Archive for March, 2009
ISTANBUL -The Mahreç Art House offers a unique experience for jewelry lovers and displays a vast collection of Hraç Aslanyan’s handmade nouveau jewels while offering an extensive education for aspiring jewelers
Shopping for jewelry can be a laborious and mind-boggling experience, especially somewhere with as much rich variety as Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Even after visiting shop after shop, you will often find a better version of the precious item you have just purchased elsewhere, for a cheaper price. But for a completely different experience, one only has to exit the bazaar and wander across the city’s ancient streets to Ca?alo?lu and the Mahreç Art House.
This quaint workshop/showroom above an old carpet shop not only boasts an exhibition of jeweler Hraç Aslanyan’s unique, handmade art nouveau designs, but offers a creative workspace where Aslanyan both crafts his own jewels and teaches his art to many aspiring jewelers in the industry.
A humble yet masterful jeweler who has been practicing his craft since 1975, Aslanyan has recently focused on educating people in his art. While he still invests much time in creating new jewelry in his own private headquarters, the core emphasis of his showroom is the workshop space for his pupils. Hanging above the students’ workbenches is a sign that reads, “Everything starts at one point and continues with a line, but it is education that is the start for shaping the creative hand that guides this line.”
Aslanyan believes there is much creative talent and potential in the Turkish jewelry industry, but one thing lacking is education, which keeps aspiring jewelers from using their talents to their full capacity. He said education is key in handcrafting jewelry because of the attention that needs to be paid to the intricate details that make up each unique item. “Over 90 percent of jewelry today is made in factories and produced en masse, and therefore unique, quality items are becoming increasingly difficult to find,” Aslanyan told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
Workshops at the Mahreç Art House fall under three categories. The first is jewelry production, which involves 256 hours of workshop time; the second is shop-window jewelry, directed at the Grand Bazaar shops and covered over 104 hours; and the third is jewelry design, for 176 hours. Upon completion of the course, pupils are awarded a certificate from the National Ministry of Education.
In addition to the formal curriculum he provides, Aslanyan invites consumers into his showroom to teach them about buying jewelry. “Buying jewelry is a skill in itself,” he said, adding that many consumers these days do not know what they are buying. Therefore, it is important for them to have an understanding of the basic technical details of jewelry so they can assert an informed knowledge when buying an item.
When someone comes into his showroom, Aslanyan said he does not see this person merely as a potential buyer, but also as a friend who he can educate and discuss his art with.
It is impossible to put the Mahreç Art House in one specific category, as its art caters to every creative soul. Whether one wants to just sit in the showroom, admiring the vast range of artifacts over a cup of tea, or to participate in a vigorous workshop, the art house is open to all. More information about Aslanyan’s designs and courses is available at http://www.mahrecsanatevi.com/.
Source: www.hurriyet.com.tr/english
March 31st, 2009
If you are proud of your cultural heritage, family history, or religion, then show it. Whether it’s a simple cross, Star of David, your grandmother’s locket, or other special piece of jewelry, it will symbolize what’s important to you and help make a wedding uniquely your own.
Jewel size and shape
The shape and size of stones can drastically change the look of a piece. Large, faceted stones create a formal look when set in silver or gold. If you are going for a sparkly, fairy tale consider smaller stones, which reflect more light. For a traditional look, you can rarely go wrong with white, ivory, or pastel pearls.
Color
Color scheme is another consideration. Pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystal, and cubic zirconia (CZ) are all available in a variety of colors.
* Most of us are aware of white, ivory, and pale pink pearls. Did you know you can also find pearls in lavender, coffee, black, gray, apricot, and other colors? Prices range from very inexpensive to exorbitant, depending on type, grade, and other factors.
* An elegant, formal wedding calls for diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires or other precious stones.
* Semi-precious stones are also appropriate. Peridot, turquoise, moonstone, topaz, aquamarine, opal, azurite, agate, amethyst, bloodstone, coral, jade, garnet, and others are options.
* Swarovski crystals are another alternative to precious stones. The faceted crystals are available in 80+ colors. Swarovski also makes round pearls in several hues.
* CZ can add sparkle to a wedding and are very economical for those on a less generous budget. If you haven’t considered cubic zirconia, look at some pieces. You may be pleasantly surprised. Quality has improved in recent years, and you can find most any color online.
