EuropaStar Previews Mouawads Latest Uniformity!

EuropaStar previews some of the new watch brands in the pipe line - especially Blacksand from Alain Mouawad! ...the debut line "Uniformity"...

Alain Mouawad left the family-owned Mouawad Group to set up his own brand Blacksand. Because of the attachment of Asian consumers to established brands, he sees Europe and the USA as the main markets for his new timepieces, which introduce a bold new design element to what is otherwise a relatively classic look. Read our article on this new brand and its Uniformity collection and look out for more new brands in the December/January issue of the magazine.

To see the full contents of our latest issue, click here.

Jewelers to Introduce Fairtrade/Fairmined Gold in the US Market

Toby Pomeroy Jewelry

American Jewelers Organize to Introduce Fairtrade & Fairmined Gold to US Market

A diverse, international group of jewelry, environmental, and mining stakeholders convened in Santa Fe, October 29-30, 2011, and agreed on a common vision of a world in which jewelry, from mine to market, benefits the environment and everyone that touches it.

Participants identified an initial goal to broadly introduce certified Fairtrade and Fairmined gold to the US market in 2012.

Tourmaline Beads from Columbia Gem House

The group will undertake a critical examination of standards and work to ensure the best outcome for communities and the environment through the mineral supply chain. The group also sees emerging opportunities to build a market for transparent and traceable ethical metals, and discussed other areas of concern including colored gems, diamonds, other precious metals and manufacturing.

Fair Jewelry Action and Ethical Metalsmiths hosted the dialogue attended by Larry Bohlen (Green Leaf Gold), Eric Braunwart (Columbia Gem House), Marc Choyt (Fair Jewelry Action and Reflective Images Inc.), Christine Dhein, (Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and Green Jewelry News), Bill Gallagher (Lori Bonn Design, Inc.), Genevieve Ennis Hume (Hume Atelier, Canada), Christina Miller (Ethical Metalsmiths), Toby Pomeroy(TOBY POMEROY Jewelry and Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM)), and Greg Valerio (Fair Jewellery Action, United Kingdom).

Lori Bonn's "Key to My Heart" from the Sweets Collection 

Fairtrade and Fairmined gold certification is the result of a joint effort between Fairtrade International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), who combined their expertise to enable artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) to improve their livelihoods through a set of standards for responsible mining, which the miners have to fulfill in order to get certified. Standards include democratic organization, safe working practices, management of toxic chemicals, as well as respect for the environment and women’s rights. Certified miners will receive a guaranteed Fairtrade and Fairmined minimum price, which is democratically reinvested in community projects and improving miners’ operations. Mining organizations will be audited by FLO-CERT, an independent, international certification body, to ensure compliance.

Observing the meeting were Jennifer Krill (Earthworks) and Maya Spaull (Fair Trade USA).

For more information, visit www.fairgold.org, www.communitymining.org andwww.fairtrade.net.

Afghan Seafoam Tourmaline® from Columbia Gem House

Looking For Work In The Jewelry Industry?

Open your box of JOY!  


Would a new job make your Holidays better?


Not sure if you noticed...at the top of this story - there is a new page!


If you are looking for work in the Jewelry Industry - in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas...feel free to check out the posted positions.


Even if you aren't in the area check it out - I have posted links to a few other sources!

Colored Gems Celebrated at D&H Sustainable Jewelers Event!

Wine Tasting for a Cause at D&H Sustainable Jewelers

D&H is unique in the U.S. being the only retail jewelry store with a wine bar.  The sustainable wines that guests enjoyed throughout the event were handcrafted selections from featured Storrs Winery in the Santa Cruz area.

The presentation of projects at D&H was a preview for the November 18 premiere of Green Gem at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco, and through the expert suggestions of Shawn Higgens and Lindsay Daunell of D&H, Green Gem was able to bring to sharp focus the direct connection to the source gem countries.  

Jean-Noel Soni and Jeffrey Hunt, of  Green Gem Foundation, presented the projects and gems in full detail – each with a story, striking an immediate cord with the event goers. The enthusiasm at D&H was palpable. 

RESULTS:  The Wine Tasting for a Cause event sponsored at San Francisco’s D&H Sustainable Jewelers November 11 and 12 to benefit the Green Gem Foundation resulted in the funding of two full projects and partial funding of another.

