Centurion to Hold Two Keynotes, Two Panel Discussions and Workshops

Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's

Mike Abrashoff, former commander, USS Benfold

The Centurion luxury jewelry tradeshow will host a pair of keynote speakers who paved two different paths to success. They are Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's ice cream business and Mike Abrashoff, former commander of the USS Benfold.

Abrashoff, author of It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship In The Navy, will discuss how he took over a ship that went from being rated the worst in the Navy to the best in just one year. Meanwhile, Greenfield will discuss combining an entrepreneurial spirit with social responsibility and a radical business philosophy.

“We think both stories are well worth hearing,” said Howard Hauben, Centurion President.

Centurion also is offering two panel discussions:

* "Financial Management and Your Company," moderated by Don Greig, Focus Business Management Institute. Panelists are John Jackson, Albert S. Smyth Co. and an additional panelists to be announced; and

* "Dealing with The New Hair-Raising Diamond & Gem Fakes Coming into Your Market," moderated by Terry Chandler, DCA. Panelists are Alethea Inns, AGS Labratories; Jim Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; and Dr. James Shigley, GIA.

New at Centurion 2013 are "Limited Edition Retailer Workshops"—in-depth sessions on selected relevant topics with a small class size. Attendees will have the chance to spend some quality time with Centurion's various speakers in an intimate setting with lots of time for questions and brainstorming. Attendees must sign-up in advance as seating is limited. The workshops are:

* "Retailers Sharing Centurion Lines That Work" - Gail Friedman, Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelry;

* "Building a Working Team" - (Commander Retired) Mike Abrashoff;

* "What Do You Do When a Wholesaler Moves into Your Market?" - Jennifer Demmary and Lori
Roberts, Reis Nichols Jewelers;

* "E-mail Marketing-How to Reach Your Clients Today," - Ron Cates, Constant Contact;

* "Technology Show & Tell" - moderated by The Knot’s Laura Cave, featuring retailers Ronda Daily and Ashley Daily,Bremer Jewelry; and Julia Gardner, David Gardner’s Jewelers.

The dates for the invitation-only luxury jewelry show are February 2 (arrival day) through February 6, 2013 (departure day) at an undisclosed location in Scottsdale, Ariz.

For additional information, contact Howard Hauben at hh@h2consult.com or (516) 377-5909.

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Joe Torre to Speak About Winning at Centurion

Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre will provide an inside look at what it took to become one of the best managers in baseball history in an opening keynote address at the Centurion luxury jewelry tradeshow.

Torre’s session, called “Ground Rules for Winners,” draws upon his life experiences in professional baseball. His presentation will be held January 29 at 8 a.m.

"My baseball career experiences relate to everyday business life," Torre said. "I hope the Centurion audience will leave enthused with new ideas to implement in their successful businesses."

He shares his wisdom on the universal concerns of all managers: handling tough bosses, dealing with setbacks and success, earning the trust and respect of the team and forging a diverse group of individuals into a cohesive unit with a willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to win. Torre led one of the most fabled franchises in sports history, the New York Yankees, for 12 years, and managed the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining Major League Baseball as executive VP of Baseball Operations. During his tenure with the Yankees, the team won six American League Pennants and four World Series Championships. For all of his success, Torre remains down to earth, good-humored and practical in his approach to leadership and success.

“We know that Joe’s experiences will resonate with our attendees,” said Howard Hauben, Centurion president. “We’re delighted to have him as a speaker in Scottsdale at the 2012 Show.”

The invitation only Centurion Show will be held January 28 – 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 516-377-5909 or email info@centurionjewelry.com.

Centurion Jewelry Design Competition

Centurion is holding its fourth annual Emerging Designers Competition. Six winning jewelry designers will receive a complimentary exhibit at Centurion 2012, the 11th annual Centurion Show. The annual invitation only luxury jewelry trade show will be held Jan. 29-31, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The competition is open to all designers, regardless of experiences, formal training or background in jewelry design, as long as they have never before exhibited in a fine jewelry show in the U.S.; have the ability to exhibit at a trade fair; and have the ability to supply high end retailers should they want to purchase the line.

The deadline for entries is October 15. For rules and how to participate, follow this link to the PDF entry form. The form must be completed and e-mailed along with three high resolution images and descriptions (the images may be sent in several emails if more than 3 megs each). Emails should go directly to hh@centurionjewelry.com. Again, the entry deadline for the competition is October 15.

