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Retail And Brand News: Borsheims’ Giving Tree; Fifth Generation Jeweler Gets Scholarship; More December 11, 2019 (0 comments)
Borsheims’ ‘Weekend Of Giving’ Sells Out
Omaha, NE—Shoppers purchased every last one of more than 1,500 boxes on Borsheims’ Giving Tree during Borsheims’ 14th annual Weekend of Giving, December 6-8. For $10, all of which went to Partnership 4 Kids, shoppers could take home a box with a surprise gift inside: anything from jewelry to home décor to Borsheims gift cards. Borsheims also donated a percentage of all in-store sales during the weekend to Partnership 4 Kids, a goal-setting and group mentoring program that builds hope for underserved students in the Omaha metro area.
Borsheims’ Giving Tree is always a highlight of its annual Weekend of Giving. Customers love buying multiple boxes to give as gifts and to try to win the big prizes themselves. This year’s top prize was a 14k diamond station necklace worth $2,700. Other featured gifts were jewelry from LAGOS, Pesavento, Alex Woo, Phillips House, and Robin Haley.
“Our Giving Tree has become such a big part of our customers’ holiday shopping traditions,” said Borsheims CEO Karen Goracke. “We love that our customers can have such a fun Borsheims experience and feel good about donating to this great local child-focused charity at the same time.”
Borsheims CEO Karen Goracke, right, with Partnership 4 Kids executive director Deb Denbeck.
Fifth-Generation Jeweler Receives Beatrice Shipley Scholarship For Study At GIA and AGS
Carlsbad, CA—Madelaine Genna, a fifth-generation jeweler from central Florida, is the recipient of the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship, jointly awarded by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gem Society).
Madelaine Genna
Both GIA and AGS were founded in the 1930s when Robert and Beatrice Shipley cashed in their savings to create two organizations with the goal of educating jewelers, professionalizing the industry, and creating a guild for these jewelers to join. The scholarship was named in honor of Mrs. Shipley for her many contributions to both organizations, and will provide tuition for Genna to complete the GIA Graduate Gemologist program on-campus, the AGS Way Course, and to attend the 2020 AGS Conclave in Denver, CO.
The new Beatrice Shipley scholarship, established jointly by AGS and GIA, was announced at the 2019 AGS Conclave by Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO.
“It is an honor to help the next generation of industry leaders prepare for their careers with education from GIA and AGS,” said Jacques. “Madelaine Genna grew up in our industry; it is wonderful to see her passion propel her into a successful career. We are so proud that she is the first to receive the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship.”
Genna grew up behind the counter of Genna Jewelers, her family’s AGS jewelry store in Viera, FL, where she developed a love for gems and jewelry at a young age. After graduating from college with a degree in advertising and public relations, she worked for various jewelry designers. Today, Genna remains involved in the family business and says that once she completes her studies at AGS and GIA, she has a vision to grow and expand the family jewelry business. Already, Genna is an AGS certified sales associate and has her GIA Diamond Essentials certificate.
“We would like to express our gratitude to GIA for helping our members achieve their goals,” echoed Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS. “I was so inspired by the applications we received from our wonderful members. I’d also like to thank John Carter, president of the AGS Board of Directors, who brought this brilliant idea to AGS and GIA.”
“I feel so fortunate to be the recipient of a scholarship in honor of Beatrice Shipley,” said Genna. “She was a woman in business when there were few, and a driving force in the formation of GIA and AGS. I have the utmost respect for these organizations, as my family’s affiliation with them has truly allowed their business to flourish. Beatrice is someone I greatly admire as she represents all the amazing things that a woman can be and I’m so proud to be associated with her in this way.”
Forevermark Launches In Belgium
Brussels, Belgium—Forevermark jewelry yesterday became available in Belgium through a partnership with retailer Gautam Diamonds. The brand’s collections will be available in Gautam stores in the historic Grand Place/Grote Markt and Galerie de la Reine/Koninginnegalerij in the city, as well as in three Antwerp Diamonds by Gautam stores in Brussels Airport. The launch brings the total number of countries where Forevermark is distributed to 34, and further expands the brand’s presence in Europe.
Forevermark cocktail ring and long drop earrings from its Red Carpet collection and worn by A-list celebrities were on display at the launch of its collection in Belgium.
The launch party took place Wednesday in Gautam’s Galerie de la Reine store and featured a display of some of the Forevermark Red Carpet Collection that have been worn by A-list celebrities at renowned awards ceremonies.
Gautam Diamonds’ managing director Yudhi Gautam said, “Finding a partner like Forevermark that has a respected brand offering that resonates with consumers and matches our own commitments so well is truly exciting. We are delighted to start this journey and look forward to the successes ahead.”