JTV Blog

JTV 2010 World Tour: Adventures in Brazil with Senior Gem Buyer George Williams

Jewelry Television's 2010 World Tour continues in Brazil. Follow Senior Gem Buyer George Williams as he makes his way to the mines in search of exotic quartz and more!

Having flown overnight from Miami, I awoke to a beautiful view of the lush rolling hills and sunshine over Minas Gerais, Brazil. On my quest for rutilated quartz we drove directly to Curvelo, a city of 72,000 people situated 178 kilometers north of Belo Horizonte. Curvelo is home to many rough quartz dealers, where the only lapidary work done is with crystal balls and points--no faceted stones--only rough. The Curvelo quartz dealers frequently travel to Tocantins, Bahia and other quartz mining areas in Minas Gerais. The mines nearby are known for their green phantom quartz and scenic lodalite. Buyers from the cutting centers in Belo, Governador Valedares, Teofilo Otoni, as well as oversees buyers mostly from Asia and Germany frequent Curvelo for rough quartz of every variety. 

At a typical rough dealer's house in Curvelo, Brazil

Dealers examine some rough

Unfortunately we arrived a few days too late as a major Chinese buyer passed through and bought all the quartz rough available in the city. This story continued as we went to our next stop, Diamantina.

Entering Diamantina, Brazil

Diamantina is one of the oldest cities in Brazil, its origin based around the production of Brazil’s first major diamond discovery in 1725. It’s most famous son is Joscellino Kubitscher, the man who envisioned Brazil’s capital city, Brasillia; a project that brought this country’s success forward by 40 years.

 

Town square in Diamantina

I was here in Diamantina for its famous orange and black tourmalinated quartz. We looked through a large pile of mine run material and selected out about 45 kilos of the finer grade for cutting only to be told that we had to buy it all!

We didn’t buy it all, and once again the city was cleaned out. The Chinese had bought the mine run in large quantities. (Quartz is the most popular stone in Asia, revered for its varietal beauty, hardness and healing qualities.)

We stayed long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee in the historic square and made a beeline to the Cacaratiba mine a few hours drive NW--and this is where our quest ends for reasons you are about to read....

 

What a great place for a cup of coffee!

Heading toward Capelinha from Diamantina you will pass the largest growth of eucalyptus trees in the world. Paper factories and lumber mills are the fastest growing industries in Minas Gerais, and the natural forests along the highway are slowly being taken over by these trees that are ready to cut in 7 years.

On the road in Brazil

When we finally get to our turnoff to the Cacaratiba mine--famous for the best red rutilated quartz in the world, and home to about 500 garimpieros (miners)--we hear the news. From all reports and/or rumors, our Chinese buying rival has bought close to $1 million in quartz, much of it from Cacaratiba. The story goes that the gentleman who owns the mining rights is supposed to get a percentage of the sales, but allegedly he has yet to receive anything. We were told that he quickly turned his papers over to an official who had the state police shut down the entire mining area!

We were told that it would not be a good (or safe) time to visit with several hundred angry miners and lots of finger pointing and arguing going on. It didn’t take us long to decide to head back on the highway toward the scenic and peaceful city of Capelinha!

Capelinha is home to the most beautiful green sphene in the world, but by the time we arrived we had to settle for coffee. The township is famous for its coffee growing and most of the population was asleep by 9:30pm as they begin work at daylight. Only sporadic and small pockets of sphene are coming out of this area nowadays.

After a good night’s sleep, we head toward Teofilo Otoni just a couple of hours east. We pass the memories of famous mines now gone; the Malacacheta mine along the river of fire “corrego do fogo” that produced the finest alexandrite in Brazil. Further along, and where the dirt road from Capelinha to Teofilo Otoni finally becomes paved, we pass Pote where the white star quartz originates.

 

Assorted quartz rough in Brazil

Luckily my Brazilian friend has a good stock of selected exotic quartz, which now appears to be getting more difficult to replace--especially the red rutilated from Cacaratiba--which my experience with these types of problems predicts will take a while to settle. 

 

Wow!

The good news is that he lives here and will continually repeat this journey when the large Asian mine run buyers are not around, but the impact they have on the supply of rare and exotic quartz is here to stay.

