The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America

2012 Jewelry Trends from Jewelry Information Center's Fine Jewelry Preview

The jewelry trend experts at Jewelry Information Center, Jewelers of America's consumer education arm, unveiled its top jewelry picks for 2012 weeks in advance of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, at its Annual Fine Jewelry Preview and Luncheon on Wednesday, August 24, in New York.

“As the jewelry industry continues to synthesize with the fashion industry, holding JIC’s Annual Fine Jewelry Preview in close proximity to Fashion Week was perfectly timed to provide jewelry trend inspiration for high-fashion editors and trendsetters as well as inspiration for consumers thinking about how to accessorize," says Helena Krodel, JIC spokesperson.

Check out our round-up of pics from the event and visit JIC's website, www.JIC.org, for more of their top jewelry trends!

The Fine Jewelry Preview featured more than 120 pieces in total, and featured jewelry form JIC and its partners American Gem Trade Association, Cultured Pearl Association of America, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Platinum Guild International USA and World Gold Council (WGC jewelry selections pictured above).

Use JIC's Fall Contest to Benefit Your Brand

As jewelers, you share in some of the most romantic (engagements, anniversaries) and life-changing moments (weddings, births, promotions) of your customers' lives. You know that each piece of jewelry you create or sell to a customer carries with it a special memory and story that is valued far beyond the price of the piece.

Have your customers share these jewelry stories  in Jewelry Information Center's fall  Sparkling Snapshots Contest, and they could win a Grand Prize package that includes a luxurious spa getaway and jewelry.

Jewelry Information Center Announces 2011 Fine Jewelry Preview Selections

Jewelry Information Center will be hosting its Annual Annual Fine Jewelry Preview and Luncheon on August 24, 2011 in New York City. At the preview, influential jewelry and fashion editors can preview never-before-seen jewelry trends, while enjoying a special luncheon.

The event attracts the most important fashion trendsetters in publishing who preview JA Supplier Member designs. The following jewelry was selected to be featured at the event.

Live From JCK Show: What's Hot, What's Not

Fashion and fine jewelry go hand-and-hand, and yet not every retail jeweler is knowledgeable on the current trends. Jewelers of America keeps its members up-to-date on jewelry trends through the trend forecasting expertise of Director of Media & Special Events Helena Krodel, who provides seasonal Jewelry Trends Reports on www.jewelers.org.  She recently presented the seminar, “What’s Hot, What’s Not,” at the JCK Show in Las Vegas, which detailed how to follow jewelry and fashion trends and make them translate to more in-store sales.

Some top tips from her session:

JIC Co-Produces Successful Jewelry Fashion Show for AGS Conclave

Jewelry Information Center (JIC), the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America (JA), partnered with the American Gem Society (AGS) in a first-ever co-branded jewelry fashion show on April 27, at the Westin St. Francis during AGS Conclave 2011. Check out the first pictures from this exciting event. The fashion show was such a success, Jewelry Information Center is already coming up with ideas for future jewelry fashion events. Stay tuned to see what surprises are instore!

The models strike a pose after the runway show. JIC’s Director of Media &
Special Events Helena Krodel produced the fashion show,
which showcased the jewelry of 25 leading designers.

Top Referring Sales Associates in JIC's Ultimate Proposal Contest

Jewelers of America would like to congratulate the winners of the Ultimate Proposal Contest Sales Associates Referral Contest. These passionate jewelry sales professionals spread the word about Jewelry Information Center’s Second Annual Ultimate Proposal Contest and were rewarded with $50 Visa Gift Cards, courtesy of GE Money.

JIC Hosts Jewelry Preview & Media Training at Designer Day

"Seven Designers, 10 Minutes, 10 Blocks Away" -- that was the invitation sent by Jewelers of America Director of Media & Special Events Helena Krodel to leading fashion and accessories editors at major consumer and trade magazines for a special Designer Day Jewelry Preview held at Jewelers of America's headquarters on March 15, 2011. More than 20 editors from trend-setting publications, like Brides and O! The Oprah Magazine, attended the event which also included a special media training for the designer attendees.

Click here to see jewelry images from the event.

Jewelry Retailers: Join the Ultimate Proposal Contest!

With spring and summer the traditional "slow" season for fine jewelry sales, many retail jewelers struggle with how to engage customers and get them through their doors.

