#WordlessWednesday ROCKS with J & Y Rocks!

#WordlessWednesday is reserved for the few elite DesignLines that have that distinct look - when you see a piece you know immediately who designed it.  When Jewelry is this beautiful - words get in the way! 

Today the spotlight is on J & Y Rocks!

...with their fun a and very TODAY look at convertible jewelry, a term we are seeing a lot lately!

Love this great CUBE style that Jennifer Heebner featured on her JCK 360 Blog!

Introducing Kavant Jewelry!

“Embrace” 

Nuttapon Yongkiettakul of Bangkok, Thailand

Nuttapon was one of the winners in the Cultured Pearl Association of America's 2012-2013 IPDC, International Pearl Design Contest...he tied in the Wedding Pearls category!

Due to the close community that is the Internet he reached out to tell me that his work is now being featured at Kabiri - a High Jewellery website in the UK.

I want to share some of this emerging Designer's work with you...

...my favorite - I love the way this common agate slice is suddenly not so common...

You are unique and your customer is looking for unique so remember to check Kavant Jewelry at: http://www.kavantjewelry.com/

"KAVANT Jewelry by Nuttapon Yongkiettakul (Kenny) is named after the first letter of the designer’s name and his avant-garde style. The fine jewelry marque prides itself on one-of-a-kind creations inspired by nature and architecture. All pieces are hand-crafted in-house by a team of highly experienced goldsmiths."

NCDIA Shines at Annual Gala - Intro's New Website!

NCDIA Shines at Annual Gala

Celebrates Launch of New Website 

and Honors Natural Color Diamond Leaders in Awards Ceremony

Alan Bronstein, Aurora Gems; Jeffrey Post, President of NCDIA,
Gem Platinum/Jeffery Daniels; Christian Tse

On Wednesday, December 5^th, the jewelry industry elite gathered in New York City for a night of celebration at the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA) annual gala.  Attended by over one hundred NCDIA members, industry leaders, retailers, designers and dealers, the event sparked a buzz around the exciting category of natural color diamonds. Guests marveled at the breath-taking jewelry showcased by some of the members, celebrated launch of the newly revamped NCDIA website, participated in a silent auction, and witnessed their peers as they were honored with awards for excellence in the category of natural color diamonds. The gala was held at 60 Reade Studio, elegant event space of designer and NCDIA member, Kristin Hanson.

The NCDIA award winners include:

·         Eddie Le Vian, Le Vian- Excellence Award - Marketing and Promoting Natural Color Diamonds  

·         Eden Rachminov, Rachminov Diamonds 1891- Achievement Award - Education and Promotion of  Natural Color Diamonds  

·         Jordan Fine, Amgad, Inc.- Recognition Award - Dedication and Support for Natural Color Diamonds

·         Pratima Sethi, Sethi Couture - Designer Award - Outstanding Work With Natural Color Diamonds

“I was truly overwhelmed by the excitement from our membership and the support of the natural color diamond community for our association”, said Jeffrey Post, President of the NCDIA. “We look forward to hosting more significant events like this for members, industry and consumers in the upcoming 2013.”

Over the past year, the NCDIA has drastically increased its offerings to members with dynamic quarterly NCDIA newsletter “Natural Colors”, educational programs, and collateral. The new website, www.ncdia.com, features interactive components for both members and consumers including the latest information on natural color diamonds, a design gallery, retail locater, consumer guide and a membership login with a Natural Color Diamond request.Following a restructuring and relaunch earlier this year, the gala showed that the NCDIA and is thriving with a growing membership base, and it is well poised for growth for the upcoming year.

About the NCDIA: The Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA)’s mission is to educate and promote global awareness and desire for natural color diamonds. Founded in 2003, NCDIA is a non-profit, membership-based organization that includes some of the world's most prominent rough diamond producers, diamond and jewelry manufacturers, designers and retailers. NCDIA is expertly positioned to serve as an authority for natural color diamonds and to help expand the market for the broad spectrum of natural color diamonds available today.

DEF Honors Supermodel Noella Coursaris Musunka for GOOD

DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND TO HONOR

INTERNATIONAL SUPERMODEL AND HUMANITARIAN

NOELLA COURSARIS MUSUNKA

New York, NY: December 4, 2012– The Board of Directors of the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) announced today that Noella Coursaris Musunka, international model and founder of the Georges Malaika Foundation, will be honored at the Second annual GOOD Awards, set for January 10, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at Lavo in New York City.

Musunka, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), will be presented the GOOD Award for her outstanding leadership and contributions to educate and empower young girls in the Congo through the Georges Malaika Foundation that she established in 2006.  Noella’s achievements combine the fortunes of a successful global modeling and fashion career with a passion for ensuring education for girls in Africa to lift themselves out of poverty. In her fashion career, she has graced the covers and editorial pages of Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Essence, GQ, and Esquire, to name just a few.   In her humanitarian role, she has been featured in a 30-minute special on CNN’s African Voices and CNN Connect the World. She has also addressed UNICEF and the Congolese Parliament about issues confronting underprivileged girls and most recently addressed the 2012 Opening Plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York.

