#VDBApp #GOOGLE REQUIREMENTS FOR #SEO PERFORMANCE MORE STRICT THAN EVER

from Press Release...

GOOGLE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEO PERFORMANCE MORE STRICT THAN EVER

VDB App Enables Retail Jewelers to Compete in Rapidly Evolving Online Marketplace by White Labeling the Powerful VDB App as Their Own

To compete for today’s consumer footfalls, retailers must pay more attention to search than ever before. Mobile First technology is an important key to online success.

Retail jewelers are hyper-aware that footfalls are down and consumer attention is won and lost online. The good news is that retail sales dollars are up – but only for retailers who manage to entice consumers to enter their stores. Virtual Diamond Boutique (VDB) has continued to develop its online tools for retail jewelers and will demonstrate a suite of applications that meets every SEO and UX (user experience) best practice during JCK Las Vegas.

One of Google’s most important (and least understood) requirements today is that online experiences must be designed as Mobile First applications. Until recently, “desktop first” was the standard in online experience development. But as smart devices now account for over 74% of online activity, experiences designed with the mobile user in mind have become the priority. Businesses cannot achieve high search engine results if their online presence is not Mobile First.

Tanya Nisguretsky, CEO of Virtual Diamond Boutique, said, “We’ve spent years in research and development to create a mobile-first experience that is user-friendly, highly interactive, and visually appealing. We knew that it was imperative to get the jewelry-buying experience onto smartphones and tablets in a native manner.”

In fact, the VDB platform is the jewelry industry’s only Mobile First platform. Until very recently, this was an interesting differentiator, but not a strategic one. However, Google began giving preference to mobile versions of websites starting in 2016, when they began down-grading sites that had a weak mobile experience. And in 2018, Google has dramatically increased the pressure to use mobile technology, as they are now actively indexing the mobile versions of websites instead of desktop versions. Considering that Google represents over 85% of search activity, meeting Google's requirements is essential to reaching consumers.

Retailers who want to ensure they maintain (or develop) strong Google ranking scores can now use the VDB App as a branded application. ”Almost from the minute they first saw it, our clients have asked for a white label version so they could use it as their branded store app,” says Tanya. “So we’re very excited to announce you can now personalize the VDB app with your store logo, colors, and brand information, and offer it right in the App Store. It’s plug and play.”

Today, retail jewelers cannot afford to operate without a powerful web presence, and that web presence must be Mobile First. One way to accomplish this is to rebuild your website using Mobile First technology. Another way to accomplish this is to partner with technology platforms who can get you there faster, cheaper, and with a commitment to ongoing development.

To learn more about the VDB App, please visit https://www.vdbapp.com/

Virtual Diamond Boutique is a global sourcing and selling company in the jewelry industry. They have combined deep jewelry industry knowledge with top technical talent to create jewelry technology by jewelers, for jewelers.

Spring 2018 Gems & Gemology Green diamonds, “Rainbow” Hematite and a full report on the Tucson Trade Shows

...from a Press Release

Spring 2018 Gems & Gemology 

Reveals Colorful Discoveries in Gems 

Green diamonds, “Rainbow” Hematite 
and a full report on the Tucson Trade Shows

Delve into the science of green diamonds, explore “rainbow” hematite and discover how DNA can be used to identify pearls in the Spring 2018 issue of Gems & Gemology (G&G), GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America’s) quarterly professional journal. 

The spring issue will also feature the 2018 G&G Challenge, a 25-question multiple-choice quiz based on articles published in 2017– Those who score 100% will be listed in the Fall 2018 issue. The Gem News International section will carry a complete report on the February 2018 Tucson gem and mineral shows, with 24 pages of coverage and photos. G&G’s Spring 2018 issue is available in print by subscription and in the GIA Store, and digitally – at no cost – on GIA.edu.

This issue opens with “Natural-Color Green Diamonds: A Beautiful Conundrum,” the first in a series of articles about fancy-color diamonds. Christopher M. Breeding, Sally Eaton-Magaña and James E. Shigley compiled data representative of more than 9,000 samples to offer a look at natural green diamonds that has never before been possible. These diamonds are colored either by simple structural defects produced by radiation exposure or by more complex defects involving nitrogen, hydrogen or nickel impurities. Laboratory irradiation treatments closely mimic the effects of natural radiation exposure, causing tremendous difficulty in gemological identification – a challenge that the three GIA research scientists address in this article.

