JTV Blog

JTV at the 2012 Tucson Gem Shows: Behind the Scenes Look at Amazing Gems, Jewelry, Minerals

The Tucson Mineral show dates back to 1955. It started with just a few exhibiters in the cafeteria of a local elementary school.  In 1973, it grew as gemstones were officially added to the mix.  Today, gemstone, jewelry, and mineral enthusiasts from all over the world head to Tucson for these eclectic shows. Jewelry Television is always on the scene scouting out the next great deal for you!    

I arrived in Tucson late Monday afternoon. The weather was beautiful, sunny and clear. I was anxious to catch up to my JTV associates as several were already in town. I wanted to get an update on what treasures the Jewelry Television Gemstone Buying Team had found so far!   

Waking up in Tucson--here is the beautiful greeting outside my window! I had breakfast with the team. I learned that they had found some interesting Sphalerite, Ammonite, Trilobite, and Pyrite. 

Today, I found some very fun, interesting and historical items that were mined in Madagascar. Here are some pictures to represent just a few of these times. When you learn about this interesting country--and how many thousands of years these items took to form--you will be amazed.   

            
Every year in Tucson, we celebrate JTV Co-Founder Jerry Sisk's birthday.   It is the one night in Tucson we all get together to celebrate "family night" and all have dinner together.  Here are a few pics to share some behind the scenes with the  JTV family.  - Dan

   


                        

 

Jewel School Newsletter January 2012: Chain Maille Project, Beads of Courage, American Heart Association

The Jewel School Insider with Julie Evans, Jewel School Buyer    

The big, red heart day on February 14 is almost here and Jewel School is inviting all jewelry makers to open up their hearts and make a difference for children with serious medical needs.  This is a story of strength, hope and honor for children through Arts in Medicine where beads are providing tangible signs of progress for children undergoing difficult recoveries.

Beads of Courage is a non-profit organization in over 100 hospitals around the country and it provides beads to children as symbols of accomplishments.  A child gets a bead to symbolize a blood transfusion, a chemo treatment, or any of the many procedures cancer requires.  The beads are special sign of courage, and children collect them in a necklace that can be quite long.  Chloe’s necklace, shared with us by Beads of Courage, is very beautiful in many ways. 

During the month of February while the Jewel School shows are on the air, customers may opt to contribute $1.00 to Beads of Courage when placing an order.  All of the money, 100%, will go to Beads of Courage to help purchase more beads for the program.  It’s pretty simple but it means so much.  Click on the link to read more about Beads of Courage.  It is a wonderful story that began with one woman, an oncology nurse,  that saw a way to tap into the emotional needs of children. Here at Jewel School we believe in Beads of Courage and hope you will join us in supporting this worthwhile cause.

February is also the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Month for Women. Go Red for Women day is February 3, 2012.  Heart disease kills more women in the U. S. than anything else.  The AHA invites every woman to practice the five ways to Love Your Heart:
•    Be Active
•    Eat Smart
•    Evaluate your Risk
•    Listen to Your Heart
•    Know the Facts
To learn more, visit GoRedForWomen.org .

Jackie Truity, the super talented Art Clay™ expert, will be in Knoxville, TN at the Jewelry Television headquarters in February for a three day Art Clay Level One Certification course.  This is a person-to-person experience with Jackie in one of the JTV campus buildings.  Attendees will take home seven technique-rich projects including: working with cork clay, applying overlay paste to porcelain, using organic forms, creating and sizing rings, handling the syringe type, and achieving a mirror finish.  This pihoto of Jackie in her familiar denim shirt is from our October 2011 Jewel School workshop as she works in minute detail with her students. The class size is limited and participants will have an amazing hands-on experience with Art Clay.  The dates are February 21-23 and the cost, which includes all the necessary supplies for the class, is $500.  If you want to know more about this unprecendented Jewel School event, email us at customerevents@jtv.com and we’ll send you more information. 

Check out the guest schedule for February Jewel School shows below.  Read-on for a dose of inspiration from customer Mary Darnell, a highly motivated student of jewelry making.  Her current designs feature Chainmaille necklaces and bracelets.  We’ve included Christiane Ross’s Double Bubbles Chainmaille project if you are ready to have some fun with jump rings!

We’re off to Tucson for the mega bead buying bonanza of the year!  All the new colors, trends, and products are on display and for buyers it is a cornucopia of jewelry making delights. I’ve already packed my comfortable shoes and a hat for the Arizona sunshine.

