On Wednesday morning, I filled up the gas tank in my vehicle for $15.09—regular gas was just $1.73 a gallon at the station where I stopped. But I didn’t’ realize the low price at first, so I was stunned when the pump stopped at just $15 (in the past few months, the cost has been as much as $45); I kept clicking the handle to release more fuel, certain that either I was doing something wrong or that the pump was faulty. When I finally realized that the price was accurate—after turning on my vehicle to watch the gas needle inch up to ‘Full’—I rejoiced in my savings, and, started thinking about extra holiday gifts that I might be able to now splurge on.

 

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I get a lot of press releases. I mean, my-inbox-currently-has-6,000+-messages lot of press releases. It isn't often that I receive one that makes me stop, pause and giggle. Yesterday, I did and I wanted to share. Not only because it is pretty funny in this age of sometimes-absurd celebrity endorsements, but also because it is the perfect example on how to clear through the information clutter that buries so many editors (and jewelry consumers); how to think creatively to get your brand noticed.

So, the press release came from Icelink watchs. The title: "Santa Claus Becomes the Exclusive Ambassador of Icelink".

Of course, I had to read further: 
"Starting this year Santa Claus will fly b...Read More

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Turn off the news this weekend and indulge yourself in a pick-me-up present! It is the right medicine to combat all the infectious doom-and-gloom news on television. Nothing cheers you up like retail therapy, and there is no better time than now to shop.

 

While Hallmark has yet to recognize a “National Fine Jewelry Appreciation Day,” I urge industry to spread its enthusiasm for jewelry even more by removing ‘wow’ pieces from locked cases and putting them on your person. Layer up your necklaces and put pins on all your lapels! The news may be glum, but our product is anything but; jewelry is a constant source of beaut...Read More

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I’m hearing a lot right now about one-of-a-kind and custom work. In an age when independents (and most designers, for that matter) truly need to differentiate themselves from online and chain-store competition, this is one area that many are discovering as a way to stand apart from the crowd.

 

Interesting, then, the juxtaposition when I came across objectfetish.com, a website dedicated to art jewels. It seems to me that this is one category in which customers would ESPECIALLY want to see, touch and feel the pieces they are buying. But, on the other hand, we once said that about all fine jewelry. Just a little food for thought... Is this a viable e-commerce...Read More

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I read this early this morning and thought: “He’s nuts.” But Barney’s Creative Director (and ultimate pop-culture fashion guru) Simon Doonan may be on to something here in taking this recession-be-damned approach to depressing economic news. 
"My job," he says, "Is to sustain the idea that fashion is exciting and glamorous." 
Like fine jewelers, Doonan is in the business of selling luxury goods, so his thoughts ring true... at least from an inspirational standpoint. Amid a lot of fear and worry about what the economy will bring for the holiday season and beyond, it’s imperative to keep an upbeat approach with customers. So, consider this your Tuesday morning pep talk. We’re all fabulous, and don’t you forget it...  

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Congratulations to the new first family! Upon moving into the White House on January 20, 2009, Michelle Obama not only brings her history-making husband, two beautiful girls, and new pet (please go for the pound dog, not the breeder’s pup) but also her seemingly effortless good taste and style. 



Hello new First Family, the Obamas!


Michelle Obama always looks sharp, whether she’s wearing a J. Crew outfit on The Tonight Show or a Narciso Rodriguez dress on Election Day night. And the right jewelry—of course—compliments all of her ensembles. 


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Last week, I viewed jewelry submissions to the American Gem Trade Association’s (AGTA) annual Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards. This year marked the venue’s 25^th anniversary. For those unfamiliar with the Awards, they are an opportunity for big names and newcomers alike to demonstrate their talent in the design of colored gemstone jewelry and the unique and expert cutting of loose colored stones.  

 

Hundreds of entries are judged across...Read More

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My hometown baseball team, The Philadelphia Phillies, won the World Series last night. It’s been 28 years since this team last won the World Series (though it did win the National League Championship in 1993), so this win is cause for celebration! Fans went absolutely nuts, spilling out onto the city streets, and a big celebration will occur downtown today; a parade starts at City Hall at 20^th and Market Streets and continues down Broad Street to the Wachovia Complex. 

 
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Market Visits: Katrina Kelly, Lana Jewelry, and Slane and Slane

Katrina Kelly

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It’s not yet Halloween, but the Holiday season is underway. That’s because The Christmas Book by Neiman Marcus hit mailboxes last week, and its array of chic, uncommon, and sometimes over-the-top (backyard golf course, anyone?) gifts is just in time to lift the spirits of tire kickers and serious buyers alike.

 

A number of this year’s tony tokens appeal to those with precious tastes, though the price tags don’t seem altogether as steep as last year. Consider Diamond in the Rough jewels, which appear in the catalog for the second straight year; offerings for 2008 are from the Champagne Bubbles Co...Read More

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On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending the 46664 Global Bangle Initiative held at the Montblanc store on Madison Ave in New York. The Initiative employs South African craftsmen affected by HIV/AIDS and fair-trade metals to create the unique jewelry brand, 46664 (Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number). The Nelson Mandela Fund benefits from the Bangle Initiative because it receives 60 percent of bracelet sale proceeds, and ...Read More

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This morning I met new jewelry designer Katrina Kelly, who launched her own design business just six months ago. She’s been a bench jeweler in industry for 10 years, but cultivated her own signature style—feminine, delicate and airy, with elongated details—for wholesale. 



Here is Katrina, modelling a pair of her earrings.

 

“I like pink [stones], fleur-di-lis and teardrop shapes, dome designs, satin-finished green gold, and yellow gold finishes&rd...Read More

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