Last Minute Valentine Gifts By Etienne Perret And Alex Soldier

Etienne Perret orange diamond, 18k gold and black ceramic ring.

You haven’t even looked for a Valentine’s Day gift, have you? Well you’re in luck as you still have time to buy something special and Jewelry News Network has two designers that produce jewels that any woman would love. 

The first is Etienne Perret, who specializes in modern designs made with unusual materials. He is well known for using colored enhanced natural diamonds, in bridal and fashion pieces matched with 18k gold or platinum. These are real diamonds in which their color was created in a lab. These are much more affordable than natural colored diamonds and any color can be created. 

Perret is equally well known for creating pieces using “Ceramique” gem ceramic, which is both ultra durable and stylish. Perret also does custom design pieces but it’s too late for that now isn’t it. You can learn how to purchase his products directly or with one through the many retailers that carry his jewels through his website.

Alex Soldier butterfly studs.

As I mentioned previously Alex Soldier is a favorite of Jewelry News Network. His work combines traditional and modern themes with imaginative artistry and numerous jewelry making techniques. His handmade jewels often possess multiple textures, such as combining encrusted gold surfaces gold with intricate gold lattice, and movement, whether it is actually physical or the way the jewels reflect the light. 

Without really any mentors, his works, even when based on traditional themes, turn out looking unique. What he considers his strongest influence is his native Russia, more specifically, the city of Perm in the remote Ural mountain region. Russian themes are certainly represented in his work.

Alex Soldier products are available at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores or you contact the company directly through its website. 

And please hurry. 

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Etienne Perret’s Gem Ceramic Ring With Color Enhanced Natural Diamonds

Etienne Perret has carved a very successful niche for himself creating bridal and fashion jewelry using traditional and new materials. He specializes in color enhanced natural diamonds, 18k gold, platinum and Gem Ceramic. The results are first-rate designs that are affordable.

I find that some of his most interesting work is with his contemporary looking gem ceramic pieces. Perret was fascinated with this material for more than 20 years but its durability made it difficult to work with. The solution was to use diamond-cutting tools.

There’s a lot of variety in the designs in terms of shapes, colors and complimentary materials. The ring pictured is further adorned with round color enhanced natural diamonds.

Etienne Perret jewels are available at specialty retailers throughout the country and even in Amsterdam. Follow this link to the locations.

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Etienne Perret Demonstrates the Durability of his Ceramic Jewelry

White ceramic ring with colored diamonds

I first wrote about Etienne Perret’s ceramic jewelry in November during the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

At the recently concluded AGTA GemFair Tucson, his gem ceramic jewelry lines were on full display and doing quite well, according to Etienne and his son, Michael, whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time. This time Etienne brought a couple ways of demonstrating the durability and strength of his gem-ceramic jewelry. Below is a video of his demonstration.

Etienne Perret and His Ceramic Jewelry

Jewelry designer Etienne Perret has been enamored with ceramic for about 20 years. But creating fine jewelry out of the extremely hard material has been difficult nut to crack. The solution was to use diamond cutting tools.

The Camden, Maine-based artist introduced his new line of rings and bracelets made from gem ceramic, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, held November 11-14 in Philadelphia.

The ceramic jewelry can be created in several colors—although white, black and pink seemed to be dominant colors at the show. The ceramic is paired with more traditional jewelry materials, such as precious metals, diamonds and pearls. And he can create custom pieces. With the high-cost of gold, Perret said his ability to work with the material may have come at opportune time.

“I had no idea when I started this that gold was going to end up at $1,400 an ounce, so the timing seems right because you can make a ring or bracelet with some volume and still keep the price affordable,” he said.

Photographs of his ceramic pieces can be found here.

Below is a video of Perret at the craft show explaining his work with ceramic and showing pieces from his collection.