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Volume 9, No. 8

July 1, 2010

Today's Headlines:

40+ New HD Videos of Designer Introductions in Las Vegas

Hedda Schupak Joins The Centurion as Editor, Electronic Media

'Looking Up', An Editorial By Hedda Schupak

You Could Exhibit Free By Winning Centurion's Emerging Designers Competition

Chad Allison Redefines Affordable Indulgence in Nouveau Luxe

JQ Magazine Announces Winners of Annual Retailers' Choice Designer Awards

Levinson Jewelers Hosted ‘The Ultimate Watch Fair’

PGI-USA Announces Winners of 1st Platinum Innovation Challenge

Frederique Constant Launches SalesConquest CRM

2010 Niche Design Award Goes to Ashley Warsaw of Spectore/Edward Mirell

Rebecca Joins With J.H. Mednikow for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Fundraiser

DCA’s Lissa Maxwell Named LLS Woman of the Year

A. Jaffe New CEO McArdle Interviewed by The Centurion

Michael Schechter of Honora Offers Digital Marketing Views

Designers, Sales Reps, Accomplished Exec Seek Talent & Opportunity 

HD Videos Hit Strong Chord With Readers; 40+ Fresh Videos For Your Review

Las Vegas--We're very appreciative of the extensive interest readers of The Centurion are demonstrating for our new high-definition videos. In this edition of the newsletter, we have 40+ more fresh-from-Vegas merchandise introductions from great designers and manufacturers that buyers will love! Click below on any link to watch the respective video. 

Hedda Schupak Joins The Centurion as Editor, Electronic Media

We are very pleased to announce that Hedda Schupak, veteran industry journalist and long-time editor of JCK Magazine, has joined The Centurion as Editor, Electronic Media. She joins Howard Hauben, who will move from the role of Editor, to Publisher/Editorial Director. Below is Hedda's first editorial for The Centurion and we hope you enjoy it and welcome your comments.

Looking Up

By Hedda Schupak, Editor, Electronic Media

When I was a child, one of my uncles used to talk about his “yo-yo stock.” As a 10-year-old who had just mastered “sleeping,” “walk the dog,” and “around the world” with my trusty Duncan Imperial, I thought it was really cool that he had stock in the company. That wasn’t what he meant, of course. But current economic news reminds me a lot of listening to my uncle grouse about his stock portfolio. Encouraging news one day, a sobering report the next. Still, we know that eventually it will come back stronger than before.

The question, of course, is when. Will we have the hoped-for V-shaped recovery (quick down, quick up)?  The slower U-shaped recovery, where we stay at the bottom for a prolonged period before things turn around? Or, as some doomsayers suggest, the dreaded W, where we seemingly recover only to be plunged back into recession again?

Let’s look at some indicators. On the positive side, luxury has come roaring back. In May, an article on CNNmoney.com cited significant year-over-year sales gains for a variety of upscale retailers from Whole Foods to Nordstrom, and brands from Fossil to Bvlgari. At Fossil, the growth was reported to be especially notable in its higher-end brands including Michael Kors.

But Bvlgari is luxury, pure and simple, and it seems that even the threat of a Greek tragedy isn’t keeping Europeans away from its stores. And one Montana jeweler I spoke to who recently added Rolex to his store has seen his overall sales rocket ever since.

We already knew that jewelry and watches are outperforming other categories in coming back. From holiday 2009 onward through the spring buying season, retailers and suppliers both are reporting that their high-end customers who’ve always had money are back. These customers are the ones who held back spending for emotional reasons rather than economic ones.

I’m encouraged by the growth in aspirational brands like Michael Kors, Coach, and even Whole Foods (jokingly nicknamed “Whole Paycheck”). It indicates ordinary folks feel ready to relax the purse strings a bit. Fancy food, like the proverbial lipstick, is a relatively small indulgence, making it a common place to start. 

But tempering the optimism are reports of continued high unemployment, second-quarter drops in retail sales, and a big drop in housing starts as the homebuyer’s tax credit expired in May. Yet industrial production—always a good indicator—increased a solid 1.2 percent in May, with factory production up 7.9 percent over a year ago.

What to make of all this contradiction? During the worst of the downslide, consumers slammed their wallets shut and pundits said we made a fundamental moral shift in our attitudes about consumption.  Once sales started gaining momentum, talk shifted to pent-up demand and that consumerism will remain the cornerstone of our economy.

I’m not an economist, but I predict we’ll have a U-shaped recovery—what’s to be determined is the width of the low curve—and I’ve said (and written) for years that once people get used to a certain standard of living, they don’t want to go backwards unless absolutely forced to. They may buy less, but they don’t buy cheaper.

