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Industry News: JA, DCA, To Collaborate; Vicenza Fair Announces Design Finalists June 14, 2017 (0 comments)
JA, DCA Expand Establish Collaborative Partnership
New York, NY—Jewelers of America (JA) has announced a new collaborative relationship with the Nashville, TN-based Diamond Council of America (DCA). Although the boards of both organizations voted last week in favor of a new affiliation agreement, it would take effect later this year, following a vote by DCA members at the DCA Annual Meeting on July 17, and review by the New York Attorney General.
“I believe that we are stronger together,” says JA president and CEO David J. Bonaparte. “As competition for customer attention increases and margins shrink, industry associations like Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America offer real value for the jewelry industry. Through this affiliation, our organizations can better align in our common mission to support jewelry businesses and improve professionalism in the jewelry industry.”
The decision follows a lengthy and thorough review to evaluate the opportunities and benefits to both JA and DCA members, including utilizing shared resources, expanding educational resources to jewelry professionals, and strengthening JA and DCA’s contribution to the future success of the fine jewelry industry. While the affiliation offers many opportunities for synergy, the organizations will remain independent. Terry Chandler will continue to lead DCA as president and CEO with the support of the DCA board of directors, and the executive management of both organizations remains the same.
“I am so excited about the potential for growth for the Diamond Council of America that an affiliation with Jewelers of America creates,” says Chandler. “It will help DCA flourish and cement the longevity of DCA’s mission to provide quality, affordable distance education for jewelry associates to sell fine jewelry with expertise, integrity and professionalism.”
JA Board chairman Ryan Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, adds, “JA and DCA believe that a more educated sales associate leads to a more confident consumer. Through this affiliation, Jewelers of America enhances its ability to improve education and inspire confidence on both sides of the jewelry counter.”
Young Jewelry Designers To Be Celebrated In Vicenza
Vicenza, Italy—22 young jewelry designers were named as finalists in the “Next Generation Jewellery Talent Contest” design competition, launched by the Italian Exhibition Group. Three winners will be chosen from among the 22 finalists at a gala ceremony on September 22, the evening before the fall VicenzaOro fair opens. The fair runs September 23-27 at the Vicenza fairgrounds.
The entries will be displayed and winners announced inside the Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza, at the Museo del Gioiello (image at top of page), the renowned jewelry museum under the directorship of Alba Cappellieri. Cappallieri is a professor of jewelry design at Milan Polytechnic, and is considered Italy's leading scholar within the sector.
Finalists were chosen by an international jury from nine different countries: France, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, China, Israel and Norway.
The contest, now at its sixth year and promoted by IEG in collaboration with the Milan Polytechnic's School of Design, is an indispensable scouting tool for enhancing and promoting up-and-coming creative talent on the international jewelry scene. Entries were subsequently produced by leading jewelry companies, in conjunction with the Women’s Jewellery Association Italy and by some VICENZAORO exhibitors, such as Roberto Coin, Falcinelli Italy, FANCS V., De Simone and Eurocatene srl.