Happy Valentine’s Day to All from Jewel School,

Julie Evans
Jewel School Buyer

Jewel School Guests for February 2012

February 5 & 6 - Barbara Carleton is bringing her jewelry designer software that helps keep track of inventory, sales, customers, and other aspects of jewelry making.  Joining Barbara in the same show is Cindy Lichfield, the creator of the Cloud Dome, a personal portable photo studio in a bag.  Cindy will show you how to take professional quality digital photos without complicated lighting.

February 9 - Fernando is paying us a visit with spring fashion ideas.  Fernando Dasilva is a member of the Beadalon Design Team.

February 12 & 13 - Two fan favorites return to Jewel School.  Julianna Hudgins, the Fire Behind the Wire, has some exciting new Ergo pliers.  Anne Dilker is coming back with a Kumihimo kit and new color cord kits, toggles, clasp kits, and s-lon color kits.

February 19 & 20 -Jackie Truity and Katie Baum are bringing more Art Clay techniques.  This mother-daughter team is always fun to watch!

February 23 -Stephanie Eddy arrives on Thursday with her Guide to Viking Knit Book and some bound projects.

February 26 & 27 -Our favorite diehard rock hound, Dale Armstrong, is bringing new line of tools and a new wire wrapping kit.  Anie Piliguian, the investor of the Jool Tool polishing and finishing machine, is back and we always enjoy her visit.  

Jewel School January Project

The project this month comes from Jewel School's very own Christiane Ross--the "Double Bubbles" Chainmaille necklace.  If you attended the customer workshop in October you may have made this necklace in Christiane’s class.  Have fun with it!

Download Instructions to Make Double Bubbles necklace by Christiane Ross

Jewel School Customer Spotlight

Mary Darnell from Ohio is in the customer spotlight with her inspiring Chainmaille designs. 
The Blue Jean Lady or BJ, as she is known among friends, says jewelry making is something she tried years ago but it never got off the ground.

She revived her interest last year with a creative boost from Jewel School. Mary explains she is highly motivated. “I have been teaching myself to work with all sorts of tools and materials after watching Jewel School and I buy almost all of the kits. I love trying everything, and find inspiration in color and the tools!”  (Self-motivation and a good eye for form don’t stop with jewelry design when it comes to Mary. On her website, she has a gallery of life-like oil and chalk pastels commissioned by grieving pet owners wishing to commemorate their best friends.) 
  
Chainmaille and spirals show up in many of Mary’s favorite piece of jewelry. “I am getting a professional jump ring maker so I can make all my pieces look very neat and clean."  We asked if she has any solid advice for anyone working in Chainmaille, and she replied, “I have found that when working with jump rings for making Chainmaille pieces, it is best to keep a soft hand on the tools when closing the rings.  That way no pressure marks are left on the rings and they seem to go into shape easier.  Preparing my rings in advance is helpful, too.  I don't have to stop and open or close more as needed. Of course, it may not always work out that way because I end up adding crystals or beads and then I need more rings. When the creative juices start flowing, designs start changing, too. That is the fun part!” This Chainmaille bracelet (left) created by Mary features color variation in a very classic look that will add polish to professional attire or pose as an eye catcher for T-shirt and jeans.  

Venturing out into the marketplace in small steps, Mary is gathering confidence as a  seller.  “I sell my work to friends for the most part.  I am having my first jewelry party on February 10, a day before my birthday.” Her son, a computer programmer for a California company, is helping Mary set up a website with a gallery of her designs that are up for sale.  He also designed Mom’s immortal-pets site.    
 
Mary Darnell is a perfect example of the creative women and men that have joined the Jewel School in the last year.  Although she was practically an artist from birth, Mary says we all have the creative gene and it only needs activation. An artist’s inquisitive spirit is the driving passion behind her jewelry making projects.  “All you need to do is pick up a bright colored stone or piece of wire and say ‘That would look beautiful as a wire rose, or a ring or whatever your mind’s eye sees it to be.  Don't be afraid to create!!! It is very rewarding knowing your hands did that.  Page through books or magazines and see what other people are doing. JUST DO IT!  Books can be very inspiring! Making jewelry is easy. You just have to get started. Begin a piece today!"

Mary, keep up the creativity!  You are an inspiration to us all.

Until next month, 

The Jewel School Team

 
 
 

 

 

 

JTV Presents New Book 'Jewelry Television Guide to Gems & Jewelry'

At long last, the Jewelry Television Guide to Gems & Jewelry is here! And I mean right here--on my desk. I've been scanning over 266 pages of gemstone and jewelry facts revised and edited by none other than JTV co-founder Gerald (Jerry) D. Sisk, Jr. This must-have book is available for advance purchase on jtv.com now!

