GIA GETS RECORD GIFT
Stephen Silver, president of California-based S.H. Silver Co., and his wife, Eileen, recently presented the Gemological Institute of America with the most expensive gift of set jewelry ever donated to GIA’s gifts-in-kind program, the Treasured Gifts Council. The piece is a platinum, lavender topaz, and diamond-encrusted Edwardian stomacher brooch valued at $105,000.
The brooch, also known as a corsage ornament, was brought to the United States around 1900 and is considered a classic representation of the Edwardian period (1903-10) because of its delicate platinum and diamond design, according to GIA. Its 41.67-ct. drop briolette cut Russian violet-pink topaz is one of the largest of its kind. The piece also contains 181 mixed-cut diamonds.
For information on GIA’s Treasured Gifts Council, call Anna Lisa Johnston at (800) 421-7250, Ext. 4125, or (760) 603-4125, fax (760) 603-4199.
IDCA PRESENTS AWARDS AT N.Y. RECEPTION
The Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association (IDCA) presented its annual awards at a reception held over the summer at the Marriott Marquis in New York. Sandberg & Sikorski of New York was honored as Manufacturer of the Year. Victor N. Shafferman of Drummond & Hill, also of New York, received the Great Benefactor & Friend of the Community Award. Nearly 700 people attended the event.
GIA TO HOST DINNER
The Gemological Institute of America will present its 1998 League of Honor Founders Dinner on Nov. 3 at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
GIA’s League of Honor, one of the most prestigious forms of recognition of the institute’s benefactors, is part of its Vision 2000 campaign. Funds raised by the campaign are used to improve GIA’s educational programs, broaden research and development activities, provide scholarships and student aid, and expand the institute’s outreach.
Cochairing the dinner are Jacques Roisen, a partner in Kwiat, Ferman & Roisen Inc., and Barrie Birks, president of Tyringham Investments Ltd. Roisen is a 1996 GIA League of Honor Soverign, a distinction given to donors of at least $100,000 to Vision 2000. Birks, one of the first Vision 2000 campaign benefactors, is chairman of Shreve, Crump & Low Jewelers and chairman of Schwarzschild Jewelers.
JA RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
Jewelers of America has been elected to the Associations Advance Honor Roll, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives in Washington, D.C.
The honor roll recognizes outstanding efforts of associations in the areas of public education, economic development, business and social innovation, professional-standards development, and community service. JA was cited for its new ethics program, under which JA members agree to abide by a code of ethics and rules of professional conduct and business practices. These documents were developed in the first phase of the program.
In the second phase, 10 state jewelry associations are educating their members about the ethics program and procedures for dealing with consumer complaints are being tested. The second phase is scheduled for completion by December. At that time, JA plans to introduce the program to its entire membership.