JCK Voices   

 

When you have a good idea, spin it off into more to spread the brand message and increase profit. Or, at least, consider doing so, like Bravo Television, which is developing clothes, kitchenware, and other merchandise based on some of it popular programs like Project Runway and Top Chef. This news is courtesy of an article on the Business Insider web site.

 

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We may be in a recession, but many folks still hang on tight to their favorite vices. This news is courtesy of the lunchtime report “Steamy Stimulus” on Street Signs with Erin Burnett which aired today on CNBC TV. 





The broadcast included an interview with Barnes & Noble, which claims that sales of romance novels are up (Harlequ...Read More

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As if the American jewelry industry didn't have enough to worry about, one critical emerging issue that needs to be addressed is the industry's demographics--more specifically, how few young people are in this industry in the United States. This topic was discussed at the Plumb Club Forum last year, and it was also observed by management guru Tom Peters when he spoke at AGS Conclave in 2006. 

I recently had a conversation about this with one of our industry's up-and-coming leaders, Mike Hauben. Mike is the son of uber-entrepreneur Howard Hauben, founder of the Centurion Jewelry Show and ...Read More

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The last video from Amberif shows a range of product from Amberways. Bozena Kaminska, owner and head designer of the company, describes some of the larger pieces she made for the Amberif fashion show, held the night before, and smaller jewelry pieces for everyday use. In addition to amber, the pieces are made with murano glass, Swarovski Crystal, and other natural materials.

The company does very little business in the U.S., but Kaminska says is ready to increase her business in the states.

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Marta Wesolowski of New Amber Collection describes the concave cut technique behind the company's new buff top amber stones.

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Aleksander Gliwiñski speaks almost no English. But what little he did say to me during my two trips to Amberif speaks volume on his approach to amber jewelry design and life. Basically he told me that he loves his wife, he loves daughter, and he loves his work.

He does a good amount of business in the U.S., but he says he is not necessarily interested in expanding to meet demand. Instead, he wants to create individual pieces that express what he is as an artist. He has always taken an organic approach to creating his amber jewelry but during the past couple years he has been more aggressive in moving to this direction. Lately, he has been creating jewelry that maintains the shape of the amber as he receives. In this video his daughter, Kasia, gives a brief description of her father’s ...Read More

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Design and fashion are always the main attraction of the jewelry at Amberif. However, behind much of the creativity is technological innovation. Dejwis Co. tries to distinguish itself not only with design but with the use of technology.

Tomasz Chabas of Dejwis explains how the company uses electric soldering technology and technique to make jewelry that is more desirable to their customers.

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Baltic amber and its use in jewelry and art once again reigned supreme at 16th annual Amberif International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones, trade fair held March 11-14 in Gdansk, Poland. JCK is the only U.S. jewelry publication to cover the fair, having first visited two years ago. For this year's visit, I took videos of a few of the companies at the fair.

Now may be the time for amber jewelry to shine. It’s a product with a distinct design and a very affordable price point, a great combination in today’s economy. Below is the first of five videos at the show that will feature companies demonstrating their products and their design approach.

Gosia Gliwiñska demonstrates Ambermoda’s, new movie star collection, which uses a technique of molding silver into sheets that replic...Read More

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Here’s a look at some more interesting stuff that’s come across my desk recently.

 

Hip Hollywood designer Erica Courtney partnered with The Tanzanite Foundation for her 10th annual Drop Dead Gorgeous Oscar Party in February. Inspired by a visit to Tanzania, where she fell in love with the people and especially the children, Courtney created a special Tanzanite Red Carpet Collection of jewelry and dedicated the focus of her annual Oscar bash to tanzanite. She is focused on tanzanite the gemstone for the opportunities it has brought to the people of Tanzania. The Tanzanite Foundation, a non-profit industry-supported organization dedicated to the protection...Read More

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Drivers heading west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike can see an amusing billboard from Marks Jewelers of Montgomeryville, Pa. In between the Willow Grove (No. 27) and Fort Washington (No. 26) exits is where this particular billboard lives. Its simple message lets you know that the cool jewelry in the ad can’t be found at a chain store: “The mall doesn’t have it. We checked.” This ad is a winner in my book because it’s funny, to the point, and easy to remember.

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I nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard the first time I saw this Robbins Diamonds billboard on my way to the Philadelphia airport. It’s innovative and grabs your attention, for sure. I’ve passed it several times this winter, and each time I still laugh.

 

No, that's her ring finger.

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Yesterday’s post discussed some of the interesting new catalogs and products that came across my desk while I was traveling recently. Today we dig through the rest of the pile.

 

Lika Behar, creator of the eponymous Lika Behar Collection, offers up a host of rich looking—but, surprisingly, not rich-costing—24k gold jewelry.

Born in Istanbul, Behar’s family lineage is one of storied gold coin dealers. Her collection reconciles the ancient jewelry traditions of her native Turkey but also incorporates brilliant gemstones, and a sense of sophisticated fashion. Indeed, Behar began her professional career in the apparel industry, only later rediscovering her jewelry heritage. It’...Read More

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