#IACGoldCon Fifth Annual IAC Gold Conference - GOLD: Transparency, Trends & Techniques

Just wanted to give you a heads up about an event I will be participating in...two days of speakers on Gold and Gold Jewelry - some amazing people!

Download the complete program

Register for the event 

#SilentSunday - Guests Enjoy Carole Shashona's Trunk Show at Barneys New York - Beverly Hills

Amy West: RiverStones Now at The Gallery at Reinstein|Ross

Amy West: RiverStones

Glasswork from Murano, Italy

November 20th - January 6

New York - The Gallery at Reinstein|Ross is pleased to present Amy West: RiverStones, an exciting exhibition of glass works from Murano, Italy. The exhibition will include vessels and jewelry from Amy West’s most recent body of work, entitled RiverStones. The work is inspired by the river Ardo, tributary to the Piave river in the Veneto. West describes the river as a source of peace, relaxation and inspiration. The light of the river, the movement of the current, the color of the rocks, and the beauty of the tumbled stones are all cited as inspiration. West says “The river is alive, and it makes its presence known to those paying attention.” While comforting however, the river’s constancy and strength is accompanied by dramatic change and shift. All of these expressions from the river are seen by West as metaphors for how we are tumbled and shaped by life, hopefully to come out of our personal experiences as rounded and smooth as the stones of the riverbed.

West says, “These pieces - vessels and jewelry - are reflections of the colors, the light, the shapes and forms that have filled my mind since before this collection started forming five years ago.”

West’s process begins with loose sketches, and then vessels are blown by hand of traditional Murano glass. For the RiverStones Collection, glass from the studio of Pino Signoretto was used. In some cases, once a vessel was blown and shaped, a kind of “Calcedonia” (multi-colored striation effect) is swirled around the vessel, to reflect the movement of the water, and dynamics of its flow. In other cases, the glass colors are actually combined during the glass gathering, and swirled in the blowing process.

After tempering, West begins the process of carving and cutting to texture and sculpt the glass. West specializes in Battuto (literally meaning “beaten” in Italian), the Murano style of cold-working glass, using diamond and stone wheels, to add detail, surface and texture that cannot be achieved in hot glass. This process can be very involved, and can extend to ten, twenty, or more stages of wheels, texturing and polishing. 

The goal, as West describes it, is to “...create highlights and deep reliefs, but leave room for voice and flow in the glass...” 

The results are spectacular, with final, beautiful and sophisticated textures speaking of age, life experience and balance.

The exhibition, RiverStones, is not only about vessels, but has a distinct focus on jewelry. West’s jewelry for RiverStones, is derived from the same materials, processes and inspiration, but is created to be personal. 

West describes her jewelry as “...of the most intimate in forms of assertion and sensitivity.” 

For this collection, glass beads are formed in a range of shapes and colors, and hand-worked, into dynamic, bold, and exquisite necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

The exhibition, Amy West:RiverStones, will also include large projections of her work, sketches, photographs of Murano, and the Ardo River, the inspiration for this exciting body of work. 

Born and raised in the Midwest, Amy West has studied, worked and lived on four continents. Her work draws on her vast experiences in cultures from around the world, and expresses a vision that is truly her own.

Prior to arriving in New York for this exhibition, some of West’s current work was on display at the Palazzo da Mula, in an exhibit - Gruppo 30141 Murano - recognizing Glass Masters of Murano. In the summer of 2015, she will be artist in residence at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. The Gallery at Reinstein|Ross is proud to present Amy West’s work in New York City.  This is her first solo exhibition.

The Gallery at Reinstein|Ross
30 Gansevoort Street
New York, NY 10014
212.226.4513
ReinsteinRoss.com

My #LatestObsession - Autumn in New York Gathering Acorns at Reinstein|Ross!

Autumn in New York............

Autumn in New York City [Credit: Vivianna_love, Flickr.com]

We're gathering up Acorns at Reinstein/Ross!

