I Do, Wal-Mart Style

Probably not the romantic setting most couples have in mind for tying the knot, but Wal-Mart, and G Squared, a Wal-Mart exclusive brand from Gartner Studios, are offering seven couples the chance to marry July 7, (7/7/07)-one of the most sought-after wedding dates in recent years-at local Wal-Mart Superstores.

The retail superstore will foot the bill for seven betrothed couples to wed in stores’ lawn and garden areas, in addition to receptions.

Experts anticipate that more than twice as many weddings will take place on 7/7/07 than on the corresponding weekend in 2006. This means that many couples are finding most venues and vendors booked solid. "The popularity of 7/7/07 can be attributed to the symbolism associated with the number seven," said Kathi Mishek, vice president of Gartner Studios.

"Both Gartner Studios and Wal-Mart appreciate that this is a major day in couples' lives and we're proud to be able to share in these celebrations," Mishek added.

Seven "Lucky in Love Wedding Search" couples will receive wedding packages worth more than $5,000 each. The packages include the wedding ceremony and reception venues, 14 karat gold and diamond wedding bands for bride and groom, wedding invitation package, wedding and groom's cakes, l bouquets, digital cameras and digital photo frame, portable GPS, reception food, as well as a $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.

The bride's ring will be a 14 karat Keepsake genuine diamond band, set with 11 diamonds weighing 1/8 of a carat. The groom's 14 karat Keepsake genuine band contains three diamonds weighing 1/10 of a carat.

Romance isn’t dead yet, at least not at Wal-Mart.

Jack Kelége Premiere's New Jewelry Collection

Jewelry designer Jack Kelége and Robb Report magazine hosted an evening to celebrate designs and craftsmanship at the Beverly Hills, Calif., private residence of the world-renowned designer.

More than 150 guests previewed Kelége’s new collection of precious jewels paired with an array of luxury partners that define the art of living well, including Rolls Royce Motor Cars of Beverly Hills. Some of the VIP guests in attendance included actors Jane Seymour and James Keach, and Marek Djordjevic—exterior designer of the Rolls Royce Phantom.

Kelége’s collections of one-of-a-kind jewelry were on display for guests to preview while a model adorned in his jewelry strolled with the guests.

RITMO Named Official Watch of Miss USA Pageant

The Miss USA Pageant has named RITMO MUNDO as its official timepiece. The Beverly Hills, Calif.-based maker of fine Swiss made luxury timepieces has been acclaimed for offering a wide selection of timepieces that blends tradition with trends.

As a result of the partnership which make RITMO the official timepiece of the pageant, Beverly Hills, Calif.-based maker of Swiss luxury timepieces will present a $30,000 diamond studded Jumbo Jet with Mystery Dial watch to the pageant winner at the end of tonight's telecast.

In addition to its alliance with the Miss Universe organization, RITMO is the official timepiece of the IndyCar Series, Randy Jackson of American Idol, and the upcoming movie, Ocean’s 13.

RITMO MUNDO was founded by luxury retailer and watch aficionado Ali Soltani. With offices in Milan, Italy, and inspired by timepieces of the 1920’s, ‘30’s and ‘40’s, RITMO has found selective partners to highlight its product through diligent distribution in each region. RITMO has redefined luxury timepieces by providing a unique blend of century old designs with sensuous extraordinary Swiss and Italian craftsmanship.

Backes & Strauss Launches New Luxury Diamond Watches in Mid East

The Middle East is the latest market for Backes & Strauss’ new line of luxury diamond watches. The oldest diamond company in the world joined forces in December with the Franck Muller Group to launch the collection which made its Mid-east debut at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition earlier this month in Qatar.

Diamond pieces in the collection retail from £25,000 ($48,000) and above.

Next stop on the line’s roll-out is Geneva’s 10th World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie (WPHH) April 16-22.

Diamond Glitter at Indian Celebrity Wedding

While for much of last week the Indian media headlined the elaborate celebrations surrounding the wedding of British film star Elizabeth Hurley to Indian playboy-businessman Arun Nayar, many of the actual details remained under wraps due to the reported contract giving celebrity publication Hello! exclusive rights of the events’ photos.

