The process of feminization of the accountancy Airplane charm pendant has well been documented by contemporary feminist accounting researchers. Women have been entering the accountancy profession in increasing numbers since the early 1980’s (Chung, 2000; McNicholars et al., 2000). Currently there are increasing numbers of female accounting students enrolled in Jordanian universities, recent statistics shows that female represents more than (34.8%)) of the accountant students in Jordan. Despite these accomplishments in gaining entry to the profession, however, women have been less successful in gaining advancement in entering in auditing, especially in external auditing profession in view of the fact that researches and studies done in the field of external and internal auditing in Jordan (master’s thesis at Jordanian universities) pointed out the very low or even no participation of women in auditing profession.

As reported by the Association of Jordanian Certified Public Accountance (AJCPA), which regulates organizes working in external auditing activities; there was significant growth in its membership over the recent years. The association currently has (686) individual members of external auditors as at September 2009. The external auditing is dominantly by males, out of the total members of the (AJCPA) only (20) women auditors who represent less than (3%) of the total members. In the contrary, there is no association neither a law regulates the profession of internal auditing in Jordan, thus there are no records for the internal auditors in Jordan, preparation for this study shows that only (40) women internal auditors working in the private companies. Thus the participation of female in this field is still considered low in Jordan; despite the high in demand for both external and internal auditing profession is Jordan.

The Jordanian regulations enforced the partnership and Atlas charm bracelet companies to appointment independent auditor; usually this auditor is appointed by the general assembly of those companies. In the other hand, many enterprises, especially the larger ones regard internal auditing as an important feature of the total management function as company increasing in size, the demand for the internal auditor is also increasing.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

There are few researches done to find out why women are not realizing their full potential in different aspects of professional and economic activities in Jordan. And regarding the higher demand for auditing profession, and high female enrollment in accountant education, there are law rate of women in auditing profession. Hence, this study is undertaken to consider the possible problems that lead to this situation from the Jordanian perspective. The current study seeks to:

1. Examine the potential the constraints and obstacles experienced by women in auditing profession in Jordan; internal and external auditing; and

2. Examine whether there is any differences between the perception of women and men towards the constraints and obstacles experienced by women in internal and external auditing.

LITERATURE REVIEW AND BACKGROUND

Problems generally faced by women in the work force have been identified by many researchers such as Gildea (1952); Inlogev (1989); Rimmel and Marquette (1991): Davidson and Coopers (1992); Ibarra (1992); Maupin (1993); Flanders (1994); Beth (1995); Jancura (1997) Atlas cuff links et.al (1998); Marshall (1999), Alharthi (2005) and Awawdah (2004) Mosa (2003) Katargi (2004) and Rahahleh (2006). Among the problems are late entry, sexism, family obligation, value differences, unfit, glass ceiling, lack of self-confidence, stress, less able to meet responsibilities of the job, spouse career, employers’ prejudice, sexual harassment and competent, tradition, societal, gender violence, Islamic tradition, family responsibilities and long working hours. However, few researches had been specifically conducted on the problems faced by women in internal auditing. [Kusel and Oxner (1990) and; Burridge and Thomas (1996), Jaffar at el (2004)].

1. Working Women in Islamic and Jordanian Culture

The Islamic religion emphasizes the role of men and women as the two vital elements in the Muslim society, in which each of them has their own particular personality and position. Therefore establishment of a humanitarian society is based on an accurate understanding of this fact. In fact present situation of women in Muslim countries is influenced more by culture, traditions and customs and more importantly by political, social, economical and cultural relations prevailing in these countries as compared to Islamic teaching. Therefore clarifying the real vision of Islam about women’s roles, rights and duties is the function of time, place, beliefs and the social transformation.

Nowadays, it seems that Muslim women better understand their position in the social and political scene, as well as in life in general. This process requires well-planned policies so that Muslim woman can, with pride, return to pure Islam, and ensures her role in all aspects of life.

In Jordanian tradition, woman is always under the responsibility of man, he can’t do anything without a permission of him. Even though the women don’t allow going outside the home without the permission of her husband or her responsible manager, in case she is not married. It is worth to Atlas I.D. money clip here that the testimony of two women is considered as testimony of one man in all affairs looked by Islamic religionist court.

During the last four decades, Jordan achieved remarkable social and economic progress, which was reflected, in a positive way, in the role of women in the society and their effective ability to contribute to this progress. To translate the government’s eagerness to boost women’s participation in the various economic, social and political activities into action, a Jordanian national committee for women’s affairs was formed in 1992, the committee’s membership included representatives from governmental and private entities concerned with women’s affairs. The first task carried out by the committee was devising a national strategy for the advancement of Jordanian women as a focal point for all national efforts pertaining to women, the strategy was the result of a series of studies, seminars and meetings in all regions of the Kingdom, in which a broad cross-section of men and women from different sectors in society participated. The National Strategy for Women is essentially based on the provisions of the Constitution, the Jordanian National Charter and the principles of the Islamic Law, the values of the Arab Islamic society and human rights, and aimed at providing legal, political, social, and economic environment to empower women to take more effective role and status in development process at the national and local levels, society, and eliminate all forms of discrimination against her. The objectives of the Atlas pendant on economical fields are to increase the percentage of women in the labor force, and ensuring non-discrimination against them with regard to employment in the various fields and sectors, and to provide the required facilities to encourage women’s entering and staying in the labor market.

TransMedia Group’s publicity will underscore how the free-to-consumers event brings some of the world’s most talented jewelers together, while offering items at affordable prices and presented in a brilliant display.

“One of the first items to be cut from the shopping budget when the recession hit was jewelry,” says TransMedia’s Director of Beauty and Fashion Lynn Lewis. She adds, “Consumers are just waiting to hear about a chance to buy their favorite accessories without breaking the bank in a one-stop shopping trip. That’s what the MalicJewels Jewelry and Gift Show is all about, which in today’s economy is newsworthy.”

