FULLER INTRODUCES ‘PLATINUM CENTER’

Fuller Fine Jewelry of Pawtucket, R.I., has launched “The Platinum Center,” a display of platinum jewelry incorporating coins from around the world. The merchandising concept introduces customers to the coin jewelry and the investment potential of international platinum collecting.

The Platinum Center was inspired by the success of the U.S. Eagle platinum coin series and the growth of consumer interest in owning platinum. Each 14k gold piece has a pure platinum coin as its centerpiece. The coin used most frequently is the platinum American Eagle; others include the Isle of Man Cat and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

The jewelry for men and women includes pendants, rings, earrings, cufflinks, and tie clips. The platinum coins come in a variety of sizes.

The Platinum Center offers three standard, prestocked platinum coin jewelry collections. The Premier Collection is a six-piece display with platinum American Eagles. The Guild Collection comprises 11 platinum American Eagle ounces including earrings, tie clips, pendants, and rings. The Metropolitan Collection features 20 pieces, incorporating platinum American Eagles as well as Isle of Man and Canadian coins in a full range of jewelry pieces. Displays can also be customized by retailers.

Fuller Fine Jewelry, 151 Exchange St., P.O. Box 620, Pawtucket, RI 02860; (800) 237-0043 or (401) 722-6530, fax (401) 723-1720.

ARK. COMPANY DEBUTS SLIDE ENHANCER

Royal Victorian Settings of Searcy, Ark., has introduced a snap-on Victorian slide enhancer. The piece can snap over a 4-mm, 6-mm, or 8-mm omega chain. The hinged-back design enables customers to change the enhancer without needing to have the omega clasp retrofitted to accommodate the slide.

The enhancer is available in 14k yellow and white gold and in 22 styles with four colors. The company plans to offer its entire slide line as snap-on slide enhancers.

Royal Victorian Settings, P.O. Box 8117, Searcy, AR 72145; (800) 556-6587, fax (800) 583-8257.

HANDY & HARMAN LAB RECEIVES CERTIFICATION

Handy & Harman Refining Group’s quality-management systems for its previous metals evaluation and analytical laboratories in Attleboro, Mass., have been ISO 9002 certified.

The ISO 9000 series is the most widely recognized set of international standards for quality assurance. The standard includes 20 elements that must be satisfied, covering areas such as employee training, documentation of assay methods, calibration, and maintenance of measuring and processing equipment and process control.

JEWEL TRENDS DEBUTS NEW LINES

Jewel Trends, a division of Christian Bernard, has introduced two new lines.

Diamonte is a collection of high-fashion, designer diamond styles set in 18k yellow, white, and rose gold. Auro Design is an entirely 14k white gold and diamond product line. The company plans to be able to deliver the lines to retailers in time for spring gift-giving occasions.

Christian Bernard, 200 Meadowlands Pkwy., Secaucus, NJ 07094; (201) 330-1007, fax (201) 271-7817.

BOMA JEWELRY REVAMPS ITS LINE

Boma Jewelry, Renton, Wash., has restructured its line, dividing it into segments in order to position product offerings more clearly and market them to specific customers. The company will now encompass three major segments: Boma Basics, Boma Gallery, and Boma Watches.

The Boma Basics line includes bracelets, chains, pendants, necklaces, lockets, earrings, and rings. The line, which currently represents Boma’s largest selection, is being developed for everyday wear.

The Boma Gallery consists of higher-end collections, including Elegant Facets, Earth Dream, Marcasite, and Modern Elements.

Boma Watches features a variety of designs. Each timepiece comes with a two-year limited warranty.

The company is planning an expanded consumer advertising campaign to promote its Elegant Facets and Marcasite collections. A necklace promotion will feature illusion necklaces and will include new packaging and an in-store display unit.

In addition, the company has updated its Web site, www.bomasilver.com.

IMPALA EXPANDS ITS SERVICES

Impala Precious Metals, which specializes in platinum sheet and wire mill products, has expanded its services to the jewelry trade. The company now offers die-striking service with customers’ tools in addition to manufacturing custom tool-and-die sets. Impala will work from models and sketches to create custom dies.

The company, formerly located in Manhattan, has moved to expanded facilities in Freeport, N.Y. The new address is 10 Hanse Ave., Freeport, NY 11520; (516) 377-5600, fax (516) 377-6789.

SYRATECH ACQUIRES LIMOGES IMPORTS

Syratech Corp., East Boston, Mass., has acquired the business of the Limoges Imports division of Connecticut-based Fine Apparel Protection Inc., as well as certain assets.

Limoges Imports is a vendor of hand-painted and hand-decorated collectible miniature boxes imported from Limoges, France. The boxes are sold in upscale department, jewelry, and gift stores and are featured on the QVC network.

Limoges Imports will be a separate division of Syratech under the direction of Richard Sonking, president of Syratech’s Rochard Inc. subsidiary. Chantal Soichet, who has been the chief executive officer of Limoges Imports, will serve as a consultant to the new division.

JENNA NICOLE BRANCHES OUT

Jenna Nicole Crystal recently introduced Jenna Nicole Handbags at the Fashion Accessories Expo in New York. The new collection of satin bags features sterling silver ornaments prong-set with Austrian crystals. Bags are available with the ornament permanently attached or with a loop that allows for interchangeable decorations. Marcasite or crystal pins from the company complement the bag’s styling.

Vintage Creations/Jenna Nicole Crystal, 22 Throckmorton St., Freehold, NJ 07228; (732) 780-0190.

Jenna Nicole’s satin handbag with crystal flower pin retails for $244. The flower pin retails for $122 by itself. Crystal lizard pin retails for $200.

CODY OPAL OFFERS NEW CREATION

Cody Opal Australia, Melbourne, has created “Path of Enlightenment,” a necklace with matching earrings that contains 87 fine-quality Australian crystal opals.

Swiss goldsmith Karin Stirnemann, who won the American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Award this year, designed the ensemble. Stirnemann spent weeks with Cody Opal selecting the stones, which she set in platinum in a minimalist design.