Signature Engraving Systems announces winners in second annual engraving and personalization contest.

Signature Engraving Systems recently announced the winners of their second annual Engraving Contest. Signature customers from around the county were invited to submit their most creative layout, most unique engraving, most profitable job and best story behind a special personalization.

The competition was designed to inspire customers to expand beyond traditional engraving pursuits and showcase unique ways to show off their Signature engraving skills and services. Submissions were collected and arranged in to the four categories.

“We received lots of fantastic entries from customers who were able to engrave some very unique items,” says Dawn Stevenson, Director of Operations for Signature Selections, a division of Signature Engraving Systems. “It was great to see how the machines are being used in ways we didn’t even anticipate. It was difficult to pick the winners because every entry was so impressive!”

Twelve contest winners were selected from a large pool of entries by Signature’s board of Directors. “I love to see our customers utilizing the incredible potential of our engraving systems,” says Chris Parent, President and CEO of Signature Engraving Systems. “This contest is great because it helps showcase how versatile our machines really are, and we get to recognize our customers’ engraving talents!”

Winners were officially announced June 4, 2010 at the JCK Show in Las Vegas. The grand prize, second place and third place winners will receive gift certificates good towards Signature Selections products. All entrants will receive a coupon good for 15% off their next Signature Selections giftware purchase.


Grand prize winners

Best Story Behind Engraving – Dana's Fine Jewelry - Newton, North Carolina
Created as a Christmas gift for the Grandmother who has everything, a photo album was personalized by adding her grandchildren’s scanned signatures in silver foil and filled with photos of the family.

Best Layout – Taylor's Gold-n-Stones, Inc. - Fairbanks, Alaska
Photographs of actual airplanes were scanned in, outlined and engraved on a rifle as a gift to an employee of the flight service. The gift brought a tear to his eyes.

Most Unique Engraving – Cher Lineberger - Newton, North Carolina
Embellished leather boots were personalized with gold foil to be a one of a kind accessory for a very pleased customer. “People love my boots and they always ask where I got them!”

Most Profitable Engraving Job – Grabados Monterrey- Laredo, Texas
To celebrate a distributor reaching one million dollars in sales, a commemorative award was engraved with a sliced faucet and the MOEN company logo, and mounted on a cherry wood plaque.

Royal Chain Group Unveils Dramatic New Catalog

Royal Chain Group, long regarded as the premier manufacturer and designer of precious metal jewelry has just introduced its new catalog — boasting 300 pages of brands in varied segments of the jewelry marketplace.

Royal Chain Group has evolved from its leadership role in the design and manufacture of 14K gold jewelry to a myriad of products — ranging from a notable collection of Sterling Silver, striking two tone products, an eclectic range of brilliant products for every retail jeweler's needs.

The catalog also features the collection from designer Phillip Gavriel, who has crafted innovative and eclectic jewelry including the Byzantine Filigree Collection — which offers a museum-like quality that is both proprietary and dramatically fashion forward. Further, Phillip Gavriel incorporates the Fleur de Lis into other aspects of the Phillip Gavriel brand collection to include Sterling Silver keys with Sapphires, Rubies, Diamonds, and more. The catalog is an essential and vital tool for jewelers, looking for immediate delivery of the brands depicted with the guarantees and terms that have made Royal Chain Group the premier purveyor of fine jewelry. Call 800-622-0960 or visit www.royalchain.com

WDC Calls for Continued Dialogue and Cooperation

Speaking on behalf of the diamond industry, the World Diamond Council (WDC) today called for all parties involved in the Kimberley Process to continue productive dialogue and co-operation.

Since its inception in 2003, the Kimberley Process (KP) has played a key role in the effort to eliminate the scourge of conflict diamonds from the global diamond trade.

At this year's Kimberley Process intersessional meeting in Tel Aviv, the Israel government hosted civil society, diamond industry and government representatives to discuss and address issues currently facing the international trade in diamonds.

There was disappointment that consensus agreement could not be reached regarding the status of exports from the Marange region of Zimbabwe. However, the World Diamond Council called for all Kimberley Process stakeholders to redouble their efforts to bring about a solution acceptable to all.

