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Industry News: WJA Honors Ruth Batson, Heather Moore, Chana Regev, Cathy Calhoun, Amy Jackson; More July 30, 2014 (0 comments)
WJA Honors Outstanding Women’s Achievements
New York, NY—The Women’s Jewelry Association inducted Ruth Batson (left), CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Labs, into its Hall of Fame on Monday. Batson was chosen to receive the honor in celebration of her long-time service to the industry at AGS, and in recognition of the fact that she was the first woman chosen to lead AGS in its 80-year history.
“A leader is only as successful as the people who work for them want them to be,” she said, acknowledging both her internal team at AGS and the organization’s volunteer board of directors.
But being a successful career woman isn’t something that can be done without the support of family, she emphasized, thanking both her husband and son.
“Any mother with a career struggles to balance the needs of her work with the needs of her family,” said Batson. It’s especially hard if that job requires frequent travel and long hours.
“My son, Tyler, is the most supportive child ever. He’s grown now, not the four-year-old he was when I started in the business and he doesn’t need Mom as much now as he did then, but he was the reason to dress up and show up.”
WJA also honored leading women in the fields of jewelry design, manufacturing, retail, journalism, and more.
David Bonaparte of Jewelers of America was chosen to receive the organization’s Ben Kaiser Award, presented to a man in the industry who has helped further the advancement of women, and the organization’s corporate award—given to acompany that helps further women’s careers—was presented to Richline Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. CEO Dennis Ulrich accepted the award.
Designer Heather Moore was honored in the field of jewelry design. Also nominated for that honor were Emily Armenta and Monica Rich Kosann.
Chana Regev of Carelle was honored for jewelry manufacturing. In an emotional acceptance speech, she paid tribute to Brooke Tivol McGrath, who passed away in 2011. McGrath had encouraged her to get involved with WJA, and Carelle has since created both a line of jewelry and a WJA grant in McGrath’s memory.
Amy Jackson of Fragments was honored in the category of sales and merchandising.
Retailer Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, PA, was honored in the category of retail with fewer than 15 doors. Kim Adams of North Carolina-based Reed’s Jewelers was honored as the retailer with more than 15 doors, and Jennifer Arthur of Amazon.com was honored as the non-traditional retailer.
Other honorees included Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, in the category of editorial and media; Rosanna Doherty of Cartier was honored for watches; Fran Pennella of Benali Consulting for marketing and communications; and Desiree Hanson of the JCK Shows for special services.
New PGI Study Reflects Upward Trend
New York, NY—Platinum jewelry sales have been tracking upward for the past two years, and new consumer research conducted by Milward Brown for the Platinum Guild International reveals some of the numbers and reasons behind the uptick in sales.
Here are some key findings from the study:
- Design matters! 53% of consumers say the single most important factor in choosing jewelry is the design/setting/style.
- 77% of consumers surveyed said they would consider platinum when choosing a piece of jewelry. Of these, 43% said platinum was their first choice and 34% said they would consider it.
- 46% of consumers who own platinum are likely to recommend it to family or friends.
- 77% of consumers surveyed feel platinum is worth more or equal to its cost.
- Platinum indexed at 169 for “feels different from other metals” or “sets the trends for the category.” White gold indexed at 98 and yellow gold at 82, says the study.
To read more of the study and examine findings in detail, click here.
Diamond Council Of America Launches High School Initiative
Nashville, TN--The Diamond Council of America has launched a new program for high school students to introduce them to a potential career in the jewelry industry. Using DCA’s courses in diamonds, colored gemstones, and jewelry sales to supplement established school curricula, the initiative also links program graduates with potential employers through a computer-based referral service.
“The board and I are tremendously excited about our high school initiative,” said Terry W. Chandler, president and CEO of DCA. “By creating a fresh and increasing stream of new sales professionals, it will help to ensure the future of our industry.”
The program’s official name is the DCA Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative. Under the initiative, school districts join DCA as associate members for an annual fee that covers membership and the right to use DCA’s courses. Once a district is licensed, the schools it includes may choose any of DCA’s regular courses and enroll as many students as they wish. A qualified and motivated teacher first completes one of DCA’s courses, then uses the course as a text for teaching one or more classes of students who work with DCA lessons and support materials onlie.
“The JCR Initiative is based on DCA’s nationally accredited courses and advanced educational-support system,” Chandler said. “It is delivered through career-readiness programs that already exist in most U.S. high schools.” It also includes extra features like hands-on projects through high school jewelry arts or business classes, and relevant videos available online. Students also hear from guest presenters from their local jewelry industry, from DCA member stores.
Students who successfully complete a DCA course may be added to its graduate database, an opt-in choice that includes appropriate privacy safeguards and parental permission for students under 18. The database is helpful in providing information and referrals during a career search.
Pilot classes for the initiative were conducted at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, GA, during the 2013-2014 school year, with plans to expand and grow the program in other areas.
The first graduates of DCA's new high school initiative.
Says Chandler, “Of course, like any new undertaking, the initiative faces challenges. But the jewelry industry’s need for new professionals and young adults’ need for decent jobs are powerful factors that favor the program’s ultimate success.”
Two students from the first DCA high school initiative already learned fashion savvy from their mentor, DCA CEO Terry Chandler (center).