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9 Amazing Pieces Set with Colombian Emeralds
These are the tumbled and trapiche pieces from the Muzo designer collaboration that caught our gemstone editor’s eye.
![These trapiche emerald earrings from Coomi are one of our editor’s top picks from Muzo’s recent designer collaboration. 20181212_Coomi.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6245f51a5e3b4cba37d8de5c47bda1f1.jpg)
This summer, I reported on an exciting new collaboration involving Colombian mining company Muzo Emerald.
Through a partnership with a variety of emerging and established designers, the miner is working to build an appreciation for emeralds of all qualities.
More specifically, it wants to create a market for the commercial-grade material coming out of its mine.
With the collaboration, it’s using organic material—tumbled, cabochon and trapiche emeralds, as well as slices—to fully showcase the diversity.
When I first wrote about the collaboration, only about half of the pieces were ready for viewing and the second phase of designer partnerships was in the works.
Now, it is making its official debut, featuring nearly 100 pieces of one-of-a-kind jewelry ranging in price from about $2,000 upward.
So far, the Muzo-designer collab features 25 designers including Alexandra Mor, Coomi, Daniela Villegas, Erica Courtney, Kimberly McDonald, Lisa Kim, Mateo, Noor Fares, Selim Mouzannar, Spencer Fine Jewelry, The Rock Hound, Victor Velyan and Wilfredo Rosado.
Last week in New York, Muzo hosted a preview, inviting editors to see the final collection in a sunlit condo building in Chelsea.
Muzo said the project is ongoing and it will continue to look for other designers with which to partner.
In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy what’s already here.
Here is a (non-exhaustive roundup) of my favorites from the preview. For any of you who are (ahem) feeling generous, the below also could be received as a Christmas wish list of sorts.
I happened to peep these beauties on Instagram the week before the preview, and they just cemented the fact that I had to be at the Muzo preview event; I so desperately wanted to try them on.
RELATED CONTENT: 5 Things to Know About … Trapiche GemsCoomi’s “Bloom” earrings, featuring 13.20 carats of trapiche emerald, 3.30 carats of cabochon emerald and 1.05 carats of diamond in 20-karat gold, took already exceptionally cool stones and made them even cooler by setting them in such a show-stopping way. They’re priced at $69,000. (Visit our Instagram to see them on.)
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Alice Cicolini did something with the emerald jewelry that I adored: the pieces feature vibrant Muzo emeralds contrasted with hand-painted lacquer enamel and black lacquer enamel for a strong-yet-delicate look.
The inclusions in emeralds are often referred to as “jardin,” a nod to their garden-like look. I’ve always loved how the word evokes an appreciation for that characteristic,
The stones—a whopping 55.56 carats total—are set in a way that allows light to pass through. The earrings are priced at £62,500 (about $78,305).
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There’s a lot of sculptural inspiration in jewelry right now, and these Ara Vartanian earrings ($44,000) are no exception. Though they feature 35.18 carats of emerald slices with black and white diamond accents on 18-karat gold, they were very lightweight and wearable.
The best part about them, in my opinion, is the movement; check out our Instagram to see them in action.
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Black and emerald green are such a classic pair, so I wasn’t surprised to see many designers use black accents with the emeralds for their creations. But there was something about this Selim Mouzannar stunner ($119,800) that immediately caught my eye.
Could it be the idea of 23.06 carats of emeralds wrapped lovingly around the neck? The diamond and rose gold accents as well? It doesn’t matter; I love it all.
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The colors of the Muzo emeralds are such that they also allow for interesting combinations beyond black, and I thought Daria De Koning did a fabulous job showcasing how versatile these gemstones can be.
In one set of earrings, she paired the emeralds with iolite and azurite-malachite; in another, aquamarine, tourmaline and white howlite. This pair above, priced at $6,500, features free-form emeralds and trillion cabochons with rainbow moonstone and amazonite set in 18-karat gold.
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Dana Bronfman’s work has this great, subtle sculptural feeling that she softens with open spaces, and I love the way the tumbled Muzo emeralds she uses provide a contrast to that, especially in this “Marquise Agra” cuff ($11,300).
Having one large emerald front and center balances out the feel of the piece and adds a pop of color to the 18-karat gold.
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Katherine Jetter’s cage pieces strike a balance between looking like they’re protecting the gems they encase and still appearing wearable and approachable.
I love the versatility of the tumbled emeralds she used here. These 18-karat gold cages can be opened for other gems, if you wish, and the emeralds also are sold separately ($3,600 for the pair, while the earrings are $5,720).
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These “Two Falling Stars” earrings from Mercedes Salazar, like a number of the pieces in the collaboration, have really found a way to underscore the idea that there are Colombian emeralds for everyone.
I, for one, could see myself wearing these all the time. With 38 carats of emeralds in 18-karat gold, they’re priced at $3,608. (See the matching ring on our Instagram.)
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Using tumbled and freeform emeralds made sense for the material chosen for the collaboration, but I love the way it creates such an interesting juxtaposition. I’ve always loved the look of a rough stone paired with precious metals and even other faceted gems, and though the emerald in this piece is a step above rough, I think the idea carries over.
This M. Spalten Glacial necklace ($8,180), with a 10.49-carat emerald dripping from an 18-karat gold and diamond form, is perfect.
