Haute Jewelry On Display at About J Jewelry Show

Unique Cobra necklace by Roberto Coin made of white gold with colorless and black diamonds, blue sapphires and rubies.

It was hard to tell that the About J jewelry show was an exclusive event. Buyers were constantly filling the booths of the 34 selected brands, making it a little difficult for me to spend time with exhibitors.

Nodo cuff by Vendorafa in 18k hammered gold with diamond accents. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Most vendors reported good sales and at least strong interest for their products. Buyers will often use this show for intimate conversations with vendors before placing their orders at VicenzaOro Fall, which immediately followed About J.
 

The Couture Paradis earrings from SHO are made of platinum and 18k rose gold with brilliant cut diamonds and conch pearls. Founded by Macau native and London resident, Sarah Ho, she produces jewelry that reflects her life and experiences.

This international haute couture jewelry show combines luxury and fashion with art and design. It is likely the most exclusive jewelry tradeshow in the world. A total of 197 invited buyers from 39 countries attended this year’s event, held September 4 – 7, in Venice, Italy, a jewel of a city.
 

The Plié collection by Luca Carati allows the same jewel to be worn in three distinct ways as the three pictures demonstrate. This piece is shown first as a flower made of black rhodium gold and sapphires. It is then turned over to the opposite where the same flower shape is now made of yellow gold with white and yellow diamonds. Finally, the shape of the piece changes completely using all of the materials, brown gold, yellow gold, diamonds and sapphires. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

I did manage to see most of the exhibitors and despite being so few there was a great deal of variety in artistic and finely crafted items on display. They included hand-made gold pieces from Vendorafa, the colorful creations of Casato Roma, the distinct and versatile pieces of Luca Carati, the personal objects of Sarah Oh, and the colorful and whimsy animal shapes of Roberto Coin.

Delicate 18k rose gold bracelet by Casato Roma with champagne and white diamonds.

A few of the brands focused on high-end pearl pieces and there was even jewelry for men. There’s a lot of optimism this year in the jewelry industry and the vendors at this show were certainly eager to put their highly creative pieces out in front.

Pair of diamond earrings by Sutra Jewels in rose cut blue sapphires and faceted rose cut diamonds.

This story contains photos of just some of the product highlights, where just about every brand featured the best of their best.

Unique bracelet by Utopia made of 18k white gold Gold with diamonds, moonstones, multicolor Tahitian pearls.

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18k white gold ring paved with white diamonds with enamel details inside the band Marco Valente Design.

Titanium men's rings with gold and diamond accents by Zancan.

Centurion Design Award Winners

Heather Moore, first time Centurion exhibitor, won in the Gold category for this wrap ring framed in cognac diamonds and personalized with the names of Moore’s children.

Part of the festivities of the recently concluded Centurion luxury jewelry tradeshow in Scottsdale, Ariz., was the third annual Centurion Design Awards. The competition was open to all exhibitors at the show and about two-thirds participated, according to show officials. Retailers who attended the show voted for their favorite pieces, which determined the winners.

The winners in each of the 11 categories were announced by The Centurion E-Newsletter and are as follows:

Bridal: Frederic Sage for a diamond pave engagement ring.

Colored Stone: Jack Abraham (above), with a ruby ring, and Jewels by Star, with an emerald ring (below), tied.

Colored Stone Fashion: Spark Creations with a pair of green tourmaline drop earrings.

Contemporary Metals: Todd Reed with a palladium and diamond cuff bracelet.

Diamond Classic: Kwiat, for its limited-edition “Revel” earrings.

Diamond Fashion: Roberto Coin with a black and white diamond and green garnet cobra bracelet (above), and Siera Jewelry with a diamond floral pendant in 18k gold and black rhodium on a black rhodium chain (below), tied.

Gold: Heather Moore with a special-order wrap ring framed in cognac diamonds and personalized with the names of Moore’s children (top photo).

Pearl: Yvel with a one-of-a-kind 18k white gold and diamond necklace set with a baroque freshwater pearl.

Platinum: Gumuchian with its versatile platinum and diamond “Bow-lero” necklace.

Silver: Charles Garnier Paris with its “constellation” finish wavy cuff bracelet.

Watches: Frederique Constant’s Lady Slimline Joaillerie.