Articles and News
Brand And Industry News From Ritani, Kirk Kara, Edward Mirell, Ellen And Charles Lacy, JVC, more January 22, 2014 (0 comments)
Kirk Kara launches new marketing campaign
Northridge, CA—For more than a century, Kirk Kara has been creating intricately-designed bridal jewelry (left). Now the brand introduces a new advertising campaign, new website, and merchandising displays to highlight its vintage designs.
The new campaign, titled “Forever Captivating,” has crafted a new sensibility and story designed to captivate and connect with discerning young brides, who are on a mission to gather troves of information on the most important pieces of jewelry they will ever own.
The history of the Kirk Kara brand spans multiple continents, four generations, and more than a century. Since 1890, the Kirk Kara family of artists and artisans has designed and handcrafted rings and fine jewelry inspired by the past and patterns found in nature, architecture, and art. The family heritage has been passed from fathers to sons and, now, for the first time, to two daughters who are committed to continuing the brand’s heritage.
To learn more about the award-winning brand, watch a short film here and visit Kirk Kara in Salon 408 in the Estrella Ballroom at Centurion, Feb. 1-4 in Scottsdale, AZ.
The Kirk Kara "Forever Captivating" campaign motif.
Award Winning Jewelers Ellen And Charles Lacy Form Consultancy
El Paso, TX--National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee Ellen Lacy and husband, Charles Lacy, founding board member of the AGS Laboratories, announced the formation of Lacy + Lacy, an all-inclusive consultancy designed to assist independent jewelers seeking to strengthen and expand their business.
“Charles and I have a lifetime of experience in the jewelry industry. We understand all facets of the business and know what it takes to succeed,” says Ellen Lacy.
Based on their extensive knowledge and hands-on involvement in Lacy & Co., their own successful luxury jewelry business in El Paso, the Lacys can provide clients with a unique, all-encompassing approach that addresses every aspect of running a successful independent jewelry store.
“In this business, experience is a valuable plus,” said Charles. “And experience truly is the best teacher.”
Lacy + Lacy can provide analysis and consultation across a wide range of areas, including financing, inventory, marketing, staffing, training and analytics. A brochure detailing their full range of services is available by clicking here, or call (915) 329-5229 for more information.
Quality Gold, Edward Mirell Launch Partnership
Deerfield Beach, FL—Quality Gold is adding the Edward Mirell brand to its portfolio as of January 2014. It’s not an entirely new relationship: Spectore Corp.—parent of the Edward Mirell brand—and Quality Gold have worked together since 2000, with Spectore providing contemporary metal product for Quality Gold under its own brand, says Adam Rosenberg of Edward Mirell.
Spectore will continue to grow its private label division serving more than 30 leading luxury brands. Quality Gold, meanwhile, with its extensive retail distribution network, will be the exclusive North American distributor of the Edward Mirell collection, with a heightened focus on sales, marketing and expeditious fulfillment of Edward Mirell pieces.
“As a company we had to look at where our strengths lie and we are great at design, technology, innovation and mass manufacture. Quality gold is a leader at distribution to retailers with the over 20 shows they attend each year, field sales support and their direct mailing to over 35,000 retailers throughout the US. The partnership simply made sense for both sides to lean on each other’s strengths,” says Rosenberg. “They have been wanting to add a high end contemporary line to their portfolio of product in order to increase their value and support to retailers. This was the next logical chapter to both our stories.”
All Edward Mirell orders should be placed by calling (866) 390-4388 or emailing info@edwardmirell.com. Following completion of the transition in February, Quality Gold will be procuring these channels.
Gray titanium and lapis ring from the Pallas collection by Edward Mirell.
Ritani Honored By Forbes As One Of America’s Most Promising Companies
New York, NY—Ritani has been named to Forbes magazine’s list of America’s Most Promising Companies. The list is comprised of 100 privately held companies that boast high growth potential, compelling business models, and strong management teams, as well as notable customers and investors. Ritani, the only jeweler on the list, came in at #40.
Ritani, which began as a wholesale business in 1999, is being recognized for its direct-to-consumer business that launched in 2012. Ritani is the first jewelry brand to integrate the increasingly popular “clicks and bricks” model with local independent jewelers. Consumers visiting Ritani.com experience an optimal online e-commerce diamond jewelry shopping experience, with the added option of a free in-store preview at a local jeweler in their area.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Forbes as one of our nation’s most promising companies,” said Brian Watkins, Ritani president. “We look forward to continuing our growth in 2014, welcoming customers new and old, while developing our robust network of trusted local jewelers.”
