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Gerald Celente |
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Gerald Celente, Founder/Director
The Trends Research Institute
Gerald Celente is the founder/director of The Trends Research Institute and a trends expert, visionary, and speaker. He is trusted worldwide as a leading authority on forecasting, analyzing and tracking consumer trends, and has appeared on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America as well as numerous cable and radio programs as an expert in the field of consumer behavior. Celente is author of Trends 2000, Trend Tracking (Warner Books) and publisher of the Trends Journal®.
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Ralph Destino |
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Ralph Destino, Chairman
Gemological Institute of America
Ralph Destino has served as the chairman of the Gemological Institute of America since December 2005. Previously, he served as Chairman of the GIA’s Board of Governors. Destino is Chairman Emeritus of Cartier, Inc., a luxury goods business, since January 2000. From 1985 to 1999, Destino served as Chairman of Cartier, Inc. and from 1974 to 1985 he served as President of Cartier (Far East), Ltd. and Cartier, Inc. Destino holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College as well as an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Johnson and Wales University. He is a native of Providence, Rhode Island.
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Neal Goldberg |
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Neal Goldberg, President and CEO
Zale Corporation
Neal Goldberg has 27 years of experience in the retail industry, having served in senior roles at Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret and Gap Inc. Before joining Zale in December 2007, he served as president of The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of high quality, value-priced apparel and accessories for children where he was responsible for overseeing marketing, store operations and all aspects of the merchandising process. He also served as president of Gap Inc.’s Outlet Division, overseeing 220 stores across the Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic brands with combined sales of over $1 billion. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland.
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Rahul Kadakia |
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Rahul Kadakia, Senior Vice President
Christie’s Americas
Rahul Kadakia, was appointed head of Christie’s Jewelry Department for Christie’s Americas in 2004, having joined the company as a jewelry specialist at the London office in 1996. Transferred to Switzerland in 1998, he became closely involved with the organization and success of the Geneva and St. Moritz jewelry sales, primarily through his network of Middle Eastern clients. Kadakia has been responsible for numerous important sales, including Barbara Hutton’s natural pearl necklace, formerly the property of Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France, which achieved a world record price of $1.47 million. In 2005, he was responsible for the sale of the Rose of Dubai, a spectacular 25.02 ct. fancy pink diamond sold at New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale that fetched a staggering $240,000 per carat. Kadakia is an internationally recognized jewelry auctioneer and holds the hammer for all major sales in Geneva, Hong Kong, London and New York.
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Rajiv Mehta |
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Rajiv Mehta, CEO, Dimexon Diamonds
Executive Director, Eurostar Diamonds
Rajiv Mehta, joined his family’s business at the age of 19. In 2004, he introduced initiatives to build internal capabilities and corporate governance. He represents the new generation of Indian diamantaires. Dimexon Diamonds is one of India’s largest diamond exporters. Based in Mumbai, Dimexon has a cutting factory in southern India with over 4,500 employees and retails jewelry in India under the brand “Kirtilals.” Eurostar Diamonds, based in Antwerp, is one of the largest exporters of diamonds from Belgium. With 4,300 employees, Eurostar has the largest diamond polishing factory in China. In 2001, Eurostar formed a strategic partnership with the "Hearts on Fire" brand.
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Mark Moeller |
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Mark Moeller, CEO, R.F. Moeller Jeweler
President, American Gem Society
Mark Moeller, is the president of the American Gem Society and an outspoken advocate for the independent jeweler. Chief executive officer of Minnesota’s R.F. Moeller Jeweler, Moeller took control of his family’s jewelry business in 1991 and built it into a three-store, $12 million enterprise. An industry expert in jewelry store management and a certified appraiser, Moeller is a firm believer in the ability of jewelers to add value to diamonds. Moeller also serves on the board of the AGS Laboratory. In 2006, he was awarded the AGS’ highest honor, The Robert M. Shipley Award.
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Martin Rapaport |
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Martin Rapaport, CEO
The Rapaport Group
Martin Rapaport, The Rapaport Group is a leading international diamond and jewelry organization. Established in 1978, the Rapaport Diamond Report is the primary source of diamond price and market information. Group activities include information, research and marketing services, global diamond trading services, RapNet® Diamond Trading Network and INDEX® Internet Diamond Exchange at www.diamonds.net. Martin Rapaport is a leading diamond expert, lecturer and active public policy advocate. He is a strong supporter of fair trade, African development, and open, competitive diamond markets. Most recently he founded the Fair Trade Diamond and Jewelry Association, which he created to help establish fair trade practices for artisanal diamond and gold miners in Sierra Leone.
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Dr. James E. Shigley |
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Dr. James E. Shigley, Distinguished Research Fellow
Gemological Institute of America
Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. Prior to joining GIA in 1982, Dr. Shigley studied geology as an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, and later received his doctorate in geology from Stanford University. He is the author of articles on diamonds and other gemstones, and is a well-known speaker on gemological topics to both professional and general audiences. Dr. Shigley helps direct GIA’s research activities on the identification of natural, synthetic, and treated diamonds, colored stones and pearls.
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Victor Van Der Kwast |
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Victor Van Der Kwast
International Diamond and Jewelry Group
Victor Van Der Kwast is the CEO of the globally operating Business Unit International Diamond and Jewelry Group of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., a global organization covering 10 locations including the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, China, UAE and South Africa. Van Der Kwast has been with AMB AMBRO since 1984 and most recently managed the bank’s Group Due Diligence Management (GDDM). He has held a range of assignments in ABN AMRO, throughout Europe and the Middle East.
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
Order DVD
Full conference day features: $100
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