TransMedia will highlight the widest range of value of any similar show in the country. “There will be something for everyone in a price range shoppers won’t find at local jewelry stores,” says J.P. Hervis, Director of Public Relations.

TransMedia Group plans to invite the media to hear the special entrepreneurial stories of exhibitors who’ve made it, are fighting to make it, or are just beginning their dream such as artists like Galit Rondin. She makes each piece of her fine jewelry by hand and has already been featured in Glamour Magazine.

TransMedia Group plans to align MalicJewels with local charities in each city. “MalicJewels wants to support charities in the cities that support this special event,” says Hervis. Susan G. Komen For the Cure received a donation from MalicJewels and was given a booth at the Philadelphia show to accept donations from visitors.

Following the show’s successful debut in Philadelphia, TransMedia Group is now in full speed executing its campaign for upcoming shows in Baltimore this weekend and following that in Cleveland.

Keywords: Advertising, TransMedia Group.

This article was prepared by Marketing Business Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Marketing Business Weekly via VerticalNews.com.

Great love makes a good story (think Romeo and Juliet, Odysseus and Penelope, Lady and the Tramp), and fine jewelry frequently plays a role in making romantic relationships even sweeter. What romantic tale doesn’t involve some sort of jewelry gift? From the Hollywood elite to the neighbor next door, love drives sales of many a diamond pendant, pair of earrings, strand of pearls, and every diamond engagement ring sold.

Jewelers know a lot about love-it brings customers through their doors every day. Without love tiffany as the main motivator behind sales, most might not ever occur.

To that end, JCK celebrates that powerful emotion and driving force in our business: love and romance. They are responsible for the sale of wedding bands, birthday bracelets, anniversary pendants and three-stone rings, push presents, “just because” gifts, and “get out of the doghouse” offerings, all of which give jewelers a livelihood and the rest of the world a shot at happily ever after. Here’s to the jewelers who drive home the romance message and spread that “loving feeling” year round.

IN-STORE WEDDINGS

-Josh Halpern, Albert’s Jewelers, Schererville, Ind.;

-Leon and Mark David, Ben David Jewelers, Danville, Va.

Fred Halpern, owner of Albert’s Jewelers, married his wife on Valentine’s Day. Years later, when Halpern was celebrating a milestone anniversary, a friend who was a justice of the peace offered to renew the couple’s wedding vows. The proposal was open-ended, allowing the Halperns to renew their vows with six other couples exchanging theirs for the first time. And with that anniversary celebration an annual store event was born.

For over 15 years, in-store weddings have been a Valentine’s Day staple for Halpern and his staff. As members of the Leading Jewelers Guild, Halpern and his son Joshua shared their in-store wedding event idea with other retailers, including Leon and Mark David of Ben David Jewelers. Both stores have become synonymous with in-store Valentine’s Day weddings with the David brothers doing their fourth next month.

From flowers, photographers, and a justice of the peace (or pastor) to champagne, cake, and food, the bangles requisites of a wedding and a reception are wedged into 30 minutes. Partnering with local support industries provides a complete wedding-day experience for the couples and also minimizes costs.

Each store does the weddings a little differently. Halpern and his staff bring in three justices of the peace with the goal of marrying 25 to 30 couples, more if possible. The David brothers bring in one justice and schedule about 12 couples.

Both stores have lounges that convert into makeshift wedding and reception areas. Near the back of Ben David Jewelers’ Danville, Va., store is a customer lounge with a large brick hearth and mantle built into a corner space. Furniture is cleared from the sitting area, and the adjoining beverage area allows drinks and food to be served.

At Albert’s Jewelers the 15-foot by 15-foot customer lounge is converted into Chapel de Fred, where the wedding ceremonies and receptions take place. The store has a hardwood floor area that functions as a dance floor.

Both jewelers aggressively promote the events, opening their stores to customers and others. The in-store weddings garner media attention, as TV and radio stations as well as newspapers look for feel-good Valentine’s Day stories.

People from many walks of life take advantage of the services offered by the Halperns and the Davids, including couples renewing their vows as well as first timers. “Some couples show up in jeans and casual clothes, while other couples get married in tuxedos and traditional wedding dresses,” says David. “We’ve even had a policeman and nurse married in their uniforms.”- PH

CHIEF ROMANCE EXPERT

-Craig Husar, Lyle Husar Designs, Brookfield, Wis.

Three years ago, Craig Husar became a Hearts On Fire dealer, learning a new way to sell diamonds. “It was a huge paradigm shift for us,” says the president of Lyle Husar Designs. “To truly romance a diamond, it required no facts or figures at all; we were selling the sizzle behind the product.”

Down from the countertops went Husar’s microscopes and away went his GIA charts. The second-generation jeweler even started joking with customers that his job was more about selling romantic ideas for couples than jewelry-an idea that he took a step further by emblazoning business cards with the title Chief Romance Expert. Husar enjoyed watching customers’ reactions as they read the card. “Consumers would laugh a knowing laugh, because they knew why [that title] was there. The very notion of giving a piece of jewelry to a loved one is romantic.”

As the economy tanked and competitors lowered prices, Husar held firm on his prices and sharpened the romance rings message even more (his store tag line is “Where women get into trouble and men get out of it”). He redesigned his store to feature private consultation areas tucked away in discrete corners and set up seating to accommodate two at a time and encourage intimate conversations. Curved glass display cases are etched with words like intoxicating , unforgettable , and forever to subliminally suggest romantic notions, and Husar’s salespersons became storytellers to help create connections with merchandise. Sales presentations even include instructions on how to present gifts to recipients. “I have salespeople repeat relevant stories to their customers as an example of how something special was given by others,” Husar says.

Fans of Lyle Husar Designs on Facebook are encouraged to post names of romantic restaurants and music titles, and a recent promotion challenged consumers to send in love stories for a chance to win a Tacori double heart necklace. Husar read all 75 entries, and so did his sales force.

