Designer Lines

Royal Asscher created an exclusive collection for the MTV Re:Define auction benefiting the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, a charitable, grant-giving organization that supports youth-led initiatives committed to stopping the spread of HIV in local communities. Diamantaire Lita Asscher teamed up with art specialist Anna-Sophia van Zweden to create a limited-edition collection of jewelry for the foundation. The inspiration for the pieces came from famous works of art by such well-known artists as Claude Monet, Mark Rothko and Damien Hirst and from the patented jewelry innovation Stars of Africa. The jewelry is comprised of diamonds, sapphires and rubies enrobed in a fluid-filled dome that allows the jewels to float like snowflakes in a snow globe. The event raised $1 million for MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation.


Swedish jewelry designer Efva Attling and Yoko Ono have collaborated on a project to benefit Doctors Without Borders, an organization that provides medical care to victims of armed conflict, brings relief in the aftermath of natural or man-made disasters and fights deadly epidemics in nearly 70 countries globally. To raise funds for the group, 30 percent of all proceeds from Attling’s silver “Imagine” collection will be donated to the cause. Each piece says “peace” and flips to say “imagine” on the other side.The jewelry is available in Attling’s stores, The Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm and on efvaattling.com. A special Imagine necklace in white gold and diamonds was designed to be auctioned at a silent auction in stores and online to raise more funds. There is a $10 charge for all auction entries, with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. The auction runs through December 10.

Jewelry often has a special story to tell and designer Michele Gramesty looks to the heavens for her Angels & Emeralds collection. The line was created to build a spiritual connection with the angelic realm through the power of intention, empowering those who wear the jewelry to attract all of the good of the universe. The designer was inspired to create the collection based on her own connection to the world of angels. An angel wing is the signature motif of the line and each piece has a wing as part of the design. The Baroque-style jewelry is handcrafted in sterling silver and features amethyst, moonstone, rose quartz, pink tourmaline, amazonite and black onyx. Each piece is also engraved with a mantra to inspire the wearer.

The tenth annual City of Hope, Taste of Hope benefit awarded jewelry designer Katey Brunini the Ambassador of Hope Award for 2012 for her compassion and commitment to people fighting life-threatening diseases. The event, held at the Rancho Valencia Resort in Del Mar, California, was hosted by the Women’s Council of San Diego. Taste of Hope is a culinary and wine event that supports City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading research, treatment and education centers for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Article from the Rapaport Magazine - November 2012. To subscribe click here.