BrilliAnt®, the 8th edition of the ADTF, Goes International

from a Press Release

BrilliAnt®, the 8th edition of the ADTF, 

Goes International

The Antwerp Diamond Bourse, The Antwerp Diamond Club, The Antwerp Diamond Kring and the AWDC are pleased to announce that BrilliAnt®, the 8th edition of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (January 29-31, 2017), is opening its doors to international exhibitors. The Diamond Kring's beautiful trading hall, located in the heart of Antwerp's diamond district, will host foreign exhibitors for the first time.

"The diamond trade is a global market," says Thierry Polakiewicz, member of the Fair Organizing Committee. "Most diamonds pass through Antwerp two times: first as rough, and then as polished stones. The biggest diamond firms in the world are headquartered in the diamond district, making it the ultimate platform, where diamond dealers, polished diamond wholesalers and members of the jewelry industry and trade meet each other."

"As international diamond center, it is only natural that our annual trade fair welcomes exhibitors from the world over. The choice of diamonds will be even larger and the offering more competitive! This makes it more likely that the Fair will satisfy jewelers' demands," Polakiewicz adds.

Applications to exhibit in the International Pavilion of BrilliAnt at the January 2017 edition will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. "We will accept companies of repute whose owners are members of any of the 30 bourses affiliated with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. This is an opportunity for companies operating in niche markets to increase their visibility in Antwerp," Polakiewiczconcluded.

The Fair organizers will assist non-European/overseas diamond firms with the import and export formalities of their merchandise. For further information and registration, please visit: www.brilliantfair.be. Applications to exhibit at BrilliAnt®, the 8th Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair, should be sent to:info@anwerpdiamondfair.com.

The Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair is powered 

by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

AGTA Spectrum Awards™ "Platinum Honors" Winnners #AGTA15

Earlier I introduced you to the winning entries in the Summer AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards™ - now we have the photos for all the winners. Enjoy!

PLATINUM HONORS

Platinum Honors™, sponsored by Platinum Guild International, recognizes 

outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry in the five 

Spectrum Awards categories and for the Best Use of Color and Platinum. 

Platinum Honors™ has added: 

Entry Platinum Honors – Bridal Wear under $2,500 (semi-mount only), 

Platinum Honors Innovation – Classical under $3,500 

and Platinum Honors Innovation – Day Wear under $2,000.     All prices retail.

Platinum Honors

Bridal Wear

Whether gracing the bridesmaids or donning the bride, herself, this category captures all looks coming down the aisle. Engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and tiaras should be considered.

Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc.  

Century City, CA
Platinum "Royal Blue" ring featuring a 12.00 ct. blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (2.59 ctw.). The ring features a detachable 18K yellow gold "Quilt" jacket featuring Turquoise accented with Diamonds (.43 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (.16 ctw.). 

Entry Platinum Innovation
Bridal Wear

Whether gracing the bridesmaids or donning the bride, herself, this category captures all looks coming down the aisle. Engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and tiaras should be considered.

William Travis, William Travis Jewelry,  

Chapel Hill, NC
Platinum band featuring blue Sapphires (.54 ctw.), cognac Diamonds (.18 ctw.) and colorless Diamonds (.18 ctw.). 

Platinum Honors
Business/Day Wear

Stylish, yet practical jewelry, for work, shopping or play. Entries should have simple elegance for a woman on the move.

John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John FordGalveston, TX
Platinum "Mirror" ring featuring a 3.65 ct. black Opal accented with Diamonds (.69 ctw.). 

Entry Platinum Innovation
Business/Day Wear

Stylish, yet practical jewelry, for work, shopping or play. Entries should have simple elegance for a woman on the move.
Jill Maurer, Jill MaurerRaleigh, NC
Platinum "Verge" ring featuring a 11.19 ct. golden Zircon accented with natural colored Diamonds (1.23 ctw.). 

Platinum Honors
Classical

Traditional looks and timeless designs prove superior here. References to consider might be your grandmother’s pearls, a three-stone ring or an elegant pendant – all with a fresh twist for modern-day beauty.

Zoltan David, Zoltan David, LLCAustin, TX
Platinum pendant featuring a 35.63 ct. marquis Moonstone cabochon set in blue patina bronze on a strand of cabochon Moonstones (18.20 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.20 ctw.). 

Entry Platinum Innovation
Classical

Traditional looks and timeless designs prove superior here. References to consider might be your grandmother’s pearls, a three-stone ring or an elegant pendant – all with a fresh twist for modern-day beauty.

Lindsay Jane, Lindsay Jane DesignsPaso Robles, CA
Platinum ring featuring a 7.77 ct. Moonstone accented with purple and blue Sapphires (0.97 ctw.). and Diamonds (0.52 ctw.). 

Platinum Honors
Evening Wear

Jewelry in this category should fall nothing less of spectacular. Whether brazenly bold or softly subtle, each submission should strive for red carpet fabulous, stunningly chic or delicately delicious all with exceptional color.

John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John FordGalveston, TX
Platinum "Electric Blue" necklace featuring black Opal (197 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (6.27 ctw.). 

Platinum Honors
Men's Wear

Men’s fashion is heightened by the savvy style of the modern man who sports jewelry. Rings, bracelets, pendants, cufflinks, tie and lapel pins, stud sets and belt buckles are just a few of the ways a strong man can express himself.

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider DesignLong Beach, CA
Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 8.76 ct. Maw Sit Sit accented with black, white and yellow Diamonds (2.27 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (.93 ctw.). 

AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is an annual natural colored gemstone & cultured pearl jewelry design competition. Here are the winners from the 2016 Summer AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition.


http://www.agta.org/awards/2016Summer-winners.htm

PHOTO CREDIT: All AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and Cutting Edge Award Winner photos by Brian Moghadam Photography.

YES! an #Olympic #Jewelry Story! It Happened In The Pool #JewelryMoment

First - allow me a moment to introduce Kathleen Baker, 2016 Women's Olympic Swim Team.  This is a video she did earlier this year for USA Swimming.

In the piece the nineteen year old headed to Rio with the 7th fastest time in the world and a fiercely competitive nature from a very young age.

In a recently published New York Times piece  she reflects on "coming out" about her battle with Chron’s disease and the nay-sayers that said she couldn't swim competitively.

She also brings up her superstitions surrounding swim meet attire, which usually includes “blue sparkle Uggs” and her connection with pearls and the pearl earrings she wears to every meet.

Following her qualifying round it was brought to her attention ( while she spoke to the poolside interviewer) that one of her trademark pearl earrings was missing!  Had she lost it during the celebration in the pool following the prelims?  ...or on the deck while lining up for the obligatory post event interviews?

The staff at the Olympic Swimming venue went above and beyond to recover the missing pearl earring...  see the video here: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/diver-recovers-kathleen-bakers-missing-pearl-earring

They found it!

Continuing to surprise people, Cal Sophomore Kathleen Baker, won the Silver medal in the women’s 100 Back final on Monday night.   

Her hometown paper, The Charlotte Observer quoted her as follows: 

"A giddy Baker first described the race afterward like this: “So incredible! I mean I went a best time and just got a medal! I couldn’t even put into words how happy I am and how grateful for the amount of support I have here from the teammates and coaches along the way. It just takes a village for everyone to get me here and I couldn’t be happier.”

...and due to the diligence of the Olympic venue she appeared on the podium to accept her Silver Medal in her pearl earrings.

I am loving Kathleen's style her nail polish ROCKS and all us "pearly girls" need to stick together.