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Jewelry Industry News
Interview With the New Chairwoman of the Kimberley Process
Gillian Milovanovic, the recently-appointed chairwoman of the Kimberley Process, kindly took some time to speak with me today about her expectations for America’s year as head as the certification scheme. Ambassador Milovanovic is the first female, as well as the first full-timer, to chair the Process. She is also a career diplomat, who, as you will see, chooses her words carefully: As a newcomer to the Process, what are your impressions?Clearly the Process has achieved a great deal. It is…
Reena Ahluwalia Debuts Rio Tinto Award-Winning Canadian Diamond Necklace
Unlike many contest winners who relax and rejoice after a big win, the work of Canadian jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia was only beginning when she learned that she had won top honors in the International Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition in mid-November. That’s because Ahluwalia entered the competition with just a sketch—albeit a highly technical one—of a necklace designed as an entry for the Canadian Diamond category of the contest. Working with Crossworks Manufacturing…
All Choked Up: Snug-Fitting Jewels Make a Big Showing
I’m starting to notice a trend here—and I’m undoubtedly not the only one—chokers are making a comeback. The fabulous adornments lined the runways at NYFW, and carried over to the 2012 Grammy Awards red carpet.At Prabal Gurung and Yigal Azrouël’s Fall 2012 shows, they were large, detailed and often contraption-like. Jen Kao’s lineup included a more delicate version, while over at Zac Posen, they were floral, feminine and statement-worthy.Notable subscribers to the choker trend on music’s biggest…
7 Tips to More Effective Content Marketing
All jewelry marketers should be practicing content marketing. Content marketing is about creating and distributing relevant information that is valuable to targeted jewelry customers. It places greater emphasis on the art of marketing communications rather than on transaction exchange. Here are seven tips to help you craft your content:Content marketing is non-intrusive. Traditional media is very intrusive. DVDs are often set to pre-record programs so consumers can bypass advertisements. We are…
A Zultanite and Diamond Pendant from Stephen Webster
Stephen Webster launched his Zultanite Jewelry Collection in June, and has already sold enough pieces to expand the line for 2012. Among his newest pieces is this pendant in 18k white gold with 12.49 cts. t.w. zultanite and 6.13 cts. t.w. diamonds for $60,000 retail.“If there is a chance to work with a new material that I feel has a place in the world of Webster, I want to be there early,” Webster recently said of the offbeat color-change gem, which is mined in Turkey. “I’m particularly…
Jewelry designer Sara Weinstock aims to “enlighten individuals with the power of truth, beauty, and universal love,” in her eponymous design firm, which launched in November 2008. The line is known for its spiritual and inspirational motifs, such as Maltese crosses, lotus flowers (which represent new beginnings), snakes as symbols of protection, the fleur-de-lis as an emblem of courage, the butterfly to represent beauty, and the dragonfly for renewal.Jewelry designer Sara Weinstock JCK:…
When I was growing up near Saratoga Springs, N.Y., my dream was to work with all things fashion. I got into a top fashion school, and already had visions of runway shows when I made a last-minute decision to attend a different school altogether. Soon, I found myself far from home in North Carolina, not at all regretting my choice, but wondering what exactly my future would hold.Enter my first job out of college: a charming family-owned jewelry store near Raleigh, N.C., where I worked for more…
There’s something provocative and sexy about obscuring, ever so slightly, the details of a face with a touch of fine netting. Bridal veils, of course, have a long and storied history. Designers and stylists have been drawing inspiration from the trim on midcentury hats to add intrigue to some of the season’s high-fashion looks.Raf Simons designing for Jil Sander is at the forefront of the trend, and the fashion press approves. Vogue featured head-to-toe Jil Sander look, including wool…
The 10 Best JCK Covers and Business Tips: 1930–1950
During the turbulent years of 1930 to 1950, the United States underwent an almost unbelievable transformation.The country went from an isolationist nation crippled by the Great Depression, to a hyper-productive industrialized war machine, and, finally, to one of the world’s only two superpowers with influence—both good and bad—in every country on the globe.The era also produced unforgettable design in art, architecture, and even magazine covers. The covers included in the following collection…
Diamond Shavings: Your Friday Web Roundup
This week …Valentine’s Day and jewelers make beautiful music together … Marange diamonds and the Zimbabwe government create a far-less-lovely sound … And Reuters tries to play matchmaker for Zale and Sterling … All below … Jewelers term Valentine’s Day decent.- National Jeweler somewhat more upbeat. Blue Nile slashes prices as sales, profits fall.- Is site’s market share falling?- Stock tumbles.- Analyst raises rating.- Investor presentation audio. (Interesting, but long.)- My…
Pearl Dealers Caught on Camera at AGTA Tucson
What’s hot in high-end pearls? Some of the best dealers exhibiting in the desert at AGTA Tucson talked to JCK about what’s new, saleable, and, one of a kind.What’s New With Jack Lynch, Sea Hunt Pearls// What’s Saleable With Avi Raz, A & Z PearlsWhat’s One-Of-A-Kind (for a Texan, in Particular) With Ron Greenidge, Emiko Pearls//
Blue Nile—No Longer in Denial?
