Jewelers Circular Keystone articles from January 2002

Jewelers Circular Keystone archives from January 2002

House passes conflict diamonds bill. (Up Front).(Clean Diamonds Act)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The House of Representatives recently passed a modified version of the Clean Diamonds Act, and backers hope Senate approval is next. The bill, aimed at preventing conflict diamonds from entering the United States, passed as a freestanding...

Reports link stones and terrorism. (Up Front).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Diamond trading is a source of revenue for al Qaeda, the terrorist organization suspected of masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, the Washington Post reported recently. A Nov. 16 article in the Wall Street Journal cited the...

Samuels to shed 38 stores. (Up Front).(Samuels Jewelers)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... In an effort to shore up sagging profits, Samuels Jewelers will close 38 of its 163 stores. The stores are scheduled to remain in operation through January 2002. Randy McCullough, president and chief executive officer of the Austin,...

Law and order tackles conflict diamonds issue. (Up Front).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Just when many predicted that war coverage would drown our all the noise on conflict diamonds, the issue has popped up on another network program. This time it's a drama, NBC'S Law and Order. The episode, which aired Oct. 24, dealt with a...

Jacmel VP dies in plane crash. (Up Front).(Jacmel Jewelry Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Timo Santala, 40, vice president of manufacturing for Jacmel Jewelry Inc. of Long Island City, N.Y., was among the passengers killed when American Airlines flight 598 crashed in Rockaway, N.Y., en route to Santo Domingo. Santala, who was in...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
January 1, 2002... In the November issue of JCK, "What's New Watches" listed an incorrect phone number for Junghans. The correct number is (954) 917-0662.

Letters.
January 1, 2002... John Kennedy The Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America congratulates John Kennedy on his selection as JCK's first Person of the Year. At the same time we applaud Jewelers' Circular Keystone for utilizing this occasion...

The jewelers' security alliance. (Counterpoint).(John Kennedy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The December issue of JCK recognized John Kennedy as our first annual Person of the Year. JCK's editorial staff selected Kennedy after considering a number of individuals who made significant positive contributions to the industry in 2001. ...

Idar-oberstein points the way. (Gem Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Intergem show, held annually in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, is usually a reliable indicator of what will be available at the Tucson gem shows in February. Intergem 2001 hosted 110 exhibitors and more than 2,500 trade visitors from 38...

Indigo tourmaline from Nigeria. (Gem Notes).(Edoukou mine)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... According to Constantin Wild of Idar-Oberstein, the Edoukou mine in Oyo, Nigeria (close to the border of Benin), has been producing for only a short while a variety of gem-quality tourmaline that owes its special color to the trace elements of...

Sapphire, Ruby, and confetti quartz. (Gem Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... "They keep finding more sapphire and ruby," says Tom Cushman of Allerton Cushman & Co., Sun Valley, Idaho, specialists in Madagascar gems. "It's just like the old Gold Rush days of the late 1800s in the Old West." That's why at times there are...

Introducing sea blue chalcedony. (Gem Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Chalcedony is a natural microcrystalline quartz, and therefore never transparent. Used mostly as an ornamental gem, some of its better-known varieties are carnelian, sard, bloodstone, onyx and sardonyx, agate, and fire agate. Common translucent...

Gem pricing update from the guide. (Gem Notes).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Market in brief: Dec. 1, 2001... The colored stone market is stable. Production levels for the consumer favorites--sapphire, ruby, and emerald--remain unchanged from last quarter. In late November, cautious optimism replaced skepticism about...

De beers defaults in second lawsuit. (Diamond Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... De Beers has defaulted in a second lawsuit--this time over the use of the letters "DTC." Since summer 2000, De Beers has used "DTC" (Diamond Trading Company) as a trade name. This spurred a lawsuit from New York's Diarama Trading Company,...

Diamond dealer indicted for stealing $34 million. (Diamond Notes).(Worldwide Gem Ventures)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... New York diamond dealer Larry Kar of Worldwide Gem Ventures was indicted recently for bilking investors of nearly $34 million in what authorities called a "Ponzi scheme." (A Ponzi scheme is an investment swindle in which early investors are...

AGS, GIA honor Bob Speisman. (Diamond Notes).(American Gem Society; Gemological Institute of America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The American Gem Society is erecting a memorial on its Las Vegas campus in memory of Robert T. Speisman, 48, former executive vice president of Lazare Kaplan International. Speisman was killed Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists crashed his plane...

Veteran journalist Russell Shor joins GIA. (Diamond Notes).(Gemological Institute of America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Russell Shor, a veteran industry journalist and longtime staff editor and contributor to JCK, has joined the Gemological Institute of America as senior industry analyst. Shor will be part of the team that publishes Gems & Gemology, GIA's...

Patent applications for HPHT. (Diamond Notes).(high-pressure, high-temperature diamond-treatment process)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Both General Electric and De Beers have filed for world patents on the high-pressure, high-temperature diamond-treatment process. GE's two parents include one for creating fancy yellowish-green, greenish-yellow, and neon yellow-green diamonds...

