Articles and News
Brand And Industry News From Sarine, Chimento, Ritmo Mundo, Mark Patterson, SMART Show, More April 22, 2015 (0 comments)
Brad Campbell Named VP Of Sales For Sarine North America
New York, NY—Sarine North America, Inc. has named Brad Campbell (left) vice president of sales. Campbell has over 35 years of executive level experience in the diamond jewelry industry, primarily at Morgan Jewelers, where he ultimately served as vice president of merchandising and as company president. He also served as a member of the buying committee for the Leading Jewelers Guild.
More recently, Campbell has consulted and coached many leading jewelry retailers, buying groups, and manufacturers in the development of new retail solutions to grow their businesses in today's rapidly changing environment.
“I am delighted to take part in Sarine's new and exciting innovative activities in the polished diamond industry,” says Campbell. His ultimate goal will be to serve the changing needs of Millennial consumers to meet and exceed their expectations of our industry, he says. “I look forward to working together with diamond retailers and their suppliers to enhance the diamond buying experience.”
Sarine recently launched a new suite of solutions to enhance the online sales experience, connect to the in-store environment, and support the diamond sourcing process.
Sarine CEO Uzi Levami said, "We are currently undergoing a major expansion of our activities in the polished diamonds trade and retail market. Mr. Campbell's extensive experience, insight, and networks in the diamond retail industry will be a major addition to our team and will accelerate the rollout of our pipeline of trade and retail solutions."
Chimento Revamps Website
Vicenza, Italy—Chimento announces a complete redesign of its website, www.chimento.it. The innovative interface makes it easy for users to browse and view content immediately on all desktop and mobile devices. To contact Chimento in the United States, call (305) 372-8025.
Simon G. Jewelry and Zeghani Appoint Terry Pasch Director of Sales
Glendale, CA—Terry Pasch has been named director of sales for Simon G. and Zeghani. He brings 25 years’ experience in sales, management, and training in the jewelry industry, having most recently worked for Scott Kay and Gabriel.
“We are confident Terry's expertise and experience will be a strong benefit to our brands,” said CEO Zaven Ghanimian.
“I’m honored and excited to be part of the Simon G. and Zeghani leadership team”, says Terry Pasch. “I was fortunate to meet Simon 22 years ago and have great respect for his commitment to industry leading design an quality. I look forward to bringing our innovative solutions to the market that I have spent most of my life serving.”
Pasch will be responsible for further developing and executing market development, sales, and new business plans. He will supervise the United States sales teams to identify market opportunities and fulfill market needs, ensure delivery of quality solutions, and meet short- and long-term business goals. He will maintain strong working relationships with current customers and prospects, and will be pivotal in team building and program management.
Terry has led a professional career with an impressive array of industry leaders. Prior to his position as president of sales at Scott Kay in Teaneck, NJ, he was director of sales for Gabriel and Co., New York, and as a 21-year sales representative, carried lines from all divisions of Fredrick Goldman, Gabriel and Co, Wright & Lato, and Kirchner Corporation. He also served four years as operations manager for Dayton Hudson, a 70,000 sq-ft. department store in Minneapolis, MN.
Fire Polish Ramps Up Production
New York, NY--Fire Polish has signed an exclusive licensee agreement with Cal Tech University allowing the brand to put diffraction gratings on the surface of a diamond. Fire Polish is the original creator of the Fire Polish Brand, and has successfully sold and marketed the diamond cutting technique to hundreds of jewelers and thousands of consumers. Fire Polish is currently building a state-of-the-art factory in New York. A soft opening is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2015, with full operation by January 2016.
A Fire Polish diamond.
“By having the exclusive patent licenses and our own factory we are able to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of Fire Polish diamonds, for the first time,” said Robert Goldstein, COO.
“Fire Polish has and will continue to change the way consumers look at and ultimately buy their diamonds and diamond jewelry. Fire Polish is a game changer,” adds Glenn Markman, president and CEO.
By cutting Nano Prisms (diffraction gratings) on the pavilion of any diamond Fire Polish is able to increase the dispersion (FIRE) and scintillation (SPARKLE) of the diamond without any change to the Four C’s, including the stones carat weight. (Source: Gems & Gemology, Winter 2010). Markman says retail customers can see the difference from across the store without using tools or viewing devices, which means all people viewing the stone will see it exactly the same.
“By having both the exclusive manufacturing license and the exclusive distribution rights we will have complete control of the Fire Polish Brand for the first time,” said Markman.
Fire Polish will exhibit at the JCK Show in Las Vegas, booth L137. For information, contact Robert Goldstein, Robert@firepolishdiamonds.com, (516) 521-1165 or Glenn Markman, G.G., Glenn@firepolishdiamonds.com, (917) 880-6700.
Josette Patterson Interviews Michelle Graff
Corona Del Mar, CA—Josette Patterson continues her jewelry blog this month by profiling Michelle Graff (below), editor-in-chief of National Jeweler. Graff, a Pittsburgh native, attended college in Ohio and started her career as a daily newspaper reporter at the Marietta Daily Journal in a suburb of Atlanta.
Here, Graff dishes on the moral conscience of Millennial shoppers and her own search for greater meaning as her career moved from covering murder trials to luxury jewelry.
