Modern Jeweler: Private Label Metals

New article in Modern Jeweler talking about metals for jewelry under $500. Click to view article.

Treat Yourself Monday! Louis Vuitton

The new Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite manbag (via BagSnob).

Looking for the perfect gift for the man in your life? Look no further than the Damier Graphite from Louis Vuitton-- it's chic yet masculine and boasts a 120 year history in the world of fashion. A decade before the monogram was created, Georges Vuitton patented the checkered patterned design that has launched a thousand imitators but as with all things, there is nothing better than the original. Understated and elegant, the Graphite Damier is finished in smooth black leather and palladium hardware. Available at Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide this weekend! Louis Vuitton also available online at eLUXURY.com.

New Campaign Pushes Palladium as Right-Now Metal

LINK TO ARTICLE AT NJN.COM
By Catherine Dayrit

Las Vegas - When designers and high-end retailers gathered poolside at the Wynn Las Vegas to hear pop singer Seal croon his famous line, "We're never gonna survive... unless we get a little crazy," the lyrics weren't the only entreaties aimed at the Couture show crowd.

Signs from Palladium Alliance International's (PAI) new branding campaign lined the stairways, surrounded the pool and flashed on a giant outdoor screen, declaring "Palladium is Now," "White, Light, Natural, Now" and "Do You Have the Metal?". It was all part of the first phase of branding for palladium, a precious member of the platinum metals group that, amid higher metals prices, has been embraced by a host of designers.

PAI, which formed just over two years ago to establish palladium as a distinctive metal, hired market research firm McKinsey to do extensive consumer research and chose DJS Advertising of Miami to create and execute the campaign.

"We know what the consumer reaction is going to be with the terms 'white,' 'light,' 'natural' and 'now' - all of that rich information about the DNA of the product," DJS President Deborah Scarpa says of the research. The result has been to-the-point messaging that has been hitting home.

"The retailer and manufacturer response was very tremendous," PAI Chairman John Stark says.

Scarpa says unique visitors to the PAI Web site multiplied from several thousand to 27,000 during and right after the launch.

Scott Kay began spreading the word on palladium three years ago when he led a JCK Show seminar on the topic. The brand's palladium bridal business in particular is doing phenomenally, he says.

"It's not an alternative, it's an opportunity," Kay says. "When you have something that's natural and is viewed as a precious resource, that's a great opportunity. You're really going to see it carve its way into the marketplace and take a large share from gold."

Designer Barry Kronen, new to palladium, has produced two palladium pieces so far and hopes PAI's messaging will resonate with the brand's customers.

"Direct is good, especially when you're working with consumers," Allison Pellegrino, Barry Kronen director of marketing and advertising, says of the campaign. "A lot of the fluff gets lots in translation anyway, so here there's nothing missing."

At about half the cost of gold, price often comes up as a reason a designer is test-driving the metal. But, PAI says, as with other jewelry products, palladium shouldn't be sold on price or compared to other metals.

"That's the point that we're trying to establish," Stark says. "It's not a metal that's in competition with platinum, or with white gold. Its position in the marketplace is as a luxury white metal."

Among its attributes is its purity and naturalness, Scarpa says, along with the fact that it is white and durable, yet lightweight.

"The main thing is that it's new and it's now," she says. "This is the metal for the 21st century."

PAI has already made an extensive foray into jewelry trade shows, and plans are in the works to hold a press conference and a national tour in conjunction with Conde Nast publications this fall to reach more retailers. In late August, PAI is aiming to launch a PAI membership program, allowing retailers exclusive access to marketing materials. Online initiatives will also be key to the campaign.

On the consumer level, ads that tag manufacturers and play up palladium's attributes are scheduled to run in luxury service magazines.

While the word about palladium is currently diffusing through the industry, insiders say the next step lies at the retail level.

"It's not only about advertising, it's education," says Patrick Hoffman, vice president of Ulysse Nardin, which at the moment produces four watch models in palladium. "It is up to us to educate the people in the stores about how to sell palladium."

PAI Awards Top Palladium Seller

Billings, Mont. — Palladium Alliance International (PAI) has awarded Ryan Muckelroy an all-expense-paid trip to Stillwater Mining Co. for selling the most palladium jewelry at retail jeweler Robbins Brothers.