“Iridescence in Metamorphic ‘Rainbow’ Hematite” explores “rainbow” hematite from Minas Gerais, Brazil. The authors, Xiayang Lin, Peter J. Heaney and Jeffrey E. Post, use advanced technology to determine the cause of the intense wide-angle iridescence. The study revealed that the interference is produced by a repeating microstructure consisting of spindle-shaped hematite nanocrystals containing minor impurities.

G&G continues with “DNA Techniques Applied to the Identification of Japanese Pinctada Fucata Pearls from Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan.” Kazuko Saruwatari, Michio Suzuki, Chunhui Zhou, Promlikit Kessrapong and Nicholas Sturman share how genetic information encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be used to identify this akoya cultured pearl species.

Additional highlights include a recent lab note by Sally Eaton-Magaña on five CVD synthetic diamonds larger than three carats and beautiful photomicrographs in the Micro-World section of an opal with agate-like banding.

This and every issue of G&G since 1934, including full articles, lab notes, photo galleries and exclusive video footage, are available at no cost on GIA’s website at https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology.

Additional research articles are available at http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research.

Print subscriptions and copies of back issues are available at http://store.gia.edu, or by contacting G&G customer service at +1 760-603-4502. There is a $10 discount on subscription renewals – domestic and international – and a 50% lower rate for recent back issues – all back issues now cost $15.

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, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality.

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 GIA.edu. 

Emerald Expositions Announces the Launch of American Handcrafted™

via Press Release

Emerald Expositions Announces the Launch of American Handcrafted™
The Newest, Must-Attend Trade Show for North American Handmade Products 

 

Emerald Expositions is pleased to announce that in September of 2018, they are launching a rebranding campaign for the widely respected ACRE™ shows, which will include a change of name to American Handcrafted™. The ACRE™ shows have long represented original, creative and quality products handmade in North America, and the new name, which will be launched with American Handcrafted™ Orlando, September 6-8, 2018, provides the community, as well as existing and prospective retail buyers, with both clarity and distinction.
 
“It is very important to us to keep our core audience in mind throughout this re-branding process,” noted Allison Garafalo, Show Director. “Buying handmade is becoming an increasingly important factor among consumers, and we’d like to expand our horizons by bringing veteran artists together with up-and-coming makers to showcase the best handmade products crafted in the U.S. and Canada. We feel the new name, and the new direction of our overall branding, speaks to that, and will serve to draw an increased number of buyers who are interested in this important retail category.”
 
American Handcrafted™ Orlando will feature a juried selection of North American artists representing a mix of all media and product categories in a region that is traditionally very successful for the handmade industry. The show will also feature on-site demonstrations, seminars, social media events and networking opportunities that will result in a creative and innovative environment for makers and buyers. The September timing of American Handcrafted™ Orlando allows for sufficient time to fill orders for the holiday selling season, and the show will be co-located with SURF Expo, which is a destination show for resort buyers on the east coast.

 
The February 2018 ACRE™ event, which was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, February 17-19, was the last featuring the former name and branding, before transitioning to American Handcrafted™ Philadelphia in 2019. Also in 2019, ACRE™ Las Vegas will become American Handcrafted™ Las Vegas.
 
About American Handcrafted™
American Handcrafted events focus on artisan craftsmanship and design showcasing established artists representing all mediums along with new and upcoming makers from the contemporary maker movement. American Handcrafted Orlando will be the first event to take place in 2018 under the new branding and will take place September 6-8, 2018 at the Orlando Convention Center.  Attendees including art & fine craft galleries, modern gift & home stores, independent retailers, art institutions, e-retailers, national retail chains, and museums are expected to attend.

