Jewelry Camp Brings Education to the August Atlanta Jewelry Show 2013

ANTIQUE JEWELRY & ART CONFERENCE TO RUN IN CONJUNCTION 

WITH AUGUST 2013 ATLANTA JEWELRY SHOW

“Jewelry Camp” Adds Another Dimension To Atlanta Jewelry Show’s 

Extensive Retailer Educational Offerings

To help independent jewelers tap into the emerging estate jewelry market’s tremendous profit potential, the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association (STJA) has invited the 36th Annual Antique Jewelry & Art Conference to run in conjunction with its August 3-5, 2013 Atlanta Jewelry Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Scheduled for August 1-3, 2013, “Jewelry Camp,” as the Conference is affectionately known in the industry, gives retailers the chance to come to Atlanta earlier and extend their stay to take full advantage of the extensive educational offerings both events deliver.

“From product selection to educational and networking opportunities, we are always looking for ways to help retailers make the most of time away from their businesses during an Atlanta Jewelry Show buying trip,” explains Carol Young, executive director, SJTA, producers and managers of the semi-annual Atlanta Jewelry Show. “With its full line-up of sessions by top experts in the fast-growing areas of buying, selling and appraising antique and estate jewelry, Jewelry Camp adds the perfect complementary track to the Atlanta Jewelry Show’s SJTA U educational series.”

“With more estate jewelry coming out of the vault and walking into the retail jeweler, there is no better time to brush up on your knowledge of the antique and estate jewelry market,” adds Ed Lewand, GG, ASA, AAA, independent appraiser and director, Antique Jewelry & Art Conference, Inc. “Increasingly popular with the under-40 audience in particular, it’s truly an emerging market with a very high profit margin.  By partnering with the Atlanta Jewelry Show, we’re able to offer retailers convenient access to a tremendous knowledge base and the tools needed to  maximize this key growth area for their business.”

During its three-day run, Jewelry Camp will feature a series of networking events, in-depth lectures and break-out classes led by top experts covering Victorian, Edwardian and Deco Jewelry to silver, costume jewelry, colored stones, ivory, pearls, diamonds and more.  Among the many  expert speakers presenting in August include:

William R. (Bobby) Mann, GG, PG, a collector of unusual ivories, tusks, teeth, skulls as well as natural and manufactured look-alikes. He has the largest collection of natural ivories, natural and manufactured look-alikes available for hands-on teaching. A co-founder of the International Ivory Society, he has been teaching ivory identification through his talks, seminars and hands-on workshops since 1996.

Diana Singer, GG and  President, D&E Singer, Inc., buyers and sellers of estate jewelry and gemstones.  A founding member of WJA, she is also the  recipient  of the WJA Retailer of the Year Award, member of the Board of Directors and Program Chair of the American Society of Jewelry Historians. She is also a frequent lecturer at the Annual Period and Estate Jewelry Conference, auction houses, industry shows, and as has written articles for Rapaport Diamonds, GIA and JCK .

Dr. Jeremy Rowe, has been a collector and researcher of and writer about 19th and early 20th century photographs for more than thirty years. A curator of many regional museum exhibitions, scholar and regular lecturer on the history of photography, he has also written Arizona Photographers 1850 - 1920: A History and Directory, Arizona Real Photo Postcards: A History and Portfolio, and Arizona Stereographs 1865 - 1930.

For complete details on the August 1-3, 2013 edition of Jewelry Camp, including the full  program schedule, pricing and registration, visit www.jewelrycamp.org  or call Sandy or Ed Lewand at 770.485.2803 or 631.377.9766.

To pre-register and learn more about the August 3-5, 2013 Atlanta Jewelry Show, visit www.atlantajewelryshow.com or call 404.634.3434.

ABOUT JEWELRY CAMP®
The goal of the Antique Jewelry & Art Conference | Jewelry Camp©   is to function as an educational tool to promote knowledge in antique and estate jewelry not only to the jewelry industry and collectors but also to the public. Its aim is to create a community for networking to aid in the dissemination of knowledge.  In this fast paced world, it is important to rely on each other for education, support as well as networking. For more information  visit www.jewelrycamp.org; email: jewelrycamp@live.com; phone: 770.485.2803.

ABOUT SJTA
Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association is the nation’s oldest association for independent jewelry representatives and the official sponsor and producer of the Atlanta Jewelry Show. For more information--  visit www.atlantajewelryshow.com; email: info@atlantajewelryshow.com; phone: 1.800.241.0399 or 404.634.3434.

