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Industry News From Hawaii Jewelers Association, Blue Nile, Elite Traveler, More May 11, 2016 (0 comments)
Hawaii Jewelers Association Celebrates 67th Banquet and Design Competition Winners
Oahu, HI—The 2016 Hawaii Jewelers Association design competition winners were announced at the group’s annual banquet April 30 at the Oahu Country Club. Each entry was an original piece designed by an HJA member, using only precious metals and genuine gemstones. The competition drew 33 entries from jewelers on Kauai and Oahu. All pieces were evaluated on the overall design, marketability, practicality and wearability, and craftsmanship, and all attendees at our annual banquet also voted for the People’s Choice Award in each category.
The three categories of the competition were: Jewelry Under $3,500, Jewelry $3,500 and Over, and Hawaiian Theme Jewelry. The designer of the piece with the overall highest total points—Dona Wong of Keoni Collection—was also awarded Designer of The Year.
Dona Wong was named Designer of the Year by the Hawaii Jewelers Association.
The Category I winners, Jewelry Under $3,500, were: first place, “Iridescent Dream” pendant (top of page) by Dona Wong, Keoni Collection. This also won the People’s Choice award. In second place was “Body Architecture” earrings by Michael Ly, The Wedding Ring Shop; and in third place, “Na Pali” pendant, Tiffany Grande, Grande’s Gems from Kapaa, Kauai.
In Category II, Jewelry $3,500 And Over, first place went to the “Opal Tide Pool” pendant (below), by the Maui Divers design team. Second place was “The Red Carpet” Ring, by Denny Wong, Denny Wong Designs. Third place was the “New Born” ring, Dale Cripps, Dale Cripps Jeweller, and the People’s Choice was the “Waterfall” bracelet, by Carrie Smith, Na Hoku.
In Category III, Hawaiian-Themed Jewelry, both first place and the People’s Choice went to “Flowers of the Islands” bracelet (below), by Donna Shimazu, Na Hoku. Second place was “Sunset Flower” pendant by Chira Arnould-Duval, Aqua Gems, and third place was the “Living Heirloom” bracelet by The Design Team, Maui Divers.
All 33 pieces and photos taken throughout the evening can be seen on the association’s website, and click here to watch a special video from the evening.
Blue Nile Reports Second Consecutive Sales Drop
Seattle, WA—Blue Nile last week reported a 7% drop in engagement ring sales for the first quarter of 2016. The drop was expected, according to CEO Harvey Kanter, who attributed the decline to softening in the high-end engagement ring market and overall smaller purchases. The decline comes on the heels of an 8% drop in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Sales of wedding bands, however, spiked—a double-digit increase—and sales of non-engagement jewelry overall rose 4% for the period. But the drop in engagement ring sales pulled down the company’s overall results.
Executives also discussed the company’s “webrooms,” showrooms where customers can see and try on merchandise, then buy it online. One already is open in New York at Roosevelt Field on Long Island; another is slated to open in New York, plus one in Virginia and a third in Oregon this summer.
The company also announced it has suspended all sales in South Dakota following the passage of a new law that requires online sellers doing more than $100,000 or 200 transactions annually to collect sales tax from in-state buyers.
Heather Hanson Promoted At Elite Traveler
New York, NY—Heather Hanson has been promoted to executive director multimedia of luxury jewelry, watch, and beauty at Elite Traveler magazine.
“Over the past five years, Heather has done a great job in her role developing successful cross platform campaigns for her clients targeting Elite Traveler’s sought-after ultra affluent private jet traveler audience,” said Elite Traveler’s Greg Licciardi. Prior to Elite Traveler, Hanson worked for International Gemological Institute (IGI) for 16 years as its director of sales, marketing and advertising. She is a GIA-certified diamond grader, and also a trained esthetician with experience working at Elizabeth Arden's Red Door Spa. Hanson is a member of the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) and Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW).
Swiss Watch by JCK and LUXURY Watch to Sponsor Time for Kids
Las Vegas, NV--Swiss Watch by JCK and the new LUXURY Watch will be sponsoring Time for Kids, the annual watch giveaway during the Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope event. Every attendee at the Facets of Hope event on June 5, 2016 at Mandalay Bay will be given a chance to win one of an array of donated watches from participants in Swiss Watch and LUXURY Watch.