Follow this blog - in a few days I will report on and send pictures of the fantastic new cuts we are creating with this material--our “Panoramic” and other “organic” cuts are especially wonderful for quartz. And stay tuned for a visit to Mother Nature’s art gallery! And as always, stay tuned to Jewelry Television's broadcast or watch us live online at jtv.com/live.

Ciao,

George

 

JTV's Spring Style Makeover Event: Spring 2010 Fashion and Fun Jewelry Combos

Judy Gardner has loved and been in the fashion field since she was a junior in high school.  Eighteen years ago, she and her husband Mort Gardner, opened “The Silk Purse”, a unique woman’s clothing and accessory shop here in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their philosophy is based on the fact that a woman can look great without spending a fortune.

At “The Silk Purse” they pride themselves on always carrying the best, the latest and the most fashionable clothes at unbelievable prices!  The goal at “The Silk Purse” is to help every woman find and enhance her personal style, as well as experience the delight of creating a fashionable and unique wardrobe. 

Judy presents innumerable fashion talks and shows throughout the year.  She appears weekly on WBIR, Channel 10 in Knoxville.  Her segment is on the Weekend News appearing each Saturday morning at 8:45 covering fashion and a potpourri of ideas on everything from decorating to entertaining to crafting.

JTV Asks Judy

JTV:  What is your favorite new look for spring 2010? 
 
Judy: The soft look. S;o much has a soft edge; very flowy, very feminine. But I also like the military inspired looks and the safari.
 
JTV:  What trends are just as hot this spring as last? 
 
Judy: There are many!

1. The white shirt. Color--vivid, brights, purple, black & white, unique combinations of color.
2. The tunic.
3. The predominance of accessories.
4. Animal prints.
5. Cropped vests and shrugs--shrunken tops.

JTV:  What do you see coming for summer 2010?

Judy: Lots of ruffled camisoles with tiers and embellished tees. Safari really coming on in a big way. Combining of patterns such as stripes and florals--and textures. Shorts, pedal pushers and capris coming on strong. White--look for all white ensembles.

JTV Partnered with Judy Gardner to Come Up with These Fresh Spring Looks

 

 

JTV item numbers:

PLG098    Stainless Steel Flower/Amethyst Necklace
AAH024    Abalone/Fluorite Necklace
TKF171     Amethyst/Geode Bracelet
AAH026    Amethyst Necklace with PS Enhancer
MMH151P    Purple Turquoise PS Pendant
MMH037R    Purple Turq/Marcasite Ring
MMH037E    Purple Turq/Marcasite Earrings

JTV item numbers:

TKF228        Pyrite/Multi-gem pendant
PLG091N     Tri-Color Stainless Steel Necklace
SEL003       Set of 5 pearl necklaces
DRH006B    Ammonite/Smoky quartz/ oval jasper center stone bracelet
OBH053B    Ammonite Bracelet
SEL030       Set of 5 pearl bracelets
NRH037       PS Jasper necklace
OMW029C   MOP Pearl Shape Gold/Choc/Bronze nk/ear set

JTV item numbers:

JMS003P     Silver Flower design pendant (used as brooch also)
TKF033        Smoky Quartz/Shiva Shell Necklace/Earring Set
TKF034        Smoky Quartz/Shiva Shell Bracelet
MMH028B    Oval Jasper/Pyrite/FWP Bracelet
TKF032        Siva Shell/Smoky Quartz Pendant

JTV Spring Style Makeover Event: Spring 2010 Color Stories for Jewelry and Fashion

We're in the middle of Jewelry Television’s Spring Style Makeover 2010. With so much jewelry excitement, you can quickly update your wardrobe without spending a fortune and still step out in style.

Update your current wardrobe with the must-have jewelry of the season, like big and bold statement rings, eco-friendly organics, dramatic layers in necklaces and bracelets and unique free-form styles--all of Spring 2010's jewelry must haves are available on JTV. Be spring fashion fab-YOU-lous at any age and on any budget!

Don’t think you can look great on a budget? Think again. Three’s no need to spend a fortune on a whole new spring wardrobe, when you can update the clothes you already own with statement-making jewelry! Go from DRAB to FAB in no time with sensational MUST-HAVES of the season! Who says you can’t have it all?

