Jewelry Business Guru by Cindy Edelstein

JewelryBizGuru Blog has moved to CindyEdelstein.com

Finally! I've got a new look, a new name and a new blog at www.CindyEdelstein.com. I'm so excited!

Expect a lot more content and please don't be shy to comment or ask questions on the new site. CindyEdelstein.com offers a lot more information on the rest of our projects and events, too. So much to share! I hope you join me there.

 

Oscar Jewelry Trends: Yay for Color, Boo for Quantity

It was a very reserved night for the Oscar watching JewelryFanatics. Many took to Twitter for their own live twitter stream (#oscarjewelry) to see the jewels the minute they hit the red carpet. Oooh, the glamour. Oooh, the amazing designs.

Many of us were still waiting by the time the carpet was rolled up.

But there were some highlights, and here are my favorites and links to some great jewelry bloggers for their round ups.

 

Natalie Portman in ruby beaded tassels by Tiffany.

 

 

Marisa Tomei in Van Cleef & Arpels earrings

 

Anne Hathaway in Tiffany diamonds

 

 

Jennifer Hudson in her favorite Neil Lane diamonds.

 

 

Amy Adams' Cartier emerald and diamond wrap necklace and a 30.75-carat carved emerald and diamond bracelet-watch worth $1.025 million...... great jewel, but universally thought of as a bad choice with that neckline.

 

See more coverage from our friends:

 

 

Neil Lane Debuts Bridal Line with Kay Jewelers

Celebrated jewelry designer Neil Lane and Kay Jewelers today announce the launch of Neil Lane Bridal™, a collection of 36 vintage-inspired engagement and wedding rings. Each ring is designed by Neil Lane and hand crafted, assembled, and finished by skilled artisans, with diamonds that were hand selected by Kay, said the press release.

“We are thrilled to launch the new Neil Lane Bridal collection at Kay Jewelers,” said Mark Light, President and CEO, Kay Jewelers. “Partnering with Neil Lane, we have created a one-of-a-kind bridal collection for our Kay customers that reflects Neil’s immense talent for intricate design and passion for style and glamour.”

The Neil Lane Bridal collection features 36 engagement and wedding rings, grouped in the following themes: Energy, Timeless, Essence, and Harmony. Prices range from $2,599 - $7,799. The collection is available at select U.S. Kay Jewelers stores and online at kay.com.

Far cry from what Neil usually offers ... what do you think of this kind of brand extension?

(Photo: Business Wire)

Who deserves to be a Design Star?

I can't get this article out of my mind: it published weeks ago but I keep thinking about it. Being in the business of helping designers -- both newcomers and those that have arrived -- I ruminate on the topic a lot.

The New York Times' Eric Wilson covered the glamorous and self-promoting 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards event on June 7th. The tenor of the article is "who deserves stardom?" And it addresses the age old tug of war between talent and fame; longevity vs. newness.

                    He writes:

It is, after all, hard to say who has real talent and staying power or merely the ability to sell themselves effectively, which is why, at the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards ceremony, some provocative comments made by Kim Hastreiter, a founder of Paper magazine, struck a nerve that was in sharp contrast to a night that is normally dominated by a spirit of self-congratulation.

“Just because you’re cute, connected, rich and famous doesn’t necessarily mean you design great stuff,” Ms. Hastreiter said on stage. “We’ve got to stop with this ‘one day you’re in, the next day you’re out’ business. How can you be a genius today and the next year you’re not, because you are off trend?”

I often refer to the luck of the draw, the "one hit wonders" and the yoke of success in all my marketing seminars. And conversely of not stagnating and missing trends that consumers want to buy.

We talk about those in relation to the more prosaic acts of bookkeeping, paying ones dues and knocking on countless doors. There's such a need for basic business knowledge -- and more important, mastery -- that talent alone is the bare minimum job requirement of a entrepreneur.

But it always looks easy for the "other guy." I have yet to find a designer who didn't find greener grass in someone else's yard. No matter how verdant their own plot may be.

We're all seduced by the newest hot designer -- often whom we assume has great heat based on their press coverage or showcase location in Bergdorf's, Neimans or Ylang23/Twist/Moondance Jewelry. We rarely, if ever, know how hot their bank account is and that, of course, is the truest measure of business success.

I've now been around long enough to witness the long and short lifecycles of some very famous, and a few infamous, jewelry designers.