Some were forced to change. Those who weren’t may have downscaled for a period but once their confidence returns, so will their desire for finer goods.

But I think we need to watch another current flowing under the radar of economic news. This is a rising concern for the environment, something that’s been happening but—no pun intended—is bubbling to the surface as the BP oil spill continues unabated. People are questioning how consumption impacts the earth. I believe this is a real trend and something that, more than the ups and downs of the economy, can impact consumer attitudes in the long term.

We’ll address this in future columns. For now, let’s focus on the lasting value of jewelry as a category, encouraging consumers’ innate desire to own it, and helping to keep the recovery going.

Finally, on a personal note, I’d like to express my delight at joining Centurion as its new editor of electronic media. I’ve long admired and respected founder Howard Hauben and the Centurion brand, and it’s very exciting to be part of its future growth.

You can write Hedda Schupak at hedda@centurionjewelry.com. 

You Could Exhibit Free By Winning Centurion's Emerging Designers Competition

For the third consecutive year, Centurion is opening its call for entries for its Emerging Designers Competition. The deadline for entries is July 30, 2010. If you are a fine jewelry designer whose art is primarily in precious or alternative metals and gems and who has never exhibited in a US Fine Jewelry Show as a solo artist; if you have the ability to exhibit at a trade fair; and if you are able to supply high-end retail jewelers, this is a opportunity for you. Winners receive complimentary exhibit space at Centurion 2011 in Tucson, the 10th anniversary edition of the the market's recognized kick-off show for prestige jewelry retailers and their key vendors.

Please click here to read full details and find the application form. For further information call Howard Hauben at 516-377-5909 or email hh@centurionjewelry.com.

Chad Allison Redefines Affordable Indulgence in Nouveau Luxe

New York, New York - June 15, 2010 – Chad Allison offers a fresh new flavor this season, as in first ever sterling silver, 18k gold, diamonds and colored gems collection. 

Shown left to right are Style BR940, sterling silver, 18k, lime onyx and diamond cuff; and styles 

PD838 and PD841, sterling silver, 18k and diamonds

This new collection, Nouveau Luxe, meaning New Luxury, debuted in JCK Las Vegas earlier this month featuring mesmerizing styles from luscious pendants, daring cuffs, sparkling cocktail rings, glamorous earrings and unique chains all inspired by the Rococo style movement from the 18th Century France. Uniquely ornate and ever so true to Chad Allison aesthetic that is romantic and fluid, the vintage styling of Nouveau Luxe in it’s first week captured the attention of 35 highly respected jewelry retailers within the United States with plans to kick start the Fall selling season in August of 2010. With the attractive retail price ranging from $300 - $3,900, Chad Allison’s Nouveau Luxe is bound to be a sterling success. 

Established in 1999, Chad Allison is a leading designer brand of exquisite fine jewelry collections in both fashion and bridal adored by women in search of couture and innovative designs with a passion for artistic self expression. For inquiries please contact

Debbie Son at debbie@chadallison.com or 212.278.8669 x111.

JQ Magazine Announces Winners of Retailers' Choice Designer Awards

JUNE 2010, LAS VEGAS, NV--JQ International Magazine has announced the winners of its 6th annual Retailers' Chouce Designer Awards. The awards recognize design excellence within the fine jewelry industry. Winners in nine distinct design categories are selected by JQ International's retailer readers through an on-line voting ballot on the magazine's web site. The nominations are based strictly on the retailers' favorite pics rather than on submissions from designers. The winners named by JQ are shown below and they were all honored at at a special awards event in Las Vegas in June.

Designer of the Year--Sarah Graham Metalsmithing

Best in Bridal, Tacori

Best in Color Diamonds, Sethi Couture

Best in Colored Gemstones, Spark

Best in Diamonds, Hearts On Fire

Best in Gold, Roberto Coin

Best in Pearls, Mastoloni Pearls

Best in Platinum, Michael B

Best in Silver, Jorge Revilla

The 6th annual JQ Retailers' Choice Designer Awards was sponsored by Cultured Pearl Association of America, Natural Color Diamond Association, Silver Promotion Service and World Gold Council. For further information contact publisher Debbie Rittenberg at 215-860-0306 or at drittenberg@m2media360.com.   