The projects funded for Green Gem include:

• a precision gem faceting machine to be given to two Afghan women that are currently being trained in Afghanistan by Green Gem co-director Jim Rentfrow.  The faceting machine was donated by Shawn Higgens of D&H.  
• The second project, fully funded through the direct purchase of a Tanzanian chrome tourmaline, is to be applied to year three and four of high school for a young girl in Voi, Kenya who has lost both parents.  Without this funding she would not be able to continue with her education.
• The third project, 50% funded by a direct purchase of a Kenyan zircon, will be used to install simple railing in a mine outside Kabul.  This represents an extreme labor saving device to the miners who are now extracting material by bucket.

With the successful Wine Tasting for a Cause at D&H Jewelers, Green Gem Foundation’s goal of funding six projects through the 111 Minna Premiere is over two-thirds complete!  A wonderful kickoff for this new foundation.

Tasteful event reminders were sent out by the creative Jeffrey Hunt in White and Blush!

 

About D&H Sustainable Jewelers:

We do not want to reduce the viability of luxury products by selling things that hurt our environment today.

The resources and technology exist today to allow customers to have a green choice. By creating transparency in our "traditional" industry, we can all feel good about what we are buying and selling.

We believe that sustainability must take into account all of these aspects: social, environmental, cultural, and economic. You have to do this on a local level.

Green does not have to be grunge.

About Green Gem Foundation:

The Green Gem Foundation is a new non-profit organization established to promote the development of ethical gemstones. Green Gem promotes community and economic development in gem producing regions with the primary goal of keeping as much wealth as possible in the source country. The communities are built by establishing direct connections between the purchaser and retailer to the miner and gem brokers in the country of origin. Green Gem Foundation does not directly carry or promote gems or gem rough that have been processed in intermediate countries. This represents an actual break from traditional supply lines.

The commercial outsourcing of gems to cutting houses in China, Thailand, and Sri Lanka is the industry standard. These lower cost gems, with increasing quality of cut and design permit sorely needed profit, to the jewelry industry in the US. This industry standard will be slow to change, but as our world shrinks, and more consumers insist on ethically sourced gems, Green Gem Foundation will help to provide that link and alternative to this rapidly growing segment of the consumer market.

TODAY - Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Geneva!

Just a few of the tempting offerings from the Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Auction in Geneva TODAY!


Click through to bid or view the eCatalogue 

Premiere Gallery Exhibition of the Green Gem Foundation

If you are in San Francisco - this is a DO NOT MISS EVENT!  See you there!

Rajwarah Jewellers selects International Gem Tower as its US Headquarters

Rajwarah Jewellers to expand to the United States,
selects International Gem Tower as its headquarters

First Delhi-based purchaser at IGT cites "huge U.S. market" for handmade Indian jewelry

Shimmer, an entity of Rajwarah Jewellers, announced today its decision to establish a USA headquarters in the International Gem Tower, currently under construction in New York's Diamond District. Renu Sharma, CEO of Shimmer, was drawn to the Tower because of its exclusivity, amenities and the building's designation as a Foreign Trade Zone. Through her travels and conversations with IGT representatives abroad, Sharma decided that, as New York's only modern tower dedicated to the global jewelry trade, the Gem Tower is the perfect location to launch her North American expansion. Shimmer, whose success is based upon its motto of personalization and excellence, specializes in handcrafted jewelry. "Our aim is to ensure all our precious customers are provided with quality, consistency and personal unbiased attention locally and now abroad as well," explained Sharma. 

About Shimmer
A division of Rajwarah Jewellers Private Limited, Shimmer has carved a niche for itself as a meticulous designer, manufacturer and crafter of precious metal and stone. Shimmer's handcrafted jewelry line is designed based on the age-old heritage and expertise of master Indian craftsmen. Providing its customers with a wide variety of gold and diamond jewelry for over twenty years, Shimmer uses only certified and hallmarked diamonds, colored stones and the timeless artisanship and detail for which India is famous.

About the International Gem Tower 

The International Gem Tower will be New York City's only commercial condominium designed specifically for the global diamond, gem and jewelry industry. Set for completion in 2012, this 34-story tower will provide services and amenities never before offered in New York's diamond district, including state-of-the-art security and vault operations, foreign trade zone status, secure underground parking, full service concierge, health and fitness center, and ground floor retail shopping. Up to $100 million is available to interested buyers in first mortgage financing from Empire State Development through its Job Development Authority.

To track the tower's progress and for more construction photos, please visit our website at:

www.InternationalGemTower.com.

To arrange an appointment with one of our sales executives, please contact:     Joseph Lipton Partner, International Gem Tower      Direct: +1 212 712 6006  Mobile: +1 917 359 1133   E-Mail: jlipton@extelldev.com