The JCK Group announced Feb. 1 that the Jewelers’ Security
Alliance, American Gem Society,
Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and Women’s Jewelry Association are
the grant recipients of the 2011 JCK Industry Fund.

“Every year, JCK is pleased to award these grants to
worthy individuals and organizations who contribute significantly to our
industry,” said Dave Bonaparte, JCK Shows group vice president, in a
statement. “As a global leader in the jewelry industry, JCK believes the
JCK Industry Fund is an important element in its corporate responsibility to
give back and nurture the industry that it serves.” 

The grants will be used to fund the following initiatives:

– The Jewelers’ Security Alliance won a grant for its
ongoing initiative with eBay. “With the support of the JCK grant, JSA provided
training on jewelry crimes and investigations to eBay’s senior security staff,
and JSA received training on eBay security procedures,” said Jewelers’ Security Alliance president John Kennedy. “eBay then provided JSA with special
software to help find patterns of fraudulent sales and to help identify stolen
product in order to assist law enforcement and the jewelry industry. As a
result of JSA’s help to law enforcement in January 2011, on a case involving
allegedly stolen product listed on eBay, a search warrant was executed, and an
eBay seller was arrested in the New York area.”

– The American Gem Society received an award for its annual Conclave. “We are extremely appreciative to be a beneficiary of
JCK’s grant,” said Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of AGS. “Because of
this grant, the AGS continues to bring an array of top talent business leaders
to Conclave to share their best practices.”

– The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is being supported for
its Industry Protection Program, which provides compliance guidance and
consulting on the various regulatory requirements for jewelers. “JVC is able to
provide compliance services to the entire industry only with the support of the
JCK Industry Fund,” said Cecilia Gardner, JVC president, CEO, and general
counsel. “We are grateful for their continuing support.”

– The Women’s Jewelry Association was awarded money for its Women
in the Know conference. “Women in the Know continues to grow through
the increasing demands of WJA’s expanding international membership as well as
its reputation among the industry at large,” said Kendra Bridel Weinman,
founder of Lusciouss and international president of the Women’s
Jewelry Association. “The JCK
Industry Fund allows us to meet these increasing demands with even stronger,
more inspirational speakers as well as travel incentives, corporate discounts,
and special student rates.”

The JCK Industry Fund recipients will receive their awards
at a presentation ceremony at JCK Las
Vegas in June.

JCK