JTV's COLORS OF SPRING 2010

Reveal Your True Colors! Spring’s top fashion colors are sure to brighten any day. JTV's Spring 2010 color  palette offers colors to enhance every skin tone, eye color and ensemble.  The right jewelry adds vibrant pops of color and completes every look in a flash.

 SERRANO RED

A real showstopper, Serrano Red, is passionate and powerful--the color of strength, health and vitality. Emotionally intense and highly visible, it is guaranteed to get you noticed. Choose Serrano Red when you’re feeling outgoing and impulsive. Consider Mahaleo or Ratnaraj rubies, rubellite, red coral or garnet as companion pieces to your red dress, or to add a splash of color to white or neutral tones. Whether worn for elegance, drama or contrast, Serrano Red is hot!

TANGY MANGO

Tangy Mango is a grown-up version of the girliest color ever…pink! It’s flirty and feminine, and appeals to the glamorous, fun-loving person who enjoys the social scene. It’s less intense than Serrano Red, but just as fashion exact. Yes, Tangy Mango has a place in every woman’s wardrobe because it goes with almost everything in it--brown, black, gray, tan, white, blue, green, purple. Divas, goddesses, and gypsies alike can all use lively and tasteful Tangy Mango to their fashion advantage.

ABYSS BLUE

Representing trustworthiness, dependability and commitment, Abyss Blue is a natural choice for today. Like the sea and sky, it engulfs and embraces us in a feeling of peace and tranquility. Whether sporting your favorite denim jeans, a classic blue suit, or a midnight blue cocktail dress, our Abyss Blue pieces complete the look. Options for adding blue hues include the wild blue wonder tanzanite, the electric blue lapis lazuli, the deep and exotic Neelam Ratna sapphire, and the multi-faceted blue topaz.

AZURE BLUE 

Azure Blue exudes sensitivity, intellect and sophistication. The wearer of Azure Blue has excellent taste and undeniable charm. Capturing the color of the sky, it has an air of sublimity. The gemstone that embodies this feeling of peace and harmony is turquoise, one of the most popular stones in the world of jewelry. 

You can easily turn a good-looking outfit into something fabulous by adding a big, bold piece (or pieces) of turquoise. And it’s not just a denim companion piece or Bohemian chic staple. Multi-strand turquoise necklaces and bracelets have a more dressed-up look that’s absolutely fabulous with a sheath dress or cropped pant ensemble. Complementing color choices are numerous because turquoise pops against black, white, tan, brown, orange, red, purple, green, yellow, gold and silver. Azure Blue--how heavenly.

LEMON MERINGUE 

The color of happiness, wisdom and imagination, Lemon Meringue is chosen by the adventurous. It goes with a sunny, shrewd personality, along with a strong sense of humor. You’re sure to reveal your spring glow with this sunny color.

We’re drawn to yellow’s sunny radiance. The fact that it coordinates so easily with other colors is also a fashion plus. Lemon Meringue attracts attention, so use it to highlight important elements of your outfit. Neutral blouses like beige and cream come to life with the addition of a yellow pendant. A navy blazer or dress takes on a nautical look when accented by yellow. And what better way to add a spark to any black and white ensemble than with a dash of yellow?

FERN GREEN

The color of harmony and balance, Fern Green symbolizes hope, renewal and peace, and is usually favored by the gentle and sincere. The serene quality of Fern Green lends itself to both casual and formal settings. To preen your wardrobe with glorious green hues, we recommend peridot, jade, moldavite, and tsavorite among others.

  

 PURPLE LILAC

Purple Lilac blends the stability of blue with the energy of red. It is also associated with independence and creativity, making it a great color for expressing your individual style. And it goes beautifully with almost every other color in our gem-centric palette. To add purple panache to your spring fashions, we suggest amethyst jewelry. In large or small doses, amethyst adds an eye-catching pop of color. It has a regal quality perfect for formal occasions, but also a fun and playful element for casual settings.

DESERT DUSK 

Signifying patience, dependability and sensibility, Desert Dusk is for the determined and trustworthy. It also has an earthly quality that makes it perfect for balancing more robust colors like Tangy Mango and Lemon Meringue. Desert Dusk can be paired with almost any other spring color. If wearing brown sounds a bit boring for spring, just consider Mocha Diamonds, chocolate pearls, smoky quartz and topaz, and tiger’s eye-perhaps that will change your mind!

