#NewJewel - GEMind

GEMind is a Facebook page that serves as an aggregator of news focusing on the economic and political impact on the gem industry prospects, from a non-trade magazine prospective. The page provides easy access to relevant current affairs avoiding the need for readers to sift through the colossal amount of information available.

GEMind is administrated by Sara Abey, a coloured gem merchant with an interest in the history and the economic development of the gem industry.

You can find the GEMind page here:   https://www.facebook.com/GemIndustry

Ganoksin Online Exhibition 'Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World'

Ganoksin is pleased to announce its third annual International Online Jewelry Exhibition.

This year's theme "Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World".   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

Black Basket, 2011, silver, 21x11x7 cm 
raised, mounted, oxidised 
Paul Derrez, Galerie Ra, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Online Exhibition: "Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World".   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

These containers and vessels definitely hold their place in the world of stunning art objects as well as in the world of metalsmithing.

Since the dawn of time humans have created containers to hold things that were important to them, from large vessels to hold food and harvests to intimate containers for small precious things. They might hold memories, ashes, medicine, beverage, fruit or food - but all spring from the imagination and skill of the maker. Some have specific religious functions, some are meant for everyday use. When one thinks of a vessel or container the inclination is to think of something with solid walls - yet many of these works involve the exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of negative space to help create the illusion of the wall of the vessel.

As the world's largest jewelry related internet site, Ganoksin strives to develop exhibitions showcasing work from around the world. This exhibition was open to all metalsmiths, professional and amateur, advanced and beginner. Participants are from The Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Colombia, Romania, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia and Denmark. While most of the pieces are by an individual metalsmith, some are collaborations, one of three artists spanning 50 years.

In total 319 artists contributed 729 show pieces for the permanent online exhibition.
Objects in the exhibition include boxes, lockets, urns, ash containers, bowls, wine cups, reliquaries, match holders, vases, teapots, pitchers, sugar bowls, baskets, nests, pillboxes, clutches and a range of sculptural forms. A variety of techniques are showcased covering a wide range of metalsmithing techniques. Materials used include everything from gold and silver to less expensive metals. Ornamentation includes the addition of enamel, chasing and repousse', gemstones and found objects.

The exhibition was curated by Beth Wicker, President of the North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths in the United States, and Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Technical College in South Carolina. Director of the exhibition is Hanuman Aspler, founder of The Ganoksin Project, the world's largest internet jewelry site.

Visit the online exhibition 'Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World' at:  http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

"He Said, She Said..."
copper, sterling silver, CZ 29"x4.5"x5"
Lauren McAdams Selden, Nacogdoches, TX. USA

The Future of Design? G&G Creations!!!!

G&G CREATIONS WINS SECOND ANNUAL

FUTURE OF DESIGN BUSINESS INCUBATOR CONTEST

  

G &G Creations was named the winner of the jewelry industry’s most unique and career-building contest today after making a live “Shark Tank”-like presentation to a panel of judges and an audience of industry VIPs, press and fellow designers.

Judges and team from G& G CReations (from left): Andrea Hill, Hedda Schupak, Ann Arnold, Mihran Guler, Esin Guler, Vahe Ghazarian, Sarven Ipek and Cindy Edelstein

“We are overwhelmed and so proud,“ says winning designer Vahe Ghazarhian on behalf of his team. “We have been working on our application for a very long time and we used all the feedback and advice we’ve gotten since last year’s contest when we were a semi-finalist. We have improved every aspect of our business since last year to better align our efforts with our potential.”

The Future of Design contest is a business incubator competition that nurtures emerging design talent in the fine jewelry industry. It is unique in both the extent of the prize package it provides and that it puts the designers’ business acumen on an equal footing with his or her design talent. It was created in 2012 by Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx.

The contest was judged live at MJSA Expo New York by Cindy Edelstein; Andrea Hill; Hedda Schupak, editor of the Centurion Newsletter and Ann Arnold, president/CEO of Lieberfarb. An additional judge who had been actively involved in the judging process up to this point, Bruce Pucciarello, owner of Novell Design Studio, couldn’t be present at the live event but his opinions were factored into the decision.

"The judging was one of the most challenging tasks I've ever faced," said Edelstein. "The margin of difference between the three finalists was paper thin but in the end the judges felt that G&G Creations had the most powerful mix of amazing product design, agile business practices and  marketability. They will become an important contribution to the fine jewelry community."

