Jewelry Documentary "Masters of Dreams" Has West Coast Premiere at GIA

GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) headquarters in seaside Carlsbad, CA set the scene for the West Coast premiere of the jewelry documentary Masters of Dreams yesterday evening, Wednesday, Sept. 18. A group of nearly 200 industry leaders, local officials and jewelry connoisseurs gathered at the Institute for an exclusive sunset reception and film screening. 

Ken McGrath, GIA graduate and filmmaker; Alberto Milani, CEO of the Americas for jewelry house Buccellati; and Guy Bedarida, creative director and head designer for jewelry house John Hardy, participated in a lively panel discussion following a showing of “The Italian Jewellers” segment.

“Not only does the film beautifully capture the diverse aesthetic of the different jewelry houses, it gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the truly global process of making jewelry. Having the West Coast premiere of this documentary series at GIA fits so well with the Institute’s mission to educate the public on gems and jewelry,” said Susan Jacques, chair of the GIA Board of Governors, who also served as panel moderator for the event.   

Earlier in the day, GIA students and staff in Carlsbad had the exclusive opportunity to preview the “Jewellers of the Americas” segment and speak with McGrath, Milani and Bedarida.

“It was great coming back to my alma mater to show my peers – and current students – how I’ve been able to turn my passion for gems into a creative career. Combining my love of jewelry and filmmaking has been a journey, which all started in GIA’s halls back in 1980,” said McGrath.  

Masters of Dreams is a four-part documentary series that goes behind-the-scenes with 13 of the world's most legendary jewelry houses: Boucheron, Buccellati, Bulgari, Chaumet, Chopard, Damiani, De Beers Jewellery, Forevermark, Graff Diamonds, H. Stern, John Hardy, Stephen Webster and Verdura. From Paris to New York, London to Bali, and Milan to Rio, the series offers a breathtaking journey into the world of fine jewelry, filled with famous families, gemstone hunters and some of the world’s most innovative designers.

The series is produced by French Connection Films in partnership with Quasar Multimedia and Current Affairs Hambrook Communications.

About French Connection Films

French Connection Films produces and distributes documentaries, corporate videos, short films and feature-length films. Work has been broadcasted on Arte, France 3, France 5, PBS (USA), CBC/Radio Canada, TVE (Spain), SVT (Sweden), SBS (Australia), RAI (Italy), YLE (Finland), AVRO (Netherlands), M-Net (South Africa), TV5 Monde.  Documentaries explore a wide spectrum of peoples and issues. Art, history, health, science, social progress, the environment and human rights are among the key subjects currently inspiringwork. Upon request, the company organizes shoots and produce videos both in France and abroad for companies and institutions in HD and other professional standards.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

"Jewelry's Shining Stars" A Brilliant New Coffee Table Book

I just started reading this book - looks AMAZING - review shortly!

Just In Time For Holiday Gift Giving!

“Jewelry’s Shining Stars” (Fine Points Publishing, Sept 2013) is a celebration of the generation of independent jewelers who have learned the rules in order to bend them, creating a unique and distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry. They are the new influencers that are shining brightly and are evolving with time and perseverance.

With a foreword written by internationally renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster, this elegant, full-color coffee table book features designs, quotes, personal anecdotes and inspirations as told by 38 designers. “Each and every designer featured in ‘Jewelry’s Shining Stars’ is helping to return jewelry to something given and worn with emotion, not a sign of wealth and status,” says Webster, who calls the book a “damn good read about passion, dedication, craftsmanship and bloody minded obsession.”

Although the industry is filled with a plethora of designers who construct pretty, wearable and saleable collections, the jewelers featured in “Jewelry’s Shining Stars” have made an indelible mark with their distinguished sensibilities and signature creations, setting them apart from their peers and their predecessors. 

These designers have crossed the boundaries of art, function and wearability and formed distinctive identities while bringing out the collector in a new age of women. 
These jewelers have helped form the taste, styles and standards of the self-purchaser. 

Most importantly, they are shaping jewelry’s future.
Individually, each of these talents has an aesthetic language and story to tell, rich with 
influences of their up-bringing, travels and beliefs. Collectively, they have challenged the definition of fine jewelry with their shared vision. As a group, they are designing for a generation of women who has embraced this new creativity and think of jewelry as an extension of personal style.

