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Brand And Retail News: Jeweler’s Granddaughter Keeps Flying; Mark Motes Launches Lab-Grown Line November 15, 2017 (0 comments)
Jeweler’s Granddaughter Makes Fourth Relief Trip To Puerto Rico
Pittsburgh, PA—Several weeks ago, The Centurion Newsletter reported on the heroic rescue efforts of Rosana Guernica, the Carnegie Mellon University student who is the granddaughter of jeweler Marie-Helene Morrow of Reinhold Jewelers in San Juan. Guernica singlehandedly raised funds to charter three private planes for relief missions to Puerto Rico. Nearly two months after Hurricane Maria, a significant portion of the island is still without power or a reliable water supply.
Rosana Guernica on an earlier mission.
This Saturday will mark Guernica’s fourth mission, this time in a 150-seat plane that will go down loaded with medical supplies, and come back loaded with 130 critically-ill patients and 20 physicians and volunteers to look after them. In between her fundraising (more than $157,000 to date) and relief trips, she still is a full-time student, as are many of her volunteers. The university, meanwhile, has been supportive: “I’m flying a relief plane to Puerto Rico” is a totally acceptable reason to turn in a late assignment!
To donate to Guernica’s efforts, click here. To watch KDKA-TV’s news video about her, click here.
Update: The following was posted to Guernica's Facebook page on November 20:
Mark Motes And Nick Pirie Launch Lab-Grown Branded Diamond Line
New York, NY—Former retailer Mark Motes and marketing and technology expert Nick Pirie have joined forces to launch Bare Diamond, an all-new lab grown branded diamond line. The line, called Bare Diamond, is set to debut in North America this fall, offering consumers a choice of “consciously crafted” lab-grown diamonds in loose form or set into jewelry. The Bare Diamond brand will focus initially on IGI-certified round ideal and triple excellent cuts from 0.5 to 2.0 carats in VS to I1 clarity, ranging in retail price from $700 to $20,000. Bare Diamond will also offer uniquely designed finished jewelry made with its lab grown diamond melee with potential for exclusive distribution agreements and customizable (special order) options based on consumer preferences. The brand is currently on track to achieve 300 doors by holiday 2018.
Mark Motes, left, and Nick Pirie, right.
“I am thrilled to bring Bare Diamond to the market at a time when the traditional jeweler is plagued by daunting challenges, including Millennials’ demand for eco-friendly products of all kinds, especially luxury goods,” says CEO Mark Motes. “There is a real void in our industry when it comes to branded lab grown diamonds. With consciously crafted diamonds, we can harness our lab partners’ unparalleled consistency of quality and range of product to significantly enhance the consumer’s experience and perception of lab grown diamonds.”
With over four decades of paired experience, Motes and Pirie have combined their marketing, sales and product development skills to offer retailers a timely, salable, high-quality lab-grown diamond product line with integrated marketing solutions, including point-of-sale, packaging, sales training, and consumer friendly digital resources such as high resolution photography and state-of-the-art product videography. Pirie brings a history of innovative sales solutions such as the “Diamond Dash” scavenger hunt campaigns to increase traffic and volume at independent retail stores, while Motes offers a long tenure of retail leadership, sales growth and expansion.
Visit barediamond.com for more information.