10 Years Ago Time Machine: <strong>March</strong> 2014 A snapshot of the industry events making headlines this time 10 years ago in <strong>Jeweller</strong>. Historic Headlines Pandora jewellery seeks new chairman Game of Thrones jewellery range announced Consumer interest grows for smartwatches, smart jewellery Aussie jewellery suppliers announce merger Gold jewellery demand highest in 16 years Google confirms entry into watch market Google has confirmed its entry into the watch market with the first preview of a new smartwatch and its wearable technology while Fossil Group will be one of the first developers. Google is currently in the process of developing Android Wear, an extension of the Android operating system into wearable technology, and has been quick to partner with leading fashion watchmaker Fossil Group as well as Motorola and LG. According to Google’s blog, its first Android Wear offering will be in the form of watches because they are “the most familiar wearable”. Smartwatches powered by Android Wear will provide information and notifications from a wide variety of Android applications. $36 million Fabergé egg found at flea market A man planning to melt a gold ornament purchased at a flea market was shocked to discover it was actually a Fabergé egg valued at $36 million. According to media reports, the scrap metal dealer, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased the egg at a market in the United States for about US$14,000 (AU$15,500). Having been unsuccessful in finding a buyer for the egg’s gold, the dealer reportedly turned to the internet and was stunned after a keyword search revealed he might be in possession of a precious historical artwork. When the man approached London-based antique dealer Wartski, the dealer not only confirmed that the piece was a genuine Peter Carl Fabergé egg, but that it was one of eight Imperial Easter Eggs that had been lost. <strong>March</strong> 2014 ON THE COVER ICE WATCH Editor’s Desk More changes needed at jeweller's association “The past two to three years have not been a positive period for the peak industry body. In fact, I would go as far as saying it’s been an inglorious period. At a time when the Australian jewellery industry should be united, it has been anything but united. The disunity reached a peak in May 2012 when the JAA was seen to turn on its own members.” Soapbox Get behind Australian manufacturing “At my peak, I had 24 people on the manufacturing site and another 50 contractors also getting work. The industry was supporting each other and we were all making money. Now, everyone is struggling. I am down to three people in manufacturing and my colleagues are either in similar positions or have closed completely and are now working in other industries. Retailers aren’t doing much better either. Profits are down and the local industry has been in decline for almost two decades!” Aram Atakliyan, Australian Designer <strong>Jeweller</strong>y STILL RELEVANT 10 YEARS ON “In any sale, the customer or prospect makes a predictable series of buying decisions that lead to a final purchasing decision. The first and perhaps most important of these is whether or not the customer “buys” what the salesperson is saying.” Positive outcome for jewellery fair The first Australian jewellery fair for 2014 drew to a close yesterday, with those in attendance reporting overall positive results and support for the many changes that were introduced to the event. An obvious change for the two-day show was the relocation from Brisbane to the Gold Coast - a decision that was embraced by all the exhibitors interviewed by <strong>Jeweller</strong>. Costas Karabouloukis, director of The Amber Centre, said that the supplier gained a number of new accounts from retailers that were located in Sydney in Melbourne. “The fact that these customers weren’t from Queensland is proof that people are definitely travelling interstate to attend the show. I think a lot of people are using the fair as an opportunity to combine business with pleasure,” he explained. Aussie jewellery suppliers announce merger Two local suppliers specialising in jewellery tools and equipment will merge their business operations to form one company. Both Australian <strong>Jeweller</strong>s Supplies (AJS) and House of <strong>Jeweller</strong>y (HOJ) will now trade under the business name Australian <strong>Jeweller</strong>s Supplies, effective from Tuesday 1 April 2014. Current HOJ managing director Selwyn Brandt confirmed the arrangement, adding that the company’s head office would be located in Brisbane, with additional branches in all capital cities. The current AJS and HOJ showrooms in Sydney will be combined into one outlet. READ ALL HEADLINES IN FULL ON JEWELLERMAGAZINE.COM 28 | <strong>March</strong> <strong>2024</strong>
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