VALLEY JEWELER NAMED 2009 TOP RETAILER IN US FOR THIRD TIME

May 31, 2009 at the annual industry show in Las Vegas, JCK awarded French again with the 2009 Top Ten Designer Jewelry Retailer award.  Innovation, creativity and fresh design are what keep consumers excited and passionate about jewelry, according to Yancy Weinrich, Industry Vice President, JCK Las Vegas. "The retailers who are recognized by the exhibitors in the Design Center are particularly attuned to and passionate about presenting, merchandising and selling designer jewelry,” explains Weinrich.   “Therefore, being recognized by the exhibitors is quite an honor."

Thompson’s experiential jewelry gallery is earning local accolades as well.  The Arizona chapter of Fashion Group International, Inc. recently named French Designer Jewelry one of 10 Fashion and Design Industry Icons for its significant impact on the growth and success of the fashion industry in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix metro area over the last decade. He will be presented with the award at a Scottsdale gala in September.

In spite of all the industry accolades, Thompson continues to find it challenging to educate consumers about the value and beauty of designer versus mass-produced jewelry. “It’s more difficult to represent designers because much of the public is unaware of what designer jewelry is; exceptionally crafted, one-of-a-kind wearable art instead of mass produced pieces,” says Thompson.  “Those who do discover the difference learn to appreciate the exclusivity and quality of work from the premium gemstones to the unique designs. They learn that these are pieces to cherish.”  

VALLEY JEWELER NAMED 2009 TOP RETAILER IN US

February 5, 2009 (Scottsdale, AZ) French Designer Jeweler of Scottsdale, Arizona, has received the High Achievement Award for Best Designer Retailer of 2009 from Contemporary Design Group, the industry’s foremost authority on designer jewelry. The designer jewelry gallery, which showcases highly sought after, one-of-a-kind pieces created by some of the world’s leading jewelry designers, joins an illustrious group of previous winners including The Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, MH Reinhold Jewelers, and national retailer, Nordstrom.

The High Achievement Awards were established in 1996 to promote and honor the Best in the Designer Jewelry Industry in the areas of Jewelry Design, Designer Retailers, Designer Suppliers and Designer Advocacy.  The High Achievement Award Winners are selected and voted on by the membership of the Contemporary Design Group.

French Thompson, founder and owner of French Designer Jeweler, received the award at the annual International Gem Show held in Tucson, Arizona.   He says the honor only reinforces his passion for promoting some of the world’s greatest jewelry designers.  “It’s more difficult to represent designers because much of the public is unaware of what designer jewelry is; exceptionally crafted, one-of-a-kind wearable art instead of mass produced pieces,” says Thompson.  “Those who do discover the difference learn to appreciate the exclusivity and quality of work from the premium gemstones to the unique designs. They learn that these are pieces to cherish.” 

This is the second award French Designer Jeweler has garnered for its exceptional collection of bejeweled art.  In 2007, the gallery was named one of the top designer jewelry retailers in the country by JCK, the jewelry industry’s largest trade association.  French Designer Jeweler was the only Arizona jeweler recognized among the top ten and the only independent jewelry retailer in the state to make the top 50 list.  The gallery’s designer collection outranked national retail giants Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.