RAPAPORT… The International Gemological Institute (IGI) launched its new diamond report designed specifically for Journey Diamond Jewelry at this year’s JCK Invitational, which was held in February at the Hilton New York. The IGI Journey Diamond Jewelry Passport, created in support of the Diamond Promotion Service’s (DPS) ongoing efforts to promote Journey Diamond Jewelry, provides a description of the diamonds contained in a piece of jewelry, including a component breakdown of the diamonds’ unique characteristics consisting of: total carat weight, measurements, shape, cut, finish, proportions, color and clarity grade. Authenticity, content and weight of any precious metals are also provided.
To further identify the item, an enlarged color photograph is supplied and, in addition, diamonds weighing in excess of .95 carats are diagrammed displaying indicated inclusions. As with all IGI reports, the internationally accepted system for diamond grading is used to determine these characteristics.
Gemological laboratory EGL USA and jewelry company House of Taylor Jewelry (HOTJ) have formed a strategic co-branding and certification partnership. One of their first initiatives will be to produce a co-branded diamond report for all HOTJ’s line of HOTJ branded diamonds.
Meanwhile, Yossi Fixman has made the transition from Kathy Ireland Worldwide to HOTJ as its vice president of marketing. Fixman was a key marketing executive at Kathy Ireland Worldwide and helped elevate the lifestyle brand into the billion-dollar annual retail sales business it is today. Tanya Somera also holds the title of vice president of marketing at HOTJ. Kathy Ireland and Dame Elizabeth Taylor are principal shareholders of HOTJ.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) Mark and Diamond Confidence Kit for diamond traders were introduced at the Dubai Diamond Exchange’s (DDE’s) one-day C5 Conference held recently in Dubai. The DDE declared that this adds a fifth “C” for “confidence” to the traditional 4Cs of diamond grading and quality standards — namely color, cut, clarity, and carat. Similar in concept to the ISO certification, the WFDB Mark is an internationally regulated diamond-related confidence tool and its introduction to Dubai gives DDE members the opportunity to align themselves with the WFDB code of business and enhance consumer confidence in the region. Established and regulated by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the DDE is the only diamond bourse in the Arab world and is a member of the WFDB.
International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and the Collectors Universe subsidiaries American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) and Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) have entered into a partnership to brand third-party verification as part of their shared goal of increasing consumer confidence in and awareness of gemstones. As part of the alliance, AGL and GCAL have been designated the official gemstone and diamond laboratories of ICA for North America.
Gemological Science International (GSI) has added digital plotting to its list of proprietary, high-tech software applications for diamond grading. The GSI is the only major lab, other than the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), that provides digital plotting, according to GSI President Mark Gershburg.
At the recent JA New York Show, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) presented “What the IRS Expects When Examining Your AML [antimoney laundering] Program.” Keynote speaker F. Kim Buggs, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Compliance Policy Program analyst, said that the IRS will begin to examine jewelry industry AML programs in the fourth quarter of 2007 and that the IRS cannot conduct an AML audit and 8300 form audit at the same time. Buggs, citing the JVC’s input during the drafting of the USA PATRIOT Act, asked for JVC’s help to develop the IRS Examiner’s Manual. Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, chief executive officer and general counsel, agreed to assist the IRS.
Rapaport has upgraded the RapNet® search engine with enhancements including SmartSearch, Fancy Color Search, Custom Printing and the ability to save search results. In addition, the Member Directory will enable RapNet members to search for and contact other members and Skype capabilities will allow members to add Skype contact details to their profiles and make free calls to other members.
Sarin Technologies, which markets precision diamond and gemstone grading and production technology products, has added an online sales section to its website. Initially, Sarin will make available for purchase only those products that require minimum configuration choices and allow for easy user installation, such as the DC3000™, a polished diamond color grading product, and DiaScan™ S+, a state-of-the-art mobile diamond analyzer. It is the company’s intention to offer additional products online in the future.
Genuine and created-gemstones distributor Signity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Austrian-based D. Swarovski & Co., has acquired Leslie & Co. According to Signity, the purchase of Leslie, an established San Diego-based manufacturer and distributor, adds to Signity’s color portfolio several exciting topaz colors that are enhanced through Leslie’s patented Pollak Heat Diffusion™ (PHD) process.
Swarovski itself is also involved in enhanced topaz technology, having patented a permanent and stable proprietary process known as Thermal Color Fusion™ (TCF). The process has enabled Swarovski to enhance white topaz into an array of fashion-forward colors including bright orange poppy, 1950s-retro greenish-blue, electric neon paraiba blue, grayish infinity blue, luscious blazing red, pink, khaki, and complexion.
Stuller will be holding its annual jewelers workshop in Lafayette, Louisiana, from March 30 through April 1. Industry experts such as Dr. Tim Malone, Shellie and Ron Bill, Matt Owens, Wyatt White, Bob and Russ Hendricks, Diane Flora, Andy Macauley, Jurgen Maerz and members of Stuller’s manufacturing staff will be presenting bench demonstrations and educational sessions.
