Jewelry Historians Tour of All That Glitters Exhibit in San Diego!

American Society of Jewelry Historians Offers Exclusive Tour of All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals at San Diego Natural History Museum

Exhibit Curator Elise B. Misiorowski leads tour on Sat., August 7 at 9:45 a.m.

SAN DIEGO – The Southern California Chapter of The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) announced an exclusive tour of the new exhibition, All That Glitters: The Splendor & Science of Gems & Minerals, at the San Diego Natural History Museum on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. This unique show highlights a wide range of spectacular natural mineral crystals, exquisite jewelry, and works of art. Exhibit curator and GIA Graduate Gemologist Elise B. Misiorowski will lead the tour for ASJH members and their guests.

The exhibition focuses on gemstones and minerals native to California including the rare state gemstone Benitoite - only found in San Benito County, California. Tour participants will also view dazzling pieces on loan from private collectors and major U.S. Institutions including the American Museum of Natural History; Gemological Institute of America; Harvard University Mineralogical Museum; and National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute. The exhibition will be at the Museum until May 15, 2012.

Tickets are $14 per person with RSVPs and payment required by August 1. Payment should be sent to:
American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone/Fax (914) 235-0983
info@jewelryhistorians.org
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

If payment is not received by August 1, tickets are $17 at the door.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, California 92101-1624; (619) 232-3821; http://www.sdnhm.org.

The group will meet at the Museum’s north entrance by the fig tree at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 7. For more information, contact Lauren Shore, Lauren@berbay.com or (310) 405-7335.


The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) is a non-profit educational organization committed to providing an up-to-date resource for those interested in jewelry-related subjects, including jewelry history, antique jewelry, and contemporary jewelry trends and designs.

American Society of Jewelry Historians
1333 A North Avenue #103
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone (914) 235-0983
http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

JA New York Summer Show! Look & Learn!

Discover how social networking can
pave the way to profits for jewelry retailers

DON'T MISS THE FREE 2010 KEYNOTE SESSION
Sunday, July 25 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | America's Best Jewelers Workshop

Twest-ival (n. a gathering of users brought together via Twitter)

Optimizing Social Media for Jewelers !

A revolution in how our culture communicates, the social networking phenomenon is substantially influencing consumer behavior and shopping patterns. Jewelers who have adopted this technology early have positioned their companies to profit. Join in as the entire JA show floor connects to learn how to successfully engage customers on Twitter,Facebook and associated social networks in an interactive, expert-led session. Post to shared sites on live screens while discussing key considerations such as how to define and build your individual network, manage and allocate your time, and set goals and expectations for social networking.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Keynote speakers and see the entire lineup of FREE educational sessions being offered at JA New York Summer Show.

Choices include:

JEWELERS OF AMERICA'S BENCH SUNDAY

CAD/CAM and Your Business – Realistic Expectations and Real World Applications
Presented by Tom Weishaar, JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler, Underwood Jewelers

Hidden Hazards and Unseen Perils – A Jeweler’s Guide to Avoiding Bench Nightmares
Presented by Arthur Skuratowicz, GJG (GIA), President, Jewelry Training Center, Inc.

...and a great selection of Peer Panels:

Peer Panel 1: Social Networking I - Best Practices

Peer Panel 2: Preparing and Positioning for the Rebound

Peer Panel 4: Human Resources Best Practices – Hiring in the Current Market

...and position yourself for the rebounding economy with:

GROW Your Business by Growing Successful Employees
Presented by Cindy Ramsey Chandler, GG, independent educator and consultant

Vintage Buccellatti on Twilight Saga - Eclipse "Black Carpet"

While I was not really wowed by the fashion and jewelry choices from the young stars of the latest of the Twilight series movies - Eclipse, it was interesting to note the presence of some classics.

My favorite were these stunning gold and pearl Buccelatti earrings worn by Ashley Greene with her Alexis Mabille Gown from the 2009 Fall Couture collection. Photo from the Red Carpet Fashion blog coverage of the Eclipse Premiere.

The gown looks a bit like she is modestly holding a sheet up around her...but the earrings are the perfect size for her half up/half down hairstyle and the movement offers a young look!

These earrings were also featured on the blog Timeless Cool and the accompanying photo is from that blog.

I was really hoping to see a younger, edgy-er look from this crowd but I did love Robert Pattinson's Fuschia Gucci suit...now you are going to have to go peek at the full coverage on Red Carpet Fashion.

The London premiere is July 1st - lets hope to see more from this next generation of Hollywood stars...

Once in a Lifetime Jewels at MIKIMOTO New York

Visit MIKIMOTO Fifth Avenue to view a selection of stunning, one-of-a-kind jewels never before seen in the United States.

Showcasing the pinnacle of superior craftsmanship, technical expertise and innovative sensibility of MIKIMOTO's design team, these pieces feature the world’s most beautiful cultured pearls and radiant diamonds positioned in a complex tapestry of organic shapes.

These wearable works of art, Rose Garden and Flowing Tide, are only in the United States for a very limited period of time.

Please call 212.457.4600 to schedule an appointment.

Info reprinted from the Mikimoto newsletter....

Swarovski Says - Shine Like Your Favorite "Sex and the City" Star

Shine like a star with jewellery and accessories inspired by 'Sex and the City 2

With the release of the second film, the world is going crazy with 'Sex and the City' fever. Fans can’t wait to find out what the girls are doing, which men they’re seeing and – most importantly – what they are wearing!

