Articles and News
Brand News From Jeff Cooper, Hearts On Fire, Jewelers Mutual, Luxury Institute, More June 26, 2013 (0 comments)
Jeff Cooper Bridal Try-On App Goes Live
New York, NY—After making its debut earlier this month at JCK Luxury in Las Vegas, Jeff Cooper's new virtual try-on application (app) for bridal jewelry is now available to the public through the iTunes App Store. The app is tailored to the specific needs and desires of brides-to-be, who can now try on unlimited rings with no geographic or time constraints. Consumers will be free to experience Jeff Cooper’s designs in a completely fun, relaxed and personalized way, and it’s also a helpful sales tool for retailers who carry the Jeff Cooper brand but not every sku in the catalog, says Barbara Palumbo, the company’s Southeast vice president of sales.
The app finds the user’s favorite rings, shows you how she looks in them, takes and shares photos socially, and with one click, connects her with an authorized retailer via GPS. For a live look, the mirroring function puts the jewelry on in real time, and it also allows rings to be stacked so the bride can see how an engagement ring and wedding band will look together. While trying on, customers can click on the pricing icon, compare similar and matching items, and even watch a product video.
After testing the app on luxury retailers in Las Vegas, company president David Cooper noted, "People really loved it. They were engaged using it, and everyone thought it looked great. We're excited to be bringing our designs to an even wider audience."
Hearts On Fire Launches Two New Collections
Boston, MA—Hearts On Fire announces the debut of two new fashion-focused collections, as well as 25 new bridal designs. The new pieces were unveiled at the Couture Show in Las Vegas, and all bridal designs feature the new Hearts On Fire hidden heart signature.
Hearts On Fire director of design Ilaria Lanzoni, who joined the company last year from Garrard Jewelers in London, has made a significant impact on the Hearts On Fire jewelry collections in the past year. After the successful launch of the Illa and Copley Collections in 2012, Lanzoni continues to integrate modern design elements into the Hearts On Fire brand with the launch of the Lorelei and Atlantico Collections. Both of these collections advance Hearts On Fire’s desire to marry diamonds with bold yellow and rose gold, as well as provide women with the aspiration to layer different Hearts On Fire necklaces, bracelets and more across the various collections.
“In the jewelry and fashion worlds, we spend a lot of time studying the trends that come and go,” said Lanzoni. “My goal with Atlantico and Lorelei was to introduce two collections that capture the current, fashionable styles women desire, but with a beautiful and timeless feeling.” Inspired by current trends including flowers in bloom, the intricacy of lace, and vibrant color, The Lorelei Collection has a classic and feminine feel with a modern edge. With new design categories including interlocking hearts, infinity shapes and bows, this collection extends Hearts On Fire’s fashion offerings. Additionally, The Atlantico Collection features bold colors and signature twisting lines on each piece, capturing the beauty and flow of the ocean waves.
All the new bridal rings and the Atlantico and Lorelei fashion collections include a variety of designs in all price points, from entry level pendants and earrings to important statement pieces.
Tim Riedl Joins Jewelers Mutual
Neenah, WI—Tim Riedl has been named senior vice president of commercial lines for Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. His appointment, which makes him part of the company’s executive leadership team, is effective July 1.
Riedl brings 28 years of insurance industry experience to the role, most recently serving as vice president of commercial underwriting at SECURA insurance.
“With his extensive experience, Tim is poised to lead a commercial lines team that we have grown and strengthened in recent years,” said Darwin Copeman, president and CEO of Jewelers Mutual.
Jewelers Mutual is seeking skilled and experienced employees to fill a variety of roles at the company. For a full list of employment opportunities, click here.
CIRCA Opens In Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, CA—Jewelry buying firm Circa announces the opening of its first office in Beverly Hills. Located at 9696 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, the new office is led by director Wes Carroll. The new location marks the 11th office for the company, which plans to open more offices this year in major domestic and international jewelry markets. At almost 4,000 square foot, the new office has four buying rooms, and is the company’s second largest worldwide.