Just in case the link doesn't work, here is the URL: http://www.h2consult.com/Centurion_2012_Emerging_Designers_Competition_Entry_Form.pdf 

The competition is sponsored by Stuller, a manufacturer and distributor of jewelry and jewelry related products based in Lafayette, La.

Bill Clinton to Speak at Centurion Jewelry Show

Former president Bill Clinton

Former US President Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 Centurion Jewelry Show. He is scheduled to speak Feb. 4, 2014. The annual invitation-only luxury jewelry tradeshow will be held Feb. 2 – 4, 2014, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

During his eight years as president, Clinton led the U.S. to the longest economic expansion in American history, including the creation of more than 22 million jobs.

After leaving the White House, he established the Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, businesses, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private citizens to turn good intentions into measurable results. Today the Foundation has staff and volunteers around the world working to improve lives through several initiatives, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which is helping 4.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS to access lifesaving drugs.

So far, more than 2,100 Clinton Global Initiative commitments have improved the lives of 400 million people in 180 nations.

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Centurion 2014 Call for Entries for Emerging Designer Competition

Blue sapphire and diamond earrings by Sharart Design, one of last year's winners.

Entries are now being accepted for the sixth annual Centurion Emerging Designer Competition. Two winners will receive a showcase and exhibit space at the next Centurion Show. The invitation-only luxury jewelry tradeshow will be held Feb. 1-5, 2014, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The competition is open to any jewelry designer who has never before exhibited in a U.S. fine jewelry tradeshow. It’s open to all designers, regardless of experience, formal training, or background in jewelry design, but entrants must show lines or one-of-a-kind designs that are suitable for a luxury jewelry store environment and be capable of both exhibiting at a trade show and fulfilling any wholesale orders received at the show.

Deadline for entry is September 30. Entrants are required to submit up to three images of finished jewelry; no renderings or CAD drawings will be accepted. Images must be .jpg format, and each image must include a detailed description of the piece and the materials used (metals, gemstones, etc.). Entries will be judged by a special panel, as well as by Centurion’s Board of Retail Advisors.

For more information and to access the entry form, follow this link:

The competition is sponsored by Stuller, a Lafayette, La., jewelry manufacturing and distribution business and a domestic and international wholesale jewelry supplier.

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New Luxury Jewelry Shows Slated for This Year

Two trade show organizations are partnering to create a joint jewelry tradeshow that will appear at two locations this year.

The Select Show and Centurion Jewelry By Initiation Only have created a new partnership to jointly produce the SELECT shows, beginning with the events in Dallas at the Ritz Carlton, September 9-10, and in Connecticut at Mohegan Sun, September 23-24. The new name for the shows will be "Select by Centurion."

Both companies operate invitation-only luxury jewelry tradeshows.

The Select by Centurion shows will continue the hallmarks of the Select shows, launched in 2010, with 40-50 exclusive exhibitors, breakfasts, seminars, lunches and evening receptions. The company will be overseen by Joe Carullo and Bryan Cohen, founders of Select, and Howard Hauben, founder of Centurion. Centurion will act as day-to-day management beginning after the 2012 shows.

New App, Internet Education Program Led by Google and Digital Catalogs All Part of Centurion 2011

The ultra-exclusive Centurion 2011 jewelry show has rolled out digital programs across several platforms designed to enhance the trade fair’s technological footprint and help luxury jewelers navigate the digital landscape. The trade fair will be held, January 29 – February 2 in Tucson, Ariz.

First there’s the Centurion App for iPhones and Android phones. The free app is customized for Centurion through The Conventionist app, which provides practical, mobile solutions for those attending events, such as trade shows.

To locate, search for The Conventionist app. Download and install the app on your smart phone. Then search for Centurion within The Conventionist app and download the guide to the Centurion Show. (Shown on an iPod Touch.).

The customized Centurion app contains:

* Centurion Schedule at a Glance

* Show Floor Map,

* Key Events list,

* To-Do list,

* General Info,

* Exhibitor’s list, and

* My Schedule.

The second initiative is the Jewelry Industry Internet Forum, an education program geared to help ensure that high-end retail jewelers, designers, manufacturers and service providers have the knowledge and tools to succeed in the fast-moving world of the Internet.

The JIIF is designed for the industry to learn and share best practices, information, insights and intelligence in online marketing and merchandising, including analytics, design, multi-channel integration and e-commerce, according to show organizers. As a forum for retail and manufacturing executives, JIIF will offer regular access to useful and targeted education and information sharing on a year-round basis. The effort will include at-show education as well as on-line forums and more.

