Bead Dreams 2010 Calendar - Now Available!

Kalmbach announces the release of this glorious calendar - chock full of the some of the finest beadwork by an impressive list of talent.

Publisher's Description:

Each calendar month features intricate and inspiring beadwork from the first- and second-place winners of the 2008 Bead Dreams contest. Six different beading categories: crystals, handmade beads, polymer clay, seed beads, finished jewelry, and beaded objects are included with an artist showcase explaining the designer’s background and inspiration. Recognizes national holidays with ample date space to write in.

Available at the Kalmbach Store.

You can get a closer view of the front and back cover here.

Spectacular 507 ct White Diamond Recovered at Historic Cullinan Mine

29 September 2009

Petra Diamonds Limited ("Petra" or "the Company"), the international diamond mining group, announces the recovery of an important 507.55 carat white diamond at the Cullinan mine in South Africa.

This spectacular gemstone was recovered on Thursday 24 September and is currently with experts for analysis. Initial examinations indicate that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, and most likely to be a Type II diamond. Further details, including colour grading and clarity, will be released once the diamond has undergone appropriate analysis.

The diamond was recovered alongside three other special white stones of similar colour and clarity in the same production run: another very large stone of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.

At 507 carats (just over 100 grams) the diamond, which has yet to be named, is considered to be amongst the top 20 largest high quality rough diamonds ever found worldwide and ranks alongside other illustrious diamonds recovered at the celebrated Cullinan mine. Cullinan has a special place in the history of diamonds as the source of the world’s largest gem diamond ever recovered, the ‘Cullinan’, at 3,106 carats rough. It has also produced a further two of the world’s largest diamonds, the Golden Jubilee at 755 carats rough and the Centenary at 599 carats rough, and many other famous gems including the Taylor-Burton (69 carats polished).

Johan Dippenaar, Petra’s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the find, "The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond. Initial indications are that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, which suggest extraordinary potential for its polished yield. We now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis."

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About Petra Diamonds

Petra Diamonds is a leading supplier of rough diamonds. A number of acquisitions have established Petra as one of the world’s largest independent diamond groups by resources, with a total resource base of 262 million carats. The Company’s objective is to continue to increase supply and develop its stature as a world-class diamond group.

Petra has acquired three of the world's most famous diamond mines – Cullinan, Koffiefontein, and Williamson – all of which are noted for the production of valuable diamonds. In addition, the Company has agreed to acquire a fourth major mine, the Kimberley Underground mines, and this acquisition is expected to complete soon. Petra is continuing the proud tradition of these celebrated diamond mines, whilst delivering true sustainable development to the benefit of the employees and the surrounding local communities. Petra conducts all its operations according to the highest ethical standards, and will only work in countries which are members of the Kimberley Process.

Paragon Lake announced 12 winners of its Inspired Design Contest

As reported by JCK Staff -- JCK Online, 9/23/2009 10:19:00 AM

Paragon Lake announced 12 winners of its Inspired Design Contest.

The contest attracted almost 200 designers who submitted designs from all over the world.

The "Inspired Design Contest" goal was to attract top jewelry designers who would inspire the jewelry design community, retailers and consumers with original earring, ring and pendant designs along with the story of their inspiration. The judging criteria included quality, creativity, manufacturability and the inspiration story behind the one of a kind design.

Judges included Jennifer Heebner, of JCK Magazine, Greg Stopka of JewelSmiths and Jose Hess, Award Winning Designer, and Tony Rodrigues, Paragon Lake.

The winners:

• First place: Jeet Palavwala for his engagement ring design. Inspired by a lotus flower.
  
  Prize: Wacom CintiQ monitor & $1,000 cash

  
• Second place: Dan Christie for his pendant design. Inspired by Brain Warp, a mind challenge game.
  
  Prize: Canon EOS Rebel XSi camera & $500 cash

  
• Randy Dixon for his ring design. Inspired by Greek/Roman architecture
  
  Prize: iPod Touch & $100 cash

  

Honorable mentions:

• Michael Devlin, Randy Dixon, Dave Dorian, Martha Gomez, Claudio Gussini, Lee Krombholz, Elena Nazarova, David Nytch and Rosendo Rosas.