Swarovski crystals were an important part of the actresses’ outfits. Patrica Field, costume designer for the film, says, “Swarovski is great for me from many levels. I love anything that reflects the light and makes everything sparkle. And so I use Swarovski a lot!”

The four main characters might be very different, but they have one thing in common: a fantastic sense of style! Get the look with Swarovski’s jewellery and accessories inspired by the film….

Fashionista...Blonde Bombshell...Uptown Girl...Professional Chic...which one are you? go to the Swarovski website to discover your inner fashion diva...

The Red Carpet...

"The Red Carpet" - the words alone bring to mind visions of privileged people in glamorous gowns draped in diamonds and jewels...we are mesmerized.

For jewelers these are important events - a celebrity in your jewelry on the right "Red Carpet" can be a catalyst in a jewelers career.

...and for some of us it is just mesmerizing to watch all the beauty going down the carpet...and several trends have come off the red carpet. But who has time to look for coverage of each and every Red Carpet Event?! Certainly not me! So I am going to share my favorite coverage of all things "Red Carpet"... Red Carpet Fashion Awards!

Red Carpet Fashion Awards is on every red carpet - everywhere - right now the coverage is Cannes and when I say coverage, this site COVERS it! With shots of the gown from the haute couture runways next to a shot of a star wearing the same gown.

While the site does a fairly good job of covering jewelry (I only wish they posted the Designer names) with closer views and when possible the name of the Designer.

So - lets take a Red Carpet Fashion Awards look at Cannes 2010:

Fan Bingbing in a gold one-sleeved print gown looks to be an update of traditional embroidered oriental gowns with dragons and waves crashing along the hem. She is showing off large glittering earrings with a wide bracelet combo - this is a standard runway look for the last few seasons.

This is a great example of runway to real person - Elie Saab from the runway and on the lovely Helen Mirren - BTW those are Chopard Diamond Cuffs that Helen added to the look.

...Helen Mirren again - she knows how to show the jewels...again in Elie Saab and Chopard, but I thought that you would be excited to see that there have been several necklaces and neckpieces worn at Cannes 2010!

All photos are from the Red Carpet Fashion Awards site and are used here to entice you to click through and check out the daily posts from the Red Carpet events around the world!

GIA, Law Officers Join Forces to Fight International Jewelry Crime

CARLSBAD, Calif. – May 11, 2010 – Special agents and detectives from international law enforcement agencies gathered at the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Carlsbad campus recently for a two-week crash course in gemology that was specifically requested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Law officers from Brazil, Colombia, Belgium, India, Thailand, the UK and the UAE joined detectives from the New York and Los Angeles police departments and FBI specials agents from New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C. to get a first-hand look at how gemological information can help them solve crimes.

The group was exposed to a broad range of gemstone topics, including how to use gemological tools (loupes, tweezers, microscopes); the Four Cs of diamonds and what to look for in clarity, cut and color; synthetics, imitations and color treatments; the diamond industry and the Kimberley Process; field identification of colored stones; and how to read GIA grading reports.

Learning about the science and tools of gemstones is a priceless opportunity, according to Patrick Peys, of the Belgium Federal Police, an experienced gem detective and lead investigator of the 2003 Antwerp Diamond Center heist of nearly half a billion dollars in diamonds, cash and other valuables.

“There is a big difference between being an operational police officer and having knowledge about the product you’re investigating,” Peys said. “That kind of basic information might give you an advantage you otherwise would not have.”

Working with law enforcement officials is a very important aspect of GIA’s mission to protect the public trust, said Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA. “It is imperative that we continue to work with these detectives and special agents on the front lines of fast-moving gem crimes.”

“The thieves communicate and coordinate across international boundaries – we need to do the same if we want to stop them. Giving law enforcement officials access to our resources and gemological information will help them close the net on those who steal from and take advantage of the public. This is a mission we are proud to share with law officers around the world.”

Law enforcement agencies and GIA have a long history of working together to solve gem-related crimes, said Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research. “Our grading reports and inscriptions are the most effective ways to protect gemstones and information on thousands of them are stored in GIA’s database for future reference,” he said.

The database, started in the 1980s, has proved to be extremely useful for investigators, according to Daniel McCaffrey of the FBI’s New York field office. “It’s so significant to have this relationship with GIA and to have a starting point,” he said. “Literally hundreds and hundreds of stones have been recovered because of it.”

Ivy Cutler, records coordinator for the GIA Laboratory in New York notifies law enforcement officials when GIA identifies stolen gemstones and acts as a liaison during investigations. She was recently honored by the Jewelers Security Alliance for her efforts to recover stolen gems and educate law enforcement agencies about gemology.

“Gems are one of the most concentrated forms of wealth, and diamonds travel very quickly,” Cutler said. “It’s amazing how frequently the stolen diamonds flow back to GIA. The crime community is small, the crooks are very smart and a lot of the trade is unaware of what they are handling.”

The investigators added that meeting their counterparts from other countries was one of the best outcomes of the two-week seminar.

“I’m very involved in diamond investigations and as far as I know, GIA is the only organization that is really doing something to bring law enforcement officers together to educate them and get that network working,” Peys said. “For me, that’s very visionary.”

For more information about GIA visit www.gia.edu.

Photo from: http://guineaoye.wordpress.com/