“Jewelry’s Shining Stars” presents an informative, vivid and lively peek into this exclusive 
forum. From Todd Reed's pioneering rough and raw diamonds to K. Brunini’s organic forms and introduction of non-precious materials into precious jewelry to Arman Sarkisyan’s intricate award-winning museum quality pieces, these cross-cultural designers offer a cross pollination of talent carving an enduring place in jewelry’s timeline.  

They have earned their place in this art form’s rich history. 

Jewelry designers in the book include (in alphabetical order):

                Adel Chefridi                       Alishan                            Amali

                Allia                                      Annie Fensterstock       Arman Sarkisyan

                Boaz Kashi                          Borgionis                         Cassandra Erin

                Colette                                 Coomi                              Donna Distefano

                Ileana Makri                      Jamie Joseph                  Jemma Wynne

                Joseph Murray                  Kamofie                           K. Brunini

                Katherine Jetter                Lauren Harper               Lauren Wolf

                Megan Thorne                   Melissa Joy Manning     Michael John Jewelry

                Mizuki                                 Moritz Glik                      Nam Cho

                Naomi Blumenthal            Pamela Huizenga            Polly Wales

                Ray Griffiths                      Rebecca Overmann        Shaill

                Sorellina                              Todd Reed                       Vibes

                Wendy Yue                         Yael Sonia

BOOK LAUNCH - SIGNING/ JEWELRY VIEWING EVENTS

Catch up with author/curator Beth Berstein at one of these upcoming events.

Aaron Faber Gallery - New York, New York       
Thursday, September 26, 20135:00PM – 7:00PM

Champagne reception, designer preview and group signing by author and select designers
Kamofie - Venice, California
Thursday, October 10, 2013
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Champagne reception, designer preview, and group signing by author and select designers.
Elements - Chicago, Illinois
Friday, October 11, 2013 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Champagne reception and book signing by the author and select designers
Saturday, October 12, 2013
12:00PM — 4:00PM

Trunk show with select designers and book signing by the author
Reinhold Jewelers - San Juan, Puerto Rico

October 24 

4:00 PM— 8:00PM

Reception, group signing by author and select designers and jewelry trunk show.

October 25

Group trunk show continues

Author Bio:

For the past 20 years, Beth Bernstein has been engaged in two of her passions as careers— writing and consulting about fine jewelry. Her memoir, My Charmed Life: Rocky Romances, Precious Family Connections and Searching For A Band of Gold, was published by Penguin in the summer of 2012. She is working on her second memoir.

Over the past 15 years, she has written for both consumer and trade magazines and newspapers on all topics of jewelry including monthly profile stories on international jewelry designers. She has a thriving career as a personal stylist to help private clients build jewelry wardrobes and is also a dealer of fine antique and period pieces. She has given seminars on various aspects of jewelry, has been a judge for jewelry design awards and curated sections of jewelry trade shows. Her consulting company, Plan B, advises on all facets of merchandising, marketing, branding and design for independent jewelers. She is a member of The American Society of Jewelry Historians, and WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association), among other associations. She lives in New York City.
On curating and writing this book, Bernstein who is a twenty-year jewelry veteran (editor, 
writer, collector, jewelry historian and consultant) explains, “I have seen the sparkle of a rich history. I have been fortunate enough to see pieces from Castellani to Cartier and The Crown Jewels up close and personal. I have been invited to famous gem mines and jewelry cultures around the globe, as well as the workshops and vaults behind the gleaming facades of Madison Avenue and Place Vendome. Yet, I am most drawn to the studios of today’s generation of independent jewelers—designers who work at the bench with reverence for old world tradition, then soulfully alter the classic techniques for irreverent and intriguing styles. I have met all of these jewelers at shows and in their studios, and while trying on their pieces,  I have been transported into their worlds. Now I’d like to take readers into their creative minds and present the pieces that are sure to capture the imagination and inspire desire for the craft and collecting of these most alluring designs.”