Levinson Jewelers Hosted ‘The Ultimate Watch Fair’

Open-to-the-public event featured the newest timepieces from around the world and special meet-and-greet with NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (June 2010) – Levinson Jewelers, one of the leading independent jewelry stores in the US, hosted ‘The Levinson Jewelers Ultimate Watch Fair’ on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at its 6,000 square foot showroom at 888 Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

The event featured the newest timepieces and collections from world renowned brands including Dior, Bvlgari, Piaget, Franck Muller, Piaget, IWC, Panerai and Ferrari, Jaeger-LeCoultre,

Photos counterclockwise show Chris Riggs of IWC with Robin and Mark Levinson; Richard Jigarian of Franck Muller with Mark Levinson and Dan Marino; and Natalie Diamantis and Greg Weeter of Bvlgari with ark Levinson and Dan Marino.

Backes & Strauss, TW Steel and many others. More than 200 people perused the latest watches on display and were treated to a special meet and greet with NFL Hall of Famer and watch enthusiast Dan Marino. 

Guests also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres courtesy of SoLita Las Olas along with the upbeat musical styling of DJ 1Tre (aka Michael Marino). For further information contact Mallory McQuail at 561-391-5930 x 307 or mallory@zuckerpr.com

LAS VEGAS, NV (June 9, 2010)— Platinum Guild International (PGI-USA) proudly announces its first group of winners of the Platinum Innovation Challenge - JCK 2010. The contest was PGI’s latest initiative to broaden access to platinum jewelry at retail, by promoting creative design in the new entry platinum category. An impressive 75 entries were reviewed, from more than 40 of the nation’s top brands, including Chad Allison, Tacori, Simon G., Gem Platinum, and Sasha Primak.

Two of the winning designs shown are from (left to right) Benchmark and Designs by Vatche

Participants were judged in five separate categories, and their designs were evaluated according to originality, creativity, quality, wearability and innovation within the specified price category. The winners included the following designers, divided by contest category:

Entry Platinum Engagement Ring under $2,500 retail (semi-mounts)

Winner: Designs by Vatche: "Jennifer" platinum semi-mount engagement ring featuring diamonds around the head and shank (.40 ct. tw), $2,500 (suggested retail price)

Entry Platinum Wedding Bands under $1,500 retail (men’s or women’s)

Winner: True Knots: Platinum men's 5mm platinum wedding band, $998 (suggested retail price)

 

Entry Platinum Fashion under $2,500 (pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches, etc.)

Winner: Uneek: Platinum “snowflake” pendant with round diamonds (.30 ct. tw) on a platinum chain, $1,995 (suggested retail price)

Entry Platinum Color under $2,500 (bridal or fashion featuring colored gemstones)

Winner: Benchmark: Platinum men’s 8.5mm wedding band with pave set black diamonds wrapped around a satin-finish concave design, $2,200 (suggested retail price)

Platinum Fashion over $2,500 (pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches, etc.)

Winner: Steven Kretchmer: Platinum “Mini Infinity” bracelet with 23 tension set diamonds, the most tension set stones in a single piece of jewelry single, $30,200 (suggested retail price)

The Platinum Innovation Challenge not only inspired creativity and innovative platinum design among manufacturers, but it also highlighted entry platinum product to retailers walking the JCK show floor. Judges spanned four categories, including editors Alison Rowe from Bride & Bloom and Heather Levine from The Knot; renowned retailers Gary Thrapp of G. Thrapp Jewelers and Ronda Daily from Bremer’s Jewelers; distinguished stylists Quentin Owens and Nicole Allowitz; and casting specialist, Teresa Frye, President TechForm Advanced Casting Technology.

Each winner received the official Platinum Innovation Prize, valued at over $20,000. In addition to a retailer signage package and inclusion in future national PGI publicity campaigns, the grand prize included an official contest trophy, customized posters and professional photography of the winning piece. The pieces will also be honored on PGI’s consumer web site and featured in upcoming press materials, among them an official “congratulatory ad” set to appear in a top trade publication.

Platinum Guild International is dedicated to promoting platinum and its, pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world's major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of platinum jewelry. For more information please visit www.platinumguild.com 

Frederique Constant Launches SalesConquest CRM

Geneva June 25, 2010, Frederique Constant, the Accessible Luxury watch manufacturer from Geneva, is proud to announce the launch of a revolutionary iPad-based CRM system, developed by SalesConquest. Sales Rep effectiveness is estimated to increase by 20-30%.

With the new CRM, Frederique Constant Sales Reps now have anytime, anywhere access to data relevant to their customers. SalesConquest CRM’s intuitive interface, featuring tap and drag-and-drop functionality, lets Sales Reps quickly and easily customize, report, view and update information for their customers, partners, prospects and more. Using the CRM, Sales Reps and other mobile workers can:

•  Process Orders. Quickly enter the stock of Frederique Constant watches at the Point of Sale. Determine what was sold since previous visit and automatically generate a replacement order for the customer.

