CJA Newsletter February 2007.pub

CHICAGO JEWELERS ASSOCIATION
CJA NEWS
February 2007
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Alvin L. Bell Jr.
(Freeman Jewelers)
Vice President
Howard Frum
(Howard Frum Jewelers)
Scholarship
Veronica Cardenas
(Cardenas Asset Mgmt.)
Past President
Gary Dolinko
(Mid-States Refining)
Secretary
Robert Sepiashvili
(SEP Jewelry Tools)
Treasurer
D. V. Rao
(Atlantic Diamond Co.)
Website Administrator
Ross Merritt
(Windy City Jewelry & Loan)
Membership Director
Don Strzepek
(Tucker Co.)
Board of Directors
Allen Lipscher
(Global Diamonds)
David H. Levine
(William Levine Fine Jewels)
M. Waseem
(A & B Watch Repair)
Sheldon Shapiro
(Sullivan Jewelry Co.)
Myriam Tashey
(Professional Gem Sciences)
Vincent A. Innocenti, Sr.
(The Berco Company)
Frank Ingram
(Ingram Jewelers)
Edited by:
Jenna Dalgety & Robert Logan
After
a
monthlong hiatus, we welcome you back with our
monthly newsletter! We at the CJA hope the
holidays were a profitable and enjoyable
time for you.
DEAR MEMBERS,
The CJA has conducted several exciting
board meetings in which we have laid the
groundwork and schedule for 2007. We are
excited to see general members taking initiative and assisting in the planning of events
and helping to shape the face of the CJA.
A few events I would like to highlight is the
CJA Vice President Howard Frum
first CJA Trade Fair on Wednesday, May
9th. This event is Run by the Chicago Jewelers Association with participation from
the Womens’ Jewelers Association. The event itself is only open to CJA, WJA and
JBT members. Please see the ad on page 3 of the newsletter for more information
about the Trade Fair.
Also of note, we have the upcoming Midwest Jewelry Expo, which will be held
March 24-25 in Madison, WI. The CJA has agreed to bring 50 new retailers to the
Expo. The retailers will receive a free night’s hotel stay at the hotel sponsor of the
expo. The CJA will receive a free table at the Expo as well as being listed as a
sponsor (which includes being mentioned in all publicity for the Expo). If you are
interested in participating or know of any industry retailers who might be, please
don’t hesitate to contact the CJA offices at (312) 834-0219 or email Jenna at
jenna@chicagoja.org.
Please also mark your calendars for the CJA’s annual meeting on Wednesday, May
23rd. Dinner is planned (with a venue TBD), as well as a brief speaker. We look
forward to seeing all of you at the meeting.
This year we are taking further strides to help network all members of the jewelry
industry here in Chicago. With so many niches, the CJA is aiming to be the organization that can help bridge the gaps between young and old, retail and wholesale
and any other different groups within the jewelry industry.
I have an open door policy and wish to express that to the CJA membership.
Please, any ideas, complaints and/or criticisms, don’t hesitate to contact me personally either in person (my shop is at 5 S. Wabash, Chicago, Suite 814) or by
phone (312-332-5999). I look forward to your vital input.
Tom Foody
(Oro International, Inc.)
-HOWARD FRUM
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MIDWEST JEWELRY EXPO UPDATE
Midwest Jewelry Expo Is Your Winning Combination
March 24th - 25th
The Midwest Jewelry Expo is gearing up to be your winning combination for purchasing, networking, educational programming and so much more. This five-state regional show is teaming up with three new sponsors:
The Chicago Jewelers Association, the Women’s Jewelry Association Midwest and the Women’s Jewelry Association Twin Cities.
New vendors will be bringing in designs never seen before and more buyers will hit the show isles as these
three new associations support the Midwest Jewelry Expo. Returning exhibitors are hoping the stock market
highs will infuse the jewelry industry with opportunities of consumers looking for that one unique piece.
