JUDGES SET FOR AGTA SPECTRUM AWARDS

July 8, 2009 – Dallas, TX: The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the judges for the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition. They are:

Design consultant/writer Marlene Richey

Gem artist John Hatleburg

Jewelry designer Mish Tworkowski of Mish New York

Jewelry editor Nicole Keating of Women’s Wear Daily and W magazine

Antique jewelry expert Ben Macklowe of The Macklowe Gallery

Jewelry designer Cecelia Bauer.

"We really wanted to bring a broad range of perspectives to the judging process," stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. "This panel of judges brings a wealth of knowledge and keen sense of jewelry design."

The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is the premiere colored gemstone and pearl jewelry design competition in the world. The competition is in its 26th year of existence and sets the bar for jewelry designers and lapidaries. The winning designs are featured in consumer and trade press. Furthermore, all entries get tremendous exposure through the competition’s Editor’s Day in New York City, where many pieces are requested for subsequent photo shoots.

The competition judges jewelry designs in five categories: Evening, Business/Day Wear, Classical, Bridal and Men’s Wear. Once again this year, Platinum Guild International (PGI) will select a design from each category to receive Platinum Honors, with the winners receiving an incredible value-added promotional package. The Cutting Edge division judges excellence in gemstone faceting, carving and objects of art.

For more information and entry forms for the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™, please visit www.agta.org/awards or call 1-800-972-1162. The deadline for entries is September 25, 2009.

Call for Art: SEE-Scapes

Call for Art: SEE-Scapes

Whereas I was blind, now I see. ~ John ix. 25.
Exhibition Dates: August 7-30, 2009

A common phrase used by most people is “I see” when they really mean, “I understand”. What do we really see, as artists’; with our eyes, hearts, minds? Through a lens, with a brush, with our hands. Don’t just take a look… See…

The following are only examples. Devise your own meaning…

To have the power to perceive with or as if with the eye

To have a mental image of, visualize– To understand, comprehend– to look at or recognize with the eyes

To believe possible, imagine

To take note of, recognize

To share the companionship of often or regularly

Cards: to match (a bet) or match the bet of (a bettor) by staking an equal sum

The official seat, center of authority, jurisdiction, or office of a bishop–to understand.

see after–see off–see out–see through–see to–see red–see you later


Eligibility: Open to all artists over 18 years of age. Open to all media, including: 2-D, 3-D, sculptural works, photography, mixed media, crafts and experimental works. All work must be original and have been completed within the last five years. All entries will be juried from digital images (300dpi) on CD’s or 8x10 photographs. Entries must be submitted via mail. Drop-offs will also be accepted. Email entries will not be accepted. Provide one image for each piece submitted. Two images will be accepted for three-dimensional works. Please code each image with the title of the work, and write your name on the CD.

The deadline for submissions is July 31.

Entry fee: $6 per submission/$15 for 3. Artists may submit up to 3 works.

For a prospectus and entry form, please email: ex.art42@gmail.com

Allochromatic and Idiochromatic minerals

If you know me you know that I am attracted to "new" words...

Today's Daily Jewel is inspired by the latest auction offering from Keith at Trinity Minerals mineral-auctions.com

This time around the theme is minerals colored by nickel, lead or chromium. Check them out at:

http://auction2.mineral-auctions.com

This theme was suggested by Miranda (of Dakota Matrix) and include allochromatic and idiochromatic minerals.

Idiochromatic refers to minerals whose color is set by their composition. A good example of an idiochromatic mineral is linarite which is always an intense blue color.

Allochromatic refers to minerals whose color varies based on the presence of impurities. Green grossulars are a good example as the presence of chromium in ppm levels causes the normally colorless grossular garnet to be tinted green... another maybe more familiar example is ruby which is the chromium rich variety of corundum.

Check out the auction for more on these terms...but get there soon. The Crocoite specimen pictured from the area of Dundas, Tasmania in Australia has already sold out!

Photo Info: Crocoite offered by Bill Logan - It is "an aesthetic grouping of stout parallel prismatic crystals with excellent luster and a bright orange-red color. Crocoite is one of the very few Chromate minerals considered collectable due to its vivid color. This is due to Chromium, a versatile chromaphor, which also imparts color to Ruby and Emerald. The lead content adds density and luster. This is an older specimen featuring stout blunt crystals, less fragile than more recent specimens. The featured aerial terminarion is undamaged but imperfect with accumulation of the yellow granular mineral so often seen in association with Dundas material. The accessory crystals do show some conchoidal fractures, but overall it displays beautifully."