Muckelroy clinched first prize after selling nearly $18,000 of palladium jewelry.

"The executives at Robbins Brothers have been behind palladium for years, since Scott Kay introduced it into our product line," Muckelroy said in a media release. "It's easy to sell in my market. It's beautiful, long-lasting, and it just makes sense to our customers."

In early July, Muckelroy and his wife, Amber, toured Stillwater's East Boulder Mine. Stillwater is a Sierra Club-approved "green" mine and home of the world's highest-grade palladium ore.

"It was an incredible experience...the tour helped me appreciate the work that goes into producing enough metal for one little ring," Muckelroy said. "I've told my whole team about the process, and it really increased their passion for selling palladium."

Joseph Schubach Jewelers 'Jewelry of Your Dreams' Design Contest

(Via MarketWatch)

Click above to read full article or visit Schubach's website for details




Joseph Schubach Jewelers has kicked off voting for the first ever Custom Jewelry Design Contest, and the winning designer will receive a $2,000 prize toward his or her custom jewelry piece. Votes can be cast on the jeweler's website through August 4th.

"We've demonstrated that custom-made jewelry is easily attainable for most individuals, sometimes costing only a few hundred dollars," Joseph Schubach said. "Using natural diamonds -- or diamond alternatives such as clarity enhanced diamonds,
moissanite or Gemesis created diamonds -- and metals such as platinum and palladium -- we are able to create stunning items at a fraction of the cost of most jewelry design houses."

Philip Stein unveils line of Swiss-made watches

(Via National Jeweler)




Miami—U.S.-based watch brand Philip Stein has created its first-ever line of fine-crafted Swiss-made watches.

Dubbed the "Prestige Collection," the line contains Multiple Frequency Technology, a new technology that the brand says offers wearers benefits such as a better night's sleep, quicker relief from jetlag and workouts, and less stress overall, to name a few.


Since Philip Stein's founding in 2001 by Will Stein, the brand has forged a niche in the area of mind-body wellness through frequency-based technologies in luxury products.

However, the brand says that the Multiple Frequency Technology, combined with the Swiss-made mechanisms in the Prestige Collection, offer up the precision demanded by discriminate watch buyers.

The Prestige Collection is available in stores this month.

Philip Stein Adds Palladium to Harmony Collection

This one-of-a-king prototype generously lent to PAI is a phenomenal example of Philip Stein's upcoming foray into Palladium. The legendary watchmaker is yet another company embracing The Now Metal™ as the white metal of the future.

Platinum Metals Review (July 08)

Alright, here it is: the full-text edition of Platinum Metals Review, which you've been awaiting with bated breath! Topics include "A New Palladium-Based Catalyst for Methanol Steam Reforming in a Miniature Fuel Cell Power Source" and the exciting sequel "Practical New Strategies for Immobilising Ruthenium Alkylidene Complexes: Part II"... check it out.

Palladium Demand Up Despite Industry Woes

iAfrica reports Anglo Platinum's shaky outlook on the Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) market, but continued growth in demand for Palladium for jewelry applications.

Treat Yourself Monday! Swarovski

The legendary Swarovski brand has several accessories featuring Palladium hardware. Have a look.



















"Fancy Bag" $600 (details)


















"Signature Flossy Large Wallet" $340 (details)

GFMS Releases Quartery 3-Year Forecast for PGMs

Click for PDF overview

GFMS, the world's foremost precious metals consultancy, specializing in research into the global gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets, released another report today. They're an excellent resource for anyone interested in the real market mechanics of metals and mining, however their work is pricey: An annual subscription to their 4-volume report package will set you back around £5,000.

Palladium Experts at JA Summer Show

Via National Jeweler

Palladium Alliance International's (PAI) technical experts will discuss best practices for casting, fabricating and repairing palladium jewelry at the upcoming JA New York Summer Show.

Casting consultant Linus Drogs and bench fabrication consultant Chris Ploof will lead the seminar on Sunday, July 27, from 4:14 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Attendees will learn easy methods for mastering palladium's unique characteristics and ensure that their stores and service departments have the confidence and knowledge to begin profiting from the metal.

The seminar will be held at the JA Retail Learning Center in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

For more information, call (877) 473-7873 or visit PAI online at LuxuryPalladium.com.

