Archive for January, 2009
Hildgund Jewelry will return to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The jewelry store closed in December 2006 when the hotel closed because of structural damage that occurred during an earthquake.
Hildgund is building a high-end store in the new shopping arcade inside the hotel and is expected to open at the end of February.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel reopened in December 2008 after $150 million in repairs and renovations.
Source: www.bizjournals.com
January 30th, 2009
By Avi Krawitz
RAPAPORT… Swatch Group posted a decline in sales in the second half of 2008, but said it expects to see some modest growth through 2009. According to Rapaport calculations (see table below), group net sales in the second half fell 6.3 percent to CHF 2.853 billion ($2.469 billion), while gross watch and jewelry sales declined 5.6 percent to CHF 2.451 billion ($2.122 billion). The company did not provide separate half-year sales figures in its full-year report published Thursday.
“A noticeable drop in demand in the last months of 2008 mainly at [the] wholesale level reduced the momentum in most brands and markets,” the watchmaker explained in the report. Swatch’s full-year results were more encouraging, as the company posted a 0.5 percent rise in net sales to CHF 5.677 billion ($4.908 billion). Its watch and jewelry segment saw gross sales increase 1.8 percent for the year to CHF 4.796 billion ($4.151 billion). Swatch said it was focusing on expanding its retail segment as it continued to outperform its wholesale activities.
Sales growth in the watch and jewelry segment was most profound in China and the Middle East, where Swatch posted double-digit increases. Sales in Europe and the U.S. showed more modest growth, “with recession fears starting to weigh on consumer confidence in several countries and markets towards the end of 2008,” the company explained.
Swatch offered a “cautious but not pessimistic” outlook for the next few months in light of to the ongoing financial turmoil, but stressed it did not expect a disastrous quarter. “A decrease in the first three to four months compared to the very high previous year figures indicates a rather manageable recession,” Swatch stated. “A mild increase in consumption and sales for 2009 is expected, because of an anticipated rebound in the second half of 2009.”
Swatch Group Sales Report
All figures in Swiss Francs (millions) Total Net Sales Watches & Jewelry Gross Sales
2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change
Full Year 5,677 5,646 0.5% 4,796 4,710 1.8%
First Half 2,824 2,601 8.6% 2,345 2,113 11.0%
Second Half 2,853 3,045 -6.3% 2,451 2,597 -5.6%
First-half sales as presented in the company’s report dated August 15, 2008.
NC
RAPAPORT
Information that means Business
Source: www.diamonds.net/news
January 30th, 2009
By Amy Buckman
February 4, 2009 (WPVI) — If you have single earrings, broken bracelets or knotted necklaces, there’s an easy way to turn them into cash.
When Kara Gibbons’ sister was diagnosed with colon cancer, Kara started an email campaign, asking her friends — and their friends — to send their unwanted jewelry into RedSwan.com. RedSwan is an online jewelry-purchasing site.
“We raised almost $10,000,” Gibbons says. “And it started from just five emails.”
Amy Steel of RedSwan.com explains, “It’s really simple. You go onto RedSwan.com, you order yourself a starter kit, we’ll send you a kit in the mail, you fill out the form, you put your jewelry in, and send it to us. Within 48 hours, we’ll send you a check for your goods.”
Customers can decide whether to keep the money for themselves or donate it to any number of charities.
The items are insured when they’re mailed.
Each person’s jewelry is given a unique barcode and kept separate, as appraisers evaluate the gold and stones and assign each piece a dollar value.
If you disagree with the appraisal and the amount of your check, you have ten days to call Red Swan and tell them.
Steel says they’ll then send your items back, at no charge.
She says the website works well for women who might feel uncomfortable selling their jewelry in public.
She says many people don’t want to carry their jewelry into a pawn shop or jewelry store, haggle over the price, and carry around cash.
“If you go to a pawn shop or another retail outlet, not only is your jewelry being appraised, but you’re being appraised,” Steel says.
If you accept the amount of your check, your jewelry is taken apart. The gold is melted down. The stones made into new jewelry.
A few designer pieces and some high-end watches are sold intact to other jewelers.
To view a slideshow of some submissions to Red Swan, and how much their owners were paid, Click Here.
To get to RedSwan.com, Click Here.
More money-related links:
* Local Coupons
* Coupon Bug
* Saving with 6abc reports
* Track your investments
(Copyright ©2009 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Source: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi
January 29th, 2009
By Michelle Graff
Minneapolis, Minn.–After a year in which jewelry product slowed sales and shrunk margins, ShopNBC will set its sights on lower-priced pieces, the company’s new head said in a conference call on Tuesday.
In a question-and-answer session following the call, new ShopNBC Chief Executive Officer Keith Stewart said the company had to discount higher-priced jewelry during the 2008 holiday season to remain competitive in the market.
Beginning in 2009, however, the company will shift its jewelry focus to more moderately priced, conservative pieces, part of an overall organizational strategy to reduce the average price of the goods it sells.
Stewart said ShopNBC’s average selling price for a gemstone piece in 2008 was more than $550.
“That’s not what the customer was looking to buy,” he said. “That average selling price must come down.”
