Italian designers are some of the global leaders in gold jewelry design, and based on the jewelry on display at the
Vicenza Fair, the
World Gold Council (WGC) offers its predictions for the six top trends in gold jewelry for 2011. The first prediction,
Gold — the New Jewel, is that gold will be used like a gem: Pieces comprised of wood, ceramic or silver will use gold to add status to the piece. The second trend noted by the WGC is
Precious & Delicate: slim chains, tiny charms and accents of gold detailing. Third up is
Openwork & Weaving: delicate, spidery, skeletal structures intricately woven through designs. The fourth trend observed by the WGC is
Texture & Color: hammered, diamond-cut and silk finishes and combinations of yellow, rose and white gold. Number five on the WGC trend list is
Shapes of the Season: hearts, pebbles, stars, seashells and flowers were directional, while coils were a recurring theme. The WGC’s last trend for 2011 is
Personal Expression: reversible designs, chains that can be adjusted for length.
Windsor Group has acquired the Marina B brand created by Marina Bulgari, of the legendary Bulgari family. The brand was at its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, appealing to Europe’s jetsetters with its bold shapes, sumptuous gems and sparkling diamonds. The New York–based Windsor Group, which specializes in estate jewelry, will relaunch the collection based on archival pieces from Marina B, as well as original sketches by the designer. The pieces will be crafted by many of the original artisans who were trained by Marina B and will be manufactured according to the brand’s original standards. Marina Bulgari currently lives in Monte Carlo. She designed jewelry for Bulgari until the mid-1970s when her father died, at which time she started her own brand.
Congratulations to the six winners of the Centurion Emerging Designer Competition. The winning pieces were selected for uniqueness and salability through a popular vote of prestige retail jewelers. Introduced at the recent Centurion show, the winners are William Belack, Belack Jewelry Design, U.S.; Pamela Harari, Pamela Harari Jewelry Design, Israel; Amitai Kav, Amitai Kav, Israel; Valerie Ostenak, VOSTENAKstudios, U.S.; JJ Williams, JJ Number 8, U.S.; Nuttapon (Kenny) Yongkiettakul, Thailand.
Verdura recently launched a website, verdura.com, showcasing the storied firm’s jewelry archives while offering customers a chance to shop for jewels in the most modern way. The site was designed by website developer dotbox. Inspired by 1960s Pop Art, the site blends Verdura’s bold jewelry with oversized type to integrate the name and design. The site features a collection of engagement rings and also celebrates the history of the company by offering vintage one-of-a-kind pieces.
Design firm and retailer Kwiat Diamonds has teamed with charity: water, a nonprofit organization that brings clean drinking water to developing nations worldwide by digging wells. Kwiat and charity: water have launched a braided leather bracelet designed by Kwiat’s Janice DeBell, showcasing a silver water drop glistening with a diamond. One hundred percent of the profits from the $100 retail bracelet will go to the charity: water organization. Charity: water has funded water projects in 17 countries around the world serving more than 1.4 million people.
Pictured from top*: Necklace by Il Giglio shown at the Vicenza Fair ; Marina B earrings; Kwiat water drop bracelet for charity
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - March 2011. To subscribe click here.