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BRAND AND RETAIL NEWS: DIAMOND EVALUATION, RE-CUTTING PLANS, JOHN OATES AT LEVINSON JEWELERS, MORE January 18, 2012 (0 comments)
Jewelers Host Legendary Musician John Oates
Fort Lauderdale, FL—Mark and Robin Levinson, co-owners of Levinson Jewelers, hosted a private event January 7 starring legendary musician John Oates, best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall and Oates. The extravagant evening at the Levinsons’ home showcased a concert performance by Oates (left) and was attended by the “who’s who” of South Florida, raised over $100,000 for the Aspen 7908 Songwriters Festival.
The evening was co-hosted by Scot Hunter, CEO of Emerald Asset Advisors, and his wife Barbara; Gerry Greenspoon, Managing Partner of Greenspoon Marder, and his wife Ellen; and Doug Weiser, Founder of Cloud 9 Film Partners, and his wife Lynda.
“The evening and performance by John Oates was spectacular, and raised funds for a wonderful initiative,” said Mark Levinson. “John is not only a great talent, but also a great friend and supporter of the arts.”
In addition to the private concert, which included six of Oates’ well-known favorites, guests were treated to cocktails and dinner, along with a live auction emceed by South Florida radio personality John “Footy” Kross. Auction items included a personalized signed guitar from Oates; backstage passes to a Hall & Oates concert in the city of the winner’s choice, plus dinner after the concert with Oates. It also included a private recording studio session in Aspen with John Oates and his band and opportunities for everyone in attendance to sponsor a young songwriter.
Among the notables in attendance were renowned shoe designer Donald Pliner and his wife Lisa, and former NFL and Miami Dolphins’ great Sam Madison with his wife Saskia.
From left: John and Aimee Oates with Gram Slaton, Executive Director of the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and Robin and Mark Levinson, co-owners of Levinson Jewelers
The evening was conceived to support the passion of John Oates and his involvement with the Aspen 7908 Songwriters Festival. The mission of the Songwriters Festival is to bring together songwriters new and legendary to create the next generation of great American music.
A. Link Offers Free Trip to Mexico
New York—A. Link is giving away a trip for two to Los Cabos, Mexico, during the Centurion show, January 29-31 in Scottsdale, AZ. Every $5,000 purchase grants an entry to win an ultra-luxurious trip to Esperanza, an award-winning Auberge resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. The trip includes three nights in an Ocean View Casita, dinner for two, a couples massage, daily breakfast, and airfare for two from Dallas-Fort Worth.
You could be here at Esperanza if you win the free trip from A. Link & Co.
Hasenfeld-Stein Announces Diamond Re-Cutting Program
New York--Hasenfeld-Stein announces the launch of an all-new diamond re-cutting program. Jewelers now will be able to send stones .60 ct. and above and, wherever possible, have them re-cut into GIA 3X or AGS 000.
"Similar to the purchase of gold jewelry, retailers have been purchasing diamonds from the general public, and we believe they will continue to for a long time to come,” says company vice president Hertz Hasenfeld, the program’s driver. “We're using our expertise to help retailers turn these diamonds into well cut, very saleable products." Only retail jewelers are eligible for the program; manufacturers, dealers, and wholesalers are excluded.
The first step of Hasenfeld-Stein’s diamond re-cutting program is to assess the cutting potential of each diamond received. Retailers who submit a diamond will receive a same-day evaluation that will include:
- Confirmation of the specific parameters of each stone, including carat weight, color and clarity
- Confirmation that Hasenfeld-Stein will accept the submitted diamond for recutting (the company reserves the right to reject stones deemed too high a risk)
- Expectations for the resulting re-cut stone
- Hasenfeld-Stein will be responsible for the value of the stone if anything happens to it in the cutting process.
The entire process is web-based. To complete the stone submission form and get an estimate of charges, simply go to www.hasenfeld-stein.com and click on the Diamond Re-cutting link.
For jewelers who would rather sell the diamond than recut it, click on the Request Sale box. Hasenfeld-Stein will consider purchasing the diamond, and if applicable, make a cash offer. The program is scheduled to launch at the Centurion Show on January 29th, 2012.
