#Baselworld GIA GemFest Basel Features DeBeers and GIA Talks on Synthetic Diamonds!

GIA and DeBeers Speak on Synthetic Diamonds

GIA GemFest Basel is March 22

Dr. Wuyi Wang, director of research
and development for GIA. Image © GIA.

Leading research scientists from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and De Beers Technologies UK will speak on the topic of synthetic diamonds during GIA GemFest Basel 2015 on Sunday, March 22 at the Congress Center Basel in Switzerland. Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer for GIA, will moderate the discussion with Dr. Simon Lawson, head of technologies UK for De Beers and Dr. Wuyi Wang, director of research and development for GIA. The free event will commence at 5 p.m. (17:00) in the Montreal Auditorium, with a reception to follow.

The technology for creating synthetic diamond has improved significantly over the last decade and, as a result, gem-quality synthetic diamonds have appeared in greater quantities and received wider media exposure. Reports of synthetics being presented as natural, however, have raised concerns within the industry. GIA and De Beers have applied years of research to identifying these laboratory-grown diamonds, resulting in devices and methods that effectively distinguish them from natural diamonds – from the smallest melee to stones of significant size. GIA’s Wang and De Beers’ Lawson will speak at GemFest Basel about the latest research on synthetic diamonds and their identification, and how GIA and De Beers are working to meet the on-going challenges posed by potential non-disclosure. A question and answer session will immediately follow the moderated discussion.

Dr. Simon Lawson, head of technologies
UK for De Beers. Image courtesy of De Beers.

Lawson has 20 years of experience with De Beers researching the growth and characterization of synthetic diamonds. He has held a key role at De Beers since 1995 in the strategy and development of the various De Beers verification instruments used to identify synthetic and treated diamonds. Prior to joining De Beers, Lawson was awarded a Royal Society Fellowship and spent four years at the National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials in Japan. He holds a doctorate in optical spectroscopy of diamond from King’s College in London and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

Wang joined GIA in 2000 and has more than 20 years of expertise in diamond geochemistry and the treatments of diamond and other gem material. He holds a doctorate in geology from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Beijing University in China. He is widely published in gemological and geological journals, and is recognized with numerous honors including the AGS Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award and Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award from Gems & Gemology.

GemFest Basel 2015 is a free event that will be held at 5 p.m. (17:00) on Sunday, March 22 at Congress Center Basel in the Montreal Auditorium. A reception will immediately follow the panel at 6 p.m. (18:00). Registration is now available.

About the De Beers Group of Companies

De Beers is a member of the Anglo American group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers visit www.debeersgroup.com. 

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, Clarity, Cut, 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. Visitwww.gia.edu.

#Fidelia - Erika Winters Debuts Wedding Band Collection Revives Love, Loyalty and Romance

Engagement Ring Designer 

Erika Winters Revives Love, Loyalty and Romance

Debuts ‘Fidelia’ Collection to Celebrate the Past in the Present Day*

If you think romance and chivalry are dead in the 21st century, prepare to have your hopes restored. Engagement ring designer Erika Winters has drawn inspiration from centuries past to reignite the romance in the modern woman’s world.

Debuting today, the Fidelia Collection consists of eight handcrafted, hand-etched and hand-carved bands, which are available in yellow, rose and white gold, as well as platinum. Several styles feature French-cut diamonds, a revival of an old cutting style, in which the stones are individually cut for each specific ring. 

Ms. Winters took inspiration from the shapes and forms prominently featured in the medieval and Victorian eras, transforming them to feel modern in present day. Fidelia, derived from the Latin word meaning faithful, loyal and true, “defines the essence of marriage,” according to Ms. Winters. 

The name of each band in the Fidelia Collection, such as Imogen, Viola and Cordelia, is inspired by historical literary characters, a personal passion of the designer’s. 

To create a band as unique as your relationship, Ms. Winters offers customization, such as engraving of your secret messages. Worn as a single band paired with your engagement ring, or stacked to mark milestones in your life, the rings are destined to become heirlooms for generations to come.

The collection will be available through a network of independent retailers nationwide, as well as on the designer’s website, www.erikawinters.com. The Fidelia Collection ranges in price from $980 to $4,800 MSRP.