Their NEW downtown store on Gansevoort Street has been open since June, this new larger space includes a very busy, workshop - fully integrated into the store and the NEW R|R Gallery connected to the store and workshop.

It's acorn season - with or without diamonds!

Photograph: Chris Stein

At the R|R Gallery through October 16th - the premiere, "Wear It Loud" which opened during Fashion Week. The show is an exploration of the on-going conversation between art jewelry and fashion, and exhibits the work of 16 international artists - many of whom work directly with some of the biggest fashion houses in the industry. 

This debut exhibit will be followed by, "RiverStones", the next exhibit which opens on November 20th, and will feature glass vessels and jewelry by an artist from Murano, Italy. The art work is stunning -  the jewelry bold and contemporary. 

Madison Avenue Store and Workshop

29 East 73rd Street 

New York, NY 10021

212.772.1901 Store and Workshop

917.885.8125 Direct

NEW! Downtown Store , Workshop and Gallery

30 Gansevoort Street 

New York, NY 10014

212.226.4513

http://www.ReinsteinRoss.com

http://www.Facebook.com/ReinsteinRoss

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House Returns to Carlsbad October 10th

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House Returns to Carlsbad

WHO:            GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

WHAT:          GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House, the industry’s preeminent recruiting event,   will return to the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad on Friday, Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with hundreds of hiring opportunities in gems and jewelry; panels featuring industry leaders discussing design, creative careers and job success in today’s market; one-on-one career coaching; and classroom demonstrations. The event is free and open to job seekers.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in Carlsbad. © GIA.

Gem and jewelry companies seeking skilled and motivated talent are invited to participate in the event. Employers interested in recruiting at this year’s Career Fair can sign up by using the registration form, contacting GIA’s Career Services office at (800) 421-7250 ext. 4100, or emailing kimberly.overlin@gia.edu.

WHEN:         Friday, Oct. 10

                       8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

                

WHERE:       GIA

 5345 Armada Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

(Above Flower Fields and across from LEGOLAND)

            

MORE:         GIA, creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond quality (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) and the International Diamond Grading System™, has educated more than 350,000 gem and jewelry professionals worldwide.

The 83-year old nonprofit institution is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in diamonds, gemstones and pearls through education programs, laboratory services and research discoveries. GIA has graded some of the world’s most famous diamonds and gemstones, including the Hope Diamond, Taylor-Burton Diamond and Centenary Diamond.

GIA hosted its first Jewelry Career Fair in 1991 in Santa Monica, Calif. Since then, the event has expanded and linked gem and jewelry companies with future employees at more than 50 events in India, and in Las Vegas, New York and the GIA world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.

Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and CEO, moderating the opening panel discussion 

“Job Success in Today’s Market” at GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in 2013. © GIA.

 

A recruiter meets with a job candidate at GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in Carlsbad. © GIA.

#DailyJewel - My #LatestObsession - Lauren Harper!

Lauren Harper travels to the corners of the earth to find gemstones of perfect color and distinctiveness. Stones from exotic destinations like Namibia, Botswana, Laos, South Africa, Cambodia, Thailand & India give each piece in the collection a unique sensibility, and a one of a kind story. Harper uses warm 18kt yellow gold blends and studs them with brightly colored, always changing combinations of precious gemstones such as Moonstones, Peruvian Opals, Black Diamonds, Thai Sapphires, and of course, brilliant white Diamonds. She finds her inspiration by blending the individual characteristics of each stone with the art, architecture and culture of the places she visits. From ancient Egyptian and Byzantine designs, to Khmer ruins, her muse is the world at large. For more information, please visit www.laurenharperdesigns.com

#DailyJewel - Venessa Arizaga’s #Shark Bite #Ring For #Arizaga!

Too much fun!  ...am I too late for Shark Week?

I just love Venessa's whimsical outlook - check out her take on the "arrow through the head" gag that Steve Martin made so popular!

