MJSA Member News
Below are some of the recent activities of MJSA member companies. Members can send updates by e-mailing MJSA.
Elektra Design Supports The One Fund Boston
Following the tragedy at the Boston Marathon in April, several companies in the industry have pledged to donate to The One Fund Boston, a central charity created to help those whose lives were affected by the tragic event. Elektra Designs in Rochester, New York, has designed a commemorative sterling silver necklace featuring a disc charm that can be engraved with a special message, logo, or event name. The necklace will be offered for sale to running races and other organizations. The company will donate all proceeds from the sale of the necklace to The One Fund Boston.
WJA 2013 Awards for Excellence Announced
The Women’s Jewelry Association named its Hall of Fame honorees for the association’s annual Awards for Excellence gala, to be held Monday, July 29, 2013, at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City. The three honorees are: Hall of Fame Award: Candy Udell, president of London Jewelers; Long Island, NY; Ben Kaiser Award: Darwin Copeman, president and CEO of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company; Corporate Award: Standard Chartered Bank.
“WJA is honored to have the opportunity to recognize three deserving recipients,” says Tryna Kochanek, president of the Women’s Jewelry Association. “These individuals and organizations have made substantial contributions to the jewelry industry, and they also embody WJA’s mission as an organization to empower women to reach their greatest potential.”
At the event, WJA also will present Awards for Excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/supply, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing, and special services. Among the various nominees are MJSA members: Alex Woo (design); Danielle Ingwer Cohen of Leo Ingwer Inc. and Laurie Watt of Mayer & Watt (manufacturing/supplier); Angelina Chen of Circa (retail); Amanda Gizzi of Jewelers of America (marketing and communications); and Brenda Gamba of the Jewelers Board of Trade.
Revere Announces Masters Symposium Speakers
The Revere Academy 2013 Masters Symposium, from June 22-30, 2013, has announced specific speakers for its master classes, which are open to students at all levels.
Linda Darty, author of The Art of Enameling, will come from North Carolina, via Italy, to teach Exploring Enameling and Enameling in Depth. Curtis Arima, nationally recognized for his organic forms in metal, will share his knowledge during his classes, Guided by Nature: Design and Make Catches as well as Stone Setting: Outside the Box. Author and educator Alan Revere will offer students hundreds of time saving tricks in his class, Bench Tips. And back by popular demand, Suzanne Pugh will teach students how to create jewelry with a stunning combination of metals in her class, Gold and Steel.
Contact: Revere Academy, Humboldt Bank Building, 785 Market St., Ste. 900, San Francisco, CA 94103; 1-415-391-4179; fax 391-7570; e-mail info@revereacademy.com; revereacademy.com.
PGI, GIA Pilot Interactive Reference Tool
Platinum Guild International (PGI-USA) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are testing an interactive platinum reference tool, which consists of a series of focused demonstrations using video, illustrations and detailed benchmarks for quality assurance in platinum jewelry. The platinum reference tool will officially launch in the third quarter of 2013, but PGI-USA and GIA are looking for participants to test pilot programs now.
The demonstrations provide reference for all facets of the platinum jewelry business, such as bench jewelers working in platinum, buyers who need to understand and educate staff on platinum properties, and sales associates who are directly communicating quality and the benefits of buying platinum to the consumer. The platform can be accessed via iPad, mobile, and computers and will be available on platinumguild.com.
RIP: Frank Mastoloni
Francis J. (Frank) Mastoloni who headed his eponymous pearl company for almost 56 years, died on May 9 following a long illness. Throughout his more than five decades at the helm of his company, the pearl business took Mastoloni to many countries around the world, including Burma and China, which invited him to consult on its developing industry in 1975. A past president of the Cultured Pearl Association of America and a regular guest speaker at the Gemological Institute of America, Mastoloni was an expert on pearls and is regarded as one of the forefathers of the American cultured pearl business.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Maryann; their three children, Francis, Barbara, and Richard; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Ralph, Raymond, and Edward; and one sister, Rita Rottmund. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or the Covenant House, 460 W. 41st St., New York, NY 10036.
