Kazanjian Red Diamond at LA Natural History Museum

Famed Red Diamond Returns to Natural History Museum
Los Angeles’ Kazanjian Foundation Brings Storied Gemstone Back Through May 29th

The "Kazanjian Red" drew thousands of visitors when it first appeared at the Museum last October. It left four months later, stopping in Carlsbad, California where it was scrutinized by gem experts at the Gemological Institute of America. Now the diamond has returned for a second engagement in the Museum’s Gem and Mineral Hall. It will be on view from April 6 to May 29, 2009.

Though there are many diamonds with a pink hue, true blood-red diamonds are the rarest of gems — only three large stones are known to exist. And of that trio, none has as fascinating and exciting history as the Kazanjian Red.

Found around 1927 in the diamond fields of South Africa, the red diamond was a sensational discovery. During World War II, it was stolen in Arnhem during Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and hidden in a salt mine with other looted treasures. When it was recovered by American soldiers, it was initially mistaken for a ruby.

The diamond’s original owners did not survive the war and the gem was eventually sold. It passed through several hands, including those of mining entrepreneur Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, until it was purchased by a private collector in 1970. There it remained hidden until 2007 when it was purchased by Los Angeles-based Kazanjian Bros. Inc. This is its first exhibition in the U.S.

Founded in 1918, Kazanjian Bros. Inc. is a family business that started in New York, established a Los Angeles salon in 1928, and moved to Beverly Hills in 1969. James Kazanjian's lifelong search for unusual and exquisite gems took him all over the world. During his worldwide travels, he was able to acquire jewels from the Maharajahs in India, the largest rubies and sapphires in the world, and other historical jewels from a variety of luminaries. Through the display and sale of private jewelry collections, the company’s Kazanjian Foundation raises funds for scholarship programs for underprivileged youths.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard. The Museum is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $6.50 for students and seniors; and $2 for children 5-12. For 24-hour Museum information please call (213) 763-DINO or visit www.nhm.org.

How to make a Box Chain

While these videos from JewelrySupply.com include ordering information - it doesn't detract much from the quality of the lessons posted...this example is especially good!

Lazy Link Love - Tutorials (Online)

I want to start with the site that is, in my opinion, the most important for jewelers in any media and that is the Ganoksin website.

Tips From the Jewelers Bench http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
Bench Tube http://www.ganoksin.com/benchtube/

YouTube is always an option - go to http://youtube.com and search terms for your particular jewelry field (ie. wire wrapping, right angle weave, RAW, beading, soldering, etc)

Most of your favorite beading selling sites offer a Learning Feature:
Artbeads - http://www.artbeads.com/learning-center.html
Aunties Beads - http://snipurl.com/g1nli [www_auntiesbeads_com]
Fire Mountain Gems - http://www.firemountaingems.com/beading_howtos/default.asp
...check your favorite seller.

Marie Cristine has some free tutorials listed in her blog - as well as some really reasonably priced ones - http://snipurl.com/g1nzf [www_mariecristine_com]

Studio Heath - offers a wealth of information - http://www.studioheath.com/

Ruby's Beadwork - offers beady tutorials - http://www.rubysbeadwork.com/

Eni Oken's Jewelry Lessons - this is more than a list of tutorials it is a community of designers from beading and wire work - http://www.jewelrylessons.com/jewel/

Christine's How To Make Jewelry Blog - http://blog.how-to-make-jewelry.com/

WigJig offers 40+ pages of free tutorials - http://www.wigjig.com/making-jewelry-with-beads.htm

Don't forget your favorite Jewelry Making Magazine - most of the projects they print are also available (for a nomenal fee) on their website.

Bulgari at 125 years!!!

The following Press Release is from the Iconic Luxury Design Firm - Bulgari. While this isn't the type of jewelry that I tend to cover, I felt that the efforts of Bulgari for such a wonderful cause deserved the space....and they must be doing something right, how many companies do you know of that have been doing business for 125 years!

