JCK - Jewelry Industry News, Trends, and Analysis

10 Most Popular Jewelry News Stories: Week of May 21

dford — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

A roundup of JCK's top stories from the past week:

Undisclosed Synthetic Diamonds Appearing on Market

After more than 600 synthetic colorless diamonds were submitted to the International Gemological Institute without disclosure, the lab is warning the trade about the possibility of more undisclosed stones on the market.

A roundup of JCK's top stories from the past week.

JCK Staff

Graff Diamonds Ranked Highest Among Wealthy Consumers

dford — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:14:14 +0000

Wealthy U.S. shoppers with a minimum $5 million net worth and income of at least $200,000 per year rank Graff Diamonds highest among 22 luxury jewelers in the Luxury Brand Status Index survey.

Graff received an LBSI score of 7.98 out of 10, including evaluations in products and customer service. Survey participants reported average income of $682,000 and average net worth of $14.6 million.

Wealthy U.S. shoppers with a minimum $5 million net worth and income of at least $200,000 per year rank Graff Diamonds highest among 22 luxury jewelers in the Luxury Brand Status Index survey.

JCK Staff

Elaborate Ice Sculpture Wins JIC Contest

dford — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:39:32 +0000

“Something in the Ice,” a proposal story from Melissa Geer and Daniel Monarko of Pittsburg, Pa., has won the Jewelry Information Center’s third annual Ultimate Proposal Contest.

“Something in the Ice,” a proposal story from Melissa Geer and Daniel Monarko of Pittsburg, Pa., has won Jeweler Information Center’s third annual Ultimate Proposal Contest.

JCK Staff

Ollie Keene Joins Brodkey’s as CEO

dford — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:13:42 +0000

Industry veteran Ollie Keene has been named CEO of Brodkey's, a nine-store chain based in Omaha, Neb.

Keene was mostly recently a merchandise and supply chain executive at Michael Hill Jewelers and senior vice president at Helzberg Diamonds.

“I’m excited to get back to my roots, not only my Midwest roots, but my retail roots – in fact my first job in the industry was in retail at Helzberg Diamonds, another family owned business,” Keene said in a statement.

Brodkey’s dates back to 1880.

Industry veteran Ollie Keene has been named CEO of Brodkey's, a nine-store chain based in Omaha, Neb.

JCK Staff

Tiffany May Lose Elsa Peretti License, Has Mixed Quarter

dford — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Elsa Peretti, the famed Italian designer whose creations comprise 10 percent of Tiffany’s net sales, may sever her 38-year relationship with the famed jeweler, the company admitted in a May 23 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Since 1974, Tiffany has had the sole license for Peretti’s designs. Current Peretti designs sold by Tiffany include the “Diamonds by the Yard” collection and teardrop necklaces.

JCK Staff

Audemars Piguet CEO Resigns

dford — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Philippe Merk, CEO of watch brand Audemars Piguet, is stepping down as a result of what the company called “differences in company strategy.”

The company’s board has nominated Francois-Henry Bennahmias as general manager ad interim. Bennahmias, 48, began his career at Audemars Piguet in 1996. In 1999, he was promoted to president and CEO of Audemars Piguet North America.

Philippe Merk, CEO of watch brand Audemars Piguet, is stepping down as a result what the company called “differences in company strategy.”

JCK Staff

Signet’s Sales Rise 1.2%

dford — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:37:13 +0000

Signet Jewelers’ same-store sales for the first quarter of 2013 rose a lower-than-usual 1.2 percent, even as overall profits rose 9.4 percent.

However, CEO Michael Barnes noted that the sales were impacted by the Mother’s Day calendar shift to the second quarter. He added that Mother’s Day comps were up double digits.

Signet Jewelers’ same-store for the first quarter of 2013 rose a lower-than-user 1.2 percent, even as overall profit rose 9.4 percent.

JCK Staff

What’s Selling in Stores This Week: Bridal

dford — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

We asked four retailers located in four corners of the country to share their top-selling bridal looks this week.

NORTH

Scoville Jewelers, Glens Falls, N.Y.

Hearts On Fire Transcend Dream ring (photo courtesy of Hearts On Fire)

We asked four retailers located in four corners of the country to share their top-selling bridal looks this week.

JCK Staff

So You Want to Write a Book? One Jewelry Retailer’s Path to Becoming an Author

dford — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:59:00 +0000

Tenacious would be an apt adjective to describe the business style of jewelry retailer Susan Eisen. The industry veteran, who owns Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry and Watches in El Paso, Texas, has worn the hat of appraiser, retailer, gemologist, designer, bench jeweler, talk radio host, and inheritance consultant in her 32 years in the business. But it’s her most recent foray into authoring books that captured our interest.

Tenacious would be an apt adjective to describe the business style of jewelry retailer Susan Eisen.

JCK Staff

De Beers Antitrust Class Action Now Final

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Your check may—finally—be in the mail.

