Google+ The Daily Jewel: 12/29/13 - 1/5/14

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Saturday, January 4, 2014

#DailyJewel - Your Daily Dose of Sparkle for Jan. 4th


Jean-Noel Soni of Top Notch Faceting 
recently posted this great look back at his favorite... 

Tourmalines of 2013

My favorite Tourmalines from 2013. From Left to Right:
Top Row: Nigeria, 4.78ct • Namibia, 2.67ct • Nigeria, 4.17ct
Middle Row: Afghanistan, 2.65ct • Kenya, 3.09ct • Nigeria, 5.07ct
Bottom Row: Nigeria, 4.10ct • Brazil, 2.33ct • USA, 2.91ct



All are One-of-a-kind designs, faceted by Jean-Noel Soni. 
• Award winning, custom ParaTraditional gemstone faceting by Jean-Noel Soni • 
Created without the aid of computers • Located in San Francisco CA •

When Jean-Noel says custom it takes on a new meaning...
each gem he cuts is unique to itself.
 He starts with a standard shape/design...
and lets the individual gem determine where he goes from there...

• 3rd Place, Phenomenal Gemstones, AGTA Spectrum Awards 2014.
• 1st Place, Innovative Faceting, AGTA Spectrum Awards 2013.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

CIBJO - Important Conflict Minerals Seminar To Take Place in Vicenza

Impact of conflict mineral legislation on jewellery business
to be examined at seminar during VICENZAORO Winter show

VICENZA, ITALY: DECEMBER 23, 2013 - The new year is likely to be a most significant one in terms of the regulation of minerals from areas of conflict in Africa, including gold.  It involves legislation coming into effect in 2014 that will influence the businesses of thousands of jewellers directly or indirectly supplying the U. S. market, and pending legislation that may affect companies importing or supplying jewellery in the European Union countries.  The impact of these processes will be the subject of a critically important seminar that will take place on Monday, January 20, during the VICENZAORO Winter show in Vicenza.

Entitled "Conflict mineral legislation in the Europe and the United States: How it impacts on both the domestic and export jewellery business," the seminar is being organised by Fiera di Vicenza, the Responsible Jewellery Council, CIBJO-the World Jewellery Confederation, and Confindustria Federorafi. It will be held on Monday, January 20, 2014, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in the Palladio Room at Fiera di Vicenza. The host of the event, Fiera di Vicenza, was accredited in March 2013, through CIBJO, to plan and implement a United Nations-endorsed Corporate Social Responsibility programme for the international jewellery industry.

According to the conflict mineral rules contained in Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, publicly-traded companies in the United States, including major jewellery retailers, will for the first time, in 2014, have to file a report with the Security Exchange Commission, tracing their supply chain. Using a nationally or internationally recognized due diligence standard, companies will need to determine whether their supply chain includes gold sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

Another legislative proposal on conflict minerals is being developed in the European Union and is being led by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade. It is expected to build on existing efforts and guidelines like the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and the U.S. conflict minerals legislation. It is forecast that a formal regulatory proposal will be brought for consideration before the college of EU commissioners early in 2014.


The seminar in Vicenza will include a blue-ribbon panel that will be presented by Corrado Facco, Managing Director of Fiera di Vicenza, and Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. The panelists include Marieke van der Mijn, Standards Coordinator at the Responsible Jewellery Council; Michael Allchin, Chief Executive and Assay Master at the Birmingham Assay Office and the President of the CIBJO Precious Metals Commission;  Philip Olden, who is responsible for managing the development and implementation of responsible sourcing protocols for gold at Signet, the world's largest specialty jewellery retailer; Maria Benedetta Francesconi of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, and a representative of Confindustria Federorafi.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Israel's president Shimon Peres hosts ILAN annual reception


Israel's president Shimon Peres hosts ILAN annual reception,
praises Israel diamond community for significant contribution

Ramat Gan, Israel - December 30, 2013: Shimon Peres, president of the State of Israel, hosted the annual reception for ILAN, the Israel Foundation for Handicapped Children, last Thursday, at the presidential residence in Jerusalem. He was joined by students of the Herzfeld School for Special Education, , the ILAN board, and , Shmuel Schnitzer, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE), who is also ILAN's Chairman of Community Relations.

Indicating the children who were gathered on the stage to perform for the gathering of dignitaries, President Peres said that while the Israeli diamond industry produces countless diamonds, these children were the industry's most precious jewels, and the Israeli diamond business community had good reason to be proud of them.
 
In his speech, ILAN Chairman Ehud Ratzabi made special mention of the IDE and its members who, he said, "not only contribute funds but also invest considerable time and energy in improving the lives of many handicapped children." Addressing Schnitzer directly, he said that ILAN hoped to see the close cooperation and support by the IDE continue and develop further during Schnitzer's term.


