Local jeweler digitally perfects the art of custom jewelry design

Nelsen’s Fine Jewelry is leading the trend toward computerized custom design with Matrix 3-D Jewelry Design Software.This state-of-the-art system allows customers to see their design from every angle before it is even made.

Details can be seen on screen and in scale so customers get exactly what they are looking for. Designing jewelry used to be a tedious and imprecise process. Traditional methods include hand-sketching the item then hand-carving a wax model for the customer to approve.

If changes need to be made, the process starts over. With the addition of this advanced technology Nelsen’s Fine Jewelry can create the precise design that customers are looking for in less time.Once the design is approved, the file can be sent to a machine that accurately carves a prototype out of wax. This wax will then be transformed into a quality, custom designed piece of fine jewelry. 

Matrix 3-D was created by Gemvision Corp. in Davenport, Iowa, a company specializing in technology for the jewelry industry. Nelsen’s Fine Jewelry sent staff members directly to their headquarters for extensive training on Matrix 3-D. This technology and training will advance the creativity and precision of all jewelry designs created by Nelsen’s Fine Jewelry.

More at: http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/Business-story.asp?ID=11365

Jean Dousset

Jean Dousset

Jean Dousset was born in Paris, France in 1971 under the aura of his illustrious ancestor Louis Cartier. His grandfather Rene Louis Revillon was the son of Louis Cartier’s first daughter, Anne Marie.

Drawn to foreign cultures, diversity and experiments, Jean Dousset left France for the United States at age 17. He lived in San Francisco for 2 years, earning his High school diploma and following courses in Business Management. He then moved to Barcelona and Madrid, Spain to follow a design and art history international program until 1992.

He then returned to France to fulfill French mandatory military duties, embarking on a ship bound for Africa and the Caribbean.

Once relieved of his duties, fate brought Jean to the office of the newly appointed CEO of the renowned French Jeweler Chaumet, 22 Place Vendôme.

Suddenly; luxury, imaginative jewels, gems, distinctive designs and exquisite workmanship became Jean’s passion. He then embarked on a career in the captivating world of High Design Jewelry; designing and selling to an International array of millionaires and royalty.

After 3 years, in 1996, Jean joined the adjacent “Maison Boucheron” and worked under Alain Boucheron; the last descendant to head the famous Jeweler. Working closely with the designers in the workshops Jean further developed his knowledge and fascination with the art of design and the intricate beauty of jewelry.

Always fascinated by Van Cleef & Arpels, known for more than 100 years for the utmost quality of its stones and impeccable craftsmanship, Jean Dousset joined the prestigious International Jeweler in 1999. His position of International Director of High Jewelry exhibitions lead him thereafter, from 2001 to 2004, to manage and revive the Beverly Hills market.

While with Van Cleef & Arpels, Jean traveled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bahrain, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Israel, Greece and Mexico for with their clientele.

Jean launched his own collection in 2005 and he privately works with select celebrity clients.

Dousset’s most noteworthy designs are the engagement rings he created in 2006 for Eva Longoria Parker and most recently for Academy Award nominee Amy Adams.

More at: http://tinyurl.com/macclg

LVMH Earnings Drop as Slump Tarnishes Watches, Jewelry

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the world’s biggest luxury-goods group by revenue, posted a 23% drop in first-half profit as the global economic slump hit the company’s watch and jewelry division especially hard.

Paris-based LVMH, whose brands include the Louis Vuitton fashion house and champagne maker Moët & Chandon, said revenue edged up 0.2% to €7.8 billion ($11.1 billion) in the six months ended June 30, compared with the year-earlier period. Profit fell to €687 million from €891 million.

The Louis Vuitton brand, one of LVMH’s biggest revenue sources, held up well, driving sales at the fashion division up 8% to €2.98 billion, the company said. LVMH reiterated its goal of gaining market share over the year, and said it would pay an interim dividend of 35 European cents.

Yet the overall results underline how the world’s $240 billion luxury-goods industry, at first slow to feel the effects of the economic downturn, is now suffering as even the world’s highest-spending consumers cut back. On Friday, De Beers SA, the world’s top diamond producer, posted a 57% decline in first-half sales of rough diamonds.

