2016 #AGTA Spectrum Awards - "Best Of..." #AwardWiinner #JewelryDesign #SpectrumAwards

Best of Show and 1st Place Carving Allen Kleiman A. Kleiman & Co. San Francisco, CA Suite of Paraiba Tourmalines (58.07 ctw.) Nautilus shell carvings .
	Best Use of Color Classical Bella Campbell Campbellian Morristown, NJ 18K yellow gold earrings featuring blue-green Tourmalines (17.05 ctw.)  accented with Emeralds (4.14 ctw.).
	Best Use of Pearls Classical Naomi Sarna Naomi Sarna Designs New York, NY Strand of freshwater baroque cultured Pearls with 18K white gold and Diamonds  and a freshwater baroque cultured Pearl pendant.
	Best Use of Platinum and Color Evening Wear Andrew Costen Costen Catbalue Vancouver, BC Platinum "Symphony of Colour" bracelet featuring a 3.85 ct. green Tourmaline, a 4.88 ct. yellow Zircon, a 4.68 ct. Indicolite Tourmaline and a 3.52 ct. Rubellite Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (.70 ctw.).
	Best Use of Silver and Color Evening Wear William Travis Kukovich William Travis Jewelry Chapel Hill, NC Oxidized silver and mixed gold pendant  featuring a 4.74 ct. brown Diamond accented with rose cut Diamonds (.40 ctw.).
	Editors' Choice Business/Day Wear Eclat Jewels Eclat Jewels, Inc. New York, NY 18K yellow gold and enamel cuff featuring a 105 ct. Aquamarine accented with Diamonds.
	Fashion Forward Evening Wear Brian Cook Nature's Geometry Tucson, AZ 24K yellow gold "Wheel of Light" numinous pendant featuring an 825 ct. Quartz,  Paraiba Tourmaline, Hauyn, Ruby, Spessartite Garnet, golden Rutilated Quartz and Fire Agate beads.

#Trailblazers IAC ANNOUNCES 17TH FASHION + DESIGN CONFERENCE: “TRAILBLAZERS” NOVEMBER 13 & 14, 2015, NEW YORK, NY

Trailblazers

Initiatives in Art and Culture

Friday, November 13, 2015  8:15 AM  

Saturday, November 14, 2015  5:30 PM 

New York, NY

Register at EVENTBRITE

IAC ANNOUNCES 17TH FASHION + DESIGN CONFERENCE: 

“TRAILBLAZERS” NOVEMBER 13 & 14, 2015 NEW YORK, NY 

Initiatives in Art & Culture (IAC) recently announced the agenda for its roster of presenters at its 17th Annual Fashion + Design Conference, entitled “Trailblazers,” taking place November 13 & 14, 2015. 

Launching with a Thursday, November 12, evening reception that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Staley-Wise Gallery (560 Broadway, FL 3) in celebration of the exhibit “Ron Galella: 55 Years a Paparazzi.” The event also will feature a reception and viewing, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, at Featherstone Fine Jewelry Atelier (17 Vestry St.).

“IAC is constantly amazed with the sheer genius that is being unleashed in the highly creative fields of fashion and product design,” said Lisa Koenigsberg, Founder, IAC. “Nothing could be more exciting than giving those involved in trailblazing innovation a showcase to present their stories. We are honored to be able to offer these presentations and hope they set off many more creative sparks.” 

Formal sessions for this event will be held at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (365 Fifth Avenue) with presenters from every area of the design field.

#AuctionJewels Once in a...Blue Moon Diamond Leads Sotheby's Geneva Sale

Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels in Geneva, is currently on view from Saturday 7 November until the sale on Wednesday 11 November. The sale will be headlined by the spectacular 'Blue Moon', a sensational 12.03-carat fancy vivid blue internally flawless diamond.

The Blue Moon Diamond is a true marvel, proof of the powerful beauty that is created when nature and human ingenuity work together harmoniously. Internally flawless, the Blue Moon has been christened “one of the rarest gems in the world,” and the GIA has declared that its Fancy Vivid hue might be so unique as to be indescribable. This spectacular gem will be offered as a major highlight of Sotheby’s  Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in Geneva on 11 November 2015. 