You can also show off your personality by mixing colors. Pearls combined with other jewelry are gaining popularity. Try twisting a gold or silver chain with a pearl strand. Or, create a pennant for your pearls a cameo, pin, or even a clip-on earring. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Metals
Platinum, white gold, silver, and yellow gold are all options. Platinum and white gold are nice, but if they are beyond your budget, silver is a wonderful alternative. Similarly, 10 karat or gold-plated jewelry looks very nice on a less-than-14-karat budget.
With so many options to choose from, you are sure to find exactly the right combination to make your dream wedding even dreamier!
Source: www.msokorea.com
March 30th, 2009
Released Mon. Mar 30, 2009 by DLM Black Hills Gold
Black Hills Gold is thrilled to announce their new website. They are featuring all of their handcrafted products in one place for easy access from your home. You can purchase great quality jewelry and have it mailed directly to you without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
East Wenatchee, Washington,(IPRWIRE) March 30th, 2009 – DLM Black Hills Gold is very excited to present their updated website. They are exclusively featuring Landstrom’s jewelry. All of these products are handcrafted by skilled artisans. The techniques they use today to create the jewelry have been passed down for over 100 years from the original-founding artisans. These processes make every piece unique and no two pieces will ever be the same.
You will shop from your home and the products will be mailed directly to you. You will be receiving some of the finest, most sought after jewelry without every leaving the comfort of your home. Black Hills Gold also offers rings in all sizes. You will be able to order a ring in any size. This will allow you to wear the ring as soon as you receive it. You will not have to wait for it to be resized.
Their products are crafted from authentic Black Hills Gold that is only found in South Dakota, US. When you purchase one of their products you receive a guarantee that covers any flaws from the craftsmanship. Your piece of jewelry will be cherished for years and years to come.
To learn more, visit http://www.dlmblackhillsjewelry.com
About DLM Black Hills Jewelry:
This online business was established in 2006. It was their goal to offer these quality products at a reduced rate. They are able to do this because of savings made with the direct mailing from their facility. The only products provided are the Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold jewelry.
Contact Info:
Name: Donna Merritt
Address: 142 29th Street
City: East Wenatchee
State: Washington
Country: United States
Zip: 98802-9502
Web Address: http://www.dlmblackhillsgold.com
Business Blog: http://iblogit.com/dlmblackhillsjewelry
Phone: 509-674-8083
Source: http://fashion.iprwire.com
March 30th, 2009
Cheré Coen
Erica Courtney doesn’t design jewelry. She creates works of art.
The Lafayette native who now designs necklaces, rings and earrings for the stars in Los Angeles, hand picks her gemstones, some one-of-a-kind, and creates unique jewelry that can also qualify as collector items.
“I feel like I design conversational jewelry,” Courtney said by phone from L.A.
Her signature pieces, carried locally at Kiki’s in River Ranch, feature countless diamonds, rare Tahitian pearls and gemstones set in 18k gold and platinum custom settings. She can set up to 300 diamonds in one ring, she said, that should be admired from all angles.
Even though some of her pieces are repeated, different stones are used, making her line unique.
“We never mass produce,” Courtney said. “We look at every single stone.”
Which is why some of her clients include Christina Aguilera, Drew Barrymore, Meg Ryan, Johnny Depp, Whoopie Goldberg, Jennifer Aniston, Evangeline Lilly, Kate Hudson, Madonna, Queen Latifah and Reese Witherspoon, among many other stars.
It started with sunglasses
Courtney wasn’t planning a career in jewelry design. She came from an oilfield family and worked as a land man for a time. “And that was the day when it wasn’t that friendly for us girls,” she added.
When she was living in Dallas in the 1980s, Courtney used Swarovski crystals from a broken necklace to adorn a pair of sunglasses. Wearing them out, friends remarked on the glasses and asked for a pair. Courtney’s mother insisted she market them.
“I said, ‘I am not a designer,’” Courtney explained with a laugh. Even when she approached the Dallas Market to sell them, she told the owner, “I am not a designer.”
Her glasses sold well, and she began working with Fossil watches, crystal earrings and bustier, among other mediums.
“Basically, I taught myself,” she said.
Courtney moved to Los Angeles and started working with silver, playing around with love notes as jewelry because she had found a new beau. Some friends loved the idea “and we decided to do it,” she explained.
Silver led to gold and then to diamonds and platinum. Soon, Courtney became a success, selling her pieces to some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Her pieces now sell for thousands of dollars.
“It’s a crazy business,” Courtney said of Hollywood, “and if you’re here you have to be in the game or not in the game. If you’re not in the game, it can drive you crazy.”