LVMH’s results are a particularly important indicator of how the luxury-goods industry is faring—in large part because the company’s divisions span many aspects of the market, including handbags, cosmetics and champagne. The company was due to release its results on Wednesday, but unexpectedly announced them on Monday evening, saying its planned statement had been partially leaked to a news agency. Analysts said they were waiting for more details from the company during a Tuesday conference call.

In its statement, LVMH said first-half watch and jewelry sales fell 17% to €346 million. The company said independent retailers were reducing orders for watch brands such as TAG Heuer and Zenith as consumer demand drops.

More at: http://tinyurl.com/lw3ap2

Gold and Citrus Jewelry Line

24kt gold-plated and gold lined seed and bugle beads with 14kt gold-fill chain and classic Gold & Citrus tag. 46 1/2” long. ($820.00)

A sweet new jewelry line launched this month from San Francisco artists and designers Sara Rossbach and Richard Combs has dazzled us with its oh-so-San Francisco approach to contemporary luxury.

Dubbed Gold and Citrus, the collection of 11 necklaces and one gold-chained headpiece ($80-$820) features gold paired with unexpected materials such as wood grain sequins, silk-backed zippers and brown rooster feathers.

Though the resulting pieces have an effortless polish that makes them just as worthy counterparts for a slouchy cotton tank as they could be for a streamlined wedding dress, there’s nothing simple about divining the designs themselves.

“I would definitely say I spend many more hours brainstorming and sketching ideas than actually producing the pieces,” says Rossbach, the lead designer for the line.

That may very well not sound unusual, until you glimpse the intricate bead work and complex construction invested in such pieces as the scarf-life Kumquat and the pearl-laden Pummelo.

They say it’s the thought that counts, and that sentiment certainly rings true here. The brain power behind Gold and Citrus yields much more than mere beauty.

Wearers of the Kumquat and Clementine styles, for example, will find themselves in possession of a neck adornment designed to be worn up to four different ways.

More at: http://tinyurl.com/nv6fxz

anna sheffield

Anna Sheffield is a New York-based designer who hails from Northern New Mexico. A distinct aesthetic emerges in her work from the rich urbane surroundings and culture of New York City. While Anna’s penchant for the spare, hewn and intrinsic beauty was imparted by the mores and surrounds of the Southwest- seemingly disparate influences culminate in her unique vantage point.

A nomadic, cross-cultural rearing (with stints in Saudi Arabia and California) and a devotion to fine arts (including formal training in costume design as well as welding & blacksmithing) inform Anna‘s endeavors past & present. Honing these divergent interests has rendered her a creative talent who works with ease on multiple platforms. In jewelry, she designs the haute-costume jewelry line Bing Bang, as well as her namesake line which includes the Bespoke collection of handcrafted pieces and extends into the realm of Fine jewelry with sterling, gold and precious stones. Keepsakes, heirlooms and talismans -all objects full of native beauty and secret meaning- are recurring themes in her work.

In recent years Anna has endeavored to bring the term ‘fashion jewelry’ to a new level. She has been a trendsetter on the runway and in everyday with elements such as innumerable, tangly layered chains, contrasting mixed metals and the appropriation of vintage & found objects. These varied styles have caught the eye of celebrities, fellow designers and companies with whom she has collaborated (3.1 Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Target Go International). Both style and taste have attracted collectors and esteemed retailers (Barney’s New York, United Arrows Tokyo, Joyce Hong Kong, Le Bon Marche Paris, etc) the world over. A true tastemaker (Anna was a featured blogger for NY Times’ The Moment), She contributes to a number of creative projects, her finger on the pulse of not only jewelry and fashion but New York culture at large.

More at: http://www.annasheffield.com/blog/about/annas-bio/

Ivanka Trump Celebrates Jewelry Line

Black Spinel and Diamond

Ivanka Trump, daughter of well known Manhattan real estate developer Donald Trump, is celebrating the 2nd birthday of her jewelry line, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry. Trump launched her jewelry collection in September 2007, partnering with Dynamic Diamond Corp.

