fall season called ‘spectacular’ for major jewelry auctions more than $203 million worth of jewelry changed hands at the major auction houses last fall in one of the most spectacular seasons ever. christie’s sale in geneva, switzerland, in november set an all-time record of $71 million for a single sale; sotheby’s sale in new york city followed closely at $53.

the normally talkative diamond world has been quiet when it comes to predicting business for 1996. but leaders agree on one point: much of the outlook depends on a new marketing contract between de beers and russia. both sides have maintained an official silence on negotiations for the new contract, which would replace one that expired in december (past press time for this issue).

independent jewelers enter this election year with tempered optimism about their businesses. a national poll of the jck retail jewelers panel shows that while most expect solid sales and profit gains, few are confident enough to speculate on unproven products, add more stores or enter new retailing venues such as computer selling.

thanks to all jewelers for a big confidence vote one of the most basic pieces of advice for any retailer is, “listen to your customers.” if you’re not responsive to their needs, chances are you’re not going to have a successful business. the same basic advice is equally important for publishers. magazines, like retail stores, do not exist in a vacuum.

by: george holmes, editor-in-chief offer jewelers the choice of attending a seminar on how to sell more product or one on how to improve store security and there’s no contest. they’ll choose the one on sales. that choice is made even though one great sale may make you feel good for a day or a week or maybe a month, while one major robbery or burglary may wipe out the business.

fashion has a new name each season. for spring/summer 1996, it’s “relaxed chic.” shapes are slim and tailored, but without the supertight fit of “retro glamour” or the dowdiness of “conservative chic” in previous seasons. relaxed chic’s chief asset is salability. the apparel industry has been in a slump long enough to know that fashion theater is fun, but there’d better be some practical, weara…

tiffany earnings rise 33% in third quarter strong business worldwide for tiffany & co. produced overall increases of 17% in sales and 33% in earnings for the third quarter ended oct. 31. net sales of $187.8 million were up 17% from $169.1 million in the same quarter of 1994. net earnings rose 33% to $6.

north shore magazine features jewelers jewelers milton and dorothy perlman are among four couples profiled in a story on teamwork in the october 1995 issue of north shore, a magazine serving chicago’s north and northwest suburbs. the article discusses how couples work together to reach a common goal.

ja goes on-line with consumer web site jewelers of america launched a site on the world wide web late last year, just in time to help consumers make informed fine jewelry purchases for christmas. the url (universal resource locator) is http://www.jewelers.org, says ja. the site includes all of ja’s “what you should know” brochures, which give consumers buying tips about diamonds, gold, platinum…

rich new gem finds as well as consumers’ growing income and interest in variety suggests a good year for colored stones. an exceptional extravaganza is shaping up for the gem and minerals shows in tucson beginning later this month. first, 1995 was an extraordinary year for new and rich gem finds all around the world.

though jewelers in search of money now are welcome at many banks, they often must pay more for the credit they receive. even when bankers say no, there are a number of other places to turn. retail jewelers, take heart. the credit crunch of the past five years is easing as more banks dust off their welcome mats to businesses seeking financing.

give glamorous silver gifts this valentine’s day would be a good time to encourage customers to win hearts with gifts of sterling silver. sales of sterling silver jewelry and giftware were expected to exceed a record $2 billion in 1995, says the silver information center. the reason: consumers want some affordable luxuries after several seasons of stocking up on home accessories.

south seas pearl ads to begin this year a new campaign promoting white south seas pearls begins in earnest this year with lavish color advertisements in upscale magazines such as departures, the magazine for american express platinum card members; avenue, a magazine for upscale new yorkers that is moving into the national market; and such fashion publications as w and vogue.

joya ’95, mexico’s main jewelry show what: joya ’95 date: oct. 3-7, 1995 where: guadalajara, jalisco, mexico who: the “joya” shows are sponsored by crijpej (the camara regional de la industria de joyeria y plateria del estado de jalisco, translated as regional house of the jewelry and silversmithing industry of the state of jalisco).

uno a erre launches branding campaign a noted italian company is forging a jewelry-fashion link and making its name known to u.s. consumers gori & zucchi inc., one of the world’s oldest and largest gold jewelry manufacturers, aims to break the jewelry brand barrier in the u.s. with its uno a erre collections of gold jewelry.

the rise of the u.s. dollar against the japanese yen has sent an optimistic current through the u.s. cultured pearl industry. strengthening it is a belief that consumer demand for quality akoya, black and south seas pearls will continue slow but steady growth. as a result, dealers think they’ll actually make some money this year.

this election year will be one of flux for legislative and other government proposals that would affect retailers. some appear headed for compromise while others may be ditched altogether as legislators shift into campaign mode and as they and president clinton bicker over just about everything. while businesspeople and consumers watch the daily dramas played out in washington, d.

on an otherwise slow monday in the second week of november, watch retailers and manufacturers were laying the groundwork for what they expected to be a strong holiday season. by page seven in the day’s wall street journal, readers saw ads for blancpain, longines, breitling and bulgari watches. one day earlier, sunday new york times readers saw enough ads to create an entire catalog of brand nam…

jewelry design could replace pineapples and tourism as hawaiian claims to fame, thanks to the hawaii jewelers association. hja sponsors two design contests each year, at its spring and fall conventions, and the winners are magnificent each time. here’s a portfolio of some past winners: new design finds rugged natural forms with an eye toward fashion mark the new precious jewelry line from new y…

october career events draw job hopefuls the fourth annual jewelry career symposium, sponsored by the jewelers of america center for business studies, was held oct. 15 at the fashion institute of technology, new york city. it attracted almost 400 people and more than 30 recruiting companies. “we had people attending from as far away as california,” said gina dehaan, ja director of education.

jck published four reports this year in its second management study center series. each concluded with a quiz, which we invited readers to answer and send in. as we did last year, we agreed to tally the scores of those who participated in all four tests; those with correct answers to 90% or more of the questions were to receive a certificate of completion co-signed by jck and the jewelers’ educ…