21st Annual MJSA Vision Awards OPEN

2011 1st Place Custom Design:
Cynthia Zava,
Cynthia Renee, Inc.

 21st Annual MJSA Vision Awards

         Competition is OPEN!

Every year, the association celebrates outstanding talent in the field of jewelry design with our MJSA Vision Awards competition. The winning designers and students represent the future of the jewelry manufacturing industry--and the Vision Awards competition showcases their creativity and boosts their careers.

2011 1st Pl. Visionary Technical Solution, Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.

MJSA ensures the Vision Award winners receive the recognition they deserve by promoting their triumph through the industry's leading publications, which in 2012 will include Instore, Metalsmith, and the association's own MJSA Journal. In addition, their winning entries will be on display for thousands of buyers and exhibitors during the annual MJSA Expo New York, the largest and oldest trade show in the U.S. dedicated to the design and manufacture of jewelry, which will be heldMarch 11-13, 2012. Other prizes include gift certificates of up to $500 (courtesy of Rio Grande), cash awards, book libraries, and, for student winners, scholarships up to $1,000.

2012 AWARD CATEGORIES Design ExcellenceHonors designs that exhibit exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and marketability.
 Visionary Technical SolutionHonors designs in which specific technical challenges--such as combining two non-complementary metals--were overcome to take the piece from concept to completion.
 
Laser Distinction
Sponsored by LaserStar Technologies Corp.

Recognizes entries in which the design relied upon the use of a laser.
 

Gold Distinction
Sponsored by Hoover & Strong

Recognizes entries that include a minimum of 75% of a karat gold alloy in the design.

Palladium Distinction
Sponsored by Palladium Alliance International

Recognizes entries that include a minimum of 75% of the design metal(s) in 950 palladium.

Platinum Distinction
Sponsored by Platinum Guild International

Recognizes entries that include a minimum of 75% of the design metal(s) in either 90% or 95% platinum. 

Custom Design Distinction

Sponsored by TechForm Advanced Casting

Honors designs that met a client's request for a custom designed piece and the challenges encountered during the design process and how they were overcome.

Future of the Industry Award

Sponsored by MJSA Education Foundation 

Recognizes the work of students in jewelry-related programs who exhibit exceptional design talent and creativity.

Click here to learn more about this year's competition and find out how to enter! Or visit the Career Center at mjsa.org.

Thank you to our 2012 sponsors:

 

General Sponsor:

 

Laser Distinction:

 

Gold Distinction:

 

Palladium Distinction:

 

Platinum Distinction:

 

Custom Design Distinction:

 

Future of the Industry:

 

Media Sponsors:

 

 

Gem Jewel: Breaking News! Ethiopian Opal

This is the beautiful untreated hydrophane
opal that draws us to Ethiopian Opal
from EthiopianOpals.com

I just got an email from one of my mentors and a woman whose mark on the Gemological World is undeniable... from Antoinette Matlins:

"For all of you opal lovers, especially those who have been drawn to Ethiopian opal, here's some breaking news that may cause you to pause. 

As you may know, there is some lovely, natural Ethiopian opal. And recently, a beautiful "black" Ethiopian opal began entering the market, from Welo (or Wollo, however you want to spell it). It is all represented to be natural and untreated; furthermore, "natural color" has been "confirmed" by several laboratories. Questions recently arose over some especially beautiful pieces, however, for a variety of reasons. 

Cara and Bear Williams found themselves unexpectedly undertaking a significant study on this material. They have just posted their findings and it is an article that is MUST READING.

Their findings and conclusions appear to be unequivocal: In short, what they are saying is that of all the "black" material they have seen and tested to date, they can confirm that it has all been either treated or unstable. 

Here's the link: http://www.stonegrouplabs.com/SmokeTreatmentinWolloOpal.pdf

For those of you who are hesitant to download .pdf files - the information can also be found on our Scribd page:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/66009568/SmokeTreatmentinWolloOpal

While smoking techniques are not new where opal is concerned, this is a new variation on the old smoking method! The old technique used on low quality Mexican opal, for example, to darken the material to create a more fiery play of color — wrap the opal tightly in brown paper, place in covered container, heat over medium heat until the paper is completely charred, cool and wash — affected only the surface. But in this material, cutting the material revealed that the darkening effect penetrated the entire stone. Cara and Bear discovered not only that they are smoked, but how they did it! It's compelling reading, and the findings appear to be indisputable. To read more about their research and findings, go to the links Robyn provided in his blog.