In recognition of the need for the Kimberley Process to evolve and improve, a one-day seminar was jointly convened by the diamond industry and Civil Society. The seminar, which included the participation of government members, concluded with an agreement to develop reforms that will further enhance the KP's ability to address challenges and opportunity in the future.

Another seminar took place to discuss more effective co-operation between the Kimberley Process and other sectors of government, including customs, security and border controls.

Eli Izhakoff, President of the World Diamond Council, said "the diamond industry welcomes these developments and has long been calling for sensible and appropriate reforms and greater co-operation within and between governments."

New York State To Provide Fund for Mortgages in International Gem Tower

Empire State Development announced today that New York State will make available up to $100 million in mortgage financing for purchasers of offices in the International Gem Tower through its Job Development Authority program.

“The International Gem Tower will further establish New York as the center of the international trade,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “Once completed, the Tower will rival leading competitors across the globe with its state-of-the-art technology, services and Foreign-Trade Zone designation. The International Gem Tower will also be instrumental in fostering economic activity abroad and expand the State’s presence around the world.”

Empire State Development Chairman Dennis M. Mullen explained, “The International Gem Tower is a transformational project, which will distinguish New York State, give us a competitive advantage in the global marketplace, and affirm New York State’s role as a leader in international trade and investment.”

“We are immensely proud of this project, and what it means to the City of New York,” said Gary Barnett, President of Extell Development. “The International Gem Tower is a wonder of state-of-the-art technology that will put New York at the heart of the world diamond and gem industry. The overall benefits and economic impact of this project will reverberate for decades.“

On May 27, the Foreign-Trade Zones Board of the United States Department of Commerce announced the approval of the International Gem Tower as a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ). “As a result, businesses located in the Tower will be permitted to import foreign merchandise without Customs entry or the payment of United States duties until the goods are sold. No duty will be payable on re-exported goods,” explained Raizy Haas. “We are offering complementary consultations with our FTZ consultant to interested diamond, gem and jewelry business owners who wish to understand exactly how much they can save by operating in a Foreign Trade Zone.”

When completed in 2012, the 34-story office tower on West 47th Street in the heart of New York's Diamond District will be an ultra-modern industry center designed exclusively for the international gem and jewelry trade. Wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers will be able to benefit from all of the features that the tower has to offer, which includes state-of-the-art security and vault operations, valet parking, restaurants, a full service executive club, and an on-site health and fitness center.

No Resolution of Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting

The Intersessional Meeting of the Kimberley Process (KP), presided over by
Israel as Chair of the KP, has concluded today June 24th. On the agenda of the meeting
were a number of initiatives relating to the on-going work of the KP and to the
consolidation of the process such the creation of an office for administration and support and the establishment of a Working Group on Trade Facilitation. The center of attention, however, was the KP minimum standards implementation in the Marange diamond
fields in Zimbabwe.

The meeting convened in light of the second report of the KP monitor to Zimbabwe. In
question was the continued implementation of the Joint Work Plan (JWP), agreed upon
at the Plenary meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia in November 2009. The meeting was
clouded by the arrest of NGO activist Farai Mguwu by the Zimbabwean authorities three
weeks earlier and the reports of his condition.

The Intersessional could not reach consensus regarding the implementation of the JWP
and the work carried out by the KP Monitor to Marange. As such, the meeting ended at
an impasse. The KP Chair, Mr. Boaz Hirsch, has declared an impasse after night long
discussions through the morning and called for another a meeting to attempt to resolve
the differences followed by an extension to the Intersessional.

Mr. Hirsch, along with the Chair of the Working-Group on Monitoring, Mr. Stephane
Chardon and Mr. Eli Izhakoff, President of the World Diamond Council (WDC), played a
pivotal role in attempting to breach the gap between the sides. "This situation is
unprecedented in the Kimberley Process meeting," declared the Chair, "but all parties
are committed to further engagement. The KP is based on a partnership between
governments, the diamond industry and the civil society. I am committed to that end and
I have asked Mr. Izhakoff to jointly convene within the WDC Annual Meeting coming
July 14th-15th, in St. Petersburg, a mini-summit of the KP major stakeholders.
Deliberations will continue in order to find a consensus based resolution."

Israel will host the Plenary meeting in Jerusalem between the 1st and 4th of November of this year.

