The moment has finally arrived--after taking all my coursework, I am at the point where I am ready to take my 20-stone exam and hopefully earn my Graduate Gemologist degree!  I can't wait to be back in sunny California, and be on the gorgeous Carlsbad campus at GIA.  It has been such an amazing experience and I have a feeling this won't be the last time visiting the campus.  For those of you who don't know, the 20-stone exam consists of 20 gemstones, a desk with all the necessary tools (spectroscope, microscope, polariscope, dichroscope, etc), a sharpened pencil, and a nervous/information packed student.  For some, it may be the luck of the draw, but you never know what 20 stones you will get--and the kicker, if you miss ONE...you fail!  I've set aside an entire week to take the exam, so the earlier I pass, the more vacation time I will get! 

I will be back on the blog in one week!  In the meantime, I will leave you with a few ring stacks as of late, and check out my journey to becoming a gemologist:

GIA Diamond Grading Lab

GIA Colored Stones Grading Lab

GIA Gem Identification Lab

Jewelry designers sure know how to put on a show! The vibe at Couture this year was off the charts--creative, fresh, unique and extraordinary were each and every design. The necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings were extremely inventive, almost to where fashion editors and press were left needing to create a new word to describe some of the pieces! Like, what do you call a ring that spans the length of your entire finger, is also flexible and set in gemstones? Or a chain necklace that wraps around your neck, drapes down and around your stomach? Although word-invention is not my thing, trend-spotting is! Here are the top five gold trends I saw while at Couture!

1. Double finger & flexible rings: One ring, two fingers--it has actually been around for centuries, however the past five years designers have been bringing the trend back! Lately, the comfort of these types of rings has been perfected, so now it is easy to wear one without it getting in the way. A favorite flexible example is Borgioni’s snake ring made of 18k yellow gold, seen here, I am wearing both their double finger snake ring and their long, flexible knuckle ring.

2. Stackable collections: stacking rings has continued to be a major trend, but this time designers are taking it into their own hands by creating collections that stack well together. Ron Hami created the Orighami and Bar Collection for women to stack and collect. Seen here in 18k yellow gold and stacked to perfection!

3. Geometric designs: shapes were everywhere! Many designers even based their entire collection on one shape alone! My favorite had to be Octium’s use of an octagon--their open metal work creates a cool look, and all gold or pave diamonds are the two choices, both in 18k yellow gold.

4. Bangles: fun, lightweight, stackable bangles were a big trend at Couture. Designers got crafty when using gold, opting for cut-outs or open-work to keep costs down for the consumer. Jemma Wynne has some amazing cuffs done in 18k yellow gold with various choices for end pieces (like gold shapes, different gemstones) which finish off the bracelet.

5. Shield rings: for a bold look, shield motif rings in yellow gold are very popular. Designer Mizuki had some amazing new pieces that I couldn’t stop thinking about! Seen here are three different designs from Mizuki, each elongated on the finger and having a structured, yellow gold style. These are done in 18k yellow gold, with or without diamonds.

This post was brought to you in collaboration with LoveGold

{from top to bottom:

marissakathleen loves this ancient diadem from the 1st Century AD

oscarprgirl obsessed with this look--fur + bell bottom blue jeans

yaquiberger diamond sketches

ilovejezebel gorgeous vignette in the kitchen

leahalx_jewelry pictures like these helped me cope with not going to Tucson this year

necessaryexcess a dainty, personalized neck is everything

ameliagregory seriously cool cuff links #panther

thezenobia tourmaline slices are my favorite

lovegoldlive sleepy lions from the 1960s, WEAR THEM

nordstrom cute Jennifer Fisher, master of jewelry trends

ireneneuwirth is the queen of one-of-a-kind opal jewelry

melissajoymanning ok, Tucson, NEXT year

evafehren currently obsessed with pointy stud earrings

1stdibs I want this as my vanity of jewels}

Excited for another great selection of previously owned jewelry up for auction at Bonhams.  This upcoming sale is in New York and starts at 11am on June 19, 2013.  There are some spectacular pieces looking for a new owner, with many coming from private collections, from states like Florida, Ohio, and New York.  My top five favorites are shown above, with more about each below:

1. A pair of 18k rose gold manchette bracelets, circa 1900
2. A heart shaped diamond ring, weighing 5.05 carats, circa 1900
3. An Etruscan revival necklace in 18k yellow gold, with various hardstone intaglios
4. A radiant cut diamond weighing 12.13 carats, VVS-2 clarity H color, in platinum
5. Tiffany & Co. brooch circa 1910, set with an aquamarine, chrysoprase and green enamel

{from top to bottom:

a sparkly vortex--me and Arrow & Anchor Antiques in mostly vintage or antique

Tamar of Arik Kastan in all Arik Kastan, plus contemplating a Gem Gossip ring ONE for the pinky!

my friend Jeremy needed a Gem Gossip debut, wearing estate pieces he was selling at the show

Maggi wearing a favorite of mine--Ron Hami--an awesome geometric stack

Beth Bernstein's whimisical antique rings look amazing on her

Team LoveGold, Sally, Jamie, myself & Lauren

unexpected surprise to meet Monique Pean in line for a taxi--her jewels are amazing in person!

