SHOW DIRECTORY AVAILABLE

The second edition of ShowPro, the Directory of Gem & Jewelry Shows, is now available from Gems Et Cetera.

The directory lists more than 500 shows worldwide. It includes information about the previous year’s shows (exhibitors’ comments and ratings) as well as current and future shows by date, location and promoter name.

Show organizers also are asked to provide information on the number of exhibitors that can be accommodated, anticipated attendance, facilities where the show will be held and any restrictions. The directory is compiled on computer and printed when ordered so the most up-to-date information is included.

The directory is $45. Gems Et Cetera, P.O. Box 3171, Auburn, CA 95604; (916) 823-555, fax (916) 823-5565.

PJS PLANS PLUMB CLUB PAVILION, NAMES ADVISERS

Members of the Plumb Club will occupy a special pavilion at the 1996 Pacific Jewelry Show, scheduled for Aug. 24-26 in the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, Cal.

“Many Plumb Club members have been exhibitors in the past, but they’ve always been in the show as individual exhibitors,” says Marion Halfacre of Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, show chairman. “This year they’ll be together in a pavilion. It will be an excellent opportunity for buyers who are not acquainted with these firms to get to know them.”

Organizers also announced that Richard Horne, president of Shreve & Co. in San Francisco, has joined Halfacre as cochairman of the show. Horne, a Registered Jeweler who has been in the industry since 1964, will direct his efforts at increasing the attendance of Northern California jewelers.

Pacific Jewelry Show, 911 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1740, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3446; (800) 523-SHOW or (213) 623-5722, fax (213) 623-5742.

Meanwhile, more than two dozen jewelry industry leaders have accepted invitations to join a new advisory council for the 1996 Pacific Jewelry Show. The council was formed to provide advice to help PJS regain its position as one of the premiere jewelry shows in the nation, says Marion Halfacre, show chairman.

“The people who have agreed to serve on the advisory council are representative of all aspects of the jewelry industry, and we welcome their input and perspective as we face some tough decisions in the coming months,” he says. “I know the show will be the best it can be with their help.”

Members include Charles Bond, publisher of JCK; William Boyajian, president of the Gemological Institute of America; Jon Bridge, president of the Pacific Northwest Jewelers; Norma Buch-anan, editor in chief of Modern Jeweler magazine; Jack Carpenter, president of Tissot Watch U.S.; Burt Czapszys, president of the Oregon Jewelers Association; John Davis, senior vice president of Bulova Corp.; Karen Dean, executive director of the Northwest Jewelers Association; S. Lynn Diamond, executive director of the Diamond Promotion Service; Thomas P. Dorman, executive director of the American Gem Society; Martell Grover, executive director of the Intermountain Jewelers Association; Tim Groves, director of marketing of the Century Plaza Hotel; Mark Guerin, president of the New Mexico Jewelers Association; Betty Harada, executive director of the Hawaii Jewelers Association; Howard Hauben, vice president and group publisher of National Jeweler magazine; George Holmes, editor in chief of JCK; Laurie Hudson, president of the Platinum Guild International USA; Walter Ife; Margaret Johnson, president of the Montana-Wyoming Jewelers Association; Ann-Marie Molenaar, president of the Intermountain Jewelers Association; Alfredo Molina of Molina Fine Jewelers, Phoenix, Ariz.; Roxanne Pazul, executive director of the Arizona Jewelers Association; Christopher Reese, president of the Hawaii Jewelers Association; Betty Smith, executive director of the Oregon Jewelers Association; David Strousse, assistant to the president of Seiko Corp.; Reynald Swift, president of Wittnauer Corp.; and Peggy Willett, executive director of the American Gem Trade Association.

JA SHOW TO FEATURE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Organizers have announced plans for two special attractions at the summer JA International Jewelry Show, scheduled for July 20-23 in the Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, N.Y.

