TOP FALL JEWELRY TRENDS REVEALED

July 30, 2007

New York—Bold cuffs, organic forms and personalized pieces are some of the hottest trends for fall jewelry, according to a Jewelry Information Center (JIC) seminar held at the JA New York Summer Show on Sunday.

Bracelets will remain the "it" fashion accessory for fall in cuff styles that feature freeform precious metal, nature themes, enamel detailing and bright faceted or cabochon gemstones. Bangles will also be on trend in hand-hammered high-karatage metals with rose-cut diamonds. Thin "personal" bracelets, created from cord, rubber, plastic or woven gold and colored fabric, are also expected to be popular, especially when paired with symbols of sentimentality.

Gem-laden cocktail rings will share the spotlight this season with wide bands highlighting intricate carving or hand-hammered metals. Stacking rings are also sure to be a hit.

Non-traditional hearts, lock and keys, crowns and other girlie motifs will emerge as top pendant trends, along with monograms, emblems, coins and crests.

Medallions will still be in vogue, typically in round shapes with double-sided designs. Carved or openwork designs make the style more affordable, and many will be hung low on rubber cord or string for a more organic feel.

Study: Time greatest luxury, jewelry not far behind

July 24, 2007

New York—Luxury consumers across the globe share many characteristics, including an emphasis on experiences over possessions, a new study finds.

In the online survey conducted by the Consumer Research Center of The Conference Board, jewelry represented an important status luxury, with 24 percent of consumers surveyed owning fine jewelry and watch collections.

Chinese luxury consumers ranked first in ownership of fine jewelry and watches.

Of those surveyed, 35 percent believe that time represents the most highly valued luxury, 25 percent chose life experiences and 18 percent chose having things in life that surround them with comfort, beauty and quality.Among those surveyed, 26 percent believe luxury is more about experiencing life and having a sense of happiness and satisfaction than about material things. A quarter of those surveyed feel luxury is about being comfortably well off and not having to worry about tomorrow.

The online survey polled 1,800 affluent consumers in the United States, China France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. All respondents were over the age of 18 and in the top 25 percent income brackets.Survey sponsors included Conde Nast Publications, Gucci Group, Gibson USA, The Ritz Carlton and Tru Vue.

Houston museum to highlight Verdura

July 20, 2007



Houston—The Houston Museum of Natural Science will offer the first-ever exhibit of Verdura-designed jewelry this fall.

Verdura's "Wrapped Heart" brooch will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science this fall.

"Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler" will appear in The Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault at the museum from Nov. 16-Feb. 17.

Duke Fulco di Verdura (1898-1978) created intensely colored jewelry inspired by natural forms and classical patterns. He began his career in 1927 as a textile designer for Coco Chanel.

Chanel named Verdura head designer for her private and boutique jewelry collection, a title he maintained for eight years. In 1935, he created the iconic Maltese Cross Cuffs that Chanel wore throughout her life.

The cuffs will go on display at the exhibit, along with a curb-link bracelet watch created for Greta Garbo and brooches created for Clare Luce Boothe.

Admission to the exhibit is free with general admission to the museum.

Jewelry designers to support Simmons gala

July 20, 2007



Rachel Roy's "Stacey Twist" cocktail dress is one of the yellow-themed items being donated to the Simmons' "Art for Life" charity event.

New York—Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons' "Art for Life" gala, an East Hampton, N.Y., fete slated for the end of this month, continues to draw jewelry designers to its cause—support for art programs and organizations for underprivileged youth in New York City.

Newly announced participants to the event's "Yellow Wardrobe"-themed silent auction include jewelry designers Jeri Cohen and Ana Reign, as well as Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons' own brand, the Simmons Jewelry Co.

Cohen, whose jewelry has been donned by such stars as Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Osbourne, will donate an 18-karat yellow-gold diamond-flower necklace, which retails for $7,500.

Reign will donate a tiered necklace with yellow jade and silver, retailing at $1,600. Celebrities Heather Locklear and Nicole Richie are among the designer's loyal followers.

