Jewelers Circular Keystone articles from December 2004

Jewelers Circular Keystone archives from December 2004

Rocha replaces Hudson as JFC executive director.(Up Front)(Jewelers for Children)
December 1, 2004... David L. Rocha, longtime senior vice president of Jewelers of America (JA), has been named the new executive director of Jewelers for Children (JFC), the U.S. jewelry industry's own national charity. Rocha, who has resigned from JA, replaces...

Tiffany inks deal with another Canadian diamond mine.(Up Front)
December 1, 2004... Tiffany continues its journey upstream by signing a deal to both buy and sell production from the Jericho mine in Canada. Jericho, scheduled to open in 2006, will be the third diamond mine in Canada's Northwest Territories. It is expected...

Industry leader, philanthropist Jeffrey Comment dies at 60.(Up Front)(obituary of Jeffrey W. Comment)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... Philanthropist and civic leader Jeffrey W. Comment, 60, chairman and chief executive officer of Helzberg Diamonds Inc., died suddenly Oct. 30 in Kansas City, Mo. H. Marvin Beasley was named to replace him as head of the North Kansas City,...

Signet will list on NYSE.(Up Front)(New York Stock Exchange)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Signet Group, the world's largest specialty retail jeweler and the parent company of Sterling Inc., the second largest U.S. retail jeweler, has announced plans to list its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) exclusively on the New York Stock...

Survey: holiday spending will rise.(Up Front)
December 1, 2004... The average consumer plans to spend $702.03 on the holidays, up 4.5% over last year, according to the findings of a National Retail Federation survey. Total holiday spending this year is estimated to reach $219.9 billion. A total of 22.6%...

Road Warriors continued.(Counterpoint)
December 1, 2004... During the past seven years, Counterpoint has touched on some controversial topics--such as "S[I.sub.3]," "Conflict Diamonds," and "Returned Merchandise"--that generated significant response from JCK readers, To my surprise, however,...

Smithsonian gets big Burma ruby.(Gem Notes)
December 1, 2004... The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History has had in its permanent collection large, fine-quality diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and numerous other gemstones, but a large gem-quality ruby has been absent--until now. The...

GIA announces 2006 Gemological Symposium.(Gem Notes)(Gemological Institute of America)
December 1, 2004... Get out your 2006 calendar, turn to August, and save these dates: Aug. 27-29, 2006, for the Symposium, and Aug. 26-27, 2006, for a pre-Symposium Gemological Research Conference. GIA is inviting "the global gemological community" to San...

CIBJO creates Consumer Confidence Commission.(Gem Notes)(Confederation Internationale de La Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie, Perles et Pierres)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has established an industrywide Consumer Confidence Commission (CCC). "We hope to lay the groundwork for what will become a global strategy for consumer confidence in our business community and the...

Date set for Basel gem conference.(Gem Notes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The first gemological conference in Switzerland, GemmoBasel 2005, will be held in Basel from April 29 to May 2, 2005. The occasion for the conference is the celebration of Prof. Henry A. Hanni's 60th birthday. Hanni, director for the Swiss...

Gem pricing update from the guide.(Gem Notes)
December 1, 2004... Market in brief: Nov. 1, 2004... Expectations for the season remain mixed. The Consumer Confidence Index declined again in October. Consumers remain uneasy about jobs, debt, and the economy. How that will affect shoppers' attitudes this...

De beers commercial director aimed for 'emotional punch'.(Diamond Notes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The director of "Steps," the new De Beers holiday commercial that began airing at Thanksgiving, wanted a commercial that delivered a maximum "emotional punch," he told JCK in an exclusive interview. Stephen Daldry is better known for...

'Day of Action' mostly a lot of talk.(Diamond Notes)
December 1, 2004... An NGO "Day of Action" to test industry compliance with the Kimberley Process didn't have much impact, industry leaders said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NGOs Amnesty International and Global Witness announced that, on Sept. 18, activists...

