GIFTWARE

The hand-engraved Steinbach Crystal Cathedral is a contemporary take on traditional Christian giftware. A master artist creates each piece to maximize refracted light and geometric design. Goebel of North America L.L.C., Goebel Plaza, P.O. Box 10, Pennington, NJ 08534-0010; (800) 366-4632 or (609) 737-8700.

Humidors for the cigar enthusiast are made of leather, polished brass and exotic woods and can be customized to your specifications. Multicolor silk-screening beneath the polished lacquer finish on the wooden boxes and hand tooling on the leather are available. Suggested retail, $25-$350. Rocket Jewelry Box Inc., P.O. Box 597, Bronx, NY 10451; (800) 762-5521 or (718) 292-5370.

Three new timepieces for awards, recognition and premium markets are available from Crystal World’s special markets division. Shown are Momentum (at top in vertical version and at bottom in horizontal version) and Tempo (right) with a beveled oval top. All three are 5 inches. Crystal World, 3 Borinski Drive, Lincoln Park, NJ 07035; (800) 445-4251, ext. 11, fax (201) 633-0102.

Inspired by the work of Berta Hummel, this Nativity portrays the Holy Family, Saints, and Magi as children. Each piece in the collection is produced under the strict supervision of Goebel. Each piece retails for $50 or less or the complete Nativity is available at $525. Goebel North America, 31 North, Pennington, NJ 08534; (609) 730-8400.

Easter Bunny Tiffany Sculptures, lighted figurines that double as table lamps, use a 25 watt bulb and are handcrafted using the same techniques employed in the production of copper-foil constructed Tiffany lamps. These lamp sculptures stand 10 inches tall and have a suggested retail price range of $250. Meyda Tiffany, One Meyda Fine Place, 55 Oriskany Blvd., Yorkville, New York, NY 13495; (800) 222-4009 or fax (800) 651-3453.

CATALOGS

Yoni Diamonds’ new 72-page color catalog, featuring its new platinum line, is now available upon request. Yoni Diamonds, 10 W. 46 St., Ste. 1503, New York, NY 10036; (888) 888-YONI.

A new catalog of store fixtrue products is available from Diack. A. Geo. Diack, 1250 Johnson Drive, City of Industry, Cal. 91745; (626) 961-2491 or fax (626) 968-0377.

Lapponia Jewelry presents its new image brochure. The Lapponia concept is presented with selected pieces of jewelry which can also be seen in its international marketing campaigns. Lapponia Jewelry Oy, PO Box 72, FIN-00511 Helsinki, Finland; 358-9-146 4600 or fax 358-9-146 2878.

The 1997 catalog from Carla Corporation has 112 pages in full color. It features Carla’s entire collection of 14k gold and gold filled jewelry as well as Casandra’s collection of 14k gold electroform earrings, pins and slides. Carla Corp., P.O. Box 14192, East Providence, RI 02914-0192; (800) 556-7092 or (401) 438-7070, fax (410) 438-0455.

The 1997-’98 full-color catalog is now available from Leslie’s. The 98-page book presents the merchandise by karat. Each karat group contains its own section with actual-size color photographs. Style numbers, available lengths/sizes and weights are listed for each design. Leslie’s, Greenwich Office Park, Building Four, Greenwich, CT 06831; (800) 221-2628.

The Stuller Mountings Book from Stuller Settings Inc. contains more than 600 full-color pages divided into eight major product sections that are tabbed and labeled for quick access. It offers top and side views of each piece, with product information directly below the item. Stuller, 302 Rue Louis XIV, P.O. Box 87777, Lafayette, LA 70598-7777; (800) 877-7777, fax (800) 444-4741.

The Bridal Collection catalog from Peter Atman features rings with diamonds and colored gemstones in various settings. The Precious Jewels catalog features necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants and pins set with a variety of gemstones. Peter Atman Inc., 18 E. 48 St., Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10017; (212) 644-8882, fax (212) 644-3888.

Candela Jewelry’s 1998 catalog features more than 600 styles of 14k gold earrings, rings and brooches. Additional copies may be requested by calling (954) 746-0122. Candela Jewelry Inc., 15 W. 37 St. 8th floor, New York, NY 10018-6223; (800) 227-7710, fax (212) 221-1715.

