Part 2: 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Collection - Business Day Wear

The Business Day Wear category continues with everything from brooches, pendants and rings to bracelets...however I did notice a trend to the Ocean Theme with lots of blues and some really incredible pearl pieces....

Entry 264 Mark Schneider

Mark Schneider Design

Long Beach, CA

18K green gold pendant featuring an 11.38 ct. Opal, 77 seed Pearls, Diamonds (0.36 ctw.), green Diamonds (0.11 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (0.06 ctw.).

Entry 43 Graham Edney

Graham Edney

Santa Barbara, CA

18K yellow gold necklace featuring 98 freshwater Pearls with a platinum and Diamond (.35 ctw.) pendant.

Entry 86 Danielle Meshorer

Danielle Meshorer

San Francisco, CA

14K yellow gold kelp cuff set with round champagne Diamonds (.44 ctw.)

Entry 271 Susan Sadler

Susan Sadler, Fine Jewelry Design

Tulsa, OK

Vintage tortoise-color bakelite cuff featuring a 26x20 Chinese freshwater Pearl and pave Diamonds (0.84 ctw.) set in 18K and 18.5K yellow gold

Entry 582 James W. Currens

J.W. Currens, Inc.

New York, NY

"Bee Line" earrings featuring two 15.6mm golden Pearls and two 12.2mm white Pearls accented with yellow and white Diamonds (3.96 ctw.), Emerald (.06 ctw.), Ruby (.09 ctw.) and Sapphire (.03 ctw.).

Entry 81 Debbe Woodburg

Park City Jewelers

Park City, UT

14K rose and white gold "Flying Pig" pendant featuring a Baroque Pearl accented with Diamonds (.50 ctw.).

Entry 79 Debbe Woodburg

Park City Jewelers

Park City, UT

14K yellow gold "Angelfish" brooch featuring a Baroque Pearl accented with Diamonds (.45 ctw.)

Entry 49 Jorge Adeler

Adeler Jewelers

Great Falls, VA

14K yellow gold ring featuring a 30.5mm baroque freshwater Pearl accented with white Diamonds (.34 ctw.)

Can you believe that I didn't even show you everything in this category? Make sure to check the AGTA site.

I am going to leave you with the following wish of the season....

Entry 217 Gregore Morin

Gregore Joailliers

Santa Barbara, CA

18K white gold "Dressed to Chill" brooch featuring red Garnets (.97 ctw.), black and white Diamonds (.73 ctw.) and spessartite Garnets (.04 ctw.).

2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Collection - Business Day Wear

Back to the AGTA Spectrum entries and winners...the "Business Day Wear" category is extensive and includes a little bit of everything...here are some of the pieces that I loved...

2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Collection - Business Day Wear

There were pins, rings, pendants, neckpieces, brooches, earrings...and bracelets - this category covered it all...

big bold gems...from the rough, etched and hammered face of the Lemon Quartz in Jorge Adelers rings...

Entry 47 Jorge Adeler

Adeler Jewelers

Great Falls, VA

14K yellow gold ring featuring a 47.35 ct. lemon Quartz.

...to the traditional simplicity of...

Entry 159 Robert Pelliccia

J.R. Dunn Jewelers

Lighthouse Point, FL

Platinum ring featuring an 18.64 ct. Kunzite accented with Peridots (.45 ctw.) and Diamonds (.83 ctw.).

Carved Emeralds were the choice of...

Entry 3 Matthias Haag Lother Haag America, Inc. Los Angeles, CA White gold leaf pendant featuring a carved Emerald frog (3.0 ctw.).

Entry 4 Matthias Haag

Lother Haag America, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA

Yellow gold pin/brooch featuring a carved Emerald Nefertiti (20.60 ctw.) accented with square Emeralds (.60 ctw.).

Entry 90 Katy Briscoe

Katy Briscoe, Inc.

Houston, TX

18K yellow gold ring featuring a 20.18 ct. carved Emerald accented with Ebony and Diamonds (.18 ctw.).

Just a few of the amazing bracelets...we can start with the First Place winner in this category...

Entry 532 Ariane Zurcher

Ariane Zurcher Designs

Long Island City, NY

18K brushed yellow gold bracelet featuring cabochons of pink Topaz (25.08 ctw.), mandarin Garnets (17.21 ctw.), Paraiba Tourmalines (4.03 ctw.), Tourmalines (12.0 ctw.), Aquamarines (2.96 ctw.) and pink Sapphires (2.69 ctw.).

Entry 286 Belle Brooke Barer

Belle Brooke Designs

Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold bracelet featuring blue Tourmalines

(6.16 ctw.), blue Zircons (1.98 ctw.) and Aquamarines (1.98 ctw.).

...and I really love the brown patina on these two bracelets (does anyone know this secret?)...

Entry 230 Armenta

Armenta

Houston, TX

18K yellow gold and oxidized sterling silver cuff featuring a 4.75 ct. green Quartz accented with white and black Diamonds (.50 ctw.).

Entry 148 Victor Velyan

Victor Velyan

Los Angeles, CA

24K yellow gold and silver with brown patina bangle featuring a 20.54 ct. oval star Ruby cabochon and natural colored Diamonds (3.15 ctw.).

Pendants in all sizes and colors - the use of less expensive stones is balanced by the carving, cuts and rarity of some of the Gems chosen...

Entry 285 Alishan Halebian

Alishan

Irvine, CA

18K yellow gold pendant featuring a 40x36x30mm dendritic Quartz, a 2.33 ct. pear-shaped spessartite Garnet and Diamonds (0.06 ctw.).