We are offering the special Certified First Edition of Guide to Gems & Gemology, signed by Jerry Sisk and numbered out of the first 2,000 copies, which bears the deluxe gold seal for The JTV Library Certified First Editions. Or choose just the book for a lesser price. Either way, secure your copy of this must-have book today on jtv.com. - Dana Sebby, JTV.com Community Manager

About the Jewelry Television Guide to Gems & Jewelry

• hundreds of color photographs of gems and jewelry, more than half taken in house by our own photographers
• the physical properties, characteristics, histories, and legends of many gemstone varieties
• information on gemstone formation, mining, cutting, and jewelry design

About Jerry Sisk

•    Jewelry Television Co-Founder and Executive Vice President
•    Traveled to over 40 countries worldwide
•    Has a deep appreciation for many cultures
•    Well versed in the challenges of gemstone mining and jewelry manufacturing
•    Received his G.G. (Graduate Gemologist) diploma from the G.I.A. (Gemological Institute of    America)
•    Member of the I.C.A. (International Colored Gemstone Association)
•    Has served as a gem industry & laboratory conference committee member
•    Has been a guest speaker for many organizations
•    Received an international award from the I.D.C.A. (Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association)

JTV's Learning Library Presents: Gems & Gemology; Clarity Enhancement, Irradiation and Combined Treatments, and Surface Coating

Part 2 of 4 (Read Part 1 here.)

Advances in technology and increased demand for lower-priced gem materials contributed to the proliferation of new gemstone treatments throughout the first decade of the 2000s. The developments that made the most difference were the diffusion treatment of corundum with beryllium, diffusion of copper into feldspar, clarity enhancement of ruby and diamond, and heat treatment of diamond, ruby, and sapphire. This article summarizes the development of clarity enhancement, irradiation and combined treatments, and surface coating of particular gemstones. It is Part II of a four part series on gemstone enhancement from the Gemological Institute of America. Read the rest of the article here on JTV.com's Learning Library.

 

 

The Jewelry Television Gem Congress 2012 Event

Stay tuned to Jewelry Television and JTV.com the week of January 24th, 2012 for the Jewelry Television Gem Congress 2012 event! We’ve asked several of our best gemstone vendors from around the world to make a stop here in Knoxville, Tennessee (home to JTV Headquarters) before travelling to Arizona for the Tucson Gem Show beginning soon. Formerly known as ‘Vendor Fair’, the JTV Gem Congress 2012 is our opportunity to purchase the latest and newest gemstones available in the marketplace, before they take them to Tucson. We’ve challenged our vendors to bring us their best gems, so get ready for some awesome deals on some of the world’s most desirable and highly collectible gemstones! JTV's international team of Gemstone Buyers will be selecting only the finest gems at the best prices possible.

And the best news for you? We’ll air these gems on Jewelry Television and jtv.com before the Tucson show even begins! Stay tuned to Jewelry Television (or watch us live online at jtv.com/live) for all the latest news from this premier event.

See the photos from Jewelry Television's 2011 Trip to the Tucson Gem shows on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150132232146882.326534.7126906881&type=3

What's "Tucson" and Why Do We Keep Talking About It?

If you’ve watched Jewelry Television or shopped JTV.com for any amount of time, you have no doubt heard the term “Tucson” used a lot this time of year. "Tucson" is the abbreviated name we use for the largest gem show in the United States, located in Tucson, Arizona. Every February this event (more officially known as the Tucson Gem Fair or Tucson Gem Show) commands the attention of the gemstone, jewelry, beading, mineral specimen and gemstone collectible worlds. Vendors and buyers from around the globe make their way to Arizona for this ‘can’t miss’ event, keeping their ears to the ground for news on the latest discoveries, the best buys and what their competitors are doing.

View of a show floor in Tucson

JTV.com's Learning Library: Gems & Gemology "Gemstones Enhancement and its Detection in the 2000's"

JTV.com's Learning Library is delighted to share with you this excerpt from the important article "Gemstone Enhancement and its Detection in the 2000's" from Gems & Gemology, Vol. 46, No. 3.* Part One of Four segments to be shared in the JTV.com Learning Library, this first excerpt explores Thermal Enhancement and Diffusion Treatment. Read Part One in its entirety at jtv.com/library and to learn more about the treatments applied to the gemstones shown in this fantastic image: 

*Gemstone Enhancement and its Detection in the 2000s: Thermal Enhancement and Diffusion Treatment by Shane F. McClure, Robert E. Kane, and Nicholas Sturman, from GEMS & GEMOLOGY, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 218–240. © 2010 Gemological Institute of America, Fall 2010
Published on JTV.com: January 2012

 

January is Garnet Month at Jewelry Television and JTV.com!