To mark the event, the label is launching a 12 piece signature collection using a new shape, the octagon and yellow gold. Octagons were commonly used in jewelry throughout the 1940′s. The new line reflects the brand’s heirloom and chic aesthetic, reimagining period motifs.

For example, the collection includes a graduating link necklace and a bold cuff centered with a large emerald cut rock crystal surrounded by French-cut black spinels and round brilliant cut diamonds, octagonal hoop and chandelier earrings, along with four styles of rings.

Prices for items in the Octagonal collection start at $1,800 and the pieces will be available at the line’s namesake boutique on New York’s Madison Avenue starting September 2009.

Source: http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=32750

Chong Hing Jewelers Proudly Offers Complete Line of Patek Philippe Watches

Explore the world of Patek Philippe at Chong Hing Jewelers. The new Nautilus collection showcases the flattering redesign of Patek Philippe casually elegant classic.

Following the success of its recently launched website, leading Patek Philippe Authorized Dealer Chong Hing Jewelers proudly offers the complete line of Patek Philippe watches.

Los Angeles, Calif. (ELEGANO) August 10, 2009 — Esteemed Authorized Dealer of Patek Philippe watches and other luxury timepieces and fine jewelry, Chong Hing Jewelers follows the success of its recently revamped website by offering the complete collection of the Patek Philippe watches. 

Known to be at the pinnacle of high-end luxury watches, the recognized and the revered Patek Philippe brand occupies one of the most important ranks in the history of watch making. Valued for its complicated movement and its dedication to perfection, the esteemed Patek Philippe remains to be the top choice for luxury watches among sophisticated clientele. 

Having built a reputation for satisfying even the most discerning customer, Chong Hing Jewelers proudly offers its clientele the complete line of Patek Philippe watches.

“Chong Hing Jewelers boasts of a superb collection of luxury timepieces. We have the capability and the capacity to get even the most limited and the most unique timepieces of all luxury watch brands including the Patek Philippe. We also carry the latest collection of luxury watches. The moment a timepiece is released in Switzerland and made available in the US, we get the first priority,” says Edilbert Signey, Marketing Director of Chong Hing Jewelers.

Chong Hing Jewelers also offers a wide range of fine gifts such as cuff links, home décor, objets d’arts, crystalware, porcelain, charms and leather goods. Sign up for their online newsletter and be awarded with convenient updates on Patek Philippe timepieces, as well as other fine jewelry and watches.

About Chong Hing Jewelers: Chong Hing Jewelers, a purveyor of high-end watches and jewelry, has built a reputation for incomparable service and value. Chong Hing Jewelers is proud to be an Authorized Dealer for esteemed brands of exclusive Swiss watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other Gifts & Accessories. Chong Hing Jewelers’ collection of loose diamonds, engagement rings, 18k yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum jewelry is sure to fit every personality, attitude and lifestyle for even the most discerning customer.

Zale Closed 118 Stores In 4Q

Zale Corp. (ZLC), struggling with slumping sales, closed 118 weak-performing stores in the quarter ended July 31, resulting in a $50 million pretax charge.

The jeweler, which has accelerated store closings and negotiated lower rents because of weak earnings and sales, also said it reached agreements on certain retail locations that will reduce its rental obligation starting in fiscal 2010.

It also agreed to settle rent obligations to landlords at 34 Bailey, Banks & Biddle stores. Zale in 2007 sold the Bailey Banks chain to Finlay Fine Jewelry Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday. Zale said the fiscal fourth-quarter charges include $23 million in costs for the Bailey Banks settlement.

Zale expects a net cash flow benefit from the actions to total about $55 million. About $30 million was realized during fiscal 2009, with the balance coming in fiscal 2010.

Jewelry sales have tumbled in the past year because of the recession. To cope with the sales pressure, Zale, which has more than 1,931 stores, said early this year it would close 115 underperforming stores as leases matures this year and next. Zale has said that 10% to 15% of its stores are unprofitable.