Website:  http://www.venessaarizaga.com/
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/VArizagaJewelry
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/venessaarizaga/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/venessaarizaga
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Venessa-Arizaga/276656635686594

"I like to think of each piece I create as a treasure and a good luck charm, something special to keep close to you to reflect upon good times and evoke your fondest memories"
— Venessa Arizaga

Venessa Arizaga’s love of jewelry grew from her passion for travel. Splitting her time between New York City and her father’s birthplace, the island of Puerto Rico, the contemporary jewelry designer draws inspiration from the duality of these cultures. While both locations are very different, Venessa loves the energy created in both settings; one bustling urban metropolis is balanced by the vitality of the ocean combined with the mellow comfort of the beach. With this lifestyle in mind, Venessa Arizaga has a distinct lens with which to steer her jewelry design. 

Japan’s First Lady Previews Rio Tinto’s Rare Pinks & Reds

Japan’s First Lady Previews 

Rio Tinto’s Rare Pinks & Reds

The inaugural visit of the First Lady of Japan, Mrs Akie Abe, at the invitation of the Western Australian Government was occasion enough for an early showcase of Rio Tinto’s iconic Argyle pink diamonds. 

In an exclusive preview for Mrs Abe, the 2014 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection, comprising around 50 of the rarest and most valuable pink diamonds in the world, were revealed. The diamonds are the finest of a year’s production from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. 

Among the fancy Pinks & Reds, Mrs Abe was the first to view the Argyle Toki™, a 1.59 carat Emerald cut Fancy Intense Purplish Pink.  The name, depicting the delicate pink underwings of a rare Japanese bird, symbolizes the importance of Japan as the premier export market for rare pink diamonds. 

Rio Tinto Diamonds managing director Jean-Marc Lieberherr said “We were delighted to welcome Mrs Abe and show her at first hand these beautiful gems, the pinnacle of Australia’s mineral wealth and symbolic of our enduring relationship with Japan.”

The importance of the Japanese market to the development of Rio Tinto’s rare pink diamond business over the past 30 years was reason enough to honor the First Lady with a private showing. The pink diamond jewellery phenomenon started in Japan in the late 1980s when Japanese designers boldly embraced Argyle’s pink diamonds and incorporated them in beautiful and innovative designs. Today Rio Tinto sells around 30 per cent of its Argyle pink diamonds into Japan where there is an unerring appetite for the smallest, palest pink diamonds, through to the rarest reds.

Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine produces virtually the entire world’s supply of rare pink diamonds. The 2014 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender collection will be officially launched in August and will tour the world until October. Around 150 collectors, connoisseurs and luxury jewellers are invited to place sealed bids on the diamonds. Prices for these diamonds can exceed US$1million per carat, hence their stature as “the most concentrated form of wealth on earth."

This year’s collection features a record 4 Red Diamonds and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender.


About Argyle Pink Diamonds  Pink diamonds, produced at Rio Tinto’s Argyle Mine in Western Australia, are highly coveted as the world's most sought after gems. The Argyle Diamond Mine produces more than 90 per cent of the world's pink diamonds, which are sold in a broad range of colours and sizes to an international customer base.

The market for pink diamonds is quite separate to white diamonds, and due to their rarity, pink diamonds typically command prices far in excess of white diamonds. The best diamonds are reserved for the annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender. Rio Tinto's Argyle Pink Diamonds business is located in Perth, Western Australia, alongside its cutting and polishing factory.  Website: www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au


About Rio Tinto Diamonds   Rio Tinto is one of the world's major diamond producers through its 100 per cent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 per cent of the Diavik mine in Canada, a 78 per cent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe. These three mines allow Rio Tinto to produce diamonds for all market segments. Rio Tinto also has an advanced diamond project in India. Rio Tinto's share of the production from its three operating mines is sold through its Diamonds Sales and Marketing office in Antwerp, Belgium with representative offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council.   www.riotinto.com

Follow @RioTinto on Twitter

Photos from the top - Argyle Cardinal Red - Argyle Toki - Argyle Rosette 

#DailyJewel - Spotlight on the Phoenix Collection by Kavant and SharArt #EarTux

THEME OF THE PHOENIX COLLECTION

The Phoenix Collection is inspired by the graceful movement, form and beauty of the mythological animal.

