Archive for November, 2008
Amethyst, a contemporary designer jewelry boutique, located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting last week. The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chairman Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jerry Morenoff welcomed Amethyst owners Amy Hugo and Angela Malkin.
Hugo and Malkin are excited to bring a fresh and unique jewelry store to Bethesda. Amethyst is an intimate boutique featuring contemporary fine jewelry from a number of talented designers selected for their artistic passion and distinctive look. Amethyst is founded for the individual who prefers fine chic jewelry from small designers as opposed to mass-produced brands.
Located at 4806 Bethesda Ave., in the old Sandra’s Fine Jewelry, Amethyst provides customers with a welcoming retail experience. Customers may choose from a well-edited selection of fashion-forward jewelry or work with one of our designers to create a custom piece. Throughout the year, Amethyst will host designer personal appearances and trunk shows providing our customers the opportunity to meet and work with top designers from around the world.
For more information or to make an appointment, please call (301) 907-6871, or go to www.shopamethyst.com.
Bethesda resident honored by pharmacist association
Bethesda resident John A Gans, PharmD has been awarded the 2009 Remington Honor Medal, the pharmacy profession’s highest honor administered by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The award will be bestowed upon Gans during the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas in April.
The Remington Honor Medal was established in 1918 to recognize distinguished service on behalf of American pharmacy during the preceding year, culminating in the past year, or during a long period of outstanding activity or fruitful achievement. It was created by the then APhA New York Chapter in honor of Joseph P. Remington (1847-1918), eminent community pharmacist, manufacturer, and educator.
Gans has been APhA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer since 1989. Prior to joining APhA Gans served on the faculty and was Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now known as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia), where he earned his pharmacy degree in l966 and his doctorate in pharmacy in 1969.
Send items for this column to Stephanie Siegel, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; fax to 301-670-7183; or e-mail to ssiegel@gazette.net. Listings are free and appear based on space availability.
Source: http://www.gazette.net/
November 28th, 2008
With the Holiday Season here people are considering selling their Jewelry over the Internet on such popular websites like eBay or CraigsList.
Here are some safety tips for you to follow, no matter what time of the year it is:
1. Insist on payment either via a Certified Bank Check that you can corroborate with the Bank, a Bank Wire Transfer to your account, or an escrow account such as Paypal. Do not accept Cashier checks or Money Orders as they can be forged.
2. Ship you jewelry only with the US Post Office, Registered Mail, Return Receipt to a Fedex or UPS Station as a “Hold For Pick up” addressed to your Buyer for their personal pick up. You can insure up to $50,000 with the US Post Office. The Buyer will be asked for photo ID and a signature and then be given the package by the Fedex or UPS Rep. This is your proof that the correct person has taken possession of the merchandise.
3. Never ship with Fedex or UPS as they insure only up to $500.00. Any amount over $500.00, the item(s) you are shipping has to be declared and described on the shipping manifest. There have been reports of “mysterious” disappearances of the contents and you will not be covered.
Here is a recent unfortunate story of a woman who got scammed out of over $10,000 of her jewelry by a con man answering her ad on Craigs List. Caveat Emptor.
Source: http://www.diamondvues.com/
November 28th, 2008
WOODBRIDGE —At least one burglar broke into an Iselin jewelry store early this week and stole dozens of items worth nearly $31,000, police said Wednesday.
Officers responded to Jaipur Jewelers on Marconi Avenue at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and found that someone had cut the lock, pried open the steel security gate and smashed the front glass door to get inside, a police report said.
A glass display case in the back room was broken. Taken were 13 necklace and earring sets, with a total value of $30,900, the store owner told police.
The store is slightly more than 100 feet from Virani Jewelers, the site of a burglary
and theft of some $50,000 worth of merchandise on Nov. 18. The theft occurred after someone apparently smashed the front window with a wooden two-by-four and ransacked the display cases, according to a police report.
At that time, police also found that someone attempted to break into another store, Sona Jewelers, also on Marconi Avenue.
