#JWLV - LUXE Intelligence Introduces INTERVISION - the Future of Jewelry Retail

from Press Release

JCK Events and LUXE Intelligence 

Announce INTERVISION – 

a Strategic Partnership for LUXURY 2016

JCK Events and strategic business consultants LUXE Intelligence are proud to announce an exciting partnership to be unveiled at LUXURY (May 31-June 6, 2016) within the Elite Enclave Ballroom at Mandalay Bay. With their combined expertise and a common goal to serve the industry during a time of change and evolving business models, this show feature will educate and energize the jewelry industry for a successful future by providing innovative and transformative business solutions to retailers and manufacturers.

The luxurious emeralds of TAKAT

INTERVISION at Elite Enclave will showcase a three-dimensional experience of the future of retail for high-end jewelry stores. The dynamic environmental concept will offer a glimpse into what will drive retailers to success in the decades to come – a seamless and inspiring integration of thoughtful brand curation and innovative service providers who will play an integral role in the future of jewelry retail and commerce. Elite Enclave will continue to be an oasis of top brands in an intimate setting, with designers like CASSIS®, Sasha Primak, Takat, and V Tse Inc. already signed on to return to their Elite Enclave salons. In addition to these exclusive brands that are the hallmark of Elite Enclave, the ballroom will also feature an area of designers and jewelry industry experts who are new to the show and will help high-end retailers navigate the future of retail and reconnect with consumers in deeper and more meaningful ways.

Victoria Tse and the stunning jewels of V'tse 

“We are thrilled to bring this concept to life in 2016” said Sarin Bachmann, Industry Vice President, LUXURY and Swiss Watch Events. “Retailers can not only see but touch and conceptualize how to successfully communicate and reach new consumers, through engaging and innovative experiences that reinforce the relevance of their own store brand and jewelry as a must-have in their respective communities.”

Andrea Hansen, Founder and Partner of LUXE Intelligence stated, “Bringing together leaders in all areas of retail design, sales training, marketing and customer services, INTERVISION will be designed to inspire retailers to improve their stores, discover services and strategies to reinvent themselves, and merchandise for success. We will present the industry with a fresh vision of luxury retail - focused on the integration of technology, services, marketing / design, and merchandising - to renew and innovate.”

In addition to introducing this concept, LUXE Intelligence will dedicate their experience and global retail relationships to driving record-breaking retailer attendance and participation in the Elite Enclave ballroom.

Kremlin Museums Presents "Jewels Inspired by Nature” featuring Goldsmith/Enamelist Ilgiz F.

From Press Release

"Jewels Inspired by Nature”
Exhibition at the Kremlin Museums Presents
Timepieces by BOVET and Ilgiz F.

Pascal Raffy, Elena Gagarina and Ilgiz F.

Last month an extraordinary joint exhibition between Russian goldsmith Ilgiz Fazulzyanov and BOVET 1822 was officially opened. The event was exceptional in that the last independent jeweler to have been granted the privilege of presenting a solo exhibition within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin Museum was none other than Peter Carl Fabergé. 

           Pascal Raffy, Inna Solovieva and Sergei Kuznetsov             Pascal Raffy, Dina Fazulzyanova and Ilgiz Fazulzyanov

The fact that Elena Gagarina, General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums and host of the exhibition, decided to welcome Ilgiz Fazulzyanov into the Ouspenskaya Bell Tower demonstrates that despite his young age, the artist has already left his mark on the history of fine jewelry with his characteristic style. Inspired by nature, his jewelry not only reproduces its slightest, most delicate details; it also conveys the emotions roused by the flight of a dragonfly or the scent of a flower.

This talent was immediately apparent when Ilgiz F. and Pascal Raffy, owner of BOVET 1822 and DIMIER 1738, met two years ago. Since its foundation, BOVET 1822 has represented the very essence of watchmaking art forms and has won acclaim over the last two centuries for taking the decorative arts, such as engraving or miniature grand feu enamel painting, to new heights. The excellence of the BOVET craftsmen has also ensured that the Maison is regularly featured in the collections of the most prestigious watchmaking and art museums around the world.

BOVET 1822 and Ilgiz F. have been working together since 2015 to create a collection of exclusive timepieces that harmoniously combine grand feu enameling, gem-setting and watchmaking technology. Their partnership has already given rise to around ten unique pieces, several of which are an integral part of this exhibition.

