Articles and News
BRAND AND RETAIL NEWS: CHERIE DORI’S “VOW” IN TOP APP SPOT; CARTIER AT WESTON; CARELLE’S GRANT; MORE February 13, 2013 (0 comments)
“The Vow” App Most Popular Engagement Ring App; Hits 4,000 Downloads A Day
Sunrise, FL—“The Vow,” a retailer-embedded ring-finder app designed by Cherie Dori, has rocketed to the most popular app for engagement rings, ranking even above Tiffany and Blue Nile.
According to Shimon Cohen, president of Cherie Dori, The Vow has more than 4,000 downloads a day, and more than 300 stores across the United States and Canada are part of the program.
When a user opens the app for the first time, location-based technology links it to the nearest participating jeweler, giving the appearance that the app is unique to that retailer, and storing the jeweler’s information in that user’s phone. Once the app is downloaded, the user will always stay linked to the same jeweler, even if they browse the app from another location.
The iPhone and Android app allows users to browse a large selection of fashion-forward high definition 3-D diamond engagement ring styles from Cherie Dori's Diadori line. With one click, customers can share their favorites with friends via text or e-mail, and when the user wants more information about a ring, a special “request a quote” button sends an email directly to the jeweler.
Users can see each ring in 18k white or yellow gold, zoom and turn an image to see every angle, and view the rings on a human hand. Detailed information is included for each style, along with an Engagement Ring Buyer’s Guide section.
"The Vow," Cherie Dori's retailer-embedded app for iOS and Android, is in first position (upper left, with closeup at top of page) in the Apple app store.
Cherie Dori has made updates to the app since its launch last fall, including a rewards feature that allows customers to earn points toward a free gift for everything they do inside the app. This includes sharing a ring through text, e-mail or Facebook, to redeem a free gift. After reaching 100 points, customers can choose from a selection of Cherie Dori sterling silver jewelry that is valued at $100 retail.
The designer also added a new 14k gold section to the app showing a selection of price-conscious styles, as well as a Facebook share button allowing customers to automatically post their favorite ring on their Facebook page.
An iTunes graph showing The Vow's popularity.
Cartier Opens New Boutique Inside Weston Jewelers
Weston, FL—Cartier, the international jeweler and watchmaker, has opened a new watch boutique in Weston Jewelers. The jeweler has been an authorized Cartier watch dealer since 2006.
The new 135 square foot, custom designed corner—referred to as an espace—has a luxurious and modern feel. It features oak paneling in a warm and muted palette, accented with Cartier’s signature red oak lacquer, and includes a video screen used to highlight Cartier’s collections and story.
Said Ed Dikes, owner and CEO of Weston Jewelers, “We are so excited to have a full Cartier watch boutique. It’s a true testament to our partnership and the commitment of our two luxury brands.”
Founded in 1847, the House of Cartier has served as crown jeweler to 19 royal houses. According to history, the first timepieces were created around 1853; however, it was in 1888 that Louis Cartier, manager of the jewelry house, made watchmaking a distinct part of the brand. In 1904, Cartier gifted a square wristwatch to the famous Brazilian aviator, Albert Santos-Dumont. This, the first modern wristwatch, established Cartier as one of the influential watchmakers in the world and helped convince the watch world that timepieces belonged on the wrist, not in the pocket.
Tracey and Ed Dikes, owners of Weston Jewelers, in their new Cartier Espace boutique in their store.
Named by Harpers Bazaar magazine as one of the “Best Jewelry and Watch Retailers in America,” Weston Jewelers is a family-owned business, specializing in luxury jewelry and watches. In addition to Cartier, some other brands in the store include Aaron Basha, A.Link, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bedat & Co., Breitling, Bulgari, Charriol, Chopard, Gregg Ruth, IWC, Hublot, John Hardy, Kwiat, Leslie Greene, Le Vian, Marco Bicego, Michele, Montblanc, Nanis, Oliva, Philip Stein, Roberto Coin, Scott Kay, TW Steel, Vacheron Constantin and Wolf Designs. The firm also offers an extensive corporate gift service, and boasts a multilingual staff speaking English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Italian, and French.
Weston Jewelers also is an active partner in a number of children’s charities, including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kids In Distress, Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital, and The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, among others.
