Martha Seely's Sequence collection debuts at JCK May 30th - Design Center on Level 2

Martha Seely Modern Jewelry Introduces Sequence Collection at JCK Show Design Center

The former costume designer creates new kinetic collection in gold and silver

  

When metalsmith and designer Martha Seely looks at the whorls in a seashell, the tendrils of a flower, or the Milky Way galaxy in the sky, she not only marvels at one of nature's most magical patterns--the spiral--she gets inspired to create modern, abstract jewelry.

Spirals are examples of a mathematical concept called "the Fibonacci Sequence"--a pattern of numbers that underlies art, architecture, and nature's most beautiful designs. The famous sequence, which honors a 13th century Italian mathematician who introduced the idea to the West, is the source of the name of her new collection, Sequence.

"While the Sequence collection is influenced by the patterns and textures I see around me in buildings and the natural world, my work is not traditionally nature-inspired or architectural," says Seely. "Instead, my designs have a modern abstract sensibility, reflecting my Scandinavian heritage--with a subtle touch of fun that's uniquely American."

From her background as a costume designer for theater, films, and television, Seely's metalworking techniques are also influenced by fiber, fashion, and the dramatic art of movement. As a result, the collection is infused with textures and a kinetic energy that flatters women and the clothes they wear.

Seely holds an MFA in costume design, and has also studied with master jewelers Cynthia Eid, Jayne Redman, and Ann Cahoon, exploring and refining the techniques of fold forming, hammering, stone setting, wire weaving, and cold connections. Her studio is based in Concord, Massachusetts.

The Sequence collection, by Martha Seely Modern Jewelry, debuts at JCK Show Vegas, from May 30-June 2, 2014, in the Design Center on Level 2, Booth Number: S10900C. It is crafted in 14 karat gold and palladium silver, with 18 karat gold and other palladium options coming soon. The suggested retail price range is from $250 to $6,000. Seely's work is currently available at fine jewelers and galleries.

For more information, to make appointments to see the new collection at the show, or to contact Seely, go to http://www.marthaseely.com/.

  

Carole Shashona Jewelry – A Spiritual Twist on Fine Jewelry

CAROLE SHASHONA BLACK DIAMOND COLLECTION:

REDEFINING THE ART OF JEWELRY DESIGN 

Fine Jewelry Collection Blends Beauty with Spirituality 

Jewelry designer Carole Shashona redefines the purpose of statement jewelry by combining aesthetic beauty with spirituality. 

From the visual side, the luxe “Black Diamond Collection” perfectly encapsulates the elegance of the Art Deco period with the funkiness of America Pop Form and the mysticism of the Far East.

However, the pieces also have symbolic meaning, as they are rooted in the art of Feng Shui and designed to bring harmony, protection, love, health, and overall positive energy to the women who wear them. 

The Carole Shashona “Black Diamond Collection” launched 2 (two) years ago. It includes bracelets, earrings, and necklaces with precious gemstones, crystals and black diamonds, set in sterling silver or gold. The collection is sold exclusively at select Barneys New York locations. Retail price ranges from $3,000 to $25,000. 

Carole trained with a Grand Master of Feng Shui in Hong Kong for 16 years, and became a Grand Master herself upon his passing. The “Black Diamond Collection” was inspired by Carole’s spiritual journey through the sacred images of nature depicted in the philosophy of Shan Shui art.

As an art form, Shan Shui evokes a sanctuary of peace, patience, and harmony. Based on the teachings of the I Ching, Shan Shui captures the emotion and atmosphere of the mountains and waters, and Carole wanted to design a line of jewelry that also depicts the beauty she found in her personal journeys in the Far East. The black diamonds represent the reflecting stones she saw in the mountain streams as she walked with her Master and learned valuable lessons. 

Carole’s interest in Eastern cultures and belief in the energy-influencing powers and colors also led her to a friendship with Andy Warhol, as they both shared similar philosophies on this topic. Crossing paths with Andy has encouraged and helped her to introduce designs for
“wellness” with the splendor and power of healing stones.

Carole names her pieces based upon an understanding of natural essences combined with a practical knowledge of the rhythms of nature. 