The Facets of Hope dinner is key event during jewelry market week in Las Vegas. Time for Kids was begun in 2000; the watches will be on display throughout the Facets of Hope event and sponsors will receive recognition on signage and during the program at the event.
“What a perfect way to build on our past success and reach a milestone with the support of SwissWatch and the new LUXURY Watch events by JCK,” said David Rocha, executive director of Jewelers for Children. Participants interested in donating a watch can contact Jewelers for Children at 212-687-2949, or info@jewelersforchildren.org.
JVC Launches Webinar Series On Key Issues
New York, NY—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is launching a live webinar series this summer, designed to help industry members avoid legal risk and implement compliant business practices. Here are the sessions and times:
FTC Revisions Explained: Part 1, Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 2 to 2:45 PM (EDT), presented by JVC’s assistant general counsel, Sara Yood.
The Federal Trade Commission Guidelines to Advertising in the Jewelry Industry (“FTC Guides”) are an important part of the jewelry industry, and provide guidance to marketers about how to sell their products without deception. The FTC is currently in the process of revising the Guides. In this two-part series, we will review the essential role of the FTC Guides, and how to comply with the current rules. We’ll address the reach of the FTC Guides, discuss who has to comply with them (not just retailers!), and learn how to apply their guidance to some sample jewelry advertising. We will also discuss the consequences of non-compliance!!!
FTC Revisions Explained: Part 2, Wednesday, September 21, 2016 from 2 to 2:45 PM (EDT), presented by JVC’s assistant general counsel, Sara Yood.
By this date, JVC and other associations will have filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission on the proposed revisions to the FTC Guides to Advertising in the Jewelry Industry. We will discuss JVC’s comments and recommended revisions to the FTC Guides, focusing specifically on the precious metals, diamonds, and colored gemstone sectors. While it’s unlikely that the FTC will have responded to our comments, we’ll spend time discussing how changes might affect the industry and what you can do to understand and be prepared for any revisions made.
Employment Law, Wednesday October 19th, 2016 from 2 to 2:45 PM (EDT), presented by JVC CEO and president, Cecilia L. Gardner.
Get an update on the latest issues as employer or employee. Avoid messy employment lawsuits, make sure you are working in a compliant workplace, and ensure your employees are being treated in line with the latest legal requirements. This webinar will answer your questions on the various federal labor laws pertaining to hiring, firing, background checks, non-compete agreements, anti-discrimination and more.
AML Refresher, Thursday, November 10, 2016, from 2 to 2:45 PM (EDT), presented by JVC CEO and president, Cecilia L. Gardner.
Banks are increasing their pressure on merchants to demonstrate their compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act. Government is now enforcing against companies simply for the failure to comply. Are you up to date with your required actions under the law? This webinar will review all of the elements to meet compliance expectations from banks, the government and your business partners.
Each of these webinars is free to members. The non-member fee is $25. Click here for registration and details or call JVC at (212) 997-2002.
Rimini Fiera And Fiera Di Vicenza Sign A Letter Of Intent To Merge
Rimini and Vicenza, Italy—Rimini Fiera S.p.A. and Fiera di Vicenza S.p.A. have signed a letter of intent to look into the feasibility of merging the two companies. The aim is to form a primary Italian national trade show organizer able to compete on an international level, and list the company on the stock exchange.
Rimini Fiera SpA has 41 specialized events in the food and beverage; green, technology, entertainment, tourism, transport, and wellness sectors and presides over the conference market, managing the Palacongressi in Rimini
In addition to its jewelry portfolio, Fiera di Vicenza also has events in the following industries: hunting, sporting, crafting, furnishings, fashion accessories, medical and pharmaceutical, cars, motorbikes and bicycles, and religion). The company has also a role as a recognised cultural hub and it is active in the conference and convention industry.
Lorenzo Cagnoni, president of Rimini Fiera S.p.A., said, “It's an operation that brings together two strong, healthy businesses with separate but complementary roles. [This] will give them significant business dimensions and volumes." Matteo Marzotto, president of Fiera di Vicenza S.p.A., added, “This operation is an extraordinary opportunity for the Italian industrial system and a brand new direction for the national trade fair sector. Thanks to the skills and vision of both companies, their proprietary portfolio products and profit-making income performance, it could indeed be possible to establish a platform of excellence. We will dynamically be extending the confines of the two companies, capitalizing and internationalizing the whole “Made in Italy" production supply line.