Courtney says she plays the game well, including selling or lending her jewelry pieces to stars during awards ceremonies. She mostly deals with their stylists and looks at how the jewelry works with the actress or actor photographed and not necessarily as a complement to the outfit.
“That’s what they (Hollywood stars) are really getting dressed for — the picture in People magazine,” Courtney explained.
If readers scan the celebrity photos in magazines such as People, Us Weekly, Entertainment Weekly and Star, they will see Courtney’s handiwork dangling from actress’s ears or adorning their necks and fingers. Many times the articles will describe an actress’s outfit in detail. Photos of Jessica Alba and her stunning Versace gown, for instance, were all over the fan mags after the 2008 Oscars, and so was Courtney’s exquisite 18k yellow gold and green beryl with peach topaz earrings.
You don’t have to be a star to appreciate her intricate designs and gorgeous pearls and gemstones. In fact, Courtney’s jewelry is the No. 1 seller among Kiki’s jewelry lines.
“People really collect it,” said owner Kiki Frayard.
Even though the price tag may put Courtney’s pieces in the “jewelry that doesn’t sell every day” category, Frayard said, it’s a hit among her customers.
“Everybody loves it,” she said.
Frayard admires Courtney for her business style as well. She believes Courtney has worked hard branding her jewelry and taking it to a higher level. Frayard said one of her customers wore a Courtney necklace to a masked Carnival ball and someone recognized it.
Missing home
Courtney said she loves L.A., her neighborhood, her friendly neighbors who get together for dinner and her business. Her industry friends are “like family” and her staff gives “110 percent,” she said.
“The economy could be better,” she added, although sales have remained fairly constant. “Typically, I never have a bad year. But I’ve never seen anything like this.”
She comes home two to three times a year, where most of her family still lives, and Kiki’s offers a trunk show of Courtney’s jewelry every Christmas.
“Lafayette is always home,” she said. “I miss it terribly.”
Courtney added that she would make it home for weekends if Lafayette didn’t have such a small airport.
“I’m waiting for a direct flight,” she said.
Source: www.theadvertiser.com
March 27th, 2009
With March going out like a lovely little lamb, it’s time to start thinking about the dreaded spring cleaning ritual. And I’m not talking about the dust bunnies under your bed or the windows that are now a dull shade of charcol.
Nope - I’m talking about your jewelry box, glitter hounds. You know, the one with three stray gold chains, four random earrings and that cocktail ring that’s missing a stone?
With spring jewelry trends looking bigger and bolder by the minute, it’s time to get that treasure chest in tip top shape. Put down your iphone, stack up the fashion mags, and step away from Facebook for just an hour or two and get this shiny show on the road!
Step one: Gather up all ‘one’ piece earrings. If the earring doesn’t have a partner then place it a Ziploc bag. Keep the bag somewhere safe - after all you never know when the errant partner may turn up, but at least for now all singles are safely stored.
Step two: Detangle chains. If a pendant is missing, throw the chain (or set it aside to sell later). You know you’ll never wear it again.
Step three: Everything (and we mean everything) deserves a jewelry spa day. Clean, brush and wipe - and we promise you - ‘like new’ is a phrase you’ll say over and over.
If using a commercial jewelry cleaner, use a brand name and follow the instructions on the label. You can also soak your diamond jewelry in a small bowl of warm, soapy water made with any mild liquid detergent. Gently brush the piece with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds to dislodge any dust or dirt from under the setting. Then, rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
You can also clean your jewels by soaking them in a glass of vodka. Now we’re talking!.
Step four: Do a basic jewelry checklist.
* Diamond studs
* Pearl drops
* Cocktail ring
* Diamond Right Hand Ring
* Gold necklace
* Pearl necklace
* Chandelier earrings
* Diamond pendant
Step five: If any of the above are missing, go directly to the friends and family site, Jewel Club (www.jewelclub.com), and use the password:
INSIDER
to get wholesale prices and below for all of your basic jewelry needs.
See? Doesn’t that feel better?
Source: http://jewelry01.blogspot.com
March 27th, 2009
By Jeff Miller
The third annual New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show will take place July 24-27, 2009, at the the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. The four-day event, which opens two days prior to the JA New York Summer Show, will bring together more than 100 dealers from major trading centers, according to show organizer dmg world media. (Video: Exhibitors discuss trading activity at the 2008 show.)
“This show is small enough for the public to enjoy the experience of finding unique pieces and great buys, as well as develop relationships with dealers, but large enough to attract world-renowned dealers,” said Andrea Canady, fair director for dmg media group’s New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show. “We are very pleased about this year’s line-up and are confident that this show will be even more exciting and surpass the success of last year’s show.”
