RAPAPORT... Congratulations to Jennifer Lam, the winner of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) London’s first H. Goldie Jewelry Design Competition and a GIA London graduate gemologist. The competition, sponsored by London-based H. Goldie & Co. and Goldie International Limited is open to all students enrolled in GIA London’s Jewelry Design classes. Entrants draft a design for a set of diamond jewelry — pendant and earrings or cufflinks and tie tack — in yellow or white gold. The entries are evaluated by three judges on quality of painting, technique and design idea, as well as overall presentation. Entrants were required to include mission statements explaining how they plan to use their design skills in the future. Lam’s “Oceanic” pendant and earring set was inspired by the sea. Waves are created from 18-karat yellow gold, surrounded by a hollow circular frame of 18-karat white gold, with melee diamonds used to form a “splash effect.” The competition will take place two to three times a year.
The sea was also the inspiration for the new “Sirens” collection from Links of London. Living by the seashore and being close to nature were the impetus for Annoushka Ducas, founder and creative director of Links of London, to develop Sirens. The collection is handcrafted in 18-karat yellow gold and sterling silver embellished with gemstones in ocean colors. She combines brown diamonds, faceted rock crystal and chalcedony to represent the sun’s light reflecting on the water.
Happy thirtieth anniversary to the New Designer Gallery at the JA New York Show, an arena that launched the careers of many of today’s best-known jewelry designers and that celebrated its 30-year milestone at the 2007 Summer Show. Renowned as “The Birthplace of the American Designer Jewelry Movement,” due to its status as the first event to showcase the work of artisan designers, it was launched in 1977 by JA’s Mort Abelson, who wanted to add more excitement and innovation to the shows. The movement has since blossomed into a sought-after, trendsetting segment of the industry. In celebration, a tribute was held for the designers on the show floor. A silent auction, which raised $12,000 for the Mort Abelson Scholarship to the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, was held featuring the work of numerous designers. New Designer of the Year winner Joseph Murray was also lauded at the event.
Public relations and product placement firm Lüp has relaunched LupRocks.com. The website is a comprehensive database of fine jewelry and accessories designers that press and costume designers can access to connect with designers. The site helps to streamline the process of searching for product. Each category — such as fine jewelry — will have subcategories — such as gold and diamond jewelry — in order to expedite the search. When a user clicks on a designer, she will link to that firm’s webpage and an option to contact the company through LupRocks.com.There are three levels of membership for designers, as well as a free listing option.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - September 2007. To subscribe click here.