GEMTECH TANZANITES IN VARIED SHAPES AND SIZES

Gemtech International Corp. offers top-quality tanzanites. The gems come in all sizes and shapes. Express delivery is available. For information on specific items and current prices, contact Gemtech International Corp., 576 Fifth Ave., Suite 701, New York, NY 10036; (800) 436-3236 or (212) 354-7788, fax (212) 354-7797.

SWAROGEM, GOLAY-BUCHEL JOIN MARKETING EFFORTS

Swarogem, a division of D. Swarovski & Co., and Golay-Buchel have set up a jointly owned worldwide marketing and sales organization for natural, synthetic, and imitation stones, all machine-cut by the two partners’ factories. The new organization, scheduled to start operations in April 1999, will have its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. The move will increase the number of local sales and distribution offices handling the companies’ products.

GQI CELEBRATES CHICAGO OPENING

More than 150 members of the trade, clients, and representatives of the trade press joined CEO Tom Tashey and executive vice president Myriam Tashey in September to celebrate the grand opening of the Gem Quality Institute’s new site in the heart of Chicago’s jewelry district. GQI has more than doubled its Chicago staff since April; volume has grown by 50% or more during that period, the institute reports. Tom Tashey said at the event that thanks to new technology and the expanded staff, GQI expects its turnaround time to remain 48-72 hours throughout the holiday season.

OVERNIGHT MOUNTINGS EXTENDS BUSINESS HOURS

Overnight Mountings has extended its business hours in response to customer requests. The company’s policy of guaranteed same-day shipment now extends two more hours to 5 p.m. EST. Orders placed by that time will be shipped that day. Hours will be further extended during the holiday peak season. Overnight Mountings will be open Saturdays from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Contact Overnight Mountings, 21-21 44th Dr., Long Island City, NY 11101; (888) 731-1111 or (718) 472-1212, fax (718) 784-2200.

NEW COMPANY MARKETS HIGH-END FRENCH JEWELRY

A new company called Vendôme International has been formed to distribute high-end French jewelry in the United States. Company founder Jeff Politis, formerly of New York’s Christie’s International, Louis Glick Diamond Corp., and Paris’s Watine-Arnault Auctioneers, plans to target a select network of retailers of high-end products. The core Vendôme assortment will include items from the venerable jewelry houses on Paris’s Place Vendôme and Rue de la Paix. For information, contact Vendôme International, 259 W. 10th St., Suite 3C, New York, NY 10014; (212) 647-8419, fax (212) 647-0792, www.vendome.net.