The wing-shaped earrings represent the wind / freedom to move while the clawed (single and triple) shaped earrings represent the earth / being grounded and mindful.  

Extensions of the original collection were made as suggested by Janet with Fragments NY

image via Fragments

• Each piece is handcrafted in 18K gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, white, champagne, grey and black diamonds. 

• All pieces are made in-house by their own team of goldsmiths, stone setter, gem cutters and apprentice.

• There is an element of versatility in most pieces. Many of which allows one to convert the design, interchange and stack - enabling a more inimitable and personalized feel.

• This collection takes a brand new approach to the ear jacket or rather some called it the Ear Tux (short form for tuxedo). The design sought to capture both mystery and simplicity in equal depths.
• The design concept allows one to play with its web of possibilities such as converting it from a stud version to a dangling earring. (As illustrated below)

Phoenix 2 or 3 claw Black and white diamonds 18K white gold. 

Phoenix Movement: Diamond studs and black diamonds, Pink Sapphire and black diamonds, Pave diamond ball and black diamonds all in 18K white gold

White Diamond & Pink Sapphire or Grey Diamond & Emerald in 18K Black Rhodium Plated gold 

Convertible: ( Day to night) Blue Sapphire and diamond 18 K White gold
converts to Black and white diamond dangling earrings 18K white gold 

TWO FINGER RING AVAILABLE IN BLACK OR WHITE DIAMONDS

#DailyJewel - Spotlight on Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers at India Couture Week 2014

Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers at India Couture Week 2014 - Traditional Red Bridal Gown and stunning Jewels!  photo via Vogue India

#Announcing - Reinstein|Ross Goldsmiths NEW Store & Added Workshop Space

#Announcing - Reinstein|Ross Goldsmiths 

NEW Store & Added Workshop Space

The new downtown Reinstein|Ross Goldsmiths store is open! 

At 30 Gansevoort Street (at Hudson Street), the new location is near the Highline, just steps away from the West Village, and down the street from the new Whitney Museum in the fashionable Meatpacking District.

The new store features a showroom, an in-store workshop and the new R|R Gallery. The store and workshop are open now, and the gallery will open its inaugural show early in September. 

Mina Earrings in the Workshop - Purple and Pink Sapphires and 20k Peach Gold

The in-store workshop not only expands their fabrication capacity, but puts an added focus on hand-fabricated, high-karat gold jewelry, right in the middle of the shopping experience. It is interesting to see it all take place. 

Working on an 18k White Gold Wedding Band in the Workshop

And... Andrew Schloss, Director of Brand/Partner commented "...we are proud to be working at this master level, in New York City.... in Manhattan!"

R|R Rings - Renaissance Rings in 20k Peach Gold with Cabochon Rubies and 18k White Gold
with Multi-Colored Sapphires.  Persian Screen Ring in 20k Peach Gold with Cushion-Cut Cognac Diamond

The new R|R Gallery connected to the store will feature progressive work in studio art jewelry, as well as fine arts related to jewelry, precious stones and precious metals. 

"Our mission is to bring international exposure to emerging and established artists, though promotion, education, and exhibition. The R|R Gallery will present regular group, or solo, exhibitions, and is interested in collaborations with other galleries, museums and educational institutions,"  Schloss further stated, "It's an exciting time for us, and for this area of the city."

Reinstein| Ross Bangles - Mosaic Bangles with Multi-Colored in 20k Peach Gold 

and 18k White Gold, and Round Bangle with Diamonds in 18k White Gold

Photography Credit: Chris Stein

Stop by to visit - check out the store  - and their new collections. 

...and follow them online at:

http://www.ReinsteinRoss.com

http://www.Facebook.com/ReinsteinRoss