#JWLV Take a Walk Through the AGTA Gemfair Las Vegas #AGTAGemfairLasVegas

What an amazing array of gems gems gems....I will be taking a closer look at some of these vendors in the next few days, but I thought you might like to check out the place!

The AGTA Gemfair is part of the larger JCK Las Vegas Show - but it opens a day earlier...with that in mind...lets take a walk.....

I always enter to see my friends at Prima Gems USA

I couldn't believe how deep tthe color of this Rubellite was!

This carved starfish caught my eye on my way to check out Columbia Gem House....

Sustainable, Ethically Sourced Columbia Gem House

These Intarsia carved pieces were gorgeous

....a new company for me - but so much fun to talk to Krishaili Gems from New York....Radha is a delight and her brother is a wealth of information on the mining in Madagascar  

Just a couple of their fabulous Liddicoatite Slices

Just cruising down the aisle and saw this stunning display - that front gem is the size of my fist!!!

An AGTA post isn't complete with out a visit to John Dyer Gems 

....and the Trapiche KINGS at Mayer & Watt

Loved the cat's eye Siberian Jade!

There was beauty all around....

Looks like TAKAT Emeralds to me

One of the best surprises was seeing Lithographie in the Lobby in front of the show floor 

with their new "Diamond" book!

If I didn't use the name of your company with your photo please correct me in the comments....

#GemTalk "Secrets of the Gem Trade" the Revised , Expanded 2nd Edition #SecretsoftheGemTrade

It is always exciting when new information comes to ground - and if you are anything like me, you gobble it up!!!   ....and it seems there is new info every day!

I have three favorite go to references  - 1.) Mindat.org, 2.) Secrets of the Gem Trade by Richard Wise and 3.) my library of Walter Schumann, Renee Newman, Fred Ward & Antoinette Matlins books.  

So when I found out there was a new Revised 2nd Edition of "Secrets of the Gem Trade" I knew I needed to get my hands on it - WOW - am I glad I did!!!

Usually, a new edition comes out and you pull the old one off the shelf to replace it with the new one - but in this case....hold on to the old one, the info is still good (and the format is more conducive to travel - make it your gem show edition) and the new expanded 2nd Edition is almost entirely new!

The largely expanded 2nd edition of "Secrets of the Gem Trade" has been completely rewritten with major revisions.   This new 2nd edition is one third larger with 11 new chapters, 5 new introductory essays and more than  161 additional images. 

What's New?

 

Fabulous Feldspars:  offers an Introduction and well thought out Overview of the topic featuring two new chapters one on Moonstone (12) and one on Sunstone (13)

Blue White Diamonds:  Following an Introducton and Overview there are two new Chapters....Colorless Diamonds (18) and Golconda or Type IIa Diamonds (19)

This section shows off the extensive knowledge of the author on the topic - for those who don't already now it, Richard Wise is also the author of the "The French Blue" - if you are a history buff or lover of all things diamonds - Pick up a copy!!!!

In the Garnet Group the new Demantoid Garnet chapter is brilliant!

The World of Natural Pearls:  an entire section on NATURAL Pe arls with an Introduction and Overview and two new chapters....Natural Nacreous Pearls (24) and Conch Pearls (25).

A new chapter on Peridot (29) covers this gem from Biblical Times to today.
Jade, The Inscrutable Gem: a topic dear to the author's heart features an Introduction and Overview as well as a new chapter on that finest of Jades, Jadeite (34) I learned more from this single chapter than I've learned from some books.

In the Fancy and Colored Diamond section you will find a new Violet Diamonds (51) chapter.

Finishing up with Spinel - featuring an Introduction and Overview and two new chapters on Red Spinel (53) and Cobalt Blue Spinel (54).

....and remember there are 43 re written Chapters from the original edition.....like this gem!

This book is a must for jewelers, gemologists and laymen alike....YOU MUST GET YOUR HANDS ON A COPY!!!  Check out the author's website for more info and a free chapter to read....

http://secretsofthegemtrade.com 

BENCHMARK TO BE JEWELRY PARTNER FOR THE #KNOTDREAMWEDDING

From a Press Release

Photos via The Knot website

BENCHMARK ANNOUNCED AS EXCLUSIVE JEWELRY PARTNER 

FOR THE KNOT DREAM WEDDING

Benchmark, America’s favorite wedding ring manufacturer, is pleased to announce that it is the exclusive jewelry partner for The Knot Dream Wedding between 2015 WNBA MVP, Washington Mystics player and Olympic gold medalist Elena Delle Done and fiancé Amanda Clifton.

