MONTRES USA NAMED EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR

Montres USA Inc. is now the exclusive importer and distributor of Zuccolo Rochet & Cie bracelets. The line includes classic and fashion bracelets in a wide range of prices, materials, sizes, and colors.

Montres USA Inc., 321 Dante Court, Ste. A-1, Holbrook, NY 11741; (888) 694-1333 or (516) 738-8935, fax (516) 738-8936, www. montresstraps.com.

COLIBRI, DUNHILL TERMINATE AGREEMENT

The Colibri Group, a Providence, R.I.-based manufacturer and distributor of jewelry and gifts, no longer distributes Dunhill cigar lighters. The company, which has distributed the lighters since 1983, terminated the arrangement effective Aug. 1 as it reallocates its resources following the acquisition of Colibri International in March. The Colibri Group, which distributes the brands Colibri, Krementz, Van Dell, Dolan & Bullock, Shiman, and Linden, is now preparing for a full-scale launch into the international market.

The Colibri Group, 100 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907; (401) 943-2100, fax (401) 943-1081.

SAKOURA TO DISTRIBUTE EMPRESS ROPE CHAIN

Sakoura Design Ltd. has secured the exclusive right to sell the Empress sterling silver rope chain manufactured by AKS. The chain is made using a patented diamond-cut method. Sakoura Design Ltd., 47-42 37th St., Long Island City, NY 11101; (800) 5-SAKOURA.

JONES NEW YORK LAUNCHES 14K LINE

Jones New York has introduced a 14k gold jewelry collection to be distributed by Braunstein for sale in department stores. The collection was initially launched in 65 stores and then rolled out in 150 more in September. Average price points are $455 for bracelets, $650 for necklaces, and $157 for earrings. Braunstein, 104 W. 29th St., New York, NY 10001-5398; (800) 223-8942 or (212) 564-6722, fax (212) 629-0753, e-mail: mmbinc@aol.com.

AGEM PROGRAM TARGETS CHILD ABUSE

Agem/A.J. Goldfarb Inc. has created a program to support the Healthy Families America (HFA) initiative sponsored by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. Through the sale of religious jewelry in its new “Spiritual Expressions 2000” catalog, Agem will contribute a percentage to the HFA fund. HFA provides services to families for up to five years after a child is born and has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as an effective means of preventing child abuse. Agem’s program runs from Nov. 1 through Christmas.

Jewelers can obtain counter cards, ad slicks, radio scripts, and celebrity public service announcements to promote the program. Agem/A.J. Goldfarb Inc., 195M Central Ave., Farmingdale, NY 11735; (800) 645-9191, fax (516) 752-0919.

FREDERICK GOLDMAN WINS J.C. PENNEY AWARD

J.C. Penney has named Frederick Goldman Inc. as its Most Valuable Supplier. The annual award recognizes a supplier for merchandise leadership, product development, quick response, quality standards, and market competitiveness. Frederick Goldman Inc., 154 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10011; (800) 221-3232, (800) 421-3232 (in New York state), or (212) 924-6767.

GENENDER TEAMS UP TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

Watch executives and celebrities from the entertainment and sports worlds teed off to fight breast cancer in the first Carol M. Baldwin Celebrity Golf Tournament – with Genender International, Levi’s, and Tourneau as title sponsors. Carol Baldwin is a breast cancer survivor, foundation founder, and the mother of the famous acting Baldwin brothers (Alec, Stephen, Billy, and Daniel). Participating stars included talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell. The tournament raised $400,000 for breast cancer research. The event was followed by an awards dinner and celebrity auction at Planet Hollywood.

New Management for Majórica

The Alpha Private Equity Group (APEG) of New York has assumed control and management of Majórica S.A., a Spanish jewelry firm. Two Spanish investment groups (Sibec and Corpfin Captial) and one French group (TCR) have joined with APEG to purchase the company.

APEG chairman José Arozamena will be the new chairman of Majórica, S.A.

One German family and one Colombian family each hold 50% of the shares in APEG. The group’s net assets exceed $1 billion. Among its holdings are firms in the food, communications, and fashion industries.

Majórica, headquartered in Bar-celona, has more than 600 employees and sells its products in more than 100 countries as well as duty-free shops and airlines. Its main import markets are the United States, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. APEG plans to strengthen the company’s international business.

WITTNAUER SPONSORS JUNIOR GOLF TOURNEY

Wittnauer Watch International Inc. teamed up with Optimist International for the second year in a row to sponsor the Wittnauer Optimist Junior Golf Championship this summer in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. More than 650 young men and women (10-18 years old) from 20 nations competed in the tournament, which was televised on ESPN and ESPN International. The competition is one of several sporting events sponsored by the venerable watch and jewelry manufacturer. Winners’ trophies were designed by Wittnauer.

Angels Take Wing on MTB Bank Coins

Responding to the public’s growing fascination with angels, coin distributor MTB Bank has introduced the 1998 Cherub Angel coin, the first in a planned series of royal bullion coins. Engraved by Pobjoy Mint, Europe’s oldest private mint, the coin’s reverse image is a portrait of two cherub angels resting on a cloud, one embracing and kissing the other. The three smaller coins, in 1/5, 1/10, and 1/25 troy ounces, can be used in rings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Contact MTB Bank, 90 Broad St., New York, NY 10004-2290; (212) 858-3300, fax (212) 858-3449.

ADLER ORNAMENT WINS AWARD

“The Bible” ornament, a new design from Kurt S. Adler Inc.’s Polonaise Collection of European hand-blown glass ornaments, won the Best New Ornament Award at the Spring International Collectibles Exposition in Edison, N.J. The prize-winning ornament was designed by Iwona Wiszniewska, a Polish native who moved to the United States in 1992. She placed second in the competition for Best Ornament Artist at the exposition. Kurt S. Adler Inc., 1107 Broadway, New York, NY 10010-2872; (212) 924-0900, fax (212) 807-0575; e-mail: ksanyinc@aol.com.

Super Bell Jewelry to Publish News

The inaugural issue of Super Bell Jewelry’s customer newsletter offers tips on getting the most out of trade shows, a history of the company, and a calendar of 1998 events at which the Los Angeles manufacturer will exhibit its yellow and white gold jewelry. Those wishing to learn more about the company can look to upcoming issues of the SBJ Post for “an in-depth look into our lives,” promises editor Sal Berrigan. Contact Super Bell Jewelry Inc., 550 S. Hill St., Suite 1420, Los Angeles, CA 90013; (213) 362-2773, (800) 884-3888, fax (213) 612-4404, Web site: www.superbelljewelry.com.

Suppliers on the Grow

Talnir Diamonds Ltd. of Israel and Russia has launched an American affiliate with a sales office in San Francisco. Spearheaded by sales manager Yair Peled, the new company, N.T. Diamonds, specializes in round calibrated diamonds for the designer. The diamonds come in sizes of 3 mm to 5 mm and are available in VVS, VS, and SI clarity and two color groups, E-F-G and H-I-J. Contact N.T. Diamonds, 999 Brannan St., Suite 105, San Francisco, CA 95014; (415) 558-7116, fax (415) 558-8157.

Serfilco Ltd. of Northbrook, Ill., has established a Paris-based division called Serfilco France sarl. Under Daniel Rougeau’s direction, the French affiliate will operate in cooperation with the company’s European sales-and-manufacturing headquarters, Serfilco Europe Ltd., in Manchester, England. Serfilco makes pumps, filter chambers, filtration systems, and filter media. Contact Daniel Rougeau at (01-48) 86-97-36; fax (01-44) 95-37-66.