Articles and News
Brand News: Fragments Closes; Ritani Partners With Jewelers Mutual; Stuller Conference Dates; More February 25, 2015 (0 comments)
Fragments, NYC Designer Showroom And Retailer, Is Closing
New York, NY—Fragments, the showroom-cum-retailer known for launching the careers of many successful jewelry brands, is closing. (At left, cuff and earrings from Annie Fensterstock, one of Fragments’ well-known designers.)
Owner Janet Goldman attributes the decision to both skyrocketing rents in Soho, the trendy downtown Manhattan neighborhood where both the gallery and wholesale business are housed, and her duties as chair of Goldman Properties, a family real estate business founded by her late husband Tony. Ironically, it was Tony Goldman’s vision that sparked the gentrification of once rundown Soho in the late 1970s, leading it to today’s luxury retail paradise.
Janet Goldman still plans to remain in the industry through the private-label manufacturing arm of her business. “I love this industry. I love the designers and my relationships. Jewelry is my passion,” she told National Jeweler.
Goldman also told NJ that she hopes her current staff will continue the business in some form. The retail store is slated to close by the end of February; the wholesale business will remain open through May and its designers will exhibit at Couture as planned under the Fragments umbrella this year.
Ritani, Jewelers Mutual Partner To Protect Purchases
New York, NY--Ritani, a leading clicks-to-bricks bridal brand has partnered with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company to instill confidence for customers to wear their Ritani jewelry without worry about loss or damage.
Extending its service beyond the initial jewelry sale, Ritani offers a Lifetime Care Package with each purchase, which provides customers with complimentary appraisals, diamond certificates, lifetime cleanings, and a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects. While the Lifetime Care Package delivers key benefits, jewelry insurance was not part of the offering.
“We take a holistic approach with our customers and felt it was important to provide a trusted option to choose more comprehensive coverage that protects their jewelry from accidental loss, theft, and disappearance,“ said Brian Watkins, president of Ritani. “With that in mind, we’re thrilled to team with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, the industry leader for more than a century.”
Ritani features a unique “clicks and bricks” business model, blending the traditional e-commerce model while working with a network of over 200 independent brick and mortar retailers throughout the country.
In collaborating with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Ritani is able to provide its customers convenient access to a personalized insurance quote with one click—either immediately from the online shopping cart or after they receive their jewelry. With integrated websites, Ritani and Jewelers Mutual provide a seamless and efficient insurance-buying experience, eliminating the need for customers to manually enter additional information or send separate receipts and appraisals.
“Consumers are buying jewelry pieces to mark special moments in their life,” said Trina Woldt, chief marketing officer at Jewelers Mutual. “The joy that comes from purchasing a special piece of Ritani jewelry, and the memory it creates, is what makes it worth protecting. At Jewelers Mutual we understand you can’t put a limit on what it takes to make the consumer whole again.”
Stuller Announces 2015 Bridge Dates
Lafayette, LA—Stuller’s famed Bridge conference series, which focuses on helping retail jewelers do better business, will soon kick off its sixth season. The two-day events are filled with learning about new selling strategies, product and technology innovations, and everything jewelers need to know to keep their businesses competitive today and tomorrow, in an open environment to network and share.
“The whole experience was incredibly valuable for me and for my company,” says Shelly Benes with Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler in Bellevue, WA. “The Stuller staff was warm and hospitable and we never felt pressure or were made to feel like this was a sales presentation, but more of a community celebration for us to be successful.”
“That’s why we created Bridge,” says Ken Dugas, Stuller’s executive director of events. “At Stuller, our business is to make sure your business succeeds.”
The 2015 Bridge dates are:
- April 12–14
- May 17–19
- August 23–25
- September 13–15
- October 4–6
- October 18–20
For more information on Bridge and to request an invitation, click here, call (866) 751-5692, or email events@stuller.com.
New Introductions: Ariva Fine Jewelry And Merkava Watches.
New York, NY—Ariva Fine Jewelry, a division of Pranda Jewelry, draws inspiration from Thai silk to create a brand new collection of designer jewelry in sterling silver accented with 18k gold, gemstones, and diamonds. Collections to be launched this spring include Rittenhouse, Silk, Echo, and East. Each collection has its own unique look and style.
The Rittenhouse Collection of sterling silver jewelry features rose gold accents on some pieces and the entire collection is balanced with cast and link compositions.
Separately, Merkava Industries is the first luxury Israeli watch company manufacturing high quality hand made timepieces in Switzerland. Founder Joseph Djemal, has created his watches to combine the best of tradition and innovation. Merkava watches evoke the sleekness and power of a luxury sports car to match the fast-paced lifestyle of a man who stays ahead of the curve in fashion.
