(NEW YORK) - ASHI Diamonds, a premier diamond jewelry manufacturer servicing over 1,000 fine independent retail jewelers in North America for over 30 years, is pleased to announce the addition of Keith Topal as their Sales Representative and Marketing Consultant for the Northeast region of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. Keith’s appointment is part of ASHI’s marketing and expansion strategy designed to better service independent jewelers in the United States.

(IDEX Online News) – The De Beers Group of Companies announced that it has launched the International Institute of Diamond Valuation (IIDV) in the United States, to provide consumers and retailers with a diamond jewelry reselling solution.

The company hopes that IIDV will improve customers’ experience by offering more accurate and attractive prices, in addition to increased transparency in the reselling process.

IIDV is also expected to provide a platform for retailers to offer customers a reselling service that compliments their existing activities, including maintaining customer relationships and supporting repeat business – building consumer loyalty. IIDV will not set any minimum limits with regard to a diamond’s value.

The CASE Awards recognize JA Retail Members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design

(NEW YORK) - Jewelers of America (JA), a national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, held its annual national retailer design competition at the JA New York Spring Show, March 13-15. The CASE Awards recognizes JA Retail Members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design. Many of the winning pieces of the 2016 CASE Awards featured hand fabricated designs with unique stone settings, and reflected current trends in both bridal and fashion jewelry.

Kim International (KIM), a leading manufacturer serving independent jewelers since 1975, is pleased to announce that Bill Harrison has been appointed as their new Southern Region Sales Manager. “With his 25 plus years of experience calling on independent jewelers, Bill will not only bring his wealth of knowledge to the position, but his enthusiasm and dedication to customer service,” said Mike Kim, President of Kim International. “His reputation as one of the finest sales professionals in our industry makes him a valuable addition to the KIM team.”

Long known for highly sought-after graduates, the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology (TIJT) at Paris Junior College (PJC) recently underwent a major renovation to keep students at the forefront of developing technologies. PJC is located in Paris, Texas, in the northeast corner of the state about two hours from Dallas.

“Since it began in 1942, TIJT has earned an international reputation for decades of providing graduates with all the skills needed to go to work immediately,” said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. “We are committed to continuing that tradition by staying current with the latest industry technology.”

(NEW YORK) - The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) named its Hall of Fame honorees for the association’s annual Awards for Excellence gala, to be held July 25, 2016. Sissy Jones, owner of Sissy’s Log Cabin will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award; and Ben Bridge will receive the Corporate Award.

The awards will be presented at a new location, The Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center. The Hammerstein Ballroom is a century-old former opera house and one of New York’s most elegant special event destinations. Located on West 34th Street, it will be convenient for JA New York Summer Show attendees at Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Sissy Jones’ remarkable journey in jewelry retail began more than 45 years ago when, in 1970, she rented an old log cabin in Arkansas and opened an antique and jewelry store called Sissy’s Log Cabin. The store gained monumental success, becoming one of the most well-known and well-respected jewelry stores in Arkansas. Sissy has received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arkansas Jewelers Association, the Retailer of the Year by the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 2015 Arkansan of the Year by Easter Seals.

The Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement honoree Peter Engel is president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, based in Portland, Oregon. He is responsible for overseeing 328 stores in 31 states. His career at Fred Meyer spans decades, beginning in 1981 as a sales associate, then regional supervisor, vice president of operations and, in 2005, his current role as president. He is heavily involved in the jewelry industry, serving on the board of directors for Jewelers for Children, Diamond Council of America and the Diamond Empowerment Fund. He is also actively involved with Jewelers of America.

Ben Bridge Jeweler is receiving the Corporate Award in honor of its long-standing commitment to excellence as a jewelry retailer. For more than 100 years, Ben Bridge has provided the very best jewelry, paying special attention to personal, caring service. Established as a small watch shop in downtown Seattle in 1912, Ben Bridge Jeweler is run by the fourth and fifth generation of the Bridge family who maintain their reputation of high standards of integrity, quality, value, selection and service. Today, the business is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Ben Bridge operates over 80 stores in the Western United States and Canada.

“WJA congratulates our 2016 recipients, each a shining example of excellence in our industry,” says Brandee Dallow, president of the Women’s Jewelry Association. “We look forward to bringing the industry together in July at the Hammerstein Ballroom to celebrate their impressive achievements in style.”

WJA Executive Director Bernadette Mack adds: “Moving the gala to the Hammerstein Ballroom is an exciting new development for our biggest event of the year. The legendary venue combined with this year’s extraordinary honorees is generating unprecedented enthusiasm and support for the 2016 event.”

At its annual gala, WJA also will present Awards for Excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/supplier, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing, and special services.

The WJA Awards for Excellence gala has been a part of the industry’s social calendar since 1984. At its gala, WJA brings together industry leaders to honor the best, and for a social evening that raises money for scholarships and grants for deserving women entering or working in our industry. A Silent Auction and raffle will again be mounted in 2016 to raise additional funds for these important causes. Tickets and sponsorships will go on sale later this year.

For more information, visit www.womensjewelryassociation.com.