Peru Mood
PromPerú is planning to thrust the country’s centuries-old jewelry traditions into the American spotlight at JCK Las Vegas. The Lima-based government group is bringing a select group of designers to a Peru Pavilion inside the Design Center.
If the name PromPerú sounds familiar or its artists’ works inspire déjà vu, it’s because they were stationed in the World’s Fair section for about six years; this marks their Design Center debut.
In addition to Peru’s wealth of natural stones—think chrysocolla or Peruvian turquoise, Andean opal, rhodocrosite, amazonite, and spondylus (a type of shell)—the designs combine handmade techniques like filigree with modern, even minimalist styling. Look for eight brands at JCK: Allpa; top designer Claudia Lira; Giuliana Valz-Gen; major manufacturer Chiara Ramon; Packtos; Peca Joyas; Sissai; and cufflink specialist Zaunick.
Treasure Hunt
Double-sided cabochon-cut stone stackable bands in 18k gold with 12.94 cts. t.w. aquamarine, 20.35 cts. t.w. mandarin garnet, and 17.89 cts. t.w. natural red spinel; $575, $695, $1,125; Trésor Collection, Miami, 866-998-7376; tresorcollection.com
Trésor Collection’s new gold line will have great appeal to colored stone enthusiasts: stacking rings in 18k gold with varying cuts of gemstones and retail prices of just $450–$1,375.
Stone shapes include round, oval, cushion, slices, rose cuts, and more. There are currently 20 gemstone options in solid and multicolor combinations.
Retailers who saw the Miami firm’s initial offerings at the 2013 American Gem Trade Association Tucson GemFair wondered how owner-designer Puja Bordia could afford to offer goods at such prices. Her reply: complete control over cutting and production. (And having facilities in Jaipur, India, in a Special Economic Zone—or, area designated for international trade and exports—can’t hurt either.)
“We have our own stone-cutting facility and our jewelry manufacturing unit,” she says, “thus, every single piece is produced completely in-house.”