Articles and News
INDUSTRY NEWS: SHOPPERS CAUTIOUS FOR BTS, FOUR C’S GO DIGITAL WITH GIA APPS, GREEN LECTURES AT JA July 20, 2011 (0 comments)
Carlsbad, CA—GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announces the launch of its new 4C’s diamond app for iPad, to be followed shortly by an app for smart phones and other tablets. The iPad version will be ready for download August 1; iPhone and Android versions will be available September 1. All are free.
The apps will feature video and interactive tools to teach consumers how GIA grades the four C’s, plus explanations how each element affects diamond value.
Two versions, one for retailers and one for consumers, will be available for download. The consumer version will include two added features: a way to note the diamonds they’ve seen and are considering for purchase, and a retailer locator—by both zip code and geo-locator—to find the nearest retailer who carries GIA-graded stones. The retailer locator will be live Septemer 1. Retailers who wish to be listed in the Retailer Locator may do so online at www.retailer.gia.edu beginning August 1, or by visiting GIA booth 1620 at the JA Show July 24-26 in New York..
New York, NY—Consumers will remain cautious and delay shopping for back-to-school, according to a recent survey by the NPD Group and reported in The Wall Street Journal. Back-to-school is one of the most important seasons for the retail industry as a whole, behind the Christmas holiday season. While BTS is not an especially critical period for jewelers, consumer spending during the BTS period traditionally has been regarded as a barometer of how people will shop for holiday. This year, consumers told researchers they’re seeking value above all, and most don’t plan to start their BTS shopping till September or close to is, vs. the start of the season August 1. Read the entire article here.
New York, NY--Jewelry educator Christine Dhein will be giving a series of lectures about green bench practices on Monday, July 25 at noon during the JA New York Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. She also will join a panel of experts at 4:30 for a discussion about "Doing Good is Good for Business."