Breaking News: Hasbro Partners with World Trade Jewelers

World Trade Jewelers is pleased to announce their collaboration with Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) to create and distribute jewelry designs expertly replicating select Hasbro related themes. These jewelry designs will be offered through a network of over 10,000 brick and mortar retail partners and associated e-commerce sites.

Known for their creation and ever gaining popularity of Hershey’s Kiss® pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings, World Trade Jeweler’s also recently launched Sweethearts® Jewelry, fashioned from America’s best sold Valentine’s Day candy. Now, their portfolio of iconic and private label brands has expanded into entertainment themes.

“Jewelry retailers will recognize the power of Hasbro’s highly popular brands and see this as a huge opportunity,” noted Murray Shabot, CEO of World Trade. “Hasbro’s branded properties are legendary and proving extremely popular within our jewelry creations. Consumers of all age groups immediately recognize the CANDY LAND, SCRABBLE and MY LITTLE PONY iconography, and will now be able to wear their favorite designs and themes within our licensed jewelry collections.”

The psychographic audiences for these collections scan between tween to mature consumers worldwide. A key, targeted segment is within the 24-34 U.S. female market as influencers and purchasers. No matter the age, the jewelry speaks to fun, family and fashion. Each jewelry creation is fresh, colorful and spirited while being masterfully executed by World Trade Jewelers for Hasbro.

“We selected World Trade because they have expertise in developing superior quality jewelry in a multitude of metals, fashion-focused color accents and price points – all aligned with complete marketing services,” stated Simon Waters, SVP Global Brand Licensing & Publishing for Hasbro. “We believe fans of our beloved brands will enjoy this jewelry for many years to come.”

Select jewelry designs are created by World Trade Jewelers from Hasbro’s famed portfolio, namely:

SCRABBLE ™
Now, America will enjoy SCRABBLE ™ initial pendants, bracelets, cufflinks and many more designs in jewelry. Each SCRABBLE ™ initial boldly appears in solid sterling silver featuring white or black diamonds, or an actual Scrabble ™ tile in bright birch or warm mahogany wood, framed within sterling silver or 14kt gold. The jewelry collection will debut in the Fall of 2013.

CANDY LAND ™
The colorful and classic “children’s first game” with over 40 million games printed, has multiplied to massive global audience interest. World Trade’s CANDY LAND game jewelry designs are impeccably created from the Hasbro game theme. Adorable cupcakes open to a surprise locket… A lollipop is created from swirls of glossy enamel, encircled with brilliantly colored diamonds. Highly reflective and high fashion colors prevail within the CANDY LAND ™ game designs including cherry red, peppermint green and chocolate Swarovski® crystal elements creating a triple scoop of “ice cream” on a waffle-textured enamel cone. This entire collection is sure to hit the sweet spot as retail prices are starting under $100.00. The collection is due for consume release by October of 2013.

MY LITTLE PONY ™ 
Since 1983 the MY LITTLE PONY ™ brand has brought fun, friendship & joy to fans of all ages around the globe. Hasbro re-introduced the popular, whimsical franchise in 2003 and the brand has been strengthened by the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic animated series, produced by Hasbro Studios and currently airing on the Hub TV Network. The jewelry collection is due for consumer release by October of 2013.

Connecting the power of iconic, worldwide brands thru the creation of world-class jewelry, World Trade Jewelers is a complete solutions corporation for the jewelry industry. Precision craftsmanship in licensed replicated art is created in fine, bridge and costume jewelry completed
by custom packaging, displays, retail training and 360 degree consumer marketing.

World Trade Jewelers (WTJ) has over 10,000 retail partner doors throughout America and reaches millions of select consumer segments on over 100 highly trafficked websites and on international home shopping networks.

Targeted design, strategic licensing, superior manufacturing, turnkey fulfillment and powerful, complete marketing are inherent to all WTJ’s branded and private label jewelry collections. Learn more at www.WorldTradeJewelers.com

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF, LITTLEST PET SHOP and G.I. JOE. From toys and
games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company's Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170 markets around the world, and for the U.S. on The Hub TV Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of CorporateResponsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at www.hasbro.com.

SCRABBLE is a trademark of Hasbro in the US and Canada Only.