Source: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/
November 27th, 2008
Just in time for the holidays, GordonsJewelers.com has released their 10 Best Gifts of the Season List. All items are available online and can be delivered in time for the holidays.
GordonsJewelers.com’s Ten Best Gifts of the Season:
Diamond Studded Journey
This 1/4ctw diamond curve pendant in white gold features seven round diamonds in a 4-prong setting. Journey Diamond Jewelry is designed to celebrate love, and the graduated stones represent how your love can grow over time. Item#: 17705666 $199.99
Celebrate Your Faith This Season
Celebrate your faith with a traditional white gold cross pendant. Resplendent with diamonds totaling 1/4 CT. T.W. this pendant hangs on an 18-inch rope chain. Item #: 17045675 $199.99
Cross Her Wrist
Sweet “X” shapes, symbols of love and kisses, adorn this dainty white gold bracelet set with diamonds totaling 1/10 CT. T.W. Item #: 17706367 $249.99
I Know Her Birthday is Sometime in December …
Her birthday’s in December and you need just the right present. Surprise her with this pendant featuring her birthstone. Set in white gold, a blue topaz stands out among lab-created white sapphires and diamonds. The pendant hangs on an 18.0-inch fashion chain. Item #: 17627795 $149.99
Take It to the Hoop
Hoop earrings are a classy and versatile choice for a sophisticated woman. With a touch of diamond brilliance the simplicity of a hoop earring becomes magnificent. Prong-set between shining white gold the round diamonds shimmer. Available only online. Item #: 17700097 $149.00
That Stud’s a Princess
3/8 CT. T.W. princess cut diamond solitaire stud earrings in white gold features a princess cut diamond solitaire in each 4-prong setting for a total weight of 3/8 CT. T.W.. Item #: 17605247 $229.99
That’s One Twisted Ring
Twisting, crossing, overlapping with an elegant look, lines of white gold form a dazzling open design. Brilliant round diamonds cover this criss-cross fashion ring’s surface, sparkling with a total diamond weight of 1/2 CT. T.W.. Item #: 17630229 $399.99
I “Heart” the Holidays
Hearts are symbolic of true love and pure romance. Intertwined together, ribbons of white gold overlap in the shape of a delicate open heart. Each half of the heart features at double row of round diamonds and a single row of tapered baguette diamonds totaling 1 CT. T.W. in a channel setting adorning the ribbons. Feminine and graceful, this pendant sweetly hangs from an 18-inch rope chain. Item #: 17730805 $499.99
Man of Steel
This stainless steel bracelet from the Simmons Jewelry Co. men’s collection by Russell Simmons has a polished finish and features polyurethane accents and a single round diamond. The cross link chain is 8mm in width and 8.5 inches in length. Item #: 16821019 $195.00
Make Sure He’s on Time for Your Holiday Party
This men’s Citizen Eco-Drive(TM) Calibre 2100 perpetual calendar chronograph watch in stainless steel features a white dial and black sub dials; non-reflective crystal; chronograph; daily alarm; perpetual calendar; month, day, date; screw-back case and screw down crown. This watch is water- resistant to 200 meters and comes with a five-year limited warranty. Gordon’s Jewelers is an authorized Citizen dealer. Item #: 16507204 $375.00.
All orders over $100 receive FREE Shipping. Limited time savings events and military discount available. Guaranteed delivery to military bases if ordered by December 3. For Spanish-speaking customers, representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-467-3661.
The entire collection can be viewed under the Holiday Gift Guide Section at http://www.gordonsjewelers.com.
SOURCE GordonsJewelers.com
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/
November 27th, 2008
The first-ever Thailand International Jewelry Awards (TIJA) will take a bow early next year at the 43rd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF).
TIJA is intended to be a major international jewelry design contest, offering traders, enthusiasts and fair attendees the opportunity to view the latest in avant-garde, contemporary and classical designs.
It is also meant to boost Thailand’s stature as one of the world’s leading design centers as well as contribute to the development of Thailand’s burgeoning gems and jewelry industry, organizers said in a media release.