American Handcrafted is owned by Emerald Expositions, the largest operator of business-to-business trade shows in the United States, with most of our shows dating back several decades. We currently operate more than 50 trade shows, including 31 of the top 250 trade shows in the country as ranked by TSNN, as well as numerous other events. Our events connect over 500,000 global attendees and exhibitors and occupy more than 6.9 million NSF of exhibition space. We have been recognized with many awards and accolades that reflect our industry leadership as well as the importance of our shows to the exhibitors and attendees we serve. More information about American Handcrafted Orlando can be found at americanhandcraftedshow.com

JCK Las Vegas Awards Booth to Army Veteran and Jeweler Tara Hutchinson

from a Press Release:

JCK Las Vegas Awards Booth to 

Army Veteran and Jeweler Tara Hutchinson

In line with JCK's charitable efforts throughout the year, JCK Las Vegas/ LUXURY has extended a complimentary booth to Army Veteran and Jewelry Designer Tara Hutchinson. Tara Hutch Designs will showcase its line of contemporary one-of-a-kind jewelry at this year's LUXURY show from May 31st through June 4th.

Tara Hutchinson served for 10 years as a military police officer in the army. On Valentine's Day 2006, while on deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, Tara's truck was hit by an improvised explosive device, causing the traumatic amputation of her right leg above the knee. The incredible blood loss that she faced caused Tara's heart to stop for almost 20 minutes, resulting in a brain injury that manifested as a movement disorder. Initially, Tara's motor skills were so compromised that she could not hold a fork to feed herself. A therapist suggested that Tara find a hobby that would incorporate her motor skills to both combat depression and help in her physical recovery; she chose jewelry. Through her dedication to learning the craft and her tenacity towards recovery, Tara ultimately blossomed into an award-winning jewelry designer. In 2016, she received the Women's Jewelry Association's Veteran Grant, as well as placed in the top ten in the Halstead Grant for Design Excellence and Business Strategy. In 2017, she placed second for the Streetshares Veteran Small Business Award. In 2018, Tara was chosen in the top three as a Centurion Emerging Designer.
"Tara's story is not only incredibly moving, but represents the kind of passion, creativity and fortitude that sustains our industry," says LUXURY Events Industry Vice President Sarin Bachmann. "We are thrilled to have Tara at this year's show and value the unique aesthetic and positive energy she brings to the floor." 

Tara Hutch Designs will exhibit in the expanded DESIGN@LUXURY section (salon LUX-2202) alongside well-known industry designers such as Jennifer Dawes, John Atencio, Eric Molinari and Just Jules to name a few. For more information, please visit tarahutchjewelry.com.


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, visit jckonline.com.

About JCK Las Vegas: 
JCK Las Vegas is North America's most iconic jewelry buying experience. Featuring the most diverse mix of suppliers and products from around the world. Leading jewelry professionals attend JCK to discover what's new, next and meaningful to their business through unique, personalized experiences. JCK is where the jewelry industry comes together to do business, network with colleagues, and make personal connections with those who share their passion for jewelry.

About LUXURY by JCK:LUXURY by JCK is the pinnacle of jewelry buying between the world’s finest designers and brands and most distinguished retailers. Every detail is carefully planned to curate this exclusive event that mixes the best of business and networking in a stylish yet secure environment. LUXURY delivers for both brands and retailers the best place to do business in a high-end environment. LUXURY is by invitation only two days preceding JCK Las Vegas then open to JCK buyers alongside JCK Las Vegas. 

Heritage Filigree Jewelry Brand ELEUTERIO Makes US Debut at COUTURE

via Press Release

Heritage Filigree Jewelry Brand ELEUTERIO

Makes US Debut at COUTURE

Heritage filigree jewelry maker Eleuterio makes its US debut at COUTURE 2018 this year in a strategic effort to continue expanding the Portuguese brand’s global footprint. Founded in 1925, Eleuterio has always specialized in the art of handmade gold filigree jewelry, an ancient technique which the company has perfected. 

The company’s workshops were first founded in 1925 in Travassos, a northern region of Portugal known for its strong handcraft traditions in jewelry making. The company’s namesake, Eleuterio Antunes, moved to preserve the traditional filigree jewelry craft techniques during a time when mass production and casting nearly made such precious skills extinct. Efforts by other firms to replicate the look of filigree with new casting methods inevitably impacted the quality and finesse of the jewels and could not compare to the fine traditional hand-worked pieces produced by the artisans of Eleuterio.

