VOLITA OPENS N.J. OFFICE

Volita Inc., a manufacturer and importer of pearl jewelry and 14k gold designs, has opened an office in New Jersey.

The location is 784 Franklin Ave., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417; (800) 248-3144 or (201) 560-0552, fax (201) 560-1553,

A&D GEMS OFFERS PRIZE AT JCK SHOW

A&D Gems, New York, importers of Colombian and Zambian emeralds, rubies, and sapphires and manufacturers of jewelry in 18k gold and platinum, is sponsoring a contest for retail jewelers who attend the JCK Las Vegas show.

Buyers are invited to guess the weight of the gemstones displayed at the A&D exhibit. Winners will receive cash and prizes. For information, contact A&D Gems, 15 W. 47th St., #204, New York, NY 10036; (212) 944-2700, fax (212) 869-9292.

Italian jewelry company FOPE has expanded its Umberto Cazzola 1929 line of men’s jewelry, featuring key rings, money clips, and cufflinks in 18k white, yellow, or two-tone gold with

diamonds. In the United States, contact FOPE at 576 Fifth Ave., Suite 904, New York, NY 10017; (212) 869-4111, fax (212) 869-0486.

DESIGNER FORMS NEW COMPANY

Designer YounHee Shin has formed her own company, Crocetti Shin Inc. and Crocetti Design Studio, in New York.

Born in South Korea, Shin attended the Accademia di Costume e Moda in Rome, Italy, where she majored in jewelry design. Following her studies she worked as a freelancer at several New York companies before becoming a designer at Bagley & Hotchkiss in California, where she worked for two years. She then returned to New York, where she was director of product development at Nili Jewelry Corp. and director of product design at A. Jaffe.

Her company is located at 339 Fifth Ave., Suite 401, New York, NY 10016; (212) 448-0522, fax (212) 448-0390.

WILLIAM LEVINE DEBUTS NEW LINE

William Levine Inc., Chicago, is introducing “La Briolette Collection,” a new line of diamond briolette jewelry from the company’s jewelry division, William Levine Fine Jewels.

David Levine, the collection’s creator, has called upon several designers to develop the new line. Pieces in the collection include those that are affordable and stylish-casual as well as higher-end, elegant items.

The collection will make its debut at Couture U.S. 2000. It also will be on view in the Prestige Promenade at The JCK Show in Las Vegas and at Place Vendôme at JA New York.

ALAN FRIEDMAN HOSTS PINK DIAMOND EVENT

Alan Friedman Co., Beverly Hills, Calif., recently displayed its pink diamond collection in the fine jewelry department at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach, Calif.

The company has been spurring customer demand for pink diamonds through its ad campaign in consumer publications such as W, the Robb Report, and Departures. It plans future pink diamond events in select Neiman Marcus locations.

For information, contact Alan Friedman, 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212; (888) 489-4545 or (310) 278-4944, fax (310) 278-5449.

DONALD BRUCE SUPPORTS CHARITY

Donald Bruce & Co., Chicago, the parent firm of Skalet Fine Jewelry, Princess Pride Creations, Oriental Cultured Pearl, and Milano companies, contributed $57,796.40 to the Lynn Sage and Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research for 1999. The money was generated through sales of the Hope Ribbon Pin by major retailers such as J.C. Penney.