DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND’S FIRST ANNUAL GOOD AWARDS!

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DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND’S

FIRST ANNUAL GOOD AWARDS LIGHTS UP MANHATTAN

New York, NY; January 11, 2012—Atop the Empire Rooftop Hotel the Diamond Empowerment Fund held its inaugural GOOD Awards on January 5, 2012. The festive affair kicked off a weekend filled with annual industry luncheons and gala dinners.

Four individuals received GOOD Awards for outstanding leadership in the area of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and helping to communicate the diamond industry’s commitment to helping individuals through education in African diamond-producing nations. The four were:

1. Ms. Varda Shine, CEO and the Diamond Trading Company  (A De Beers Group Company)
2. Mr. Edward Hrabak, SVP General Merchandising Manager and Sterling Jewelers Inc
3. Ms. Rebecca Foerster, U.S. Manager Marketing and Sales and Rio Tinto Diamonds:  
4. Ms. Ivanka Trump, Founder and Principal and  Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry (Under the ‘New and Brightest’ category )

Videos of the honorees and their good works can be found on diamondempowerment.org.

A highlight of the GOOD Awards’ evening was a jaw-dropping performance by Grammy-nominated singer Melanie Fiona, who almost brought the roof down with the incredible range of her voice and her R&B themed song choices. Another highlight was the rhythmic beat of music played throughout the evening by New York’s famous DJ M.O.S.

Russell Simmons, co-founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund and chair of its Advisory Board summed up the evening by stating “The Diamond Empowerment Fund is unique to the diamond industry. It’s about action and empowerment on the ground in Africa. The first-ever GOOD Awards is also unique and was designed to shine on a light on those within the diamond and jewelry industry who understand the importance, urgency and impact education can have. I'm happy to say the event was a success."

Added Board President Phyllis Bergman, “The GOOD Awards allowed us to put the Diamond Empowerment Fund on the map for the industry. We had an amazing turnout and the feedback has been incredibly positive. We are grateful for the sponsorship from industry leaders, Sterling Jewelers, Inc, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Julius Klein and Ritani and the Gemological Institue of Amercia (GIA) whose support helped us put together such a wonderful event. With additional support from the industry moving forward, we can further our mission of building and strengthening diamond producing nations through the education of their youth” 

Honoree Ivanka Trump reinforced this message affirming “it’s just good business to care about everyone involved in the various layers of production…especially when the end product is such a beautiful symbol of love”.

 About the Diamond Empowerment Fund

The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a New York based non-profit organization (EIN# 20-5967103) that raises money to support education initiatives in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. It was established in 2007 by a group of individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industry, with the belief that education is essential to empower both individuals and society to reach their fullest potential.

Celebrity Jewel: At the Critics Choice Awards

Winners included:

• George Clooney wins Best Actor for his role in The Descendants 
• Viola Davis wins Best Actress for her role in The Help
• Octavia Spencer wins Best Supporting Actress for The Help
• The Artist wins Best Picture

Stacy Keibler, with beau and award winner George Clooney, in white Armani - Marchesa Clutch and Kara Ackerman Designs jewelry.

 

Charlize Theron The 36-year-old actress (in an Alaia dress and Bulgari jewelry) up for Best Actress for her work on Young Adult.   Bulgari Platinum earrings with princess cut diamonds (4.17 carats)

Kirsten Dunst hits the red carpet in Christian Dior - Jimmy Choo shoes and Harry Winston Jewelry.

Michelle Williams sparkled in PLATINUM jewelry by Fred Leighton for Forevermark:

• Bracelets featuring diamond clips set in platinum on a ribbon 
• Platinum and diamond stud earrings (1.50 carats each)

Elizabeth Olsen in Emilio Pucci nominated for Best Actress for her work on Martha Marcy May Marlene. Emilio Pucci shoes, a Lena Erziak bag, and rings by Meus and Kara Ackerman.

The home page of Kara Ackerman Designs explains why so many  celebs choose KAD Rings!

These Earrings are the winner for me!

Berenice Bejo (The Artist) in Elie Saab lapis blue sleeveless beaded v-neck cocktail dress. She finished the look with an Edie Parker clutch, Jimmy Choo sandals and a pair of aquamarine and sapphire drop earrings from Chopard’s Temptations Collection. 

Jessica Chastain, The Help, in Balenciaga finished her look with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewelry byPalladium. 

Don't you love Emma's smokey eyes?  Emma Stone accessorized with Alexander McQueen shoes, a Bottega Veneta handbag and ring, and Sydney Evan earrings. 

From GirlFriends Wendi McLendon-Covey wore a stunning necklace that I was unable to place...

Any one know?


It has been confirmed...thanks Wendy!


