OGI Systems wins contract
by Jo Black
OGI Systems Ltd. has been granted the prestigious contract to be the main supplier for Julius Klein Diamond (JKD) Company, recently established in Namibia.
OGI Systems will supply the JKD factory with machines for measuring and laser marking diamonds.
JKD tested and compared OGI System with other existing instruments appearing in the diamond market and [...]
IDI focuses on luxury at Basel
by Jo Black
The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) annual high profile breakfast press conference at BASELWORLD 2008 will focus on diamonds as a symbol of luxury, featuring some of Israel’s most innovative companies.
The press conference will be held on April 4, 2008 from 8:45 – 10:00 am in the Osaka - Samarkand Congress Room of the Basel [...]
CIBJO releases special reports
by Jo Black
CIBJO released three more special reports compiled by the group’s Diamond Commission, the CIBJO Marketing and Education Commission, and the CIBJO Gemmological Commission.
Diamond Commission
In its report, the authors of the CIBJO Diamond Commission (CDC) express their hope that in Dubai, it can resolve some of the ‘hot’ issues that were the cause [...]
Novori’s TulipTM collection
by Jo Black
Novori Inc., a leading online interactive retailer of fine diamond engagement rings and jewelry, is proud to introduce the newest addition to their line of unique jewelry pieces, the Tulip™ Collection.
Having online exclusivity of quality brands is very important to us, commented Mark Neild, CFO of Novori, Inc. It is a strategy that we [...]
HRD Antwerp at Istanbul Jewellery Show
by Jo Black
HRD Antwerp NV, which provides grading, gemmological, educational, technological and research services to the international diamond and jewellery industries, will highlight its presence at the Istanbul Jewellery Show later this month with a seminar for trade show attendees about synthetic diamonds and diamond simulants.
The Istanbul Jewellery Show, which opens on March 26 and runs through [...]
Mulloy’s Fine Jewelry recognized in platinum program
by Jo Black
Mulloy’s Fine Jewelry has been awarded Southern California’s Platinum Guild International’s Preferred Platinum Partnership. In order to receive this prestigious distinction, Mulloy’s was voted for by the top fine jewelry designers in the world as being one of America’s premiere destinations for precious platinum jewelry designs.
Founded in 1975, Platinum Guild International (PGI) provides information, [...]
Security Track to launch new products
by Jo Black
Worldwide Security Network’s Security Track division will introduce its new line of security products for travelling jewelers at the MJSA Show in New York on April 13, 14, and 15th.
The Security Track manufactures a complete line of Secure Salesman’s Cases that deter theft, save lives, and improve chances of recovery in the event of a [...]
MJSA, Jewelers Mutual join forces
by Jo Black
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) and Jewelers Mutual have joined forces to offer MJSA members a variety of insurance solutions specifically designed for manufacturers, retailers, bench jewelers, wholesalers, and those involved in repair, custom design, and jewelry appraising.
MJSA is pleased to join forces with an experienced insurance company that is exceptionally knowledgeable [...]
Zale increase stock repurchase program
by Jo Black
Zale Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an increase of $100 million as part of the Company’s stock repurchase program.
The new authorization is in addition to the $200 million repurchase authorization disclosed in November of 2007. As previously announced, the Company expects [...]
Blue Nile’ s CFO resigns
by Jo Black
Blue Nile, Inc. announced that Robin Easton has resigned from the role of Chief Financial Officer to pursue other interests, effective March 31, 2008. The Company plans to commence a search to fill the Chief Financial Officer position.
Upon Easton’s resignation, Terri Maupin, the Company’s Vice President of Finance and Controller, will assume the duties of [...]
HRD to exhibit at Amberif Fair
by Jo Black
HRD Antwerp NV, the subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), is all set to exhibit at the Amberif fair in Gdansk, Poland, from March 11-15, 2008. The company’s stand will be located in Hall 3, Booth B01.
Also at the fair, a gemmologist from the HRD Precious Stones Lab will present a lecture [...]
JCPenney opens 10 new stores
by Jo Black
J. C. Penney Company, Inc announced the opening of 10 new stores nationwide as it continues to grow and enhance its store base throughout the United States.
In addition to being fully stocked with fresh, trend-right merchandise, the new stores showcase JCPenney’s major brand concepts, American Living(TM) and Sephora Inside JCPenney. American Living, introduced in [...]
Zale initiates efficiency program
by Jo Black
Zale Corporation has begun the implementation of a program designed to enhance the Company’s profitability and improve its overall effectiveness. The program, which seeks to generate $65 plus million in ongoing, annualized savings beginning in the Company’s fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, is the product of management’s comprehensive review of operating and capital expenses in [...]
Gitanjali changes in management
by Jo Black
Gitanjali U.S.A., a division of Gitanjali Gems, operating Samuels Jewelers, Inc. and Rogers Ltd, Inc., two of America’s leading specialty retailers of fine jewelry announced, effective immediately, the promotion of Randy McCullough to Chairman and Deepak Gandhi to President and CEO of Gitanjali U.S.A. In addition, David Barr will be retiring from his current Chairman [...]
Charm Diamond Centres awarded
by Jo Black
Charm Diamond Centres, the largest Canadian-owned retail jewelry chain in the country, has been selected as a winner of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for 2007, showing that the customer is still “king” in Canada and that employees are treated like royalty.
The family-owned Charm Diamond Centres’ mission and vision statement is to “Win the Customer [...]
Zale’s Q2 results of fiscal 2008
by Jo Black
Zale Corporation, a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, today announced earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 of $52.7 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to $77.1 million, or $1.57 per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The second quarter ended January 31, [...]
Blue Nile’s 2007 financial results
by Jo Black
Blue Nile, Inc. reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30, 2007.
Net sales grew 23.3% to $111.9 million, compared to $90.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Operating income for the quarter rose 24.0% to $10.1 million from $8.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income totaled [...]
Christie’s 2007 jewelry sales up
by Jo Black
Dominated by diamonds, jewellery sales at Christie’s totalled close to $400 million in 2007, an increase of 11% over 2006 ($355 million), which was already up by 27% over a then record 2005 ($279 million).
These results, the highest ever achieved by any auction house, confirm Christie’s position of world market leader for jewellery auctions. 2007 [...]
Zale provides January sales
by Jo Black
Zale Corporation ZLC, a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, has reported that for the second quarter ended January 31, 2008, comparable store sales decreased 7.3%. Revenues for the second quarter were $827 million compared to $892 million last year, a decrease of 7.3%. As previously announced, the sale of Bailey Banks [...]
European jewellers directory launched
by Jo Black
The Jewelers of Europe organization has collated an online directory of European jewelry and watchmakers, which may be an exciting and new way of reaching jewellery and watch retailers across Europe.
The European Jewellers Directory©, or EJD, will provide the customers with the ability to identify and reach retailers with pinpoint accuracy across Europe’s biggest and [...]