Erica Courtney Debuts Diamonique Collection on QVC!

So the first views of Award Winning Jewelry Designer, Erica Courtney's new line using QVC's trademarked Diamonique product have been released...WOW!

*A Note from the Designer

"I'm extremely excited about my QVC debut with this rose/blue pendant, which was inspired by one of my award-winning platinum pendants that retails for $120,000. This delicious, vibrant gem is dripping with a Diamonique micro-pavé overlay and is absolutely stunning!"

—Erica Courtney

You can catch Erica Courtney live at midnight Friday Eastern Time and again at 10am Eastern!

But even if you can't catch it live what a huge opportunity to pick up a stunning piece of jewelry from the Designer that is the Red Carpet Choice of many Celebrities!

Get a head start with the Today's Special Value (pictured above) or the stunning Diamonique Station Necklace that would stack so perfectly with the TSV or your favorite strand of Honora Pearls!



* Quote above from the QVC website...

Matt Lauzon Honored in INC's "30 Under 30 List"

I had the honor of getting to know Matt (thru Twitter & email) at the beginning of his journey with what was at that time Paragon Lake.  


Since then he has partnered with some really important people in the Jewelry Industry and what was a vision is now a reality - and a reality that is doing well!


Inc Magazine has listed Matt Lauzon in it's "30 Under 30 List"...an amazing grouping of individuals with such a strong vision at such an early age.  If were this driven in my twenties I would own a Dept. Store by now (I was the Queen of Retail - I could sell anything!), I am so happy that I didn't take that road.


So take a minute to read the article in INC. and get to know Matt Lauzon and his passion Gemvara...





Follow Gemvara on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/gemvara
...and my personal favorite the Gemvara Blog!  http://blog.gemvara.com/

Reena Ahluwalia Does It Again! "Shining Stars for Royal Asscher

Royal Asscher’s latest “'Shining Stars” affordable floating-diamonds collection made its debut at the Luxury at JCK and JCK Las Vegas Show. 


This latest collection designed by Reena Ahluwalia for Royal Asscher is inspired by the day and night of the African Savannah and its animal magnetism.


This new collection consists of beautiful pendants and stunning rings. The styles continue to feature free-floating diamonds encased in a fluid-filled sapphire dome, giving them the effect of shimmering stars.

Affordable and on trend are two descriptions that you seldom see side-by-side, but in this latest collection from Royal Asscher you get BOTH! Following the huge success of their "Stars of Africa" Collection, designer Reena Ahluwalia brings a VERY Fashionable and Affordable collection set in Gem Ceramic or Silver with Yellow & Rose Gold plating that still features their popular floating diamonds design.


"We strongly believe in using conflict-free diamonds for development. It was important for me to highlight Africa, yet again. Proceeds from sales will continue to support Royal Asscher's 'Stars of Africa', Africa-focused fundraising initiative." says Reena on the Royal Asscher Facebook page.


African savannah, abstract leopard and cheetah prints are the inspiration for 'Shining Stars' collection. One of 2011’s hottest looks and a look we are seeing as a strong influence this Fall.  We see this exotic trend hugely influencing runways and street fashion. Versatile to mix with any of your neutrals or with the bright color stories of the Fall Runways.

The Latest Member of the "Shining Stars" Collection...
Ceramics combined with 18k rose, yellow and white gold and floating diamonds. Ceramic is extremely durable, shatterproof and scratch-proof. It is also light weight as compared to metals such as platinum and gold.

ABOUT ROYAL ASSCHER: Legendary history of innovation and gemological excellence. Asscher family had cut the largest diamond ever found the 3105-carat Star of Africa (Cullinan) diamond in 1908. The company had also cut the ‘Excelsior’ diamond in 1903. Royal Asscher was the first company in the world to patent a diamond cut; The ‘Asscher Cut’ in 1902. They are also the inventors of the famous ‘Royal Asscher Cut’ introduced in 2001.http://www.royalasscher.com/en/page/38/history.html

ABOUT DESIGNER REENA AHLUWALIA: http://www.reenaahluwalia.com/Profile.html

Collectible Frank Patania Silver - New Pieces Available!

Recently, Arizona Jeweler, Sam Patania, sent a notice to friends and collectors of Frank Patania Sr.'s Silverwork:


"I have received a 9 piece collection of jewelry given by my grandfather, Frank Patania Sr., to his sister when he would take trips back to New York City from Santa Fe, NM  to visit his family. Three of the pieces, a bracelet in sterling and coral, a necklace in sterling and coral and a pin in sterling and turquoise have my grandfather's personal hallmark. The others have combinations of the hallmarks used by the craftsmen in Frank's studio. These pieces will be provided with written provenance for collectors.

This is a once in a life time opportunity to own vintage Patania jewelry with clear provenance, given with love by Frank Patania Sr. himself, to his sister from the 1930's to the 1950's.

Photographs, written descriptions and pricing provided by request."

Contact Info at the bottom of this article...

Frank Patania, Sr. is the first generation Jeweler in a Family Dynasty that runs Three Generations - Sam is the current generation of a family whose work is installed in the Smithsonian.  

For those who may not be familiar with the Patania name, a bit to whet your curiousity:

Frank Patania, Sr.