VICENZAORO DUBAI AT THE MIDDLE EAST GEMS and JEWELLERY FORUM 2015

press release via VOD

VICENZAORO DUBAI AT THE MIDDLE EAST GEMS  and JEWELLERY FORUM 2015 Presentation of the Super Show dedicated to the world gold and jewellery trade, the result of a joint venture between Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre, scheduled for 14 - 17 April 2016 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 5 NOVEMBER 2015:VICENZAORO DUBAI,the Super Show dedicated to world gold and jewellery trade organised by DV Global Link - a joint venture between Fiera di Vicenza and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) - was at the Middle East Gems & Jewellery Forum 2015 (MEGJF), held in Dubai, 1-2 November, in its capacity as a partner. The MEGJF is an exclusive, invitation-only event, organised by the Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC). It brings together major international experts in terms of trends, consumer preferences and marketing opportunities for the gold and precious stone trade in the Middle East. The presence and involvement of VICENZAORO DUBAI marks the growing status of this new business and relational platform dedicated to international jewellery, astrategic hub for the markets of the Middle East, Africa, Central and South-east Asia, and Russian-speaking nations.   Corrado Facco, Vice President of DV Global Link and Managing Director of Fiera di Vicenza, was at the Forum to present the second VICENZAORO DUBAI, scheduled for 14-17 April 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.Matteo Marzotto, President of Fiera di Vicenza was also present at theMEGJF, at the round table dedicated to "Future Trends" in the industry, where he spoke on new trends in the relationship between fashion and jewellery. Corrado Facco said: "VICENZAORO DUBAI has opened a new chapter for the world gold and jewellery industry, in an area that is strategic for its high-end consumption and its capacity to absorb luxury goods. The results of the first show have further boosted our desire to continue to invest in this project. Starting with the next edition in 2016, which has various new features in store to meet the needs of exhibitors and buyers, including a range of seminars on new trends, business meetings, conferences and workshops, it above all offers a panorama of the very latest in the jewellery and gold production value chain, devised by businesses for the target markets of VOD. Between now and April, we have a packed programme of Road Shows to present the event in 23 different countries, to involve new buyers and present them with our significant business opportunities". The first VICENZAORO DUBAI was attended by over 6000 professional visitors from 110 countries, who were able to see the new product lines of 500 different brands from 25 nations. Exhibitors were able to create new business relations with buyers from all over the world, while business dealshighlighted VICENZAORO DUBAI's capacity as a strategic platform for international supply and demand. The VICENZAORO DUBAI 2016 format will be organised into four main communities: Global Brands (leading and most innovative firms in the trade);Fine Jewellery & National Pavilions (unbranded collections that stand out for their variety and creativity); Gemstone & Diamonds (community dedicated to precious and semi-precious stones); Packaging & Supply (reserved to packaging and visual merchandising). The Road Show to promote the event will be in 23 countries and 31 cities: UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. Due to its importance VICENZAORO DUBAI has the support of top levelstrategic partners, including Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC), government organisation promoting trade in the region, the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG), association aiming to develop and support the status of Dubai as "City of Gold" and essential destination in the world jewellery trade, L'Azurde, leading Saudi jewellery retailer in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) area, and The Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), an organisation with over 5.300 members, involved in promoting Indian jewellery on international markets.

Yael Designs Pioneers A First In Their Fine Jewelry Line - Two Gemstones Set As One

Yael Designs Pioneers New Fine Jewelry Technique

Designer debuts groundbreaking jewelry where two gemstones are set as one

Award-winning fine jewelry house Yael Designs pioneers a groundbreaking technology that allows a gemstone to be set inside another gemstone.

Yael Designs premiered the never before seen technique in a one-of-a-kind $119,000 “Sentience” bangle that features a 7-carat deep blue tanzanite set inside a 26-carat aquamarine.  This is the first time a gemstone has ever been set inside another gemstone in a way where the two appear entirely seamless and translucent. The Sentience bangle represents a bold innovation in an art form that is centuries old.

As the first piece in a collection that will launch in 2016, the bangle was designed by the founder of Yael Designs Yehouda Saketkhou and crafted with the help of legendary gem cutter Glenn Lehrer. Together, they used a gem cut that allows a hole to be carved in the middle of a gemstone, a technique known as the TorusRingTM Cut, which was developed earlier by Lehrer. With Saketkhou’s vision, they took the technique to the next level by combining two gemstones in a way where the way they are held together is invisible.

Glenn Lehrer's TorusRing cut via Rio Grande

“When Yehouda approached me with his audacious vision of an invisibly set stone-within-stone piece, I was intrigued by the challenge,” said Lehrer from his studio in California. “It was like jumping from a Prius into a Ferrari. Yehouda’s vision stretched me to think outside the box of what was possible.”

Even though the gemstones are held together by tiny platinum wires, the unique cut creates a mirror effect, making the setting completely invisible. In the Sentience bangle, the cut allows the deep blue color of the pear-shaped tanzanite to shine through the cushion cut aquamarine. The bangle is set in 18kt white gold with diamonds and moonstones.

"To paraphrase Neil Armstrong, this bangle is one small step for Yael Designs and a giant leap for the jewelry industry,” said Saketkhou from Yael Designs’ headquarters in San Francisco. “Our city prides itself on innovation and I’m extremely excited to bring something novel to the jewelry industry that is steeped in centuries of tradition.”

Yael Designs will launch a collection of gemstone-within-gemstone jewelry at the annual JCK Luxury Show in Las Vegas in June 2016.

About Yael Designs

Yael Designs is an award-winning design house widely recognized for bold, opulent fine jewelry. Founded by designer Yehouda Saketkhou in 2001, our collections and custom pieces are inspired by art from around the world – from Turkish carpets to pre-Colombian gold statuettes to Gaudi’s playful architecture in Barcelona. Our innovative vision has led our company to win numerous AGTA Spectrum Awards and JCK Jewelers Choice Awards as well as receive wide recognition among top publications and on the red carpet. Yael Designs is headquartered in San Francisco and available in stores throughout the country. More information can be found on www.yaeldesigns.com.

