Jewelry PR Division

The movie Blood Diamond really brought the issues revolving around the diamond industry into focus. With this controversy brought to light and brands going green, now not only are diamonds becoming a hot topic, but gold is as well. In a new effort that includes brands like Tiffany & Co., Zales and 19 other jewelers in a campaign called “No Dirty Gold,” the big question for the jewelry consumer is becoming: “Is your jewelry politically correct?”

The mission behind the No Dirty Gold campaign is stop the jewelry industry from further enabling gold mining companies destructive ways by standing behind and signing a commitment to “The Golden Rules.” By establishing a set of rules that participating jewelers adhere to, the hope is that it will not only bring to the forefront the issues revolving around mining gold, but force the hand of gold mining companies into a better practice of mining, thus preserving the reputation of gold.

Some of the effects of mining gold involve massive pollution, developing large open pits in the earth and solid waste, endangering natural areas (both officially and unofficially protected), community health effects, worker dangers and human rights abuses. Prior to wearing any of my gold jewelry, I never considered where it came from and how it was mined, and honestly, who does?

Via Business Wire: The Silver Institute has released a comprehensive report on trends in the global silver jewelry market. The report was prepared, on behalf of the Silver Institute, by GFMS, Ltd., the London-based precious metals consultancy. GFMS Ltd also produces the annual World Silver Survey for the Silver Institute, a role they have undertaken since 1994, and it is the report of record for the silver industry.

Two of the key areas of silver fabrication demand are jewelry and silverware. Since its inception, the World Silver Survey has featured jewelry and silverware as a combined total in the main country-by-country tables. In the report issued today, entitled, Silver Jewelry Report, global statistical series have been produced that separate jewelry and silverware for the first time as well as a detailed review of the country-by-country data.

The report features a 10-year global series for jewelry and silverware, as well as a detailed qualitative analysis of the silver jewelry market. In addition, the report also examines the following key areas:

* A review of trends in silver jewelry fabrication, both at the regional level as well as focusing on countries with manufacturing volumes exceeding one million ounces, including China, India, Italy and the United States. The analysis brings out the main trends, specific to each market that have impacted silver fabrication over the past decade;

* Separate data on the leading silver jewelry consuming nations is provided in this report, including country-by-country data for the 10 largest consuming countries for the 2000 to 2005 period;

* Jewelry consumption, and in particular, competition for silver jewelry. The review is not limited to competition from white or yellow gold but extends to other materials, both precious and non-precious;

* The global trade in silver jewelry, focusing on the top five importing and exporting nations; and

* The impact of trends in the silver price, economic developments and the effect of changing fashion on consumption.

This Silver Jewelry Report makes an important contribution to the transparency and understanding of this fascinating area of the silver market. A copy of this report, may be downloaded from the Silver Institute’s home page: www.silverinstitute.org

Frederique Dessemond is a talented painter turned jewelry designer hailing from France. After studying art history and working as an interior designer, Dessemond felt there was more out there for her and in 1999 she landed in New York. After getting her feet wet in the fashion industry, she began to design her own jewelry and now eight years later; ginette_ny has its first one of a kind jewelry boutique in New York’s West Village.

While her jewelry can be found in Henri Bendel’s and Barney’s, the ginette_ny jewelry bar offers customers a different jewelry buying experience. Dessemond wanted to provide her customers with a personalized sense of customer service with a unique way to shop for jewelry. One can sit and have something to drink while perusing the display stands on the bar and received personalized service from Dessemond herself. In a time when engaging with customers seems to be more product-focused than customer service-focused, ginette_ny offers something unique that is not merely “shopping,” but instead an experience.

The ginette_ny line of jewelry consists of signature gold disc necklaces, custom monogrammed necklaces, keys, coins, chains, rings and earrings. Besides the new jewelry bar, ginette_ny jewelry can be purchased at a variety of locations, all of which are listed on her website. Her jewelry collection is also available for purchase online at ShopBop.com

ginette_ny Jewelry Bar
172 West 4th Street, NY

The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council, the source for business intelligence about the gem and jewelry industry, has launched a new interactive website that hosts videos, a forum and a blog in order to allow interaction between the jewelry consumer and the jewelry industry.