For a long time, Blue Nile had what chairman Mark Vadon called “a beautiful [business] model.”It never owned much inventory on its core product (diamond engagement rings), so its suppliers carried most of the financial burden. It didn’t spend a lot on marketing, seemingly luring most of its consumers through searches. And it generally offered a good deal, since it didn’t bear big inventory or marketing expenses, not to mention big retail rents. As long as online buying increased—as it has been—…
Zale, Sterling Merger: Still a Bad Idea
A Reuters article from last night again raised the possibility of a Zale/Sterling merger:”They’ve talked before. They know each other. They reach similar demographics. It would be a mismatch for someone like a Tiffany to buy Zale, but in this case there are similarities,” said a second retail investment banker who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media.”The best thing that could happen to Zale would be to get taken over by someone with deeper pockets and…
The Claim Game: How Jewelers unBLOCKed is Changing the Jewelry Insurance Business
A necessary part of a high-risk business, insurance can be daunting for even the most seasoned retailers. That’s why Jewelers unBLOCKed (alongside Chubb) created a service that would address the specific challenges of the jewelry industry. Including broader coverage as well as customized solutions that can change to fit the needs of qualified stores, the year-old program also uses education to help retailers stay safe at home and on the road. Retail Details spoke to Jewelers unBLOCKed vice…
Pretty Pastels: The New Neutrals
Gentle, pretty hues in all manner of flattering shades present delightful options for wardrobes this spring. Soft shades of blush pink, baby blue, and icy green join beige and peach in head-to-toe looks and mix-and-match variations rendered in sophisticated styles.The January 2012 issue of Marie Claire suggests accompanying blush and beige shades in “modern silhouettes” with “shark-tooth, exotic-skin, or gold accents.” The shark tooth necklace to the left is from Anita Ko; the cuff is from A.L….
Diamond & Gold Wave Bracelet from Fana
The Wave bracelet, part of a larger Wave collection of new designs from Fort Lee, N.J.–based Fana, debuted to buyers at the recent Centurion Jewelry Show. Crafted in 18k white gold with blackened areas and set with 4.87 cts. t.w. colorless and 1.24 cts. t.w. cognac diamonds, the piece retails for $12,000. And while it’s not at all surprising to hear that company designer Bobby Jain sold a few—they are pretty—it is a little surprising to hear the number: seven.“We had a pretty great show,” he…
Natural Color-Changing Alexandrite Pendant by Omi Gems
Omi Gems in Los Angeles understands the special nature of natural alexandrite. “It’s one of the most amazing and rare gemstones ever discovered,” wrote the company in a blog post about the stone. “It changes colors in different lighting, from hues of greens and blues in daylight to reds and purples in incandescent light.”And as many gemstone enthusiasts might know, this kind of rarity comes at a price. For this particular pendant necklace in 18k gold, with a 16.05 ct. t.w. pear-shape, a 0….
New Additions to Royal Asscher’s Shining Stars & Stars of Africa Collections
“Retailers and consumers loved the line, but they wanted to see some variation in prices,” explained Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher of America to JCK last week. Asscher launched the high-end Stars of Africa collection back in 2009, and debuted the more affordable Shining Stars collection a year later, but demand for an even wider range of price points surfaced last year at JCK Las Vegas. Now, multiple variations of rings—made in white or black ceramic with 18k gold, 18k yellow- or…
When rock star Kimberly Perry of the Band Perry visited New York City’s Fragments a few weeks ago looking for accessories to wear to some high-profile events, showroom and store staffers had no idea that one of her choices would show up on her neck at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. On Sunday Feb. 12 in Los Angeles, Perry sang with bandmate Reid Perry and music legend Glen Campbell, and wore a 14k rose gold Dove necklace from Kismet, among other pieces. The necklace drew rave reviews from fans…
Minnesota Jeweler Celebrates Valentine’s Day All Year Round
Feb. 14 is traditionally a big day for jewelers, but for Ellen Hertz, owner of Max’s, located in St. Louis Park, Minn., it’s a double whammy. Besides selling a curated collection of fine designer jewelry, Hertz stocks an impressive collection of artisanal chocolate—the traditional go-to for last-minute Valentine’s shoppers. Although chocolate and carats might seem an odd pairing, Hertz insists that they share the core characteristics of her business: indulgent, highly giftable, and artist-…