As the winner, G&G Creations will receive a raft of business services and support from a wide variety of industry organizations who have come together in their support of the next generation of jewelry designers.  

Additional information about the Future of Design contest can be found on the competition website here.

The live finale included 10-minute presentations by all three finalists, including runners-up Lisa Adkinson of Lisa Robin Jewelry and Suneera Swarup of Suneera Fine Jewelry Design. Each designer was tasked with making a final pitch to the judging panel that explained their work, inspiration, and plans for the future. Panelists and audience members, including competition “dream team” members Robert Lee Morris, Penny Preville and Lisa Jenks probed further into each designer’s vision with tough questions about manufacturing, retailers, marketing, and price points.

As the winner, G&G Creations will receive:

• A booth in the JA Designer Showcase
• A booth in the Emerging Designer area of the Centurion Show
• A booth in the JRB’s globalDESIGN show
• An ad campaign in INDESIGN magazine
• A photo shoot by RSP Media
• Technical and marketing support by Platinum Guild
• Manufacturing support by designerWORKS by Novell
• Financial and strategic coaching sessions with Strategywerx
• Marketing support by Supportwerx
• Inclusion in a Jewelry Information Center national media tour and membership in Jewelers of America 
• An AGTA membership and free entry to the 2014 Spectrum Award Competition
• A Contemporary Jewelry Design Group membership
• A Jewelers Vigilance Committee membership and Compliance Kit
• Editorial support by MJSA
• Editorial support on NationalJeweler.com
• A membership in JewelersResource.com Inner Circle
• Mentorship by all the judges 
• Promotion and publicity throughout the process and coming year

GG Love -- sterling, gold and gemstone hearts collection by G & G Creations

While G&G Creations was named the winner, co-creator Andrea Hill noted that all three finalists will receive help in the coming months. “We have a deep commitment to the three finalists. We feel strongly that everyone who entered this contest should benefit somehow,” Hill said. “All designers receive a 5-7 page analysis and recommendations report regarding their application. We are trying to help a wide swatch of designers grow stronger businesses.”

TACORI DESIGN STUDIO ADVANCES JEWELRY MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

TACORI DESIGN STUDIO ADVANCES JEWELRY MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

TACORI Becomes the First Jewelry Company in the World to Use the Brand New 3D System Projet 3500 CPX Max Rapid Prototype Machine and Adds 20 New Microscopes to Diamond Setting Studio

TACORI, the legendary fine jewelry designer, is proud to announce a series of manufacturing advances in their California-based Design Studios that will create even higher standards for their jewelry quality while simultaneously creating more efficient processes.

In January of 2013, TACORI became the first jewelry company in the world to have the brand new 3D System Projet 3500 CPX Max rapid prototype machine. The capability of this upgraded high-powered CPX machine in the jewelry industry means that it can produce over 500 unique prototype designs in approximately 20 hours.  This is a dramatic increase to the prior machines’ capabilities, which produced approximately 180 unique designs in 21 hours.

Garo Kourounian, Head Designer for TACORI, says, “The new CPX rapid prototype machine gives us incredible capabilities to extend and improve our designs.  We can create more detailed designs, in greater volume, and faster.  This investment in the future of Tacori jewelry means that we will be able to design even more beautiful jewelry for our customers.”

Continues Paul Tacorian, President of Sales and Marketing, “Instead of relying on wax moldings, which can allow for individual imperfections, TACORI can now produce every special order design using computer aided design technology and the brand new rapid prototype machine.  This will dramatically increase the quality of all TACORI designs for all of our customers.”

TACORI’s investments in manufacturing do not stop with design, but also extend to the diamond setting and quality excellence portion as well.

As of January 2013, TACORI has invested in over 20 microscopes for the diamond setting department, which is an increase of 10 microscopes just 2 years ago.

The integration of over 20 microscopes has increased the accuracy and speed at which diamonds can be set within TACORI design studios.   Microscopes are used most frequently for TACORI’s bridal designs in order to treat the small intricate areas found on many of TACORI’s engagement rings and wedding bands, and especially within their signature crescent silhouette design feature.   The microscope can be used for many different types of diamond settings including micro-pave, princess, pave, and channel settings.

To advance the art of hand-setting diamonds into the microscopic level, master TACORI diamond setters experienced with microscopic diamond setting now train other master artisans during an intensive 2-3 month process with hands-on microscope techniques.

