Designer News

Opals are now trending in the world of high fashion jewelry. While walking around the AGTA Gem show, Ann Marie Dunn, co-owner of J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Lighthouse Point, Florida, and Robert Pelliccia, who leads J.R. Dunn’s design team, stumbled upon a gorgeous opal gemstone. This large opal had been discovered in the mines of Coober Pedy in South Australia and weighed in at 13.29 carats. Its brilliant hues were mesmerizing, but after admiring the gemstone for several minutes, the J.R. Dunn team walked away. They didn’t get far. Knowing that this opal was one-of-a-kind, they returned to purchase this exciting piece, and the result is electrifying. “From the moment I saw the stone, I was designing, “said Robert. “The palette reminded me of the setting sun, and I knew “Opal Sunset” was going to be the name of the piece.” Enchanted by the whirlwind of colors in this opal, Robert crafted a stunning pendant. The rectangular stone is encased in 18kt rose gold and surrounded by a thin frame of fiery yellow diamonds. Clusters of pink sapphires and white diamonds form a second halo with an abstract organic shape. This combination of gemstones around the opal heightens the glittering hues of yellow, orange, green, red, purple, and blue that glow from this exquisite piece and the pendant is finished with a diamond bale, which elegantly floats it along the “Diamonds by the Yard” link chain. Robert Pelliccia continues to create fresh styles in opal for the modern world. Another inspiration came from an opal gemstone that was discovered in Lightning Ridge, Australia. This cosmopolitan ring, which is set in 18kt white gold, has a 4.31-carat round opal as its centerpiece, and dazzling white diamonds circle the gemstone. Along the ring’s band, two baguettes flank this setting while tsavorite, aquamarine, and blue topaz are assembled around the opal and diamond center to lift the shimmering green and blue hues within the opal. A sculpted band is accented with a single diamond on each side to elevate this fabulous ring. Overjoyed with the prospect of beautiful opal jewelry, Robert has designed a third unforgettable opal piece with a stunning Boulder opal that was discovered at the Hayricks mine in Queensland, Australia. This oval 7.78-carat opal with vivid green and blue hues becomes the nucleus of a jeweled peacock feather pendant. It is set in 18kt white gold and trimmed with white diamonds. Rich blue sapphires and the vibrant green of tsavorites flair around the opal eye into feathery strands. Additionally, yellow sapphires transition into smooth strands of 18kt yellow gold that sway from the bottom to complete this amazing design. The fall jewelry lines for 2015 will feature radiant opals, and fashion-focused women will be wearing them in rings, pendants, brooches, and earrings. They are big and expected to get even bigger. No woman will want to be without, so demand is going to be high. With the tantalizing designs from Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers is ready to bring the fabulous world of opals to you! A BIG thank you goes out to Diamonds in the Library (Peacock Pendant Photo) and The Gem Therapist (Opal, Diamond & Gemstone Ring), who provided these awesome photographs. Please follow each of them on Instagram to see more fantastic pictures of spectacular pieces of jewelry.

There is a new mood and a new motif for the Gucci 2015 Campaign. Sex appeal has been replaced by romanticism. The campaign is the vision of the brand’s Creative Director Alessandro Michele. Photographer Glen Luchford made his dream a reality. The Florence-based shoot brought together models Laurie Harding and Madison Stubbington and Gucci pieces from the brand’s signature lines. Watches in the campaign include Diamantissima for women and Horsebit for men. Jewelry images feature Flora, Horsebit and Le Marche des Merveilles, a new entry from Gucci. “It’s about sensuality now,” said Michele. Of his idea of the Gucci woman, he said, “She’s an intellectual who has taste…a woman of great freedom of expression.” Le Marche de Merveilles features a honey bee motif. Designs present a poetic mood. Pieces include 18kt yellow or rose gold earrings, pendants and a ring. The Campaign is Michele’s first since being named for the top creative spot in January 2015. He is no stranger to Gucci, having worked behind the scenes for a dozen years. He is bringing a radical new direction to the brand. The new aesthetic b(l)ends genders. While it differs from the Gucci of the past, the house’s DNA remains. Reinvention is not a new theme at Gucci. Among the men leading the change: Michele and Marco Bizzari, the incoming CEO. It was Bizzari who selected Michele for his new position. Bizzari went on a world tour of 21 cities, meeting 3,000 of the 11,000 Gucci employees. They heard the corporate message delivered firsthand, from the top! The new team is changing what Gucci means. Look for the new Gucci campaign in print and on social media.

