SourcingFeb 15, 2023
AGTA, Rio Grande Announce Partnership SourcingFeb 22, 2023
Stephen Dweck Takes Tucson … For the 40th Time
The designer gave National Jeweler a behind-the-scenes look at his gemstone explorations at the Tucson gem shows.
In late January and early February, Stephen Dweck was on his 40th trip to the Tucson gem shows. The designer shared his favorite finds with National Jeweler from the anniversary pilgrimage.
Tucson, Ariz.—Attending the annual Tucson gem shows is an essential pilgrimage for many jewelry designers.
Seeing so many gemstones from such a high concentration of dealers provides a fountain of inspiration.
To understand just how important Tucson is for brands, consider the imaginative Stephen Dweck, who has continued to visit for four decades, no matter how bursting his coffer of gems.
Stephen Dweck’s Signature Designs Are a Love Letter to Gemstones
Seeing so many gemstones from such a high concentration of dealers provides a fountain of inspiration.
To understand just how important Tucson is for brands, consider the imaginative Stephen Dweck, who has continued to visit for four decades, no matter how bursting his coffer of gems.
Stephen Dweck’s Signature Designs Are a Love Letter to Gemstones
Stephen Dweck hand-carved watermelon tourmaline, faceted pink tourmaline and diamond earrings in 18-karat yellow gold ($29,275)
Boulder opal, green tourmaline, red sapphire, emerald, pink tourmaline, and white diamond pendant set in 18-karat yellow gold ($19,985)
Hand-carved pink opal, Laguna agate, black hair rutilated quartz, pink tourmaline, and diamond earrings in 18-karat yellow gold ($7,975)
Necklace with 119-carat hand-carved lavender moon quartz, 138 total carats of opal, and 3.6 total carats of diamonds in 18-karat gold ($74,495)
Earrings with tanzanite, hand-carved kyanite, and diamonds in 18-karat gold ($19,985)
The designer known for his love of unique and carved gemstones filled National Jeweler in on his Tucson 2023 journey, providing pictures of his hunt for the most captivating colors and shapes.
Read his diary of highlights below as seen at AGTA Gem Fair Tucson, GJX, the G&LW Holidome, and more, as the designer marked his 40th visit to the desert.
Stephen Dweck: This trip to the Tucson gem shows is my 40th time here. I love the desert! I’m always inspired by the landscape, rocks, and colors.
SD: The intensity of these Paraiba tourmalines and fire opals (above) is mesmerizing. Of course, I bought some! I love to mix stones together in unexpected ways.
SD: Every single stone tells a story!
SD: I bought a bunch of these strands of lapis beads to bring home. Lapis is a tried-and-true material for me—something I’ve been working with for decades. Lapis can look ancient, but with a great mix of earthy stones, it can be modern!
SD: Here is some amazing pyrite in natural quartz. It’s just a fascinating material that I always buy! It looks like two materials have collided.
SD: This material is fantastic, it’s ammolite. It’s the opalized surface of the ammonite nautilus shell, which is millions of years old! It looks like an exotic rainbow.
SD: I bought the whole lot of these sapphires! A major organizing of color has to take place before I begin the design process.
SD: Emeralds represent the planet and love. I love, love, love emeralds—of course I bought some!
SD: Pearls are my weakness. These were so dreamy and have such life to them. I always end up buying strands of pearls that I love.
SD: I selected a few of these star sapphires to take home.
SD: It’s a journey to look through all these stones but it’s worth it!
SD: I bought a lot of unheated sapphires from this selection. Such spectacular cuts and colors!
More on Sourcing
The Latest
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
Brought to you by
Have a Plan for EmergenciesEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2025
AGA Now Accepting Applications for Its Gemological Education Scholarship The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.
Weekly QuizFeb 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsFeb 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ironhorse Quillwork EarringsThe work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.
AuctionsFeb 28, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring With Ties to Witch Trial Judge Up for Auction A metal detectorist uncovered the ring created in memory of Sir Richard Rainsford, who presided over some of England’s last witch trials.
Brought to you by
A Diamond ETF is the Way to Reinvigorate Natural Diamond SalesThe jewelry industry faces challenges from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond ETF can restore natural diamonds' value and drive investor demand.
Recorded WebinarsFeb 28, 2025
Watch: 2025 Jewelry Trends ForecastFine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.
TrendsFeb 27, 2025
Model Winnie Harlow Says ‘Yes’ to 3-Stone Engagement RingHarlow’s partner, NBA player Kyle Kuzma, worked with Vobara to design the ring, which features oval and pear-shaped diamonds.
MajorsFeb 27, 2025
Winona Ryder, Iman Star in New Pandora CampaignThe Danish jeweler released the next chapter of its “Be Love” campaign, which celebrates love in all its forms.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2025
JA to Host Workshop During Alabama Jewelers Association ConventionThe learning workshop and the convention are both scheduled to take place April 26 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2025
JFC Names 2025 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe charity will celebrate Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein at its annual event in Las Vegas.
ColumnistsFeb 25, 2025
Peter Smith: Here’s What I Think Retailers need to have the right merchandise, marketing, and people in place to stay on top in a sea of uncertainty, Peter Smith writes.
EditorsFeb 25, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s New Shop-in-Shop Senior Editor Lenore Fedow traveled to Smyth Jewelers in Maryland to see the first of 15 revamped in-store boutiques Tacori is rolling out.
MajorsFeb 25, 2025
Qurate Has a New NameThe parent company of HSN and QVC is undergoing a restructuring.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2025
Michael B. Jordan Stars in David Yurman’s Spring CampaignThe company’s newest brand ambassador Eiza González will also be featured in the ads for the women’s campaign.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Colored Stone Market Update: Tracking Industry Trends in TucsonDeclining supply and growing demand persist in the colored gemstone market, presenters from Gemworld said at AGTA GemFair Tucson.
TrendsFeb 24, 2025
Renna’s Lobster Clasp Looks Like a Claw, Now It's Patented by LawThe designer’s new patent transforms the everyday clasp into her jumbo “Lobster Clasp,” modeled after the look of a crustacean’s claw.
Events & AwardsFeb 24, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Diavik’s Production Down 17% in 2024 Sales at the Rio Tinto-owned mine also slid by a double-digit percentage, falling 37 percent in a difficult market for diamonds.
CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
