“Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art.”

-Tom Stoppard

Do you have a mission in life?

To live a good life and to bring a little joy to the few fellow souls.

When you firstly came to the America, how did you localize your designs to American consumers?

When I came to America, I found that the mainstream jewelry design is quite uniform and pedestrian, therefore I had an idea to create something entirely different, beautiful and mysterious.

What are the influences of your industrial design major and family architect background on your jewelry designs?

Industrial design studies made me always think about ergonomics. I can’t imagine making a piece that would not be comfortable to wear all the time.
My father’s architectural and graphic design work taught me love for art and calligraphy.

What do you think are your designs’ features compared with other jewelry designers?

There are some jewelry designers that I admire, but I don’t like to look at their work, because I try not to be influenced by other jewelry.

How do you insist on your own style, as your jewelry is easily recognizable as Alex Sepkus’?

I don’t try to create my own style, it comes naturally. My work reflects my personality and skill. I work without second thoughts, almost intuitively.
I’m a Lithuanian, therefore a spiritual citizen of Old Europe. Hopefully this can be seen in my creations.

Why do you usually use microscope to do design? And what does this method influence your design results?

Working with a microscope forces a certain discipline. It helps to avoid distractions and to concentrate on the piece I’m making.
Also, there is a microscope on every bench in our shop - it helps to get the production quality that is almost the same as my original pieces.

How do you usually find the inspirations on jewelry design?

I really don’t have any inspirations for designs, the shapes seem to flow from my head.
But I need to be inspired to start working, and this can come from anywhere - a book, a painting, an old church, even from music.

You have your own category of jewelry, what is this? Please share more with us.

It is difficult to describe, because I always try to avoid descriptions. Intuitively designed, hand-made looking jewelry with a very high quality of workmanship.

Creating jewelry is a labor of love. I hope that my passion is evident in every design.

-Bellarri

MEET BELLARRI

When did your passion for jewelry begin?

In my late teens, I was a fashion model in Toronto. I loved the runway, clothing and jewelry created by top designers. After I moved from Canada to the United States, I pursued a career in loose diamonds. Along the way, I was asked to create settings to showcase the stones. After designing many collections for several private-label jewelers, I decided to start my own company and brand.

What was the jewelry business like in the 1980s?

It was a challenging, male-dominated industry at that time. I’m proud that I stuck it out and found success! It was difficult at first, but I began to make my mark with thought-provoking designs and vibrant colors.

You seem to have a natural flair for color.

As an artist, I try to push the envelope. And color is my niche area. Many companies and designers tell me they look forward to my color predictions each year. When I fall in love with a colored stone, I am inspired to create a new jewelry design around it.

What sets your jewelry collection apart from others?

Bellarri is a true design house. I design each and every piece. Yet, there is a breadth and depth to my collection. I create 250-300 totally new pieces per season. It’s like having a baby every nine months! That’s why I take such care in naming my collections. If I find inspiration on a boulevard in Paris or a piazza in Italy, I will bestow that name on my new design.

You offer a wide variety of designs, but your focus on quality is evident.

Thank you. It’s important to us. Our gems are laser-cut so precisely that they appear to grow out of their settings. I want my stones to be an integral part of the architecture of each piece. The metal should make the gem colors dance.

Any advice about how to wear Bellarri jewelry?

The Bellarri brand has a persona and each collection has its own unique flair, yet they all work together.You can add a Bellarri necklace to your personal collection today and it will work with a Bellarri ring you acquired 25 years ago. I always tell my daughter, “Even if you’re in a hurry to run out the door, throw on some red lipstick and your Bellarri earrings. Bold basics make you look professional!”

What makes your partnership with VanBrock work?

The VanBrock team “gets it.” I select the finest independent boutique locations around the world. My jewelry has a museum quality, yet I have no desire for my designs to sit on a display shelf. A piece of jewelry comes to life when it is worn. It takes on the personality of the wearer.

-Jewels, heirlooms, works of art, these rare creations are timeless treasures to be handed down from one generation to the next. David Oscarson, CEO

Where were you born?

I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent five years of my youth with my family in Stockholm. My father's family emigrated from Sweden in the late 1800's and we have always maintained a fond connection to our Swedish heritage. To live there as a boy was a gift of experiences for which I will always be grateful. Here in the USA, my father is an honorary Swedish Consul, and our family still keeps the tradition of celebrating customs and holidays in Swedish-American style.

With what pen did you study to write?

Unfortunately, many in my generation - myself included - missed the opportunity to learn the art of writing with a fountain pen in our youth. By the time I reached adulthood, I had spent little time with a fountain pen. The inexpensive ball point had already found its way into schools, and the fountain pen was largely "a thing of the past". I suppose that's what made fountain pens so intriguing to me. As many young boys, I was fascinated with the inner workings of the different brands of pens, and would regularly disassemble them to look inside and see what made them work. Unfortunately, it is much easier to destroy than to create, and, sadly, as a boy I learned more quickly how to take a pen apart, not always knowing how to quickly put it back together.

