AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) was formed almost 26 years ago when a group of gem dealers got together in Tucson, AZ and has "blossomed into a leading industry force".

The AGTA has taken on the responsibility of educating and promoting the use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls. Whether that is through the education of their members and member businesses or educating the public through their user friendly "Add More Color To Your Life" website .

To further this quest and to show some really innovative use of colored gems and cultured pearls, in 1984 the AGTA launched their Spectrum Awards program. "Spectrum recognizes the innovative use of natural gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design."

The success of their Spectrum Awards inspired a new competition and in 1991 the Cutting Edge Awards were born. "Cutting Edge honors creativity in lapidary arts, including faceted gems and pearls, carvings, and objects of art."

Last week there was a Press showing of the entries for the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards consideration and photos were posted on the AGTA website.

For the next couple weeks we are going to look at a few of my favorites as we cover a category each day...for those of you who are purists the Cutting Edge Award entries will be posted on my Tucson Gem Show - Live! blog (http://tucsongemshow.blogspot.com ) ...so subscribe and don't miss a day!

While entries are closed for the 2010 Awards - start thinking about what you would submit in 2011! In the words of Adam Graham AGTA Spectrum Marketing Manager, "We encourage everyone to enter your pieces and take your shot!"

Scott Kay Discusses Tungsten versus SK Cobalt

This is video from the Press introduction of SK Cobalt - Scott Kay debunks claims that Tungsten is indestructible.

Scott Kay unveils New White Metal - BioBlu27 - tougher than Tungsten!

Loraine dePasque proves Tungsten Carbide is indeed breakable

UPDATED: Scott Kay, Spectore, and Carpenter Technology Unveil BioBlu 27

An unlikely alliance formed between a jewelry designer, a metal maker, and a fabricator has produced a brand-new white metal that is more durable than tungsten carbide and costs a fraction of the price of platinum.

This report is from Jennifer Heebner, Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 10/29/2009 4:25:17 PM

Scott Kay held a press conference this morning at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York for a small group of jewelry press to officially unveil a new metal for jewelry, BioBlu 27. The material is unique in its properties--bright white and more durable than tungsten carbide, according to research by Kay and others--and in its origin; BioBlu 27 for jewelry was born from a collaboration between Kay, Edward Rosenberg, president, Spectore Corporation, Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Carpenter Technology, Wyomissing, Pa., a maker of metal alloys--some 450 to date.

The BioBlu 27 material is an alloy of 65 percent cobalt, 29 percent chromium, and 6 percent molybdenum. It

is bright white in appearance, and can be cast and/or milled, as well as inlaid with precious metals.

In a true nod to the power of "social media" - comments to the article alluded to the meaning of the name as several posters thought it was "blue metal", Ms. Heebner was able to post the update below for clarification.

UPDATE: The name does indeed come from the metallurgists at Carpenter. ‘Bio' refers to the biocompatibility of the material, which can be used in medical applications such as prosthetics, and ‘Blu' refers to the cobalt in the material. The number 27 is the number on the atomic table for cobalt.

The rest of the report is at: JCK Online

There are photos from the Press event on the Scott Kay Flickr account - the video from the event was pretty dramatic.

Love Moonstone? Help Us Show One To It's Best!

This is YOUR big chance - design an original setting for this incredible 5.25 carat Moonstone! Hand rendered or on computer - entries will be accepted November 1st - November 20th.

For more info - run over and become a fan of David Kodner - complete contest info and rules under the "Contest Rules" tab.

Pearlescent Skin from Honora and Bare Escentuals

Honora and Bare Escentuals Team Up

For New Product Launch

October 28, 2009 – New York City – Honora has teamed up with Bare Escentuals, the makers of the #1 mineral makeup in the world, to create an exciting new selection of pearl products.

Much like Honora’s focus the top 3% of the Freshwater Pearl Harvest, Bare Escentuals is committed to only using the purest ingredients in their 100% pure bareMinerals. This mutual dedication to high quality was the initial inspiration for the collaboration between these two brands.

“We always strive to introduce new and innovative products featuring our Freshwater Pearls,” says Ralph Rossini, President of Honora Industries, Inc. “Having the opportunity to partner with a world-class company like Bare Escentuals to create a new and exciting product is everything we could hope for.”