#WordlessWednesday - Spotlights the Exotic World of Wendy Yue

Today the spotlight is on Couture Designer - Wendy Yue

Wendy Yue has established herself as an avant-garde of haute couture jewelry introducing one-of-a-kind, meticulously crafted, exotic designs. From a sapphire studded frog sprawling on aquamarine and jade swamps to a floral cameo entangled by diamond-set serpents, Wendy Yue's whimsical fine jewerly designs offer glimpses of nature's wonders and moments of surreal tranquility. www.wendyyue.com

OMG - Emmy Time...Already? Michael O'Connor Gives Us the Trends

EMMY AWARDS JEWELRY TREND PREDICTIONS 

FROM LEADING STYLE EXPERT 

Michael O’Connor Hosts Jewelry Style Event for Show Nominees and Presenters

This week Michael O’Connor, celebrity stylist and television personality, will host StyleLab’s styling event for Emmy Award nominees, presenters and stylists at a private venue in Los Angeles. Every season O’Connor curates a selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from world-renowned designers for celebrities to borrow for the red carpet. 

From colored gemstone earrings to exotic cuffs, O’Connor will accessorize Hollywood’s leading stars with the most exquisite, highest quality jewelry.

This season O’Connor sees an overall fascination with more embellished styles featuring colored diamonds and precious gemstones – both modern and vintage designs. As the biggest television award show of the season quickly approaches, O’Connor offers the following trend predictions.

We’re seeing a variety of exotic gemstone colors and rare material mixes to create statement pieces. Jewelry designer Abellan New York is showcasing a ring with rubellite, turquoise, blue sapphires, pearls and diamonds. 

Designer Joan Park is featuring earrings with aquamarine, and green and pink tourmaline, priced at $3,000. This piece is part of The Diamonds With A Story™ Collection, which includes a grouping of designers who have expressed their design stories working with the variety of beautiful and natural shades from the Argyle diamond mine in Australia. The Collections are based across four viewpoints shared by consumers on what they want most in diamond jewelry; origin, sustainability, color and lifestyle. 

Another piece in The Diamonds With A Story™ Collection is from Kara Ross. She mixes parts of broken sidewalk concrete with diamonds to create a statement ring, priced at $2,130. The fashionable Heidi Klum would be a perfect fit for this ring!
Taking the concept of exotic palettes a step further, you will notice jewelry that is reminiscent of ancient times and far away lands. A necklace from Gems by Gerald featuring Karla B. Proud for the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is comprised of a 12-carat bi-color Oregon Sunstone and an imperial jasper cabochon, on a multi-strand chain, priced at $7,500.
Designers are also creating luxurious pieces with a sleek modern twist. The 114.94 carat 
white topaz cuff from Bellarri, priced at $21,780, takes the classic line-bracelet style to a 
whole new level. 

Canadian designer Mark Lash is showcasing drop earrings, priced at $5,580, that focus your attention on the lustrous 82.61 carats of sapphires and diamonds. The “Magnolia Flower” 10-carat diamond necklace from A. Jaffe, priced at $108,018, weaves floral design in a totally fresh way. Kerry Washington would turn heads in this necklace.
Hollywood Glamour will always remain a staple on the red carpet. Stackable cuffs with diamonds by Gabriel & Co., priced from $875, are ideal for celebrities who want to look polished without feeling “overdone”. 

Michael showing off the stunning Takat Emerald

Celebrities are also obsessing over vintage pieces, including hair combs/pins once owned by Marilyn Monroe that are now part of the Jewelry By Gail collection, priced at $48,000. And, designer Takat is re-inventing the meaning of Hollywood glamour with an 108-carat emerald cut Columbian emerald necklace, featuring 72-carats of diamonds, priced at $3 million. The statuesque Sofia Vergara was born to wear these vintage types of designs.

“The Jazz Age” is swinging again! Designers are creating pieces that bring us back to the  1920’s. Mastoloni introduced a signature black and white “Ice” necklace with cultured pearls and 30-carats of black and white diamonds, featuring a tassel of cultured pearls and white diamonds, priced at $10,500. AGTA designer Baggins shows a cocktail ring with natural color Akoya cultured pearls and diamonds, priced at $30,000. Michelle Dockery would evoke modern Gatsby glamour wearing these pearls.

