Design Art and Photography » Fashion http://sirint.com Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 06 Nov 2010 20:43:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Post switch makes for price reduction at The Touch

Post switch makes for price reduction at The Touch

February 06, 2009

New York--Jewelry designer Steven Edward The Touch is changing things up at the company's manufacturing facilities.

From now on, all sterling silver, vermeil and rhodium-plated earrings will feature hypo-allergenic surgical stainless steel posts instead of 14-karat yellow gold.

The change will lower prices for earrings by $4.00 a pair. For retailers who prefer their posts in yellow gold, the 14-karat option is still available, priced at an additional $4.00.

Steven Edward The Touch is well known for its nautical-themed offerings, including cable and braid jewelry, as well as "Sailor's Valentines"--a medallion-like design crafted into pendants, bracelets and rings.

The company creates its designs in a variety of metals, including 14-karat yellow and white gold, sterling silver and vermeil. Earrings in titanium and stainless steel were recently added to the mix.

For more about the company, or for a peek at the designs, visit Steven Edward The Touch's Web site, The-Touch.com.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/post-switch-makes-for-price-reduction-at-the-touch.htm 100-carat diamond gets its name
Named by its new owner for his wife of 16 years, "The Shizuka Diamond" is a 101.27-carat stone mounted into a tiara for its sale at Christie's in May 2008.

Hong Kong--The rare, 101.27-carat diamond sold at Christie's spring 2008 Hong Kong auction is now known as "The Shizuka Diamond," Christie's announced on Thursday.

The giant stone's owner selected the name as a gift for his wife of 16 years.

The Shizuka diamond netted $6.2 million at "Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale" in May 2008 and, according to the release from Christie's, is the largest colorless diamond ever sold at auction in Asia. At the time of its sale, it was also the largest colorless diamond sold at auction worldwide in nearly 20 years.

Mounted into a tiara for the auction, the F-color Shizuka was cut from a 460-carat piece of rough and is shield-shaped with 92 facets.

According to the release, "The sale of this important gem in Hong Kong, rather than in New York or Geneva, was a testament to the vibrant Asian market and the growing number of collectors in the region."

According to the release, Christie's 2008 jewelry sales totaled a record $383.5 million in 2008, up from $394.7 million in 2007.

This included the December 2008 London sale of the historic Wittelsbach diamond, which dates to the 17th century.

The cushion-shaped, deep grayish-blue, 35.56-carat diamond sold for $24.3 million, making it the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction.

Christie's auctions take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Geneva; Hong Kong; London; New York; Paris and Milan, Italy.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/100-carat-diamond-gets-its-name.htm Breuning expands silver offerings
These sterling silver rings are part of  Breuning's new "Silver and Diamonds III" collection.

New York--Jewelry manufacturer Breuning is expanding its sterling silver offerings with a new collection of friendship rings.

The line, dubbed "Silver and Diamonds III," features 12 matched pairs of rings either in silver only or silver paired with yellow or rose gold inlays. Half of the rings in the collection also feature diamond accents.

Breuning is offering retailers the line, plus a complimentary display to showcase it, for under $1,000. Delivery time on re-orders is two to three weeks.

The brand's silver offerings already include the "Silver and Diamonds Collections I and II," plus the "Branded Silver Collection."

Sterling silver was a hot topic over the holiday season and at the JA New York Winter Show, where a number of retailers interviewed by National Jeweler said they were seeking out silver designs so that they might offer a lower price point to customers.

Designers at the show in turn, appeared to have heard silver's call, with many introducing new silver collections or expanding their silver offerings.

For more information on Breuning's Silver and Diamonds III line, call (866) 872-2842.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/breuning-expands-silver-offerings.htm Catalog in Motion show set for Tucson
Rio Grande will hold one of its popular hands-on showcases for jewelry-makers in Tucson this year.

The Catalog in Motion show is set to take place from Feb. 6-9 at the Tucson East Hilton in Tucson, Ariz.