Show hours run 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 24; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 25 and 26; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 27. The one-time admission fee of $15 is valid for all four days of the show.
Source: www.diamonds.net/news
March 25th, 2009
Renaissance Revival 18kt. gold gem set armlet, c.1880, recently sold for $40,290.00 at a Skinner, Inc. auction in Boston. (PRNewsFoto/Skinner, Inc.)
BOSTON, MA UNITED STATES
Sale Gross Meets High Estimate Despite Economic Downturn
BOSTON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ — www.skinnerinc.com — Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced the results of its Fine Jewelry sale last week which grossed $1,768,021.00, achieving the sale’s high estimate despite the current economic conditions and uncertainty in the marketplace.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NE87827 )
A number of the top selling lots came to Skinner from the family of William and Henry Walters, who established Baltimore’s Waters Art Museum. The star of the show was a stunning Renaissance Revival long chain (lot 530) which sold for $402,000. It was estimated at $75/$125,000. In addition, an archaeological Revival gold and glass bead fringe necklace, c. 1880 sold for $67,545.50.
Additional highlights include an Art Deco diamond, onyx, jadeite and coral brooch by Boucheron Paris (lot 514) which sold for $189,600.00, while a renaissance revival enamel, sapphire and diamond brooch (lot 529) sold for $71,100.00. Perhaps one of the most interesting lots of the sale was a Renaissance Revival 18kt. gold gem set armlet, c.1880, featuring sapphire and diamond florets, bezel set sapphire, emerald, and ruby accents, and rose cut diamond highlights (lot 528) which sold for $40,290.00.
The auction was well attended and bidding was very competitive at all levels. “Despite the current state of the economy, the high end of fine jewelry market is as strong as ever as buyers are confident that their investment is sound,” said Gloria Lieberman, director of fine jewelry, Skinner, Inc. “Buyers and consignors alike continue to come to Skinner for unique jewelry and recognize the lasting value intrinsic in these rare pieces purchased at auction.”
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
SOURCE Skinner, Inc.
http://news.prnewswire.com
March 25th, 2009
The chilly winter days have gone and springtime has just begun. Online wholesale jewelry distributor CERIWholesale.com welcomes the brand new season with the newest styles of wholesale fashion jewelry that befits the season’s trend.
City of Industry, CA (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 — It is time to bid adieu to the chilly winter air and welcome the sweet smell of springtime. As a brand new season starts, so do trends in fashion jewelry. Surely, women all around town will be hunting for the best accessories to flaunt their necklines and wrists, which were once hidden with thick fleece-lined coats of winter.
It is now the perfect time for retailers and resellers to stock up on what’s hip and happening in the wholesale jewelry department. CERIWholesale.com, online wholesale distributor of wholesale jewelry, has added more trendy wholesale jewelry pieces befitting the spring season. A strategic partnership with CERIWholesale will surely give retailers and resellers a winning edge in having the latest wholesale jewelry picks of the season.
“At CERIWholesale, we make sure our retailers are on top of the wholesale jewelry trend. We introduce the newest wholesale jewelry before they are made available in other companies or fashion tradeshows, giving retailers more competitive advantage over their competitors,” says Joanne Han, CERIWholesale’s product manager.
For spring season, wholesale jewelry is said to have taken a bolder leap. The spring trend in wholesale jewelry can be summed up in three words - big, bold, and bright. Retailers and resellers better keep their dainty wholesale jewelry pieces and start stashing on statement wholesale jewelry pieces.
Wholesale jewelry in geometric shapes, large floral patterns, multi-stranded necklaces are going to take the center stage this coming spring. Tribal, ethnic, and beaded wholesale jewelry pieces are considered up and coming trends. For wrist enhancements, cuffs and bangles are must-haves; and as for earrings, hoops and chandeliers are still in. Metals are seen as hot commodities in wholesale jewelry. While the more popular choice is gold, silver is a close second.
All these trendy wholesale jewelry pieces are made available at CERIWholesale.com. Browse through pages and pages of the company’s fashionable wholesale jewelry collection. With wholesale jewelry pieces constantly being added, wholesale jewelry traders and retailers will surely have the most fashionable picks of fashion jewelry come springtime.
To complete springtime’s look, CERIWholesale has also added the trendiest wholesale shoes and wholesale handbags that boast of springtime fashion. Make sure to be always on top of the season’s latest trends, information and special promotions on wholesale jewelry, wholesale shoes and even wholesale handbags by joining their mailing list.
