Articles and News
Brand News: Rahaminov’s 100-Ct. Bracelet; Stuller Bench Workshop; Frederique Constant Gains; More September 03, 2014 (0 comments)
Rahaminov Offers “100 Diamonds, 100 Carats” Bracelet
Los Angeles, CA—Rahaminov Diamonds introduces “The One Hundred” bracelet, a rich palette of colors masterfully created with a rare collection of 100 fancy color diamonds. The bracelet (left) contains 100 carats total diamond weight. Many of the diamonds are GIA certified and range from fancy yellow, fancy orange brown, fancy intense green yellow, fancy grey, fancy brown pink, and fancy dark green grey. The shapes include cushions, pears, hearts, ovals, modified brilliants, square, and more.
The “One Hundred” bracelet is 100% handmade, with superior workmanship required to achieve flexibility and fluid-like movement. Every stone is bezel wrapped in 18k pink gold with an open back. Each link is strategically connected in platinum one at a time to securely interlock with a lustrous movement.
It is a substantial, bold bracelet for a connoisseur collector, with a comfortable fit and a broad spectrum of colors that harmoniously interplays and captures a different look at every angle.
Frederique Constant Posts Record Half
Geneva, Switzerland—Watchmaker Frederique Constant Geneve announced record first half year results, with 26% year-on-year growth compared to 2013. The 25-year-old brand typically experiences 15% to 25% growth.
“We are proud to have realized our best first half year ever, and it clearly proves that our product proposition of Accessible Luxury – continues to have great potential. The initial concept behind the brand was to create high quality, innovative Swiss-made watches at sensible prices, to let more people enjoy luxury. It is this mission that drives our passion and we would like to thank our worldwide partners for their continuous support,” said Peter Stas, founder and CEO in a statement.
The brand has seen significant increases in most regions for the first half of the year, gaining significant market share in the US $1,000 to $5,000 affordable-luxury segment. Stas said the brand expects continued growth through the second half of 2014.
This year, Frederique Constant celebrates the 10th anniversary of its in-house handcrafted movements. Since 2004, the brand’s manufacture movements have been developed, manufactured, and assembled in-house. The company developed 15 in-house handcrafted calibers, including the latest Heart Beat Manufacture FC-945 with silicium escapement wheel, silicium anker and silicium plateau for improved accuracy and reliability.
Frederique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture FC-945MC4H9 with silicium escapement wheel, silicium anker and silicium plateau. Limited edition of 888 pieces.
Hasenfeld-Stein Launches FireCushion
New York, NY—Hasenfeld-Stein has released the patent-pending FireCushion and the FireCushion Forevermark, with more than 50 retailers representing over 100 doors committed to be exclusive resources in their geographic areas. Created exclusively for independent retail jewelers, FireCushions are not available on the Internet, in major chain stores, or at mass merchandisers in the United States or Canada.
FireCushions are classified “cushion-brilliant” (not modified brilliant) by GIA, and rated “excellent” in both polish and symmetry. A FireCushion appears at least 15% larger than typical cushions of the same weight.
Modified brilliant cushions are typically cut with a large “belly,” adding unnecessary weight to the stone. But FireCushions’ facets go directly from girdle to culet, eliminating the extra belly, excess weight, and the costs associated with it.
These Sarine screen shots show a typical cushion and a FireCushion, both weighing 1.02 carats:
Retailers can explain this 15% difference to consumers as a way they can enjoy either a size advantage or a price advantage.
Three examples of the FIreCushion.
“This was the next logical progression for our company,” explained Hertz Hasenfeld, president of Hasenfeld-Stein. “We knew from studying RapNet that less than one out of every 1000 cushions in the world were GIA “Ex Ex Cushion Brilliant.” We could see the difference in brilliance in our new diamonds but we knew we had an important breakthrough when our customers almost unanimously told us they could see the difference immediately.
“Most diamond manufacturers cut crystal rough to maximize weight, but we always cut weight to maximize the diamond’s beauty and we keep our parameters extremely tight.” FireCushions have a minimum of 95% light return. Also, because they are more square than round, they are priced off the Fancies list, not the Rounds list.
All FireCushion retailers receive full marketing support, including geographic exclusivity, point-of-sale selling tools, sales training, and graphics and videos for their online presence. For more information on how to become an exclusive FireCushion retailer, please call Steve Feldman at Hasenfeld-Stein, (212) 575-0290, or email sfeldman@hasenfeld-stein.com.
Stuller Offers New Packaging, Display, Gift Catalog; Bench Jeweler Workshop
Lafayette, LA—Packaging, Displays and Gifts 2015-2016, the latest catalog from Stuller, is now available. A comprehensive resource, the 168-page catalog includes store décor, showcases, displays, gift wrap, and packaging; everything a jeweler needs to tell a brand story. A variety of quick personalization options for packaging and display products are included, in addition to notable features such as no minimum purchases and many items available next day. Among the many offerings featured are:
- American-made jewelry boxes
- Colorful pillows
- Modular rises
- Interchangeable signage
- Gel-coated loose stone cases
- Much more
For information, visit Stuller.com or call (800) 877-7777.
Separately, Stuller also announces its Fall Bench Jeweler Workshop, set for September 26-28 at its Lafayette, LA headquarters. The two-day event will feature a variety of Stuller experts and industry professionals as instructors, including Kate Wolf, Blaine Lewis, Kelly Williams of K.W. Goldsmith, Jim Tuttle of Green Lake Jewelry Works, and more. There will be numerous live bench demonstrations and educational sessions.
Attending the workshop automatically registers participants to win one of two prizes: a $1,000 Stuller account credit toward new purchases or a Meiji EMZ-5 microscope and stand (a $2,095 value!)
For information or to register, click here.
Tiffany Reports Strong Q2
New York, NY—Tiffany & Co. reported a strong second quarter, resulting from improved sales in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. Net earnings rose 16% to $124 million, largely due to both a 7% percent increase in worldwide net sales, and higher gross margin. Total sales in the Americas increased 9% to $484 million.
“These healthy second-quarter results reflected solid sales growth in our stores, particularly in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. In addition, an improved gross margin was an important contributor to the earnings growth. We were also pleased with solid performance across most product categories, ranging from the success of perennial classics in fine, statement and engagement jewelry to our newest ATLAS collection, and we are excited about the current debut of our new TIFFANY T jewelry collection,” Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer said in a press release.
After several years of struggling to find its design direction, Tiffany last fall appointed Francesca Amfitheatrof as design director. Renowned in luxury fashion and accessories, Amfitheatrof is a trained jeweler and silversmith who designed jewelry collections for Chanel, Fendi, Asprey & Garrard, and more. She is responsible for overseeing the design of all Tiffany product categories, and is charged with bringing a modern sensibility to the house’s storied heritage. The T collection and reworked Atlas collection are two examples of the brand’s new direction under her leadership.
For the rest of the year, the company has plans to open 10 company-operated stores. Four will be in the Americas, two in Japan, two in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, and one each in Europe and Russia. But it will close one store each in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the UAE, for a net gain of seven new stores.