PEARL CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR MAY

The second International Pearl Conference and Exposition will be held May 14-18 at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii.

The event, sponsored by the International Pearl Association, will bring together all facets of the pearl industry: growers, retail buyers, manufacturers, wholesalers, designers, scientists, investors, news media and government officials.

Last year’s conference attracted 645 people from 38 countries. The goal was to identify issues, find solutions and buy and sell a variety of pearls. This year’s event will focus on identifying ways to make pearls more profitable and visible in the marketplace.

A Jewelers Forum will cover “Increasing Public Awareness,” “The Symbolism and Lore of Pearls,” “Innovative and Successful Designs,” “Determining Pearl Quality,” “Marketing and Promotions,” “Pearl Pealing,” “Quality Control” and “Establishing New Markets.”

A Technical Review will cover “Pearl Farming Developments,” “Economical Implications of Farm Development,” “Recent Advances in Hatchery Culture” and “Ecological Issues.”

The conference program will feature “Tips, Techniques and Trap Doors for Growing Your Pearl Business,” “Turnaround Successes in a Sluggish Market – Continuing the Momentum,” “Coming to Grips With the Future – Understanding the Forces Influencing Our Industry,” “Quality Assurance: Industry Prerogative, Government Mandate or Status Quo,” “IPA: Leading Through Cooperation the Collective Charge for Change” and “Heads or Tails: Establish Professional Standards or Ignore the Issues.”

Crest International, 940 Emmett Ave., Suite 14, Belmont, Cal. 94002; (415) 595-2625.

REAL JEWELRY MONTH BOOSTS AWARENESS

Jewelers of America proclaimed Real Jewelry Month – November 1994 – to be a success, based on member participation and consumer response. The month’s events included features in consumer magazines, special promotions, government proclamations, satellite TV “tours” and a jewelry career symposium.

Fashion magazines such as Vogue and Mirabella published articles about the return of glamour in fashion, including fine jewelry. “Readers of these magazines are now seeing real jewelry in magazines more than they have in a long time,” says JA Chairman Michael D. Roman.

JA also teamed with the World Gold Council, manufacturers and retailers for a national advertising campaign in Architectural Digest, Vogue, Vanity Fair and Departures magazines. Names of the manufacturers and local JA retailers were included. JA also arranged for special sections on fine jewelry in Seattle, Philadelphia and New York regional magazines. Of particular interest was an in-store event at Ben Bridge Jeweler’s flagship store in Seattle in conjunction with Seattle magazine’s section on fine jewelry. Called “A Night of White Delight,” the event featured an informal fashion show of platinum jewelry arranged by the Platinum Guild International.

In addition, many members took JA up on its challenge to offer customers a free jewelry cleaning during November, says Roman. JA sent announcements about the free cleanings to radio stations across the country and subsequently received hundreds of calls from consumers inquiring about the closest JA member jeweler. Members also took advantage of JA’s Real Jewelry Month promotional materials such as counter cards, stickers, statement stuffers and ad slicks to build Christmas sales.

Some member jewelers even created their own promotions. The Hawaii Jewelers Association, for example, offered jewelry prizes totaling more than $2,000. The Arkansas Jewelers Association offered a $1,000 shopping spree. And jewelers worked to receive Real Jewelry Month proclamations from government officials in New York City and Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

JA sponsored two satellite media tours in connection with Real Jewelry Month. In one, Nancy Pier Sindt, fashion director for National Jeweler magazine, discussed in 12 broadcasts what the public should know when buying fine jewelry. In the other, freelance journalist Katlean de Monchy offered holiday gift-giving ideas, including fine jewelry, during 21 broadcasts throughout the country. The World Gold Council also distributed a video news release about designer jewelry.

The third annual Jewelry Career Symposium, held at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, N.Y., attracted 400 people for seminars on topics ranging from job searches to designer jewelry. Twenty-one recruiters were on hand looking to fill vacancies.

