MJSA New “conFab” to Help Designers Profit

MJSA Launches New “conFab” 

to Help Designers Profit

ATTLEBORO FALLS, MA—MJSA, the association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, will this fall present the first MJSA conFab, a one-day event focused on “profit lessons” for jewelry makers and designers. Sponsored by the MJSA Education Foundation, it will take place Oct. 14 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

The MJSA conFab will feature a range of sessions covering such key areas as strategy and planning, digital marketing, inventory control, and pricing. In addition, attendees will be able to access special password-protected pages on the MJSA website (mjsa.org), where they can find additional information. New articles, videos, and other resources will continue to be posted to the pages following the event, creating a digital extension of conFab.

“Our goal is to help jewelry makers and designers make a better living doing what they love,” says MJSA president/CEO David W. Cochran. “The event will offer best business practices in a way that’s memorable, rewarding, and even fun. We’ll present pricing strategies by staging a game show—our own version of ‘The Price Is Right’—and invite attendees to submit their own jewelry creations for the contestants to review. They can also submit their websites for critique during the ‘Websites That Work for You’ session, or post their favorite ‘words of wisdom’ on our Board of Best Advice. It truly will be an event to which everyone can contribute.”

The scheduled conFab presenters include:

Andrea Hill, owner of StrategyWerx, a consulting firm focused on helping small business owners succeed and prosper.

Arthur Skuratowicz, co-founder of the Jewelry Training Center (JTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he serves as director of education.

Gary Dawson, owner of Gary Dawson Designs, an internet-only business that was recently named among the “Best of the Best” by Instore magazine.

Lee Krombholz, owner of Cincinnati-based Krombholz Jewelers and Just Like You Designs, which specializes in personalized jewelry.

Eugene Brill, online marketing manager with industry supplier Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico; he has more than 20 years of experience and expertise in internet marketing communications (search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media, etc.).

Tina Snyder, editor in chief of MJSA Journal and MJSA Journal Online.

The event’s registration fee of $125 includes unlimited access to the online conFab pages. To learn more or to register, go to mjsa.org.

GIA Addresses Synthetic Diamond Concerns

GIA Addresses Synthetic Diamond Concerns

New and lower-cost services to protect trade and the public

Apollo Synthetic Diamond

CARLSBAD, Calif.  – June 28, 2012 – Diamond dealers and retailers now have lower-cost options to confirm the nature of their diamond inventory. To address market concerns created by the presence of high-quality, undisclosed synthetic diamonds, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has added a new, low-cost identification option for diamonds 0.20 carats and under to its Quality Assurance services.

Combining screening for synthetics with detection of permanent color treatments for natural stones, GIA’s new service provides greater assurance for dealers, retailers and the public. In addition, GIA has reduced the cost for Diamond Dossier® grading reports for stones 0.29 carats and below by 10 percent. The new and lower-cost services will be available beginning July 1, 2012.

These cost-effective services reinforce GIA’s overall mission to ensure confidence in the diamonds that are ultimately purchased by the public.

The new GIA Diamond Quality Assurance service, specifically designed to randomly screen parcels of small diamonds, combines screening for synthetics with color treatment detection. This service, costing $12 per stone, examines D-to-Z diamonds and colored diamonds up to 0.20 carats, and black diamonds up to 0.50 carats. Based on the examination, GIA will issue a statement that the stone is synthetic or natural and – if natural – whether any permanent color treatments have been applied. GIA will accept both mounted and loose stones for examination. However, mounted stones are more difficult to examine and it may be necessary to remove diamonds from the setting for testing.

The cost for a Diamond Dossier grading report has been reduced by 10 percent for stones 0.29 carats and smaller. The Diamond Dossier includes an assessment of a diamond’s 4Cs – Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. As an added security feature, the service includes a microscopic laser inscription of the report number on the diamond’s girdle.

All stones submitted for GIA grading and identification services will continue to be screened for synthetics and treatments as part of the grading process.

More information on GIA reports and fees is available at https://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/fees_payment/index.html.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.