Today, Eleuterio remains honored to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the unique art of hand-made filigree jewelry making which has endured in Portugal for more than 5,000 years. Eleuterio and its workshops remain rooted in Northern Portugal where the company first began, led by the third generation of the Eleuterio family, Rosa and Luis Antunes.

All Eleuterio filigree jewelry pieces are inherently unique, exhibiting the slight differences that speak of the skilled craftsman’s hand. Eleuterio’s collections span from contemporary to classic aesthetic influences, from traditional Portuguese motifs to Art Deco designs and organic floral designs. Each crafted of the highest quality, the diverse yet refined filigree jewelry collections reflect the global soul of this haute, heritage jewelry brand.

Now, Eleuterio comes to COUTURE as a step towards further global expansion, selecting the elite show as the ideal venue to reintroduce the fine art of Portuguese filigree jewelry to the United States and beyond.

About Eleuterio: Established in 1925, heritage filigree jewelry brand Eleuterio was founded in 1925, specializing in gold filigree jewelry of the highest quality. Located in Northern Portugal, the brand and workshops remain owned and operated by the third generation of the Eleuterio family, Rosa and Luis Antunes. Preserving and protecting a vital Portuguese ancestral tradition, the artisans of Eleuterio hand-make each filigree piece with delicate lace-like gold threads using techniques that date back over 5000 years. Today, Eleuterio skillfully reinterprets this traditional filigree art into a contemporary, globally inspired filigree collection crafted in gold and diamonds, available throughout Portugal and beyond. http://www.eleuteriojewels.com

JUST PERFECT MSP® GRANTED PATENT FOR PERFECT FIT™ TECHNOLOGY

JUST PERFECT MSP® GRANTED PATENT FOR

PERFECT FIT™ TECHNOLOGY

New York-based jewelry manufacturer, Just Perfect MSP® is pleased to announce that the Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded them the patent for their engineering and design concept Perfect Fit™ which prevents today’s larger and more top-heavy rings from falling to the side of the finger because of the additional weight.

“We are thrilled that the Patent and Trademark office saw the uniqueness and value of our concept”, said Edward Zylka, President of Just Perfect MSP®, who was inspired to create the idea after noticing how few celebrity engagement rings rarely sat upright in magazine photos. 

Further research by Zylka (and underscored by studies from “The Knot” and other bridal publications) pointed to the fact that today’s engagement rings continue to get larger. Zylka adds, “with the popularity of halo styling, larger diamonds, and colored gemstone centers the phenomenon of the ill-fitting ring appeared to be a challenge worth addressing from a design and engineering perspective.”

The result! Perfect Fit™, an ergonomically engineered design technologically that is sculpted into the ring’s profile and ensures that the ring is both comfortable and that the center stones remain on top of the finger. Additionally, the patented concept adds a touch more weight to the bottom of the shank to help balance the top. Perfect Fit™ technology is available across a variety of the company’s ring offerings, from engagement rings to wedding bands, anniversary rings and fashion rings. Further, because Just Perfect MSP® specializes in customization, retail orders are delivered in a wide variety of metals, diamond qualities/colors, and colored gemstone combinations expeditiously, within 5 business days.

Perfect Fit™ will be highlighted at the JCK Las Vegas Show at the Just Perfect MSP® booth (Bayview/Bridal 61036). Retailers wishing more information or wanting to make a show appointment should call (877) 201-0005 and speak to Donna Karnicki.


About Just Perfect MSP®:For a quarter century Just Perfect MSP®, a family owned and operated company has been helping jewelry retailers realize their customers dreams by crafting customized engagement rings and wedding bands, made to consumer order and delivered to the store within 5 business days. Responding to millennial desire the company is proud of the fact that all pieces are designed and hand-finished by master craftsmen and made in the USA using conflict-free diamonds and eco-friendly gold. Each piece comes with a lifetime warranty on the quality of manufacturing.