The new catalog from The Cargo Hold Inc. shows jewelry in 18k gold, gold plate and sterling silver and all sterling with enamel and colored stones. The Cargo Hold, P.O. Box 239, Charleston, SC 29402; (800) 845-6964 or (803) 723-3341, fax (803) 722-1377.

Cubic Zirconia World Inc. offers a 24-page catalog of earrings, pins, pendants and tennis bracelets with cubic zirconia and genuine stones set in sterling silver, vermeil and 14k gold. Cubic Zirconia World Inc., P.O. Box 1006, Highland Mills, NY 10930; (800) 724-4315 or (914) 774-7497, fax (914) 774-8686.

Int’l Jewelry Mktg. presents a 20-page color catalog illustrating its extensive collection of colored stone and diamond jewelry in 14k gold. Int’l Jewelry Mktg., 36 W. 47 St., #207, New York, NY 10036; (212) 869-0465, fax (212) 869-5387.

Meyda Tiffany’s new 108-page full-color catalog features America’s largest collection of Tiffany lamps and decorative lighting. The catalog costs $10, which is deducted from a buyer’s first purchase. Meyda Tiffany, One Meyda Fine Place, 55 Oriskany Blvd., Yorkville, NY 13495; (800) 222-4009, fax (800) 651-3453.

Uniquely presented as a deck of playing cards, Midas Designs Ltd. has created its “Deck of Winners.” The cards are designed for multiple uses – in-store display, catalog or ad kit. Midas Designs Ltd., P.O. Box 86, Tenafly, NJ 07670; (201) 567-2700, fax (201) 567-7545.

A catalog from Pacific Direct illustrates a variety of jewelry from around the world, including pearls from Japan, China and Tahiti as well as colored stone rings and bracelets from the United States. Pacific Direct, 631 S. Olive St., Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90014; (888) 541-5001 or (213) 629-1100, fax (888) 541-5009.

Chain retailer Ross-Simons released its holiday catalog with Raquel Welch as the cover model. The catalog highlights fashions in diamonds, sapphires, cultured pearls and white gold this season. The catalog is available by calling (800) 556-7376 or on-line at www.ross-simons.com.

Grobet USA, a manufacturer of tools and equipment, released its 288-page catalog of jewelers’ tools, supplies and equipment. More than 1,000 full-color photographs are featured. The catalog is available from local jewelry tool dealers or by calling (800) 847-4188. Grobet USA, 750 Washington Ave., Carlstadt, NJ 07072; (800) 962-7242 or (201) 939-6700, fax (201) 939-5067.

MERCHANDISING AIDS

The Jewelers’ Resource Bureau released the 1998 edition of the JRB Designers’ Planning Guide. The calendar/workbook offers designers detailed information on when, where and how to take advantage of business opportunities at trade shows, in industry publications, with professional organizations and in jewelry contests. “We found our clients were always calling us for information on deadlines, contacts and other details,” says Cindy Edelstein, president of JRB. “While it is not all that difficult to obtain these pieces of information individually, it is nearly impossible for busy designers to gather, compile and organize all these facts and figures by themselves and still have time to design jewelry.” So the guide does it for them. Jewelers Resource Bureau, (914) 738-8485, website www.jewelersresource.com.

StarCraft Diamonds will introduce its Spring/Mothers Day circular program for jewelers’ direct mail use at the JCK Orlando show in January. StarCraft Diamonds Inc., 444 Stewart Parkway, Washington, NC 27889; (800) 262-6208 or (919) 946-5333, fax (919) 946-4094, e-mail starcraft@coastalnet.com.

Lobe Lovers®, a patented, titanium pierced ear protection system, is now available from Comfees. The company offers a point-of-purchase display with a three-dimensional, transparent ear demonstrating the product, as well as full-color consumer brochures. L. Lawrence Products, 445 Veit Rd., Huntington Valley, PA 19006; (215) 355-1021, fax (215) 355-0037; http://comfees.com.

Business Services

FINDaSALE , an interactive telephone guide to sales, promotions and special events by upscale Manhattan retailers, debuted in October. Consumers may dial 55-SALES to hear weekly updates about promotional events offered by retailers. They may search for sales and promotions by store location, type of merchandise or store name. Announcements also may be accessed through the Internet at 222.findasale.com. FINDaSALE plans to expand the service to other cities. FINDaSALE, 450 W. 15 St., Suite 305, New York, NY 10011; (212) 271-6373, fax (212) 271-6372.

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.