Style Alert: Samantha Harris, TV Personality wears Rhonda Faber Green by Lafonn

This is an exciting new line from LaFonn and if you didn't get a chance to see it in Las Vegas you can view it on The Daily Jewel Facebook page and JCK's Marketplace!

New York, NY - June 15, 2011 – Samantha Harris, TV personality, Journalist and co-host of Dancing with the Stars dazzled the red carpet in Rhonda Faber Green by Lafonn while attending the TV Land Presents: AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Shirley MacLaine

Rhonda Faber Green for Lafonn is an exciting new designer collection of simulated diamond jewelry. A unique collection designed exclusively for Lafonn by award winning designer Rhonda Faber Green has raised curiosity amongst Hollywood elite. Offering comparable, favorable cuts, color, clarity and brilliance of natural diamonds and semi precious gems, this collection crosses lines of age, profession and ethnicity making it a designer jewelry collection attainable by every woman who enjoys glamour and fashion.

The iconic chandelier earrings are a red carpet showstopper. Showcased with lab grown oval, pink sapphires, with over 420 encrusted simulated white diamonds equivalent to 19.92 CTTW. These exquisite earrings are part of the Laurel collection from Rhonda Faber Green for Lafonn, the same item is also available with simulated canary diamonds.

About Lafonn:
Founded in 2011 in Los Angeles CA, Lafonn was designed to accommodate every woman’s needs when it comes to their choice in fine jewelry with unsurpassed quality and dazzling perfection. The brand features the finest quality simulated diamonds that are comprised of all the same visual esthetic as natural diamonds. With over 30 years of experience in the creation of fine jewelry as a manufacturer and design house, Lafonn has mastered the art of producing the opportunity to treasure an extravagant piece of jewelry at a cost that is within reach. For more information please visit: www.lafonn.com

Isharya Goes Bollywood

 

Isharya Goes Bollywood


Are you a fan of the Bollywood look?  Banghra dancing, arms laden with bangles that jangle and henna decorated hands and feet?


  ...I have fallen for it HARD!  


The one thing that Bollywood is all about is COLOR and the jewels are heavily stone intense with color - color - color!




This season Isharya adds a taste of Bollywood to their established signature style of jewelry.




Through their use of colored mirrored glass set in multi gem pieces, achieving gives the look of traditional gemstones like moonstone, and blue topaz, Isharya has made this look accessible to every Bollywood fan that wishes it!  


The Bollywood Glam collection will give a bit of sparkle and shine to your wardrobe with its colored mirror glass details in shades of pink, blue and yellow. 





Isharya's Bollywood Glam Collection pays homage to the lavishness and romance of the Bollywood cinema culture with statement bib necklaces; and yet whispers at the asethetic with dainty stud mirrored earrings. 


With a variety of styles of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings in the collection there is sure to be a covetable piece for everyone. 





The modern geometric pieces leave for a clean look that is the perfect accent to any outfit. Isharya's ability to captivate their audience with exceptional designs at reasonable price points makes this a must have for any fashionista.

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

Jewelry And Watch Scoring System (JAWSS.org) Launches

Jewelry And Watch Scoring System (JAWSS.org) Launches:

How Does Your Jewelry Rank?

The Jewelry And Watch Scoring System (www.jawss.org) launched April 23, 2012 to provide transparency to the jewelry manufacturing industry. JAWSS.org gives shoppers access to unbiased evaluations by leading jewelry and watch appraisers.

The Jewelry And Watch Scoring System (JAWSS, www.jawss.org) is set to take a bite out of the secrecy surrounding the jewelry manufacturing industry. The new website provides consumers and retailers alike with unbiased reviews and scores of jewelry manufactures, specific jewelry lines and popular jewelry pieces.

The founder, Louis Valentine, explains, “JAWSS was created to bring some transparency to the jewelry industry. Diamonds and Natural Color Gemstones have been graded for a long time but the rest of the jewelry and watch industry was in the dark. Before JAWSS.org there was no way for a buyer to know if a jewelry piece or watch was worth the money or not. It’s time to change all that and bring unbiased jewelry and watch ratings to the public so they can know the quality of the pieces they are looking at before they purchase.”