One simple (and free) way to excite consumers in the coming months is to participate in Jewelry Information Center's popular Ultimate Proposal Contest, a national consumer contest that asks consumers to share their proposal stories online at www.JIC.org. The Contest features amazing prizes for the customers, staff and owners of Participating Retailers.

Only Few Spots Left in AGS Jewelry Fashion Show

Don't miss out on a once-a-year opportunity to network with the best retailers in the business, who will see your designs on and off the runway during a Fashion Show and Showcase Reception! Register to participate in the Supplier Fashion Show & Showcase, held Wednesday, April 27, during the American Gem Society Conclave in San Fransisco, CA. There are limited spots available, so register today!

Click to download application and register before the spots are filled!

Jewelers of America's consumer education arm, Jewelry Information Center, is producing the Fashion Show this year, which offers advanced visibility for your jewelry:

Coming Soon: JIC's Second Annual Ultimate Proposal Contest

Beginning next month, JIC will be accepting registration from JA Retail Members to participate in its Second Annual Ultimate Proposal Contest. The Contest, running from April 4-June 20, 2011, asks consumers to share their proposal stories online at www.JIC.org. The first Ultimate Proposal Contest debuted in February 2010.

New this year! Any retailer who registers to participate in the Contest from February 15 to March 15 will be entered to win an iPad, courtesy of GE Money.

JIC to Produce 2011 AGS Conclave Fashion Show

Jewelry Information Center (JIC) — the consumer education arm of Jewelers of America and the leading fashion authority in the jewelry and watch industry — will produce the annual American Gem Society (AGS) Conclave Fashion Show, on April 27, 2011, at the Westin St. Francis, in San Francisco, CA. 

“Jewelry Information Center is thrilled to partner with American Gem Society in the planning and production of this year’s exciting fashion show,” says Helena Krodel, Jewelers of America's director of media and special events . “Since 1946, Jewelry Information Center has been known as the fashion and trends authority for the fine jewelry and watch industry; we can think of no better platform to publicize the hottest jewelry than at the highly-regarded AGS Conclave.”

JIC Promotes Fall Fine Jewelry Fashion Across Nation

On August 25th, Amanda Gizzi and Helena Krodel, the expert spokespeople for Jewelry Information Center (JIC) -- Jewelers of America's consumer education arm, performed more than 30 television interviews about fall fine jewelry trends on morning shows across the nation. The media tour promoted the jewelry collections of Jewelers of America Supplier Members, while motivating audiences to seek out Jewelers of America Retail Member stores for their fine jewelry purchases.

How can anyone manage to be in 30 cities in one day?  If anyone can, it is the JIC ladies!

Helena Krodel (left) and Amanda Gizzi, of Jewelry Information Center, showcased
the fall fine jewelry trends on news stations across the country.

Pop-Up Jewelry Stores: The Wave of the Future?

By Helena Krodel, Director of Media and Special Events

From Boston to California, New York to San Francisco, pop-up stores are a new phenomenon taking retail by storm. A pop-up shop, that is — a temporary retail space or experience which involves “popping-up” one day, and disappearing the next – has become the second most clever way (after social media of course) to create a unique environment that engages customers and generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity. As far as publicity goes, this concept is high on the list of buzz-worthy activities. 

Use the Power of a Press Release

A new survey by the Oriella PR Network, a group of 15 PR agencies worldwide, found that 75% of journalists said an e-mailed press release from a PR pro is useful if the content is “high quality and well targeted.”  “These findings prove that ‘old fashioned’ public relations tactics are still important and can generate important awareness for your company,” says Amanda Gizzi, Director of Consumer Communications for Jewelers of America. 

There are a few simple things to remember when writing and submitting a press release.  Gizzi shares the following tips:

“Strike a Pose” With Fashion-Forward Marketing

At the recent JCK Show in Las Vegas, Jewelers of America’s in-house fashion and jewelry trends expert Helena Krodel picked up great ideas from “Selling Through Fashion,” an enlightening and entertaining panel discussion. Krodel was thrilled to learn a few tricks and hear creative advice aimed at retailers who are looking to market and merchandise year-round. Retailers got tips on how to position themselves as fashion experts in the minds of consumers through trend-driven in-store merchandising, special events, online media and social marketing.