Did someone in your family collect pens?

For a time, my grandfather made custom dipping pens with his own unique brand of nibs. I only wish he could have lived longer to enjoy - and critique - some of the more difficult designs we have created today.

How is your Collection produced?

We have a team of between five to seven goldsmiths who execute our designs to exacting detail. All of our pieces are created one at a time, so, to try to produce more of any particular design would not really reduce the cost. While the price of these Collection pieces is understandably high, their quality is unparalleled. These masterpieces simply cannot be mass-produced.

Are you the creator of all of your designs?

Leonardo DaVinci I am not, no more than I am a Matisse or a Van Gough. It is I, however, who creates the designs for each Collection piece. I draw inspiration from memories, emotions and historical themes that inspire the imagination. There are many versions of my designs that have fallen by the wayside, and some that may never come to fruition; I have a collection of pen parts in various stages of completion that have - for some reason or another - been altered or entirely eliminated along the way. I never release a pen for sale or photography until it perfectly measures up to the vision that created it.

"I try to create classic jewelry with a twist that will stand the test of time ...for all women."

-Frederic Sage

Do you have a mission?

Yes! Share our love for color and jewelry with the entire world!

What is your background and how did you get started?

Frederic Sage is not your typical designer. Although he graduated with a degree in the sciences, Frederic later realized his true interests and passion were in design and color. He decided to continue his education by studying Art History and Textile Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. It was there that Frederic Sage was given the opportunity to design for a leading textile manufacturer.

With a fresh and unique look, and an “eye” for color, Frederic, a perfectionist, created designs that were distributed not only in America, but also in Europe and other international communities. During that time, he traveled to more than fifty countries all over the world, and lived in cities such as Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris and Milan.

Eventually, with guidance from his father, who as an importer of precious gems had given him firsthand knowledge and experiences with fine gems, Frederic was able to change paths and pursue his childhood dream of designing and creating fine jewelry.

Who is the woman who wears your jewelry?

Our collections are described as contemporary with a twist and are intended for the modern woman. I love to take traditional designs and update them. For example, many of my bridal rings feature twisting designs, split shanks, and two-tone gold combinations. We do, however, keep all women in mind and have a spectrum of different looks and price points to satisfy different tastes.

Why did you choose to partner with VanBrock?

VanBrock is the perfect partner for Frederic Sage because our missions our perfectly aligned: to provide a unique and unforgettable jewelry experience. They have truly been a pleasure to work with and I look forward to further growing our relationship.

What motivates you to create the next design?

My global travels and experiences have motivated me to create designs with captivating shapes and colors with the use of natural shells, gemstones, and diamonds. The materials I use are from various countries of origin and symbolize a blending of cultures.

I have a deep connection with everything I design and take great pride in all of my pieces; I see each of them as a unique piece of art, as do my friends at VanBrock.

Those who buy the very best never regret their purchases. Jewelry with enduring quality and increasing value will stand the test of time.

-Rafael, founder, artistic designer and visionary leader

MEET RAFAEL AT JB STAR

When did you first develop your passion for jewelry?

My father was in the diamond business. As a youngster, I often went to the “office” with my dad. First, I sorted diamonds. Later, I learned to cut stones. This early and intimate experience with diamonds certainly shaped my jewelry sensibilities. I consider myself blessed to be successful in my own right in the business my family started back in the 1940s.

Did your father hope that you would follow in his footsteps?

I believe he did. But it took some time for me to develop my own path. First, I earned an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA from New York University. Then, around 1979, I developed my own business model for JB Star. You could say I took the path less traveled. I’m not interested in the number of units sold or minimizing our costs. Instead I focus all my creative energies on pleasing the truly discerning woman — the woman who simply will not settle for second best.

This has been your vision from the beginning?

Yes, I get up every day and experience the pure joy of working with beautiful gemstones and metals. I pour my creativity into each piece as if it’s being designed for a family member or one of my dearest friends. I’m very lucky to have so many people around the world who appreciate my designs and compliment me on my unique style. I love what I do. I guess it shows.

How do you ensure high quality in every piece?

Our facility in New York is home to the finest artisans in the industry. We start with the best materials, including pure platinum, 18-karat yellow and rose gold, as well as the highest quality diamonds and gemstones. We employ the latest finishing technologies, including lasers.

Most importantly, each piece of jewelry is carefully crafted, inspected and analyzed by hand. No piece ever leaves our New York shop until even the tiniest details are examined. As the experts at VanBrock know, we offer a flawless written warranty and an even better unwritten warranty. We want our select jewelers and their clientele to be completely satisfied with each and every JB Star piece.

What inspired you to offer your exquisite jewelry at VanBrock?

VanBrock is the perfect partner for JB Star. Their team members are some of the sweetest individuals I have ever met. They really care about their clientele. But they’ve also done their homework. They know quality and demand the very best jewelry in the business.

“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

-Marc Anthony

Who wears JudeFrances?

