Etienne Perret Does It Again!

From humble beginnings in his small shop in Camden, Maine, Etienne Perret rocketed to the top of his field with his innovative use of colored diamonds. His designs were soon available is stores across the country.

With two "Diamonds of Distinction" awards and acknowledgement from Diamonds International and the Platinum Guild, most would be satisfied to sit back and soak in all the acclaim - but not Etienne Perret.

While colored diamonds are still VERY much a trademark of the Etienne Perret brand his latest work with a new medium has garnered him a new fan base for his innovative designs.

Gem Ceramic is a versatile new zirconia ceramic material that is as hard as sapphire and nearly impossible to crack or scratch!

His pearl designs have everyone talking with designs that range from the playful and fashion forward look of a Mauve Pearl sitting atop a Gem Ceramic band to the drop dead gorgeous Golden South Pearl nestled in a concave Gem Ceramic band!

...and...fans of Red Carpet events may have noticed that the lovely Toni Collette, star of the United States of Tara, wore one of Etienne's new bangle designs for the 2010 Emmys!!!

Her bracelet was a new version of the classic black bangle with two rows of diamonds - Collette's version featured two rows of stunning natural color yellow diamonds! Reaction to this style (even a mention from the well known celebrity stylist Michael O'Connor ) was so good that Perret decided to enter the look in the prestigious industry design contest the AGTA Spectrum Awards.

The creativity continues with Etienne's latest design...the Gem Ceramic High Halo Band! The stunning simplicity of a black gem ceramic band that features a single fancy colored orange diamond in a golden halo that seems to hover above the band...magical!

As most of my blog fans know I love to end most stories with my favorite looks from the collection I am featuring - and here you have them!

An amazing bracelet and ring suite in classic black studded with yummy multi-colored diamonds clad in gold

...and a fabulous white wedding-style band bordered in ribs of yellow gold shows off the real versatility of this material that can be made to match or contrast any color story!

For all the latest from Etienne Perret:

Visit their website

Become a Fan of the Facebook page

Follow the Colored Diamonds blog

Harmony Jewelry Design Competition

Hoover & Strong and the Society of North American Goldsmiths together created the Harmony Jewelry Design Competition. This event is named after Harmony Metals, the environmentally sustainable metals group at Hoover & Strong.

Professional jewelry makers and jewelry students will be able to compete in separate categories for first, second, and third place awards. Student award winners will each receive scholarships.

The top winning piece will be manufactured and distributed nationally by Hoover & Strong with profits from sales going to benefit the Nature Conservancy.

Designs will be judged for the use of Harmony metals, innovative design that honors the environment, and for producing a well-designed piece within specific pricing, production and profitability criteria.

www.hooverandstrong.com

www.snagmetalsmith.org

Magnificent Jewels & Jadeite at Sotheby's - Hong Kong

Sotheby's - Hong Kong - October 6th: Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite

I am so excited - I just flipped through the Sotheby's catalog for this event - WOW! I am seriously speechless - and you know how rarely that happens.

Yes - like every Magnificent Jewels auction there are some diamond stunners - but for me, the addition of Jadeite is what made me dig through all 300+ lots to see these translucent glowing beauties!

So...I chose a few beauties just for you! know the drill...click the photo for a larger image...or click through and thumb through the catalog.

Starting with my fav - bangles to stack in colors ranging from deep grass green to pale apple green and lavender to red!

...there are earrings, pendants and rings to coordinate - some with precious stone embellishment.

Oh...and the PEARLS!!!! Of course there are the usual cultured South Seas and Tahitians but check out this amazing natural Clam Pearl necklace...

...and this glorious Conch Pearl version of the station necklace (or Tin-Cup) style!

Were you looking for a carved Tourmaline?

OK, OK...one for the diamond girls out there...

Row after row of diamonds and emeralds with a diamond encrusted clasp.

Take a few minutes out of your day to sit back and enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous story of important colored gemstone pieces!

Men With Pierced Ears...

I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage.

They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.

~ Rita Rudner

AGTA Spectrum - Submission DEADLINE!

GL Gem SpectrometerTM - now available

GL Gem Spectrometer^TM - now available

September 13, 2010, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Gemlab Research & Technology has released its GL Gem Spectrometer^TM system.

This advanced gem testing tool allows for fast real-time spectral analysis and bulk testing of both rough and faceted gemstones and will be of great interest to gemmologists, jewellers, gem dealers and others.

The portable spectrometer (UV-VIS-NIR, 300 - 1,000 nm) comes with the GL Halogen 10W Gem Holder^TM and can be operated from the USB port of a laptop/netbook computer. No additional drivers are necessary; the easy to learn GLGemSpec software displays both absorbance and transmission spectra.

For more technical data and description go to the GLGemSpec webpage.. Price for immediate delivery US$ 1,695.00. Order now on-line at Gemlab Books & Instruments.

Note: The GLGemSpec (version 2.0) software works only with the GL Gem Spectrometer^TM; the GL Halogen 10W Gem Holder^TM is an exclusive design of Gemlab Research & Technology and is protected by copyright laws.

Contact: Wolf Kuehn, Gemlab Research & Technology, (604) 530-8569 or send e-mail.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 57010, Vancouver, B.C., V5K 5G6 CANADA

Jewelry Historians "Decode Hip-Hop Jewelry"

“How We Swag:

Decoding Hip-Hop Jewelry”

Lecture Offered by the American Society of Jewelry Historians

Discussion at The Fashion Institute of Technology

on Sept. 30, 2010 at 6:00 pm

NEW YORK – “How We Swag: Decoding Hip-Hop Jewelry” is the topic for the exclusive, upcoming lecture presented by the American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at The Fashion Institute of Technology. The lecture will discuss the significance of hip hop jewelry and its connection with today’s American culture. Lyneise Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Art at University of North Carolina, will lead the discussion. Dr. Williams has created a study of this one-of-a-kind style and has been published on this subject.

The lecture will touch on the many, distinctive styles, the people who wear these noticeable pieces and how the urban society has inspired this jewelry trend. The powerful craze of “hip-hop” jewelry, also known as “bling,” has inspired designers and buyers alike.

To make reservations, call the American Society of Jewelry Historians office: (914) 235-0983 or email: info@jewelryhistorians.org.

You must make reservations, as names cannot be added to the list once it has been sent to security.

Guests are welcome with your guest pass or $10 in advance.

Where: The Fashion Institute of Technology

7^th Avenue at 27^th Street, New York, New York

When: 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 30, 2010

###

The American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH) is a non-profit educational organization committed to providing an up-to-date resource for those interested in jewelry-related subjects, including jewelry history, antique jewelry, and contemporary jewelry trends and designs.

American Society of Jewelry Historians

1333 A North Avenue #103

New Rochelle, NY 10804

Phone 914.235.0983

http://www.jewelryhistorians.org

Photo shows West Coast King of Bling - Ben Baller of IF & Co