About Erika Winters: Erika’s jewelry career began by serendipity in 2006, when her future husband proposed to her with a diamond engagement ring. The ring—and everything it symbolized—inspired her full immersion in the artistry, meaning, and science of jewelry. This new passion built on Erika’s lifelong curiosity about the art of adornment and her extensive background and career in dance, movement, and theatre. These art forms continue to inform her jewelry designs, as she draws an appreciation of delicate lines and movement from dance and an appreciation for the nuances of lighting—and the impact of a grand entrance—from theatre. After earning her Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America,  Erika worked in the antique and vintage jewelry industry in Los Angeles. In 2014, Erika launched her first engagement ring collection, built on her passion for fresh and exquisitely crafted bridal jewelry. Her designs feature thoughtful revivals of Old World forms that have been re-imagined for 21st-century women.

* Press Release From Designer's Representative

#2014Artisan Winners Center Stage at ‘The Artisan Awards’ - Celebrating 100 Years of Indian Cinema

From Press Release via Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

Winners take center stage at ‘The Artisan Awards’ 

~ 100 years of Indian cinema’ is inspiration for  designers creations ~ 

~A total of 800 entries, 40 finalists & 12 winners~ 

~Event to be televised on a leading lifestyle channel~  

Twelve of our industry’s outstanding and innovative jewellery designers were honoured at India’s most coveted jewellery design awards – ‘The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2014’ which concluded on Friday, 20th February at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. Organised by the apex body of the Gem & Jewellery Industry in India – Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). 

Indian jeweller, Viren Bhagat received the award for
‘Most Accomplished Artisan of Our Time'

The Artisan Awards provided a platform to jewellery designers to push their creativity and design aesthetics to showcase world-class jewellery. In addition to the 12 Artisan Awards winners, industry veterans were also recognized such as noted Indian jeweller, Viren Bhagat received the award for ‘Most Accomplished Artisan of Our Time.’ Moreover, renowned jeweller, Suhani Pittie received the ‘Emerging Jewellery Designer of the Year’ and leading Indian jeweller Ganjam was awarded the ‘Most Accomplished Retailer in Design Excellence.’ 

Indian actress, model, VJ and television presenter Malaika Arora Khan 

The glitterati event was hosted by the stunning Indian actress, model, VJ and television presenter - Malaika Arora Khan and also saw Bollywood style icon and GJEPC’s brand ambassador – Ms. Sonam Kapoor felicitating the winners with the awards. The Chief Guest of the evening was eminent Social Worker Ms. Shaina NC along with the Guest of Honour – Mr. B P Pandey, IAS, Addl, Secretary & Financial Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Commenting on the occasion, Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Artisan awards is a culmination of designs, creativity, jewellery and glamour to showcase a fitting tribute to Indian cinema. It is recognition of excellence in the gem and jewellery sector industry and sets a benchmark for the industry in terms of its overall performance. I extend my congratulations to all the award winners for their salutary performance and hope they propel the jewellery industry to even greater heights in the years to come.” 

Brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor commented, “Being a self-confessed film buff and having a penchant for jewellery it was a treat to see intricate designs as part of wearable jewellery. From the exquisite detailing of the jewellery designs, you can tell that the candidates have put their heart and soul into showcasing pieces that are representative of Bollywood films through various eras. My heartiest congratulations to all the award winners who I know will raise the bar of the industry even higher.” 

The awards function which is to be televised on a leading lifestyle channel left no stone unturned in ensuring that the evening was a cinematic extravagance with exquisitely designed jewellery pieces capturing the essence of Bollywood. Guests were privy to an evening of entertainment with musical performances by The Bartender- which belted out renditions of Bollywood songs from each era. 

The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2014 celebrates the magic of Indian Cinema through four iconic eras – Monochromatic Magic (black and white era),Golden Glory (golden era), Colourama (masala films era) & The Avant Garde (the era of global reach).

With '100 years of Indian cinema' as the inspiration behind the creations, the evening celebrated winners from the iconic eras – Monochromatic Magic (black and white era), Golden Glory (golden era), Colorama (masala films era) and AvantGarde (global era). 

