PGI/JA DEVELOP AD
The spotlight is on platinum jewelry in a new advertisement unveiled by the Platinum Guild International and Jewelers of America.
The two-page, four-color ad appears in the October/November issue of Modern Bride magazine. It showcases platinum and platinum/18k gold engagement and wedding rings and includes a toll-free telephone number that consumers may call for their closest JA member jeweler.
Four leading platinum manufacturers are participating in the campaign: Christian Bauer Inc., Lieberfarb Inc., Whitney Boin Studio and Magnum.
JA PLANS NEW PROJECTS FOR REAL JEWELRY MONTH
Jewelers of America will provide members with two new ways to get involved in the fourth annual Real Jewelry Month in November.
A new videotape titled What You Should Know About Buying Real Jewelry explains to consumers what they need to know about selecting a jeweler, gold jewelry, cultured pearls and platinum. The video was produced in conjunction with Alton Entertainment, which produces the weekly half-hour TV series “Main Floor.” The host is actress Nancy Stafford, who has appeared in the TV shows “Matlock,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Remington Steele” and “Hunter.”
The video, which JA members will receive in the mail, can be used in the store during the day, in a window at night and when you speak to local groups. It also may be made available to customers.
JA also created a half-hour info mer cial that JA jewelers may sponsor and broadcast in their communities. JA will customize the infomercial, or jewelers can customize it themselves through local TV stations.
In addition, JA will promote a free jewelry cleaning at member jewelry stores during Real Jewelry Month. As it did last year, the offer is expected to draw consumers into JA jewelry stores just as they’re ready to buy Christmas gifts. Jewelers of America, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036; (212) 768-8777.
24-KARAT CLUB INSTALLS OFFICERS
Elliot Fish of Philip Wolman & Co., Los Angeles, is the new president of the Jewelers 24-Karat Club of Southern California. He succeeds Gene Alterman of Hillcrest Jewelers, Fullerton.
Other officers are Jack Woolf of the Celebrity Shopping Network, first vice president; G. Douglas Lewis of Herz and Lewis, second vice president; Mary Barr of Charles H. Barr Jewelers, treasurer; and Stuart Flait of Van Cleef & Arpels, secretary.
During the club’s President’s Ball, Richard T. Liddicoat, chairman of the Gemological Institute of America, was presented with an Honorary Lifetime Membership. He was selected for the honor because of his many contributions to the jewelry industry.
NEW YORK JEWELERS PLAN ANNUAL BANQUET
The New York State Jewelers Association will holds its 11th annual banquet Sunday, Nov. 5, in the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York, N.Y. A reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.
The guest of honor will be Matthew A. Runci, the association’s Industry Man of the Year. Runci, formerly president and chief executive officer of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America, is the new executive director of Jewelers of America. During the banquet, Runci will be inducted into the NYSJA Honor Roll in recognition of his service to the industry.
New York State Jewelers Association, 1209 Anderson Ave., Ft. Lee, N.J. 07024; (201) 886-8188, fax (201) 886-8431
MICHIGAN GIA ALUMNI SCHEDULE SPEAKER
Gemologist Sharon Wakefield will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Michigan chapter of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association. The meeting will be held 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in the Fairlane Club in Dearborn.
Wakefield is a graduate gemologist, advice chair of the GIA Alumni Board and a partner in the Northwest Gemological Laboratory, Boise, Idaho. Her topic will be “Synthetic Diamond Jewelry – A New Paradigm.”
The cost is $45 for chapter members, $55 for non-members. Reservations are required and should be made by contacting Melinda Adducci at (313) 455-2856, fax (313) 455-2403.
INDIAN ASSOCIATION HOLDS RECEPTION
The Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association held its annual reception in July at the Marriott Marquis in New York, N.Y. The theme was “A Confluence of East & West.” About 1,000 members and guests attended.
IDCA is a not-for-profit association serving the Indian diamond and colored gemstone industry. Its goal is to promote greater cooperation, understanding and cohesion among retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and consumers through education.