I hope that other major labs will review this study immediately and re-examine their own testing and methodology with regard to this material. I'm confident that they will concur with the findings of Cara and Bear. This material is now being sold all over the internet, and at trade shows, and everywhere else, as natural. Laboratory reports confirming the material to be "natural" must now also be questioned based on this new research...especially since they accompany some of the larger and most beautiful pieces. 

Way to go Cara and Bear! I know you invested a lot of time and effort into uncovering this deception and writing up your findings quickly so that the word can be circulated. The sooner the word gets out as to what this really is, the better. I love the product, and the treatment appears to be permanent, but as we all agree, it must be properly represented...and priced."

Color Rules The Day As Sotheby's Posts 5th Sales Record!

Sotheby’s New York Jewelry department set its 5^th consecutive record sale result today, when its auction of Important Jewels achieved $16,489,625 against an estimate of $12.9/17.8 million. This marks the highest total for a fall sale of Important Jewels at Sotheby’s New York, exceeding last September’s auction result that was also a record at the time.

“We are very pleased with the results of today’s sale, which brought another record auction total for Sotheby’s Jewelry,” commented Lisa Hubbard, Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewelry department. “And we are particularly thrilled by the extraordinary price achieved by our cover lot, the Cartier ‘Tutti Frutti’ bracelet that achieved $842,500 – nearly triple its pre-sale high estimate. Thirteen bidders chased after the piece, which had not been attributed to Cartier for some time until Sotheby’s rediscovered the faint signature of the legendary jeweler.”

Gary Schuler, Head of Sotheby’s Jewelry department in New York, added, “Today’s auction saw an incredible 99% of sold lots meet or exceed their pre-sale estimates. Diamond prices in the sale reflected a solid market that appeared void of speculation, and there were strong prices for colored stones as well, led by the purplish-pink sapphire brooch that brought $254,500 above a high estimate of $120,000.”

Top Item ReCap:

The results are pretty interesting - color was a huge trend as was anything that said David Webb!

View the results at:  http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/results.html

AGTA's NEW Palladium Prestige Awards

AGTA Reminder...get those entries in - DEADLINE Sept. 23rd!!!   Introducing the new Palladium Prestige Awards!

Fred Leighton Jewels Shine at the 2011 Emmy Awards

There is no denying that Vintage is HOT!!!  Fred Leighton jewels adorned several stars...from Edwardian pieces with Old Mine Cut Diamonds, Art Deco looks in carved Jade and more Modern looks from the 50's and 70's.

Details of the Fred Leighton jewelry worn at the 2011 Emmy Awards by:

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood                 

A diamond bow cuff by Fred Leighton, in silver on gold

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings

A 19th Century emerald and blue enamel ring with diamonds, in silver on gold

Edie Falco                              

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings, silver on gold

19^th Century diamond starburst cluster bracelet, silver on gold

Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron                         

19th Century diamond and gold filigree pendant earrings

19th Century diamond bracelet, in silver on gold

19th Century diamond and blue enamel ring, in silver on gold

Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig                            

19^th Century gold pendant earrings

1940’s gold link bracelet

19th Century diamond bangle, in silver on gold

1970’s diamond and gold bangle bracelet

1940's gold ring

Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton                     

19th century diamond  fringe earrings, in silver on gold

19th Century rose-cut diamond ring, in silver on gold

Mary Murphy                           

Edwardian diamond pendant necklace, in platinum

5.00 carat cushion-cut diamond pendant earrings

Edwardian old-mine diamond openwork bracelet, in platinum

1920’s diamond bracelet, in platinum

1920’s Old- European diamond ring, in platinum

Christine Baranski

Christine Baranski                  

1950’s diamond swirl earrings, in platinum

1930’s sapphire and diamond barrel link bracelet, in platinum

1930’s sapphire and diamond link bracelet, in platinum

1930’s diamond disc ring, in platinum

Taraji P. Henson

 