Sightholders not served in David lawsuit.(Diamond Notes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The recent lawsuit from ex-sightholder W.B. David targeted not only De Beers but also its 84 sightholders and their accountants. Yet, it's one of the curious aspects of the suit that while some people had already been served (such as De...

Israel's presidential couple visits Diamond Exchange.(Diamond Notes)
December 1, 2004... Israeli president Moshe Katzav and his wife Gila toured the Israel diamond complex last week, where they were hosted by Exchange president Shmuel Schnitzer. The pair visited the bourse trading floor as well as the adjacent Harry Oppenheimer...

De Beers' former American ad chief retires.(Diamond Notes)
December 1, 2004... He was one of the most important people in the U.S. jewelry industry for many years--though few, if any, American jewelers ever spoke with him. He's Derek Palmer, and he's retiring from De Beers after 32 years with the company, including 12...

Less Bling, more Ho-Hum for Emmys.(Fashion Facets)
December 1, 2004... Television viewers anticipating an Oscar-worthy red carpet fashion and jewelry spectacle at September's Emmy Awards walked away with heavy hearts. Rather than gems and glamour, many starlets adopted a who-cares attitude better suited to a...

Move over diamonds, there's a new pearl in town.(Fashion Facets)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Tiffany's new Iridesse stores opened this fall to sate the appetite of consumers hungry for pearl jewelry. Not unlike De Beers, which focuses exclusively on diamond jewelry, Iridesse offers only pearls. The goal, according to a company release,...

LeVian makes patriotic presentation.(Fashion Facets)(Eddie LeVian)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Eddie LeVian, designer and CEO of LeVian Corp., recently presented former U.S. Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch with an ensemble of patriotic jewelry. Lynch, the young POW/MIA who last year was dramatically rescued by U.S. forces in Iraq, received the...

Brunner, Lich tapped for Egana of Switzerland, Festina USA.(Watch World)(Franz Brunner)(Larry Lich)(Egana of Switzerland (America) Corp.)
December 1, 2004... Two U.S. watch industry veterans--Franz Brunner and Larry Lich--have been tapped by two foreign brands to build sales and public awareness in the U.S. market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Franz Brunner has been a watch executive for more...

Timex unveils 'watch of the future' winners.(Watch World)(Timex Clock Co.)
December 1, 2004... A paper-thin watch that can be peeled from a roll and stuck anywhere. A timepiece that measures how much energy you consume. A watch with a 3-D changing face. These are the grand-prize winners in the global "Timex 2154: Future of Time"...

Rolex announces winners of 'Awards for Enterprise.(Watch World)
December 1, 2004... Luxury watchmaker Rolex has presented its coveted "Awards for Enterprise" to two women and three men from Argentina, Georgia, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States. The 28-year-old program bestows the international award every two years on...

Fossil to make Marc Jacobs watches.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Fossil Inc. has entered into a license agreement with fashion apparel and accessories firm Marc Jacobs International to develop and distribute women's and men's watches under the Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs labels. The Marc Jacobs...

New Swiss watchmaking hallmark.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The "Qualite Fleurier," a new hallmark for the quality and accuracy of fine watches, was unveiled in Switzerland on Sept. 27. Unlike two other Swiss quality seals already in use ("COSC" and "Poincon de Geneve"), the "Qualite Fleurier" will...

Corum.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Severin Wunderman, owner of Swiss luxury watch Corum, is so proud of the hand-painted dials of the brand's limited editions that he's sending his master artisan Andre Martinez around the world "so watch aficionados and customers can experience...

Johnny Depp.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Actor Johnny Depp stars in new ads for a three-year multimillion-dollar project of luxury accessory brand Montblanc and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). The project focuses on EIF's National Arts Education Initiative to support arts...

Gevril.(Watch World)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Luxury Swiss watch brand Gevril launched "Serenade," its new, patented, limited-edition timepiece (inset) at a star-studded party Sept. 28 at the Tourneau TimeMachine watch store in New York City. Some 475 guests came to see movie legend Paul...

