Articles and News
Industry News: JFC, Vardi Launch Key Program; Education Portal Launched; JA Promotes Bridal Jewelry June 22, 2016 (0 comments)
Jewelers Education Foundation Announces Launch of Industry Education Portal
Las Vegas, NV—The Jewelers Education Foundation (JEF) announces the initial rollout of the Jewelers Education Portal, a collaborative resource for existing and prospective members of the trade to learn about and access the many educational programs offered by the jewelry, diamond, colored stones, precious metal, and watch associations. It also provides information about services available from each association, including crime prevention, legal and ethical standards, appraisals and credit reporting. The site also includes links to Career Services and details of Upcoming Events being offered by the participating organizations.
Initial sponsoring organizations include participants from both the United States and Canada, including the American Gem Society, American Gem Trade Association, American Watch Association, Canadian Jewellers Association, Diamond Council of America, Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association, Gemological Institute of America, Jewelers of America, Jewelers’ Security Alliance, Jewellers Vigilance Canada, Jewelers Vigilance Committee U.S., Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, Natural Color Diamond Association, The Jewelers Board of Trade, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.
This initiative is a result of the sponsoring organizations’ aim to help industry members take advantage of the full scope of educational curriculum, activities and resources available to better position individuals and businesses for success. The sponsoring associations worked together under the auspices of the Jewelers Leadership Forum to provide this web portal as an added benefit for their respective members and for the industry as a whole.
The Jewelers Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded for the purpose of furthering education to the jewelry industry at large. www.jewelerseducationfoundation.org
JA Promotes Wedding Jewelry On National Television
New York, NY—Gumuchian, Gurhan, Everband, and Omi Privé are just a few of more than a dozen brands of jewelry that Jewelers of America featured on a Tuesday appearance (by satellite) on over 30 morning television shows across the country.
The satellite media tour is intended to increase awareness and excitement for platinum engagement rings and wedding bands and silver jewelry gifts for brides, grooms, and the wedding party. JA partnered with both the Silver Promotion Service and Platinum Guild International for the June Wedding Tour, showcasing product from 19 jewelry designers and promoting JA member stores as a source for buying wedding jewelry and gifts.
“Jewelers of America is proud to partner with Silver Promotion Service and Platinum Guild International during a time when industry collaborations provide united voices with one important goal: increasing consumer excitement for buying jewelry,” says JA president and CEO David J. Bonaparte.
The media tour, featuring Amanda Gizzi, JA director of PR and events, will present silver gift ideas from Alex Woo, Ariva Fine Jewelry, Ed Levin, Frederic Duclos, Joryel Vera, LJD Designs, Martha Seely, Phillip Gavriel, and Samuel B.
The media tour for platinum engagement rings and wedding bands will feature product from AG Gems, Alexandra Mor, Everband, Gumuchian, Gurhan, K. Mita, Lashbrook, Leo Ingwer, LX Antwerp, Omi Privé, Phyllis Bergman for Mercury Ring, Scott West and Stuller.
“June is an important month to reach consumers with wedding jewelry education and gift ideas,” says Gizzi. “On this tour, we will be featuring platinum engagement ring trends such as split shanks, colored gemstones and diamonds, updated halo settings, and the top wedding band styles for men and for women. Also featured will be the top silver gifts including silver with color, cufflinks and men’s bracelets, and personalized jewelry.”
The television tour will reach viewers in these media markets: Augusta, GA; Austin, TX; Bakersfield, CA; Cape Corel, FL; Clio, MI; Derry, NH; East Syracuse, NY; Fresno, CA; Harlingen, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Johnson City, TN; Las Vegas, NV; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN; Madison, WI; Mount Pleasant, SC; Omaha, NE; Palm Desert, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Rockford, IL; Shreveport, LA; Sioux Falls, SD; Springfield, IL; Springfield, MA; and Tucson, AZ.
Vardi Company, Jewelers for Children to Launch the Million Key Movement
New York, NY – Vardi Company, in conjunction with Jewelers For Children, has launched a nationwide, causal-related jewelry program called The Million Key Movement for the “Love is the Key” brand. Both major and independent retailers are being enlisted to participate in the program, which calls for Vardi Company to donate 10% of the wholesale price of every key sold (image at top of page), and retailers to match the donation.
Steven Vardi, CEO of Vardi Company, explained, “We launched this program to make a significant impact and our goal is to generate the largest ever charitable contribution to JFC of $1,000,000+ as well as to spread the positive brand message of Love is the Key: “Whether our love is found in family, friends, life, faith, happiness, or success, Love is the Key jewelry is meant to empower, support, and inspire us to put love in everything we do.”
Additionally, Vardi Company will be coordinating a nationwide marketing campaign to drive awareness of this campaign and promote participating retailers. Visit www.MillionKeyMovement.com for more information.
World Diamond Mark introduces Retailer Opinion Poll
Hong Kong—The World Diamond Mark (WDM) has released a retailer opinion poll in an effort to determine what services retailer jewelers need most to advance generic diamond promotion to the consumer public. The poll, among others, asks retailers to rank the type of services they wish to access in the field of promotion, education, business services and industry coordination.
"The WDM's brief is to assist retail jewelers in rekindling consumer desire and confidence in diamonds and diamond jewelry," said WDM chairman Alex Popov. "While we feel we have a rather good grasp of what retail jewelers need, there is nothing like getting direct and up-to-date input from the business community we are committed to serve!"
The poll can be accessed online or in print, as a pull-out form in issue seven of the World Diamond Magazine published earlier this month. It will also be included in the upcoming July edition of the magazine.
"We encourage jewelers to take 10-15 minutes of their time and fill out the form," said Krisztina Kalman-Schueler, WDM's program director. Click here to download the poll.