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25. January 2012 by admin.
The Statement Necklace
Liz Taylor’s fabulous La Peregrina pearl necklace sold in December for a record $11 million at Christie’s, reaching the highest price ever for pearl jewelry at auction and far surpassing its $2-3 million estimated price. The Cartier pearl, diamond and ruby necklace given to the actress by her husband Richard Burton features a huge tear-drop natural pearl discovered in the 16th century in the Gulf of Panama. The pearl La Peregrina, meaning “the wanderer,” has a long resplendent history. Owned by kings and queens including King Philip II of Spain, it is immortalized in 17th century Velazquez royal portraits. It’s a statement necklace par excellence.
The statement necklace is clearly a trend to watch. Customers after years of austerity and wariness of conspicuous consumption are ready for something new. The emerging statement piece strikes a balance and seems to hit just the right chord. Featured on fashion runways and adorning red carpet celebrities for the last couple years, it’s now becoming mainstream. Often worn with toned down outfits—a simple black dress or pants and top—a stand-out necklace can make an outfit without the investment in a whole new wardrobe each season. It also allows the wearer to express her individuality, an important trend seen in the ever popular add-on beads bracelets and charms with personalized messages.
Big and bold, statement necklaces are wearable art. Ranging from funky fashion to exquisite haute couture, pieces feature a variety of materials and textures including chunky organic-shaped gems–such as turquoise and slices of gems—pearls, and mixed metals, often combined in a single piece. Multi-strand and layered looks are popular as well as bib and collar styles. Combinations of color, texture, materials and form are prominent—the bigger the better. The statement piece is not for the timid. Edginess is key as people express themselves by pushing the fashion envelope, perhaps a sign of the times.
The statement necklace has a rich history reaching back to ancient Egypt. The Cleopatra necklace is an iconic example, a multi-layered radiating collar style featuring vivid colors such as lapis, carnelian and pure gold. Crown jewels throughout the ages make an unabashed statement of royalty. In the 19th century Cartier’s jewelers fashioned magnificent gems from the rich treasuries of Indian maharajas into elaborate crown jewels proclaiming their princely status. During the Renaissance necklaces featuring sumptuous gems, pearls and gold adorned monarchs including Queen Elizabeth I and her father Henry VIII. Today Hollywood “royalty” mirrors this ultimate fashion statement with their exuberant creations such as Eva Mendes’s stunning Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise and diamond collar worn at the 2009 Golden Globe Awards.
How to best capitalize on this emerging trend? Feature a fabulous statement piece or two in your window. Display pictures of celebrities adorned with spectacular necklaces. Customers after holding back for years may be looking for a way to express themselves more exuberantly. The edginess of the statement piece adds just the right twist to make the trend in step with the times. Help shape this emerging desire. For important clients suggest a unique fabulous statement piece expressing her individuality. For other customers offer more moderately priced alternatives with the same attitude. Make your own statement as you help your clients to express themselves. Remember spring is just around the corner and fashion is fun!
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27. August 2011 by admin.
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7. April 2011 by admin.
Royal Power
At Will and Kate’s engagement announcement event Kate wore a sapphire blue dress mirroring the color of the couple’s prominently displayed engagement ring, arguably the most widely recognizable ring in the world today. You could almost hear a collective gasp. The future king of England explained he chose his mother Diana’s former sapphire and diamond engagement ring so she would be present in spirit with the young couple at the event. The desired effect was created. Such is the power of jewelry.
Diana’s signature ring, seen in so many photos, was ever present as the drama of her life unfolded. Telescoping three decades of rising hopes and dashed dreams, it became a powerful emotional symbol. Before Diana’s tragic death she expanded her role, becoming the “people’s princess,” an ambassador of care and concern world-wide for all those less fortunate including AIDS and land mine victims. She met with Mother Teresa’s “untouchables,” the poorest of the poor, stopping to individually give attention to every patient, some on the verge of death. She connected with people and they felt it. Perhaps the most famous woman alive, she touched many lives, far transcending her role as Princess of Wales. The world’s outpouring of grief at her premature death signaled her star power, her larger-than-life status. She was the queen of hearts.
