6th Annual Halstead Grant - Winner Announced!

Halstead Bead, Inc. announces the winner of the 6th Annual Halstead Grant for Jewelry Business Entrepreneurs. 

Philadelphia-area designer Layne Freedline of Layne Designs is the winner of the 2011 Halstead Grant for jewelry entrepreneurs. The prestigious award includes a $5,000 small business grant as well as $1,000 of jewelry supplies from the grant sponsor Halstead Bead Inc.

Layne Designs jewelry features unusual gems set in handcrafted sterling silver settings. Her line showcases stones such as jasper, druzy and labradorite with paisley inspired silver accents. Freedline plans to use the grant funds to expand her website and exhibit at a national industry trade show.

In response to winning the award Freedline said, “I am very grateful for Halstead Bead Inc., for the encouragement that this grant offers. The handmade marketplace is blossoming from this kind of motivation toward strong business practices.”

The grant is awarded to a new jeweler each year in recognition of design aptitude and business strategy. Qualified candidates must submit lengthy applications including their portfolios of original jewelry and business plan details.

“Layne submitted one of the best business plans we have seen in our six years of judging this competition. We were blown away.” said judge, Hilary Scott. “She is a talented metalsmith with an infectious passion for her craft.”

Freedline received her jewelry arts training at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. She is continuing her education by pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. In addition to running her own studio, she also teaches jewelry classes at the Main Line Art Center in Haverford, PA.

Layne Designs is dedicated to fine quality craftsmanship so that each piece may be treasured as an heirloom. Founder, Layne Freedline has a passion for the beauty of hand-wrought metal objects. She brings to the craft a sleek, modern style with ties to the natural and cosmic.A fascination with the earth's gems and fossils has peppered her high fashion collection with unusual gems from around the world."There is nothing like holding a gem in your hand, a sparkling treasure from the earth, and honoring it with a beautiful setting for the joy of a beautiful woman."

Layne Designs joins a distinguished roster of Halstead Grant recipients since the program began six years ago. For more information and applications for the 2012 Halstead Grant check the Grant website later this year.

2012 Spectrum Awards - Now Accepting Entries

The American Gem Trade Association has announced that they are now accepting entries to the AGTA Spectrum Awards.  Some of the most respected awards in the Gem & Jewelry Industry, the Spectrum Awards have three distinct divisions.

The Spectrum Awards have 5 categories that range from Daywear to Men's to Bridal.  The Platinum Honors division is sponsored by the Platinum Guild International and consists of five categories. And, this being an awards program from the premier Colored Gemstone Association, there is also a "Cutting Edge" division.

All entries also qualify for two "Honors" categories and "Best of Show".

Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl beads in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualifies for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will automatically be qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.

Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will also automatically be qualified for Manufacturing Honors judging.

"The judging panel changes each year and consists of experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry. Entries are judged on a solid criterion which includes overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad-base consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. Each piece is examined by hand with an eye for craftsmanship and quality of the materials used."

So - why should you enter the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards?  the video gives you some really important reasons...exposure...placement...




Download the entry form at:  2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards Entry Form

Deadline for entry is Friday, September 23, 2011.  No exceptions will be made. Photos and Award descriptions from the AGTA Spectrum Award website

Shawish Creates The ULTIMATE Diamond Ring!

It was with great skepticism that I clicked through to the article in yesterday's JCK News Daily.   Rob Bates blog post announced the first All - Diamond Diamond Ring!

From Rob Bates, Cutting Remarks blog: 

In my years covering the diamond beat, I’ve seen a lot of unique spins on the diamond ring concept, but I have to give credit to Geneva company Shawish for this one: They have introduced the first diamond ring made entirely of diamond.

That’s right: The whole thing is made of single faceted diamond. It is the “first diamond ring,” says the company, who has patented the concept. And it certainly looks striking:   

With spreads in everything from Fashion Magazines like Vogue and Industry publications alike this is sure to shake up the Industry and every little girl's previous notion of the Ultimate Diamond Engagement Ring!   I can't believe that we haven't seen this on a Celebrity yet!

According to Shawish on YouTube: Shawish secured the copyright for the all-diamond ring one year ago in Geneva. It took one year to get the copyright and Shawish had to undergo multiple tests with the design to get the precision of the circle right using special laser equipment to cut directly into the diamond.

"It seemed impossible but we decided to embark in this adventure, to make a Dream come true" say brothers Mohamed and Majdy Shawesh, Ceo and founders of Shawish Jewellery.

This 3D Animation is about the making of The World's First Diamond Ring by luxury Swiss jewellers Shawish. 

Directed by Elia D'Anna, Music by Simon Baring & Rufus, Executive Producer Elio D'Anna Jr at Intoit Management.

A. JAFFE Says "I Do" to Same Sex Marriage with New Wedding Bands

Same Sex Marriage is law in New York and several other states - I have to say that it is nice to see a Jeweler embracing this new customer...