VANILLA SUGAR

A stabilizing neutral, Vanilla Sugar evokes purity and innocence. Simply elegant, like a classic strand of pearls, the color has timeless appeal and outstanding versatility. Whether you use Vanilla Sugar as an accent or consider it your signature color, we have a variety of gemstone designs to tickle your fancy.

JTV's Spring Style Makeover Event: Jewelry Must Haves and Tips

Here at Jewelry Television and jtv.com we're all about spring! Our Spring Style Makeover event is just the thing to get you on the way to your best-looking spring ever. For more shopping and fashion inspirations, keep checking the blog and jtv.com! And as always, you can watch us live anytime at jtv.com/live.

Jewelry Must Haves for Spring 2010

This season's jewelry must haves include:

Big statement rings, especially in opaques, and can be cocktail style. 

Longer layers from around 22 inches and up in any material.

Free Form Style, as seen in our Artisan Gem Collections.

Eco-friendly organics, such as ammonite, fossils, amber and pearls.

JTVer Arlene rocks a bold organic neckpiece

 

Cool stainless steel designs, perfect for a more modern, edgy look.

Fashion Tips for the Best Spring 2010 Looks

Statement-Making Jewelry:A strong trend for Spring/Summer 2010--or for anytime you want to make an impression with your jewelry!

Tip 1: Keep the rest of your jewelry more delicate or minimal. The statement piece should be displayed as the centerpiece and the attention-grabber.

JTVer Wendy wears a statement ensemble with a neutral sweater

Tip 2: Keep your outfit more subdued--easy on your prints. You are already drawing attention by wearing a statement piece of jewelry.

Bangles/Cuffs:From gold to personalized sterling silver, 2010 is the year of the bangle and cuff bracelets!

Tip 1: Bangles and cuffs looks good on any woman, so experiment with the many finishes available.

Tip 2: Layer/stack your bracelets. You can mix any metals and any size--the bigger the better! Bangles and cuffs continue to push the limit in terms of size.

Layers: Long layered necklaces can bring a free flowing vibe to your look.

Tip 1: No one said that necklaces had to be one stone or metal. Mix it up with pearls gold, silver, etc.

JTVer Karen enjoys trying on the spring jewelry

Tip 2: Layers compliment your neckline better when staggered, ranging from choker style to 72 inches.

Cocktail Ring: Still a top trend in fashion, you can wear a cocktail ring as an instant boost of bling that works with almost anything.

Tip 1: It’s important not to upstage the ring by wearing more rings on the same hand.

Tip 2: Cocktail rings are not just for evening--they can be worn to brunch or lunch!

Jewel School by Jewelry Television: Spring 2010 Jewelry Making Forecast and FREE Project Design!

Jewel School Spring Premier and Project!

Spring is finally here! I’ve been ready for the change of weather but also ready to wear spring colors! During the week of March 23, Jewelry Television will have two Jewel School shows (Friday, March 26  and Sunday, March  28) dedicated to the upcoming Spring Fashion trends. I’ve selected items specifically for this event and can’t wait for you to see them! 

The buyers for JTV jewelry spot trends early and share them with the Jewel School customers. All signs point to turquoise as the number one stone for spring. I’ve found a stunningly beautiful robin’s egg blue turquoise that looks so much like the turquoise from the famous Sleeping Beauty mine, but at a fraction of the price. This stunning color of turquoise makes the most eye-catching finished pieces that will have people stopping you on the street asking what you’re wearing!

Shop all of Jewelry Television's turquoise chip bead strands here.

We have had many successes in the past with mother-of-pearl bead strands and focal beads, but for spring I have decided to go into organic stone in a huge way. Try your creativity on mother of pearl in bright pinks, purples, blues and greens for a perfect accessory to your spring wardrobe.

I’m always looking for new ways to help you finish your jewelry pieces and have found a great alternative to beading wire and chain--100% silk hand-dyed ribbon ties!  At the Tucson Show in February, I fell in love with these ties because they are so versatile and offer lots of design possibilities. The photo below shows just one of the many ways you can use these silk ties in your designs!

Like this look? All the how-to's are at the end of this blog!

The women marketing the ties have so much spunk and passion for creating jewelry, and give so much TLC to their Made in the USA hand-dyed ties, I can’t think of a better way to create jewelry. Available in a variety of colors, the ties are accommodating to almost any design.  It is easy to use clasps or simply tie the ends together, and you are complete! What isn’t to love about that?

