Supplier News

The Colibri Group, Providence, R.I., closed its century-old Shiman religious jewelry factory in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 12 and merged its operations with its headquarters plant. The Providence facility had been making 50% of the Shiman line since 1998. At the time of closing, there were fewer than 40 people left in the Newark facility. Colibri, a major manufacturer whose brands include Colibri, Van Dell, and Linden clocks, bought Shiman Religious Jewelry and Krementz 14k Jewelry from the Krementz Co. in 1997.

“The people in Newark did a fabulous job, but economically it made sense to consolidate [Shiman operations] into one plant,” says Fred Levinger, president of Colibri. He tells JCK that Colibri may add silver jewelry to Shiman's 14k line, based on its successful addition of silver jewelry to the 14k Krementz line last fall.—William George Shuster

Premier Gem is offering an exclusively inscribed Millennium & Forever diamond series to commemorate the big calendar change.

The diamonds, available to fine guild jewelers, are named for the special laser-inscribed trademark they bear, along with a Gemological Institute of America certification number. The inscription is visible through a loupe. The limited edition ranges in color from D through I; clarity grades range from F to SI. All Millennium & Forever diamonds come with a GIA diamond grading report and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Loose diamonds will be encased in a De Beers Generations Time Capsule. Finished jewelry pieces will be packaged in a coordinating gift box.

Jewelmak, a New York jewelry distributor, has acquired a pearl farm and factory in southern China for $2.5 million. Its Chinese partner, Winson Pearl Co., will manage the farm and supervise the production of raw material and pearl stringing.

The facility, located in Xinhui, employs more than 100 full-time worker. The company plans to add another 40 employees. According to JewelMak officials, the partnership will enable it to achieve quality control and timely delivery of pearls while reducing production and distribution costs.

Leslie's, a gold jewelry importer based in Greenwich, Conn., has increased the size of its customer service department by 50%.

All of the company's customer service representatives have online access to information about pricing, products, shipping, and product availability. They are qualified to give advice about fashion trends and make recommendations for retailers' customers.

The former Peter Barrett Designer Jewellery Ltd. has changed its name to Peter Shakes—Jeweller Ltd. The company has been selling its New Zealand-made products in Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York state for 15 years.

The company's U.S. office can be reached at P.O. Box 533, Windham, NH 03087; (800) 562-0559, fax (603) 996-5863, e-mail: Jaronn@aol.com.

Aurafin LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of fine gold jewelry, has moved into its new, 100,000-sq.-ft. corporate headquarters. The new facility is equipped with an updated distribution system for rapid order fulfillment. It is located at 6701 Nob Hill Rd., Tamarac, FL 33321; (800) 327-1808 or (954) 718-3200.