Spring 2011 - Smithsonian is "Set In Style"

From the museum website:

Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels

February 18–June 5, 2011

Since its opening on the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has played a leading role in style and design innovation. Its timeless pieces have been worn by style icons including the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. This exhibition will explore the historical significance of the firm's contributions to jewelry design in the 20th century, including the establishment of Van Cleef & Arpels in New York with the advent of World War II. On view will be more than 250 works including jewels, timepieces, fashion accessories and objets d'art by Van Cleef & Arpels, many of which were created exclusively for the American market. The exhibition will examine the work through the lenses of innovation, transformation, nature as inspiration, exoticism, fashion and celebrity, and will include design drawings from the Van Cleef & Arpels archives.

http://www.cooperhewitt.org

Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels is made possible by Van Cleef & Arpels.

About the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

Cooper-Hewitt is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Founded in 1897, the museum has been a branch of the Smithsonian since 1967. The museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational programs, exhibitions and publications.

The museum is located at 2 East 91st Street at Fifth Avenue in New York City. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Winners of the 2010 International Pearl Design Contest

Earlier this week the Cultured Pearl Association announced the winners of their FIRST International Pearl Design Contest...

From the website:

Providence, RI –October 21, 2010
Francis Mastoloni, President of the Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc. proudly announces the winners of the CPAA’S first International Design competition. “We are very happy with the success of our first competition, entries from 9 countries we received” Mr. Mastoloni reported.

For you - just a few of the winning entries - I will be putting a photo gallery up at Posterous as I receive photos (if you are one of the jewelers on the "Commendations" list and want to be included email to robynahawk at yahoo:

PRESIDENTS TROPHY
“South Sea Glow”

Adam Neeley of Laguna Beach, CA

The highest honor awarded to a design that unanimously captivated judges as the best of the best.

LUSTER AWARD
“Sea of Love”

Philip Dismuke for Jewelsmith of Durham, NC

Award is given to the entry that is judged “most marketable” of all the entries in the competition. This design will have the most overall appeal for the retail marketplace.

ORIENT AWARD
“Aurora Eclipse”

Anil Maloo, Baggins Inc. of Los Angeles, CA

The award given to the entry that would inspire a new found affinity in someone for cultured pearls.

WEDDING DAY AWARD
“Carved Lace”

Elizabeth Blair of Harbor Springs, MI / Massimo Sanalitro of Milan, Italy

Brides and pearls are synonymous. Create a “fantasy wedding” theme with pearls.

ABOUT CPAA

The Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc is a non profit group founded in 1957, comprised of the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, dealers and suppliers of Cultured Pearls in the United States.

Our intention is to "cultivate" awareness, interest, demand and successful marketability of Cultured Pearls for the retail community and the consumer level. Through promotion, education, public relations and unwavering commitment we aim to inspire an authentic passion for all Cultured Pearl varieties.

The Results Are In! METALinclinations 2

Seems like this has been a couple weeks of non-stop Election Results! OK - don't get worried this isn't going to be a political rant!!! I am referring to all the Award results lately!

...and today it is METALinclinations 2:

METAL Inclinations 2 is an International competition and exhibition sponsored by Hauser & Miller - presented by The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths. Check out the Gallery to see all eight award winners and all 50 pieces chosen for the 2010-12 exhibition.

JUDITH KINGHORN

FIRST PLACE WINNER
$2,000 SOCIETY FOR MIDWEST METALSMITHS AWARD

SUZAN REZAC

SECOND PLACE AWARD
$1,000 HAUSER & MILLER COMPANY AWARD

Be sure to go to the Award Gallery and check out the entries - some really fabulous makers!

2011 Gemmy Awards - Sneak Peek!

So excited to announce a couple "Sneak Peeks" at the recently announced 2011 Gemmy Awards!

First this stunning gem from the hand of John Dyer won 1st place in the Specially Cut gems category and tied for Best of Competition in the Jewelry Artist-Lapidary Journal Gemmys!

93.53-Carat Blue Topaz Gemstone | John Dyer/Precious Gemstones Co. Catalog

johndyergems.com

This 93.53-carat Blue Topaz gemstone features the Dreamscape(TM) cut.

...and from Gary Kratochvil, the Second Place winner in the "Artists on the Horizon" category...can't wait to see more from Gary!

