GIA Announces Free Trial - Online Edition of Gems & Gemology

Gems & Gemology Launches New Electronic Newsletter: G&G eBrief

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Oct. 8, 2009 – Gems & Gemology (G&G), the award-winning quarterly

journal of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), introduced a new monthly electronic newsletter, the G&G eBrief, on Oct. 5

G&G eBrief delivers the latest research updates to professional gemologists worldwide, who want brief articles on topics that have immediate, practical application.

“The need for dependable gemological intelligence has never been greater,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president of the GIA Laboratory and Research. “The G&G eBrief gives readers access to timely and useful information that is based on rigorous scientific testing.”

Each G&G eBrief features the latest findings from the GIA Laboratory, global news and trade alerts, helpful tips, insight into future Gems & Gemology issues, upcoming conferences and exhibits worldwide – and even a “brainteaser.”

“The content in the G&G eBrief will go through the same editorial and production process that has made Gems & Gemology the most trusted professional publication in the field,” said

G&GEditor-in-Chief Alice Keller.

The October through December G&G eBriefs will be distributed free of charge. Beginning in January 2010, the newsletter will be available exclusively to Gems & Gemology subscribers.

Those who wish to receive the November and December newsletters can email Managing Editor Tom Overton at tom.overton@gia.edu to be added to the G&G eBrief distribution list.

To subscribe to Gems & Gemology and ensure continued receipt of the G&G eBrief, go to the G&Gorder page or contact Circulation Coordinator Martha Rivera by email atmartha.rivera@gia.edu or calling toll-free (800) 421-7250, ext. 7142.From outside the U.S. and Canada, call (760) 603-4000, ext. 7142.

Bead Dreams 2010 Calendar - Now Available!

Kalmbach announces the release of this glorious calendar - chock full of the some of the finest beadwork by an impressive list of talent.

Publisher's Description:

Each calendar month features intricate and inspiring beadwork from the first- and second-place winners of the 2008 Bead Dreams contest. Six different beading categories: crystals, handmade beads, polymer clay, seed beads, finished jewelry, and beaded objects are included with an artist showcase explaining the designer’s background and inspiration. Recognizes national holidays with ample date space to write in.

Available at the Kalmbach Store.

You can get a closer view of the front and back cover here.

Spectacular 507 ct White Diamond Recovered at Historic Cullinan Mine

29 September 2009

Petra Diamonds Limited ("Petra" or "the Company"), the international diamond mining group, announces the recovery of an important 507.55 carat white diamond at the Cullinan mine in South Africa.

This spectacular gemstone was recovered on Thursday 24 September and is currently with experts for analysis. Initial examinations indicate that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, and most likely to be a Type II diamond. Further details, including colour grading and clarity, will be released once the diamond has undergone appropriate analysis.

The diamond was recovered alongside three other special white stones of similar colour and clarity in the same production run: another very large stone of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.

At 507 carats (just over 100 grams) the diamond, which has yet to be named, is considered to be amongst the top 20 largest high quality rough diamonds ever found worldwide and ranks alongside other illustrious diamonds recovered at the celebrated Cullinan mine. Cullinan has a special place in the history of diamonds as the source of the world’s largest gem diamond ever recovered, the ‘Cullinan’, at 3,106 carats rough. It has also produced a further two of the world’s largest diamonds, the Golden Jubilee at 755 carats rough and the Centenary at 599 carats rough, and many other famous gems including the Taylor-Burton (69 carats polished).

Johan Dippenaar, Petra’s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the find, "The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond. Initial indications are that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, which suggest extraordinary potential for its polished yield. We now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis."

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About Petra Diamonds

Petra Diamonds is a leading supplier of rough diamonds. A number of acquisitions have established Petra as one of the world’s largest independent diamond groups by resources, with a total resource base of 262 million carats. The Company’s objective is to continue to increase supply and develop its stature as a world-class diamond group.

Petra has acquired three of the world's most famous diamond mines – Cullinan, Koffiefontein, and Williamson – all of which are noted for the production of valuable diamonds. In addition, the Company has agreed to acquire a fourth major mine, the Kimberley Underground mines, and this acquisition is expected to complete soon. Petra is continuing the proud tradition of these celebrated diamond mines, whilst delivering true sustainable development to the benefit of the employees and the surrounding local communities. Petra conducts all its operations according to the highest ethical standards, and will only work in countries which are members of the Kimberley Process.

Paragon Lake announced 12 winners of its Inspired Design Contest

As reported by JCK Staff -- JCK Online, 9/23/2009 10:19:00 AM

Paragon Lake announced 12 winners of its Inspired Design Contest.

The contest attracted almost 200 designers who submitted designs from all over the world.

The "Inspired Design Contest" goal was to attract top jewelry designers who would inspire the jewelry design community, retailers and consumers with original earring, ring and pendant designs along with the story of their inspiration. The judging criteria included quality, creativity, manufacturability and the inspiration story behind the one of a kind design.