As for the event's hosts, Kimora Lee Simmons will donate a Hello Kitty diamond pavé watch with a yellow lizard strap from her "KLS for Hello Kitty" collection, and Russell Simmons will donate matching his-and-hers diamond, green rubber and stainless steel bracelets from the "Green Initiative" collection. Both collections are under the Simmons Jewelry Co. brand.

Jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz had earlier been announced as a participant in the event. Schwartz will donate her gold "Evil Eye" bracelet, which retails for $8,300.

The "Art for Life" gala will take place on July 28, with all proceeds from the silent auction benefiting the more than 70 New York City art programs and organizations supported by the Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation.

TIMEPIECES FOR MD CHARITY AUCTION

Watchmakers create timepieces for charity auction

July 19, 2007

Monte Carlo, Monaco—The world's top watchmakers will create new watches for an Antiquorum auction that will benefit muscular dystrophy research.

As part of the "Only Watch 2007" event, 35 of the world's top timepiece brands will donate a unique watch or a first in a series for an auction that will take place on Sept. 20 at the Monaco Yacht Show.The auction will benefit research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The first such auction, held in September 2005, raised $2.6 million.

Watches by Girard-Perregaux (above) and

De Bethune (below) will be part of

"Only Watch 2007," an auction to benefit

Muscular Dystrophy research.

Among the one-of-a-kind pieces that will be available at the auction are watches by Blancpain, Daniel Roth, De Bethune, delaCour, DeWitt and Jean-Michel Wimotte, Franck Muller, Frederique Constant, Gerald Charles, Girard-Perregaux, Glashutte, Hublot, Instrument et Mesures de Temps, IWC, Jacquet Dorz, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Louis Vuitton, Officine Panerai, Omega, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Pierre Kunz, Richard Mille and Philippe Starck, Rodolphe, Swatch, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef and Arpels and Zenith.

JEWELRY DESIGNER SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

MJSA awards emerging jewelry designers

July 19, 2007

Providence, R.I.—The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) Education Foundation has awarded more than $7,000 in scholarships to seven student designers.

The following students have received a 2007 MJSA Education Foundation scholarship:

Cheryl E. Acosta of Mesilla, N.M., will pursue an M.F.A. in metals and jewelry at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Jedediah A. Braun of Orangeburg, S.C., currently enrolled at Paris Junior College, in Paris, Texas, is pursuing a Jewelers of America Level Two Bench Jeweler certification.
Jane-Marie W. Ovanin of Amherst, Wis., is pursuing an M.F.A. in jewelry and metalsmithing at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Lucia A. Perluck of Barrington, R.I., is pursuing a B.F.A. in metals and jewelry from Temple University in Philadelphia
Davina R. Romansky of Akron, Ohio, is pursung a B.F.A. in metals and jewelry at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.
Carol A. Salisbury of Portland, Ore., is pursuing a B.F.A. in jewelry making and design from the Oregon College of Art and Craft
Erica A. Waldron of Leonard, Texas, is pursuing an associate degree in jewelry technology from Paris Junior College.

The MJSA Education Foundation, a non-profit branch of the MJSA, awards scholarships annually and distributes them through a partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation, whose mission it is to connect private philanthropy to the public good.

The scholarships are made possible through many individual donors, as well as endowment funds, including the Karl Augenstein Memorial Fund, the George R. Frankovich Scholarship Fund, the Michael Marcogliese Scholarship Fund, the Andrew and Frances Salvadore Scholarship Fund, and the Walter Oppenheim Fund.

For more information about the MJSA Education Foundation, visit the MJSA's Web site, MJSA.org, or contact MJSA Academy Director Teresa Shannon at (800) 444-6572 ext. 3103 or teresa.shannon@mjsa.org.

Gold Prices Rise As Dollar Falls

By LAUREN VILLAGRAN
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Gold prices jumped Thursday as the euro climbed to a fresh peak against the U.S. dollar amid concerns about the strength of the U.S. economy.

Elsewhere, commodities prices finished mixed.

