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Dear Jewelry Friends,

If we were asked to think of one word to describe March at Gem X, it would be: gemstones. 

On Gemflix, we stepped into the fascinating universe of the lapidary with Justin K. Prim. Justin, who has studied with master cutters around the world, shared his wisdom and even a demonstration of the cutting process. Our guest host was Cora Sheibani, designer and member of the core, who wonderfully brought in the perspective of the jeweler. After, our member Stephanie Carendi commented, “I love to think of a gem now as carrying the preferences and decisions of its cutter and context and aim.” We could not agree more.

In New York, gemstones took center stage with Top Notch Faceting’s Jean-Noel Soni, who gave us a peek into his latest creations, like mint garnets that burst with springtime colors. Members in London met for a joyful studio tour with the wonderful Joy Bonfield-Combara (Joy BC), and some lucky LA’ers had one wish come true with a visit to see Aladdin’s lamp and other wonders of the Disney Archive. Core member Levi Higgs and member M.J. Rose led an exciting conclusion of our first ever book club and our Gem X Scholar Jenny House of Origin 31 celebrated an amazing recognition.

Read on for more gems like these and a look at what’s coming up next!

Yours in jewels,    

Heidi & Lin

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SCHOLAR SHOWCASE

Congratulations to Jenny House, founder of Origin 31, for winning a Bronze award in the Goldsmiths Craftsmanship & Design Awards. Jenny is one of our inaugural scholars and she used her funds to purchase CAD software, which has revolutionized her jewelry design process and helped her create a winning design for the awards. Learn more about it, in her words:

Whilst I was CAD trained I hadn’t been able to use the software for over 10 years. I was a little rusty! However, after spending a long week doing tutorials to refresh my memory, I had one day to create my design on CAD to submit to the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship And Design Awards for the “Repurposing Jewelry” brief. The brief was:

‘A client who wants to gift their son a special item of jewelry to wish him safe travels and great adventure as he embarks upon 6 months of traveling across South East Asia. He has just completed university where he studied Marine Biology, an intriguing field to which he is very committed and passionate. He had to postpone his exciting travel plans due to the pandemic but is now excited and raring to go! The client wishes to use the materials from their grandparents’ wedding bands that together contain: 11grams of 18ct white gold, and 7 brilliant cut 1.5mm diameter sapphires and 7 brilliant cut 1.5mm emeralds. The client’s son is comfortable wearing jewelry (cuffs, rings, pendant/necklace, earring/s)’

My concept is called ‘Home and Away’ and based around a Chinese good luck coin. It features details of his home, including the Union Jack Flag and a compass pointing north west to his home, and on the reverse a map of the area which he will be traveling in along with the compass pointing south east. As homage to his passion for marine life, sapphires and emeralds create a wave motif. 

Check out Jenny’s other work on her Instagram @origin31 

CHAPTER CHECK-INS

Imagine a space filled to the brim with creative spirit, sculptural works of art (that you can wear) and stories of mythical jewels. Last week, the designer Joy Bonfield-Colombara (Joy BC) welcomed us into her magical London studio space. We waxed poetic about Greek mythology, the power of the tiara, ancient Japanese swords, Amazonian pearl divers and much more. All have served as threads of inspiration for Joy’s creations. Better than any ordinary happy hour, it was truly an inspirational and joyful hour. Thank you to both Joy and Elisabetta Cipriani, our member and gracious co-hostess, for a very special evening. XX
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One wish came true with Aladdin’s lamp for our members in LA! In collaboration with Jewelry Collectors of LA and Women’s Jewelry Association, we embarked on a magical adventure through the crown jewels of The Walt Disney Archives at the Bowers Museum a few weeks ago. Sharing the jewelry love, 30 members gathered to hear behind the scenes stories about iconic pieces like Cinderella’s Swarovski crystal slipper and Juliet’s larger-than-life wedding ring. One wall displayed the “personal” ring collections of beloved motion picture characters – think the Star Wars rebel signets next to the Queen of Hearts’ cocktail and Jack Sparrow’s pirate rings. A must see, the exhibition will be on view until June 19th. XX

Early in March, a lucky group of NYC jewelry lovers stepped back in time for an evening of “Jewelry Through the Ages,” hosted by Simon Teakle Jewelry. Over cocktails and dinner in a private library, we heard Simon recount tales from his many jewelry adventures, over years spent at Christie’s jewels and now running his own gallery in Greenwich, CT. Our long dining table was filled with conversation, gasps, laughter and jewels spanning from the Georgian era on one end through the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro … all the way to Contemporary. And in the recent week, springtime arrived early for us when Jean-Noel of @topnotchfaceting visited from California. Jean sources rough from all over the world before fashioning them into unique, vibrant gemstones. Over cocktails and dinner, Gem X got the first peek!