Stuller Gains BlingGuard Distribution
Stuller Inc. is now the exclusive distributor of BlingWraps and BlingDots from BlingGuard to the retail jeweler. These invisible ring guards and earring supports are designed to help keep jewelry from twisting, turning, and pulling.
BlingWraps are a hypoallergenic, latex-free alternative to ring sizing. By adding +1 ring sizes to the finger, the wrap forms an invisible lock to hold rings in place. BlingDots are an easy-to-apply, disposable earring back that relieves the weight and pressure of earrings. Whether the customer is wearing hoops, chandeliers, or studs, the dots will lift the earrings up on the ear lobe and position them for maximum presentation and comfort. To learn more about BlingWraps and BlingDots, visit stuller.com or blingguard.com.
deJonghe Wins JA Case Award
Dennis deJonghe of deJonghe Original Jewelry in Saratoga Springs, New York, was awarded the Palladium Buyers’ Choice Award in the Jewelers of America CASE Awards for 2013.
His custom designed ring featured a 3.76-carat aquamarine cabochon cut by award-winning gem artist Tom Munsteiner, set in a hand carved palladium ring. The symmetrical design was created to show off the gemstone, which is accented by 16 round, pavé-set diamonds with a total weight of 0.48 ct.
In 2012, deJonghe won two CASE awards for Buyers’ Choice Palladium and Buyers’ Choice Alternative Materials, and in 2011, he won a CASE Award for Buyers’ Choice Alternative Materials. The 2013 CASE Awards were sponsored by Palladium Alliance International and Platinum Guild International, USA. For more information about the competition and to view the Winner’s Photo Gallery, visit www.jewelers.org/caseawards.
Appointments News
Alex Herber has been named materials manager of Advanced Chemical Co. (ACC) in Warwick, Rhode Island. Herber relocated to Rhode Island from his home state of Texas to accept the role after responding to a national search for qualified candidates. “We are thrilled to have Alex on board, managing our third location in Warwick,” said John Jendzejec, refining and production manager at ACC. “Alex brings years of experience in scrap metal recycling and was the right choice for this growing part of our business.”
Cindy Vitale has joined the sales team at Lee’s Manufacturing in Providence. Vitale has more than 25 years’ experience in sales and merchandising, including working for Armbrust International, Prime Time Manufacturing/Richline Group, and American Ring Manufacturing. In her position at Lee’s, Vitale will bring in new prospective business and help promote and develop the company’s line of products.
Superfit Celebrates 20 Years
Family-owned jewelry manufacturing company Superfit Inc. is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013. The Philadelphia-based Superfit was incorporated in 1993 by Gena and Paul Alulis, who created a custom-fit ring using a patented hinge technology mechanism that is fitted to a person’s individual finger and keeps the ring from flipping or turning. “Rather than sizing a ring to go over the knuckle, Superfit rings wrap around the base of the finger and ‘click’ into place. The result is a truly bespoke fit for the most discerning jewelry buyer,” says Gena Alulis. Superfit has also created a line of finished bridal and couture jewelry under the brand “CliQ.” The pieces and technology have been featured in InStyle, Vogue, The Knot and Elle, as well as on celebrities including Nick Cannon, the Jonas Brothers, Sharon Stone, and Seth Green. Distribution of Superfit products has expanded internationally, too, in Europe and Australia. This year, the company opened its European headquarters and installation center to accommodate growing demands.
Sturlin and Dhein Present at SNAG Workshops
Revere Academy faculty members Christine Dhein and Michael David Sturlin, in conjunction with the Metal Arts Guild of Canada, will present pre-conference workshops for Meta-Mosaic, the Society of North American Goldsmiths’ 2013 conference in Toronto. Michael Sturlin presents “The Creative Process of Developing an Artistic Identity” May 11-12, in partnership with Harbourfront Centre. Christine Dhein presents “Green Studio Techniques” May 13-14, in partnership with George Brown College.
