AGTA NewsFlash 

March 2008

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New AGTA Source Directory
The AGTA released the newest edition of the Source Directory during the 2008 AGTA GemFair™. The AGTA Source Directory was cited as the second most important Member benefit by Members when polled. It makes it easy for gemstone and jewelry professionals to get the information they need to purchase gemstones, jewelry, products and services from ethical and reliable suppliers-AGTA Members.

This year, the directory has been upgraded with the following
features:

  • Companies separated by Member type
  • Index added to easily reference a company
  • Premium stock paper
  • Ads placed throughout the entire book


The AGTA contributes to the success of your business by getting your company's name in the hands of buyers. It assists in growing your customer base by granting you exposure.

Over 20,000 copies will be distributed! This is a powerful tool that gives access to a valuable network of fellow gemstone professionals. The Source Directory is complimentary to anyone in the industry. It is available as a printed book, on CD or it can be downloaded from www.agta.org. We mail over 20,000 books and CDs and provide both at AGTA GemFair™ Tucson, AGTA GemFair™ Las Vegas, JA New York and AGS Conclave.

New Members may be included in the AGTA Electronic Source Directory, since information is updated quarterly. If you were one of our 71 new Members who signed up during the 2008 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson, your information will be updated once we have received your AGTA Source Directory Member Information Form.

Additional advertising opportunities for Members in the Electronic Source Directory include email links, web links and banners. This is a great way to connect buyers to your company. These are excellent ways to attract more attention to your company and the products/services you offer.

All AGTA Members will receive their copy of the AGTA Source Directory in the mail in March.

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Brochure Available on Irradiated Gemstones
AGTA and JVC have published "The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Irradiated Gemstones." This brochure explains all NRC rules and the industry's compliance obligations and guides retailers to develop their own policies regarding trade in these gemstones.

"The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Irradiated Gemstones" is available online at www.agta.org or contact the AGTA at 800-972-1162 to request your copy today.

 
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Prism-Special Spring Issue
Our quarterly Newsletter helps keep you informed about all the hot topics surrounding our industry and the AGTA. This Spring issue features the annual highlight and full-color photo spread of the 2008 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and Cutting Edge Awards winners. Take a look and see how the most important colored gemstone and cultured pearl design competition determines the best of the best in the industry.

Click here to see a sneak peek.

Members will receive their own issue very soon.
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AGTA Stock Photography Collection
The AGTA is known for its commitment to promoting the colored gemstone industry, but did you know that they have colored gemstone images for sale?

The AGTA provides affordable, picture-perfect photos for your designing needs. From website design to direct mail, gemstone photography from the AGTA makes a dramatic impact.

With over 400 professionally-photographed images, you are sure to find the perfect picture for every need. Whether it's gemstones or jewelry, our images come with unlimited usage at a fraction of the cost when compared to other image providers.

Low-resolution images are perfect for web use or small print media.
$50 per image

High-resolution images are perfect for enlarged posters, magazine ads, banners and other in-store signage.
$75 per image

Order 6 or more images to receive 20% off your overall purchase! (excludes shipping)

Visit www.agta.org in the Services section to see the entire inventory of stock photography and to place an order.
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Oscars' Standouts
Celebrities who added pep to their step at an otherwise staid affair were those who sported a bright outlook in colorful frocks and statement-making gem-set jewels.

The color of the carpet, itself, ranked the favorite hue for Hollywood hotties like Heidi Klum, Katherine Heigl and Anne Hathaway, as well as the elegant Helen Mirren and the fresh-faced tween icon Miley Cyrus. Not only were shades of red important in dress, but also jewelry.

Opting for a tone-on-tone look, Project Runway host/model Heidi Klum accessorized her John Galliano gown in jewels from her own collection with Mouawad, featuring a suite of earrings, rings and cuff set with rubies, kunzites and pink diamonds in 18K rose gold. Also choosing a tonal look was TV actress and Oscar presenter Miley Cyrus, who wore modified chandelier earrings in red garnets and a gold and garnet ring by Neil Lane. Penelope Cruz offered a pop of color against a black Chanel gown in dangling drop earrings encrusted with 25-carats of rubies with diamonds by Chopard.

Among the precious trio, emerald and sapphire also appeared on the red carpet. Most notably, the beautiful and very pregnant Cate Blanchett wore a tanzanite colored halter gown by Dries Van Noten, with an embellished silver-tone beaded neckline encrusted in jade that resembled the necklace of a Pharaoh. Complementing the v-neck trim and contrasting the vivid purplish-blue hue of the dress, Blanchett chose stunning earrings in blackened platinum and diamonds dangling emerald drops totaling 30-carats by Lorraine Schwartz.

Against her dark inky gown, writer-director Sarah Polley, nominated for "Away From Her," wore Fred Leighton jewels including rose-cut diamond and pear-shaped sapphire pendant earrings and a 1940's carved sapphire and ruby ring, as well as a sapphire, pearl and diamond bracelet by Neil Lane. Also in a dark blue number, Laura Linney decorated her bare neck with a gold pendant-style necklace showcasing an oval-shaped blue topaz ala Cathy Waterman.


The preference for strapless and single shoulder goddess style gowns inspired celebrities to adorn in bold earrings, as well as statement necklaces that are again important in jewelry. Julie Christie, best actress nominee for "Away From Her," proved the necks have it with an unusual "pink scarab" necklace complementing her burgundy dress. Crafted by Neil Lane, this standout neckpiece features 31 iridescent "scarab gems" with matching earrings, all set in 18K gold.

"Juno" writer-director Diablo Cody rejected the opportunity to wear $1 million Stuart Weitzman diamond-encrusted heels. But she jumped at the chance to pepper in some color with a bold turquoise bracelet and carved ring that really popped against her sexy, earthy leopard-print Dior caftan.

It's not just the ladies who like to shine a bit of colorful bling on the red carpet, some of Hollywood's hunkiest men chose gemmy accessories this year, including actors Patrick Dempsey in rock crystal, onyx and diamond cufflinks by Fred Leighton; Forrest Whitaker in Kwiat diamond and onyx platinum cufflinks; and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in pearl and platinum cufflinks by Neil Lane.

1. Heidi Klum courtesy of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
2. Penelope Cruz courtesy of Chopard
3. Diablo Cody courtesy of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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