Hosted by Rio Grande, this hands-on tools, equipment and techniques showcase for jewelry-makers is being held during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Through a combination of product demonstrations, seminars, classes and face-to-face conversations, attendees will have an opportunity to get their questions answered as they see and try out the latest tools and techniques alongside industry experts.

This year, topics include new BRONZclay, Argentium Sterling, wax-carving, stone-setting, bench tips and engraving. In addition, the show will host free demonstrations of techniques such as glass-bead fabrication.

Participants can also register for affordable, limited-size classes to learn new hands-on techniques and increase their skills. Class topics include PMC and BRONZclay, bench skills, soldering, stone-setting, pearl stringing and more; class sizes are limited to ensure a personalized experience. PMC certification classes are also offered through Rio Rewards.

Admission to the show is free. Pre-registration is now open and on-site registration begins on Feb. 6 at 8:00 a.m.

For more information, call  (800) 545-6566 or visit CatalogInMotion.com.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/catalog-in-motion-show-set-for-tucson.htm Colored stones, hoops top picks at SAGs
Jane Krakowski wore dramatic drop-hoop style earrings from Bochic to the 2009 Screen Actors Guild Awards. The earrings are crafted in 22-karat yellow gold and feature ruby studs and rubies at the center. Photo: Courtesy of D'Orazio and Associates.

Los Angeles--It seems First Lady Michelle Obama has set a new style edict--one that's extending all the way to Hollywood--with a number of starlets following her inaugural lead and choosing one-shoulder gowns to wear to last night's Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.

To accentuate the look, actresses such as Teri Hatcher, Laura Linney and Evan Rachel Wood avoided adorning their necks and instead paired their asymmetrical gowns with drop earrings, rings or bracelets on one wrist.

Hatcher chose jewels from Neil Lane, including earrings with lapis, onyx and diamond, plus diamond and sapphire rings, and a huge diamond and rock crystal bracelet, all set in platinum. Wood went with Lane too, pairing a large lapis and gold bracelet with a platinum and diamond eagle pin featuring emerald and ruby accents. She topped it all off with a diamond, ruby and emerald ring.

Linney, meanwhile, winner of the SAG award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a miniseries or television movie, picked Cathy Waterman diamond bracelets, earrings and two diamond rings.

Another trend that made a mark on last night's red carpet was a proliferation of hoop earrings, which ranged from oversized and statement-making to small and simple.

Samantha Who?'s Christina Applegate went the statement-making route, pairing massive drop-style diamond hoops from Lorraine Schwartz with stacked diamond bangle bracelets and diamonds-by-the-yard necklaces. And actress Jane Krakowski also wore a drop-style hoop, pairing the 22-karat yellow gold and ruby earrings from Bochic with a matching bracelet.

On the other end of the spectrum, Angelina Jolie paired a relatively subdued gown with small hoops from Tiffany and Co., and 30 Rock's Tina Fey, one of the night's big winners, chose simple diamond-studded hoops from Judith Ripka.

Among the sea of diamonds, colored gemstones also held their own, from Lorraine Schwartz sapphires on Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross to Bochic aquamarine cabochon earrings on Lisa Rinna. Nominees Amy Adams and Taraji P. Henson each looked to H. Stern for their color fixes. Adams picked the brand's "Nature" diamond earrings with amethyst and rose quartz drops, while Haraji chose the "Sunrise" bracelet and earrings in varying shades of citrine, from golden yellow to dark amber.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/colored-stones-hoops-top-picks-at-sags.htm Jewelry designer Caroline Ballou closes up shop

Jewelry designer Caroline Ballou closes up shop

January 26, 2009
Difficult economic conditions have forced Attleborough Falls, Mass.-based designer Caroline Ballou to close up shop, the company announced late last week.

Attleborough Falls, Mass.--Jewelry designer and manufacturer Caroline Ballou LLC is the latest member of the jewelry industry to fall victim to the economic crisis.

In an e-mail distributed on Friday, the Attleborough Falls, Mass.-based company announced that it was going out of business and will be conducting a closing sale this week.