The winning designs will be featured on http://www.paragonlake.com and showcased on Paragon Lake's Virtual Display Case.

AGTA Spectrum Awards - It is not too late to enter...

Click Image for Larger View....

Jewelry Artist Magazine's - 2009 Jewelry Arts Awards

Photo: Best of Competition (also First Place, Pins/Brooches): Naomi Sarna - FIRST WAVE

32mm x 23mm. 18K gold, Chinese freshwater pearl, VS diamonds, Montana sapphires, Contra-luz opals, Imperial topaz. Handmade lost-wax gold setting surrounding pegged and epoxy-set pearl. All stones are pave set with bright-cut finishing. Photo: Azad.sarna.naomi@gmail.com, naomisarnadesigns.com

Jewelry Artist magazine's annual competition yields 10 outstanding winners

We proudly present the winners of the eighth annual Jewelry Arts Awards. Entries were judged for excellence, visual appeal and impact, originality, and execution in these six categories: Pins/Brooches, Bracelets, Earrings, Pendants/Necklaces, Rings, and Miscellaneous Jewelry.

Three independent experts judged this year’s entries:

Christine Dhein is a jewelry designer, author, photographer, founder of "Green Jewelry News," and assistant director at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. Her innovative designs combine recycled precious metals with repurposed rubber and have been featured in many exhibitions, books and magazines in the U.S. and Europe (www.christinedhein.com).

Ettagale Blauer is the author African Elegance, Contemporary American Jewelry Design, and American Wristwatches, Five Daces of Style and Design. She is also the author of hundres of articles on jewelry, including design, diamonds, precious metals, colored gems, and jewelry retailers (jewelscribe@aol.com).

Donald A. Stuart is Professor Emeritus of the Jewellery and Metals Program of Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and one of Canada's more respected designer goldsmiths. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Canada's highest honor, the Order of Canada, in recognition of his illustrious career as an artist and educator (www.donstuart.ca).

Our thanks to the judges and all who entered for their hard work and participation.

To enter the 2010 Jewelry Arts Awards, entry forms will be available for download in mid November 2009 at www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/contest.

Compiled by Kristen L. Gibson, Assistant Editor. For more information about our competitions, e-mail Kristen atkgibson@interweave.com

Photo: First Place, Earrings: Nanz Aalund

NAUTILUS EARRINGS
33mm x 5mm x 26mm each earring. 22K gold and epoxy resin. Corrugated 22K gold is spiraled with epoxy resin cast into the spiral. Fabricated ear clip. Photo: Doug Yaple.nanz@nanzaalund.com, www.nanzaalund.com

Hope Diamond...and the winner is!

Your votes have been tabulated and the winner is...drum roll please...Embracing Hope!

While the winning design is being crafted, the Hope Diamond will be displayed for the first time out of a setting. The diamond will be exhibited in the winning setting for a limited time at the National Museum of Natural History before being returned to it's historical setting.

The world's most famous diamond, the HOPE DIAMOND, will undergo a special re-design to honor the 50th Anniversary of its donation to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Given to the Institution as a "gift to the American people" by legendary American jeweler Harry Winston, the Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Channel(TM) is celebrating the diamond's legacy by inviting the American public to vote on a new design for the stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond.

The Hope Diamond will be put on display in its new setting at the National Museum of Natural History, and televised nationally as part of the world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel's "Mystery of the Hope Diamond" in March of 2010. The Hope Diamond will be returned to its permanent setting before the close of 2010.

The History: At 45.52 carats, the Hope is the largest deep blue diamond in the world. More than 50 years ago, jeweler to the stars, Harry Winston, purchased it from the estate of the deceased American socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. After touring the gem around the country as part of his famous Court of Jewels, Harry Winston donated the Hope to the Smithsonian Institution, sending it to Washington, D.C. through the U.S. postal service.

In the Smithsonian Institution's world-class gem collection -- which includes diamonds worn by Marie Antoinette, an immense emerald owned by the Turkish Sultan Abdual Hamid II, and some of the world's largest rubies and sapphires -- the Hope is the most famous jewel.

