CollectionsNov 17, 2023
Piece of the Week: A Verdura for Chanel Cuff From the ‘30sCollectionsDec 08, 2023
Piece of the Week: A ‘Strong & Precious’ Brooch
Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.
There was so much jewelry worth covering during New York City Jewelry Week 2023, it’s hard to know where to start.
But one of the pieces from the Strong & Precious Art Foundation seems like a good jumping-off point.
Founded in April 2022, just a few months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Strong & Precious is the brainchild of Ukraine native Olga Oleksenko.
Oleksenko is a jewelry connoisseur who was the director of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Kyiv for a decade and, later, became the brand’s ambassador in Ukraine.
Strong & Precious is Oleksenko’s way of bringing Ukrainian jewelry designers and their talents to the fore in a time of conflict and difficulty for the country.
During Jewelry Week, Strong & Precious showcased pieces from five designers at Mriya, a Ukrainian art gallery in New York’s TriBeCa neighborhood.
The one-of-a-kind creations tell stories of blackouts, freedom, hope, the country’s heritage, and its natural resources.
Among the pieces was designer Inesa Kovalova’s incredible “Links” brooch.
Crafted in titanium and 18-karat gold, the centerpiece of the pin is an eye-catching 38.53-carat heliodor from Ukraine’s Volodarsk-Volynskii Mine, which is known for producing top-quality heliodors as well as fine specimens of another beryl, aquamarine.
Resembling a deconstructed paperclip, Kovalova found inspiration for the piece in the industrial landscapes of the Donbas region, an area of eastern Ukraine ravaged by war.
It symbolizes the unbreakable bond between eastern and western Ukraine, as well as between the country’s cities—expressed through the sleek, gray titanium—and its natural beauty, brought to life by this sunny heliodor.
Learn more about Kovalova and her work on her website.
Related stories will be right here …
But one of the pieces from the Strong & Precious Art Foundation seems like a good jumping-off point.
Founded in April 2022, just a few months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Strong & Precious is the brainchild of Ukraine native Olga Oleksenko.
Oleksenko is a jewelry connoisseur who was the director of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Kyiv for a decade and, later, became the brand’s ambassador in Ukraine.
Strong & Precious is Oleksenko’s way of bringing Ukrainian jewelry designers and their talents to the fore in a time of conflict and difficulty for the country.
During Jewelry Week, Strong & Precious showcased pieces from five designers at Mriya, a Ukrainian art gallery in New York’s TriBeCa neighborhood.
Another shot of Inesa Kovalova’s “Links” brooch, this one taken at the Mriya gallery by the author
The one-of-a-kind creations tell stories of blackouts, freedom, hope, the country’s heritage, and its natural resources.
Among the pieces was designer Inesa Kovalova’s incredible “Links” brooch.
Crafted in titanium and 18-karat gold, the centerpiece of the pin is an eye-catching 38.53-carat heliodor from Ukraine’s Volodarsk-Volynskii Mine, which is known for producing top-quality heliodors as well as fine specimens of another beryl, aquamarine.
Resembling a deconstructed paperclip, Kovalova found inspiration for the piece in the industrial landscapes of the Donbas region, an area of eastern Ukraine ravaged by war.
It symbolizes the unbreakable bond between eastern and western Ukraine, as well as between the country’s cities—expressed through the sleek, gray titanium—and its natural beauty, brought to life by this sunny heliodor.
Learn more about Kovalova and her work on her website.
More on Collections
The Latest
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the EmmysAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl ReportsThe lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With CastThe actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York CityThe new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in BangkokThe company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.
Events & AwardsSep 16, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs LooksThe artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.
AuctionsSep 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s ‘Black Alley Cat’ BroochThis carved jasper and yellow-diamond-eyed cat brooch from 1962 is the perfect accessory for Friday the 13th.
FinancialsSep 12, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales Fall 8% The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.
Supplier BulletinSep 12, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as PresidentHe, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant ApplicationsThose interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.
IndependentsSep 11, 2024
Take a Sip of Marrow Fine x Adalina’s $13K MartiniThe smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2024
Lab-Grown, Natural Diamonds to Be Focus of AGS Confluence Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.
MajorsSep 11, 2024
Brilliant Earth Expands International E-CommerceCustomers in more than 150 countries can now shop at the jewelry retailer’s online store.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2024
Gems Keep Giving Reorganizes, Taps Hayley Henning as Board ChairThe organization, which was started by the International Colored Gemstone Association, is now a 501(c)(3).
IndependentsSep 10, 2024
Industry Technology Visionary Jeff High Dies at 60The Gemvision founder is remembered as a passionate mentor with a deep love for God.
MajorsSep 10, 2024
Ludacris, Jessica Alba Star in New Movado CampaignMovado has named five new brand ambassadors, featuring them in its new “When I Move You Move” campaign.
TrendsSep 10, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
AuctionsSep 09, 2024
US Senator Dianne Feinstein's Jewels Going to AuctionBonhams will offer more than 70 pieces of the late dignitary’s jewelry next month.
