#JWLV JCK's Evening of Design Honors Top Retailers and Exhibitors

JCK's Evening of Design Honors Top Retailers and Exhibitors

Event Features NEW Design Center Editor's Choice Awards

JCK Events announced the Design Center's Top 50 Retailers and named the recipient of the new Design Center Editor's Choice award in a fittingly titled ceremony on Friday in Las Vegas. The Evening of Design event drew supporters of the Design Center, which features up and coming and established jewelry artisans, design retailers and fashion-forward consumer and trade media. Held at JCK's exclusive Wine(d) Down bar, Evening of Design began with an address from Lars Parker-Myers, JCK's Manager of Strategic Accounts, and went on to name the Top 50 Designer Retailers. Parker-Myers, in introducing the program, said "these are the retailers who support this area of the market-the unique, the innovative, the exceptionally well crafted-like no other." The winner of the 2015 Top 50 Designer Retailer Award went to Gallery of Jewels from San Francisco, CA.

The Top 10 of the 50 retailers, who were called to the stage for recognition, include: G. Thrapp from Indianapolis, IN, Greenwich Jewelers from New York, NY, Jewels That Dance from Asheville, NC, I. Gorman Jewelers from Washington, DC, Charde Jewelers from Houston, TX, Aaron Faber Gallery from New York, NY, Cursive from Brooklyn, NY, The Clay Pot from Brooklyn, NY, and last year's winner, Z Folio Gallery from Solvang, CA. View the full top 50 list here. To close out the evening, W Magazine's Claudia Mata took the stage to announce the winner of the Design Center Editor's Choice Award, a first time endeavor for JCK. The award recognized a designer who breaks the boundaries of innovation and originality, while combining new trends and classic ideas, celebrates imagination, and excels at craftsmanship. Votes were cast over the course of two days after editors viewed the top three finalists which included: Arya Esha, Anita Sondore, and Marcia Budet. Top honor went to Marcia Budet. "Winning the first annual Editor's Choice Award means the world to me. This is my first big show and, as a JCK Rising Star, it feels incredible that my point of view as a designer is being acknowledged. I will never forget how special this felt." said Marcia Budet.

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About JCK: JCK is a trusted partner connecting jewelry retailers and manufacturers/suppliers with trends, news, products, education, and partners to build business. Whether attending face-to-face events, building inventory with online and onsite sourcing, or obtaining authoritative news and insights from JCK Magazine - the leading industry publication in print & online - JCK offers a suite of tools and events to deliver sound solutions, innovative opportunities, and essential information. For more information on JCK Events, visitjckonline.com.

#DesignerSpotlight Follow the Rising Stars of the Design Center at JCK

Rising Stars of the Design Center at JCK:  The Rising Stars showcase represents new talent from around the globe. This select group of exhibitors apply to exhibit at JCK and are chosen through a jury process. JCK is their trade show 'debut'

2015 Rising Stars

Arya Esha
A 2015 JCK Rising Star, the Arya Esha jewelry brand embodies wearable glamour distinguished by cosmopolitan chic. Arya Esha jewelry is crafted in recycled metals and uses ethically sourced gemstones and conflict free diamonds. Arya Esha already has a celebrity following, which includes Claire Danes, Jordana Brewster, and Ming-Na Wen.

Dao Fournier

Designing beautiful jewelry is an inherent passion for twin sisters Kimberly and Lucy. As an expression of their shared vision for creating rare pieces of art the sisters launched the brand Dao Fournier. Specializing in 18kt yellow gold and silver diamond jewelry, each piece has their signature two diamond trademark symbolic of their sisterhood.

Heather Guidero

http://www.heatherguidero.com

Marcia Budet

Marcia Budet is an architecture-trained, international award winning designer. She offers statement–making pieces for the not-so-shy, elegantly bold woman. Marcia's designs are made in 18k gold and sterling silver with precious and semi precious stones.

