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INDUSTRY NEWS: HONORS AT JVC, JSA EVENTS; CONTEST DEADLINE NEARS; JTV FOUNDER DIES; MORE January 16, 2013 (0 comments)
In Memoriam: Gerald “Jerry” Sisk, Co-Founder of Jewelry TV
Knoxville, TN—Gerald D. Sisk, co-founder and executive vice president of the Jewelry TV shopping channel, died in his sleep on January 13 at age 59, just three weeks short of his 60th birthday. A graduate gemologist, he co-founded Jewelry TV in 1993 with longtime friends Bob Hall and Bill Kouns, and as an on-air host at the channel, worked to bring his passion for gems to the public. He also was the author of the popular book Guide to Gems & Jewelry, and, having traveled around the world in search of gems, was well versed in both mining and manufacturing issues. He was a member of the International Colored Gemstone Association and popular lecturer. He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his mother and sister.
JVC Honors Runci; JSA Honors Weisenfeld and Kern
New York, NY—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee last week honored Matt Runci, outgoing CEO of Jewelers of America, at its annual luncheon.
Cecilia Gardner, CEO of the JVC, in presenting the organization’s prestigious Stanley Schechter Award, cited Runci’s commitment to ethics and responsibility in the jewelry industry, adding that in today’s global consumer market, these issues are more relevant than ever.
In his remarks, Runci reminded the audience that authenticity and integrity are the keystones of both earning and protecting the trust of consumers, but that the traditional criteria of trust are no longer enough. Today, in addition to product, pricing, and advertising integrity, jewelers must be committed to social, ethical, and environmental responsibility as well.
“It’s a concern in almost every industry—coffee, tea, timber, textiles, and any extractive industry. It’s actually harder to identify industries where these issues are not a concern than where they are,” said Runci. He emphasized that the sudden emergence of these issues—which broke open with the conflict diamond issue—are not an isolated event that will run its course and then be over. It is a new paradigm, and it’s here to stay. He warned the industry that its tendency to be slow to change and its typical herd mentality are two things that will hold it back.
“There’s a lot of inbreeding in our industry, and it doesn’t do much to broaden our perspective. And our industry tends to take criticism too personally, and wait for someone else to lead the change. Instead of asking ‘why don’t you pick on oil?, we need to address the criticisms and lead the change ourselves.” He also cited the often-heard excuse that consumers aren’t asking about social issues, so the industry will worry about it when they are. That’s too late, says Runci.
“Where would we be if Facebook had existed in 1999 [when conflict diamonds first came to public attention]?” he asked. He urged the industry on all levels to do everything within its power to support trade organizations that recognize these changes, spread the word, take responsibility proactively, discuss it with staff, and remember that if we don’t, there are too many other industries that do and that are competing for the same discretionary dollars that jewelers are.
Separately, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance honored two longtime industry leaders, Mort Weisenfeld, a former wholesale jeweler, and Richard M. Kern, owner of Churchill Jewelers in Santa Barbara, CA, at its annual luncheon January 12.
On the occasion of its 130th anniversary, JSA chair Adam Heyman talked about the accomplishments of the organization both in its early years and at present. There were two jewelers killed in jewelry-related crime in 2012—down from six in 2011 and 10 in 2010, and the dozen or so that had been routine in the 1990s. But, as he said as he asked for a moment of silence in their memory, it’s still two too many.
Dollar losses from jewelry crime also fell 29% in 2012, to the lowest level in decades. Said Sheldon Kwiat, outgoing chair, “The statistics for crime are a testament to JSA’s partnerships with the industry and law enforcement.”
John Kennedy, president of JSA, held up a battered leather volume—the organization’s original minutes book from 1883 as a testament to the longevity of the organization, which was founded by members of the industry concerned with the growing number of crimes against jewelers and traveling jewelry salespeople. JSA’s mission to prevent crime in the industry has remained unchanged for 130 years, says Kennedy—only the tools and technology to aid the fight have changed.
“Crime, greed, and violence have been around for a long time, and so will we,” he said.
NCDIA Seeks New Members
Scottsdale, AZ—The Natural Color Diamond Association is seeking to add new members to its roster. The organization will be looking for interested parties to join at the Centurion Show. Applications and information will be available at the Gem Platinum/Jeffrey Daniels Salon, #610.
Future of Design Deadline Is January 21
Pelham, NY—The Future of Design business incubator contest for jewelry designers is accepting applications until midnight, January 21. The winner receives a variety of prizes from different sectors of the industry, all designed to help him or her grow a designer jewelry business. Prizes include, but are not limited to, guidance and technical support from Platinum Guild USA; a three-page ad campaign from InDesign magazine; membership, publicity, and inclusion in a media tour from Jewelers of America; a booth in the JA Summer Show Designer Showcase; ad photography from RSP Media; a complete strategy and mentoring program from Strategywerx; and membership, consulting, and a booth at the globalDESIGN show from Jewelers Resource Bureau. Semi-finalists will receive a mentoring date from the contest’s “dream team” of advisors, including designers Todd Reed, Penny Preville, Erica Courtney, Gurhan, Lisa Jenks, and Robert Lee Morris.
To enter the competition, click here. For information, contact Cindy Edelstein or Andrea Hill, contest producers. Emails: cindy@jewelersresource.com; andrea.hill@strategywerkx.com.