Through its involvement in this event, BOVET is proud to be supporting the most talented artist of his generation while presenting enthusiasts of superbly crafted fine watchmaking marvels with a collection that is worthy of the pocket watches produced by the Maison in the 19th century.

The emotion and wonder expressed by the prominent figures who attended the opening ceremony indicate that the exhibition promises to be a great success, captivating visitors and collectors until July 31st.

About BOVET:BOVET 1822 is a Swiss Manufacturer of luxury timepieces whose origins date back to 1822, the year in which Edouard Bovet founded their workshop in the picturesque Val-de-Travers region of Switzerland. BOVET is renowned for its pocket watches manufactured for the Chinese market in the 19th century. Today, under the guidance and ownership of Pascal Raffy, a visionary with a passion for Haute Horlogerie, BOVET is thriving, manufacturing unique timepieces distinguished by their pocket watch inspired form. From extraordinary complications such as tourbillons and minute repeaters, to rare artisanal crafts such as enamel painting and fleurisanne engraving, each BOVET timepiece is brought to life under the practiced hand of a BOVET master watchmaker. With a highly limited production annually, BOVET seeks to preserve and cultivate the art and craft of traditional watchmaking, while delighting connoisseurs and collectors.
For additional information please visit:www.bovet.com

Ilgiz F. was born in Kazan. After graduating from the Kazan School of Art, the self-taught jeweler continued to master the art of jewelry creation independently. In 1994, Ilgiz F. discovered the art of gemstone enameling and, in a matter of months, mastered the technique to such an extent that his new creations received the highest praise from French experts, with Madame Figaro publishing an article entitled “the champion of enamel”. From that moment on, grand feu enameling became his favorite technique.

In 1999, Ilgiz F. relocated his jewelry workshop to Moscow, marking a new phase in his work and earning him increasing international renown. Ilgiz F. started to meet with customers and collectors from around the world. In 2008, he became the first living jeweler to have his work sold at auction by Christie’s. Several years later, this prestigious British establishment was followed by another auction house, Bonham’s. In 2011, his Bullfinches pendant won first prize at the International Jewelry Design Excellence Awards in Hong Kong. The pendant depicts a branch with three birds symbolizing the Russian winter. In 2013, Ilgiz F. confirmed his title of “Champion of Champions” with the Butterflies jewelry set, which conveys the state of nature during a solar eclipse using faceted black pearls.

To date, Ilgiz F. is the only jeweler in the world to have received two of this competition’s top awards. In 2014, Ilgiz F. also won first prize in the competition held by the Russian State, securing the “precious metals and precious gemstones” award for his Crows pendant. The works of Ilgiz F. can be found in museums and private collections around the world. The Moscow Kremlin Museum, meanwhile, has bought six other pieces for its own collection in Russia.

#DiamondTalk - A Little History the Gemological Institute of America's 4C's

Lab photo from the GIA Website  photo credit: Robert Weldon

If you are ready to pop the question and are in the market for a diamond, or you are a jeweler working on your next award winning collection it is critical that you know the factors that determine diamond value.

To eliminate the guesswork from grading a diamond’s color, graders compare it to
 masterstones that represent known colors in the GIA D-to-Z scale. -
© GIA & Tino Hammid

Until 1953 when the Gemological Institute of America introduced their 4c's standards, there was no agreed-upon standard by which diamonds could be judged. Colorless diamonds are scarce—most diamonds have tints of yellow or brown. So a colorless diamond could show up on the market as a AAA Diamond...but then again so could a faint yellow. It was the Wild West with the consumer usually coming out on the short end.

GIA proposed the first, and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds: a D-to-Z color scale and Flawless-to-I3 clarity scale for diamonds.  This has become internationally recognized as the standard for evaluating diamond quality,looking at the 4C's - Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. 

Fancy-shape diamonds, along with the classic round diamonds, are popular choices
for today’s jewelry consumer. Courtesy Lazare Kaplan Diamonds

The creation of the Diamond 4Cs was very important to diamond dealers, jewelers, and the consumer -- it meant there was now a language to communicate your needs that enabled a dealer to know exactly what you want.

A quick look at the 4C's:

Color - Diamonds that range from colorless to light yellow and brown fall within the normal color range. Within that range, colorless diamonds are the most rare, so they’re the most valuable. They set the standard for grading and pricing other diamonds in the normal color range.

