Thursday, November 26, 2009

Brazilian Gemstones & Custom Heirloom Jewelry


I am really pleased to have a new supplier of precious gem stones here in Bali. This valuable contact , Rafael, is bringing the stones in directly from the mines in the Northeast of his native country Brazil. The beautiful stones on offer consist of emeralds, diamonds, paraiba tourmalines, aquamarines, citrines, amethysts and crysoberyl's to name a few. There are also many more on offer.

Rafael also has beautiful black/green/grey A grade quality 8-9mm Tahitian pearls which he acquired on a working holiday there.

All these stones and pearls are of excellent quality at amazingly affordable prices!

Custom Heirloom Jewelry

In November I returned to Bali from a quick business trip to Jakarta where I met with certain Ambassadors wives to discuss custom jewelry work and also some maintenance on precious family heirloom pieces. We spent quite some time designing custom rings featuring emeralds and diamonds which were supplied by my new Brazilian contact Rafael. The ladies absolutely loved the gems and I am planning a return visit early in the New Year as the stones were so well received the ladies are already planning to have me design more custom pieces for them.


BWA Bazaar

While in Jakarta I also attended the BWA Bazaar. My collections were a sell out with the most popular items being from the Root, Kupu Kupu (Butterfly) and Carved Lotus Collections. Charms, always popular, were a big seller too.

Flashback to Fashion Week Sept NYC

Nagicia Jewellery seen on a certain infamous hair-stylist to the stars Pearson Knight. He was spotted backstage at Ports 1961, Jason Wu, Rodarte and Argentina sporting pieces from the Nagicia Dragon Collection featuring Black Sting-Ray.

Also spotted on models Ranya, Shu and Yulia was the Nagicia Faux Gold Swan earrings with briolette drops in carnelian, rose quartz and moonstone.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Golden Buddha... Condom (!)

from the island of the gods to the city of angels

Looking at the string bean thin sky scraper tall palms that line the streets of the city of angels, we understand how Dr. Seuss may have been inspired.



There were several highlights to my trip last month to the City of Angels and one of them was the 'artwalk' through Chinatown. The first saturday of every month the city's art galleries stay open late and its legal to walk around carrying alcoholic beverages! There was a lot of provocative art on display but one show really stood out for me. 'World Condom Project I : Natural Feelings' by Uudam Nguyen at Sabina Lee Gallery showcased larger than life sized condoms with flags painted on them. This show pushes the fine border between love and war, identity and power. The suspended ring of penises is like a crown or halo daring anyone to stand in the center and feel the endless / mindlessness of ego's and partriotism at its extreme. What really stopped me in my tracks was the 'little' condom with a golden Buddha painted on it... I had to question that... which lead to a theosophical conversation with Sabina Lee on why she was a catholic; she said Catholicism and Buddhism were the same and I should re-read the bible. I can't say I agree. Amen.