Will and Kate represent a new generation. Kate is too young to have met Diana. A modern couple, the crown prince and his bride are a good team. Practical and competent, they work well together. They have largely taken control of their own wedding arrangements, keeping costs under control with the current economy in mind. Kate is of course a “commoner.” But the future King of England’s practical wisdom and common sense are due in large part to the influence of his mother. She was determined her sons would have as normal a childhood as possible, never losing touch with common people, never forgetting whom they served. She would take them as young boys out on the street to meet the homeless. She wanted them to know life as it really was. Young Prince William was reputed to have one day run back from grade school announcing excitedly “Mommy, I’m a prince!” to which Diana responded “You’re Will and don’t you forget it.” It’s a lesson he seems to have learned.
In this “Arab Spring,” grass roots democratic revolutions are spreading like wild fire in the Middle East and beyond. It’s thrilling to see the human spirit collectively awaken, shaking age-old shackles of fear, demanding true freedom and dignity. Our democracy—of the people, by the people, for the people—is a relatively new form of government, born in
Many of the rulers currently being challenged—in Egypt, in Libya–are unjust despots, not reflecting the will of their people. The more repressive the regime, the more violent the reaction against the ruler. Egypt was a comparatively peaceful transtion. The people demanded their freedom and it was granted. Libya’s proving more recalcitrant.
Diana’s life suggests a different model of royal power—of just, caring leaders responsive to the will of their people. Perhaps whether monarch, constitutional monarch or democratically elected leader, what matters is that the government reflect the will of the people. History shows if it does not, it will be in time thrown off.
Heroic figures who embody our highest ideals pass from time to time across the world stage. They remind us of the better angels of our nature, of what we can aspire to. This spring we’re witnessing the timeless ideals of freedom and justice born anew. Every generation must claim their ideals as their own. As they do so they breathe life into them. Abstract ideals so become living realities. What is old must be born anew. This spring is a season of hope.
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9. November 2010 by admin.
Visit the award-winning Collections featured nationally in top stores, worn by A-List Hollywood celebrities. The flagship Precious Briolette Collection, the best-selling new Jewel Casual Collection and more….see what all the excitement is about! http://jeweljewel.com
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9. November 2010 by admin.
Formulas for Success in the Changing Economy
Our economic landscape has been radically transformed. Major retail chains and long-established independents have closed their doors forever. Although the economic downturn was national, different areas have been hit harder than others. High unemployment areas are still experiencing the slowest growth. But there are pockets around the country—major metropolitan areas such as Washington
Formulas for success on the road ahead:
Customers respond to the atmosphere you create. Nothing inhibits sales like bare stores, large “We buy gold” signs and staff complaining about the economy. A spotlessly clean, orderly environment is essential. When is the last time you updated your décor? Bring in a pair of fresh eyes, an “outside” friend, to give an honest impression of your store’s impact. Investing in your store reveals commitment to the future. Project a confidence that inspires your clientele.
Now more than ever you have to remind your customers what they love about jewelry. The communication landscape has altered. Tap into all the multimedia available to reach your target audience where they already are—on the web, including social media sites such as Facebook. A basic website is expected. Do you routinely collect the email addresses of all your customers? Use regular email newsletters to introduce new Collections, announce special events such as Trunk Shows and offer special promotions.
If you’ve relied for years on mainstay bridal and repairs, now’s the time to explore other options. More self-purchasing women are buying fine fashion and designer jewelry with an eye to color and style. If you’re not offering these options, your customers may be turning elsewhere to satisfy their desires—including multiple TV commercial stations and the internet. Why not capture the interest of your fashion-forward clients, both men and women, with new offerings? Take advantage of hot current trends, including interchangeable bead bracelets and silver accented with gold at attractive price points. But also include some new higher-end pieces to capture the imagination and pique interest. Create the desire. If you don’t have it, you won’t sell it.
Work with both suppliers and customers to arrange credit. Many suppliers are willing to work with you, including providing additional memo items and rotating your current inventory.
Include layaway options for clients to help with larger purchases. Avoid the tendency to routinely discount across the board. This only suggests your merchandise is not accurately priced and undercuts its value. A special discount from time to time for loyal customers, on special occasions, or for multiple purchases adds more incentive and increases the perceived value of your collections.
Now more than ever people want to be uplifted. Beautiful jewelry is a natural refuge. It’s associated with happy times, celebrations, enduring relationships. It lifts the spirits and provides solace. This Season, we’re reminded of all we have to be thankful for—an industry inspired by beauty, a community of caring people with many shared values. Wishing you all joy and hope this Holiday Season.
