French High Jewelry Invades Manhattan....

Looking through the Farlang site I came across a wonderful offer - I was looking at the Jewels of France Exhibit and did you know that just by registering on the Farlang site you can win a copy of:

Marchak by Marguerite De Cerval - the story of the legendary house of Marchak which was founded in Kiev in 1878 by Joseph Marchak (1854-1918), moved to Paris and was re-launched internationally in 1989 by the founder's great-grandson - many fine Art Deco and more recent pieces of fine jewellery are featured - The Rebirth,

The Vital Lead, The Legacy, Joseph Marchak and

Alexander Marchak.

The author Marguerite De Cerval is an art historian, specialized in 20th Century French jewellery - this out-of-print edition features around 200 photos.

...and for those of you who are lucky enough to be in Manhattan and attend the event, you can double your chances to win by entering the drawing at the Aaron Faber Gallery!

OK - I am officially jealous - the artists featured in this exhibit is phenomenal!!!! So - if you are in the Manhattan area visit the exhibit and if not go to the Farlang site and register to get a great source of French Design for your personal enjoyment!

French High Jewelry Invades Manhattan for the Annual Jewels of France Exhibition... Aaron Faber Gallery to Host 13 of France’s Celebrated Jewelry Houses and Designers...

The Jewels of France Exhibition and Trunk Show is an annual week long gathering of some of France’s most acclaimed jewelry houses and their designers. Aligned again in its second year with Aaron Faber Gallery, the Jewels of France exhibition offers both trade and consumers an opportunity to meet the Creative Directors behind these houses and learn more about the exquisite and complicated art of French jewelry manufacture.

This year’s participants include Marchak, the 131 year old jewelry house founded by Joseph Marchak, the “Cartier” of Kiev and Peter Fabergé’s greatest rival; Bijoux Commelin, the 129 year-old manufacture of charms and specialist in translucent enamel; and BRM, the only watch company in the world that designs and manufacturers all of their watches and watch components in France. Also participating are Umane Créations, Joïa, La Joaillerie Récréative, Sylvain Nosjean, Tess & Tasha, Veronique Bailly, Ximena Alarcon Cavrois, Sophie Reyre, Antoine Camus, and Garnazelle. for the full release ...

About Farlang: Farlang Gem & Diamond Foundation would like to offer students, educators, the discerning public, and those in industries or institutions associated with geology and

gemmology, the opportunity to research and continuously learn about our fascinating planet and its exceptionally creative artisans through the Earth's most prized riches.

We want to take you on an exotic and colourful voyage around the world to enhance your knowledge about one of the most cherished objects throughout history, the mineral or organic stone known as gemstones or jewels. Treasured for its beauty, rarity, and durability, jewelled objects and accessories have withstood the test of time to tell its story. A tale filled with intrigue, romance, power, beauty, wealth, and fascinating people.

Along the way, we shall provide you with opportunities to read about history, different countries, trustworthy news, and sound advice from experts. You shall also be introduced to many unique designers and artists from around the globe that we found contribute greatly to the Fine Arts. A feast for the eyes and food for the brain!

AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010 - Bridal Wear

I am a big proponent of colored stones as Engagement Rings and Wedding Sets - so are these designers:

Entry 45 Russell Koppels D. Bierfeldt Master Jeweler Denver, CO 18K rose gold and palladium ring featuring a 1.51 ct. brownish-green Diamond accented with pink, peach and orange Sapphires (1.26 ctw.) and white and chocolate Diamonds (.20 ctw.).

Entry 233 Aaron Henry Furlong

Aaron Henry Designs

Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold engagement

ring featuring a 12.45 ct.

sugar loaf spessartite Garnet

and green tourmalines (10.0 ctw.).

...and the Bride will always need something blue...

Entry 244 Stacia L. Woods

Jewels From the Woods

Blanco, TX

Platinum pendant featuring

a 52.06 ct. Aquamarine carving,

a white cultured Pearl and

Diamonds (0.22 ctw.) on a

white cultured Pearl strand.

Entry 183 Yael Designs

Yael Designs

San Francisco, CA

18K white and yellow gold

"Trinity" necklace featuring

a 5.71 ct. Tanzanite

accented with white

Diamonds (1.73 ctw.).

You don't have an heirloom piece? Start a new tradition with these glorious Abalone Pearl Earrings...

Entry 96 Gene Berdnik

Andrew Sarosi

Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold drop

earrings featuring two

semi-oval abalone pearls

(8.25 ctw.) accented with

Diamonds (.30 ctw.).

...or compliment a satin gown with these frosted crystal quartz earrings.

Entry 225 Glen J. Engelbrecht

GJ Designs Sarasota, FL

18K white gold earrings featuring

frosted white carved Quartz.

It is interesting to note that as beautiful as these are...the winner is...gorgeous Pink Topaz Earrings!

Entry 530 Maria Canale

Suna Bros., Inc.

New York, NY

18K white gold earrings

featuring shield-cut pink

Topaz (12.82 ctw.), full-cut

Diamonds (1.56 ctw.) and

baguette Diamonds (0.15 ctw.).

AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) was formed almost 26 years ago when a group of gem dealers got together in Tucson, AZ and has "blossomed into a leading industry force".

