Articles and News
Brand News From Mark Patterson, Forevermark, Shinola, Le Vian, A. Link, More April 30, 2014 (0 comments)
Mark Patterson Launches Jewelry Blog
Corona Del Mar, CA—Jewelry designer Mark Patterson is now sharing his love for jewelry through another medium—words. In partnership with wife Josette, the designer’s new blog is tagged “sharing our passion for luxury jewelry and all things bridal.” The blog includes a place for readers to share their proposal stories and photos, and features a series of videos showing the designer and his pieces, and even profiles of other leading jewelry industry figures, such as Josette’s recent interview with Gumuchian’s Barbara Palumbo. Click here to access Mark Patterson’s blog homepage.
Left: Mark Patterson holds a tanzanite ring he designed, where gold and diamond snakes hold the center stone.
Le Vian Launches “Kiss” TV Commercial Exclusively For Independent Luxury Jewelers
Great Neck, NY—Le Vian has created a special television commercial featuring exclusive items only available at luxury independent retailers. The commercial is available to jewelers at no cost with generous co-op, to help ensure the retailer’s success with the Le Vian brand.
View the commercial here, and see special behind-the-scenes video from the TV shoot here. For more information, visit Le Vian in Las Vegas at the Luxury by JCK (May 27-29, booth LUX 727) and JCK (May 28-June 2, booth S11129).
A scene from The Kiss.
President Clinton Visits Shinola Factory
Detroit, MI—President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and the 42nd president of the United States, visited Shinola’s factory here last week. Shinola is the first company in many decades to produce watches in any significant scale in the United States. It also is known for its bicycles, journals, leather goods, and shoe polish, all American-made in Detroit.
During the visit, Clinton met Shinola’s watchmakers and craftspeople and toured the factory and also its newly built leather facility.
Along with the addition of leather manufacturing, Shinola also recently supplemented its watch factory with two new lines. Shinola currently employs 260 people in total, with 136 in manufacturing.
“Shinola is a great example of how we can continue to build and expand America’s manufacturing capabilities while creating jobs,” said Clinton. “It’s exciting to see how the brand is playing its part in the economic revitalization that’s happening in the city of Detroit.”
The former president has a long track record of supporting workforce development in the United States, the 2011 establishment of the Clinton Global Initiative America to bring together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and foster innovation in the United States.
“Having President Clinton visit our headquarters in Detroit was a great honor and true highlight for the team. We hope Shinola can act as a business model that can be replicated in cities like Detroit across the U.S.,” said Shinola CEO Steve Bock.
Watch a video of the president’s visit here.
Above: President Clinton tours the Shinola factory with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Below, President Clinton (center), poses with Detroit mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (center front), and Shinola factory workers.
Forevermark Celebrates 1,000,000 Inscriptions
London, United Kingdom—Forevermark has announced the one-millionth Forevermark diamond has been inscribed at the Forevermark Diamond Institute in Antwerp, Belgium.
Stephen Lussier, Forevermark CEO, comments “This is a significant day in Forevermark’s young history. Inscribing one million Forevermark diamonds in the six years since its launch is a huge achievement and is testament to the appeal of the brand amongst a growing number of consumers,” said Stephen Lussier, Forevermark CEO.
The inscription is the core of Forevermark’s proposition and represents the brand’s promise of a commitment to rare, beautiful, and responsibly sourced diamonds. Lussier adds, “The fact that every inscription number is unique and always identifiable as your very own, adds to the allure of our brand offering.” Invisible to the naked eye, it is made using proprietary technology and can only be seen with a special Forevermark viewer.
Forevermark recently announced the opening of a second Forevermark Diamond Institute facility in India in early 2015 to meet continued demand for inscription and grading services.
Lussier concluded, “We are delighted to be able to say that there are now 1,000,000 inscribed Forevermark diamonds that have met our stringent criteria. Inherently beautiful, sourced responsibly and of the highest quality, these are diamonds consumers around the world can be proud to own and wear.”
Hey, Jude! Co-Founder Frances Exits Namesake Company
Los Angeles, CA—Frances Gadbois, co-founder and designer of JudeFrances, has exited the jewelry firm that partly bears her name, and sold her half to partner Jude Steele last month. According to a report on JCKOnline, she, along with daughter Charlotte and former JudeFrances executive vice president Susan Bush, is launching a new venture called Sloane Street.
In March, JudeFrances hired its former head of sales, Barbara Laird, to serve as president. Laird headed sales for Slane in the interim.
A. Link Las Vegas Raffle Offers Retailers A Free Billboard
New York, NY—A. Link is offering a special raffle during the Las Vegas jewelry shows. Jewelers can enter to win the bridal image here as a billboard in their own town, all expenses covered by A. Link.
Each $5,000 Las Vegas show purchase from A. Link earns one raffle ticket to enter. Visit A. Link at JCK Luxury #1100, May 27-29 and in Prestige #32 at the JCK Show, May 30 - June 2.
Stuller Names Two Vice Presidents
Lafayette, LA—Stuller Inc. announces two promotions: Tammy Kidder, former executive director of corporate operations, has been promoted to vice president of findings, metals, and recycled materials; and Shawn Montgomery will become the new vice president of sales. Currently, he serves as executive director of customer experience.
Tammy Kidder, left, and Shawn Montgomery, right.
Kidder joined Stuller in 1994 in production control. Over the years, she worked in many divisions, including product design and development, merchandising, materials control, and procurement. Montgomery has been part of the Stuller team for 18 years. He began his career in manufacturing and, in 2002, became a sales director. He gained sales experience both in the field and within Stuller's contact center. Most recently, he led a cross-functional leadership role in implementing a CRM system across all of Stuller interactions with its customers.
Michael John Jewelry To Debut Exclusive Amber Collection In Luxury Chinese Department Stores
Los Angeles, CA—Michael John Jewelry is the first American-based fine jewelry designer to create an exclusive, one-of-a-kind, amber collection for the Chinese market. The award-winning firm was approached by European amber brand S&A, which distributes in more than 120 high-end department and independent retail stores throughout China.
Amber is a coveted symbol of good luck and prosperity in the Asian culture.
The Michael John Jewelry amber pieces are designed and manufactured in the United States and will be exported to China for sale in top-tier department stores and independent fine retailers in cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and more. The premiere collection includes 30 signature designs. Select designs feature blue amber, the most rare and expensive variety.
“We see the collaboration with S&A amber jewelry as a start to a flourishing relationship that the Michael John Jewelry brand will create with the high-end jewelry market in China,” says Michael Hezar, CEO and designer of Michael John Jewelry. “With China’s abundant consumer growth, this is an opportunity to branch out globally, especially by creating a market-specific collection of amber designs.” The collection features earrings, rings and pendants available in 18K yellow, rose and white gold with accent diamonds and colored gemstones. The pieces will launch during the summer 2014 season.