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9. November 2010 by admin.
Fall and Holiday Preview
It was all glamour and glitz at the SJTA Atlanta Show August 7-9 at the Cobb Galleria. A new feature—“Jewelry on the Catwalk,” a fashion show with live models featuring some of the top designers at the show—stole the day, receiving rave reviews. Models strutting the runway wearing ensembles of top selling pieces created an exciting atmosphere of fashion and fun, helping buyers visualize combinations and making the jewelry come alive.
Some of the hottest trends gleaned from the show, key trends to watch for during the fall into the holiday season:
· Big and Bold
Big and bold are in. “We’re noticing a lot more interest, from designers and retailers alike, in big, bold statement pieces,” Belle Etoile shares. “We’re anticipating large bangles, chokers, and rings in every retailer window display, especially as we get closer to the holiday season.”
Barbara Garwood echoes, “Big and bountiful are in. My large stone rings sold very well—stones up to 18 x 25 mm. My most popular pendants on multi-strands of pearls with gems give a large presence to the entire piece.”
Alwand Vahan’s bold beautiful bangles in silver and gold accented with diamonds, stacked or single, favored by celebrities, sparkled at the fashion show.
· Color, color, color!
“Color was big at this show,” reveals Belle Etoile. “We had great response to our vivid enamel pieces. Many of our retailers use color and vibrancy to attract a new fashion-conscious clientele. Our chocolate-brown Italian rubber with champagne and coffee gems resonates with warm, rich earthy tones that are surging for the fall season.”
Cool blue is hot! Turquoise, Pantone’s color of the year 2010, continues to spark excitement. Mia Katrin for JEWEL COUTURE’s Golden Waves necklace of large blue topaz briolettes and 14 karat gold, featured throughout the Atlanta show magazine, remains a top best seller.
Barbara Garwood concurs. “My designs in London blue topaz stone were one of my best sellers.”
Look for warm earth tones into the fall—gold, chocolate, rust and champagne—to rule the season. Honora’s cherry colored pearls are among their top best sellers. As we move into the holidays, customers will reach for rich, vibrant jewel tones across the spectrum from violet to chartreuse. Holiday means sparkle!
· Mixed metals
With gold over $1200 an ounce, customers are seeking options. Blackened textured sterling silver highlighted with flashes of high-karat gold is a strong option, projecting a high-end look without sticker shock. White gold is surging. Smart designers focus on large gems with minimal gold to create an opulent look at sellable price points.
· Back to Nature
Anything organic is in. Nuggets or slices of gems, metals that look hand-worked, engraved messages that look hand-written all have strong appeal. Customers crave artisan-look pieces with a hand-made, one-of-a- kind look.
· Happy Jewelry
Fashion-forward women seek fine jewelry that is fashion-conscious. Designer jewelry “gives retailers the confidence to explore new ways to pair fashion with fine jewelry and satisfy a consumer market trending towards self-purchases,” Belle Etoile notes. Look for more and more self-purchasing women, especially under the $1000 price point. They seek versatile pieces to complement their wardrobes and give themselves a boost. Barbara Garwood shares, “When difficult times abound women want to treat themselves to something and color is a key factor in cheering oneself up. Brilliant colors make for ‘happy jewelry’ and pieces sell themselves right out of the display.”
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9. November 2010 by admin.
Mr. Ragsdale readily spins a yarn, weaving a web of colorful anecdotes across the time span, “My great grandfather, Benjamin Rush Jolly, founded Jolly’s in downtown
“His father Nathaniel Jolly was a wheelwright, skilled in forging metals, before the Civil War. During Reconstruction, a new Metropolitan Hall complex was built to rekindle pride in the capital, including a city market, jail, fire department and theater. Nathaniel Jolly was one of the three major contractors on the 1866 theater project.
“In 1888, Jolly’s moved several blocks to
“My great grandfather Benjamin Rush Jolly married Susan Carolyn Overby. Her father, J.J. Overby, was a Raleigh City Commissioner. As the Civil War ended, Overby was party to the final surrender to
“From 1888 to 1974, Jolly’s in downtown
“In 1909, Benjamin Rush Jolly and his son, Frank Moseley Jolly, my grandfather, founded the NC Optometric Society. At the time, jewelers were also optometrists, fabricating frames and fitting them to lenses. The Jollys along with other area businessmen advocated that optometry should be a separate profession with its own standards. Frank Moseley Jolly became a Doctor of Optometry as well as running the family business.
