Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Take a picture, it'll last longer
Let me start off this blog post with my general impressions from the Couture and JCK shows in Las Vegas. As you might have read elsewhere, the shows were better than expected, although both were being measured against some pretty...
Let me start off this blog post with my general impressions from the Couture and JCK shows in Las Vegas.
As you might have read elsewhere, the shows were better than expected, although both were being measured against some pretty low expectations, given the state of the worldwide economy.
Still, having an above-average show in this terrible economy is better than meeting, or falling below, already low expectations.
A number of issues came up during the show.
The two that stuck out most in my mind were the power of social networking--the time is now to get on the Facebook, Twitter, etc., bandwagon--and the fact that the industry's memo system is in need of a serious overhaul.
I'll be writing about these topics in future issues of National Jeweler so, for now, I wanted to share with you the outcome of an appointment I previewed in a blog post titled "Are diamonds ready for their close-up?" just before the show.
On Monday (rescheduled from Saturday due to my directionally challenged nature; sorry again Gemory!) I met with the founder and CEO of Newark, Calif.-based Gemory, Erwan Le Roy, and Gemory's head of strategic partnerships, Richard Lucquet.
These are the guys of "Smile, you're on a diamond" fame.
The company's system, called DiamondPure, takes photos that have been uploaded to Gemory.com, shrinks them into microscopic but still-viewable images, and then embeds those images onto a diamond.
The picture is then viewed using GemmaView, a small, telescope-like object developed by Gemory.
As I learned during my visit to the EGL USA booth in Las Vegas on Monday (EGL USA is the lab that grades the photographically-altered diamonds), a video-equipped ring box is included with this special photography package.
It looks like any other "I'm-about-to-open-this-and-propose-hoping-you-won't-reject-me" ring box,
except for the inside of the top lid, where there is a tiny little screen.
Just plug the unsuspecting-looking box into a computer and download 100 megabytes of whatever you like: logos, a video, a picture.
The cost for the photo-embedded diamond (not including the cost of the stone, of course, which has already been bought and paid for by this point), the GemmaView and the box is $2,000, according to the guys from Gemory.
The picture on the diamond idea is, technologically speaking, a very cool concept.
Le Roy and Lucquet said that so far, two stores are offering the Gemory program. And
As for how many consumers will actually buy into it, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
The Latest
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
The branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
The six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
The highlight of his collection is the coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which could sell for up to $5 million.
The “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
The Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
The Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
It will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.