To date, more than 1,400 entries have been received for the contest, hailing from Thailand as well as from countries including Brazil, Japan, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
From the entries, an expert panel hand-picked 60 sets of exceptional jewelry designs to be unveiled at the BGJF. The designs will be presented under the theme “Creative of the World.”
“A good design has always effectively played a crucial part in enticing buyers in any economic condition, so we think TIJA will go a long way in enhancing the market, especially at this testing time,” BGJF Chief Executive Somchai Phornchindarak said in the release.
The fair will be held Feb. 25-March 1 at Bangkok’s Impact Challenger exhibition center. Some 30,000 visitors are expected to attend.
For more information about the contest and the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, visit Tija2009.com and Bangkokgemsfair.com.
Source: http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/
November 25th, 2008
The search for high quality uniquely designed Christian jewelry is over. Gallery Byzantium is celebrating its 17th year of designing and crafting ancient historical Christian jewelry. Their designs are carefully researched and embody the mysteries of Authentic Christian tradition as received through an unbroken line of succession.
Their products are crafted faithfully using techniques received from the ancient tradition of fine jewelry making. The materials used have been selected for their purity, durability and natural attributes. Items are hand cast and hand finished in sterling silver, 14kt gold, and 18kt gold. Precious and semi-precious stones adorn many designs.
As a result of Gallery Byzantium’s meticulous attention to these criteria, the products you purchase become the heirlooms of future generations and transmit the living tradition of faith.
Gallery Byzantium offers over 60 unique historical designs. The Jerusalem cross is based on an 11th century design and is heraldic. Gallery Byzantium’s Canterbury cross is an exquisite design replica of the 9th century Byzantine cross that has become the symbol of the Anglican communion.
The Byzantine-Rus filigree earrings are a gorgeous 17th century design that look like they just came off today’s fashion editorial pages. One of the newest additions to the collection this Christmas season is the Christ the King medallion. The design for this pendant comes from the obverse side of a 7th century byzantine coin. It is a stunning medallion with deep religious meaning.
Gallery Byzantium’s collection is extensive and is sure to please both the collector of historical artifacts and the person seeking a cross or medallion for personal wear.
Source: http://www.bharattextile.com/newsitems
November 24th, 2008
Contact: Gerhard Kramer, Marketing Director, Laura K Designs, Inc., 877-256-0023
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Nov. 24 /Christian Newswire/ — After an extensive search for quality staff and opportunities to properly service their growing retail network, Psalm 23 Jewelry pieces are now assembled and packaged by the well-trained staff at Diversified Industries, a division of OPARC. OPARC is a non-profit organization with a mission to enable people with disabilities to achieve their full potential. Expansion of the Psalm 23 Jewelry extended line of bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and rings and the simultaneous growth of a national retail network created a need for a larger staff that could handle larger quantities in a timely manner.
Diversified’s capable staff of about 200 employees are located within minutes of the Psalm 23 Jewelry’s offices in Rancho Cucamonga. “We were able to find this Inland Empire organization only after we searched nationwide, sometimes local resources are overlooked and the transition to OPARC has been a real blessing for us both to manufacture locally and to help out these hard-working people.” says Gerhard Kramer, Marketing Director. He continued, “They assemble and package necessary quantities of each piece with a fast turnaround. We provide them with Sterling silver and Swarovski crystals, and they turn them into our inspirational jewelry designs” Original plans to outsource to foreign countries and outlying areas were scrapped with the discovery of Diversified’s ability to locally produce the Sterling Silver and Swarovski crystal jewelry and the corporations dedication to be able to give back to this community.
Laura Kramer, President, Jewelry Designer, and Inspirational Speaker said, “We are blessed to have formed a relationship with Diversified Industries. Our relationship with them, has enabled us to provide adults with disabilities and vocational barriers with additional employment opportunities in the areas of jewelry assembly and packaging. Without a doubt, working with Diversified has become a part of our mission. We love the people there — their dedication, excitement, focus on quality and spirit. They have welcomed our pieces and we look forward to our growing relationship with them.”
