ISRAELI ARTIST CREATES JEWELRY COLLECTIONS

The Roman Glass Co. (previously known as Saphirim Jewelry) has introduced two exclusive jewelry collections designed by Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff.

The theme for the Weishoff Collection is the pomegranate, a motif rooted in oriental cultures. Characterized by art nouveau style and clean, minimalist lines, Weishoff creates modern, sculptural designs in gold and silver. Each piece is inlaid with a fragment of colorful 2,000-year-old Roman glass. The collection consists of necklaces, earrings, and brooches, some with pearl accents. All items are signed by the artist and include a certificate of authenticity. Retail prices for the silver items range from $72 to $416; for the gold items, retail prices range from $830 to $1,890.

Weishoff’s 2000 Collection of silver and gold necklaces juxtaposes variations of the cross and the number 2000. The miracles of Jesus and the peace dove are other motifs. Suggested retail prices range from $60 to $130 for silver items and from $194 to $780 for gold items.

The Roman Glass Co., Kibbutz Revadim, M.P. Shikmim 79820, Israel; (972-8) 8588774/09, fax (972-8) 8588797, www.romanglass.com.

SILVER EXPRESS DEBUTS NEW LINE

Silver Express unveiled its new Romance Line at the JCK Las Vegas show. The line features semiprecious stones and comes with a complimentary display prop with a minimum opening order. Delivery is available to retailers in time for the 1999 fall and holiday seasons.

Silver Express, 6222 Richmond Ave., Suite 490, Houston, TX 77057; (800) 745-7888 or (713) 787-9898, fax (888) 900-3377.

LESLIE’S OFFERS PLATINUM CHAINS

Leslie’s, a gold jewelry marketer in Greenwich, Conn., has introduced a line of platinum chains. The line includes cable, snake, wheat, and omega styles.

Retailers can obtain the chains quickly through Leslie’s exclusive Rapid Response System. The company’s lifetime guarantee applies to the platinum chains. In addition, under Leslie’s exchange guarantee program, if the platinum products do not sell, dealers may exchange the merchandise for gold products of equal value, at no penalty to the retailer.

For more information, call the company’s toll-free number at (877) 221-4653.

ERNEST SLOTAR OFFERS IDEAL CUT DIAMONDS

Ernest Slotar Inc. has introduced girdle-inscribed Cut By Gauge Ideal cut diamonds sorted into parcels. Parcels range from .375 ct. to .75 ct. and contain two to eight stones each. Each stone has its own identification number.

Ernest Slotar Inc., 29 E. Madison St., Suite 1112, Chicago, IL 60602; (800) 621-6537 or (312) 236-7351, fax (312) 236-6456.

SCHLUSSELBERG FORMS JEWELRY COMPANY

Diamond importer Sidney Schlusselberg has formed UNAMO (“One love”), a new diamond jewelry manufacturing company, with Richard Goldman, formerly of Kabana and Unigem International. The new company will manufacture a collection of exclusive bezel-set jewelry designs called the Soligem Collection, targeted to the middle- and high-income market.

All manufacturing will take place in El Paso, Texas, where Sideny Schlusselberg Diamond Importers has been headquartered for nearly 25 years. Goldman will head up the design, merchandising, and manufacturing teams and will play a key role in sales and marketing.

HIT MOVIE INSPIRES JEWELRY COLLECTION

Imperial-Deltah Inc. has introduced the Imperial Shakespeare Collection of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings based on the necklace worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love.

The collection combines 14k fine gold chain and freshwater cultured pearls in lavender, pink, and peach along with the more traditional white and black.

Imperial-Deltah Inc., 795 Waterman Ave., East Providence, RI 02914; (800) 556-7738, fax (401) 434-0814, www.pearls.com.

DOG-THEMED JEWELRY AVAILABLE

David R. Rough Jewelry & Gifts has introduced “The Golden Hound,” a line of greyhound-themed fine jewelry and giftware inspired by owner Karen McDonnell’s two adopted retired racing hounds.

The line includes greyhound jewelry for men and women in 14k gold, vermeil, and sterling-silver. Engravable sterling silver gifts and statuary are also offered. Additional dog breeds are available in selected items. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lincoln greyhound adoption program, Lincoln, R.I.

David R. Rough Jewelry & Gifts, 120 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840; (401) 846-0598.