Three generations of Patania men have been working for over 70 years, creating jewelry and decorative objects that have come to be known for their excellence in craftsmanship and design. In October 2000, Kenneth Trapp, co-curator of the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, took possession of three Patania bracelets to be placed in the museum's permanent jewelry collection.

Frank Patania, Jr.

The renowned Renwick Gallery's acknowledgment of the family's work came as no surprise to those who were already admirers, clients, and collectors of Patania pieces, but the move did confirm the family's important role in 20th century jewelry.

Sam Patania 

Trapp himself perhaps said it best, in talking to the Arizona Daily Star, October 25, 2000 about the acquired Patania bracelets: "I really feel that these three pieces represent the very best of craftspeople and designers. What interests me is the quality of design-they're absolutely stunning." 


From Patania: 70 years of Excellence  by Shari Watson Miller 

For more info click thru - the Miller article is accompanied by dramatic photos of truly stunning jewelry that is a piece of our history!

Frank, Sr. was an Italian immigrant whose work was dramatically and forever changed with his introduction to SouthWest style of Native American silversmiths in the 1920's.  The result of the marriage of the two styles became known as the Patania Thunderbird Style.

The significance of these new pieces is HUGE - the provenance couldn't get any better.  Being a gift to his own sister.  Inquiries, prices and information will be provided on request.

Sam Patania can be reached through his website at:

http://patanias.com/home.html

Additional information and resources:

Shari Miller's complete article: http://www.modernsilver.com/patania.htm

Bahti Indian Arts: http://www.bahti.com/

I hope you enjoy clicking through these resources and learning about the talent of the Patania Jewelers. You will find a style that works for you - whether you are drawn to the Southwest style of Frank, Sr; the clean modernist work of Frank, Jr or the still emerging style of Sam Patania, the current standard bearer of the family!

Palladium Alliance Int'l Asks...Are you working with Palladium?

Click through to Luxury Palladium 

MJSA Announces Custom Jeweler Level Membership

MJSA's Custom Jeweler Membership Debuts  (Report from the MJSA Up-To-Date Newsletter) Custom jewelers spend their days creating unique jewelry for their clients--and now there's an MJSA membership tailored just for them. The new MJSA Custom Jeweler membership category is affordably priced at $95, and includes free subscriptions to the monthly MJSA Journal and quarterlyMJSA Custom Jeweler; free archived articles from both publications; and discounts on the books of MJSA Press and other leading industry publications. Custom Jeweler members can also use the MJSA logo on their websites, in their studios, and at their stores, to signal their commitment to professional excellence in jewelry making and design. In addition, Custom Jeweler members can upgrade at any time to MJSA's Retail membership category. This higher level of membership allows retailers to gain access to additional services the association offers, including deep discounts on FedEx shipping, store-branded consumer financing programs through GE Money, and affordable press release preparation through the PR & Pix program. There are also discounts on subcontracting services (such as CAD/CAM), and various other discounted supplies and services for custom jewelers, provided by MJSA suppliers that participate in the MJSA Member-to-Member program. To learn more, contact MJSA at 1-800-444-MJSA (6572), e-mailinfo@mjsa.org, or visit MJSA Online at mjsa.org.

Opal Horizon Introduces New Opal Grading System

At the prestigious GIA Symposium held last month at the headquarters of the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA, Brisbane based Opal Horizon, Ltd announced a new globally quantifiable grading Opal Grading System.

A .pdf version of the Powerpoint Presentation shown at the Symposium is available at:
http://www.opalhorizon.com/Portals/0/Opalppt-GIASymp5-28final%20(2).pdf

OR download the Brochure Version at: http://www.opalhorizon.com/Portals/0/BROCHURE(05.18.11).pdf

The new Opal Horizon grading system only applies to natural precious opal and is based on the evaluation of three quantifiable grading criteria.

The three quantifiable Cs 
The three quantifiable criteria defined by Opal Horizon are Category, Colour and Cut.

“Category” This describes the opal as one of three types each defined by the presence and degree of host rock in the opal.

 “Colour” The criteria applied to colour assigns points according to the opal face, body tone, play of colour, brightness, pattern, directionality and special attributes.

  “Cut” The quality of the cut is determined by the opal’s finish & polish, ease of  setting, symmetry or balance and exclusion of defects.

Each of the 3 Cs is graded individually on a 100 points maximum scale. The three scores are then added and result in a final comprehensive quality score. This final score provides the accurate, comprehensive and credible grading of each opal and enables the opal to then be valued at current market prices for that grade.

As OHZ continues its worldwide marketing campaign, OHZ is planning to headquarter its sales and marketing operation in North America. All gem opals sold through OHZ will be evaluated using its new grading system, and accompanied by a report that describes the stone and provides a definitive quality grade.

The wholesale pricing structure will be guided by the new quality grading system. OHZ will make available for purchase internationally not only the precious opal from its own mines, but also will seek to centralize the distribution of opals through cooperative partnership arrangements and by purchasing from other opal suppliers. It is estimated that 95% of precious opal is produced in Australia, and OHZ expects it (along with its partner producers and suppliers) will account for a significant percentage of global sales of this gemstone.