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.
  
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• Cabochon Gems
  Stones must be any natural gem material cut in a cabochon shape, and must be suitable for jewelry use.
  
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• 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.
  
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• 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.
  
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• 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/

Lapidary Journal or Jewelry Artist? BOTH!

In the latest "Flashcard" newsletter, Helen Driggs, Managing Editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine reports:

You may have noticed we bumped up the Lapidary Journal part of our logo

on the cover of the October issue. I say it’s about time. To me, the publication I work for is, was, and always will be Lapidary Journal, regardless of the Jewelry Artist part of the equation. We’ve taken a good look at ourselves since the 2007 name change and have decided to kick things up a notch, mostly because we get the sense that’s what you want, too.

First, I have to say that up to and even after the Jewelry Artist name change, our content has been steadfast -- the best information about metal and stone jewelry making -- since the 1940s, when we began publication. It’s really just the package we put Jewelry Artist in that was a little too tight, constricted, and dry, kind of like a dress that didn’t fit.

So, we’ve been gently making backstage alterations, and will begin to roll out a fresher look with your December issue. We’ll still have jewelry and gem projects, our usual departments, features, and all the great stuff we’ve always had. It will just get easier and easier for you to find it. We hope you’ll experience a publication that’s a pleasure to read, browse, use, and love. You’ll definitely find more on stone, more on design, clearer sources for tools and materials, and more useful tips, tricks, and information on the latest jewelry techniques than anywhere else -- same as always, only better.

Do me a favor -- e-mail me when you get your copy, and let me know what you think. And, if, like me, you've been a long-time reader and have been calling the magazine Lapidary Journal all along, feel free to leave it at that. (You can even "forget" the second half of our name. You know you want to.)

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As one of the subscribers that was very sad to see the Lapidary Journal become Jewelry Artist - I have to say that the content has always been top notch and I am now a huge fan of the latest incarnation of the magazine. I will however be very pleased to see more lapidary and gem info - you produce an incredible product! Keep up the good work!