I just started reading this book - looks AMAZING - review shortly!
“Jewelry’s Shining Stars” (Fine Points Publishing, Sept 2013) is a celebration of the generation of independent jewelers who have learned the rules in order to bend them, creating a unique and distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry. They are the new influencers that are shining brightly and are evolving with time and perseverance.
With a foreword written by internationally renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster, this elegant, full-color coffee table book features designs, quotes, personal anecdotes and inspirations as told by 38 designers. “Each and every designer featured in ‘Jewelry’s Shining Stars’ is helping to return jewelry to something given and worn with emotion, not a sign of wealth and status,” says Webster, who calls the book a “damn good read about passion, dedication, craftsmanship and bloody minded obsession.”
Although the industry is filled with a plethora of designers who construct pretty, wearable and saleable collections, the jewelers featured in “Jewelry’s Shining Stars” have made an indelible mark with their distinguished sensibilities and signature creations, setting them apart from their peers and their predecessors.
With a foreword written by internationally renowned jewelry designer, Stephen Webster, this elegant, full-color coffee table book features designs, quotes, personal anecdotes and inspirations as told by 38 designers. “Each and every designer featured in ‘Jewelry’s Shining Stars’ is helping to return jewelry to something given and worn with emotion, not a sign of wealth and status,” says Webster, who calls the book a “damn good read about passion, dedication, craftsmanship and bloody minded obsession.”
Although the industry is filled with a plethora of designers who construct pretty, wearable and saleable collections, the jewelers featured in “Jewelry’s Shining Stars” have made an indelible mark with their distinguished sensibilities and signature creations, setting them apart from their peers and their predecessors.
These designers have crossed the boundaries of art, function and wearability and formed distinctive identities while bringing out the collector in a new age of women.
These jewelers have helped form the taste, styles and standards of the self-purchaser.
Most importantly, they are shaping jewelry’s future.
Individually, each of these talents has an aesthetic language and story to tell, rich with
influences of their up-bringing, travels and beliefs. Collectively, they have challenged the definition of fine jewelry with their shared vision. As a group, they are designing for a generation of women who has embraced this new creativity and think of jewelry as an extension of personal style.
“Jewelry’s Shining Stars” presents an informative, vivid and lively peek into this exclusive
forum. From Todd Reed's pioneering rough and raw diamonds to K. Brunini’s organic forms and introduction of non-precious materials into precious jewelry to Arman Sarkisyan’s intricate award-winning museum quality pieces, these cross-cultural designers offer a cross pollination of talent carving an enduring place in jewelry’s timeline.
forum. From Todd Reed's pioneering rough and raw diamonds to K. Brunini’s organic forms and introduction of non-precious materials into precious jewelry to Arman Sarkisyan’s intricate award-winning museum quality pieces, these cross-cultural designers offer a cross pollination of talent carving an enduring place in jewelry’s timeline.
They have earned their place in this art form’s rich history.
Jewelry designers in the book include (in alphabetical order):
Adel Chefridi Alishan Amali
Allia Annie Fensterstock Arman Sarkisyan
Boaz Kashi Borgionis Cassandra Erin
Colette Coomi Donna Distefano
Ileana Makri Jamie Joseph Jemma Wynne
Joseph Murray Kamofie K. Brunini
Katherine Jetter Lauren Harper Lauren Wolf
Megan Thorne Melissa Joy Manning Michael John Jewelry
Mizuki Moritz Glik Nam Cho
Naomi Blumenthal Pamela Huizenga Polly Wales
Ray Griffiths Rebecca Overmann Shaill
Sorellina Todd Reed Vibes
Wendy Yue Yael Sonia
BOOK LAUNCH - SIGNING/ JEWELRY VIEWING EVENTS
Catch up with author/curator Beth Berstein at one of these upcoming events.
Aaron Faber Gallery - New York, New York
Thursday, September 26, 20135:00PM – 7:00PM
Thursday, September 26, 20135:00PM – 7:00PM
Champagne reception, designer preview and group signing by author and select designers
Kamofie - Venice, California
Thursday, October 10, 2013
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Champagne reception, designer preview, and group signing by author and select designers.
