Articles and News
INDUSTRY NEWS: NEW BLUE DIAMOND RESEARCH, CENTURION EXHIBITORS WIN MJSA AWARDS, MORE February 16, 2012 (0 comments)
GIA Offers New Blue Diamond Treatment Research
Carlsbad, CA—The latest issue of G&G’s eBrief contains new research about irradiated intense-blue Type IIb diamonds, a rare emerald formation, and an update on the diamond market, including the upcoming DTC sight and a return to mining in Ghana. Separately, G&G announces it will be unveiling an iPad app in April. To subscribe to the newsletter or print edition, click here.
Centurion Exhibitors Among MJSA Vision Award Winners and Judges
ATTLEBORO FALLS, MA—Edward Mirell was one of the winners of the 2012 MJSA Vision Awards design contest, and Todd Reed was one of the judges.
The MJSA Vision Awards honor both design prowess and technical skill, and recognize outstanding talent in the field of jewelry design. The awards this year include Design Excellence and Visionary Technical Solution, in addition to a variety of Distinction categories, including Gold, Laser, Palladium, Platinum, and Custom Design, the latter to honor the growing number of jewelers who are designing their own jewelry for clients. Finally, a "Future of the Industry" award recognizes the designs of students enrolled in jewelry making and design programs. Winners will be feted next month during MJSA’s Expo New York trade show from March 11-13 at the Hilton New York.
The winners are:
Design excellence, first place: Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry in Laguna Beach, CA, for his Moonlight and Caviar ring. Second place: Gregoré Morin of Gregoré Joailliers in Santa Barbara, CA, for his Bamboo earrings.
Visionary technical solution, first place: Edward Mirell of Edward Mirell in Deerfield Beach, FL, for his Safari Gold and Black Ti Ring with black titanium and 14k gold, featuring the co-casting of contemporary and precious metals using new technology. Second place: Julie Buckareff of JJ Buckar in Toronto, Canada, for her blue zircon and diamond Rope ring, designed around a concept of "celestial diamond rope." The challenge of this design was to keep the round wire or "rope" effect throughout and a seamless connection of all parts with no visible polished metal showing when the ring is worn. This ring also won second place in the laser distinction category due to the complex laser welding of six separately cast pieces in platinum, accomplished at various points in the diamond setting process.
Gold distinction, first place: Julie Lynn Romanenko of Just Jules LLC in Scottsdale, AZ, for her cuff in 14k gold, cast and hand fabricated with a 1.66 carat diamond slice. Second place: Liaung Chung Yen of Henrietta, NY, for The Garden brooch/pendant in 18k gold, brown and white diamonds, pearls, and steel.
Laser distinction, first place: Julie Buckareff for Rock Crystal Quartz Flower brooch with rock crystal quartz, white diamonds, natural color pink diamonds, Peruvian opal, 18k rose gold, and palladium. Second place: Buckareff's Blue Zircon Diamond Rope ring.
Palladium distinction, first place: Brian Sholdt of Sholdt in Seattle, WA, for an engagement ring featuring the artist's Fern finish. Second place: Susan Drake of Spectrum Art & Jewelry in Wilmington, NC, for her Green Flash ring with tourmaline, spinel, and diamonds.
Platinum distinction, first place: Brian Sholdt for another ring with a Fern finish. Second place: Mark Schneider of Mark Schneider Designs in Long Beach, CA, for his Manta Ray brooch, featuring black onyx, emerald cabochons, fancy yellow and white diamonds.
Custom design distinction, first place: Mark Schneider for his Black and White Ring in 14k white gold using black and white acrylic, a magnet, and black and white diamonds. Second place: Cynthia Renee of Cynthia Renee Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, for her Fireball Ring featuring a vivid 22.44-ct. spessartite garnet that she designed for a California family who survived a devastating wildfire that threatened to engulf their home before they were all evacuated. The home survived and the ring celebrates a phoenix rising from the ashes to commemorate the family's experience.
Future of the industry student awards will go to Ariel Alexandrou of University of Kansas, for her Pods ring, first place; Youngjoo Yoo of University of Iowa, for her Laurel brooch and Bongsang Cho of Savannah College of Art & Design, for her Stellar Brooch #9, tied for second.
Judges of this year's competition were Michael Coan, Fashion Institute of Technology; Cindy Edelstein, Jewelers Resource Bureau; Sarah Graham, Sarah Graham Metalsmithing; Todd Reed, Todd Reed Inc.; Marlene Richey, Consultant; and Tina Snyder, MJSA.
Five Industry Groups Receive Funding
Norwalk, CT--Five industry associations are recipients of the 2012 JCK Industry Fund: the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA), American Gem Society (AGS), Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Jewelers of America (JA).
DDI will use the funds to concentrate on the critical political, social, and economic challenges facing the artisanal diamond mining sector. DDI’s projects, communications, and outreach efforts work to enhance the beneficial impact of artisanal diamond mining on all of the key stakeholders.
JSA will use the funds to broaden its crime prevention efforts to include greater cooperation with countries in western Europe. Crime against jewelers is a global problem, says JSA president John Kennedy, citing the example of how, shortly after the 2011 murder of a jeweler in Westport, CT, the suspect flew to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was arrested last month in Barcelona, Spain. Some of the diamonds he stole have already turned up in Antwerp, Belgium.
AGS will use the funds to maintain a high caliber of educational programs at its annual Conclave, says Ruth Batson, CEO and executive director.
JVC will use funds to provide legal compliance education and guidance to all segments of the industry through free seminars, products, and services that assist with the regulations that govern day-to-day business practices. JVC also will serve as liaison to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) as it begins a comprehensive review of the Jewelry Industry Guides.
JA and its six state association grant proposal partners will use the funds to broaden the political voice of the jewelry industry, says Matthew A. Runci, JA president and CEO.
Grant applications for the JCK Industry Fund are reviewed based on the following criteria: improving the image of the jewelry industry to consumers; addressing problems and challenges facing the industry; and assisting organizations and associations in developing training materials for their members or the industry at large. Since its inception in 1998, the JCK Industry Fund has supported critical needs, educational programming and advocacy programs benefitting tens of thousands of industry professionals.