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![These “Double Loop” earrings feature a drop-cut amethyst sitting atop the lower hoop, totaling 1.60 carats between both earrings. The hoops are made of silver covered in “pistacchio” colored enamel, while 9-karat yellow gold holds the stones in place and connect the two hoops behind the earlobe ($1,770). Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f338ef6b4603be3c97765f833b831ca0.jpg)
Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
![Untitled design.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/583fbcb2bb839782810080debef35d3c.jpg)
As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
![Earlier this month, online giant Amazon and the Better Business Bureau filed a joint federal lawsuit against ReviewServiceUSA.com for allegedly selling fake reviews, both positive and negative. Amazon package outside door](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/27fce4225a38900d54a5536ce523a22d.jpg)
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
![](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/99a46b30cc354962ac2e29ecd113587a.jpg)
![A shot of the Venetia diamond mine in South Africa, owned by De Beers Group. The diamond miner and marketer saw revenue drop 21 percent and rough diamond sales decline 20 percent in a “weak” market for diamonds. De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a1f16ceaaba662e80385166060d192a7.jpg)
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
![1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9d60901b44425a53b9010301897a3bbc.jpg)
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
![A malachite and diamond bracelet from Pomellato’s “Pom Pom Dot” collection, launched earlier this year. Pomellato and Boucheron were bright spots for Kering in an otherwise underwhelming first half of the year. Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3c237b62e009742fc52487097daf3c5a.jpg)
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
![Volunteers and Shane Co.’s corporate team from all 22 locations of the family-owned jewelry chain have begun packing backpacks with school supplies for teachers to distribute to their students this school year. Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1c5abfb36ec775724f014f47bfbb47fc.jpg)
The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
![A shot from the advertising campaign for LVMH-owned Bulgari’s “Eden the Garden of Wonders” high jewelry collection. LVMH’s jewelry and watch sales slipped in the first half of the fiscal year. Bulgari high jewelry campaign](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c24eb75ca8cea44d2e9859648f4a98ee.jpg)
Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
![Chaumet, a Parisian jeweler owned by LVMH, has designed the Olympic and Paralympic Games medals. Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/7831b3a738baddfc7d783e6df0fbf796.jpg)
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
![The acquisition of Union Life & Casualty by Jewelers Mutual will help strengthen both the pawn market and the insurance industry, said JM. Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/195925667226ecfc51b4e1bb09607143.jpg)
Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
![The winner of this year’s Lonia Tate scholarship, Bradlei Smith will receive the opportunity to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA and, following graduation, an internship at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle. Bradlei Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/996834935ae30a7a1195db8b9db6cb7d.jpg)
Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
![Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com. National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/bec7295a7f478778b1c196e6d81e7cd9.jpg)
In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
![De Beers Group mined 6.4 million carats of diamonds in the second quarter of 2024, down from 7.6 million in the same period last year. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films) De Beers rough diamond display](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/80cd02b1c8384f4b2efda0bcdf6a75e1.jpg)
The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
![In honor of its summer bridal event, Long’s Jewelers is partnering with Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and jewelry brand JB Star on a vacation giveaway. Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4e7a90944c4e8875a4f3818dbe26b28b.jpg)
The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
![L.A.-based flower designer, Sophia Moreno-Bunge models Guzema’s “Hidden Beauty” collection in front of a garden in Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, California. Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6f3822623eb7fd2f6468f82825194cb1.jpg)
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
![The Entrepreneurship Grants program supports winners with financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said Diamonds Do Good. Pictured here are three of the 13 winners, top right is Tresia Shituula, and bottom row left to right, are Monkgogi Moshaga and Mohamed Samu. Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a7c9b87301b76a9446f6522747ce5b95.jpg)
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
![Ghazi Osta, better known as Gus, was the owner and president of Volusia Gold & Diamond, a store he and his wife, Leigh Osta, opened in 1986. He was shot and killed inside the store Friday afternoon after a brief argument with a regular customer. (Photo courtesy of Volusia Gold & Diamond Facebook page) Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c8c1fa3df746cbd364915a98dcac9d21.jpg)
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
![Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (left) is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s new head of North American development, and Effie Marinos is its new specialist advisor for technical standards. Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/94332af0c7a776e7a8c36fabf76baa5f.jpg)
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
![Karen Rentmeesters, who joined the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in 2010, will take on the role of CEO. Karen Rentmeesters](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3256fcc71cd43a399055c61f68486269.jpg)
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
![Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70. Brian and Jessie Mann](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/be4debc6e0b3198943a66ef0e2197c2c.jpg)
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
![The 1916 Company recently opened a new Tudor boutique in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Tudor store in Denver](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9f8600ea53ed731963331ebd28a10d16.jpg)
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
![This necklace from Messika’s “So Move Max” set is made of yellow gold with 19.18-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds and designed with circle motifs that move within the links (price upon request). Messika’s So Move Max Necklace](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/14c78af4a4e8c6b996a81bbb5a5bc69f.jpg)
Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
![On Sept. 1, Julien Tornare (left), current CEO of TAG Heuer, will become CEO of Hublot. Antoine Pin, now the general manager of Bulgari’s watch business, will take over Tornare’s role as CEO of TAG Heuer. (Images courtesy of LinkedIn) Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b24627b34ece895ddd254bae22751fb8.jpg)
Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
![A rendering of a billboard from Etsy’s new campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the platform’s creators and how their products are made. Etsy billboard rendering in NYC](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9a94f394f326b90dc1c9da6a711c5e09.jpg)
Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.