Jewelry Navigator

Azra Mehdi is a practicing attorney and balances her family life with her passion for fine jewelry as a designer of timeless gold jewelry.   Azra founded Au Xchange, a platform for sharing fine jewelry created by women designers.   In spite of pandemic obstacles, Azra took advantage of the time during lockdowns to apply for the Zales Designer Spotlight Showcase and won as the only woman designer of color for the showcase.   Originally from India, Azra shares how gold jewelry influenced her path as a jewelry designer, and how her thoughtful designs are welcoming to a wide audience and demographic.   Azra is dedicated to giving back as a representative in support of girls and women with CamFED, Campaign for Female Education through portions of her jewelry sales.   While growing her brand through Au Xchange and as a featured designer in the Zales Designer Spotlight, Azra continues to practice law while raising her two children with her husband. You can find Azra's jewelry on Au Xchange as well as on

HHi! Welcome to Jewelry Navigator! I’m your host, Graduate Gemologist,  Brenna Pakes. Here on Jewelry Navigator, and as a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America, and a jewelry professional, I’m in a unique position to share jewelry tips and stories. More than ever, it’s important to support small, independent jewelry designers and businesses. It’s my pleasure to guide consumers to smart jewelry choices through an informative and entertaining platform. For sneak peeks into upcoming episodes and features, follow me on Instagram on @jewelrynavigator   In this relaunch episode, I share my role as curator of content for a weekly video feature on Beyond Gems for TheTUNDRA, an informative platform for enthusiasts and those with a general curiosity for topics, themes, and hobbies. I share guests featured on Beyond Gems so far. It's been a wonderful way to expand and explore geology, gemology, and other relevant fields of interest. FYI - to watch the full Beyond Gems episodes, subscribe fo

On a recent Jewelry Navigator Podcast, “Here's to the Men in Our Lives - Jewelry to Celebrate Men and Dads”, I featured jewelry for men.  One of the rings selected is Tin Haus' Andromeda ring, designed and created by today's guest, Christina Grace, founder of Tin Haus, an eclectic collection of jewelry art. Christina is a Graduate Jeweler from the Gemological Institute of America, an artist, and is currently completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. What inspires me the most about Christina is the unhindered path she creates for herself. Her expertise is well-rounded through varied practices of art, including performing art, drawing, and set design. As a first-generation American, Christina lives and creates her collections in California. Utilizing her education, background, and connections, Christina is creating a path with which to inspire others to discover and celebrate their unique expression through their own self-discovery. Christina explained that her upcoming collection will be set with gems

Men tend to get overlooked with jewelry - Watches and wedding bands are the staples for most men, while signet, diamond and gemstone statement rings as signature statements. Educating consumers with unique selections of gemstones and jewelry has always been a primary focus for Jewelry Navigator. In this Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode, I'm highlighting designers who've been featured on the podcast, as well as one who will be very soon with jewelry designed to enhance and celebrate the men in our lives. Designers featured create everything from cufflinks, bracelets, necklaces and pendants and rings. Tracy Trainor Jewellery CRASH Jewelry Mary van der Aa Tucson Todd's Gems Tin Haus Etsy Artisans with featured storage boxes for jewelry and watches: Buttons and Pearl, Sara Barbadillo, and Fret Work by Darryl.

Missy Graff Ballone of Wellness for Makers Shares How Artists Can Move to Stay Healthy While the COVID-19 crisis and resulting quarantine have challenged many aspects of our lives, finding positive ways to guide us through to the other side have been inspiring. While scrolling through Instagram one day, I came across Missy Graff Ballone’s feed, Wellness for Makers. A metalsmith, alignment based yoga instructor, and licensed massage therapist, Missy shares how makers can work more efficiency using healthy movement habits. She combines her education and familiarity with the body to show makers and creatives how to care for their hands and avoid common injuries with mindful movement. In “Wellness for Makers” Podcast, Missy shares tips for makers in and out of the studio, along with inspiring stories of artists and makers who have recovered from injuries. I’m happy and excited for Missy to share her specialized expertise, and to give back to makers and artists during the COVID recovery, Missy is offering sc

I hope you’re staying safe and well, and I’m looking forward to when we can return to our places of work, get our hair cut, nails done, and get back to all those services and shops that are part of regular routines. Part of the normal routine this time of year is shopping for the seasonal celebrations, like Mother’s Day and graduations. But, shopping from our favorite stores doesn’t have to stop. This podcast is dedicated to all the small businesses who’ve been doing what they can to serve their customers in spite of “closed doors” and customers sheltered in place. I know it’s easy to swing by Target or Walmart and pick up what we need, but, small businesses need our support, and many are offering similar, and sometimes better, accommodations with deliveries, pick ups, and custom orders. Milestones and accomplishments are traditionally celebrated with jewelry and keepsakes. The most unique selections are found in small and independent stores.   The point of this podcast is to encourage you to support the

My guest in this Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode is Alain Simic, founder of Alain Simic (pronounced Ah-lawn Si-mich) whose specialty is portraying images of jewelry, fashion, fine art, and portraiture. Alain’s photography speaks through images, allowing his subject’s voice to share stories and impact the lives of those who see his work. Alain serves his clients and collaborates with his professional community through a unique background based on his perspective gained through professional photography experinece, and first hand life crisis. Raised in Germany after his family escaped the Bosnian genocide, Alain’s experiences and upbringing enables him to share his client’s narrative through a lens of compassion and understanding elevates his relationships with his clients for successful campaigns and images.  While his photography is used as a marketing tool to create successful branding and product campaigns, Alain also serves the communities in which he works through collaborative efforts. Alain has co

This weekend, I chose to share segments of my podcast interview with Seraphima McLean of Gallery Byzantium. . Her formal background in art history, cast her in the unique role to carry on her family’s Byzantine art jewelry business.   Gallery Byzantium integrates art and history inspired by one of the most influential cultures, the Byzantine Empire.   Creating Christian themed jewelry, like crosses and religious medals, their jewelry designs are often replicated from ancient coins, medallions, and crosses.   As Christians all over the globe celebrate Easter, this weekend, I felt sharing a portion of the story of Gallery Byzantium would resonate with the liturgical celebration of Easter, but also serve as a reminder to stay strong in our faith, regardless of denomination or belief.   The followng is a clip from my Jewelry Navigator podcast visit in early December, 2019, and is part of my effort to support the independent designers and jewelers featured on Jewelry Navigator Podcast. through the COVID

Karin Jacobson is a talented jeweler and artist whose open mind and fabrication techniques allows her to interpret visions into beautiful, wearable jewelry art. Her journey and aesthetic have revealed a unique style that has become unquestionably recognizable as Karin Jacobson Jewelry. I’ve been a fan of her jewelry for a few years now, and the evolution of her aesthetic has been a joy to watch. Karin’s stand-out signature aesthetics are hybrid origami halos that bloom from ring wraps, stick pins, earrings, and graceful pendants that drape from neck wires. The origami features make Karin’s jewelry sculptural, and many of her collectors and clients display them as such in between wear. Karin has earned many industry design awards, and this year, was only one of three jewelers selected to take part in MJSA’s annual contest, “Mystery Box Challenge”,  a fun, but challenging test to create jewelry using fabrication elements contained within the mystery box. Her resulting entry reflected her signature origam

Coping With the COVID-19 Crisis Using Self-Care Strategies With Dr. Dana Busch   Stress. Anxiety. Uncertainty.   These are all dark places that become natural responses to stressful and uncertain times, like the COVID-19 health crisis we’re currently experiencing.     The reason for this podcast is to invite you to take a step back and use internal cognitive tools and rational thought processes to view this time as opportunity, and how to disarm stress and anxiety.   Today, I’m joined by Dr. Dana Busch, my friend, artist, and jewelry designer.   As a former clinical psychologist, Dana shares ways we can tap into what we can do now for ways to move forward.   To access the resources Dana mentioned in the podcast, download the resources, visit jewelrynavigator.com.     RELIEVING STRESS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TIPS AND EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN AND CALM   Resources, Articles and Videos mentioned in Jewelry Navigator Podcast Livestream with Dr. Dana Busch     RESOURCES   Resources for Resilience ht

As we wrap up Women’s History Month in a couple days, today, I share my visit with Noor Shamma, jewelry designer, single mother, and driven career woman. Noor is the epitome of self motivation and drive. She gracefully achieves balance and peace through her persona, jewelry designs, and practices  compassion through it all with sustainable practices in the sources she chooses for her jewelry. While managing a full time career in marketing and communications with motherhood, Noor stays grounded through the creative processes of her eponymous jewelry collection and business, Noor Shamma. Inspired by childhood creative passions of needlework, Noor combines detail reminiscent of meticulous needlework with the complexity inherent in architecture as main focal points of her aesthetic. At the time I recorded my conversation with Noor, she had recently completed several shows and engagements with Noor Shamma jewelry, from New York at Metal and Smith to London Fashion Week. Between then and now, the COVID-19 hea

Welcome back to Jewelry Navigator Podcast! It's been a few weeks since I last published a podcast episode and the last one was the pre-departure for my Tucson trip and that was in February.   We're rolling into the second week of March, and I wanted to catch you up on what and who I saw in  Tucson.   You can follow along with my Instagram feed as I’ve posted support content that will coordinate with the podcast.   Another thing I want to mention that I'm creating, I'm really excited about, it's sort of like a magazine feature that will be on a devoted page to the Tucson show. I started to create a new category on my website which will be devoted to shows and the designers that I meet and feature from the shows.       02:16 So let's get busy! If you're unfamiliar with what trade shows are for the jewelry industry, they're essentially the same as trade shows and conferences are to every other industry in that they offer a lifeline through which industries can learn the latest advancements and shop th

Gem Show Pre-Departure Lounge 2020   Welcome to the first Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode of 2020!   It’s been a while since you heard from me. I took some time off during the holidays, and now that everyone’s settled back into school and work, it’s time to get down to jewelry business!   Trade shows have been centralized events for various industries to learn about and share the latest resources, network, and celebrate.   The Tucson Gem Show just kicked the jewelry industry trade shows off, and this weekend, in New York City, the NYNow Show is hosting a myriad of luxury accessories and gifts.   As my heart and enthusiasm will always be with gems, I’m choosing to attend the Tucson Gem Shows, which is a conglomerate of many shows held throughout downtown Tucson.   In this podcast, I share a sample of designers who will be exhibiting at either the Tucson or NYNow Shows. All those featured have been guests on Jewelry Navigator Podcast, and I’m excited to share what’s new with them and continue to

Sue Oster is the fearless force behind Feral Jewelry. She shares an interpretation of life’s strength and vulnerabilities using her signature collections created with sustainable and ethically sourced precious materials, combining design elements to celebrate who we are and what makes us unique. She IS the Elegant Rebel, and her MO of highlighting anomalies and unexpected elements are the thread with which she shares her creative vision and inspirations, defined by her philosophy of, “If a diamond is forever, life is eternal”. “Susan Oster launched Feral Jewelry in 2016.  After twenty years working in interior design, she turned her attention to jewelry, focusing on her love of nature and animal forms. Feral is her unbridled look at what it means to be both glamorous and undomesticated - to love the great outdoors and also be completely feminine.  It is a fearless approach to self expression and statement of strength.  Each piece is handmade is the USA; all parts are organic, recycled, and constructed in th

As a boy, Stephen Goldsmith had dreams of being a cartoonist. His aptitude for art was innate, but his journey would take a detour to become a master of polishing and finishing national treasures and museum quality jewelry. Stephen Goldsmith is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, and shares his nearly 50 years of knowledge and experience as a master polisher with peers and students alike through his trade acclaimed book, Polishing and Finishing for Jewellers and Silversmiths, published by Crowood Press. While Stephen has had the privilege of working with jewelry created for royal families and celebrities, his real treasures are created in the classroom and studios where he demonstrates to artisans how to bring their jewelry visions and stories to life. Polishing and Finishing for Jewellers and Silversmiths has become a bench Bible of sorts for silversmiths, and Stephen very generously shared two copies of his book which he signed personally to give away to two Jewelry Navigator Podcast l

Jewelry is a powerful touchstone and conduit by which we define ourselves within our life stories, family, and community. Acknowledging this concept with symbolism and icons are reminders that we're connected to a higher power that guides us in how we choose to live our best lives. This week my guest on Jewelry Navigator podcast is Seraphima McLean of Gallery Byzantium, a small jewelry design and manufacturing business in Ipswich, Massachusetts, dedicated to conserving and sharing the Byzantine aesthetic in both religious and secular jewelry. As an art history major, Saraphima was a natural fit to re-establish the jewelry design business her father, an Orthodox priest started in 1991. He established Gallery Byzantium to honor the rich history and aesthetic of Byzantium art in jewelry to share and celebrate his faith. As we celebrate our faith through the year, and especially during the Christmas holiday, I felt sharing the story and jewelry of Gallery Byzantium was the perfect time for this week’s podcast

Clarity, insight, and wisdom are three qualities I feel this week’s Jewelry Navigator Podcast guest exhibits naturally. Tonya Powell is founder and creative initiator of Pareure, a collection of  jewelry designed for women who define themselves with confidence, and reach beyond limitations. Her classically simple signature circular designs are the embodiment of her tagline, “Be Seen. Be Heard, Be Bold”. I’m excited to share Tonya’s story on this week’s Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode, and if you’re in the Washington DC Metro area the first weekend of December, you can see and shop her jewelry firsthand at the Holiday Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Chantilly, VA, December 6-8. You can find Pareure online at pareure.com and on Instagram @pareureofficial.  

Telling stories with gems and jewelry is like speaking an enchanted language. Hidden for millennia, gems are treasures that speak a universal language. Cynthia Renée Marcusson is my guest this week understands the hidden language of gemstones. Geologist turned jewelry designer, Cynthia’s adventures began with her curiosity of rock formations and unusual terrain from the car window of her family vacations. As part of her geologic studies, she mapped two of the biggest gem producing mines in the U.S., and has thirty years experience working in the jewelry industry on various professional levels. She discovered jewelry design while selling and presenting colored gems stores and businesses across the country. Now she creates one of a kind jewelry pieces for clients to tell their stories with gems to celebrate the beauty we’re meant to reflect by wearing them. Listen to Cynthia’s story on Jewelry Navigator Podcast TODAY! You can find Cynthia Renée Jewels on her website, cynthiarenee.com

Before departing for a creative career in jewelry design, Dana Busch enjoyed a professional career as a doctor in clinical health psychology. After completing a masters program in art therapy, she chose to focus on public health, and spent her career in medical centers creating programs focusing on lifestyle choices for patients with chronic conditions. While she enjoyed helping her patients with programs she developed, she left the corporate politics and bureaucracy behind to reinvent her purpose through her own jewelry design company, Dana Busch Designs. Borrowing the practice in art exhibits, Dana creates collections, and uses descriptive titles for each piece, which are influenced by the colors and patterns in the gems she hand selects for each piece. Each titled piece is a reflection of the natural landscapes for which they’re named. By incorporating picturesque, patterned, and texturally interesting gemstones and fossils, Dana’s jewelry designs combine colorful and sculptural aspects that celebrate

Some people keep away from wearing opals, believing the ancient rumor that they cast bad luck on anyone who wears one without it being their birthstone.   No one is certain where opal obtained its bad reputation, but in today’s Jewelry Navigator Podcast, I’m replaying last Halloween’s podcast, “The Not So Scary Truth About Opals With Matt Hopkins, of Hopkins Opal”. . I’ll be back next week with a brand new Jewelry Navigator Episode, featuring Dana Busch of Dana Busch Designs. . DON’T FORGET to check out my WHEELS & SQUEALS virtual trunk show with @crashjewelry