Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist January - February 2018

“THE KNEE-JERK REACTION” to the Pantone fashion colors, says Andrea Hansen of Luxe Intelligence (Trends, page 42), “is to look for gemstones that fit the palette.” But, she cautions, “No designer should completely alter their DNA to incorporate a color that doesn’t make sense for their brand.” She recommends using Pantoneshade stones that work for you, but also viewing the season’s colors as players in branding, promotion, packaging, and the like. Makes sense to me. For one thing, there’s what I’ve decided to call supply-side design: you have to work with gem colors that exist. Naturally colored stones come in the colors they come in, regardless of what the fashion forecast proclaims. Even with the great number of color enhancements given to stones, there are limitations. Finally, not every shade you…

Your Design Riffs Designs based on projects and jewelry shown in the September/October 2017 issue. Your Settings Designs based on a diamond crystal, September/October 2017.…

“THE KNEE-JERK REACTION” to the Pantone fashion colors, says Andrea Hansen of Luxe Intelligence (Trends, page 42), “is to look for gemstones that fit the palette.” But, she cautions, “No designer should completely alter their DNA to incorporate a color that doesn’t make sense for their brand.” She recommends using Pantoneshade stones that work for you, but also viewing the season’s colors as players in branding, promotion, packaging, and the like. Makes sense to me. For one thing, there’s what I’ve decided to call supply-side design: you have to work with gem colors that exist. Naturally colored stones come in the colors they come in, regardless of what the fashion forecast proclaims. Even with the great number of color enhancements given to stones, there are limitations. Finally, not every shade…

Re: “Mix-Matched Kingman Spider Turquoise and Silver Earrings,” November 2017 I followed John F. Heusler’s earring demo in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and have a couple of questions for John. Each time you soldered, you used hard solder. How did you avoid previous joins from separating? Did you anneal the sterling bezel before forming around the stone? How'd you get the point so close? One of the turquoise stones has a nice point on one end, and you've made that turn around the point so nice and tight. I find that hard to do. Thanks. Love your stuff! John F. Heusler responds: Hi, Joyce! Thanks for asking. I always anneal my metal before bending, especially on bezels. I always use hard solder on my joins even when I have numerous areas previously soldered.…

Riffon the design of any of these or other pieces within this issue, using a design feature such as color, texture, form, value, line, space, repetition, balance, contrast, unity, or variety for your sketch. Please indicate which piece your entry is based on. Sketch a setting for this Out of the Box round brilliant Mexican fire opal, designed by Jim Perkins, from page 28. DEADLINES: FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Email digital scans at 300 DPI or send photocopies of no more than three sketches per challenge, indicating the design factor that is your starting point. Sketches will not be returned. WRITE TO US ANYTIME: What do you think about what you’ve seen and read in Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist? SEND SKETCHES & LETTERS for possible print or online publication to: Karla.Rosenbusch@ fwmedia.com. Please include your name,…

Your Design Riffs Designs based on projects and jewelry shown in the September/October 2017 issue. Your Settings Designs based on a diamond crystal, September/October 2017.…