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• Market Report Jan 27, 2012

  Stocks Mixed After GDP Data Disappoints - NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- U.S. stocks were mixed Friday as good consumer sentiment data failed to distract investors from a disappointing read on gross domestic product. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was slumping 67.4 points, or 0.5%, at 12,667, with Chevron, the second-largest U.S. energy company, weighing on the index following disappointing quarterly earnings. The energy stock was down o...
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• “World’s Largest Emerald” May Not Be All Emerald

  Jan 26, 2012

  Rob Bates, Senior Editor Doubts are rising about the so-called “world’s largest emerald,” with the gemologist who examined it saying he can’t guarantee the stone is 100 percent emerald.The 57,500-carat stone, said to be the size of a watermelon, is scheduled to be auctioned Jan. 28 by West...

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• J.C. Penney Says Goodbye to Constant Sales

  Jan 26, 2012

  JCK Staff J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson unveiled a new plan for the department store chain that will slash the amount of sales it runs from 590 to 12."Every time we [discount], we discount the Penney's brand," Johnson said in a presentation to the media and investors. "At some point you as a...

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• Ambassador Appointed Head of the Kimberley Process

  Jan 26, 2012

  Rob Bates, Senior Editor Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic has been appointed chairwoman of the Kimberley Process in 2012, as the U.S. takes over the certification scheme, JCK has learned.Milovanovic has a varied diplomatic career that includes stints as ambassador to Mali and Macedonia. She ...

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• California Jewelry Store Closes its Doors

  Jan 26, 2012

  Stephanie Schaefer, Editorial Assistant Bryant & Co. Jewelers, located in Claremont, Calif., and founded in 1939 will close its doors in February.“I’ve been a jeweler since I was a teenager," says Alan Thompson, the store’s current owner. "It’s hard to believe it’s ending,”Al Bryant or...

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• Industry Veteran Stephen R. Halo Passes Away

  Jan 26, 2012

  JCK Staff Stephen R. Halo, a retired jewelry sales representative and designer, passed away on Jan. 24 at the age of 76.Halo, a longtime resident of Metuchen, N.J., had a passion for the jewelry industry. He was also an accomplished pianist, a semi-pro tennis player, and a veteran of the U...

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• Former JCK Senior Editor Joins New Jeweler Consultancy Company

  Jan 26, 2012

  JCK Staff Jewelry industry veteran Nick Failla recently launched Collected Concepts, a retail consultancy company that offers a variety of marketing, sales training, and in-store event-based promotions for retail jewelers.“Now more than ever, retail jewelers must differentiate their store ...

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• Gilt, Rue La La Experience Big Layoffs

  Jan 25, 2012

  Rob Bates, Senior Editor Two major flash sale sites, which sell brand name products—including jewelry—for a limited time at steep discounts, each initiated dramatic layoffs in January.Gilt, considered the market leader in the category, has laid off some 80 to 90 people and shut many of its...

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• Samuels’ Holiday Sales Rise 9.5%

  Jan 25, 2012

  JCK Staff Samuels Jewelers, the 110-store chain that does business as Gitanjali Retail USA, announced that its holiday comparable store sales rose 9.5 percent over the year before.Additionally, gross margin percent was up 50 basis-points for the holiday season.This is the first time Samuel...

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• Wisconsin Jeweler Awarded $1,000 for Local Charity

  Jan 25, 2012

  Stephanie Schaefer, Editorial Assistant Eighty-three independent jewelers across the United States and Canada raised more than $36,000 for charity this holiday season in collaboration with Sarah’s Hope Jewelry. Stores donated a percentage from sales of select Sarah’s Hope Jewelry pieces to...

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• Diamond Developments: Five Stories You Should Be Following

  Jan 25, 2012

  Rob Bates, Senior Editor Five stories on the industry’s radar this week:- Antwerp officials divided over diamond industry prosecutions.- India imposes new 2 percent polished diamond duty. Is it due to “round tripping”? "DTC move to Botswana gather...

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