Responsible Jewelry Council Announces Certification Of Five New Brands

From Press Release

RJC ANNOUNCES CERTIFICATION OF LORENZO JEWELRY LTD AND RE-CERTIFICATION OF JOHN HARDY, ALLGEMEINE GOLD – UND SILBERSCHEIDEANSTALT AG, DAY'S JEWELERS AND MAKER MENDS LTD

Responsible Jewelry Council is delighted to announce that the following members have achieved Certification by meeting the highest ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards as established by the RJC. 

To view the company’s press release please click on its name:

Lorenzo Jewelry Ltd

John Hardy

Allgemeine Gold – Und Silberscheideanstalt AG

Day's Jewelers

Maker Mends Ltd

Which brings the current count to...

Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit standards and certification organisation. It has more than 600 Member companies that span the jewellery supply chain from mine to retail. RJC Members commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices – an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, gold and platinum group metals. The Code of Practices addresses human rights, labour rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure and many more important topics in the jewellery supply chain. RJC also works with multi-stakeholder initiatives on responsible sourcing and supply chain due diligence. The RJC’s Chain-of-Custody Certification for precious metals supports these initiatives and can be used as a tool to deliver broader Member and stakeholder benefit.

The RJC is a Full Member of the ISEAL Alliance – the global association for sustainability standards.

Find Le Vian NOW on GemFind's JewelCloud App

from Press Release

Le Vian Joins GemFind’s 

Social Product Network JewelCloud

Authorized retailers can now easily access Le Vian’s product feed and digital assets in GemFind’s responsive JewelCloud® tool.  GemFind, the leading technology provider to the jewelry industry, welcomes fine jewelry designer Le Vian, the newest vendor to add their products to the industry’s fastest growing social product network, JewelCloud. 

Popular for their Chocolate Diamonds and "on trend" designs, Le Vian can now quickly update retailers nationwide and feed products straight to retail websites and retailers can provide a full, current inventory to customers. 

Le Vian’s innovative products join more than 100,000 products from hundreds of the most trusted vendors in the industry. GemFind is proud to feature Le Vian’s quality brands including Le Vian Chocolatier®, Le Vian Red Carpet®, Chocolate™ by Petite Le Vian,  LeVian Bridal® and Le Vian Exotics®.Visit levian.com for more information about Le Vian.

“If you are an authorized Le Vian retailer, it is very important to have Le Vian on your website and to update it regularly as we update our assortments. GemFind has an approved live feed of the most up to date assortments and will allow our retailers that use GemFind to seamlessly keep their Le Vian section updated and maintained by Le Vian,” said Jonathan LeVian of the Le Vian family.

JewelCloud is part of an innovative lineup of tools including Retail Locator, Jewelry Link App, Diamond Link®, Ring Builder®, Stud Builder® and Pendant Builder®.

Visit gemfind.com for more information on JewelCloud®

About GemFind: For more than 15 years, GemFind has successfully united the jewelry industry as the leading comprehensive technology solution provider in the digital marketing age. From complete ecommerce and custom designed websites to POS integration, digital marketing and responsive online marketing tools, GemFind offers complete solutions for jewelry manufacturers, diamond dealers, designers, and retailers.

#JWLV India Glitters at "Diamonds in the Sky" Gala for Diamond Empowerment Fund During Jewelry Week Las Vegas

India Shines at Diamond Empowerment Fund Gala, "Diamonds in the Sky"

Featured Performance by Kelly Rowland

Amidst the festive and sensationally colored backdrop of the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom, Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India received the Diamond Empowerment
Fund’s (D.E.F) highest recognition last night, the 2015 Global Empowerment Salute. 

Presented for India’s global leadership and contributions to democracy, development and the growth and expansion of the international diamond industry, the Gala celebrated diamonds and the positive impact made by the diamond industry worldwide. 

Taking center stage were student scholars representing D.E.F.’s “Diamonds Do Good” mission of developing the next generation of leaders in diamond communities around the world through access to higher education. 

Chantal Uwiringiyimana, one of D.E.F.’s scholars from the African Leadership Academy and currently a University of Arizona undergraduate, said “Having grown up in a poor Rwandan community, education has been the key to opportunity...I am now on track to become one of the few African female engineers.” 

Ashna Mehta, student ambassador for Veerayatan—a D.E.F. beneficiary based in India—said “Without access to education, the cycle of poverty is perpetuated and difficult to break free from...Veerayatan enables youth to reach their full potential and become leaders and change-makers in their communities.”

