Articles and News
Brand News: New Looks From Suna Bros. and Rhyme & Reason; Carelle Names Scholarship Winner; More July 09, 2014 (0 comments)
New Earrings From Suna Cover Wide Spectrum of Color and Price
New York, NY—The latest introductions from Suna Bros. include a new collection of earrings in a wide range of price points, starting at $4,000. At left, platinum earrings with 1.31 ctw of emeralds and 2.25 ctw of diamonds; from $23,000. Here are some examples; all prices suggested retail at key:
Platinum flower earrings with diamonds, above right, are available from 2.60 to 3.50 ctw; from $14,000. Above left, 18k white gold earrings with 3.05 ctw of aquamarines and 0.45 ctw of diamonds; $7,500.
Left, 18k white gold starfish earrings have 0.50 ctw of diamonds. $4,000. Right, 20k pink gold earrings with 1.62 ctw of lilac sapphires and 0.63 ctw of diamonds. $8,000.
Carelle-WJA Grant Awarded
New York, NY--The Women's Jewelry Association has awarded its annual Carelle-WJA Grant to Kelly Jacobson of Small Metals Studio, Chicago.
The grant was established to honor Brooke Tivol McGrath, a Carelle employee who died suddenly at age 28 from a rare blood infection. McGrath, who came from a family retail jewelry business in Kansas City, MO, joined WJA upon moving to New York, as way to introduce Carelle to the industry. The company says she was an invaluable asset and a driving force in the launch of Carelle.
Kelly Jacobson won the WJA-Carelle Grant
The $5,000 merit-based grant is intended to aid in the establishment of a designer's business. Eligible candidates must be current members of the WJA, and in their first five years of business. Applicants are required to submit an essay explaining why they deserve the award, placing an emphasis on personal dedication, determination, and a positive attitude toward the industry.
Jacobson, this year’s winner, is focused on both custom work and creating her own jewelry line. She received a BFA in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University in 2001.“I fell completely in love with metalsmithing because of metal’s transformative potential,” she says.
After receiving an MFA in Sculpture from Alfred University in 2009, Jacobson was hired as an assistant buyer for a jewelry company. Within a year, a position was created for her to be the company’s first-ever custom designer. She taught herself CAD-CAM techniques, and, when not working on her new business, she runs the custom design department for four stores and is working to complete her Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Rhyme & Reason Debuts Three New Collections For Fall/Winter 2014-2015
New York, NY—Vahé Ghazarian, Esin Guler and Mihran Guler, the three design talents behind Rhyme & Reason, one of the Centurion Emerging Designer winners for 2014, announce the brand’s three new collections for fall/winter 2014-2015. The three groupings, “Swirls,” “Synergy” and “Imprint,” were launched at the Couture show in Las Vegas.
The curved lines of the “Swirls” collection takes inspiration from motifs found in rare antiquities, using open work as a main design feature in pendants, stud earrings, station necklaces, and bangle bracelets. Poetic bird and leaf motifs are standouts in earrings, pendants and various sizes of cuffs set in sterling silver with yellow sapphire accents. Opaque and faceted rubies with rose cut diamonds are used throughout the collection, which ranges in price from $1,000 to $5,500.
“Synergy” uses a trio of diamond shapes to form a playful geometric mix of 18k gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings with sterling silver, with retail prices starting at $595. The whimsical pattern, in both yellow and rose gold, creates a stackable assortment, including raindrop dangle earrings, hammered cuffs, long layered necklaces (28”, 36” and 40”) and mixed-shape link bracelets for everyday wear.
The “Imprint” collection features organic and fluid patterns inspired by nature, such as honeycombs and lily pads. The handcrafted shapes feature ornately custom-cut rubies, gemstones, and diamonds. The collection includes side-facing hoops, small station necklaces, cluster and stud earrings, larger bangles, and cocktail rings in 24k gold and oxidized sterling silver. Statement pieces include the large cuff ($5250) and collar necklace ($6,200), but stud earrings in this group start at $400.
Rhyme & Reason is represented by ViewPoint Sales and Marketing. Call (800) 237-9477 or (212) 696-1881.
Cuffs from Rhyme & Reason.
The Latest From Pinar Oner
Istanbul, Turkey—Turkish jewelry designer Pinar Oner started as a graphic designer with a BA from Bilkent University in Turkey, and further education in New York, at Parsons The New School of Design. But she was always fascinated by jewelry, making her own designs even as a teenager, so it wasn’t surprising that she soon turned her talents from graphics to luxury jewelry. Oner, who launched her namesake design atelier in 2010, is inspired by the history and heritage of the Anatolian region of Turkey. A 2013 Couture Design Award winner (second runner-up in the bridal category), her designs draw inspiration from the folklore and religious diversity of the area, as well as the many artifacts found there. Her luxury jewelry is fabricated in high-karat gold with rich gemstone and enamel accents. Recently, she opened her flagship boutique in the chic Nisantasi section of Istanbul, Turkey. Here are a few of her most recent designs:
Left, Euphoria earrings in 18k gold, diamonds, and enamel. Right, Mermaid ring from the Ionian collection in 18k yellow gold, London blue topaz, diamonds, and enamel, by Pinar Oner.
How To Prevent Armed Robbery--And Handle An Attack And Its Traumatic Aftermath
Neenah, WI--Four words a jeweler never wants to hear are, "On the floor ... now!"
Last week, Jewelers Mutual hosted free webinars for the jewelry industry titled "Robbery: Before, During and After," with recommendations on how to reduce the likelihood of being targeted, survive the threat if you are targeted, and recover from an attack. Access the webinar at JewelersMutual.com, along with a new robbery checklist for jewelers.
Even with the best preventative measures in place, preparing yourself and your staff mentally for an attack can mean me the difference between life and death. "The game changes the second someone comes into your store with a weapon," says JM loss prevention specialist Carrie Volp. "The most important thing you can do is stay calm and comply. The sooner you can give the robbers what they want and they leave, the better."
Jewelers Mutual recommends not activating a panic button or alarm until the robbers are gone. Doing so too early could lead to police arriving while the robbery is occurring, possibly precipitating a hostage situation.
Jewelers Mutual has developed a robbery checklist jewelers can refer to immediately following an attack, with tips like:
- Lock the doors immediately after the perpetrators leave
- Call 9-1-1 and tend to anyone who may be injured
- Try to keep all witnesses at the scene and collect contact information
- Ask your staff and witnesses to make notes about the robber and the incident as soon as possible
- Share these details with the police, and allow them to conduct a full investigation
- Contact your Jewelers Mutual agent or the company's 24/7 emergency line to report the loss
Once the immediate threat is past, the shock of a robbery can leave jewelers and employees feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Flashbacks are common, and talking about the experience and your feelings with a trusted support system of friends and family members can help you recover emotionally. Consider professional counseling if the stress or flashbacks interfere with your home life or work; Jewelers Mutual offers a free benefit that contributes to the costs of professional counseling services.
Bvlgari Launches Latest High Jewelry Collection On Instagram
Milan, Italy—The times they are a changin’. Bvlgari, the renowned Italian jewelry house, recently launched its latest collection of high jewelry not at an elegant store event for VIP customers to sip prosecco, but on Instagram.
According to Luxury Daily, the jeweler is working to remain relevant as it celebrates its 130th anniversary. “Using Instagram as a launch pad for its high-jewelry collection will help introduce Bulgari’s higher priced designs to a new audience that may be more tech-savvy than the jeweler’s core demographic,” says the article.