Whiteflash articles archive for June 2007

"Rockdoc" Bill Lieberum Passes Away at 59 "Rockdoc" Bill Lieberum Passes Away at 59

27 Jun 2007 12:00

"Rockdoc" Bill Lieberum Passes Away at 59 Bill “Rockdoc” Lieberum, who passed away June 20 at the age of 59, was interred in his home state of Florida today. Well-known to internet bloggers for sharing professional opinions and advice at no charge, Lieberum was a specialist in consumer fraud and appeared as a court witness and on radio and TV talk shows over many years to expose “shady practices” in the diamond and jewelry business. He was a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist, a former American Gem Society retail store owner, and Certified Gemologist Appraiser. A music lover, Lieberum was also an accomplished pianist who enjoyed playing jazz and rock and roll. Lieberum started in the trade in 1979 by polishing rings and working for a colored stone dealer. He closed his retail store and became an independent appraiser in the mid 1980s. Since that time he had worked to help thousands of consumers make intelligent decisions when buy

CRJP Explains 2008 System CRJP Explains 2008 System

CRJP Explains 2008 System From CRJP, London, UK – The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (CRJP), which promotes responsible ethical, social and environmental practices throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain, held its annual general meeting (AGM) and a stakeholder meeting in London on 14 May 2007. The stakeholder meeting was attended by nearly 20 organizations, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and representatives of the worldwide diamond and gold jewellery industry. The stakeholder session, arranged by CRJP’s leadership team and attended by many CRJP members as well, was held to give stakeholders the opportunity to comment on CRJP’s planned introduction of a third-party monitoring system in 2008. CRJP CEO Michael Rae conducted the AGM and facilitated the stakeholder meeting, with input from CRJP Chairman Matthew A. Runci, CRJP committee chairs and secretariat staff. CRJP member firms have pledged to hire independent, third-party m

Exhibits, Poster at GIA Collection Booth in Las Vegas Exhibits, Poster at GIA Collection Booth in Las Vegas

05 Jun 2007 12:00

Exhibits, Poster at GIA Collection Booth in Las Vegas JCK Show attendees who stop by the GIA Collection booth (No. 34548 at the AGTA GemFair Cultured Pearl & Jewelry Pavilion) during the show can pick up the limited-edition 2007 GIA Collection poster. The free poster features Bradley Weber’s 2002 AGTA Spectrum Award–winning ring titled “Neptune’s Birth.” The ring will be on display at the booth as part of an exhibit of loose cultured pearls and cultured pearl jewelry from sources such as French Polynesia, the South Seas, Japan, China, and the United States. These pieces are all donations to the GIA Collection. Also at the GIA Collection booth, GIA research associate Al Gilbertson will be discussing his upcoming book, American Cut: The First 100 Years. This volume traces the history of American diamond cutting from 1860 to 1960 and focuses on the evolution of what is now known as the “Ideal Cut.”Gilbertson will be on hand May 31 and June 1, accompanied by inst

GIA Board Releases Record Funding for Scholarships GIA Board Releases Record Funding for Scholarships

05 Jun 2007 12:00

GIA Board Releases Record Funding for Scholarships From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Board of Governors has released record funding for 2008 scholarships in the amount of $297,000 from the GIA Endowment Fund. This disbursement will fund approximately 49 new scholarships in the GIA Schools of Business, Gemology, and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts (both On Campus and Distance Education). This additional funding will allow the Institute to provide a total of 91 scholarships in 2008. For the first time ever, GIA scholarship funding will be set aside for international Distance Education gemology students and those wishing to enroll on campus at GIA London and GIA India. The Institute will also expand its current scholarship program in the United States. In preparation for awarding international scholarships, the Institute is addressing the local tax and legal issues in each country. "We are thrilled to be expand

GIA Offers New Diamond Grading Services GIA Offers New Diamond Grading Services

05 Jun 2007 12:00

GIA Offers New Diamond Grading Services From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is introducing several new diamond grading services and restructuring its diamond grading fee structure. These changes will become effective June 4, 2007. “The GIA Laboratory is committed to bringing the best possible laboratory services to our clients,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research. “We’re working on several levels to bring this about: from offering new services at new prices to expanding our geographic base to be closer to our customers.” First, GIA is expanding the range of the carat weight size of its Diamond Grading Report services that will now be offered on diamonds weighing 0.15 ct and larger while the GIA Diamond Dossier® Services (as GIA announced last week) will be offered on diamonds weighing 0.15 ct to 1.99 ct. Fees vary by carat weight. GIA is also int