Godiva targets female self-purchaser.(SMART MARKETING MOVE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jewelers, be on the lookout for more competition for discretionary income... from a chocolatier. According to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal, Godiva is "reinventing its brand" from a candy positioned as a gift to an indulgent treat...

Did you know ...(Business Report)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The median net worth* of American households is $55,000 including home equity and $13,473 excluding home equity. *Net worth is determined by subtracting liabilities from assets. Source: U.S. Census Bureau and the 2000 Census

Fun facts: what's in a name?(Business Report)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Some of your customers are taking their passion for your product to the extreme--they're naming their kids after the sparkling stuff. The jewelry-and-gemstone-related products below are actually baby names included among the top 1,000 female...

Seven P.R. tips.(Business Report)
December 1, 2004... Want to know how to get your story into print? Consider the following advice from Trent & Co., a New York publicity firm with a number of jewelry clients including the International Jewelry Design Guild (IJDG), a guild of independent designers,...

The little things.(Strategies for Selling)
December 1, 2004... If you watch a football practice session, you'll hear coaches yelling different things: telling a wide receiver to turn up field and run to the end zone or barking at a quarterback to set his feet before the throw. At some point, though,...

Pattie Light: JCK's 2004 Person of the Year.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... A children's hospital gets a bone marrow transplant center. A boy with a catastrophic illness fulfills his dream to play with dolphins. African clinics get support and medication to counsel HIV-positive mothers on how to avoid infecting their...

Ribbons and bows.(fahion design trends)
December 1, 2004... The ribbon-and-bow motif is a fashion trend rather than a kitschy holiday hook. From proper bows to ribbons of gemstones to--at the trend's most fundamental core--thread-like precious metals, it's no surprise that this motif is very much of the...

The right way to be late: how to avoid problems with last-minute holiday orders.
December 1, 2004... Ah, Christmas--that time when traditional holiday sounds ring out in jewelry stores across America: "Send me this right away! I've got to make this sale!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Those last-minute orders by jewelers--via phone, fax, or...

An American hero: William Coldren III risked life and limb to help a friend when he agreed to go undercover to identify and purchase a rare diamond. His efforts led to the arrest of the persons responsible for a $700,000 jewelry store robbery.
December 1, 2004... Jewelers in any given community are often a close-knit group, readily available to help one of their own when someone is in need. But what William Coldren III did to help a friend and former employer was above and beyond the call of duty. ...

Bangkok breaks out: with more international exhibitors and an increased focus on high-quality jewelry and original design, the 34th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair was a more diverse show--and it's still growing.
December 1, 2004... For the past few years, Bangkok has been working at moving its gem and jewelry industry from its traditional focus on gem manufacturing and price-based jewelry manufacturing to a more diverse industry offering high-quality jewelry and original...

Pocket classics: pocket watches have a long and glorious history.(Heritage)
December 1, 2004... Pocket watches are society's oldest portable timekeepers, and until the advent of the wristwatch in the early 20th century, they were a symbol of style, prestige, and punctuality for both men and women. More recently, pocket watches have become...

Jewelry.(What's New)(Brief Article)(Directory)
December 1, 2004... Bracelet, necklace, ring, and earrings in 22k gold with precious and semiprecious gemstones. Retail prices range from $2,000 for the earrings to $9,000 for the necklace. Laura Gibson, Tucson, Ariz.; (877) 544-2766. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Watches.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... Ebel's Beluga Tonneau for women comes in stainless steel or 18k yellow gold. The mother-of-pearl dial has a guilloche motif and 13 diamond hour markers. The yellow gold version is framed by two rows of diamonds (116, at .72 cts. t.w.)....

Catalogs.(What's New)
December 1, 2004... RIO GRANDE RELEASES NEW CATALOG Rio Grande has released its 2004-2005 Gems & Findings catalog, offering gemstones, findings, raw materials, beads, stringing supplies, and gift items. The 700-page color catalog includes dozens of tips as...