Ralph Masri

Statement fine jewelry.
http://www.ralphmasri.com

SWISS WATCH: INCREASED EXPOSURE ATTRACTS MORE SERIOUS BUYERS

SWISS WATCH: INCREASED EXPOSURE ATTRACTS MORE SERIOUS BUYERS A Comprehensive Roster of High End Brands and Improved Services  Contribute to Success Ritmo Mundo's REFLEX Norwalk, CT (June 26, 2012) –JCK’s Swiss Watch completed its 10th year at JCK  Las Vegas Jewelry Week with strong results. Exhibiting brands, including several newcomers, reported a more efficient show program, increased awareness and more serious buyers in its second year at Mandalay Bay. Swiss Watch took place during JCK Las Vegas Jewelry week from June 1st though 4th in the suites of Mandalay Bay, THEhotel and Mandarin Oriental. A complement to JCK’s LUXURY event, Swiss Watch has been a member of the JCK Events portfolio for a decade. Traditionally marketed as a ‘By Appointment’ only show, JCK made increased efforts in 2012 to raise awareness of the high-end event, alerting members of the media and high-end buyers of its 30 member strong collective of exhibitors, concierge service for booking appointments and car service for trips to Mandarin Oriental, where Breitling exhibited. “In the early days of Swiss Watch, you had to seek out appointments a little bit more on your own. But JCK has done a great job of alerting us to the fantastic representation of upscale brands exhibiting at Swiss Watch and taken any guesswork out of the process. We made our appointments though the concierge with ease and hit all of our target brands. It seems every watch brand we do business with is there and some really interesting new ones as well; it was one stop shopping for us,” says Hank Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers. With regard to the exhibiting brands, Swiss Watch welcomed 2 new brands, Dubey & Schaldenbrand and FENDI, rounding out the Show’s representation from every area of the watch category. Following their successful Swiss Watch at JCK, Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry officially launched its latest digital timepiece collection at the Las Vegas 2012 Indocomm, the world's most prominent audiovisual fair, through an exclusive collaboration with Samsung. “As a long standing exhibitor at Swiss Watch, we were very pleased again with the attendance of luxury buyers this year. We found all buyers to be pre-qualified and very motivated to conduct business. The appointments went very smoothly and the overall atmosphere was impressive. We left Swiss Watch feeling very positive about our commitment to the show, felt strongly regarding our ROI and are committed to the future and being part of the exhibitors,” said Michael Benavente, Managing Director, Americas, of Gucci Timepieces and Jewelry. “Thank you to the entire SWISS WATCH team for a positive and successful 2012 Swiss Watch show!" As for services, the Show made vast improvements from 2011, the first year in the new location.  A combination of concierge and car service, along with increased attention from hotel staff at the Suites of Mandalay Bay and THEhotel, made for “a memorable V.I.P experience,” according to Steven Kaiser, President of Kaiser Time. Mr. Kaiser went on to say, “Brands were very busy with serious buyers for the duration and the overall flow of the show was much improved. All in all, the show was a smashing success.” ABOUT JCK EVENTS: JCK is a trusted partner connecting jewelry retailers and manufacturers/suppliers with trends, news, products, education and partners to build business. Whether attending face-to-face events, building inventory with online and onsite sourcing or obtaining authoritative news and insights from JCK, the leading industry magazine in print & online, JCK offers a suite of tools, events and information to deliver sound solutions, innovative opportunities and essential information. Mark your calendars as JCK Events presents its portfolio of upcoming buying opportunities: - LUXURY Privé New York: July 30 – August 1 – New York, The Pierre Hotel - Fifth Avenue

#JewelWKLV - Luxury Comes In All Price Points!

I have to say that when I signed up to cover Luxury by JCK I thought I would be overwhelmed...I am amazed by the craftsmanship, stunned by the color of the gems and blinded by the scintillation of the diamonds...but this show is so well set up that no one thing overwhelms you.  Each booth stands out and stands on it's own!


A couple of vendors that are truly the answer to the small retailer and chain alike that are weathering these tough times...

YEP - you saw that right LIEBERFARB - probably one of the #1 names in LUXURY Wedding...has just introduced a new line called BOND2.  a seamlessly extruded precious product made by pulling a tube of gold together with a tube of silver, so tightly, that the metals fuse together completely!!!


If you are a Maker/Bench Jeweler you know that this means you have a metal that you know how to work - and you CAN work this - so personalize blanks with stones or engraving - make it yours!!!


http://www.lieberfarb.com/
http://www.facebook.com/lieberfarbinc

This next Designer is new to me Enric Torres has several lines - this artist from Barcelona is known most for his line of Gaudi style translucent enamels...