By LeVian:
Arusha Exotics by Le Vian®  Blueberry Tanzanite™ Necklace.  
The 14k white gold necklace is a one of a kind design.  
It features over 92 carats of Blueberry Tanzanite™, accented with 2.740 carats of diamonds and 21 carats of Blue Zircon.

Gem Fling - Consumer Search Engine for Jewelry

Verichannel Launches Consumer Search Engine for Jewelry   

to Address "Google Logjam"

 

Dillon, CO, USA. January 11, 2012 -- Verichannel, LLC, a trade-restricted search engine for the jewelry industry, has launched in beta mode a consumer version to help retailers and brands break free from what it calls the "Google log-jam." Marketed under the URLGemfling.com, the site brings together some of the most successful models on the Web, including Kayak™-style vendor comparisons, rewards-based viral techniques popularized by Microsoft's Bing™ and Groupon,™ and back-end technology powered by Google™ itself.  

  

"After our first year successfully helping retail stores connect more efficiently with suppliers, we are now extending our patent-pending technology to help consumers more easily connect with retail stores and brands," said Verichannel CEO Jacques Voorhees. "Based on our research, there is almost a marketing crisis occurring at this level. Consumers increasingly go to the Web as a starting point, and that means Google or one of the other search engines. But if you're not on the first page in the results -- you're invisible. And everyone in the industry is trying to be on that first page, which of course is impossible. It's a log-jam that is just as frustrating to consumers as it is to suppliers."

  

Gemfling.com is Verichannel's answer to the problem. "You don't go to Google to buy an airline ticket, you go to Expedia," Voorhees continued. "Why? Because it is a specialized search engine that focuses on the unique characteristics of the travel industry -- hence delivering a more efficient shopping experience for the consumer.   Now, with Gemfling, the jewelry industry can provide similar efficiency. It's better for consumers and vastly more efficient for retailers and brands seeking exposure."

  

Gemfling's functionality is divided into three components: (a) a key-word search system based on backend Google technology, but restricted 100% to jewelry industry websites, (b) a Kayak™-style shopping architecture that divides the Web into specific channels (local stores, e-tailers, brands, and b2c multi-vendor platforms like eBay and Yahoo-shopping), and (c) a store-locator tied into Google Maps™.

  

"The shopping architecture is the core of the system," explained Voorhees.   "It uses proprietary technology to serve up powerful jewelry-specific filters -- such as American Gem Society membership -- and delivers results in side-by-side spawned browsers, similar to Kayak™.

  

The site launched January 11th. A rewards-based viral marketing program will begin in second quarter 2012, which rewards both retail stores and consumers based on usage and promotional (viral) activity.   The site expects to serve up every consumer-facing company in the jewelry industry.

  

"We recommend all retail stores visit www.gemfling.com/shopping/localstores and search their postal code to ensure their information appears properly," noted Teri Welsch, Customer Service Manager. "Every company in the industry can go to the site, register at no cost in the Trade section, and add or make changes to their own data."

  

Placement within Gemfling, for both retail stores and brands, is being offered on a first come, first serve basis. For more information contact Verichannel at +1-917-512-2393 x 4, or email teri@verichannel.com.

 

Verichannel is a private company launched in early 2011 by Polygon founder Jacques Voorhees, former GIA president Bill Boyajian, and I Hennig & Co., the leading international diamond broker for clients seeking supply from the Diamond Trading Company. Verichannel provides an environment to help jewelry industry retailers and suppliers "find and be found" on the Internet. Verichannel includes a database of loose diamonds listed by Sightholders and other major suppliers world-wide, a Daily Diamond Report™ of stones freshly graded by GIA, AGS, IGI and HRD labs, a Google-powered system for searching jewelry industry websites, and other resources.   Visit www.verichannel.com andwww.gemfling.com.

New Board at MJSA!

MJSA Elects New Board Directors, Re-elects Officers   ATTLEBORO FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS--MJSA, the trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, recently re-elected the officers on its board to a second term, and also welcomed two new directors, Lee Krombholz and Bimal Das. Krombholz is the third-generation owner of Krombholz Jewelers and Just Like You Designs, a leading retailer and design studio in Cincinnati. An award-winning designer who specializes in custom work, he is a past president of the Mid-America Jewelers Association, and currently serves on its advisory board. He also serves on the MJSA Custom Design Advisory Council, and has contributed to or been featured in multiple MJSA Journal and MJSA Custom Jeweler articles about custom design. Das is director of ScotiaMocatta, the precious metals division of the Scotiabank Group and a global leader in precious metals trading and finance. He has been with the bank since 1998, working in offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore before being transferred to New York in January 2006. Prior to joining the Scotiabank Group, he was a currency trader at Asia Fx Pte. Ltd., a privately held trading firm based in Chennai, India. In addition, David Pillow, formerly with Zale, returned to the board as president of Innovative Design Group in Richland Hills, Texas. Re-elected as officers were David Meleski (Richline Group), chair; Edward DeCristofaro (LDC Inc.), vice chair; Michael Toback (Myron Toback Co.), vice chair; Stuart Lee (Sterling Jewelers), secretary; Ann Arnold (Lieberfarb Corp.), treasurer; and Richard Powers (Cookson), MJSA Education Foundation chair.