JudeFrances is a link for women of all ages. The amazing thing about JudeFrances is the collectability factor and the endless stacking and wearing choices so woman can create a look unique to her. From Stacking bangles to stacking rings, layering chains or earring hoop and charms, there is truly something for everyone.

What makes your designs popular?

JudeFrances is appealing because no two women will wear it the same. I have 9 women in my office and we all wear our JudeFrances differently. We have the same jewelry but it looks different because of the way we style it. I wear my charms on our Jude Hoops while our President wears them on our classic Huggie Hoop. I love wearing a big stack on bangles and women in my office wear 1-3 at a time depending on how they feel. It is really personal and feels special to each of us.

What metals do you use?

JudeFrances has an 18K gold line which features diamonds and semi-precious stones, a sterling silver line with white topaz and semi precious stones, and our newest mixed metal line which is sterling silver, 18K gold, diamonds and semi-precious stones.

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Who is Meira Tugendhaft?

The beauty of nature and the buzz of New York City come together in the work of Meira Tugendhaft; the designer of fine jewelry brand Meira T. Meira is a vivacious woman who lives to create, design, and manifest fine jewelry. Her collection reflects her European upbringing (Germany and Belgium), her love for fashion, and her passion for world travel. For the past 30 years Meira has called New York her home. In the heart of midtown Manhattan Meira T designs her collection which utilize 14 and 18 karat gold, diamonds, and colored gemstones. Her favorite things include strolling in Central Park with her dog, eating Italian food, and spending quality time with her family. In fact her two daughters Nurielle, director of business development and Brigitte, assistant-designer both work with Meira T keeping the essence of the brand young and fresh.

The art of jewelry

Makes me feel alive

Inspiration comes from?

Nature and New York City. Natural but edgy the clashing of opposites

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What is the history of Norman Covan?

Founder of Norman Covan Diamond Jewelry, Norman Covan, a third generation jeweler, began his journey in the industry on the bench as a young apprentice diamond setter. Recognized for his natural genius as a jewelry artisan by those he worked with, he began to receive a flood of demand for his talents.

Inspired by a plethora of diverse cultures, Norman's unique flavor emerged within his compositions and unforgettable jewelry. With the success of his career, Norman moved to the fashion capital of the world—Paris, France—and gained notoriety for his exclusive retro-modern designs. After making a name for himself in the European Jewelry industry, Norman went on to establish the reputable Los Angeles based design house, Norman Covan Diamond Jewelry, in 1995.

What is the 'magic' of Norman Covan pieces?

Bringing people together through the artisanship of timeless and uniquely beautiful diamond jewelry, the Norman Covan design house focuses on the quality and workmanship for each piece handcrafted by it’s team in their studio with Norman Covan himself overseeing and designing all the beautiful pieces the studio produces. Norman Covan’s gorgeous jewelry collections effuse an expression of passion, beauty, and individuality that makes those who wear them, absolutely ravishing.

Striving everyday to maintain being one of the best in their class, Norman Covan’s team can be found attending America’s world renowned jewelry trade shows and bringing stunning jewelry to the people who appreciate the artistry, quality and workmanship brought by the Norman Covan design house.

Tell us about the fourth generation....

Lara Covan, a fourth generation jeweler, born and raised in Los Angeles, grew up in the family business and joined her family’s design house full-time after graduating college. Lara graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Film & Media Studies focusing on the psychology of the digital mediums and marketing of the industry. Lara has merged her knowledge and craft of diamond jewelry with her education to be at the forefront of the fashion jewelry industry. When asked about taking on the mantle of the family business, Lara said, "The Covan aesthetic is something special and unique. My father has an understanding of jewelry that goes back to the core of jewelry design. I cannot begin to express my gratitude in having him as my mentor and allowing me to learn in depth about his craft and inheriting his eye for design." Filled with passion and joy for what she does, Lara continuously strives to take the family business to the next level.

"Among my dad's generation, when you gave another man a pocketknife as a gift, it was a show of respect. I'll still give someone the knife out of my pocket."

-Chris Stapleton

What is William Henry?

William Henry is your brand of choice if you are looking for a timeless and exclusive gift for a man,

Where did the name William Henry come from?

William Henry is devoted to the vision of designing and building the finest tools possible. Founded in 1997 by partners Matthew William Conable and Michael Henry Honack, the studio has grown from a one-man shop to a 26 person company that has established a new benchmark of excellence.

What makes William Henry the perfect gift?

Every product we make is a distinctive heirloom-quality testament to the art of hand-crafted tools. William Henry (WH) is proudly handcrafted in the United States. The aerospace level tolerances are 5/10,000 of an inch or 1/12 the width of a human hair. About 30 artisans will touch any given knife, pen, money clip or divot tool or cufflink. It is a 6 month to 2 years from conception to completion of a WH product. It takes about 800 steps to complete any given knife. All WH products use the rarest materials along with the finest craftsmanship and most modern technologies to create pieces of functional art. All William Henry products come with a limited lifetime warranty. Every WH piece comes with a presentation box and certificate of authenticity that gives specific information about that piece right down to the day when it was completed.