For its first official event, JIIF will highlight a keynote presentation by Mike Gottfried, Head of Industry for Retail & Luxury, from Google to give Centurion participants an insider’s view of what it takes to succeed in today’s ultra-competitive environment and how to take advantage of the Internet as a marketing vehicle.

Gottfried will headline separate sessions for retailers and designers/manufacturers at Centurion 2011.

The third initiative is the Centurion Showcase, an online extension of the luxury trade fair that is being launched during the show.

The Centurion Showcase has up-to-date digital catalogs of participating branded exhibitors, updated show information, and news and events. During the show and throughout the year, retailers will be able to use the catalogs at the point of sale and to e-mail to and print product pictures and details for their customers. Branded manufacturers will be able to use the catalogs to show new product and provide ongoing support for their Centurion retailers.

10 New Jewelry Designs from the Centurion Show

8k gold ring with diamond pave is centered with a large emerald cabochon.

It appears that luxury jewelry designers are through experimenting with less expensive materials (due to the economic collapse and high cost of materials) and have returned to producing creations with high-karat gold and platinum as well as big bold gemstones and lots of diamond pavé, if the Centurion Jewelry Show is any indication of what’s to come this year. And I believe it is.

The first major U.S. tradeshow of the year was held Feb. 3 - 5 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The invitation-only event caters to the luxury end of the market. One of the things it provides is the first chance for those in the U.S. to view new designs for the year. I presented an early appetizer of the pieces on display with the Centurion Design Award winners. Now here are 10 more jewelry designers that caught my attention during the show. Enjoy.

Erica Courtney is one of the few designers who can be on trend while maintaining exceptionally high standards, presented an entire collection based on green, including this 18k gold ring is centered with a large emerald cabochon (top photo). The intricate, sculptural-like details of gold are further enhanced with 18k diamond pave.

The Tilley engagement ring by Jeff Cooper Designs features a single row of pave diamonds that tapers toward the center, giving extra emphasis to the center stone. It is available in platinum or 18k gold.

Damiani has come out with a ceramic jewelry line called D.Icon, which includes this ring made of white ceramic with pink gold and diamonds (0.21 cts.).

The Mimi So Phoenix Stackable Band has18k rose gold and leaf work covered in diamonds. It is stackable with other rings in the collection.

Fope Gioielli introduced a flexible cross-over bracelet with elastic wrapping features to the Flex'it Solo line. It is made of 18-carat gold, with or without diamonds.

18k white gold heart shaped hoops with detachable London Blue Topaz drops by Lisa Nik.

Syna Jewels, a new exhibitor, presented a series of highly polished chalcedony drops set with 18k yellow gold from the Mogul collection.

All of the operations of the Frédérique Constant Classics Manufacture Worldtimer is done through the crown, which simplifies setting the time and date, and calibrating the worldtimer. The watch is powered by the FC-718 caliber movement, built in house. The dial is available in a guilloché design or with a silver world map in its center. The watch is also available in steel for $3,450 and rose-gold for $4,150.

The Links of London 8-carat rose gold necklace with a rose gold and black pearl pendant from the Effervescence collection.

18k white gold diamond band in a leaf pattern with yellow gold accents sprinkled with diamonds by Beverley K.

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Three Jewelry Designers Win Centurion Emerging Designer Competition

Babette Shennan’s Sterling silver and 14k yellow gold, “Gingko” hinged cuff has antiqued silk finish accented with tsavorite garnets (6.8 ctw.).

Babette Shennan, Stanislav Drokin, and Rhyme & Reason were named the winners of the Centurion 2014 Emerging Designer Competition. All three were awarded with their U.S. tradeshow debut at the Centurion Jewelry Show, which was held Feb. 1 -4 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Centurion Emerging Designer competition, now in its sixth year, drew a record of 90 entries from luxury jewelry designers around the world. The first round of judging was conducted by three industry design experts: celebrity stylist and TV commentator Michael O’Connor; GIA’s global jewelry manufacturing arts director Mark Mann; and Stuller’s executive director of product development, Gary Baines. They were tasked with narrowing down to 12 finalists, and the Centurion Board of Retail Advisors then voted to select the winners. Each of the three winners received free exhibition space at the luxury jewelry tradeshow.

Babette Shennan’s 18k white and yellow gold convertible “Gingko” earrings, featuring lens cut aquamarines (54.76 ctw), are two earrings in one. 

