Jewelry Stores

“Debbie Clayton jewelry featured at Guild”

2011-03-13T04:31:00.001-07:00

“Debbie Clayton jewelry featured at Guild”

Debbie Clayton jewelry featured at Guild

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 04:17 PM PST

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The jewelry collection crafted by the late Debbie Clayton is on display in the Angeline Henry Room of the Princeton Art Guild this month.

A reception is planned Sunday, March 20, 2-3:30 p.m. in honor of Clayton�s work and her memory. She passed away in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer, but the community is invited to celebrate her life and her art at the Guild reception.

Debbie Clayton graduated from Caldwell County High School in 1970. She was well known for her generosity, spirit of life and her laughter.

She was also known as the daughter of Fred Clayton, the popular Tiger Football coach who led the team to the 1963 state championship, and daughter of Dean Clayton, another popular CCHS educator who taught English.

Upon graduation, Clayton headed to design school where she developed a fascination for vintage clothing and accessories.

She later recalled how much she enjoyed wandering through Goodwill and Salvation Army stores where she was �amazed at the quality of the fabrics and the construction of merchandise from the past.�

She began collecting the treasures she found and later transformed them into two popular jewelry collections, Nymphs and Nymphs II.

�She could take nothing and make it into something beautiful,� said her mother Dean Clayton, who now lives in Nashville. �These pieces truly are pieces of art.�

Debbie Clayton also developed her own materials with the Matthew Carson Crystal Company. She designed 700 styles over a three-year period.

This line gained exposure when Tanya Tucker donned pieces while hosting the CMA Awards and while singing at the 1992 Republican National Convention.

Clayton�s jewelry was also pictured in People magazine and worn by numerous pageant contestants including the 1994 Miss Universe.

Clayton�s one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry help keep her memory alive as they are still worn by friends and families and will be for years to come.

After being approached by members of the Princeton Art Guild Board of Directors, Dean Clayton said she was happy to have her late daughter�s work on display for the people of Princeton to see.

��I am happy that people can come and see what she did. It truly is amazing artwork,� said Clayton.

The community may view Clayton�s jewelry collection Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Some of the pieces in the collection are available for purchase.

For more information, call the Guild at 365-3959.

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“Style Discoveries: Deals, sales, things we love”

2011-03-12T03:37:00.001-08:00

“Style Discoveries: Deals, sales, things we love”

Style Discoveries: Deals, sales, things we love

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 10:20 AM PST

by Ginger Murphy - Mar. 10, 2011 12:06 PM
The Arizona Republic

This week, there's a primping session, an online jewelry sale and other fashion and beauty news, tips and bargains that fashion reporter Ginger Murphy discovered.

Happy-hour pamper

W Scottsdale Hotel is giving Valley ladies a new way to celebrate, unwind and be treated midweek with the new "Primp, Pop and Shop" happy hour, offered from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. For $25, you'll receive an express manicure from Bliss Spa, two glasses of sparkling wine and 20 percent off new fashions at W Hotels the Store.

Details: W Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480-970-2100, wscottsdalehotel.com.

Online jewelry store

Ardenb.com is having a sale on jewelry, and it's a good time to buy statement necklaces and cocktail rings. Many accessories are offered at 50 percent off if you purchase one piece at regular price. Among our favorites are the geometric stone necklace, $29, and chain-link necklace, $24.

Details: Ardenb.com.

Spring training

If you're a Cactus League baseball fan, this contest at Ted Baker's store at Scottsdale Fashion Square is for you. Through March 30, bring in a spring-training ticket stub and you'll be entered in a $500 shopping-spree giveaway at the store, which carries such items as the "Grethun" bow-detail playsuit, $180. The winner's name will be drawn April 1. Baseball fans also can stop in the store and pick up a free "Get Off Your Rear and Cheer" Ted Baker foam seat pad (no purchase necessary).

Details: Scottsdale and Camelback roads. 480-946-0820, tedbaker.com.

Spring cheeks

A natural sun-kissed glow is the season's look, and the fresh Burberry spring collection delivers. Get an effortlessly natural fresh complexion with Light Glow Natural Blush in Nude Earthy No. 7. If more color is what you are after, try Light Glow Natural Blush in Tangerine No. 6, both $42 at Nordstrom.

Details: Scottsdale Fashion Square, Camelback and Scottsdale roads, 480-946-4111, Chandler Fashion Center, Loop 101 and Chandler Boulevard, 480-855-2500. nordstrom.com.

Blog inspiration

In need of some style inspiration? Our current blog obsession is Cupcakes and Cashmere, and we're certain it will become yours as well. Fashionista blogger Emily Schuman delights us with daily outfit posts, DIY projects and tasty recipes that instantly brighten our day.

Details: cupcakesandcashmere.com.

“Halstead Bead Inc. Celebrates 38th Anniversary”

2011-03-11T03:09:00.001-08:00

“Halstead Bead Inc. Celebrates 38th Anniversary”

Halstead Bead Inc. Celebrates 38th Anniversary

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:22 AM PST

Prescott, AZ (PRWEB) March 11, 2011

Halstead Bead Inc., a distributor of wholesale beads and jewelry supplies, celebrates 38 years of service to the jewelry trade this month. The company is well-known in the industry for its broad selection of sterling silver products for jewelry stores, jewelry manufacturers and handmade jewelry artisans.

Founded in 1973 by Tom and Suzie Halstead, Halstead Bead Inc. has grown to become a leading supplier of jewelry making materials and components to the trade. The firm began as a finished jewelry retail operation but quickly evolved into a source for beads and findings in the Phoenix area. Business changes allowed Halstead Bead to quickly grow beyond the state of Arizona to supply thousands of jewelers across the nation and around the world.

Moving forward in this tough business climate, Halstead Bead Inc. plans to leverage its reputation for quality and service. The firm continues to focus on core sterling silver products including: wholesale beads, findings, jewelry chain, charms, sheet and wire.

Soaring metals prices are a challenge to the entire jewelry industry these days; however, resurging interest in traditional metalworking techniques is revitalizing the trade with new talent. Halstead Bead Inc. is actively involved in fostering the growth of entrepreneurs in the industry through sponsorship of The Halstead Grant. The annual grant competition awards start-up funds and recognition to one new jewelry designer each summer.

For more information on Halstead Bead Inc. products and The Halstead Grant please visit http://www.HalsteadBead.com.

###

“Former owner of Palmer’s Jewelry dies at 93”

2011-03-09T03:06:00.001-08:00

“Former owner of Palmer’s Jewelry dies at 93”

Former owner of Palmer’s Jewelry dies at 93

Posted: 08 Mar 2011 09:12 PM PST

Kokomo — There were moments of somber reflection, proud remarks and laughter Tuesday morning as employees of Palmer's Jewelry flipped through photos dating back to their store's grand opening.

Managers and staff cringed as they looked at the building's design in the 1960s — a faux-art deco storefront that the business has since redone to reflect its original limestone facade.

They laughed as they looked at group photos from the 1970s that showed them with leisure suits and afros.

In almost every photo stood Robert Freed.

The employees were assembling a collage dedicated to the man who began the business more than a half century ago.

Freed died Monday at age 93.

His friends and colleagues' faces melted into smiles Tuesday as they remembered him.

Freed and his wife, Frances, used almost every dollar he had earned fighting in World War II to open Palmer's Jewelry in downtown Kokomo.

Under the Freeds' management, the store became a bastion of Kokomo's history and a remaining testament to the era of Main Street America. The store's employees boasted how the business has held strong through recessions and demands for corporate retailers.

Restaurants and retailers came and went around the shop Freed managed. While his business underwent physical changes and his industry evolved with the rest of the retail world to a corporate-driven mindset, he held onto the mentality that his colleagues said made the store one of the city's favorites: Treat the customers well.

"Even if customers didn't have enough money, he never turned down anybody," longtime business partner John Martin said. "His favorite thing was to talk to the customers and tell them stories."

'Epitome of a businessman'

It wasn't until he was 90 years old that Freed's gradual step into retirement happened for good and he left his business in the hands of his son, Mike, and Martin.

Freed's business tactics and involvement with the community had earned respect from his competitors.

Dave Granson, owner of Granson Jewelers, formerly Engel Jewelers, said over the 43 years he had known Freed, it was hard to not develop a fondness for him.

"We're competitors, but it's always been a very good competition," Granson said Tuesday as he sat in the business he runs a little more than a block away from Palmer's.

"He was the epitome of a businessman. He was knowledgeable of what he did, fair, well thought of by his peers. His word was good."

The people-person owner of Palmer's also developed a reputation for having a sharp-mind.

"He didn't believe in calculators," Martin said. "He did everything in his head — and he was always right."

Robert and Frances Freed had an enthusiasm for their work that carried into their personal lives. They traveled to Europe, the Middle East and South Africa to visit previous stone and jewelry markets.

Endurance Over Decades

Freed, an Ohio native, began working in the jewelry business as a teenager. After he returned from World War II, he bought Palmer's.

"He took every dime he saved up in the war to open the store," Martin said.

Buying the store left the Freeds with too little money to change the sign and the name of the business, which was named after the previous owner. It earned Freed the misnomer of "Mr. Palmer."

"People would say 'Oh, yeah. We're friends with him,'" Martin said. "Then, they'd come into the store and say 'Hello, Mr. Palmer.'"

The Freeds bought Palmer's in 1946, a time when downtown areas thrived and big-box stores were decades away from drawing away customers from locally owned shops.

Business began during economic turmoil in Kokomo. Freed opened Palmer's without knowing workers at then-Delco Radio were on strike.

Freed's initial reaction, he said in a 1994 interview, was: "I've bought a lemon."

Freed left his business in the 1950s to fight in the Korean War. The military promoted him to 1st lieutenant and awarded him with a Legion of Merit.

Palmer's endured through it all.

At its peak, Freed's business expanded from Kokomo to Tipton, Elwood, Alexandria, Logansport and Lafayette.

A 'Go-To' Person

While he ran his jewelry store, Freed, his wife, and their five children — Susan Gadomski, Marilyn Eisenstein, Cheryl Meisterman, Mike Freed and Judy Carter — also involved themselves in several community organizations.

"He was just involved," Martin said. "He was a community man."

Freed was the president of Temple B'nai Israel of Kokomo, the president of the Kokomo YMCA's board of directors, a board member of the Kokomo Civic Theatre, a 50-year Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Scottish Rite, a member of B'nai B'rith and a member of the National Retail Jewelers Association.

Trish Severns, operations director two blocks away from Palmer's at the YMCA, said the entire Freed family has consistently shown its support for the organization since Robert Freed was board president in 1969 and 1970.

"They're just one of the go-to families [and] their business," she said. "They're very community-focused. They're not just a cornerstone of downtown, but the whole community."

• Daniel Human is the Kokomo Tribune business reporter. He can be reached at 765-454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.

“Boat Owners, Car Dealers, Jewelers Upset With Malloy's Proposed Luxury Tax”

2011-03-08T03:14:00.001-08:00

“Boat Owners, Car Dealers, Jewelers Upset With Malloy's Proposed Luxury Tax”

Boat Owners, Car Dealers, Jewelers Upset With Malloy's Proposed Luxury Tax

Posted: 07 Mar 2011 07:06 PM PST

HARTFORD — Connecticut is perennially the richest state in the nation, but advocates argued Monday that they don't want another distinction — as the only state that has a "luxury tax'' on high-end cars, jewelry and yachts.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is seeking to impose a 3 percent surcharge on those items — beyond the proposed 6.35 percent retail sales tax — in an effort to close the state's projected budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts in July. It is all part of a $1.5 billion tax package that was widely ripped Monday at a public hearing in front of the legislature's tax-writing finance committee.

The luxury tax is one piece of an overall package that would increase virtually every major tax in Connecticut, including the income, sales, gasoline, alcohol, cigarette and cigar taxes. The state's sales tax would also be charged on haircuts, yoga studios, pet grooming, and car washes, among other services. At the retail level, the 6 percent sales tax would increase to 6.35 percent.

But the luxury taxes seemed to capture much of the attention during a nine-hour hearing as car dealers, boat owners and jewelry sellers drove to Hartford to make their voices heard.

John Green, president and chief executive officer of Lux, Bond and Green, predicted that his jewelry company would lose five to seven jobs because the ripple effect would extend beyond the additional 3 percent surcharge on jewelry items over $5,000. Customers, he said, would also avoid the store for items under that threshold and could potentially buy from stores as far away as Maine, which would ship items to Connecticut.

"Our customers will go elsewhere'' for items above and below $5,000, Green said. "They just won't go into our stores.''

Sen. L. Scott Frantz, a fiscally conservative Greenwich Republican, agreed with Green that the proposal would backfire.

"Luxury taxes, in my research,'' Frantz said, "100 percent of the time have failed.''

Numerous speakers cited the federal luxury tax that was imposed in 1991 on yachts by President George H. W. Bush. Yacht sales plummeted, which opponents said was directly attributable to the tax, while others said it was more attributable to the deep recession at the time. Two years later, after a torrent of criticism, the tax was repealed.

"Taxing the rich backfired," said Anthony Bento of Norwest Marine Inc. of Norwalk, which sells new and used boats.

"Connecticut would be the worst place for consumers to purchase a boat,'' Bento predicted. "A short drive to New York or Rhode Island would save the consumer thousands of dollars. ... Boat sales will plummet. ... Boaters will flock to Rhode Island.''

Connecticut collects sales taxes when a boat is sold and resold multiple times. The state would currently collect $6,000 when a yacht is sold new for $100,000, but it would collect money again when it was resold. Advocates said that the biggest losers would be the workers, such as carpenters and painters, at the various boat yards.

When asked to respond to the boat owners and jewelry sellers, Malloy's spokeswoman, Colleen Flanagan, released a one-sentence statement that said, "The governor is confident his revenue package maintains Connecticut's competitive advantage.''

State Sen. Andrea Stillman, a Democrat who represents waterfront communities such as Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, said she was concerned about Malloy's plan to tax boat services, such as repairs, storage, cleaning and towing. Those taxes are expected to raise $14.3 million over two years.

"Many people who own boats today are people in the middle class and the upper middle class,'' said Stillman. "This is just another burden for folks.''

Like jewelers and boat owners, automobile dealers said the proposed luxury tax on vehicles over $50,000 would hurt their business, too.

Mary Ellen Hadelman, the owner of family-owned Chase Parkway Volvo and Subaru, said that Malloy's proposed luxury tax would lead to layoffs at dealerships in the state, which currently employ 12,500 workers at an average salary of $54,000 each.

"It's not well thought-out,'' Hadelman said. "It's very short-sighted.''

Jeff Aiosa, owner of the Carriage House luxury car dealership in New London, said that the car dealers provide $9 billion in annual new car sales and 13 percent of the total retail sales statewide. The luxury tax, he said, would harm the sales of an important industry in the state.

Tim Phelan, chief of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, said he was unaware of any other state that has a similar luxury tax as the one that Malloy was proposing. The surcharge would extend to items of clothing, such as a suit costing more than $1,000. Lawmakers, though, focused more on the automobile, yacht, and jewelry proposals during a public hearing that started at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned about 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Through the day, speakers testified against any number of proposed tax increases. No one spoke specifically in favor of the luxury tax, although two union representatives — Brian Anderson of AFSCME, Council 4, and Paul Filson of the Service Employees International Union — when talking about the personal income tax, said the rich have had their tax rates cut at times through the years at the state and federal levels.