•  Add and update information. Add new leads, contacts, accounts and in-depth information, simply by tapping on the appropriate icons and fields and then either entering the data or selecting from pre-defined options.

•  View information. Tap on the campaigns, leads, contacts, or accounts they want to view. Additionally, Sales Reps can enter terms into a search field to locate the information they want in seconds. Color-coding highlights priority cases.

•  Sales Campaigns. Generate and communicate personalized campaigns and promotions to accounts with tracking capabilities and analysis tools

 In addition to CRM functionality, detailed information regarding the entire Frederique Constant assortment and latest press releases are loaded onto the Apple iPads. The full Frederique Constant Master Catalogue and over 20 company films are available for in-store presentation, training and reference. Furthermore, the management has numerous options in terms of real-time viewing and tracking of information, as well as running sales related reports.

“We are very excited about this CRM launch. Frederique Constant is known for its innovative business initiatives. We are certain that the implementation of the SalesConquest CRM system will further drive our growth”, said Peter Stas, CEO of Frederique Constant.

For further information contact Janelle Couts at janelle@usa.frederique-constant.com.

2010 Niche Design Award Goes to Ashley Warsaw of Spectore/Edward Mirell

Edward Mirell and Spectore Corporation are proud to announce the receipt of yet

another design achievement award by a member of our talented design team.

We congratulate Ashley Warsaw on receiving the 2010 Niche Design Award for

the bracelet shown above. 

Spectore continues its ongoing effort to recognize, recruit, train, and promote extraordinary talent. Additionally, Spectore will begin hosting a series of free educational one day seminars to educate industry professionals on contemporary metals. Classes will begin this summer in Spectore’s Deerfield Beach, Florida facility.

For further information contact Adam Rosenberg at adam@spectore.com or visit the company web site at www.spectore.com 

Rebecca Joins With J.H. Mednikow for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Fundraiser

SANTA MONICA, CA – June 2, 2010 – Alessandro Testi, the driving force behind Rebecca’s innovative jewelry designs, has created a very special line of jewelry to benefit the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.  The fundraising event on June 19 took place in the new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.

Le Bonheur is celebrating its 58^th birthday with the opening of the brand new hospital. 

Partnering with leading retailer J.H. Mednikow, Memphis, TN, a major sponsor of the event and one of Rebecca’s premier retailers, Mr. Testi designed nine new pieces that incorporate the stitched heart logo of Le Bonheur with the style of Rebecca.  

Jay Mednikow approached Rebecca about the fundraiser because the hospital holds a special place in his heart: "Le Bonheur doctors have touched the lives of thousands of children over the years," Mednikow said.  "One was the little girl who grew up to be my wife, and another was one of my sons.  Needless to say, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.  This personal relationship with Le Bonheur is part of the reason that my family and I support it so faithfully.

"When the grand opening of the new hospital was announced and we were asked to be major sponsors, I could think of no one better than Alessandro Testi to design and make commemorative jewelry, and I'm thrilled with the new collection, because it so beautifully evokes the emotional appeal of Le Bonheur and its mission."

Mr. Testi was thrilled with the opportunity and, when asked about the fundraiser, said:

“I am a father of three, my children are my smile and I love them with all that I have to love. When I was offered the opportunity to help the Le Bonheur children’s hospital of Memphis, I accepted without hesitation and with a desire to do something good.

Life gave me the chance to succeed as a designer of an internationally known brand, so I think it is a good thing for me to put my most precious skill at the service of a good cause. I created what I believe to be a refined collection of jewels, made in Italy, using the “Le Bonheur” stitched heart as inspiration. With the symbol of the heart, I indeed wanted to capture the affection and hope we have towards the hospital’s young patients, along the way donating the proceeds to the institution whose mission it is to cure them.”

Rebecca will donate 10% of sales of the line to the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

The Grand Opening Festivities culminated with a main gala on June 19. Mr. Testi and other representatives of the Rebecca brand were in attendance. The black tie event will included a tour of the hospital and auction.  All proceeds went towards music therapy, play and art to better the lives of healing kids.

Testi USA is located in Santa Monica, CA and is a division of Industrie Testi SpA, which is headquartered in Empoli, Italy. For further information contact Morgan Kleiderlein, Testi USA , 310-319-9600, morgan.kleiderlein@testiusa.com. 

CA

DCA’s Lissa Maxwell Named LLS Woman of the Year

NASHVILLE, TN., JUNE 9, 2010 -- On June 3, The Diamond Council of America’s Director of Operations, Lissa Maxwell was named The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2010 Woman of the Year in Nashville, Tenn. Maxwell raised $37,155, while a combined $220,000 was raised by all 13 male and female candidates.