“I try to help [my salespeople] understand how they’re making an impact on people’s lives,” Husar says. “People come to us on a weekly basis to thank us for helping them give a gift in a unique and memorable way. Prior to the [romance] campaign, [Lyle Husar Designs] was thought of as a jewelry store destination, but now we are the place to come to celebrate romance and romantic occasions.”- JH

PROPOSAL PLANNING KIT

-Ronda Daily, Bremer Jewelry, Peoria, Ill.

Ronda Daily has a firm policy at her store. A gentleman buying an engagement ring can’t leave Bremer Jewelry without at least some idea of how to propose to his intended. Daily is so dedicated to being a romance-friendly store for men that she recently had the store repainted in red and brown color schemes. “Guys find these colors comfortable and relaxing,” Daily says.

Daily and her predominantly female staff know a woman’s expectations when a man opens a small ring box. “When a woman tells her friends she got engaged, they ask two questions,” says Daily. “First, they want to see the ring, and then they want to know how he proposed.”

The Peoria, Ill., jeweler is as passionate about proposal planning as she is about the jewelry that takes center stage when a gentleman pops the question. The proposals that she’s helped prepare run the gamut from romantic and intimate to humorous and offbeat.

Daily works well with her customers’ ideas, which have included a man dressing up in a monkey costume with a sign reading “I’m ape over you” and contacting the manager at a couple’s favorite restaurant and adding some personal elements to a special dinner menu and romantic touches during the meal. But like any good coach, Daily also has a number of strategies in her playbook.

The Proposal Planning Kit was developed for Daily and her staff by Fruchtman Marketing. Designed with a football theme, the 24-page kit contains everything from product information on diamonds and precious metals to a host of wedding proposal ideas. It concludes with a checklist to make sure a young suitor is dealing with a reputable jeweler, whether brick-and-mortar or online.

Even the most romance-challenged guy can’t miss with the wedding proposal essentials in Daily’s parting gift bag: a bracelets of champagne, two flute glasses bearing the store’s name, a chocolate cake in a decorative box, and two small plates. “With that a guy can’t mess up,” says Daily. ”

The most fun Daily has had was helping a romance-challenged man be “that guy” with an ber-romantic proposal. Daily organized a dinner at the restaurant where the couple had their first date. A carriage was outfitted with a portable CD player so he could propose with “their song” playing in the background. Flowers added the final romantic touch to a moonlit ride along a river.

Another favorite was a proposal for a man who wanted a sequence of pictures showing his fiance’s reaction to his proposal. Daily helped arrange a photo shoot with his girlfriend’s dog. A box on the dog’s collar held the ring. When she opened the box the photographer shot a rapid series that captured her jubilation, second by second. “The resulting sequential images when framed were very special,” says Daily. “I still can’t believe it worked out as well as it did.”- PH

BALLROOM FOR BRIDES

-Anfesa Matthews, Anfesa’s Jewelers, Garner, N.C.

Anfesa’s Jewelers’ recent store upgrade makes sense when you consider the store’s mantra: “The wedding begins and ends with a ring.” This is why the 17-year-old business moved from a strip mall in a suburb of Raleigh, N.C., to a newly built freestanding 20,000-square-foot romance destination in Garner, N.C. The store includes a ballroom and banquet facilities, jewelry showroom, and day spa. Store owner Anfesa Matthews built it to provide residents with an elegant, fairy-tale-like venue as grand as falling in love itself. “Romance is how we sell our product,” she says. “People are buying jewelry for the people they love.”

The doors of Anfesa’s Jewelers and the Grand Marquise Ballroom opened Sept. 1, 2009, astounding residents of the town of 26,000 so much that they questioned their humble hamlet as the most sensible location. “People say, ‘You put this in Garner?’” says Matthews.

But she did, intending to make guests feel like royalty. This is why the ballroom is outfitted with six 7-foot-tall crystal chandeliers and 11 4-foot-tall wall sconces, a 20-foot by 20-foot marble dance floor, private dressing quarters for the bride and groom, and colored lights that coordinate with bridal party attire and accessories. A full kitchen allows brides to bring in their own caterer or select one that contracts with Matthews, while a 2,800-square-foot day spa enables everyone in the party to relax before the festivities. (Matthews sublets the space to professional massage therapists and hair and makeup experts who work their magic on patrons.) The pice de rsistance is a sweeping staircase flanked by marble columns that leads to the banquet area and dance floor. “The ballroom looks like it was ripped out of Gone With the Wind ,” the owner says proudly.

Everything from rings, bridal party gifts, reception space, and cake topper can be purchased at the new location. The ballroom can hold 425 people, and not just wedding guests. (Matthews hosted a tea party in October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)

A bonus for brides: They can rent high-end jewelry to wear on their wedding day. “The idea is to sell cufflinks, of course, but not everyone can afford a $25,000 necklace,” says Matthews. “My vendors help us treat our customers just like Hollywood stars and New York socialites by lending high-end pieces.”

Word of the new spot has spread to some of the state’s most illustrious residents. According to Matthews, Miss North Carolina has booked her wedding reception at the ballroom. Matthews expects more North Carolinians to follow suit. “People are always going to get married,” she says.- JH

VIP TREATMENT

-Steven Singer, Steven Singer Jewelers, Philadelphia

Steven Singer is out to reduce the percentage of customers who purchase an engagement ring at a jewelry store and don’t return for the wedding bands-or any other jewelry.

Five or six times a year, usually on a Sunday, the owner of Steven Singer Jewelers invites to the store recent engagement-ring customers for a day of pampering and what he calls “the most fun you’ll ever have buying a diamond.”

Food and refreshments are served while customers move from case to case looking at wedding bands and other jewelry. Treats for the couples include a free engagement photograph by Shea Roggio Weddings and a horse-drawn carriage ride by the 76 Carriage Company, which also does carriage rides for the jeweler every Wednesday night.