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BOOK CLUB WRAP-UP

In late March, author M.J. Rose and co-host Levi Higgs concluded a wonderful series of discussions about our winter read, The Last Tiara. We were absolutely riveted as we finally learned the truth about Sofiya, Carpathian and the tiara! We were especially intrigued to learn more about The Midas Society in these final chapters and knew we needed to ask M.J. what inspired the Society’s headquarters. You can listen to her answer here. Excursion to the South of France anyone?

It has been such a thrilling reading adventure over the past few weeks. We have been swept into a mystery surrounding a missing Romanov tiara, characters inspired by jewelry legends like Paul Flato and M.J.’s plot twists that kept us guessing to the end. We have loved our intimate conversations with M.J. and book club host Levi Higgs. Stay tuned for a new book club pick, coming soon!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This month we are shining a spotlight on one of our newest members. A jewelry designer who champions lab-grown gemstones, fantastic design, sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship, Anabela Chan grew up in London and Paris and studied at the Royal College of Art, London. Anabela launched her eponymous label in 2014 and opened her new flagship store on Sloane Street, London in 2020. Her creations are worn and loved globally from Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, J.Lo to Taylor Swift and members of the Royal Families. 

At Gem X we definitely love her bold use of color – both in metal and gemstones. Anabela described her jewelry heaven as “discovering friends and fellow designers’ personal treasure trove of their private collections and their stories”, a sentiment we at Gem X can definitely share. Her favorite gemstones are opals and tourmalines. Her favorite jewel to wear, unsurprisingly, is a cocktail ring. Her dream jewels? The JAR jewels in private collections (yes, please)! 

@anabelachan https://anabelachan.com/

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WHAT'S COMING UP...

New York City  | Sunday, April 3rd

THE JEWELS OF WINTER SHOW

When Barneys closed its doors in 2020, we wondered what, one day, might fill its space.  Our wishes were granted when we heard that The Winter Show is returning this April, and in a special edition, being held inside the storied space that is 660 Madison Avenue. You are invited to join us for a walk around the show to see its best, bejeweled hits.

RSVP HERE

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles | Saturday, April 23rd

DIAMONDS & FINE JEWELRY FOR BREAKFAST

You are cordially invited by Ana Wroblaski, West Coast Director of Fine Jewelry, for a private Saturday morning tour to preview the Spring Fine Jewelry Signature Auction specially hosted by Heritage Auctions. With light bites and refreshments in hand, we will get to hear more about the auction process and jewelry market. Following the private tour, Heritage invites you to peruse and enjoy the sale at your leisure.

Please RSVP here.

Featured lot: 21.93 diamond necklace

Online | Wednesday, April 27th

INTO THE WORLD OF STUDIO RENN

At the GemGeneve fair, jewelry writer and historian Vivienne Becker curates Designer Vivarium, an exhibition of the world’s most avant-garde jewelers. Last year this included Rahul and Roshni Jhaveri, the husband-and-wife founders of Studio Renn. Known for pushing the boundaries and creating jewels like this concrete and diamond ‘On the Edge’ ring. On Gemflix, we are invited into the Studio Renn world, to learn about their creative process, novel use of materials, sources of inspiration and much more. RSVP in title.

Versailles, France | Saturday, May 21st

THE ROYAL VERSAILLES BALL

A glorious night in May of fine cuisine, reeling, bubbles, fireworks and entertainment, all in support of the charities Unicef UK, Lewa and Street Child. Gem X is hosting a table and has invited members to join us in France.

The table is currently full, but you can join the waitlist by emailing: events@gemx.club.

LAST TIME ON GEMFLIX...

For our March Gemflix, we stepped inside the lapidary’s universe with wizard gem-cutter, Justin Prim. After learning from master cutters all around the world, Justin shared some pearls of wisdom with our Gemflix audience. He demonstrated the process of cutting, discussed the power of a good cut and debated the price of beauty. We swooned over the before and after examples of stones Justin has worked on, in our dream version of a gem makeover.

 

ACCESS ARCHIVES OF 120+ GEMFLIX REPLAYS
Replays are available to all members of Gem X

 

Not a member yet? Learn about joining us HERE.

That’s it for this month!  For questions and comments, please drop us a note here.