“When our Master diamond setters use microscopic techniques, this allows TACORI to continue designing and crafting unique pieces with higher degree of details, while also improving the speed, accuracy, and overall quality of every piece of Tacori jewelry” says Garo and Sako Emirzian, Head Diamond Setters for TACORI.

This continual investment in world-class design and manufacturing technology is a testament to TACORI’s continuing commitment to manufacture all TACORI jewelry at their design studios in California, and to maintain the highest standards of innovation and design in the industry.

About TACORI:

TACORI is famous for their internationally recognized signature crescent silhouette design and for being an innovator in the design, creation and marketing of fine jewelry for over four decades.  Spanning four decades, TACORI designs have fused classic elegance with modern inspiration, creating some of the world's most highly regarded and exquisitely beautiful diamond rings, diamond engagement rings, wedding rings, men's wedding bands, diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, diamond necklaces, and Fashion jewelry.  Handcrafted in California, the remarkably detailed rings and fine jewelry pieces become the timeless symbols of connection that join individuals and generations.

SKY and LIVI Offers Women A Beautiful Solution To Hair Loss Due To Chemotherapy

SKY AND LIVI HELP WOMEN COPE WITH HAIR LOSS DUE TO CHEMOTHERAPY

Launched just over a month ago, Sky and Livi is a unique outlook for women facing hair loss due to chemotherapy - it offers a scientific solution to an extremely emotional situation.

SKY and LIVI is a diamond & jewelry company like you’ve never seen. Born out of a desire to redefine the way a woman copes with hair loss from chemotherapy, turning the process of cancer treatment into a one-of-a-kind, poetic, and deeply personal symbol that inspires a woman not to give up her fight against cancer.  SKY and LIVI creates a real, lab-grown personal diamond produced from a lock of her hair, which is fashioned into a beautiful pendant, and acts as a tool and symbol of her endurance to beat this dreaded disease.

In the USA alone, over 750,000 women are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year.  From that staggering figure, about a third undergo some form of chemo or radiation therapy.  While side effects vary greatly, the loss of hair is particularly traumatic for women, often demoralizing them to such an extent that they give up all hope of recovering.  Sadly, 8% of women opt not to receive treatment from fear of losing their precious hair.  

This is where Founder & CEO of SKY and LIVI, Anjanette Sinesio, enters the conversation.  For sixteen years, Sinesio has traveled the globe marketing and selling luxury jewelry and diamonds to high-end international clientele.  Over a decade ago, the loss of her aunt, father and grandfather to cancer, all within two years, left an indelible mark on her life.  She has also seen her friends and family battle cancer and survive. Sinesio saw how one's emotional state played a huge part in survival.  In fact, research by Dr. Lissa Rankin has proven that when using the placebo effect that 18-80% of people get better, as this healing comes from our positive belief and emotions, which directly affect the healthy cells in our body through the mind-body-connection.

Sinesio began to research a new technology, which creates diamonds in a laboratory from the unique carbon signature of a person’s hair, and she saw the vision of her current compassionate enterprise.  SKY and LIVI grew out of her inspiration to help women transform this very defining moment of hair loss by giving them an option not to just to throw their hair in the garbage.  Now, they can create a beautiful diamond from their hair set in specially designed pendants, that can inspire them not to give up the fight against this dreaded disease.  “I see the diamond and pendants I designed as an outward symbol of a woman's unwavering strength to fight cancer.  It’s her chance to tell cancer, you can take my hair, but you can’t take me,” says Sinesio.  

A beautiful example of just this is cancer survivor Elizabeth Joice, who battled a rare form of Sarcoma.  As she so simply put it - “I won my battle with cancer because I chose to fight.  I made it and I made a diamond.” 

The Technology

Utilizing years of research by some of the most skilled and trained scientists in the field, SKY and LIVI personal, lab-grown diamonds are made from the signature carbon from a client’s hair and then put under extreme heat and pressure in a lab environment. Women can then choose from five different pendants to set her personal diamond.  Each one is specially designed to showcase her stone and to wear close to her heart.  The whole process from start to finish takes several months.  SKY and LIVI lab-grown diamonds are currently available in white, blue, red, yellow and orange, in sizes varying from 0.10 carats to 2.00 carats, depending upon the color. SKY and LIVI personal, lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined-diamond.  They are real, certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) and laser engraved with your own unique IGI Identification Number and SKY and LIVI logo.  Every diamond also comes with a certificate of authenticity.  