BRITISH FEDERATION ELECTS PRESIDENT
Roger D. Price, a longtime member of the British Jewellers’ Association, is the new president of the British Jewellery & Giftware Federation.
Price, who worked for 32 years for metals refiner Engelhard Industries, has served as chairman of BJA’s education and training committee and president of the education commission of CIBJO, the international Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones. He is now a consultant to Trade Promotion Services, a trade fair organizer.
JA ELECTS BOARD, COUNCIL OFFICIALS
Jewelers of America has elected new members to its board of directors and new officers of its Council of Affiliated Associations. JA also has hired a full-time membership director and announced the newest members of its JA 100 Club.
The new board members are Carolyn Pope of Crews Jewelers, Grandview, Mo.; Larry Pollock of Zale Corp., Irving, Tex.; Al Solomon of Solomon’s Fine Jewelry, Plainview, N.Y.; and Barry Pizzolato of Designs in Jewelry, Metairie, La. Re-elected to the board were Michael O’Brien of O’Brien Jewelers, Peoria, Ill., and Howard Sherwood of Sherwood Management, Bell Gardens, Cal.
Joseph Hagan of Jewelry Creations, Dover, N.H., was elected chairman of JA’s Council of Affiliated Associations. He also is the council’s delegate to the JA board and executive committee.
Serving with Hagan are Al Molina of Molina’s Fine Jewelry, Phoenix, Ariz., first vice chairman and delegate to the board of directors; Richard White of Ed White Jewelers, Cullman, Ala., second vice chairman and delegate to the board; John Spadea of Spadea & Co. Jewelers, Rancho Santa Fe, Cal., third vice chairman; and Vic Hellberg of Hellberg’s Jewelers, Marshalltown, Iowa, secretary.
JA’s new membership director is Bill Edwards. In the post, Edwards will work with JA affiliates to develop membership recruitment programs. Before joining JA, Edwards had his own company specializing in marketing in the financial and travel industries. Previously, he worked in marketing and advertising positions at Tourneau Watch Co., Brown & Williamson International, Ogilvy & Mather, the Society of the Plastics Industry and the Glass Container Manufacturers.
JA also named 11 companies to its JA 100 Club, which salutes members who have been in business 100 years or more.
The new members and the year of their founding are Baker & Baker Jewelers, Marietta, Ohio, 1866; Bergman Co., Omaha, Neb., 1888; Bockstruck Jewelers, St. Paul, Minn., 1883; Braude Jewelry Inc., Chicago, Ill., 1894; Hale’s Jewelers, Green ville, S.C., 1856; Hardy’s Diamonds, Virginia Beach, Va., 1878; Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1887; N.B. Levy & Brother Jewelers, Scranton, Pa., 1800; Dan Marx Jewelers, Portland, Ore., 1888; J.F. Reusch Jewelers, Petoskey, Mich., 1885; and Spertner Jewelers, Norfolk, Va., 1879.
NEW ENGLAND ALUMNI CREATE GIA SCHOLARSHIP
The New England chapter of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association has created a $500 scholarship to promote the art and science of gemology through continued education.
The scholarship is named in memory of Orrin E. Booth, one of the chapter’s first members. It’s open to any New England resident over 18 who is interested in gemology and the jewelry industry. For information, call Ann Camann at (603) 472-8742 or Alan Howart at (617) 848-3890.
WIMA OFFERS DIRECTORY
The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association has published an updated edition of its directory of manufacturers and suppliers to the writing instrument industry.
In addition to manufacturer listings, the new edition includes details of WIMA activities and programs and the 1996 International Write Show, scheduled for May 5-8 in Orlando, Fla.
To obtain the directory, send a letter of request and check for $50 to WIMA Directory, 236 Rt. 38 West, Suit 100, Moorestown, N.J. 08057. For more information, call the association at (609) 231-8500.