Watches

1. The Vermeil Trinity Watch for women was inspired by the famous Trinity ring. It features a quartz movement, Arabic numerals, purple varnished calfskin strap to match its spinel crown, blue steel sword hands and water resistance to 30 meters. Also available are a three gold dial or a gray dial with black Roman numerals. Retail: $1,425. Cartier, 653 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10022; (212) 753-0111.

2. Citizen’s Blue Angels Navihawk, in bracelet and strap models, honors the famed Blue Angels flying team with an insignia on the dial and caseback and with a slide rule in the troop’s official blue and yellow colors. These timepieces feature a .01-second chronograph, countdown timer, calendar and world timer for 22 time zones. Strap and steel bracelet models are $325 and $395 retail respectively. Citizen Watch Co. of America, 1200 Wall St. West, Lyndhurst, NJ 07039; (201) 438-8150.

3. Vizio bursts into spring with a chronograph collection that offers such bold colors as yellow, red, blue, green and black. Each watch has three small black subdials on a larger colored dial with matching leather strap. An interchangeable black leather strap is available for more conservative occasions. Features include stainless steel case, quartz movement, sapphire crystal and water resistance to 165 feet. Only men’s sizes are available at $1,295. The Movado Group, 125 Chubb Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ 07071; (201) 460-4800.

4. Exclusive to the United States is Franck Muller’s Master Banker Wall Street, a limited edition spinoff of its popular Master Banker. The Wall Street Banker, as it is known, is designed especially for the heads of business and finance. The face of this complex wristwatch features three time zones for instant tracking of time and financial transactions in three different stock markets throughout the world. All three time zones are controlled from a single crown, a watch first. The dial displays the first time zone (local time) in the center, and the second and third time zones by hours and minutes counters at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. Limited to 180 pieces, the Wall Street Banker comes in three sizes of the Cintree Curvex case and six colors – platinum and gold in yellow, pink, rose, white or green. Retail: $19,800-$27,300. Franck Muller, 580 Fifth Ave., Suite 1812, New York, NY 10036; (212) 730-8788.

5. Three new Airspeed models from Revue Thommen come with black or blue dials, non-reflecting sapphire on both sides and screw down crowns. The Airspeed Multifunction (left) in steel has analog and digital readings and features an alarm, chronograph, dual time zone and day/date indicator. The Airspeed Automatic Chronograph II (center), water resistant to 100 meters, indicates day and date with a sweep second hand and 30-minute and 12-hour counters. The Airspeed Altimeter (right), a handwound mechanical timepiece in titanium or steel, measures altitude and even barometric pressure. Precise International, 15 Corporate Dr., Orangeburg, NY 10962; (914) 365-3500.

6. Pulsar’s Solar 200 Titanium diver’s watch features a patented quick-start function which converts any light to power in seconds. Case and bracelet are made of titanium, which is strong, lightweight and glass coated for scratch resistance. Other features include energy storage in a permanent rechargeable battery for up to six months, rotating elapsed time bezel, double-locking saftey clasp, date calendar and LumiBrite hands and markers. Retail: $350. Pulsar, 1111 Macarthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430; (201) 529-2400.

Business Services

A low-cost pocket-size data collection scanner to aid in counting inventory is available from KAS (Kassoy Automated Solutions). Menu-driven jewelry-specific software is installed in the scanner. It retains data until it is uploaded to a PC. KAS, 16 Midland Ave., Hicksville, NY 11801; (800) KAS-TAG1 or (516) 942-8517, fax (516) 942-5514; e-mail: sales@kassoy.com. The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, a nonprofit organization, offers a Tax Deduction Detector kit. The kit helps businesses identify inventory that can earn federal income tax deductions when donated to charity. The kit is free and is easy to use. The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, 560 McClure St., Galesburg, IL 61401; (800) 562-0955, fax (309) 343-7316.

Create custom, full-color catalogs, brochures, sell sheets and slide shows spotlighting inventory and the latest designs using Gesswein’s Picture.Perfect Computer Imaging System. The system, designed for jewelers by jewelers, consists of a digital video camera, 8-48 zoom lens and three close-up lenses, light box, video capture card and software. The system requires a PC with Windows 95, 133 MHz Pentium processor, 32 MB RAM, 2.0 GB hard drive, 2 MB video card and a monitor with a 1024 x 768 screen resolution. An Epson Stylus Color 800 printer and a TV or S-Video Monitor are recommended. Gesswein, 255 Hancock Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605; (800) 544-2043 or (203) 366-5400, fax (203) 335-0300.

Avery Dennison has developed a new label printing system that enables manufacturers to apply electronic article surveillance (EAS) protection to goods early in the packaging process. The Avery Dennison™ Datapply® EAS Dual Labeler automatically applies roll-fed security labels to packages and shipping cartons at the point of manufacture or at distribution centers. Avery Dennison, VIP Converted Products North America, 7722 Dungan Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19111; (800) 233-4177, fax (215) 728-8921.