J.R. Dunn Jewelers and Mikimoto are bringing a bit of drama to south Florida on October 24, 2015. That’s when an exclusive Mikimoto Trunk Show makes its debut at J.R. Dunn Jewelers’ Lighthouse Point showroom. South Sea Pearls will be a highlight, with white, golden and black pearl pieces available. The black South Sea pearl is a natural beauty. They are impressively dramatic in size. Black pearls are produced by black-lipped oysters in the warm waters of Tahiti and French Polynesia. The pearl’s depth of color is determined by the amount of black nacre secreted by the oyster. Common shapes are round, oval teardrop or baroque. South Sea pearls are impressive in size, and come in various colors, shapes and sizes. The highly sought after gem has a brilliant, mirror-like luster. Black pearls have many colors. The shining spheres may be blue-black or a soft dove gray. Overtones include green, rose and blue. The colors are vibrant, and appear differently, based on your viewpoint. The black South Sea pearl is treasured all over the world. The classic gem is used in current pieces of jewelry through designs by Mikimoto. View exclusive merchandise and speak to a representative between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at 4210 N. Federal Highway on Saturday! Among the noteworthy gems: Twist Black South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings, and Milano My Dear black South Sea pearl and pink sapphire heart drop earrings. Take a sneak peek at jrdunn.com, the jewelers’ web site right now! You can place an online order from now until the show is over. Call 866-362-5787 to speak with a jewelry specialist. Call J.R. Dunn Jewelers at 954-782-5000 for more information about the Mikimoto Trunk Show.

In the beginning, there was the Barocco collection from Roberto Coin. Gold jewelry that wrapped ears, necks, wrists and fingers in a romantic embrace. A world-famous weave of elegance. Now, there is the New Barocco collection. With its web of reinterpreted, reinvented gold mesh. Intricate earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are crafted from threads of 18kt rose gold, white gold and yellow gold. Who would have imagined such a radiant result from unraveled gold? The patterns of New Barocco pieces are complex and majestic. Lighter and softer. The precious metal is joined by marquise-shaped gemstones. Shapely diamonds dance, bringing a radiance to the wearer. An air of romance. Wear this precious metal and gemstone jewelry for evening, an occasion or every day. The choice is yours! The style is sophisticated and sought-after. The jewelry of Roberto Coin tells a story. It starts in Italy and continues with you. Change is a constant at Roberto Coin. Nature and travel inspire him. Light, shape and color are things to experiment with. He creates nearly 600 new models every year. All are intuitive. Fluid and feminine. Gold is the protagonist in many pieces. He pushes the envelope of design, transcending the latest trends. More than 1,000 shops in over 60 countries worldwide carry the brand. Countless women wear and adore it. Roberto Coin is located in Vicenza, known as the City of Gold. The polished diamonds used are conflict-free. The rubies are synthetic, to guarantee the stones do not come from regions in turmoil.