In addition, JA and the Cultured Pearl Associations of America and Japan hosted a luncheon and informal cultured pearl jewelry and fashion show as part of Real Jewelry Month. Apparel designers Marc Jacobs, Kalinka, Tracy Reese for Magaschoni and Akira provided clothing worn with cultured pearl jewelry by Albert Asher, Assael International, Stephanie D.P. Briggs, Cassis, Donna Chambers, Cybel, B. D’Elia & Sons, John Nels Hatleberg, Susan Helmich, Honora, Imperial Pearl Syndicate, Marc Jacobs, Karel Designs, J.J. Marco, Frank Mastolini & Sons, M.J. Savitt, Sol Schargel, Shogun, Suzi, Tri Gem and Takashi Wada.

CONSOLIDATED JEWELERS HOLD FUND-RAISER

The Consolidated Jewelers Association of Greater New York Inc. raised $7,360 for the Make a Wish Foundation at a recent dinner dance. That brings to $32,000 the total amount the association has raised for Make a Wish, which grants the wishes of critically ill children.

The Make a Wish Foundation recently notified the association its donation will be used to grant the wishes of an 11-year-old girl with AIDS and a seven-year-old boy with leukemia. They will visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, MGM, Sea World and more in Orlando, Fla. The donation also will enable a 15-year-old girl with sickle-cell disease to go on a shopping spree.

Also at the dinner dance, the association’s retail members named Jeff Buckley of ArtCarved as Salesman of the Year. The association also honored S. Lynn Diamond for her work on behalf of the industry as associate publisher and editor in chief of National Jeweler magazine.

In addition to its fund-raising dinner dance, the association raises money by selling used watch batteries. For information on this and other programs, contact Consolidated Jewelers Association of Greater New York Inc., 20 Miller Place, Syosset, N.Y. 11791; (516) 364-3939, fax (516) 364-5489.

MJSA INCREASES FOCUS ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America has expanded its Government Affairs Program by focusing on more formalized policy development, wider communications, greater member involvement and a higher association profile.

The expansion includes a new legislative office in Washington, D.C., now located in the offices of London and Satagaj, a company that specializes in providing public policy services for manufacturing and retailing trade associations. The address is Suite 510, 1156 15 St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.

Activities planned this year include expanding MJSA’s national government affairs network and preparing briefs and formal position papers on national issues. Enhanced communications on government relations activities will be a key part of the effort.

MJSA, One State St., Providence, R.I. 02908-5035; (401) 274-3840, fax (401) 274-0265.

AGTA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT GOLDEN CIRCLE DINNER

Gemstone disclosure will be the subject when Owen Bordelon, president of the American Gem Trade Association, addresses the Golden Circle Club of New York on March 13.

The event will begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. at the Cornell Club, Eight E. 44 St. Industry members attending the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America Expo/New York at the Jacob Javits Convention Center may take advantage of a shuttle bus to the Cornell Club.

The cost is $20 for anyone attending just the cocktail portion of the event and $65 for those who stay for dinner and Bordelon’s address. Send reservation requests and checks made out to AGTA, P.O. Box 581043,

Dallas, Tex. 75258. The deadline is March 6. For more information, call Todd Wolleman at (212) 840-1881, ext. 106, or Mary Lou Keen at (800) 972-1162.

SOUTH CAROLINA JEWELERS SCHEDULE CONVENTION

The South Carolina Jewelers Association will hold its annual convention April 28-30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Resort, Greenville, S.C.

South Carolina Jewelers Association, P.O. Box 23099, Columbia, S.C. 29224; (803) 788-3142, fax (803) 788-4658.

ISA CONFERENCE TO INCLUDE SEMINARS ON JEWELRY

The International Society of Appraisers will hold its annual conference March 13-15 in the Drake Hotel, Chicago, Ill.

ISA’s Gems and Jewelry Division will present 14 seminars of interest to jewelry appraisers. Also scheduled are general seminars geared to appraisers of all types of personal property.

Seminars planned by the Gems and Jewelry Division are:

· “The Quest for Appraisal Excellence: Applying Total Quality Management Concepts to the Business of Appraising,” presented by Gail Brett Levine, publisher of the Auction Market Resource, and Howard Rubin, president of Gemdialogue, Rego Park, N.Y.