But a few facts have emerged – among them information about how diamonds added to the overall glitz and glitter.

According to a release from the Diamond Information Centre, UAE, Hurley’s wedding ring is an “Ice Cube” wedding band composed of 20 square cut diamonds weighing 3.91 carats and 118 brilliant cut diamonds set in white gold designed by Chopard's Creative Director and Co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele.

Chopard also made the actress's engagement ring, a magnificent 15.09 carat Asscher cut diamond, set in white gold and surrounded by a pave-set band from the Haute Joaillerie collection.

Another media website, monstersandcritics.com, reports that Hurley also wore a diamond encrusted pink sari worth £4,000 ($7,690), earrings worth £40,000 ($76,900) and a £20,000 ($38,450) bracelet.

On a different note, Bombay Times, a supplement of Indian daily The Times of India, reports that jewelry had a role to play in the last minute cancellation of a party that was to be hosted for the couple in Mumbai by Nayar’s father Vinod and his wife Joanne. According to the report, Hurley was “upset that Ms Nayar had used the wedding to promote a range of jewelry.”

Joanne Nayar has recently become the brand ambassador for Nayaab, an upmarket designer jewelry store in Bandra, Mumbai.

Russell Simmons Launches ‘Green’ Jewelry Line

In a bid to raise money for communities in Africa, Simmons Jewelry Company, owned by Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, is launching the Green Initiative. A portion of the jewelry line proceeds will benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF).

According to the company, the DEF is an "international, non-profit organization with a mission to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa." The Green Initiative’s mission is to raise funds for the DEF.

Hitting retail stores at the end of March, the line’s designs featuring diamonds, steel, and rubber have already made a statement in Hollywood. At the Academy Awards ceremony, Oscar winning actor Forest Whitaker wore the Los Angeles stainless steel and green rubber cross bracelet with laser engraved logo and diamonds. According to the company, the green bracelet, made of African green malachite beads and a rough conflict-free diamond, was also being worn by Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Eddie Murphy, Penelope Cruz, Jon Voight, Chris Tucker, Gabrielle Union, T.I., and other celebrities.

Twenty-five percent of net profits from the Green Initiative collection will go to the DEF, while fifty percent of net profits from the line’s green bracelet piece will go to the fund.

Each special Oscar green bracelet included a Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) certificate, insuring diamonds are conflict free. GCAL, with its Source Veritas service, gives buyers the assurance that the diamond originated from a Kimberley Process compliant company and complies with the 2003 U.S. Clean Diamond Act. A special DVD message from Russell Simmons with footage from his trip to Africa is also included with the bracelet.

The Green Initiative collection features the diamond encrusted Ohm Watch and Ohm pendant, as well as bracelets, pendants, chains and rings priced from $250 to $80,000.

Chopard Designs Hurley’s 15.09 carat Engagement Ring

Hurley's 15.09 carat Assher cut diamond engagement ring

Chopard’s Creative Director and Co-President designed Elizabeth Hurley's engagement ring, a 15.09 carat Assher cut diamond, set in white gold and surrounded by a pave-set band, reports Vogue UK. Chopard also made the actress’s wedding band, a white gold ring set with 20 square-cut diamonds with a total weight of 3.91 carat.

Hurley married Arun Nayer on Saturday. The couple picked the diamond out of the ‘Haute Joallerie’ collection at Chopard's Bond Street store.

Celebrity engagement rings have become a topic of great interest in recent years, influencing purchasing habits. Jennifer Lopez’s 6.1 carat pink diamond engagement ring, from actor Ben Aflek, created a strong interest in the rare fancy color diamonds.

Britney Spears’ 5 carat, double banded engagement ring was quickly copied, with cheaper versions of it becoming almost immediately available for fans.

GIA Hong Kong to Open Lab Services March 8

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will open the first of its new GIA Laboratory Service Centers in Hong Kong on March 8, 2007 with a special VIP grand opening reception, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and open house.