The first event is “Estate Jewelry 101 and Beyond,” a full-day conference on antique and estate jewelry. The conference will be held July 23 and will be part of Jewelers of America’s Center for Business Studies continuing education program. The course will be worth 12 Jewelers Continuing Education Units toward the JA CBS Accredited Jewelers Designation. The topics are:

• “Jewelry Styles of the 20th Century,” presented by Joyce Jonas, president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, adjunct professor of art at New York University and director of the annual Antique and Period Jewelry & Gemstones Course in Orono, Me.

• “Factors That Influence Pricing,” Gloria Lieberman, vice president and director of the jewelry department at Skinner’s auction house in Boston, Mass.

• “Identifying Reproductions,” Diana Singer of D&L Singer, an estate jeweler in New York, N.Y.

• “How to Effectively Sell Estate Jewelry,” Camilla Dietz Bergeron, whose New York City company of the same name specializes in custom services.

• “How to Present Estate Jewelry to the Consumer,” Tom Tivol of Tivol’s in Kansas City, Mo.

Professor Michael Coan of the Fashion Institute of Technology will conduct a two-hour tour of the new Estate & Antique Jewelry & Watch Pavilion at the show on July 22.

Registration is required for the conference. Jewelers of America, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, 30 Fl., New York, NY 10036; (800) 223-0673, fax (212) 768-8087.

The second special attraction is a miniperformance by cast members of the musical GREASE! on July 22. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a DJ spinning ’50s tunes and leading the crowd in sing-alongs and a dance contest (winners will receive merchandise or tickets to see GREASE! on Broadway). Then the cast of GREASE! will perform a medley of shows from the musical. Afterward, jewelers will have a chance to meet the stars and have their pictures taken with them.

JA International Jewelry Show, Blenheim Group USA, One Executive Drive, Ft. Lee, NJ 07024; (800) 829-3976 or (201) 346-1400, fax (212) 346-1532.

ANTIQUE JEWELRY SHOW SCHEDULED In LAS VEGAS

The Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show will be held May 30 to June 2 in the Aladdin Hotel & Casino.

The trade-only show will feature 200 international exhibitors of estate and antique jewelry and vintage watches. Jewelry from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries will be featured along with jewelry and watches by famous makers such as Cartier, Tiffany, Boucheron, Mauboussin, David Webb, Lalique, Van Cleef & Arpels, Faberge, Rolex, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

The delivery show will open at 11 a.m. daily and close at 7 p.m. the first three days and 6 p.m. the final day. A complimentary shuttle bus will run every half hour between the Aladdin and the Sands Hotel.

Seminars will be held 9:30-10:30 a.m. May 31 to June 2. The topics are “Major French Jewelers – a Brief Overview,” presented by Diana Singer of D&L Singer; “Animal Motifs Throughout the Ages,” Camilla Dietz Bergeron of Camilla Dietz Bergeron Ltd. Jewelry; and “Old European Diamonds at the Auction Market: From the Divine to the Sublime,” Gail Brett Levine of Auction Market Resource.

For more information on the seminars, contact Levine at (718) 897-7305, fax (718) 997-9057. For information on the show, contact the International Jewelers Association, 3150 Danville Blvd., Suite B, Alamo, CA 94507; (510) 552-0452, fax (510) 552-5233.

NEW IADC EVENT WINS GOOD REVIEWS

The first Exclusive Viewing Show organized by the Indo Argyle Diamond Council has met with positive reviews, according to organizers.

The new concept in merchandise presentation showcased 21 IADC members to U.S. retail and wholesale buyers in March in New York, N.Y.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Tex.; and San Francisco, Cal. IADC members are among the world’s largest diamond cutters and dealers.

“The primary objective in arranging the events was to provide an environment within which our member companies could maximize their full potential in terms of buyer relationship-building and sales growth,” says Hamish Younger, one of the organizers.

A sampling of buyers found they were impressed. “Every appointment we attended had something we’ve been looking for or something we like,” says Jennifer Kaufman, diamond fashion buyer, and Wachelle Williams, bridal buyer, both from the Gordon’s division of Zale Corp., Irving, Tex. “It was easy to work within this setting; there was plenty of time, enough room and we were able to closely examine the pieces.”