The AGTA has taken on the responsibility of educating and promoting the use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls. Whether that is through the education of their members and member businesses or educating the public through their user friendly "Add More Color To Your Life" website .

To further this quest and to show some really innovative use of colored gems and cultured pearls, in 1984 the AGTA launched their Spectrum Awards program. "Spectrum recognizes the innovative use of natural gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design."

The success of their Spectrum Awards inspired a new competition and in 1991 the Cutting Edge Awards were born. "Cutting Edge honors creativity in lapidary arts, including faceted gems and pearls, carvings, and objects of art."

Last week there was a Press showing of the entries for the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards consideration and photos were posted on the AGTA website.

For the next couple weeks we are going to look at a few of my favorites as we cover a category each day...for those of you who are purists the Cutting Edge Award entries will be posted on my Tucson Gem Show - Live! blog (http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com ) ...so subscribe and don't miss a day!

While entries are closed for the 2010 Awards - start thinking about what you would submit in 2011! In the words of Adam Graham AGTA Spectrum Marketing Manager, "We encourage everyone to enter your pieces and take your shot!"

Scott Kay Discusses Tungsten versus SK Cobalt

This is video from the Press introduction of SK Cobalt - Scott Kay debunks claims that Tungsten is indestructible.

Scott Kay unveils New White Metal - BioBlu27 - tougher than Tungsten!

Loraine dePasque proves Tungsten Carbide is indeed breakable

UPDATED: Scott Kay, Spectore, and Carpenter Technology Unveil BioBlu 27

An unlikely alliance formed between a jewelry designer, a metal maker, and a fabricator has produced a brand-new white metal that is more durable than tungsten carbide and costs a fraction of the price of platinum.

This report is from Jennifer Heebner, Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 10/29/2009 4:25:17 PM

Scott Kay held a press conference this morning at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York for a small group of jewelry press to officially unveil a new metal for jewelry, BioBlu 27. The material is unique in its properties--bright white and more durable than tungsten carbide, according to research by Kay and others--and in its origin; BioBlu 27 for jewelry was born from a collaboration between Kay, Edward Rosenberg, president, Spectore Corporation, Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Carpenter Technology, Wyomissing, Pa., a maker of metal alloys--some 450 to date.

The BioBlu 27 material is an alloy of 65 percent cobalt, 29 percent chromium, and 6 percent molybdenum. It

is bright white in appearance, and can be cast and/or milled, as well as inlaid with precious metals.

In a true nod to the power of "social media" - comments to the article alluded to the meaning of the name as several posters thought it was "blue metal", Ms. Heebner was able to post the update below for clarification.

UPDATE: The name does indeed come from the metallurgists at Carpenter. ‘Bio' refers to the biocompatibility of the material, which can be used in medical applications such as prosthetics, and ‘Blu' refers to the cobalt in the material. The number 27 is the number on the atomic table for cobalt.

The rest of the report is at: JCK Online

There are photos from the Press event on the Scott Kay Flickr account - the video from the event was pretty dramatic.

Love Moonstone? Help Us Show One To It's Best!

This is YOUR big chance - design an original setting for this incredible 5.25 carat Moonstone! Hand rendered or on computer - entries will be accepted November 1st - November 20th.

For more info - run over and become a fan of David Kodner - complete contest info and rules under the "Contest Rules" tab.

Pearlescent Skin from Honora and Bare Escentuals

Honora and Bare Escentuals Team Up

For New Product Launch

October 28, 2009 – New York City – Honora has teamed up with Bare Escentuals, the makers of the #1 mineral makeup in the world, to create an exciting new selection of pearl products.

Much like Honora’s focus the top 3% of the Freshwater Pearl Harvest, Bare Escentuals is committed to only using the purest ingredients in their 100% pure bareMinerals. This mutual dedication to high quality was the initial inspiration for the collaboration between these two brands.

“We always strive to introduce new and innovative products featuring our Freshwater Pearls,” says Ralph Rossini, President of Honora Industries, Inc. “Having the opportunity to partner with a world-class company like Bare Escentuals to create a new and exciting product is everything we could hope for.”

What began as a request from Bare Escentuals CEO Leslie Blodgett for pearl powder to incorporate into their new Beautiful in Pearls Kit quickly became a full-fledged product concept. Honora CEO Joel Schechter and Ralph Rossini decided to create an exciting new color collection of pearls called Barely Blush to coordinate perfectly with Bare Escentuals’ newest selection.

Beautiful in Pearls makeup and the Barely Blush Pearl Collection will be unveiled on Saturday, November 7^th beginning with a new Today’s Special Value from Bare Escentuals on QVC. Be sure to check out Honora.TV the first week of November to learn more about this unique pairing of makeup and jewelry.

About Honora

With a history of over 60 years in the jewelry industry, Honora now stands as the largest Freshwater Pearl Jewelry company in the United States. Honora’s focus on creating colorful and affordable pearl jewelry has helped open pearls up to the largest audience in the 100+ years of cultured pearls. The Honora brand is available at fine jewelry locations worldwide and select e-commerce platforms. For more information, please visit us at:

Honora.com - www.Honora.com

The Honora Blog – Blog.Honora.com

Facebook – www.Honora.com/Facebook

Twitter – www.Honora.com/Twitter