The Ads are lux to the max, in the tradition of Bulgari. If you have seen the latest Vanity Fair - there is a four page spread of dramatic black & white photos of actors and celebrities of all kind wearing the ring. The ring has all the bells & whistles - from the elegant Bulgari signature to the logo and name of Save The Children etched in the inside.

Bulgari - Rewrites The Future

On the 125th anniversary of its foundation, Bulgari launches a major fund-raising project for the defence of children’s rights.

As part of the initiatives scheduled for 2009 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of its foundation, Bulgari has chosen to support the “Rewrite the Future” campaign of Save the Children, the largest independent international organisation for the defence and championing of children’s rights, present in over 100 countries around the world.

Through “Rewrite the Future” campaign Save the Children is committed to providing within 2010 quality education to 8 million children living in conflict-affected areas. Thanks to the campaign, up to now Save the Children has rebuilt schools, supplied school materials and protected children from abuse and exploitation, paving the way for a durable change in the life of almost 6 million children.

Bulgari has decided to make its own contribution to Save the Children with the objective of raising € 10 million by the end of 2009, of which € 1 million will be donated by Bulgari to the organisation in advance, while the remaining figure will be raised during the next year.
The symbol par excellence of Bulgari’s commitment alongside Save the Children – and a tribute to the silversmith origins of Sotirio Bulgari, the company’s founder – will be a silver ring specially created for the campaign and featuring the Save the Children logo engraved inside.

The ring will be on sale from 1 February to 31 December 2009 in all Bulgari stores throughout the world, in some selected department stores, and on Bulgari’s e-commerce website, active in the USA, at the price of €290 / $290 (including VAT) of which €50 / $60 will be donated to the campaign. Besides the ring, to mark the occasion Bulgari will also develop a collection of 15 pieces of high jewellery and 8 high-end timepieces, of an estimated total value of € 3 million.

It will be officially presented on 4 June 2009 in Rome, on occasion of the retrospective exhibition “Between Eternity and History”, hosted at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, to celebrate the 125 years of the Bulgari brand.This collection of jewels and watches will then be present at high-profile Bulgari events throughout the world – ultimately becoming the leading player of an auction that will be held on 7 December 2009 in New York and whose proceeds will be totally donated to Save the Children.

All the initiatives connected with the operation will be totally non-profit for the Bulgari Group.
The numerous celebrities of the world of films, show business, and music who, thus far, have decided to support the initiative include, among many others, Julianne Moore, Benicio Del Toro, Ben Stiller, Sally Field, Sting, Willem Dafoe, Rosario Fiorello, Gabriele Muccino, Jason Lewis, Andy Garcia, Valeria Golino, Fabrizio Ferri.

Francesco Trapani, Chief Executive Officer of the Bulgari Group, commented on the initiative: “For Bulgari, being part of history and at the same time being able to help change it by giving less fortunate people the possibility of a new future is the best possible way of celebrating its 125 years. I am therefore really delighted that the company is actively working on the success of the “Rewrite the Future” campaign – a project consistent with the commitment Bulgari has decided to make to initiatives aiding youth education throughout the world. I am also convinced that, thanks to the help of our customers and Save the Children supporters, we will succeed in achieving – and hopefully in exceeding – the ambitious target we have set ourselves.”

Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General of the International Save the Children Alliance commented: “We are very pleased to announce this global partnership with Bulgari. Their commitment and support for education is one of the most valuable ways to make a difference to children's lives in war afflicted countries.”

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Bulgari is one of the global players on the luxury market. In 2007 the Group posted a turnover of 1,091.0 million Euro. Bulgari relies on a stores network in the most exclusive shopping areas in the world and on selected distributors. Bulgari has a product portfolio that ranges from jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes. The Group is controlled by the Bulgari family, holding about 52.0% of the share capital. The remaining 48.0% is floating on the Milan Stock Exchange.

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Save the Children is the world's largest independent organization for children, making a difference to children's lives in over 120 countries. From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children helps children to achieve a happy, healthy and secure childhood. Save the Children listens to children, involves children and ensures their views are taken into account. Save the Children secures and protects children's rights - to food, shelter, health care, education and freedom from violence, abuse and exploitation.