Educational Programming will begin on Friday with a full day of GIA business programs covering Entrepreneurship, Management, Marketing and Advertising. Each segment will give you an in-depth look at what you
need to do to stay in business. A morning and afternoon hands-on session on Identifying Synthetic Diamonds
will also take place. On Sunday, world-renowned speaker Bryan Dodge will present “How to Build a Better
You”. The underlying thesis is: the only way a company or an organization will grow is if you grow. Once you
grow, everything around you grows. He is the author of two professional development programs. Bryan’s
presentations are dynamic, fun and high energy.
Mark Mann with Visual Communications will be presenting “950 Palladium:
Design, Service and Manufacturing Insights”. This will take place Sunday afternoon. With the increased use of 950 palladium for fine jewelry comes the
need for understanding its unique working characteristics. Designers, retailers
and bench jewelers will benefit from this presentation covering successful design for palladium, techniques for ring sizing, general service work and custom
order.
This is just a peak at some of the educational programming. Other programs
are in the works and you’ll be hearing about them soon. Lock in March 24-25
and plan to attend this show. Now is the time to spend one weekend to get the
most comprehensive training in two short days. Back by popular demand is
the “Tanks for Attending” gas card. We will actually give you $25 in free gas
just for taking the time to drive to the show. There’s more – In addition to the
$25 gas card, MJE is giving you the opportunity to win a brand new 2007 vehicle! More details to follow. Also come and browse our exciting Used Tool &
Equipment Room where you can find many bargains or use it as a good way to
get rid of things that have been taking up space.
There’s Even More! A selection of
dazzling specimens from the R. Harder
Gallery of Gems and Minerals will be on
display in a special, first-of-its-kind exhibit at the Midwest Expo in 2007. The
gallery, which is located in the lobby of
Jewelers Mutual’s home office in Neenah, Wisconsin, is one of the nation’s
largest private collections of gemstones
and minerals in their natural form. It
was recently renamed to honor Ron
Harder, the company’s CEO who will
retire in May, 2007.
Your winning combination – The Midwest Jewelry Expo!
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PAST CJA
ADVERTISING
SPONSORS
Global Diamond Co.
(312) 726-5500
A & B Watch Repair
(312) 263-9047
Professional Gem
Sciences
(312) 920-1541
Windy City Jewelry &
Loan
(773) 777-7222
Sullivan Watch &
Jewelry Co.
(312) 332-1489
Atlantic Diamond Co.
(312) 236-8521
One Service, Inc
(312) 924-7860
CJA TRADE FAIR
C J A MISSION
STATEMENT
Please join us for the first Midwest Trading Day! This
event is to be held on Wednesday, May 9th from
10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Jeweler’s Club (18th
floor) of the Mallers Building (5 S. Wabash, Chicago).
This is an opportunity for interested parties to come
and sell their wares and even more interested parties
to come and buy them. Members of the CJA and
WJA are eligible to rent tables and this event is open
to CJA, WJA and JBT members.
Those interested in renting a table: tables will be
available for $20. To sign up, please contact Jenna of
the CJA at (312) 834-0219 or jenna@chicagoja.org.
Also, cases are available through SEP Jewelry Tools
of Chicago. Please contact them at (312) 541-4554
for details.
Refreshments will be served and be sure to keep your
eyes peeled for further emails and flyers regarding the
Midwest Trading Day as we get closer to the date.
Please come out and help make our inaugural Trading Day a success!
To provide a forum
and business resources for the
jewelry industry so
that industry members can exchange
fundamental information and innovative ideas.
CONTACT INFO
For any questions comments and
concerns with the Newsletter or CJA
in general, please contact Jenna at:
28 E. Jackson Blvd., #408
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone (312) 641-5201
Fax (312) 834-0387
web: jenna@chicagoja.org
http://www.chicagoja.org
C J A FIXER
Has a vendor you use still not
shipped your merchandise?
Has a contractor you use not
completed the job? Do you
have a repairman that keeps
promising to do the job, only
to be still in need months
later? We here at the CJA
Fixer want to help you, our
CJA Fixer
members, with these probJenna Dalgety
lems. If you have a problem,
call us (312-834-0219) or email us
(jenna@chicagoja.org) and we will help you navigate the bureaucratic red tape that businesses can
get caught in.