Taraji P. Henson                     

A 1960’s rock crystal and diamond dome ring, in platinum 

Art Deco diamond pendant earrings, in platinum 

Amanda Peet                          

19^th Century diamond pendant earrings, in silver on gold

19th Century natural pearl and diamond bangle, in silver on gold

19^th Century diamond row bracelet, in silver on gold

Gretchen Mol

Gretchen Mol                          

Art Deco carved jade, onyx, and diamond pendant earrings, in platinum

1920’s diamond link bracelet, in platinum

1920’s diamond link bracelet, in platinum

Art Deco carved jade, black enamel, and diamond bracelet in platinum

12.90 carat cushion-cut diamond ring, in platinum

A 1940's gold and alligator evening bag               

Platinum Lit Up The Emmy Red Carpet!

From Platinum Guild Int'l - the OFFICIAL word on Precious Platinum at the Emmy's:

PLATINUM JEWELRY DOMINATES THE RED CARPET AT

THE 63^rd PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS

From Gwyneth Paltrow’s stackable bracelets to Julie Bowen’s black diamond drop earrings, Hollywood’s leading television actresses chose to celebrate their achievements with enduring platinum jewelry at the 63^rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

Platinum is naturally white, so it never changes color or fades, thereby maximizing the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones. It is the ideal setting for the red carpet, and all of life’s most important moments.

Following is a list of stars that celebrated tonight's achievements in PLATINUM:

• Gwyneth Paltrow: Platinum earrings with black and white diamonds (7 carats), two platinum and diamond bracelets (100 carats total), and a platinum ring with diamonds and black onyx (5 carats) by Neil Lane.
• Drew Barrymore: Platinum and diamond earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.
• Julie Bowen: Platinum earrings with black and white diamonds, platinum bracelet with diamonds and onyx, and several platinum rings with black and white diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Minka Kelly: Platinum and diamond drop earrings, and platinum rings by Tiffany & Co.
• Gretchen Mol: Platinum earrings with jade, onyx and diamonds, multiple vintage platinum bracelets with diamonds, jade and black enamel, and a platinum and diamond ring (12.90 carats) by Fred Leighton.
• Nina Dobrev: Platinum and diamond stud earrings by Neil Lane.
• Jayma Mays: Platinum and diamond bow brooch in her hair (10 carats), platinum and diamond cluster earrings (10 carats), and a platinum and diamond ring (5 carats) by Neil Lane.
• Cat Deeley: Platinum and diamond earrings (14 carats), multiple platinum and diamond bracelets (37 carats total), and a platinum and yellow diamond ring (20 carats) by Bvlgari.
• Cobie Smulders: Platinum and diamond earrings, platinum ring with diamonds and aquamarine, and a platinum bracelet with diamonds and aquamarine (50 carats) by Neil Lane.

Cobie Smulders in Neil Lane

• Kaley Cuoco: Platinum and diamond stud earrings, and a platinum and diamond bracelet by Kwiat.
• Amber Riley: Platinum and diamond earrings (6 carats), and a platinum and diamond ring (13 carats) by Chopard.
• Mireille Enos: Multiple platinum and diamond bracelets (97 carats total), and a platinum and rose-cut diamond ring (14 carats) by Chopard.
• Maria Bello: Platinum and diamond stud earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Martin Katz.
• Taraji P. Henson: Art Deco platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum dome ring with rock crystal and diamonds by Fred Leighton.
• Ellie Kemper: Platinum and diamond stud earrings (8 carats) by Chopard.
• Giuliana Rancic: Platinum and diamond earrings (22 carats), and multiple platinum and diamond bracelets (43 carats) by Chopard.

About Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is the ideal choice for red carpet jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly.

To learn more about platinum jewelry and to view jewelry styles at a variety of price points, please visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

Celebrity Jewel: Emmy Designer Rundown

OK this is what I have been able to put together for you so far.


I want to say thank you to the huge group of reps and pr firms that take the time to keep us informed - we appreciate your hard work and ridiculous hours.


If you aren't on this list or the next one from the Platinum Guild - feel free to drop me a line - I would be happy to add you!



