In NYC, we celebrated Holi with Rosena Sammi, founder of The Jewelry Edit. With Chai and chocolates we marked the end of winter and the welcoming of the new season over colorful jewels and beautiful friendships. It was a night full of joy and hopefulness as we shared Holi traditions. Mayer & Watt stopped into town for the MJSA show. We had a private viewing of their colorful gems over cocktails. Members also got to experience a “Lempicka” double feature with a tour of ‘The World of Tamara: A Celebration of Lempicka and Art Deco’ selling exhibition at Sotheby’s and a matinée performance of ‘Lempicka,’ a new musical on Broadway.
Art Fair season has begun in London this past weekend, and Gem X London’s first stop was the Collect Art Fair. Hosted at the iconic arts centre, Somerset House, members gathered for a tour of the jewellery exhibitors – dotted around dazzling and surrealist contemporary art galleries – to meet directors, designers and craftspeople alike, see their jewels up close, and learn about the stories behind them. Led by Objects Beautiful director Yael Reisnerct. We made a few special stops to Goldsmiths Fair, Jagger Dart London, Craft Scotland, and Gallery BR. Thank you to Yael Reisner for the wonderful tour and we look forward to exploring the fair again next year. A group of lucky members in London kicked off the Easter weekend with a truly galactic visit to the studio of Jacqueline Cullen in Cockpit Arts. Upon entering Jacqueline’s universe, we learned how she is inspired by some of the greatest forces in our own universe, like the collision of galaxies and the eruptions of volcanoes. In addition to trying on her stunning, sparkling work, we got to hold the rocks with which she works and even try our own hands at using the cutting and polishing machines she uses to give birth to her own creations. We walked away all wanting a bit of Jacqueline’s gem dust.
The exquisite art fair was in full bloom, with floating flowers and dancing jewels. With 275 exhibitors at the fair, no spot was left untouched by beauty. At Simon Teakle, Christine Cheng shared fair highlights and a stunning Boivin Sapphire Ring, Tefkros Christou presented tension set jewels from Hemmerle, stacks of Georges Lenfant bracelets were found at VKD, a Roman Cameo depicting Agrippa Posthumas Galerie Chenel, dazzling diamond earrings at Forms and many more. We are looking forward to making the trip to TEFAF NYC in the spring soon!
In preparation for our Gem X excursion to Boston, we want to start our trip planning with a fun reading assignment, MJ Rose’s newest book Forgetting to Remember. The The cover is beautifully illustrated featuring a Lover’s Eye by Michael Robinson of David Michael Jewels. We will visiting Michael at his studio in Boston, to see his brightly colored creations and illustrations.
We are thrilled to welcome our new members this month.
Alexander P. New York City, NY | Corrado J. Montclair, NJ | Jennifer L. New York City, NY | Kristin C. Texas
Not a Gem X Member? We would love to have you join us on our exclusive adventures. Start your application here.
Members gathereed together this month for a virtual mixer with Gem X Scholarship alumni Yeena Yoon and Ellis Mhairi Cameron. We chatted about the Scholarship Fund and were regaled by Ellis’ stories of unearthing a centuries old treasure hoard on her family’s farm. Read more about her account here.
We are thrilled to welcome our new members this month.
Alicia A. Washington D.C. | Emily P. Brooklyn, NY | Flavie L. Paris, FR | Kirsten S. New York City, NY | Kristin R. Castillo, TX | Sara R. Los Angeles, CA
Not a Gem X Member? We would love to have you join us on our exclusive adventures. Start your application here.
Years ago, when we started Gem X, we had a dream of building a shared jewelry collection that could be passed among close friends. Over the past years, we have experimented, evolved, and manifested this idea into a reality we’re so excited to share with you – The Gem X Core Collection
The jewelry of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum (RISD) tells a story of creativity and culture, a presentation of meticulously selected pieces that articulate Rhode Island’s 19th century jeweling history and beyond. Curator, Emily Banas shared her highlights from the museum’s jewelry collection, including new research discoveries and recent acquisitions, speaking to their place in the institute and in the wider jewelry space.
JEWELRY AT THE RISD MUSEUM: SHAPING A COLLECTION
After hundreds of years in the vault, the 1000+ collection of Portuguese royal treasures finally went on display last year in the west wing of the Ajuda Palace. Rui, who personally worked on the exhibition, joined us for a special virtual conversation to share some stories and insider knowledge on his favorite pieces. From a magnificent Columbian emerald brooch, to the Crown of João VI, to the Order of the Golden Fleece, we discovered more about the highlights of this extraordinary collection that melds history, with science with craft and beauty.
DISCOVERING THE CROWN JEWELS OF PORTUGAL
London | Tuesday, April 9th
A STUDIO VISIT WITH EMEFA COLE AND BENJAMIN HAWKINS Both daring and experimental in their execution, Emefa and Benjamin will host us in their respective studios, followed by a conversation about their creative process, the creation of their jewels and the opportunity to see their work up close. RSVP HERE
NYC | Sunday, April 14th
PERIODS OF COLLECTING – DOYLE’S JEWELS ACROSS THE AGES We are delighted to invite you to a private presentation with the experts at Doyle New York to learn more. From the elegance of Art Deco to the fanfare of Belle Époque, each period of collection has rich stories and distinct styles. RSVP HERE
London | Thursday, April 18th
DRAW ME A JEWEL – A GOUACHE MASTERCLASS We’re delighted to invite you to learn the function and masterful details of this illustrious artform with an intimate gouache workshop, hosted by Core member Inesa Kovalova of Draw Me A Jewel Illustration School. RSVP HERE
London | Monday, April 22nd
PHENOMENAL GEMSTONES WITH GEM-A One thing all gem and jewel enthusiasts know to be true is that there is always more to learn. You may know your Burmese rubies from your Zambian emeralds, but what of a stone’s unique physicality or behaviour with light? We’re delighted to invite for an evening of optical discovery with a private gemstone-handling workshop at The Gemmological Association of Great Britain. RSVP HERE
Gemflix | Wednesday, April 24th
EXPLORING THE JEWELER’S ART IN JODHPUR, INDIA Stone, gold and metal workers in Jodhpur have honed their crafts over years of training and studying time-honored techniques to produce creations native to the region and its surrounding culture. We’re delighted to host a conversation that will explore the hidden details and techniques of Jodhpur’s jewel craft, revealing their everyday workings, ancient specialisms and exquisite relics. RSVP HERE
London | Thursday, May 9th
THE STORY OF JEREMY MAY’S BOOK JEWELS The story behind a jewel is what forges a connection with the wearer – but what if a story is what made up the jewel itself?. Join us for an evening at Jeremy’s studio, in which he will present his ‘wearable narrative’ jewels and explain more about his fascinating process and love of preserving stories. RSVP HERE