Supplier News

ESTI/FREDERICA ANNOUNCES CHANGES

The Esti/Frederica Collection of New York, N.Y., announces the retirement of Esti, one of the two founding partners, at the end of the year. Frederica, who will assume total control, says the retirement will not change the company’s design direction; she has always been the designer and in charge of sales, while Esti oversaw the financial and production aspects of the operation.

The company gradually will phase out the Esti name and become known as Frederica.

Esti/Frederica was introduced at the Jewelers of America International Jewelry Show in 1985 and has been a prominent exhibitor in the designer gallery there and at the JCK International Jewelry Show since.

The Esti/Frederica Collection is known for its architectural style, influenced by Greek, Roman and French details, and for Frederica’s unique eye for color. The first collection in 18k matte gold studded with cabochon gemstones was a new direction in U.S. jewelry design at the time. Five years later, the company was invited to be part of a select group of U.S. designers exhibiting at the VicenzaOro fair in Italy.

Three years ago, the company introduced its newest line, a sterling silver and 18k gold collection that remained true to the E/F design concept but met the needs of a recessionary buying mentality.

KINEBAR DEBUTS IN U.S. MARKET

Combining Space Age technology with the timeless beauty of gold, the Kinebar from Union Bank of Switzerland is being heralded as a breakthrough in gold minting.

The Kinebar is a .999 fine bullion bar featuring an embossed computer-generated design that draws on diffraction optics to appear in brilliant colors when exposed to white light. When the bar moves, the light plays across the surface to reveal a spectrum of color and design.

The Kinebar was launched in Switzerland in 1993 and was test-marketed in Asia before its launch in the U.S.

The bar is available in various sizes from 1 gram to 1 ounce from A-Mark Precious Metals, 100 Wilshire Blvd., Third Fl., Santa Monica, Cal. 90401; (310) 319-0200.

SANDBERG & SIKORSKI NOTED FOR COMPUTER USE

Sandberg & Sikorski, New York, N.Y., was the only jewelry business among 100 companies named by InfoWorld magazine as innovators in the use of client-server computer technology. The company placed 57th, finishing ahead of much larger companies such as Times Publishing, Bristol Myers Squibb Co. and Intel Corp.

Sandberg & Sikorski was cited for its use of a single Windows-based personal computer system that allows users to check on production status, capture product weights directly from digital scales and view product and employee images. The single system replaces three older systems that were used to monitor inventory balances and process losses.

“Customers are demanding more from their suppliers: competitive costs, faster delivery times, better service,” says Sam Sandberg, one of the company’s founders. “Technology will be tomorrow’s key to customer satisfaction.”

Sandberg & Sikorski manufactures gold and diamond engagement rings, diamond wedding bands, anniversary bands, remounts and diamond wrap rings.

SUPPLIERS ON THE GROW

New Canaan Capital Partners, an investment company, acquired the assets of New England Clock Co., Farmington, Conn. The company, founded in 1835, manufactures grandfather clocks, wall clocks and mantle clocks under the trademarks New England, Heritage Heirloom and Sessions. The company also appointed Joe Shapiro executive vice president. He was formerly with Howard Miller Clock Co.

Spartan Felt Co., Spartenburg, S.C., has formed a wholly owned subsidiary called Spartan Buff Co. to manufacture cotton and synthetic buffing wheels in Roebuck, S.C. The parent company manufactures wheels, cones, mandrel-mounted bobs and pads used to finish a variety of surfaces.

Colormasters Gem Corp. moved to 630 Fifth Ave., Suite 1406, New York, N.Y. 10111; (800) 937-3336 or (212) 586-2121.

E. Sandalon Wholesalers moved to 5299 Roswell Rd., Suite 202, Atlanta, Ga. 30342; (404) 257-0743.

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