Mixing romance with fun, the store also holds raffles. “We mainly give away swag from local sports teams,” says marketing manager LeeAnn Jacobs.

The events provide a way to promote new collections and the latest designs. In late October the store’s fall event featured naked settings for diamonds. “This is a new prongless setting that allows the diamond to be set in such a way that the stone can be viewed from every angle,” says Jacobs. “The diamond literally sparkles no matter what angle you look at it.”

Singer has held large-scale events for five years and smaller variations on the theme for 29. On average, 100 couples attend, but Valentine’s Day and spring events attract slightly more interest.

“It has been a real boon for us,” says Jacobs. “Over the years, we’ve seen a tremendous increase of couples returning to Steven Singer Jewelers for their wedding jewelry, and that means we have a greater opportunity to keep them as customers throughout their lives together.”- PH

FREE HONEYMOON

-John Carter, Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry, Bloomington, Ill.

In October, John Carter, owner of Jack Lewis Fine Jewelry, began a new ad campaign that may lead to a new store policy: Every couple that buys an engagement ring receives a free honeymoon.

Through an employee-incentive company based in Canada, Carter is able to give away a three-day honeymoon to Las Vegas, Cancun, or on a cruise ship, at a cost of $200. Carter estimates that a couple’s perceived value of the trip is five times that amount. That perception usually stops all discussions of discounting the jewelry.

“I actually save money by giving the honeymoon away,” says Carter. “The giveaway also saves us from having to have to discuss reducing the price of the ring during the associate’s sales presentation to the customer. And the free honeymoon has more of a lasting impact on the customer’s wedding-day memories, instead of a one-time discount on the day they purchased the engagement ring.”

Carter is promoting the free honeymoon with billboard taglines such as “We’ll float your cruise boat.” He’s also airing ads on local radio stations and using Facebook to get the word out.

To help create the casual and relaxed environment that Carter prefers, he keeps a wide range of domestic and imported beers on hand for clients, with an emphasis on exotic Belgian beers. “When a couple comes into the store we always offer them a beer or a drink or whatever beverage they want to make the sale presentation feel like a conversation between friends over a drink,” says Carter. “It really helps disarm the whole diamond selling process.”- PH

As symbols of sophistication, these coveted Montega watches continue to adorn the wrists of some of the top Arab celebrities in the region. They are big fans of Montega as it is trendy to wear a watch of nearly bracelets every colour this season, including the ‘must have’ red. This ever-so-sophisticated look is enjoying a major resurgence right now.

Not only does a Montega watch flatter your wrist, it is also the perfect accessory to most of the summer’s trendy outfits. No wonder the label is fast becoming one of the most widely recognised brand names, offering stylish connoisseurs a wide variety of designs. The latest collection is studded with high quality diamonds for that confident sparkle every minute of the day. Montega watches offer a perfect combination of grace and class.

Mohammed Tawheed Abdullah, Managing Director of Damas, said: “The new collection of Montega timepieces has superior design and quality. They merge Swiss heritage with elegant, endearing style, bangles impeccable details and outstanding value. This exceptional men’s and women’s range with incomparable mechanical performance is easily recognisable for its distinctive style. These fashionable watches have rekindled the magic of quartz watches, the polished hand finished case, the arched crystal and the engraved crown.” He added most of these trendsetting watches are adorned with diamonds and have lustrous glass surfaces. They exude elegance which transcends time and each creation has the ability to win over the confidence of a watch enthusiast suiting their personal style and needs. The collection proves that Montega watchmakers know the secret of creating technically superior and sophisticated timepieces. As watches have become a necessity in today’s fast-paced world, Damas has created a watch which is not only a piece of jewellery but is as much about function too. Some models in the collection are not too flashy to wear to a business meeting or job interview. They are fashionable but also fit right in with one’s everyday lifestyle. However, celebrities in the region dressing for a premiere or high-profile party, never forget to adorn their wrists with a Montega along with their diamond, platinum, gold and other fine jewellery

The sleek Montega timepieces capture the easy new elegance and timeless style distinguished by high-quality craftsmanship and refinement. These trendy watches feature a striking blend of ambition and great confidence. The new collection comes in both classic and contemporary styles with an irresistible appeal for those who appreciate innovative cufflinks designs; developed by one of the region’s most prestigious homegrown brands in the realm of watch making.

The innovative collection available at Damas Les Exclusive Boutiques in Saks Fifth Avenue, Burjuman; Emirates Towers; Burj Al Arab; and Mall of the Emirates, is clad in gold and exquisite diamonds which gives them superior brilliance and sparkle.

About Damas:The journey of Damas began in 1907, and today it has grown from a UAE based company into a global fashion and jewellery network spanning UK, Italy, Libya, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Maldives, India, Lebanon, and throughout the GCC countries with about 400 sales points worldwide. Damas houses internationally acclaimed jewellery and watch brands such as Tiffany & Co., Mikimoto, Daniel K, Gucci, Faberge, Carrera y Carrera, Paspaley, Pasquale Bruni, Roberto Coin, Fope, Chronoswiss, Parmigiani, Perrelet, Quinting, Montega, Frederique Constant, among many others. The innovative in-house collections include the majestic Bridal jewellery, exclusive jewellery brands such as Damas Cut, Boudoor, Hayati, Riwaya, Jawaher, Farasha, Fairouz, Harmony, Farfasha, Al Manthura; watch brands Varotti and Aquamarin; and a wide range of other classic and contemporary jewellery and watch collections. Quality consciousness, inspirational leadership and international reputation have led Damas to win prestigious awards including the exclusive De Beers Award 2000, 2004 and 2007 for jewellery design.

So, it’s not surprising that the top three names are Rolex, Tiffany and Cartier, which have each spent hefty sums in advertising and marketing to preserve the image and status of their brands and cement their names in the country’s consciousness.