From the A.Jaffe Press Release:


It’s wedding season and same-sex marriage is now officially legal in New York! Many same-sex couples across the state of New York, as well as other states that have legalized the right, will be walking down the aisle and saying “I Do.”  Show your significant other how much you love them by presenting him/her with a stunning eternity ring that defines style.  

 A. JAFFE has a new collection of rings, called The Wonder of You, that are perfectly suited for same-sex couples. And, finding the perfect ring from A. JAFFE is easy.  This new collection offers a wide variety of rings, from diamond eternity styles to exquisitely crafted men’s bands, that is sure to catch the eye of that special someone.

 One of my personal favorites is this gorgeous Men's Wedding Band that would also work as an Engagement Ring.  The Diamonds are specially arranged to spell out "I Love You" in Morse Code.

Has you store planned events around this new prospective customer?  interested in A.Jaffe for your store?  looking for stores that carry A.Jaffe Engagement Rings 

For more information on the A. JAFFE Collection, please contact Nicole Cornella at ncornella@kinneyandkinsella.com

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder...Online Jewelry Exhibition

Mussorgsky Ring - synthetic rubber electrical insulation
tubing, aluminum grounding wire
Ian Henderson, USA

The online exhibition titled "Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder" is an exhibition that is accessible to everyone with a computer...Showcasing some of the finest Jewelers and new stars on the horizon...247 images from over 55 artists representing North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Central America, Africa and Eurasia. 

But this one is a little different - you won't find elaborate designs in Gold & Platinum...with precious metals pricing designers out of their own market...this exhibit demands that we think outside our comfort zones...

Edison Moment Ring - Antique Headlamp bulb, 

copper, textured and patinated

Judy Freyer Thompson, USA

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" is a visual trip through contemporary jewelry design from around the world, focused on some surprising material choices. This exhibition features work by jewelry artists who are exploring the concept of jewelry as wearable art using a wide range of materials, many not commonly thought of as "jewelry" materials. One of the driving goals of the exhibition is to show the quality and range of work that can be created using materials other than the "big three" - platinum, gold and silver. While these may be used as accents in the work, they do not compose the primary material.

Design choices drive material choices, and the entries in this exhibition show the tremendous range of possible materials which can be used to create cutting edge jewelry. Materials used range from metals used for thousands of years, such as copper and bronze, to "new" metals such as titanium, to natural materials such as vertebrae and wood, to surprising man-made materials such as plastic drinking straws and colored pencils."

Damascus Steel Ring - 316L stainless steel, 304L stainless steel
David Parums, Australia

...are you using alternative materials in your designs?  

Stay in out of this sweltering Summer Heat click thru and enjoy...

Mikimoto's Exclusives One-of-a-Kind Luxury!

If you are lucky enough to live in the New York or Beverly Hills areas - Mikimoto will have "never before seen in the US" pieces from their Exclusives Collection on display!


The Exclusives Collection is "...a collection of one-of-a-kind and limited jewelry pieces. This couture merchandise represents the pinnacle of Mikimoto quality and jewelry design."


from the Mikimoto Website

"I would like to adorn the necks of all women around the world with pearls."Kokichi Mikimoto

In 1893 Kokichi Mikimoto developed the process to "culture" a semi-spherical  pearl, followed by his achieving a spherical pearl in 1905, a process which brought stunning pearls to the masses.  Prior to the culturing process it could take years to complete a single strand of pearls.  Hence the saying "the Queen of Gems and the Gem of Queens", as it was only Royalty that could afford a strand.


For more on the history of Mikimoto see: http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/our-heritage/our-history

Latest From MJSA! Handbook on Effective Pricing...

WOW - the timing couldn't be better - with all the Trade Shows - Art and Holiday Fairs just around the corner...MJSA - the leader in information for the Trade has announced the latest addition to the Members Bookshelf!


From the MJSA Press Release:
MJSA, the U.S. trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, has published The MJSA Handbook on Effective Pricing: Determining Expenses, Selling Value, and Maximizing Profits. The PDF publication contains the best of pastMJSA Journal and MJSA Custom Jeweler articles on this perennially popular subject, offering strategies for pricing both finished jewelry and repair work.

The Handbook includes best practices for cost accounting (including a step-by-step guide to factoring in overhead costs, one of the most-overlooked areas in pricing); pricing uniqueness in a design, including custom work; and turning a repair operation into a profit center. It also provides successful strategies developed by working designers and jewelers, such as Susan Helmich, Mark Morrell, and David Geller.

The MJSA Handbook on Effective Pricing is free to MJSA members, can be downloaded from the MJSA website, mjsa.org . Non-members can order the Handbook through the online MJSA Bookstore for $9.95.

About MJSA 

MJSA is the U.S. trade association for jewelry makers, designers, and related suppliers. It provides the resources to achieve professional excellence and maintain a competitive edge. For more information, call MJSA at 1-800-444-6572 or visit www.mjsa.org.