In his address, Shmuel Schnitzer emphasized that the IDE and the Israel diamond industry at large work hard to make a living and consequently contribute significantly to Israel's economic growth. However, he noted, the IDE membership also supports numerous social causes. "By embracing the cause of ILAN, we hope to contribute toward improving the quality of life of those children who have been dealt a bad hand in life," he said.

Earlier this month, the IDE held a dedicated fund raising drive for ILAN at the Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange complex, in concert with ILAN's national collection campaign. The cooperation between ILAN and IDE began in 2012.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Bohemme - Spanish Jewelry Line to Expand Into North American Market

Mark Gurdus Appointed as President of BOHEMME North America and Luxury Brand Group Retained



Spanish jewelry company, BOHEMME, is pleased to announce expansion into the North American markets and the appointment of Mark Gurdus as the President of BOHEMME North America, which took effect on November 4. 

In addition, BOHEMME North America has retained Southern California-based brand communications and public relations agency, Luxury Brand Group (LBG). LBG will provide public relations, celebrity placement, brand development and digital marketing services.

BOHEMME is based and manufactured in Cordoba, Spain and was founded in 2010 by Spanish designer, Antonio Espaliu. The brand has embarked on an international venture by opening retail stores throughout Europe, Canada, USA, the Caribbean Area, Latin America, UAE (Dubai), Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Malta and South Africa, and plans to continue expanding globally. BOHEMME has appointed Mark Gurdus to head the North American operations.

Mark Gurdus brings over 25 years of experience in both the fine jewelry and luxury watch industries, previously serving as the Vice President of Sales for five years at Jorg Gray 
Timepieces, a watch company based in Southern California. Prior to Jorg Gray Timepieces, Gurdus was the Vice President of Sales for over a decade at Oris Swiss Made Watches based in Basel, Switzerland. Gurdus attended University of Memphis, and resides in Rancho Santa Margarita, California with his wife. He has two adult children. 

“I am excited to spearhead the expansion of BOHEMME in the North American markets,” states, Mark Gurdus. “With Luxury Brand Group’s proven track record for increasing brand awareness, along with their expertise and close relationships in all facets of the luxury and jewelry markets, I’m confident that this partnership will provide BOHEMME the opportunity to further develop the brand and introduce our designs to the masses.”
BOHEMME embraces the world of creativity and transmits aesthetic and innovative designs
into their exquisite jewelry collections. Each jewelry piece is created with high quality materials, using 925 sterling silver, 18 karat gold, diamonds, and precious and semi-precious gemstones, resulting in unique and striking designs. BOHEMME is recognized worldwide as an affordable luxury, which transcends modern fashion, all while exemplifying their motto, “Free Spirit”, in each design. Retail price points range from $250-$5,000 USD.

Frank Proctor, President/CEO of Luxury Brand Group states, “We are looking forward to
working closely with Mark Gurdus and the BOHEMME brand. The BOHEMME collections are cutting-edge, on-trend and fashion-forward, yet come with an affordable price point, which is perfect for today’s price conscious consumer. As Mark brings a great depth of knowledge and experience in fine jewelry and watches, we are looking forward to partnering together to achieve exposure, and ultimately, sales goals in 2014!”

Interested in BOHEMME for your store?  look for them at industry trade shows and events in 2014.  For more information on BOHEMME, visit http://www.bohemme.es or call 855-345-3268. BOHEMME North America is based and distributed from Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

About BOHEMME BOHEMME is based in Cordoba, Spain and was founded by Antonio Espaliu in 2010, a Spanish designer with almost 30 years’ experience in the jewelry industry. The brand is available throughout the most exclusive boutique stores in Spain and continues its expansion with breakneck speed worldwide. BOHEMME has embarked on its new international venture with exceptional design, innovation and the excellence of products “Made in Spain”. BOHEMME is already available at multiple prestigious retailers throughout Europe, Canada, USA, the Caribbean Area, Latin America, UAE (Dubai), Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Malta and South Africa, and continues to expand.   http://www.bohemme.es


About Luxury Brand GroupEstablished in 2004, Luxury Brand Group (LBG) is a full service brand communications agency headquartered in Southern California with a showroom and offices in Los Angeles and satellite offices in New York City. LBG truly understands the fine jewelry industry and luxury consumer, and is respected for its results-oriented, hands-on approach to luxury marketing. The highly talented team has a proven track record of increasing awareness through innovative and compelling brand recognition programs. Agency CEO and president, Frank Proctor, has more than 20+ years experience in the fine jewelry and luxury industries. As the former VP of Marketing of Platinum Guild International (PGI), he and his team were key to platinum’s surge in popularity in North America over the last twenty years, growing the market by more than 2000% in just a 10-year span.   http://www.luxbrandgroup.com/

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