Archive for March 14th, 2006
Hong Kong : International Jewelry Show draws over 9% more buyers
March 13, 2006/Fibre2fashion.com
The Hong Kong International Jewelry Show 2006 experienced a fantastic event with a record number of visitors.
A total of 29,246 shoppers, almost 9.3 percent more than that seen at 2005 event come to the show.
Show that ended on Thursday, attracted consumers from various countries like China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Japan, India, Australia, United States, Philippines, and Italy.
Over 16,062 customers were from other countries, accounting for almost 55 percent of the total buyers at the show.
A record number of 1,970 exhibitors from 41 countries or regions participated at the show.
This International Jewelry Show, one of the most reputed jewelry trade fairs in Asia, and was held at Exhibition and Convention Center.
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March 14th, 2006
Jewelry collection posibleng mabawi ni Imelda
Journal Online
JEFFREY TIANGCO
Taliba
POSIBLENG mabawi ni dating Unang Ginang Imelda Marcos ang pamoso niyang koleksiyon ng mga alahas, na kinumpiska ng pamahalaan kasunod ng 1986 People Power Revolution, makaraang ihayag ng Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) na bukas sila sa isang “out-of-court settlement.”
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Sinabi ni  PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede na tulad ng kontrobersiyal na multi-bilyong coco levy fund at ng na-sequester na mga kumpanya ni business tycoon Lucio Tan at iba pang Marcos ill-gotten wealth cases, hindi nila isinasara ang pinto para sa compromise deal kay Mrs. Marcos
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“Ito ang nais kong bigyang-diin. Nais ko sanang ang sigalot na ito sa Marcos jewelry ay maging bahagi ng isang malawak na rekonsilasyon sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ni Mrs. Marcos,” ani Abcede, Assets and Management chief ng PCGG.
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Ayon kay Abcede, ang compromise deal ay pinag-aaralan bilang isang political option para mapabilis ang paggamit ng multi-milyong dolyar na jewelry collection ni Mrs. Marcos para makabangon ang ekonomiya ng bansa.
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Idinagdag niyang ang pakikipag-areglo sa nasabing usapin ay magbubunsod upang maiwasan na ang mahabang resolusyon ng kaso.
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Ipinaliwanag pa ni Abcede na nauna nang nakipag-negosasyon ang PCGG sa iba pang ill-gotten wealth cases kaya’t hindi dapat ituring na espesyal na kaso sakaling makipag-usap rin sila para sa mas mabilis na resolusyon ng kaso sa mga alahas ni Mrs. Marcos.
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Mayroon din umanong mga “feelers” mula sa ibang grupo na nagpapahiwatig na bukas din si Mrs. Marcos para pag-usapan pa ang isyung ito.
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Nauna rito, inihayag ng PCGG na plano nilang isubasta ang jewelry collection ni Mrs. Marcos na mula $10 milyon hanggang $20 milyon ang halaga. Binubuo ito ng tinatawag na Malacañang and Honolulu collections at Roumeliotes collection. Itinakda sana ang su-basta sa buwang ito kasabay ng taunang jewelry festival sa Hong Kong at nasa gitna na ng negosasyon ang PCGG sa tatlong international auction houses ` Christy’s, Sotheby’s at Bonhams.
March 14th, 2006
Winners of JCK Jewelry Industry Fund announced
National Jeweler
MARCH 13, 2006 - New York — Recognizing programs and projects that contribute positively to the jewelry marketplace, six trade groups have been awarded grants from the annual JCK Jewelry Industry Fund.
Announced earlier this week at JCK’s NYC Invitational Event, grants went to: the American Gem Society (AGS), awarded $65,000 for its educational program at the AGS International Conclave; the American Gem Trade Association, which received $74,600 to purchase a LIBS machine (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) to identify color enhancement treatment in gemstones;
Jewelers’ Security Alliance, which received $100,000 to help organize local crime prevention networks for jewelers; Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee, which received $75,000 for regional outreach to support legal compliance; Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, awarded $35,000 to fund and expand its “Safe and Secure” outreach program; and the Gemological Institute of America, which received $25,000 to investigate recent pearl treatments.
Criteria in the selection of grant recipients targeted programs that: elevate the jewelry industry’s image to consumers; aid jewelry trade groups in addressing industry-wide problems; and help to educate the industry through training materials.
In its eighth year, the JCK Jewelry Industry Fund is sponsored by JCK Events and JCK Publishing Group to foster development and research programs to enhance the jewelry industry, and has awarded more than $2.8 million since 1998.
March 14th, 2006
Editor: Jewelry with a backstory sells
National Jeweler
MARCH 13, 2006 - New York — Evolving from a status symbol to a celebration of individual style, jewelry’s role has changed over the past decade, according to Time Style and Design Editor-in-Chief Kate Betts.