Universal Laser Systems Inc.(Bench & Lab)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Universal Laser Systems Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., has introduced the industry's smallest 10-watt C[O.sub.2] laser. At 13.5 in. long X 2.8 in. wide X 3.85 in. high, the basic OEM version weighs only 7.25 lbs. Universal offers it in four...

Swarovski partners with Vision Numeric.(Bench & Lab)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Swarovski, a leading manufacturer of cut crystal, and Vision Numeric, artistic CAD/CAM software developer with the Type3 product family, have announced a long-term alliance to offer a unique CAD solution dedicated to jewelry design: 3DESIGN....

Zero-D Products Inc.(Bench & Lab)
December 1, 2004... Zero-D Products Inc. has been appointed distributor of 3D Systems' new high-resolution Invision HR 3-D Printer designed for jewelry applications. The new acrylic photopolymer model material can be burned out directly, or molds can be made with...

Stavenga heads GIA school of business.(People)(Gemological Institute of America )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed Dr. Mink Stavenga as Dean of the GIA School of Business. In his new position, Stavenga will strengthen and build the current business program tailored for the gem and jewelry industry at...

Alisa Unger.(People)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... To commemorate the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy, jewelry designer Alisa Unger spent the day with her local fire department, delivering a basket of meat to the boys of the firehouse. "I was surprised to learn they have to spend out...

H & H Jewels.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... H & H Jewels has announced the addition of Howard Silverman to its team of sales professionals. An expert in fine jewelry and timepieces, Silverman has more than 25 years of industry experience.

Gem 2000 Inc.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Gem 2000 Inc. has added David Moy to its sales staff. Moy has 12 years of jewelry industry experience.

Hearts On Fire Company.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Hearts On Fire Company has announced the promotion of Katherine Rosenberg-Pineau to vice president of product and merchandising. Rosenberg-Pineau has worked in the jewelry industry for 15 years and is credited with launching the Jewelry by...

Silverman Jewelers Consultants.(APPOINTMENTS)(Bob Epstein and John Jones appointed as chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Silverman Jewelers Consultants has named industry veterans Bob Epstein and John Jones as chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively. Epstein previously served as Silverman's executive vice president for 10 years before...

TAG Heuer.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... TAG Heuer has appointed Ulrich Wohn as vice president of sales and trade marketing for North America. Wohn will lead the company's North American sales operations and also be responsible for overseeing corporate training and trade marketing.

Cartier.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Cartier has promoted Anthony Ledru to assistant vice president of accessories and fragrance for the Cartier and Montegrappa brands. The division includes luxury eye-wear, pens, and leather goods in North America.

Cartier has appointed John Evatz as manager of its Houston boutique.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Cartier has appointed John Evatz as manager of its Houston boutique. Evatz previously owned his own company, which serviced high-end clients in the travel marketplace.

Maui Divers Jewelry.(APPOINTMENTS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Maui Divers Jewelry has promoted Savina Wendin to regional sales manager. She will oversee sales on Maui and Kauai and assist with special projects.

Janet Gesswein Mutti.(OBITUARY)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... Janet Gesswein Mutti, partner of Paul H. Gesswein & Co. Inc. of Bridgeport, Conn., passed away on Sept. 23. Committed to her industry and community, she was a member of numerous jewelry organizations as well as the West End Association of...

Kenneth Stark.(OBITUARY)(Obituary)
December 1, 2004... Kenneth Stark, 60, an industry veteran who spent most of his career at the helm of a family jewelry business, King Manufacturing and King Duall, both based in Union, N.J., passed away on Sept. 8, after a long battle with cancer. Stark was a...

Sidney T. Ross.(OBITUARY)
December 1, 2004... Sidney T. Ross, 88, founder of Ross-Simons Jewelers, died Sept. 21 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Lillian S. (Singerman) Ross. They were married for 63 years. Born in Lynn, Mass., a son of the late Louis and Rebecca Ross, he...

Overseas Diamonds awarded patent.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Overseas Diamonds Inc. its first U.S. patent (Patent No. 6786733) based on its Isee2 project. One aspect of the patent covers the education of consumers--for example, in a retail environment--on...

