Jewelry's Shining Stars: Shaping Today's Collectibles and Tomorrow's Heirlooms

Book excerpt: Jewelry's Shining Stars is a celebration of a generation of independent fine jewelry designers/artists who are shaping today's collectibles and tomorrow's heirlooms. With a foreword by renowned designer Stephen Webster, this book features 38 talents who cross the boundaries of art, function and wearability to form a distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry. As the current and future influencers, they shine brightly and are evolving with time and perseverance, while bringing out the collector in a new age of women. In this four-color elegant coffee table book, Beth Bernstein historian, writer and connoisseur of precious jewels gives us an informative, vivid and lively insider s peek into the imaginations, sensibilities and personalities of each designer through quotes, anecdotes and tales of inspiration. From Todd Reed's pioneering, rough and raw diamonds into coveted one-of-a-kind pieces to K. Brunini's introduction of organic forms and non-precious materials into precious jewelry to Arman Sarkisyan's intricate, award-winning and sometimes ironic museum-quality works, these are just a few of the diverse talents featured in this book. The jewelry showcased is meant to be worn and treasured by women who understand and relate to the hearts, souls and boundless imagination of these individual artists all of whom are carving out an enduring role in jewelry's timeline and have earned their place in this art form s rich history.