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Gem X Core Collection | Terms and Conditions

1. DEFINITIONS: “Gem X” refers to Gem X LLC, who has lent a given piece of jewelry to Customer. “Jewelry” refers to any piece of jewelry identified above that is being lent to Customer by Gem X on memo for a period not to exceed six weeks. “Loan Period” refers to the period of time which Gem X agrees to lend the Jewelry to Customer.

2. APPLICABILITY: These Terms and Conditions govern and apply to a one year membership in the Gem X Core Collection Program. Customer agrees that by accepting these Terms and Conditions, Gem X is authorized to charge Customer’s credit Card on file the full price of a one year membership. Customer further agrees that by accepting these Terms and Conditions, Customer’s membership in the Gem X Core Collection program will automatically renew one year from the expiration of the term of membership, and Customer’s credit card will be charged for each annual membership renewal. Customer acknowledges that should Customer seek to cancel Customer’s membership at any time during each one year membership term, Customer will not be entitled to any refund for any portion of the one year membership term prior to which the Customer cancelled membership. Customer agrees that Customer may only avoid an automatic membership renewal (and corresponding credit card charge) by canceling Customer’s membership in writing via email to members@gemx.club at least 24 hours prior to the expiration of the term of Customer’s one year Gem X Core Collection Program membership. Nothing herein shall be construed as implying any obligation on Gem X’s part to continue or cancel Customer’s membership at any time. Gem X reserves the right to cancel Customer’s membership in the Gem X Core Collection Program, and further reserves the right to decline to renew Customer’s membership in the Gem X Core Collection Program, for any reason including but not limited to a violation of any of these Terms and Conditions.

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4. CORE COLLECTION AGREEMENT: Customer agrees that by signing below, via Docusign or by clicking a check-box acknowledging acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, Customer shall be part of the Gem X Core Collection program, in which Gem X shall, in Gem X’s sole discretion, lend Customer on memo one or more pieces of Jewelry to be selected by Gem X for a period not to exceed six (6) weeks. At the end of the Loan Period, Customer agrees that it shall ship the Jewelry back to Gem X via the pre-printed Federal Express label to be e-mailed to Customer by Gem X.

5. INSPECTION: Customer acknowledges that Customer has inspected the Jewelry upon taking possession thereof, finds it in good and undamaged condition, with no damaged or missing stones or components, and finds it suitable for Customer’s needs. To the extent that Customer finds the Jewelry to have any damage, or damaged or missing stones or components whatsoever upon receipt of the Jewelry, Customer shall promptly notify Gem X of any damage to the Jewelry, or damaged or missing stones or components, within one (1) business day of receipt. Notice shall be provided to Customer via email, and shall include photographs of any damage to the Jewelry, and/or damaged or missing stones or components. Customer further acknowledges and agrees that should Customer fail to notify Gem X of any damage to the Jewelry, or damaged or missing stones or components, within one (1) business day of receipt of the Jewelry: (a) Customer waives any claim that the Jewelry arrived with any damage whatsoever; (b) Customer will be responsible for reimbursing Gem X for any damage to the Jewelry, or damaged or missing stones or components, as further described in paragraph 5.

6. RETURN OF JEWELRY/CUSTOMER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE: At the expiration of the Loan Period, Customer shall return the Jewelry as specified in paragraph 3. Upon receipt of the Jewelry by Gem X, Gem X shall inspect the Jewelry for any damage to the Jewelry and damaged or missing stones or components. Should Gem X determine, in its sole discretion, that there is any damage to the Jewelry, or that there are any damaged or missing stones or components, or that the Jewelry has been tampered with in any way such that it is not in the condition that it was in at the commencement of the Loan Period, Gem X shall notify Customer in writing within ten (10) business days of receipt of the Jewelry. Gem X shall make any repairs and/or replace any damaged or missing stones at its sole discretion, and shall invoice Customer in writing for the full cost of said repairs within ten (10) business days of such repairs being made. Customer hereby agrees and consents that Gem X may charge Customer’s credit card on file within two (2) days of Gem X sending the above Invoice without further notice to Customer. Customer further agrees and acknowledges that, should Customer fail to return the Jewelry within five (5) business days of the expiration of the Loan Period, Gem X may invoice Customer for the full replacement cost of the Jewelry, and may charge Customer’s credit card of file within two (2) days of Gem X sending the above Invoice without further notice to Customer.

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15. CRIMINAL WARNING: Failure to return the Jewelry at the end of the Loan Period may be considered theft subject to criminal prosecution pursuant to the applicable penal or penal code provisions.

 

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