"Why should the wealthy continue to be coddled?'' Filson asked legislators.

“New Pandora Island in Dubai Festival City”

2011-03-07T03:22:00.001-08:00

Content Keyword RSS

“New Pandora Island in Dubai Festival City”

New Pandora Island in Dubai Festival City

Posted: 07 Mar 2011 01:36 AM PST

Dubai, 07 March 2011 Panmeas jewelry, the master franchise and official distributor of the global jewelry brand Pandora in the UAE has started its retail expansion with the opening of a third Pandora location today in DFCDFC.

The new Pandora Island is located on the ground floor at the crescent walk, and is identical to the brand's concept stores in Mercato and mirdif City centre. It has the same fittings and displays and carries wide assortments of jewelry including "Moments" Pandora's well renowned charm bracelet that comes with more than 800 handcrafted silver and gold charms.

Thomas Bay, CEO Panmeas Jewelry said: " it's an exciting time for us, Pandora island in mark the beginning of our expansion, we only entered the UAE market last October and so far the brand has been very well received ".

To celebrate the opening of the new Pandora Island at DFCDFC, the lucky first 100 customers visiting the new location will be given away free Pandora silver bracelets for a minimum purchase of AED 450.

Pandora is a global Danish brand that has attained an overwhelming presence in the jewelry industry around the world. The successful brand has achieved global recognition and is represented in more than 45 countries in six continents and has its own large production facilities. Pandora is still rapidly growing and is taking the world by storm with more than 10,000 jewelry retailers worldwide including over 240 Pandora branded concept stores.   

-Ends-

The successful global brand Pandora has been making its mark on international jewelry fashion for more than 25 years and has become known for its high standards, craftsmanship, quality and design. Pandora captures life's unforgettable moments and pays tribute to women all over the world by giving them a unique opportunity for personal storytelling through distinctive pieces of jewelry. The brand's feminine and versatile collection is reflected in its customizable charm bracelet and lines of rings, earrings and necklaces made from silver and gold of the highest quality. All pieces are handcrafted, many embedded with diamonds or precious gemstones.

To view the entire Pandora collection, please visit www.pandora.net

Media enquires:
Nawel Benoumeur, Panmeas PR on +971 507486550 or email nawel.benoumeur@panmeas.com

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“Possible jewelry store burglary suspects arrested”

2011-03-04T03:12:00.001-08:00

“Possible jewelry store burglary suspects arrested”

Possible jewelry store burglary suspects arrested

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 04:02 PM PST

Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Three men from North Carolina are behind bars in Louisville because of what police found in their car and what they may have been up to.

On March 1, St. Matthews Police arrested 27-year-old Trey Adams, 25-year-old Victor Lupis and 21-year-old Nicholas Mickno. Officers stopped their car near the intersection of St. Matthews Avenue and Westport Road because of suspicious activity at two area jewelry stores. Inside the car, police say they found several pills and what are described as burglary tools.

Police say the trio was casing the jewelry stores.

“Neighbors start business together”

2011-03-03T03:24:00.001-08:00

“Neighbors start business together”

Neighbors start business together

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 07:37 PM PST

Posted: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 9:17 pm | Updated: 10:10 pm, Wed Mar 2, 2011.

A pair of local residents is looking to fill an little-served niche in the jewelry market: Stores that cater to children.

Dawn Backun and Deepa Mireles have launched an exclusively children's jewelry line called Dawn & Deepa on Feb. 22.

The women live next to each other in Grand Lakes with children of their own.

One day they were together looking for something to buy for Deepa's niece, wanting to buy some kind of jewelry. It dawned on them that children's jewelry isn't very prevalent.

"The more research we did the more we thought, 'wow, maybe this is something we could do," said Mireles.

In March 2010 Dawn and Deepa officially decided to launch their business.

The web site, www.dawndeepa.com, launched on Feb. 22, offering a variety of bangles, necklaces, rings and bracelets.

"We would like to expand to retailers, but we are really focused on building our brand right now," Mireles said.

All of the jewelry they offer at this time is sterling silver and handmade.

"We will be adding pieces every year just to keep the line fresh and we are actually going to launch a boys' line as well," Backun said.

"We really wanted to do something different and our market research showed that there is a demand for children's jewelry."

Mireles and Bakun aim to produce jewelry that offers a modern take on all of the classics.

"We are about offering good quality pieces that children can wear every day," Mireles said.

"Right now I think you'll find that some people think that children should only wear jewelry on special occasions, parties, weddings, but we wear jewelry everyday so children should as well. why not?" Bakun said.

"We are tying to shift the perception. We figure why shouldn't little kids wear jewelry," Mireles said.

“More retailers adapting iPad technology”

2011-03-02T03:16:00.001-08:00

“More retailers adapting iPad technology”

More retailers adapting iPad technology

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:49 PM PST

Apple's iPad technology is now being merged with in-store shopping. Many retailers are now beginning to incorporate the electronic tablet into their stores.

This past month, J.C. Penney began carrying a Modern Bride fine jewelry line and they are testing out iPad technologies with the line in about 50 stores.

As of right now, it is in around 10 to 15 stores, but associates love having it, Kate Coultas, J.C. Penney spokesperson, said.

"Modern Bride associates have this iPad and they can sit there and show all of the different bridal jewelry options that they have," Coultas said.

"It's a great way for customers to come in and find what they're looking for and also for associates to offer really great customer service and really be able to show customers all of our full assortment and additional information about products as well," she added.

Coultas said J.C. Penney introduced large interactive kiosks in stores in the spring of 2009 to help customers and associates find information on merchandise.

J.C. Penney also recently launched their first mobile commerce site.

"So we're really seeing that we're trying to merge our online and offline world, and we don't see the J.C. Penney customers as a store customer or an online customer. They're one customer and they shop in multiple ways," Coultas said.

"Having an iPad — it's just the latest way we're kind of bringing the digital experience into our store," she added.

Chris Merrill, technology education coordinator at ISU, explained how the iPad would change things for employees.

"Salespeople will begin to have much more power at their fingertips, so they will be able to communicate with the customer, walk around the store with the customer, and answer any questions that the customer may have by looking up the information without having to go back to their store terminal," he said.

"Customers will appreciate the fact that they can streamline their shopping experience if salespeople have answers at their fingertips," Merrill added.

Linda Showers, professor of marketing, explained how the iPad being used in stores would work with the customers' decision-making process.

"Anything that facilitates the customer's decision, helps them see the options, gives them confidence in the choices they're making, helps them confirm information they weren't sure about…brilliant," she said.

Showers said the decision making process was a model created in the early 1900s, and includes problem recognition, search, alternative evaluation, purchase and outcome.

"It's basically how the brain operates, it's how we think and how we make decisions. I think human beings are human beings, but technology can be leverage to make that process easier, smoother, simpler—so the technology is really working with that process," she said.

Showers said she believes the iPad in stores is here to stay.

"I think it's probably going to be one of those pieces of technology that's just, you know, over time integrated as part of the retail environment," she said.

“Pawn-shop-records rule on the agenda Monday”

2011-03-01T03:26:00.001-08:00

“Pawn-shop-records rule on the agenda Monday”

Pawn-shop-records rule on the agenda Monday

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:55 AM PST

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Owner Joni Bozart calculates consignments from record sheets she keeps by hand at Carousel Consignments on Friday. 'To be honest with you, I cried,' Bozart said when hearing of the proposal to require electronic inventory tracking.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Joni Bozart tracks and records consignment sales by hand at Carousel Consignments on Friday. The council Monday will consider a police request to require electronic records for sales like these.

JANESVILLE — The Janesville Police Department will ask the city council Monday to require second-hand stores, jewelry dealers and pawn shops to electronically enter goods into an Internet-based system to help officers retrieve stolen property.

But one consignment shop owner was in tears Friday after she heard about the requirement that would have her report hundreds of items every day.

A public hearing is scheduled at Monday's council meeting.

Pawn shops, electronic stores that accept used gaming equipment, jewelry stores that buy jewelry and pawn shops are required to report items such as jewelry and furs. Officers now pick up the paper tickets at the stores and enter the information into the department's own database.

Often there's not time to punch the tickets into the database, and officers find themselves physically matching the tickets with stolen goods reports, officer Brian Rubeck said.

The department wants to instead use the free Northeast Wisconsin Property Recovery System, which was developed by Green Bay police.

Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore said the system should help police recover more property more efficiently and keep track of any trends in stolen property.

Rubeck said officers wanted to keep consignment shops and second-hand clothing stores out of the ordinance.

People who steal want their money immediately, usually to spend on drugs, Moore said. They don't bring the goods into consignment shops, wait for them to sell and then share part of the profits with the storeowner.

But second-hand stores are identified in state statutes and cannot be excluded at the local level, said Tim Wellnitz, assistant city attorney.

The ordinance defines 21 categories of items that must be reported, including china, computers, crystal, fur coats and clothing. Books, large furniture and appliances are exempt.

Green Bay police Lt. Michael Nick said his department has recovered more than $500,000 in stolen property using the system. Nick cited a Greenfield case in which a murder was solved by matching a diamond earring found on the victim to an earring posted on the database. He hopes the database eventually will be required statewide.

The Janesville ordinance would make life difficult for the owners of Carousel Consignments, a popular downtown consignment store that has thousands of items for sale.

"To be honest with you, I cried," Joni Bozart said when hearing of the proposal. She takes in hundreds of items each day, and her business is not computerized.

Bozart said she hasn't had stolen goods in her store in the 20 years she's been open.

"We're going to do the best we can to comply," she said, adding she might have to hire someone to help her input the information.

"It looks like everybody is in agreement that it's ridiculous but, tough, that' s the law," she said.

Bozart said she plans to contact her state representatives about the law.

“3 area jewelry store heists may be connected”

2011-02-26T03:35:00.001-08:00

“3 area jewelry store heists may be connected”

3 area jewelry store heists may be connected

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 09:13 PM PST

Three family owned jewelry stores have been robbed and all cases are unsolved. It's the way those robberies were carried out that has investigators looking at a possible connection between all three crimes.

Kennewick, Washington Police released new sketches today of two suspects wanted for a home-invasion and jewelry store robbery. On February 9, Touchstone Jewelers in Kennewick was robbed by three masked gunmen. According to detectives the men went to the home of Touchstone Jeweler owner, Mark Welsh, tied up his family, and forced Welsh to go along to his jewelry store, which was closed at the time. The men stole jewelry but no one was injured. One suspect is described as a Hispanic man, 25-35 years old, around 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, described as a "smooth talker" with "people skills.

"The second suspect is also described as a Hispanic man in, 25-35, 5-foot-10 and weighs 200-215 pounds. The third suspect is described at 6 foot 2 with a thin build, but there is not enough information for a composite sketch. Kennewick detectives believe the suspects may have ties to the Portland area and may be driving a light colored, four-door sedan, similar to a Chrysler 200.

West Linn Police have been working with Kennewick Police for the past two weeks to determine if the Touchstone robbery is related to two jewelry store robberies in Portland. West Linn police report that at this point it is not known if the cases are linked, but they are similar. Sgt. Neil Hennelly from West Linn P.D. said, "It's a pretty unique set of circumstances, but there are also differences and those are things we are not discussing."

On March 25, 2010, LaRog Brothers store in the 13000-block of SE 84th Avenue in Clackamas was robbed. Three robbers wearing ninja masks went to the West Linn home of LaRog owner, Rick Rogoway, tied up his wife and waited for him to come home. When he arrived the men forced him at gunpoint to take them to his closed store, where they stole nearly all of the jewelry in the safe. The thieves then drove Rogoway home, tied him up, and drove off in his BMW.

On November 4, 2009, Ari Diamonds in Beaverton was robbed in a similar way. Three men tied up the family at their home and forced the owner to let them in the store.

None of these robberies have been solved, and tips have been few and far between.

There is a total of $11,000 in reward money up for grabs. A $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in the West Linn case, a $5,000 reward for the Kennewick case, and an additional $1,000 from the Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers for their case.

If you have any information on these cases you are encouraged to contact the West Linn Police. e West Linn Police has a "Text A Tip" program that allows for anonymous information to be sent to the police, if you have any information text "WLPD then your information" to "274637".

“Eastday-Jewelry outlet robbery raises security issues”

2011-02-25T03:43:00.001-08:00

“Eastday-Jewelry outlet robbery raises security issues”

Eastday-Jewelry outlet robbery raises security issues

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 04:27 PM PST

A man was caught soon after he allegedly stole a ring worth about 3,800 yuan (US$578) from a jewelry outlet inside a supermarket in Chongming County yesterday afternoon.

The suspect surnamed Zhou was caught by security guards and police when trying to escape with the platinum sapphire ring from Hualian Supermarket.

Zhou was pretending to purchase jewelry in the supermarket on Fengbang Road in Changxing Town.

After a store employee showed him the ring, he grabbed it and fled.

He was caught about 300 meters from the supermarket, a witness said.

The robbery follows a gold-snatching case in the city six months ago - both targeted counters in supermarkets.

Three masked men robbed a jewelry store in a hypermarket and stole 3 kilograms of gold last September - they were caught six days later.

Xu Wenjun, secretary general of the business association, said the city plans to draft new regulations concerning jewelry operations. Stores could be fined more than 10,000 yuan if they have ineffective security measures.

“$5,000 reward offered in West Linn home invasion that led to jewelry store robbery”

2011-02-24T03:27:00.001-08:00

“$5,000 reward offered in West Linn home invasion that led to jewelry store robbery”

$5,000 reward offered in West Linn home invasion that led to jewelry store robbery

Posted: 23 Feb 2011 06:06 PM PST

Published: Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 5:53 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 6:00 PM

WEST LINN -- A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest in a home-invasion robbery that led to a jewelry store heist last year.

La Rog Brothers Jewelry, which operates stores in Clackamas and Tigard, has posted a reward in connection with the March 2010 tandem robberies.

Meanwhile, a recent case in Kennewick, Wash., was so similar that La Rog Brothers is coordinating with Kennewick police and the victims there so rewards in that case will be offered at the same time. Kennewick authorities released police-artist sketches of the suspects in hope that someone might recognize them.

In West Linn, police are hunting three robbers who bulled their way into the home of Becky and Rick Rogoway. They then tied up Becky Rogoway and forced her husband to drive them to his Clackamas-area jewelry store. The robbers ransacked the store and fled in Rick Rogoway's car.

Rick Rogoway, co-owner of La Rog Brothers Jewelry, is a fourth-generation jeweler with deep roots in the Portland area.

No one was injured in the incident.

In Kennewick, three gunmen went to the home of Touchstone Jewelers owner Mark Welsh on Feb. 9 and tied up his family. They then forced Welsh to take them to his closed store, where they stole jewelry and other merchandise. No one was injured.

There is a $5,000 reward for the Kennewick case, with an additional $1,000 from the Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers.

Both the West Linn and Kennewick cases are similar to earlier robberies in Oregon.

In November 2009, a jewelry store owner returned from work to his Beaverton home to find his family tied up by armed robbers who demand access to his store, Ari Diamonds, at Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Scholls Ferry Road. The robbers stole the jeweler's car, looted the store and fled. The car later was found a couple miles away.