The Hope has many unique properties that have puzzled experts since its discovery, and its extraordinary history gave birth to the alleged curse -- that all who owned or touched it met great tragedy.

"Who Are You Wearing?" Diamond Information Center Releases Info

Photos: InStyle - (Top) Heidi Klum dazzles in 90 carats of shoulder dusting black diamonds from the Red-Carpet designer Lorraine Schwartz (Middle) Jennifer Morrison of House rocks a fabulously sculptural Vintage Panther ring from Cartier.

"Who Are You Wearing?"

the question is answered by the

Diamond Information Center (DIC).

All the Gown Designers were represented from a very pregnant Heidi Klum in a stunning Marchesa gown to a grown-up and stunning Blake Lively in daring Versace gown (her co-star rocked Cathy Waterman cuffs that added detail to her Grecian inspired Bottega-Veneta gown).

We can always get the fashion answers - we know "who they are wearing". Now thanks to the DIC we have the scoop on the jewels!!!

Did you notice the trend to Vintage? From Hayden Panettierre's Fred Leighton golden snake necklace which featured a diamond studded snake head clasp which she wore in the front to the flashiest piece of the night Jennifer Morrison's Cartier Panther ring in sapphires and diamonds!!!!

data from the DIC:

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF DIAMONDS WAS SHOWCASED IN THE EVENING'S TOP DIAMOND TRENDS featured at the 2009 Emmy Awards. The top diamond trends included:

Sparkling Diamond Earrings

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz- Diamond slice earrings with black, brown and cognac diamonds

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Diamond cluster earrings

-- Angela Kinsey - Chopard - Fancy yellow diamond earrings

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz -Everlon Diamond Knot Collection earrings

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - 22 carat diamond stud earrings

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Pear shaped diamond earrings

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond fern pendant earrings

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond oval pendant earrings

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold leaf earrings

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - 8 carat cushion cut diamond earrings

-- Elizabeth Perkins - Siera - Pave diamond oval earrings

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Brown-champagne diamond Copacabana chandelier earrings

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Yellow opaque diamond drop earrings

-- Glen Close - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond pendant earrings

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century diamond shell earrings

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 4 carat oval diamond drop earrings

-- Hope Davis - Chopard - Pear shape pink and white diamond chandelier earrings

-- Jane Krakowski - Diamond mesh earrings

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond drop earrings

-- Jeanne Tripplehorn - Diamond in the Rough - Rough orielle cognac diamond studs earrings - 8.92 earrings

-- Jenna Fischer- Sutra - Sutra diamond pendant earrings

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black and white diamond kite earrings

-- Jennifer Love Hewitt - H. Stern - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- 3 carat each diamond stud earrings

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- Pear diamond drop earrings

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond chandelier earrings

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 11 carat cushion cut diamond drop earrings

-- Katrina Smirnoff - Diamond linear earrings

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold cluster earrings

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - Antique diamond pendant earrings with pear shape drops

-- Kristen Chenowith - Tiffany - Diamond stud earrings

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Diamond drop earrings

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Fred Leighton - Rose cut and ombre pink diamond briolette cluster pendant earrings- 60 carats

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - 30 carat yellow diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - Rose cut and brilliant cut diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Black diamond drop earrings

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond pave drop earrings

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Black diamond studs

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond drop earrings on a French wire

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond drop earrings

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Marquise shape diamond earrings

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond drop earrings

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - 1920's diamond and onyx pendant earrings

-- Vanessa Williams - Diamond pendant earrings

-- Yunjn Kim - Chopard - Diamond hoop earrings

Exquisite Diamond Bracelets

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz - 5 black diamond bangle bracelets and black and white diamond line bracelets

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond mesh bracelet

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond bracelet- 49 carats

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Diamond 4 row bracelet

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and rock crystal cuff bracelet

-- Cat Deeley- Diamond bracelets

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond mesh bracelet

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold cuff bracelet

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - Two fancy cut diamond bracelets- 54 carats and cushion cut diamond bracelet- 36 carats

