30 Spectacular Jewels From The 2016 Couture Show

The “Amal” necklace by Selim Mouzannar

The Couture Show at the Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort features jewelers (from international brands to individual jewelry artists) who specialize in high design, high fashion and high jewelry. 

Some of the trends of this year’s show included geometric shapes, the use of unusual materials, and more pearl jewels than in past years. Titanium seems to be growing in acceptance. Below are 30 special pieces that represent the breadth of design and materials exhibited at the show. 

The “Amal” necklace (pictured above) made of Columbia emeralds, including rare trapiche emeralds with their pinwheel of black lines, rest on a web of gold by Selim Mouzannar.

18k rose gold earrings with agate and diamonds by Lucifer Vir Honestus.

Colorful earrings from the “Rainbow Warrior Prophecy” collection by Lydia Courteille uses turquoise as the main gem enhanced with colored gems and enamel. The collection takes its inspiration from the legends and myths of Native American tribes. 

The 22k gold and lapis “Peace on Earth” ring by Arman Sarkisyan with diamonds and oxidized sterling silver. 

Diamonds look like shooting stars at the end of a rounded golden tube with this “Whirl” ring by Carelle

Photo by Anthony DeMarco

Chopard brought some of its high jewelry straight from the Cannes Film Festival and it included this large, classic emerald and diamond necklace.

Olympia Necklace in titanium and diamonds by Vhernier.

Hand crafted 18k gold pendant necklace with a large fresh water pearl and cognac diamonds with matching earrings from the Yvel Golden Sunset Collection.

Mike Joseph Waterfall chocker in yellow gold with diamonds.

Italian jewelry brand Qayten, which specializes in akoya pearls, added Tahitian varieties to its contemporary design jewels. The “Tahiti Bliss” necklace uses white gold and diamonds to Accenture the dark shades of the Tahitian pearls.  

18k rose gold ear cuffs set with champagne diamonds and Tahitian pearls from the “Burning Thistle” collection by Colette. 

The “Solena Maya” ring by Messika created with triangular, emerald and pear cut diamonds set in white gold. 

“Lily Jade Cuff” made of 18k gold with green jade, opal, pink sapphires, champagne diamonds, white diamonds and black diamonds by Wendy Yue.

Sterling silver earrings with abalone, crystal, diamond and 20k gold by Coomi.

White pearls, white diamonds and white metal for this large classic necklace by Yoko London.

Enamel red rose and green leaf cling to a yellow gold stem with thorny gems for this choker by Alison Lou.

18k rose gold and round diamond “V Ring” by Anita Ko.

Clean lines based on simple geometric forms are the foundation of the “Siracusa” earrings by Antonini.

Descending Pill” earrings made of polished 18k white gold with pavé white diamonds and blue sapphire baguettes by Deborah Pagani.

“Senso” 18k organic surface ring with pavé diamonds by Ippolita.

18k long drop earrings using colorful gems in an Art Deco motif by Jemma Wynne.

Drop earrings in 22k gold and tourmaline by Margery Hirschey.

Gold rings in gecko shapes covered in green sapphires from the African Queen collection by Mattioli. 

Large baroque pearl on a gold ring with diamond by Mizuki.

"Fly Me To The Moon" Lapis Lazuli Wing Earrings by Noor Fares.

Alexandrite and diamond ring by Omi Privé.

Gold and diamond ring by Sethi Couture.

“Aria” rings with colorful gems and diamonds by Stefan Hafner.

Classic emerald and diamond earrings by Sutra.

“Sonoma Mist Dew Drops” bracelet by Tacori. 

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet, the Forbes website and on Instagram @JewelryNewsNetwork

Two Young Italian Jewelry Brands Bring Bold New Designs to the US

Italian Design Ltd. Snow White Red Apple Ring

Even the Italian jewelry industry needs new blood to bring innovative ideas to its storied design and craftsmanship tradition. Two new companies have heeded the call and more recently brought their new designs to the US by way of Las Vegas jewelry week.

Italian Design Ltd. and Qayten J.E.T. have little in common except a desire to bring a modern approach to the great tradition of Italian jewelry craftsmanship and design.

Italian Design Ltd. Snow White Red Apple Ring opened to reveal Snow White.

Silvia and Alberto Prandoni, the sibling founders of Italian Design Ltd. are proud of their Italian design heritage. However, they are equally influenced by traditional bespoke and limited editions jewelry created by international luxury jewelry houses, such as Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. The four-year-old company produces jewelry with innovative designs and precious materials (particularly colored gems) that tell intimate stories.

Italian Design Ltd. Lava Earrings made with irregular-shaped fire opals.

“We want to go back to haute jewelry design choosing stones and materials of absolute quality, interpreted with an original design that will adapt to and reflect individual personalities,” said Alberto Prandoni, the company’s CEO. “We create unique pieces or a limited number of up to eight pieces. We propose color variations and modifications to perfectly satisfy the desires of those who turn to us for our customization capabilities.”

There's also a good bit of whimsy and versatility incorporated into their jewelry. Some pieces are designed to be worn several ways. For example, the top of the “Snow White Red Apple Ring” opens to reveal Snow White. The ring can then be converted to a necklace and other uses. 