Judges included Jennifer Heebner, of JCK Magazine, Greg Stopka of JewelSmiths and Jose Hess, Award Winning Designer, and Tony Rodrigues, Paragon Lake.

The winners:

• First place: Jeet Palavwala for his engagement ring design. Inspired by a lotus flower.
  
  Prize: Wacom CintiQ monitor & $1,000 cash

  
• Second place: Dan Christie for his pendant design. Inspired by Brain Warp, a mind challenge game.
  
  Prize: Canon EOS Rebel XSi camera & $500 cash

  
• Randy Dixon for his ring design. Inspired by Greek/Roman architecture
  
  Prize: iPod Touch & $100 cash

  

Honorable mentions:

• Michael Devlin, Randy Dixon, Dave Dorian, Martha Gomez, Claudio Gussini, Lee Krombholz, Elena Nazarova, David Nytch and Rosendo Rosas.

The winning designs will be featured on http://www.paragonlake.com and showcased on Paragon Lake's Virtual Display Case.

AGTA Spectrum Awards - It is not too late to enter...

Click Image for Larger View....

Jewelry Artist Magazine's - 2009 Jewelry Arts Awards

Photo: Best of Competition (also First Place, Pins/Brooches): Naomi Sarna - FIRST WAVE

32mm x 23mm. 18K gold, Chinese freshwater pearl, VS diamonds, Montana sapphires, Contra-luz opals, Imperial topaz. Handmade lost-wax gold setting surrounding pegged and epoxy-set pearl. All stones are pave set with bright-cut finishing. Photo: Azad.sarna.naomi@gmail.com, naomisarnadesigns.com

Jewelry Artist magazine's annual competition yields 10 outstanding winners

We proudly present the winners of the eighth annual Jewelry Arts Awards. Entries were judged for excellence, visual appeal and impact, originality, and execution in these six categories: Pins/Brooches, Bracelets, Earrings, Pendants/Necklaces, Rings, and Miscellaneous Jewelry.

Three independent experts judged this year’s entries:

Christine Dhein is a jewelry designer, author, photographer, founder of "Green Jewelry News," and assistant director at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. Her innovative designs combine recycled precious metals with repurposed rubber and have been featured in many exhibitions, books and magazines in the U.S. and Europe (www.christinedhein.com).

Ettagale Blauer is the author African Elegance, Contemporary American Jewelry Design, and American Wristwatches, Five Daces of Style and Design. She is also the author of hundres of articles on jewelry, including design, diamonds, precious metals, colored gems, and jewelry retailers (jewelscribe@aol.com).

Donald A. Stuart is Professor Emeritus of the Jewellery and Metals Program of Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and one of Canada's more respected designer goldsmiths. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Canada's highest honor, the Order of Canada, in recognition of his illustrious career as an artist and educator (www.donstuart.ca).

Our thanks to the judges and all who entered for their hard work and participation.

To enter the 2010 Jewelry Arts Awards, entry forms will be available for download in mid November 2009 at www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/contest.

Compiled by Kristen L. Gibson, Assistant Editor. For more information about our competitions, e-mail Kristen atkgibson@interweave.com

Photo: First Place, Earrings: Nanz Aalund

NAUTILUS EARRINGS
33mm x 5mm x 26mm each earring. 22K gold and epoxy resin. Corrugated 22K gold is spiraled with epoxy resin cast into the spiral. Fabricated ear clip. Photo: Doug Yaple.nanz@nanzaalund.com, www.nanzaalund.com

Hope Diamond...and the winner is!

Your votes have been tabulated and the winner is...drum roll please...Embracing Hope!

While the winning design is being crafted, the Hope Diamond will be displayed for the first time out of a setting. The diamond will be exhibited in the winning setting for a limited time at the National Museum of Natural History before being returned to it's historical setting.

The world's most famous diamond, the HOPE DIAMOND, will undergo a special re-design to honor the 50th Anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Given to the Institution as a "gift to the American people" by legendary American jeweler Harry Winston, the Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Channel(TM) is celebrating the diamond's legacy by inviting the American public to vote on a new design for the stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond.

The Hope Diamond will be put on display in its new setting at the National Museum of Natural History, and televised nationally as part of the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's "Mystery of the Hope Diamond" in March of 2010. The Hope Diamond will be returned to its permanent setting before the close of 2010.

The History: At 45.52 carats, the Hope is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. More than 50 years ago, jeweler to the stars, Harry Winston, purchased it from the estate of the deceased American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After touring the gem around the country as part of his famous Court of Jewels, Harry Winston donated the Hope to the Smithsonian Institution, sending it to Washington, D.C. through the U.S. postal service.

In the Smithsonian Institution's world-class gem collection -- which includes diamonds worn by Marie Antoinette, an immense emerald owned by the Turkish Sultan Abdual Hamid II, and some of the world's largest rubies and sapphires -- the Hope is the most famous jewel.

The Hope has many unique properties that have puzzled experts since its discovery, and its extraordinary history gave birth to the alleged curse -- that all who owned or touched it met great tragedy.