I can tell you for sure -- when it comes to true success it ain't about the jewels. It most often comes down to the marketing and the operations. Marketing to create the desire and operations to sustain the growth.

While I too am often seduced by the design, the designer and the inspiration -- I am now impressed more with the discipline, the command of numbers and the execution of good strategy. I am now more turned on by a spreadsheet firmly in the black than the most colorfully unique design. 

There is a rather low barrier to entry in this field -- even when working with precious materials you can find the cash to start a line. But the ability to grow a business is way more impressive. And way, way harder to do.

And while passion is certainly on the top of the list of traits needed to run your own design firm -- it is closely followed by discipline. And diligence. 

It takes time to develop these skills even if you come by the trait naturally. To quote Michael Kors in the article:

“I waited three years before I ever had a fashion show, and by the time I did I had a business,” Mr. Kors said. “Today the spotlight is so quick that it’s really hard to start anything under the radar today. I don’t know if you can still let a business percolate and grow naturally.” But it is a fact that there are more aspiring designers than ever before. “It may be easier to become a designer, but it’s a lot harder to make it as a designer,” said Mr. Spurr, who trained at Yves Saint Laurent before starting his men’s wear label. “There are a lot of people out there with no training at all, but you have to understand the business side, the public relations, the production and the shipping.”

Read the whole article here.

Oscar Bling -- Jewelry on the Academy Awards Red Carpet 2010

Ho-hum.

I'm sorry but the jewelry was so boring, overall. There were like 3 necklaces. Lots of great diamond cuffs. LOTS and lots of smallish earrings and just a few standouts. You can miss the sparkle all together unless you looked hard.

A waste of insurance riders and security guards in my opinion.

Bravo Mariah, Sarah Jessica Parker and Queen Latifah. Thank you Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet.

Mariah Carey is my Red Carpet Hero for her outrageous diamond earrings!!! And the brooch at her waist.

 

Amanda Seyfried in big cuffs... at least you can see them from the cheap seats!

Kate Winslet in $2.5 million yellow diamond necklace by Tiffany & Co.

Cameron Diaz in priceless white gold and diamond ring from the Cartier Private Archive collection.

 

Cartier diamond earrings, bracelet and a ring on Jennifer Lopez.

 

Sarah Jessica Parker totally kills in Fred Leighton's jewels and Chanel Couture

Miley Cyrus wearing showy earrings and great big cuff.

Carey Mulligan wore the BEST earrings -- diamond shoulder-dusters by Fred Leighton.

Demi Moore in face-framing drop earrings, diamond cuffs.

Queen Latifah in Chopard -- diamonds, South Sea pearls and pink sapphires.

Elizabeth Banks -- 19th century diamond flower earrings by Fred Leighton.

Helen Mirren -- a 125-carat oval-shaped diamond necklace and drop earrings by Chopard.

Rachel McAdams wore rose-cut diamond pendant earrings.

Diane Kruger Kruger accented the cream and black gown with Chanel's black and white diamond "Camelia Nervure" brooch (elegantly pinned in her hair), the "Spirale" diamond ring and white gold and diamond "Camelia" studs.

 

 

Charlize Theron wore her lilac gown with 17.25 carats of diamonds, courtesy of Harry Winston, on her ears and their vintage marquise diamond wave bracelet on her wrist.

Penelope Cruz wore pear-shaped diamond drop earrings and stacked diamond bracelets by Chopard.

Meryl Streep added a pair of diamond and black onyx bracelets, diamond earrings and a diamond and onyx ring all by Fred Leighton,

Zoe Kravits in Fred Leighton diamond wing brooch, pear-shaped diamond drop earrings, diamond paisley ring, three antique diamond rings, and two diamond square link bracelets. (All that and does she looked like she's got some bling??? That's the problem this evening.)

Jewelry Designers at the Grammys - Glitter and Rock

I would never have guessed that the Grammy's was going to win Best Jewels on the Red Carpet. After last week's oh so somber SAG Award outfits the ladies really turned it out tonight. I saw MORE amazing jewels than the last two combined, it seems.

BIG diamond openwork cuffs and long glimmering earrings won the night. The most popular dress color seemed to be white/silver and the good jewels were out in force. Seems like Lorraine Schwartz is everyone's favorite gal but for a change I saw some other names, too.

Yup, the Grammy's are my new favorite Red Carpet. Everyone looked GLAMAZONish and fantastic!

