#JCKTucson - The Scene at the Star Pass #TucsonGemShow

Two years ago, JCK Tucson underwent a major overhaul that would separate itself from other jewelry industry events, providing a relaxed, yet still upscale buying environment during Tucson Gem Weeks. The event has a curated group of exceptional designers while also providing the necessities of Tucson (gemstones, mountings, etc.). With its all-star roster, events, and unique offerings, JCK Tucson continues to thrive and will include a number of new additions to its next event taking place January 31 – February 3, 2018 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

The Scene Perfectly situated just 10 minutes from downtown Tucson, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa is located in the saguaro-covered foothills of the picturesque Sonoran Desert. New in 2018, JCK Tucson will offer lunches on the terrace, ideal for networking with new and current industry partners. JCK Tucson will continue to offer shuttle transportation to/from downtown Tucson ensuring gem shopping has never been so convenient.

Business To allow for maximum inspiration for new discoveries, the vendors are organized into two separate ballrooms based on product type. JCK Tucson’s design offering includes industry veterans and newcomers alike, all with their unique perspective from artisans like Aaron Henry, Alex Sepkus, Adel Chefridi, Belle Brooke, Alishan, Dorian & Rose, JS Noor, Nina Nguyen, Suzy Landa to name a few. Some of the new additions to the 2018 event include Toronto jewelry designer Anna Sportun, deeply in gems designer Margisa, and contemporary jewelry designer W. Britt. The Tucson Ballroom offers a comprehensive mix of products and services for designers and retailers looking to source loose gemstones, mountings, quality manufactured goods, technology from companies like Quintessence, GRS Tools, Master Casting & CAD, Dazzle Gems and more. JCK Tucson welcomes jewelry industry buyers looking to restock and refresh inventory for the New Year. The elevated Loyalist Program continues to build success hosting 90 of the most design-savvy stores throughout the world who are looking to discover new vendors, including: Ladyfingers (CA), Jack Lewis Jewelers (IL), Alara Jewelry (MT), Jewels That Dance (NC), Art & Soul (CO), Pave Fine Jewelry (CA), and many more.

Personal Enrichment  Networking begins and ends under the stars with morning hikes and yoga, afternoon fireside chats with industry influencers, tea tastings, the Design Challenge, evening tequila toasts and casual conversations by the fire pits. Last year JCK Tucson introduced “Gems After Dark”, where over 400 of the industry’s finest united on JW Marriott’s Ania Lawn Terrace taking in the desert beauty while networking with industry colleagues. Co-hosted with Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA), American Gem Society’s Young Titleholders and Gen-Next, Gems After Dark is quickly becoming the can’t miss industry event of the winter.

For more information on JCK Tucson visit jckonline.com/Tucson. Retailers looking to register to attend may do so online at: jckonline.com/Tucson. Vendors interested in inquiring about exhibiting options can contact: Nina Mancini, nmancini@reedjewelrygroup.com ;  Designers interested in exhibiting in the Arizona Ballroom, can contact Alexandra Wurster at: awurster@reedjewelrygroup.com. About JCK: JCK is a trusted partner connecting jewelry retailers and manufacturers/suppliers with trends, news, products, education, and partners to build business. Whether attending face-to-face events, building inventory with online and onsite sourcing, or obtaining authoritative news and insights from JCK Magazine — the leading industry publication in print & online - JCK offers a suite of tools and events to deliver sound solutions, innovative opportunities, and essential information. For more information on JCK Events, visit jckonline.com.

#WordlessWednesday Event Spotlight on Kent's Tools! #TucsonGemShow

It is very easy to get carried away at the huge venues,

however...don't miss the smaller ones.  

During the Tucson Showcase, Kent's Tools Show 
is more than just their store...they feature several vendors
 in a small craft show in front of their 1st Avenue store.

Kent’s Jewelry, Lapidary, Tool & Supply Show

Kent’s Tools, 2745 North 1st Ave., Tucson, Arizona 85719

https://xpopress.com/show/profile/853/kents-jewelry-lapidary-tool-supply-show

#MyFavoritePiece 

...the used and reduced price equipment section

#JCKTucson What's Up At The Pass.... #TucsonGemShow

via Email Notification

Full Event Schedule at:  http://tucson.jckonline.com/Events/Events-Schedule/

#GemTalk #TucsonGemShow - the Learning!

Tucson classes: January 29-30, 2018 Corundum Treatments and Pricing January 29, Monday 9:00am-4:00pm Fee from $445.00 A full day hands on workshop working with 150 ruby and sapphire samples.    Emerald Treatments and Pricing January 30, Tuesday 9:00am-1:00pm  Fee from $225.00 Half day hands on program working with treated and natural emerald specimens with pricing information.   Colored Stone Grading and Pricing January 30, Tuesday 2:00pm-6:00pm Fee from $245.00 Half day program exploring the color, clarity, cut and carat weight of a colored gemstone specifically for the purpose of estimating its value. Participants will examine, grade and value a variety of colored stones.

Classes held at: Tucson University Park Hotel 880 E 2nd St. Tucson, AZ, 85719 United States

Tucson 2018 - What You MUST See! Featured Artist Jewels of the Woods

Now to preface this article I have to immediately talk about the fact that this company is so much more than Larry Woods, Gem Cutter Extraordinaire.

Larry is the face of the company and the source of the faceted and carved gems - but it is important to give credit to the woman behind the man...Stacia Woods.

Larry cuts the gems and Stacia turns them into wearable works of art.