“Disaster struck in 1919, revealing the fragility of life. At the close of World War I, Dr. Frank Moseley Jolly, age 39, caught the influenza that swept the world and died within two days. He left behind his widow, Janie Robbins Jolly, and four children including my mother Susan. My grandmother took over the store. Educated, a school teacher, she was one of the toughest, hardest women, but always a lady. An iron-fisted female, she always told the truth, never exaggerated. With a keen sense of business, she knew how to treat people.
“So began the era of women running the store, from 1919 to 1992. When my grandfather died, my mother Susan was 13. She began running the Jolly household, helping her siblings. In 1928 she graduated from
“October 1929. The stock market collapsed. In 1930-31, many banks were failing. Jolly’s heard one of their banks, which held a note for some seasonal debt, was about to collapse. In those days, if the bank failed, any money on deposit was lost. But any obligations to the bank were still due and had to be paid. My mother and grandmother went to the bank and tried to pay off the note but the bankers refused—the standing policy. The two women, facing off against a team of men, thinking quickly, went to Mr. R.P. Holding, Sr. the president and founder of First Citizens Bank and were able pay off the note and transfer the remaining cash to First Citizens. The next day, the original bank failed. Jolly’s still to this day partners with First Citizens Bank, a major
Mr. Ragsdale recalls “I was thrust into the business at age 19 because of an immediate family need. At age 21, I received my Graduate Gemologist and Certified Gemologist degrees. Becoming President in 1978, I took over the store and ran it along side my mother until her death in 1992.”
What does the future hold? “We’ve always specialized in diamonds and bridal. No one 130 years ago could imagine the current climate, with the commoditization of diamonds, competition from world imports and the internet. Bridal, beads and buying gold are currently keeping most businesses open. We now also feature designer Collections, including Mia Katrin for Jewel Couture. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area has had a relative advantage because of the proximity of the state government, major research institutions and universities.”
Jolly’s family tradition continues strong. Mr. Ragsdale’s son has just graduated from NC State with degrees in Business Administration and Accounting and a daughter who is a Rising Senior at UNC Chapel Hill. With its time-tested tradition of business and family values—integrity, adaptability and strength—all possibilities are open. The future is bright.
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9. November 2010 by admin.
The power of fashion. It’s your secret tool. Tap into today’s hottest trends to add excitement, allure and entice your clients.
Featuring designer jewelry creates a cutting-edge climate for your store. Clients aware of designers will seek you out for what’s fresh and on trend.
For the retailer, the designer provides a perfect partner. Inspired by gems and nature, the designer taps the pulse of society. Drawing on the creative impulse, she tweaks current trends and shapes new ones. Your store is her showcase. She’ll provide promotional materials, displays and Trunk Shows. She wants you to succeed. It’s a win-win situation.
Some of today’s hottest trends:
Color is everywhere.
Fresh, bold vibrant colors mix and match in gems and metals. Turquoise is Pantone’s color of the year. Silver, “the new gold” is dominant, accented with gold. The demand for white gold is especially strong for younger clientele. Black diamonds and blackened metals including oxidized steel and cobalt chrome create a modern edgy look.
What’s old is new.
Classics including moonstones and onyx are resurgent. Black and white, always a classic combination, strikes just the right chord in clean, modern pieces. Traditional keepsake jewelry including engraved pendants is on message with affirming contemporary expressions such as “believe” and txt messages. Express yourself!
Charmed.
Personalized bracelets, earrings and necklaces with interchangeable charms are flying off the shelves. It’s nostalgia with a fresh twist. Look for anything that makes pieces personal, not mass-produced.
The Awards Season’s Impact
is reflected in shoulder-duster chandeliers and the new elongated teardrop shape in gem and metal earrings. Big bangle bracelets and stacks of smaller ones remain very popular.
Artisan and organic.
Look for fluid forms inspired by nature including slices of gems and uncut diamonds. Pieces that look hand-worked have particular appeal. A high end look coupled with a raw naturalness perfectly expresses the current tone.