Miley Cyrus shines on the red carpet in Herve Leger at the 2010 Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on Sunday (January 31) in Los Angeles.jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira Schwartz! Check out the ring on her first finger!

Miley’s dress and other special items will be auctioned off to benefit the Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts - check out her auction updates at eBay.com!

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/#ixzz0eFTgsKmo

 

Who's doorknockers are on Taylor Swift?

Thanks to JustJared.com I can see the jewels early and often! THANKS!

Fergie rocked the a Kwiat cuff with Jessica Robinson ring and earring.

 

Huge diamond cuffs are the look of the night -- with the big earrings but I never saw this many great bracelets at one awards show! Brava!

Nicole Kidman wore Fred Leighton’s 19th Century diamond cluster and black enamel earrings.

JustJared.com says Rihanna finished off her look with earrings and bracelet by Neil Lane and rings from Diamond in the Rough.

Pink rocked her diamonds ...  adding over 2.5 million dollars worth of Neil Lane jewels, including a diamond starburst hair pin.

Lorraine Schwartz jewels?? Amazing, on Beyonce.

More long dazzling earrings -- the evening trend. However I read about her Butterfly ring being the bomb - gotta find a photo of it.

Carrie Underwood chose Ippolita Silver “Triple Drop” earrings in clear quartz with matching bangles. Check out where the bangle is -- would you wear it that way?

Lorraine Schwartz jewels on Lea Michelle.

Olivia Munn accessorized with Carla Amorim 18k yellow gold, diamond and white agate “Pastis” earrings and “Colombina” ring.

 

Marisa Miller in Neil Lane jewels.

 

Mary J. Blige rocking the big diamond earrings.... and an AMAZING cuff!

Ke$ha showed off her Stephen Webster knuckbuster rings on the red carpet - we heard her!

You KNOW Elton's earring is something majah -- just don't know who's it is.

Platinum Guild International USA Strengthens Operations in New York

Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) announced that it will consolidate bi-coastal operations and transfer key executives to New York in early 2010, in a move to focus operations and personnel in one location.

PGI USA President, Huw Daniel, and Senior Vice President, Jenny Luker will be re-locating to New York in the New Year – as will Manager of Retail Relations, Kristyn Beausoleil and CFO, Roger Quigley.

PGI USA President, Huw Daniel, commented, “By bringing operations into one office, PGI will be better able to serve the growing needs of the platinum jewelry industry."  Daniel noted “platinum is experiencing its lowest premium over gold for many years, making it a great value purchase for the consumer.”

PGI also announced the following staff changes:

Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor, consultant for the past six years, will leave PGI but continue to consult on a limited project basis. Michael is focusing on his own business, Style&Substance, which offers designers great opportunties for promotion and celebrity placement. You can reach him at (917) 903-0735 or [email protected]

Technical Director, Jurgen Maerz, will transition to a consultant position, continuing to focus on providing technical services to PGI in the USA and globally. Jurgen is also available for a wide range of consulting projects and can be reached at  [email protected] (http://www.jurgenmaerz.com).

Account Executive, Gary Depriest and Marketing Coordinator, Thomas Kimura have left the company.

No other PGI executives are affected.

For enquiries please contact Huw Daniel, President, PGI USA at [email protected].

Jewelry worn at the 2009 Primetime Emmys - a score card (in progress!)

Not all reports are in but here's what I could find Monday morning after the 2009 Primetime Emmys.

Please feel free to add more in the comments area and I'll update the list. Hope I got it all correct; I scoured the 'net this morning using info from www.stylelist.com and www.instyle.com, mostly.

The list was later confirmed by a press release for the Platinum Guild which listed 24 stars who wore platinum jewels. Style Expert Michael O'Connor is the platinum star of the Red Carpet.

This is the score card thus far ... wish I saw more of my favorite designers but I do understand the hollywood buzz machine. At least we can say that shoulder duster earrings, big cuffs and one large knucklebuster rings were the winners last night. For the "year of the statement necklace" we only saw a few. I'm guessing the stylists think about how their clients will be photographed for the evening and prefer a bare necklace for some reason. There's always a reason!