Indo Argyle Diamond Council, 470 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; (800) 797-IADC, fax (310) 284-8319, e-mail IADC96@aol.com.

L.A. MART SETS SUMMER DATES

The July Gift, Decorative Accessories and Furniture Market will be held July 16-24 in the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles, Cal.

Retailers will be able to explore more than 1 million square feet of manufacturer showrooms during the event, including some for firms that have their only Western U.S. representation at the mart. The event will be held concurrently with the California Gift Show and Beckman Handcraft Show, scheduled for July 20-24.

Discount travel and parking are available. L.A. Mart, 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007; (800) LA-MART-4.

FOREIGN SHOW UPDATE

The International Autumn Fair is scheduled for Sept. 8-11 in the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England. The fair will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors of giftware, jewelry, stationery and home accessories. White Hound Advertising, P.O. Box 5076, Hoboken, NJ 07030; (201) 659-0134, fax (201) 222-2141.

The fall edition of the Hong Kong Jewelry and Watch Fair will be held Sept. 18-22 in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will include gem-set jewelry, antique jewelry, loose stones, watches, objets d’art and related equipment and services. Seminars will be conducted by professionals from the Gemological Institute of America, the Diamond High Council of Belgium and the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong. Miller Freeman Asia Ltd., 102-5 Stanhope House, 738 King’s Rd., Quarry Bay, Hong Kong; (852) 2827-5121, fax (852) 2827-7064.

OroArezzo, held March 30 to April 2 in Arezzo, Italy, attracted 314 exhibiting companies and 3,500 buyers, about the same as the previous show. OroArezzo featured an exhibition of the Oro d’Autore collection of 100 pieces of jewelry created by Italian, U.S., Japanese and Argentinean artists. The original and artistic creations have been collected since 1987 and will represent the nucleus of Arezzo’s contemporary jewelry works museum. A round-table gave Italian jewelry manufacturers a chance to discuss various issues, including the United States’ 6.2% customs duty that the Italians blame for a 10% decrease in their sales here last year. Also discussed were the need to harmonize jewelry standards and value added tax and its effect on sales.

The 11th India International Jewellery Show will be held June 23-30 in the World Trade Centre in Bombay. The first three days are for foreign buyers; the last four days are open to all trade buyers. Organizers expect more than 18,000 buyers and 150 exhibitors of loose stones, finished jewelry, machinery and related equipment. Miller Freeman Inc., One Penn Plaza, P.O. Box 2549, New York, NY 10116-2549; (212) 615-2657, fax (212) 279-3966.

Joan Oliveras Bagues was elected president of the organizing committee of Spain’s Barnajoya, the International Jewelry, Timepiece, Gold/Silverwork, Machinery and Related Services Exhibition. Bagues succeeds Octavi Sard?, who held the position for 13 years. Bagues, a jewelry designer, hopes to rejuvenate the fair by taking advantage of international markets. The next edition of Barnajoya will be held Oct. 4-8 in the new Fira de Barcelona Montju?c-2 trade fair center. Fira de Barcelona, Av. Reina M. Cristina, 08004, Barcelona, Spain; (34-3) 233-2000, fax (34-3) 233-2272.

The first International Exhibition of Gold Jewelry, Silver, Precious and Semiprecious Stones and Watches, held March 16-19 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, attracted 100 exhibitors from 16 countries and 439 buyers, also from 16 countries. Next year’s fair, scheduled for March 15-19, will be expanded to about 200 exhibitors. The fair is organized by Zanin G.I.F.O. Inc., 825 S. Bayshore Dr., Tower III, Suite 1741, Miami, FL 33131; (305) 579-9920, fax (305) 579-9985.

The Montreal Jewellery Buy-Mart Showcase of the World of Jewellery will be held Aug. 4-6 in the Montreal Convention Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The fair will showcase timepieces, silver and gold jewelry, supplies, packaging, silverware and writing instruments. Exhibitors are members of the Quebec Jewellers’ Corp., 7585 Lacordaire Blvd., Suite 01, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1S 2A6; (514) 251-2410, fax (514) 251-1702.