Fashion is fun! Don’t be afraid explore this lucrative dimension to add another engine to your sales. Especially for the self-purchasing woman, style is key. Have design experts on your staff. The store reflecting the most current trends will serve as a magnet to the style-conscious client. Develop your store’s reputation as the go-to store, the one in the know.
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9. November 2010 by admin.
Record Auction Sales Benefit Victims
The
Two pairs of Ruth Madoff’s diamond dangle earrings sold for $70,000 each: Lot No. 201, Cartier Art Deco onyx and diamond earrings, estimated pre-auction at $9,800, and Lot No. 218, gold, silver and diamond earrings pre-valued at $21,400.
The jewelry was simple and conservative, much of it in onyx, diamonds and gold, made by prestigious firms such as Bulgari, Hermes, Chaumet and David Webb, according to the
The most highly prized item in the sale, the Rolex “prisoner watch,” brought only $65,000. All the watches were made in
Fascination with celebrity mixed with desire to benefit the victims fueled the bidding.
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15. August 2009 by admin.
Got vintage? Estate jewelry? How about a 100,000 year old necklace? Recently discovered Nassarius shell beads from the Skhul rock shelter in Israel are believed to be the oldest necklace ever found–100 millennia! It stretches our imagination to visualize life over such a vast expanse of time. But we now have evidence that we share a basic primal impulse with our predecessors–the desire to create ornamentation and decorate ourselves.
Why do we wear jewelry? It’s a distinctively human impulse, a use of symbolism that separates us from other species. Some ancient craftsman punctured holes in the Nassarius shell beads with the intent to connect and wear them. Was that craftsman the first jeweler? What was the driving impulse that sparked the imagination?
· Jewelry signifies wealth, power and status, throughout the ages, from the crowns and regalia of royalty to the extravagant collections of the rich and famous. We mimic the famous jewelry of royalty and celebrities–remember Lady Diana’s wildly popular blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring?–to bask in an aura of elevated status. That Rolex watch or 3 carat diamond in your display taps into this basic impulse. A diamond engagement ring that equals two month’s salary is a direct display of net worth. Tap into this elemental desire of your customers. They’re instinctively drawn to magnificent jewelry to enhance their image. Let them know what a spectacular reflection that special piece will project.
· Jewelry is sexy! What instinct could be more primal? Men and women throughout time have adorned themselves to attract the opposite sex. Sparkling jewels, long dangling earrings and lustrous pearls enhance our natural beauty. Was that ancient Nassarius shell necklace worn by a tribal leader as a status symbol or given to his mate as a sign of affection to glorify her beauty? Just glance at the covers and ads in any top jewelry magazine to see the same principles at work today. Appeal to this basic instinct. Let your client know how stunning that special necklace or ring makes her look!
· Good luck charms, warding off evil. Jewelry worn as spiritual talismans is as ancient as humankind. The Egyptians created elaborate pure gold funerary pieces for their pharaohs to accompany them and ease their path in the afterlife. Currently this trend is enjoying a resurgence. In addition to the ever popular crosses and good luck horseshoes, today’s jeweler can offer a wide display of charms ranging from peace symbols to ankhs, offering positive affirmations from cultures across the ages throughout the globe. This current hot trend is truly universal.
· We wear jewelry to bind us together, to connect to each other. From the most popular engagement, wedding and anniversary rings, to Celtic friendship rings, mother’s rings, lockets with pictures of loved ones and school class rings, these pieces reaffirm our connections. From ancient times, gifts of jewelry have had a deep emotional appeal. What could be more powerful gift than a token to wear, a constant reminder to yourself and outward display for others? The smart jeweler recognizes and promotes this universal appeal.
· Express yourself! Ancient Lascaux cave drawings confirm a primal artistic impulse to create, to express ourselves. A current very hot trend with timeless roots is the desire to express individuality. From causes–pink ribbons and livestrong bracelets–to charm necklaces with uplifting messages–hope, dream, believe–to personalized “add a bead” charms, it’s all about making a personal statement. This basic human desire spans the ages, from that distant ancestor 100,000 years ago who crafted and wore a necklace of shells.
So the next time you pull a necklace from your case to entice your client, remember you’re appealing to powerful primal impulses as ancient as humankind. Tap into these motives and you’re sure to achieve success!
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