Swiss watch-maker TAG Heuer now has a connection to America’s favorite pastime, with Major League Baseball’s Giancarlo Stanton recently named a TAG Heuer Brand Ambassador. The all-star Miami Marlins’ right fielder, MVP candidate and the Marlins’ all-time home run leader, presented the new TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M Ceramic Bezel watch. The Aquaracer collection is a sports watch inspired by the aquatic world. It is a strong, precise performer, with six features of a professional dive watch. The Aquaracer is perfect for the man who cares about style. It has an unparalleled reliability, utility and ruggedness. It will keep time in extreme conditions, with high levels of precision and performance. Like the watch he presented, Stanton and the timepiece both perform under pressure! He joins other sports personalities and TAG Heuer Brand Ambassadors Christian Rolando (soccer), Jessica Korda (golf), Ayrton Senna (car racing) and Maris Sharapova (tennis) in representing the luxury Swiss watch brand. TAG Heuer and its brand ambassadors are both history-makers. TAG Heuer products have taken their place in the annals with many firsts. From the 1887 invention of the oscillating pinion to the stopwatch accurate to one-one hundredth of a second; the first Swiss watch in space; first chronograph designed for professional divers; the first chronograph movement with an automatic microrotator and the first belt-driven watch.

Arizona Muse is Roberto Coin’s current muse and the face of the brand’s new advertising campaign. She will be featured in photographs with numerous of the designer’s collections, including Black Jade, Cento, New Barocco, Pois Moi and Tanaquilla. One of the world’s most sought-after models, Muse has graced the covers of the top fashion magazines, including Vogue in Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States. She is no stranger to fashion and luxury good photo shoots, having worked with Estee Lauder, Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Isabel Marant, Miu Miu, Prada, Nina Ricci, Jill Sander, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent. The world’s most renowned fashion photographers have been behind the lenses for these campaigns, including Patrick Demarchelier, Craig McDean, Steven Meisel and Paolo Roversi. McDean shot the Roberto Coin 2015 campaign as well as the designer’s 2011 campaign. “The concept is based in nature, art and beauty,” said Coin. “Set in luxurious gardens, the visuals reflect the richness and sophistication of the current collections. By adding the stunning Arizona Muse to the landscape, it completes the perfect picture. She is the ideal ambassador for the brand and her international recognition only strengthens the Roberto Coin global footprint." “Arizona Muse was a perfect choice for Roberto Coin,” said Peter Webster, president of Roberto Coin Inc. "She possesses an effortless beauty and elegance that has only been seen in such style icons as Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. Arizona epitomizes the Roberto Coin woman.” The “Ambassador of Italian Style,” Roberto Coin creates more than 600 new models of each year to serve a diverse international market. His collections are featured in more than 1,000 shops in more than 60 countries around the world. The Roberto Coin 2015 advertising campaign will break on October 1, 2015. Print and digital editions will be seen on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, More and Town & Country magazines, as well as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

It has become all the rage for up-and-coming jewelry designers to send retailers photographs of celebrities wearing the pieces that they have created. Your first impulse, as a jewelry retailer, might be to post the image of a celeb wearing the latest ear climber earrings to social media or, even worse, on your ecommerce site. It's so immediate and easy to share. Resist the urge and cover your bases! What “Mom & Pop Jewelry Shops” need to know is that it is imperative to mind one’s “Ps & Qs” when it comes to using such imagery which, in this case, relates to Permissions and Questions. To be safe, you should ask your vendors if they have the proper licensing agreements in place, including the use of the visual for commercial purposes. Are they allowed – legally – to use a celebrity image, likeness or name? Also, you may wish to request that your vendors indemnify you in the event of a right of privacy, right of publicity or trademark infringement lawsuit. You do not want to end up embroiled in a legal issue under any circumstances! Ensure all proper documentation has been signed, sealed and delivered. Most insurance policies have an intellectual property exclusion, so be sure to read yours. It would also be prudent to consider an additional cyber liability policy if you engage in any online marketing. The most recent alleged trademark infringement involves Ernest Evans, a.k.a. Grammy Award-winner Chubby Checker, and several major retailers said to be selling an accessory using his name. The $9.50 retail cost per pair of The Knotz, Chubby Checker cufflinks are manufactured by Wurkin Stiffs, a fashion company based in Nokomis, FL. The black and white cufflinks are crafted of synthetic cord. The firm sells the cufflinks on their corporate website and distributes through Amazon.com, Macy’s Inc., Nordstrom Inc., and Squire Fine Men’s Apparel. Evans alleges that he holds the trademark to the Chubby Checker name and the defendants did not get permission through his licensing companies. The 73-year-old singer-turned-entrepreneur has asked U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn to stop selling the cufflinks and award damages ranging from sales profits to emotional distress and punitive damages. This is not the first time Evans has reached out to the court system. He previously settled with Hewlett-Packard for allegedly selling a penis-measuring app called “The Chubby Checker.” Official licensed merchandise under the Chubby Checker name is said to include candy, hot dogs, meat products, popcorn and water. Evans’ lawyer, Michael Santucci, has been quoted as saying that nothing less than an eight figure award would be sufficient.