The “Mad Men” Appeal - Don’t forget about men on the red carpet, as they’re quickly realizing that watches and jewelrymake an important statement. Seah Watches & Jewelry launched "The Astronomer" timepiece, the only watch in the world that comes with the Greek Zodiac signs replacing the hours. It’s priced at $600. The Perrelet “Double Peripheral Rotor” watch features a black dial and luminous hour-markers, on a black alligator strap with white stitching, priced at $8,550.  We can already envision Jon Hamm and Aaron Paul wearing these styles.

#WeddingWednesday - BRIDAL RING GUIDE from the Michael M. Collection

Romance is in the air as one of the most popular seasons for bridal diamond engagements is upon us.

 Enter a magical world of memorable "I Do's" with the Michael M. Collection Bridal Collection, where exquisite Solitaire diamonds enthrall her, stylish Marquis-cut diamonds capture her heart, 

Princess-cut diamonds make her feel like royalty, and contemporary Pear-shaped diamonds 

surrounded by lush pave diamond settings will keep her entranced in his loving embrace for an eternity.

About Michael M. Collection:
Michael M. is a uniquely modern and sophisticated diamond jewelry brand founded in 2008 by designer Michael Meksian. Having started his career in gold manufacturing 25 years earlier, Michael's ultimate desire was to present a high-end bridal and fashion collection. Today, Michael M. pieces can be found in over 200 retail doors in the United States and have been featured in numerous fashion and bridal publications. Each piece is handcrafted in the company's Los Angeles workshop using the finest diamonds and a choice of platinum, 18k white gold or 18k yellow gold. The paramount features of a Michael M. ring are the regal European shank and the use of more diamonds over metal in each setting. Each piece is engraved with a Michael M. id number, ensuring authenticity and a lifetime warranty guarantees heirloom quality jewelry for generations to come. 
For more information, please visit <<www.michaelmcollection.com>>

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Faces of Eternity: GIA Debuts 15 Skull Carvings in Gem Material for October

Faces of Eternity: GIA Debuts Ethereal Exhibit in October

Museum spotlights 15 skull carvings made from large gem crystals

Peruvian artist and master carver Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio will debut a collection of 15 gem skulls on Oct. 18 at GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. The “Faces of Eternity” exhibit, which will be on view through April 2014, was inspired by the juxtaposition of human mortality and the timelessness of gemstones. The intricately carved and polished life-size skulls are made from different large gem crystals and ornamental rock, adding character to each piece. 

“The magnificent gems and rocks used to create the skulls, combined with the skill of a master craftsman, give these unique pieces an ethereal beauty. From fossilized whale bone to rainforest jasper, and from pink opal to peanut wood agate, Luis Alberto chose materials from a gem lover’s dream,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA Museum. “Each skull has a distinctive look and feel to it, making this collection fascinating on both a gemological and an artistic level.”

Aparicio – an engineer by profession and second-generation master in the object d’art – merges sculpting and jewelry fabrication techniques, creating unusual design work that is distinct from traditional European carvings. Along with his sister, Sylvia, he has helped to revive Neoart Peru, a family-owned company started in 1975 that specializes in ruby carvings and focuses on natural wildlife-inspired themes using rare and unusual gemstones from around the globe.

“The skulls collection was one of my favorite to create. By carving natural gemstones with a combination of lapidary art and metalsmith techniques, you can really see how the colors and textures in each stone brings each piece to life,” said Aparicio. 

The complete collection is comprised of 26 pieces, each hand-carved from gemstones sourced from around the world and complemented by parts in silver and gold vermeil. The collection was designed and carved over the period of one year. Fifteen pieces make up the “Faces of Eternity” exhibit at GIA in Carlsbad, while the remaining pieces are in private collections in France, the U.S., the U.K. and Russia. 

Reservations must be made in advance - Docent Tours of the exhibits and the entire GIA Campus may be arranged.  Pieces exhibited are on loan from Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio. “Faces of Eternity” will be on display from Oct. 18, 2013 through April 2014. For more details, visit GIA’s website or call 800-421-7250.

Faber's "Genius Of Nature" Explores 23 Jewelry Artists Interpretation of the Artistry of Nature

        "Genius of Nature” Exhibition Explores Mysterious Artistry of Nature, 

as Interpreted by 23 Celebrated Jewelry Artists

Aaron Faber Gallery Announces October 2013 Exhibition featuring 75 New Nature-Inspired Designs

Aaron Faber Gallery has assembled 23 celebrated jewelry artists to deliver their interpretations of nature’s genius through 75 exquisite designs of nature-inspired jewelry artistry. 