It will be well worth your time to stop in and see Larry and Stacia at the AGTA GemFair at the Convention Center booths 200-202.

Let's look at some Jewels from the Woods....featuring Larry's trademark Medicine Wheel designs.

Moonstone Pendant

Pakistani Peridot

One of my favorite Stacia Woods designs.

Freeform Druzy Quartz over Native Cooper

2017 Honorable Mention AGTA Spectrum Cutting Edge Award Winner

See the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson

AGTA Announces the 

2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners 

The American Gem Trade Association is pleased to announce the winners of the prestigious 2017 AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM. 

The competition was held in New York on August 5th and 6th and is regarded as the world's preeminent colored gemstone and cultured pearl design competition. The prestigious judges for the competition this year were the following: Arun Bohra, Arunashi; Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers; Sherris Cottier Shank, Gemscapes; Alishan Halebian, Alishan; Holly Wesche, Wesche Jewelers. 

“The entire staff was immediately impressed as the entries started coming in; it seemed that the quality and artistry of the pieces has ascended to a new level. The number of entries increased and clearly the caliber of entries was exceptional,” said Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. “It is evident that the entrants take this competition very seriously and that the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards™ continue to be the premier design competition in the world. Of course, this also makes the work of the judges demonstratively more difficult. We were blessed with an outstanding group of judges that were consummate professionals, that demonstrated an amazing level of synergy, and this is apparent in the selections that they made.” 

Winners of the 2017 AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM are: 

Best of….. 

Best of Show 

Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad's – Pair of neon blue Tourmalines (53.56 ctw.). 

Best Use of Color 

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – 18K and 24K yellow and 18K white gold maple leaf earrings featuring multicolored Diamonds, Sapphires and Garnets. 

Best Use of Pearls 

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – Freshwater cultured Pearls strung with Sunstone beads with an 18K yellow gold and black rhodium clasp set with white, pink and green Diamonds. 

Best Use of Platinum and Color 

Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere in the Rainbow – Platinum "Dancing Waves" neck collar featuring a 57.0 ct. Aquamarine accented with Diamonds (8.0 ctw.).

Fashion Forward 

Ardeshir Dabestani, Asha Gallery, Ltd. – 18K white and yellow gold "Solar Flare" back-drop necklace featuring a 436.0 ct. Citrine accented with Aquamarines (44.50 ctw.), yellow Beryls (87.30 ctw.) and Diamonds (23.54 ctw.). 

Editors’ Choice Award 

Mark Loren, Mark Loren Designs, Inc. – 14K yellow and white gold earrings featuring polyhedral Agate druzy slices and green Tourmalines (7.01 ctw), pink Topaz (8.51 ctw.), Amethysts (2.24 ctw.) and Diamonds (.08 ctw.).

Buddha Blue - 600 years of Inspiration in Tucson #BuddhaBlueChallenge #UofATucson

Earlier I told you about the Somewhere In The Rainbow Exhibit presented in collaboration with the University of Arizona Mineral Museum, located in the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium.

“We are thrilled for this collaboration of educational forces in the mineral, gemstone and jewelry world to be experienced and enjoyed. This will be the first time that the Somewhere In The Rainbow Collection will be available to this extent as an educational exhibition and we are honored to share it with U of A and all who visit.” Shelly Sergent, Curator of Somewhere In The Rainbow Collection.

Along with  a display of historical gemological tools that were used to identify and study gemstones through the ages from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (known as Gem-A),  this historic exhibition features impressive works from twenty lapidary artists and designers, all winners of the coveted Spectrum Award from the American Gem Trade Association.

Among many amazing specimens, the sapphire named Buddha Blue (above) will dazzle visitors. Faceted in 1400-1500AD, this gemstone inspired Somewhere In The Rainbow to showcase eleven of todays’ top gem cutters. Each of them bring their own style of gem cutting, and the glittering examples illustrate the evolution of cutting styles.

"Inspired by our Buddha Blue Ceylon Sapphire, faceted in the early 1500 AD, we want to showcase the lapidary skills and how this art has evolved, changed and become very personal to the cutters. Each artist is asked to use their unique style with a piece of synthetic blue corundum and "tell their story" through the gem. " Shelly Sergent, Curator of Somewhere In The Rainbow Collection.

Lisa Elser - Custom Cut Gems - http://www.lisaelser.com
The Renaissance Egg reflects Lisa's Western take on the Buddha Blue
and was designed to reflect 15-16th century gem cutting.

John Bradshaw - Abyssal Blue  - Coast to Coast Rare Stones

For John his Abyssal Blue represented the dark blues of an ocean's abyss.

Meg Berry - 

Nick Alexander - Son of Darryl Alexander

Darryl Alexander -  Alexander Jewelers

AiVan Pham is a multi Spectrum Cutting Edge Award winner in lapidary, he and his wife Morgan run Gold and Gem Creations in Scottsdale, AZ.

Jeff Hapeman - Bella Blue - Earth's Treasury 
"My approach was to assume the person who cut that stone centuries ago was using their best technology and ideas to make it shine. I did the same, and created a new design for the piece and modeled it on the computer to optimize it for sapphire, then cut it it with a modern high-precision machine."

If 600 yrs. from now, their gem is discovered and documented, what would researchers say...how would the world view the cutting styles, as we have done with the Buddha Blue.   

Lapidary art is so critical to the truest beauty shining through...cutters create gems from rocks...where would our industry be without the cutters?!?!

...and REMEMBER...