Articles and News

Las Vegas, NV—The American Gem Society, in partnership with Verichannel, announces the launch of a specialized search engine for diamonds graded by AGS Lab, available from AGS suppliers. The online service is integrated into the members-only section of the AGS website, and is also accessible to AGS members from the Verichannel platform itself.

Verichannel created the concept of labs uploading diamonds online, immediately after being graded, when it launched its Daily Diamond Report service in January. The AGS Diamond Search uses the existing Verichannel technology, says Jacques Voorhees, president of Verichannel.

"AGS Diamond Search" consists of a database of stones uploaded by AGS suppliers, and also stones uploaded directly from the AGS Lab, immediately after being graded, based on permissions set by the supplier. They are searchable using standard criteria of color, clarity, shape, and so forth.  AGS retailers then contact suppliers directly to initiate a purchase. 

"We're very pleased to be able to make this resource available as a member-benefit for AGS retailers and suppliers," said Ruth Batson, CEO of AGS. “It makes sense to give our retail store buyers the most convenient means possible of finding AGS stones from AGS suppliers, essentially all in one place, and right there on our website."

Charles Rosario, Senior Vice President of Lazare Kaplan International Inc., an AGS supplier, says his firm already has uploaded hundreds of stones to the site. "Given that this is a very targeted and exclusive environment, it provides a means of reaching out to AGS stores directly and efficiently."


"AGS Diamond Search will be a big time-saver," noted retailer Tom Wright, of Wright's Jewelers, Lincoln, Nebraska. "We'll begin using this resource as soon as we're back from Conclave." 

More information on AGS Diamond Search is available at www.ags.org and also at www.Verichannel.com. 

New York, NY—Prestige Promenade will debut a newly designed pavilion at JCK 2011 where 68 brands, including seven new designers, will exhibit. The new designers include Belpearl-Cybel, DeYoung Collection, Lagos, Makur, Steven Kretchmer, Ramon and Suna Bros. In addition, the Pavilion will host the first ever Starbucks Café at the show.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the fresh new look and to welcome a new group of designers to our exclusive organization,” says Prestige Promenade executive director Robert Bridel. “Each new member comes with a unique aesthetic and point of differentiation in the market, that will undoubtedly be of interest and value to the retail community.”

The Prestige Promenade Pavilion also will be the exclusive home to the JCK Show’s first Starbucks Café, offering freshly brewed coffee and refreshing specialty drinks. Lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the show will come from three famous Wolfgang Puck restaurants, Lupo, Spago, and Postrio. Prestige Promenade also will host an After Hours Cocktail in THE Lounge at THE Hotel, Friday and Saturday evening from 6-8pm; invitation required. InStore magazine will sponsor the daily morning Juice Bar from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, as well as cocktails and horsd’oeuvres Friday through Sunday from 4-6pm.

Business services will be provided in the pavilion as well. ASC will sponsor The Internet Café for the first time, providing three computers and a printer for customers’ use throughout the show. The Prestige Promenade Business Center, sponsored by Malca Amit, official shipping service provider, will be equipped with a copy machine, fax machine and laptop computer and will be staffed by Malca Amit.

Attleboro Falls, MA—MJSA will again present its signature “At the Bench Live” demonstrations at JCK Las Vegas. Six sessions, emphasizing custom design techniques, will take place June 4-6 in the Equipment, Technology, & Supplies (ETS) Pavilion. 

On June 4, Ann Cahoon will present two sessions: "Using Handmade Chain in Custom Designs," (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and "Myth Busters: Challenging Tradition at the Bench" (1:30 to 3 p.m.). In the first, she'll present techniques for personalizing jewelry designs through handcrafted chain. In the second, she'll focus on accepted bench procedures for everything from tool selection and equipment maintenance to safety precautions, and separate facts from myth. The owner of Flying Marquis Studio near Boston, Cahoon is an instructor at the Metalwerx School for Jewelry and Metal Arts and a frequent contributor to MJSA Journal.

On June 5, award-winning custom designer Joel McFadden will offer new techniques that can speed up common tasks. In "New Techniques for Setting Princess-Cut Diamonds," (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), he will demonstrate a simplified process that reduces stress and ensures the stone's points remain unharmed. In "Tips for Finishing and Pre-Finishing Jewelry," (1:30 to 3 p.m.), he will show new techniques for quickly and efficiently finishing all areas of a piece to ensure everything shines. McFadden, the owner of JMD Custom Jewelry in Red Bank, New Jersey, is renowned for his finishing and polishing work and diamond setting. He trains jewelers throughout the United States and offers several videos on stone setting.

On June 6, Jim Tuttle will offer a two-part series on combining handwork with CAD modeling. "CAD at the Bench: Tips and Tricks, Part 1" (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and "Advanced CAD at the Bench: Tips and Tricks, Part 2" (1:30 to 3 p.m.) will show how the combination can speed production and lead to finely crafted pieces unattainable through handwork alone. Tuttle is the owner of Seattle-based Green Lake Jewelry Works, which specializes in custom design.

Related articles from MJSA Journal will also be available at the demonstrations, as will copies of both the Journal and its sister publication, MJSA Custom Jeweler. For more information about the events, go to mjsa.org. Email info@mjsa.org or call (800) 444-MJSA (6572).