#JWLV - Taking a Walk Through #LUXURY

A View of the LUXURY floor....starting with one of my favorite "Over The Top" lines!

 

 

SIERA JEWELRY INC.

Siera Jewelry Inc. Booth LUX327

 

MASTOLONI - living up to their trademark phrase!

 

    During LUXURY Mastoloni is at LUX532 and later at JCK in the Plumb Club at PC300

During LUXURY Mastoloni is at LUX532 and later at JCK in the Plumb Club at PC300

FOR ALL THOSE BUDDING DESIGNERS LOOKING FOR A WORKSHOP - PAMPILLONIA!!!

From CAD to Waxes - Booth LUX333

 ...and to round out this quick trip around the LUXURY Floor - SPARK!

       I fell hard for this beauty in luscious pastel drops!  SPARK Creations Inc. is at LUX427

 

#JWLV - #LUXURY Designer Spotlight - Andreoli Sneak Peek

Andreoli is a company steeped in tradition with a hand in the history of the industry...take a minute to read their history at: http://andreoliusa.com/history.php

Caroline tempted us with some great shots of the NEW goods you can view in their booth in the Elite Enclave at LUXURY - LUXEE2

#NEWEVENT JCK Presents The Shark Tank... #JWLV

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Shark Tank
Thursday May 29th 1:00 pm – 2:15 pmTradewinds D, Pool Level
This is your opportunity to vote on your favorite technology at JCK Las Vegas. The final six exhibitors selected will have 7 minutes to present their product LIVE in front of you at the Show.

The finalists are:

#JWLV - Jewelry Artist Gina Pankowski Debut - Design Center at JCK Las Vegas #JCKLV

Jewelry Artist Gina Pankowski Debut - Design Center at JCK Las Vegas

May 30 – June 2^nd, 2014

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

Las Vegas, NV

Design Center Booth # S10807 

Exhibiting for the first time at JCK Las Vegas Gina Pankowski brings her distinctive line in Gold, Silver and Gems. Bold and wearable her pieces are designed with movement in mind. Exquisitely crafted in the artist Seattle studio, USA.

    

Pictured are, Lattis Earrings in 18k and Kyanite 32ct, MSRP $3,000.00. Right, Verve Bangle Bracelet in 18k green gold with sky blue Montana Sapphire, 6ct, MSRP $ 10,000.00

Gina Pankowski Jewelry is made to move: bracelets with three-dimensional links roll elegantly over your wrist and collapse and expand with every gesture. Statement necklaces look like they may have grown out of a scene from Halo.

Gina’s Earth Air Ocean Collection also features many rare one-of-a-kind gems in Necklace and Bracelet convertible pieces worn three ways. The Star Eye Orbit Ring features Idaho Star Garnet and Cat’s-Eye Sillimanite orbiting around each other when you move your hand.

Gina Pankowski jewelry is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian, has been shown and published internationally, and is available in fine jewelry stores and Neiman Marcus. Gina also is featured in the Moen statement piece campaign with TV commercials and print ads running through 2014 internationally. 

GIA Entertains and Educates at JCK Las Vegas...Museum Preview and more

GIA Entertains and Educates at JCK Las Vegas

Exclusive museum preview, show offerings, seminars and more

GIA will host a series of special presentations, demos and much more at the JCK gem and jewelry show May 30 – June 2 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. From free in-booth presentations to education seminars to an exclusive sneak peek at the Institute’s Carlsbad museum exhibit, GIA’s booth at L99 is a not-to-miss stop at the 2014 JCK Las Vegas show. More details are available on the website. Show highlights include:

GIA In-Booth Briefings

For the third consecutive year, GIA will host a series of free 20-minute in-booth briefings, where Institute experts shed light on some of the industry’s most relevant topics. The briefings will take place from Friday, May 30 through Monday, June 2 at booth L99. Topics include:  

•           Field Gemology in Sri Lanka, Brazil and China

•           The Latest on Synthetic Diamonds

•           Enhancing Your Online Presence

•           Jewelry Quality Assurance Benchmarks

Show Service Laboratory

Show attendees will have convenient access to gem identification and country-of-origin services through the GIA Show Service Laboratory. Expert GIA gemologists will accept gemstones at Palm G (Level 3 of Mandalay Bay Convention Center) Thursday throughSunday, May 29 – June 1 from 9 a.m. to 5p.m.; and Monday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Beauty of Science: Museum Displays

