Consumers who aren’t familiar with the jewelry industry’s
wealth of designer talent are poised to learn a lot more now that the
Contemporary Jewelry Design Group has redesigned its Web site. The goal of the 21-year-old
nonprofit that promotes professional jewelry designers: to share the stories of
its member designers.

According to a CJDG release, the new site “has a magazine
format with regularly updated stories about designers and retailers, fashion
trends, book reviews and a full listing of all CJDG member designers. Every
CJDG member has a page on the website with links to their site.”

The changing jewelry marketplace inspired the CJDG to make
its website a place where jewelry designers and retailers could connect and
utilize the information-rich nature of the Internet. Store owners can use the
site as a resource to decide what designer lines they might like to carry.

“We want to educate the consumer and the retailer about
designer jewelry,” Jeanne Johngren, president of CJDG and of Jeanne Johngren
Design, told the press. “By featuring articles on the website that explore the
design process, we can give readers an unusual perspective on the creation of
jewelry that is art. By telling the stories of the individual designers, we
explain what sets designer jewelry apart from mass-produced jewelry.”

Some recent CJDG articles highlight the development of
Pamela Froman’s signature alloys, Paula Crevoshay’s exotic influences, Mark
Schneider’s passion for furniture design, and Aaron Furlong’s drive to succeed
at triathlons.

The CJDG also has a monthly e-newsletter, Inspired By
Design, which features new styles from members, and goes out to more than 1,200
retailers, trade publications, industry associates, and consumers.

Membership is available on a peer-reviewed basis. Current membership
totals 56 designers.

JCK