Articles and News
Product News From Uneek Fine Jewelry, Yael Designs, Oris, More November 11, 2015 (0 comments)
Uneek Expands Lace Collection Of Diamond Bands
Los Angeles, CA – One year after the initial launch of Uneek Fine Jewelry’s Lace Collection of diamond bands, the brand announces an expansion of the collection that marries the practicality of a wedding band with the sparkle of an engagement ring.
“We wanted to explore opportunities where we could step up our wedding band game,” said designer Benjamin Javaheri. “We had done classic, we had done eternity, so I figured it was time to introduce a line of alternative wedding bands for stylish brides or on-the-go brides don’t wear their engagement rings with their bands on a regular basis.”
That led to the Lace Collection: wide bands in white and rose gold with intricate openwork filigree inspired by actual lace patterns and, of course, Uneek’s signature scattered diamonds.
The collection proved highly successful in both Scottsdale and Las Vegas this year. Initially marketed as “alternative wedding bands,” Uneek is now also remarketing the pieces as anniversary and/or fashion bands. “Why would a woman wait for something like this to be given to her when she can very well get it for herself?” asks Javaheri, noting that some women jewelers at the shows bought pieces from the collection for personal use.
To mark the Lace Collection’s first anniversary, Uneek has added six new styles, including bands with flowing scrolls, graceful floral motifs, and scalloped edges inspired by Valenciennes de Ghent and the Point de Venise laces, among others. There also are styles that are simpler and less ornate than the regular Lace bands—but regardless of design, all pieces have at least one carat of total diamond weight and are affordably priced.
See the collection here or for more information call (888) BE-UNEEK.
Left, the Uneek "Branscombe" open lace diamond band in 14k white gold; right, the "Coralline" style in 14k rose gold was taken by Pacific Diamond of Hawaii for their Instagram page. Top of page: the "Valenciennes de Ghent" band in 14k rose gold.
Yael Designs Pioneers New Gem-Setting Technique
San Francisco, CA—Award-winning fine jewelry house Yael Designs has pioneered a new technology that allows a gemstone to be set inside another gemstone.
Yael Designs premiered the technique in a one-of-a-kind $119,000 “Sentience” bangle that features a seven-carat deep blue tanzanite set inside a 26-carat aquamarine. This is the first time a gemstone has ever been set inside another gemstone in a way where the two appear entirely seamless and translucent. The Sentience bangle represents a bold innovation in an art form that is centuries old.
As the first piece in a collection that will launch in 2016, the bangle was designed by Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs founder, and crafted with the help of legendary gem cutter Glenn Lehrer. Together, they used a gem cut that allows a hole to be carved in the middle of a gemstone, a technique known as the TorusRing Cut, also developed earlier by Lehrer. With Saketkhou’s vision, they took the technique to the next level by combining two gemstones in a way where the way they are held together is invisible.
The steps that show how two stones become one.
“When Yehouda approached me with his audacious vision of an invisibly set stone-within-stone piece, I was intrigued by the challenge,” said Lehrer. “It was like jumping from a Prius into a Ferrari. Yehouda’s vision stretched me to think outside the box of what was possible.”
Even though the stones are held together by tiny platinum wires, the unique cut creates a mirror effect, making the setting completely invisible. In the Sentience bangle, the cut allows the deep blue color of the pear-shaped tanzanite to shine through the cushion cut aquamarine. The bangle is set in 18k white gold with diamonds and moonstones.
Said Saketkhou, “Our city prides itself on innovation and I’m extremely excited to bring something novel to the jewelry industry that is steeped in centuries of tradition.”
Oris Launches Force Recon Watch
San Francisco, CA—Oris officially launched the Force Recon GMT in the United States with an event October 25 at the Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel.
Force Recon is a highly trained Special Operations Capable unit, similar to the US Navy SEALs or Army Special Forces, that conducts raids in the sea and on land across the range of military operations to include crisis response, expeditionary operations and major combat operations. Reconnaissance Marines have earned their proud reputation and legacy through great personal courage and sacrifice, and were the inspiration for the Oris Force Recon GMT, a watch meant to withstand even the toughest conditions this unit might encounter.
The intimate launch event, hosted in conjunction with Menlo Park, CA based jeweler Ceci Wong, who was instrumental in this project, was attended by current and former unit members. In addition to showcasing the Force Recon GMT, the evening included a special presentation of a $5000 donation and four Force Recon GMT watches (a $16,800 value) to the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation to use in their fundraising.
"We are very proud of this project and are extremely grateful to the Force Recon marines who assisted in bringing this from concept to reality. Our approach to the development was consistent with our brand philosophy of ‘real watches for real people’ in that the actual Force Reconnaissance Marines helped develop and test the watch that bears their name.
“We also wanted to say thank you to them by giving back to the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation, the organization which helps Force Recon marines and their families deal with the everyday struggles that accompany their service to our nation," said Oris North American CEO V.J. Geronimo.
The watch is designed to meet the unit's demanding equipment standards and features several functions that serve practical purposes in the field, such as the Oris GMT movement, giving it a second time zone, indicated via a central hand and a 24-hour scale around the dial. It also has a small seconds display at 9 o'clock, designed to show the watch is working in low-light conditions. The 49mm case is made of titanium and treated with a tough black DLC coating, while the unidirectional rotating bezel inlay is made of scratch-resistant matte black ceramic. The watch comes on a black rubber strap, with a black NATO fabric strap option included. The rubber strap features Oris's pioneering quick-adjustment sliding sledge folding clasp, which can be adjusted while the watch is being worn. A cover mask with a retractable top section wraps around the watch for protection.
Mark Schneider Design Launches Ethereal Bridal Collection
Long Beach, CA—Mark Schneider Design announces the debut of The Ethereal Collection, a suite of six diamond engagement rings featuring the award-winning designer’s commitment to bold, innovative design.
“The dictionary defines ethereal as almost too perfect for this world,” Schneider said. “It really speaks to the experience of finding that special someone – the person who completes you – and knowing that your forever starts together.”
The Ethereal Collection (below) is a natural progression of growth for the Mark Schneider Design brand. Each ring features Schneider’s iconic Secret Heart, a hidden golden heart set with a laser engraved diamond that reads, “Love You Forever.” It is being supported with an extensive social media campaign. Semi-mount prices for the group range from $1,000 – $3,100. For information, email Kathleen Soriano, kathleen@markschneiderdesign.com.