About Psalm 23 Jewelry
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Psalm 23 Jewelry is in fast-growing retail networks of Christian Book Stores, Hospital Gift Shops, Hallmark Stores & General Gift stores to become timeless and personal reminders of the comfort, hope and inspiration of the 23rd Psalm. The line of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, pendants, bangles & dog tags all provide unique ways to apply the most recognized chapter in the Bible.
Source: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/
November 24th, 2008
NEW YORK.- Christie’s announced the fall sales of Antiquities and the tenth annual Ancient Jewelry sale, on December 9. Both sales will offer a strong selection of works, from sculptures to wearable ancient art representing Egypt, the Near East, Greece and Rome. With estimates ranging from $2,000 to $700,000, both sales are expected to achieve in the region of $7.5 million.
Antiquities Leading the Antiquities sale is an impressive Roman marble statue of the Emperor Hadrian, circa 117-138 A.D., (estimate: $350,000-550,000). During his succession, Hadrian initiated an unparalleled building program throughout the Empire. In Rome, he built the Pantheon in the Campus Martius, the Temple of Venus in the Forum, and his own Mausoleum, now known as the Castel Sant’ Angelo. The statue offered was originally in the Villa Montalto-Negroni-Massimi in Rome and was later acquired in the late 18th century by John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley, for his home Cobham Hall in Kent, England. Other notable sculpture includes a Roman marble portrait bust of the Empress Faustina Minor, circa 162 A.D. (estimate: $300,000-500,000) and a Roman marble figure of a woman, circa 1st -2nd century A.D., exquisitely carved with fine attention to folds of her crinkly floor- length tunic (estimate: $250,000-350,000).
The sale’s cover lot is a fantastic Egyptian black granite bust of an official, circa 4th- early 3rd century B.C., (estimate: $250,000-350,000). A partially preserved inscription on the back pillar informs that the official served as a Treasurer of Lower Egypt. His high status in ancient Egyptian society gave him access to expensive materials and top tier artists as demonstrated by the high quality of his portrait.
Further highlights include an early Christian silver paten, circa late 4th- early 5th century A.D., (estimate: $600,000-800,000), which is hammered from a single sheet that meticulously illustrates Christ, Peter and Paul each clad in a short-sleeved tunic; an over life-sized and a realistic Roman bronze portrait head of the Emperor Vespasian, circa mid 3rd century A.D., (estimate: $700,000-900,000), and a Bactrian copper alloy seated female figure, circa late 3rd –early 2nd millennium B.C. (estimate: $70,000-90,000), one of the largest and finest copper alloy figures know from Western Central Asia.
Ancient Jewelry Christie’s tenth annual sale of Ancient Jewelry will offer over 120 lots of wearable works of art including beaded necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and ancient stone rings, with many examples in their original settings and others in modern mounts. The sale’s top lot is a pair of Greek gold bracelets, Hellenistic period, circa late 4th- early 3rd century B.C. (estimate: $80,000-120,000). With a lion head on each terminal, the bracelets is exceptional in terms of scale, quality and condition with a style closely paralleled in Tarentine and other South Italian jewelry.
Ancient ring stones are well represented in the sale, some loose, while others are mounted as a ring, either in the original or a modern setting. The finest is an Etruscan carnelian scarab and gold finger ring, circa late 5th century B.C., (estimate: $25,000-35,000). The underside of this impressive scarab is finely engraved with the hero Bellerophon riding the winged horse Pegasus, and spearing the Chimaera, depicted as a lion with its head turned back.
Also of great interest are a pair of Neo-Assyrian gold earrings, circa 8th-7th century B.C. (estimate: $45,000-65,000); a necklace of twelve Roman ringstones, circa 1st century B.C.- 2nd century A.D.; and a Roman gold snake ring, circa 1st century B.C.- 1st century A.D. (estimate: $4,000-6,000).