Item: Sold
Material: Natural Oregon Sunstone (Red Labradorite)
Type: Top red with schiller (Medium Tone)
Locality: Oregon, USA
Hardness: 6.5 good for almost any jewelry application
Design: Modified Sun Drop (designed by Jeff R. Graham)
Cut By: Gary Kratochvil
Dimensions: 19.3mm long x 13mm wide x 8.7mm deep
Clarity: Red Schiller
Weight: 12.10 carats
Price:
Treatments: None
Note: Top red with a spray of schiller.

The Gemmy's are an annual award from Interweave - publishers of Lapidary Journal - Jewelry Artist Magazine and Colored Stone Magazine.

Awards are given in the following Divisions :

• Faceted Gems
  Stones must be flat faceted; concave or convex faceted stones should be entered in the Specially Cut division.
  
• 
  
• Cabochon Gems
  Stones must be any natural gem material cut in a cabochon shape, and must be suitable for jewelry use.
  
• 
  
• Specially Cut Gems
  Stones include those that have been carved; cut with regular, curved “facets”; engraved; fitted together into a composite; or cut using any other lapidary technique other than flat faceting or cabbing; or any combination of lapidary techniques.
  
• 
  
• Gem Objects
  Items that are either nonfunctional or whose function is other than use in jewelry including, but not limited to, faceted stones not suitable for jewelry use.
  
• 
  
• Artists on the Horizon
  Any type of cut or gemstone, cut by an artist who has never won a national/international gem competition

A complete list of winners and photos of the winning entries will be published in (from the website):

"Winners will also be published in the January 2010 Tucson Show Guide, the January 2010 issue of Jewelry Artist, and the January/February 2010 issue of Colored Stone."

Daily Jewel Editors note: Are you as surprised as I am to see this? Could there be a 2011 Colored Stone? I am checking with Interweave to see if this was a typo/forgotten update on the website. It would be so exciting to see Dave Federman's brilliant information in Colored Stone available again!

For more info about the Gemmy Awards and a link to the entry form:

http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/contest/gemmys/

Celebrity Jewel: Demi Moore Sparkles In Platinum

On the Red Carpet with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher at the Russian Assemblies Charity Gala to benefit DNA - Demi & Ashton Foundation at the Ritz Carlton in Moscow Saturday night!

Demi Moore dazzled in PLATINUM jewelry by Cartier:

- platinum and multi-colored diamond cascading drop earrings

- platinum and diamond seven row cuff bracelet
- platinum and diamond dome cocktail ring

Celebrities love to wear platinum jewelry because it’s a naturally white metal, so it maximizes the brilliance of diamonds and other colored gemstones.
For more information on platinum jewelry, visit Precious Platinum

Would you like to speak with a jewelry expert regarding the latest trends for the red carpet, and how to get the celebrity look for less in platinum? Contact Niki at PRLab

Believing that freedom is a basic human right, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher founded The Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA) to raise awareness about child sex slavery, change the cultural stereotypes that facilitate this horrific problem, and rehabilitate innocent victims. DNA is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.

Photo credits: Getty Images and Associated Press (AP)

Hauntingly Beautiful - Elaine Songer's "Opal Moon"

In the spirit of the season...my "Trick or Treat" from the brilliant Jeffrey Hunt (founder of One World Gemstone) was this stunning photo for use on the Facebook partner to this blog!

Did you know there was a "Daily Jewel" on Facebook? info is in the right hand column here on the blog. It is a little different - here I find you fun things that I find online or in my mailbox. On the Facebook page I have to find the daily inspiration from Facebook. When I first started using Facebook there was a general opinion that there was much there for the Jewelry and Gem Industries...the "Daily Jewel" found who was there and featured the work of gem cutters, wire wrappers, lampworkers, beaders, beadweavers, gem sellers and mineral collectors....boy - has that pool grown!!!

Happy Halloween!

...from One World Gemstone & The Daily Jewel!

Elaine Songer's OPAL MOON for Robyn Hawk.
I remember last year around Halloween Robyn loved my Something Wicked Halloween photo. With that in mind, I took liberties with Elaine Songer's Opal and created this digital montage for Robyn to celebrate Halloween 2010.
The work also marks the very successful completion of eye surgery for Elaine!
Congratulations both for wonderful work in the field... And, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Jeffrey Hunt

For a larger format photo: http://customgemstonestudio.com/custom-gemstones/opal-moon-2/

...and this is the one that started it all! Something Wicked!

Halloween is almost here in the United States! This is a design called Something Wicked that I designed several years ago, the design was pubished in Jewelry Artist Magazine October 2007. This design (and others) can now be found here: http://www.gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hunt_-_Something_Wicked