GEM Certification & Assurance Lab Parent Company CEO Delivers CIBJO/United Nations Speech
New York (October 31, 2007) – In a speech delivered on October 29, 2007, at the CIBJO
meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Michael Haynes,
Chief Executive Officer of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT), parent company of
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, Inc. (GCAL), stated that the luxury market for jewelry
was capable of the economic support that could provide better employment and living
conditions for workers in the countries producing materials used in jewelry.
CEO Michael Haynes giving a speech at UN headquarters in Geneva
“In essence, we see a channel that transfers wealth from the one end, the retail customer,
to the other end, the original sources of the products, using commercial entities in between
the two ends of the channel to affect the transfer,” explained Mr. Haynes as he opened his
remarks. “In the case of our jewelry markets, the retail product is the jewelry, a luxury
product, and on one end of the channel there are the retail consumers, generally described
as ‘luxury market’ or “wealthy’ consumers. The commercial entities affecting the transfer are
retailers, distributors and manufacturers, while on the other end of the channel the source
of the jewelry materials is the mining businesses and their employees.”
In describing the opportunity with the retail consumer, Mr. Haynes cited three sources of
research and information: the Harvard Business School Press in a book entitled
Authenticity; the Merrill Lynch and CapGemini 2007 World Wealth Report; and the Luxury
Institute’s research of October 2007 titled “The Wealth Report.”
“Here are our conclusions about the jewelry markets,” Mr. Haynes summarized, “and the
available economic support from the luxury market or wealthy consumer:
- Wealthy consumers consider jewelry an important and integral asset in the net worth of
the family;
- Wealthy consumers will pay a premium for brands associated with Corporate Social
Responsibility;
- Wealthy consumers have a bias to purchase brands associated with Corporate Social
Responsibility; and
- Jewelry products identified with materials from the source, origin or producing region or
country can carry “authenticity” of the highest order and are therefore more desirable by
the consumer."
The complete text of the speech of Mr. Haynes to the United Nations delegation can be
found at www.gemfacts.com.
Collectors Universe CEO Michael Haynes
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, Inc. In addition to being the
2007 Official Diamond Grading Laboratory of the JA NY Winter Show, GCAL is also the Official Diamond
Grading Laboratory of the 2007 Fine Jewelry CEO Summit and the 2007 JCK Las Vegas and JCK Invitational
Shows, as well as the Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association) 2007 World
Congress in Dubai. On the Internet: www.gemfacts.com
Contact:
Donald A. Palmieri, President
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, Inc.
dap@gemfacts.com
212-869-8985