JTV Jewelry Buyer Jessica models one of the many ways to wear this look!

Spring is going to be the best season ever here at Jewel School , and I can’t wait to bring you the hottest trends and brightest colors!

Here is an easy project you can use with the silk ties. It is a design from Class Act Designs, the vendor of the ties. While the project calls for specific beads and sizes, you probably have beads and findings in your bead box that will work well, too. I hope you have fun with it. As always, I like to see your work so email your pictures to me at jewelschool@jtv.com.

- Callie

How To Make Your Own Silk Tie Design

Project Name: Hand Dyed Silk Beaded Lariat

Designers: Judy Solomon and Fran Cey, Class Act Designs

Judy and Fran were inspired by one of their hand-dyed silk colors, Mango Blend, to create this lariat. With the versatility of the silk ties that they make in more than sixty colors, they were motivated to create a lariat using extra sterling silver beads, sterling silver chain and semiprecious stones left over from other projects. The result was a beautiful piece of textured wearable art.

Materials: This is a list of what Judy and Fran used, but you can use any beads you prefer.
3     ruby red chalcedony stones, 12 mm hexagonal faceted
1     carnelian stone, 12 mm hexagonal
2     magenta chalcedony, 8 mm faceted
2     magenta chalcedony 8 mm rondelles
2     sunstone, 8 mm rondelles
5     cherry quartz, 5 mm round
2     Sterling Silver Bali bead caps 8 mm
3     Sterling Silver Bali beads 8-10 mm
2     Sterling Silver Bali spacer beads
1     Sterling Silver 1 ½” headpin
3     Sterling Silver  2” headpins
2     Sterling Silver 3 mm fancy crimp with loop end caps
1     Sterling Silver open chain  2 5/8”
1     Sterling Silver 5 mm open jump ring
10” Sterling Silver 24 gauge wire for wrapping
3    Mango Blend hand dyed silk tie

Tools:
4    Needlenose pliers
2    Roundnose pliers
2    Cutter

Finished Size:
42”

Instructions:

Step 1: Using needlenose pliers, crimp one fancy end cap in the middle onto each end of the silks, bringing the silk to the loop end of the crimp.

Step 2: On one crimp end, attach the 1” and 1 ½” pieces of open chain with a 5mm open jump ring.

Step 3: On the second loop of 1 ½” open chain, wire wrap the first “dangle” using a 2” headpin, a large Bali bead, a 7mm magenta chalcedony rondelle and a 5mm round cherry quartz.

Step 4: Wire wrap the 12 mm hexagonal carnelian onto a 1 ½ “ headpin.  Take a 2” piece of 24 guage wire and wrap one end onto the loop of the carnelian stone. On this wire, bead 1 cherry quartz (5mm), 1 large Bali bead and another cherry quartz (5 mm). Wire wrap this piece onto the end of the 1” chain.

Step 5: Using a 2” headpin, add 1 hexagonal 12 mm ruby red chalcedony, one Bali spacer and 1 faceted magenta chalcedony (8mm) and wire wrap onto the end of the 1” chain.

Step 6: Wire wrap a 2” piece of  wire onto the loop of the other end cap on the other side of the silk. Bead 1 cherry quartz (5 mm), 1 large Bali bead and another cherry quartz (5 mm) and wrap end of wire into a loop for step #7.

Step #7: Using another 2” piece of wire, wrap onto the end. (See Step#6) Bead 1 sunstone rondelle (8 mm) 1 Bali bead cap, 1 round magenta chalcedony (8mm), another Bali bead cap and another sunstone and wrap the wire end with a loop for step #8.

Step #8: Take another 2” headpin and bead 1 hexagonal ruby red chalcedony (12mm), 1 Bali spacer and another faceted magenta chalcedony (8mm).  Wire wrap onto end of last loop from step #7.

Step #9: Rock your new hand-dyed silk tie look!

Step # 10: Send Callie a photo of your creation at jewelschool@jtv.com!