The JCOC helps industry professionals from some of the biggest names in jewelry (Cartier, Tiffany, Swarovski) to make informed decisions based on consumer research, trends, and jewelry market information. Using their knowledge and know-how, JCOC.tv is designed to be a social networking site specifically for the jewelry industry. JCOC.tv members have access to educational, entertaining, insider video about gems, jewelry and watches, posted by worldwide, industry experts. The forum and blog allow for interaction between industry expert, designer and consumer where both parties can learn from each other.

JCOC.tv just launched this month, so if you are a jewelry industry expert, designer or jewelry enthusiast--head on over and become an active member of the only social video network for the jewelry industry.

* Photo credit: Tiffany & Co.

Gina Nigrelli draws from a myriad of life experiences, ranging from living in southern Africa, to launching her career in fashion in Las Vegas, to receiving a graduate degree in Fashion Design while acting as Director of Marketing and Events for a national, online shopping destination. After relocating to the Virgin Islands in 2005, Nigrelli followed her lifelong dream of pursuing a creative venture. Her husband, Brian Smith, a perpetual entrepreneur, works behind the scenes aiding in bringing the project to life.

Nigrelli and Smith reside in St Thomas, USVI. Driven by a firm belief in appreciating everyday beauty and life’s simple pleasures, Jules Smith Designs is a reflection of life in the Virgin Islands. The azure waters and lush landscapes offer a compelling setting for unburdened creativity. The laid-back lifestyle and vibrancy of the Caribbean allows Jules Smith Designs to maintain a genuine and realistic approach to fashion. Jules Smith Designs takes pride in accessibility and honesty, using only precious metals, semi-precious and precious gemstones while keeping price and wear-ability a priority. Expressed through a mutual adoration for the beauty that surrounds them and a love for everything fashionable, Jules Smith Designs creates Luxe Resort Jewelry.

Shannon: You have your graduate degree in Fashion Design; what lead you to choose jewelry as your main focus over fabric?
Gina Nigrelli: After I graduated design school we relocated to the Caribbean. The jewelry industry is dominant in that part of the world and it just seemed to make sense.

Shannon: What are the basic elements of design and how are they used when making your jewelry?
Gina Nigrelli: Color, texture and efficiency. Every design must have a unique blend of the aforementioned.

Shannon: How does living in the Virgin Islands play into your jewelry designs?
Gina Nigrelli: It makes it extremely difficult to get things done, yet being stranded on a desert island sparks the creative juices for sure.

Shannon: How do you stay inspired and motivated to create different design styles?
Gina Nigrelli: Designing is an escape for me and I never would have imagined that I would enjoy my job this much.

Shannon: What vision do you have for your brand and your jewelry?
Gina Nigrelli: Luxe Resort. Approachable luxury. I aspire to grow organically, but of course want to become an internationally recognized brand, a household name would be nice.

CIRCA, an international buying house that provides a liquid market to the public for previously owned jewelry is opening an office in San Francisco and in the DC metro area. CIRCA has been seducing the world’s finest antique, estate jewelry and diamond sellers since 2001. It is only fitting that the company expands into the bay area and the nation’s capital where a taste for fine gems and jewelry prevail.

CIRCA’s unique service has proven a successful entrée: an expert buying staff, the crème de la crème of customer-service and pricing that is unprecedented. CEO Chris Del Gatto credits CIRCA client’s intense loyalty to the company’s policy of being consumer advocates first. ‘By being honest and transparent throughout the entire process (A process which is daunted with misnomers!), this openness and honesty prevails in each transaction with CIRCA.