In December 2008, two armed men wearing ski masks and black clothing ambushed a couple at the man's home in Oregon City. They used a gun to threaten the couple and got keys and alarm codes to the family's jewelry store, Affordable Jewelry & Precious Metals in downtown Portland. The robbers then tied up the couple and left. By the time the couple broke free, the store had been burglarized without anyone tripping the alarm.

"We've been looking for connections in all of these cases," said Sgt. Neil Hennelly, West Linn police spokesman. "Now, with a reward offered, maybe someone will send us a good tip."

Hennelly urged anyone with information to call West Linn police at 655-6214. Confidential text messages can be sent to CRIMES (274637 on a cell phone keypad), with the keyword "WLPD" as the first word in the message.

-- Rick Bella

“Local business turns nuclear weapons into jewelry”

2011-02-23T03:33:00.001-08:00

“Local business turns nuclear weapons into jewelry”

Local business turns nuclear weapons into jewelry

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 05:04 PM PST

Posted: Feb 22, 2011 4:54 PM by Courtney Meznarich - Source: KSBY News
Updated: Feb 22, 2011 4:56 PM

A startup company in San Luis Obispo is making peace fashionable. 'From War to Peace' is a jewelry company that donates a portion of its proceeds to peace-promoting organizations. But it's actually what's inside each piece of jewelry that makes this company unique. The new business is literally turning bombs into beauty.

It was a hymn about peace that inspired Paul Ogren to start his San Luis Obispo jewelry business a few years back. Just three months ago, 'From War to Peace's' first pieces of jewelry finally hit stores.

But this isn't your average bronze, silver and gold. It's called "Peace Bronze," and it's made from disarmed nuclear missile systems.

"This copper was mined in Montana, made into the cable running between nuclear missile silos in the 1950's, 60's and 70's," Ogren explained.

Ogren says the cables are dug from the ground in states like Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota. Then they're shipped to the San Luis Obispo shop, where they're melted down, molded and plated with recycled gold and silver.

"A lot of people would like to make a strong personal statement about their commitment to peace, not war, and this is a way to do it," Ogren said.

He says he's simply turning weapons meant to destroy us into art meant to restore us, bombs into beauty and war into peace.

"What we have is a real commitment. We have an absolute belief in the power of peace," he said.

Ogren says all of the metal is free of radiation and safe. To be sure, it's tested on site. You can find his peace jewelry in eight local stores, but he hopes to have it in more than 1,000 stores by the end of the year. It's also available online here.

“Ahwatukee gains beaded-jewelry business”

2011-02-22T03:04:00.001-08:00

“Ahwatukee gains beaded-jewelry business”

Ahwatukee gains beaded-jewelry business

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 01:53 PM PST

by Cathryn Creno - Feb. 21, 2011 02:26 PM
The Arizona Republic

A passion for beaded jewelry first gave Julie LaChance college spending money, next took her to exotic locales like Indonesia in search of materials, then helped her meet her husband, and recently brought her to Ahwatukee Foothills.

In December, the Chandler mother of two moved her busy shop, Another Bead Please!, from south Tempe to the Plaza at Mountainside at 40th Street and Chandler Boulevard.

Another Bead Please!

"I had been at my last location for 11 years and it was time to move," LaChance said.

LaChance said the new location works because many of her customers live in Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe. "Several people have said, 'Great, you are so much closer now,' " she said.

Jewelry making has been a hot trend at least since the start of the recession. Friends gather in homes or at stores like Another Bead to string pearls, crystals and gemstones into bracelets and necklaces. It's a way to socialize, be creative and avoid the high retail mark up on jewelry someone else has made.

But LaChance discovered the business of beading well ahead of the trend.

LaChance sold her first beaded creations from a blanket on the Arizona State University campus in the late 1980s.

"I would double my investment and be as happy as a clam that I had money to go to happy hour," she said.

Shortly after that, she opened her first version of Another Bead in a kiosk at Paradise Valley Mall. "I knew I was on to something when tourists would walk by and snap pictures of my designs" to replicate, she said.

When she opened her first store in south Tempe in 1995, "people said, 'Good luck with that.' But then they were back in a few weeks buying beads," she said.

It helps that LaChance has been adventurous when stocking her store. She has traveled the world looking for interesting beads and even spent a month in Bali, Indonesia, lining up suppliers.

"I found bead makers who were making the most fabulous stuff," she said. "I still use some of them today."

Stocking beads and chains that customers don't see anywhere else helps LaChance compete with large chain craft stores. Right now, beads made from organic materials like bone or amber resin are popular sellers, she said.

"I don't reorder a lot of stuff - people who are arty appreciate that," she said.

"Once it's gone it's gone and I look for something new. And I don't sell anything made out of plastic."

Over the years, she also has built a solid base of customers like Tempe resident Martha Strogen, who said she "can't stop" making earrings since taking a class at the store several years ago.

Another Bead Please offers classes a few times a week. A schedule can be found on www.anotherbead.com.

"Making earrings gives me a lift," Strogen said while sporting a pair of earrings made from white- and copper-colored pearls. "I wear them and give them as gifts to friends."

LaChance said her customers typically pay half the amount they would spend on a necklace or bracelet for the same item - pre-made - at a jewelry or department store.

But she does not think that is what has helped her develop repeat customers.

What has? Her "jewelry lounge," she said.

"I don't call it a classroom," she said. "It's a place where people can come and have a creative outlet. Sometimes people come in when they are having a rough day. We talk and hang out and they feel better."

Some first-time customers come simply for a jewelry repair or to find a single item. That's how LaChance met her husband, she said. He came in to have a chain repaired and wound up returning.

Debbie Buller, now an instructor at the store, found her passion and a way to relax at Another Bead. She first came to the store 15 years ago to learn how to string beaded chains for eyeglasses.

Buller, also a flight attendant, said beading helps her unwind.

"It's really calming," she said. "Doing beading is a requirement on all my trips."

“LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...”

2011-02-21T03:24:00.001-08:00

“LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...”

LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 05:30 AM PST

Press Release Source: LJ International On Thursday February 17, 2011, 8:30 am EST

HONG KONG--(Marketwire - 02/17/11) - LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ:JADE - News) today announced the opening of its 138th ENZO retail jewelry store, in Wuxi, China. This is the 55th store to be opened since the beginning of the current expansion of the ENZO chain in 2010.

The store is ENZO's fourth in Wuxi, a third-tier city of nearly 4.5 million in population in the Shanghai region, and is located in the upscale Wuxi Commercial Mansion Grand Orient Department Store.

The ENZO expansion began in the spring of 2010 when the chain had just 95 stores. Since then, 55 stores have been opened and twelve existing stores closed, for a net gain of 43.

"The latest ENZO store opening keeps us on track to meet our goal of 200 stores by end of 2011," said LJI Chairman and CEO Yu Chuan Yih. "It also typifies the economic and demographic 'sweet spot' we are looking for in all our store locations. The Wuxi Commercial Mansion Grand Orient Department Store is a prestigious, up-market retail venue in one of China's most prosperous and forward-looking cities. We expect to be announcing many more openings similar to this as the year 2011 progresses."

About LJ International
LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ:JADE - News) is engaged in the designing, branding, marketing and distribution of a full range of jewelry. It has built its global business on a vertical integration strategy and an unwavering commitment to quality and service. Through its ENZO stores, LJI is now a major presence in China's fast-growing retail jewelry market. As a wholesaler, it distributes to fine jewelers, department stores, national jewelry chains and electronic and specialty retailers throughout North America and Western Europe. Its product lines incorporate all major categories, including earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects" and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, as well as additional risk factors, are detailed in the Company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein, except as may be required by law.

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“LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...”

2011-02-18T03:07:00.001-08:00

“LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...”

LJ International's ENZO Retail Jewelry Stores Marks Growth Milestone -- Opening of 138th Location and 55th Opening ...

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 06:01 AM PST

Feb 17, 2011 08:30 ET

Retail Chain Is On Track to Meet Target of 200 Stores By End of 2011

HONG KONG--(Marketwire - February 17, 2011) - LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ: JADE) today announced the opening of its 138^th ENZO retail jewelry store, in Wuxi, China. This is the 55^th store to be opened since the beginning of the current expansion of the ENZO chain in 2010.

The store is ENZO's fourth in Wuxi, a third-tier city of nearly 4.5 million in population in the Shanghai region, and is located in the upscale Wuxi Commercial Mansion Grand Orient Department Store.

The ENZO expansion began in the spring of 2010 when the chain had just 95 stores. Since then, 55 stores have been opened and twelve existing stores closed, for a net gain of 43.

About LJ International
LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ: JADE) is engaged in the designing, branding, marketing and distribution of a full range of jewelry. It has built its global business on a vertical integration strategy and an unwavering commitment to quality and service. Through its ENZO stores, LJI is now a major presence in China's fast-growing retail jewelry market. As a wholesaler, it distributes to fine jewelers, department stores, national jewelry chains and electronic and specialty retailers throughout North America and Western Europe. Its product lines incorporate all major categories, including earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets.

“Lead-tainted jewelry found at Styles for Less stores”

2011-02-17T03:03:00.001-08:00

“Lead-tainted jewelry found at Styles for Less stores”

Lead-tainted jewelry found at Styles for Less stores

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 12:14 AM PST

Center for Environmental HealthThese necklaces, sold at Styles for Less, contained unlawful amounts of lead.

The state attorney general has slapped a Southern California-based retailer with 13 violations for selling jewelry containing unlawful amounts of lead, including a necklace labeled "lead-free."

More than half of the jewelry sold at Styles for Less had parts that were more than 80 percent lead. State law limits lead in adult jewelry to no more than 6 percent by weight, and federal law restricts lead to 0.03 percent lead by weight in children's jewelry.

Styles for Less, based in Santa Fe Springs, operates more than 125 stores for "juniors and misses" in California, Arizona, Nevada and Florida. Notified by California Watch of the violations, issued Tuesday, the retailer pledged to pull the lead-tainted jewelry from all its stores.

"It's unfortunate," said Augie DeAngelo, the retailer's executive vice president and CFO. "We're going to take every effort to get this product off the sales floor and pull it immediately. We've already actually started that."

The jewelry cited by the state was purchased in January at Styles for Less stores in Hayward and Fremont by the Center for Environmental Health, a nonprofit that investigates jewelry compliance under a state grant. DeAngelo said the jewelry was probably not offered at all stores, and that the retailer typically orders about 100 of each item.

Among the violations was a dark gray necklace with an antique-style portrait pendant. The ring connecting the pendant and necklace was 92 percent lead, according to lab tests commissioned by the center.

Another pendant, a large heart surrounding a cross, was labeled "lead-free," even though the cross was 78 percent lead. DeAngelo said the label was supplied by the item's vendor.

Center for Environmental HealthThe cross pendant of this necklace, labeled "lead-free," was 78 percent lead.

Long-term and high exposure to lead is toxic and potentially fatal. Children are especially vulnerable to the heavy metal, which can damage the nervous system, brain, kidneys and reproductive system.

"There is no excuse for these numerous, exceedingly high lead violations in Styles for Less jewelry," Caroline Cox, the center's research director, said in a statement. "Retailers need to make sure that their jewelry complies with state laws to protect Californians from hazardous lead exposure. Consumers expect Styles for Less to do better."

Tuesday's violation marks at least the third time since 2009 that the attorney general has cited Styles for Less for selling lead-tainted jewelry.

Styles for Less does not manufacture any of the jewelry it sells. DeAngelo said the company would address the violations with the jewelry's vendors and mandate that they comply with state and federal lead regulations.

The retailer took the same measures after previous violations and notified its 300-some vendors of their obligations to meet state and federal laws, including those for lead in jewelry, DeAngelo said.

"There's really not a lot we can do," he said. "It wouldn't make financial sense for us to actually test and measure how much lead and determine if it's acceptable or not."

California requires a jewelry manufacturer or supplier to display, or to provide upon request, certification that their products meet lead standards.

Asked whether Styles for Less had ever requested certification from its vendors, DeAngelo said, "We're the retailer. We're not required to do so. We've just put them all on notice that they have to."

A California Watch investigation last year found that jewelry often travels down a long supply chain before reaching store shelves, and that can cause murky accountability. Who certifies an item is often unclear. And vendors do not always notify suppliers further down the chain of lead violations, allowing toxic items to remain in circulation.

The difficulty of ensuring compliance may lead Styles for Less to reconsider its jewelry sales, DeAngelo said. Most of the retailer's merchandise is apparel; jewelry accounts for less than 10 percent of its products.

"It may not even make sense to sell this inexpensive costume jewelry in our stores," he said. "It's to the point now where it's not even worth it."

“Tri-City jewelry stores, pawn shops on alert after robbery”

2011-02-16T03:03:00.001-08:00

“Tri-City jewelry stores, pawn shops on alert after robbery”

Tri-City jewelry stores, pawn shops on alert after robbery

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 01:28 AM PST

Always be on the ball. Always be watching.

That's what Tri-City jewelers and pawn shop owners say they're doing after a Kennewick jeweler's family was tied up at home and he was forced to take masked gunmen to his store so they could rob it.

It's been a week since Touchstone Jewelers co-owner Mark Welsh and his family were victimized in a well-planned robbery of a type usually imagined only on TV or in movies, and it's put other Tri-City business owners on high alert.

"I've been talking to several jewelers and pawn shop owners who are really concerned .... It rattled their minds," said Vincent Rundhaug, owner of Desert Gem Studio in downtown Kennewick. "It's like a wake-up call to run your security program to test it and make sure everything's in place."

Jewelry store owners said that they always have safety measures and security systems in place and keep an eye out for anything that seems suspicious.

It's always been a concern that they can be targeted, but having something so brazen happen so close to home adds a new level of concern, said Scott Smith, who owns Brothers Jewelers in Richland with his brother, Mark.

"What happened with that store (Touchstone) is something that's happened in the big cities all over the states for quite some time," Smith said. "Once we heard that it had happened to them, it is something you always watch. You watch when going home or when you're coming to work. Always be on the ball."

Smith said they're taught not to make judgments about customers when they first walk into the store, but he admits, there are certain things to observe, such as making a mental note of who has been in the store, especially if someone asks lots of questions or looks around in an odd way.

"It's every day, all the time," he said. "We're like bankers."

Rundhaug said he always has been security-oriented and knows he needs to check his rear-view mirror and be on alert if somebody looks out of place. It's a state of mind jewelers have to have, he said.

But it's easy to become complacent, he added. Just as a teller dealing with cash all the time starts to think of it just as paper, for jewelers, "after a while, it just becomes a bunch of rocks and metal."

"The top three things people want are cash, jewelry and guns. If you're dealing with that, you gotta just assume (you're a target)," he said. "It's a little disturbing that it happened in our own backyard, but quite frankly, am I surprised? No."

Rundhaug said he suspects a connection between the robbery and gang activity in the Yakima Valley that's spilling into the Tri-Cities.

Kennewick police haven't released any additional information about the Touchstone robbery, but Capt. Trevor White said, "We're still working every angle we can."

No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named.

He said detectives are following leads and talking to other police agencies -- including Yakima -- with similar cases.

Last month, three masked men burst into the home of a Wapato pawn shop owner, held his wife and children hostage and forced him to drive two gunmen to his store, while a third stayed behind with the family, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

The suspects got cash and jewelry from the pawn shop, then drove its owner back home and fled in his vehicle, which later was found outside Wapato, the newspaper said.

Randy Harris of Ace Jewelry & Loan in Kennewick said he was aware of the Wapato robbery when it happened and has been more cautious since then.