About MJSA  MJSA is the U.S. trade association for jewelry makers, designers, and related suppliers. It provides the resources to achieve professional excellence and maintain a competitive edge. For more information, call MJSA at 1-800-444-6572 or visit www.mjsa.org.

Free Appraisals - Consign Now!

Fine Jewelry at Auction March 13, 2012 Consign Now

18kt Gold, Coral, and Diamond Figural Brooch, Cartier, Paris, Auctioned for $14,220 We are accepting consignments of diamonds, colored gemstones, fine artist-signed, antique jewelry, and watches for our March 13, 2012 auction in Boston. Consignment deadline: January 20, 2012 Receive a Free Auction Evaluation Fine Jewelry Department | jewelry@skinnerinc.com | 617-874-4313

Mastercut Diamond Jubilee Jewellery Competition

Mastercut Diamond Jubilee jewellery competition to launch at Spring Fair 2012

To celebrate the Royal Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Mastercut Diamonds is launching a Jubilee Diamond Design Competition at The Jewellery Show in Birmingham in February.

The competition's goal us to foster creative talent, with entrants encouraged to let their imaginations soar, and then translate this into an innovative piece of diamond jewellery, which will contain 20 sparkling Mastercut diamonds, valued at over £20,000.

The winning design will reflect the brand ethos of Mastercut Diamonds, the perfect expression of love. Every Mastercut diamond has a very special symmetrical cut that has been developed to bring out the maximum sparkle in the stone.

The competition will be judged by Jean-Paul Tolkowsky of Mastercut Diamonds and the winning design will be manufactured by Mastercut Diamonds. The piece will then be exhibited during London Jewellery Week, at the Company of Master Jewellers Business Conference in June and the CMJ Summer Trade Event in August, and at the IJL Show in London in September, as well as touring the country to be exhibited at selected Mastercut stockists.

The competition will be a valuable stepping stone for young designers on their way to successful careers in the jewellery industry, and the winner will also be awarded a free stand at the CMJ August Trade Event in Birmingham, with the chance to showcase their jewellery design to leading independent retail buyers across the UK and Ireland.

Criteria
Submitted entries must be original designs, which have not previously been put on display or commercialised.

Diamonds must be an absolutely indispensable part of the jewellery design. The jewellery design should contain 20 Mastercut diamonds between 15pts and 50pts in size, set in 18ct white, rose or yellow gold.

Designs will be judged according to originality, wearability, the creative use of Mastercut diamonds and technical skill.

The competition is open to professional and non-professional designers, students, graduates, teachers, jewellers and goldsmiths based in the UK.

Participation is on an individual and not a company basis.

How to enter

• Submit drawing(s) of your design(s).
• Specifications for drawings: A4 size, full colour, top and bottom should be marked. Name and address of entrant must be included on the reverse of every design.
• Competition entries can be emailed to mastercut@masterjewellers.co.uk or posted to Mastercut Diamond Jubilee Competition, The Company of Master Jewellers, Somers House, 25 Somers Road, Rugby, CV22 7DG.
• Entries should be received before the closing date of 30th March 2012.

Celebrity Jewel: Bulgari's Mission Possible!

This from Bulgari's Facebook page...for original post see:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417847174962&set=a.78101649962.21233.48981224962&type=1&theater 

BULGARI ON A MISSION! 

Bulgari is thrilled to announce that it makes a remarkable appearance in the latest "Mission: Impossible"' installment - "Ghost Protocol".

The brand was the natural partner for the stylized universe of M:I4, perfectly complimenting the glamourous and chic aesthetic of a key scene of the highly anticipated film.

The stunning one of a kind Bulgari earrings, made of yellow gold with turquoises, green tourmalines and round brilliant cut diamonds 2.49 ct.are the obvious choice for Agent Jane Carter, clearly adorning the sophisticated and sexy look of her character.

"Mission: Impossible, Ghost Protocol" is currently being released in theaters worldwide.

Your mission, should you accept it: go watch the movie in a cinema near you and let us know what you think about Bulgari's latest Hollywood cameo!


Find out more on: http://www.missionimpossible.com/
Credits: ©2011 Paramount Pictures - all rights reserved.