Palladium Alliance User Forum

Have you visited PAI's User Forum? Check it out for up-to-date discussions on working with Palladium. Don't see your question answered? Just ask!

Stillwater Mining Aids River Weed Project

Not Palladium news, not jewelry industry news, not even mining... but Stillwater Mining Co., the Sierra Club-approved green mine in Billings, Montana, that supports Palladium Alliance International, was written up in the Billings Gazette today for their support of a cooperative weed control project on the upper Stillwater River.

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Weed effort shows signs of progress
By LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA
Of The Gazette Staff

NYE - What a difference a year makes. That was the report from Noel Keogh, the Nye rancher who along with several others has spearheaded a cooperative weed control project on the upper Stillwater River.

Last summer marked the first year of a three-year grant aimed at controlling noxious weeds from the Woodbine Campground to the Nye School. This summer marked a noticeable difference.

"We covered the same land," Keogh said. "Only this year, there was only about 5 percent of the weeds."

......(Click to read the full article)

NJN: Las Vegas Market Week

A recap of early June jewelry trade week in Las Vegas, and the industry's demand for Palladium as the white jewelry metal of the future in the face of a rocky economic forecast. Stuller, a major Palladium alloy producer and jewelry manufacturer based in Louisiana, had a phenomenal run this year. (Reprinted from National Jeweler.)

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Amid lighter traffic, Vegas buyers walk a careful line
By Michelle Graff

LAS VEGAS - High metal prices, skyrocketing fuel costs and tightening consumer pocketbooks had jewelers who attended JCK Las Vegas watching their spending.

But they, at least, made it to the show. Though exact attendance figures were not available at press time, attendees and vendors at the show noticed that traffic was slow at what Las Vegas is normally one of the most bustling events of the year.

"It was dead," said retailer Jeff Milstein of Wyatt Austin Jewelers in Schaumburg, Ill., who has been attending JCK Las Vegas since it launched in 1992. "It was absolutely, positively dead."

Exhibitor Amy Han of Honolulu-based manufacturer and retailer Maui Divers Jewelry noticed the same.

"Traffic was really down," she said, noting Maui had booked zero appointments for the last two days of the show, which was held May 30-June 3 at the Sands Expo Center and the Venetian hotel.

According to JCK Events, the show hosted retailers from 72 countries, plus 3,100 manufacturers and suppliers, figures that were comparable to the number of exhibitors who attended in 2007. JCK Events stated that pre-registration also was comparable to 2007.

JCK Events Group Vice President Dave Bonaparte said overall, exhibitors reported "very positive results" from JCK Las Vegas 2008.

"Although retailers and exhibitors arrived at the show with low expectations due to economic conditions, we are thrilled to report that so many of our exhibitors and attendees were able to connect, do business and make this one of the most successful jewelry events of the year," he said.

Retailers walking the show in its first few days told National Jeweler they were prepared to stock up, but were doing so with an air of caution.

"I'm always open to buy product that moves," Milstein said.

He said he replenished his stock of diamond engagement rings and bought men's wedding bands and inexpensive men's stainless steel jewelry.

In total, Milatein said, he spent about 50 percent less than last year, but it wasn't because there was a surplus of inventory from the slow holiday season. The jeweler actually didn't buy heavy going into Christmas because he knew it wasn't going to be a busy season.

"We knew by November of last year that December was not going to be a banner year," he said. "We knew ... things were just not the same."

Art Caldwell at Merhnan's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in Knoxville, Tenn., said his company was buying the same amount in Las Vegas as last year, but exercising caution. He was sticking to buying loose diamonds and bridal pieces, necessities for a store that is heavily reliant on bridal. It had taken Markman's until the JCK show in June to sell off its excess Christmas inventory, Caldwell said.

"Times are tough," he said. "We're being very, very careful."

If business was slow for some, other exhibitors bucked the trend and said they were doing blockbuster business. Stuller executives reported a record year, citing finished jewelry merchandise mix that is more fashion-forward than ever for the company.

In JCK's Italian pavilion, buyers at Rebecca, which sells jewelry made of goldplated bronze, silver, steel and hydrothermally created colored gemstones, couldn't seem to get enough of the pieces that retail for $200 to $1,800.

"We wrote up orders in one day that surpassed what we did all of last year," said Michael Pucci, director of sales and marketing for distributor Testi USA. "We're the luxury alternative for solid gold right now."

