Articles and News
INDUSTRY NEWS: FUTURE OF DESIGN WINNER NAMED; HUGE PEAR GOES UP FOR SALE; DMIA’S NEW OFFICERS, MORE March 13, 2013 (0 comments)
Boston Firm Wins Future of Design Competition
New York, NY—G&G Creations of Boston, MA, was named the winner of the Future of Design competition, the jewelry industry’s only business-incubator competition. The competition is unique in both its scope—it puts the designers’ business acumen on an equal footing with his or her design talent—and in the extent of the prize package it provides.
The Future of Design competition was created in 2012 by Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx. Designer Bree Richey was the winner of the inaugural event last year.
G&G Creations is comprised of designers Vahé Ghazarian and Esin Guler. Ghazarian grew up in the jewelry industry and has both manufacturing and retail experience. Guler trained as a jewelry designer at Academie Istanbul in Turkey, then spent a period of apprenticeship under world-renowned Turkish jeweler Sevan Bicakci before opening her own jewelry business in the United States. The two joined forces, along with Mihran Guler and Sarven Ipek, in 2010.
G&G was selected after a rigorous entry and judging process. Entrants were required to complete a 70-question entry form that examines every aspect of their business. Six semi-finalists then were required to do a 30-minute Skype interview with the four judges in late February. From there, three finalists came to New York for a live “Shark Tank” -like presentation before the panel of judges and an audience of industry VIPs, press, and fellow designers. The event was held Tuesday during the MJSA Expo show at the Hilton New York.
Sterling, gold, and gemstone hearts from the GG Love Collection by G&G Creations, part of the firm's accessibly-priced production pieces. G&G Creations also offers a signature line of one-of-a-kind couture pieces, such as the ring shown at the top of this page, and the Renaissance bridal jewelry collection, below:
As the Future of Design winner, G&G Creations will receive a lengthy list of business services and support from a wide variety of industry organizations, including:
- A booth in the Emerging Designer area of the Centurion Show Scottsdale 2014
- A booth in the JA Designer Showcase
- A booth in the JRB’s globalDESIGN show
- An ad campaign in INDESIGN magazine
- A photo shoot by RSP Media
- Technical and marketing support by Platinum Guild
- Manufacturing support by designerWORKS by Novell
- Financial and strategic coaching sessions with Strategywerx
- Marketing support by Supportwerx
- Inclusion in a Jewelry Information Center national media tour and membership in Jewelers of America
- An AGTA membership and free entry to the 2014 Spectrum Award Competition
- A Contemporary Jewelry Design Group membership
- A Jewelers Vigilance Committee membership and Compliance Kit
- Editorial support by MJSA
- Editorial support on NationalJeweler.com
- A membership in JewelersResource.com Inner Circle
- Mentorship by all the judges
- Promotion and publicity throughout the process and coming year
“We are overwhelmed and so proud,“ says winning designer Vahe Ghazarhian on behalf of his team. “We have been working on our application for a very long time and we used all the feedback and advice we’ve gotten since last year’s contest when we were a semi-finalist. We have improved every aspect of our business since last year to better align our efforts with our potential.”
The final element of the contest was judged live at MJSA Expo New York by Edelstein, Hill, and guest judges Hedda Schupak, editor of The Centurion Newsletter; and Ann Arnold, president/CEO of Lieberfarb. Bruce Pucciarello, owner of Novell Design Studio, was an additional judge actively involved in the selection process. He was unable to attend the live event but his opinions were factored into the final decision.
"The judging was one of the most challenging tasks I've ever faced," said Edelstein. "The margin of difference between the three finalists was paper thin but in the end the judges felt that G&G Creations had the most powerful mix of amazing product design, agile business practices, and marketability. They will become an important contribution to the fine jewelry community."
From left, judges Andrea Hill, Hedda Schupak, and Ann Arnold; G&G Creations’ Mihran Guler, Esin Guler, Vahe Ghazarian, and Sarven Ipek; and judge Cindy Edelstein
Runners-up were Lisa Adkinson of Ohio-based Lisa Robin Jewelry and Suneera Swarup of Los Angeles-based Suneera Fine Jewelry Design. Each designer was tasked with making a 10-minute final pitch to the judging panel that explained their work, inspiration, and plans for the future. Panelists and audience members, including competition “dream team” members Robert Lee Morris, Penny Preville and Lisa Jenks probed further into each designer’s vision with tough questions about manufacturing, retailers, marketing, and price points.
While G&G Creations was chosen as the winner, co-creator Andrea Hill noted that all three finalists will receive business help in the coming months. “We have a deep commitment to the three finalists. We feel strongly that everyone who entered this contest should benefit somehow,” Hill said. “All designers receive a 5-7 page analysis and recommendations report regarding their application. We are trying to help a wide swatch of designers grow stronger businesses. ”
For more information about the Future of Design competition, click here.
Largest D-Flawless Ever At Auction Goes Up For Sale
Geneva, Switzerland—A 101.73 ct. pear-shaped D-Flawless diamond (top of page) is set to go up for auction at Christie’s Geneva in May. The stone, one of the largest D-flawless pears known to date, is the largest ever to go on the auction block. (The largest colorless pear is the 530-ct. Cullinan I in the British Crown Jewels).
The 101.73-ct. stone is a rare Type II-a, originating from the Jwaneng Mine in Botswana. The original rough was 236 carats; it took 21 months to polish.
DMIA Elects New Officers
New York, NY—The Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA) has elected Ronald (Ronnie) VanderLinden as its new president, along with a new slate of officers and directors. VanderLinden replaces outgoing president Ronald Friedman, who served for nine years.
Also elected to the executive board were Sheldon Kiwat, Fred Knobloch, Hertz Hasenfeld, Saul Goldberg, and Eli Haas as vice presidents, Stuart Samuels as secretary and Parag Shah as treasurer. Elected to the board of directors were Steve Eisen, Marvin Finker, Ishaia Gol, Suzette Gomes, Manny Gordon, Jay Greenberg, Stan Grossbard, Tom Heyman, Daniel Kaleko, Moishe Klein, Daniel Klugman, Melissa Kulhanhian, Alan Rehs, Charles Rosario, Matthew Schamroth, and Michael Verstandig.
Poll: Restaurants, Travel, Entertainment To Bear Brunt of Tax Increase
Merrick, NY—According to a poll conducted by Ipsos.com for Thomson-Reuters earlier this month, 58% of Americans say they plan to trim expenses following the return of the 2% Social Security payroll tax that was cut during the recession. 20% say the return of the tax won’t drive them to trim expenses, and 23% were unsure if they will cut back or not.
Restaurants are going to take the biggest hit, if the behaviors suggested by the survey pan out. “Dining out” was the most common expense pegged for reduction (81% of respondents listed it), followed by entertainment (75%) and travel (67%). Jewelry was not listed as a specific category, but clothing came in fourth place, with 58% of respondents saying they’ll trim that budget, followed closely by the 56% who plan to spend less on electronics. Respondents were asked to check “all categories that apply” from a list of 11, plus “unsure” and “none of the above” as choices. The last places consumers will cut are paying down debt or household necessities.
Maroon 5 To Headline JCK Beach Party
Las Vegas, NV—Pop band Maroon 5 (below), best known for its recent hit “Moves Like Jagger,” will headline the JCK Beach Party at Mandalay Bay on Sunday, June 2, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The party, part of the JCK Las Vegas show schedule, follows the annual Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope dinner and is open to all JCK Show badge holders.