Carelle Funds WJA Grant In Memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath
New York, NY—Carelle and the Women’s Jewelry Association announce a new grant established in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath, a Carelle employee who died suddenly two years ago at age 28 of a rare but virulent blood infection.
McGrath grew up in the jewelry industry, as a member of the Tivol family whose prestigious jewelry store is well known throughout the Kansas City area. Instead of joining the family business, she moved to New York City and joined Carelle under the guidance of co-founder and designer Chana Regev. She served as a driving force behind the successful launch of the Carelle brand, playing an integral role in developing the brand identity from marketing to design. She was an active member of WJA at the time of her death in January 2011.
A selection of pendants from the Brooke Leaf collection, also created by Carelle in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath.
To honor McGrath, whose character was defined by strength, innovation, and the will to lead, said Carelle, it has partnered with WJA to offer a business grant for WJA members. Called “The Carelle-WJA Member Grant in Honor of Brooke Tivol McGrath,” it will assist women starting out in the jewelry industry with a $5000 merit-based grant to aid in the establishment of their business.
Eligible candidates must be current members of the WJA, and in their first five years of business. Each applicant is required to submit an essay explaining why she deserves this award. Emphasis must be placed on personal dedication, determination, and reflect a positive attitude for the industry. Images are encouraged but not required. Click here to fill out the application and email any additional materials with your name and date of application to WJAScholarshipsGrants@gmail.com.
Mary Forte to Helm CIRCA
New York, NY--Circa, the fine jewelry and watch buying service, has appointed Mary Forte as acting CEO, and has promoted Jayne Conway from chief administrative officer and CFO to COO and CFO.
Forte has more than 20 years of industry experience, most notable as president and CEO of Zale Corp. She also held leadership positions at QVC television network and Federated Department Stores. Conway joined Circa in 2012 with more than 20 years' experience in strategic, financial, and operational leadership with such global brands as Dunkin' Donuts, Gulf Oil, and Planet Fitness.
Ilene Allen also joins Circa as senior director of human resources.
Argyle Diamond Oscar Collection To Support Rio Tinto Diamantaires
New York, NY—Rio Tinto Diamonds announced plans to actively support its network of Select Diamantaires with a variety of consumer-targeted initiatives throughout 2013. These initiatives will be aimed at promoting diamond fashion jewelry, as well as creating awareness and educating consumers on the versatility and affordability of jewelry created using Argyle Diamonds from Australia.
The first initiative, already underway, is based on last year’s success in placing Argyle diamond jewelry on celebrities for the Oscars. This will be the second year of Argyle’s involvement with the Oscars; last year’s placements were a resounding success, say company spokespeople. The Oscar initiative will be supported and followed up with other plans and messaging to highlight the accessibility of all Argyle Diamond set jewelry.
Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds’ U.S. office, commented, “We see these initiatives as instrumental in ensuring that the consumer understands the beauty of Argyle Diamonds while illustrating the high value of the pieces. Other exciting initiatives have been developed and will be revealed to the trade at the JCK show in June.”
Designed by Evelyn Huang manufactured by Uni-Design, the Bulles de Champagne Collier was the winning design in Rio Tinto Diamonds' 2010 Champagne Diamond Design Competition.
Blue Nile Posts Huge Gain in Sales Growth
Seattle, WA--Diamond e-tailer Blue Nile reported the fourth quarter of 2012 saw the best sales growth since 2007, according to this report in National Jeweler. The gains came primarily from engagement ring sales in the United States, a category the e-tailer had previously said it was going to downplay in favor of adding more fashion jewelry and focusing on its international business. Its international business did come back strong, said the report, but the non-engagement fashion category fell short of expectations. The shortfall was blamed largely on the economy, though the company says it learned valuable insights into the appropriate product mix for that sector.
Industry News: Israel to Host World Diamond Council, CIBJO Meetings
Milan, Italy--CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, will hold its 2013 congress in Tel Aviv, Israel, from May 7-9, with pre-congress meetings beginning May 5. It will be hosted by the Israel Diamond Institute and take place at the oceanfront Dan Hotel.
As has become tradition, the CIBJO event will be preceded by the annual meeting of the World Diamond Council May 5 and 6 at the Dan.