"The dollar and oil took turns propelling bullion values throughout the day," said Jon Nadler, an analyst with Kitco Bullion Dealers, in a client note.

August gold rose as high as $671 an ounce in intraday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, then ended the session up $6.20 at $668.30 an ounce.
Gold found support in a declining U.S. dollar, as investors sought a so-called safer haven for their funds. The euro bought $1.379 in late trading.

September silver picked up 20.5 cents to close at $13.18 an ounce.

Energy prices shed some weight as several refineries restarted operations, raising expectations for increased gasoline output. Inventories of gasoline showed larger-than-expected growth last week, according to a Wednesday report from the Energy Information Administration.

Light, sweet crude oil initially leaped more than $1, then eased to close down 6 cents at $72.50 a barrel. Gasoline prices shed 4 cents to settle at $2.2663 a gallon.

At the Chicago Board of Trade, traders of wheat, corn and soybeans responded to dry weather patterns in parts of the Midwest and a report on world supply and demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Forecasts for dry conditions in the western Corn Belt bolstered corn prices as the crop enters its crucial pollination stage. December corn added 9.6 cents to close at $3.65 a bushel.

The USDA on Thursday cut its production estimate for hard, red winter wheat , the wheat used in cereals and bakery goods , by 7 percent and raised its forecast for price to farmers to an all-time record of $5.10 a bushel. The agency also boosted its estimates for corn production 22 percent to 12.84 billion bushels, up from 10.54 billion a year ago.

"The reality of these numbers was already incorporated into the market," said DTN analyst Gary Wilhelmi.

Wheat prices edged 0.4 cent lower to close at $6.214 a bushel. Soybeans gained 18.6 cents to finish at $9.414 a bushel.

Overseas, industrial metals ended the session mostly lower, with declines in copper, aluminum and tin on the London Metal Exchange. Lead finished flat while zinc notched a 2 percent gain. September copper slipped 4.05 cents to close at $3.581 a pound on the Nymex.

July 12, 2007 5:35 PM

West Coast Diamond Thief

Watch out for West Coast switch artist
July 13, 2007

New York—The Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) is warning jewelers on the West Coast to be on the lookout for a man who is allegedly asking jewelers to view diamonds and then swapping the stones with cubic zirconia.

According to the warning, the man enters retail jewelry stores and asks to see the largest set of diamond earrings that the jeweler has on hand. After examining the goods, he leaves the store and then returns shortly thereafter to view the pieces again and switch the diamonds for cubic zirconia. The thief tends to focus on high-end department stores, and has hit in Santa Monica, Calif., and Portland, Ore., among other locations, according to the JSA.

Authorities believe the man has contacts in Alaska, Arizona, California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington. The San Diego Police Department has connected the man to at least six pending diamond-switch cases on the West Coast, the JSA says.

The suspect is a white male who is described to be about 34 years old, approximately 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, police say.

Jewelers with information on the suspect may contact Detective Timothy Johnson at the San Diego Police Department at (619) 744-9515.

And the Bride Wore Bling; Parker, Longoria Wed

MODERN JEWELRY TRENDS

by Cheryl Kremkow

You’ve heard of trophy wives, of course. A newer phenomenon is trophy couples: celebrities who wed in the spotlight, prompting a mad race to see whose jewelry, dresses, and other bridal booty will benefit from the reflected starlight. Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria and NBA star Tony Parker married at at Saint Germain L’Auxerrois Church in Paris in what is the celebrity wedding of the year so far, one of the couples tying the knot on lucky 7-7-07.

So who won the bridal placement sweepstakes? If you follow these things, you have no doubt heard that the five-carat emerald cut engagement ring was designed by Jean Dousset, a jeweler from Paris who has now also opened a studio in Los Angeles, no doubt to capitalize on the publicity. (Dousset also designed the pendant with Parker’s number 9 that Longoria wears to Spurs games.)

The wedding bands are Piaget, two turning Possession bands in 18K white gold. Hers has two rows of 80 brilliant-cut diamonds separated by a row of 27 square-cut diamonds. His is plain 18k white gold. At the couple’s request, an inscription was engraved inside both rings in French.