Popping into a display near you are Display Mate™ tags from Rio Grande Display & Packaging. Tags are made of a durable material that won’t tear and spring back even when bent. They come with 27 different messages in eye-catching designs for different gem types, holidays and other sale opportunities. Rio Grande Display & Packaging, 7500 Bluewater Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121-1962; (800) 545-6566 US, (800) 253-9738 (Canada), fax: (800) 965-2329, e-mail: bluegem@riogrande.com.

Avery Dennison-VIP Converted Products North America released a six-page full-color brochure describing its family of EAS Integrated Loop Tags. A single tag contains product identification, variable price-marketing and radio frequency EAS technology. Tags offer theft deterrence and a large surface for bar codes. Avery Dennison-VIP Converted Products North America, 7772 Dungan Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19111; (800) 233-4177 or (215) 725-4700, fax (215) 728-8921.

A 12-page full-color brochure describes Fiberbilt Cases Inc.’s line of molded and fabricated cases for product sales and services. The line includes wheeled cases, light- and standard-duty carrying cases and transit and shipping cases with four available interior styles. Also described in the brochure are its custom-designed cases. Fiberbilt Cases Inc., 601 W. 26 St., New York, NY 10001; (800) 847-4176 or (212) 675-5820, fax: (212) 691-5935.

Nomadic Display offers a free book called Tips & Techniques for Exhibiting Success filled with trade show tips and secrets. The company also offers a line of portable trade show displays. To request a book, call (800) 732-9395, ext. 7105.

Bench & Lab

The American Gem Society Laboratories now offer AGS Master Color Grading. The service is designed to help AGS members establish Certified Gem Labs in their stores more quickly. Diamonds submitted for grading should be similar in size and make; yellow (Cape Series) with no brown or gray body color; free from inclusions that affect body color when the stone is rotated; and inert or very faintly fluorescent to long-wave ultraviolet light. American Gem Society, 8881 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117; (702) 233-6120, fax (702) 233-6125.

Myron Toback offers 16-in. cable neckwire with locks in sterling silver or gold. Cable wire can be ordered separately for custom designs; locks can be crimped on, so there is no need for soldering. Rubber wire with locks in sterling silver or gold also is available. The company stocks a complete supply of stringing material, beads, locks and findings for jewelers. Myron Toback, 25 W. 47 St., New York, NY 10036; (212) 398-8300, (800) 223-7550.

Hoover & Strong offers bezel solitaire components for necklaces and earrings. Products include 14k yellow bezel solitaire stud earrings; bezel solitaire pendant/slide bezel necklace with 18-in. rope chain; 14k two-tone slide bezel cluster necklace with 18-in. rope chain/bezel cluster stud earring, 14k yellow medium-weight completely threaded tru-seat® earring with screw-on screw-off earnut, 14k yellow double tru-seat® earring, and 18k yellow four-prong medium-weight tru-seat® earring. The firm also introduced Peach Gold, a patented gold alloy in 18k and 14k, available in casting grain, sheet, round wire and solder. Hoover & Strong Inc., 10700 Trade Rd., Richmond, VA 23236-3000; (800) 759-9997, fax (800) 616-9997, website: www.hooverandstrong.com.

Rio Grande promises high-quality casting results with the new AU 100 casting investment for all karat golds and AG 200 casting investment for silver and brass. AU 100 and AG 200 are designed to mix smoothly, evenly and consistently to produce investment molds that reduce flaking and fracturing during burnout. Rio Grande, 7500 Bluewater Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121; (800) 545-6566 or fax (800) 648-3499.

Overnight Mountings’ new Bezel Collection contains matching rings, earrings and pendants in various sizes. The collection is in-stock in 14k yellow semi-finished and polished gold for overnight delivery. Merchandise may be special ordered in platinum, 18k, 14k and 10k white, rose and green gold. An information sheet offers finishing and setting tips for jewelers who aren’t familiar with bezels. Overnight Mountings, 21-21 44 Dr., Long Island City, NY 11101; (888) 731-1111, fax (718) 784-2200.

Ultronics introduced its Hourglass Jewelry Cleaning Kit, which gently cleans and shines without brushing. It’s suited for precious and semi-precious stones. The user places jewelry in an upper chamber and inverts the unit to scrub. Ultronics, 750 Corporate Dr., Mahwah, NJ 07430; (800) 262-6262, fax (201) 529-2178.