Jewelry Business Guru by Cindy Edelstein

Designers continue pledge not to use coral

[source: NationalJeweler.com] New York--With a much-anticipated protection measure for red and pink coral failing to pass this week, nonprofit organization Sea Web and its "Too Precious to Wear" campaign continue to push forward, gathering designers and manufacturers from the jewelry industry to pledge their support for coral conservation.

In the weeks before the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)-where, on Sunday, 64 countries voted in favor of the measure, 59 countries voted against it and 10 abstained-Sea Web had gathered 11 new Too Precious to Wear signatories, adding them to a long list of designers, including Tiffany and Co. and Temple St. Clair, who had previously pledged their support.

"The jewelers joining the campaign today are helping to set the standard in responsible design among the fine jewelry industry by pledging to personally do their part to protect these natural resources by refusing to purchase or use real coral in their designs and by urging other designers to take a similar stance," the organization said in a release.

The most recent Too Precious to Wear signatories are Dana Lorenz of Fallon and Fenton, Eduardo Garza, Ileana Makri, Irene Neuwirth, Kara Ross, Kimberly McDonald, Melissa Joy Manning, Monique Pean, Nak Armstrong of Anthony Nak, Nicole Miller and Robin Renzi of Me and Ro.

"The efforts of these committed fine jewelry designers mean we are experiencing a sea-change in the fashion and design industry when it comes to coral use," Dawn Martin, president of SeaWeb said.

Additional supporters who had previously signed the pledge include Amy Smilovic of Tibi, Chantecaille, Simon Cardwell of Cheeky Monkey Jewelery, Hannah Garrison of AZU Jewelry and Wear your Music, Leber Jeweler, Lela Rose, Lilly Pulitzer, Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava, Maria Cornejo, Maria Grachvogel, Michael Aram, Minnie Mortimer, Nicole Miller, Norma Kamali, Pottery Barn, Reem Acra, Temple St. Clair, Tiffany and Co., Toni Hacker and Ben Harnett of Hayden-Harnett and Yigal Azrouël.

In the wake of the CITES vote, signatory Tiffany and Co. released this statement: "Tiffany and Co. is appalled by the CITES decision not to list red and pink corals on Appendix II.  We will continue to support efforts to ensure this threatened species is properly protected."

via www.nationaljewelernetwork.com

American Craft Council Accepting AltCraft Applications - 2010-03-16 12:46:06 | JCK Online

The American Craft Council is now accepting AltCraft applications for their show in San Francisco August 13-15.

Sixteen makers will be juried into this section, which celebrates the innovative techniques and materials of the burgeoning handmade movement.

Applicants are eligible only if they have NOT shown in an American Craft Council show previously. Embellished commercially-bought objects (e.g., tee shirts, note cards, etc.) are not eligible.

Send submissions and inquiries to Erika at [email protected].

Finalists will be announced in May.

via www.jckonline.com

Oscar Bling -- Jewelry on the Academy Awards Red Carpet 2010

Ho-hum.

I'm sorry but the jewelry was so boring, overall. There were like 3 necklaces. Lots of great diamond cuffs. LOTS and lots of smallish earrings and just a few standouts. You can miss the sparkle all together unless you looked hard.

A waste of insurance riders and security guards in my opinion.

Bravo Mariah, Sarah Jessica Parker and Queen Latifah. Thank you Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet.

Mariah Carey is my Red Carpet Hero for her outrageous diamond earrings!!! And the brooch at her waist.

 

Amanda Seyfried in big cuffs... at least you can see them from the cheap seats!

Kate Winslet in $2.5 million yellow diamond necklace by Tiffany & Co.

Cameron Diaz in priceless white gold and diamond ring from the Cartier Private Archive collection.

 

Cartier diamond earrings, bracelet and a ring on Jennifer Lopez.

 

Sarah Jessica Parker totally kills in Fred Leighton's jewels and Chanel Couture

Miley Cyrus wearing showy earrings and great big cuff.

Carey Mulligan wore the BEST earrings -- diamond shoulder-dusters by Fred Leighton.

Demi Moore in face-framing drop earrings, diamond cuffs.

Queen Latifah in Chopard -- diamonds, South Sea pearls and pink sapphires.

Elizabeth Banks -- 19th century diamond flower earrings by Fred Leighton.

Helen Mirren -- a 125-carat oval-shaped diamond necklace and drop earrings by Chopard.

Rachel McAdams wore rose-cut diamond pendant earrings.

Diane Kruger Kruger accented the cream and black gown with Chanel's black and white diamond "Camelia Nervure" brooch (elegantly pinned in her hair), the "Spirale" diamond ring and white gold and diamond "Camelia" studs.

 

 

Charlize Theron wore her lilac gown with 17.25 carats of diamonds, courtesy of Harry Winston, on her ears and their vintage marquise diamond wave bracelet on her wrist.

Penelope Cruz wore pear-shaped diamond drop earrings and stacked diamond bracelets by Chopard.

Meryl Streep added a pair of diamond and black onyx bracelets, diamond earrings and a diamond and onyx ring all by Fred Leighton,

Zoe Kravits in Fred Leighton diamond wing brooch, pear-shaped diamond drop earrings, diamond paisley ring, three antique diamond rings, and two diamond square link bracelets. (All that and does she looked like she's got some bling??? That's the problem this evening.)