For an exclusive taste of GIA’s Carlsbad exhibit “The Beauty of Science: Gems & Gemology Celebrates 80 Years, Featuring the Artistry of Harold and Erica Van Pelt,” show attendees can stop by booth L99 from May 30 – June 2. Stunning pieces of historic and gemological significance featured on three different covers of the Institute’s award-winning scientific journal will be displayed side-by-side with their iconic Van Pelt photos:

Winter 1988. These intense rubellites (necklace 18.5 ct, ring 13.8 ct) are from the Tourmaline Queen Mine, San Diego County, CA. Designed by Jeanne Larson. Courtesy of The Collector Fine Jewelry, Fallbrook, CA.

Summer 2006. Colombian emerald and diamond necklace with matching earrings, designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. in the 1950s. The three large emeralds in the necklace weigh 6.65-7.41 ct; the emeralds in the earrings are 3.27 and 4.03 ct. Courtesy of a private collector.

Summer 2008. A selection of topaz jewelry and loose faceted stones from the GIA Collection. The Belle Époque platinum corsage ornament, gift of Stephen and Eileen Silver (S. H. Silver Co.), features a 39.80 ct pink topaz and diamonds. The 9.36 ct blue, 11.39 ct blue and 14.47 ct pink topaz are from the collection of Dr. Edward J. Gübelin. The 11.54 ct blue topaz, sapphire and diamond ring is a gift of Jacques Prades.

Education Seminars

Andy Lucas, GIA’s manager of field gemology and course development, will present two seminars at Banyan B. Tuition for each is $175. Previous gemological training and/or experience is recommended and pre-registration is required. To register, call 800-421-7250, ext. 4001 or email admissions@gia.edu.   

Identifying Diamond Treatments

Thursday, May 29, 9 to 11 a.m.

Attendees will learn about the most important diamond treatment processes currently used in the gemstone market. Through a combination of lecture and a hands-on lab, the seminar covers the nature and treatment identification of diamonds including, laser drilled, fracture filled, HPHT, irradiation and multiple treatment processes. Attendees will learn how to separate laser manufacturing remnants from treatments.

Colored Stone Treatment Update

Thursday, May 29, 1 to 3 p.m.

Attendees will learn about the most important treatment processes currently used in the gemstone market. Through a combination of lecture and hands-on lab, the seminar covers the nature and treatment identification of commercially important gemstones used in jewelry.

GIA Experts at Free Seminars

Update on Synthetic Diamonds

Friday, May 30, 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Tradewinds B

GIA’s Distinguished Research Fellow Dr. James Shigley will provide an update on GIA’s research into synthetic diamonds and will summarize how gemologists identify them. He will also introduce attendees to DiamondCheck™, GIA’s new device that accurately identifies colorless natural, untreated diamonds in the D-to-N range and refers diamonds that are potentially synthetic or treated for further examination.

Synthetic Diamond Disclosure Panel

Friday, May 30, 1 to 2:15 p.m. at Tradewinds A

Dr. Shigley will be part of a panel on synthetic diamond disclosure, discussing what should be done and what others in the industry are doing to better protect the public and the trade.

Educating the Next Generation of Jewelry Makers and Bench Jewelers Panel

Sunday, June 1, 1 to 2:15 p.m. at Tradewinds C

Mark Mann, GIA’s global director of Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, will be part of a panel discussing education for modern jewelry makers.

Alumni Bungalow at “JCK Rocks the Beach”

Sunday, June 1, 8:30 to 11 p.m.

The GIA Alumni Association is hosting Bungalow 2 at The Beach at Mandalay Bay during the “JCK Rocks the Beach” reception, featuring Grammy Award-winner Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. Show attendees are encouraged to stop by to network and mingle with GIA alumni and industry members from across the globe. The event is open to all JCK badge holders; tickets will be distributed based on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday and Sunday at the show’s Ticket Centers.

For more information about GIA in Las Vegas, visit the website.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

JCK Announces 2014 Industry Fund Recipients

JCK announced today the eight recipients of its 16th annual Industry Fund for 2014. The grants, which are awarded to individuals, groups, or associations whose work results in the betterment of the overall jewelry industry, topped over the $290,000 mark this year.

The 2014 Industry Fund recipients are: American Gem Society (AGS), Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.), Jewelers of America (JA), Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA), Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), and Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA).

“Upgrading and developing new technology that will enable effective, tangible changes in our industry was the central theme addressed by the majority of this year’s fund recipients,” explained Yancy Weinrich, Group Vice President, JCK. “From creating new online education and marketing platforms to enhancing information access and dissemination, the recipients are on the forefront of evolving how the jewelry industry communicates.”

The fund award grants annually to projects that: (1) improve the image of the jewelry industry in the eyes of the consumer, and/or (2) aids jewelry industry organizations in addressing serious problems faced within the industry, and/or (3) assists internal organizations and associations in developing training materials. 

American Gem Society and AGS Laboratory CEO, Ruth Batson, believes that the JCK Industry Fund grant will extend benefits beyond its members to the entire jewelry industry through a newly revised education program, ‘Conclave On Demand.’ Batson explains, “This grant has enabled us to deliver the one-of-a-kind education available at Conclave through our online education center, which provides videos of our speakers. In turn, we make these video sessions available, free-of-charge to the industry.”

“WJA applied for the JCK Industry Fund grant in order to increase the reach of our annual In the Know Conference. While the event is held in New York City, the funding from the grant enabled us to tape much of the day’s presentations and provide it online to those unable to attend in person,” explained WJA’s Executive Director, Teresa Stohs. “This is a huge step for WJA and builds on our commitment to be stronger nationally and internationally. We could not have accomplished this without the JCK Industry Fund support.”

Elaborating on the high-tech enhancements that will assist jewelers in avoiding crime and helping police identify and apprehend criminals that attack the diamond, jewelry and watch industry, JSA President, John Kennedy says, “The Jewelers’ Security Alliance is grateful to the JCK Industry Fund for the generous support it has received for so many years in order to support innovative projects. JSA is excited that this year’s grant will allow JSA to enhance its information dissemination by means of mobile devices, additional crime search features and emergency text messages.”

"Through our ‘Diamonds Do Good’ mission, the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) serves as an advocate for the good works of the industry. D.E.F. sees an opportunity to connect this message directly with consumers, especially the socially-minded millennial consumer. D.E.F. applied for a grant to the JCK Industry Fund to help us develop an online platform that speaks directly to consumers with these intertwined messages,” explained D.E.F.’s Vice President and Executive Director, Nancy Orem Lyman. She continued, “We think this is a really big idea, and are very thankful to the JCK Industry Fund for agreeing and supporting our vision.”

Jewelers of America President & CEO, David Bonaparte, said, "Jewelers of America provides jewelers with a voice on matters of public policy and issues that can impact consumer confidence.” He continued, “Thanks to the generosity of the JCK Industry Fund grant, our initiatives will enhance the cooperative work that our industry is doing and greatly increase our efforts to protect the interests of jewelry businesses."

“The JCK Industry Fund support allows JVC to fund its work on behalf of the industry to promote integrity through legal compliance,” noted Cecilia L. Gardner, President and CEO, Jewelers Vigilance Committee. “JVC represents the industry before government regulators and educates its members and the industry on the requirements of the complex laws that apply to the manufacturing, marketing and labeling of jewelry. Without JCK’s support, JVC would not be as effective in meeting its goals.” 

Due in part to price increases, mass-production, and changing consumer behaviors, David W. Cochran, MJSA President and CEO, speaks on the challenges of an evolving industry marketplace, “Part of MJSA's mission is to help professional jewelry makers and designers navigate all of these sea changes—and thanks to the JCK Industry Fund, we'll be able to do just that, by investing in a Strategic and Practical Business Tools program that provides the insights and guidance needed.” He continues, “The JCK grants play a vital role in ensuring the jewelry industry remains vital and healthy in the 21st century."