The sale is open to everyone through the close of business on Jan. 30. Credit card is the only accepted form of payment.

"We are sorry to say that the dramatic impact of the current economic crisis on our industry and the expectation that it will continue throughout 2009 has caused us to discontinue the Caroline Ballou business," the e-mail stated. "Thank you to our loyal customers: We appreciate the support you have given us through the years. We've enjoyed seeing you at the shows and felt particularly fortunate when we were able to visit your stores. We wish you the best of luck in 2009 and beyond."

The sale includes sterling silver and sterling silver/18-karat gold jewelry at 60 percent off and 20 percent off 18-karat gold jewelry.

There is no minimum purchase requirement even for first-time customers, but all sales are final.

Also, there is no stock balancing. Standard shipping and insurance charges apply.

Orders will be based on availability and there are no back orders or custom orders.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/jewelry-designer-caroline-ballou-closes-up-shop.htm Chad Allison design top pick in Couture challenge
The winning design from Chad Allison can be broken down into three separate pieces: a large circle pendant, a small circle pendant and earrings. Shown here is the "master pendant."

New York--Jewelry designer Chad Allison has been awarded the winner's cup--or mug in this case--in the first-ever Couture-NY Designer Challenge.

The brand was one of six Couture exhibitors at the JA New York Winter Show to take on the challenge of re-imagining the iconic New York Greek coffee cup as a piece of wearable art. The competition was intended to play off the idea of reducing, reusing and recycling, with designers using a portion or an entire coffee cup in their design.

The competing designs were showcased on the JA New York Web site, as well as on the show floor at JA New York. Online voters and attendees of the show chose Chad Allison's piece as the favorite, with a design by Heather Moore coming in as runner-up.

The winning design features a large "master pendant" crafted in 18-karat white gold and accented with colorless diamonds and blue sapphires, as well as a portion of the coffee cup featuring its iconic scroll motif in blue and white. The design can be converted and worn as three separate pieces: earrings, one large circle pendant and one small circle pendant.

Heather Moore's design is also quite inventive, composed of a bangle bracelet and a cuff bracelet that can be combined into a carrying device for the cup. The cuff bracelet is used to surround the cup, with the bangle forming a handle. The Heather Moore brand is well known for its signature charms, and to top off the piece, an "I Heart NY" charm swings from the cuff.

Additional designers in the competition included Gurhan, Monica Rich Kosann, Paola Ferro and Vibes.

Bailey Beeken, vice president of Nielsen Business Media's Jewelry Expositions Group, presented each of the participating companies with a ceramic mug version of the paper coffee cup, and Chad Allison was awarded a spa pass to the Wynn Las Vegas, among additional prizes.

The designs will be showcased at Couture 2009, taking place at the Wynn Las Vegas from May 28 through June 2.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/chad-allison-design-top-pick-in-couture-challenge.htm Simmons Jewelry Co. decks SpongeBob in diamonds
This $75,000 diamond pendant is the debut piece from a new SpongeBob SquarePants jewelry collection designed by Nickelodeon and the Simmons Jewelry Co.

New York--Nickelodeon's most rapt audience for its SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon might be the school-age set, but the show also counts die-hard fans well past elementary school, and the Simmons Jewelry Co. is betting on that with a new jewelry line.

In honor of SpongeBob SquarePants' 10th anniversary, the Simmons Jewelry Co., together with Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products, is creating a fine-jewelry and watch line inspired by the show.

The collection was kicked off with the creation of an exclusive pendant to be auctioned off for charity. The $75,000 pendant, crafted in 18-karat yellow and white gold, features 12 carats total weight of diamonds, including colorless diamonds and color-enhanced diamonds in SpongeBob's signature yellow, red and blue.

The piece will make its display debut in Park City, Utah, during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and will be auctioned off at a later date, with proceeds to benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

"We are always looking for innovative ideas to develop fine jewelry, and the Nickelodeon partnership to license SpongeBob is the perfect addition to the Simmons Jewelry Co. family," Simmons Jewelry Co. co-owner Russell Simmons said in a media release.