Indian Cinema, more popularly referred to as ‘Bollywood’, is one of the pervading symbols of Indian life and culture. Perhaps no one institution has so much influence on how we think, dress and act.

As a multitude of talented designers converge under the realms of this contest, let Indian cinema come alive through exquisitely designed pieces of jewellery. Let there be drama, romance, history, song and dance. Let gemstones, diamonds and precious metals all come together to sing a rhapsody that's a fitting tribute to Indian Cinema.
The 12 winners (3 from each of the 4 categories) were shortlisted by popular names in the fashion and lifestyle industry:

          Art Historian-Usha Balakrishnan          Editor-Vogue India-Priya Tanna 
          Socialite- Pinky Reddy                              Fashion Designer- Sabyasachi Mukherjee 
                               Gemologist & jewellery designer - Farah Khan Ali

MONOCHROMATIC MAGIC

WINNER:  Swati Kadam  completed a three year Diploma Course in Jewellery Designing and Manufacturing Technology from IIGJ in 2009 and since 2012, she has been associated with K.P.Sanghvi Intl as an Assistant Merchandiser, enabling her to interact with customers on design discussions, new product developments and business development.

1st RUNNER UP:  Astha Gupta has a degree in Mass Communication. She is currently pursuing a Jewellery Manufacturing Course from the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery, Delhi. She is working towards establishing an individual and unconventional jewellery line along with a specialisation in handcrafted jewellery using different materials.

2nd RUNNER UP:  Soni Amin is a jewellery designer with excellent design skills, strong technical understanding and a sound fashion sense. All of which stands her in good stead as she creates innovative and cost-effective jewellery designs. She has a broad range of experience working with design, production, costing and technical departments.

GOLDEN GLORY

WINNER:  Meghana Bag graduated in jewellery designing and manufacturing from S.N.D.T in the year 2007 winning the title ‘Best Designed Collection’ for her final graduation project. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology.She has worked with companies like B.N Jewellers and Kiah Diamonds in the fields of designing, manufacturing, brand & retail merchandising. She is currently employed with Laxmi Diamonds heading their Design team along with Retail Merchandising.

1st RUNNER UP:  With a flare for design and creativity, Natasha Adnani entered the world of fashion by working at L'Officiel India as a fashion assistant. She went on to pursue her interest in designing by obtaining a formal education in Jewellery Design, Manufacturing and Gemology at the GIA headquarters, California. On returning, she joined her father who specialises in retail custom jewellery. She aspires to start her own line of jewellery that appeals to the independent, ambitious, bon vivant woman of today.

2nd RUNNER UP:  Kosha Shah is a head designer at Shilpi Jewellers. She has been associated with the jewellery industry for over 7 years and is still learning new aspects of design every day. Her transition into jewellery design started with diamond jewellery and then gradually progressed into creating high-end antique jewellery.

COLOURAMA

WINNER:  Subhankar Bhowmick is a jewellery designer by profession. Nature strongly inspires him. He hopes to explore various aspects of his creativity through his designs.

1st RUNNER UP:  Queeta Rawat studied jewellery design in Italy. She has been with Tanishq for more than 9 years now. She believes in ‘less is more’ and her forte lies in the seamless amalgamation of the old with the new. ‘Jodha Akbar’ by Tanishq, was partly handled by her in terms of design and manufacturing.

2nd RUNNER UP:  Sunita Shekhawat is a recognized jewellery designer in Jaipur. She designs her signature jewellery under the label ‘Midas’. She designs exclusive high-end bridal jewellery and specializes in exclusive jewellery designs predominantly for royalty. She has clientèle ranging from Bollywood stars to top business families. Her articles/writings are published in magazines like Vogue, Femina, Hello, Harper’s Bazaar, as well as newspapers such as Mumbai Times, Bangalore Times, Delhi Times, Times of India and the Telegraph

THE AVANTE - GARDE

WINNER:  Shrutika Pratankar works with ‘Fab Jewels India Pvt. Ltd’. With an experience of 10+ years in the design domain she has involved herself in various stages of the product life cycle. She holds a Diploma in Jewellery Designing and Manufacturing from SNDT Juhu, Mumbai. She was the first runner up in the ‘Nakshtra Diamond Design Competition’ and also one of the finalists in the ‘World Gold Council Competition’ in the top 20 contestants.