The panel was comprised of four industry experts: Elizabeth Anne Bonanno, EAB Consulting; Randi Molofsky, Portero.com and author of A Girl’s Guide to Buying Diamonds; Frank Proctor, Luxury Brand Group; and Michael Schechter, Honora. The discussion was led by moderator Victoria Gomelsky, who is a frequent contributor to the New York Times and other publications.

Krodel shares some of the best advice from the panelists:

Plan For the Las Vegas Jewelry Shows

The Las Vegas jewelry trade shows are right around the corner. Are you prepared to make the most of your product purchasing and networking time this year? With more than 2,500 exhibitors at the JCK Show and over 200 exhibitors at Couture, planning your visit to Las Vegas is more than essential.

Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America Director of Consumer Communications, offers smart planning tips so you can maximize every dollar and minute of your Las Vegas trip:

Create a Cohesive Jewelry Collection

"Is my collection cohesive?"

This is the one-billion-dollar question that jewelry designers should be asking themselves. By definition cohesiveness means well-integrated or unified. 

To make sure your collections thrive each season, Helena Krodel, Jewelers of America Director of Media and Special Events (and Jewelry Information Center spokeswoman), says you need to take a close look at your designs and ask the following questions:

Be Part of the “Perfect Engagement” Story

To most Americans, buying an engagement ring is a daunting experience. That’s why retailers that get it right are not only part of the most exciting time in couple’s lives, they develop lifelong customers in return.  Over 630 consumers have entered their “Ultimate Proposal Story” in Jewelry Information Center’s Ultimate Proposal Contest. JA Director of Consumer Communications (and JIC spokeswoman) Amanda Gizzi has found inspiring marketing ideas for jewelry retailers from the story entries. She shares her favorites here.

Use these ideas to connect with your engagement customers and help them create the perfect engagement story:

Make Public Relations Gems From Daily Routine

Everyday monotonous tasks can be turned into a perfect public relations opportunity for your business. Learn to think like a well-oiled PR machine by making everything you do synonymous with your brand.  

The JICchicks, the spokeswomen of Jewelry Information Center -- Jewelers of America’s consumer education arm, perform public relations on a daily basis and offer some great examples:

Use Contests To Engage Customers!

Gifts of jewelry help commemorate life's biggest moments. To ensure you stay top of mind with your customers, it is vitally important to communicate with them on a regular basis. "Addressing your customers’ special occasions helps them associate those moments with jewelry," says Amanda Gizzi, director of consumer communications for Jewelers of America.  

Jewelry Information Center has created a marketing program that helps you "re-engage" your customer and encourage them to share what is undoubtedly one of their favorite stories...their engagement proposal story! 

Forget the Holidays, Spring (Fashion) Forward!

‘Tis the season to be jolly!  Why?  Because holiday preparations are over and spring will soon be on the horizon. Helena Krodel, of Jewelery Information Center, helps you prepare to showcase jewelry product in tune with current fashion trends with her seasonal trends forecasting.

Krodel offers this sneak peak at the trends for spring 2010:

Build Your Brand Through Social Media

If you are one of the many people who are still skeptical about using social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, now is the time to jump in.  You may still be asking, "who cares what I have to say?" The answer is quite simple: a lot of people!  Cindy Edelstein, of the Jewelers Resource Bureau, says social media allows you the opportunity to engage potential clients and talk to existing customers on an unobtrusive, yet personal level.

Jewelry Information Center's Amanda Gizzi, who manages both JIC’s and Jewelers of America’s social media program, shares the following tips to get you started:

Use Pitch-Perfect PR

There are pros and cons to public relations, but if executed successfully, public relations can be an effective marketing tool for your business. According to the Jewelry Information Center (JIC) Public Relations Handbook, “Public relations is a powerful tool used to create awareness of, and desire for, your product or service.” The Handbook notes that it’s not only key to building brand awareness, but helps to differentiate your business from competitors and generate excitement. 

Continue reading for smart tips from the JIC Public Relations Handbook on how to perform your own public relations successfully:

Get Ready for the Brave New Advertising World

According to a study from IBM, major shifts are expected in the advertising landscape over the next five years. In Entrepreneur.com’s “The End of Advertising: What Will It Mean for You,” Carol Tice shares some of the study’s key findings and provides ideas on how small business can manage -- and succeed -- in this changing landscape.

Read on to discover the seismic advertising shifts and how you can capitalize on them: