2. January 2009 by admin.

Jeweler’s Profile Part II

Passion and Poetry

          “One must speak clearly about clear stones…about ancestral rock…about the emerald’s green fire.” Ron Ringsrud’s passion for the beauty of emeralds is infectious as he quotes Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, one of his favorite poets. Ron’s soon-to-be-released Emeralds: A Passionate Guide (available late March through amazon.com) is a labor of love reflecting this passion. It will offer gems of knowledge “known only to connoisseurs and gemologists” as well as “the human side of the emerald world…revealed with all its romance, history, secrets and joy.”

          One of today’s premier emerald dealers, Ron has just been elected to the Board of the American Gem Trade Association. “I’ve been a member for 15 years and want to participate more. Many good people are involved and we can bring a lot of progress.”

          A high priority on his agenda for progress is the promotion of the Fair Trade Movement. The blockbuster film “Blood Diamond” drew mainstream attention to Africa’s “conflict diamonds”—diamonds used to finance violent, corrupt regimes while exploiting dirt-poor artesanal (small-scale) miners. Today’s Fair Trade Movement reflects the burgeoning awareness of the need for world-wide transparent, ethical sources of production, including social justice—fair wages and a decent standard of living for the artesanal miner.

          Regarding mining conditions, “Colombia at its worst is better than Africa at its best,” according to Ron. “The people are poor, but not starving.” The new breed of Colombian mine owners, often young MBAs, reflect a new social consciousness. “They are arranging buses to take the miners’ children to school.” Colombia has come a long way since the seedy “Wild West” days of the early 1980s. “2009 is to be the ‘Big Year of Pride and Progress.’”

          Ron’s love for his adopted second “home away from home” is obvious. “Colombians are a spiritual people—poets—the warmest, nicest people you’ll ever meet. The stereotype of the Colombian drug lord actually reflects only the tiniest fraction of the population.”

          Ron’s passion for the Land of Emeralds and its people is reflected in his strong commitment to local charities. Two of his favorites are a rehabilitation center for disadvantaged youth founded by a Catholic priest and The Theater Workshop in Bogota, which trains homeless “street people” for employment in the theater arts.  “My local charity activities have helped me gain a good reputation in the region.”

          A cutting-edge development in the new environmental awareness is the idea of “giving back to the land.” In this view, “the Earth is seen not as a resource for consumption, but as a natural, living thing that we should have stewardship over and respect for.” Giving back to the land is an act of appreciation, an offering of thanks. Starting in 2000, Ron participated in a ceremony of emerald industry members in Bogota, sprinkling emeralds onto a tray of earth. Symbolically a gift was being offered back to the Earth for the immense treasures it provides. The experience was so positive, it has been repeated regularly and even expanded to the Colored Gem Show in Tucson AZ.

           “Offering back to the Earth is based in ancient traditions,” Ron reveals. Shinto priests in Japan would pray for the souls of the oysters destroyed in the pearl harvest. In Colombia, the native Cogi Indians of the Sierra Nevada believe we suffer sickness and pollution because we neglect to give back to the land. This newest wave of environmental awareness is a revival of ancient cultural roots. Offering thanks completes the circle.

          Neruda’s poem “The Emerald,” inspired by a visit to the Colombian Muzo mine, is quoted on Ron’s website (http://emeraldmine.com). “When everything was high…there waited the cold emerald…it was a vigilant eye at heaven’s center…the emerald that looked on…as if it were an ocean-eye…drop of God….” Expressing the awesome beauty of emeralds, the soul of a poet reflects the wisdom of the ages.

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29. November 2008 by admin.

Jeweler’s Profile

Ron Ringsrud— Premier Emerald Dealer  

Picture the scene—like something from the old Wild West. As you enter the rough and tumble gem mine in Colombia in the 1980s “every gem mine owner had on his desk a bottle of whiskey, a gun, and a prostitute behind him,” according to Ron Ringsrud, who started visiting during that era. “Today, the mine owner is most likely a young MBA, drinking yogurt, meekly nodding ‘Yes, dear’ to his wife on the phone.”

Rich Colombia is indeed a land of contrasts, ranging from magnificent emeralds—the best in the world—breathtaking scenery and a warm, spiritual people to the seedy underbelly of drug trafficking and cartels.

Ron, recently elected to the Board of Directors of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), and with his new book Emeralds: A Passionate Guide about to launch, shared in this exclusive interview how his love affair with this colorful country began.

“I had spent some time living in Colombia right after college and knew a bit of Spanish. Returning home to LA, in need of a job, I serendipitously responded to newspaper ad for a warehouse box mover at GIA (Gemological Institute of America). After three months, they told me I could take GIA courses for free. As I quickly progressed through the courses, I started getting better jobs there—selling tweezers and microscopes.” Soon, Ron had a Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree.

When Ron noticed in a magazine that Colombia had the best emeralds in the world, a spark ignited. “I already had the connections.” His first gem-buying expedition to Colombia was an adventure. “It was 11 hours by jeep from Bogata to the mining district. The hotels had more stray dogs than humans.”

“The mines are very shrouded and closed. The locals want to know who you are, who you know, who you’re with. You don’t enter without their invitation.” Luckily, the locals warmed to this gringo who knew their language and was genuinely interested in developing relationships. He wasn’t there just to buy and leave. He got a few small stones. And so it began.

“The colored stones business is great. Each colored stone has immeasurable qualities—fire, life, transparency and play of color—that make it unique. Arriving at the price of a colored stone requires old-fashioned, low-tech, face-to-face negotiation. This keeps the business lively, charming and very human.”

           “The main mines are Muzo, Cosquez, and the newest, La Pita—since 1999 the rising star. La Pita has yielded $100 million a year for five years, suddenly making rich and powerful men out of young miners and investors. New visionary, clear-headed business leaders are emerging, with greater environmental and social awareness.” Ron has been selling at the annual Tucson show for years (Ronald Ringsrud Co., http://emeraldmine.com). His business took a quantum leap in 1986 when he published his first article in Gems & Gemology magazine on the Cosquez mine. Suddenly he had an established reputation, a different level of clientele. Today a leading industry expert, Ron’s most recent article in Gems & Gemology describes the “gota de aceite” or “butterfly-wing” emerald, a highly prized specimen only found in Colombia.

As a young, single entrepreneur, Ron enjoyed the risks of exploring an edgy, emerging market. Today, as a premier emerald dealer, Ron sells to top dealers and jewelers and provides specimens for collectors. His most expensive sale was a 12 carat stone for $120,000. He sometimes takes his wife Linda and 13 year-old twins to visit this land he loves. “I’m proud to be able to support my wife, a full-time mom, and boys from my profession.”

Next month: Jeweler’s Profile Part II: Passion and Poetry—Ron Ringrud’s World of Emeralds: future agenda for AGTA, upcoming book launch, Fair Trade Movement, charity benefits, giving back to the Earth, and more!

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9. November 2008 by admin.

The “R” Word. Leveraging your Options. 

            Quick. What’s on your mind? With political rhetoric reaching election-day fever pitch, news headlines trumpeting Wall Street bailouts and mortgage market meltdowns and the peak-selling Holiday season just around the corner, it’s pretty safe to say it’s the economy. Will sales be strong this season? How are my clients being affected? Should I shift my sales strategy? Alter my inventory?

            We’ve been through economic bubbles before. The Millennial dot-com boom and burst presaged this current housing-based bubble, which has proved to be wider-reaching and more intractable. The billion dollar question is—when will the bottom be reached and the recovery begin? Because we all know that the economy moves in cycles. Even the Great Depression of the 30s was followed by a period of full recovery and greater growth.

            How we approach the current crisis depends on how we view it. It’s the old glass half empty or glass half full question.  Donald Trump was asked what advice he would give to ordinary folk during the current crisis. Most advisers counsel keeping your money as safe as possible—buying Treasury Bills or similar safe instruments. Trump’s advice? Buy a house. It’s a great time to buy a house. And, of course, it is. Housing prices are near rock-bottom, mortgage interest rates are low and it’s a buyer’s market. A perfect time to invest in a house that will increase in value as the market recovers. The moral? There are always opportunities. An alert, resourceful mind will see the glass half full,  the opportunities inherent in available in a complex, shifting situation.

            What should the jewelry entrepreneur do in the current economic climate? Conventional wisdom might seem to dictate to “play it safe”: reduce inventory, offer lower priced options with sales incentives, wait it out. But is this what the most successful will do? Consider a fresh approach.

            Instead of focusing on less expensive merchandise, consider promoting your high-end options, including designer jewelry. Your upscale clientele may not be worried about their mortgages in the same way that customers living paycheck-to-paycheck are. Although their preferred portfolios are undoubtedly affected by stock market gyrations, if they are wisely invested and in it for the long run, they may well have the confidence that these portfolios will continue their long-term growth over the decades.

            It’s a truism that people turn to gold in times of economic instability. As the price of gold has skyrocketed, many have looked for cheaper alternatives—silver, lower-karat gold and alternative metals. But a quick review of the television shopping networks reveals strong-selling pure gold, including high-karat gold, Italian and designer pieces. Gold’s increasing price has had the effect of making gold even more desirable. The savvy current marketer will emphasize the lasting value of pure gold, precious gems and fine heirloom jewelry in a time of economic instability. Diamonds are forever.  People are still getting engaged, having birthdays and anniversaries, buying holiday gifts. As an alternative to the newest electronic gadget that will quickly be outdated, suggest to your clients heirloom-quality tangible investments.

You will hear consumer fears that because of economic uncertainty, they are “playing it safe,” not spending—even that this is what’s currently appropriate. But the proposed economic stimulus packages reveal the importance of keeping the economy liquid and growing, rather than “pulling back.” It’s consumer confidence that spurs the economic growth that will pull us out of a Recession. Wise consumer investments help the economy recover and grow.

            What’s responsible for the current crisis? A corrupt culture of greed, famously echoed in the Wall Street Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is good,” has been a factor. Greed is a corruption of growth. But growth is good.  We still believe in the American Dream. Growth and progress are its fuel.

               Investing in fine jewelry of lasting value offers a haven in the current storm. That inherited heirloom platinum diamond ring your client wears may well have weathered last century’s Depression and still be going strong, increasing in value into the current millennium. Today’s successful entrepreneur will leverage options creatively. Wise growth opportunities are always available to those who see the glass half full.

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9. October 2008 by admin.

 Romance. Scandal. Intrigue. 

            There’s something magical about a necklace. Thirteen women in Ventura CA recently embarked on an adventure that transformed their lives when they collectively purchased as $37,000 diamond necklace. Appearing on Good Morning America, they promoted their book The Necklace: Thirteen Women And the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives. Talks for a movie are in the works.

            When the perfect strand of diamonds caught Jonell McLain’s eye at the window of Van Gundy’s Jewelers, a spark was ignited. Not one that would normally invest that amount on a luxury impulse buy,  Jonell nevertheless couldn’t get the necklace out of her mind. She started thinking creatively. What if some friends were interested in sharing it?  A plot was hatched. Thirteen women would share the necklace, each having it for one month—a “time-share” for jewelry—including Priscilla Van Gundy, the store owner’s wife.

            “Jewelia,” the newly-named necklace,  would be used for fundraising efforts to support charities. The thirteen women, ages 50-62, discovered a newfound fellowship that deeply touched and transformed each of their lives. Jewelia re-ignited routine marriages. “It made me feel sexy again.” The necklace was worn for special occasions—“it made me feel like a movie star”—as well as boogie-boarding in Hawaii. It gave a sense of hope, of second chances, of a new life, of rebirth. “I felt alive.” It bonded the women together in unexpected ways. “What had been a symbol of exclusivity became a symbol of inclusivity.”

            The story touches a nerve. It taps into the current trends of women buying their own jewelry, of jewelry being used to promote charities and of innovative techniques for people to own a piece of something spectacular—renting designer dresses, handbags and jewelry.

            This is not the first story of the transformative value of a special necklace. De Maupassant’s classic The Necklace tells the story of a wife of modest means who, craving something more, borrows her neighbor’s diamond necklace for a special party. In a Cinderella moment, she metamorphoses into the belle of the ball. Every eye is upon her.  As she returns home, she is mortified to discover she has lost the necklace! Biting the bullet, she and her husband take out a massive loan, replace the necklace (they are too ashamed to reveal they have lost it), and spend the next decade of their lives working to repay the loan, sinking into a life of drudgery and near poverty. A chance meeting when the loan is finally repaid uncovers an ironic twist. The neighbor reveals the necklace was paste, inexpensive costume jewelry. The couple’s lives had been determined by the unnecessary repayment of a debt which was not due.

            A necklace can not only transform the life of a individual or a group, it can even transform a society. The Affair of the Necklace, the 2001 movie starring Hilary Swank,  reveals the real-life scandal involving Marie Antoinette that helped precipitate the French Revolution. It’s a colorful tale involving romance, scandal and intrigue that could hardly be imagined if it weren’t true!

            In 1772 Louis XV commissions a spectacular necklace for his mistress, Mme.du Barry. The Crown Jewelers Broehmer and Bassenge take several years to assemble a world-class collection of large diamonds and fashion them into a magnificent elaborate design. Unfortunately, Louis XV’s untimely death almost bankrupts the jewelers who have not yet been paid for the piece. Enter Jeanne de La Motte-Valois, an orphan who, fighting to restore her name and place in society, hatches a plot to sell the necklace to Marie Antoinette. Jeanne collaborates with Cardinal Prince Rohan, an out-of-favor courtier. The fascinating  plot involves a famous mystic, Count Cagliostro, romantic intrigues—including Jeanne’s affair with the Cardinal—and secret meetings with mistaken identities.

            Although Marie Antoinette ultimately refuses the necklace (perhaps she did not want a piece designed for another woman, and a mistress at that!), she becomes embroiled in the widely publicized trial which further tarnishes her reputation, already weakened by gossip and scandal. The resulting strain on the monarchy hastens its collapse…the French Revolution.

            So the next time you put that special necklace in your display case, think for a moment. How will this transform someone’s life? The truth may be magic.

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2. September 2008 by admin.

Sparkling. Enticing. Enchanting. Do you secretly covet a large, flawless diamond? Are you mesmerized by the rich beauty of emeralds? Do you treasure tantalizing tanzanite?

Throughout the ages, gems have captivated us with their alluring magic. The ancient Egyptians revered midnight-blue lapis lazuli, pairing it with purest gold in striking ornaments for their royal pharaohs. In the India of antiquity, rubies were known as the “king of gems”. Warriors, believing these precious gems to convey invincibility, wore them into battle for protection. The Chinese have venerated jade for millennia, considering it a celestial blessing, a harbinger of happiness and prosperity. Rich purple amethyst, included in the British Crown Jewels, has been favored by both royalty and clergy. According to lore, its influence helps prevent drunkenness! Shining turquoise, the color of the sky, was sacred to the American Indian, and is still widely used in Native American jewelry.

            The ancient lore surrounding precious gems fosters a mystique. We are captivated by their charm. Who does not know his own birthstone? Mother’s rings, featuring the children’s birthstones, remain a popular cherished tradition.

 Even the world-weary sceptic has a soft spot for romance. It’s the spice of life. Do you cast a curious glance at your daily horoscope? Or play your “lucky numbers” in the lottery? Even Scrooge eventually succumbed to the spirit of Christmas, the magic of seeing the world through the joy and awe of a child. Love spawns the greatest romance, for love has the highest transformative power. Even though “once bitten” by love, not only incurable romantics throw caution to the wind to grasp again for the brass ring of happiness. The romance is the dream. What could be more captivating than a perfect, pure diamond as a pledge of this shared dream of happiness? A diamond is forever

The subtle effects of gems are legend. Stone cutters of yore would rejuvenate their fatigued eyes by gazing at emeralds, considered to have restorative powers for vision. Today’s “New Age” resurgent interest in crystals touts the subtle effects of quartz, tourmaline, tiger eye, carnelian—most natural gems—especially in their original or crystalline form. Often used directly for healing purposes, such as in massage therapy, these “healing stones” are also popularly incorporated into talismans and amulets.

Jewels project power. Traditionally the domain of royalty, precious gems have been incorporated into Crown Jewels throughout the ages. Coronation—crowning the monarch with precious gems—conveys their potency, symbolically bestowing royalty, even divinity. Some world-class jewels, such as the Hope Diamond, are so compelling they generate their own legends. According to ancient lore, the magnificent blue Hope was the stolen eye from the statue of an Indian deity, resulting in the gem’s “curse”. Owned throughout the ages by a plethora of the world’s royalty and elite, including Louis XIV of France, it was eventually acquired by jeweler extraordinaire Harry Winston, who gifted it to the Smithsonian Museum, its current home.

Do you believe? Tap into the romance of stones. Nourish the dream. Successful salespeople are aware of the power of the lore of gems. They romance the sale. The secret key to sales is that ultimately you sell yourself. A genuine love of gems is infectious. Through nourishing their lore, you nurture yourself. Spinning the web of romance, you unfurl your dream. The captivating lore and lure of gems is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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24. July 2008 by admin.

It’s fresh! It’s hot! The newest look! It’s must-have jewelry! 

            It’s all about style. Many women are now buying their own jewelry. Today’s fashion-forward clients seek cutting-edge design.

Fashion is fun! Plunge in and enjoy the freshness of emergent looks, the excitement of being “in the know” as the next “big look” surfaces. Today’s savvy jeweler positions himself as an expert in design trends. Styles in your store should reflect awareness of what’s fashion-forward as well as traditional values.

            Fashion trends move in cycles, longer and shorter. Think back a decade or more. Diamond tennis or line bracelets and colored stones made a splash and are still mainstream popular. Certain trends have that staying power.  Five to ten years ago, chandelier earrings, briolettes, the multi-strand look, large bangles and mixed colors and metals all rocketed to the forefront. Chandelier earrings have morphed into a leaner, more elongated line, some in exaggerated “shoulder-duster” lengths. Styles evolve over time. Look for fresh new twists as these recent trends continue to evolve. Blackened steel juxtaposed with gold is an edgy mixing of metals, currently attracting high visibility, important as gold prices continue to soar. Short one- to two-year cycles reflect the freshest, cutting-edge looks. Chocolate and earth-tone gems and anything organic, including uncut diamonds and colored pearls, are hot.  “Green” jewelry, environmentally aware and ethically sourced, is a strong trend to watch.

            Jewelry is seasonal. Mixed pastel summer colors—think turquoise—and carefree styles such as lariats resonate with the season’s casual approach. As Autumn beckons, clients seek warmer tones—yellow, orange and brown diamonds, sapphires and topaz—to match the season’s palette. When Winter nears, reach for serious jewelry. This is the season for pieces that make a statement. Holiday high-profile events lend themselves to important jewels. Bring out your diamonds, your high-karat gold and platinum. Now is the time for that remarkable one-of-a-kind designer original that will set your client apart as a trend-setter, a fashion icon. The rebirth of Spring rides a gentler wave. Look for jewelry inspired by nature, including leaf, flower and shell motifs, and animal pieces, currently in the spotlight

            How to tap into what’s hot? Stay abreast by attending trade shows, subscribing to  top fashion magazines and watching the Oscar style wrap-ups. Tune into the celebrity watch. Listen to your clients—what they’re asking for, buying and wearing. Monitor what’s selling. Pay heed to the fashion forecasters—the jewelry designers, fashion editors and celebrity stylists. They all have the pulse of the latest trends and a vision of what’s on the horizon.

          And remember that good design is always rooted in what’s timeless. It reflects a cutting-edge awareness, but will never go out of style. The confident, style-conscious woman will always choose what suits her, with a nod to the current style scene. She wears her jewelry; it does not wear her. Position yourself as the savvy stylist, and she will turn to you again and again for advice in complementing her jewelry wardrobe, knowing she will always be fashion-forward.                                                    

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29. June 2008 by admin.

 Women love to collect jewels! Become your client’s best friend…her jewelry wardrobe consultant.         

     Jewelry today is about fashion.  Celebrities, dazzling at red-carpet events with gorgeous designer pieces, instantly spawn trends that ripple throughout the industry. Magazines and television shopping networks touting the hottest new “look” —the organic look inspired by nature, chocolate and pink gold, multicolored gems, including diamonds, in earth tones—are ubiquitous.       

     More women with an eye for style and color are buying their own jewelry. Sophisticated clients, aware of fashion trends and their own individual style, seek guidance in “putting it all together”—designing their jewelry wardrobe.          

      Position yourself as the expert, the jewelry wardrobe consultant.  You can help  your client develop a wardrobe with a integrated style that suits her appearance, individual style preferences and personal lifestyle. Fine jewelry is a major investment. Guide her in developing in her own sense of style—become her jewelry stylist. As she gains confidence, she will naturally turn to you time after time for suggestions in developing her expanding collection—as well as recommendations for that special occasion or gift.            

      Every jewelry wardrobe needs the basics: versatile pieces that can be worn on range of occasions—from casual to professional to dressy. Suggest gold hoop earrings, gold chain necklaces and diamond stud earrings. Add a classic strand of pearls and pearl stud earrings and a gold bangle bracelet or diamond line bracelet as “essentials” that can be worn on any occasion, informal or formal. She will reach for again and again these pieces with universal style.                 

      Now—branch out! Consider your client’s appearance, her coloring. Does she have blue or green eyes that aquamarines or emeralds would complement? Olive skin tones resonate with rich gold and earth tone gems—including colored pearls and diamonds. Very large, bold jewelry may overpower the petite woman, but dramatically enhance someone taller.                

     Ask her about her personal style preferences and lifestyle. Does she love yellow or white gold?  What gems is she drawn to? Suggest new gems in her preferred color palate. If she loves rubies, introduce her to rubellite or pink diamonds. Observe the way she dresses. Casual, trendy, artsy, classic? Her jewelry should enhance her wardrobe. Jewelry is seasonal. Light pastels work beautifully with summer wardrobes; richer, darker colors complement winter’s colors. A range of pieces that work throughout the year is ideal.                      

     Next, consider adding a cocktail ring…a beautiful colored gemstone ring, perhaps accented with diamonds. Suggest a gorgeous necklace that can be worn on special occasions to make a statement, but with enough versatility to be suited for casual or business dress.  Open the doors to new horizons; present new possibilities. Consider the popular multistrand look with multicolored stones. Suggest colored pearls, including beautiful Tahitian and South Sea, in fashion-forward yet timeless styles.  Medallions and circle pendant necklaces currently have wide-spread appeal. Try a large bangle or a pin. Rather than the matched “suites” of the 1950s, jewelry pieces today should “mix and match” for maximum versatility and presentation of style. And try new pieces on! Many pieces “come alive” when worn, and the same piece may appear dramatically different on different clients.                  

     As your client’s confidence grows, suggest designer pieces. Like building an art collection, she is building an heirloom collection that will give her a lifetime of enjoyment as she wears the pieces every day. With guidance, rather than simply acquiring random pieces on whim, she is now developing a unified jewelry wardrobe that expresses her personal style, and discovering her own style in the process.                                                          

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3. June 2008 by admin.

 As You Find Your Place in the World, It’s Your Life You Are Creating 

            How were you drawn to the jewelry world? Were you enticed by the lore and love of gems? Or inspired by the creative impulse to design articles of beauty?  Did you inherit a family business? Or perhaps come from a line of family goldsmiths?  Whether you have ancestral roots in the trade or were drawn by your own impulses, to find your niche in the world, you must discover what drives you and nourish it, for this is your destiny. Creating your place in the world is creating your unique life. It is following your dream.

The jewelry world encompasses myriad possibilities, each with its own unique set of skills: bench jeweler, jewelry artist, designer, retailer/entrepreneur, wholesaler, salesperson, gemologist, appraiser….Discover what you enjoy and are good at…what fits. This is what will bring success. Do you dream at night of new designs, thrilled as you bring them to manifestation? You may be a jewelry artist at heart. Are you inspired by concepts and ideas? You share the designer’s milieu. Are you good with your hands, loving fine craftsmanship? You may be a  craftsperson, bench jeweler, or even master jeweler. Jewelry photography, graphic design and advertising all share the spark of creative expression, but with their unique angle. Consider branching out, putting up some trial balloons, and see what brings a response. You may discover you have multiple talents. Your inclinations may change over time.

  Do you love the challenge of growing your own business, being your own boss?  You have the entrepreneurial spirit. If you’ve honed your organizational skills, your niche may be in a larger jewelry company. Are you a people person? Jewelry is a friendly trade. Discovering to how to satisfy customers and developing relationships with clients is the key to success at sales. If you love interacting with people, this may be your forte. Unveiling new opportunities and stretching yourself is what keeps the spark alive. Live consciously. Don’t get stale. Follow your dreams.