Time is money and why waste that precious commodity on something as frustrating as a 5th rescheduling of a repair date? Let us help. We’ll take
the pressure off of you so you can focus on the
more important things. We’ll contact the party and
make sure the job gets done.
3
CRIME ALERT
The following is an article from January 17th’s Chicago Tribune. We at the CJA urge all of you readers to
please maintain extra vigilance in the wake of this travesty. It is a shock to hear of something like this happening to fellow industry members, not to mention in our own backyard, so to speak. Please, take care to
insure your safety, you business, your goods and your livelihood.
Fake jewel dealer grabs 3-carat gem
By David Heinzmann
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 17, 2007
The thief phoned first.
In a Russian accent, he told Jewelers Row shopkeepers that he was a diamond dealer from Toronto who
had met them at a Hong Kong convention, and he wished to see them about buying some gems.
The next day he showed up, and while looking at several precious stones laid before him on a desk, he
swiped one into a bag in his lap, Chicago police said.
The 3-carat stone was worth $60,000, the victims told police.
The whole thing was caught on security video, and police on Tuesday released images of the unknown
thief, who they suspect may be connected to Russian organized-crime circles, said Sgt. Ed Wodnicki.
The robbery happened in mid-afternoon on Jan. 9 at a jewelry store in the 5 S. Wabash Ave. building.
While the man sat at a desk with a woman who worked in the shop showing him several stones, he used
sleight of hand and a piece of paper momentarily laid over the stones to whisk the diamond off the desktop,
Wodnicki said.
He then told the store employee that he would return the next day to "conclude business" and walked out,
police said.
Like a handful of other addresses nearby, 5 S. Wabash is home to numerous jewelry stores, gem traders
and diamond cutters and artists. Because of the manner in which the man made contact prior to robbing the
store, police believe he probably spent some time studying various jewelers in the area and decided the
shop might be vulnerable to a ruse, Wodnicki said.
He left no fingerprints at the scene.
Although gems are a popular target for thieves, the theft does not appear to be part of a pattern, Wodnicki
said.
Based on the images in the security video, police said, the man is 5 foot 11, 230 to 250 pounds, with black
hair, a small bald spot and a thick neck. In the video he was wearing a dark overcoat.
---------dheinzmann@tribune.com
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
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C J A MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
LEO BACHRACH & SON
Having trained at the Zeichenakadamie in Hanau, Germany and becoming a platinum and goldsmith, Leo
Bachrach was 20 years old when he arrived in Chicago in
1936. He worked for some well known, old established
firms (Lackritz, Hefliger, Levinson, Prosel Bros.) before
starting his own firm in 1944. At 90 years old, Leo still
does some bench work.
Leo Bachrach’s specialty has always been fine craftsmanship; when he learned the trade, wax models were not as
in vogue as they are today. He has always specialized in
handmade, one-of-a-kind creations. He has worked together with his wife, Audrey, who has a fine sense of color
and design, and with his son, Mark, who has been at the
firm since 1977. Mark handles the day-to-day affairs of
the store and both Leo and Audrey come in part-time.
There are also two part-time assistants.
(from left to right) Audrey, Mark and Leo Bachrach
Having been in business for 62 years has enabled Leo Bachrach and his family to establish a solid reputation.
The store has clients who are the great grandchildren of come of Leo’s original customers; rare in today’s world. It
is this kind of customer loyalty that helps make the specialty work so rewarding and enjoyable, hopefully to continue for many, many years.
Leo A. Bachrach & Son · 55 E. Washington, Suite 801 · Chicago, Illinois ·
60602 · 312-263-3111
Leobachrachjewelers.com · mark@leobachrachjewelers.com
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Wanna Buy A Watch?
Wanna Sell A Watch?
Rolex - Patek - Cartier - IWC - Etc.
Sales - Purchases- Appraisals - Restorations
The CJA Scholarship Fund needs
money!