Thomas M. Moses, senior vice president of GIA Research and Laboratory, will host the event. Other participants will be Sheryl Cashmore, manager of the new Laboratory Service Center; Ken Scarratt, director of research at GIA Laboratory Bangkok; and invited VIP guests, including laboratory clients, GIA alumni, and the media.

"The purpose of the new Laboratory Service Centers is to bring the Institute's Laboratory services closer to customers throughout the world," said Moses. "Expanding the number of take-in centers and making GIA services more easily accessible should help reduce overall shipping and turn-around times for customers."

According to Moses, the GIA Laboratory Service Centers will complement the GIA LabDirect consolidator network the Institute announced in August 2006.

"Our clients in Hong Kong will have easy, convenient access to our services and can both submit and pick up their items locally. They will pay the same fees as all GIA Laboratory clients, and will work with a GIA staff that is bilingual in English and Chinese."

Doors open at 10:30 a.m., and the ribbon-cutting will take place promptly at 11:00 a.m. when local tradition holds that timing to be the most auspicious. The event will end at 2:00 p.m.

The Laboratory Service Center in Hong Kong is in the same building as the GIA Hong Kong international school which opened in 1994. The GIA Laboratory Service Center is located at Room 1203, 12/F, Aon China Building, 29 Queen's Road, Central Hong Kong.

Philip Rickard Honolulu Opens Seventh Retail Location in Hawaii

Philip Rickard Honolulu, a manufacturer of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry, has opened a seventh retail location on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The new gallery store opened on Feb. 21 at the newly renovated Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

The official grand opening celebration for the Philip Rickard Honolulu Gallery will take place Friday on the first floor of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. The celebration will begin with a Hawaiian blessing by Kumu Keoni Craig at 9 a.m. followed by light snacks and coffee. All customers will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases for the day.

"The sincere passion and respect that I have for this jewelry and its rich history is reflected in each piece I create," said Philip Rickard. "I am thoroughly excited about sharing my pieces at our new location."

The gallery will feature all of his existing collections, including the Diamonds & Flowers Collection, Black Pearl Collection, and the custom wedding line. This location will also showcase the Philip Rickard exclusive Ali’i Collection, which was inspired by Hawai’i sovereign history, this collection uses royal blue enamel to accent the classic Old English scrolling. Fans of Rickard’s pieces include rock star and fashion designer Gwen Stefani.

Six Jewelry Designers Honored with Niche Awards

Winners of the 2007 NICHE Awards for jewelry were honored in a ceremony at the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft. The coveted NICHE Award was presented to artists in 36 categories including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, and wood.

The Jewelry category is divided into six sections: Fashion, Gold, Gold with Stones, Silver, Silver with Stones and Sculpture to Wear. The winners are:

Fashion
Greg Geyer
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Sea Glass Pendant

Gold
Todd Reed
Boulder, Colo.
Gold Cluster Necklace

Gold with Stones
Elizabeth Gualtieri
Portland, Ore.
Empress

Silver
Danielle Crampsie
Toronto, Canada
Interlocking, Play, Pause, Record Ring

Silver with Stones
Lisa Hawthorne
Coquille, Ore.
Delicate Balance

Sculpture to Wear
David Bausman
Laredo, Texas
The Dating Pool

Sponsored by NICHE magazine, the trade publication for retailers of American craft, the NICHE Awards program recognizes excellence and innovation in the American and Canadian craft industry.

American and Canadian craft artists submitted more than 1,000 entries for the 2007 competition. In November 2006, NICHE magazine announced the 151 finalists, who were invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the Philadelphia Buyers Market, Feb. 16-19, 2007. Winners will be featured in the Spring 2007 issue of NICHE magazine.

Entries were judged on three main criteria:

* Technical excellence, both in surface design and form

* Market viability

* A distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought

Applications for the 2008 NICHE Awards will be available in early Spring 2007 at www.AmericanCraft.com.