Like so many other companies, ShopNBC saw sales decline precipitously in the fourth quarter of 2008 amid the economic crisis and faltering consumer confidence.
According to preliminary financial results released on Tuesday, ShopNBC realized $142 million in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with revenues of $218 million for the same period in 2007, a 35 percent decline driven by weakness in jewelry and laptop sales.
Net sales for fiscal 2008 are estimated at $565 million, a 28 percent decline from the previous year.
In addition, on Tuesday, the multi-channel retailer announced the completion of a “strategic alternatives review process,” during which it endeavored to find a buyer or strategic partner for the struggling business.
However, during the call on Tuesday, George Vandeman, chairman of the special committee of the board of directors, said a combination of poor market conditions, a difficult retail and credit environment, and the company’s financial performance hampered the sale of the company.
ShopNBC also considered liquidation but determined this would not result in any distribution to the company’s shareholders.
As a result, Vandeman said the committee’s recommendation to the board is to continue to operate ShopNBC as is.
However, as stressed by company officials throughout the call, ShopNBC remains open to the possibility of a sale or strategic partnership.
“”We do not view it as closed,” Vandeman said of the review process. “We remain open to any transaction that may come along.”
With the company facing a rough road ahead, ShopNBC also announced a series of management changes.
CEO John Buck voluntarily stepped down and was replaced by Stewart, but will remain chairman of the board.
In addition, ShopNBC appointed Randy Ronning, a retail and television shopping veteran with more than 30 years of experience, to its board of directors and signed a consulting agreement with strategic advisor Darlene Daggett, who has 30 years of experience in the multi-channel market space.
Source: www.nationaljewelernetwork.com
January 28th, 2009
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) - A 39-year-old west Michigan man is expected to go on trial this week in the slayings of a Grand Haven jewelry store owner and a customer.
WGHN-AM reports jury selection is to start Tuesday in Ottawa County circuit court.
Dimitri Anderson of Muskegon Heights and his 42-year-old brother, Darick, each have pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the July 2 shooting deaths of 61-year-old Robert Karell and 77-year-old Louis Paparella.
Karell owned R.K. Jewelers in downtown Grand Haven.
Darick Anderson’s trial is to begin Feb. 24. They are being tried separately.
The Associated Press left messages Monday for Dimitri Anderson’s attorney, Floyd Farmer, and Robert Hamilton, Darick Anderson’s lawyer.
Information from: WGHN-AM, http://www.wghn.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: www.fox28.com
January 27th, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - If you’re in the market for Colombian emerald earrings or an Amethyst pendant, the state treasurer has a deal for you.
The state is selling abandoned jewelry it’s collected on eBay.
Each year, the state treasurer receives the contents of bank safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned for at least five years.
The names of the contents’ owners are published in local newspapers and available online at Wisconsin’s Unclaimed Property Web site. The state keeps the contents for at least three more years.
Beginning Monday, Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass says more than $10,000 worth of jewelry and watches are up for sale on eBay. The proceeds are held by the state indefinitely for the jewelry owners. The auction ends Feb. 2.
Source: www.chicagotribune.com/news
January 27th, 2009
NEW YORK, NY, January 22, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — G3 Jewelry Inc, a New York City-based designer of customizable diamond jewelry and Swiss-made diamond watches, has added over 30 new pieces to its “Glamour” line for women. Since its debut in the summer of 2008, the “Glamour” line has been spotted on various celebrities who rave about the lines’ unique styling, beautiful diamonds and customization options. “We’ve expanded our assortment of diamond rings, diamond pendants and diamond earrings and we’ll be adding several new styles of diamond necklaces and diamond bracelets in the coming weeks,” explains Quincy Brown, CEO and Lead Designer of G3 Jewelry. Several additions expand on themes introduced when the jewelry line was launched, like additional diamond heart jewelry in preparation for Valentine’s Day. But most of the new items in the line were designed to fill out the diamond rings jewelry as well as diamond pendants / earring jewelry in order to add more versatility to G3’s selection of fine diamond jewelry. “We’re a high-end online jewelry store that caters to women who live a very distinctive lifestyle. Our “Glamour” line customers look to us for uniqueness but they expect us to provide them with various options in every category,” says Latonya White, Executive Vice President of G3 Jewelry.
G3 Jewelry markets itself as a lifestyle brand and in its first event of 2009 has signed on as a luxury sponsor of Chocolate Ties: A Super Sweet Sensation hosted by renowned actress Terri J. Vaughn. This red carpet event will be an eclectic blend of entertainment and luxury as Terri J. Vaughn (widely known for her supporting actress role in The Steve Harvey Show) screens her documentary entitled “Angels Can’t Help But Laugh”. During the event, G3 Jewelry will be conducting a silent auction for a one-of-a-kind custom designed chocolate and white diamonds jewelry set valued at over $15,000. “We’re very excited to be working Pickett Public Relations Group and Terri J. Vaughn on what promises to be a star-studded event. We have created a beautiful set of diamond earrings and a matching diamond pendant in natural colored chocolate and white VVS diamonds. The proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the Take Wings Foundation as well as other charitable organizations,” explains Latonya White. The event takes place during SuperBowl weekend (January 31, 2009) from 7pm-11pm at the Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater Florida.
