Articles and News
Industry News From AGS Laboratories, Jewelers Of America, World Diamond Council July 20, 2016 (0 comments)
Education Program Announced For JA New York
New York, NY—Jewelers of America (JA) will offer two days of free seminars during the JA New York Show, this Sunday, July 24, and Monday, July 25, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center (left).
“Jewelers of America has listened to jewelers and crafted a program geared toward addressing their ‘up at night’ businesses concerns: from how to capture millennial consumers and improving margins to looking at the key questions they will need to ask – and answer – in order to succeed in this changing and challenging environment,” says Susan Thea Posnock, JA director of public affairs and education.
The JA education program, sponsored by Synchrony Financial, opens Sunday, July 24, at 10:30 a.m. with Ben Smithee, CEO of The Smithee Group, presenting “Enough Already! Why You’re Sick of Millennial Madness & Why Most of What You Know is Probably Wrong.” Also on the two-day agenda are JA’s in-house experts: Director Molly Fallon will present on marketing analysis, Director Susan Posnock on advocacy, and Director Amanda Gizzi will lead “Saying ‘I Do’ to the New Wedding Landscape” with panelists Travis Isaacson, VP, Sales & Marketing, Lashbrook; Jennifer Gandia, Owner, Greenwich St. Jewelers; Kellie Gould, Editor in Chief, XO Group Inc. Click here for the full education schedule.
Also on tap are two knowledge-sharing sessions, “Boosting Your Margins” and “What Will Become of Retail Jewelry Stores.” Retailers are encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns and knowledge with one another in these sessions. Attendees should RSVP to these sessions here.
Other events include the Wear One Cocktail Party, Saturday, July 23, from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m., open exclusively to JA retail members. Guests will be able to view jewelry from Christopher Designs, Cultured Pearl Association of America, Drukker Designs, Leo Ingwer, Lilly Street, Scott West for L.J. West, Rio Diamond Manufacturing Corporation, and Spencer Fine Jewelry. The event is sponsored by Synchrony Financial, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, and United Precious Metal Refining Inc.. It’s free for JA member retailers and press but registration is required.
JA sales and management professional certification exams will be offered onsite at the Show from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on July 24, and 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on July 25, in Room 4A3. Exams take two hours and cost $55 for JA members and $75 for non-members. Those who register in advance will receive a $10 discount. Register here.
AGS Laboratories Adds New Services
Las Vegas, NV—The American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS Laboratories) announces free shipping from Belgium, which is the latest in its series of new services including grading of mounted goods, natural diamond verification, diamond sorting services (by cut, color, clarity), customizable reports, and free shipping from Hong Kong and India. These new services join the lab’s full-service diamond grading of the 4Cs, proprietary cut grade reports, cut optimization research and reports, laser inscription, and fancy cut grade reports.
“We are proud to offer the industry uniquely collaborative customer service,” says Jason Quick, director of grading. “Responding to industry needs and creating new service offerings like free shipping from Belgium, helps us not only serve the jewelry industry but also to realize our ultimate goal of protecting more consumers.”
To inquire about any of AGS Laboratories new service offerings, or to learn more about free shipping from Belgium, call (702)-233-6120 or visit www.agslab.com or www.americangemsociety.org.
Stephane Fischler Elected as World Diamond Council Vice President
New York, NY—The World Diamond Council (WDC) board of directors has elected Stephane Fischler as vice president. As a founding member of the WDC, Fischler has been actively involved in the WDC since its inception.
The WDC is a collective of members representing the entire international diamond industry supply chain, from mining through retail. The group represents the diamond industry in the development and implementation of systems developed by the United Nations and the Kimberley Process (KP) to eradicate and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade.
“I am honored to be working with President Polyakov, the WDC Board of Directors and our membership,” said Fischler. “The WDC’s role in representing the industry at the Kimberley Process forum is critically important to the success and integrity of the KP. I look forward to contributing to this valuable work.”
Fischler currently serves as president of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), vice president of the International Diamond Council (IDC) and Diamond Development Initiative, and treasurer of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA). He is also a current member of the Board of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
“Stephane Fischler’s extensive knowledge and experience, not only in the industry, but specifically with the KP, is invaluable to the WDC,” said Andrey Polyakov, WDC president. “We now have a great team in place to continue our focus on engaging with and enhancing the Kimberley Process, to the benefit of all concerned.”
Additionally, Ronnie VanderLinden was re-elected treasurer of the WDC for a second term, and Udi Sheintal will continue in the position of corporate secretary. Per the WDC bylaws, Fischler will succeed Polyakov as president of the WDC at the end of his two-year term in 2018.