Noella Coursaris Musunka will join global luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. and Leo Schachter Diamonds as the three honorees at the 2013 GOOD Awards. There will be a musical performance by Grammy-Award winning artist Estelle with renown DJ M.O.S. providing music throughout the evening.  Expected guests include Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and Varda Shine, all co-founders of DEF.  Phyllis Bergman, president of the DEF Board, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The GOOD Awards, established by the Diamond Empowerment Fund in 2012, are the highest awards to recognize individuals and corporations in the diamond and jewelry industry for outstanding leadership in the areas of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and promoting opportunity in Africa.

For more information on tickets, journal ads and sponsorship packages please visit www.goodawards.org.

About the Diamond Empowerment Fund

The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a New York based non-profit organization (EIN# 20-5967103) that raises money to fund education initiatives in African diamond-producing nations. Its beneficiaries include: CIDA City Campus, South Africa’s first non-profit university to offer a four-year business degree, the African Leadership Academy, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded on the belief that ethical leadership is the key to sustainable development on the continent and drawing students from all 54 countries in Africa, the Flaviana Matata Foundation, based in Tanzania, and supporting young girls and women with grants to cover education, including vocational training,  micro-finance and entrepreneurial activities and the Botswana Top Achievers program that provides the top high school students countrywide the opportunity to study at a university of their choice worldwide. Graduates then return to Botswana to contribute to its economic, social and political development.  www.diamondempowerment.org.

Varda Shine and Philippe Mellier to address DMIA Membership

Varda Shine and Philippe Mellier to address DMIA Membership  Presence marks first public appearance of De Beers executives in USA Phllippe Mellier New York, New York, USA - December 10, 2012: Philippe Mellier, Chief Executive Officer of the De Beers Group and Varda Shine, the Chief Executive Officer of the De Beers' Diamond Trading Company (DTC) will be the guests of honor and keynote speakers at the General Membership Meeting of the Diamond & Importers Association of America (DMIA) on January 8, 2013. It will be the first ever public appearance of De Beers' executives on U.S. soil. "The DMIA members are proud and honored to be hosting Varda Shine and Philippe Mellier at their annual membership meeting," said DMIA president Ronald Friedman. ""We have been talking about and planning this event for a few years. So it is more than fitting that these two pivotal diamond industry leaders will be giving what the DMIA leadership refers to as a 'U.S. Inaugural Address' to the New York and American diamond industry," he added. Varda Shine Called "An Evening with Philippe Mellier and Varda Shine," it will headline the DMIA's General Membership Meeting on January 8 from 5:30 p.m. Mr. Mellier and Ms. Shine are expected to make a comprehensive presentation about the De Beers Group of Companies, diamond mining, polished markets, and the state of the international, as well as the American diamond and jewelry industry.   In the spirit of inclusiveness, the DMIA is reaching out to other industry organizations and colleagues to take part in this unique event. A large turnout is expected, and anyone interested in attending is encouraged to reserve space immediately by emailing Ms. Alla Sachakova at alla@williamfriedmandiamonds.com.  Venue details will follow shortly. Sponsor Acknowledgement: The DMIA acknowledges and appreciates the major sponsors, Bank Leumi USA, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), and Malca-Amit Global Limited, for making this event possible, for their support and their belief in the DMIA's mission. Other parties interested in offering financial support for this event are invited to contact DMIA President Ronald J. Friedman at +1-212-1-2453160 or DMIA Vice President and CFO Ronnie VanderLinden at +1-212-5758145.

About the DMIA The Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA), established in 1931, is the leading organization of America's premier diamond manufacturers, importers and dealers. Its mission is to promote the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism in the American marketplace. DMIA is among the leaders in addressing domestic and world diamond industry issues, and acts as a representative of the American diamond industry with other industry organizations and government bodies. DMIA is dedicated to the advancement and assurance of consumer confidence in diamonds and diamond jewelry.

Holiday Gift Spotlight on Ivy New York!

Ivy New York...

Design is inspiration.
Inspiration is passion.
Passion is love.
And I love gemstones.

I started my business in New York. The city’s charm and open lifestyles presented an atmosphere for me unrivaled by any other, its pulse and skyscrapers setting a pace and direction to my work.

It has been a journey over two decades long: studying precious stones and colors at the mines, learning and developing gemstone cutting in our own workshop. My specializing in Spinel culminated in publishing a book ‘Terra Spinel’.

My inspiration in designing IVY jewelry stems from my love for precious gemstones and for travel explorations of the unknown and mysterious in the world – be it found in the jungles of Burma, Africa and Sri Lanka or the labyrinths of history and cultures in big bustling cities.

Over 20 years I worked hard to perfect the creation of completely hand-made jewelry, crafted in-house. All pieces are carefully balanced with untreated colored gemstones including unheated Sapphires, Rubies, Spinels, Tsavorites, Mandarin Garnets, Demantoids and Diamonds.

IVY is Inspired!

Vladyslav Yavorskyy

http://www.ivynewyork.com/

...and the Show Stopper!

Ivy New York 

http://www.ivynewyork.com/