MS COMPANY REPLACES NICKEL WITH PALLADIUM

MS Company, a chain manufacturer in Attleboro, Mass., has eliminated all nickel from its plating process. The nickel, used primarily as a barrier before a rhodium finish is applied, has been replaced by palladium, which serves the same tarnish-inhibiting function without irritating skin. Most European countries have banned nickel from jewelry.

The company will use the palladium/rhodium process primarily on its sterling silver products when a rhodium finish is requested.

JEWELAMERICA ACQUIRES JEWELMONT/JENE

JewelAmerica Inc., a subsidiary of Oro Dall’Italia Inc., has acquired Jewelmont/Jene, a 50-year-old Minneapolis manufacturer. Jewelmont/Jene develops, markets, and sells finished diamond, precious, and semi-precious jewelry to department stores, discount retailers, TV shopping channels, and major retail chains.

JEWEL BELLS EXPANDS

Jewel Bells Co., located in downtown Los Angeles, has expanded. The seven-year-old manufacturing company has increased its manufacturing space by a third. It has also increased its staff to 29 people.

The company says that a 50% increase in sales over last year’s figures made the expansion possible. There was also a 50% increase in 1998 sales over 1997’s results, Jewel Bells reports.

EXCLUSIVE ENTERPRISES LAUNCHES SUBSIDIARY

Exclusive Enterprises Inc. has launched a subsidiary, Isaac’s Fine Jewelry. Isaac Genuth, formerly in charge of the company’s watch division, is president.

Isaac’s Fine Jewelry offers invisibly set diamond jewelry. The collection is available in 18k gold or platinum. Special orders are available.

Isaac’s Fine Jewelry, 31 W. 47th St., Suite 904, New York, NY 10036; (888) ISAACS-1.

ELITE DESIGNS RELOCATES

Effective July 1, Elite Designs Inc. has a new address. The company moved from New York to Florida. The new address is Elite Designs Inc., 36 N.E. First St., Suite 706, Seybold Building, Miami, FL 33132; (800) 757-1008 or (305) 373-1934, fax (305) 358-0805.

NEW GROUP INCORPORATED IN SWITZERLAND, U.S.

A new organization, Suisse American Products Group, has been incorporated in Switzerland and the United States. The company will develop, manufacture, and distribute branded watches, jewelry, and luxury products. Its business plan includes the purchase and consolidation of existing watch brands, the acquisition of licenses or formation of joint ventures, and the development of new brands and products.

The company has two design teams, one in Switzerland and one in the United States. The president and CEO is Jack D. Tawil, a gemologist and an investment banker specializing in the jewelry and watch industry. He has founded Swatch Express, J.D. Tavernier & Co. and its U-Set-It system for creating custom engagement rings, and JewelNet/selectAwatch.com services. Heading up the U.S. operation is president Charles B. Cohen, who was a distributor of luxury watches for 12 years.

Suisse American’s headquarters are located at 110 E. 59th St., New York, NY 10022; (212) 909-0444, fax (212) 909-0420.

C&K NISSENBAUM OFFERS DESIGNER HEART

“Amor a Amor,” C&K Nissenbaum’s patent-pending designer heart, is an interchangeable pendant available in a variety of precious gem combinations enhanced with tapered or round rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.

Shown is a platinum pendant. The larger heart contains approximately 1.30 cts. of round brilliant diamonds. The smaller dangling heart contains approximately 1.50 cts. of fine white princess-cut diamonds.

Creations are available in 18k white, yellow, or pink gold. The design is also available with larger hearts containing tapered baguettes in place of rounds.

C&K Nissenbaum, 36 W. 47th St., #1107, New York, NY 10036; (800) 421-6280 or (212) 869-7646, fax (212) 869-7659.

Stuller Opens Miami Service Center

Stuller Settings Inc. has boosted its telephone and mail order business over the past three years with on-site cash-and-carry sales at new service centers in Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle. This spring Stuller opened its newest service center in Miami as a result of its acquisition of Miami-based New National Findings Inc. The new service centers offer select mountings, findings, diamonds, gemstones, and fabricated metals for same-day pick-up, and Stuller’s complete product line for next day pick-up.

According to the company, the service centers benefit customers who need face-to-face contact because they can’t wait overnight for product or need to look at a piece or match colored stones. The service centers have attracted new clients and boosted Stuller’s overall sales, the company reports.

