#DesignerSpotlight - Ornella Iannuzzi - Another Industry Recognition....and it's GOLD!

via Press Release following the 2016 Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards

Ornella Ianuzzi. a New Award, a New Online Retailer 

and the successful launch of her New “Kristalik” Collection

Ornella Iannuzzi found her true calling after discovering the Art Nouveau jewels of René Lalique. At that moment, “I discovered what jewelry could be – as a work of art and a form of body adornment,” she says. Iannuzzi finds bottomless inspiration from nature and considers her practice an ongoing investigation of the subject, “There are three different environments, mountain, forest and sea. There’s a lot to do.” 

Iannuzzi’s favorite gemstone is the opal. “I have a special thing for opals and discovered Ethiopian opals in 2009. Since that time, I’ve included them in my collection.” In keeping with her sculptural approach, Iannuzzi works directly in the wax rather than from sketch to mold. My jewelry is like little artworks to wear.” 

This blogger met Ornella at the 2015 Couture Show in Las Vegas where she was one of the Designers in Stephen Webster's Rock Vault.  She was introducing her "Rock It" Collection a fun group of orbs of Ethiopian Opal rolling around in geodesic frames.  A talented and lovely artist --- I expected amazing things and boy has she delivered!

Earlier this year Ornella Iannuzzi won another Gold award at the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards - commonly referred to as the “Jewellery Oscars” - for her pendant called “L’exceptionnelle Tanzanite”. 

For a complete list (in .pdf form) of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards 2016 Honorees - CLICK HERE

Entirely handmade in 18k white gold with a 45 cts natural Tanzanite crystal and diamonds, this pendant is a new addition to her Fine Art Jewellery collection “Les Exceptionnelles”, with which Ornella shares her fascination for geology and mineralogy. 

Launched in 2012, each piece from the collection features a mineral variety in their natural state – or “Nature’s work of art” as Ornella described it, carefully combined with cut stones into architectural compositions. The inspiration behind each piece comes directly from the specimen selected, and Ornella has focussed on the strength of character of each stone, as well as on the details of their crystallization or inclusions. Through the metal work, she enhanced these particularities, continuing the artwork that Nature started billions of years ago.

And last night, the quality of her unusual work was rewarded by a Gold Award in the Jeweller category.

Following the popularity of “Les Exceptionnelles”, Ornella decided to adapt the style to daily wear last year with her fine jewellery ‘Prêt-à-Porter’ collection called “Rock It!”- based on dodecahedron crystallization of gemstones.

This earlier collection is currently available online at PLUKKA

This year, it is the crystallization of emeralds which has inspired Ornella’s new ‘Prêt-à-Porter’ line - called “Kristalik”- which she successfully introduced at Rock Vault last week during London Fashion Week. With a strong architectural look and asymmetric-geometric designs, the new collection bears Ornella’s signature avant-garde style, with a touch of Art Deco. Available in polished or matt 18k gold (in yellow, white, or rose) and set with diamonds, the range is composed of rings (specifically designed for left hand & right hand), pendant, necklace, cufflinks, and earrings which can be combined for a luxurious modern-urban look.   

Inspired by the crystallisation of emeralds, my new range has a strong architectural look with "asymmetric-geometric" designs that bear my signature avant-garde style, with a touch of art deco. Available in polished or matt 18k gold (yellow, white, or rose) and set with diamonds, the range is composed of rings - specifically designed for left hand & right hand, pendant, necklace, cufflinks, and earrings





Ornella Iannuzzi is an established award winning artist jeweller creating mainly one-of-a-kind pieces of high end jewellery. Famous for her unique award-winning pieces, Ornella’s motto (from Ralph Waldo Emerson): "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" feeds her unusual and innovative approach to high-end jewellery.


Website:   http://ornella-iannuzzi.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/OrnellaArtJewel
Fine Art Jewellery by Ornella Iannuzzi on Facebook
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ornellaiannuzzi

#WJALA - Women's Jewelry Association - Los Angeles Chapter Presents "Women at the Top".

The Women's Jewelry Association - Los Angeles Chapter has announced their latest event, "Women at the Top".

This educational and networking event will feature a panel discussion with an audience Question & Answer session with three of today's most accomplished and successful women in the jewelry industry:

Lisa Haddow Shirley, Precious Jewelry Buyer of Neiman Marcus
Susan Jacques, President and CEO of GIA Education
Yancy Smith Weinrich, Senior VP of JCK Events

This is an incredible opportunity to hear these three successful women speak, in a mentor -styled interview panel presentation. 

Get your tickets before they sell out!  Click here for tickets

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity - tickets available here