Just Perfect MSP®is the largest producer of machine-set jewelry in the world with over 1200 active styles. Designs are customizable in platinum, palladium, 18 karat gold or 14 karat gold, set with the customer’s choice of 4 diamond qualities and/or a variety of colored gemstones. The technologically engineered die-struck product is porosity-free, durable, more secure for gem-setting and maintains its polish longer.

Le Vian Signs Three-Year Commitment with JCK Las Vegas and LUXURY Shows

via Press Release

Le Vian Signs Three-Year Commitment with 

JCK Las Vegas and LUXURY Shows; 

Expands 2018 Presence to 4,000 Sq. Ft. Ballroom 

JCK Las Vegas and LUXURY are pleased to announce a multi-year collaboration with Le Vian Jewelry, beginning in 2018 through 2020. This marks the first time that the brand has entered such a commitment in 40 years of trade show exhibition.

"At a time of such a changing landscape in the retail environment, Le Vian's multi-year commitment to the preeminent jewelry show supports JCK's position as the place where the newest trends in fine jewelry are brought to market, " says CEO Eddie Le Vian. "This year, we will exhibit our largest collection of mouthwatering gems yet, as well as showcase our latest offerings in technology, sales and marketing."

Le Vian will expand its presence in 2018 to a 4,000+ square foot ballroom for the show's final year at Mandalay Bay. Known for coloring the world of jewelry with a sensational palette of chocolate and nude diamonds and exceptional gemstones, Le Vian's new ballroom not only promises to be a veritable wonderland of fine jewelry, but also gives Le Vian the space to unveil its new Tech Center, training stores on its latest style bar and a look at its new marketing campaigns.

"Anyone who has visited JCK Las Vegas and LUXURY knows to expect something exceptional from Le Vian," says Industry Vice President for LUXURY Events Sarin Bachmann. "The new space will offer a dedicated location for an even more luxurious and immersive brand experience. We are thrilled and grateful for their valued partnership and support in exhibiting at our shows." 

Le Vian will exhibit at LUXURY and JCK Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Wednesday, May 30th through Monday, June 4th, 2018.


About Le Vian:
Le Vian's historic journey in fine jewelry is legendary and spans centuries from ancient royalty to today's red carpet. As one of America's favorite fine jewelry brands, Le Vian is leading the fine jewelry industry on a path to trendsetting fashion couture stardom with its innovative designs and introductions of deliciously flavored exotic gemstones and diamonds. Each year hundreds of celebrities and music icons choose to wear Le Vian on the red carpet, without getting paid or gifted.

Le Vian is a privately held family business driven by its heritage of the guardianship of the royal jewels in 1746 which has resulted in the LeVian family's deep passion for finding the world's most beautiful gems, including its exclusive Chocolate Diamonds®, recognized in over 100 countries. Le Vian is committed to giving back, donating 10% of its profits to charities. Le Vian is a certified member of the Responsible Jewelry Council, dedicated to being a socially and ethically responsible company with third party audits of its supply chain.

Le Vian fine jewelry collections are sold in a network of authorized stores in the US, Canada, Caribbean and the UK. Le Vian also creates thousands of original one of a kind and small limited-edition artistic piece which are sold at thousands of one day Le Vian shows and Pop Up Shops at its authorized retailers. Every registered Le Vian is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and registration guaranteeing repair or replacement for the life of the registered owner and allows the trade up of a design for the full price paid at one of its shows.


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, visit jckonline.com.

About JCK Las Vegas: JCK Las Vegas is North America's most iconic jewelry buying experience. Featuring the most diverse mix of suppliers and products from around the world. Leading jewelry professionals attend JCK to discover what's new, next and meaningful to their business through unique, personalized experiences. JCK is where the jewelry industry comes together to do business, network with colleagues, and make personal connections with those who share their passion for jewelry.


About LUXURY by JCK:LUXURY by JCK is the pinnacle of jewelry buying between the world's finest designers and brands and most distinguished retailers. Every detail is carefully planned to curate this exclusive event that mixes the best of business and networking in a stylish yet secure environment. LUXURY delivers for both brands and retailers the best place to do business in a high-end environment. LUXURY is by invitation only two days preceding JCK Las Vegas then open to JCK buyers alongside JCK Las Vegas.