For more information, please contact Mati Stahl, (212) 575-0290, or email matis@hasenfeld-stein.com.
At left, Hasenfeld-Stein's cutting factory in China; at right, its American factory uses state-of-the-art robotics.
Sarin Launches Diamond Assay Service
Kfar Saba, Israel--Sarin Technologies Ltd., announces its new "Diamond Assay Service" (DAS), a web-based service that provides diamond wholesalers, jewelry retailers, appraisers, and other users with a tool to buy, sell, and evaluate diamonds, and to produce branded cut reports and re-cutting evaluations of polished diamonds in a matter of minutes.
The subscription-based Diamond Assay Service interfaces with the DiaScan S+, a compact, lightweight, plug-and-play mobile unit that connects through a USB port to any desktop or laptop computer. After logging in, the subscriber can measure a polished diamond's current proportions and cut grade, estimate its potential value after re-cutting, and display real-time pricing.
The compact Diascan S+
The Diamond Assay Service gives every business the ability to analyze diamonds using AGS, GIA, IGI and other grading laboratory standards, presenting the results both graphically as well as in a detailed report.
"Retailers who are linked to Rapaport or IDEX diamond price lists can take immediate advantage of real-time pricing information. When a diamond is analyzed, the stone's real-time price will appear on the screen, along with the current and estimated cut grades,” said Uzi Levami, Sarin CEO.
Another feature that is built into the Diamond Assay Service is the AGS-PGS grading software. This key feature will enable subscribers to generate an AGS ASET image of any round or princess shaped diamond.
All the services and functions of the service are based in the ‘cloud’; there is no need to install any software updates.
The Diamond Assay Service has been in beta testing in the United States since September, with several wholesalers and retailers. Participating retailers reported a significant increase in the amount of diamonds they were purchasing from customers, with the handy evaluation tool. The cost of the Diamond Assay Service, which includes the DiaScan-S+ measuring device and the ongoing service, is only $1,500, along with a pay-per-click service plan, says the company. It says previous similar devices and software costs exceeded $10,000.
Sarin's official worldwide launch of the Diamond Assay Service will take place at the upcoming Centurion Showin Scottsdale, Arizona, later this month and at the AGTA Gem Fair, in Tucson, Arizona, in early February. Sarin staff will on hand at both shows to demonstrate the Diamond Assay Service and answer questions. For more information contact das@sarin.com
Steven Kretchmer Design Introduces New Bridal Program
Scottsdale, AZ--Steven Kretchmer Design is delighted to announce its new bridal program, which will allos retailers to carry a larger selection of the firm's line at a fraction of the cost with sample alloy tension mountings. This will help retailers to increase sales by showcasing the full breadth of Steven Kretchmer designs for customers.
Custom displays are available to create an elegant and inviting presentation, enriching customer experience with Steven Kretchmer jewelry and the store, and national advertising, both print and online, will support the brand and participating stores. There's more, too--for more information please contact our offices at (480) 998-1577 during regular business hours; 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Arizona Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
ArtCarved Bridal Reduces Dealer Network
New York, NY—ArtCarved Bridal announces a re-alignment in distribution strategy, which will include modifying its current list of authorized retailers.
“ArtCarved Bridal is a 160-year-old brand that continues to grow. Our strategy is to maintain and support this growth by focusing on strengthening our network of authorized sealers. To accomplish this, we need to partner with retailers that best represent the ArtCarved Bridal brand experience,” explains Jonathan Goldman, CEO of Frederick Goldman, Inc., marketer of the ArtCarved Bridal brand.
Changes in ArtCarved Bridal’s distribution are currently being implemented in the United States, and are effective immediately. Retailers identified as underperforming will be notified to develop an improvement plan or they will no longer have access to the ArtCarved brand and must cease to represent themselves as an ArtCarved authorized dealer.
In the case where distribution privileges are taken from a retailer, the overall process includes taking all related measures to disassociate themselves from the ArtCarved Bridal name and trademark, including the removal of all product, displays and signage.
For additional information contact Tom Tanner, senior vice president of brand management and marketing, (212) 807-2120, email ttanner@fgoldman.com.