"Certainly there is great concern anytime something like that happens," Harris said. "We're always on alert -- maybe even a little more now since that happened. ... I hope that we would not be considered a likely victim."

Harris said he wishes police would provide more information about the robbers so shop owners would know what to look for.

"We're all thinking maybe we're being cased as being next," Harris said. "We look at everybody maybe a little more differently. We know probably those people were at Touchstone Jewelers (beforehand) and they looked those people in the face."

Kennewick police said that they don't have descriptions of the suspects because they were wearing masks. And while police haven't disclosed that the jewelry store didn't have security cameras, they have not released any photos or video of the suspects, as is customary if it's available.

From a crime prevention standpoint, shop owners, regardless of their business, are encouraged to ensure they have good operating security systems and are aware of what's going on around them.

"It's apparent that ... (the Touchstone suspects) must have had both the home and the business under surveillance for a while to be able to establish patterns of when these people were coming and going and where they live," said Mike Blatman, Kennewick crime prevention specialist.

Business owners need to look beyond their front door and pay attention to what's happening outside, he said. If someone's sitting in a car for a long time and not doing anything, that should attract closer scrutiny. If something looks suspicious or out of the ordinary, report it to police.

Security cameras also should be checked to ensure they're working and are in the proper position.

"So many times, a lot of financial institutions have cameras that get pictures of the top of somebody's head," Blatman said.

Similar steps can be taken at home to stay safe, including questioning people when they knock on the door or asking to see ID's if they say they're with the power or water company, Blatman said.

"This is an extremely unique situation for this area," he said. "It may be a once in a lifetime thing, and that's why people get complacent."

But it's also an opportunity to ensure security is in place and to talk about the "what if" with employees and family so people know what to do if something happens.

"Not that they (the Welsh's) did anything incorrectly as far as complying. Nobody was hurt," Blatman said. "Once a robbery starts, it's not going to stop. The idea is to survive and be a good witness. No heroics. Safety first."

Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com

“Local jewelry, grocery stores see last-minute Valentine's rush”

2011-02-14T03:29:00.001-08:00

“Local jewelry, grocery stores see last-minute Valentine's rush”

Local jewelry, grocery stores see last-minute Valentine's rush

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 06:25 PM PST

Many retailers are open special hours or make special arrangements for customers.

Salesman Chris Morgan, left, packs up a gold rose with pearls Sunday for Kelvin Zook, of Birdsboro, at Oletowne Jewelers in West Manchester Township. Zook, who was working in York, wanted to get his wife something special for Valentine's Day to cheer her up because their son is moving out of the house. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Paul Kuehnel)

Chris Toms, left, and his daughter, Kya, 5, of Manchester Township, are assisted Sunday by Sue Koskey, right, at Oletowne Jewelers in West Manchester Township. The family, along with two brothers, were picking out Trollbeads to add to a bracelet for Toms' wife and Kya's mom for Valentine's Day. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Paul Kuehnel)

York, PA - It was Sunday, the day before Valentine's Day, and Kelvin Zook still didn't have a gift for his wife.

Zook, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician from Birdsboro, was on assignment in the York area when he heard a radio advertisement for gold roses at Oletowne Jewelers in West Manchester Township. Zook used his GPS to find the store and pick up a rose for his wife.

Zook normally doesn't do a lot for Valentine's Day, he said. Usually he just gets his wife a card. This year, though, is different.

His 24-year-old son is getting ready to move out of the house, and his wife is sad about the move.

Getting the rose, Zook said, should lift her spirits.

'A good idea'

Oletowne has had a good Valentine's Day season so far, owner Jamie Bovender said late last week. The store was about even or maybe slightly ahead of last year's numbers

Oletowne customers usually look for gifts for less than $500 for Valentine's Day, Bovender said, whereas they look for higher-end pieces for Christmas. The store's 24-karat gold roses, an Oletowne Valentine's Day staple, start at $99.95, sales clerk Sue Koskey said.

Bovender expected Saturday and Monday to be the store's two biggest days of the month. It also opened for four hours Sunday, when it's normally closed, to give people a chance to shop for last-minute gifts.

Carole & Co. Jewelers, also in West Manchester Township, normally operates from Tuesday through Saturday each week. When store owner Carole Davis looked at sales numbers from previous Valentine's Days, she decided to open her shop today.

"I guess the bulk of everybody pops in on that last day," she said.

Weis Markets also made special arrangements for last-minute shoppers, designating "Lover's Lane" checkouts for anyone buying Valentine's Day merchandise. The store planned to operate the checkouts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through today.

"It's making things much more convenient," said Bob Bradshaw, manager of Weis on Roosevelt Avenue in West Manchester Township. The store also concentrated its Valentine's Day merchandise, including flowers, stuffed animals and candy, at its main entrance.

Joe Reed, a Weis shopper from Manchester Township, used the lane Sunday afternoon to buy a card and ice cream cake for his wife.

He didn't notice the "Lover's Lane" designation until someone pointed it out to him later.

"I just noticed the short line," Reed said. "That was a good idea."

'Dump Your X's Stuff'

Goodwill Keystone Area plans to host a "Dump Your X's Stuff Drive" today. People are encouraged to donate jewelry, picture frames or clothes that belonged to an ex. For more information, call 525-6210.

DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS -- PAUL KUEHNEL

“Loving memories: Brides recall the Myer Brothers jewelry store with Saginaw's Castle Museum exhibit”

2011-02-13T03:38:00.001-08:00

“Loving memories: Brides recall the Myer Brothers jewelry store with Saginaw's Castle Museum exhibit”

Loving memories: Brides recall the Myer Brothers jewelry store with Saginaw's Castle Museum exhibit

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 02:42 AM PST

Published: Sunday, February 13, 2011, 5:23 AM

Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Saginaw Township residents Liz and Bill Dreist stand in a recreation of Myer Brothers Jewelers at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, 500 Federal in Saginaw. They purchased their wedding rings when they married in 1967 at Myer Brothers Jewelers which used to be at 111 S. Jefferson in downtown Saginaw. Liz and Bill Dreist recall the Myer Brothers Jewelry Store gallery (4 photos)

SAGINAW — It was 53 years ago today, remembers Kenneth Willman, when he surprised his fiancée, Jacquelyn, with a diamond solitaire from the Myer Brothers jewelry store.

"We had agreed that we didn't have the money to spend on an engagement ring — I had just finished college, and she was still in school — but she didn't complain," he says, laughing. "She's still wearing it."

The Saginaw couple's story, along with a picture of their crossed hands at their wedding on Aug. 8, 1959, is part of the "Myer Brides" exhibit at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, 500 Federal.

Twin brothers Nelson and Russell Myer opened Myer Brothers in 1914 on South Jefferson, a block north of where the Castle Museum stands today, and operated it into the 1970s.

By the time Bill Dreist went looking for an engagement ring in the mid-1960s, the jewelers were nearing the end of their careers, "but they gave us such personal service, we didn't want to go anywhere else," said his wife, Liz Dreist. "Bill picked it out himself, a third-carat solitaire in a white-gold setting, and I'm fortunate enough to still have it.

"I bought his wedding ring there, too. He didn't want a wedding band, so the jeweler helped me pick out a star sapphire."

Now living in Saginaw Township, they've also contributed a picture from their 1967 wedding to the collection. The store's display cases are a permanent part of the Castle Museum, said Deputy Director Thomas Trombley, not only to remember the jewelers but also to show how Saginaw evolved into an industrial center.

"The cases were built by the Saginaw Show Case Co., the glass came from the Saginaw Plate Glass Co. and a Saginaw Mirror Works," Trombley said. "Ironically, the only thing brought from outside Saginaw was the wood. It's mahogany, probably from South America."

The Myer Brides exhibit, an assortment of stories and pictures from couples who purchased their engagement rings there, brings the story full circle, Trombley said.

"We have room to grow if more have a story for us," he said. "But isn't it the small slivers, the remembered moments, that bring history alive?"

Liz Dreist had an inkling of what was coming, she remembered, when her boyfriend asked if she preferred gold or silver. Then, one day, as the two walked up the street for lunch — both worked at Helfrecht Manufacturing on Hamilton at the time — Bill Dreist delivered the ring with a big bear hug.

"It wasn't really romantic, but it was OK by me," she said. "A few years later, my boss married one of the purchasing agents, and she got the same ring."

Willman had done a little shopping before making his purchase, he said, working on a limited budget.

"I think it was around $125," he said. "That was a lot of money back then. I gave it to her the day before Valentine's Day, so it wouldn't be considered a gift."

Thinking about the Myer brothers, he said, reminds him of all the stores that once dotted the downtown district.

"We had Seitners and Edwards and The Peanut Shop, next to Weichmann's, where the man would put on the head of a peanut and come out on the sidewalk," he said.

It's a walk down memory lane for Liz Dreist, too.

"I worked at Ferris Brothers after I got out of school, selling clothing and furs," she said. "I remember the drug stores and a sporting goods store. You could find almost anything you wanted, all right there."

If you have memories to share about the Myer Brothers Jewelry Store, call Trombley at (989) 752-2861, ext. 304.

“Thieves take jewelry from two Kmart stores”

2011-02-12T03:28:00.001-08:00

“Thieves take jewelry from two Kmart stores”

Thieves take jewelry from two Kmart stores

Posted: 11 Feb 2011 10:45 PM PST

Two separate thefts in Independence may have been committed by the same two men.

Independence police received a report from an employee at Kmart, 16200 U.S. 24, at about 7:23 p.m. Thursday concerning two men who entered the store and broke a Plexiglas case full of jewelry.

The men were described as white, one in his 50s and the other in his late 20s or early 30s.

An hour later, an employee at Kmart, 4023 South Noland Road, reported two men entered the store and stole jewelry by breaking a glass case.

There were no injuries, according to Tom Gentry, spokesperson for police.

Police are reviewing video of both incidents.

Anyone with information should call police at 325-7300.

“Oklahoma snow: As the snow thaws, Valentine's Day jewelry sales heat up”

2011-02-11T03:21:00.001-08:00

“Oklahoma snow: As the snow thaws, Valentine's Day jewelry sales heat up”

Oklahoma snow: As the snow thaws, Valentine's Day jewelry sales heat up

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 08:25 PM PST

BY JENNIFER PALMER jpalmer@opubco.com Oklahoman Leave a comment

Published: February 11, 2011

Ice is more than the frozen stuff coating streets and windshields lately. It's also the sparkly diamonds jewelry retailers have stocked and ready for Valentine's Day shoppers this weekend.

Customers shop for Valentine's Day gifts inside Penn Square Mall. CHRIS LANDSBERGER - CHRIS LANDSBERGER

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Valentine's Day sales are typically last-minute, and with the holiday on Monday this year, jewelry stores say they expect to be busiest today, Saturday and Monday. Many stores will be closed Sunday.

Snow kept Naifeh Fine Jewelry closed three days in the past two weeks, and many customers were snowed in as well. So owner Valerie Naifeh said potential shoppers have been getting e-mailed photos of jewelry to help them pick the perfect piece in the virtual world.

"We don't let the weather get in our way too much," Naifeh said.

Many customers have been interested in special, one-of-a-kind pieces — a good indicator that the economy has improved because they are more costly, she said.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average person will spend $116.21 this year on Valentine's Day merchandise, an increase of 12.8 percent compared to 2010. American consumers are expected to shell out $3.5 billion on jewelry this year, up from $3 billion last year.

More than 17 percent of people will buy jewelry for their loved one, the federation found.

Coleman Clark, president of B.C. Clark Jewelers, said Valentine's Day shopping hadn't picked up yet, but the weather was likely deterring early shoppers.

Items from David Yurman, Ippolita, John Hardy and Pandora will probably be top sellers, he said. B.C. Clark also carries flower vases in its gift department, which make a nice addition to a bouquet of flowers, he said.

Clark said diamond stud earrings and diamond pendants are a good choice for any Valentine.

"Nothing states your love like diamonds," he said.

Charm bracelets have been the big seller at the new Pandora store inside Penn Square Mall, according to store manager Tania Smith. The popular bracelets have been around for a decade, but many Oklahomans are just discovering them because of the new location, which opened Nov. 23.

Bracelets start at $65 for sterling silver, and charms range from $30 to $850 depending on the style; some are just for Valentine's Day.

"There's something in the collection for pretty much every budget," Smith said.

At Lewis Jewelers in Moore, owner Glenn Lewis noticed more men have been shopping for engagement rings this year.

"A lot of guys are stepping up to the plate and buying engagement rings," he said. "I think there will be a lot of surprised girls out there this week."

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“Win an engagement ring from jewelry designer to the stars, Neil Lane”

2011-02-10T03:02:00.001-08:00

“Win an engagement ring from jewelry designer to the stars, Neil Lane”

Win an engagement ring from jewelry designer to the stars, Neil Lane

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 08:16 PM PST

Jewelry designer to the stars, Neil Lane, will be making an appearance at Kay Jewelers On Saturday February 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only, at Arrowhead Towne Center. Lane will be present at 1:30 p.m., for a sweepstakes prize drawing.

Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. contestants can fill out a raffle form and one lucky person will be chosen to win a ring and a consultation with Neil himself.

The winner will be able to choose a ring from four selections of Lane's new line of engagement rings exclusively at Kay Jewelers. The affordable line of vintage inspired wedding and engagement rings lets brides capture the look of Hollywood.

"My relationship with Kay Jewelers is very special to me because we are reaching a broader audience and I can bring my aesthetics and the magic and glamour of Hollywood to all of America," Lane said.

Neil has designed jewelry and engagement rings for the stars of Hollywood for more than 20 years. He has also appeared on the hit TV shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." His celebrity clientele include, Jennifer Hudson, Emily Blunt, Madonna, Jessica Simpson, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Barbara Streisand, Nicole Richie, Raquel Welch, and LeAnn Rimes to name a few.

Goldie Hawn was one of Lane's first celebrity clients.

"Goldie used to come into my store, and she would bring Kate, when she was a baby," Lane reminisced. "Of course Kate being a toddler, would sit on the floor and play with the jewelry and put the rings and the bracelets on. Then when Kate grew up and got engaged, Goldie told her, 'you have to go to Neil!"

With Valentine's Day approaching, Lane claims the time has never been better for couples considering an engagement to go look at rings together.

"We are seeing a return to romance and tradition," Lane said.

"Men are getting down on one knee and asking for the father's permission, first. People ask me if I think it is cliché to propose on Valentine's Day, and I say, absolutely not. Love is in the air. I think it is one of the best and most romantic times to propose."

With all the jewelry stores and ring options today, it would be easy for a couple to feel overwhelmed. However, with Kay's and Lane's large selection, the options are limitless.

"With my line of rings at Kay, we have 36 designs, so there truly is something for everyone."

When asked if he thought it was important for couples to shop together before making a purchase, Neil agreed it was very important.

"It is very important for the guy to know his girlfriend's taste," Lane said.

"It is something she will wear everyday and it should suit her lifestyle. If she is very feminine you could choose a ring with a lot of intricate design work, if she has a more simple style, perhaps something with clean and classic lines."

Neil claims that along with being a sign of commitment, engagement rings have become very stylish and individualistic.

"Nowadays a woman's engagement ring says a lot about her as a person; it talks about who she is."

Although Lane has professionally designed jewelry for the last 20 years, his passion and love for design began much earlier.