Besides a reputation for making a nearly indestructible product, Rolex’s endorsements by top athletes and entertainers — like golf pro Annika Sorenstam, opera star Placido Domingo and the cast of “The Sopranos” — make it, in many people’s minds, the truest luxury symbol.

Even before Audrey Hepburn took that early-morning walk along Fifth Avenue, Tiffany has been America’s jeweler. The mere presentation of that blue box and the anticipation over what it contains instantly connotes a certain status among givers and recipients alike. Cartier, too, has a long history in America. Another Fifth Avenue landmark, the storied French jeweler has recently landed in many malls around the country, reaching an ever-widening U.S. audience.

There are some surprises on the list, however. Even though it has just a few stores, Van Cleef & Arpels is the next jeweler in the rankings. Its high placement would seem to indicate that recent celebrity placements at events such as the Academy Awards have finally thrust it into the spotlight.

Bulova, at 14, is also a surprise, standing out in a crowd of much-higher-priced labels. An explanation is that outside the U.S., especially in South America, it is perceived as a prestige brand, which enhances its image among the the U.S.’s growing Hispanic community. Bulova has also been around since 1875, long before Cartier or any other European watchmaker had any significant presence here.

The appearance of newcomer Bedat & Co. (21) is another eye-opener. That the high-quality Swiss brand registers at all could be a result of its dedication to the American market and partnerships with high-profile retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as a blitz of recent editorial coverage in fashion publications.

The Rankings

1 Rolex

2 Tiffany & Co.

3 Cartier

4 Van Cleef & Arpels

5 Montblanc

6 Patek Philippe

7 Movado

8 Harry Winston

9 Piaget

10 Baume & Mercier

11 Tag Heuer

12 Bulgari

13 Mikimoto

14 Bulova

15 Boucheron

16 Barry Kieselstein- Cord

17 Ebel

18 David Yurman

19 Chopard

20 Fred Joaillier

21 Bedat & Co.

22 Fred Leighton

23 Girard-Perregaux

24 Asprey & Garrard

25 Audemars Piguet

26 Breguet

27 Vacheron Constantin

28 Concord

29 Henry Dunay

30 Buccellati

31 Lagos

32 Chaumet

33 Corum

34 Damiani

35 David Webb

36 IWC

37 Panerai

38 Honora

39 Robert Lee Morris

40 M&J Savitt

41 Roberto Coin

the desired moment, the waiter brought Lopes’s girlfriend a creme brulee into which the pastry tiffany jewellery chef had discreetly tucked Lopes’s life savings, in the form of a diamond ring. “Only I was so naive,” he remembers today, “that I didn’t realize you ate creme brulee with a large spoon and not a small one.”

Smash went the crust. In went the spoon. And before Lopes could say, “Um, I have something to ask you,” his brilliant-cut one-carat surprise went sliding down his intended’s throat. “Our first hug was the Heimlich maneuver,” he recalls. “My advice to a man about to propose is: Use creativity only up to a point. You don’t want your girlfriend to end up in the hospital on her engagement night.”

At a time when restaurants are more like stage sets than ever, more and more diners are choosing to mark their romantic milestones in the public theater of white-tablecloth establishments. From three-ring proposals to sorry-I-screwed-up dinners, soaring amounts of time and expense are being put into courtship at the table. But from wine buckets overturned by that bended knee to lovers trapped in phone booths or wives and mistresses showing up at the same time and place, mistakes can be catastrophic. So what are the “love secrets” of restaurants? And what are the pitfalls?

Chefs and restaurateurs are delighted when customers get engaged in their dining rooms because it usually means the couple will come back every year to celebrate. But most of them suggest that engagement rings be kept far away from the food. A captain at Gramercy Tavern, in New York City, was asked to tuck a ring into a green salad. “My girlfriend always orders it,” the prospective groom assured him. She did, but the man impulsively ordered caviar to go with it, and the girlfriend found that more diverting. Her date ended up fishing the ring out rings of the neglected salad with a fork. The Little Door, in Los Angeles, has sidestepped the problem of newly betrotheds having to clean gooey chocolate out of a platinum setting by using a special plate with a trapdoor and a secret compartment. Waiters also dislike having to coerce a woman into ordering something she doesn’t want. (“You’re the jerk waiter trying to push dessert.”) One valentine lost interest in her flourless chocolate torte before reaching the words “Will you marry me?” that her beau had painted on the plate.

A surprising number of proposals are, in fact, turned down. At Gramercy Tavern, a woman once asked a man to marry her. When he didn’t accept the offer, the woman stood up, started cursing, and began throwing plates onto the floor. “Clearly, he made the right choice,” says the captain on duty at the time. At the Four Seasons, a prominent regular asked his girlfriend to marry him. She consented, everyone cheered, and they had a wonderful time. But at three o’clock in the morning, the customer called co-owner Alex von Bidder at home to announce that the woman was reconsidering, and to ask would he please not tell anyone what had happened.

So, if you are determined to propose in a restaurant, what advice do the experts give? First, reconnoiter the place about a week before, preferably on the same night of the week you are planning to pop the question. Confer with the manager about an appropriate table, give him your credit card, and promise to tip 20 percent. At Babbo, maitre d’ John Mainieri likes to put couples in a highly visible place, since he presumes that anyone who proposes in a restaurant wants to be seen. “It’s because of reality television,” he explains. “Everyone wants to be part of the cast.” He serves the engagement ring under a cloche. At Union Square Cafe, in New York, Christopher Russell suggests that you let them print a custom menu. “Under the specials for the night, we’ll write ‘Tuna Tartare,’ ‘Ossobuco,’ ‘Jenny, Will You Marry Me?’ Then she comes upon it herself!”

Carlos Lopes advises men to propose at home, let their true love cry in private, then take her out to celebrate. One benefit to this strategy: The woman will generally share the happy news with her parents, who will often call ahead to the restaurant. “If you tip off your future mother-in-law,” Lopes notes, “chances are she’ll buy you dinner.”