The exhibition, “Genius of Nature”, premieres October 2013 at the 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY gallery location. 

This exhibition will explore how, in the world of artist-made jewelry, the goldsmith’s plan mirrors the grand designs of the universe, where chaos and structure, randomness and pattern, the heat of the torch, the movement of gold, the energy of divine creation, results in an ornamental artifact of intelligent design.

“The works curated for this exhibition look to capture this sense of the organic, of the expanding, of the not-quite-planned, as well as featuring jewels that relate more to nature’s inspiration on a graphic or visual level”, said Patricia Kiley Faber, curator of the Genius of Nature Exhibition and co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery. 

“It was important to include established and emerging artists, where the collection ranges from the unexpected to the more familiar. In all of these artists’ works, one can discern that magical energy of creativity, pattern and randomness converging as the artists’ attempt to capture something universal in a single remarkable jewel.”

The participating artists include: 
        Atelier Munsteiner               Emmeline Hastings
         Atelier Zobel                         Ornella Iannuzzi
         Glenda Arentzen                  Dejan Jovanovic
         Deborah Aguado                   Christy Klug
         Elise Bergeron                       Juha Koskela
         Bongsang Cho                        Paolo Marcolongo
         Jacqueline Cullen                  Gigi Mariani
         Julia DeVille                           Enric Marjoral
         Roland Dubuc                         SoYoung Park
         Arata Fuchi                            Linda Priest  
                                                               Emanuela Duca                      Luzia Vogt        
                                                               Michael Good

“Genius of Nature” opens October 3, 2013 and will run through October 26, 2013.
For more information and to view works from participating designers, please visit the gallery website at:  http://geniusofnature.lmrpr.com 


About Aaron Faber GalleryAaron Faber Gallery was founded in 1974 to present the work of studio jewelers, those artists creating one-of-a-kind jewels that are inspired by creativity and originality, made in the artist’s studio and imbued with the artist’s spirit, concept and style.

The gallery, owned by Edward and Patricia Faber is located on West 53rd Street down the block from the Museum of Modern Art, where its contemporary interior is the backdrop for changing exhibitions by studio jewelers as well as permanent collections by the gallery’s artist group. For more information, please visit www.aaronfaber.com.

GIA Participates In Jewellex Africa 2013 For The Fifth Consecutive Year

GIA Exhibits at Jewellex Africa 2013

Institute attended fifth consecutive show, Aug. 31 - Sept. 2

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) continued its outreach to the South African gem and jewelry trade during Jewellex Africa 2013, which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. This is the fifth consecutive year the Institute has exhibited at the show, establishing its presence at one of the premiere trade shows in the region. GIA alumnus and local jeweler Nqobile Nkosi proudly displayed his GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma alongside his work at his booth during the show. 

Soweto jeweler Nqobile Nkosi proudly displays his
AJP  diploma  during Jewellex Africa 2013.

Nkosi, a jeweler from Soweto, completed his AJP program soon after receiving an education scholarship from GIA. He is currently the president of GIA’s Africa Alumni Chapter, and has motivated many as the first designer and jeweler from Soweto.

“Many students were deeply inspired by Mr. Nkosi, and came to our booth to find out more about GIA’s gem and jewelry education offerings,” said Elizabeth Bokaba, GIA’s manager of alumni and client relations in South Africa. 

GIA representatives meet with booth visitors during 

Jewellex Africa 2013.

“Not only is this event a way to let more people in the South African gem and jewelry industry know about our lab and education offerings, but it’s a great opportunity to meet and interact with aspiring professionals and industry veterans looking to enhance their knowledge.”

Institute representatives presented education catalogs, answered questions about services and provided branded handbags to booth visitors.

Since 2008, GIA has expanded its presence in Africa, opening two full-time laboratories and offering classes in Gaborone and Johannesburg; establishing partnerships with government agencies and universities throughout the continent; and maintaining a global network of active alumni. Today, there are more than 800 alumni and two GIA Alumni Chapters in Africa.  

  

For more information about GIA education in Africa, visit www.gia.edu, or email giaeducationafrica@gia.edu,cnel@gia.edu or ebokaba@gia.edu.    

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.