Honora.com Offers Offline Ecommerce For Retail Partners

Honora is thrilled to unveil a new website just in time for the holidays. In addition to a sleek, simplified look and feel, the new website offers a unique feature that will benefit both the consumer and local retail partners alike.

The new Honora.com introduces “Offline Ecommerce” which allows a pearl jewelry consumer to quickly find the HONORA design(s) of their choice and seamlessly send product information, a full wish list or an advertisement, along with their contact information to the local HONORA Authorized retailer of their choice.

After only being live for a few hours, this new feature helped a HONORA.com consumer to quickly contact Tappers Diamond and Fine Jewelry, a local Honora jewelry partner in Michigan, to close Honora’s first “Offline Ecommerce” sale. According to CEO Joel Schechter, “we wanted to empower our customers to quickly browse our designs and then easily contact the retailer of their choice to buy in-store. This is a great way to enable visitors of our site to get a hold of our pearl jewelry while maintaining our relationships with our long standing retail partners.”

This feature is only one of several new additions to the new Honora.com, including a new, robust, easy to navigate catalog as well as an improved education section and an entire area of the site dedicated to fans of HONORA Pearls. “We wanted to create a web based platform that reflects our brand, was easy to use and gives us the capability to grow as the web continues to mature,” says HONORA President Ralph Rossini.

You can find out more about the new features on Honora.com by clicking here.

About Honora

With a history of over 60 years in the jewelry industry, Honora now stands as the largest Freshwater Pearl Jewelry company in the United States. Honora’s focus on creating colorful and affordable pearl jewelry has helped open pearls up to the largest audience in the 100+ years of cultured pearls. The Honora brand is available at fine jewelry locations worldwide and select e-commerce platforms.

For more information, please visit us at:

Honora.com - www.Honora.com

Facebook – www.Honora.com/Facebook

Twitter – www.Honora.com/Twitter

PGI: Let the "2011 Trend" Predictions Begin!

I don't know if I am just on the right (hmmm, wrong?) mailing lists or what, but at this time of year I get Trend Predictions from every company, publication and organization in the Industry.

This one caught my eye because I have always been partial to Horizontal or East-West settings in Rings. I like the stone intensive look of the horizontal setting and since I was not graced with long lean fingers, it is a flattering look for my short pudgy fingers.

I am in love with the MaeVona mounting for a Marquise center Stone...the side cut out detail makes it simply elegant!

If you click on the photo you will see a larger view....

Are you familiar with PGI? Their website has a wealth of information for the consumer and info that you can use to educate your sales staff.

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is an organization dedicated to inspiring a passion for platinum that ensures it is the precious jewelry of choice. We supply information, practical advice and expertise to help jewelry buyers make informed and inspired decisions. We also offer the jewelry trade specialist knowledge and resources, with the aim of providing customers a high level of help and advice in store.

TODAY! Bonham's Natural History Auction

All I can say is WOW!

Right now there is a room in Los Angeles filled with people bidding on some of Earth's Treasures...ancient creatures caught in time along with works of art formed of natural crystal's from the crust (by talented gem carvers from the US & Idar -Oberstein).

Take a moment to flip through the catalog and envision yourself in room looking at these beautiful items....BTW - they have added about 5 pages of stunning gems and jewelry to the end of this catalog.

As the winning bids come in keep an eye on the pieces you love...some may not sell today...call the auction house for more info.

Lot No: 1240

Multi-color Tourmaline Rough and Cut

Nigeria
A large, cutting-grade rough of slightly tapering form graduating from bottle green at the base to rubellite at the top,weighing approximately 1700 carats; together with an emerald-cut bi-color tourmaline from the same locality, weighing approximately 12.47 carats and measuring 17.0 x 7.0 x 7.0mm. (2)

Estimate: $3,000 - 4,000

For more info, go to: http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/18406/

Items include:

Sale 18406 - Natural History
Los Angeles, 12 Dec 2010 at 10:00

Natural History - Pearls

Lots 1000 to 1092 Natural History - Fossils

Lots 1093 to 1122 Natural History - Meteorites

Lots 1123 to 1182 Natural History - Curiosities

Lots 1184 to 1204 Natural History - Amber

Lots 1202 to 1555 Natural History - Jewelry

Lots 1205 to 1228 Natural History - Native Metals

Lots 1229 to 1308 Natural History - Minerals

Lots 1309 to 1344 Natural History - Decor

Lots 1345 to 1369 Natural History - Lapidary Works of Art Lot No: 1121 Fukang Meteorite Rectangular Section Stony-Iron - Pallasite Fukang, Xinjiang Uygar, China Coveted by collectors worldwide, Fukang is famous for its marvelous, especially large olivine crystals. Only a single mass of Fukang was discovered. Meteorites typically explode after entering the Earth's atmosphere, often blasting the original body into tiny pieces. Impact with Earth sometimes vaporizes the main mass of a meteorite completely. Yet, this amazing survivor endured tremendous atmospheric and impact forces to transport its bounty of rare olivine crystals to Earth. Weighing approximately 930.3 grams and measuring 2 ¾ x 2 ¾ x1 ¾ in Estimate: $8,000 - 10,000 Lot No: 1355 Watermelon Tourmaline, Rock Crystal Quartz and Silver-gilt Box By Manfred Wild Idar-Oberstein, Germany Of hexagonal outline, carved from a single huge rough of rock crystal quartz, centering on two huge cross-section slices of rare watermelon tourmaline from Madagascar, set into the rock crystal frame of the lid and base and silver border to lid. With hinged silver-gilt mount. Measures 7 ½ x 6 ½ x 3 ¾ in. Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500 Lot No: 1346 Carved Blue Chalcedony Scent Bottle Designed and Carved by Sherris Cottier Shank Part of the vanguard of American lapidary artists, the exceptional quality of Sherris' work is demonstrated through this fine, unique scent bottle. The shapely, gem-quality natural blue chalcedony bottle was carved from a single boulder of Turkish rough. Intricately sculpted all around it display both polished and matte areas, weighing approximately 816.26 carats. The Bolivian ametrine finial, weighing 102.65 carats, completes the elegant form and and is set atop a Brazilian frosted rock crystal quartz stopper, weighing 24.75 carats. The entire stopper fits into the bottle with the aid of a rubber o-ring that creates a secure seal. Height overall: 5in. Estimate: $5,500 - 7,500 Request Condition Report Footnote: This sculpture won an honorable mention in the 3rd Annual Engraving Competition held in Idar Oberstein, Germany.

Platinum...Affordable?

I just checked the Precious Metals prices at Kitco today...and was blown away!!!

With Gold hovering around the $1400 per oz price and Platinum at $1650 per oz, why wouldn't you opt for Platinum? it is downright affordable!!!

This is the time of year when couples everywhere are "sealing the deal" - marriage proposals are a popular Holiday gift and Engagement Rings are a top selling item.

Would you ever have thought that you would hear the words Platinum and Affordable in the same sentence? No? ...me either! But right now Platinum is the ideal choice...why? for the same reason that diamond is a preferred stone...you want your ring, like your love, to be "FOREVER".

Have you ever wondered why all the great Estate and Antique Jewelry in Platinum is in such great shape and the details are still crisp? Just look at the fine milgraining, engraved shoulder and band detail on the Edwardian Engagement Ring and Art Deco Diamond Ring from the Fay Cullen website!

Platinum doesn't erode - when you look at your 18k Wedding Band is the braided detail rubbing down in areas? Due to the density, Platinum doesn't change shape or wear away so it is often used for prongs or the setting/head on gold rings.

Platinum is pure so you won't have allergy issues with Platinum and the natural white metal won't cast color onto a diamond or yellow with age.

Platinum is:

• Pure
• Natural
• Durable
• Never Fades

...think about it, isn't that everything you want your love to be for someone you care deeply about?

Whether you go with an Estate piece or you start a family tradition with a Modern ring (like this stunning Danhov ring from Samuel Gordon's)...if it is Platinum, it (like your love) will endure.

...and just in time for your Holiday Proposal, Platinum Guild International just launched a new budget calculator: www.preciousplatinum.com/calculator.