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Diamond link bracelet

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 28 carat rose cut diamond bracelet

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond leaf bracelet

-- Jenna Fischer- Amrapali - Diamond bangle

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black diamond bead bracelet and 8 row diamond bracelet

-- Jessica Lange - Diamond bracelet

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 37 carat princess cut diamond bracelet

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold stacked bracelets circa 1950

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Stacked diamond bracelets on both wrists

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - Fancy yellow princess cut diamond bangle- 15 carats

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Bow Bracelet

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Diamond bangle bracelets

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond line bracelet

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and rock crystal bracelet

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond bracelet

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Diamond line bracelet, diamond 4 row bracelet, 7 row diamond bracelet and 2 black diamond snake bracelets

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond cuff bracelet

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Diamond and rock crystal bangle bracelet

Spectacular Diamond Rings

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond rings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Square brilliant diamond ring- 6 carats

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Marquise diamond ring

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - 12 carat diamond ring surrounded by pave diamonds

-- Cat Deeley - Diamond rings

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Pear shaped diamond ring

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - 18 carat black cushion cut diamond ring

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold ring

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Heart shape fancy brownish yellow diamond ring

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 4 carat rose cute diamond ring

-- Jenna Fischer- Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- 41.45 carat black diamond ring

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- Diamond panther ring

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- 5 carat oval diamond ring

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold ring circa 1880

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century diamond cluster ring

-- Lauren Velez - Chopard - 2 diamond bands

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Diamond ring

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Neil Lane - Neil Lane diamond pave ring

-- Mariska Hargitay - Fred Leighton - Cushion cut diamond band ring

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - 20 carat starburst yellow and white diamond ring

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and platinum cocktail ring

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond triple band ring

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Rose cut black diamond ring

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Antique cluster diamond ring

The following celebrities wore diamonds to the 61st Annual Emmy Awards:

-- Alicia Witt - Martin Katz - 5 black diamond bangle bracelets, black and white diamond line bracelets, and diamond slice earrings with black, brown and cognac diamonds

-- Alyson Hannigan - Chopard - Diamond mesh bracelet, diamond waterfall earrings, and diamond rings

-- Amy Poehler - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond bracelet- 49 carats, diamond cluster earrings, and square brilliant diamond ring - 6 carats

-- Angela Kinsey - Chopard - Fancy yellow diamond earrings

-- Anna Gunn - Martin Katz - Diamond 4 row bracelet, Everlon Diamond Knot Collection earrings, marquise diamond ring

-- Blake Lively - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and rock crystal cuff bracelet, 22 carat diamond stud earrings, and a 12 carat diamond ring surrounded by pave diamonds

-- Cat Deeley - Diamond bracelets, diamond chandelier earrings, diamond rings, and diamond chain in hair

-- Chandra Wilson - Chopard - Fancy shaped diamond pendant necklace, pear shaped diamond earrings, and pear shaped diamond ring

-- Christina Hendricks - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond fern pendant earrings and 18 carat black cushion cut diamond ring

-- Dana Delaney - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond mesh bracelet and diamond oval pendant earrings

-- Debra Messing - Lorraine Schwartz - Diamond and yellow gold cuff bracelet, diamond and yellow gold leaf earrings, and diamond and yellow gold ring

-- Elizabeth Moss - Chopard - Two fancy cut diamond bracelets- 54 carats, cushion cut diamond bracelet- 36 carats, and 8 carat cushion cut diamond earrings

-- Elizabeth Perkins - Siera/Yvel - Diamond earrings and Yvel diamond brooch

-- Eva La Rue - Chopard - Brown-champagne diamond Copacabana chandelier earrings, heart shape fancy brownish yellow diamond ring

-- Gail Simmons - Martin Katz - Diamond link bracelet and yellow opaque diamond drop earrings

-- Glen Close - Fred Leighton - Rose cut diamond pendant earrings

-- Hayden Panettiere- Fred Leighton - 19th Century old mine cut diamond snake diamond snake necklace, 19(th) Century diamond shell earrings, and 4 carat rose cute diamond ring