...but the lines that stood out to me were the Gallery and Silver Lines -you get a really BIG look and a very affordable retail...


The Gallery line "Parracs" has a chunky folded and forged steel look in Sterling Silver 

...and the newest silver line is so reasonable - has a big look, texture, gems and movement - what more could you ask for?


Contact info is coming - and they will have a website up soon!


*any prices shown are tradeshow pricing


More to come....

Have You Heard? JCK Rock Stars...

OK just had to share this with you!!!!   I think this is one of the most innovative contests in awhile, for several reasons...


First - it forces Designers of Fine Jewelry to think of ways of incorporating Swarovski Gems in their pieces and in fact the 5 featured Designers are building a piece based entirely on Swarovski!


Second - it draws attention to 5 very talented young designers in the Jewelry Industry and who would love to be crowned JCK Rock Star!!!  ...with great judges and FAB prizes (which includes exposure at the JCK Las Vegas Show in 2012) this should be a huge hit!


Third - it is a brilliant marketing tool to bring viewers to the Brand New JCK Online website as you follow these designers in monthly videos posted on the website: 
http://www.jckonline.com/videos/2011/06/jck-rock-star-episode-1

What Influences Me...

James Miller - the master at work from Orchid Galleries

I am always getting the question - where do you find all this great inspiration?  How do you find something new to write?    Aside from being on every mailing list in the Industry...these are the Influencers in my life and my go - to websites.

...for the Jewelry Designer and Learner in me:
       Ganoksin  - this is so much more than the Ganoksin Library of Archived Design Articles.  Their latest addition is a section called BenchTube - if you learn easier by seeing it - this is for you!  Videos on everything from beginning soldering to hinges to stone setting. Or draw inspiration and find new Designer talent in the Orchid Galleries. Blog posts from hundreds of voices in the Artisan, Lapidary and Retail Jeweler arenas are available on the Orchid Blogs.  The Orchid Forum gives you the ear of close to 10,000 working Jewelers and Lapidaries around the world. Have you ever wondered how other Bench Jewelers work?  you have to check out the BenchExchange project!  BTW - this amazing knowledge base in offered without fees and operates on donation and advertising ONLY.  So donate today or purchase from Advertisers on the site (and let them know you found them on Ganoksin)

Carol Holaday from Orchid Galleries

      Jewelry Making Daily - the new daily newsletter from Interweave - this pulls together all the best from their publications and tutorials - jewelry making techniques from Beads to Wire and, my favorite, Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist.



...for the Tool and Equipement need in me:
      MJSA - from their new products announcements to their coverage and clear instructions for implementing new Government Requirements - to the always informational techniques covered in their magazine.  BTW - did you know that MJSA has an "Artisan Jeweler" level of membership?

...to feed my need for Beautiful Shiny Objects:
      JCKOnline - this magazine sets the standard for the Jewelry Industry, with news and marketing information for the Retail Jeweler.  But, what I draw from are the great Cutting Remarks blog by Rob Bates (this whole Kimberley Process thing has me confused and Rob helps me sort out the details).  My latest favorite at JCKOnline is the great behind the scenes posts by Jennifer Heebner on her Style 360 blog.  Whether it is a pictorial of outtakes from a cover shoot, shots of submissions for articles or her great coverage of venues like the recent Jewelry Show in India...she feeds my need for something gorgeous everyday.

Adrean Bloomard from Orchid Galleries 

...for the Gem Geek in me:
     AGTA - the American Gem Trade Assoc. - the website is filled with information for professionals and for customers alike...and their new e-Prism Newsletter collects some of the best information from the Internet and provides it to subscribers.

I get great information from Industry contacts, blogs (yep your blog may be influential), Google Alerts (for those of you who can't figure out how I found you) and press releases - if you want to inspire me - email me !

EBF3 - Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication

What - you may be asking does this have to do with Jewelry Manufacturing?

I was reading Steven Adler's article on the future of CAD/CAM - think about it - you design it feed the info to the EBeam and skip the was stage - it builds your model in metal!!!

GOOD READ - JCK Online - Blogs http://www.jckonline.com/blog/1020000502/post/880042688.html

JCK Jeweler's Choice Awards