Gloriously Colored Tourmaline

by Judy Jenkins, Contributing Writer

Beads fashioned from genuine gemstones can set your projects on fire with play-of-light and color. One of the gemstones that really speaks to the eye is tourmaline. It is a magnificent gemstone, and while it can be on the pricey side, tourmaline jewelry always earns oohs and aahs! The rondelles below are predrilled and show that range of color in tourmaline beads that awaits your creativity.

multicolor tourmaline rondelle beads - JTV item number JLW471

Ancient legend in Sri Lanka suggests that tura mali (Singhalese meaning "many colors") traveled from the center of the earth and passed over a rainbow and gathered the spectrum of the rainbow's colors. Today we know tura mali as tourmaline; a gemstone of many unusual colors with an exciting array of names such as neon-blue Paraiba, green chrome, watermelon and rubellite. Some tourmaline possesses rare show-stopping qualities and appear bi-color, multicolor, chatoyant (cat's eye) and dichroic (stone appears different colors when viewed from different angles.)

Paraiba tourmaline - JTV item # PTV030

Tourmaline does not disappoint the casual jewelry customer or the most demanding buyer looking for unusual additions to a collection. It is relatively hard--7 to 7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale--meaning it is not easily scratched and suitable for rings and bracelets. The collector may choose from colorless to black and most any combination of colors between.

JTV Artisan Gem Collection of India tourmaline bracelet - item # TFK181-7

Deposits of tourmaline are found around the world, including California and Maine, and it is the national gemstone of the United States of America. The spectacularly intense blue gems from the mines of Paraiba, Brazil are pricey beauties, their rarity and popularity making them competitors with high-end ruby and sapphire. The beautiful greens, reds, pinks, yellows and black can be found in many locations including Africa, South America, Siberia, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Australia, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.

A couple of interesting facts about tourmaline:

1. After heating and cooling, a tourmaline will have electrical properties--positive at one end and negative at the other. It will also become charged under pressure and will oscillate when the pressure is removed and the polarity changes.

2. Many cultures believe tourmaline will strengthen the body and spirit while inspiring creativity. And although Jewelry Television doesn't sell gemstones based upon their folklore or reported healing properties, we do see how the beautiful hues of tourmaline could inspire your creativity!

JTV 2010 World Tour: New Photos and Videos Available!

Hello to all of you following the news on JTV's 2010 World Tour here on the blog. Dana here, Community Manager for JTV.com. I just received an email from Shawn O'Sullivan and we're happy to say he is stateside again! (We miss him when he's gone for so long!)

Shawn writes that he has plenty of updates for the blog, but with the 16 hour days they were putting in abroad, it was almost impossible to get them posted. But he's determined to get all the information to you, so check back often at jtv.com/blog for more updates coming soon!

In the meantime, why don't you take a look at the awesome photos our roving photographer Chris Dotson took? He was only available for the Bangkok and Hong Kong legs of the journey and his photos are a must-see! You can see Chris's amazing photos--as well as some fabulous photos of Jaipur, India (taken by our buyer Rahul) and some more of Bangkok (taken by our VP of Merchandising, Dan Chase) on Jewelry Television's Facebook fan page.

Just go to facebook.com/jewelrytelevision, select the Photos tab and enjoy! Not yet a fan? No worries. Simply go to our Facebook Fan Page and select Become a Fan. It's that easy! Plus, by becoming a fan of Jewelry Television on Facebook, you'll get all the up to the minute news on everything JTV.

Shawn sent loads of video updates back from his journeys. Did you know you can view them anytime on Jewelry Television's YouTube Channel? Just go to youtube.com/jewelrytelevision and start viewing the videos of your choice!

And just for our blog readers (and just because I'm in-the-know) next week is a HUGE week on the blog! Think: Jewel School (with a FREE how-to on making a silk lariat just in time for Spring); a newsletter with more insight and highlights on the AGTA Spectrum Awards (like the Oscar's for the lapidary world); and a Spring Spectacular guaranteed to brighten your world! All that and hopefully some more behind the scenes from Shawn on JTV's 2010 World Tour.

Happy weekend, ya'll!

- Dana

JTV 2010 World Tour: Shawn O'Sullivan in China, Bead and Gem Cutting Facility

JTV's 2010 World Tour: China! Here's a quick update on our March 9th visit to a facility in China where many of our beads and gemstones are cut.