Jeff Guenther, general manager at New England's Springer's Jewelers stores, said his open-to-buy was 50 percent more than last year. He was looking to add another luxury brand to his stores, which carry Kwiat and Roberto Coin, among others.

Springer's has stores in the Maine cities of Portland and Bath, and one in Portsmouth, N.H. Although its clientele, wealthy New Englanders aged 40 to 70, are mostly shielded from the recent economic downturn, the general economic uncertainty prompted cautious buying, Guenther said.

Bowen Jewelry Co. in Lynchburg, Va., had a record day while owner Biff Bowen was strolling the JCK show. He said business is good for him this year, but he is still being conservative with his buying, mimicking consumers.

"Customers are being smart," he said. "They want value. They're not just throwing their money at you."

He said he is focusing on replenishing his stock while making "tentative notes" about new products. One new item Bowen would be willing to invest in is a line of fashion palladium jewelry.

"That's something I've got an eye out for," he said.

Palladium, at a per-ounce price ranging from $363 to $590 from Jan. 1 through mid- June, is a lower-cost alternative to white gold and platinum.

The per-ounce price of gold soared to more than $1,020 in March and, by mid-June, was at $874 an ounce, according to metal price tracker Kitco.com. Platinum peaked at almost $2,300 per ounce in March and was at $2,020 per ounce in mid-June.

Randall Janis of Heart of Gold Jewelers in Redding, Calif., calls paliadium "a great white gold substitute." He and his wife, Zan, both expressed an interest in palladium pieces, as well as micropave diamond jewelry pieces.

"It has a lot of presence to it," Zan Janis said of the tiny diamond-speckled pieces.

Another trend she noticed at JCK was organic-looking designs with a lot of open metalwork and smaller diamonds instead of a lot of "bling."

Randall Janis said the jeweler's open-to-buy is about 30 percent less than last year. His store is fairly well stocked and the owners are expecting an average year.

Randall Janis said he considers the Las Vegas show, which is a short flight from his northern California jewelry store, more of a fact-finding mission for new products and technologies. In addition to palladium and micropave, lab-grown Gemesis colored diamonds also caught his eye this year. He said he plans to buy the stones from Gemesis, which added pink to its color palette during the show.

Han, of Maui Divers, a chain of about 60 stores with locations in Hawaii, Guam and California, said the chain is buying "much less" than in previous years.

"We are really watching our spending," she said, ticking off higher metal prices and rising energy costs as factors slowing consumer spending.

"Everybody's working with tight budgets," she said.

CVSTOS Challenge QP-S

Sometimes a great Palladium watch design slips by even our watchful eyes. The limited-edition CVSTOS Challenge QP-S is constructed of steel, Palladium and red gold, and retails for around $25,000.
Click here for details

iW: The Other White Metal

BIG feature on Palladium watches in the most recent International Watch (iW).

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(click each thumbnail to view full spreads)

Parmigiani Pershing Chronograph

From Europa Star:


Parmigiani and Pershing Yachts have formed a partnership and the result is the creation of the first range of Pershing aquatic sports watches. The Pershing collection comprises two different lines: The limited edition ‘one-one-five’, available in 18 carat rose gold and 950 palladium, created in honour of the biggest and most prestigious Pershing vessel, measuring 115 feet (35 metres), and the non-limited Pershing Chronographs collection, available in steel with four dial variants.

Seeking Alpha: Best Safe-Haven Investments

Mark Anthony over at Seeking Alpha wrote another (very long) article on his favorite commodities invetments. He's a long-time champion of Palladium and Stillwater Mining Company, and while this one turns into a tome, it's worth reading his analysis of Stillwater.

Read the full-text here

JCK: Alternative Metals Show Their Mettle

Dawn McCurtain, Director of Marketing at Palladium Alliance International, recently spoke with JCK about Palladium. The article is excellent and covers a lot of ground about this white, light, natural precious metal.

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By Rob Bates, Senior Editor
JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 7/1/2008

It's clear these are good times for alternative metals. It's also clear that not everyone likes that term. “I prefer contemporary metals,” says Ed Rosenberg, the founder of Spectore Corp., in Deerfield Beach, Fla. “The industry's presented these metals wrong. They called them alternative. But alternative to what? You could say gold is an alternative to platinum.”

.....Read the full article