"As a child I was always fascinated by colored glass, pebbles, stones and shiny objects. My mother would take me to the park when I was little and on our way there, I would fill my pockets with things I would find in the street."

Neil's passion continued to grow as he aged.

"When I was 18, I was studying art in Paris and discovered my love of vintage jewelry," Lane said.

"There were the most beautiful jewelry shops in Paris and I was fascinated with the intricate craftsmanship and old world style. Even the Eiffel Tower influenced me."

Lane claimed the impression of the jewelry, art, and architecture in Paris stayed with him forever. It was in his 20s that Lane thought he could make his passion a serious career. In the late 1980s he opened his store in Los Angeles.

Although he has worked with some of the most high profile women in the world, Lane claims each time he meets with a couple, whether they are famous or not, the same feelings are present.

"The consultation is the same as if it were with any girl," Lane said.

"It's no different whether in Hollywood or Peoria; they want a beautiful ring that represents them."

Posted in News, Entertainment on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 9:00 pm. Updated: 1:17 pm.

“Local jewelry maker creates one-of-a-kind designs”

2011-02-09T03:21:00.001-08:00

“Local jewelry maker creates one-of-a-kind designs”

Local jewelry maker creates one-of-a-kind designs

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 03:03 AM PST

Style: Designer uses new art medium called art clay silver

Thandi Fletcher/OWW

Local jewelry designer Maureen McElhinney aims to make unique pieces one can't find in stores.

Surrounded by sparkly beads, a jar of vintage buttons, dozens of intricate tools and a blowtorch, a local jewelry designer hammers at a silver loop in her brightly yellow-painted basement studio.

Her latest creative experiment, Maureen McElhinney is attempting to perfect the silver bracelets she has pictured in her mind over the past few days. All her designs start that way, being mulled over and over until she has a vision of how the piece should look and how she can achieve the design.

With inspirational phrases engraved along the side, the bracelets are certainly one of a kind, like everything McElhinney designs.

An Okotoks resident, McElhinney works for a printing company by day, still expressing her creative side. But by night, she takes her inventiveness to another level with her jewelry design company, Mack Designs.

McElhinney dabbled in making her own jewelry for years, but had never intended to turn it into a business.

"But when I met my husband, he bought me this beautiful bracelet, and I thought, 'Oh, I could make that,'" she explained. "And that's how it started."

Seven years later, McElhinney is the owner and creative mind behind the company.

Today, she does custom designs for groups, like bridal parties, and sells pieces online. Clothing and jewelry store Ginger Laurier in Okotoks' Olde Towne also carries some of McElhinney's pieces.

The goal is always to design jewelry that isn't commonly found in stores, McElhinney said.

"I find it hard to find unique pieces in stores that speak to me," she said. "(By designing my own jewelry) I get to make one of a kind pieces that nobody else is wearing. Pieces that are unique to me, and that I don't see on everybody walking down the street."

McElhinney said the success of her business has relied mostly on word of mouth, adding her jewelry appeals mostly to customers with a liking for bold designs.

"(My jewelry is for) people who want something that is a little different and a little creative," she said.

While McElhinney creates many different types of jewelry, art clay silver is her specialty.

Art clay silver a clay-like medium used to make jewelry or beads. The clay mixture, which contains recycled silver particles, can be molded into different shapes just like soft clay. After drying, the piece is then fired using either a kiln or a handheld gas torch, which burns off the clay leaving behind a piece that is 99.99 per cent pure silver.

While art clay silver is a booming trend in the United States, McElhinney said it has not taken off in the same way on Canadian soil. She is one of only about 70 Canadian jewelry designers who experiment with the medium, she estimated.

McElhinney was first introduced to the medium while at a gem show in Tucson, Arizona.

"In one of the booths, I saw this art clay and I took a little 15-minute course and became hooked on the novelty of it," she recalled.

Later on, McElhinney took a more advanced certification course in art clay silver jewelry design in Chicago. Her expertise has allowed to her to lead workshops, by request, on how to make art clay silver jewelry, which she said she finds incredibly rewarding.

"It's nice to teach it to women and see the enjoyment they get out of making something for themselves," McElhinney said.

The intricacy of making art clay silver jewelry pieces definitely warrants a lesson or two. Timing is one of the most challenging aspects of working with the medium, McElhinney said.

"It's quite a bit like pottery clay, but it dries fast so you have to work with it quickly," she said.

Another obstacle, which can be dangerous, is firing the clay, she said. If the clay contains too much moisture, the piece can explode while under the torch.

During the creative process, McElhinney said she draws her inspiration from the world around her. Vintage buttons, of which McElhinney has an extensive collection, inspired many of her designs.

"I get inspired from a lot of different places. It could be something in fashion or something in nature," she said.

"Sometimes, if I have an idea in my head, I think it should look a certain way, but when I put it together it's not quite that way," she added. "Sometimes it's a few prototypes before you get it. It just makes you try again."

That seems to be the case for her silver bracelet project.

Continuing to hammer away at the pieces, McElhinney experiences an Einstein moment.

She grabs a jar of liver of sulfur and dabs at the bracelet's surface. A smoky patina forms on the silver as the oxidization process takes place, allowing the engraved letters on the sides to suddenly "pop" with a contrasting glossy finish.

To outsiders, her bracelet may seem complete. But for McElhinney, ever the perfectionist, this is just one step in her design. There is still a lot of experimenting ahead before she perfects her creative vision.

tfletcher@okotoks.greatwest.ca

“Bill aims to make it harder for crooks to sell jewelry”

2011-02-08T03:16:00.001-08:00

“Bill aims to make it harder for crooks to sell jewelry”

Bill aims to make it harder for crooks to sell jewelry

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 12:20 AM PST

Federal Way leaders want the state to more closely regulate secondhand dealers offering "cash for gold," hoping to thwart criminals from converting stolen jewelry into fast dollars.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Katrina Asay, R-Milton, would require dealers to keep stricter records on sellers of gold, silver and platinum.

Federal Way police want to stop dealers who buy jewelry and send it out immediately to be melted down. They include many transient dealers who operate out of kiosks and hotel rooms.

"What they're doing is accepting precious metals and sending it out the next day," said Federal Way Police Chief Brian J. Wilson.

Those selling the jewelry to dealers would have their photo identification copied. For sales of more than $100, sellers would be fingerprinted and couldn't be paid in cash.

Dealers also would be required to hold on to the precious metals for 45 days, up from the current mandate of 30 days.

The proposal, now called House Bill 1716, already had a public hearing and may get a vote in the House public safety committee this week.

It is just the latest legislation in recent years that takes aim at a crime trend by increasing recordkeeping for businesses that may unwittingly contribute to illicit activity.

In 2007 Washington legislators passed a law to thwart drug addicts who steal copper wire and aluminum to get money to buy drugs. That law added more regulations on scrap dealers, including a recordkeeping provision.

A few years before that, the state adopted rules requiring retail stores to keep a logbook of customers buying Sudafed, Actifed and other potential meth-making drugs.

The latest proposal would be onerous for business, said Tony Neely, owner of South Hill Rare Coins & Precious Metals.

"For business owners that play by the rules and have a business license, it's going to hinder us a lot," Neely said. "Who it won't affect is the (transient dealers) set up in hotels over the weekend."

The recession and high gold prices have driven people to trade in gold for cash. The price of gold has soared more than five-fold in the past 12 years to more than $1,300 an ounce.

Federal Way is among those concerned by an increase in home burglaries involving jewelry thefts.

From 2009 to 2010, residential burglaries increased in Federal Way by 15 percent, from 559 to 645 cases, Wilson said. The number of home burglaries in which jewelry was stolen increased 13 percent during the same period, from 110 to 124 cases.

But the city isn't just waiting for the Legislature to take action.

A proposal to add changes to Federal Way city code will be considered by a City Council committee today. It would increase the holding time in city code from 15 to 45 days and require items to be entered into an online law enforcement data base.

Having more time and more data at hand would help police recover stolen property, Wilson said.

Under both the legislative and city proposals, violations would be a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Besides increasing the deterrent for home burglaries, Wilson said the bill would provide information to catch thieves and return stolen jewelry to its owners.

He said police would enforce the regulations even against transient dealers, questioning them if necessary when they set up their operations.

Neely, the South Hill businessman, said he doubts the bill would catch its intended target. He said he doesn't think police will be able to, or have time to, enforce the law against transient operations.

Neely's secondhand dealer's license with Pierce County for his business at 14003 Meridian E. already requires him to hold items for 15 days, he said. He said he logs the seller's name, address, phone number and driver's license number.

Neely also objected to the legislation barring cash payment for amounts greater than $100 and requiring fingerprints.

"It's just going to be really cumbersome having to write $100 checks when we normally pay cash," Neely said.

"Now, I've to get their fingerprints? That's just nuts."

Some other states have laws dealing with precious metals. Bobbi Cussins, a public information officer for the House Republican Caucus, said Asay's bill is based on state pawnbroker regulations.

"The honest ones will be able to comply," said Asay, who proposed the bill at the urging of Federal Way officials. "This gives the police officers the tools to make sure they're legitimate.

"Hopefully," the freshman legislator said, "it will dramatically reduce the break-ins in the homes."

Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647 steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com

“City jewelry store opens with historical perspective”

2011-02-06T03:32:00.001-08:00

“City jewelry store opens with historical perspective”

City jewelry store opens with historical perspective

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 08:10 PM PST

JAMIE PESOTINE/Staff Photographer A ribbon cutting was held Saturday for the new Inspired by Amber Jewelry Salon located inside of Remember When at 21 W. Broad St. in Hazleton. The event showcased a new line of handcrafted jewelry themed "Thoughts of Love." Participating in the ceremony are, from left, Alexandra Ettinger, state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-116, Roseann Ettinger, Amber Ettinger and Sabrina Ettinger.

When Roseann Ettinger was growing up, she played with the fringe on the bottom of the sofas and beaded bags in her grandmother's house.

"I used to rub my arm on those. Dad used to call me a gypsy. I would clean out everybody's jewelry box," Ettinger said.

On Saturday, shoppers had a chance to admire her jewelry as she held a grand opening in her store at 23 W. Broad St. in Hazleton.

The jewelry store adjoins Remember When vintage clothing shop at 21 W. Broad St. that she has run in the building she bought in 1997.

When fire struck the building on Dec. 30, 2008, Ettinger could have closed the smoke-damaged store and just sold clothing and jewelry online, but she decided to reopen.

"I wasn't ready to quit," she said. "I'm hoping and praying for downtown. I'm not giving up."

The store is part of her family's history. She raised her son, Clint, and daughters, Amber, Alexandra and Sabrina, while standing behind the antique, wooden cash register.

Likewise, the store is part of Hazleton's history.

Built in the 1860s and expanded in the following decade, the building held Isaac Honing and Sons, a men's clothing store. She has Honing's ledgers from 1879 to 1902 but said the store remained in business to the World War II era when it became Frumkin Brothers, a men's store run by the family who sold her the building.

The fire gave Ettinger an opportunity to restore the building as Honing's customers knew it.

Her husband pulled down the drop ceiling that smelled like smoke and exposed the decorative, tin ceiling from yesteryear. Behind wooden shelves, they found pocket doors between the two stores.

Before the grand opening, they removed a green wall that covered a wall of white tin on which flowers and torches stand out in relief. Ettinger painted them copper to contrast with the white background.

A commerce journal in which she found a listing of Hazleton businesses from 1896 said a jewelry store used to be in the room with the tin wall. Ettinger judged it to be a perfect place for selling the jewelry that she and Amber make.

On Saturday, they unveiled their Valentine's Day line of jewelry, inspired by an old postcard of lovers sitting together. They framed the postcard and used the colors in it for their jewelry, which they've been fashioning since Christmas.

A few times each year, they plan to offer a new collection for holidays like Mother's Day and Christmas.

Both the jewelry and vintage clothing stores will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. through the winter. Hours may expand in the summer.

Shoppers can browse through the merchandise but also admire the wooden mannequins, vases and photos from the Honing store that Ettinger saved. The mannequins have painted faces and shirt fronts, and now wear bowler hats and straw boaters on the men's side of the store and hats from the flapper era on the shelves above women's wear.

Ettinger put ferns in the urns that she displays along with antique luggage and plaques from suppliers such as David Marks and Sons, the New York wholesaler that shipped to Honing. She is surprised by the volume of Honing's business. A journal entry, checked on a whim, indicated they bought $1,109.97 in merchandise on March 17, 1890.

"I like to preserve. I'm a historian. To me, it is a tribute to what Hazleton was," Ettinger said. "When I'm here, I don't think about what's on our streets. It's like I come back to another time, a better time."

kjackson@standardspeaker.com

“New Pendant Selling Out; The Jewelry Exchange's Newest Product Estimated to Sell 4 Times Initial Projections”

2011-02-05T03:11:00.001-08:00

“New Pendant Selling Out; The Jewelry Exchange's Newest Product Estimated to Sell 4 Times Initial Projections”

New Pendant Selling Out; The Jewelry Exchange's Newest Product Estimated to Sell 4 Times Initial Projections

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:40 PM PST

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SOURCE: The Jewelry Exchange

Feb 04, 2011 20:30 ET

TUSTIN, CA--(Marketwire - February 4, 2011) - The Jewelry Exchange released a pendant with the anticipated sales of 1000 units prior to Valentine's Day. The pendant, which features a 2ct heart-shaped Amethyst and a 5-point full-cut diamond, is set in sterling silver. They are priced at $39. The initial production run was sold out before the advertising campaign had started.

Since the introduction of the pendant to their Retail stores and website (www.jewelryexchange.com) on January 28^th they have sold over 400 units. According to Ash Tahvildaran, the head of the production department and the pendants designer, the pendant will also be produced with Citrine, Garnet and Blue Topaz. The Jewelry Exchange, who produces their jewelry in their own factory, has had to work production crews overtime and weekends to meet the new estimates of about 4000 units.

George Risberg, the manager of The Jewelry Exchange's online store, anticipates that the sales will increase exponentially as we get closer to Valentine's Day. The Jewelry Exchange advertises many items at considerably lower prices than the average mall jeweler, most famously their 1 carat diamond stud earrings for $399.

The Jewelry Exchange is owned by Goldenwest Diamond Corporation, who also operates the Jewelry Factory and Jewelry Source.

If you would like more information on this topic please contact Fallan Doddridge at 714/542-9200 x196 or via e-mail at fallan@jewelryexchange.com.

This is a standard press release. Learn more about press release distribution from Marketwire to find out how to get your news featured here and on thousands of targeted news outlets.

“Popular Rose Gold Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas From Los Angeles Jewelry Designer London Manori”

2011-02-04T03:34:00.001-08:00

“Popular Rose Gold Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas From Los Angeles Jewelry Designer London Manori”

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 12:27 AM PST

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 04, 2011

Los Angeles jewelry designer London Manori has good news for husbands and boyfriends this Valentine's Day: the hottest jewelry trend for the holiday is the beautiful but affordable rose-gold-dipped sterling silver. London Manori says the look and the price are right, so both jewelry lovers and the men who love them adore the line of vermeil jewelry made with rose gold.

Rose tone, rose gold and silver jewelry are very strong selling categories for 2011. Because of the rising cost of gold, consumers are looking for more affordable options that look stunning but don't leave them with sticker shock. Dipping gold onto sterling silver, a process known as "vermeil," is less expensive than solid gold, but doesn't compromise quality. Vermeil jewelry has become very popular in recent years.

