Coffee Table Book Celebrates ‘Jewelry’s Shining Stars’

Veteran fine jewelry consultant and writer, Beth Bernstein, is the author of a new book about jewelry designers who as individuals carved a unique vision for themselves and as a group are shaping the future of jewelry design. Titled, Jewelry’s Shining Stars, it is scheduled to be released in September.

Bernstein describes the book as a “celebration of the generation of independent jewelers who have learned the rules in order to bend them, creating a unique and distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry.”

Published by Fine Points Publishing, the full-color, coffee-table book features designs, quotes, personal anecdotes and inspirations as told by 38 designers. It includes photographs of jewelry ranging from the exotic gemstone pieces of Coomi, to the high-karat gold pieces from master goldsmith Donna Distefano, to the artistic creations made of raw diamonds and recyclable gold from Todd Reed.

The book also includes a foreword written by internationally renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster.

Bernstein says that she chose these designers because they “have crossed the boundaries of art, function and wearability and formed distinctive identities while bringing out the collector in a new age of women … Most importantly, they are shaping jewelry’s future.”

The book can be preordered through Amazon.com.

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G &G Creations Wins ‘Future of Design’ Competition

G &G Creations Love Collection

Jewelry design firm, G &G Creations, was named the winner of a jewelry industry’s career-building competition: Future of Design.

The winners were announced March 12, after finalists made a live “Shark Tank”-like presentation to a panel of judges and an audience of industry VIPs, press and fellow designers.

“We are overwhelmed and so proud,” said winning designer Vahe Ghazarhian on behalf of his team. “We have been working on our application for a very long time and we used all the feedback and advice we’ve gotten since last year’s contest when we were a semi-finalist. We have improved every aspect of our business since last year to better align our efforts with our potential.”

The Future of Design contest is a business incubator competition that nurtures emerging design talent in the fine jewelry industry. It is unique in both the extent of the prize package it provides and that it puts the designers’ business acumen on an equal footing with his or her design talent. It was created in 2012 by Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and Andrea Hill of StrategyWerx.

The contest was judged live at MJSA Expo New York by Edelstein, Hill, Hedda Schupak, editor of the Centurion Newsletter, and Ann Arnold, president/CEO of Lieberfarb. An additional judge who had been actively involved in the judging process up to this point, Bruce Pucciarello, owner of Novell Design Studio, couldn’t be present at the live event but his opinions were factored into the decision.

The winners of the Future of Design Competition with the judges.

"The judging was one of the most challenging tasks I've ever faced," said Edelstein. "The margin of difference between the three finalists was paper thin but in the end the judges felt that G&G Creations had the most powerful mix of amazing product design, agile business practices and marketability. They will become an important contribution to the fine jewelry community."

As the winner, G&G Creations will receive business services and support from a variety of industry organizations that have come together in their support of the next generation of jewelry designers. 

The live finale included 10-minute presentations by all three finalists, including runners-up Lisa Adkinson of Lisa Robin Jewelry, and Suneera Swarup of Suneera Fine Jewelry Design. Each designer was tasked with making a final pitch to the judging panel that explained their work, inspiration and plans for the future. Panelists and audience members, including competition “dream team” members Robert Lee Morris, Penny Preville and Lisa Jenks probed further into each designer’s vision with tough questions about manufacturing, retailers, marketing and price points.

While G&G Creations was named the winner, co-creator Andrea Hill noted that all three finalists will receive help in the coming months. “We have a deep commitment to the three finalists. We feel strongly that everyone who entered this contest should benefit somehow,” Hill said. “All designers receive a 5-7 page analysis and recommendations report regarding their application. We are trying to help a wide swatch of designers grow stronger businesses.”

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Alexandra Mor Receives Fashion Group International Rising Star Award

Alexandra Mor

Fine jewelry designer, Alexandra Mor, received the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award in the fine jewelry category. The award was presented by Marion Fasel, InStyle editor and one of the nation’s top fine jewelry experts, who announced Mor’s win with these words, “To the designer of the emerald earrings of my dreams.”