“Beverly Hills is an important addition to the growing family of CIRCA offices,” Carroll said. “[It] is home to some of the world’s most sophisticated consumers and we’re thrilled to bring our services and expertise to the area.”
Barbara Hannah Grufferman, a Circa client, recently wrote about selling her old Cartier watch (a gift from a past love) in her Life After 50 column in the Huffington Post.
Ultra-Wealthy Shoppers Flock To Nordstrom, But Barneys, Bergdorf And Neiman Cultivate Relationship Business
New York, NY—According to a recent survey by The Luxury Institute of consumers with minimum net worth of $5 million, Nordstrom boasts the largest share of penta-millionaire purchasers, with a majority of ultra-wealthy consumers buying something from the Seattle-based luxury retailer in the last year, but other luxury retailers do a better job of cultivating long-term relationships with them.
Rounding out the top three in terms of popularity are Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus. The survey asked these über-wealthy consumers about the top three retailers they purchase from, and the relationships they maintain with luxury sales professionals.
Marquee names selling higher-ticket luxury items make up for a lack of widespread appeal with deeper customer relationships. Sales professionals at both Barneys New York and Neiman Marcus rose above the competition in building relationships with penta-millionaire clients. Similarly, Bergdorf Goodman's market share among ultra-wealthy shoppers is just one-fourth the size of Nordstrom's, but the prevalence of customer-salesperson relationships at Bergdorf is triple the rate at Nordstrom.
Meanwhile, found the survey, sales professionals at more mainstream upscale retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are far less likely to have cultivated exclusive relationships. Relationships are more prevalent among women than men, and those under the age of 65 compared to those who are older.
“Technology may make it easier for sales professionals to maintain relationships,” says Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza. "But simple and personalized approaches like follow-up phone calls or handwritten thank you notes still prove tremendously effective.”
Respondents also ranked the comparative importance of the qualities they seek in sales professionals from luxury retailers, such as recognizing them when they visit the store, receiving calls and emails with special product offers, and making them feel comfortable.
Heather Moore Offers Tips For Wedding Savings
Cleveland, OH—Jewelry designer Heather Moore’s newly launched bridal jewelry collection just won first place in the bridal category of the Couture Design Awards in Las Vegas. She says her new line was inspired when many of her employees got married in the past year.
“All we have been hearing around the office is wedding talk and ways to save!” she says. For some, the sky is still the limit, but other couples either need or want to economize on some of all of the standard wedding costs. So Moore compiled a list of her top 10 suggestions for couples to save money on wedding expenses:
- Jewelry: "If you don't have the budget for gold, do palladium,” says the designer. “Also, consider a smaller center stone, or do more diamonds in smaller sizes.”
- Food: Hors d'oeuvres and finger foods are becoming increasingly more popular and the cost is significantly less than a sit-down dinner, she says.
- Timing: Friday or Sunday may be cheaper than Saturday weddings, which tend to be the most expensive.
- Cake: Order a smaller cake for display and hide a sheet cake in the back to serve to the guests.
- Location: "Ceremonies in a public place will help keep your cost lower,” she suggests. “Usually you only have to pay for the permit from the city and to rent some chairs."
- Flowers: "Go to a wholesale florist and grab a bunch of different styles and put them in different jars and bottles. Also, make your own bouquet. Simple calla lilies are gorgeous."
- Invitations: "Nowadays, with some good card stock and MS Word, anyone can do invitations. If your list is small enough, hand write them for a personal touch," says the designer, whose signature is jewelry with a message. (Editor’s note: Environmentally conscious couples might want to consider e-invitations from sites like Paperless Post.)
- Music: DIY with an iPhone and a speaker system, suggests Moore. “Be sure to ask everyone in the bridal party for five of their favorite songs and the list will be something everyone loves!"
- Wedding Planner: "Instead of using a wedding planner, recruit your most artistic friends and plan with them. Plus, they know your style better than anyone!"
- Alcohol: Of one of the biggest expenses of a catered affair, Moore suggests trimming the tab by offering “beer, wine and a signature cocktail instead of the entire bar package."