Marriages aren’t just made at restaurants; they come apart there as well. Mainieri once sat a man at a bracelets secluded table so he could tell his wife he wanted a divorce. “I thought he was joking,” Mainieri says. “But he said if he had done it in their hotel room, she would have started breaking things.”

Julian Niccolini, of the Four Seasons, says that February 13 is one of their busiest days of the year. “Men bring their mistresses then, so they can bring their wives on Valentine’s Day.” Being adept at knowing what to do when a married man brings another woman into the restaurant is key. “Once, a man came in with his mistress, and his wife was already in the dining room having lunch with some of her friends,” Pasquale Vericella, of Il Cielo, in Beverly Hills, tells me. “I went up to him and said, ‘Sir, I have a phone call for you.’” Vericella promptly led him out the back door into the parking lot. “I’ll have your car brought around and send the lady home in a cab.”

One of the reasons restaurants have learned to be diplomatic is that make-up dinners can be extremely lucrative. A certain celebrity from Los Angeles, who was caught in a high-profile adulterous imbroglio, reserved the back room at Il Cielo and paid handsomely to fill it with rose petals and candles and to serve every imaginable delicacy, including heart-shaped pasta. The marriage survived.

Many couples, of course, try to do more in restaurants than just eat. The hand under the table or up the blouse is a common stunt. Most places have standard ways of dealing with the situation. One restaurant dispatches a veteran female server who tries to mother the pair (“Now, kids”) into embarrassment. In another, a silent maitre d’ might hover imposingly over the table until the couple notices and is shamed into more appropriate behavior. If a man and woman should slip into the ladies’ room for a quick saute, so to speak, says Russell of Union Square Cafe, he will generally send in a female host to oust them. “We do have couples who come out of the bathroom with smiles on their faces,” acknowledges one of the waiters at The Little Door, “but out here in L.A., it’s usually drugs, not cufflinks sex.”

On some nights, too much action isn’t the problem; too little action is. A number of the restaurant pros I spoke with don’t like Valentine’s Day because their dining room loses its buzz. (One unexpected piece of advice: The easiest reservation to get at an overbooked restaurant is a six-top on February 14, because the only people who dine out that night are couples.) And what’s new, the veterans say, is the increasingly active role women play in plotting romance. Carlos Lopes once helped a woman invite 50 close friends to a supposedly routine meal with her fiance. It quickly became a modern version of a shotgun wedding.

At Gramercy Tavern, a woman once excused herself, telling her husband she was going to the ladies’ room. She approached her server with a box, asked him to wait five minutes, then place it in front of her husband. She then slipped out the front door. When her husband opened the box, he found a hotel key. “He was pretty embarrassed when he left,” remembers a former staffer. “But all of us were congratulating him. We knew what he was having for dessert.”

Melissa and Jeff Atkins and Kathy and Ryan Briner each had their own wedding Saturday with friends and family gathered at Tampico Christian Church.

Although they had hopes of getting married, they didn’t realize it would come so soon. They each said they saw a recent article in The Tribune reporting the church would marry couples on Valentines Day, and they jumped at the chance.

“We’ve been together for five years, and we’ve been wanting to get married,” Jeff Atkins said. “Valentines Day seemed like it would be the right time to do it because we’ve been planning it for a while, but we haven’t been planning it for a while.”

His wife, Melissa added, “We have a 4-year-old and it’s kind of hard to save money to get married.”

Pastor of Tampico Church, Mike Hawkins, wasn’t surprised when his phone bangles started ringing Thursday morning with people calling wanting to get married. He said the idea of marrying couples on Valentines Day stemmed from a message from God that he received while visiting a church in Seymour.

“God placed it on my heart that we needed to do this and open up the church,” he said. “He gave me three dates that he laid on my heart, Valentines Day, March 6 and July 8.”

Hawkins said after the service he told his wife, Stephanie, about it and added that she was receptive to the idea.

But why did the Lord lay down those three dates?

“I can’t speak for God, but I do know this, there will be a lot of unions made on Valentines Day as well as those other days,” he said.

The other days he said are a play on numbers, March 6 is also 3-6-09 and July 8 is 7-8-09.

“I feel in my spirit that was what was going on,” he said. “When God speaks to me, I try very hard to be obedient. As a Christian and a believer, that is probably one of the hardest things we struggle with because some people say, do you hear God audibly? God makes himself clear through us.”

Melissa and Jeff, who met online through a Yahoo chat room, left their parents speechless when they called to tell them of their plans to wed on Saturday.

“They were confused and they didn’t know what to think,” Jeff said.

Melissa added, “They were excited.”

“Yeah, they were excited, but they didn’t know if we were going to be able to do rings it in time,” he said.

The couple did make it and managed to include everything from a suit and white dress to red rose bouquets and boutonnieres.

“At first it was supposed to be just blue jeans and dress shirts,” Jeff said. “It ended up being dress and suit, the whole nine yards.”

Friends and family gathered with Jeff and Melissa in celebration after the wedding at the Jackson-Washington

State Forest near Brownstown. They added they were going to go out to eat and to a horse show.

The couple said they were excited to share the union of their marriage on Valentines Day.

“It was kind of exciting because we knew it was Valentines Day and there’s supposed to be a lot of love going around in the air, so we figured we’d do it on one of the loving days of the year,” Jeff said.

As for Kathy and Ryan Briner, their choice to get married on Valentines Day played some in the romance of the holiday, but more on the result of the weak economy.

“We were planning to go to Tennessee (to get married), but Tuesday we find out if we are still going to have our jobs or not,” Kathy said, referring to their jobs at Celedon. “We found out this week they are having a meeting about our jobs. We wanted to get married and we didn’t want to go to the courthouse to bracelets get married.”

“We didn’t know if we were going to have money to do it,” Ryan added.

The couple has been together two and a half years and said they met through work.