Jewelers have a great reputation for
their generosity. Help youngsters gain
a college education by giving to the CJA
Scholarship Fund.
Your donation is tax deductible.
Please send all donations to:
Howard Frum Jewelers
CJA
28 E. Jackson Blvd, #408
Chicago, IL 60604
5 S. Wabash, Suite 814
Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 332-5999
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TIP OF THE MONTH
IN THE INDUSTRY. . .
Do you have a plan for your
diamond purchases?
JVC: IRS will soon examine industry AML
January 25, 2007
programs
New York—The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
will begin examining jewelry-industry anti-moneylaundering (AML) programs in the fourth quarter of
this year, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC)
r
e
p
o
r
t
s
.
At a JVC seminar at the JA New York Winter Show
on Monday, IRS representative Kim Buggs said the
IRS cannot conduct an AML audit and an 8300 Aud i t
a t
t h e
s a m e
t i m e .
Buggs emphasized the need for jewelers to gather
up-to-date information such as contact numbers
and government-issued identification cards for all
new customers and vendors. IRS examiners will
need to see how jewelers are identifying, detouring
and reporting possible money-laundering activities,
s
h
e
s
a
i
d
.
Jewelers must file Suspicious Activity Reports with
the IRS if they become suspicious of vendors or
customers, especially new ones, Buggs said. Suspicious activities include: repeatedly paying in large
cash sums, evasive behavior, failed phone numbers or identification, and requests that could hide
transactions from the IRS or
b r e a k
t h e
l a w .
The JVC helped the IRS develop
its AML examiner's manual.
Gary Dolinko
Account Executive/Trader
847-298-0010 ex31
www.midstatesrecycling.com
By Allen Lipscher of Global Diamonds
(312)726-5500
Attending jewelry shows not only gives
you an opportunity to buy but also offers
a chance to see what new items are being created for sale by many sources without cost.
When it comes to the most expensive part of your inventory, Loose Diamonds, do you use the same care in selection of your purchases as you do with other parts of
your inventory such as gold chain, pearl strands?
After many years of asking questions and looking at store
diamond inventory, I conclude that there are 5 main reasons you have a loose diamond in your stores.
•
•
•
•
•
You inherited it with the store
It was a “trade in” on a watch
It was a lay-a-way and the customer backed out and
you couldn’t return it
You took memos from the same dealers many times
and didn’t sell anything so you felt guilty and bought
one.
You made a “diamond buying” trip and sort of had a
minimum buy requirement
That is not to say any of this inventory is wrong or overpriced, but does it fill a need. Was it “on your plan”? Do
you have a plan for “core inventory” to have in your store?
Make a plan for what you would like to own and when you
visit your next Trade Show…try to add a few that you decided you need for your store.
Cost comparisons are easy when there are numerous
competitors vying for your business.
The best profit is made by “Buying Right.”
RSVP TO THE CJA TRADE FAIR
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 ● 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ● 5 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60603, 18th Floor
Please send completed form to:
BUSINESS NAME: _______________________________________
Mail: 28 E. Jackson Blvd.
Fax: (312) 834-
TABLE (PLEASE CIRCLE):
#408, Chicago, IL, 60603
0387
YES
NO
PERSON(S) ATTENDING: __________________________________________________________________________
FAX: _________________________
EMAIL:___________________________________________
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March 24-25 - The Midwest Jewelry
Expo now has a date! All retailers
interested in attending, please contact the CJA offices, as there are incentive packages involved which include: a free night’s stay at the hotel
sponsor of the Expo and a $100 gift
certificate to use at the Expo. More
and more info is coming out for the
Expo, so please feel free to check in
with the CJA offices for the latest.
Expect a large article on the Expo in
next month’s newsletter. And remember, the CJA is a proud sponsor
of this event, so let’s show them a
little of what Chicago’s jewelry industry is about!
May 9 - The CJA’s first Trade Fair
will be held in the Mallers Building (5
S. Wabash, Chicago) from 10:00
a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Come in and shop
or network. This event is open to
CJA, WJA and JBT members only.