Garnet, birthstone for January. At Jewelry Television and JTV.com, we have blue garnets, green garnets, orange garnets, purple garnets, red garnets...do you? If not, add to your gemstone or jewelry collection today as we offer the best garnet loose gemstones and garnet jewelry prices to our JTV customers. Want to know more about the varieties of garnet? Read JTV's Learning Library collection of Garnet articles here.

2011 was a big year for garnet here at Jewelry Television, with many exciting firsts, such as Masasi Blue Garnet and Masasi Bordeaux Garnet (the blue exhibits a beautiful color change while the Bordeaux has a nice color shift), and we expect the 2012 will be just as impressive on the garnet front. In fact, we opened the New Year with a special collection of 6 untreated, rare garnets: JTV item number JANKIT0145. Included in the collection are Anthill garnet, Serengeti spessartite garnet, tsavorite garnet, Masasi blue color change garnet, Regal Rajasthan Rhodolite Garnet, Namibian demantoid garnet. Display your gemstones in the 4.25x 4.25x .75 inch Cherry Wood GemVue case included with the collection. Perfect as a presentation piece or gift box for gemstones or other small collectibles. This case suspends one or more objects in a polyurethane material. Here are the highpoints of the collection:

- The Ant Hill garnet is colored by Chromium which gives it a vivid, deep red that rivals top rubies. It is the reddest of all red garnets and the rarest. One of only 2 known species of garnet colored by chromium.

- Currently, the Green Dragon Mine is the single commercial mine for demantoid garnet in the world as of today. It is located in the dry Namibian desert and these demantoid are known for their flawlessness and pure color.

- Tanzanian Spessartite is perhaps the purest orange gemstone in the gem kingdom. It gets its color from Magnesium, a rarely occurring coloring agent in gemstones and gives these rare garnets their intense orange color.

- Rhodalite garnet comes in a range of deep red to rose colored shades of pink. It is a perennial favorite.

- Tsavorite is a green grossular garnet which hails from the border region of Kenya and Tanzania. It is known as one of the purest and prettiest green gemstones in the gem kingdom.

- Masasi Color Change garnet is a newcomer, recently discovered and brought to market by JTV this past year (2011). It has a dramatic and strong color change that rivals top alexandrite.

- All these rare garnets come with our premium Cherry wood magnetic display case for your collection and viewing pleasure. This is a rich, high end display case that is fitting for Jewelry Television's rare Exotic Garnet Collection.

Happy New Year from the Jewel School Team!

What did you learn in 2011about yourself? Did jewelry making open new doors? Did you begin marketing your jewelry or teaching others how to find relaxation and a sense of accomplishment while stringing beads, working with wire, oohing and aahing gorgeous crystals, leaning to use a new tool or Art Clay™ or designing an eye candy piece just for someone special? Even if you took one or two steps on a new path, I hope the Jewel School played an active role in your life. Our mission is to open new doors, blaze a trail where one has never gone before or simply add dimension and joy to your creative mind.

Reflecting on the year makes me realize how much I depend on so many all around good people! First of all, there are not enough kind words to express the appreciation the wonderful Kim Prentiss, our Jewel School show host, earns every day of the week. I’m the captain of the cheerleading team on Kim’s fan club. She doesn’t miss a beat and her positive attitude is more than I deserve sometimes. Kim is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. She really does love all of the Jewel Schoolers!

In addition to Kim, the Jewel School team is an outstanding group of Jewelry Television employees that get it all done, quietly and without fanfare. The year 2010 brought us Julie Evans, the Jewel School Buyer extraordinaire, with loads of experience and great ideas. She crunches the numbers, listens and listens some more and displays the most charming way of solving problems.

 

Christiane Ross, Jewel School Product and Brand Coordinator, blossomed at Jewel School this year. A long time JTV employee, Christiane finally landed in a home that gives her carte blanche, almost, to use her skills and creatively teach others how to master the challenges of jewelry making. She ensures our vendor guests have a smooth as silk visit while attending Jewel School.