Elements - Chicago, Illinois
Friday, October 11, 2013 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Champagne reception and book signing by the author and select designers
Saturday, October 12, 2013
12:00PM — 4:00PM
Trunk show with select designers and book signing by the author
Reinhold Jewelers - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Over the past 15 years, she has written for both consumer and trade magazines and newspapers on all topics of jewelry including monthly profile stories on international jewelry designers. She has a thriving career as a personal stylist to help private clients build jewelry wardrobes and is also a dealer of fine antique and period pieces. She has given seminars on various aspects of jewelry, has been a judge for jewelry design awards and curated sections of jewelry trade shows. Her consulting company, Plan B, advises on all facets of merchandising, marketing, branding and design for independent jewelers. She is a member of The American Society of Jewelry Historians, and WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association), among other associations. She lives in New York City.
On curating and writing this book, Bernstein who is a twenty-year jewelry veteran (editor,
writer, collector, jewelry historian and consultant) explains, “I have seen the sparkle of a rich history. I have been fortunate enough to see pieces from Castellani to Cartier and The Crown Jewels up close and personal. I have been invited to famous gem mines and jewelry cultures around the globe, as well as the workshops and vaults behind the gleaming facades of Madison Avenue and Place Vendome. Yet, I am most drawn to the studios of today’s generation of independent jewelers—designers who work at the bench with reverence for old world tradition, then soulfully alter the classic techniques for irreverent and intriguing styles. I have met all of these jewelers at shows and in their studios, and while trying on their pieces, I have been transported into their worlds. Now I’d like to take readers into their creative minds and present the pieces that are sure to capture the imagination and inspire desire for the craft and collecting of these most alluring designs.”
Kamofie - Venice, California
Thursday, October 10, 2013
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Champagne reception, designer preview, and group signing by author and select designers.
Elements - Chicago, Illinois
Friday, October 11, 2013 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Champagne reception and book signing by the author and select designers
Saturday, October 12, 2013
12:00PM — 4:00PM
Trunk show with select designers and book signing by the author
Reinhold Jewelers - San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 24
4:00 PM— 8:00PM
Reception, group signing by author and select designers and jewelry trunk show.
October 25
Group trunk show continues
Author Bio:
For the past 20 years, Beth Bernstein has been engaged in two of her passions as careers— writing and consulting about fine jewelry. Her memoir, My Charmed Life: Rocky Romances, Precious Family Connections and Searching For A Band of Gold, was published by Penguin in the summer of 2012. She is working on her second memoir. Over the past 15 years, she has written for both consumer and trade magazines and newspapers on all topics of jewelry including monthly profile stories on international jewelry designers. She has a thriving career as a personal stylist to help private clients build jewelry wardrobes and is also a dealer of fine antique and period pieces. She has given seminars on various aspects of jewelry, has been a judge for jewelry design awards and curated sections of jewelry trade shows. Her consulting company, Plan B, advises on all facets of merchandising, marketing, branding and design for independent jewelers. She is a member of The American Society of Jewelry Historians, and WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association), among other associations. She lives in New York City.
On curating and writing this book, Bernstein who is a twenty-year jewelry veteran (editor,
writer, collector, jewelry historian and consultant) explains, “I have seen the sparkle of a rich history. I have been fortunate enough to see pieces from Castellani to Cartier and The Crown Jewels up close and personal. I have been invited to famous gem mines and jewelry cultures around the globe, as well as the workshops and vaults behind the gleaming facades of Madison Avenue and Place Vendome. Yet, I am most drawn to the studios of today’s generation of independent jewelers—designers who work at the bench with reverence for old world tradition, then soulfully alter the classic techniques for irreverent and intriguing styles. I have met all of these jewelers at shows and in their studios, and while trying on their pieces, I have been transported into their worlds. Now I’d like to take readers into their creative minds and present the pieces that are sure to capture the imagination and inspire desire for the craft and collecting of these most alluring designs.”
.jpg)