Clarity - Like the rest of the 4Cs, clarity’s influence on value is directly related to the concept of rarity. Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don’t have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader.

Cut - A diamond’s proportions determine how light performs when it enters the diamond. If light enters through the crown and goes out through the pavilion, the diamond will look dark and unattractive. Diamonds with different proportions and good polish make better use of the light, and will be bright, colorful, and scintillating.

Carat Weight - What often surprises people when they start learning about diamonds and carat weight isis the precision with which diamonds are weighed. Diamond weights are stated in metric carats, abbreviated “ct.” One metric carat is two-tenths (0.2) of a gram—just over seven thousandths (0.007) of an ounce. 

Large diamonds are more rare than small diamonds. The more scarce something is, the more it is worth. So a larger stone doesn’t just cost more. It also costs more per carat. A 1-carat diamond weighs the same as four 0.25-carat diamonds. But even if all the other quality factors are equal, the larger diamond is worth much more than the sum of the four smaller diamonds.

JCK Announces 2016 Industry Fund Winners

JCK Announces 2016 Industry Fund Winners

JCK announced today the six recipients of its 18th annual Industry Fund for 2016. The grants, which are awarded to individuals, groups, or associations whose work results in the betterment of the overall jewelry industry, topped over $293,000 this year.

The 2016 Industry Fund recipients are: Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Jewelers of America (JA), Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA), Jewelers Vigilance Canada Inc. (JVC Canada), and Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC).

"We are pleased to stand behind the initiatives of this year's JCK Industry Fund recipients. This group is at the forefront of addressing current challenges for the jewelry industry including: security, protection, consumer confidence and education," explained Yancy Weinrich, Senior Vice President, JCK. "Their approach not only addresses these critical needs but also prepares the industry for the future by educating the next generation of consumers and industry professionals."

The annual fund grants awards to projects that: (1) improve the image of the jewelry industry in the eyes of the consumer, and/or (2) aids jewelry industry organizations in addressing serious problems faced within the industry, and/or (3) assists internal organizations and associations in developing training materials.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee President and CEO, Cecilia Gardner, believes that JCK's continuing commitment to the compliance and monitoring mission of the JVC is unmatched. Gardner explains, "JCK's generous support of JVC has made it possible for the association to accomplish important work on behalf of the industry. Through JVC's Industry Protection Program (IPP) we advocate for all sectors of the trade regarding the many complex rules that impact sellers of fine jewelry. This effort is on-going. In 2016, JVC's IPP will continue to provide legal compliance tools, educate industry members, and help them incorporate the practices necessary to meet the requirements of the law and the needs of their business partners. The Board of Directors of the JVC is so grateful that this important mission is recognized and supported so generously by JCK. Many thanks to the entire JCK team!"

"Jewellers Vigilance Canada and Jewelers Security Alliance applied for a joint submission in order to host a North American Jewelry Crime Conference in Toronto, Canada," explained Phyllis Richard, JVC Canada's Executive Director. "Thanks to the JCK Industry Fund's Grant the two-day event will take place September 26-28, 2016 and allow over one hundred law enforcement and security personnel to not only understand the resources JSA and JVC Canada provide to them but also learn investigative techniques and tools specifically designed for jewelry crime as well as gain experience and expertise in fighting jewelry crime."

John Kennedy, President of JSA further added, "This grant will result in greater cooperation by law enforcement agencies and security personnel in Canada and the U.S. in combatting the international criminal gangs and fences that prey on the diamond, jewelry and watch industry in both countries."

Nancy Orem Lyman, Diamond Empowerment Fund's Vice President and Executive Director stated, "The JCK Industry Fund's support has made it possible for the Diamond Empowerment Fund to reach over 1 million millennials to-date with the consumer confidence-building message that Diamonds Do Good. Their continued support of this message dissemination will enable us to grow our momentum and help foster positive narratives around diamonds and the diamond industry with consumers."

"The retail landscape is changing at lightning speed and we are committed to helping the industry stay relevant and adapt to new consumer shopping behaviors," says Jewelers of America President & CEO David Bonaparte. "Thanks to the generosity of the JCK Industry Fund grant, our new initiatives will help the industry have a better understanding of the consumer landscape. With consumer research as the foundation, we will be able to create marketing and communication programs that reach consumers more effectively and increase desire for jewelry."