The LLS Man & Woman of the Year campaign is an annual nationwide fundraiser. Each dollar raised counts as one vote, and the male and female contestants raising the most money are then named as the Man and Woman of the year for their local chapter. All money raised goes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The 10-week fundraising effort concluded on June 3 with a banquet, including both a silent and live auction. As a jewelry industry professional, Maxwell was proud to have received many beautiful jewelry pieces to offer in the silent auction, which helped raise several thousand dollars during the finale.  Companies that donated items for the auction included Absolute Brilliance, Brixton & Gill, Fine Jewelry by Louis, Guy Harvey, Kovel Designs, Southeastern Findings, Tracy Pearls and Zhen Zhu Pearls.

During the competition, four candidates won the opportunity to offer a live-auction item. Maxwell was among this select group. Her item was a beautiful hand-made quilt crafted by her mother, Marcia Maxwell. The quilt fetched the highest price of all auction items, selling for $3,500 to Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher.

Maxwell felt honored to be involved in this fundraising effort. "Participating in the LLS Man & Woman of the Year campaign was such a wonderful experience for me," said Maxwell. "Two of my very dear friends have lost their mothers to blood cancers, so this fundraising effort was very personal for me. I hope the money we raised will help find a cure so that others will not have to lose their loves ones too soon."  

Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and every ten minutes someone dies from a blood cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families. As a result of ongoing research, overall survival rates for leukemia have tripled in the last 40 years. An amazing 86 cents of every dollar raised during the Man and Woman of the Year campaign goes directly to the LLS mission. LLS supports research, patient services, public and professional education, advocacy and community services. To learn more, visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

Maxwell is Director of Operations for the Diamond Council of America (DCA). Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., the DCA is a leading educational organization for professional retail jewelry salespeople. DCA represents more than 5,200 jewelry stores and leading suppliers of diamonds and gems across the country. To learn more about DCA, visit www.diamondcouncil.org.  

A. Jaffe New CEO McArdle Interviewed by The Centurion

James McArdle, the new CEO of A. Jaffe spoke with The Centurion about the company's exciting new initiatives, advertising, marketing and more. 

Click here to watch the full interview. For further information contact Angela Jansson at angela.jansson@ajaffe.com. 

Michael Schechter of Honora Offers Digital Marketing Views, Advice

Michael Schechter of Honora spoke with The Centurion about Honora's world of digital marketing and how retailers can benefit from a growing list of digital opportunities. Schechter has become known in the high-end of the fine jewelry trade as a true evangelist of the digital and social networking world. Click here to watch the full interview or contact Michael Schechter at Michael@honora.com.

Designers, Sales Reps, Accomplished Exec Seek Talent & Opportunity 

Unlike a year ago, a number exhibitors in the Centurion sphere have recently inquired about sales representatives in the US market. They are noted below. In addition, we have been sent the resumes of four talented people, three sales reps with a lot of high-end market experience and one talented executive with strong retail and wholesale experience. Email Howard Hauben at hh@centurionjewelry.com if you are interested in learning more about these individuals.  

• Beaudry is seeking an esperienced retail salesperson with experience in Southern California for a position at its flagship store there. Beaudry is also seeking sales reps to cover the East and West Coasts and call on/service select retail jewelers. Contact mb@michaelbeaudry.com or call 213-623-5025.

• Chimento is seeking sales reps for the Midwest and Western US. Contact Federica Chimento at federica@chimento.com or call 305-372-8025.

• Edward Mirell/Spectore Corp. is seeking reps in the Midwest and Western markets. Contact Adam Rosenberg at adam@spectore.com or call 954-481-8422.

• Gregg Ruth is seeking sales reps in the Southeastern US. Contact Lynn Acorda or Gregg Ruth at lacorda@greggruth.com or gregg@greggruth.com or call 310-456-1888

• Gurhan is seeking a sales rep to work out of its New York offices, who specializez in better department stores. Contact Fiona Tilley at Fiona@gurhan.com or call 646-230-1122.

• Mastoloni Pearl is seeking sales reps in the TOLA area as well as on the West Coast. Please contact raymond@mastoloni.com or call 212-757-7278.

• MCR Gems is looking for a sales rep. Contact Sam Sulimanov at info@mcrgems.com or call 1-800-627-4367. 

• Pearl Autore's Autore USA is seeking sales reps in all areas. Contact Justin Schwarz or Christine Nolan at justin@pearlautore.com.au or christine.nolan@autoreusa.com

• Siera Jewelry is looking for a Midwest rep. Contact Raffi at info@sierajewelry.com or call 213-623-6370.