· “CZ `Master’ Grading Sets: A Question of Standards?” Sharon Wakefield of Northwest Gemological Laboratory, Boise, Idaho.

· “Generating Support for Professional Appraisal Practices: From Employers, Employees and Co-Workers,” Ralph S. Joseph of Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton and Lawrenceville, N.J., and Palm Beach, Fla., appraisal editor for National Jeweler magazine.

· “Jewelry in the Midwest Auction Market,” Joseph DuMouchelle of Joseph DuMouchelle Gem Lab and Appraisal Services, and Linda Adducci of Michigan Gemological Services, both Plymouth, Mich.

· “Survey of 18th-20th Century Marks by American Metalsmiths,” William Whetstone of Thomson & Whetstone, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

· “Jewels of the Maharajah,” Peter Shemonsky of Grogan & Co., Boston, Mass.

· “The Story Behind the Royal Cuts of Diamonds,” Glenn Markman of Suberi Bros., New York, N.Y.

· “Georgian Jewelry, a `Brilliant’ Introduction,” Paula Straub of Independent Gemological Laboratories, Carmel, Cal.

· “Change and Turmoil in the World of Pearls,” Eve J. Alfillé of Eve J. Alfillé Ltd., Evanston, Ill.

· “Evaluating Art Jewelry,” Eve J. Alfillé.

· “Identification of Watch Makers,” Ron Gewiniger of Old World Jewelers, Elmwood Park, Ill.

· “Using Your Word Processor for Appraisals,” Paul R. Cassarino of The Gem Lab, Rochester, N.Y.

· “The 1993 California Gold Rush,” Taryn Miller, director of the fine jewelry department at Butterfield & Butterfield, San Francisco, Cal.

· “Cartier: The Excellent, the Mediocre and the Faux,” Susan Florence of Christie’s Midwest, Chicago, Ill.

General sessions for all personal-property appraisers will include “Conflicts of Interest in the Appraisal Profession,” by attorney John Weltman; “Intellectual Property Rights,” attorney Joshua Cohen; and “The ABCs of Using an Auction Catalog,” Taryn Miller of Butterfield & Butterfield.

Also planned are a report-writing seminar, committee meetings, a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property breakfast, an awards banquet and an auction to raise money for the ISA Scholarship Fund.

Contact ISA at (206) 241-0359, fax (206) 241-0436.

TRI-STATE JEWELERS ELECT PRESIDENT, HOLD EXPO

Dale Bellinger of Bellinger’s Jewelers in Rehoboth, Del., is the new president of the Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Jewelers Association. Bellinger took office during an annual meeting at the end of the association’s first trade show – The Tri-State Expo – held in September in Columbia, Md.

Also during the meeting, the association presented the Mel Foer Award for outstanding service to the industry to Rossman-Hurt-Hoffman of Ellicott City and Lutherville, Md.

AJDC FOCUSES ON JEWELRY AS ART

Members of the American Jewelry Design Council revised their mission statement and formulated plans for exhibits and other activities during a recent retreat in Camden, Maine.

The mission statement describes AJDC as a “non-profit educational organization that recognizes and promotes jewelry of original design as art.” The focus on jewelry as an art form crystallized during the retreat.

AJDC members agreed to explore the jewelry-as-art concept in an exhibit at the February JA International Jewelry Show in New York City. Because Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is considered one of the most important pieces of art in the world, exhibit organizers gave all AJDC members a black-and-white reproduction of the painting and asked them to create jewelry and a frame for it. The results formed the exhibit at the JA show and will be sold at the JCK International Jewelry Show Benefit Auction in June.

AJDC will plan other exhibits examining the jewelry-as-art concept for future major trade shows. “We’re looking forward to devising new ways, both playful and serious, to educate more people about the artistry of fine jewelry and to challenge professional jewelry designers worldwide to push the limits of their craft and their creativity,” says AJDC President Michael Good.