"What better way to get the rose gold jewelry look without breaking the bank than to purchase a sterling silver piece which is dipped in the exotic metal of rose gold?" asks London Manori co-founder Aneela Manori.

Los Angeles jewelry designer London Manori has produced a striking line of sterling silver pieces dipped in rose gold, as well as solid rose gold jewelry. Bold rings, sensual necklaces and flirty earrings are popular gifts this Valentine's Day season. The precious metal's pinkish hue gives it a romantic softness. However, the interlocking loops in pieces like the 14 Karat Rose Gold Swirl Necklace with Diamonds or the complex textures in the Rose Gold Chandelier Earrings give the classic rose gold a distinctly modern flair.

"Textured rose color jewelry is to die for," remarks Dixie Toledo, a fashion stylist from Los Angeles who is closely watching jewelry trends for 2011. "The 18 karat Rose Gold Chandelier earrings are a must have for Valentine's Day!"

"Rose gold and rose gold vermeil are the cutting edge of a new trend," adds Manori. The metal has recently been spotted on several A-List celebrities. Sandra Bullock shone in rose gold at a recent awards ceremony. Angelina Jolie not only wears rose gold, but is also designing pieces with it for an upcoming jewelry line. Hollywood is falling in love with rose gold jewelry this Valentine's Day.

For more information and to purchase London Manori products, call them at (213) 785-6845, view their website at http://www.londonmanori.com/, or visit one of their Los Angeles-area stores. For a list of retail locations, please visit http://www.londonmanori.com/stores.html.

About London Manori
London Manori is a Los Angeles custom jewelry designer and manufacturer. By combining unique designs and state-of-the-art techniques, they create an exceptional collection of fine jewelry with unmatched quality and precision. They design and sell a wide assortment of necklaces, rings, charms, bracelets, and jeweled leaves. Rose gold vermeil jewelry plays a prominent role in their Spring 2011 collection.

###

“New Search Results, from Technorati and Ingboo”

2011-02-03T03:09:00.001-08:00

“New Search Results, from Technorati and Ingboo”

New Search Results, from Technorati and Ingboo

Posted: 04 Mar 2010 03:00 PM PST

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Technorati and Ingboo have partnered together to provide an all new kind of subscription experience for Technorati content, including search results. Look for a blue Ingboo icon for a full range of subscription options.

Feeds are also available for:

Hottest Blogosphere Posts

Latest Original Articles from Technorati

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We also have channel feeds, writer feeds, and tag feeds, which can be found on their respective pages.

“From skateboard to jewelry, a Portland artist is born”

2011-02-02T03:19:00.001-08:00

“From skateboard to jewelry, a Portland artist is born”

From skateboard to jewelry, a Portland artist is born

Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST

A Portland woman who makes exquisitely constructed, hand-crafted jewelry out of recycled skateboards most would consider art, doesn't consider herself an artist.

"I don't know what I think of myself as, but I don't really think of myself as an artist," said Lindsay Jo Holmes, creator and owner of MapleXO, a unique jewelry and art business crafted out of recycled skateboards.

MapleXO sells earrings, including hoops made out of skateboard wheels, buttons, belt buckles, but also has an impeccably designed iPhone case in a collaboration with Grove. Grove makes the cases out of bamboo, but Holmes makes hers out of skateboards.

Thousands are interested in the MapleXO iPhone case, but right now the plan is for about 50 to be made with a retail price of $200. Future products, like cuff links, are also in the works and will be available soon.

The latest collaboration, with Leela Morimoto, combines Morimoto's origami art and Holmes' woodworking with skateboards. The result is a delicate earring unlike anything Holmes had done previously. "I usually make organic shapes, so this was a change," she said of the work.

Holmes, an avid skateboarder, unveiled her 2011 catalog Feb. 1.

The precocious 27-year-old came to Portland about six years ago from her home town of San Diego, and got started when she began making what she calls "mediocre wall art."

"I was just working out of my home and making clocks and wall art, that's kind of how it all got started," Holmes said.

The idea sprouted into a business that has been running for nearly six years and sells products nationwide and to Canada and Australia.

Holmes then rented space at Shop People, a "membership-based industrial arts shop that provides shared tools and work space for craftspeople and artisans."

It's there where Holmes' ideas blossomed as she was helped by meeting several woodworkers and other artisans who nurtured her love for art.

Holmes spent two years at Shop People, before eventually getting her own work space, which is near 24th and Holgate in Southeast Portland. Her company now sells in 10 Oregon stores, 10 states in America and stores nationwide.

At the beginning Holmes canvassed skate shops in the Portland area for recycled boards, trading cookies for the beat down boards she uses to make her art. Now, skate companies outside the Portland area mail boards to Holmes, who still returns the favor by mailing out treats.

Despite the inseparable connection her art has to skateboards, Holmes' hope is that customers will look at her product on its own. "I'm not trying to make a gimmick," she said. "I want people to look at it as jewelry."

Holmes' long term goals include making finer art, which can be seen in the incredible bike fenders seen above.

"Being a part-time-bike commuter myself and a fascinated by the bike community as a whole, I really wanted to create a piece that could cross into that culture," she said.

The burgeoning product catches on outside of Oregon mostly by people reading about her stuff on other blogs or websites, Holmes said. A Seattle store started carrying her products because an owner loved them so much.

Celeste Sipes, co-owner of Radish Underground, a boutique in Southwest Portland, had nothing but glowing reviews of MapleXO.

"We love working with Lindsay Jo so much that even if MapleXO wasn't one of our best selling lines, we would continue to order just to see her smiling face," Sipes said.

As Holmes says on her website: "Wearing MapleXO means more than just having good style. It means that you believe in your creativity, believe in your individuality, and believe in your power to impact the planet."

“Jewelry store robberies have interest of Guelph and Waterloo police”

2011-02-01T03:33:00.000-08:00

“Jewelry store robberies have interest of Guelph and Waterloo police”

Jewelry store robberies have interest of Guelph and Waterloo police

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 07:30 PM PST

GUELPH — Can two separate mall jewelry store smash-and-grab robberies during operating hours in the region be connected?

Two local police services, though saying little, aren't ruling that out after robbers stole jewelry from a busy Peoples store in Kitchener's Fairview Park mall early December. Robbers also struck the Peoples store Friday evening at Guelph's Stone Road Mall.

"Is there a connection or are they copycat crimes? I can't speak to that," Waterloo Regional Police public affairs co-ordinator Olaf Heinzel said Monday, suggesting, however, it only makes sense that his investigators would be in touch with Guelph Police Service counterparts.

What's clear, Heinzel said, is the men who stuck the Guelph store weren't the same ones suspected of pulling a string of recent robberies at other jewelry stores and a pay loan store in Kitchener-Waterloo. That's because those men were in custody Friday and held over the weekend.

The display case glass smashed at the Guelph mall was replaced Saturday and the store reportedly reopened at 2 p.m. that day. On Monday, a male guard hovered outside the jewelry store.

Staff declined to comment, but shopper Paul McVicar was mulling over the robbery. "To me, it's very unusual. Why in a mall? It doesn't make sense."

McVicar said it points to a need for more security or heightened police patrols, but that's costly. Still, he noted there was extra security visible in the mall during the busy Christmas season.

Waterloo Regional Police haven't connected the men arrested late last week to the December People's Jewellers robbery at the Kitchener mall.

But Heinzel said investigators continue to work on the case and may monitor developments in Guelph.

"We're aware of the incident in Guelph. It's quite likely our investigators are working with Guelph police investigators to potentially share information or compare the details of their robbery to ours."

"Obviously," he added, "we're still looking for suspects . . . . So that one in Guelph would be of interest to Waterloo Regional Police."

Guelph police spokesperson Const. Michael Gatto stated in an email: "We will be speaking with other jurisdictions; however, we are not actively working with any other (police) service."

At 8:46 p.m. Friday, two men with their faces covered entered the Peoples Stone Road Mall store. One brandished a handgun and ordered employees to the floor. The second, with a hammer, smashed display cases and scooped up their contents. The two then fled out the Scottsdale exit. The men were of medium build and between five-feet, 10 inches and six feet tall. One was 20 to 25 years of age with a grey or black scarf covering whis face, the other 20 to 40 and wearing a dark bandana.

The Dec. 1 Peoples robbery in Kitchener's Fairview mall, which occurred a few minutes earlier in the evening, involved three robbers wielding guns. They escaped on foot with stolen goods in the direction of a nearby expressway.

Brazen robberies in store malls are a relatively new local phenomenon.

"They are unusual in our area," Heinzel said.

He's hoping people in the community pass on a tip that breaks these cases wide open.

Waterloo Regional investigators are at (519) 650-8500, ext. 4499, while Guelph counterparts can be reached through Sgt. Paul Crowe at 519-824-1212, ext. 344.

Record news services

“Top Four Most Sought-After Valentine’s Day Gifts, Presented by FatWallet.com”

2011-01-31T03:40:00.001-08:00

“Top Four Most Sought-After Valentine’s Day Gifts, Presented by FatWallet.com”

Top Four Most Sought-After Valentine’s Day Gifts, Presented by FatWallet.com

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 01:49 AM PST

Rockton, IL (Vocus/PRWEB) January 31, 2011

FatWallet's Valentine's Deals page presents consumers with a one-stop resource featuring select coupons and discounts in the four most sought after gift categories for Valentine's Day. Hotels, flowers, jewelry and candy were four of the highest ranking Valentine's search terms relative to the shopping category in 2010 and forecasted to be among the top consumer interests again in 2011.

"Our research determines what consumers search for the most. Then our deal-hunting experts scour the web to post the best values that match these search terms," states FatWallet spokesperson Brent Shelton. Below these featured deals, Valentine's Day shoppers looking for additional gift options will find hundreds of discounts and coupons from a variety of popular stores. In addition, the FatWallet blog provides friendly tips and advice to help make Valentine's Day more about sharing, and less about stressing over money.

As the preferred online shopping resource for millions of savvy consumers, FatWallet.com works closely with hundreds of merchant partners like FTD.com, Travelocity, Orbitz, and WalMart to publish exclusive offers, money-saving coupons, and cash back rewards. FatWallet's Coupons and Cash Back, Best Deals and Compare Prices offer consumers the most innovative shopping choices. The FatWallet forums represent the pulse of an evolving online marketplace where smart consumers gather to share and learn.

# # #

“China jewellers see good sales”

2011-01-30T03:16:00.001-08:00

“China jewellers see good sales”

China jewellers see good sales

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 03:14 AM PST

BEIJING - WITH the clock ticking down to Spring Festival - one of the two major annual holidays in China known as a 'Golden Week' - many Chinese people have been flocking to jewellry stores to snap up valuable trinkets for friends and relatives.

A 40-year-old shopper surnamed Li is typical of customers making the Spring Festival holiday, which includes the celebration of the lunar new year, into a golden time for goldsmiths and jewelry stores. Mr Li bought three gold Buddhas for more than 100,000 yuan (S$19,000) from Caibai Ornaments Store, one of the country's largest gold retailers.

'I want to place two of the Buddhas at home in the hope that they will bring me good luck in investments,' said Mr Li, an entrepreneur from Hebei province. 'The other one is a lunar new year gift for my mother.'

He said giving gold is much better than alternatives such as cash because hard currency can become less valuable over time due to inflation but gold offers a beautiful way to maintain and grow a family's fortune.

The consumer price index hit a 28-month high in November when it rose by 5.1 per cent before easing to 4.6 per cent in December.

The rise in inflation was mirrored by a peak in people's appetite for gold. -- CHINA DAILY/ANN

“Jewelers enjoying a golden time”

2011-01-29T03:14:00.001-08:00

“Jewelers enjoying a golden time”

Jewelers enjoying a golden time

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 12:04 AM PST

With the clock ticking down to Spring Festival - one of the two major annual holidays in China known as a "Golden Week" - many Chinese people have been flocking to jewelry stores to snap up valuable trinkets for friends and relatives.

A 40-year-old shopper surnamed Li is typical of customers making the Spring Festival holiday, which includes the celebration of the lunar new year, into a golden time for goldsmiths and jewelry stores. Li bought three gold Buddhas for more than 100,000 yuan ($15,000) from Caibai Ornaments Store, one of the country's largest gold retailers.

"I want to place two of the Buddhas at home in the hope that they will bring me good luck in investments," said Li, an entrepreneur from Hebei province. "The other one is a lunar new year gift for my mother."

The consumer price index hit a 28-month high in November when it rose by 5.1 percent before easing to 4.6 percent in December.

The rise in inflation was mirrored by a peak in people's appetite for gold.

Zhang Bingnan, secretary-general of the China Gold Association, told China Daily on Friday that the total use of gold rose almost 20 percent to 510 tons last year, largely because people wanted inflation-proof investments.

"The amount of gold used by jewelers and industry has grown steadily while gold bought for investment has grown quickly," he said.

China has been the world's second-largest buyer of gold after India for the past three years and top producer of the valuable metal for the past four years. In 2010, the nation produced 340 tons of gold, a rise of 8.6 percent on the year before.

"Chinese consumers' appetite for gold has been stronger this year than in previous years," said Wang Chunli, general manager of Beijing Caibai Ornaments Store.

"The demand for gold jewelry and bullion has been phenomenal ahead of the lunar new year holiday."

The store saw sales hit 7.2 billion yuan in 2010, a 60 percent rise on the previous year. Daily sales ahead of Spring Festival often exceeded 100 million yuan.

"Chinese New Year is the time of year when Chinese people give gifts, usually money in red envelopes," said Wang. "This year, gold is popular mainly because it does not depreciate."

But Wang Lixin, of the China office of the World Gold Council, said the trend has been building for a while.

"Gold has been hot since last year," said Wang Lixin. "Coupled with the slump in the stock market and the property price, it has become the best investment."

The strong desire for gold among Chinese consumers has triggered a drive to find more reserves to meet demand.

According to Zhang, the government invested 500 million yuan on exploration for new deposits of gold in the past five years.

Investment activity in China remains high with physical gold at the Shanghai Gold Exchange totaling 6,046 tons in 2010, up 28.48 percent on the year before.

Wang Lixin said demand is likely to keep growing, given China's huge population and its increasing spending power.

Source: China Daily

“Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection now available at Birks in Toronto”

2011-01-28T03:07:00.001-08:00

“Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection now available at Birks in Toronto”

Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection now available at Birks in Toronto

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:02 AM PST

Press Release Source: BIRKS & MAYORS INC. On Thursday January 27, 2011, 12:02 pm EST

MONTREAL, Jan. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection has arrived at the Birks Toronto Flagship store, the only Canadian retailer carrying the line. Exclusive to Toronto at Birks on Bloor, this collection is comprised of pieces that stay true to times past while they welcome the future with a refreshing, new sophistication.

"We are excited to bring our clients the Ivanka Trump Collection, a uniquely beautiful line of jewellery exclusive to our Bloor store," says Eva Hartling, Director of Public Relations for Birks & Mayors. "The pieces hearken back to the glamour of eras past while at the same time carrying a modern aesthetic. Ivanka Trump jewellery is a perfect fit for our sophisticate women consumers," she concludes.