What began as a request from Bare Escentuals CEO Leslie Blodgett for pearl powder to incorporate into their new Beautiful in Pearls Kit quickly became a full-fledged product concept. Honora CEO Joel Schechter and Ralph Rossini decided to create an exciting new color collection of pearls called Barely Blush to coordinate perfectly with Bare Escentuals’ newest selection.

Beautiful in Pearls makeup and the Barely Blush Pearl Collection will be unveiled on Saturday, November 7^th beginning with a new Today’s Special Value from Bare Escentuals on QVC. Be sure to check out Honora.TV the first week of November to learn more about this unique pairing of makeup and jewelry.

About Honora

With a history of over 60 years in the jewelry industry, Honora now stands as the largest Freshwater Pearl Jewelry company in the United States. Honora’s focus on creating colorful and affordable pearl jewelry has helped open pearls up to the largest audience in the 100+ years of cultured pearls. The Honora brand is available at fine jewelry locations worldwide and select e-commerce platforms. For more information, please visit us at:

Honora.com - www.Honora.com

The Honora Blog – Blog.Honora.com

Facebook – www.Honora.com/Facebook

Twitter – www.Honora.com/Twitter

Modern Silver Posts Schon Interview with Sam Patania

an interview with

SAM PATANIA

by Marbeth Schon

Rio Plata cuff Sterling silver

Introduction:

Sam Patania, as the third generation of Patania artisans, has followed very much in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. He began his apprenticeship at the Tucson Thunderbird Shop when he was a young teenager. For the next decade, his after-school training would be a major part of his daily routine. But Sam followed his own path, too, having sought instruction outside the traditions of the shop. In his 1977-78 school year, Sam enrolled in a jewelry-making course at Catalina High School where he explored new approaches to his craft. In 1979, he became a full-time employee of the Thunderbird Shop. To feed his desire for knowledge, he attended the University of Arizona in 1988-89, where he met jewelry instructor Michael Croft.

Sam tries to keep within the traditions with which he was raised, honoring his father and grandfather, and other artisans as well, including well-known silver designer William Spratling.

Sam’s personal philosophy as a jewelry artist reflects this aesthetic: “A desire to learn drives my work,” he says. “New techniques, symmetry, asymmetry, materials—all are areas which continue to drive my designs. Color captures my eye and the thought of the beautiful women who will wear my work keeps me inspired.”

Sam’s talents shine like his one-of-a-kind creations, such as the one that is currently in the permanent jewelry collection of the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C..

Sam's studio is housed in the old Thunderbird Shop. He calls his company, “Patania Sterling Silver Originals” to honor the creative spirit that has earmarked this family’s heritage for three generations. The strength and character of the Patania name and tradition show no sign of weakening—doubtlessly, this is a family whose standard of excellence will survive and thrive well into the future.

(taken from "Patania: 70 Years of Excellence, Part II" by Shari Watson Miller,MODERN SILVER magazine, April - May, 2001)

Click here for Marbeth Schon's brilliant Interview with this amazing 3rd generation artist of the Patania family of artisans on Modern Silver.

SoCal: 42nd Annual AOS OPAL & GEM SHOW

The American Opal Society proudly presents its: 42nd Annual OPAL & GEM SHOW Come visit the Biggest Opal Show in the USA!!! WHAT: * Dozens of Opal and Gem Dealers from around the USA and Australia. * Rough and Cut Opals, Opal Jewelry, other gemstones, books, tools, etc. * Huge Raffle with many prizes of opals, gemstones, jewelry, lapidary tools, etc. * Free Seminars on opals, jewelry making, mining and more on Saturday and Sunday. * Free Demonstrations on gemstone cutting, jewelry making, etc. WHEN: Saturday, 10am-6pm, November 7, 2009 Sunday, 10am-5pm, November 8, 2009 WHERE: New Location! White House / West Wing Event Center 1238 S. Beach Blvd. Anaheim, CA 92804 Located within the Hobby City / Adventure City southeast corner of Beach Blvd. and Ball St. Click here for Google Directions ADMISSION: Adults $3.00, children under 15 FREE. Plenty of FREE Parking. One FREE raffle ticket is included with each paid admission. http://www.opalsociety.org American Opal Society, Inc., P.O. Box 4875 Garden Grove, CA 92842-4875 Contact e-mail: info@opalsociety.org The American Opal Society is a non-profit organization, educational in nature, whose primary purpose is promoting interest and knowledge of the precious gemopal.