“When she hired in at NTN, I trained her,” Ryan said.

Even though they only had a couple days to plan for the wedding, they said their parents were OK with the short notice.

“My parents love him,” Kathy said.

The couple said they had plans to celebrate with family with a dinner at The Pines and look forward to just being together.

“When the phone started ringing, I wasn’t surprised,” Pastor Hawkins said of the couples calling. “I was suddenly blessed again because God revealed himself and how faithful he is when we are faithful.”

Hawkins told the couples he married that their marriage was ordained by God, that they wouldn’t have been at the church Saturday to get married if it weren’t for God.

“If I wouldn’t have followed God’s command and I wouldn’t have (contacted The Tribune) and they didn’t respond the way they did, we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Hawkins added the weddings offered couples a chance to share their union of marriage in the cufflinks eyes of God versus getting married at the courthouse.

“We were blessed today,” he said. “We had two couples come into our church and make a covenant not only with themselves, but with God; and too often that’s left out on the courthouse steps.”

The day provided an outreach for those wanting to be married in a church but who may not have an affiliation with one.

“That is what God placed on my spirit, that there are a lot of people that don’t feel like they can approach the church to be married either because of a lifestyle they’ve been living or a situation that is happening or has happened in their lives,” he said. “Now God is calling the church to step up and step out to take down some of those barriers that we’ve allowed to keep people away from the church for all too long now.”

The spectacular 2007 WSOP bracelets by CORUM, which is the Official Timepiece of the World Series of Poker, come in four models ranging in weight from 84 to 136 grams of 18-carat gold and bedecked with diamonds and precious gems.

CORUM designed all 55 of the bracelets as jewelry that can be worn every day. Fifty-three of the bracelets are studded with 53 tiffany money clips diamonds apiece. The Ladies Championship bracelet features four black diamonds, two rubies and 87 blue sapphires. The winner of the $50,000 buy-in HORSE Championship will walk off with a bracelet boasting 91 black diamonds and two rubies.

CORUM drew from its heritage of watch-making expertise and craftsmanship in designing the Main Event bracelet, using a tonneau (barrel) shaped case featuring 136 grams of 18-carat white gold set with 120 diamonds. The bracelet, awarded to the winner of the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’Em World Championship, features one of CORUM’s finest new watch-link designs and has a folding jeweler’s clasp.

“The World Series of Poker bracelet is the most coveted prize in gaming and the ultimate expression of excellence in poker,” said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the WSOP. “These spectacular bracelets by CORUM are the finest in the history of the WSOP, and will be cherished by those skilled enough to win them.

“We are grateful to CORUM for its support of the World Series of Poker, and tiffany bracelets appreciate all that the Wunderman family does to further elevate our brand,” said Pollack.

“We wanted to make a championship bracelet that is wearable,” said Michael Wunderman, president of CORUM Swiss timepieces. “My goal was to retain the original iconic styling of 18kt gold and diamonds while making it thoroughly modern.”

According to Stacie Orloff, president of CORUM USA, “I had the opportunity to show some of the past bracelet winners the new CORUM bracelet. Hands down, they agreed that this is a bracelet they will definitely wear.”

High-resolution photographs of the four bracelets are available at: http://24.120.60.135/cgi-bin/store/imageFolio.pl?direct=Section_A __General_Daily_Downloads/Corum_2007_WSOP_Bracelets_High_Res (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser’s address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

CORUM is a family owned and operated business founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1955. Since its inception, this luxury watch company has been known for its distinctive and innovative creations.

The 2007 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light, the world’s tiffany cufflinks richest sporting event, began June 1 at the Rio(R) All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. More information on the tournament is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Harrah’s Entertainment (NYSE: HET) is the world’s largest operator of casino entertainment resorts. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, USA, nearly 70 years ago, Harrah’s has grown through the development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages 50 casino resorts on four continents. The company’s properties operate primarily under the Caesars, Harrah’s and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns and operates the London Clubs International family of casinos and the World Series of Poker tournament. Harrah’s Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. The company is committed to reinvesting in the communities in which it operates.

Or something like that — anyway, it seems one bad deed a few weeks ago will result in extra holiday cheer for some children who could use it.

On Nov. 14, a man walked into Runyan’s Jewelers, 900 Washington St., and asked owner Erik Runyan to fix two necklaces and a watch band. Runyan diligently set to work on the minor repairs, and when he was finished and the man offered to pay him, Runyan waved the idea off.

“Just pay it forward,” he said — meaning, do something good for someone else.

What Runyan didn’t realize until later was that a diamond tiffany bracelets sitting out on the counter “to attract attention” did exactly that — attracted the eager attention of the man. When the man walked calmly out of the store, the bracelet apparently walked with him.

The story hit the media, but it was doubtful anything could be done.

Then, on Thanksgiving Day, Runyan got a call from Vancouver police saying they’d had an anonymous tip from a woman who wanted to return the stolen bracelet. They went to Runyan’s store and found the contraband slipped under the door.

Whoever that woman was, and whatever her connection to the thief — who was a man in blue jeans, denim shirt and white T-shirt, according to the security video — Runyan said he was just grateful that the bracelet came back.

So grateful, he said, that he decided to donate the value of the tiffany cufflinks to the holiday toy drive now underway through KPTV-12 and Mattress World. The toys will be distributed through the Portland Fire Bureau’s “Toy N Joy Makers” program.

A few days ago, Runyan walked into Kazoodles, the downtown Vancouver toy store, and told owners Mary and Bob Sisson that he wanted to spend about $1,500 on toys that would go to needy children. Kazoodles is kicking in a 20 percent discount, for a total value of toys approaching $2,000.

“We were just excited that an unhappy story had this happy ending,” said Mary Sisson.

Runyan and his family — wife Leslie and daughters Megan, 14, Paige, 11 and Erin, 16 — gathered at Kazoodles on Wednesday afternoon to go shopping with a celebrity crew from KPTV-12: news anchors Shauna Parsons and Wayne Garcia.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” Parsons said.