The four-year-old De Beers antitrust class action settlement is just about final, after an appellant had his “motion for reconsideration” denied by the Supreme Court on May 21. The Court first rejected the appeal on April 2.

Your check may—finally—be coming in the mail.

JCK Staff

Zale’s Sales Up for Third Quarter, Mother’s Day

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Zale Corporation announced its revenue for the third quarter ended April 30 increased 8.1 percent compared with the same period last year.

In a conference call following the release of the company’s financial results, CEO Theo Killion said that Mother’s Day comp sales were up 15 percent.

Comparable store sales for the quarter rose 8 percent.

Chief financial officer Tom Haubenstricker said refinancing the company’s debt is a focus for the management team.

Zale Corporation announced its revenue for the third quarter ended April 30, 2012 increased 8.1 percent since the same period last year.

JCK Staff

CIBJO Establishes Trade Fair Commission

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:58:02 +0000

The board of directors of CIBJO has approved the establishment of a Trade Fair Commission, responsible for liaising with trade shows serving the international jewelry industry.

Corrado Facco, executive director of Fiera di Vicenza, was appointed by the CIBJO Congress to chair the new organization.

The board of directors of CIBJO has approved the establishment of a Trade Fair Commission, responsible for liaising with trade shows serving the international jewelry industry.

JCK Staff

Aston Luxury Group Acquires Distribution of Italian Brands

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:45:53 +0000

Aston Luxury Group, manufacturer and distributor of fine jewelry and accessible luxury brands, has acquired distribution for six Italian brands including Stefan Hafner, Nouvelle Bague, Valente Milano, Porrati, lo Si, and Giantti.

JCK Staff

5 Diamond Developments You Should Be Following: Week of May 21

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:02:05 +0000

“Is Graff too reliant on 20 millionaires?” and other stories on the industry’s radar this week:

“Is Graff too reliant on 20 millionaires?,” and other stories on the industry’s radar this week.

JCK Staff

GSI Opens Lab in Bharat Bourse

dford — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:02 +0000

Gemological Science International has set up the first grading lab inside the world’s largest diamond trading center, Mumbai’s Bharat Diamond Bourse.

The 20-acre complex houses approximately 2,400 offices comprising a constructed area of two million square feet catering to diamond manufacturers, traders, and retailers.

Gemological Science International has set up the first grading lab inside the world’s largest diamond trading center, Mumbai’s Bharat Diamond Bourse.

JCK Staff

Pandora Australia Appoints New President

dford — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Pandora has appointed David Allen as president for Pandora Australia.

Allen, who currently serves as Pandora’s vice president, brings years of retail experience to his role. He previously worked for specialty retailers such as the Pretty Girl Fashion Group, Woolworth Group, and the Colorado Group.

Pandora appointed David Allen as president for Pandora Australia.

JCK Staff

Panelists Combat Jewelry Myths at WJA Spring Fling

dford — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:17:23 +0000

On May 16, the Women’s Jewelry Association hosted its annual Spring Fling event, featuring presentations by key leaders in the industry.

Fern Mallis, creator of New York City’s Fashion Week moderated a panel titled “Objects of Desire: Lessons from Leaders in Jewelry, Fashion & Style.”

Panelists including VERANDA editor-in-chief Dara Caponigro, fashion editor Lori Goldstein, and jewelry designer Alexis Bittar, spoke about myths in the industry.

The myths included:

On May 16, the Women’s Jewelry Association hosted its annual Spring Fling event, featuring presentations by key leaders in the industry.

JCK Staff

Vicenza Fair, Dubai Centre Sign Agreement

dford — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:05:00 +0000

The Vicenza Fair (Fiera di Vicenza) has signed an agreement with the Dubai World Trade Centre for a far-reaching partnership between the two industry bodies.

The Fiera di Vicenza will become a partner of the Dubai World Trade Centre for Europe and Italy, and will organize an exhibition of European brands and companies for the next edition of the Dubai International Jewellery Week

The Vicenza Fair has signed an agreement with the Dubai World Trade Centre for a far-reaching partnership between the two prominent industry bodies.

JCK Staff

CIBJO Offering Value-Added Services

dford — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, will provide value-added services to members of affiliated national organizations, according to an announcement made at the conclusion of its four-day Congress in Vicenza, Italy.

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, will provide added-value services to members of affiliated national organizations, it announced at the conclusion of its four-day Congress in Vicenza, Italy.

JCK Staff

Undisclosed Synthetic Diamonds Appearing on Market

dford — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

After more than 600 synthetic colorless diamonds were submitted to the International Gemological Institute without disclosure, the lab is warning the trade about the possibility of more undisclosed stones on the market.

According to an IGI Trade Alert issued last week, the diamonds were grown by the CVD process and submitted to the lab’s facilities in Antwerp and Mumbai. The dealer submitting the stones had no idea they were man-made, and paid prices equivalent to natural diamonds, IGI says.

After over 600 synthetic colorless diamonds were submitted to the International Gemological Institute without disclosure, the lab is warning the trade about the possibility of more undisclosed stones on the market.

JCK Staff