New Products On My Desk This Week

Whenever I come back from a business trip, there’s always the inevitable desk-dig-out. This week there were a number of odd boxes awaiting my attention as I returned from Dubai and Goa.

The biggest box was from Stuller. Even though we are the “good things come in small packages” industry, I had to open it first, especially after I tripped over it. (Note to self: Watch where you’re walking!)

Stuller’s marketing department is famous for its creative mailings: their press kits almost always come with something themed to announce their latest catalog or product. This is something retail jewelers should ask about and try with their own customers!

This box turned out to be the announcement of Stuller’s new tools catalog, a 544-page tome presented in—what else—a canvas tool bag! Also included was a small set of screwdrivers (just in time to fix my loose sunglasses—again) and pliers, which I also will use.

The Tools Book, vol. 73, has all the jewelry-making and repair supplies a bench jeweler could want. There are multiple views of all products, images of product accessories, color coding and a defined symbols system to make navigation easy. For more information, Stuller’s technical team can be reached at (800) 877-7777, ext. 4300.

Stuller also just released its Color Stories 2009 trend book. This isn’t a catalog; it’s a handy reference guide for becoming more knowledgeable about color in general. It outlines current color trends and where color fits into greater design trend influences, and it lists the varieties of gems available in each color family. It also has tips for buying color gemstones successfully and helping customers accessorize with them, and comes with a training DVD to watch.

“Leatrice Eiseman is my muse!” says Ramona Marshall, Stuller’s director of marketing for diamonds and gemstones. Eiseman, of course, is America’s color guru who heads the Pantone Color Institute. Her talk about this season’s color trends was a popular session at JCK Las Vegas last year and she presented the next season’s update at the AGTA Gemfair in Tucson in February.
Separately, another thing that caught my eye was an announcement about Wideband’s new sterling silver state-quarter frames. The United States Mint began issuing state quarters in 1999, released in order of statehood ratification. Now we’ve reached the last of the issues, Alaska and Hawaii, the 49^th and 50^th states. No idea what the next generation of quarters will look like—maybe we’ll just go back to George and the eagle, but collectors now can wear their favorite state quarter as jewelry instead of just tucking them in a coin-holder folder. And those looking for gifts for collectors can find these very wallet-friendly quarter frames (all can retail for less than $100) to be just the thing. (212) 691-9000.

Heavy twist sterling silver wire frame with ancient coin motif prongs and large bridge and bail.

Sterling silver square-wire frame is textured on all four sides, with shell prongs and large bridge and bail.

Twisted sterling silver wire frame has renaissance nautical prongs and botanical textured bail.

Next, what else could be a real counterpoint to the doldrums of winter than a collection of sea life jewelry? The new “De La Mer” collection by Harry Presser in conjunction with S & R Designs, reminds one of sun, sand, and surf, rather than snow, shovels, and scarves. The collection features more than 100 hand-crafted pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets. (561) 306-7808 or harry@srdesign.com.  Below, respectively, are a gold sea turtle, a gold scallop shell, and a gold-and-diamond starfish.

Sea turtle, above

Scallop shell, above

 
Gold and diamond starfish, above.

Finally, last, but certainly not least, our friends at Midas want to announce their new 2009-2010 catalog featuring an extensive fashion line of chains, bracelets, pendants, and earrings. Products are offered in 10k, 14k, and 18k. All products available for immediate delivery.  Call (877) MIDASNJ.