Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
Supplier News: Zina moves into gold
Sterling silver designer and manufacturer Zina now is offering the brand’s classic styles in 14- and 18-karat gold.

New York--Sterling silver designer and manufacturer Zina now is offering the brand’s classic styles in 14- and 18-karat gold.
According to the company, there was a void in the marketplace for classic gold pieces as the rising price of the metal discouraged its use by manufacturers. This led Zina to go “back to basics” by launching some of the brand’s tops designs in gold.
The “Z.XIV” line features earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces in two types of gold, some with colored gemstones. Retail prices for the collection start at $500.
“Great design is great design, and it is timeless. Recreating some of my best contemporary designs in gold felt like I was visiting an old friend,” designer Zina Sherman said. “Plus, there is a resurgence of ‘made in America’ going on right now, and that is something that we can offer, because the collection is made right here in our workshop in Beverly Hills.”
Design house Rhyme & Reason, created by designers Vahé Ghazarian and Esin and Mihran Guler, has debuted three new collections for the fall/winter 2014 season.
The “Swirls” collection is meant to showcase love and romance, taking inspiration from motifs found in rare antiquities and using openwork as a main design feature for its pendants, stud earrings, station necklaces and bangle bracelets, ranging from price from $1,000 to $1,500.
In “Synergy,” the brand uses a trio of diamond shapes to form a geometric mix of 18-karat yellow and rose gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings with sterling silver. The shape pattern of the pieces, which start at $595, allow for the stacking of the every-day pieces.
Meanwhile, the “Imprint” collection features handcrafted shapes inspired by nature that are accented with custom-cut with gemstones and diamonds. Made in 24-karat gold and oxidized sterling silver and starting at $400, the line includes side-facing hoops, small station necklaces and stud earrings combined with larger bangles and cocktail rings.
The three collections initially launched at the Couture show in Las Vegas in May and also will be showcased at the upcoming JA New York Summer show, which will take place July 27 to 29 at the Jacob K. Javits Center.
Diamond jewelry manufacturer Kama Schachter recently debuted a collection of bridal jewelry called “Chimera.”
The collection is comprised of new engagement ring designs that feature multiple special-cut diamonds set to diffuse the outlines and create the look of a large solitaire.
The new technology allows for plating at room temperature with a variety of plating ranges without burning the pieces or dulling the brightness, and both pen and bath solutions are equally as bright, Cohler said.
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