Diamond Store Goes Global After the Christchurch Quake

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Diamond Store Goes Global After the Christchurch Quake

The 22nd February is a day that Dan Joines CEO of Polished Diamonds will never forget. When a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch's central business district, he was forced to evacuate his fifth storey headquarters with just his wallet and cellphone in hand. Eight weeks on, Dan's building is still uninhabitable, his plans to open a new flag-ship jewellery store in the city centre and employ more staff have gone on hold.

For the first few weeks after the quake Dan, 37 worked out of his living room to get his eight-year old business back on track. It was not easy with limited water, fuel and power, a young family to look after as well as Dan's father whose own house was ruined. Nonetheless within a month, Polished Diamonds relocated to new offices 12km from the CBD devastation and business couldn't be better. A new website www.polisheddiamonds.co.nz has been launched and sales are expected to triple.

Polished Diamonds custom-makes diamond rings, wedding rings, pendants, earrings and diamond bracelets. Clients preview their jewellery via a computer aided design file (CAD). This enables actual measurements to be used so clients can view how their diamond jewellery will look before it is made. Designs can be made to any budget and all pieces are handset, hand polished and finished to perfection. Polished Diamonds sells GIA certified diamonds to ensure trust and quality. The Polished Diamonds website offers clients a choice from over 75,000 GIA certified diamonds for their jewellery worth over US$120 million.

Dan's vision to market his diamond business globally has finally been achieved. Dan has overcome setbacks inflicted on his business by powers beyond anyone's control or imagination. From his temporary workspaces, Dan put the finishing touches to his website (www.polisheddiamonds.co.nz) and launched into thirteen international territories servicing over 3 billion people. Not only has Polished Diamonds survived a devastating earthquake, but Dan turned adversity into a success story.

Dan remains philosophical about his earthquake experience. Whilst it may be years before Christchurch fully recovers, his online business is up and running at full strength. “I am one of the lucky ones. Having my business online means I can still design and sell beautiful diamond jewellery to clients anywhere in the world.”

Dan's determination to get business back on track is an inspiration for all Christchurch businesses affected by the September and February earthquakes. Hopes remain that the Central Business District in Christchurch's city centre will be rebuilt within a few years.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. It suffered severe damage after a 7.1 richter magnitude earthquake on September 2010 and a more devastating aftershock of 6.3 richter magnitude on 22nd February 2011.

• A National State of Emergency remains in place.

• Dan Joines is the CEO of Polished Diamonds and had an business premises on the 5th floor of 137 Hereford Street in Christchurch's CBD. This building is now uninhabitable and lies within the central business red zone cordon.

• Dan has run his diamonds business for 8 years.

• Dan is a Certified Diamond Grader and holds a Diploma in Business Management and a Certificate in Management Accountancy.

Help for Christchurch Businesses

• Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) - http://www.cdc.org.nz/ Offers help to Christchurch businesses including a team of business recovery co-ordinators providing advice and support and a business focused call centre (7am -7pm, Monday – Saturday). Call Centre: 0800 50 50 96

• Quake Helpline number 0800 779 977

• Recover Canterbury (wwwrecovercanterbury.co.nz)- this website provides practical advice and information for business recovery. Businesses can apply for funds from the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust Fund subject to sufficient funds being available and the business completing an assessment with a Business Recovery Coordinator. Some eligibility criteria will apply.

ENDS

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