About CERIWholesale.com
Headquartered in the City of Industry, CA, CERIWholesale.com is a well-established distributor of wholesale shoes, wholesale handbags, wholesale jewelry, and other fashion accessories. They offer thousands of products, with new items added on a weekly basis. The main purpose of the company is to offer the highest quality wholesale products at the most competitive prices. CERIWholesale.com is an online wholesale distributor of fashion products; purchasing of individual items is not available.
Source: www.prweb.com/releases
March 24th, 2009
Submitted by Kristine
I’ve become a HUGE fan of rings, especially big statement rings. I love the small everyday rings but the ones I have really enjoyed are the big gold/ sterling silver vintage rings.
Two years ago, a vintage jewelry store opened on the lower east side. It is called Pippin and I was fascinated by vintage jewelry because there was so much value to it. Pippin was a huge treasure chest for me and the two times that I had gone there in the past, they had old charms, necklaces everything from the PAST. There’s so much history in jewelry that you definitely take a trip through history at this store.
And I am actually coming back (on the LIRR as we speak) from shopping in the city where I had stopped by Pippin, which relocated to Chelsea. Not only did they relocate but they expanded and now have a Pippin Home store where they sell vintage furniture, etc. When I came back to this store with my friend Amanda I was so stunned by the expansive ring collection they have. They also have cufflinks, necklaces, bracelets, bangles and from time periods such as the 40s, 50s and 80s. I had such a better appreciation for the vintage jewelry; everything has a history and they’re all unique in some way.
As I was there, I picked up an original mood ring which has this amazing gold filigree type of design. I also found this large gold statement ring with a red stone in the center which was from the 80s. And I found this beautiful opal ring from the 1950s.
Vintage rings can be worn to dress up an outfit or you can wear three or four of these rings at the same time. And one of the perks about Pippin is the amazing prices you can find for these rings. I love designer pieces but if there are vintage pieces that are worth getting and they’re priced well I would NEVER be able to pass up on that! My friend Amanda bought this really awesome peace sign ring. It’s a sterling silver simple peace that can add a lot to her outfit and honestly fits her personality. So rings can become personal when being worn.
Pippin jewelry is located on West 17th st between 6th and 7th ave. If you’re ever in the city and are jewelry shopping take a trip to Chelsea for some fabulous finds!
Source: www.sbindependent.org
March 23rd, 2009
by Pati LaLonde | The Bay City Times
Koreen Zurschmiede needed a piece of jewelry to wear to a military ball.
Not finding just what she was looking for, she decided to make her own.
“You can’t find larger pieces or cool pieces for larger people,” the Bay City resident said.
Once she made her first piece - a bracelet that looks like crocheted metal - she began getting requests from prospective customers.
These days, she operates her own jewelry business called Wing It.
Working from a room in her home, Zurschmiede hammers, blow torches, belt sands and beads all types of jewelry, including items she sells at My Secret Garden, 600 Saginaw St.
She still takes special requests from customers like Julie Jacob of Bay City, who was looking for special jewelry for her wedding and turned to Zurschmiede for help.
“She just makes original things,” Jacob said. “I didn’t want to just buy something from a store that anybody could get. I wanted something that was special.”
Jacob settled on jewelry accented with Swarovski crystals.
Natural elements are a trademark of Zurschmiede’s work. Each piece is customized with metals that include sterling silver, gold and other metals, some of which can be purchased at home-improvement stores like Home Depot.
“I pull it out, shape it however. When I beat it, it becomes strong,” she said.
“The jewelry just forms itself,” she adds. “I start sometimes and it ends up 180 degrees different from when I started.”
Forming a piece can take eight to 12 hours, while beading can take up to a week.
Zurschmiede says she focuses a great deal of effort on creating just what the customer wants, even if it requires many attempts.
“She goes out of her way to take care of people in all aspects,” Jacob said. “She really wants to make sure the customer is truly happy and she doesn’t stop until she gets it right. If she’s doing something for you, you know that she cared.”
Zurschmiede, who with husband Dan is raising sons Zachary, 9, and Alexander, 6, and runs an adult foster care home, says she works on her craft every chance she gets, taking along beads and other materials wherever she goes.
“I carry it everywhere,” she said.
Pieces range from $8 to $125. For more information, call Zurschmiede at 895-9709.
Source: www.mlive.com
March 23rd, 2009
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