Meanwhile, Stuller announced that it now offers retail jewelry stores a comprehensive gemstone ad campaign. The gemstone marketing kit promotes a “color first” approach to sales, supplying promotional materials that feature a different color each month. This is designed to help retailers sell a larger variety of gems by appealing to consumer desires for fashion and color. For more information, call 800.877.7777 or visit www.stuller.com.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has launched a new online security course for jewelers. Called Selling with Security, the new course is a tool for retail store owners and managers to train sales personnel on how to make basic security habits a part of their normal routine of selling jewelry. The online training course is available at www.jmuniversity.com or by clicking the JM University link at Jewelers Mutual’s website, www.jewelersmutual.com.
San Francisco’s Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts will be holding its tenth Masters Symposium from April 7 through April 29, 2007. The academy will host eight master craftspeople from around the world who will conduct two- and five-day workshops in their specialized areas. Classes are offered at all levels, from absolute beginner to advanced. The artisans participating in the symposium include: Japanese master metalsmith Naohiro Yamada, who will school students on traditional Japanese inlay and engraving techniques; Arline Fisch, author of Textile Techniques in Metal, who will demonstrate the specialized methods she employs in her work; Cynthia Eid, who will lead the first class at Revere on working with Argentium®, the new sterling alloy; and Harold O’Connor, who will teach avant-garde techniques for inlaying metal into other materials in a new class, dental techniques for jewelers.
The New York Diamond Dealers Club (DDC) has renewed its lease at The World Diamond Tower building at 580 Fifth Avenue in New York City. A member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), the DDC has been at the same location for 22 years and has signed a long-term lease. The lease extension follows The New York Times report in March 2006 suggesting that a development company was hoping to woo the DDC away from its present location to a new diamond tower currently in development on 47th Street.
Sterling Jewelers has promoted Robert Knapp to the position of senior vice president of corporate supply chain management and distribution. In his new role, Knapp will continue to lead Sterling’s expanding supply chain management department and will assume senior level oversight of the group’s distribution center, supply warehouse and repair center. He has been with Sterling since 1982. Ohio-based Sterling, which operates more than 1,300 retail stores in all 50 states, is the United States division of London-based Signet Group. Sterling trades under national brands including Kay Jewelers and Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry as well as a variety of regional names.
ALROSA’s newly elected president Sergey Vybornov has made Gennady F. Piven the group’s first vice president in charge of production. Piven, who spent more than 20 years working for Norilsk Nickel, was most recently president of Severalmaz.
Tahera Diamond Corporation has appointed Gary M. Jones — who works for mining company Teck Cominco — to its board of directors. As part of the strategic alliance between Teck and Tahera, Teck can have one representative on the Tahera board. Teck also provides mining and other technical advice and assistance in connection with Tahera’s Jericho diamond mine in Nunavut, Canada. In his current position as Teck’s Vice President of Business Development, Jones, a mining engineer, is responsible for technical aspects of all Teck acquisitions and divestitures. He has been employed in various capacities with Teck for more than 27 years.
Ireland’s Conroy Diamonds and Gold has named Seamus Fitzpatrick as non-executive director to the company board.
Petra Diamonds has appointed Ken Axsel as managing director of the group’s diamond cutting and polishing business, Calibrated Diamonds Investment Holdings (CDIH). Axsel’s experience in the global diamond industry spans 20 years. He joins Petra from ABN AMRO Bank, where he served as country head South Africa – international diamond and jewellery group. Axsel has also held the positions of deputy executive officer of the South African Diamond Board and director (head of mining) of ING Financial Markets. Petra acquired the entire issued share capital of CDIH in November 2006.
Miami-based provider of retail software solutions eDiamondselect has released its next generation product for diamond retailers and suppliers. The eDiamondselect Series 4.0 incorporates what the company calls the WebEmbed system, which can now be integrated into a brick-and-mortar firm’s website, allowing customers to remotely search the retail store and/or supplier inventories.
A new brochure designed to provide a brief but comprehensive overview of the hallmarking services provided by The Birmingham Assay Office has been completed. Meantime, The Birmingham Assay Office’s AnchorCert Diamond Certification service enjoyed its most successful Christmas ever, with sales rising more than 50 percent for the last three months of 2006.
Kishore Biyani, managing director of Pantaloon Retail India Ltd., has been named the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) International Retailer of the Year. Biyani received the award during NRF’s recent 96th Annual Convention and Expo at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center. The award is bestowed upon companies that have achieved an international reputation for creativity, inspirational leadership and distinguished service to the retail industry. Previous winners have included Metro AG (Germany), Carrefour (France), Ito Tokada Group (Japan), Zara (Spain) and Boticario (Brazil).