Sharon Lawrence = Erica Courtney

Eva La Rue = Erica Courtney

Carrie Preston = Erica Courtney

 Karina Smirnoff = Erica Courtney

Kate Flannery = Erica Courtney

January Jones = Neil Lane

Patricia Arquette = Neil Lane

Julia Louis Dreyfus = Neil Lane

Alicia Witt = Neil Lane

Cat Deeley - Neil Lane and Royal Asscher ring

Kathy Griffin = Neil Lane

Lisa Edelstein = ring by Fei Lui and earrings + bracelet by Neil Lane

Hayden Panettiere = 19th-century diamond shell earrings + diamond/18kt-gold snake necklace by Fred Leighton

Tina Fey = Fred Leighton

Mariska Hargitay = Fred Leighton

Toni Colette = Fred Leighton

Glenn Close = Fred Leighton

Marcia Gay Harden = Fred Leighton

Debra Messing = Lorraine Schwartz

Dana Delaney =Lorraine Schwartz

Christina Applegate = Lorraine Schwartz

Blake Lively = Lorraine Schwartz

Heidi Klum = collarbone-dusting black diamond (90 carats!) tassel earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

Elizabeth Moss = Chopard says one online source but Platinum Guild says Jacob & Co.

Allison Hannigan = Chopard

Melora Hardin = Chopard

Amy Poehler = Chopard

Maria Menounos = Chopard

Holly Hunter= Martin Katz

Sally Fields = Martin Katz

Jennifer Carpenter = Martin Katz

Jennifer Morrison = Cartier

AnnaLynne McCord = Yuka Kobayashi for Kuwayama from Japan

Kim Kardashian = XIV Karats pave diamond hoops

Kristen Chenowith = Tiffany

Ginnifer Goodwin chose diamond stud earrings and a rose gold rock necklace by Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry

Chloe Sevigny = a vintage ring, bracelet and brooch from the Nadine Krakov Collection in Beverly Hills

Rose Byrne = diamond flower earrings by Judith Ripka and Royal Asscher ring

Leighton Meester =bold statement gold cuffs and chandelier earrings by Cathy Waterman

Olivia Wilde = Kwiat

Jessica Lange = Kwiat

Jeanne Tripplehorn = Diamonds in the Rough

Padma Lakshmi = Padma Lakshmi collection

Sandra Oh = Tacori earrings

Kate Walsh =18Kt Yellow Gold and Diamond Earrings and Vintage 18Kt Yellow Gold/Platinum and Diamond Bracelet and Cuff Bracelet

 

QVC Sterling Designer Preview Event - inperson AND on TV

Guess I never thought about it since I'm too far away but I think it's cool to actually go to QVC to meet the designers and watch the tapings. This Friday is a BIG day for them ... the Sterling Designer Event with so many key designers and the meet and greet is on Friday Aug. 28th at 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. The shows start with Robert Lee Morris at midnight  --  here's a link to the whole schedule.

I hear Robert will be given a very special award by the Silver Institute during his show. I'll be cheering from my couch!

The roster of designers includes some of our friends and favorites like the team at Anthony Nak, Elizabeth Rand, Elizabeth Showers, Barbara Bixby, Carolyn Pollack, Seidengang and so many more.

Guess I'll be watching QVC all weekend!

Go to the QVC website if you're interested in attending their Big event. Wish I lived closer......

 

From Robert's QVC Blog:

Most of my air time on SILVER DESIGNER DAY, (this Saturday, Aug. 29) will be devoted to the theme of hearts, crosses and iconic symbols of POSITIVITY. I will be on from midnight to 2am then, prime time Sat, morning (EST) from 9-11am. I'm thrilled to be a part of a very unique day on QVC whereby many new designers will be introduced including my CFDA peer, Dean Harris, a real talent!

Below I have listed an important page to visit: it announces that I will be receiving a major honor, the Designer of Distinction award from Silver Marketing International. You will be able to watch a video clip of me receiving the award during my on air appearances.

How the Red Carpet Jewelry Game is Played

Okay..... here's my last red carpet post for the week:

"Admit it; hardly anyone watches the Oscars or the Emmys to see the awards being doled out (Best Lighting anyone?). No, we mostly watch because we love to see the pre-show action on the red carpet. While the viewers tune in for the entertainment value, for many companies, the red carpet can translate into lots of greenbacks. A celebrity who wears their product, and who gets a close up on E!, an interview with Joan or a write-up in the papers the following day can be worth millions to a firm. But just how do these products end up adorning the necks, arms and ears of the stars – and is it all it’s cracked up to be? IDEX Magazine Editor-in-Chief Danielle Max talks to three experts about the big name game."

Read full article on IDEX Magazine's website.