Recent Appointments
Donna Carucci-Krumm has been named marketing director of Kassoy LLC in Plainview, New York. Carucci-Krumm has more than 23 years of marketing experience in both wholesale and retail markets, including health care, food service, and contractor materials. “We are excited to have Donna on board to help take our company to the next level,” said Kassoy president Joanne Slawitsky. “She will be responsible for promoting our vast product line, which includes the most innovative products in the industry. In addition, she will bring new perspective to the jewelry market.”
Paul Maloney has been appointed vice president of sales and service of Solidscape Inc. in Merrimack, New Hampshire. A veteran sales executive with 12 years of global sales and channel management experience in the 3-D software industry, Maloney previously held sales leadership roles at SolidWorks Corp., a division of Dassault Systems headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. In his new position, Maloney will be responsible for global field operations driving revenue as well as contributing to business strategy and marketing.
Paul J. Fuhrman CPA, AIAF, has been appointed chief financial officer of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. in Neenah, Wisconsin. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in senior level financial management in the insurance industry, Fuhrman most recently served as vice president, financial reporting and controller of SFM Mutual Insurance Co. in Bloomington, Minnesota. “We’re undertaking some exciting initiatives to strengthen our competitive position for our next century of service to the jewelry industry and the jewelry-buying public, and we’re delighted to have Paul on board as an integral part of those plans,” said Darwin Copeman, president and CEO of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.
GIA Revamps Jewelry Making Education
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California, announced a complete redesign of its Jewelry Manufacturing Arts program. The Institute’s Graduate Jeweler (GJ) and Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT) courses have been fully updated, with remodeled classrooms outfitted with high-tech manufacturing and learning tools. Offered now at its Carlsbad campus, both programs will also be available at its New York City campus starting in 2014.
GIA’s JDT program teaches jewelry design and product development using computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. GIA’s GJ program teaches bench jewelers techniques for making jewelry. Each program is 6 months in length. Skills covered include stone setting, jewelry repair, fabrication, pre-finishing, polishing, and buffing. All projects are taught using precious metals.
All GJ course materials have been updated and moved onto iPads featuring video and hand illustrations that emphasize key points. GJ and JDT classrooms now accommodate the latest manufacturing technology for jewelry design, jewelry engineering, product development, custom orders, jewelry manufacturing, repair, and quality assurance. Instruction methods have been updated to leverage this technology and to engage today’s students through interactive learning.
Todd Reed Redesigns Showroom
Designer Todd Reed in Boulder, Colorado, has updated his show room to offer consumers what they want: “experiences, highly personalized attention, aesthetics, and indulgence.” The core element of the redesign is a series of circular pods each with a center display space that rotates like a lazy Susan, enabling sales associates to easily access everything in the case. The pods can be raised to standing height for parties and events, and can be moved around to create flexible, intimate settings. Each pod is self-sufficient with its own independent (no connection to studio electric system) LED lighting and ‘invisible’ security system.
Riva Precision Manufacturing Moves to Brooklyn
Riva Precision Manufacturing, a vertically-integrated jewelry manufacturer and contractor for small, medium and large luxury brands, relocated to the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) from its Long Island City headquarters in March, 2013. The move allows for growth, heightened security, and an improved layout to increase productivity across all departments. The company says the new location also enables it to serve a broader customer base. Riva offers traditional jewelry making, casting, setting, laser engraving, laser welding, stamping, computerized prototyping, polishing, chain making, enameling, and model making. It launched its ISO 9001/13485 certification program training in February 2013, and anticipates finishing in a year’s time.
The Brooklyn Army Terminal location includes 37,500 sq/ft. of space on one floor, with room for Riva to grow. “I am interested in becoming a productive part of the Brooklyn economic community, by bringing manufacturing jobs and business to the Army Terminal area,” says Ted Doudak, CEO and founder of Riva Precision, and a Brooklyn resident. The company also wants to partner with a variety of businesses in its Brooklyn space, to enable cross-referring work. The types of companies Riva would like to partner with include eternity band manufacturers, findings manufacturers and high quality watchmakers.