De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier, a co-founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, stated, “A diamond is a rare and powerful symbol for both those who give and receive one. A diamond is also a powerful symbol for those who work with them. Our diamond communities are committed to furthering the building blocks for long-term prosperity through healthcare, infrastructure, access to education, and employment. De Beers thanks D.E.F for helping make diamond moments by showing the world how ‘Diamonds Do Good.”

Accepting D.E.F’s Global Salute was Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh who said “It is good to know that the Diamond Empowerment Fund is actively working to help create education programs for children and for people working in the diamond industry in India”. 

D.E.F. co-founder Russell Simmons helped introduce a live auction of four exclusive experiences that brought the evening’s total amount raised to close to one million dollars. These funds will support D.E.F.’s beneficiaries.

Dignitaries present included David Ramsay, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for Canada’s Northwest Territories; Peter Vician, Deputy Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for Canada’s Northwest Territories; Robert Bouchard, Minister Legislative Assembly for Canada’s Northwest Territories, Nkoloi Nkoloi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations; and Masego Nkgomotsang, First Secretary of Economic Affairs for the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Washington, DC.  

Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland, who rocketed to fame as part of Destiny’s Child, helped close out the evening with her performance. Says Phyllis Bergman, D.E.F.’s President and CEO of Mercury Ring, “We are thrilled with the success of the evening and look forward to growing D.E.F.’s mission”. 

Joining Premier Presenting Sponsors Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Inc., De Beers Group of Companies, Rio Tinto Diamonds, and Signet Jewelers Limited (Kays Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Zales Jewelers) were Partner Sponsor Rosy Blue Group, Patron Sponsor Le Vian Group, Benefactor Sponsor KP Sanghvi and Empowerment Circle Partners Forevermark, Asian Star, Exelco, and Leo Schachter. 

About the Diamond Empowerment Fund: 

The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a global non-profit based in New York City and co-founded by Russell Simmons and leaders in the diamond industry in 2007 to empower
diamond communities around the world. 

Its beneficiaries include: CIDA City Campus, South Africa’s first non-profit university to offer a four-year business degree. CIDA has an 80% employment rate among graduates; the African Leadership Academy, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded on the belief that ethical leadership is the key to sustainable development on the continent and drawing students from all 54 countries in Africa; Botswana Top Achievers program that provides the top high school students countrywide the opportunity to study at a university of their choice worldwide then return to Botswana to contribute to its economic, social and political development; and Veerayatan, a model for encouraging the development of responsible citizens who are educated, have strong integrity, and a motivation to give back to their community. 

D.E.F supports students attending the Colleges of Pharmacy, Engineering and Business Administration.  You can find more information at:   www.diamondempowerment.org

#JCKEvents Expand 2015 Offerings with NEW #LUXURYMiami Event Debuting Alongside #JISMiami

From a Press Release

JCK Events Expand 2015 Offerings with NEW LUXURY Miami Event Debuting Alongside JIS Miami

JCK Events, the world's largest jewelry trade show organization, announced plans are already underway for the launch of LUXURY Miami October 13 - 16, 2015 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, FL. With the recent acquisition of Jewelers International Showcase (JIS Miami) by Reed Exhibitions, launching a LUXURY show alongside it is a natural fit. LUXURY Miami will offer a unique new business opportunity and the ultimate buyer convenience taking place alongside the established JIS October event happening concurrently at the Miami Beach Convention Center. LUXURY will be held in a tailored private ballroom environment adjacent to JIS, featuring sixty upscale brands in a salon setting. Perfectly timed to fill inventory needs for the tourist and holiday selling seasons LUXURY Miami will be by invitation only October 13 - 14 and open to all JIS Buyers October 15 - 16, 2015. Differentiating itself from LUXURY's Las Vegas and LUXURY Privé New York events, the Miami event will focus on the Latin American Market with a hosted retailer program for high-end retail stores from South America, Brazil, Mexico and the Caribbean as well as catering to high end US and International retailers. "We are very excited about LUXURY's inaugural event in South Beach, Miami. Miami is quickly becoming Latin American's business hub and the preferable location for this market, and being alongside JIS offers unparalleled buyer convenience," said Sarin Bachmann, Event Director for LUXURY. "Conveniently located in the heart of South Beach, this environment is perfectly suited for LUXURY's retailers and vendors. We have chosen the most upscale hotel accommodations South Beach has to offer, surrounded by highly rated restaurants and a trendy nightlife."

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.

Gemological Science International Hosts Diamond Community Lunch in Surat

GSI (Gemological Science International), one of the largest independently owned gemological laboratory in the world hosted its first ‘GSI Diamond Community Lunch’ on 14th May 2015 at The Gateway Hotel, Surat.  GSI organized this exclusive luncheon for the members of the diamond industry who play a significant role in the trade.   