Employers need more than standard application forms and interviews to hire honest employees. Integrity tests give valuable information about a potential employee’s work values. Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D, an industrial psychologist, created the Phase II Profile to provide an honesty and integrity inventory of a potential new hire. After an individual takes the test, a summary printout alerts the employer to undesirable attitudes. When choosing employee tests, seek time-tested products developed by reputable companies. Also ask a test publisher for a copy of its Equal Opportunity Commission Study showing the test does not discriminate. Lousig-Nont and Associates, 3740 S. Royal Crest St., Las Vegas, NV 89119-7010; (800) 477-3211 or (702) 732-8000, fax (702) 732-1572.

Catalogs

A 24-page, 4-color catalog features 14k gold, diamond and colored stone – including birthstone – jewelry from Harold Jewelry Inc. and H. Lisa Jewelry Inc., 131 W. 35 St., 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001; (800) 223-7555 or (212) 695-4905, fax (212) 629-6817. A laminated 8-page brochure from Lucoral Co. features South Sea champagne pearls set in sterling silver pendants, brooches and necklaces. Lucoral Co. Inc./New York Jewelry Market Corp., 26 W. 46 St., New York, NY 10036; (800) LUCORAL or (212) 575-8811, fax (212) 575-9737. The 228-page 1998 catalog from Progress Lighting features more than 2,600 lighting fixtures for commercial and residential use. It offers more than 300 new lighting products and coordinating accessories, including three new product families: Chatam, Masira and Wellington. Progress Lighting, P.O. Box 5704, Spartanburg, SC 29304-5704, (864) 599-6000, fax (864) 599-6151; www.progresslighting.com. Breuning has a new 16-page color catalog. The company offers more than 500 designs of Hingies™ hinged earrings. It has a full line of over 3,000 items including pins, pendants, chains and rings. All jewelry is available in 14k or 18k gold, platinum and silver. Breuning Inc. – U.S.A., 5555 Oakbrook Pkwy., Suite 640, Norcross, GA 30093; (770) 246-6127, fax (770) 246-6128. Medical identification jewelry is highlighted in a new flyer for Caretta Inc. The jewelry is available in sterling silver, gold plate, gold filled, 10k and 14k gold. The flyer shows triple keystone prices for use at the counter with consumers. Caretta Inc., 13400 Saticoy St. #1, North Hollywood, CA 91605; (800) 421-0200 or (818) 781-9486, fax (818) 781-9577.

David H. Fell & Co. Inc. released the fourth edition of its Pattern Sheet catalog. More than 400 patterns of etched designs are available on sheets of fine or sterling silver, gold, brass, copper and stainless steel. Silver, brass, copper and stainless sheets are available in sizes of 6” by 6” or 6” by 9”. Gold sheets measuring 2 3/4” by 6” are available in many gauges. The 24-page catalog is $5. David H. Fell & Co., 6009 Bandini Blvd., City of Commerce, CA 90040; (800) 822-1996 or (213) 722-9992, fax (213) 722-6567.

A new 8-page confidential wholesale price guide is available from Intercolor. The price guide includes a wide variety of matched pairs of sapphires, rubies and emeralds as well as tanzanite and green garnet tsavorite. Prices are for single stones and matched pairs. Intercolor, 48 W. 48 St., Room 800, New York, NY 10036; (800) 750-7090 or (212) 997-7755, fax (212) 764-0333.

Lugosch Designs offers a new two-page, four-color catalog sheet depicting 34 heart variations. Designs are available as pendants, earrings, rings, pins and even charms for a bracelet. Most are set, or can be set, with pearls or gemstones. Lugosch Designs, P.O. Box 299, State Route 32, Round Pond, ME 04564-0299; (800) 299-7734 or (207) 529-6050, fax (207) 529-7000.

A color catalog from Showall Inc. highlights its line of Shapes-n-Mates display fixtures. Available are customized panels for walls and a unique line of counter displays and floor fixtures. Showall Inc. Display Systems, P.O. Box AJ, Chilhowie, VA 24319; (800) 648-8700 or (540) 646-8779, fax (540) 646-8735, e-mail: showall@att.net.

Ostbye & Anderson/UltraBlue Mfg. announced plans for two new programs. A campaign for spring, “Your Engagement Simplified,” includes a color handout designed to help customers with the purchase of a diamond soltaire and the right wrap to complement it. A white leatherette display is designed to hold 10 wraps and 3 solitaires. A four-page flyer for the fall holiday season centers around diamond bridal merchandise. Ostbye & Anderson, 10055 51 Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55442; (800) 328-4368 or (612) 553-1515, fax (612) 553-1230.

A monthly newsletter for employees and customers from Stuller includes helpful articles for running a store, as well as new product information and pricing. Also available is Issue 3 of Stuller’s stone catalog. The 32-page catalog lists gemstones according to cut and size with prices. Stuller, P.O. Box 87777, Lafayette, LA 70598-7777; (800) 877-7777 in the U.S. or (318) 837-4100; e-mail: info@stuller.com.