2010 JCK Toronto Enhances the Retailer Experience

Canada's passion for fine jewellery will be quite evident at the upcoming JCK Toronto Show, Sun. Aug. 8 - Tues. Aug. 10 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's North Building. Created exclusively for the Canadian marketplace, JCK Toronto has begun a renewal process to enhance the Canadian retailer experience with innovation, increased networking opportunities, timely educational opportunities and the presence of over 150 designers, manufacturers and suppliers.

"The JCK Toronto team solicited and then incorporated feedback from both suppliers and retailers to create a new experience for the Canadian marketplace," said John Tierney, Event Director. "Some of the big changes that have occurred as a result of retailers' feedback include: The return to the August 8-10 timeframe; the preferred venue in the North Hall; and the visible presence of the educational sessions on the exhibition floor. This change makes it more efficient to learn from industry experts in an educational session and be able to participate in the many networking events while not cutting into retailers' buying time."

This year's educational sessions begin with an opening keynote by Shane Decker, from Ex-SELL-Ence, on "Advanced Strategies to Increase Closing Ratios." The sessions continue with educational tracks on the show floor organized into the following business-building categories: Business; Merchandising & Technology; Marketing; Color & Fashion; Manufacturing.

JCK Toronto's educational sessions will also tap into other hot demographic issues such as attracting the female self-purchaser, social media and using video for social media engagement with consumers and a fresh look at generational marketing.

This year, JCK Toronto will debut the Canadian Diamond Showcase, a dedicated focus to the robust Canadian Diamond sector. Retailers can preview the latest developments in the Canadian diamond industry and learn how embracing its many 'facets' can positively impact their business.

The HRA Group of Companies, including Crossworks Manufacturing and SGI, will host a diamond polishing event at JCK Toronto that will give a first hand view of the polishing of diamonds that are mined, cut and polished in Ontario. Showcasing the importance and excitement for diamonds a 70cts necklace made up of 25 rough diamonds will be on display. Designed by Reena Ahluwalia and manufactured by Jeff Miller, the piece was commissioned by the HRA Group of Companies to celebrate diamonds that originated from the De Beers Canada Victor Mine and the development of a secondary diamond industry in Ontario.

"The Future of the Diamond Industry will be explored in a featured keynote panel discussion moderated by Bhushan Vora, Gem Star Inc. and Diamond Bourse of Toronto," said Tierney. "In addition, we have a session on enhanced colorless, pink and yellow diamonds and how to identify them. There's a lot of interest in diamonds right now, particularly in Canada, and the bridal category remains healthy which is good for retailers."

Staying connected is a benefit to the overall experience at JCK Toronto. Follow us on Twitter, 'like' us on Facebook and join us on LinkedIn.

"JCK Toronto offers an effective buying experience for our members and we are proud to be the supporting association. Reed Exhibitions has created JCK Toronto with the Canadian market in mind, and we look forward to experiencing the best 'gold standard' aspects of JCK in Toronto this August," said Ken Mulhall, President & CEO, Canadian Jewellers Association.

For unique and one-of-a-kind product offerings, JCK Toronto will present the Design Centre. The Design Centre at JCK Toronto will provide a warm, inviting environment for a small selection of designer-owned companies with similar artistic, product and marketing missions. The goal is to offer retail buyers an organized and varied assortment of inspired, designer collections and designs.

JCK Toronto is part of the global network of JCK Events and is supported by the Canadian Jewellers Association with additional support from these media partners: Business magazine, Canadian Jeweller and JCK magazine.

"We are particularly excited about this year's event," said Tierney. "We want to encourage Canadian retailers to experience JCK Toronto as a great opportunity to enhance their businesses through educational programming, networking and special events. We look forward to seeing everyone in Toronto this August."

Richmond Hill, Ont.-based Beverly Hills Jewellery Welcomes New Reps

Beverly Hills Jewellery MFG. Ltd. of Richmond Hill, Ontario, is pleased to announce that two new representatives have joined our growing sales team. David Finlay will be anchoring the East Coast and Vern Schwarz will be covering Manitoba/Saskatchewan. Both of these gentlemen are no strangers to the industry and it is an honour
to have them both on board.