Brian Watkins, president of Ritani.
For the third annual list of America’s Most Promising Companies, Forbes gauged hundreds of young, privately held businesses, attempting to pin down their trajectories by taking a range of variables into account. The final assessment is based on growth (both in sales and hiring), quality of management teams and investors, margins, market size and key partnerships. After verifying sales numbers, speaking with each company and debating their merits and blemishes, Forbes chose the top 100. Ritani’s revenue was listed at $13 million, with 45 employees.
The complete list is available on Forbes.com. Click here to watch a video of Ritani president Brian Watkins discussing “Billionaire Startup Lessons: Branding For Success,” with Clay Mathile, the billionare former CEO of Iams pet food who is now founder and chairman of Aileron, and Joni Fedders, president of Aileron, at the Aileron Entrepreneurial Institute.
Pandora Sales, Revenue Back On Track
Copenhagen, Denmark—After a few turbulent seasons, Danish bead and jewelry brand Pandora announced big gains for its 2013 sales, revenue, and margins. According to a release from the company, sales grew 30% year-on-year to $509 billion; revenue increased more than 35% to $1.63 billion, and its gross margin edged up from 66.6% to 67%.
It’s a huge turnaround from 2012, when the company not only showed no increase in revenue from 2011, but also posted a 41% sales decline.
A stronger-than-expected holiday season helped boost its numbers for 2013, as did the fact that it was able to open 205 new concept stores, an additional 10 locations more than its original projections.
Same-store sales in its U.S. concept stores rose 5.1%. The brand also acquired the intellectual property of rival bead maker Trollbeads A/S.
Frederique Constant Offers Sport Version of Slimline Moonphase
Geneva, Switzerland—Last year Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant launched its new Slimline Moonphase Manufacture, a watch collection in which all applications could be accessed through the single crown. This year, pre-Basel, Frederique Constant introduces a sporty new look to two of the models.
The FC-705S4S6B is has a 42 mm stainless steel case. The automatic movement features hours, minutes, date, and moon phase, all adjustable through the single crown. The domed silver dial is adorned with hand-applied nickel indexes and hands, and is protected by a convex sapphire crystal. The see-through case back has been retained. The FC-705N4S6B offers the same features and functionality, but with a navy blue dial. Both models are driven by the FC-705 Manufacture caliber, with 26 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve.
New is the addition of a modern, sporty stainless steel bracelet, which replaces the previous alligator straps. The new bracelet features a seven-link design and a unique butterfly buckle with pushers, giving the Slimline Moonphase a stylish, outdoors look, below:
For information, e-mail Yasmina Pedrini at pedrini@frederique-constant.com.
JVC Supply Chain Assurance Kit Now Available Online
New York, NY—The Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee’s new Supply Chain Assurance Kit is now available for purchase online. It is designed to help industry members be compliant with the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires SEC-listed companies to publicly disclose if their products contain gold or tungsten from a violent region of Africa, and to also disclose if their products are not “conflict free.”
To meet Dodd-Frank requirements, companies need information from their direct and indirect suppliers about the origin of the gold and tungsten they buy, as well as assurances that the minerals were not used to fund conflict. JVC’s do-it-yourself kit enables companies to implement responsible supply chain systems and provide the information and assurances needed by their customers.
Companies using the kit must determine whether there is a risk that their gold or tungsten was used to fund conflict; primarily done by gathering information from suppliers, including details about where minerals were purified or where they originated. It requires companies to find out if their suppliers have implemented their own supply chain assurance systems. If a company concludes there is risk of conflict minerals in their supply chain, they must next devise a strategy to manage the risk.
JVC’s kit has templates and guidance to gather required information and to assess and manage risk. These include:
- Sample letters requesting information about the gold or tungsten you buy
- Sample logs to track information you receive
- A sample policy showing your commitment to responsible mineral supply chains
- Sample language to include in vendor contracts, indicating your requirements regarding responsible supply chains
- Templates to use to assess risk, and manage risk if any is found
Kits are not the same for every business. Because assurance systems differ based on where a company is on the mineral supply chain, and whether it is supplying gold or tungsten, JVC’s kit offers customized guidance and templates to meet the obligations created by Dodd Frank. The kit also includes an explanation and examples to help users determine their position on the supply chain and exactly which kit materials to use.
JVC’s kit is $100 for members and $250 for non-members. It is available for purchase on JVC’s website, www.jvclegal.org, or call JVC at (212) 997-2002 for more information.