The JA New
York Summer
Show continued its
tradition of supporting designers in the jewelry industry through its Mort
Abelson New Designer of the Year
award. This year, the award went to designer Robert Grey Kaylor, who has been creating jewelry since
1973, but was showing for the first time at JA. The award was presented during
a tribute ceremony for Mort Abelson, who passed away earlier this year. Abelson
is credited with bringing artisan designers into the industry and launching the
careers of many of today’s biggest names, including David
Yurman and Susan
Michel. The JA New York Summer Show also held a competition for Best Booth. Gabrielle
& Sons took top
honors, winning a free booth at the JA Special Delivery New York show in October. Booths were judged on
the overall look and feel, as well as the experience for clients visiting the
booth.
Sentiment is an
important element of jewelry’s appeal. In response to that desire, retailer Mary Beth
Morgan Conwell of Ray
Jewelers in Elmira, New York, created Petals of Honor. These silver or 14-karat gold
petal-shaped charms with diamond dewdrops hold messages of love for mothers, friends, sisters and family. Two
special petals remind a woman that she is beautiful and to love. Petals can be
worn individually or together. The petals are all made in the U.S. and a
portion of the proceeds is donated to charities.
Jason Alexander
has introduced children’s pieces into its collection. Inspired by her childhood
memories of playing dress-up with her mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry,
designer Theresa Bruno has
created child-friendly bracelets that can be custom made to fit infants or
toddlers. The new piece is a leather bracelet with a lobster claw clasp and a
diamond pavé center bead with diamond rondelles. There is also a gold wire
bangle with a yellow sapphire pavé center bead.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has added the Palladium
Prestige Awards to its Spectrum
Awards
competition. The new awards will recognize excellence in jewelry design
highlighting palladium. To be eligible for the award, the piece must be
comprised of at least 90 percent palladium of 950 quality or better. Entries
will be judged in existing categories and then a Best Use of Palladium and Color award
will be decided.
Rio Tinto launched a global design competition calling for entries from the U.S.,
Canada,
Hong Kong, China, India and Australia. The
com-petition has four categories: Champagne
Diamonds, Silvermist Diamonds, Canadian Diamonds and Sustainable Jewelry. There are two levels of entry — Rising Star and Master Craftsman. Entries must be
submitted by October 26 and judging will take place in New York on November 2.
Eight winning designs will be
chosen by a panel of jewelry designers, fashion experts and celebrity stylists. Winning pieces will be showcased
at the 2012 Oscars.
For entry information, contact Kristen@goldsteincom.com.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - September 2011. To subscribe click here.