Auction: Antiquities, December 9, 10 am. Ancient Jewelry, December 9, 2 pm. Viewing: Christie’s Rockefeller Galleries, December 5-8.
Source: http://www.artdaily.com/
November 21st, 2008
NEW YORK, Nov 20, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Greenlight Initiative, a New York based LED lighting sales and solutions provider, announced today that renown fine jewelry designer, Scott Kay, America’s best-sold bridal brand and the leading men’s fine fashion jewelry at hundreds of key retailers nationwide, has adopted an innovative LED lighting system for its new generation of retail display cases.
Credited with the resurgence of platinum jewelry in America, platinum-smith Scott Kay’s designs are offered in over 800 US locations. As part of its successful branding strategy, their lines are now being offered in custom-designed cases that it supplies to key retailer partners. The Greenlight solution for the all-glass display cases is designed around Albeo Technologies’ “Brilliance” white LED linear display lighting system with specialized mounting and adjustment approaches. The Greenlight-supplied LED lighting solutions are being incorporated into a variety cases that differ in size and orientation.
“Our singular focus on quality and innovative design is summed up in our ‘Never Compromise’ philosophy,” noted Dan Scott, Chief Marketing Officer with Scott Kay, Inc. “It is of critical importance that our customers always experience our hand forged fine jewelry in, literally, the best light. We needed to live out this concept in a new, perfectly lit design within our display cases. Each offers our retailers an extremely high-quality, reliable, environmentally conscious and virtually maintenance-free environment in which to spectacularly showcase our lines. Greenlight Initiative was able to present us with the right solution, without compromise.”
Display lighting is a critical element in the retail environment. While fluorescent sources are common for accessory display cases, low-efficiency halogens are often selected for higher-end jewelry in order to achieve the desired sparkle. According to Nik Nicolakis, President and co-founder of Greenlight Initiative, “It’s not yet common for customers to clearly recognize that an LED-based lighting system is not solely a tool to lower energy or maintenance costs, but that it can represent a tremendous value-add in many applications. For Scott Kay, the adjustable angle of the light projection, and the ability to carefully select a color temperature that maximizes the brilliance of these beautiful designs, pointed to LED lighting as an investment with a positive ROI. It also makes environmental sense when compared to fluorescent sources. Scott Kay makes use of natural elements, but mercury isn’t one them, and it shouldn’t have to be part of their lighting system either.”
With a realistic system lifetime of 50,000 hours, LEDs minimize the logistics and maintenance for retailers who understand that burned out bulbs make a product unappealing and directly impact the bottom line. The initial cases equipped with the Greenlight solution have already been provided to a number of Scott Kay’s retailers. Follow-on installations will continue across Scott Kay’s network, including such notable retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue and hundreds of leading retailer partners.
LED solutions are generally very low profile and can be designed to provide exact color temperatures from warm to sparkling cool that really make a specific type of product ‘pop’ in the consumer’s eyes. Greenlight felt Albeo’s ‘Brilliance’ line was a natural fit for the application. Not only was it built for thermal management and durability, but also in Greenlight’s vendor-qualification testing program, Albeo’s products demonstrated the most consistent color and quality of any solid state lighting linear source of the many evaluated. Albeo’s 5-year warranty, and an outstanding price-to-quality ratio were also important factors in the selection process.
“The project was not without its challenges,” continued Mr. Nicolakis. “Greenlight quickly realized a more custom solution was called-for given the requirement to create a single-supplier solution that fit in all-glass cases of differing sizes. With the need for flawless communication and to meet the time constraints involved, the advantages of a company that builds their LED lighting product right here in the USA was clear. Albeo Technologies rose to the challenge and with the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, they supported a process that sped from concept to delivery in just over two weeks. Scott Kay’s demand for quality lighting was met with confidence and on time.”