The Knot first broke the news earlier this year that the couple had been chosen to be the recipients of this year’s Dream Wedding. This will be the first same-sex couple to receive The Knot Dream Wedding.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Knot for The Knot Dream Wedding”, says A.J. Tosyali, President of Benchmark. “This wedding is so special. Not only have we always believed that ‘love is love’, but we immediately fell in love with Elena and Amanda as we started to create the perfect symbols for their wedding. Like most millennial couples they wanted some personalized elements, so each ring will have meaningful symbols, unique to the couple, incorporated into the design.

"We couldn’t be more delighted to bring Benchmark on as the exclusive jewelry partner for The Knot Dream Wedding,” says Jennifer Garrett, executive Vice President, National Enterprise, XO Group Inc. “As a symbol of commitment and devotion, we’re excited to see how Benchmark and their expert craftsmen bring Elana and Amanda’s love and unique personalities into the designs of their wedding bands.”

The promotion of the couple’s nuptials, featuring the Benchmark wedding rings, will begin mid-August 2017 and end mid-November. Final coverage will run in the Spring 2018 issue of The Knot. Benchmark will be prominently featured in a Sweepstakes, where one lucky entrant will win a Benchmark ring, a documentary video that will showcase the rings, as well as in social media posts.

About Benchmark: For over 40 years Benchmark, a U.S. based manufacturer of fine jewelry, has dedicated its attention and focus to designing and creating the best wedding rings in the world. Every surface, curve, edge and finish of a Benchmark ring has been meticulously planned and brought to life by master craftsmen striving for excellence in beauty and functionality from the drawing board through each step to the finished creation.   A Benchmark not only sets the standard for quality, but leads the industry in both design and fashion.

Benchmark rings can be found in the finest jewelry stores across the country. To view the extensive collections or to find a fine Benchmark jewelry retailer near you visit  www.benchmarkrings.com. 

Follow us on Instagram @benchmarkrings.

#JWLV Take A Walk Through #LUXURYbyJCK Part 2

Take a walk with me as I visit some of the fabulous companies that make up the LUXURY by JCK show.....

There are two large areas for LUXURY by JCK this year, the LUXURY and PRESTIGE floors, and way to much loveliness to fit in just one post....

First up - let's look at A& D Gem Corp., who's recent foray into the jewelry world, DVANI,  has (as far as I'm concerned) been a resounding success!

As you approach their booth (LUX-335) you see the fabulous displays showing off their work with celebrities, like Rihanna at the Met Ball!

Last year the Opal from DVANI was stellar and I have to say this year has followed suit.

I love the colored halos on these....

Opal isn't all they do - DVANI has an incredible line of Diamond and Colored Gem Jewelry.  One of the pieces I couldn't leave without a photo of was these darling, multi-gem, square cut, diamond ear climbers!!! 

DVANI/A & D Gem Corp.

LUX-335

Some of my other LUXURY favorites are....the "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Erica Courtney....

I really love this new delicate, flirty look...

....I've said it before and I'll say it again - Erica uses some of the most stunning pearls.

Erica Courtney Jewelry
https://www.ericacourtney.com/

Tara Pearls had the cutest critter pearls and stunning mismatched earrings!

Tara Pearl

Tara & Sons

LUX-601

LOOK FOR LUXURY PART 3  SOON....

#JWLV - LUXURY by JCK is LIVE and O M G!!! #WishYouWereHere

Omi Prive  (Booth LUX-916)- or should I say Alexandrite, Opal and Sapphire Central!!!

Stopped in to see Adam and let me tell you this current collection is incredible - but don't just take my word for it  - here you go....

Ruby, ruby, ruby,  will you be mine?

Incredible Cat's Eye Alexandrite and a Star Ruby with an Alexandrite Halo  

....and this is that Alexandrite Halo plugged in!

Next up on the O M G meter... Tanya Farah in Booth LUX-700

....and do you remember that fun Dog Fever line last year? ...now there is Cat Fever !

I am totally crushing on those cat ear bangles....

Much more Luxury coming....