March 2011 -  Issue 6
RETAIL JEWELERSSUPPLIERSCONSUMERSABOUT USJOIN JANEWS & EVENTSBLOG
IN THIS ISSUE
CASE Award Winners
Japan Relief Efforts
Welcome New Members
Update on Zimbabwe Diamonds
Conflict Minerals Law
New Buying Group Opportunity
New JA Counter Pads
Ultimate Proposal Contest
Jewelry Trends: Oscars
Inexpensive Sales Tool
Burglaries on the Rise
Discounts on GIA
Luxury Tax Fight
Sales Tax Fairness
JIC Hosts Jewelry Showcase
JA at AGS Conclave
NEWS

National Retail Design Competition Winners Announced
Jewelers of America announced the winners of the 2011 CASE Awards, its national retailer design competition held at the JA New York Winter Show. With more than 50 pieces entered, it had the highest level of participation in recent JA history! 

Earthquake in Japan and Pacific Tsunami: How You Can Help

Our thoughts are with the thousands still missing, and the millions affected by the massive earthquake that struck northern Japan on March 11. If you wish to help click here. Read how Jewelers for Children and the jewelry community is supporting relief efforts.

Welcome February's New Members 

We'd like to welcome new retailer and supplier companies who joined JA in February. New Retail Members are: Cano's, San Angelo, TX; Carol & Co, Collinsville, CT; Cindi's One Hour Jewelers, Glenn Clark Jewelers, Germantown, TN; Joplin, MO; Jewelry by Michael Taher LLC, East Rutherford, NJ; Margaretti & Company, San Francisco, CA; Michael Tish Jewelers, Lincoln, NE; OC Designs, Eastpointe, MI; State Street Jewelers, Geneva, IL; Trends Jewelers Inc., Roynham, MA; and Wayzata Jewelers, Wayzata, MN. Martin Kirschenbaum, Inc., New York, NY, joined as a Supplier Member.
LEGISLATION & REGULATION

diamondImportant Update on Diamonds from Zimbabwe
This week, the Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) made the controversial decision to allow diamond exports from mines in the Marange region of Zimbabwe. In response, JA is warning members to practice extreme caution and necessary due diligence and to not trade in these diamonds. Read JA's full statement here. Be sure to review JA's updated member guidance on this issue (Members Only).

Industry Coalition Submits Comments on Conflict Minerals Law
This month, JA and other major trade associations jointly submitted comments to the Securities and Exchange Commission, regarding its proposed rules for the implementation of the conflict minerals provisions within the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act . . .
Review JA's updated talking points on this issue with your staff (Members Only).
BUSINESS

Introducing a Better Buying Group Available Only to JA Members

Jewelers of America is excited to announce a new member benefit debuting in July 2011. ABJSource is a new buying group from the National Jeweler Network and participation is exclusive to JA Retail Members at no additional cost.


Purchasing merchandise through ABJSource will give you the opportunity to save hundreds to thousands of dollars every year on diamonds, gemstones, finished jewelry, equipment and supplies from some of the most prestigious vendors in the jewelry industry! ABJSource is a better buying group because:

* it offers multiple regional events that bring vendors to you;

* it requires no event attendance -- you can shop the ABJSource website at your convenience;

* and it requires no minimum annual purchases.

* Click here to read all of the benefits of ABJSource. 

 


Look for more details throughout the year about ABJSource and its debut events.

Custom JA Counter Display Pads Now Available
Promote your professionalism effortlessly as you showcase your jewelry to clients with the new JA-branded counterpads. The pads open to a gray interior to perfectly display jewelry. JA Members can order these pads for $12.95, a great savings as similar quality pads cost between $20-$40 retail. Order yours today! (Members Only)



MARKETING

Less Than Two Weeks Until Ultimate Proposal Contest Launch!
Don't miss out on this free opportunity to excite your customers and community with a contest -- we provide the marketing materials and the prizes! Become a Participating Retailer and offer your customers the chance to win a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two. Plus, you could win a trip for two to New York City to attend the 2012 JIC GEM Awards.  (Members Only)

Oscar Jewelry Trends
The Oscars are the Super Bowl of the fashion and fine jewelry world, with millions watching to see the fashion and fine jewelry on the red carpet. Our trends expert, Director of Special Events & Media Helena Krodel, has picked the top trends from the 2011 Academy Awards. These looks will inspire your customers to feel glamorous -- incorporate them into your store displays.


Make Jewelry Education Fun with Inexpensive Sales Tools & Bag Stuffers
Highlight your staff's jewelry product knowledge, while inspiring confidence in your customers, with Jewelers of America's newly redesigned consumer education brochures. Both sets of brochures provide product information for jewelry consumers on a variety of popular jewelry topics and gemstones.  (Members Only)


EDUCATION & TRAINING

TIP: Safe Burglaries on the Rise, Protect Your Business
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has seen a rise in safe burglary claims, especially in the southern United States. The trend indicates that professional gangs trigger alarms, and then enter jewelry businesses if no response occurs. This leaves the experienced burglars with hours of uninterrupted time to burn and cut safes or vaults.

In a new "Safety & Risk Prevention" article in the Education Resource Library, Jewelers Mutual provides tips to decrease the chances of burglars attacking your business . . .  (Members Only)

Advance Your Gemological Knowledge With Member Discounts to GIA Courses
Jewelers of America members save 10% on Distance Education courses and Lab classes at the Gemological Institute of America on diamonds, colored stones, pearls, and jewelry manufacturing arts. Plus, JA offers scholarships on GIA and other leading industry education.

LEGISLATION & REGULATION

JA & CJA Fight the Luxury Tax in Connecticut
Last month, JA joined forces with the Connecticut Jewelers Association (CJA) to fight a luxury tax of 3% that is being considered on jewelry priced over $5,000 in the state. On March 7, former JA Board Chair John Green, of Lux Bond & Green, testified against the tax . . .

Sales Tax Fairness Momentum?

There's been a recent groundswell of support for sales tax fairness at the state level. Illinois passed legislation requiring remote retailers with nexus in the state -- through online affiliates -- to collect and remit sales tax. Other states, including California, Arizona and Texas, are considering similar legislation. JA supports these efforts and continues to push for sales tax fairness on the federal level. Use JA's online Legislative Action Center to contact your state and/or federal representatives today and urge them to support sales tax fairness!

JA EVENTS

diamondJIC Hosts Jewelry Showcase & Media Training for Jewelry Designers
On March 15, Director of Media & Special Events Helena Krodel hosted a special media training and jewelry showcase in conjunction with Jewelry Resource Bureau's Designer Day. Seven jewelry designers took part and had their collections viewed by more than 20 trendsetting consumer and trade fashion editors. The event was open only to Jewelers of America Supplier Members and attendees of the Designer Day event . . .

Don't Miss JA Seminars at AGS Conclave

AGS Conclave is only a month away! Don't miss JA-hosted seminars. On Wednesday, COO Robert B. Headley will moderate the Standards of Excellence Panel. Thursday, Director of Education David Peters will present "Branding in Action - Building Your Competitive Advantage." On Friday, Director of Media & Special Events Helena Krodel will present "What's Hot, What's Not," discussing jewelry trends.