G3 Jewelry’s current product lines include the “Glamour” line of customizable diamond jewelry for women, which is available exclusively at their online jewelry store. Hot items from the line are their peace sign diamond jewelry set, diamond star jewelry and diamond heart jewelry items. The “Glitz” line of customizable diamond jewelry for men is now available to view via a downloadable PDF catalog.
About G3 Jewelry Inc
G3 Jewelry is a New York City based jewelry and watch designer / online retailer. We offer customizable diamond jewelry and watches to fit our clients distinctive lifestyles. For more information, please visit our website at www.g3jewelry.com or call 1-877-354-2971 to speak to one of our customer service and sales associates.
Source: www.24-7pressrelease.com
January 23rd, 2009
By Deena Taylor
RAPAPORT… Zales Jewelers is promoting five types of jewelry for men — watches, bracelets, dog tags, cufflinks and rings — ahead of Valentine’s Day. “Instead of giving a man a sweater or shirt that will fade with time, the gift of jewelry is a lasting and meaningful way to express how much you care,” the company noted in a statement.
Prices for watches in styles ranging from sporty and casual to formal start at $70. Bracelets are priced from $49. Dog tags, currently a popular look in men’s jewelry, according to Zales, can be engraved and personalized and start at $39. Right-hand rings, which can also be personalized or feature birthstones, start at $279. Cufflinks in gold, silver or titanium, with accents of diamonds, mother-of-pearl or onyx, are priced from $79. FedEx shipping for orders above $149 is free.
“Jewelry is a romantic way to show love and appreciation,” said Steve Larkin, Zale’s executive vice president and chief marketing and e-commerce officer. “Our Men’s Collection offers memorable gifts — at great values — that any man will enjoy.”
NC
Source: www.diamonds.net/news
January 23rd, 2009
The Pattillos of rockfoodtable.com will have their banquet table set up Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25 at the East Texas Gem & Mineral Society’s 12th Annual Gemstone & Jewelry Showcase in the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Show hours are, Saturday, 10am- 6pm; Sunday, 10am- 5pm.
Along with the Pattillos (who have been inducted into the National Rockhound Hall of Fame) will be dealers selling jewelry, gemstones (cut and uncut), fossils, minerals, beads and much more.
The show will benefit Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who use earth science in earning their merit badges. Many different stones are available for collection and hobbies.
Scouts in full uniform are admitted free; otherwise, the fee is $2.00; $3.00 for adults.
With the children’s Wheel of Fortune, a flourescent mineral display, silent auctions, hourly door prizes and a drawing for a fabulous door prize, the entire family can have a funfilled day.
Source: www.c-bstatesman.com/news
January 22nd, 2009
Precious Earth, a sustainable jewelry line, takes a step forward from the cadre of ethical jewelers with the launch of a line dedicated to transparency and consciousness in the jewelry trade by raising awareness for beneficiation programs in Africa and the world’s endangered species.
Precious Earth sources certifiable recycled and renewable precious metals preserving the earth’s most natural resources, and high quality, ethically sourced Namibia diamonds from Africa. Endorsed by Team Namibia, the collection embraces Africa’s natural resources and wildlife while advocating for Team Namibia’s role in empowering local populations through beneficiation.
Renowned designer Robert Pelliccia designed the Endangered Species collection featuring African wildlife that marks the launch of Precious Earth. The collection is made with 100% recycled sterling silver and features Precious Earth’s trademark, an imperial chrome diopside gemstone, a conflict-free and environmentally friendly stone set within the jewelry symbolizing a commitment of social responsibility.
From the Zebra Collection to the Leopard Spot and the Tusk Collection, the stunning silver pieces raise awareness for the plight of these endangered species.
The signature couture piece of the collection is the World of Africa bracelet, a remarkable piece of artisanship, an 18k yellow gold bracelet hand crafted by Pelliccia. Made with 100% recycled gold to reduce the impact of mining on the earth’s surface the hand carved bracelet features 1.60 tcw of diamonds and boasts the highest standards of hand-crafted jewelry making and features Precious Earth’s trademark green stone.
“As a business dedicated to philanthropy, we were enthralled to find a source of diamonds that are traceable from Africa. When you hear ‘conflict-free’ the industry has been geared towards Canadian diamonds. We are proud to support a natural resource in Africa that is essential to the economy of Namibia, empowering the local populations with a demand for a natural resource from the region. The magical story of Team Namibia has an allure that will resonate with socially conscious individuals,” said Sean Dunn, founder of Precious Earth.
Precious Earth’s ethos is to support social responsibility and sustainable jewelry practices in the industry by sourcing recycled and renewable metals from a highly reputable source providing certification, and supporting economic independence for the local people of Namibia by sourcing our diamonds from the region. Precious Earth furthers our commitment by proudly donating 5% of GROSS profits from the Endangered Species collection to a charity that raises awareness and provides education and healthcare to local populations in Africa.
Source: www.azom.com
January 21st, 2009
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