Companies

Di-Modell has signed a contract with the new owners of Speidel for them to become the exclusive distributor of Di-Modell products in the U.S.

Hoover & Strong opened its New York sales office in the Winston Building at Rockefeller Center. The office will be staffed by Hoover & Strong employee Larry Bock, along with former Keystone Findings salesman and industry veteran Steve Parks.

Labs

The Gemological Institute of America will offer a diamond sorting service for D–Z color diamonds weighing 0.15–0.99 cts. GIA says the service is intended to help control clients’ costs by providing grading reports on only those diamonds that fall within certain color and clarity parameters.

Associations

The Chicago Jewelers Association is merging with the Illinois Jewelers Association. IJA members who have paid membership for 2009 will have their dues for 2010 automatically paid and will have an automatic membership in the Chicago Jewelers Association through mid-2011.

Shows

JCK Events 2010 has launched a new marketing and advertising campaign with the tagline, “JCK Las Vegas — Showcasing Our Passion for Jewelry.” JCK 2011 at Mandalay Bay is 92 percent sold out and all major industry associations and groups have pledged support.