Industry & People



COMINGS AND GOINGS

>>?Eric Sockol has joined Gemvara’s executive team as CFO. Before moving to the design-­oriented Web company, Sockol was CFO of TechTarget, an online IT media firm.

>>?Frederick Goldman promoted Susan Chandler to senior VP of merchandising and brand management. Chandler will add brand management to her duties.

>>?Jewelers of America welcomed three new industry leaders to its board of directors: John Henne, owner of Henne Jewelers; Brian P. Mann, VP and co-owner of David Mann Jewelers; and Teresa Saldivar, owner of Teresa’s Jewelers.

>>?Zale Corporation has named Becky Mick senior VP, chief stores officer. Prior to joining Zale, Mick was VP, director of stores and operations for the Disney Store.

>>?Oris SA appointed Vito J. “V.J.” Geronimo CEO of its newly established U.S. and Caribbean subsidiary, Oris Watches USA.

>>?The Canadian Jewellers Asso­ciation appointed Peter Norton chair of its board of directors. Norton owns Nortons ­Jewellers in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

ASSOCIATIONS


Alex Kucherenko
A perfume bottle pendant on display at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum

>>?Jewelers of America is letting retailers track the laws that impact them. JA’s State Legislation ­Tracking Center, made possible by a grant from the JCK Industry Fund, currently monitors sales tax fairness and jewelry product laws.

>>?A new exhibit of jewelry, cameos, and carved gemstones opens at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum in Ramat Gan, Israel, this month. Titled “And Thou Shalt Breathe Life Into a Gem,” the display comprises about 150 items valued at approximately $1 million.

>>?The Cultured Pearl Association of America is giving free membership to retailers. Members have access to sales training, pearl education, and promotional materials. Details at cpaa.org

HONORED

Joseph Toobi

>>?At the Leading Jewelers Guild’s July meeting in Newport Beach, Calif., Gene Thompson (of Thompson ­Jewelers in Orlando) received the 2009 Leader of the Year award. Joseph Toobi of Luminar received the 2009 Vendor of the Year award.

>>?The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States named Ingrid Strange 2010 Jeweler of the Year at its 36th annual black-tie banquet in Atlanta on Aug. 7. Strange owns Ingrid’s Jewelers in Daleville, Ala.

REMEMBERED

>>?John Lauseng, 44, owner of West Palm Coin & Jewelry Exchange in West Palm Beach, Fla., died of gunshot wounds after an apparent robbery July 26. Police believe he was trying to escape when he was shot.

>>?Harry Bock, CEO and owner of Bachendorf’s in Dallas, died July 12 of a heart attack at age 80. Bock launched what became the Bachendorf’s jewelry chain in Dallas in 1977.

FINANCIAL

>>?Blue Nile reported its second-quarter sales increased 9.7 percent to $76.6 million. However, net income was $2.8 million, down 1.4 percent from the same period last year.

>>?On July 23, Harry Winston Diamond Corp­. announced its plans to purchase Kinross Gold Corp.’s 9 percent indirect interest in Canada’s Diavik mine for $220 million.

OPENING

>>?Marshall’s Jewelers in Milford, Mass., is opening its second store, a 3,300-square-foot location in Bellingham, Mass., this month.

CLOSING

>>?Frank L. Moose Jeweler, an 83-year-old Roanoke, Va., retailer, is closing on Dec. 31. Owner Geoff Jennings will open a new venture, F. Geoffrey LTD, in March 2011.

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