Ivanka Trump combines her innate understanding of modern luxury with a vision of heirloom-chic jewelry that fits perfectly into the lives of today's intelligent, self-assured women and inspires elegance in a new generation. Birks carries an extensive selection of Ivanka's iconic and unique designs such as signature ovals, tassels and deco inspired diamonds as well as a mix of black onyx, white agate, mother of pearl and rose gold pieces. Pieces from the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection at Birks range in price from about $500 to $24,000.

About Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry: Ivanka Trump launched her fine jewelry collection in September 2007 with a flagship store in New York City. In March 2010, the company launched its global expansion through partnerships with exclusive retailers throughout the U.S., Asia and the Middle East. Access to breathtaking diamonds and an unwavering commitment to superior quality of craftsmanship further distinguish the elegantly youthful and stylish collections. Ivanka's seal of approval, her personal signature and a trademarked coral enamel accent mark each piece that bears her name. She is a reckoning force in the social media stratosphere, counting over 850,000 followers on Twitter, and has recently published "The Trump Card", a business memoir and New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller. For more information, visit www.ivankatrumpcollection.com.

About Birks Birks & Mayors is a leading retailer with 68 luxury jewellery stores in the United States and Canada. The Company operates 33 stores under the Birks brand in most major markets in Canada, 29 stores under the Mayors brand in Florida and Georgia, two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand and a retail location in Orlando under the Rolex brand. It also operates three temporary retail locations in Florida and Tennessee under the Jan Bell brand. Birks was founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer, designer and manufacturer of fine jewelry, timepieces, sterling and plated silverware and gifts. Visit www.birks.com.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information

<< or to obtain pictures: Eva Hartling Cathy Chalmey Coordinator, Public Director, Public relations & Relations Birks & Mayors inc. Events Birks & Mayors Inc. 514-397-2501 ext. 3687 514-397-2496 ehartling@birksandmayors.com Cchalmey@birksandmayors.com >>

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“Claire's Stores, Inc. to Present at Goldman Sachs Fourth Annual Consumer/Retail Leveraged Finance Conference”

2011-01-27T03:18:00.001-08:00

“Claire's Stores, Inc. to Present at Goldman Sachs Fourth Annual Consumer/Retail Leveraged Finance Conference”

Claire's Stores, Inc. to Present at Goldman Sachs Fourth Annual Consumer/Retail Leveraged Finance Conference

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:31 PM PST

Press Release Source: Claire's Stores, Inc. On Wednesday January 26, 2011, 4:31 pm EST

CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Claire's Stores, Inc., one of the world's leading specialty retailers of fashionable accessories and jewelry at affordable prices for young women, teens, tweens and girls ages 3 to 27, today announced it will present at the Goldman Sachs Fourth Annual Consumer/Retail Leveraged Finance Conference, to be held Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at the Goldman Sachs Conference Center in New York City.

Claire's Stores will present on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 11:50 a.m. Eastern Time. For those unable to attend in person, an audio webcast of the presentation is available for 90 days after the live presentation and can be accessed at: http://cc.talkpoint.com/gold006/020111a_mg/?entity=2_HGI0TYM or http://www.clairestores.com.

About Claire's Stores

Claire's Stores, Inc. is one of the world's leading specialty retailers of fashionable accessories and jewelry at affordable prices for young women, teens, tweens and girls ages 3 to 27. The Company operates through its two store concepts: Claire's® and Icing®, while the latter operates only in North America, Claire's operates worldwide. As of October 30, 2010, Claire's Stores, Inc. operated 2,971 stores in North America and Europe. The Company also franchised or licensed 398 stores in Japan, the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Greece, Guatemala, Malta and Ukraine. More information regarding Claire's Stores is available on the Company's corporate website at http://www.clairestores.com.

Contact Information:

J. Per Brodin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (954) 433-3900, Fax: (954) 442-3999 or E-mail, investor.relations@claires.com

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“Search for 2 suspects in jewelry theft”

2011-01-26T03:42:00.001-08:00

“Search for 2 suspects in jewelry theft”

Search for 2 suspects in jewelry theft

Posted: 25 Jan 2011 10:15 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 25 Jan 2011, 12:58 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 25 Jan 2011, 12:58 PM EST

SPRINGFIELD (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Police in Springfield are asking for your help to find two suspects wanted in the theft of jewelry.

On Jan. 19 at 12:30 p.m., police say a white female and a Hispanic male entered the New York Fashion store at 1295 Liberty St. The couple browsed through the store for about a half hour, asking the employee about certain jewelry items.

Police say the female kept the employee distracted looking through a merchandise magazine and the male reached his arm around the display case and stole a 14k gold diamond bracelet valued at $4,000. The entire caper was caught on the stores digital security cameras.

The female is described as white, in her late 20s with long straight blond hair, wearing a black North Face jacket and blue jeans. The male is described as Hispanic, light skinned, medium build, clean shaven wearing a red/black ski jacket and a baseball cap, about 5'8".

Anyone with any information on their identity are to call the Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or "Text-a-Tip."

“Brothers Charged in Jewelry Theft Appear in Court”

2011-01-25T03:39:00.001-08:00

“Brothers Charged in Jewelry Theft Appear in Court”

Brothers Charged in Jewelry Theft Appear in Court

Posted: 24 Jan 2011 06:24 PM PST

SALINAS, Calif--

Two brothers charged with stealing jewelry from two Pacific Grove stores make their first appearance in court, Monday.

Zachary and Joseph Thomas are facing burglary and conspiracy charges, for allegedly taking jewelry from Holman Antique Plaza and Wells Jewelry. A Seaside Police Officer was able to identify the brothers after the Pacific Grove Police Department sent out an alert to area police. Both Zachary and Joseph turned themselves into police on Friday.

The pair were expected to be arraigned on Monday, but that will have to wait until Wednesday since they don't have a lawyer yet, and neither want a court appointed one. The Thomas' also asked Judge Timothy Roberts to not allow the media in the courtroom. That motion was denied.

Zachary and Joseph allegedly sold the items they stole to a pawn shop in Monterey. We're working to find out if the stores have gotten their jewelry back.

Submitted by: Katelyn Sykes, Your Central Coast News

“Taiwanese department stores boost New Year's prize bags”

2011-01-24T03:36:00.001-08:00

“Taiwanese department stores boost New Year's prize bags”

Taiwanese department stores boost New Year's prize bags

Posted: 23 Jan 2011 07:53 PM PST

With Taiwanese department stores raking in handsome profits last year, they are expected to boost draw prizes offered to New Year's customers.

Already, three department stores have announced they will give away cars, and some will offer expensive jewelry, smartphones and notebook computers.

Hanshin Department Store, the king of retail in Kaohsiung, is offering "fortune bags" for an additional NT$100 for those who have amassed ten reward points through previous shopping. Contents of each bag include an NT$100 voucher, NT$10 commemorative coins for the Republic of China's centennial anniversary, and a chance to win prizes in a drawing.

The chain's two stores will each give away a car as the top prize, with one of them giving out a Mitsubishi Cold Plus worth NT$539,000 (US$18,600), and the other giving out a Tobe M'car worth NT$409,000 (US$14,000).

Meanwhile, SOGO department store's Taipei branch will offer 25,000 fortune bags on Lunar New Year's Day on February 3 and hold a drawing, with the top prize being an NT$860,000(US$29,700) Luxgen, the most expensive vehicle to be given away by department stores this year.

This year, the Living Mall is offering fortune-bag purchasing online. The 250 it posted online February 19 all sold out. More than 800 of the 1,250 bags posted on February 22 have already been sold. Including the 1,500 bags to be offered on Lunar New Year's Eve, the mall is this year offering a total of 3,000 NT$1,000 bags, each containing gifts worth well over NT$1,000. The mall is also giving a chance to walk away with the top prize of a Mitsubishi car worth NT$539,000.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Taiwan's largest department store chain, meanwhile will sell 7,500 canvas exterior fortune bags starting on New Year's Day for NT$1,000 apiece. Draw prizes include rings, jewelry, 3D TVs and round-trip tickets to destinations in Asia, with monetary value ranging from a few thousand dollars to NT$439,000 (US$15,000).

Some department stores meanwhile are targeting bargain hunters. Dayeh Takashimaya, for example, is offering 6,500 bags sold at 10 percent of the total value contained in each bag. Agnes B is offering NT$1,000 bags with contents worth more than NT$10,000 (US$345). Some bedroom furniture sellers are also offering bags worth NT$20,000 (US$690) yet sold at a discount of 71 per cent.

Q Square will offer 399 "smart fortune bags", each worth NT$999. Contents include the iPad, Asus notebooks and LCD TVs. Drawing prizes include various popular merchandise as well as a night stay at the Radium Kagaya for two, worth NT$26,400 (US$910).

Uni-President Hankyu will offer 500 bags this year, some of them being what it calls "experience-based bags". For example, it will offer one "gourmet food bag", giving the winner the chance to dine at all restaurants at the mall accompanied by two gourmet assistants. There will also be three "professional fashion bags" as well as two bags allowing the winners to dine at Starbucks all days throughout the year.

SOGO meanwhile is also offering experience-based bags, including 100 that allow the winners to purchase more than NT$10,000 worth of clothes as well as getting hairdos, all accompanied by famous designer Lee Yu-chun.

“New, improved Monet jewelry feels all grown up”

2011-01-23T03:11:00.001-08:00

“New, improved Monet jewelry feels all grown up”

New, improved Monet jewelry feels all grown up

Posted: 23 Jan 2011 02:44 AM PST

I've rediscovered costume jewelry from Monet.

As a just-out-of-college girl, I bought many pairs of Monet earrings and a few necklaces, too.

It was affordable and it looked nice enough.

Eventually, I moved on, but Monet didn't. That was part of the problem -- it bored me. And I stopped buying it.

Fast-forward to now.

Monet has gotten a whole lot more interesting. Many of its pieces have a retro feel.

Others are full of glam, full of sparkle.

I've become especially enamored with Monet's pins.

Solidly made, some are downright fun; others are quite sophisticated.

This is my newest acquisition: a resin flower with faceted petals and an eye-catching silver middle.

It's $26, but you're likely to find it on sale.

It and other Monet jewelry are available at Macy's stores ( macys.com); Parisian stores ( bonton.com) and at monet.com.

The Detroit Shoppe

The Detroit Shoppe, a store in Somerset Collection North in Troy that sells all things Detroit and donates proceeds to charity, will close at the end of the day for renovations.

It will reopen sometime in mid-March.

Originally, the store was scheduled to close for good after the holiday shopping season. But response from shoppers has been so strong that the mall decided to keep it open -- once the makeover is completed -- and keep it open through 2011.

The mall has something else planned after that, said a Somerset spokesman. He declined to be specific.

Somerset Collection is at Big Beaver and Coolidge in Troy. Info: thesomersetcollection.com or detroitmovesme.com.

I cashmere

Spotted at Macy's the other day: half-off cashmere scarves and gloves by the store's Charter Club brand.

Why am I telling you this?

Aside from the fact that these are a good deal -- $39 for a cozy scarf, $21 for gloves -- many of them are red, which means they'll make great gifts for Valentine's Day.

In fact, there's lots of red left over from the holidays at stores everywhere.

Take advantage of the prices and give a nice red scarf or gloves set to your mom, your sister, your best girlfriend.

Heck, give them to yourself!

Splendid little things

Your friend's having a baby, and you've had no time to shop for a shower gift.

Turn to the place that's helped you out so many times before: Target.

The retailer has just introduced Splendid Littles, a line of clothing for infants and toddlers that is cute without being cutesy.

Many shirts are $9.99; dresses run about $14.99.

The pink and black sleep set -- onesie, blanket and hat -- pictured above is $24.99.

To find a store or shop online: target.com.

Giveaway winner

Congratulations to Darlene Johnson-Bignotti of Ferndale for two things:

• Winning our latest M.A.C. Cosmetics giveaway.

• And finding a great bargain at Old Navy in Troy recently -- women's jeans for 96 cents a pair!

Contact Georgea Kovanis: 313-222-6842 or gkovanis@freepress.com

“Pacific Grove Jewelry Thieves”

2011-01-21T03:03:00.001-08:00

“Pacific Grove Jewelry Thieves”

Pacific Grove Jewelry Thieves

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 10:54 PM PST

PACIFIC GROVE - Police are looking for two jewelry thieves who stole from two stores on Lighthouse Avenue.

"He came up to the counter with his friend...there were two of them," said Linda, one of the store's sales associates who did not want to give her last name.

Linda works at Holman Antique Plaza and wants you to take a close look at surveillance video that you can view on kionrightnow.com.

The video shows a Caucasian male trying on the store's longest and most expensive gold necklace and took off with it.

"And then I was going to weigh this chain and give him a price and when I turned back around he was not there. And I just didn't know where he had gone too," Linda said.

Linda didn't know because she was distracted by the thieves friend who was asking her questions. Police say the same two men pulled a similar stunt down the street at Wells Jewelry. They stole a gold necklace and a pair of earrings.

The crimes may not be violent, but they're definitely unusual in Pacific Grove. Police say they are investigating the case. If the suspects are caught, they face burglary charges which includes grand theft charges.

Submitted by Candice Nguyen, Central Coast News

“Man fulfills dream with Egyptian jewelry business”

2011-01-20T03:02:00.001-08:00

“Man fulfills dream with Egyptian jewelry business”

Man fulfills dream with Egyptian jewelry business

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:21 AM PST

Published: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 9:29 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 9:29 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | When Amro Alsharapy moved to Tuscaloosa from Egypt, he had a dream of someday having his own business.

He fulfilled that dream on Jan. 3 when he opened Pharoah's Treasures Jewelry at 422 15th St.

Located in a small strip mall about a block east of Bama Lanes, across from a Domino's Pizza, the one-man business combines Alsharapy's trade as a jeweler with his love of his native country.

There's jewelry — both American and Egyptian style, customized pieces and jewelry repair — plus imported decorative items from Egypt. Alsharapy said the imports are the types of souvenirs one might buy at an Egyptian bazaar.

'If you don't have a chance to go to Egypt, I can bring it to you here,' Alsharapy said.

The Egyptian imports include framed pictures on papyrus, colorful statues of animals, pharaohs, ancient mythological Egyptian gods and mummies inside sarcophagi. The items sell from about $15 to $150, he said.

Alsharapy, who worked as a jeweler in Egypt for about 20 years, visited friends in Tusca-loosa about 15 years ago. He moved here five years ago to ply his trade of making and repairing jewelry.

'I chose Tuscaloosa because I have friends here, and I liked the city when I visited,' he said. 'It's a nice city and a growing city.'

He said when he moved here, he noticed stores carrying Mexican and Spanish merchandise and decided that if people were interested in those cultures, they might be interested in Egyptian jewelry and cultural items, too.

'When I see the Mexican products and the Spanish, I said Tuscaloosa is ready for Egyptian. That's what America is about,' he said.

He said to his knowledge he has the only store in the area specializing in Egyptian imports.

Among his items that combine Egypt and jewelry are silver medals on which he can engrave a name in hieroglyphics, the ancient Egyptian pictorial writing.

'If you love anything, you try to tell about it and share it with people,' he said. 'I love Egypt, but I also love America.'

“Jewelry captures Olympic spirit”

2011-01-18T03:18:00.001-08:00

“Jewelry captures Olympic spirit”

Jewelry captures Olympic spirit

Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:29 PM PST

Montrealer Jennifer Heil won gold in Turin but it's silver that the Olympian favours these days.