"The JCK Industry Fund grant is a classic example of what a huge difference small investments can make in the lives of those that have so little. The 2014 grant is geared towards funding some of our important education initiatives regarding responsible diamond sourcing in Africa," explained Dorothée Gizenga, Executive Director of the Diamond Development Initiative. "Artisanal miners can and are willing to be responsible miners. Previous grants from the JCK Industry Fund have assisted us in building the miners’ capacity to meet the market and consumers’ ethical demands and expectations. The present grant allows us to share this achievement with various industry members.”

An Industry Fund Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from JCK, in addition to retailers and manufacturers, selects fund recipients. Submissions of applications for the 2015 grants will begin in October. For more information on the JCK Industry Fund, click here.

ABOUT THE JCK INDUSTRY FUND:

The JCK Industry Fund, now in its sixteenth year, was established to enhance the image of the jewelry industry and to foster development and research of programs that would benefit the industry. Each year, grants are distributed from the JCK Industry Fund to individuals, groups or associations who work towards the betterment of the overall industry. To date, this fund has awarded over $5 million in grants to those organizations or individuals who have created programs that improve the industry's image. The JCK Industry Fund is underwritten by JCK.

#JWLV - Yael Launches Bridal Collection, Novelique at JCK Las Vegas

Yael Designs Debuts Novelique Collection of Unique Engagement Rings

Combining artisanal design with modern comfort, the Novelique Collection brings new aesthetic to the bridal market

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Award-winning fine jewelry house Yael Designs debuts the Novelique Collection that features one of a kind, hand-engraved engagement rings, inspired by a romantic journey through Turkey.

Designed in collaboration with New York artisanal jewelry designer Christine Huber, the Novelique Collection celebrates the crossroads of modern and ancient, of East and West, of two lives bound to each other. Inspired by the designer’s trip through Turkey, which sits at the crossroads of two civilizations, the Novelique Collection features delicately engraved rings with intricate motifs found in architecture, carpets, tile work and mosaics from the Ottoman Empire.

Each one of a kind engagement ring features conflict-free white diamonds set in a 18K recycled gold band, which is hand-engraved with elements of nature and geometric patterns.

“While exploring Turkey’s ancient palaces, I was inspired by everyday objects like ceramics, furniture, even ceilings and walls that were decorated with incredibly ornate motifs,” said designer Christine Huber. “I wanted to bring the same kind of luxurious attention to everyday beauty to the Novelique engagement rings that women will wear every day of their lives.”

The Novelique Collection combines intricate design details inspired by age-old art with modern comfort and high quality created by experienced bench artisans.

“After years of seeing halo and simple modern design flood the market, we wanted to bring a brand new flair to the U.S. bridal market,” said CEO of Yael Designs Yehouda Saketkhou. “Working with Christine Huber, we were able to combine her unique artisanal aesthetic and a woman’s eye with the polished quality our company is known for to create a truly distinctive collection.”

The Novelique Collection will debut at JCK Luxury Las Vegas, Booth LUX401 and will be available for the 2014 engagement season. The price for Novelique Collection ranges from $1800 to $7000. 

The collection is available online at http://www.yaeldesigns.com/collections/novelique and in select stores.

About Yael DesignsFounded in San Francisco in 2001, Yael Designs is an award-winning design house for cutting edge, elegant and expressive fine jewelry. Yael Designs fashion and bridal jewelry collections have been featured in top fashion and bridal media and worn by celebrities on the red carpet. In its support of sustainability, Yael Designs uses conflict-free diamonds and recycled gold in all its collections and supports social and environmental organizations like Oceana, Junior League of San Francisco, FACE and Schools for Salone. Yael Designs is the Grand Prize winner of 2014 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Award and has won numerous JCK and AGTA awards. More information can be found on www.yaeldesigns.com.

About Christine HuberChristine Huber is a Graduate Gemologist and jewelry designer known for her artisanal style and high quality. Huber has done benchwork for Alex Sepkus, jewelry design and gemology with Julius Cohen Jeweler and designed elaborate collections for Etienne Aigner. 

Inspired by art, ceramics and architecture, Huber creates pieces that are beautiful, meaningful and fun to wear. She currently lives and works in New York City, designing heirloom quality jewelry.