Send your partner to the site, where they can enter their annual salary, and browse platinum engagement ring styles that FIT within their budget.

Celebrities including Megan Fox, Carrie Underwood, Emily Blunt, and Nicole Richie wear platinum engagement rings.

Special Thanks to Nikki over at PRLab for the great PGI info - Fay Cullen for the Estate Rings and Dan Gordon at Samuel Gordon for the Danhov Band Ring!

Celebrity Jewel: Angelina in Procop Collaboration

Angelina Jolie never ceases to amaze and delight...found some great shots from "The Tourist" premiere in NYC on the JustJared site!

These earrings are FABULOUS!

Sizzling, sexy in white from Atelier Versace - The 35-year-old actress showed off some leg in an ivory white long sleeved angora gown and hit the carpet with partner Brad Pitt. Angie finished off her look with Ferragamo shoes and earrings from her personal jeweler, Robert Procop.

...speaking of Procop!!! According to JustJared and WWD:

Angelina Jolie is teaming up with Robert Procop, former CEO of Asprey, for a jewelry collaboration!

Pieces include a 353-carat beryl pendant in a rose gold setting and a 12-carat emerald ring set in rose gold, based on a design Angelina and Robert created for Brad Pitt!

“Pieces from the collection will not be sold in stores, but will be sold privately through Procop’s network of clients, with all of the proceeds from the collaborative designs going toward Jolie’s charity, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. Each piece will be priced individually,” WWD explains.

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/12/06/angelina-jolie-collaborating-on-jewelry-collection/#ixzz17PhF3eJH

Claudia Endler Named WJA's 2010 "Shining Star"

The Women’s Jewelry Association, Los Angeles Chapter has chosen to honor jewelry designer Claudia Endler as the 2010 winner of the Shining Star Award.

Claudia has been an active member of WJA for over 14 years first serving on the board as Secretary, then as President of the Los Angeles Chapter 1999-2000. Claudia also serves on the DIVA Design Competition committee and the Southern California Women-In-The-Know conference committee.

Co-presidents Becka Johnson Kibby and Lisa Schoening state, “She not only gave a lot of her time in 2010, but has also helped this Chapter continue to grow throughout the years. The chapter appreciates all that Claudia does to support members, as well as the chapter.”

The WJA Shining Star Award was created to give recognition to a chapter member who has been of extraordinary service to their chapter throughout the year. In appreciation, each yearly recipient receives a ticket to the Women-In-The-Know conference, as well as national recognition.

ABOUT CLAUDIA ENDLER
Claudia Endler is passionate about modern jewelry, art, architecture, design, and self-expression. “Ever since I was little you could not drag me away from jewelry store windows.” After a successful career as a designer representative in the fashion industry, Claudia’s passions and talents collided, culminating in the formation of Claudia Endler Designs in 2000: one of Los Angeles’ leading contemporary jewelry design enterprises. By combining elements from graphic design, art, and architecture, the essence of Claudia’s jewelry designs is to illuminate the unique qualities that define each person, individually. Claudia’s designs offer distinctive alternatives to the traditional matrimonial fare. Claudia was awarded the 2009 Phyllis Morris Award in Design and her designs have received critical acclaim, including other prestigious design awards and nominations. Additionally, she has been featured on My Fox L.A.’s Jewelry Designer Hot List and Colored Stone magazine’s Favorite Designer. Her designs occupy the private collections of some of L.A.’s top cultural leaders, including museum curators, architects, gallery directors, artists, and other jewelry designers. For more information on Claudia Endler Designs, please visit http://www.claudiaendler.com or call (323)-225-5925.

ABOUT WOMEN’S JEWELRY ASSOCIATION
The Women’s Jewelry Association, founded in the United States in 1983, is the preeminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. WJA, which operates through the national office in New York City, comprises a network of 12 regional chapters in the United States and international affiliate chapters in India and Italy. Members benefit from educational and networking opportunities, scholarships, grants, design competitions, annual business conferences, and recognition programs, such as its annual Awards for Excellence gala. For more information about WJA and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.womensjewelryassociation.com or call the national office at (212) 687-2722.

Dec 4th & 5th: Vicente Agor Trunk Show at max