Our Charity Partner - Look Good Feel Better

As part of her commitment to give back and do more, SKY and LIVI will donate $100 from every diamond sale to our charity partner, Look Good Feel Better. Friends and family can also show their support by purchasing a silver SKY and LIVI lavender macramé logo bracelet accented with a micro diamond; $10 from every bracelet sale will also be donated. The Look Good Feel Better program is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, a charitable organization established by the Personal Care Products Council, the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry; the American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to saving lives from cancer; and the Professional Beauty Association, a national organization of more than 25,000 cosmetologists, wig experts, aestheticians, makeup artists and nail technicians. For more information about Look Good Feel Better visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.  Look Good Feel Better is dedicated to improving the self-esteem and quality of life of people undergoing treatment for cancer. 

About Anjanette Sinesio 

Prior to her forming SKY and LIVI, Anjanette Sinesio was President & Creative Director of Diamond in the Rough and was VP of Marketing & Communications for LEVIEV Jewelers. She also headed the Marketing for Chimento, Stefan Hafner and Mayor’s Jewelers. Previously, Sinesio worked as the Director of the Actors Studio School of Dramatic Arts, and as the Executive in Charge of Production of the critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated television show, “Inside the Actors Studio.” Along with James Lipton, she built the school and developed the television show from the ground up, creating one of the leading drama schools in the world. She left the Actors Studio in 1996 to begin her career in the jewelry industry. Sinesio has appeared as a spokesperson and trend expert on TV including E! Entertainment, Inside Edition, A&E’s BioBuzz, and America’s Next Top Model.

About SKY and LIVI

SKY and LIVI are the nicknames of Anjanette’s nieces, Skyler and Olivia.  They inspire her to be a better woman and remind her of what an important role model her own Aunt Barbara, who she lost to cancer, played in her life.  SKY and LIVI exists to help women transcend hair loss from chemotherapy—to transform a heartbreaking circumstance into an uplifting experience, creating a symbol of strength and beauty. A woman’s diamond, fashioned into a beautiful pendant, acts as a tool and symbol of her endurance and victory over the dreaded disease. 

MJSA Announces 2013 Vision Award Winners

MJSA recently announced the 2013 winners of its Vision Awards competition, which annually recognizes creativity and technical excellence in jewelry making and design. Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry in Laguna Beach, California, took first place in the Professional Excellence category for his hand-fabricated Spectra earrings (right, top), which transition seamlessly through seven gold colors (from rich yellow to white) and feature the adularescence of rainbow moonstones. The earrings also took top honors in the competition’s Gold Distinction category.

Mark Schneider of Mark Schneider Design in Long Beach, California, took second place in Professional Excellence for an 18k white gold pendant with a marquise-shaped, bubble-cut white quartz (right, bottom). The piece is accented with white diamonds as well as three cabochon moonstones.

Besides Professional Excellence and Gold Distinction, the competition included four additional Distinction categories—Palladium, Platinum, Laser, and Custom Design—as well as a "Future of the Industry" award, which recognizes students enrolled in jewelry making and design programs.

“This year’s MJSA Vision Awards illustrate an impressive commitment to jewelry making and design in the 21st century,” said MJSA President & CEO David W. Cochran. “The winners’ authoritative command of metals, gems, and contemporary materials is matched by the imagination they demonstrated in creating their pieces.”

The other winning entries include:

• Gold Distinction, Second Place: Ezra Satok-Wolman of Atelier Hg & Co. Inc. in Ontario, Canada, for an 18k white gold torus brooch created through anticlastic raising.

Platinum Distincton,
First Place: Mark Schneider

• Platinum Distincton, First Place: Mark Schneider for earrings featuring two pear-shaped tanzanites, accented with tsavorite garnets, yellow diamonds, and white diamonds.

• Platinum Distinction, Second Place: Susan Drake of Spectrum Art & Jewelry in Wilmington, North Carolina, for a ring inspired by the vivid hues and dramatic ruffled wings of the large and colorful tropical sea mollusk called “Spanish Dancer.”

• Palladium Distinction, First Place (tie): Susan Drake for her “Glacial” ring, which features a 15.91 carat trillion-cut aquamarine and a flowing “glacial melt stream” of natural colored sapphires, white diamonds, and green tsavorite garnets; and Ezra Satok-Wolman for his “Mandarin” ring, forged in 950 palladium and 18k green gold and featuring a 3.16 carat fancy-cut mandarin garnet and a pistachio-colored Tahitian pearl.

