Articles and News
Brand News: Kara Ross, Marie Helene Morrow Honored; Tara And Doves Giveaways; More January 15, 2014 (0 comments)
Tara Pearls To Give Away Dancing Diamonds At Centurion
New York, NY--Tara Pearls will be giving away one of its best-selling Dancing Diamond pendants for every confirmed appointment at the upcoming Centurion Show. The pendants feature a dangling diamond in 14k white gold and are valued at $300 retail. (The giveaway pendant does not include a chain; appointments must be 30 minutes minimum and there is one giveaway per company.)
The Dancing Diamond collection consists of earrings and pendants in Tahitian, white and golden South Sea, and freshwater pearls, as well as diamonds, set in white and yellow gold. All chains are adjustable from 16 to 18 inches in length. The movement lies in the technique of employing an unbound diamond in each piece. There are more than 50 different styles available, with expertly chosen pearls and diamonds in the collection.
The Dancing Diamond program also offers showcase displays and rotators to provide movement, plus plaques, in-case signage, DVD commercials for local television, and material available for print advertisements.
Tara guarantees customer satisfaction with the product. If, for whatever reason, jeweler sell-through is not sufficient after a one year trial, Tara guarantees to take the product back for full credit or buy against future purchases. View all Dancing Diamond styles here.
No purchase is necessary and appointments can be made via Opt Online, via email at info@tarapearls.com or by calling (800) 235-2790.
Designer Kara Ross, Jeweler Marie Helene Morrow Win GEM Awards
New York, NY—Designer Kara Ross won the GEM Award for Design at the Jewelry Information Center’s 12th Annual GEM Awards gala on January 10. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Marie Helene Morrow, owner of Reinhold Jewelers in Puerto Rico. Morrow was one of the first leading retailers to embrace designer jewelry as a business strategy. Her passion for cultivating talent and building relationships with artists and luxury brands has made Reinhold Jewelers a forceful name in the industry for more than 35 years, and positioned the store as Puerto Rico’s leading source for designer jewelry.
Jeweler Marie Helene Morrow, left, poses with David Yurman, who presented her award. Morrow was one of the earliest champions of Yurman's work and the entire category of designer jewelry.
The evening gathered more than 500 of the jewelry and watch industry leaders as well as jewelry- and watch-adorned celebrities. The GEM Awards are given to recognize individuals whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches.
Along with Ross, Monica Rich Kosann and Irene Neuwirth were the three nominees for the design category. Winner Ross was lauded for her bold designs and use of exotic skins and gemstones across several jewelry lines, handbags and belts.
Kara Ross, left, poses with designer Alexis Bittar, who presented her award.
The award caps off an exciting year for Ross. She launched The Petra Collection of fine jewelry in the fall of 2013, and celebrated the opening of her retail flagship on Madison Avenue in November.
Other winners were Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine, who won for Media Excellence, and Tiffany & Co., which won for Communications.
Charles Garnier Paris introduces Pure Silver Britannia 958 Heritage Collection
Los Angeles, CA—Noted sterling silver jewelry designer and manufacturer Charles Garnier Paris introduces a higher standard of silver with its new trademarked Britannia 958 Heritage Collection, crafted with 95.8% pure silver.
Through a proprietary manufacturing process, the new lines will feature silver that is more pure than sterling silver. The upscale assortment brings to consumers a nickel-free, hypoallergenic silver that contains 95.8% pure silver, higher than the current 92.5% silver found in sterling. The Charles Garnier Paris exclusive refinement process creates a stronger metal that is shinier and longer lasting.
“Britannia 958 is our premiere collection for silver,” commented Charles Garnier Paris sales manager Julie Franco “The line gives retailers a competitive advantage and differentiation.” The line will be introduced at the Centurion Show in Scottsdale, AZ, February 1-4, 2014.
CEOs Celebrate Brand Success With Forevermark Partners
New York, NY—De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier celebrated the success of Forevermark in North America and shared insights for the year ahead at a cocktail reception with Forevermark diamantaires, manufacturers, and retailers last week.
Forevermark finished 2013 with more than 375 authorized retailers in North America. Its “Center of My Universe” campaign continued to build brand awareness this holiday season, reaching 95% of affluent targeted consumers an average of nine times. In the fourth quarter of 2013, visits to the jeweler locator section of the Forevermark website increased by 21% over the previous year.
Prior to the reception, the Forevermark Leadership Council held its first meeting. Announced last June, the Leadership council was formed to discuss ideas and thoughts on how to improve the Forevermark partnership and work towards a stronger leadership in the diamond industry.
Mellier commented, “Today, Forevermark diamonds are available in over 1,200 retail stores worldwide. This is a huge achievement for a brand that only launched five years ago and is testament to Forevermark’s promise of beautiful, rare and responsible sourced diamonds which resonates so strongly with consumers.”
Frédérique Constant Extends Photo Contest Deadline
Geneva, Switzerland—Due to the success of the Frédérique Constant Photo Contest 2013, the company has extended the closing date of the competition. The new deadline is March 16, 2014.
The competition theme is "Heart and Love,” and to date the brand has received more than 150 participants submitting beautiful images. See some of the entries here.
The Edge And The Edge Retail Academy To Host Exclusive Seminar
To Users Of The Edge Software
Shelton, CT—The Edge and The Edge Retail Academy will co-host a three-day seminar exclusively for jewelry retail users of The Edge software. The seminar will be held at The Edge headquarters at 3 Corporate Drive in Shelton, CT, from Thursday through Saturday, February 27 through March 1. Industry experts will cover numerous topics of vital interest to jewelers, including how to best utilize Edge software to increase profit margins, manage inventory, attract more customers, improve cash flow, manage staff and more.
“There are three things jewelers can always use more of,” says David Brown, founder of The Edge Retail Academy. “More time, more control of their business, and more money. Ironically, these are the three excuses most people have for not attending the seminar. And yet our attendees will come out knowing how to achieve a better return on their investment, reduce debt, increase sales, and still have more free time for family and the everyday things in life.”
“Our experts will show attendees how to reduce discounting, develop more loyal customers who buy more frequently, motivate sales staff and minimize the accumulation of non-performing inventory,” adds Dick Abbott of Abbott & Shapiro, producers of The Edge software. He says jewelers who have attended the most recent seminars have experienced an average increase of 29 percent in gross profits. Cost for the seminar is $495 for three days, and includes materials, a delegates’ dinner, and lunch and refreshments daily during the seminar. Lodging is available at a special rate at seven area facilities. Free shuttle service is offered through some lodging facilities. Cutoff dates for discounted rates may apply. Interested persons are advised to contact the facility of their choice for details. For further information about the seminar or to sign up, individuals should contact Leah Lattanzi at (866) 580-3343, ext. 1903, or Leah@ajsllc.com.
Correction: Doves Amex Photo Left Out
Great Neck, NY—An image of the $35 American Express Gift cards that will be given by Doves as part of the celebration of its 35th anniversary was left out of last week’s edition of The Centurion Newsletter. To celebrate 35 years in business (1979-2014), Doves is giving a card with every appointment made to view the line at the Centurion show, with no minimum purchase required. This is the missing image:
To make an appointment, click here. For more information e-mail info@dovesjewelry.com or call (888) 66-DOVES. Follow Doves on Facebook and Pinterest.