We had a quick breakfast and hooked up with Shun, JTV's senior buyer in China, and headed into mainland China to see the facilities where many of our beads and gemstones are cut. A three hour tour turned into a much longer day as we were blown away with the intricate detail that goes into the making of Jewelry Television's bead strands! I was able to get a lot of footage on this and will have our editors make this into a great spot for you to see.

Thankfully we had Shun with us as no one spoke English and my charade skills need polishing! We toured the factory and while I know a lot about beads--lesson Number 1 is: not all bead strands are alike. I must say, I have a new found love and appreciation for beads. And when you see the quality of our beads--and our prices--you will too!

We watched the attention to the fine details; the sorting of the rough by color, clarity shape and size; the slicing away of the rough edges; the preforming of the gem, the polishing, the drilling, the final polish of the outside and inside the drill hole. Then to see the "stringers" sort through to make sure that every bead matches perfectly. It is shocking to think that after all of this handiwork we can offer a strand of genuine gemstone beads (or more) to you for literally what you would pay for a lunch or even cheaper!

 

JTV item number JWLKIT0248: rose quartz beads set

We are now headed by car to one of our pearl facilities which we will tour in the morning. Looking forward to a good night's sleep. Stay tuned to our broadcast or watch us live online at jtv.com/live for more news from JTV's 2010 World Tour!

Twilight in China

Rockin' in China...

Shawn

JTV 2010 World Tour: Shawn O' Reports On Last Day in Hong Kong

Doing my best to keep you updated on all the behind-the-scenes action on JTV's 2010 World Tour! Here's more on Hong Kong....

No matter how many times you attend the International Hong Kong Jewellery show, it never ceases to blow you away with its vast array of stunning jewelry, dazzling gemstones and luscious pearls. It is almost a sensory overload. With the clock ticking on our final day at the show, our pace quickened...and amazing deals with vendors happened as they want our business!

 

JTV Cameraman to the stars Ryan (left) films a segment with Shawn O' in Hong Kong

I have had the great opportunity to work closely with our overseas buying office and their senior buyers Rakesh and Choi. I am sure you'll see and hear more from them through JTV market reports from Asia.

Now I want to give you a sneak peak at some of the great deals we got while here in Hong Kong. First item...near and dear to my heart...pearls!!! You know pearls come in many shapes, sizes, colors and origins--freshwater pearls from China; South Sea white, candlelight and goldens from Indonesia and the Philippines; and the natural color black Tahitians from Tahiti, Bora Bora and French Polynesia. 

 

Shawn concentrates on the issue at hand--pearls!

Well folks, we were able to get some of the most fantastic pearls in the full range of sizes...and in price ranges that all can afford! Not only are these pearls breathtakingly beautiful...the prices will make your jaw drop! We bought at prices that even shocked other pearl vendors!

Chrome diopside--another favorite of mine and many--is one of the hottest items in the colored stone market. One look at this gem and you will see why. The intense vivid and natural green color is nothing short of amazing.

The market demand for chrome diopside is currently stronger than the supply, creating a real shortage and price increases. There was not much of this gem to be seen and what we did view was often good color and clean but with poor cutting or over-dark tones which did not allow the gem to open its color. We walked away from a few deals because we could not find enough goods to buy or we could not come to an agreement on price. But what we did find, we are thrilled to report, is the top material...and at the best value to our customers! You will be amazed at the large sizes...what little we did get. If you don't already own a piece of chrome diopside, you should definitely get one--or more!

Other goodies--Baltic amber--gorgeous rough pieces each with an insect inside. Green amber...yes!!! We found some Golden Green amber and negotiated unbelievable deals on beads and faceted gemstones at prices we never dreamed we could get!

 

Beautiful amber beads

Also, we got some awesome Australian opal triplets--the ones that are on fire...but very limited quantity. I will share the story later, but here's a stunning preview of the material: 

 

Amazing fire in these opal triplets

But there's also Mozambique morganite, Madagascar demantoid garnet, a small lot of Zambian emeralds...and lots more!

 

Choi looks at some fine morganite

Looking forward to a good night's sleep and heading to China! Stay tuned for more blog reports with the latest updates on jtv.com/blog. Don't miss our broadcasts or watch us live online at jtv.com/live for even more news from the 2010 JTV World Tour! 