 Nghi Nguyen of NGHI Design in Brooklyn,
New York, for his “Hephaestus” ring. 

 • Laser Distinction, First Place: Nghi Nguyen of NGHI Design in Brooklyn, New York, for his “Hephaestus” ring. Created to honor the Greek god of manufacturing and metalsmithing, it features a bezel-set, 150-carat rock crystal (representing an anvil) hovering above a bed of reverse-set diamonds that radiate out on an arc (to represent tongs).

• Laser Distinction, Second Place: David Alvarado of Irthly Jewelled Adornments in Los Angeles, for his “Cycles” pendant, in which rose gold and diamonds are inlaid in vegetable ivory and hung on a 16-inch rose gold chain.

• Custom Design Distinction, First Place (tie): Andrea Carnahan-Koenig of Annie K Jewelry in Louisville, Kentucky, for the “Navaho Bug Collection” necklace, which features a customer’s collection of 21 varied antique sterling Navaho Indian bugs; and Patricia Daunis-Dunning of Daunis Fine Jewelry in Portland, Maine, for a “Gold Egg” presented as a retirement gift to a CEO.

• Custom Design Distinction, Second Place: Patricia Daunis-Dunning for an anniversary neckpiece crafted from the shards old 33 1/3 vinyl LPs— a gift for his wife on their 33 1/3 anniversary.

Jiarui Lu, Savannah College of Art and Design, 

Savannah, Georgia - "Auspicious Cloud" Brooch

• Future of the Industry, First Place winner: Jiarui Lu of the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, for the “Auspicious Cloud” brooch, which honors the traditional ivory carving and kingfisher feather inlay that were popular in China’s Ming and Qing dynasties.

• Future of the Industry, Second Place: Jinbee Park of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, for “Persistence of Unity”—a three-pendant set marrying fine and sterling silver, shibuichi, copper, garnet, citrine, and diamonds

The judges of this year’s Vision Awards competition were Chris Ploof, Chris Ploof Designs; Michael Coan, Fashion Institute of Technology; Cindy Edelstein, Jeweler’s Resource Bureau; Sarah Graham, Sarah Graham Metalsmithing; Marlene Richey, consultant; and Tina Snyder, MJSA Journal editor in chief.

The sponsors of the awards were: general sponsor, Rio Grande; Gold Distinction sponsor, Hoover & Strong; Platinum Distinction sponsor, Platinum Guild International; Palladium Distinction sponsor, Palladium Alliance International; Laser Distinction sponsor, LaserStar Technologies; Custom Design Distinction sponsor, TechForm Advanced Casting Technology; and media sponsors, Instore and Metalsmith magazines. The MJSA Education Foundation sponsored the Future of the Industry awards.

Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Awards - QVC Special Award Winner - Rebecca Howarth

The following is from Cambridge News writer Rachel Allen:

A bespoke jewellery designer has scooped an  award at a prestigious ceremony for the jewellery industry.

Cambridge jeweller Rebecca Howarth, head of design at Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery in Green Street, has been recognised for her design of a piece of fashion jewellery in the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Awards. 

She achieved gold medal standard in the QVC Special Award at a glittering event attended by the council’s patron, Princess Michael of Kent, at Goldsmiths Hall in London.

Her winning design was inspired by the Cheapside Hoard, a priceless collection of 16th and early 17th century gemstones and jewels, discovered buried in a cellar in Cheapside, London, in 1912.

For the first time in over a century, the collection will be displayed in its entirety in an exhibition at the Museum of London, which opens in June, and Rebecca’s design will feature in the exhibition.

She designed a ruffle neckpiece, based on ruffles found on clothes in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The dramatic neckpiece, made in gold leather, features emeralds, rubies and garnets creating a striking yet contemporary design.

Design assistant Tom Wilson’s work was also chosen from that of many other designers to be exhibited at the awards ceremony, which is a great achievement for such a young designer.

Rebecca was also shortlisted for the Goldsmiths’ Company Award, a significant accolade in the stable of awards, which recognises exceptional design award entries.

She said: “The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards are regarded as the pinnacle of industry awards and so to win an award for one of my designs is a real honour.

“I was particularly drawn to this particular award by the link to the Cheapside Hoard; it’s a fascinating part of the history of jewellery and to produce a design based on something so important to my craft was very exciting.

“I am thrilled to have won and also to have been shortlisted for another award.”

My hats off to you Ms. Allen - I was wondering what that piece was all about...