Italian Design Ltd.  Circus Ring can be worn multiple ways.

“We design rings, bracelets or necklaces as if they were living objects with their own personal stories,” he added.

“Our approach enables us to reach the individual and to interpret his or her requests,” Silvia Prandoni said. “It is certainly a less direct path but one that gives great satisfaction.” 

Qayten Paisley Collection earrings

Qayten is a company I have written about previously. I first met the founders at Baselworld 2013. It specializes in using modern technology to create contemporary three-dimensional pieces that are both beautiful and easy to wear. In fact the name defines the company. Qayten, is Sanskrit meaning “origin” and the abbreviation J.E.T., stands for “Jewellery Estetica Technology.”

Maddalena Allegretti, marketing and sales manager, says this means its creations “fuse aesthetics, technical innovation and forward-thinking design while honoring the traditional techniques at the heart of jewelry making.”

Qayten TT Bracelet made with rare, ethically sourced Indonesian wood.

The Bologna-based jewelry brand uses all types of materials, from 18k gold and platinum, diamonds and colored gems, natural Akoya and South Seas pearls; and even with rare woods that are ethically sourced.

“Our jewelry is modern now and for years to come,” she says. “It’s sophisticated with high perceived value, high quality of materials, including rare collectible materials.”

Qayten diamond Bologna necklace.

Founded in 2012 the firm’s first trip to the US turned out to be quite fruitful in terms of exposure. Its Bologna necklace received two honors at the Couture Jewelry Show in Las Vegas: First Place in the “Diamonds above $20,000 Retail” category and First Runner Up in the “Debuting” category.

“The calling cards of this brand are invisible connections, en tremblant settings, she says. “This is jewelry that demands to be touched, turned over in the hands and admired as much for its technical mastery as it’s visual.”

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.

Jewelry Tradeshows and National Jeweler Acquired By Private Equity Firm

Buyers and exhibitors conduct business at the recently concluded 2013 Couture Show in the Wynn Las Vegas. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Toronto-based private equity firm, Onex Corp., said Tuesday that it has acquired Nielsen Expositions, which includes the jewelry tradeshows Couture Show in Las Vegas, JA New York, JA Special Delivery New York, and the online jewelry publication, National Jeweler.

Onex paid the Nielsen Expositions’ parent firm, an affiliate of Nielsen Holdings N.V., $950 million in cash consideration. With the closing of the acquisition, the company was renamed Emerald Expositions, Inc., based in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. It produces more than 65 business-to-business tradeshows and conference events per year across nine markets, including general merchandise, sports, hospitality and retail design, jewelry, photography, decorated apparel, building, healthcare and military.

Onex Partners III made an equity investment of approximately $350 million, of which Onex’ share was $85 million as a Limited Partner in the Fund.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

New Colorful and Golden Jewelry Designs from the Couture Show

The NightFall collection by Lagos was one the many new collections unveiled by designer Steven Lagos. It consists of black spinel, 18k gold and diamonds. It is available exclusively at Neiman Marcus through October.

Colored gemstones, which were widely used in place of diamonds during the recession, have continued to find acceptance among designers, retailers and consumers. A variety of bold, precious gems, ranging from dark blue lapis to red spinels to multi-colored sapphires were on display during the Couture Show in the Wynn Las Vegas. Of course, emerald, the color of the year, was prevalent among the designs as well as citrine. In many cases these gems were matched with high-karat gold, which has made a striking and glittering return to the jewelry stage.

Below is a listing of some of the jewelry shown at Couture. 

A faceted citrine center stone is mounted on sterling silver with 18k gold beaded accents by Lagos.

Damiani Butterfly necklace made of 18k gold with sapphires, emeralds and other colored gems.

The deep, rich blue of lapis lazuli is prominent in this necklace by Coomi.

The Marina B Kashan bangle made of 18k gold combined with oval-shaped precious and semi-precious gems.

Black rhodium gold earrings with round brilliant and rose cut diamonds by Michael John Jewelry.

A set of mismatched emerald and opal drop earrings by Arunashi.

A half-white, half-yellow 60-carat citrine surrounded by diamond pave set on 18k gold by Parulina.

18k rose gold crescent ring with brown diamonds, red garnets, light orange sapphires and citrines by Octium.

Large green amber drop attached to an 18k setting with champagne diamond pave by Syna.

18k yellow gold necklace with champagne pave diamonds by Bavna.

18k oxidized gold earrings with pink opals and black diamonds by Ivanka Trump

Gold beaded bracelet by Marco Bicego.

Rings in 18k yellow and rose gold with brown and white diamonds, pink, smoky and lemon quartz, pink tourmaline, ruby mandarin garnet and aquamarine by Brumani.

Red spinel and diamond pave earrings by Erica Courtney

A variety of jewelry pieces made with fossilized materials such as woolly mammoth tusk and gemstones from Monique Péan. 

Independent metalsmith, Victor Velyan’s 22k crocodile-skin bracelet with emeralds.

Aquamarine and Roman coin replica earrings by the 1884 Collection.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.