“We believe the award will reflect positively on Alexandra’s talent and will help her as her business expands. Her creativity and craftsmanship are exemplary, and the beauty of her product certainly reflects all that Rising Star represents,” added Margaret Hayes, FGI president.

FGI presented the 16th Annual Rising Star Awards on Jan. 24 during a luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. The awards recognize emerging talents in the fashion and design industries in the following categories: Accessories, Beauty/Fragrance Entrepreneur, Beauty/Fragrance Corporate, Home/Interior Design, Fine Jewelry; Men’s Apparel, Retail and Women’s Ready-to-Wear.

“There's nothing more reassuring to an artist than being recognized for what you do,” Mor said. “I happen to love what I do. And I will continue to work hard and follow my dreams.”

Alexandra Mor Sugarloaf emerald and diamond ring.

Those who regularly read the Jewelry News Network are certainly aware of Mor and her skill as a fine jewelry designer. Her work reflects a style that originates from her family of French-Israeli fashion couturiers. Her limited-edition, one-of-a-kind and signature jewelry collections combine old-world craftsmanship with contemporary styles. Designed and hand-crafted in her New York studio, she has established herself as a private jeweler and artist with a commitment to timelessness and perfection.

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Amanda Li Hope, A Jewelry Designer with an Architect’s Mind

Mini XX earrings made with Fairtrade Fairmined 18k yellow gold and rubies.

LONDON — Everyone once in a while I’ll use this blog to introduce a new jewelry designer. Amanda Li Hope, a working architect who has been making jewelry as a business since 2009, creates petite, well crafted jewelry that she describes as “contemporary, geometric, (and) sleek,” made primarily with ethically sourced metals and gemstones.

The Boston native who now lives in London works with gold and silver and incorporates diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other gemstones into her works. After receiving her BA in architecture at Columbia in New York she moved to London to get her Masters’ degree in architecture. She said that her architectural training has a strong impact on her work.

Asteroid earrings made of Fairtrade Fairmined rose gold.

“My mind tends to lean towards architectural representation and logic,” she says. “Whether this was learned or instinctive, I am not sure, but my designs often have a crisp linear quality about them while at the same time have a strong three-dimensional geometries.”

Amanda Li Hope's display during the 14 Carat event at Craft Central.

She works three days a week as an architect and four days a week making jewelry in her workbench at Craft Central, a studio and training center for craftspersons and artists in the Clerkenwell neighborhood, known for attracting creative professionals. She is gradually working toward the day when she can be a full-time jewelry designer.

"I've always loved working and making with my hands—the more detailed and precise the project, the better," she says. "I’m obsessed with fine detail, craftsmanship, and working with beautiful materials. I love working with precious metals and fine gemstones, especially those with ethical provenance."

Amanda Li Hope promotes her use of Fairtrade & Fairminded Gold.

Li Hope is proud of holding one of the first 20 licenses to make and sell Fairtrade & Fairmined gold jewelry—a certification system for small-scale and artisanal mines that show a respect for the human rights of workers and communities where these mine operate and the environment around the mines.

“Let’s face it—the source of the precious elements used in jewelry comes from the Earth by cringe-worthy means and methods, a troubling irony when jewelry is worn as a reflection of one’s personal style and ethos, and frequently given as gifts of love and affection,” she says. “As soon as I learned of the Fairtrade Foundation’s initiative to sign up as a jeweler, I contacted them without hesitation. I haven’t looked back since as being able to work with materials that are certifiably traceable gives both me and the consumer both satisfaction and confidence behind the jewelry being made, given, and worn.”

Amanda Li Hope at her workbench in Craft central.

Li Hope reminds me of what a small world we live in—figuratively and literally. I first “met” her on Twitter. During my recent visit to London to write about the exhibition, “Gold: Power and Allure, 4,500 Years of Gold Treasures from Across Britain,” at Goldsmiths’ Hall, I visited a restaurant in Clerkenwell. In this massive city, it turns out that Craft Central is directly across the street from the restaurant and that the design center was hosting an exhibition for London Jewellery Week, called 14 Carat.

Without social media and a little bit of geographical luck, our meeting would have never happened.

Below is a video of Li Hope created by supadupa.me, which hosts her website.