The bride’ wore H.Stern’s half-a-million dollar Hebe Earrings in 18K Noble Gold with 17 carats of marquise, cushion, oval & round cut diamonds. The earrings were designed in collaboration between Eva’s longtime stylist and friend Robert Verdi and H.Stern Creative Director Roberto Stern. She also wore a $100,000 diamond bracelet from the H.Stern 2007 Red Carpet Collection to accent her Angel Sanchez gown. Hair Stylist Ken Paves added sparkle to Eva’s hair with H.Stern Zephyr and Geometric hair clips with with more than 15 carats of cognac diamonds.

The gifts for the 13 bridesmaids were also H.Stern: Giardino earrings, each pair $1,000. The bride gave her husband a Piaget watch customized with a large pave diamond number nine on its face.

Some of the gifts to the couple were also occasions for industry publicity. The happy couple received engraved his and her Oceanaut Pacha Cobra watches, set with 1.25 total carats of VS1, G-color diamonds, conflict-free, of course.

Parker/Longoria Engagement photo courtesy of White Lace Wedding

With this bling, Parker, Longoria wed

July 09, 2007

Paris—Tony Parker and Eva Longoria weren't the only lucky ones on July 7. At least three jewelry companies are celebrating after their product was featured at the celebrity wedding this past weekend.

Desperate Housewives star Longoria donned one-of-a-kind H. Stern jewelry as she wed San Antonio Spurs point guard Parker at Saint Germain l'Auxerrois Church in Paris on Saturday, followed by an elaborate reception at the 17th-century Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte.

Longoria wore H. Stern's "Hebe" earrings (left) and "Zephyr" and "Geometric" hair clips for the ceremony and the company's "Isis" earrings for the reception. She also gave H. Stern "Giardino" earrings to each of her 13 bridesmaids.

Each female guest at the wedding, including Longoria's co-stars Nicolette Sheridan, Terri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman, received a Van Cleef and Arpels "Sweet Alhambra" bracelet (right). Based on Van Cleef and Arpels iconic Alhambra design, the 18-karat yellow-gold bracelets feature a miniature mother-of-pearl clover charm. The Sweet Alhambra collection will reach U.S. stores in October.

In addition, a movie producer in attendance gifted the couple with matching his-and-her Oceanaut "Pacha Cobra" watches (left). The Swiss timepieces feature an ETA three-phase chronograph movement, a curved sapphire crystal and a diamond bezel.

Tiffany & Co. on Track for New Closing High

RTT News report:

Tiffany On Track For New Closing High [TIF] 7/5/2007 10:30:54 AM

Tiffany and Co. (TIF) is up $1.50 and rising, currently trading at $55.10. The sudden increase was accompanied by a spike in volume. This rise in price has the stock poised to break through resistance. Tiffany is on track for a new closing high.

Tiffany & Co. Reportedly Speculated To Be Takeover Target - Update

RTT News reports:

[TIF]6/26/2007 12:45:55 AM Monday, jewelry and specialty retail stores operator Tiffany & Co. Inc. (TIF) is once again reportedly speculated to be a takeover target.

Reports suggested that either France-based luxury goods conglomerate LMVH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA is interested in acquiring Tiffany or shareholder Nelson Peltz intends to increase his stake in the company. The company's stock gained more than 3% in Monday's regular trading session.

LMVH is the parent company of around 60 sub-companies that each manage a small number of prestigious brands. The group was formed after mergers brought together champagne producer Moet et Chandon and Hennessy, a manufacturer of cognac, a type of French distilled wine. In 1987, they merged with fashion house Louis Vuitton to form the current group. The group is partly owned by Christian Dior group and operates around 1,500 stores worldwide.

In February, a hedge fund run by billionaire financier Nelson Peltz, Trian Fund Management LP, revealed that it has bought a 5.54% stake in New York-based Tiffany to become the company's largest shareholder. According to the fund's filing with the SEC, it is seeking to help Tiffany improve its margins and earnings per share growth and address various operational and strategic issues, including optimizing global expansion opportunities and evaluating non-core businesses. The fund currently owns 7.5 million shares of the company. Trian Fund also noted that Tiffany's common stock was under valued and that it represented an attractive investment opportunity.

