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Category Archives: Jewelry Design
Artists Have Obligation to Participate in the Marketplace
Call me a curmudgeon, but if there is one thing that truly irritates me it’s the practice of some artists of putting out their work and then announcing it’s not for sale. When I ran the gallery, if an artist … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Jewelry Design
Tagged art jewelry, studio jewelry
Versatility of Pearl and Bead Stringing
A recent catalog from Gump’s, the wonderful San Francisco store, illustrated some of the new jewelry the store is offering. In looking at the images, I realized they’re a marvelous example of just how versatile pearl and bead stringing can … Continue reading
Posted in Jewelry Design, Manufacturing Tips
Tagged Gump's, jewelry design, Murano Glass
Crimps Ruin this Necklace Design
I named this little company “Professional Pearl and Bead Stringing” for a reason. I wanted to distinguish it from other types of pearl and bead stringing, specifically the all-too-widespread practice of teaching one technique, such as using crimps, and then … Continue reading
Posted in Jewelry Design, Manufacturing Tips
Tagged crimps, findings, jewelry design, jewelry making, jump rings, wire
An Unexpected Costume Jewelry Aficionado
The Duchess of Windsor’s love of jewelry is almost as legendary as her romance with the Duke of Windsor. However, we normally associate her jewelry with Cartier, including the famous flamingo and panther jewelry designed by Jeanne Toussaint with whom … Continue reading
Posted in Jewelry Design, Jewelry History
Tagged Alexis Kirk, cork and feather, costume jewelry, Duchess of Windsor
The Tiffany Diamond Gets New Setting
Today, Tiffany & Co. unveiled its new setting for its famous yellow diamond. The new setting commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Tiffany Diamond, perhaps the most famous yellow diamond in the world. Not only is the Tiffany Diamond unique … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Gemstones, Jewelry Design, Jewelry History
Tagged Frederick Kunz, Jean Schlumberger, kunzite, Tiffany & Co., Tiffany Diamond, yellow diamond
Determining Number of Beads for Necklace Length
You don’t always need to know exactly how many beads you’ll need for a necklace. But sometimes you do. Stuller, a wholesale jewelry supply company, recently developed a series of charts showing the number of beads per inch required to … Continue reading
Beading and Pearl and Bead Stringing
Pearl and bead stringing is a niche in the jewelry making trade. So, too, is beading. This can lead to some confusion because although they are distinct niches, the terms are often used interchangeably. Beading refers to jewelry that is … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Gemstones, Jewelry Design
Tagged beading, jewelry making, making jewelry, pearl and bead stringing, seed beads
Platinum, Silver and a New Alternative
In an era where the cost of precious metals in a setting can often exceed the cost of the gemstone, it’s perhaps no surprise that manufacturers in the trade are moving to develop new and less expensive alloys for jewelry … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Jewelry Design, Jewelry History
Tagged alloy, Cartier, ductile, firescale, malleability, platina, platinaire, platinum, silver, sterling silver, tarnish
Naming the Hue for You
This year, the jewelry trade is told that “Tangerine Tango” is 2012’s color of the year. This means that orange gemstones, fire opal, spessartite garnet, and citrine, are on the “must have” list. In addition, we are told that colors … Continue reading
Posted in Fashion, Gemstones, Jewelry Design
Tagged color of the year, hue, Pantone, Tangerine Tango, trends
Fringes in Jewelry Design
Professional Jeweller, a British trade publication, reports that “fringing,” the practice of adding chain and other materials to clothing in the style of the 1920s flapper dress has “filtered” through the fashion houses to be “embraced” by jewelry designers. Although … Continue reading
Posted in Jewelry Design
Tagged chains, fringes, fringing, jewelry design, Zelia Horsley