Tennis Star Petra Kvitova Signs With Ritmo Mundo
Beverly Hills, CA—Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is the first tennis player and individual female athlete to become an ambassador for the California-based watchmaker Ritmo Mundo. The brand will feature Kvitova in advertising and social media campaigns, leveraging global recognition, reach, and unique appeal.
Founded in 2002 by celebrity jeweler Ali Soltani, Ritmo Mundo is a cutting-edge watch brand with modern design, bright colors, and neo-classic shapes in its DNA. Not unlike the 25-year-old Czech Kvitova, Ritmo Mundo values sportsmanship and work ethic in its company values.
Ritmo Mundo has several partnerships with sports teams and athletes, including the LA Galaxy, members of the Brazilian national football team, and a women’s cycling team. The brand has been a fixture at the IndyCar racing circuit for the past eight years, with three of the past five Indy500 winners being brand ambassadors for Ritmo Mundo.
Kvitova made her mark on the tennis world in 2011 at the age of 21, winning her first Wimbledon and reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 2. Since then, she has won 15 WTA titles as well as her second Wimbledon crown (2014).
"I am delighted to become a global brand ambassador for Ritmo Mundo and be the first tennis player to have a partnership with such a dynamic brand. I love Ritmo Mundo’s modern designs and am excited to become a member of the Ritmo Mundo family and help bring them further global recognition,’’ said Kvitova.
Trésor Collection Debuts 2015 Look Book
Miami, FL—Trésor Collection has announced the release of its 2015 catalog and look book. The brand will be exhibiting at JCK Luxury in Las Vegas, booth LUX701. Click here to see the catalog or call (866) 99-TRESOR for an appointment at the show.
A model wearing some of Tresor's latest pieces.
Scott Pogofsky Joins White Pine; Firm Posts Solid First-Year Growth
New York, NY—Scott Pogofsky has joined White Pine Trading’s jewelry division sales team as its Midwest representative. Pogofsky has more than 30 years’ experience in higher-end diamonds and jewelry sales.
“Scott is a veteran sales consultant who has worked with some of finest jewelers and retailers in the world,” said Dominic A. Mainella, the division’s national sales director and acquisitions advisor. “He is a valuable addition to our team.”
Less than a year after its launch, White Pine’s jewelry division has experienced better-than-expected growth, says division head Jeffrey Sadowsky, vice president of fine jewelry acquisitions.
“I’m pleased to announce that the Fine Jewelry division’s acquisitions and revenues have easily exceeded our initial projections. Since our May 2014 launch, we have purchased approximately $20 million of fine jewelry and estate jewelry, as well as branded and antique pieces.”
White Pine created the fine jewelry division in May 2014 as a vehicle to acquire inventory at below-market prices from jewelry manufacturers and wholesalers around the country. The division subsequently widened its acquisition activities to include estate and antique jewelry as well as in-store purchases from consumers, and is now considering retail going-out-of-business opportunities.
White Pine Trading, one of the world’s largest recycled diamond companies, has offices in New York, Birmingham (UK) and Tokyo, and buyers in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The company buys recycled, polished diamonds of all sizes and grades, either loose or in second-hand diamond jewelry. White Pine remanufactures chipped, damaged and poorly cut diamonds, and uses a significant proportion of its diamonds in jewelry or resells the remainder to a network of retailers, jewelry manufacturers, diamond manufacturers, and dealers. Its White Pine Jewelry Solutions division provides consulting and other services to retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers, and the industry’s asset-based lenders.
Crowdfunding May Help Small Manufacturers’ Growth
Reno, NV—Rampant Lion Collections is hoping enough people love its design concept for the “Coolest Men’s Rings Around” that they’ll be willing to help finance the line. The brand launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign last week, and president Craig Marinovich says the whole Internet crowdfunding phenomenon might be a viable path for smaller jewelry manufacturers to finance new product lines.
Sourcing financial input online also offers manufacturers a ready-made research lab. “Not only do we get to "test the waters" for our new sterling silver collection, we also get to interact with consumers and receive invaluable feedback,” says Marinovich.
He’s also hoping the campaign will open up new retail jewelry store accounts as well, and these "distributor" type arrangements will certainly help the brand get over the hump in its crowdfunding campaign, he says.
Check out the brand’s Kickstarter campaign here.
Retail Scientist Paco Underhill Opens SMART Show
Chicago, IL—The seventh annual SMART Jewelry Show opened with renowned retail anthropologist Paco Underhill as its keynote speaker, sponsored by Synchrony Financial. His session, “What Your Customers Really Want: The Science of Shopping,” taught retailers what they can do to encourage today’s savvy customers to stay longer and purchase more.
Underhill (above) described the importance of being able to recognize shifts in consumer needs and behavior. “Retail is the dipstick to social change. The key is being able to react to that social change.” He is the best-selling author of Why We Buy: The Science Of Shopping, What Women Want: The Science of Female Shopping, and other titles, as well as president of Envirosell, a behavioral research and consultancy he founded in 1977.
This year’s show promises to be the best yet, with a host of exciting new programs being introduced alongside popular show features.
Another keynote event for the show was The Bench Pressure Challenge, sponsored by Stuller. Eight talented contestants face off in timed, head-to-head battles that show off their CAD and bench skills live on the show floor. This year, the area was expanded into its own pavilion, with a full day of hands-on demos featuring the latest bench tools and technology.