AGTA NewsFlash 

July 23, 2009

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Fraud Alert
A woman named Dina Garfinkel (aka Rachel Garfinkel aka Dina Lebovitch) has allegedly been conducting fraudulent business in the jewelry industry for the past three years, which has affected several AGTA Members. AGTA has been in contact with the NYPD and the Jewelers Security Alliance regarding this woman and have the following update. Ms. Garfinkel has been arrested in the State of New York, charged with felony grand theft, but was recently seen in the Los Angeles jewelry district. The AGTA has received a request from the New York Organized Fraud Task Force, who is investigating the case, for any additional information you may have regarding this person. If you have done business with her, please contact the head of the task force, Sergeant Guginski at 917-418-8690.

 

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AGTA Offers Members Special Pricing Incentive at GTC
The AGTA, in an effort to assist their Members in this very difficult business environment, is providing Special Purchase Prices for lab services at the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (GTC).

The AGTA GTC is extending this offer exclusively to all AGTA Members in appreciation of the support they have shown the AGTA through their 2009 Membership dues and GemFair Tucson booth fees.

For example, if a Firm Member paid $1,000 in dues and $5,000 in GemFair Tucson booth fees, for a combined total of $6,000, AGTA will apply half of the dues and booth fees toward the purchase of up to $6,000 in laboratory reports, making the net cost $3,000. The regular price of each individual report will be reduced by 50%. Members who do not exhibit in Tucson, as well as AGTA Retail Members, will receive the same Special Purchase Price package. For example, a Retail Member would be able to purchase $350 (annual dues) worth of AGTA GTC reports for $175.

This tremendous Member Benefit not only adds value to their Membership but to their inventory as well. AGTA GTC colored gemstone reports are one of the most powerful selling tools Members have to increase customer confidence in the company and the product.

"We know times are challenging right now, and this is our way of helping each and every one of our Members generate more business," states Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. "It is also our way of saying ‘Thanks’ for the support you have shown to the AGTA."

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Visit AGTA Pavilion at JA NY Summer Show
The AGTA will once again host a pavilion of colored gemstone and cultured pearl suppliers at the JA New York Summer Show, July 26-29, 2009. AGTA exhibitors have had a presence at the JA Show for over twenty years.

The AGTA Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Pavilion provides buyers with the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of gemstones, pearls and finished jewelry from the most respected dealers in the industry. Buyers can also shop with confidence knowing that all of their transactions with AGTA Members are backed by the AGTA Code of Ethics.


AGTA Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Pavilion Exhibitors:

James Alger Co., Inc.: 1464
American Gem Trade Association: 1669
Colorline, Inc.: 1563-1565
Creative Beads, Inc.: 1575
D. S. L. Pearl, Inc.: 1569
Forever Creations USA, Inc.: 1476
Kanchan Impex, Inc.: 1578
The Kay El Company, Inc.: 1461-1463
Malhotra, Inc.: 1462
Oriental Gemco, (NY) Inc.: 1662
Pala International, Inc.: 1661-1663
Royal Gems, Inc.: 1570-1574
S & S Gems, Inc.: 1664
S. P. B. Gems, Inc.: 1472
Shaun Gems International, Ltd.: 1561
Vista Gems: 1471-1473
White Cloud Co.: 1665
Yen's Jewelry & Accessories: 1562-1564


For more information, email shows@agta.org or call AGTA at 800-972-1162.

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AGTA Launches Two Online Forums
The AGTA has launched two new online forums. One forum is an AGTA Members Only Forum at www.agta.org, while the other is a public forum at www.gemstoneforums.com.

"We established the public site to encourage the sharing of ideas in gemstone research, answer gemstone questions and discuss issues of the day," stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. "The Members Only site provides AGTA Members a higher degree of privacy to discuss AGTA and trade-related issues."

The Gemstone Forums site is free but requires registration to participate. The primary goal of the site is that it will be a central place for the industry to share knowledge on current research and issues affecting the colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry.

AGTA Members can access the Members Only forum by clicking on the red "Members Only Forum" button on the lower left side of www.agta.org home page. Once registered, Members can read and write posts in thirteen different categories, including topics such as Education, Trade Shows, Marketing, Government Affairs, Security Alerts and Spectrum Awards.

For additional information on these forums, email info@agta.org.

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