HEALTH BENEFITS FOR JEWELERS
Jewelers of America has endorsed an employee health-care plan known as the “Employee Security Plan,” which is underwritten by Anthem Health & Life Insurance Co. According to JA, the coverage offers flexibility in terms of deductibles and add-on benefits such as preventive care coverage; prescription cards; and supplemental accident, dental, short-and long-term disability, and term life insurance.
For more information, contact Anthem’s marketer, International Benefit Services Corp., at (800) 759-0101 or www.ibs-usi.com.
PGI, MJSA HOST PLATINUM DAY WEST
Platinum Day Symposium West, hosted by Platinum Guild International USA and the Manufacturing Jewelers & Silversmiths of America, recently drew more than 150 people to the Regal Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Presentation topics included “Getting Started in Platinum Casting,” “Platinum Alloy Characteristics,” and “Working and Designing in Platinum.” Among the speakers were designer Christian Tse, Gregg Todd of Stuller Settings, and James Gervais of Crafford Precision.
The event marked the first time that a platinum symposium was offered on the West Coast as well as in New York. It will be held on both coasts again next year.
PGI has also released “Platinum Manufacturing Process IV,” a collection of papers presented at a recent Platinum Day Symposium in New York. In addition, it has produced the first in a planned series of technical videos on working with platinum, The Platinum Expert.
For more information, contact Platinum Guild International USA, 620 Newport Center Dr., Suite 800, Newport Beach, CA 92660; (949) 760-8279, fax (949) 760-8780. For technical support, call the PGI Technical Hotline at (949) 760-8882.
ARKANSAS JEWELERS NAME CONTEST WINNERS
The Arkansas Jewelers Association has announced the winners of its 1998 C.A.R.A.T. (Creative Acheivement Recognizing Arkansas Talent) Award competition. Awards are given for outstanding jewelry design. Winners are Peter D. Barr, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff (Categories I and IV); Harold Windle, Lee-Ann’s Fine Jewelry, Russellville (Category II); and Michael Ponthieux, Fletcher Smith Jewelers, Con- way (Category III).
APPRAISERS SET CONFERENCE
The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers’ 16th annual educational conference will take place in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 4-5. Featured topics will include “How to Evaluate and Value Old European and Old Mine Cut Diamonds,” “How to Write a Market Data Comparison Report,” “How to Identify and Appraise Jadeite Jewelry,” and “How to Properly Color Grade Diamonds.”
Conference space is limited to 60. For more information, call the NAJA business office at (301) 261-8270.
JEF HONORS LIMON WITH MEMORIAL FUND
The Jewelers Education Foundation (JEF) of the American Gem Society, which provides business and management training to the industry, is celebrating the memory of the late Robert Limon by instituting a fund named in his honor.
Limon, who died May 12 at the age of 85, helped to research and write AGS’s first Diamond Grading Standards Manual. He was also instrumental in helping devise AGS’s governing manual. Limon, who owned and operated Robert Limon Inc. in Bethesda, Md., worked on the mounting of the Hope Diamond and received AGS’s Robert M. Shipley Award in 1972.
Contributions may be sent to Robert Limon Named Fund, Jewelers Education Foundation, American Gem Society, 8881 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117.
PA. ASSOCIATION HONORS JEWELER
Dale R. Perelman, president of the King’s Jewelry chain, has been named the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association’s Jeweler of the Year. The annual award was presented at the 92nd annual PJA Convention in recognition of Perelman’s efforts on behalf of his community and his contributions to building a better jewelry industry in the state.
GIA NAMES FIRST QUARTER CARAT RECIPIENT
Gail Brett Levine, G.G., secretary of the Gemological Institute of America’s New York Alumni & Associates chapter, is the first member to earn 25 carat points as part of GIA Alumni & Associates’ Carat Point System of Recognition, part of GIA’s Alumni Circle of Achievement. Points are awarded to members who take part in activities such as chapter seminars, GemFests, and other GIA professional events.
Levine achieved many of her carat points by attending GIA Alumni meetings and writing articles published in industry magazines. A quarter carat symbol will be placed by her name on the GIA Online Alumni & Associates worldwide directory.
She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1980. She has served the New York Alumni chapter as a member-at-large, treasurer, vice president, and president.