It is no surprise that Roberto Coin is inspired by Italy, his birthplace. The Princess collection showcases this influence with diamond accents derived from an emblem of the city of Florence. You will see echoes of the past in this very present collection. You just may call the Princess collection wearable art! The elegant new collection offers earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings in 18kt yellow, white and rose gold. You can feel the passion in the spirited designs. The pieces are hand-chiseled with intricate profiles and sides. Choose from high-polish or brushed satin-finishes. A small synthetic ruby is set inside, hidden from view. This is the designer’s gift to the wearer. The red gemstone is said to have magical properties. Rubies bring peace and promote long, happy lives. And the blessings of good health. The diamonds used in the Roberto Coin Princess collection are conflict-free. Take a look at the bold beauty of Roberto Coin Princess bangles. The bracelets come in a variety of widths. A diamond ring. Earrings with sparkle and shine. They will bring joy and a smile to your face. Because that is what the Princess collection does! That is what Roberto Coin jewelry does! Everyone loves the art and fashion of Roberto Coin jewelry. It makes women feel special. It makes women look special. It is a sight that delights wearer and observer alike. It is what makes the brand among the most renowned Italian jewelers. While the Princess collection is titled, so, too, is Roberto Coin. He has acquired the name of and fame as Ambassador of Italian style. A well-deserved moniker.

One of the hottest trends in jewelry is ear climbers. This cool and stylish way to dress up your ears gives a multiple-piercing look with a single piece of jewelry. Sometimes referred to as an ear crawler, creep up the other edges of the ear, starting at the lobe. Other synonyms include ear vines and ear sweeps. Consider them a hybrid: half stud earring and half ear cuff! You put them on the way you would a stud, then twist up so they rest on your lobe. Only one piercing is needed to wear an ear climber. They are a fun, fresh look for just about everyone. Assorted styles will take you from uptown to downtown, day to night. Are you edgy or elegant? Choose from a scroll design to a swirling wing. Arrow or triangle shape. A curling, split or angled contour. Look for versions in white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. And two tone precious metal! With and without gemstones. This is architecture for your ears! This statement piece is joined in the trendy ear category with ear cuffs and ear jackets. A cuff curves around the outside of the ear. You do not need pierced ears to rock an ear cuff. An ear jacket has an ornamentation that loops under to hug the bottom of your earlobe. Ear climbers have made it easy to adorn your ear with something that you will adore! Wear them as an accent piece or in pairs like a traditional pair of earrings. Get acquainted today and you will find that they are a must-have for your jewelry box. Embrace the trend to up your jewelry game! The silhouette will have a lot of play.