Just an old lump of coal? (Diamond Notes).(black diamonds)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... SSEF, the Swiss Gemmological Institute, recently changed its certification of black diamond. According to lab director Prof. Henry Hanni, large quantities of black diamonds in all sizes are being created by cooking ordinary crushing bort at...

Eli Izhakoff honored by king of Belgium. (Diamond Notes).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... World Diamond Council chairman Eli Izhakoff was recently awarded the title of Officer of the Order of King Leopold by His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium. Izhakoff was hailed for his work as president of the World Federation of Diamond...

Pearls fashion of the ages. (Fashion Facets).(American Museum of Natural History)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Judging by the fanfare surrounding a new museum exhibit, diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but pearls are her quiet passion. The exhibit, titled "Pearls," features fashions embraced by celebrities and royalty spanning hundreds of years. ...

Gold, online style. (Fashion Facets).(World Gold Council)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A new consumer Web site, www.goldinspirations.com, is the latest addition to the World Gold Council's campaign to position gold as a fashion must-have. The site--which uses the format of an online magazine-offers a variety of features,...

Fashion in the aftermath. (Fashion Facets).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 changed the lives of Americans in innumerable ways. Beyond the political and social ramifications are the cultural ones--including, of course, fashion. Forecasters are predicting, and the world is already...

Van Cleef focuses on next generation. (Fashion Facets).(Van Cleef and Arpels Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The near century-old Van Cleef & Arpels retail firm, a relatively recent addition to the Richemont chain, is continuing its effort to modernize itself through marketing and jewelry design. For the fall, the firm updated its signature...

Roberto Coin supports breast cancer awareness. (Fashion Facets).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Italian jewelry designer Roberto Coin turned the famous breast cancer awareness symbol--the pink ribbon--into something literally precious when he created a special edition brooch to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation....

Fossil enters Swiss watch business. (Watch World).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Fossil Inc., a popular fashion watch sold in 80 countries, expanded into the Swiss watch market with the October acquisition of the Zodiac trademark. Fossil purchased the mid-priced Swiss brand, known for its Sea Wolf and Astrographic watches,...

Five watch schools proposed for 'focused' support. (Watch World).(American Watchmaker Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Five of the 13 North American watchmaker schools have been recommended for "focused" industry support by an education committee of the American Watchmaker Association (AWA). The proposal also recommends that all 13 receive more generic support...

AWA elects officers for 2001-2002 term. (Watch World).(American Watch Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The American Watch Association recently elected officers and directors for the 2001-2002 year during its annual meeting in New York City. Heading the team of officers as AWA chairman will be Robert Filotei, president of Piaget/Officine...

H. Stern, Cole Haan announce watch lines. (Watch World).(H. Stern Jewelers Inc.)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... H. Stern Jewelers, the international retail jewelry firm, and Cole Haan, known for luxury footwear and accessories, each have announced new watch lines that will be sold only in their stores. H. Stern, which is headquartered in Brazil and...

LVMH posts gain despite drop for watches, jewelry. (Watch World).(LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... LVMH, one of the world's leading luxury products groups, enjoyed a 10% gain in sales over last year's figures for the nine months ending Sept. 30. The group's sales grew to 8.6 billion Euros ($7.8 billion). However, sales of its watches and...

NYC watch auction totals $2 million. (Watch World).(Antiquorum)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Antiquorum, one of the world's leading horological auctioneers, opened its fall season Oct. 3 in New York City with a sale of collectors' pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks that took in more than $2 million. The auction's results...

Nataf is new Zenith president. (Watch World).(LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A.)(Thierry Nataf)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... LVMH has appointed Thierry Nataf president of Zenith, a Swiss producer of watches and watch movements, effective Jan. 1, 2002. Nataf was previously the company's chief executive officer. Nataf replaces Francois Manfredini, who has moved up...

Nobel resumes business after Sept. 11 attacks. (Watch World).(Nobel Watch Co.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Nobel Watch Co., a supplier of mid- and luxury-priced watches, was back in business a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. Nobel is headquartered at 32 Broadway in the heart of the city's financial district, just...

Japanese cultured pearls. (Jewel of the Month).
January 1, 2002... When one hears "Japanese cultured pearls," one thinks of the name "Mikimoto" and of the traditional "akoya"--2-mm to 7-mm or even 8-mm perfectly round, high-luster, white or pink-rose pearls. And rightly so. After all, it was Kokichi Mikimoto,...

Couples speak up: Why they do-or don't-buy their diamond from you.
January 1, 2002... Most couples don't consider a betrothal to be "official" without a diamond ring. There are approximately 2.3 million marriages per year in the United States, and 81% of all brides receive an engagement ring, according to the latest figures from...

Technicolor dreams.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Like television in the '60s, jewelry has gone Technicolor. Color's renaissance, which the fashion world proclaimed several seasons back, this year expands to the jewelry world, as jewels abandon monochromatic looks in favor of mixed gemstones....

International luxury watchmaker.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: International luxury watchmaker Piaget raised thousands of dollars to bring art to inner-city children at the North America launch party for the redesigned Piaget Polo, its signature watch for the 21st...