Please see the article on page 3 for
further information on becoming an
exhibitor.
May 23rd - CJA annual meeting.
Please join us for an evening of food,
drinks, networking and, of course, all
things CJA. More info to follow as
things get firmed up, so keep an eye
out via email, newsletter or other
mailings. We would love to have all
of our membership in attendance and
promise good company and good
times. Of course a portion of the
time will be set aside for a brief
agenda and a brief guest speaker as
well.
RECAP OF BOARD MEETING 1/24/07
CJA Trade Fair: Howard Frum introduced the subject of a trade fair.
The event will take place on Wednesday May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
in the Jewelers Club. The cost to exhibitors will be $20 per table.
Reservations will be handled by Jenna and Robert at (312) 834-0219.
Checks can be made out to the CJA and mailed to: CJA, 28 E. Jackson, Suite 408, Chicago, IL 60604. Members of the Women’s Jewelry
Association and the Jewelers Board Trade will be invited to participate.
Refreshments will be light, and include some non-perishable goods
and supplies left over from the seminars event.
.
Scholarship Committee: Veronica Cardenas reported that the current balance in the scholarship fund is $40,000 and that there are no
outstanding claims. After some discussion the board voted to fund
two four year scholarships for $1,000 a year.
CJA Dinner/Annual Meeting: A proposal was raised to hold a CJA
dinner with speakers, combined with the annual meeting. The date will
be Wednesday, May 23. The suggested schedule is 6:00 drinks, 7:00
meeting which will last for ten minutes or less, followed by dinner.
Midwest Jewelry Expo: The Midwest Jewelry Expo will be held
March 24 and 25 in Madison, Wisconsin. The CJA has committed to a
goal of bringing 50 retailers to the show who have never been there
before. Jenna distributed a list of local retailers with past attendees
marked. The MJE will provide one free night in a hotel for each new
retailer we bring. They are also providing the CJA with a free booth
which needs volunteers to work.
Next Meeting: The next board of directors meeting will be on
Wednesday, April 11 at 5 p.m.
7
C J A MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
THE TUCKER COMPANY
Located in the heart of Chicago’s historic
Jeweler’s Row, The Tucker Company was
founded in 1935 by Herman Tucker as a
premium gift house. Under the guidance of
his sons Sherman and Norman Tucker, the
Tucker Company evolved.
Today, under the direction of Mr. Donald
Strzepek, the Tucker Company’s mission is
to continue to be one of the Midwest’s finest
diamond houses and supplier of high end
fine jewelry. Mr. Strzepek has degrees
from DePaul University and The Gemological Institute of America.
Victor Martinez, Sherman Tucker, Don Strzepek and Vania
Mr. Victor Martinez (Graduate Gemologist
GIA/Designer) has taken on the innovative role of lead designer and buyer. Mr. Martinez’s designs and creations
have been seen and worn both locally and nationally. Mr. Martinez has entered his fine jewelry pieces and cufflinks in several national and international competitions. Mr. Martinez has degrees from The International Academy
of Design and Technology and The Gemological Institute of America in Carsbad, California.
The Tucker Company has been doing business for over three generations and will continue to be a leader in the
industry for the next generations.
The Tucker Company - 5 S. Wabash Ave. · Suite 507 · Chicago, Illinois · 60603 · 312-263-3315
JOIN THE C J A TODAY
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:
__ ONE YEAR ($100)
__ TWO YEAR($150)
PLEASE MAIL PAYMENT TO:
CHICAGO JEWELERS ASSOC.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
__ CHECK ENCLOSED
28 E. JACKSON BLVD., #408
__ BILL MY CREDIT CARD
CHICAGO, IL 60604
FAX: (312) 834-0387
CREDIT CARD TYPE: (Circle One) VISA MASTERCARD
CREDIT CARD NUMBER: __________________________
EXPIRATION DATE: _______________
NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD: __________________________________________________
SIGNATURE ______________________________________________________________________________________
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