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Industry News: WDC Hosts Philippe Mellier; JA Opens CASE Awards; 24 Karat Club Sets Banquet; More October 29, 2014 (0 comments)
WDC Names Syvrud As Director; Hosts De Beers' Philippe Mellier At Annual Meeting
New York, NY—The World Diamond Council (WDC)’s 2014 Annual General Meeting is underway this week in Antwerp, Belgium. Among the guests will be Philippe Mellier, CEO of De Beers, addressed a special all-day session yesterday focused on the Kimberley Process 14 years after its establishment, and the associated role of the WDC in relation to the risks facing the KP.
In the special brainstorming session, WDC members addressed the various ethical, legal and financial challenges facing the KP, including the risks related to rough diamond trading mentioned in a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report earlier this year. Participants discussed what strategies may be employed by the WDC specifically and the industry in general.
Separately, the WDC has named Patricia Syvrud (left) as its first executive director, effective October 31, 2014. She will be responsible for representing the WDC in the Kimberley Process, as well as providing overall leadership and strategic direction to the organization, and will report to the executive committee of the WDC board of directors and will assist the president of the WDC.
"The important work of the WDC was reflected in the caliber of the applicants for the executive director position," stated Edward Asscher, president of the WDC. "Patricia's breadth and depth of knowledge of the jewelry industry, as well as her previous experience in working with non-profit and international organizations make her an obvious choice in this new position for the WDC. The entire board sees this appointment as further professionalizing the WDC and looks forward to working with her to continue to enhance the credibility and stature of the WDC in the international arena."
Syvrud, founder and president of Joia Consulting, LLC, has a background that includes executive positions at GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the Smithsonian Institution.
24 Karat Club Announces Grand Banquet For January 10, 2015 In New York
New York, NY—The 24 Karat Club of the City of New York is gearing up for its 113th Annual Banquet, one of the jewelry industry’s most elegant and prestigious events. Set for Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, the banquet—with its formal traditions and big-name entertainment—caps off a weekend filled with important meetings, celebrations, and a gathering of the top leaders and VIPs in the fine jewelry industry to start the new year.
While the Club traditionally keeps the name entertainment secret until the night of the event, members of Banquet planning committee promise attendees will be dazzled. Then, following the grand banquet, the festivities continue with a high-energy Midnight Bash dance party at the Waldorf and, new this year, a special jazz lounge for members who want to continue the evening in a more relaxing manner.
Room blocks are available at the Waldorf-Astoria and adjacent Waldorf Towers, and at the nearby W New York Hotel, 541 Lexington Avenue.
California 24K Club Honors Two At Its Annual Dinner
Los Angeles, CA—The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California held its 70th annual dinner dance on October 11 at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey. This year, the club honored Karen Signorino of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Services and Ricardo Basta of Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry with the prestigious “Excellence in Service” Award.
The award has been presented annually to deserving jewelers since 1998, and is bestowed upon those whom exemplify the values of the 24 Karat Club: social responsibility, integrity, and honor, as well as someone who has made a significant contribution to the industry.
Karen Signorino accepts her award.
The Club has recently added members Donna Jolly, Craig Selimotic Danforth, and Allison Neumann to its board of directors, and is putting an exciting calendar of events into place for next year. For more information or to join the mailing list, click here or contact Lisa Schoening at info@jewelers24karatclub.com or l.e.schoening@gmail.com.
Chicago Jewelers Celebrate 140 Years
Chicago, IL—The Chicago Jewelers’ Association (CJA) will celebrate its 140th anniversary with a gala on December 6 at the Palmer House hotel.
The CJA is the oldest jewelers’ association in the United States, and marks Chicago as a venerable thoroughfare for the jewelry industry at large. As a centrally located hub throughout its history, Chicago has attracted jewelers and jewelry-related industries from surrounding states and today still supports the manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing of watches and fine jewelry. Some of the event’s sponsors are companies that have been in existence from 80 to more than 140 years, such as Jewelers Mutual, Brinks, Ball Watch Company, Rockford Watch, and more.
Keynote speakers include Susan Jacques, president of Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and Martin Rapaport of the Rapaport Group. The event will feature a jewelry design contest, an auction of the winning jewelry piece, displays of fine jewelry made in the USA, historical photographs, a video interview series with longstanding figures in the Midwest jewelry industry, and other surprises celebrating a theme of old and new.
For more information, contact Myriam Tashey, Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory (PGSL), (312) 920-1541.
Jewelers Of America Accepting Entries For 2015 CASE Retail Awards
New York, NY – Jewelers of America is accepting entries for its annual retailer design competition, to be held at the JA New York Winter Show, January 18-20, 2015, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
The CASE Awards honor JA Retail Members who exhibit Creativity, Artistry, Style, and Excellence in jewelry design. First-place CASE Award winners will receive a $500 cash prize and national media exposure among other prizes.
“The CASE Awards celebrate the craftsmen and artists behind the independent jewelers across the country that are Jewelers of America members. We are proud to give these talented individuals and their extraordinary pieces of jewelry the national spotlight they deserve,” says JA board chair Bill Farmer Jr., partner of Farmer’s Jewelry in Lexington, KY.
Entry forms are accepted through December 19, 2014. A maximum of 15 entries will be accepted in each category, so JA Members are encouraged to apply early.
There are four competition categories in which jewelers can submit their pieces, including: jewelry to $2,000 retail value; jewelry $2,001 to $5,000 retail value; jewelry $5,001 to $10,000 retail value; and jewelry over $10,000 retail value. The entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges on the following criteria: overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability and quality of manufacture.
The CASE Awards are open to staff of JA Retail Member companies. JA Member employees can enter through December 19, 2014, and accepted jewelry must arrive at Jewelers of America headquarters from January 12 – 15, 2015. For more information about the competition and for complete competition guidelines, visit www.jewelers.org/caseawards or contact JA’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673.