She chooses each name based on the energy they provide. Carole believes the beauty of jewelry not only radiates outward, but sends beauty, balance, and serenity back inward to the wearer. For example, “The Earth Essence Lotus Bracelet” is named after a flower that balances inner struggle in order to emerge with singular beauty. Earth is symbolic of security, and essential to growth and grounding support. Carole suggests wearing the bracelet on the left wrist, which influences your personal desires and positive energy.

All designs feature a signature coin with black diamonds, whether attached to the piece or as a separate charm. This special coin is a personal amulet, and fashioned to assist with meditation at home or “on the go".

“My jewelry was inspired and designed to evoke and maintain those same meditative qualities in whomever wears it, to follow them throughout their day, and to remind them of their dreams and desires,” says Carole.

“Like all of my designs, every piece in my Black Diamond Collection works like a life compass, keeping the wearer on course toward personal happiness.”

For more information, visit:

Website  www.CaroleShashona.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/caroleshashona

#JWLV - All About the COLOR at AGTA GemFair Las Vegas - Open One Day Before JCK!

Visit the AGTA GemFair™ at the JCK Las Vegas Show 

Gambling is what Las Vegas is all about, but not when you are there to buy colored gemstones and
cultured pearls. Come to the AGTA GemFair™ at the JCK Las Vegas Show and shop with
knowledgeable professionals committed to full disclosure and the strictest Code of Ethics in the
industry.

The Show is located in the Islander and South Pacific Ballrooms on the Beach Level at Mandalay
Bay. The AGTA GemFair™ runs May 29 – June 2, 2014.

The AGTA GemFair™ opens one day prior to the main JCK Show, giving you an opportunity to focus
on your colored gemstone and pearl business in one of the most important trade marketplaces in the
world. Each and every exhibitor at the AGTA GemFair™ is a Member of AGTA, so you can shop and
buy with complete confidence.

We will be hosting our free Seminar Track to further enhance your knowledge, on May 30th:
Sspeakers include:  Doug Hucker, Jim Shigley, Jennifer Heebner, Kathy Grenier, Ronald Ringsrud,
and Jack Ghazalian.

For more information on the AGTA GemFair™ Las Vegas and an entire list of exhibitors, please visit:

http://www.agta.org/tradeshows/gemfair-las-vegas.html 

Indy500 Driver Pippa Mann and the Susan G. Komen Foundation join Ritmo Time Group in Fight Against Breast Cancer

Indy500 Driver Pippa Mann and the Susan G. Komen Foundation join Ritmo Time Group in the fight for breast cancer at the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2014

In conjunctions with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Pippa Mann of Indy Racing League, campaign this month to raise awareness for breast cancer, Pippa Mann whose driving in the Indianapolis 500 in an ALL PINK Car is giving away REFLEX slap-on wristwatches to eight lucky winners! 

 Reflex is happy to reach out to bring awareness to this important cause. To participate, simply tweet Pippa Mann a photo of you wearing as much pink as possible. 

 The competition has begun and will close as the chequered flag waves for The Indianapolis 500. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 26.

Tweet photos to @PippaMann or @PippaMannPR

For more information about the campaign, please visit www.racewithpippa.com

NAJA Invites You to Meet the Author and Photographer of the Handbook of Gemmology at #JCKLV

Meet the Author & Photographer!

Book Signing at NAJA during JCK

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) announces the opportunity for JCK Las Vegas attendees to meet the international author, Geoffrey Dominy, FGA, and world renown photographer Tino Hammid, at the NAJA exhibit booth, #L136, in the Lobby Level at the JCK Show. 

Meet the Author and Photographer of the Handbook of Gemmology - 

Friday, May 30th, Saturday, May 31 1st and Sunday, June 1st.

What makes this book so unique is that it is the first gemological book written specifically for the digital market! It can be downloaded onto a smart phone, i-pad, e-reader or computer. It is available for both Windows and Mac O/S, and it incorporates state-of-the-art Flipping Book technology that gives you the look and feel of a printed book but in a digital format.