Start a new tradition with the John Hardy Legends collection! Pieces include designs that commemorate the Naga, Cobra, Macan and Eagle. Each dramatic ring, bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings or cufflinks empowers men and women. Designs were inspired by mythical creatures and lore of Bali. The updates have been made across collections and categories. And many of the pieces are set with semi-precious stones. The powerful, commanding Naga was the first figurative piece for the brand. A well-known and revered Balinese myth relates the dragon’s protection of the ocean pearl he loves and watering of the country’s fields. Dominant in the design are intricate scales and curves. Bracelets, earrings, necklace and rings have pattern, texture and rhythm. Two pieces for women and three for men make the John Hardy Top 10. A silver and gold dragon bracelet and dragon coil ring in 18kt gold with African ruby eyes and diamond for women. And woven leather dragon bracelet, dragon head ring with ruby and black sapphire, and sterling silver dragon head cufflinks for men. The Cobra is a powerful creative life force. When a snake sheds its skin, it signifies a rebirth. The latest line of Cobra has experienced a reincarnation. Spirals of stones and precious metal grace necklaces, coil bracelets and rings. Designs twist and wrap. Blue topaz, mixed black gemstones and white sapphires have a starring role. Two-tone silver and gold is another option. Macan is the Balinese word for tiger. The beast represents courage, strength and passion. A fierce spirit. The motif carries through to rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings. A limited-edition cuff celebrates 40 years of John Hardy history in a single piece. The macan sees the world through blue Paraiba tourmaline eyes. The rare gemstone brings color and luminosity. Etching and ukiran (cut work) tell a story, inside and out. The Eagle is a symbol of freedom and independence. Like its namesake, John Hardy men’s eagle jewelry is majestic and regal. Choose from bracelets in station and braided styles. Cufflinks, rings and pendants. In sterling silver, leather and bronze. With black chalcedony eyes. Mixed gemstones and black sapphires, too. You’ll go wild for the John Hardy Legends collection. It proves that fairy tales can come true. With beauty and comfort. You will call it substantive and statement-making. As with all John Hardy jewelry, the Legends collection is made one-at-a-time, by hand, in seven steps: Sketch Wax Carving Master Casting Molding Wax Wax Tree Silver Tree Finishing As a company, John Hardy is not like any other. The brand is all about long-term luxury. Only 100% recycled silver is used in the sterling pieces. Each item is designed and crafted by artisans descended from the kings of Bali. Many hours of labor are involved. It is a labor of love for the team. To them, John Hardy is not merely a company; it is a way of life. Culture, the arts, community and nature all have deep roots. And are given respect. Clients are invited to visit the island compound.

No two opals are alike. Each stone has its own pattern and colors, something that is prized by jewelry designer Robert Pelliccia. He was inspired by a 4.31 round opal to create a radiant 18kt white gold ring. The colors of the gem, from Lightning Ridge, Australia, shine through the milky white stone. It, and the pattern, changes with the angle of view. The piece features a diamond halo and pair of baguettes. The fire and ice are surrounded with stunning stones. Green tsavorites, and blue hues of aquamarine and topaz. A sculpted band is accented with a single diamond on each side. Lightning Ridge is a town in north-western New South Wales that is world-renowned for opal mining. Lightning Ridge lies in part of the Great Australian Basin, formed when dinosaurs walked the earth. The Lightning Ridge mines, named for spectacular lightning storms in the area, have more than 40 years experience in the opal industry. It is a celebrated source of opal. You can see and feel the artist’s dedication and passion in the Lightning Ridge Opal ring. The piece is beautiful. It combines form, function and fashion! Pelliccia’s work is widely recognized. He has been honored with many awards. He is driven by a quest for the new. Satisfaction is as close as the next piece of jewelry.

WWD recently broke the news that creative director and former part owner of John Hardy, Guy Bedarida, has left the company. This parting of the ways was reported to be a mutual agreement between the executive and the brand. Bedarida had led the creative team since 1998. It has been reported that when John Hardy was acquired by Catterton last year, he stayed to help with the transition. Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, who worked with him on the last two collections, has been named interim creative director. She had been creative advisor for the brand since October. The name Jeanbart-Lorenzotti is well-known name in the fashion world. The style expert understands the art and science of accessories, as well as luxury brands. She has creative vision and merchandising skills. She is the founder of Vivre, a successful upscale catalog. An HSN line, V by Eva, is part of her businesses. She hosted “Project Accessory,” a spin-off of “Project Runway,” and is a sought-after speaker on the lecture circuit and a frequent media guest. And also contributes to articles and books. It is anticipated that a new creative director will be named within a few seasons.