BENCH & LAB

Ceres Electronics, maker of diamond testing equipment, is developing silicon carbide (moissanite) testers. The first tester will verify that a gemstone that exhibits a positive test for diamond on a thermal tester is indeed a diamond. (Silicon carbide, which possesses high thermal conductivity, will fool thermal diamond testers.) This unit is $350. Later this year, a battery-operated, hand-held tester to handle all simulant and diamond detection in one unit will be available. Sy Kessler Sales Inc., 10455 Olympic Dr., Dallas, TX 75220; (800) 527-0719 or (214) 351-0380, fax (800) 832-9871 or (214) 351-1903.

A free, six-page Platinum Brochure (#890-0805) features tools, equipment and supplies specifically created for jewelers working in platinum. Products available include casting machines, contamination-free tweezers, soldering materials, torches, books and more. Paul H. Gesswein Co., 255 Hancock Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605; (800) 544-2043, Ext. 337 or (203) 366-5400, fax (203) 335-0300.

RAM Design Inc. is available to produce CAD designs and models that are calibrated and true to scale, allowing for pricing of the product before the investment of model and prototype production. Designs are shown in full color, actual size and 200% enlargement. All designs are originals in all major categories and will not be shown to any other producer. RAM Design Inc., 359 E. 62 St., Suite E, New York, NY 10021; (212) 826-7067, fax (212) 486-5345.

Belmont Metals Inc. offers 2% boron copper in 4-oz. to 5-oz. polished pieces, specially cleaned and polished to remove the surface oxides that can cause defects in finely-detailed castings. Belmont also supplies 4-oz. to 5-oz. unpolished pieces and a 40-section 15-lb. waffle for industrial and jewelry operations that require larger melts. Request Data Sheet BCu-1 from Belmont Metals Inc., 338 Belmont Ave., Brooklyn NY 11207-4000; (718) 342-4900, fax (718) 342-0175; e-mail: mail@belmontmetals.com.; www.belmontmetals.com.

PACKAGING

Packaging in a variety of shapes, colors and designs is available to complement any watch style. Minimum quantity: 2,500. Jewel Case, 300 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907; (800) 441-4447 or (401) 943-1400; e-mail jewel.case@worldnet.att.net.

A new line of created stones is available from KT Created. The firm offers Gilson created emerald, as well as created ruby, alexandrite, and blue, pink and padparadscha sapphire. KT Created gemstones are protected under a lifetime warranty and are designed to fall in a price range equitable for small- to mid-sized retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers. Full-color customer brochures are available. A wooden showcase display box is free with the purchase of at least four gemstones (in four different colors and totaling at least 4 cts.). Buy all six colors and you qualify for a 15% discount. KT Created, P.O. Box 87, Greenvale, NY 11548; (888) 776-7779, fax (516) 625-3477.

Italian-made boxes feature luxurious velvet and grosgrain covering, brass hinges and gold lamé trim. Available are a pendant/earring box with removable insert, a necklace box and a ring box. Rio Grande Display & Packaging, 7500 Bluewater Rd., NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121-1962; (800) 545-6566 in the U.S., (800) 253-9738 in Canada; fax (800) 965-2329; e-mail: luegem@riogrande.com.

SECURITY

“The Executive Defense Briefcase” is a patented hard leather briefcase with a hidden compartment that springs open to reveal a holstered firearm. Each case comes with a holster, two magazine pouches, pepper spray, and a handcuff case. It also can be used as a traditional briefcase. Retail: $495. Concealment Systems Group, 638 Lindero Canyon Rd., #323, Agoura, CA 91301; (888) 249-7957 or (818) 889-1666, fax (818) 889-3666; e-mail: concealment@pacificnet.net.

The “Guardian” series of tamper-evident, printable polyester labels was designed for product access safety and security. Labels can withstand temperatures ranging from –40° degrees F to 250° F. They accept handwritten notations but are chemical resistant when laminated. Laminates are available from Imtec in conjunction with the Protector Series 5 laminator for application. Guardian can be printed with any stand-alone thermal transfer printer. Imtec Inc., 1 Imtec Lane, Bellows Falls, VT 05101; (802) 463-9502, fax (802) 463-4334; e-mail: www.imtecinc.com.

The “Bubble Box” portable mini-security safe measures 6.8 in. by 3.1 in., and protects personal papers, jewelry, credit cards and cash while traveling or at home. Made of epoxy-coated steel, its patented suction system and round shape make it difficult for a robber to grip. A fastening kit is included for permanent installations. French Technology Press Office, One E. Wacker Dr., Suite 3740, Chicago, IL 60601; (312) 222-1235, fax (312) 222-1237; e-mail: ftpousa@aol.com.