1st RUNNER UP:  Himani,Harish a fashion and lifestyle accessory designer, is a graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar. Her specialisation is in Jewellery Design. She won the ‘Retail Jeweller Award 2007’ for “Student Jewellery Designer of the Year’. Post her graduation project with Tata-Tanishq she was awarded the title of ‘The Most Commercially Viable Design Collection 2009’ from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).She completed her post-graduation from the National Institute of Design (NID) where she did her Masters in Market Research. She has a good understanding of national and international design trends and how they can be transformed to suit Indian customers. She is among the top 13 finalists of the ‘Future Designers’ category for emerging designers. This was set up by trend forecasting service WGSN, as part of their ‘Global Fashion Awards, 2013’ given out at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.

2nd RUNNER UP:  Zohara Moorthy is a bespoke jewellery and accessory designer based in Mumbai, India. She graduated from the National Institute of Design in Product Design. After which, she obtained a Diploma in Gemology and Diamond Grading from the Gemological Institute of India and a Masters in Fashion Accessory from Istituto Marangoni in Milan. She has worked with exclusive jewellery brands like Swarovski, Pranda, Surana and Sahara Global Design Studio. Her international exposure has come through projects with Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, and many more, while she was in Milan.

The winners have the opportunity to intern with the prestigious international jewellery houses – Roberto Coin and Swarovski. In addition their winning designs will receive recognition with a fully paid trip to visit the Basel Jewellery and Watch Fair 2015 where their designs will be on display in the India Palace Pavilion along with a handsome cash prize. 

To make the Indian jewellery design dream possible, Artisan Awards has partnered with RBS, Gemfields, Forevermark, Platinum Guild India, Grand Hyatt and Vogue.  The Candidates who topped each of the 4 categories from the 12 winners announced, were: 

                       Swati Kadam,                                  Meghna Bag, 

                       Subhankar Bhowmick                  ....and Shrutika Patankar. 

About GJEPC 
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council is an all - India apex body for Gem & Jewellery representing 5300 members. Set up in 1966, it operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. More info on: www.gjepc.org

Celebrities Visited StyleLab's Suite During Academy Awards Week - Borrow Millions In Jewelry!

Press Release via Stylelab

Celebrities Visited StyleLab's Suite During Academy Awards Week To Borrow Millions In Jewelry For The Red Carpet

Style Expert Michael O'Connor Curated a Collection of the Most Exclusive Baubles
Last month, Academy Award nominees from the films "Birdman", "Begin Again", "Guardians of the Galaxy", "The Salt of the Earth", "Inherent Vice", and "The Imitation Game" and others, got a coveted appointment at StyleLab's Jewelry Suite taking place during Academy Awards Week. Additional celebrities including Kelsey Scott ("12 Years a Slave"), Marie Moute ("Welcome to New York"), Jennifer Aspen ("Nowhere Girl"), Kari Michelle ("America's Next Top Model"), Marisol Nichols ("NCIS"), Kate Linder ("The Young & the Restless"), Miss J. ("America's Next Top Model"), Kate Flannery ("The Office"), Adina Porter ("True Blood"), Breeda Wool ("Unreal"), Maitland Ward ("Boy Meets World"), Antonio Cupo ("Bomb Girls"), as well as top wardrobe stylists/costume designers, had the opportunity to borrow from a collection of over $30 million worth of jewelry for the Academy Awards and related parties.

Michael O'Connor, leading style expert and television personality, curated a selection of baubles from world-renowned brands such as Chris Aire, Dena Kemp, John Ford, KALLATI, LVE Diamonds from Schachter & Co., Mastoloni, Richard Berberian for Elyse Fine Jewelers, Shaftel Diamonds, Susan Eisen, Takat, and The Leo Diamond by Leo Schachter, among others.

Here's the scoop on what celebrities and their stylists were eyeing for the Academy Awards, and surrounding red carpet parties.