The collection will feature designs for both men and women and will be available at fine-jewelry and specialty retailers in fall 2009, with pieces retailing between $150 and $75,000.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/simmons-jewelry-co-decks-spongebob-in-diamonds.htm Timeless jewels light up Globes
Actresses Freida Pinto and Elizabeth Banks in two of the 2008 Golden Globes jewelry trends: drop earrings and statement necklaces.

Los Angeles--Classic jewelry looks and beautifully structured gowns brought a bit of old Hollywood glamour to the 2008 Golden Globe Awards, held on Sunday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Top jewelry trends of the evening included earrings in drop styles and studs, statement necklaces and bold bangles and cuffs, which provided just the right amount of sparkle against such red-carpet fashion statements as one-shoulder gowns, belted waists and mermaid shapes.

Noteworthy stylish celebs included Beyonce Knowles in diamond drop earrings and fringe necklace, Golden Globe nominee Christina Applegate in yellow-diamond drop earrings, flower necklace and rings, and Elizabeth Banks in cushion-cut diamond studs, necklace and flower rings, all by Lorraine Schwartz.

Golden Globe nominee Marisa Tomei capitalized on the statement-necklace trend, wearing Sevan's one-of-a-kind "Zeus" necklace in carved citrine and diamonds, along with several other platinum necklaces featuring darkened and pave diamond balls by Neil Lane.

Yellow gold and colored gemstones also made a strong showing at the Globes.

Drew Barrymore donned moonstone and opal pendant earrings by Lorraine Schwartz, Kate Beckinsale chose red spinel and diamond chandelier earrings, Sandra Bullock wore yellow gold and turquoise earrings by Amrapali and yellow gold and turquoise snake bracelets by Bochic, and Megan Fox wore yellow gold and emerald earrings, yellow gold and diamond bangles and beaded emerald bangles by Amrapali.

Freida Pinto of the night's big winner Slumdog Millionare chose vintage yellow gold and diamond earrings and lace cuff bracelets by Lorraine Schwartz.

Perhaps Eva Mendes made the greatest colored-stone statement in a show-stopping vintage turquoise and diamond necklace by Van Cleef and Arples that added color to her all-white Christian Dior gown.

Meanwhile, Tinseltown's leading men were not to be outdone. Blair Underwood sported diamond stud earrings by Neil Lane, diamond cuff links by Siera and a Le Vian diamond watch. Others followed suit, including Kanye West in a diamond stud and cuff link set, Jay-Z in platinum, diamond and onyx cuff links and tie pin, and the Jonas Brothers in platinum cuff links and lapel pins, all by Neil Lane.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/timeless-jewels-light-up-globes.htm Carelle crafts gem of a gift for Golden Globes

Carelle crafts gem of a gift for Golden Globes

January 09, 2009
Created by L'Oreal with help from colored-gemstone manufacturer Carelle, this compact will be one of the goodies gifted to actresses nominated for Golden Globes in the drama and comedy categories.

Hollywood, Calif.--When the Golden Globe Awards take place on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., the jewelry industry will be poised to see who wears whose jewelry on the red carpet.

But when the cameras are turned off, the stars will take off their mostly borrowed jewelry and go home with swag bags. And this year, one of the gifts that the Golden Globe nominees for best actress in a drama and best actress in a comedy will walk away with is a colored-gemstone compact created by L'Oreal and colored-gemstone manufacturer Carelle. The compact features lemon citrine and pale-green quartz stones set in 18-karat yellow gold with diamond details.

In addition to the nine compacts gifted to the likes of Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep (nominated as best actresses in a drama for their respective roles in Changeling and Doubt) one last compact will be auctioned off on eBay.com to benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation during the Golden Globes show.

Carelle and L'Oreal have also crafted other jeweled compacts for the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, Jan. 15-25, and the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 25.
]]> http://sirint.com/design/carelle-crafts-gem-of-a-gift-for-golden-globes.htm