Stuller’s new Miami location, at 1 N.E. First St., Suite 222, serves walk-in customers from Miami metro trade shops, bench jewelers, and retail jewelry stores. The acquisition of New National has also allowed Stuller to offer Spanish-language telephone support to U.S. and Latin American clients. Telephone transactions with Spanish customers will be routed to Stuller’s Miami-based call center, also acquired from New National. Former clients of New National will be referred to Stuller’s Lafayette call center, which is prepared to cross-reference the former New National product line to Stuller’s offerings.

Stuller’s new Spanish-speaking call center can be reached at (800) 327-3485, fax (800) 336-6020; the Miami Service Center’s local telephone number is (305) 358-6035. Stuller’s telephone number for national telephone sales continues to be (800) 877-7777.

JAMES BRESKI & CO. INTRODUCES COLLECTION

James Breski & Co. unveiled a new collection, called “Provenance,” at The JCK Show in Las Vegas.

The new collection features art deco-inspired designs in platinum with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. One of the key designs is a winner of the Diamond Information Center’s 1999 Diamonds Today competition.

James Breski & Co., 35 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 1840, Chicago, IL 60601; (800) 346-3436 or (312) 782-6591, fax (312) 782-6890.

WEDDING COLLECTION COMMEMORATES YEAR 2000

Gori & Zucchi Inc., distributors of Uno A Erre, is marketing a wedding collection called “Symbols of Love” to commemorate the year 2000. The gift is designed for couples who will be celebrating a wedding or special anniversary or renewing their vows.

A limited-edition collection will feature “The Great Jubilee Wedding Rings.” By grant of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 established in Vatican City, each set of wedding rings is sealed in a numbered card engraved with a dove, the symbol of the Great Jubilee. The Italian-crafted rings are available in platinum or 24k gold.

The rings come in a solid mahogany chest with a sterling silver plaque engraved with the Vatican Jubilee 2000 symbol of five circling doves. Included in the chest is a limited and numbered edition book, The Song of the Bride and Groom, detailing the history of the Jubilee and the tradition of the wedding ring. The book also contains a special blessing from the Pope, several psalms, and pages to be inscribed with best wishes from loved ones. The set also comes with a sterling silver pen as well as a guarantee and certificate of authenticity.

Gori & Zucchi Inc., Seven Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001; (800) 525-5033 or (212) 629-3300, fax (212) 629-3700.

POLISH MANUFACTURERS FORM NEW ALLIANCE

The eight largest amber and silver manufacturers in Poland have formed an alliance known as Amber 8. The group offers more than 10,000 styles in rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

The group has opened a U.S. office at 1050 Main St., Second Floor, River Edge, NJ 07661; (201) 342-6224,

fax (201) 871-8664, e-mail: drc5@juno.com.

DANIEL MINK RELOCATES

Daniel Mink Switzerland, a manufacturer and marketer of fine Swiss timepieces, has relocated its corporate headquarters in New York City. The new address is 275 Madison Ave., 38th Floor, New York, NY 10016; (212) 481-0205, fax (212) 557-4367. All finance, sales, global marketing, and advertising efforts will operate from corporate headquarters.

The company’s customer service and service center efforts continue to be directed from its Miami Beach office at 407 Lincoln Rd., Suite 4C, Miami Beach, FL 33139; (800) 221-6465 or (305) 531-6465.

IGI RECEIVES HONOR FROM SEARS

The International Gemmological Institute in New York has been named a Sears Partner in Progress. The award is presented annually to a select group of vendor companies that supply Sears, Roebuck & Co. with quality products and services. More than 10,000 sources competed for the award. Sears selected the winners based on recommendations from its store support organization.

IGI performs independent diamond grading and jewelry appraisal services for Sears and for the public.

LEE’S PURCHASES MARSELLA ASSETS

Lee’s Manufacturing Co. of North Providence, R.I., has purchased the assets of Marsella Tool Co., formerly of Warwick, R.I.

The Marsella line will be integrated into the Lee’s line of jewelry findings. It will be carried by Lee’s sales team, based in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami.

I.B. GOODMAN UNVEILS NEW STYLES

The I.B. Goodman Co. has introduced 75 new styles. Among them are styles for the LeMans 2 Collection, a series for the active and upwardly mobile man. In addition, the company has released a new designer ladies’ line, the “Jill Z” Collection. The line features contemporary pearl, diamond, and colored stone pieces.

I.B. Goodman Co., 314 John St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; (800) 543-1945 or (513) 241-1206, fax (513) 721-3833.