GIA Plans Global Expansion GIA Plans Global Expansion

05 Jun 2007 12:00

GIA Plans Global Expansion From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced that its Board of Governors, here for a biannual governance meeting, has approved plans for GIA to expand its global footprint. The organization will now initiate efforts to strengthen its international presence with new state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers as well as educational facilities in Southeast Asia, southern Africa, and other regions across the globe. In addition, GIA will add diamond grading services to its existing world-class laboratory and research center in Bangkok, Thailand. According to Ralph Destino, chairman of GIA, expansion is necessary to deliver on GIA’s mission of upholding the highest standards in gems and jewelry. “The plan will allow GIA to address the rapidly growing significance of gemological centers around the world, while also responding to requests from regional government and trade leaders al

Helzberg Rewards Good Samaritan Helzberg Rewards Good Samaritan

18 Jun 2007 12:00

Helzberg Rewards Good Samaritan Helzberg Diamonds will be awarding $10,000 to a man who turned in a lost cargo bag with over $260,000 worth of jewelry in it. The Midwest Airlines employee who found it on the ground after his shift ended on June 11, 2007 discovered the valuables and turned it over to police. In appreciation for the man’s honesty Helzberg is awarding him the money and will be making an additional $5000 donation to a local court advocate group in the man’s name.

JCK Fair Trade Jewelry Conference Highlights Sustainable Options JCK Fair Trade Jewelry Conference Highlights Sustainable Options

18 Jun 2007 12:00

JCK Fair Trade Jewelry Conference Highlights Sustainable Options The Rapaport Fair Trade Conference at the JCK Las Vegas Show, highlighted viable options for the creation of sustainable development jewelry. Panelists from various organizations presented their views on the growth of global fair trade, the need for sustainable development in Africa and the accompanying demographic and labor issues. In addition, the conference looked at consumer interest in fair trade as well as the growing visibility of the concept in the business and media sectors. Lourens Maré, CEO of the Jewellery Council of South Africa, and Demos Takoulas, CEO and founder of Vukani-Ubuntu Community Development Projects, both stressed the critical role that fair trade jewelry could play in facilitating sustainable development initiatives. They explained that fair labor practices and local manufacturing of jewelry could bring employment opportunities and other benefits to local communities.

Recruiting at GIA's Jewelry Career Fair Recruiting at GIA's Jewelry Career Fair

05 Jun 2007 12:00

Recruiting at GIA's Jewelry Career Fair From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – For seventeen years, GIA's Jewelry Career Fair, regarded as the industry’s premier recruiting event, has offered unprecedented hiring opportunities for gem and jewelry businesses. This year, Career Fair will be held on Friday, July 27, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York and on Friday, Oct. 19, at GIA’s Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, Calif. Career Fair will again offer firms the perfect opportunity to recruit and hire some of the industry’s most skilled and talented candidates. Employers participating in GIA’s 2007 Jewelry Career Fair meet face to face with hundreds of qualified and highly motivated jewelry industry job hunters, including GIA graduates eager to launch their careers. Top firms such as Tiffany & Co., Fortunoff, Zale Corporation, Iridesse, and The Bell Group–Rio Grande are among the many who have already registered to attend. Employers who recruit at Car

Susan Johnson Elected to ACCSCT Susan Johnson Elected to ACCSCT

18 Jun 2007 12:00

Susan Johnson Elected to ACCSCT From GIA, Carlsbad, Calif. – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) today announced that Susan B. Johnson, GIA’s director of education administration, has been elected school commissioner by the membership of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). Johnson will begin serving as part of a team of 13 ACCSCT commissioners starting July 1, 2007. The announcement marks the first time that a GIA staff member has been elected to a position on ACCSCT’s governing board. Brook Ellis, GIA’s vice president of education, serves on the governing board of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and was recently presented with their distinguished service award. GIA holds dual accreditation, with both the ACCSCT and the DETC. According to Donna Baker, president of GIA, both executives epitomize GIA’s continuing commitment to the highest levels of academic quality. “Susan has d

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