About Greenlight Initiative
Founded in 2006, and with offices in New York, Atlanta, and Quebec, Canada, Greenlight Initiative’s mission is to provide clients with LED and other alternative lighting solutions that can replace and outperform incumbent lighting technologies in terms of energy savings, durability, life, and practicality. Through qualitative, real-world testing and laboratory evaluations, Greenlight presents its clients with a broad portfolio of money-saving, low-maintenance, advanced lighting solutions for a wide range of commercial, industrial and municipal applications. Contact Greenlight Initiative at +1-718-784-4440 or on the web at www.ledNYC.com.
SOURCE: Greenlight Initiative Inc.
Greenlight Initiative Inc.
Nikitas Nicolakis, +1-718-784-4440
nikita@lednyc.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/
November 21st, 2008
By Nicholas Larkin and Pham-Duy Nguyen
Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) — Gold demand rose 18 percent in the third quarter as lower prices encouraged purchases by jewelers and as investors sought a haven from the credit crisis, the World Gold Council said.
“We live in pretty difficult times and that’s being reflected in the world of gold,” George Milling-Stanley, a director at the London-based industry group, said in an interview. “More and more investors are seeing the long-term strategic benefits gold can have.”
Global demand rose to 1,133.4 metric tons from 963.3 tons a year earlier, the council said today in a statement. So-called identifiable investment, which includes purchases through exchange-traded funds and of bars and coins, climbed 56 percent to 382.1 tons during the quarter. Jewelry demand gained 7.6 percent and sales to India, the world’s largest gold consumer and jewelry buyer, advanced 29 percent.
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s bankruptcy filing in September, which triggered a $700 billion U.S. government bank- bailout package, spurred a record 150 tons of gold inflows into ETFs, the council said. ETF gold additions increased 7.5 percent from the second quarter and 31 percent from a year earlier.
“Gold is kind of an insurance policy for your portfolio,” Milling-Stanley said. “It’s the asset of last resort.”
Bullion averaged $870.93 an ounce in the three months through September, compared with $897.69 the previous quarter, and traded at $737.60 an ounce at 11 a.m. in London today. The metal has lost 29 percent since reaching a record $1,032.70 an ounce in March as investors liquidated their commodity holdings to raise cash.
`Back Into Gold’
“There was good deal of selling out of commodity indices,” Milling-Stanley said. “That’s why we saw a downturn in the price of gold even though demand grew. A lot of investors will go back into gold once they have the money to do so.”
The S&P GSCI Index of 24 raw materials slid 28 percent in the quarter, compared with a 5.9 percent decrease in gold prices.
Demand from India rose to 249.5 tons from 190.8 tons, the council said. The country accounted for 27 percent of gold demand in 2007. Indian purchases of the metal traditionally recover in the second half, spurred by the wedding season and Diwali, the festival of lights.
Demand increased by 15 percent in the Middle East and by 18 percent in China.
“If the price remains volatile, that’s going to act as a check on any jewelry growth,” Milling-Stanley said. “Investment demand is going to continue to lead the way in any consumption that we’re going to see.”
`Phenomenal Change’
BullionVault, which allows customers to buy and sell physical gold held in secure vaults in Zurich, London and New York, last week said funded customer accounts almost tripled in the year through October.
“We have seen a phenomenal change in the demand for physical gold ownership,” said Adrian Ash, head of research at the online service for private investors. “If people want to get money to safety, it’s a natural instinct.”
Gold supply fell 9.7 percent to 858 tons, the council said. Central bank sales plunged 87 percent to 23 tons. Banks covered by the Central Bank Gold Agreement sold 357 tons of gold through September this year, the lowest since 1999.
That year, several central banks signed a five-year accord limiting gold sales to help stabilize the market. A second agreement, which runs to Sept. 26, 2009, permitted a quota of 500 tons a year.
“You may find that some of those central banks are done with the selling,” Milling-Stanley said.
To contact the reporters on this story: Nicholas Larkin in London at nlarkin1@bloomberg.net; Pham-Duy Nguyen in Seattle at pnguyen@bloomberg.net.
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/
November 20th, 2008
Previous Posts
