"Emeralds For Elephants" - Asian Elephants

NARAYAN JEWELLERS ZAMBIAN EMERALD RING

Following the success of ‘Emeralds for Elephants’ in London in the summer of 2010, the key players have formed a new project along the same lines - benefiting a different region.  World Land Trust has partnered with Gemfields in an effort to create awareness and raise crucial funds for the conservation initiatives of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) for the Asian Elephant in India.


The effort has brought together 10 of India's top Jewelry Designers each hand picked to create a one-of-a-kind piece or collection using Gemfield's ethically sourced Zambian emeralds. Gemfields’ focus is on ethically produced Zambian emeralds that follow fair-trade, environment, social and safety best practices. The Company’s unique mine-to-market capability guarantees the provenance of every gem through a full disclosure and certification programme. The deep green of these gems and the ethical nature of their mining and route to market, form a perfect fit with the World Land Trust’s goals and objectives.

VUMMIDI BANGARU JEWELLERS ZAMBIAN EMERALD EARINGS

As India’s farmlands and cities expand, the Asian Elephant is experiencing large-scale habitat fragmentation and loss. India is home to 60% of the world’s Asian Elephant population, making their survival in India critical to the survival of the whole species. An extensive survey across India conducted by WTI resulted in identifying 88 vital corridors for elephant movement. The Wildlife Trust of India with its conservation partners subsequently set about securing these vital corridors, of which the World Land Trust has partnered with WTI in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, southern Indian state of Kerala and the north eastern state of Meghalaya.

Securing corridors for elephants involves working closely with local communities and governments and this renders the entire process time and resource-intensive. WTI and its conservation partner WLT aim to facilitate the creation of conflict-free corridors and improve conservation prospects of the Asian elephant.


Ian Harebottle, CEO of Gemfields says that “Gemfields is very pleased to bring Emeralds for Elephants to India this year. Our London auction for the ‘Indian Elephant Corridor’ project helped to raise a significant amount last year, and we are sure of a good response in India. Gemfields is proud to have partners who support us wholeheartedly on this initiative and we sincerely hope that our efforts in giving to the environment will help build larger and more viable habitats.”

ARZAN KHAMBATTA SCULPTURE

The star of the collection is a Ganesha sculpture with a 638 carat Gemfields Zambian emerald created by renowned artist, Arzan Khambatta.  The jewellers are just as diverse in their style and designs; Abaran Jewellers (Bangalore), Anmol Jewellers (Mumbai), Gem Palace (Jaipur), Khanna Jewellers (New Delhi), Meena Jewellers(Hyderabad), Narayan Jewellers (Baroda), Nirav Modi (Mumbai), Sawansukha Jewellers (Kolkata), Talwarsons Jewellers (Chandigarh) and Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (Chennai).


John Burton, CEO of World Land Trust, says “Gemfields have not only demonstrated their ethics, but are also committed to helping the natural environment of Elephants, both in Africa where their emeralds are mined, but also in India where many of them are sold. In 2010 they were one of the major contributors to the programme managed by the Wildlife Trust of India and supported by the World Land Trust, creating corridors to allow elephants to move freely between protected areas.”


The collection will go on tour around India to each of the designers’ boutiques from August to October 2011. On 14 October, Sotheby’s will auction the collection at an exclusive event held in the Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai, with a percentage of profits from each jewel going towards the World Land Trust’s ‘Indian Elephant Corridor’ project.

To stay up to date with the project join their Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/EmeraldsForElephants

2012 Spectrum Awards - Now Accepting Entries

The American Gem Trade Association has announced that they are now accepting entries to the AGTA Spectrum Awards.  Some of the most respected awards in the Gem & Jewelry Industry, the Spectrum Awards have three distinct divisions.

The Spectrum Awards have 5 categories that range from Daywear to Men's to Bridal.  The Platinum Honors division is sponsored by the Platinum Guild International and consists of five categories. And, this being an awards program from the premier Colored Gemstone Association, there is also a "Cutting Edge" division.

All entries also qualify for two "Honors" categories and "Best of Show".

Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl beads in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualifies for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will automatically be qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.

Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will also automatically be qualified for Manufacturing Honors judging.

"The judging panel changes each year and consists of experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry. Entries are judged on a solid criterion which includes overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad-base consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. Each piece is examined by hand with an eye for craftsmanship and quality of the materials used."

So - why should you enter the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards?  the video gives you some really important reasons...exposure...placement...




Download the entry form at:  2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards Entry Form

Deadline for entry is Friday, September 23, 2011.  No exceptions will be made. Photos and Award descriptions from the AGTA Spectrum Award website