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Industry News: JFC Kicks Off Local Grants Program; Israel Diamond Week Postponed; More August 27, 2014 (0 comments)
Jewelers for Children Announces 2014 Local Grants Program
New York, NY—Jewelers for Children has announced the return of its Local Grants program for 2014. JFC has set aside $100,000 to be used for 10 grants of $10,000 each, to be given to local charitable organizations that jewelers support in their own communities.
Beginning Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, independent jewelers will have an opportunity to nominate a local organization to receive one of the grants. Once a final list of nominated charities is compiled, the jeweler will be responsible for motivating their constituents to vote for their charity through a Facebook-based campaign on JFC's page.
JFC provides sample language for use on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as press releases that can be used to promote the nominated charity, but it will be up to the jeweler and the nominated charities to generate interest in their organization by securing votes through their own social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, email blasts, and any other advertising opportunities available.
The nomination period for charities will run between September 1, and September 30, 2014. The voting process begins October 6, and continues for two weeks, concluding October 19. The top 10 vote getters will be announced October 22, and grants will be made prior to December 31, 2014.
Each of the 10 jewelers who nominate the winning charities will be presenting the grant from JFC directly to the charity on behalf of the jewelry industry. JFC will announce the winners and jewelers to the trade and will be supplying a press release template for each jeweler to secure local (and possibly, national) recognition for their success in their own market.
Jeff Corey, Day's Jewelers and a JFC board member said “Last year Day’s Jewelers participated in JFC’s Local Grants Program. We were able to earn a $10,000 grant for Camp Sunshine, a local charity dedicated to children in need. It was a wonderful opportunity for Day’s, our customers and our community to work together to help kids locally through JFC.”
Details on how to participate in the program and the requirements for nominated charities can be found on JFC's website under the “Happenings” section. Jewelers should download a nomination form, complete and return it to JFC to nominate their local charity for consideration.
Israel Diamond Week Postponed
Ramat Gan, Israel—Due to ongoing tensions in the Gaza region, the Israel Diamond Exchange announced Monday it is postponing the summer edition of the Israel Diamond Week, originally scheduled for September 1-4.
In a statement, IDE president Shmuel Schnitzer said that "in view of the recent events in our region, the board of the Israel Diamond Exchange decided to postpone the Israel Diamond Week for several weeks.
"Of course, it is unfortunate that our endeavor to create a unique trading platform for international diamond dealers and buyers had to be postponed, but I am confident that we will be successful in the near future. We all look forward to holding the Israel Diamond Week at a time that we can all concentrate on what we do best - conducting our diamond businesses."
IDE general manager Moti Besser said all registered buyers and invited guests have been notified of the postponement.
“Naturally, we will keep the industry posted with the possible future dates for the Israel Diamond Week,” he said.
MJSA J-Bench Conference and Exhibition Set For Sept. 13-14 in RI
Providence, RI—MJSA announces its second Jeweler’s Bench Conference & Trade Fair, Sept. 13-14 at the Providence Airport Sheraton, near Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport.
The conference serves designers and bench jewelers who run service, repair, custom, and repurposing businesses. Along with two days of education, the trade fair includes suppliers offering an array of bench tools and supplies, CAD/CAM software and machines, laser welders and engravers, finishing supplies and systems, components, gemstones, chain, business services and software, and subcontracting services.
The conference program is divided into two tracks. Better Bench Work (Sept. 14) addresses bench skills: pulse arc welding (such as joining dissimilar metals), the lost-wax casting process, designing wax models to incorporate findings, tips for modifying tools, and repairing and restoring cabochons. Better Business Strategies (Sept. 13) addresses business and marketing skills: how to stock a better bench, how to market jewelry via social media, how to price repairs and custom design for profit, and how to handle the operations and inventory side of a business.
MJSA also is sponsoring a “Win a Free Bench” drawing for any attendee who registers and attends J-Bench either day.
The Better Business Strategies sessions were designed by the MJSA Education Foundation, and the Better Bench Work classes were developed by Metalwerx, a Waltham, MA–based school and community studio for jewelry makers and metal artists. Attendees can register and learn more about classes and exhibitors here. Or call (800) 444-MJSA (6572) or e-mail Corrie Silvia Berry at Corrie.Silvia@mjsa.org.
JA To Promote Fiera di Vicenza's Trendvision Jewellery + Trend Forecasting Project
New York, NY—Jewelers of America has signed an agreement with Fiera di Vicenza to promote the TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting project, Fiera di Vicenza’s independent trend observatory and research department. TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting is dedicated to analyzing international jewelry, diamond and watch trends. Through the partnership, JA will bring TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting to the U.S. market through discounts on its Trend Books and the promotion of monthly Jewelry Trend Reports.
Fiera di Vicenza managing director Corrado Facco says the agreement is an important opportunity to expand into the United States, still a strategic global jewelry market.
JA will offer Trend Books by TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting to JA members and non-members at www.jewelers.org and at trade shows across the nation. Members receive a special discount on the books, which identify megatrends destined to influence contemporary jewelry design 18 months in advance. It also offers other tools such as consumer profiles and product direction.
The 2014 and 2015 Trend Books are currently available. TRENDVISION also offers a full suite of forecasting services. Learn more here.
GIA Museum Gets Two Rare Csarite Gems
Carlsbad, CA—Milenyum Mining Limited recently donated two rare Csarite gemstones to GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) museum. Csarite is a natural color change gemstone actively mined at only one global source in the Anatolia Mountains of Turkey. A 37.29 ct. Wobito oval and an especially large 115.57 ct. cabochon gem that also exhibits chatoyancy, otherwise known as the “cats’ eye effect,” as well as a collection of 30 additional Csarite gemstones in a variety of sizes, shapes, and cuts were given to the Institute.
Csarite cabochon, left, and Wobito Oval, right, are among the collection donated to GIA.
“Only about 40% – 50% of the rough material is suitable enough to be considered for faceting,” explained Murat Akgun, president of Milenyum Mining Limited. “Of that amount, 98% is lost in the cutting process. GIA’s appreciation for fine, rare gemstones makes it an especially appropriate home for these gems.”
“The beautiful, large oval and cabochon gems are truly display quality pieces,” said a museum spokesperson. “And with more and more of this unusual material available in the marketplace, we very much appreciate having the assortment to share with our students, researchers, and visitors.”