Chris Nichols, Associate Buyer; Sarah Hopson, Jewel School Show Planner; Christa Scarpino, Merchandising Support Agent; and Tyler Mulligan, a recent college grad and the Jewel School intern that moved in and quickly learned to stretch his wings, keep us functioning every day with a devoted attention to detail and a special ability at calming the waters. They mean so much to Jewel School and Jewelry Television and they really make me look my best every day.

Image Left: Here’s the behind the scenes team: Front L-R) Christiane Ross, Julie Evans, and Krista Scarpino. (Back L-R) Jeff Banks, Sarah Hopson, Chris Nichols, and Tyler Mulligan.

 

 

 

 

Kudos to Jean Baruch and the Beads of Courage team. Jean wowed the crowd at our Jewel School Customer Workshop in October while explaining the magic of a single bead to a child with a serious medical problem. Jean, we’ve only just begun! Keep sharing your message because people really do care and will give back.

In 2011, nearly three dozen vendor guests made the trip to our studios in Knoxville, Tennessee from all over the country. They did it for you, our loyal customers. We are better for having met them all. Here they are in no particular order:

Margot Potter; Bead Queen of the Universe / Swarovski Ambassador
Jackie Truty; President Artclay World USA
Katie Baum; Master Artclay Instructor
Barbara Carleton; Software Designer
Stephanie Eddy; Inventor - Jewelry Artist
Wyatt White; Director of Education - Beadalon
Maureen Oliveto; Inventor - Jewelry Artist
Julianna Hudgens; Inventor - Jewelry Artist
Christiane Ross; Jewelry Designer - Jewel School
Kathy Fox; Jewelry Designer
Green Girl Studios; Custom Findings Designer
Lisa Pavelka; Resin/ Poly Clay Artist / Swarovski Ambassador
Brenda Abdoyan; Inventor - Jewelry Artist
Laura Timmons; Swarovski Ambassador
Heather Desimmone; Jewelry Designer Business Owner
Lilla Ballint; Marketing Professional
Anie Piliguian; Inventor - Jewelry Artist
Jill Mackay; Jewelry Artist
Fernando Dasilva; Jewelry Artist / Swarovski Ambassador
Leslie Rogalski; Jewelry Artist / Swarovski Ambassador
Katie Hacker; Beads Baubles and Jewels / Swarovski Ambassador
Ann Dilker; Jewelry Artist
Laura Anderson; Chainmaille Artist
Dale Armstrong; Wire Wrapping Artist
Carmi Cimicata; Craft Artist
Sherri Haab; Jewelry Artist / Author
Janice Mae; Jewelry Artist
Dale Nicholson; Craft Executive / Artsit
Paula Radke; Artist / Designer
Debbi Simon; Swarovski Ambassador
Patty Bullard; Inventor / Jewelry Designer

Last of all, I want to thank you for being yourself. Jewel Schoolers are real people that choose to share time with us. We met some of you at the Southern Women’s Show in Nashville and heard from more through emails to our mailbox. To all the women and men that joined us for the Jewel School Customer Workshop, we hope to see you again down the road. Our customers all across the country inspire us every day, and we are blessed that you have chosen us as friends.

Happy Holidays! Here’s hoping we weave some magical dreams together in 2012!
- By Jeff Banks, Divisional Merchandising Manager – Jewel School

Happy Holidays from your Jewelry Television family!

Our company represents the American dream of taking a good idea, developing a brand, creating jobs, and growing the business with unparalleled dedication to our customers.  We are here year after year because you place your trust in JTV and the men and women behind the scenes that deliver quality gems and jewelry to your doorstep.

Jewelry Television is always grateful for every purchase and we appreciate your business again and again on jtv.com and through our call center.

It is a pleasure, on behalf of the Jewelry Television family, to wish you and your family a very joyous and warm holiday season. May the New Year bring you great opportunities, peace and harmony in your relationships, generous and loving friends and family, and a safe journey on smooth roads every day of the year.

Sincerely,

 Tim Matthews

 President & CEO

 Jewelry Television

Jewelry Television’s Exclusive Stratify™ Jewelry Collection

Produced solely for Jewelry Television®, Stratify™ is a stunning collection of stylish jewelry that offers you the same look, feel, and allure of yellow, white, or rose gold without the associated high prices. The name Stratify™ signifies that each piece of jewelry is generously clad with layer upon layer of precious 18 karat gold over .925 sterling silver.  Treat yourself to the richness of Stratify™ by shopping the collection or read more about Stratify from style and trend jewelry expert Judy Crowell in JTV’s Learning Library.