Del Gatto’s tenacity has carried the jewelry industry a leap forward. He notes, ‘Through professionalism, honesty, expertise and a tremendous depth of knowledge – CIRCA has set the new standard for caring consumerism. We see an incredible amount of jewelry and our depth of knowledge is truly valuable.’ Because of CIRCA, fine jewelry is now more liquid than anything in a family’s portfolio. Significant items often historically have remained frozen in the vault as ‘non-performing assets.’ At CIRCA once a client accepts an offer, they are immediately presented with a check. No commission charges or fees are deducted. It is a quick, efficient and press-free alternative to the gossipy and expensive atmosphere of the auction house.

As a senior executive that has run the jewelry department of an international auction house and having been in the jewelry business for over 18 years, I've seen that there is nothing else like CIRCA available for consumers,” states Peter Shemonsky Directof CIRCA's San Francisco office and frequent appraiser on The Antiques Roadshow. "The bay area is full of entrepreneurs, actors and socialites, which is the exact demographic that CIRCA would appeal to.”

CIRCA’s access to collections is in steady and solid growth. With offices in New York, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Hong Kong; CIRCA has plans for cosmopolitan expansion to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Boston; and internationally to London, Paris, Brazil and beyond. CIRCA works with clients from around the world and is not exclusive to the regional office areas. You can learn more about CIRCA at www.circajewels.com.

Tension Jewelry is an art form like no other. A stone seems to float effortlessly as its brilliance catches the refractions of light throughout, all the while it is the jewelry designers craft and skill that knows the perfect amount of tension to create between the metal bands holding the stone to create this illusion.

No one does it better than GelinAbaci. Modern jewelry design meets flawless style, GelinAbaci's Tension Collection boasts perfection in design with the appearance of fluidity of the stones. With only a handful of jewelry companies selling tension jewelry, GelinAbaci is only 1 of two companies found right here in the US; all of their jewelry is designed and crafted within the US as well.

Tension jewelry vs. prong jewelry is always a hot debate, and while the concept of tension jewelry is not new, it appears to be increasing in popularity. Have you owned tension jewelry? Do you feel its benefits outshine traditional jewelry settings?

Simplicity and grace is what defines Rita Fusaro's jewelry. These estate-inspired pieces speak to those who love the look of formality in a one of a kind design. With platinum being the metal that the Fusaro Jewelry Company has best become known for, all of her jewelry has an air of luxury and elegance.

Rita loves creating one of a kind jewelry and buying unsual stones. She creates her pieces to be timeless, so that whether you purchased her jewelry today or several years from now, they will never look outdated by the latest trend.

These are some of my favorite pieces:

Ridotta Drop Platinum earrings with two 1.50ct. round diamonds dangling from 1.00ct. of full cut micro pave set diamonds.

18kt. white gold earrings with pave set diamonds (0.45ct.t.w.) with oval yellow sapphires (4.75ct.)

18kt. white gold pendant style necklace with 0.50ct. of full cut diamonds and 8.37ct. vivid oval green tourmaline.

Fusaro Jewelry offers private consultation services at its showroom in Greenwich, Connecticut for clients who prefer to work closely with the designer to create a custom-designed piece that reflects the owner's individual taste and style. You can contact Rita at 1-800-258-0385. To see all of Rita's exquisite jewelry, visit her online at www.fusarojewelry.com.

* Images copyright Fusaro Jewelry, published with permission.

Old world tradition meets the pursuit of perfection with Simon G.'s exquisitely handcrafted pieces of fine jewelry. The artisanship of each design is truly breathtaking...and just the way Simon Ghanimian envisions your reaction to be, one that is physical and emotional with understanding of the passion that goes into each piece of jewelry created.

I've fallen in love with the sparkle and intricacy of the Vanity Fair ring with its intermixing of white, rose and yellow gold complimented by white and canary diamonds. Both stylish and sophisticated, it is a design that is timeless across all trends.

Pink and diamonds, my two favorite things. Simon G.' s Malibu ring with its micro pave set brilliant white diamonds, capture the essence of grace and femininity in this rose and white gold ring.

Gloriously detailed, pridefully created; Simon G.'s jewelry speaks to your heart and the legacy of jewelry passed down through the generations.

To find a Simon G. retailer near you, visit www.SimonGjewelry.com.

*Photo Credit: SimonGJewelry.com

  

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