CIBJO President in Economic Talks in Armenia

Gaetano Cavalieri visits Yerevan as guest of Armenian president,

discusses plans for jewellery as  source of economic development

  

Gaetano Cavalieri, the president of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, is visiting the Armenian capital of Yerevan this week, where on Tuesday he was invited to attend the official inauguration celebrations of President Serzh Sargsyan, who recently was elected for a second term in office. During the visit, he has been holding discussions with senior government and industry officials about plans for the development of the Armenian jewellery sector.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan (left) greeting CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri. Looking on are Gagik Gevorkyan, President of the Armenian Jewellers Association, and Artak Udumyan.

This is Dr. Cavalieri's second visit in four months to Armenia, where he has joined the leadership of the Armenian Jewellers Association, led by the organisation's president, Gagik Gevorkyan, in their discussions with the government about the infrastructural, regulatory and marketing strategies necessary to catapult Armenia to the status of major jewellery centre, with a special focus on Central and Eastern Europe and the western flank of Asia.

 "In so many respects Armenia is in an advantageous position," Dr. Cavalieri said. "Its geographic location and its peoples' long tradition in the jewellery industry, both at home and in the very loyal Armenian diaspora, provide it with a tremendous start from which to build. Its government is most supportive, agreeing to the establishment of a duty and tax free zone for the jewellery sector, which not only has the potential to serve as a magnet for the jewellery trades in other countries in the region and around the world, but also will create thousands of jobs at home and serve as valuable national resource for foreign income."  

"CIBJO is delighted to be involved in this mission," Dr. Cavalieri said. "It underscores the commitment that we made when were recognised as the international jewellery sector's representative in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and according to which the industry will participate in the fulfilment  of the Millennium Development Goals. This is the essence of Corporate Social Responsibility."

On Wednesday Dr. Cavalieri and the leadership of the Armenian Jewellers Association had a private session with President Sargsyan, and they were scheduled to meet with a range of senior officials, including the governor of the Armenian Central Bank. 

CIBJO releases Coloured Stone Special Report

CIBJO releases Coloured Stone Special Report,

considers nomenclature describing gem treatments

With four weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the third of the CIBJO commissions' Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Coloured Stone Commission, headed by Nilam Alawdeen,  the report  reviews updates already made to the Coloured Gemstone Blue Book and also those that are being considered. In particular it looks at the nomenclature used to describe gemstone treatments.

The Special Report notes the addition of the qualifying terms "laboratory-grown" and "laboratory-created" as alternatives to the term "synthetic," but points out that in the event that a national jewellery association in a non-English speaking country, which is a member of CIBJO, deems that there is no acceptable local direct translation of the terms "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created," then only the translation of the term "synthetic" should be used.

The Special Report states the intention of the Coloured Stone Commission to tackle the inadequacy of current nomenclature in describing lead-glass filled rubies. "If 'composite' is not the right term," it says, "CIBJO should work in haste to adopt the proper nomenclature, to better protect consumers' interests and, thereby, the integrity of the industry."

 To download a full copy of the report, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

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The 2013 CIBJO Congress will take place at the Dan Panorama Convention Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel, from May 7 to May 9, 2013, with pre-congress meetings starting on May 5. More information is available on the dedicated 2013 CIBJO Congress website. Preferential congress hotels rates are guaranteed for those registering until April 15, 2013.  

#DesignerSpotlight - Meet Sharlinn Liew of Sharart Design

You were introduced briefly to Sharlinn earlier this year when she was chosen as one of The Centurion Show's "Emerging Designers 2013".

I am intrigued with her kinetic jewelry and delighted by her use of colored gemstones. So I am giving you just a little more....

Sharart Design is an emerging brand founded by Singaporean Shar-Linn. Her mother, who used to be a courtier, fueled her passion in fashion and antiquity. Her greatest enjoyment was accompanying her mother on buying trip to Hong Kong – combing the fabric and accessories market. However, it was her husband who exposed her to the world of gemstone and fine jewelry. With his encouragement, she enrolled as a student at the G.I.A Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA.

After a two-year stint as a Jewelry Merchandiser at a TV Jewelry network, Shar-Linn decided to focus on her own collection. Her creations are entirely handcrafted by her husband's jewelry manufacturing house of more than 30 years of experience.

The inspirations behind Sharart pieces are constantly evolving around her Asian heritage and old European allure. Be it the architectural lines of Asian Pagodas or mid-century Art Deco styles, Shar-Linn absorbs and crystallizes her inspiration and design something she considers art.

You WILL be hearing more about this talented new designer. 

For more of her work:     www.sharartdesign.com

Ring from the Orient Pirouette collection
Purple and pink sapphire, ruby and diamonds in 18K yellow gold