Titanium's new push: Experts speak up to educate jewelers and correct some common misconceptions about the trendy high-tech metal that has jewelers and consumers talking.(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... IT'S THE STUFF OF SPACE ROCKETS AND GOLF CLUBS--not a terribly romantic association for a metal trying to make it in fine jewelry. But members of the jewelry industry are taking a second look at titanium precisely because it's unusual--an...

Not for lovers only: Valentine's day this year has taken on new meaning. (Valentine's Day 2002).
January 1, 2002... Valentine's Day isn't just hearts and flowers. While traditionally associated with romance, it is also a time when people can show family, friends, colleagues, co-workers, and others that they care for them. According to a 2001 National Retail...

Brush with a nightmare: Three industry members who were uncomfortably close to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks recount their experiences.
January 1, 2002... With the sad exception of Robert Speisman of Lazare Kaplan, who was aboard the American Airlines flight that crashed into the Pentagon, no member of the Jewelry industry is known to have been injured or killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks...

Turkey...There's never been a better time! (Turkey in Partnership with America).
January 1, 2002... The old saying about one man's misfortune being another's opportunity might be the most accurate description of the current situation American buyers face when it comes to Turkish jewelry purchases. Right now, it turns out, may be one of the...

Trick XVIII: Manufacturing mirror images; Flat stock. (Bench Tricks).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Last month, I covered manufacturing mirror images using round wire with a technique suggested by Steece Hermanson, a JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler and shop manager for Galloway and Moseley, Sumter, S.C. This month, let's take a look at...

Star-spangled ensemble features hand-cut mother of pearl stars with diamond accents. (What's New * Jewelry).
January 1, 2002... Star-spangled ensemble features hand-cut mother-of-pearl stars with diamond accents. Small star pendant in 14k yellow gold with .12 ct. t.w. diamonds on snake chain retails for $1,250. Large star pendant in 18k yellow gold with .19 ct. t.w....

Cabochon rubellite center stone. (What's New * Jewelry).
January 1, 2002... Ring in 18k white and yellow gold features a 12-mm x 12-mm 7.02-ct. cabochon rubellite center stone with 1.30 cts. t.w. diamonds. Suggested retail price is $3,350.

Pendants. (What's New * Jewelry).
January 1, 2002... Pendants in 14k yellow or white gold with an 18-in. bead chain feature 8-mm cultured pearls with .09 ct. of diamonds in the bale. They retail for $350.

Opal doublet with cultured pearl. (What's New * Jewelry).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Earrings in 14k yellow gold feature 4.09-ct. opal doublet with a cultured pearl. Suggested retail price is $1,170.

Quintessence bell. (What's New * Jewelry).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The Quintessence bell in 14k yellow gold retails for $580.

Patriotic bracelet. (What's New * Jewelry).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Patriotic bracelet in 18k yellow gold features 6.56 cts. t.w. rubies and sapphires and .15 ct. t.w. diamond stars, Suggested retail price is $3,150.

Armenian jewelers pledge 100,000 to N.Y. firefighters. (Associations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A delegation of Armenian jewelers and building owners from the Armenian Jewelers Association of Western USA paid a visit on Oct. 5 to the Los Angeles Fire Department to offer their condolences for the fallen firefighters of New York City....

World titanium council is launched. (Associations).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The World Titanium Council has been established as a nonprofit organization to provide information and knowledge and to serve as a means for sharing and discussing ongoing applications and advances in titanium. It will provide members a Web...

Overnight mountings' new guide to threestone jewelry. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Overnight Mountings' new guide to three-stone jewelry was created as an over-the-counter sales tool and includes a variety of angles with which to view the items. It features a selection of rings, pendants, and earnings and includes tips on...

Software Company adds space. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Wise Choice Software, New York City, recently doubled its office space at 1350 Broadway, allowing more room for offsite training and meeting space. Dubbed "The Showroom," the new facility can accommodate classes, seminars, or meetings. The...

Inch of gold celebrates 20th. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... This year, Inch of Gold Inc. will celebrate its 20th anniversary as a manufacturer of jewelry chains sold "by the inch." The chain is displayed on spools in a setting designed to attract shoppers, and custom chains are created with tools...

Superior diamond cutters in running a new promotional program for retailers called "diamonds in the rough." (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Superior Diamond Cutters is running a new promotional program for retailers called "Diamonds in the Rough." The program includes 250 small rough diamonds for use as free gifts, one large rough diamond for store display, 1,000 color postcards...

Metala Company creates 'liberty bracelet'. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A Richmond, Va., specialty metals manufacturing company has created the "Liberty Bracelet" to remember those lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and to raise money for those still in need of help. Similar in design to the POW/MIA bracelets...

Eganagoldpfeil acquires Fine-Jewelry Company. (Supplier News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... EganaGoldpfeil, Hong Kong, recently announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Abel & Zimmermann GmbH & Co., Pforzheim, Germany. Founded in 1885, Abel & Zimmermann specializes in fine jewelry including gold pieces, necklaces, jeweled...

Who needs jewelry? (Editor's Page).(Editorial)
January 1, 2002... In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow developed his hierarchy of needs. Man's basic needs are physiological (food, water, etc.). Next, he needs safety--protection from physical and emotional harm. Then come social needs like affection,...