Diamond Council of America's President Terry Chandler noted, "The Diamond Council of America is indebted to the JCK Industry Fund for it's generous matching grant that will be used to provide scholarships to the high school students participating in DCA's Jewelry Industry Readiness Initiative. (JCRI) The JCRI program takes DCA's Diamond, Sales, and Colored Gemstone courses into high schools throughout the United States allowing students to graduate high school with a jewelry industry certification. The ultimate outcome of this program is to reach thousands, even millions, of young people predisposing them to appreciate our product and seek employment in our stores."

An Industry Fund Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from JCK, in addition to retailers and manufacturers, selects fund recipients. Submissions of applications for the 2017 grants will begin in October. Click here for more information on the JCK Industry Fund.

For more information on JCK Industry Fund, please click here.

About The JCK Industry Fund:The JCK Industry Fund, now in its eighteenth year, was established to enhance the image of the jewelry industry and to foster development and research of programs that would benefit the industry. Each year, grants are distributed from the JCK Industry Fund to individuals, groups or associations who work towards the betterment of the overall industry. To date, this fund has awarded over $5 million in grants to those organizations or individuals who have created programs that improve the industry's image. The JCK Industry Fund is underwritten by JCK.

#JWLV Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. Host First Educational Event in Las Vegas

Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. Host First Educational Event in Las Vegas

Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. will host their first panel discussion “Wake Up to Wisdom: Business Insights from Antique Jewelry Experts” on June 2 at 9:30 a.m. The event will take place before the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show opens at the Paris Hotel’s Bordeaux Room, located directly across from the show.

The morning event gathers a panel of three jewelry experts answering questions about their experience and success in the jewelry trade. Topics include tips on growing your business, attracting loyal clients, building your brand, making informed decisions when buying and selling and much more. Attendees will also have the opportunity ask their own questions at the end of the presentation.

The panelist featured are Patricia Faber of Aaron Faber Gallery, Paul Haig of Haig’s of Rochester and Doug Liebman of Douglas M. Liebman Estate Jeweler.

Patricia Faber is the co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery, New York City, founded in 1974. She is an expert in the field of studio jewelry and a frequent lecturer on the subject. Faber has been profiled in numerous national and jewelry trade publications.

As both a stone collector and cutter, Paul Haig has been involved in the entire process of transforming a raw natural stone into a jewel. Since he began his jewelry business in 1973, he specializes in opals and has a vast knowledge of the stone. He serves as president of Haig’s of Rochester.

Doug Liebman has been an active member of the estate jewelry profession since 1981. His company provides professional services to jewelers, appraisers, fiduciaries and other dealers whose clients are liquidating fine jewelry, watches, diamonds, rare gemstones, silver (Native American jewelry, hollowware & flatware) and art.

The panel event is free to attend, but space is limited. Seats can be reserved at AntiquesYoungGunsUSA.com/ayg-upcoming-event.

Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. currently has 30 members and 14 industry partners since the program’s launch in March 2015. In the last year, the program has published their own website and merchandise gallery for members, named their 2015 Antiques Young Gun of the Year, organized two press conferences and three networking events and provided multiple opportunities for its members’ onsite at nationally recognized events.

For more information on Antiques Young Guns U.S.A., visit AntiquesYoungGunsUSA.com, like us on Facebook:Facebook.com/AntiquesYoungGuns, follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @AYG_USA. Check out our blog at youngguns.usantiqueshows.com/blog/.


About U.S. Antique ShowsU.S. Antique Shows formed a strategic alliance with Antiques Young Guns U.K. to bring the incredibly successful program to the United States in March 2015. Antiques Young Guns U.S.A. promotes growth, education and exposure to those in the trade, 39 years old or younger, to a national audience of antiques enthusiasts. The program offers many member benefits, including online exposure through the Antiques Young Guns marketplace, several buying, selling and networking events throughout the year, recognition in numerous trade and national publications and much more.

U.S. Antique Shows, producer of the industry’s most anticipated events, serves the unique needs of the antique and antique jewelry marketplace with shows in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. The group’s events offer a broad range of antiques as well as antique, vintage and estate jewelry and watches, and annually draws more than 50,000 consumers and 3,000 dealers from 28 countries worldwide.

For details on U.S. Antique Shows, visit www.U.S.AntiqueShows.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @USAntiqueShows and explore our Pinterest: Pinterest.com/USAntiqueShows. Visit our blog at blog.usantiqueshows.com.