...rockin' in Asia,

- Shawn

JTV 2010 World Tour: Loretta Castoro Checks In From Hong Kong

Greetings from Hong Kong! It is great to be back in Asia, my home away from home. I lived in Asia for several years and it is great to be back here, seeing first-hand the impressive advancements in jewelry design.

 

Breathtaking view of Hong Kong Harbor from Victoria's Peak

Hong Kong is one of the most amazing cities in the world and home to the largest jewelry show of the year: the 2010 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show. Thousands and thousands of exhibitors from 44 countries and regions make this show the largest in the world! The Jewelry Television Buying Team is excited to be here!

 

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

I love events like this because it gives me a good feel for the styles of jewelry and flavors of gems that are setting the trends. I will often incorporate these inspirations into unique lines of jewelry for our customers at JTV, where our mission is to offer you the latest in stunning styles coupled with great value. 

 

Happy buyers make the best deals! Shawn (left), Rakesh (center) and Choi share a laugh in Hong Kong

With that in mind it all starts with the design and that's why I'm here--to work with our designers to develop and find new beautiful jewelry to bring back to you.  Let the search begin!!!

 

Loretta on the grounds of The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

We'll have more news for you from Jewelry Television's 2010 World Tour soon. Stay tuned to the broadcast and don't forget you can watch us live online at jtv.com/live.

- Loretta

JTV 2010 World Tour: Bangkok Wrap Up and Hello, Hong Kong!

JTV's 2010 World Tour is in full swing! Here's the wrap up of Bangkok and the scoop on our first day in Hong Kong....

 

Bangkok, Thailand

 

Shout out to our roving photographer, Chris Dotson!

Bangkok was a whirlwind of activity. Our team of Jewelry Television buyers (and trusty production crew)  spent four days at the Bangkok Gem and Jewelry Fair resulting in some amazing finds for you. When you hit shows like these you really never know what you may find--new gemstones, new cuts, or in some instances the big story is what we are NOT finding. Other than a few set appointments with vendors that we've known for years we hit the convention floor with the intention of finding some of your favorite gems. Our mission was successful!

First we learned in our search of the booths that the chrome diopside that is out in the market is actually rough that was kept back from a year ago. Nothing new is coming out of the mines. The stones coming from the rough currently in production are overly dark, included and the price has sky rocketed. Bottom line is that the chrome diopside we currently have in stock at Jewelry Television is less expensive than anything we are seeing here in the market today. If you are in the market for chrome diopside, don't hesitate! 

The market news for Manchurian peridot is almost identical to chrome diopside--there appears to be a lot in the market but it tends to be included and more in the larger sizes.

Shawn with some Manchurian peridot

Next, you all may know how much I love pearls. Well we found a small lot of big beautiful Tahitian and South Sea Pearls!!! YAY! I have to say that these are so nice it excited all of our buyers and we know you will love the quality--and the price.

One thing that really surprised all of us in the real shortage of South Seas and Tahitians--especially in the larger sizes like 13mm and up. With the supply so short and the demand so strong, the prices are high and firm. I feel the lots we bought are really fabulous values. These are Mother Nature's gifts from the sea. But because the quantity is so limited you need to grab these when you see them.

So with a fond farewell we say good 'buy' to exciting Bangkok and off we go to our next stop--Hello, Hong Kong!

And this from Shawn on March 5th, 2010:

There nothing like the amazing views of Hong Kong. The Jewelry Television team landed safely and we are now at our first day of the largest gem and jewelry show in the world--the Hong Kong Jewelry Show. This show has literally thousands upon thousands of gem and jewelry vendors--all vying for our attention!

Hong Kong, the home of the largest gem and jewelry show in the world!

Coming down the elevator at the W in Hong Kong

So far today we've been busy--first with a live video link from the convention center, then 'let the buying begin'! First find of the day was a gorgeous small lot of Zambian emeralds. 100% natural and full of fire, the color saturation is very strong and the goods are crystalline. I haven't seen a lot of Zambian emeralds of this quality in some time.

 

Zambian emeralds

Then we found my favorite, pink beryl, or as most people know it--morganite. Beautiful stones with that nice peachy-pink color that is so desirable . This is not a large parcel but the price and the quality were too good for us to pass up. You won't want to pass it up either!

Keep watching Jewelry Television or watch us live online at jtv.com/live for more from our world tour!

Rockin' in Hong Kong!

- Shawn O'Sullivan