According to the US Department of Commerce jewelry and watch sales are a $65 billion dollar market. However, outside of metal marks and precious stone ratings it is difficult for the average consumer to know why one manufacturer is better than another. Why one ring can cost $200 dollars while a similar one by a different manufacturer fetches $2,000.

Similarly, retailers face complex buying decisions when choosing pieces for their stores.  At the JCK show in Las Vegas there are more than 2,500 companies from 22 countries displaying their jewelry and watches to retailers.   

“Buyers can spend days looking at thousands of jewelry pieces. It’s mind-boggling. Determining quality is difficult particularly in women’s fashion jewelry and bridge pieces. JAWSS appraisers are busy establishing who is and who isn’t providing a good product,” says Louis Valentine.  “When you spend $50,000 on a car you can read unbiased professional reviews. We think the same thing should be true when you buy a $50,000 watch or necklace- or even a $200 graduation gift.”

JAWSS.org membership is available to everyone for free. A nominal fee to access scores and ratings has been set to support the unbiased reviews. The network also offers consumers the opportunity to rate and review jewelry and watches for free.

JAWSS forwards consumer reviews directly to the manufacturers to promote greater transparency and increase quality standards.

About the Company

JAWSS is an expert, independent organization whose mission is to maintain a fair, just, and informative marketplace. Our jewelry experts test manufacturers' products through a comprehensive set of standards. The experts at JAWSS provide non-bias, impartial analysis on hundreds of jewelry and watch brands in three different categories: Craftsmanship, Material, and Value.

Louis Valentine, the CEO and founder of JAWSS.org, possesses a wealth of expertise in the jewelry field. Being in the jewelry industry for more than 13 years, he helped co-found GemFind.net in 1999 and Co-founded Verichannel.com in 2010. He is also the inventor of the Daily Diamond Report and patent-pending Diamatch Networks.

Rock of Ages - Premiere Jewels

Paying Tribute to the Black Carpet Fashions of "Rock of Ages" 

Sweden


Malin Akerman strikes a pose at theRock of Ages premiere held at Rigoletto on Thursday (June 14) in Stockholm, Sweden. The 34-year-old actress returned to her home country wearing a Philosophy dress with Jimmy Choo shoes, House of Lavande vintage bracelets, and a Judith Leiber clutch.

London

Julianne Hough donned a Valentino LBD with Casadei heels. 

Russell is wearing an Antonio Barragan leather jacket, All Saints scarf, vintage tank, and Kill City jeans. 

Malin wore jewelry from the Harry Winston Lily Cluster Collection.

Mary J. Blige in a dress by Catherine Malandrino, in black leather with sheer and mesh panels was styled with two Eddie Bargo alternating pave cone bracelets, Barbara Bui sandals and a pair of statement earrings.

Hollywood

Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Director Adam Sorkin walked the "Black" Carpet at the premiere of their movieRock of Ages at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Friday (June 8) in Hollywood.

Julianne wore a neon Kaufman Franco dress in vivid Lime Yellow that had a Geisha gone MOD feel, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Stephen Webster jewelry.  The  earrings are from the "Murder She Wrote" collection set in 18k Yellow Gold and 18ct White Diamonds with a stunning White Opal Quartz drop.

Russell is wearing a Maniac Blazer, Loree Rodkin chains, diamond safety pin from David Thomas x JBH‘s Gentleman Collection, and a vintage pocket square from Traffic LA.

Malin Akerman dressed in a Reem Acra gown showed a lot of skin. Risque cut out details gave her black with silver metallic panels and a hip-high split dress an air of daring.  Black Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, Edie Parker clutch and her hair pulled to the side.

Catherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad one-sleeve cocktail dress.  She styled her nude lace dress featuring a delicate, black lace embroidered overlay and an asymmetrical hemline with black Elie Saab sandals and black rose-cut diamond drop earrings and a black diamond dangle ring by  Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Mary J. Blige chose a Catherine Malandrino dress with asymmetrical cuts,  statement earrings, her Barbara Bui snakeskin wooden heels and 40s hairstyle.