Men With Pierced Ears...

I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage.

They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.

~ Rita Rudner

AGTA Spectrum - Submission DEADLINE!

GL Gem SpectrometerTM - now available

GL Gem Spectrometer^TM - now available

September 13, 2010, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Gemlab Research & Technology has released its GL Gem Spectrometer^TM system.

This advanced gem testing tool allows for fast real-time spectral analysis and bulk testing of both rough and faceted gemstones and will be of great interest to gemmologists, jewellers, gem dealers and others.

The portable spectrometer (UV-VIS-NIR, 300 - 1,000 nm) comes with the GL Halogen 10W Gem Holder^TM and can be operated from the USB port of a laptop/netbook computer. No additional drivers are necessary; the easy to learn GLGemSpec software displays both absorbance and transmission spectra.

For more technical data and description go to the GLGemSpec webpage.. Price for immediate delivery US$ 1,695.00. Order now on-line at Gemlab Books & Instruments.

Note: The GLGemSpec (version 2.0) software works only with the GL Gem Spectrometer^TM; the GL Halogen 10W Gem Holder^TM is an exclusive design of Gemlab Research & Technology and is protected by copyright laws.

Contact: Wolf Kuehn, Gemlab Research & Technology, (604) 530-8569 or send e-mail.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 57010, Vancouver, B.C., V5K 5G6 CANADA

Jewelry Historians "Decode Hip-Hop Jewelry"

“How We Swag:

Decoding Hip-Hop Jewelry”

Lecture Offered by the American Society of Jewelry Historians

Discussion at The Fashion Institute of Technology

on Sept. 30, 2010 at 6:00 pm

NEW YORK – “How We Swag: Decoding Hip-Hop Jewelry” is the topic for the exclusive, upcoming lecture presented by the American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at The Fashion Institute of Technology. The lecture will discuss the significance of hip hop jewelry and its connection with today’s American culture. Lyneise Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Art at University of North Carolina, will lead the discussion. Dr. Williams has created a study of this one-of-a-kind style and has been published on this subject.

The lecture will touch on the many, distinctive styles, the people who wear these noticeable pieces and how the urban society has inspired this jewelry trend. The powerful craze of “hip-hop” jewelry, also known as “bling,” has inspired designers and buyers alike.

To make reservations, call the American Society of Jewelry Historians office: (914) 235-0983 or email: info@jewelryhistorians.org.

You must make reservations, as names cannot be added to the list once it has been sent to security.

Guests are welcome with your guest pass or $10 in advance.

Where: The Fashion Institute of Technology

7^th Avenue at 27^th Street, New York, New York

When: 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 30, 2010

###

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

Photo shows West Coast King of Bling - Ben Baller of IF & Co

"Jewelers for the Gulf" on eBay Giving Works

Prompted by the ongoing disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, more than thirty of the country’s most talented jewelry artists have come together to support victims of the Gulf Oil Spill through a charity auction on eBay Giving Works (www.eBayGivingWorks.com). The “Jewelers for the Gulf” (eBay username JewelersForTheGulf) have contributed original works to be auctioned on the site during September and October, giving jewelry enthusiasts the world over the chance to bid on unique pieces while helping to provide for the Gulf community. Proceeds will benefit Gulf-area residents who have been impacted by the oil spill.

“We designed this event to help shine a light on the fact that many people are now out of work because of the BP Oil Spill, a tragedy that has wreaked havoc on our economy and our ecosystem,” said Patsy Croft, a renowned cloisonné artist who is helping organize the auction.

“The well may be capped, but the damage remains. A lot of people are hurting down here. This event gives people a way to help our fellow Americans while doing something nice for themselves or a loved one at the same time.”

The jewelry being auctioned spans a variety of styles, materials and price ranges. Shoppers will find everything from Fall’s runway trends like chunky cocktail rings and stackable bangles to more traditional, timeless pieces in high-karat gold, sterling silver and gemstones, as well as more artsy, unique works made of materials like glass, moss and even concrete. Several of the artists who have contributed have had their work showcased on the fashion runways, while others have been tapped to design custom pieces for the private collections of prominent models and celebrities.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from each piece listed by JewelersForTheGulf will be donated to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, which has provided food and other assistance to more than 19,000 fishermen and their families since May 1, 2010.

