Gemstones

idazzle.com Jewelry Designer Spotlight: Manya & Roumen Jewelry

I first became acquainted with Manya & Roumen a few years ago when I wrote this piece on bird jewelry. Their jewelry designs–dimensional, capricious–usually involve animals with character. Animals you might want to spend quality time with…

There Is No Such Thing As A Semi-Precious Gem

We need to ditch the semi-precious phrase. Stat.

In our overwhelming human need to stratify and rank, the jewelry industry ended up with a few arbitrary jewels crowned as the pinnacle. “Precious” gemstones: ruby, sapphire, and emerald. The rest: lumped…

WJA Northern California and Designers by the Bay

I so wish I was in NoCal this week. A veritable knock-out line-up of some of my favorite jewelry designers are together in San Francisco, on Wednesday, October 29th, 2014 for Designers by the Bay. All gathered for one night at the beautiful and historic Shreve and Co…

American Jewelry Design Council AJDC Exhibit Goes to Kent State University

The inspiring “Variations on a Theme” exhibit of one-of-a-kind creations by forty of America’s most influential jewelry designers is moving on. After spending seven successful months at the venerable Forbes Galleries…

idazzle.com Jewelry Designer Spotlight: Arman Sarkisyan Jewelry

Elaborate. Byzantine. Exquisite. I can try and come up with a word that describes Arman Sarkisyan’s jewelry creations, but words, for once, seem inadequate. His jewelry surprises with intricate details. In his work, gemstones speak with authority…

Las Vegas Jewelry Week 2014: My Favorite Jewels

It’s hard to describe Jewelry Market Week to the uninitiated. I’m sorry, but the JCK Vegas Show and the Couture Event are just NOT the same as a trade show for…soap, or office products. How to articulate the sparkle, the catch in the throat? How to describe the…

Jewelry Designer Spotlight: Pamela Huizenga Jewelry at Couture

It always starts with the shiny things. Children’s pockets full of interesting bits, collected throughout a day: stones, fossils, crystals. Like magpies, we’re drawn to the treasure hunt. For Pamela Huizenga, her fascination with color and gemstones began this way…

What She Really Wants for Mother’s Day

As far as holidays go, Mother’s Day is special. Gifts need careful consideration, an extra thoughtfulness. Certainly, jewelry is appreciated. Who wouldn’t want a small box, a total surprise, a lump-in-the-throat sense of anticipation? And you get the…

Robert Procop Emerald Collection on Tour

When a group reaches a critical mass of talent, they just have to tour. I’m not talking about a rock band, although ‘The Emeralds’ would be a great name. This time I’m talking about some truly spectacular gemstones, some of which are such rarities they almost defy description…

Jewelry Designer Spotlight: Jenny Reeves San Francisco

It is my great pleasure to combine two favorite passions whenever possible: travel and jewelry. Travel is necessary for my perspective, knowledge, and empathy. I try to fuse travel with visiting jewelry designers on their turf…