In Conversation With: Forevermark CEO and Diamond Producers Association chairman, Stephen Lussier

by IJL • July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

For the first time, International Jewellery London is introducing an exclusive and informative series of ‘In Conversation With’ Q&A sessions in the Inspiration Theatre and Successful Retailing rooms.

These talks will get to the bottom of changes and developments in the industry, while also giving visitors and exhibitors the chance to ask their own questions.

In Conversation With…Stephen Lussier, chief executive officer, Forevermark, and chairman, Diamond Producers Association.

Monday 1pm – Inspiration Theatre

Stephen Lussier, executive vice-president of marketing for De Beers, the chief executive officer of Forevermark and the chairman of the Diamond Producers Association, will sit down for a one-on-one conversation at International Jewellery London 2016.

Lussier will draw on his 30-years’ experience in the diamond industry to discuss various aspects of the trade, including the challenges ahead and the factors shaping the future of the market. He will also answer questions on innovations in the diamond industry and the importance of sourcing diamonds and gemstones responsibly.

Lussier will also share insights on the Diamond Producers Association and its new marketing campaign, ‘Real is Rare’, which was launched earlier this year.

This Q&A session with Lussier will follow an in-depth panel discussion on marketing diamonds to millennial consumers. Forevermark UK and Ireland country manager, Lisa Levinson, will be joining other industry experts to discuss the ways brands and suppliers can attract tech-savy and ethics-conscious customers.

On the subject of marketing diamonds to a new generation, Lussier says: “Consumer needs and ways of purchasing has dramatically changed over the last decade. Forevermark is embracing those changes, offering innovative solutions to make diamonds relevant for the generation to come. Anticipating the future, we constantly challenge assumptions through technology and marketing research to make diamonds sparkle forever.”

Find out more about this year’s seminar programme here.

Register to attend International Jewellery London here.

Diamond Producers Association Forevermark IJL 2016 In Conversation With seminar Stephen Lussier

Industry, News, People

In Conversation With: Theo Fennell and Tomasz Donocik hosted by Jos Skeates

by IJL • July 14, 2016

These talks will get to the bottom of changes and developments in the industry, while also giving visitors and exhibitors the chance to ask their own questions.

In Conversation With…Theo Fennell and Tomasz Donocik hosted by The Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council (GCDC) chairman Jos Skeates

Monday 10am – Inspiration Theatre

Meet these two award-winning and inspiring jewellers and hear more about their enviable careers, distinctive design styles and their relationships with the wider jewellery and silversmithing community.

This is definitely one not-to-be-missed by aspiring jewellers or those at the helm of an emerging brands.

Brian Hill, consultant secretary of the GCDC comments: “This ‘in conversation’ event promises to deliver another dimension and valuable addition to the IJL seminar programme. These three will create an inspiring, fun, informative and unique forum.”

Find out more about the IJL 2016 seminar programme here.

Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council IJL 2016 In Conversation With Inspiration Theatre Jos Skeates seminar Theo Fennell Tomasz Donocik

Industry, News

Free Sales App Trial: IJL partners with Pursuit to offer unique selling tool

by IJL • July 8, 2016July 8, 2016

International Jewellery London has collaborated with Pursuit Software to offer exhibitors access to a unique sales app for a two-month free trial.

This innovative selling tool has been designed exclusively for brand sales executives and wholesalers who want to enhance the quality of their sales presentations and the selling process in general.

A free trial period will be made available from August, ensuring that International Jewellery London exhibitors can benefit from the app during their time at Olympia Grand.

How does the app work?

The new Pursuit app works via an iPad or similar mobile device, ensuring it can travel with you whether you’re on the show floor at IJL or in the office. The app can hold all the details of your collections and the options within those collections, while allowing you to search for any specific requirements a potential customer or existing customer may have. Searches can hone-in on type of design, prices colours, stones, metals, as well as more specific variables, like different millimetres in ring sizes.

During the sales process, the app can provide a breakdown of ranges, matching styles and price brackets all at the touch of a button.Who is the app for?

The app has been specifically designed for jewellery and watch brand sales executives and wholesalers. Following extensive research, Pursuit uncovered that most existing business-to-business sales aid on mobile devices do not offer structured searches that focus on particular product categories, attributes or range permutations.

Pursuit’s app can be set up to hold details of all customers or restricted to customers of specific individual sales associates. New customers can also be added at any time, ensuring complete flexibility and ease of use. Plus, when there is no internet access or WiFi, customer orders will be stored and emailed the moment a connection is reestablished.

