JCK Voices

April 9, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (4)

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

March 17, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

March 5, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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

March 4, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

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 s...Read More

March 2, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The IIJS Signature Show—the India International Jewellery Show’s high-end invitation-only event—was held in Goa, India, from Feb. 20-23. The event, in its second year, featured approximately 75 exhibitors representing the leaders among India’s luxury and top-end jewelry manufacturers. The event, held on the grounds of the Kala Academy, an art museum in Panjim, Goa, was beautifully organized and the companies there clearly invested in their exhibition space. Goa, a resort destination, was selected for the opportunity of mixing business with pleasure.

Foot traffic at the show was slow the first day, picking up as time went on. Exhibitors...Read More