The work of Babette Shennan is closely linked to her travels and memories. During her graduate gemology program at GIA, she won The Silver Trend Project design competition sponsored by HSN and her winning bracelet was manufactured and sold on air. More recently, she won second place “Best In Show” at the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Designer By The Bay Event in Northern California. She divides her time between San Francisco and New York City.

Stanislav Drokin's 18k yellow and blackened gold ring with fire opal center and diamond and sapphire accents. 

Stanislav Drokin was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. After school, he was hired as apprentice engraver at an industrial factory, carving stamps for marking technical details. After seven years, he became a master engraver. He also studied jewelry from 1992 to 1994 and eventually found work creating master models for jewelry companies.

Stanislav Drokin's Phoenix earrings in 18k white gold with tourmaline and pink and purple sapphire.

In 1994 he founded his own jewelry atelier (“S.D.”). In 1998, Stanislav became a member of the Designers Union of Ukraine and an international association, the Society of Designers. That year, he also went for further study in the gemological centers of Kiev, Ukraine; Idar-Oberstein, Germany; and Warsaw, Poland. In Germany, Drokin met world-famous jeweler André Enskat, who had a significant impact on his design philosophy. Today, he is the winner of competitions in Ukraine and Russia, and earned a master’s degree in design in 2011. He also organized the Ukrainian festival of design "YuvelirArtProm," in Kharkiv Art Museum, in 2004.

Rhyme & Reason Sacred Story bridal group in 18k white gold with diamonds and sapphire. 

Rhyme & Reason, based in Boston, is the collaboration of Vahé Ghazarian, Esin Guler, and Mihran Guler. Vahé The three joined forces and formed G&G Creations—recently renamed Rhyme & Reason—and in 2014 were chosen as the winner of the “Future of Design” business incubator competition sponsored by designer jewelry and business experts Cindy Edelstein and Andrea Hill. As the winner, along with other prizes Rhyme & Reason was awarded one of Centurion’s Emerging Designer exhibition spaces.

Rhyme & Reason "Love" family of hearts in oxidized silver with 24k gold inlay, rubies, full-cut white, black and blue diamonds, and yellow and orange sapphires.

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Centurion 2013 Emerging Jewelry Designer Winners

“Ivy” earrings by Alessio Boschi with a detachable drop. Left view is with the drop and right view is without the drop. The leaves are diamonds with shaded green tsavorites in dark rhodium. The berries are purple sapphires and the twisted trunks are inertwined diamond lines with dangling chrome diopside. Leaf backs are handmade and invisibly set. Suggested retail price: $16,500.

Three designers from different countries were selected from among a record number of entries as the winners of the Centurion 2013 Emerging Designer Competition. 

The winners—Alessio Boschi of Australia, Erika Bertin of the United States, and Shar-Linn Liew of Thailand—were announced prior to the 2013 Centurion luxury jewelry tradeshow held February 3-5 in Scottsdakes, Ariz. All three designers made their U.S. tradeshow debut at Centurion where they received free exhibition space as part of winning the annual competition, now in its fifth year.

The competition drew almost 70 entries from luxury jewelry designers around the world. More than 300 retailers voted to narrow the field down to 12 finalists; the Centurion Board of Retail Advisors voted again to select the three winners.

Boschi of Lux2Lux Jewels, is a native of Italy who has spent time designing in his home country, Greece and Thailand before moving to Australia to work with pearl jewelry manufacturer, Autore, where he created the popular and critically acclaimed “Oceania,” “Ice and Fire,” and “Venezia” jewelry collections.

Rose gold medallion and ring inspired by a medieval incense diffuser top, and come with handmade double gold chain and white diamonds. Retail prices: Medallion chain, $9,755 for 18k and $5,815 for 10k; Ring, $4,985 for 18k and $2.790 for 10k.

 
Bertin of Alasia (erikabertin@yahoo.com) previously worked as a luxury brand builder in London before becoming a full-time jewelry designer. She moved to New York in 2000 to set up Arte Italiana, the US branch of Favero, as a partner to the owner. Favero jewelry found a responsive audience in the Americas and saw healthy and successful growth, becoming a recognized brand. Many of the Favero pieces distributed in the USA were either designed or merchandised by Bertin.

Sharart Design’s Shinto blue sapphire earrings are fully articulated. Gem content: blue sapphire (8.15ct.) and white diamond (0.71 ct.). Suggest retail price, $9.800.

