Articles and News
BRAND NEWS: MAEVONA’S SPECIAL WHISKY BOTTLE; LKI CHAIR HONORED, OSCAR HEYMAN IN PRISM, MORE October 03, 2012 (0 comments)
MaeVona’s Maeve Gilles Designs Rare Ardbeg Whisky Bottle
Edinburgh, Scotland—St. Columba’s Hospice will auction off "AOIBHINN," an exquisite handcrafted silver bottle designed by MaeVona's Maeve Gillies, and containing a very rare single malt Scotch whisky. A rendering of the bottle is at left. The whisky it contains is a single bottling from a single cask, at natural cask strength, distilled at Ardbeg in 1974. It was hand-selected by Dr. Bill Lumsden of the Glenmorangie Co., and legendary whisky writer Charles MacLean.
AOIBHINN, pronounced “ee-vin” and meaning joyful in Scottish Gaelic, is the result of a unique collaboration between award-winning Scottish jewelry designer Gillies, New York, and the Ardbeg Distillery on the island of Islay in Scotland. This one-of-a-kind bottle has been created specifically for St Columba’s Hospice ‘Live Life Ball’ auction in October, to raise funds for an essential rebuilding of St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh.
The AOIBHINN bottle is created from hand-blown glass with genuine sterling silver that has been raised, chased, pierced, and engraved by expert craftsmen using ancient silversmithing techniques. The edging is traditional silver gilt and stone-set with hand-carved, polished beach pebbles collected from St Columba's Bay on the island of Iona. The single green teardrop-shaped stone on the front of the bottle, suspended by the blue enamel doves of the Hospice, will be cut from a rare green Iona 'marble'. The 70 cl bottle will be accompanied by a 5 cl miniature.
The Maeve Gillies-designed finished bottle contains a very rare Ardbeg single-malt Scotch whisky.
Gillies said, “I was honored to be asked to design this very important bottle. St Columba is one of Scotland’s most important saints, which truly befits a unique Celtic-inspired creation. The outstanding craftsmanship and materials, unique story and content of this bottle will ensure it becomes a highly-prized possession of one lucky bidder!”
The auction will take place at the St Columba’s Hospice ‘Live Life Ball’ at The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Saturday 6 October 2012. Sealed bids will be accepted in advance and anyone wishing to bid for this lot should contact Lesley Christie, the Fundraising Director at St Columba’s Hospice at (+44) 131 551 1381.
Oscar Heyman celebrated in Prism Magazine
New York, NY—Oscar Heyman was featured in the most recent edition of Prism, the American Gem Trade Association publication. The article discussed the firm’s 100th anniversary and its history of using rare and exotic colored gemstones in its designs.
Oscar Heyman Bros. is known for its use of rare colored gemstones.
Lazare Kaplan Chairman Tempelsman Honored
New York, NY—Maurice Tempelsman, below right, chairman of Lazare Kaplan International Inc. (LKI) last night received the Africa-America Institute (AAI) Distinguished Trustee Award for his decades of support to AAI and service as a former member and chair of the AAI Board of Trustees.
The AAI’s 28th Annual Awards Dinner was held last week at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. AAI is dedicated to advancing education and professional training for Africans, and promoting engagement between Africa and America through education, training and dialogue.
LKI has been a leading sponsor of the AAI as symbolized by five decades of Tempelsman’s service on AAI’s board, which has promoted and financed post-graduate education programs for more than 23,000 African students in the United States.
In addition, the only two female presidents in Africa were also honored. Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia accepted the AAI African National Achievement Award for Literacy to Support Life Skills; and Her Excellency President Joyce Banda of the Republic of Malawi received the AAI Award for Championing Women’s Rights and Business Leadership.
Jeff Koch Joins Ward Kelvin Fine Jewelry
New York, NY—Ward Kelvin Fine Jewelry announces the appointment of Jeff Koch as director of sales and marketing. He will lead the brand’s growth both nationally and overseas. Koch’s experience includes sales management positions with David Yurman, Judith Ripka and Swatch Group. He can be reached at Jeff@wardkelvin.com.
Vianna Brasil Opens North American Office
Boca Raton, FL—Vianna Brasil is pleased to announce the opening of its new North American headquarters. A fourth generation, vertically integrated manufacturer and design house that controls each piece from the mine to the finished creation, Vianna Brasil highlights the gems of Brazil in all its jewelry. The brand is now recognized in more than 30 countries.
Office hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. eastern time. For more information, call (888) 679-3088 or email infousa@viannabrasil.com.
Designer Shamila Jiwa Tapped by Stylesource Blog
Merrick, NY—Jewelry designer Shamila Jiwa recently was featured in a Skype interview with Matthew Buchanan, the Stylesource blogger. Watch here.