GSI’s Head of Education, Mrs. Vidhya Mazumdar conducted a short presentation on the difference between inclusions in natural vs synthetic diamonds. This was followed by an intense FAQ sessions where various issues were addressed with regards to synthetic diamonds and their identification. 

The guests of honor at the luncheon were Mr. Dinesh Navadiya - President, Surat Diamond Association and Surat Diamond Association committee members. Guests included diamond and jewelry manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and the media.

Mr. Dinesh Navadiya, President, SDA congratulated GSI on their initiative in conducting the seminar. He commented “This seminar was extremely useful and we look forward to more such events organized by GSI in the near future.”

This seminar was an eye-opener for the participants and gave an opportunity to the traders to get more ground level information that will help them send certain stones for further testing based on what was discussed during the presentation.

The event achieved a remarkable success and was a delightful experience for the participants in Surat.

About GSI

In 2005 Gemological Science International (GSI) was established in New York City as a full-service, high-tech lab designed specifically to meet the rapidly changing needs of the jewelry industry. With offices in the USA, India, Israel, Belgium and Botswana, it is currently one of the world’s largest and most technically advanced gem laboratories. GSI is known for its integrity, innovations and its commitment to the highest CSR standards. 

For more information about GSI please visit www.gemscience.net or contact Ms. Neha Nangia, Corporate Communications Manager at neha.nangia@gemscience.net

SEASTRONG DIVER 300 CHRONOGRAPH BIG DATE DEBUTS IN LAS VEGAS - ALPINA WATCHES

ALPINA WATCHES REVEALS THE SEASTRONG

DIVER 300 CHRONOGRAPH BIG DATE

With the SEASTRONG collection, Alpina Watches has made diving watch history since the 1960's when the Seastrong "10" was already capable of reaching depths of 200m/660ft. In 2015 Alpina reveals the Seastrong Diver 300 Chronograph Big Date. An extremely well readable professional diving chronograph range that is 300m/1000ft water-resistant, immediately recognizable due to its distinctive coloured unidirectional turning diving bezels and its oversized minute hand for optimal diving time readability.

Seastrong 10 from the 1960's

Serious about diving The all-new Alpina Seastrong 300 Diver Chronograph Big Date is a professional diving watch. Everything about this model is designed to cope with the most extreme conditions any professional diver could ever encounter, starting with water resistance to no less than 300 meters. That's 1,000 feet below sea level, which means the watch can go to depths no human ever could.

Designed see what you need to see, when you need to see it The Extreme Diver 300 has been designed with all necessary features that allow owners to get the information they need, when they need it, for a safe dive.

The aluminum, unidirectional, turning bezel, turns in just one direction: anti-clockwise. With this "fail-safe" feature the number of elapsed minutes can never be accidentally decreased, only increased. In addition, the 60 minutes markers on the bezel are luminous, as are the dial indexes, which perfectly contrast against the matt black dial. The watch's hands are luminous for maximum readability in low visibility conditions, and the minute's hand is oversized to safely read diving time.

Built-in features that are relevant to the professional diver The 44 mm stainless cushion shaped steel case, the screw-in crown and case-back, the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the robust, water-resistant, genuine leather strap and the beautiful engraving of the Alpina diving symbol the case-back are all distinctive functional and aesthetic features matching the requirements of divers and those of everyday wear of the watch. The range comes in 4 different models, each with a different bezel colour: bordeaux, grey, navy blue and orange.

The AL-372 Swiss High Precision Quartz Chronograph movement The extremely precise and reliable AL-372 1/10th of sec. Swiss quartz chronograph movement features 30 and 10 hour chronograph counters, add and split functions, big date and has a standard battery life of 48 months.

ALPINA, THE ORIGINAL SWISS SPORT WATCH ALPINE SPORTS WATCH MANUFACTURING

SINCE 1883

Alpina, famous for its red triangle signature, is an independent, family-owned fine watchmaking manufacture based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1883, Alpina's watchmaking history spans more than 130 years. A true pioneer of the Swiss watchmaking industry, Alpina has been the source of numerous innovations, patents and calibers. Alpina invented the concept of the sport watch, as we know it today, with the birth of its legendary Alpina 4 in 1938.

Faithful to its long tradition of creating mechanical calibers, Alpina manufactures five in-house movements: the Tourbillon AL-980, the Flyback Chronograph AL-760, the World Timer AL-718, the Automatic Regulator AL-950 and the Small Date Automatic AL-710.

Alpina's mission is to design and engineer luxury sport watches that operate with the greatest precision and reliability possible in the most demanding sporting environments, like the Alps. www.alpina-watches.com