The Handbook of Gemmology, 2nd Edition, comes with a completely new set of photographs by Tino Hammid (160 photographs in over 75 pages), new inclusion photographs, new sections on diamond classification, diamond and color gem grading, lab-created diamonds and magnetism plus updated information from the previous edition. The DVD covers all aspects of the science of gemology and gem identification in this innovative and interactive ebook. It is a must have for any gemologist,student or jeweler who demands the latest technology and the most up-to-date information. The NAJA appraisal organization is dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry that presentsoutstanding programs to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and anunparalleled networking experience. 

For further information, please contact:

       Gail Brett Levine, GG, 

       Executive Director, 

       National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, 

       phone 718.896-1536,

       www.NAJAappraisers.com

#JWLV - AGA Presents "What Everyone in the Trade Needs to Know About Lab-Grown Diamonds"

2014 AGA Las Vegas Conference  

What Everyone in the Trade Needs to Know  

About  Lab-Grown Diamonds"    

Thursday, May 29, 1-5 pm, Platinum Hotel, Las Vegas   

As the production  - and the visibility - of lab-grown diamonds increases, so do questions, about the products themselves as well as about their impact. Everyone is affected, from dealers, retailers, designers, manufacturers and appraisers. Consumers also have questions and, unfortunately, many in the trade still don't know how to answer them. 

To address the situation, synthetic diamonds will be the focus of the AGA's Las Vegas conference, taking place Thursday, May 29th, 1:00-5:00 pm, at the Platinum Hotel.

The availability of lab-grown diamonds to the public through retail jewelers, internet sites, and in the secondary market, has raised many questions, and many viewpoints are surfacing. There are also rising concerns about inadvertently buying and selling lab-grown diamonds as "natural" diamonds, especially in small sizes set in multi-stone and pave-set jewelry.

"Now is the time to pay attention to this growing market," says AGA president Stuart Robertson. Having tracked CVD production for about 10 years, and now watching the increasing role of China in the lab-grown sector, Robertson believes the world will see dramatic growth from China in CVD, along with expanding availability of HPHT-grown diamonds.  

To address questions and issues in this rapidly evolving market, speakers at the AGA conference will include Dr. James Shigley of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); Tom Chatham, President, Chatham Created Gems; Dusan Simic, President of Analytical Gemology and Jewelry Laboratory (AG&JL); and Ronnie VanderLinden, President of the Diamond Manufacturer's and Importers Association (DMIA) and Diamex, Inc.  

Dr. James Shigley will provide information on identification techniques for lab-created diamonds, and Dusan Simic will present breaking news on affordable options now available for identifying mounted as well loose diamonds, including melee sizes. Tom Chatham, a respected grower, will give a producer's insights into current and projected production estimates, while diamond dealer Ronnie Vanderlinden will share his thoughts on why he, a well known natural diamond dealer, decided to sell lab-grown diamonds as well as natural. In addition, the Q&A session will be extended to allow attendees to play a more interactive role in creating an in-depth discussion and understanding of the market and where it is headed.

SSEF introduces ASDI for testing of melee diamonds

The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has developed the Automated Diamond Spectral Inspection (ASDI) - a device which can analyse very large quantities of melee diamonds at low cost. The development of the instrument is all the more important following concerns expressed by members of the global diamond industry in the past year after undisclosed lab-grown diamonds were mixed in with parcels of natural diamonds.

The ASDI, which has a patent pending, analyses round polished diamonds ranging from 1.0 to 3.8 mm in diameter. The machine conclusively identifies colourless natural diamonds, and operates at an unrivalled average sorting speed of 4,000 stones per hour. The machine uncovers colourless synthetic diamonds, both HPHT and CVD grown, as well as colourless HPHT-treated diamonds.

"The threat of undisclosed synthetic diamonds possibly mixed into batches of melee diamonds is a very serious issue," said Jean-Pierre Chalain, director of SSEF's diamond department. "As part of SSEF's mission to protect the jewellery and watch-making industries, the release of ASDI brings a safe, reliable and very efficient industrial solution to the trade.. This machine can authenticate melee diamonds of low individual value using high-tech methods at a highly competitive price per stone."

Two major Swiss diamond suppliers and two prestigious Swiss jewellery and watch-making companies have already ordered the ASDI machine. And as of the end of last month, the SSEF had already tested 400,000 diamonds submitted for inspection by the Swiss diamond trade using the ASDI machine.

For mor info see:  http://www.ssef.ch/asdi