the move to expand its Jewelry Club House operation. The new location boasts one of the largest office spaces in the Los...

VIVID Collection sponsors Vernissage 2004.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... VIVID Collection was the grand corporate sponsor of Vernissage 2004, the opening night of the Palm Beach, Fla., Classic International Fine Arts and Antique Fair. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The fair benefits the Norton Museum of Art's...

Robin Leach to speak at LUXURY by JCK.(Trade Shows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... LUXURY by JCK will take place in Las Vegas May 31 to June 3 in the Venetian Hotel & Resort's newly constructed ballrooms. A welcome reception hosted by JCK's Luxury International magazine on May 31 will feature a product preview and let guests...

Ireland show this month.(Trade Snows)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... More than 200 manufacturers of Irish-, Welsh-, Scottish-, and British-made merchandise will participate in The Ireland Show, April 25-27, in Secaucus, N.J., at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Open to the trade only, product categories include...

Cross-cultural bling at the Newark Museum.(Exhibits)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Curators from three different departments of the Newark Museum in New Jersey have created a far-reaching jewelry exhibit, "Baubles, Bangles and Bling Bling: A World of Jewelry," that will run through May 9. Ulysses Grant Dietz, curator of...

First piece donated to GIA's American Jewelry Design Council Collection.(Exhibits)(Gemological Institute of America)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... "Yellow Orchid," an extraordinary diamond and yellow sapphire brooch, has been donated to the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) American Jewelry Design Council Collection. The designer piece, created in 18k gold and platinum by Mark...

Shows and events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2004... UNITED STATES APRIL 2-4--G & LW Gem Trade Show, Greensboro, N.C. (601) 879-8832, fax (601) 879-3282. 15-18--American Craft Council Show St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn. (800) 883-6100, fax (845) 883-6100. 17-19--Jewelers...

April.
April 1, 2004... April is all about flowers and showers--of both types. For the weather variety, sprinkle store windows with a cascade of crystal raindrops on filament to catch the sunlight (and shoppers' eyes). Add bunches of bulbs--hyacinths, crocuses, and...

A child's eye view.(Editor's Page)(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... How might our society look to an extraterrestrial? The alien's report might read something like this: "Earth is populated by a species called the automobile. Every morning, the automobile goes from its resting place to gather with other...