Entry 191 Mark Winters

Mark Winters

Klamath Falls, OR

18K white and rose gold "As the World Turns" reversible pendant featuring a 15.0 ct. carved Sunstone and a 12.0 ct. Moonstone accented with Lapis Lazuli (2.0 ctw.).

I am going to end Part 1 of Business Day Wear with my favorite ring...this is something I would wear...

Entry 206 Gabriel Ofiesh

Gabriel Ofiesh

Charlottesvile, VA

18K yellow and 14K white gold "Cognac Garland Orbit" ring featuring brown and white Diamonds (1.25 ctw.)

French High Jewelry Invades Manhattan....

Looking through the Farlang site I came across a wonderful offer - I was looking at the Jewels of France Exhibit and did you know that just by registering on the Farlang site you can win a copy of:

Marchak by Marguerite De Cerval - the story of the legendary house of Marchak which was founded in Kiev in 1878 by Joseph Marchak (1854-1918), moved to Paris and was re-launched internationally in 1989 by the founder's great-grandson - many fine Art Deco and more recent pieces of fine jewellery are featured - The Rebirth,

The Vital Lead, The Legacy, Joseph Marchak and

Alexander Marchak.

The author Marguerite De Cerval is an art historian, specialized in 20th Century French jewellery - this out-of-print edition features around 200 photos.

...and for those of you who are lucky enough to be in Manhattan and attend the event, you can double your chances to win by entering the drawing at the Aaron Faber Gallery!

OK - I am officially jealous - the artists featured in this exhibit is phenomenal!!!! So - if you are in the Manhattan area visit the exhibit and if not go to the Farlang site and register to get a great source of French Design for your personal enjoyment!

French High Jewelry Invades Manhattan for the Annual Jewels of France Exhibition... Aaron Faber Gallery to Host 13 of France’s Celebrated Jewelry Houses and Designers...

The Jewels of France Exhibition and Trunk Show is an annual week long gathering of some of France’s most acclaimed jewelry houses and their designers. Aligned again in its second year with Aaron Faber Gallery, the Jewels of France exhibition offers both trade and consumers an opportunity to meet the Creative Directors behind these houses and learn more about the exquisite and complicated art of French jewelry manufacture.

This year’s participants include Marchak, the 131 year old jewelry house founded by Joseph Marchak, the “Cartier” of Kiev and Peter Fabergé’s greatest rival; Bijoux Commelin, the 129 year-old manufacture of charms and specialist in translucent enamel; and BRM, the only watch company in the world that designs and manufacturers all of their watches and watch components in France. Also participating are Umane Créations, Joïa, La Joaillerie Récréative, Sylvain Nosjean, Tess & Tasha, Veronique Bailly, Ximena Alarcon Cavrois, Sophie Reyre, Antoine Camus, and Garnazelle. for the full release ...

About Farlang: Farlang Gem & Diamond Foundation would like to offer students, educators, the discerning public, and those in industries or institutions associated with geology and

gemmology, the opportunity to research and continuously learn about our fascinating planet and its exceptionally creative artisans through the Earth's most prized riches.

We want to take you on an exotic and colourful voyage around the world to enhance your knowledge about one of the most cherished objects throughout history, the mineral or organic stone known as gemstones or jewels. Treasured for its beauty, rarity, and durability, jewelled objects and accessories have withstood the test of time to tell its story. A tale filled with intrigue, romance, power, beauty, wealth, and fascinating people.

Along the way, we shall provide you with opportunities to read about history, different countries, trustworthy news, and sound advice from experts. You shall also be introduced to many unique designers and artists from around the globe that we found contribute greatly to the Fine Arts. A feast for the eyes and food for the brain!

AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010 - Bridal Wear

I am a big proponent of colored stones as Engagement Rings and Wedding Sets - so are these designers:

Entry 45 Russell Koppels D. Bierfeldt Master Jeweler Denver, CO 18K rose gold and palladium ring featuring a 1.51 ct. brownish-green Diamond accented with pink, peach and orange Sapphires (1.26 ctw.) and white and chocolate Diamonds (.20 ctw.).

Entry 233 Aaron Henry Furlong

Aaron Henry Designs

Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold engagement

ring featuring a 12.45 ct.

sugar loaf spessartite Garnet

and green tourmalines (10.0 ctw.).

...and the Bride will always need something blue...

Entry 244 Stacia L. Woods

Jewels From the Woods

Blanco, TX

Platinum pendant featuring

a 52.06 ct. Aquamarine carving,

a white cultured Pearl and

Diamonds (0.22 ctw.) on a

white cultured Pearl strand.

Entry 183 Yael Designs

Yael Designs

San Francisco, CA

18K white and yellow gold

"Trinity" necklace featuring

a 5.71 ct. Tanzanite

accented with white

Diamonds (1.73 ctw.).

You don't have an heirloom piece? Start a new tradition with these glorious Abalone Pearl Earrings...

Entry 96 Gene Berdnik

Andrew Sarosi

Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold drop

earrings featuring two

semi-oval abalone pearls

(8.25 ctw.) accented with

Diamonds (.30 ctw.).

...or compliment a satin gown with these frosted crystal quartz earrings.

Entry 225 Glen J. Engelbrecht

GJ Designs Sarasota, FL

18K white gold earrings featuring

frosted white carved Quartz.

It is interesting to note that as beautiful as these are...the winner is...gorgeous Pink Topaz Earrings!

Entry 530 Maria Canale

Suna Bros., Inc.

New York, NY

18K white gold earrings

featuring shield-cut pink

Topaz (12.82 ctw.), full-cut

Diamonds (1.56 ctw.) and

baguette Diamonds (0.15 ctw.).