How do I sign up for the free trial?

To arrange a two-month free trial of the app, keep checking back to the IJL website for more details, visit signup.pursuit.co.uk or ring + 44 (0) 1603 263800. The dedicated app trial website will go live in August and will include a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Mike Burns, managing director of Pursuit Software, says: “Pursuit is delighted to be making the two-month free trail offer to jewellery and watch businesses in collaboration with IJL. Many brand and wholesaler sales executives, reps and agents will have witnessed Pursuit’s iPad-based till and stock system in operation when visiting retail customers. It is transforming the way staff of independents and multiples are able to steer the sale and interact with customers. The new app is making equivalent technology available to wholesalers and brands.”

What happens after the trial period?

After the trail period, users will be able to continue using the app for a monthly subscription per individual sales team member.

See Pursuit Software at IJL 2016 from 4th-6th September at Olympia Grand on Stand B71.

free trial International Jewellery London offer Pursuit software wholesale app

Industry, People

5 minutes with: Astley Clarke founder and chairman, Bec Astley Clarke

by IJL • July 8, 2016July 8, 2016

We look forward to welcoming British fine jewellery brand Astley Clarke to International Jewellery London this year.

Here, the brand’s founder and chairman, Bec Astley Clarke, discusses best-selling collections, consumer trends and why she’s decided to exhibit at IJL in 2016…

Q: What are your brand’s current best-sellers and what do you think makes them so successful?

BAC: Our Biography bracelets have been a best-selling collection from day one and continue to do amazingly well – they have become iconic to the Astley Clarke brand and we are globally recognised for our fringes of brightly coloured gemstone bracelets.

Each bracelet has a different symbolic meaning attributed to the gemstone or charm which proves super popular with our customers in an era when personalisation is king. In addition, we have a delicate pair of rose gold diamond hoop earrings that we just can’t keep in stock; nicknamed the Sienna hoop in the office (after their biggest advocate Sienna Miller), we are developing them in every colour metal and diamond imaginable to keep up with demand.

Q: Have you noticed any changes in customer tastes in recent months?

BAC: There are a few trends that we have seen emerging – the most prevalent of which is the rise in popularity of mismatched and single stud earrings. From what was a non-existent category for us three months ago, single studs and hoop earrings now account for almost 50% of all of our online earring sales and it is continuing to grow. Our customers just love to stack them up the ear in multiple piercings and in answer to the trend we are constantly developing pieces such as our Varro Honeycomb and Biography Stud collections.

Metal wise – rose gold shows no signs of slowing down and our sales in 14ct rose gold have now overtaken those of yellow gold. Our customers just love our subtle shade of rose as it isn’t overly pink and looks flattering against any skin tone.

Mismatched Fusion Interstellar Stud Earrings in 14kt gold and diamonds

Q: Astley Clarke has recently partnered with delivery service LOUM – can you tell us more about this and why you decided to be one of the first to test this out?

BAC: Astley Clarke is a pioneer in fine jewellery digital retailing; we are constantly looking for new ways to push the boundaries of innovation and partnerships such as LOUM are key to that development.

Q: What are your business aims for 2016 and are there any new collections that you’re excited to be launching this summer/AW16?

BAC: We have some exciting launches in the pipeline for A/W16 including a world first in diamond personalisation. That’s all I can say for now though, anymore and I would have to kill you…

Q: What inspired you to exhibit at IJL this year and what do you hope to achieve?

BAC: As our UK and International wholesale channel continues to grow, we felt it was important to showcase our collections to a wide audience of potential new partners and to strengthen our existing relationships with some of the most prestigious jewellery retailers both across the UK and internationally – IJL offers a great platform in which to do so.

Q: In terms of international expansion, what lessons have you learnt when it comes to growing the Astley Clarke name abroad?

BAC: Since the launch of wholesale a few years ago we have grown the channel rapidly, with the biggest expansion in the United States. One thing I have learned is that when it comes to what product works – every market is different, and even every state in the US is different – where a chunkier gold locket might work in Texas, the more refined pieces do better in New York. Trying to figure out the right store assortment for each location can be the hardest part.

Q: Finally, what would your advice me to emerging and start-up brands who are trying to make a name for themselves in this busy market? Should they be focusing on one thing in particular?

BAC: It is all about the product. Get that right and the rest will come.

See Astley Clarke at IJL 2016 from 4th-6th September at Olympia Grand on Stand S140.

Astley Clarke Bec Astley Clarke debut exhibitor fine jewellery