Speaking Friday at the Women’s Jewelry Association’s annual Women in the Know Conference, Betts told attendees that understanding the shift can help them market and sell jewelry
“I find a lot of the stories behind some of the top jewelers are not told enough,” said Betts. “Today, people are really looking for meaning in their investments, and a more individual means of expression.”
The newest jewelry stores convey stories of their own, with intimate, customer-focused boutiques that emphasize the shopping experience as well as the sale, she said. The boon in the luxury market has benefited jewelry, according to Betts, as fashion houses and other luxury companies have begun to try their hand at jewelry collections. Fine jewelry has also become like fashion, Betts said, in that many designers offer a new collection each season instead of just one per year.
March 14th, 2006
Boeta’s Sapphire jewelry
Supersport
There is absolutely no mention at all of the unsavoury side of Sir Donald Bradman’s character in the Bradman Museum in Bowral. Not even a hint or suggestion that he was anything other than a brilliant cricketer - the best, in fact - and an absolute gentleman.
The museum is about promoting Sir Donald Bradman, so the approach to his personality flaws (which seem to come as part of the package with every genius) is understandable but it does mean that nobody will be able to learn from his mistakes, or his ‘rough’ edges.
As has been written in this column before, when I mentioned this apparently obvious omission to an esteemed Australian colleague after my first visit to the Bradman shrine, he snapped back: “Don’t piss on statues, mate!”
In other words, don’t talk about it.
A childhood friend of mine was Greek - his name was Bobby and I spent a good deal of time at his house. On a quiet day there were about 25 family members around the house but there were more at weekends. On every special occasion - birthday, Christmas, anniversary…whatever, Bobby’s grandfather gave his grandmother another piece of sapphire jewelry.
And I distinctly remember that every single family member, from the youngest grand-nephew to the oldest great-aunt, knew that Grandman didn’t actually like sapphires. Every knew except Grandpa, and he’d being giving his wife them for 50 years.
But nobody talked about it.
There is a time and a place for diplomacy and a buttoned lip, but in sport things always have to be talked about. You can bet your life savings that Neil Harvey had a word to say to senior pro Bill O’Reilly when the great Bradman told the young Harvey to bugger off and sort his own problems out.
So what’s the burning issue in the South African dressing room? Well, hopefully there isn’t one but when Boeta Dippenaar reached 38 not out a semi-whimsical comment escaped from the South African dressing room, and it went like this: “He’ll score a hundred from 140 balls and we’ll lose.”
It was a pretty good guess, as it turned out. The eventual man-of-the-match made 101 from 145 balls. And South Africa did lose.
Dippenaar worked his backside off and ended the innings suffering so badly from dehydration that he was placed on a drip.
The word ‘criticism’ is often misunderstood. To criticise something is to offer an opinion and it may be good, bad, ugly, indifferent and, of course, positive or negative.
Dippenaar’s supporters who perceive any ‘criticism’ of his century to be woefully unjust and unkind will rightly point to the fact that wickets were falling at the other end so he was forced to bat with circumspection. But will they also say that he really, honestly couldn’t score off 74 deliveries in his innings? That represents a quarter of the team’s entire innings.
When Boeta played a similarly paced innings during the VB Series in Australia he remarked that South Africa’s big hitters in the middle order could always “make up for lost time” at the end of the innings provided the team had wickets in hand. It worked on that occasion, but it is a high-risk strategy and when it goes wrong (SA managed just seven runs from the 48th and 50th overs) then the game is up.
No doubt Bobby’s Grandma knew that sapphires were precious and she obviously appreciated the effort and gesture. And like centuries in cricket, there’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ gem! But if it wasn’t quite what the team needed then Boeta should be encouraged and coached to take more singles.
Good century, great character, huge commitment and much appreciated. But the world game has moved on from 140-ball hundreds in one-day cricket. And Boeta Dippenaar is comfortably good enough to score centuries off 105 balls.
March 14th, 2006
Recall Alert: Toy Jewelry That Can Choke
KFOXtv.com
John Purvis-KFOX News Anchor/Reporter
In this KFOX Recall Alert, there is news about two different products that pose fire hazards, as well as children’s jewelry that could be dangerous.
Man’s Trading Company is recalling more than 144,000 sets of Girl Favors Children’s Toy Jewelry. The recalled jewelry could break, releasing small beads that pose a choking hazard to young children.
Various dollar stores nationwide sold the toy jewelry from July of 2003 until this past December.
Click on this link for more news on the recalled Children’s Toy Jewelry
C-1000 Capresso Automatic Coffee Centers have been pulled from the market. The electrical connectors in the espresso machine can erode, posing a fire hazard.
There were 28,000 machines sold between July of 1999 and last October.