Imagine having $1,500 to spend at a local toy store. That’s how eagerly the Runyan daughters threw themselves into the hard work of picking out holiday joymakers for other kids.

What was Erin Runyan’s criteria for choosing? One word: “Fun.”

Plasma cars, baby dolls, art supplies, toy shopping carts full of fake food all crossed tiffany money clips that threshold.

What didn’t? Charts for tracking chores and homework.

Scott Hewitt: 360-735-4529 or scott.hewitt@columbian.com.

This year’s committee has been working for nearly a year solidifying plans.

Committee member Sandy Dean said that a lot of planning, work and fun has gone into the tour.

The Dec. 5 event will feature live entertainment and, perhaps, some surprises, tiffany as well.

“A lot of the houses will have live entertainment,” Dean said. “There will be a live nativity at one of the homes.”

The entertainment aspect won’t be confined to the houses — carolers from various churches will be wandering the Brunswick historic district with Yuletide selections.

Committee members including Dean, Marijane Lawson, Toni Clark and Marilyn Houser, said that the featured homes will be decorated for the Christmas season and will provide people with hints for doing their own holiday decorating, as well as provide a glimpse into the past lifestyles of Brunswick residents.

“We want to bring people into Old Town,” said Clark.

A variety of architectural and interior styles will be highlighted.

“Most of the homes are within walking distance; the farthest one is the McGarvey House (1705 Reynolds St.),” Clark said.

There are eight sites on the tour, including five private homes, two bed and breakfast inns and the First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick.

Matthew Hill and Jack Waters, who own the Watershill Bed and Breakfast on Union Street silver bangles, are beginning to unearth their Christmas decorations, which include twin vintage Santa figurines that were “reunited” after many years apart.

Hill and Waters are encouraging people who want to hear the rest of the story to participate in the tour.

Their home, at 728 Union St., Brunswick, is a folk Victorian that was built sometime between 1860 and 1870.

“City Hall burned, so we don’t have the exact records,” Waters said, explaining that he and Hill had researched cemetery records and other sources to determine an approximate construction date.

Watershill has been featured in a home tour before, but never at Christmas, Waters said.

“It’s been at least 10 years since we’ve done one (a home tour),” he said.

The tour will begin at 1 p.m. Dec. 5, and is being held the same day as the Brunswick Christmas Parade, which begins at 10 a.m.

“All of the houses are around 100 years old,” Dean said. “And, the Presbyterian Church is one of the silver rings oldest in Brunswick.”

Tickets are available at several locations in the area, but if tour-goers wait until the day of the event, they will be available only at Old City Hall, Brunswick, where there will also be baked goods, cookbooks and crafts available for purchase.

Stops on the home tour include:

–1705 Reynolds St., The McGarvey House. This is an example of exotic revival architecture, due to its Moorish influence. It is thought to be the best example of carpenter gothic in the state. Owners: Mark and Yvonne Buss.

–1127 Union St., The Tupper House. It was built in the Queen Ann style in 1901 for Capt. Tupper, who was a harbor pilot and tug boat captain. Owners: Greg and Sandy Dean.

–1105 Union St., First Presbyterian Church. The building, constructed in 1867m provides one of the few examples of Gothic revival style buildings in the South. Pastor: The Rev. Dawn Mayes.

–503 George St. Early records for this Greek revival style house are lost, but the homeowners found a note stating the house was built in 1880. A previous owner collected chandeliers and many of them exist in the house. The claw foot bathtubs in all the bathrooms are original to the house and have been restored. Owner: Arlene Bolt.

–711 George St., The Story Book House. Built in 1923 for Hope Strong, the daughter of Judge Daniel Webster Krauss, this Provincial revivalist house is in a style popular with veterans returning from World War I in Europe, where they fell in love with quaint European country homes. Owner: GuyNel Johnson

–825 Egmont St., Brunswick Manor, also known as the Maj. Downing House. This house was built in 1886 silver bracelets by John Baumgartner for Maj. Columbia Downing. The 6,500-square-foot Queen Ann style home was designed by Alfred S. Eichberg, who also designed Old City Hall. Owners: Jay Anderson and Stacy Bass.

–707 Dartmouth St., The Spencer House. Built between 1895 to 1905 in a Victorian stick style, in a “T” with one gable facing the street, this house is one of six built by one builder facing Union and Dartmouth streets. It may have been built as a “spec” house. Owners: Jerry and Nora Sue Spencer.

–728 Union St. What is now Watershill Bed and Breakfast was built about 1872. This classic folk Victorian was built by Lorenzo and Marietta Oldham, and features a rocking chair porch, two parlors and embellishments such as antique chandeliers and a secret room. Owners: Matthew Hill and Jack Waters.

–824 Union St., The Carriage House. It was built about 1910 for Frank D.M. Strachan as part of his home at 822 Union St. The home was built in a mix of architectural designs, which was common during the 1910 era. Strachan used the carriage house to store his vehicles and as quarters for his servants. Owners: Joe and Marijane Lawson.

If you go

The Historic Brunswick Tour of Homes will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. Group tickets for 10 or more are available for $17 each, in advance.

Ticket outlets are:

–Brunswick — Daddy Cate’s, 302 Gloucester St.; Hattie’s Bookstore, 1531 Newcastle St.; Antiques Etc., 1601 Newcastle St., and Color Me Happy, 1426 Newcastle St.

–Jekyll Island — Jekyll Island Pharmacy, 16 North Beachview Drive, and Jekyll Books, 101 Plantation silver cufflinks Road.

–St. Simons Island — Fox’s Pizza Den, 249 Retreat Village, and Go Fish, 203 Mallery St.

–Darien — Chamber of Commerce, 1111 Magnolia Bluff Way, and Sail Fish Inn, 203 Broad St.