Atelier Minyon stacked up bars, bones and deadly flowers #love

Arrow & Anchor Antiques and Gem Gossip, our engagement rings being BFF

Danielle of Fragments decked out in Colette, which won a design award at Couture}

Couture can also be called Heaven.  Why?  Because it is where one can not only try on, touch, feel, play, stack up the jewels that may not be accessible on a regular basis, but one can also meet the designer(s) behind a brand.  Jemma Wynne was on my list of jewelry lines I was dying to see in person, and as a bonus, got to meet the wonderful duo who created it--Stephanie & Jenny.  Double bonus was meeting Jemma Wynne’s sales director, Meaghan, whom I’ve interviewed before. 

I also got to check out their collection featuring a gemstone that is amazingly beautiful, and slightly mysterious. Not many jewelry designers use it and maybe that is why every piece sold within the first day of the show!  It is AZURITE and paired with diamonds and gold, it is one-of-a-kind!  These pieces are guarenteed to turn heads and have people asking, "What gemstone is that?! I've never seen that before!!"

To check out more designs, visit their website, fan on Facebook and follow on Instagram!

Las Vegas Jewelry week is not only a hub for buyers, but also a meeting ground to catch up with jewelry friends--especially “virtual” friends. It is great to read other jewelry blogs and even better to meet the faces behind those blogs. It truly is a coming together of a mass of people who have one thing in common--a love for jewelry!

I was graciously invited into a round table discussion with Beth Bernstein of INDESIGN magazine as the facilitator. She put together the discussion with one topic in mind--jewelry trends! After we all experienced what Couture had to offer, we were prepared to discuss what we saw!

To check out what we had to say about upcoming trends and what we’ve been seeing the the jewelry market, check out the article in the next issue of INDESIGN!

Shoutout to the fellow bloggers who participated...it was great meeting you all!

(left to right:

myself, of Gem Gossip

Monica, of iDazzle

Beth Bernstein, of B-Jeweled

Natalie, of Jewels du Jour

and Robyn of Daily Jewel & CelebrityJewel}

photo via Olycom

Bulgari is very pleased to announce the acquisition of a pair of Bulgari earrings that originally belonged to actress Gina Lollobrigida. She purchased the earrings in 1964, and has always had a passion for jewelry. She wore the earrings throughout her career and indeed they are featured in many photographs. Two pear-shaped 21 carat Columbian emeralds, enhanced by 67 diamonds of various sizes totalling 26.5 carats, all set in platinum! The earrings were purchased at Sotheby's auction which highlights some pieces from Gina Lollobrigida's personal collection.

Check out other auction highlights from Sotheby's here.

This year's Las Vegas Antique Jewelry Show was bustling with buyers and I was there to scope out the best gold pieces I could find!  After walking up and down several aisles, I quickly recognized a front-runner amongst the crowd--bold, festoon necklaces.  And what a spectacle!  My top five picks come from the 19th Century and late 20th Century.  Each necklace elegantly drapes around the neck and makes a statement all on its own.  Here are the details of my top five favorites from the show:

Lalaounis, a 20th Century Greek designer, necklace in 18k yellow gold with ribbed "leaf" motif

Italian 22k gold necklace from the late 1800s, inscribed "today & always" on back from Lowther Antiques

Victorian fringe necklace with an urn motif, set with opals, all hand made in 14k yellow gold

bib necklace in 18k yellow gold with diamond & black enamel accents, French Victorian, from Craig Evan Small

an Etruscan revival 18k yellow gold necklace from the Victorian Era 

This post was brought to you in collaboration with LoveGold

With a packed schedule and even larger packed suitcase, I am off to Vegas! Every year after Memorial Day, the jewelry world makes its journey to the desert land--whether you love antique jewelry (at The Paris), or fine designer jewelry (at The Wynn & Mandalay Bay), or need anything to help you start a jewelry business, vendors from all over the world come to Vegas to showcase their specialty.

I will be covering the Antique Jewelry Show and the Couture show on behalf of LoveGold--so follow me and enjoy my sparkly journey! I will be back here on my blog at the end of the week with all the details!