Click on this link for more news on the recalled Espresso Coffee Machines
American Tack and Hardware Company is recalling about 35,000 Forever Glo Nite Lites, because a short circuit in the night-light can cause it to overheat and smolder or melt. This could lead to a potential burn and fire danger.
The Forever Glo Nite Lites sold from May of 2004 to December of last year.
March 14th, 2006
Exhibit showcases varied jewelry works
Towerlight
Artist Leyla Tas comes from Sydney to Towson for education, fellowship
by Rob Scheer/March 13, 2006
Artist Leyla Tas grew up in Sydney, Australia, but now in her post-graduate years, she has ended up in a place many would consider its antithesis; Towson University. Tas received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tasmania, but in 2000 (midway through her undergraduate years) she came to Towson University for just one year as an exchange student. While studying under Professor Jan Baum, Tas developed an interest in jewelry and metal smithing. It was her rising interest in these subjects and guidance from Baum that led to her return to Towson after completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Now at Towson, Tas continues to further her education under her mentor.
“I am very grateful to be able to study at Towson University under Jan Baum,†she said. “My education that I have received here is world class and well worth traveling halfway around the world for.â€
As an MFA candidate at Towson University, she is the recipient of a College of Graduate Research and Studies Fellowship. The fellowship pays her tuition and provides $5,000 for one year.
For her show titled “Between You + Me†Tas creates various types of jewelry, chiefly brooches, which are usually worn behind one’s clothes with only part of the brooch visible on the surface. Her work has been included in “The Penland Book of Jewelry†and been displayed nationally and internationally in exhibitions.
Tas’s thesis exhibition is on display at the Holtzman MFA Gallery in the Center for the Arts. She said she prefers the location to the University Union Art Gallery, which was recently renamed the Loch Raven Room. “The MFA Holtzman gallery is a vast improvement compared to the Union gallery. I don’t think that I could have had the same show in the Union,†Tas said. “I feel privileged to be the first MFA student to show in the space. I think that when all the kinks are ironed out it will be a great space to show in.â€
Tas believes jewelry can serve just as important a function for those who wear it as for those who can simply admire it. Even if one isn’t able to sport it, they can still appreciate the artistry behind the pieces.
“I make work that is for the wearer as well as the viewer,†she said.
She also looks at her work as something that can be taken personally, and to that extent, become a part of someone’s being or more simply, a part of oneself.
“I see my jewelry as sculptural installations on the body. I am interested in jewelry as there is a direct intimacy with the body of the wearer,†Tas said.
She also added, “I am interested in how people interact with each other. My work is an attempt to visually map interactions between people, the dynamics of relationships.â€
Once Tas finishes her time at Towson University, she aspires to continue doing what she loves in a more professional manner beyond just academically.
“I hope to be able to work in the USA for one year in an arts-related job,†she said. “I suppose I will do what everyone else does, make my work in the evenings and weekends. I think that it requires a huge amount of self discipline to be able to do this.â€
Leyla Tas’s thesis exhibition is on display in the Holtzman MFA Gallery through April 7 (It is closed for Spring Break from March 19 to 26.)
March 14th, 2006
New Web site offers free jewelry
National Jeweler
Los Angeles- — Jewelry manufacturer D.G.P.J. Inc., is offering pieces from its newest collection of silver gemstone jewelry for free, in conjunction with the launch of its new Web site.
“For more than 2 decades, we have been selling diamonds, gemstones and jewelry to other retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States,” said Amit Vora, Marketing Manager of D.G.P.J., Inc. in a company release issued Monday. “Now, with SilverJewelryClub.com, we’re hoping to open a direct window to consumers, and offer
them the same competitively priced quality jewelry that our retail and wholesale clients have enjoyed.
By giving away our exclusive pieces for free to site visitors, we’re hoping to develop a relationship with consumers and give them the opportunity to experience the value, quality and craftsmanship of our collections first hand.”
Giveaways rotate at regular intervals, and include round-cut Swiss blue topaz earrings set in sterling silver, emerald earrings and a princess cut amethyst ring with a V-prong sterling silver setting. All giveaway items include a gift pouch and, to receive the free jewelry, site visitors pay only $5.99 in shipping and handling charges. Site visitors can sign up to be notified of new giveaway items via e-mail.
Also available on the site, free of charge, are educational guides on gemstones, precious metals, and “Diamonds 101,” offering tips to help consumers choose stones.
“This is our way of introducing our company and getting the word out,” Vora said in the statement. “We’re confident that if people come and visit our site, take advantage of the jewelry giveaways and experience our quality firsthand, they’ll be back for more. And our giveaways change all the time, so we encourage people to visit often. After all, where else can you get exclusive sterling silver jewelry pieces with genuine gemstones for free?”
March 14th, 2006