-- Holly Hunter - Martin Katz - 28 carat rose cut diamond bracelet and 4 carat oval diamond drop earrings

-- Hope Davis - Chopard - Pear shape pink and white diamond chandelier earrings

-- Jane Krakowski - Diamond mesh earrings

-- January Jones - Neil Lane- Diamond drop earrings and diamond leaf bracelet

-- Jeanne Tripplehorn - Diamond in the Rough - Rough Orielle Cognac diamond studs earrings- 8.92 earrings

-- Jenna Fischer- Amrapali/Sutra/Neil Lane - Amrapali diamond bangle, Sutra diamond pendant earrings, and Neil Lane diamond ring

-- Jennifer Carpenter- Martin Katz- Black diamond bead bracelet, 8 row diamond bracelet, black and white diamond kite earrings, and 41.45 black diamond ring

-- Jennifer Love Hewitt - H. Stern - Diamond waterfall earrings

-- Jennifer Morrison - Cartier- 3 carat each diamond stud earrings and diamond panther ring

-- Jennifer Wesfeldt - Martin Katz- 7 carat rose cut diamond pendant necklace, pear diamond drop earrings, and 5 carat oval diamond ring

-- Jessica Lange - Diamond bracelet

-- Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Neil Lane - Diamond chandelier earrings and diamond ring

-- Julie Benz - Chopard - 37 carat princess cut diamond bracelet, 9 carat emerald cut diamond ring, and 11 carat cushion cut diamond drop earrings

-- Katrina Smirnoff - Diamond linear earrings

-- Kate Walsh - Diamond and yellow gold stacked bracelets circa 1950, diamond and yellow gold cluster earrings, and diamond and yellow gold ring circa 1880

-- Katrina Bowden - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Necklace, antique diamond pendant earrings with pear shape drops, and 19th Century diamond cluster ring

-- Kristen Chenowith - Tiffany - Diamond stud earrings

-- Lauren Velez - Chopard - Diamond ice cube ring and 2 diamond bands

-- Lindsay Price - Fred Leighton - 19th Century diamond maltese cross brooch

-- Lisa Edelstein - Neil Lane - Stacked diamond bracelets on both wrists, diamond drop earrings, and diamond ring

-- Marcia Gay Harden - Fred Leighton/Neil Lane - Fred Leighton rose cut and ombre pink diamond briolette cluster pendant earrings - 60 carats and Neil Lane diamond pave ring

-- Mariska Hargitay - Fred Leighton - Cushion cut diamond band ring

-- Melora Hardin - Chopard - Fancy yellow princess cut diamond bangle- 15 carats, 30 carat yellow diamond chandelier earrings, 20 carat starburst yellow and white diamond ring

-- Mila Kunis - Fred Leighton - 19(th) Century Diamond Bow Bracelet, rose cut and brilliant cut diamond chandelier earrings

-- Mindy Kaling - Martin Katz - Diamond bangle bracelets and black diamond drop earrings

-- Olivia Wilde - Kwiat - Diamond line bracelet and diamond pave drop earrings

-- Patricia Arquette - Neil Lane - Diamond and rock crystal bracelet, black diamond studs, and diamond and platinum cocktail ring

-- Perrey Reeves - R.S. Durant - Diamond drop earrings on a French wire and diamond triple band ring

-- Rose Byrne - Judith Ripka - Diamond bracelet and diamond drop earrings

-- Sally Field - Maritn Katz - Diamond line bracelet, diamond 4 row bracelet, 7 row diamond bracelet, 2 black diamond snake bracelets, Marquise shape diamond earrings and rose cut black diamond ring

-- Sarah Silverman - Diamond cuff bracelet and diamond drop earrings

-- Tina Fey - Fred Leighton - Diamond and rock crystal bangle bracelet, 1920's diamond and onyx pendant earrings, and antique cluster diamond ring

-- Vanessa Williams - Diamond pendant earrings

-- Yunjn Kim - Chopard - Diamond hoop earrings

SOURCE: Diamond Information Center