The 2006 Gold medallist and reigning Olympic champion in freestyle mogul skiing has designed a collection of silver jewelry in her role as ambassador to the Birks brand.

Birks is a sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and will be supplying jewelry gifts to all of the international teams, athletes, dignitaries, volunteers and others closely related to the organization of the Olympics.

Tom Andruskevich, president and CEO of Birks' parent company Birks & Mayors, said in a release that "Jennifer is a fabulous young woman whose spirit, talent, strength and passion is obvious both on and off the ski hill."

Heil's inspired creativity is showcased in a new line of her namesake jewelry exclusively for Birks. The Jennifer Heil Collection features contemporary designs of bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings in silver.

A two-time World Champion and four-time World Cup Title holder, Heil, who was raised in Spruce Grove, Alberta, brought home gold at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in women's moguls, to become the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal in the sport.

The jewelry collection captures the feeling of play, which according to Heil is integral in her victories both on and off the slopes. Heil has created five circles of different textures and surfaces which each represent an ingredient for her success: team work, joy courage, focus and dreams. The circles are blended into jewelry pieces that include a bracelet, necklace, earrings and five stackable rings and bracelets in sterling silver, priced from $150 to $395. The collection arrives in all Birks stores early this month.

“Soaring gold prices prompting shoppers to invest in bling”

2011-01-16T03:17:00.001-08:00

“Soaring gold prices prompting shoppers to invest in bling”

Soaring gold prices prompting shoppers to invest in bling

Posted: 16 Jan 2011 02:58 AM PST

HACKENSACK, N.J. — The run-up in gold prices is driving jewelry prices higher, and also is driving more people to buy jewelry as an investment.

"The rise in gold prices raises the value of all the jewelry people already own," said Nancy Schuring, owner of Devon Fine Jewelry in Wyckoff, N.J. "That is an affirmation that, 'Hey, I bought something, and it got more expensive.' " Gold gained 26 percent in 2010, reaching a record $1,432.50 an ounce in December before falling back at the start of this year.

Gold prices have been climbing steadily for seven years, fueling a "cash for gold" frenzy. A national company advertised during the Super Bowl, and charities have held "turn in your gold" parties to raise money. Many jewelry stores stayed afloat during the recession by buying gold jewelry and reselling it to refineries.

All the "We Buy Gold" signs created a new consumer mind-set that they can cash in old jewelry for new pieces, which helped boost sales during the holidays.

"People bring stuff in, and they basically do a trade-in, like a car," said Stevan Buxbaum, president of Buxbaum Jewelry Advisors, an affiliate of liquidation and turnaround specialist Buxbaum Group. "They sell some of this, and they get credit, and they turn around and buy something else," Buxbaum said.

In Wyckoff, Schuring said: "We're accepting a lot of gold as payment, so old jewelry is brought in, and it turns into new jewelry."

"People appreciate jewelry now because they're seeing the intrinsic value of it due to the whole cash-for-gold thing," Buxbaum said. "People all of a sudden realized, 'Hey, I can't go buy a Ralph Lauren blouse and three years from now go sell it and get anything for it.' But they can take a piece of jewelry and get something for it."

The run-up in gold has been outstripped by a recent surge in silver, which became more fashionable this past holiday season. A recent Tiffany catalog featured silver pieces almost exclusively.

Manufacturers also have changed their product lines to keep jewelry affordable. "More companies have created jewelry with semiprecious stones — and even precious stones, diamonds — set in silver, which you just didn't see before," Buxbaum said. "Now, it's fairly common."

The increased demand for silver was a factor in its price surge, but the price per ounce still is a fraction of that of gold. Silver hit a 30-year record of $30.75 an ounce in December; it has since fallen back below $29.

The price difference has caused jewelry designers and craftspeople to switch to silver or combined silver-gold pieces for their creations.

In Englewood, N.J., Manuel Pinzon, who creates rings, bracelets and other items in his workshop in a corner of his store, Arielle's Gallery, said he is doing more work these days with bi-metals — sheets of silver covered with a solid layer of 18-karat gold, which he shapes into his designs.

"Using bi-metal keeps the price of each piece down," Pinzon said. "One shopper walked in and looked at a piece that was about $149, and she said, 'That cannot be gold.' And I said, 'As a matter of fact, it is,' and she was shocked."

Jeffrey Agnello, owner of American Coin & Stamp Co. in Clifton, N.J., is doing a brisk business buying gold jewelry and selling the types of gold products in fashion with investors: gold bars, American Eagle gold coins and Krugerrands.

“Last Downtown Peoria jewelry store has closed”

2011-01-15T03:06:00.001-08:00

“Last Downtown Peoria jewelry store has closed”

Last Downtown Peoria jewelry store has closed

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 01:41 PM PST

PEORIA — The last remaining Downtown jewelry store has closed.

Charles A. Schoenheider Jewelers, 432 Main St., closed at the end of last month although the store remains open through January to complete repair work for customers, said owner Charles Schoenheider III, who refused further comment about his decision to close.

Store windows are bare and a small sign on the door indicates the store is closed.

The store, which had a reputation for quality merchandise. had operated at the Main Street location for 37 years.

Schoenheider's father, Charles Jr., who died in 2003, ran a jewelry store in Downtown Peoria for more than 50 years.

Peoria once boasted numberous jewelry stores in the Downtown area but after Potter & Anderson moved out of the Downtown in 1994 to a location on Sheridan Road, near Glen Avenue, the Schoenheider jewelry store was the last jeweler left operating in Peoria's central business district.

“International Jewel Thief, 80, Nabbed in San Diego”

2011-01-14T03:26:00.001-08:00

“International Jewel Thief, 80, Nabbed in San Diego”

International Jewel Thief, 80, Nabbed in San Diego

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 11:25 AM PST

Jan. 13, 2011

Dressed to the nines, she waltzes into a high-end jewelry store in Monte Carlo -- or Paris or Las Vegas -- and smiles at the clerk. She asks to try on a ring or a watch -- wait, no not that one, the other one. How about this one?

After trying on and admiring several pieces, all the while bantering with the sales clerk, she decides that, no, she won't be buying anything today. She glides out as gracefully as she came in and the clerk goes back to work.

It will be hours before the clerk realizes one of the more expensive pieces – a ring that nice old lady had tried on -- is missing.

That's how Doris Payne, now 80, has been robbing jewelry stores blind for the better part of a century, her lawyer told ABC News today.

Payne has served time in six states for theft. Her most recent conviction was Wednesday. Payne was found guilty of walking out of a San Diego, Calif., Macy's with a diamond ring worth nearly $9,000 on Jan. 1, 2010.

According to her lawyer, Gretchen von Helms, Payne maintains that she has been wrongfully convicted – that it is a case of mistaken identity. Whatever the case, it's just the latest conviction in a career of thievery so notorious that, according to von Helms "if there's been a jewelry theft and an African-American woman did it, everyone would say, 'It must've been Doris Payne.'"

"She's had a history of other times where she's been accused righteously, and also accused falsely," said von Helms. "She has a certain notoriety."

While Payne denies the latest crime attributed to her, she admitted that she makes a life on the other side of the law, sometimes in exotic locales.

"When I cross-examined her, I said, 'This is what you do. You're an international jewel thief,' and she said, 'Yes,'" San Diego Deputy District Attorney John Pro said.

The daughter of a West Virginia coal miner, Payne has reportedly traveled the world plying her trade under some of more than 20 recorded aliases. ABC News has found she also has five social security numbers and nine different dates of birth on record. She sports an Interpol record that reaches back into the early 70s, von Helms said, and a U.S. rap sheet nearly 20 pages long.

Payne chuckled when she told the Associated Press in 2005, after an arrest in Nevada, that most of the near-legendary tales about her are true. She claimed to have stolen jewelry in Paris and Monte Carlo, including a successful heist from Cartier. But she also insisted in another newspaper article published the same year that she had retired.

“Get your antique fix in Round Top; Austin jewelry designer opens boutique”

2011-01-13T03:03:00.001-08:00

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“Get your antique fix in Round Top; Austin jewelry designer opens boutique”

Get your antique fix in Round Top; Austin jewelry designer opens boutique

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 05:08 PM PST

By Marques G. Harper and Amy Gabriel

Head to Round Top for antiques in big red barn

With antique treasures making a comeback as the new "it" décor, you won't want to miss the Big Red Barn Winter Antiques Show taking place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday in Round Top. This show promises to be worth the drive as the exhibit space has been sold out for months. All exhibits will be housed inside the Big Red Barn (475 S. Texas 237) in case of inclement weather. Food service and free parking on site. Admission $5. For more details, visit www.roundtoptexasantiques.com or call Susan at 512-237-4747.

Austin Jewelry designer opens new Boutique

If you want to give your winter wares new life, do so through new accessories. Austin jewelry and accessories designer Leigh Navarro opened a 250-square-foot boutique called Shop Leighelena (1215 Corona Drive. 531-9673, www.leighelena.com) late year near Nomad Bar in East Austin. The store offers Navarro's selections for women including bracelets, cuffs, enamel pendants and enamel rings, and men's cuffs and cuff links, along with 20 to 30 other jewelry lines. Also, it stocks household products, tabletop items, men's gifts, body care goods, scarves, fine art and photography, candles, some clothing and Navarro's belts in leather and other exotic skins such as python and various snakes. Jewelry prices ranges from $10 to $150. Navarro's accessories line is sold at various Austin retailers, including Anna Gray Gift & Jewelry Boutique, Eliza Page, Solid Gold Boutique and Whole Foods Market.

Austin-centric with flavor of  New York, LA

What happens when you mix a dose of New York with Los Angeles and some Austin? You get Blackbird Clothes and Curios (112 E. North Loop Blvd. 904-9114, www.blackbirdaustin.com), a men's and women's store tucked away among the eclectic shops and vintage stores in Central Austin. In addition to clothing selections, the store sells sunglasses, hats, jewelry, bags, gift items and décor pieces such as baskets and candles — all ranging from $15 to about $100. Overall, the store stocks limited runs of garments from primarily Los Angeles vendors as well as selections for women sizes 10 to 18. Blackbird was opened last year by longtime friends Juliana Azar, a fashion designer and Austin native, and Stacey Breakall, a founding member of the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang burlesque group.

Gather up Fresh ideas at Home & Garden show

Make it a family outing (Fido included) to the 13th Annual Austin Home & Garden Show taking place 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Austin Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez St. 404-4000, www.austinconventioncenter.com). Show highlights include home and garden trends and tips, cooking demos by local chefs, a shopping experience at the art, gift and gourmet center, and a play area for kids and pets. Expect celebrity appearances by Kevin O'Connor from "This Old House" and Frank Fontana from HGTV's "Design on a Dime." Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and free for those 16 and under. For $1 off admission coupon, visit www.showtechnology.com. Tickets are sold onsite during show hours; cash or check only. Paid parking is available at the Convention Center parking garages, one on Second Street and one on Fifth Street.

Send suggestions for Style Matters to Marques G. Harper (mharper@statesman.com; 445-3974).

“Zales says key revenue figure jumped over holidays”

2011-01-12T03:05:00.000-08:00

“Zales says key revenue figure jumped over holidays”

Zales says key revenue figure jumped over holidays

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 02:53 PM PST

On Tuesday January 11, 2011, 5:53 pm EST

DALLAS (AP) -- Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. reported Tuesday that revenue at its stores open at least a year rose 8.5 percent over the important holiday shopping season, marking a turnaround for the chain operator which was hit hard by the recession.

Retailers have said the 2010 holiday season was their best since 2006, as shoppers felt more confident about spending on gifts for themselves as well as others. The higher sales included a return to splurge items like jewelry. Earlier Tuesday, high-end jeweler Tiffany & Co. raised its outlook for the year because of better-than-expected holiday sales, and noted particular strength in more expensive fine jewelry and diamond rings.

Zale CEO Theo Kilion said the results represent progress as the company continues to stabilize its business and return to profitability. Zale's revenue tumbled during the recession, hurt by tighter credit and high unemployment. It has closed hundreds of stores over the past two years and shuffled top management.

Revenue at established stores rose 11.5 percent in November and 7.4 percent in December. This is considered a key measure of a retailer's financial performance as it strips away the impact of recently opened and closed stores.

Zale's total revenue for the two-month period rose 8 percent to $533.1 million from $493.7 million at the same time last year.

The news sent shares of Zale up 23 cents, or nearly 6 percent, to $4.26 in after-hours trading. In addition to its namesake stores, Zale operates the Gordon's Jewelers chain in the U.S. and the Peoples Jewellers and Mappins Jewellers chains in Canada.

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“San Jose jewelry store owner who was fatally stabbed was "hardworking" man”

2011-01-11T03:21:00.001-08:00

“San Jose jewelry store owner who was fatally stabbed was "hardworking" man”

San Jose jewelry store owner who was fatally stabbed was "hardworking" man

Posted: 10 Jan 2011 03:40 PM PST

Salvador Pena was a hardworking man.

He took care of horses, gardened, worked at Lucky's grocery stores and sold shoes.

Twelve years ago, he bought a small music and jewelry shop on Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose, where family members said he spent most of his waking hours. On Dec. 15, the 56-year-old Pena was stabbed multiple times in the front of his store, Joyeria Y Discoteca.

And on Saturday, Pena died as a result of those wounds.

Now, as police are investigating this possible robbery-turned-homicide, Pena's extended family, in which he was the eldest of 13 siblings, is grappling with his death.

They also are busy determining his funeral services and who, if anyone, in their brood is willing to take on the responsibility of keeping his store open.

"Grandma is going to decide," said David Madrigal, Pena's 17-year-old nephew.

On Monday, David Madrigal joined Pena's brother-in-law, Javier Madrigal, and Pena's younger brother, Raul Pena, 49, at the closed shop, which sells CDs, watches, jewelry and religious icons. It also serves as a money-transfer/check-cashing station. The men briefly assisted two police detectives who came by about noon to review evidence in the case.

Police have released few details about the crime, but they have said there was a witness who described a black man in his mid-20s, standing about 6 feet tall, of medium build and wearing dark clothes, who was seen inside the shop about 9:35 p.m.

Dec. 15. A man who works next door told the Mercury News that video surveillance taken from his shop showed the man also was wearing a long coat, down to his knees. Pena's family thought there might even be two suspects.

Pena's family said when paramedics arrived to help Salvador, who was suffering from severe knife wounds, he was conscious. But he wasn't awake by the time the family got there.

They said he went back to the shop after hours because in the busy holiday shopping season he felt there was much work to do.

"We've never been able to speak with him," David Madrigal said.

Raul Pena said Salvador came to Southern California more than 30 years ago from Jalisco, Mexico, where he worked in a variety of fields, often holding two jobs at once. Salvador Pena never married and had no kids of his own.

"He worked too hard," Raul Pena said.

But Salvador Pena treated his large family, especially his two nephews who lived with him, as his own.

"People thought I was his son," David Madrigal said. "He always brought me to work. He brought me to church. He'd watch me when my parents were at work and when we didn't have a lot of money. We lived in his home. He was our landlord."

Often quiet at home, his uncle became an extrovert at his shop, David Madrigal said. Several customers left online comments on the Mercury News website. One woman wrote that he often trusted customers to pay him later if they couldn't come up with the funds immediately.

Javier Madrigal, who worked in the shop part time, said Salvador Pena was more like a blood brother to him. "But we are a close family," he said. "And that helps."

Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-920-5002.

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