those are all good reasons for a jeweler to attend a jewelry show. and, if a jeweler needs to do some post-christmas restocking of both inventory and personal batteries, florida is a good place to combine business and pleasure. at least that’s what jewelers seem to be saying by way of the pre-registration figures for the jck orlando show, to be held jan.

sissy jones, owner of the highly successful sissy’s log cabin in pine bluff, ark., broke up a serious-stuff meeting in new york a month or so ago with an explanation of why she expects christmas business to be great this year. “my sales are going to be three times higher than last year,” she said.

last december, jck launched its first annual “people of influence” list, chronicling the accomplishments of a few dozen individuals who had made a lasting impact upon the jewelry industry. a second list saluted those whose more recent achievements made them “people to watch.” this year, the editors profile a new group of high achievers.

we’ve spent a combined 47 christmases in fine jewelry retail – and eagerly anticipated each one. yet we know that many sales associates, managers and even owners spend more time stressing over the holidays than enjoying them. over the years as sales trainers and consultants, we’ve developed a list of ways to help you get through your busiest and most important time of the year.

japan diversifies to compete despite recent headlines about a “dying” japanese pearl industry, cultivators and dealers are hopeful for the future. their optimism may seem misplaced. while south sea pearl powerhouses tahiti and australia increasingly woo consumers to their expensive products, freshwater pearls from china threaten to take over the market for smaller sizes.

fiscal 1997 was another banner year for zale corp. the irving, texas, jewelry chain – the nation’s largest with 1,065 units – saw total sales for the year ended july 31 increase 10.2% to $1.25 billion. earnings jumped 15.3% to $50.55 million. same-store sales rose a strong 5.5%. now in its third year of impressive growth, the retailer seems to have maneuvered all the key eleme…

arthur lee anderson, ashland, ore., placed first in the “28th german award for jewelry and precious stones (1997),” sponsored by the association of the german gemstone and diamond industries in idar-oberstein. anderson won with his technique called the webbed pear cut, used here on a 21.7-ct.

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.

polygon tightens rules polygon network inc. announced that firms applying for membership in its trading network now face a more extensive credit review process. for the past 15 years, polygon has sold “subscriptions” to its on-line trading network to firms which had only to prove they operated in the jewelry industry.

the silver ice anniversary designer david yurman has introduced silver ice, a groundbreaking jewelry collection combining sterling silver and diamonds. it includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and watches priced from $750 to $2,950. the exclusive collection was created to mark the 90th anniversary of neiman marcus and the 10-year relationship between designer and retailer.

ah, the holidays! a time of good cheer and feasting. a time to enjoy our family, friends and the bounty with which we are blessed. indeed, “a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable time…when men and women seem of one consent to open up their hearts freely,” as scrooge’s nephew observes in dickens’ a christmas carol, when he comes to invite the old miser to a festive …

movado strategies boutiques, diversification, sales penetration the movado group is going into the market to raise about $28 million. it plans, among other things, to use the cash to launch a line of retail boutiques and expand its product lines into women’s and men’s jewelry, pens, desk accessories and a variety of tabletop items.

in this column, members of the jewelry industry can state their views, wax poetic or otherwise pen their thoughts in slightly longer form than the traditional letter to the editor. we welcome your submissions. please send them to letters to the editor, jck, 201 king of prussia rd., radnor, pa 19089; fax (610) 964-4481, e-mail gholmes@chilton.