“Man’s character is his fate,” divined the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus. In today’s world, we celebrate life in freedom. It’s our rallying cry, our ideal. But life in freedom may seem rudderless, like a leaf blowing in the wind. As you discover your niche in the world, you are creating your life’s meaning. Drawing from your roots, recognizing the seed impulses within you, making them your own and nourishing them, you are creating your unique path. You are realizing your self, for your character is your fate.

           Life’s possibilities are endless. Reaching for the stars is what keeps us young, for youth is hope.  Fulfilling our dreams brings the rewards of accomplishment and recognition. Our life is our legacy, our ultimate creation. Discovering and creating our unique life is the ultimate reward. Nourish your dreams. It’s what keeps you alive. And enjoy the process, for life is a work in process. The end is in the means. Living consciously is fulfilling your dreams.  

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2. May 2008 by admin.

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21. March 2008 by admin.

Jeweler’s Profile

International Jewelry Designer and Women’s Advocate          

       “Out of a great loss, I got a great business.” So Angeli Kapoor Puri, internationally celebrated jewelry designer, businesswoman, promoter of the Miss India-Angelworld contest, and advocate for women’s rights, describes her dramatic introduction into the jewelry business. “I was born in East Africa, but grew up in India. I married into a jewelry family. My father-in-law had previously, at the time of Indian Independence (1947), quietly bought from various Maharajas (princes) collections from their Crown jewels, which they were at the time interested in divesting.” Many Maharajas, rich with treasures of jewels available in India, formerly had their Crown Jewels designed by very prestigious European jewelry houses, such as Cartier, who took the native jewels and designed them into fabulous Crown Jewels for the princes.            

        “So as a young bride, I had access to these fabulous world-class jewels to wear. However, I was love-struck, married for love, and did not appreciate these treasures, which did not fit my casual life-style and dress at the time. What you don’t value, you lose. One night, while our family was staying at a hotel, a burglar broke in and, threatening my mother at knife-point, stole the entire priceless Collection. I was devastated, and decided I had to try to recreate these incredible treasures. This was the beginning of my transformation.”           

        Angeli Puri, who divides her time living in London and Delhi, also frequently travelling to Dubai, Singapore and the US, continues, “I decided to take jewelry classes in London, trying to re-create what was lost. I discovered I could not really re-create them, but instead, discovered I had a knack for design, and started my own Collections, inspired by old-world style, but with a modern sensibility—a blend of old and new. So began my career as a jewelry designer. My Collections were, through social connections, picked up by celebrities and featured in prominent boutiques, and sold very well. Today, my company has two basic lines, a fashion line and a high-end Collection featuring diamonds only, especially rose-cut diamonds.” (http://www.theangelworld.com)           

       “My love of jewelry continues to this day. Although I have expanded into diverse business ventures, I keep getting drawn back into jewelry.” Angeli Puri’s family is involved in international real estate, and she frequently visits incredibly affluent Dubai, a burgeoning international center for high-end jewelry, and indeed, every possible luxury item. “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie recently bought real estate there.”                  

        Through her established connections with celebrities and “Bollywood” (Indian film) stars, Angeli Puri was asked to judge the Miss India-Worldwide contest in South Africa. “Again, a transformation.” Angeli Puri formed her own company, Miss India-Angelworld, and remains very active to this day, frequently travelling around the world to help sponsor and promote this platform. Not just a traditional “beauty contest,” the program seeks justice and empowerment for women world-wide: all proceeds from the contest go directly to benefiting the status of women.                    

       A passionate advocate for the role of women, Angeli Puri draws attention to the standing of women in India. “Although women have equal rights according to the Indian Constitution, in reality, India is still a patriarchal culture. Even practices such as selective abortion and infanticide of females are not uncommon. We seek to draw attention to these unjust practices, so they can be eliminated, and women can be empowered.”  She is currently helping organize a peace conference sponsored in Jaipur, India,  focusing on developing future women leaders and role models for the world.                  

        This truly exceptional, international, multi-faceted woman is herself an exemplary model, shining in all areas of life, empowering by example. Combining her natural resourcefulness with the wisdom of experience, she has expanded her own transformations to the widest possible platform, helping to transform the world.                          

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