Jewelry designer Shar-Linn Liew of Sharart Design grew up in Singapore and was exposed to designing as a young girl by her mother, who was a clothes designer. But it was her husband who exposed her to the world of gemstones and fine jewelry. After a two-year stint as a jewelry merchandiser at a TV jewelry network, Liew decided to focus on her own collection. Her pieces are handcrafted by her husband's jewelry manufacturing house. Her inspirations are constantly evolving around the designer’s Asian heritage blended with old European allure. 

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Centurion Names Six Emerging Design Contest Winners

Dusty Angles by Nuttapon (Kenny) Yongkiettakul

The Centurion 2011 jewelry show has named six winners of Centurion’s Emerging Designer Contest during its opening dinner held Saturday. The winners are:

* William Belack, Belack Jewelry Design, United States

* Pamela Harari, Pamela Harari Jewelry Design, Israel

* Amitai Kav, Amitai Kav, Israel

* Valerie Ostenak, VOSTENAKstudios, USA

* JJ Williams, JJ Number 8, USA

* Nuttapon (Kenny) Yongkiettakul, Thailand

“We are very proud to be able to find and introduce these amazing emerging designers to the prestige jewelry industry,” said Centurion President Howard Hauben. “In addition to winning the competition, we offer the top retailers in the country the chance to meet these up‐and‐comers and view their award winning pieces.”

None of the winning designers has ever exhibited in a US Fine Jewelry trade show prior to Centurion 2011. Winning pieces were chosen by a popular vote of prestige retail jewelers in late 2010 based on their combination of uniqueness and salability. 

William Belack
Belack Jewelry Design 

www.belackjewelry.com

United States

786‐553‐4003

william@belackinc.com

Hand‐made jewelry using a conceptual design process, fusing natural stones along with ancient ideas and workmanship in the art of jewelry making. Pieces are created to fill a narrative within our design approach.

  

Pamela Harari

Pamela Harari Jewelry Design 

www.pamelaharari.com

Israel, +972‐523276319

pharari@netvision.net.il

Harari has been using different techniques, unusual rough materials for 28 years. Brought up in Leeds in the North of England, Pamela studied jewelry design at the Jacob Cramer College of Art, and then went on to do an apprenticeship in Paris before emigrating to Israel. Today, she lives and designs from her home in Kadima a small farming town in Israel. When choosing stones, she prefers the ones with little imperfections for that “little something” that makes them unique, and perfect in themselves. The idea is to use an element from nature or history and through the stone, color and cut, design the jewel. It starts by finding an exceptional stone, developing a design original in content, and then producing the piece ready for setting and finish. Her jewelry collection is created from pieces made with a mélange of materials of high carat gold and rare hand cut gems.

Amitai Kav 

www.amitaikav.com

Israel, +972‐2‐6794749

kavkatan@inter.net.il

Original and personal design in gold, inspired by the region ‐ the Egyption,  the Bedoin and Oriental elements. Born in 1941, Kibbutz Negba, Israel,  Amitai Kav is a self‐taught jeweler. His work is on display now at Mobilia  Gallery, Cambridge, Mass., Jewish Museum, New York City, Skirball Cultural  Center, Los Angeles, Luvaton–Kav Gallery, Jerusalem, and Shuki  Freiman Gallery, Jerusalem.

Valerie Ostenak 

VOSTENAKstudio

www.valerieostenak.com

USA, 928‐646‐7078

valerio@vostenakstudios.com

VOSTENAKstudios, a sole proprietorship, is focused on design of bespoke sculptural jewelry for discerning collectors, with some collections able to extend into high‐end design limited production markets. The use of steel speaks to the customer’s desire for an alternative to high karat gold while maintaining an exclusive and creative look, and incorporates those elements  they are familiar with: e.g., 14K, pearls, Swarovski crystals. Design style is organic and flowing. Inspired by the sensuous movement of roots, vines, and water, and the timeless seasonal changes of trees.

 JJ Williams

JJ Number8

www.jjnumber8.com

USA, 949‐636‐6975

jj@jjnumber8.com 

JJ Number 8 is fresh, graceful and elegant. It is a beautiful and inspiring collection. The number 8 symbolizes good luck and happiness. JJ Number 8’s jewelry has a powerful allure and its brand has a magnetic connection with women.

Nuttapon (Kenny) Yongkiettakul (top photo)

Thailand, +662‐243‐2446

nuttapon.y@gmail.com

With the contemporary approach to jewelry design, the collection displays the beauty of nature and the art within the irregularity and randomness of it. The collection harmonizes modern structures and ideas together with the uniqueness of shapes and patterns.