Erica Courtney for Zultanite Gems:


Leslie David Baker (“The Office”) wore a Dagger pin featuring 17 carats of Zultanite with 1.73 carats of diamonds and .58 carats of rubies – retail price $56,000.



Lorraine Schwartz:


Anna Torv wore carved Ruby and Diamond dangle earrings with over 80 carats of carved Rubies.

Elisabeth Moss in bronzed Champagne Diamond earrings and bronzed Platinum 20 carat Diamond ring.

Aubrey Plaza in Diamond cuffls and a pair of 20 carat Diamond drop earrings.

Kerry Washington in a pair of 11 carat studs and an over 10 carat unheated Ruby ring.

Connie Britton chose Lorraine Schwartz Signature Gold 80 carat Diamond bangles and her sister OFIRA’s Gold and Diamond strand earrings.

Emily Blunt in 10 carat diamond upside down stud earrings, a rosecut white Diamond bangle and a 20 carat blackened Sapphire and Diamond ring.

Heidi Klum is chic in a Fire Opal, Amethyst, yellow white and brown floral earrings and a matching floral and leaf rings.

Jane Lynch's Red Carpet look was Lorraine Schwartz multi gem stone and diamond earrings and a stack full of Ruby, Emerald, Purple Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire and Diamond bangles.

Jane Krakowski in 50 carat brown and white Diamond drop earrings and a Moon stone and Diamond ring.

Kelly MacDonald rocked  carved Emerald and Diamond earring, Diamond circle broach and a Cabachon Emerald and Diamond ring

Lea Michelle shines in custom made Lorraine Schwartz unheated Ruby and Diamond earrings and a Cabachon Ruby and Diamond ring.

Paz De La Heurta sizzles in  90 carat Signature Diamond Mesh earrings and a 30 carat diamond rose cut ring.

Sarah Hyland chose grey and white Diamond earrings and cuff.

Sofia Vergara looks stunning in 18k Gold, Diamond and Emerald Earrings. The earrings have over 100 carats of Emeralds, and more than 60 carats of diamonds. She wore a 6 carat Emerald and Diamond dangle ring and Lorraine’s sister, OFIRA’s 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond cuff.

FARAH KHAN Jewelry:

TV host Shaun Robinson selected:
-Black and white diamond earrings with blue topaz (retail $8,275)
-Diamond ring with blue topaz (retail $3,049)


Angela Kinsey from "The Office" selected a pair of diamond and south sea pearl earrings Retail price: $9,015

Neil Lane Jewelry:


Gwyneth Paltrow – Gwyneth Paltrow in a Neil Lane Glamour look. She is wearing a diamond and platinum wide bracelet (50 carats) $300,000, black diamond link bracelet set with hundreds of black diamonds in darkened gold (50 carats) $175,000, diamond, black onyx and platinum cocktail ring (5 carats) $25,000, large emerald cut black diamond and platinum drop earrings (7 carats) $50,000. 

TOTAL LOOK= $550,000 (total carats= 112)

Julie Bowen – Julie Bowen dazzles in a Vintage Vibe Jeweled look with a contemporary sparkle of faceted black diamonds.  She is wearing pear shape, black and white large diamond and platinum earrings, $50,000, diamond, onyx and platinum bracelet $75,000, black and white diamond and platinum rings $40,000. 

TOTAL LOOK= $165,000

Nina Dobrev – Wearing 19th century Vintage Vibe choker in darkened gold with hundreds of diamonds (50 carats).  Very elegant and simple diamond and platinum stud earrings. 
TOTAL LOOK= $250,000


Jayma Mays –   A Diamond and platinum bow brooch in her hair with 10 carats of diamonds, simple floral diamond and platinum cluster earrings, 10 carats and a blush colored diamond and platinum ring, 5 carats $25,000. 


Colbie Smulders –  Diamond and platinum look with diamond and platinum icicle earrings, diamond, aquamarine and platinum cocktail ring, 50 carat aqua $25,000 and a diamond and platinum straight line bracelet, $35,000


Michelle Forbes – Grey and white diamond and platinum pear drop earrings, black diamond and platinum cuff bracelet and ring



Yael Designs:


Phyllis Smith (“The Office”) wore Diamond flower drop earrings (retail $15,128).