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Pearl necklace by Yvel
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As a trend, personalization continues to gain momentum.
Catering to that desire to make jewelry more meaningful, designer Regina
Chapman introduces the Affordable Luxury Collection for Grey Lee Designs. The
brand — which features initial monograms — focuses on personalization, allowing
customers to express their personalities through the jewelry they wear. The
pieces are handmade and inspired by different moods and personas — and named to
reflect those themes, from Celebrity to Dreamer and Socialite to Tycoon.
For the second year in a row, Yvel has won the Centurion
Design Award for the Pearl Category. The design is comprised of a 26-year-old
Australian South Sea baroque pearl with a black and white diamond cap suspended
from a black diamond lariat chain. Show attendees at the Centurion Jewelry Show
in Scottsdale, Arizona, vote to determine the winner of the Centurion Design
Award.
Also announced during the Centurion show were the Centurion
Emerging Designer Awards. The six winners, listed below, come from a variety of
backgrounds, each with a unique design aesthetic.
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Ring by Regina Chapman
for Grey Lee Designs |
Jamie Cassavoy de Gonzalez, Cassavoy & Co., Decatur,
Georgia, interprets classic botanical motifs into modern sterling silver or
18-karat gold jewelry. Her pieces use line, texture and color to create modern,
sophisticated pieces.
Shamila Jiwa is based in Seattle, Washington. Calling
herself a gem sleuth, she designs limited-edition and custom jewelry that
feature cut-to-fit gems in special settings. She creates pieces that reflect
her extensive world travels and her Indian ethnic heritage.
Ward Kelvin is inspired by modern Chinoiserie. Formerly a
toy designer, Kelvin attended Pratt Institute in New York City, designed
jewelry for Tiffany & Co. and consulted for Ralph Lauren and David Yurman
prior to launching his firm, WKI Fine Jewelry in New York City.
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Earrings by Robert Namdar
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Laavanya Jewels by New York design team Ruchi Kotahwala and
Ami Jhaveri uses organic stones to create luxury jewelry. Kotahwala grew up in
India, where she developed an interest in fashion design. She later took
classes in jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA),
Carlsbad campus. Jhaveri comes from a jewelry family and was interested in
jewelry from an early age.
Lydia Lerner, Danville, California, is inspired by the
curves found in nature, and the colors of the rain forests around the world.
While working as an employee benefits consultant, Lerner explored her creative
side by designing jewelry. On a trip to Bali, she connected with artisans who
bring her designs to life in sterling silver with or without gemstones.
Robert Namdar of RevaBella in New York City focuses on
sterling silver, using his “stardust” silver crafting method that employs laser
technology. The result is a diamond look that combines diamonds and gemstones
to create affordable pieces with classic elegance and contemporary design.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - March 2012. To subscribe click here.