Eugen-Schofer celebrates centenary.(Supplier News)
December 1, 2004... In 2004, the family-run Eugen Schofer chain company celebrates its 100th anniversary. Based in Pforzheim, Germany's "City of Gold," the firm produces a variety of chains in platinum, gold, sterling silver, titanium, stainless steel, and brass....

Pacific Northern is ISO 9001:2000 certified.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Pacific Northern Inc. announced that it has successfully completed the new ISO 9001:2000 certification for its manufacturing facility in China. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national...

Hearts On Fire opens second store in Taiwan.(Supplier News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Hearts On Fire recently opened its second stand-alone retail store in Taiwan, at the Han Shin Department Store in Kaohsiung. The first store is located at the Mitsukoshi Mall in Taipei. Hearts On Fire plans to open four more retail stores...

Fancy Collection donates $100,000 to GIA Endowment Fund.(Supplier News)
December 1, 2004... Citing the Gemological Institute of America's reputation for "tremendous research" on diamond treatments and synthetics, Fancy Collection has made a $100,000 contribution to the Institute's Endowment Fund. Avi Nathanel, president of the...

Baltimore Jeweler aids charities.(Retailer News)(Radcliffe Jewelers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Radcliffe Jewelers, headquartered in the Baltimore, Md. area, hosted or sponsored a number of charitable events in May. The company hosted a women's golf tournament with David Yurman at the Tournament Players Club in Avenel. That same month,...

New flagship store for Bailey Banks & Biddle.(Retailer News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... In September 2004, Bailey Banks & Biddle celebrated the grand opening of its 7,800-sq.-ft. flagship store in the Houston Galleria. The store features four quadrants: fashion jewelry, watches, a bridal and fine-gemstone salon, and a newly...

Two join JA 100 Club.(Retailer News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Jewelers of America (JA) has officially inducted two of its retail members into the JA 100 Club, which acknowledges JA members who have been in continuous operation for at least a century and who have served their communities with "high...

Bernie Robbins aids charities.(Retailer News)(Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry celebrated the grand opening of its new store location at the Radnor Hotel in St. Davids, Pa., with two opening parties, raising nearly $10,000 to benefit local charities. On April 30 the store welcomed designer...

Maui Divers Jewelry opens new store.(Retailer News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Maui Divers Jewelry opened its 21st concept store on Oahu, which is its 44th store companywide. The new Maui Divers Jewelry store, located within Kualoa Ranch's new visitor center on the windward side of the island, opened in June. The new...

Shreve, Crump & Low to move flagship Boston store.(Retailer News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Shreve, Crump & Low is moving its flagship Boston store to 222 Berkeley St. in fall 2005. The store will occupy 22,000 square feet in the space formerly occupied by FAO Schwarz at the corner of Berkeley and Boylston streets in Boston's Back...

New store opens in Manchester Center.(Retailer News)(Northeastern Fine Jewelry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Northeastern Fine Jewelry, Schenectady, N.Y., opened its third store in July, at 4620 Main St. in Manchester Center, Vt. The grand opening included the unveiling of a rare pink diamond ring set in platinum and 18k rose gold. The store's owner,...

Special thanks.(Editor's Page)
December 1, 2004... This December marks a bittersweet time for JCK. After more than 75 years in Pennsylvania, the magazine has moved to New York City. While a significant number of our staff did relocate and we've added talented, enthusiastic new people, many...

December.(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... Always ready for adventure, Sagittarians are open-minded and spontaneous, with honest, intelligent eyes and a graceful gait. But while Archers embrace change in all its forms, that outlook doesn't extend to their fashion sense: They don't care...

Shows and events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... U.S. SHOWS AND EVENTS DECEMBER 10-12 -- American Craft Council Show Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. (800) 883-6100, fax (845) 883-6100. JANUARY 2005 3-4 -- International Watch & Jewelry Guild--Members Only, Miami Beach, Fla. (713)...