While new artists will be added each week during the months of September and October, some of the confirmed donors include:

• Kristin Anderson is an award-winning artist and metalsmith, who has spent most of her life learning about and teaching art. She now focuses on designing custom pieces for clients, teaching, and making beautiful works in silver, gold, enamel, and stones.


• Carolyn Bensinger is a Boston studio jeweler, working in sterling and high karat gold pieces for all occasions.


• Patsy Croft is an award-winning cloisonné jewelry artist whose work can be seen in art jewelry galleries throughout the country. She focuses on works using brightly colored enamels, high-karat metals and precious stones.


• Guy Harvey Jewelry by Nautora. Guy Harvey’s famous artworks are now rendered in precious metal to create a singular blend of art and lifestyle jewelry. Pieces include hard fired enamel in spectacular color and original relic styles.


• Chris Hierholzer is a metalsmith and enamellist who began making jewelry in 1968. His innovative enameling techniques show the influence of world renowned jeweler William Claude Harper, whom Chris apprenticed with for more than ten years. Chris is one of the primary organizers of the Jewelers For The Gulf charity auction.


• Mary McBride was born and raised in southwest Louisiana, An MFA recipient, she specializes in techniques that incorporate textiles, silver, and unconventional mixed materials, producing an eclectic variety of collectibles.


• Tom McCarthy has been making jewelry for more than twenty-five years. An MFA recipient, his work is in numerous private and public collections, including the Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, NC.


• Ileana Rojas-Bennett is a Costa Rican jewelry designer who takes her inspiration from the colors and textures of the rainforest. Her fashionable gemstone statement pieces have been chosen by celebrities, and have been showcased on the fashion runways of New York, Miami and soon Boston.


• Jerry Scavezze is a fine gold jewelry artist from Colorado who specializes in Anticlastic Raising.


• Mary Timmer has been designing and hand fabricating jewelry since 1998. Her work has been showcased in many fine craft galleries and juried art shows. Her pieces are unique, incorporating a mix of fine metals, pearls and stones.


• Patricia Tschetter is an award-winning jeweler and metalsmith, whose work has been shown nationally and is carried by galleries and boutiques across the country.


• Craig Vandeman is a professional Metalsmith and jewelry designer living in the Dallas area. He has participated in multiple collegiate shows, national juried shows and is currently working on a portfolio for admission to Graduate School.

The charity listings are now live and can be found on the JewelersForTheGulf About Me page on eBay. For updates on the auction, funds being raised and new artists being added, stay tuned to Patsy Croft’s Enamel and Goldsmith Blog, http://www.alohilanidesigns.com.

GemstoneTreatmentReport Website Free Industry Resource

GemstoneTreatmentReport.com website becomes free information resource for gemstone industry.

ISG opens the GTR database to assist the world wide industry.

San Antonio, TX, September 1, 2010: Realizing the need for a free information clearing house for gemstone treatments and lab created gemstone identification, the International School of Gemology announced today the restructuring of their Gemstone Treatment Report website to become the industry’s only complete, open-sharing internet database of gemological research and reporting on gemstone treatments.

Located at GemstoneTreatmentReport, this website is now available as a free service to anyone in the gemstone industry for the study, reference, and sharing of gemological information relating to the research and reporting of the latest in gemstone treatment identification methods. This information clearinghouse is being made possible by members of the world wide ISG Community who are responsible for the research and identification of the dyefusion treatment of gemstones such as andesine, tourmaline, and others. The GTR data base currently covers the identification of over 50 of the most often seen gemstone treatments as well lab grown gemstones with ongoing research to provide the industry with the latest updates available free through this single source website.

The Gemstone Treatment Report actively seeks sharing and information contributions from other gemological organizations, laboratories, schools, dealers, retail jewelers, consumers, and any other interested party who has information to share and contribute to the information database.

The Gemstone Treatment Report was originally a production of the International School of Gemology’s Registered Gemologist course program titled: Identification of Synthetic Gemstones. Due to the urgent need for quality information regarding gemstone treatments, the ISG has opened this database to the industry as a free support service. All Gemstone Treatment Report subscribers will be given the option of a subscription refund or other consolations. For more information please contact the ISG office at 210.877.5816 or email to isg@schoolofgemology.com.

2011 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards Competition

AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards info HERE

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