#IDW2016 Save the Date for the Winter Edition of the International Diamond Week in Israel!

from a press release by the IDE

Save the Date for the Winter Edition

of the International Diamond Week in Israel!

 

The International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI) Committee

invites you to register for the winter edition  

held at the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) 

February 14-18, 2016 

Register HERE

 

Moti Fluk, the IDWI's parting chairperson, said he expected the February edition to bring more members of bourses - from the USA, Europe and Asia - onto the IDE trading floor than ever before. "We'll be encouraging members of additional bourses affiliated to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) to come and join us, making this the most diverse and valuable 'interbourse' diamond trading event that has been held up to now," Fluk said. As has become tradition, members of the Diamond Dealers Club of New York (DDC), the Antwerp Diamond Bourse and the Bharat Diamond Bourse of Mumbai will be joining the event.

Watch the concluding video of the Israel Diamond Week in New York
made by Doron Benita, IDE's Social Media coordinator

IDE President Shmuel Schnitzer said he was looking with optimism toward the coming holiday sales season. "Forecasts made by research groups in the USA indicate that jewelry will be one of the best performing categories in the luxury consumer product segment. Of course, in Asia, there is also still significant growth and especially in China, the year-end celebrations have become an important time for jewelry sales. That prospect offers us a lot of encouragement and will hopefully lead to good business in February, when traders and jewelers will be restocking." 

#MJSA’s BEaJEWELER and North Bennet Street School Cultivate the Next Generation of Jewelers #BEaJEWELER

Press Release from MJSA

MJSA’s BEaJEWELER and North Bennet Street School Cultivate the Next Generation of Jewelers

NBSS Open House to recruit new jewelers: November 20-21, 2015

There is a career opportunity in the United States that pays well, offers tremendous psychological benefits, is in both the manufacturing and the fashion sectors, and regularly has more job openings than candidates to fill them. It’s a career in making jewelry, and both MJSA and North Bennet Street School in Boston are committed to recruiting the next generation of bench jeweler talent.

MJSA launched the BEaJEWELER initiative this year to help jewelry schools and businesses connect with that new generation and to maintain a competitive industry workforce. This month, North Bennet Street School and MJSA will team up for two exciting days of jewelry-making presentations and demonstrations at NBSS’s inspiring 65,000 sq. ft. career-training facility at 150 North Street in Boston’s North End. The Open House will take place Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day.

Successful industry professionals will share their stories of how they developed their skills and established fulfilling careers in jewelry making and repair. NBSS staff will show live demonstrations of how to turn raw metal into wearable, beautiful jewelry.

NBSS alumni presenters will include:

Emily Scott: Owner of E Scott Originals in Somerville, MA, Emily’s jewelry was featured at the 2015 Emmy Awards and on ABC’s The Fosters.

Kate Dumont: Kate is part of the elite team that produces the master models for Tiffany’s jewelry.

Eva Martin: Winner of several international design awards, including the Saul Bell Design Award, Eva serves a worldwide clientele of custom jewelry buyers.

Ann Cahoon: An NBSS faculty member, writer, and maker of fine jewelry, Ann has produced several jewelry instructional videos, presented research at the prestigious Santa Fe Symposium, and was a finalist in the Saul Bell Design Award competition.

Jock Gifford: One of the few Grand Masters of jewelry engraving, Jock teaches engraving at NBSS.

Rosemary Trainor: Head of the NBSS jewelry department.

For more information about North Bennet Street School and the Open House, go to  nbss.edu.

For more information about the BEaJEWELER initiative, go to BEaJEWELER.com. The initiative is funded in part by a grant from the 2015 JCK Jewelry Industry Fund.

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What:   NBSS Open House in conjunction with MJSA’s BEaJEWELER outreach program

When:  Friday and Saturday, November 20-21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day

Where: 150 North Street in Boston’s North End

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About MJSAMJSA is the U.S. trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design. By tapping into the collective strength of the association community, MJSA members find the expertise, connections, and resources needed to make and sell great jewelry, profitably.

http://www.mjsa.org

About North Bennet St. School
Located in Boston, North Bennet Street School (NBSS) offers intensive, hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship, helping students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods. For more than a century, the exceptional programs, master faculty, and inspiring community have encouraged individual growth, curiosity, technical mastery, and commitment to excellence. The school's reputation for excellence and value attracts students from around the world.     nbss.edu

About the BEaJEWELER Initiative

MJSA’s BEaJEWELER outreach initiative, launched in 2015 through a partnership between MJSA and the New Approach School for Jewelers, introduces young people to the field of jewelry making and design. In collaboration with jewelry schools and businesses, it promotes the advantages and rewards of the jewelry-making field, and provides the educational and professional opportunities needed for a successful career as a jeweler. The initiative is funded in part by a grant from the JCK Industry Fund.     BEaJEWELER.com