Bankruptcy Court Says Friedman’s Can Close Stores

A bankruptcy court has approved Friedman’s request to close 164 stores in 17 states as part of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan, the company announced. It will also sell in excess of $25 million of inventory.

Barbara Lipatapanlop Named ICA Executive Director

Barbara Lipatapanlop was appointed to serve as executive director of the International Colored Gemstone Association as of March 1. From 1999 until February this year, Lipatapanlop previously served as a senior advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association. She began working with the organization in 1999.

Alston Named CEO of De Beers LV U.S.

Alyce Alston has been named CEO of De Beers LV, the new retail chain that’s a joint venture between De Beers and Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Alston comes from Fairchild, where she was group publisher of W, W Jewelry, and Vitals magazines.

Duke, Jewelry-Show Founder, Dies

Herbert Arnold Duke, 84, an amateur gemologist who founded the International Gem & Jewelry Show, died March 6 at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Md. He had Alzheimer’s disease. From mid-1960s to about 1980, Duke owned Treasure of the Pirates, a Bethesda jewelry store. He started the International Gem & Jewelry Show in Washington, D.C., in 1968.

JFC Supports Tsunami Efforts

Jewelers For Children has made a $50,000 donation to Save the Children for relief efforts in Asia after the devastating tsunami. The donation came from the recently established JFC Endowment Fund.

PGI Joins Platinum Task Force

Platinum Guild International USA is participating in a new Industry Advisory Task Force to analyze the current Federal Trade Commission guides on marking platinum products. The task force was formed in response to increasing industry interest in compliance standards for platinum products.

Designer Woodhull Dies

Helen Woodhull, a prominent New York jewelry designer for Tiffany, Cartier, and Georg Jensen, died on Jan. 29 at her home in the West Village in Manhattan, The New York Times reports. For the last 10 years Woodhull was associated exclusively with James Robinson.