For the recent first quarter, Tiffany & Co. reported a 15% increase in net earnings to $49.66 million from $43.14 million a year ago. On a per share basis, earnings climbed 20% to $0.36, based on 139.72 million shares, from $0.30, based on 144.37 million shares, in the prior-year quarter. Net sales for the quarter grew 15% to $620.88 million from $539.24 million in the previous-year quarter.TIF closed Monday's regular trading session at $51.91, up $1.93 or 3.86% on a volume of 5.64 million shares.

Schwartz to donate bracelet for Simmons' gala

Lorraine Schwartz will donate this "Evil Eye" bracelet to the "Art for Life" gala.



June 28, 2007

New York—Jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz will donate her "Evil Eye" bracelet to the "Art for Life" gala, hosted by Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons, and benefiting New York City youth art organizations.

The July 28 event will take place in East Hampton, N.Y., and in the tradition of fellow hip-hop star P. Diddy's famed "White Party," the gala will take on a color theme of its own: "Not So Mellow Yellow."

Schwartz, along with fashion designer Rachel Roy and shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti, will donate a yellow item for the "Yellow Wardrobe" auction to take place that evening.

The auction is being organized by Rush Philanthropic, an organization founded by Russell Simmons and his brothers Danny and Joseph, whose mission it is to provide disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts.

Schwartz will donate her 18-karat gold "Evil Eye" bracelet, which features diamonds and blue topaz, and retails for $8,300. The bracelet has been worn by several celebrities, including Starter Wife star and Will and Grace alum Debra Messing.

4th of JULY: FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

On this day, perhaps the greatest of all our American holidays, let us not forget the reason we celebrate. Many have died or suffered great pain so that we might gather round the bar-b-que pit, light fireworks and shoot off our mouths.

We must never forget who deserves the credit for the freedoms we enjoy and for which we should be eternally grateful. Whether you are for or against “the war”…stand together in support of our troops.

God bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our freedom. And may God continue to bless America.

“Freedom Isn’t Free”
--author unknown

I watched the flag pass by one day
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of “Taps” one night
when everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
and felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
that “Taps” had meant "Amen"
when a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
at the bottom of the sea,
of unmarked graves in Arlington;
No, freedom isn't free.

"SICKO" a new movie by Michael Moore

Although I don't often sound off about much and I'm not a fan of Michael Moore, his new movie "Sicko" is right on target. It is time to forget about blaming Republicans or Democrats and get down to the basics of life. 41 million uninsured Americans are the unwilling participants in this blight on our great country. It is of the essence to care for our people.

We encourage you to read this review posted by Lifted Magazine, one of our favorite blogs.

We'd appreciate your feedback.

Dale

Monday, July 2, 2007

New Releases: Sicko
Michael Moore is one of the most controversial documentarists of this time. He has made many friends and enimies with previous films such as Bowling for Columbine and Farenheit 911. But now he has used his personal connections to take his research to a whole new level and perhaps make a positive impact on the lives of many individuals in America.

Although Moore is famous for being one-sided in his political plight, this film is made for the American people in a hope to promote understanding and encourage change in our system. The argument Moore makes is one of a moral and ethical tone. If the United States is one of the richest countries in terms of GDP and other health indices, why do we fall so low in our health care system?

In his film, Moore uses juxtaposition to analyze the US health care system versus counties like Canada, Britain and France. Because these citizens pay for universal health care through taxes, doctors and health-aids are government employees and patients need not worry about their medical bills. Citizens can chose which hospital, pharmacy, and doctor to see – without paying any money. This may seem like a mythical utopia, but as Moore captures in his film, this is a reality. Read our full review online.

For more information on Sicko and local show times, please visit http://www.michaelmoore.com/


Posted by Tiffany at 9:45 AM
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