Kari Michelle wearing a necklace from Chris Aire, Kari Michelle wearing earrings from
The Leo Diamond  by Leo Schachter, Kari Michelle wearing earrings from Takat

Kari Michelle sparkled in a necklace from Chris Aire. It features over 13 carats of diamonds and 11.61 carats of citrine. This design, priced at $65,000, is set in white gold. She also admired a pair of earrings from The Leo Diamond by Leo Schachter, priced at$101,000. These Art Deco style earrings consist of a 3 stone diamond drop with over 10 carats of diamonds set in 18K white gold.The Leo Diamond by Leo Schachter diamonds are special because they are the first ones to be certified as visibly brighter by an independent source. The fire, brilliance and scintillation of these diamonds are second to none. You can see the difference! Kari also looked ultra glamorous in a pair of 31.38 carat emerald earrings by Takat, set in 18K white gold. They also incorporate over 10 carats of pear, marquise, and round diamonds, priced at $166,090.

Elizabeth Georgiou (nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling for "Guardians of the Galaxy") looked radiant in a pair of edgy snake ear cuffs from Dena Kemp with 2.58 carats of diamonds, set in 18K pink gold.

Adina Porter couldn't resist the 10.39 carat black opal dangle earrings from John Ford, set in 18K white gold, and priced at $2,900. The multi-colored black opals in these earrings display the spectacular variety of black opal colors from Lightning Ridge Australia.

Marisol Nichols looked radiant in a pair of earrings from KALLATI's "True Naturals Collection", priced at $24,000. They feature 4.10 carats of natural fancy colored diamond, a unique combination of yellows, pinks, cocoas, and greens, set in 14K yellow gold. She also loved the hand fabricated, one-of-a-kind climber earrings from Susan Eisen. They are crafted with 3 carats of diamonds, and priced at $17,800. 

Maitland Ward was enamored by a pair of 7.27 carat teardrop diamond earrings by LVE Diamonds from Schachter & Co., a division of Leo Schachter, priced at $60,000. These beautiful hand crafted triple zero hearts and arrows round brilliant diamonds are set in a patented iconic design, featuring a thread that weaves through the diamonds, representing life's journey - live love.

LVE pieces in the StyleLab Suite

 3Breeda Wool looked fashionable in Mastoloni's "Signature Black &; White Ice Necklace" with a tassel set in 18K white gold. It features cultured pearls, and 30 carats of black diamonds and over 1 carat of white diamonds, priced at $10,500.

Kelsey Scott gravitated towards a necklace from Richard Berberian for Elyse Fine Jewelers, priced at $65,000, and set in 18K white gold. It features a whopping 379.56 carats of London blue topaz and 51.43 carats of white sapphires. The 235.72 carat center pear shape drop is detachable.

Kate Flannery was drawn to a pair of earrings from Shaftel Diamonds, priced at $100,000. They include 10.01 carats of round blue sapphires, and 8.50 carats of surrounding white diamonds, set in 18K white gold.

Hollywood's biggest television and movie stars selected many other designs featured in StyleLab's Jewelry Suite for the Academy Awards and parties. Final jewelry confirmations will be disclosed following the red carpet on Sunday.

#MJSA 2015 EXPO New York #EXPO2015

WHY MJSA EXPO?SEMINARS - in its second year - MJSA Journal Live -If you have ever read MJSA’s monthly magazine and wished you could sit down with the author of an article and pick their brain, this two-day series of demonstrations, comparisons, and consults will make that wish come true.
MJSA Journal Live: Technology Today - the pages of MJSA’s flagship monthly magazine will again come to life through discussions and hands-on demonstrations of the latest jewelry-making tools and technologies. This year’s event will focus on two areas: joining metals and alloys, and creating models with the new low-cost 3-D printers and CNC mills.             Click here for the complete schedule

Jewelry Making 101 (and Beyond): Special Series  -  led by custom jeweler Joel McFadden, who will present a series of projects, from beginner level to advanced, demonstrating various and often innovative approaches that jewelers can apply at the bench. Jewelry Making 101 is being made possible through the support of the MJSA Education Foundation. Bench & Tool Sponsor: Stuller Inc.   Click here for a complete Jewelry Making 101 schedule.Ask the Experts for Small Business  -  come in take a seat and gain valuable insight from some of the top business and marketing minds in the industry today.Click here for a complete schedule. 
REGISTER TODAY  Click here to register today!