In May, Zale’s fiscal third-quarter loss widened more than expected as sales tumbled amid a prior-year clearance effort. But Chief Executive Neal Goldberg said the company had achieved its goal of stabilizing the business and lifting margins from prior months, which were hurt by holiday promotions.

Zale’s stock rose two weeks ago on its naming of Richard A. Lennox as chief marketing officer. Last week, jewelry company shares rose on speculation that consumers could be willing to splurge on shiny discretionaries as they begin feeling just a little better about the economy.

More at: http://tinyurl.com/lac6rh

Price-friendly platinum might find new fans

Calderoni's "Eleonora" earrings in platinum with 1.78 carats of diamonds; suggested retail price is U$16,840. (877) 326-6900

In the fall of 2008, a drop in platinum prices cracked open the door of opportunity for jewelry sales, with the per-ounce price nearly as low as that of gold. Though consumer confidence remains weak, the bridal market, especially, pushes on, with brides still eager to tie the knot with rings that will keep their white tone and hold up to everyday wear and tear.

Design Trends: Platinum is still a mainstay for everything from simple solitaire engagement rings to one-of-a-kind couture masterpieces. Aside from metal-only wedding bands, most platinum designs feature at least a smattering of diamonds or gemstones, perhaps contributing to the often elevated price tags that accompany platinum jewelry. Many go-to designers for red-carpet jewelry also craft their uber-pricey creations in platinum, reinforcing the metal’s aspirational qualities and stately rank.

Price Points: Platinum prices have begun a slow and steady ascent since dipping below the $800 per-ounce mark in October of last year. Yet despite the upwardly inching price (about $1,262 at press time), platinum remains at a relatively affordable level, especially considering that platinum sold at about double the price in March of 2008, at $2,300 per ounce.

Marketing: Platinum Guild International (PGI-USA) has been active on the marketing front, sponsoring platinum design competitions at industry trade shows and hosting red-carpet jewelry previews, all in an effort to increase awareness of the metal. In addition, the worldwide marketing arm for platinum jewelry provides retailers and sales associates with a number of educational opportunities, including its first online training program, “Platinum First,” a 30-minute program (details at Platinum Learning.com). As for consumer outreach, PGI-USA recently launched a refreshed lifestyle advertising campaign that puts greater emphasis on reaching the consumer on an emotional level. The campaign will still use its well-known tag line, “Your love has just gone platinum,” in advertising and sponsorships, as well as for in-store and online promotions.

More at: http://tinyurl.com/n8galf

Rebecca jewelry sales double in first half

A gold-plated bronze cuff from Rebecca's "Cleopatra" collection.

Empoli, Italy–Rebecca, the Italian jewelry brand known for its gold-plated bronze and sterling silver jewelry as well as its recession-friendly price points, saw its sales double for the first half of 2009, the company has announced.

“This is an exciting time for Rebecca in the United States,” U.S. president of the brand Agostino Magni said in a media release. “Our new sterling silver line and our stainless and gold-plated bronze jewelry are so innovative that celebrities love it, and retailers and their customers can buy great fashions at truly affordable prices.”

Manufactured in Empoli, Italy, by Testi S.p.A., a company founded by Alessandro Testi in 1998, the brand is distributed in the United States by Testi USA.

The brand is sold at U.S. jewelers such as Fred Segal, based in Hollywood, Calif.; Mednikow in Memphis, Tenn.; Polacheck’s Jewelers in Calabasas, Calif.;  James and Sons in Chicago; Tappers Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in West Bloomfield, Mich.; Kings Jewelers in Aventura, Fla.; and Orr’s Jewelers in Pittsburgh, as well as Bloomingdales and other independent high-end retailers.

Rebecca changes collections seasonally. Most recently, the brand released several new collections, including “Lucky” (pendants, amulets and rings with Italian good-luck motifs engraved on them), “Cleopatra” (Egyptian-inspired cuffs, bracelets, necklaces and earrings with geometric detailing) and Griffe (large open-work hoops in steel and bronze). All the jewelry carries a two-year warranty.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ma5y6h