RAPAPORT... • In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Instruments voluntarily instituted a recall program for its Illuminator Polariscope 415000. Customers can fill out the recall form at GIA’s website, www.gia.edu, or call customer service at 800.421.8161.
• GemEx obtained a patent to use Focused Ion Beam technology to engrave diamonds and gemstones, which is cross-licensed with De Beers patent for its ForeverMark engraving. GemEx also developed the proprietary Holographic Diamond Viewer to view the engravings.
• The Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) entered into agreements with the Gujarat government and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to set up three gem and jewelry institutes and training centers in Ahmadabad, Surat and Bhavnagar, Press Trust of India reported. This move will utilize incentive and subsidy programs available through the Gujarat government, according to the news agency. — Additional reporting by Acquire Media.
• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) London will offer intensive, five-day business development strategies courses from June 22 to 26 and November 9 to 13. For more information, email info@gialondon.co.uk or call 44.207.813.4321.
• JewelersAlert.com, a community of jewelers and diamond dealers protecting one another from scammers and problematic companies, is offering a free three-day trial to diamond dealers and jewelers. To begin the free trial, register at JewelersAlert.com or call 646.405.5960.
The American Gem Society (AGS) awarded the 2009 Robert M. Shipley Award to Charles and Ellen Lacy. Charles has served on AGS Laboratories’ board of managers for the past ten years and was chairman of the board from 2002 to 2005. Ellen was president of AGS in 2001 and 2002 and is a member of the National Jewelers Hall of Fame.
• The Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC), which contributes funds to the political campaigns of legislators sympathetic to jewelry industry causes, expanded its board of directors and began a two-year fundraising drive. William Farmer of Farmer’s Jewelers was reappointed to a second term as chair of JAPAC’s board along with returning board members Jon Bridge of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Barbara Hight-Randall of Hight & Randall, Ltd., and Matthew A. Runci, JA’s president and chief executive officer (CEO), who serves as JAPAC’s treasurer.
The Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) recognized Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company for its long-standing commitment to the trade organization with an award. JBT then named Joel Matthies, chief information officer (CIO) at Jewelers Mutual, to the JBT board.
• Updated guidance on the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act can now be accessed at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s (JVC) website, www.jvclegal.org. U.S Customs and Border Protection also provides information on the new import rules on its website, http://help.cbp.gov.
• The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) recognized five retailers for excellence at its conference in Tampa, Florida: Best Family Diamond Store, Mike and Cathy Fleck of Occasions Fine Jewelry; Superior Customer Service, Corey Miller of Leighton’s Jewelers; Community Leadership, Dave Salkin of Salkin’s Jewel Case; Ultimate Gem & Jewelry Education, Mary Ball Gorman of Henry B. Ball Jewelers; and Superlative Design & Innovation, Sherrie and David Rabellino of The Artful Eye.
• The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Group of Companies launched its new strategic marketing program, Together Works, an exclusive business-to-business (B2B) service for Israeli diamond industry partners in the U.S. This service is available via the toll-free number 1.888.42.WORKS. The 24-hour telephone service will be a way for clients to fill their immediate diamond needs, the group stated. Goods requested are uploaded to IDI’s portal site and Israeli diamond companies that offer the appropriate goods receive a text message.
IDI also announced that Orna Chait was promoted to deputy managing director and chief information officer (CIO). Chait joined IDI in November 2007 as the diamond industry’s portal manager.
• The nonprofit Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association (IDCA) released the names of its 2009 board members: Haridas Kotahwala of Royal India USA, president; Yogesh Madhvani of Simplexdiam, vice president; Sushil Goyal of Liberty Gems, secretary; Sanjay Pandya of Ashi Diamonds, treasurer; Nimish R. Mehta of Atit Diamond Corporation, joint secretary; Basant Johari of Kuber Manufacturing, director; Kailash Jhalani of Prompt Gem Importers, Inc., director; Manish Gandhi of Shinestones, director; Mehul Shah of Shivani Gems, director; Nitin Jobanputra of Sanghavi Diamonds, director; Rajesh Bhagat of Kashish Diamonds, director; Shyam Saraf of Trillion Emeralds, director; and Yatish Dangayach of Green Creations, director.
• Jan du Plessis assumed the role of chairman of the board of Rio Tinto, replacing Paul Skinner, who retired. Du Plessis joined the board as a nonexecutive director in September 2008.
• Helzberg Diamond tapped Beryl Raff chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) to replace Marvin Beasley, who resigned. Most recently, Raff was executive vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry at J. C. Penney.
• Color Craft named Jerry Hammond its new director of international sales. Hammond most recently worked in sales management at The Colibri Group.
• Zalemark appointed Robert H. Ratinoff chief financial officer (CFO) and Jerry Madison its director of business development. Ratinoff most recently served as the chairman and chief judge of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club of Southern California. Steven Zale, Zalemark’s chief executive officer (CEO), described Madison as a retail industry veteran.
• Jewelry Brands announced Lyle M. Rose will serve as its president. Previously, Rose was chief executive officer (CEO) of LID Ltd. and divisional president of Jacor Products Group.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - May 2009. To subscribe click here.