Articles and News
Industry News: WJA Awards For Excellence; JVC Addresses Intellectual Property; More July 01, 2015 (0 comments)
WJA Announces Nominees for 2015 Awards for Excellence
New York, NY—Designers Emily Armenta, Suzanne Kalan, Monica Rich Kosann, Sylvie Collection, and retailer Veronica Guarino of Louis Anthony Jewelers are among the nominees for the Women's Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence for 2015. The annual Awards for Excellence gala will be held Monday, July 27, 2015, at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City.
Pam Mortensen, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry for JC Penney, will receive the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award; C. Clayton Bromberg, president of Underwood Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award; and Gumuchian (pictured left) will receive the Corporate Award.
In addition to the three honorees named above, awards will be presented in 10 categories. The nominees are:
Category I - Design
- Emily Armenta - Emily Armenta
- Pamela Froman – Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry
- Suzanne Kalandjian – Suzanne Kalan
- Monica Rich Kosann – Monica Rich Kosann
Category II – Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier
- Karishma Javeri - SDC Designs, LLC
- Sylvie Levine - Sylvie Collection
- Zina Sherman - Zina Sterling
- Laurie Watt – Mayer & Watt
Category IIIa – Retail – 15 doors or more
- Lisa Bridge - Ben Bridge Jewelers
- Eve Rogers - Graff
Category IIIb - Retail - Fewer than 15 doors
- Ellen Hertz - Max’s
- Veronica Guarino - Louis Anthony Jewelers
- Tara Silberberg - The Clay Pot
- Melissa Quick – Steve Quick Jeweler
Category IIIc - Non-Traditional Retail
- Alexis Clarbour - Portero
- Amy Jain/Daniella Yacobovsky - BaubleBar
- Beth Gerstein - Brilliant Earth
- Deborah Nicodemus - Moda Operandi
- Ruth Thuston - Circa
Category IV - Sales & Merchandising
- Amy Levine - Gurhan
- Tina Bruno – Stephen Webster
- Jennifer Shanker - MUSE Showroom
Category V - Marketing & Communications
- Kirsten Darrow - Fred Meyer
- Donna Jolly - American Gem Society
- Rebecca Moskal - Communique
- Colby Shergalis - Forevermark
Category VI - Editorial Media
- Sarah Lisitski-Gerrish - Redbook Magazine
- Eileen McClelland - Instore Magazine
- Danielle Miele - Gem Gossip
- Monica Stephenson - iDazzle
Category VII - Special Services
- Donna Borrelli - JCK
- Cindy Chandler - Smart Jewelry Show
- Becka Johnson Kibby - The Edge Retail Academy
- Heather Smith Nunez - Cartier
Category VIII - Watches
- Audrey Bogdonoff - Gucci
- Agnes Campanile - Swatch Group/ Omega
- Jeanine Drtina - Cartier
- Michelle Peranteau - Baume & Mercier
Click here to purchase sponsorships or tickets for the Gala.
Don’t Get Knocked Off: JVC Introduces New Guide to Intellectual Property Law
New York, NY—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee announces the release of its latest publication, I’ve Got An Idea! JVC’s Guide to Intellectual Property Law, intended for any business in the jewelry industry to learn more about protecting its intellectual property.
Sponsored by Kwiat, this book provides a legal education to a large segment of JVC’s membership and those who create intellectual property, whether in the form of designs, inventions, or brands. It also runs as a companion piece to JVC’s Guide to Selling Jewelry in the 21st Century: Legal Compliance for Designers, Independent Jewelers, and Online Sellers, adding to the valuable compliance information included there.
The guide includes information on a myriad of intellectual property topics, such as protecting jewelry designs through copyright law; protecting brand names, slogans and logos through trademark law; protecting inventions and industrial designs through patent law; and other forms of intellectual property. It also includes real-life examples and step-by-step instructions for applying to register your copyright or trademark.
"Understanding intellectual property law is extremely important for any business. This guide will help everyone in the business of designing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling jewelry and jewelry supplies understand how to protect their valuable creations, but not infringe on the rights of others," said Cecilia Gardner, JVC president and CEO.
The guide costs $20 for JVC members, and $25 for non-members, and is available for purchase by calling the JVC at 212-997-2002. For more information, contact Sara Yood, assistant general counsel, at (212) 997-2002 or sara@jvclegal.org.
Speakers Announced For Eighth Annual Portland Jewelry Symposium
Portland, OR--The Portland Jewelry Symposium will take place Monday, October 5, at the Sentinel Hotel. The Symposium brings together top industry talent to present on current trends in design, technology, bench, and business, and is tailored to the needs of manufacturing retailers and designers. The event kicks off Sunday evening, October 4, at the Portland Art Museum with a dinner and keynote address from Benjamin Smithee, chief strategy officer for RELEVENTS. Smithee has consulted for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Coca-Cola, Del Monte, General Mills, Sterling Jewelers, ACS, GEICO, McDonald’s, Kroger, Ebay, and more.
On Monday, there will be a notable line-up of ten industry presenters including David Geller, director of Shop’s Profits, sharing decades of experience in profitability for the custom jewelry business; designer Paul Klecka offering insights on digital design; pulse-arc welding expert Sessin Durgham of Rio Grande; and digital manufacturing guru Kevin Abernathy, among others.
Sponsors for the event include TechForm Advanced Casting Technology, MJSA, Stuller, Rio Grande, Gemological Institute of America, Platinum Guild International, Johnson Matthey, Solidscape, Chris Ploof Designs, Asiga, United Precious Metals Refining, The Richline Group and Jewelers of America. For more details, registration, and a complete list of speakers, visit www.portlandjewelrysymposium.com or call (503) 652-5224
Another Gold Mine Proposal Sparks Protests
Toronto, ON—Plans for a huge gold and copper mine in the Canadian province of British Columbia have drawn the ire of both environmentalists and indigenous peoples there who fear the mine will destroy native salmon habitats.
According to a report in National Jeweler, arguments for and against construction of Seabridge Gold’s KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) mine echo those heard about the proposed Pebble mine in Alaska. The two major mining companies behind Pebble—Rio Tinto and Anglo American—both pulled out of the project following objections from jewelry industry heavyweights including Tiffany & Co., that vowed not to use gold coming from the mine.
Seabridge Gold emphasizes the opportunity the mine will present—thousands of jobs for multiple generations over a 52-year lifespan—and billions of dollars poured into both British Columbia’s and Canada’s economies. But like Pebble, opponents say water quality will be compromised and negatively impact both the environment and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples in British Columbia and Alaska who rely on salmon fishing to make a living.