Local Jewelry Designer Dennis deJonghe Wins International Jewelry Awards
Jewelry designer Dennis deJonghe of deJonghe Original Jewelry located at 470 Broadway, Saratoga Springs won two prestigious awards at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum Awards. The Spectrum Awards is “considered the most respected and prestigious creative award for the design industry” and recognizes artists who creatively incorporate colored gemstones and pearls in their fine jewelry. Winners are decided among hundreds of international submissions by a panel of judges, which changes every year. The judges, experts in different disciplines across the jewelry industry, look for craftsmanship, use of color, wearability, innovativeness, and overall appeal of the pieces.
We donated a pair of 14k rose gold diamond earrings to the ASPIRe NY Online Auction with all proceeds going to recreation programs for teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders. The earrings are made of reticulated rose gold – giving it the leaf-like effect and are accented with .06ct total weight of diamonds and freshwater pearls. Retail value of the earrings are $545, but the opening bid starts at $225. Go to the earrings’ bidding page to place your bid and the ASPIRe Online Auction homepage to bid on other items ranging from vacations to local made home goods.
Giving back to the community is very important to us and we continue to donate to local charities every summer. This summer was no different – with donations to The Saratoga Hospital, The Hyde Collection, Saratoga Bridges, and Equine Advocates.
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Goldsmith Dennis deJonghe, of deJonghe Original Jewelry, 470 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, has created another award-winning original. The Jewelers Of America CASE Awards recently announced that deJonghe's Mokume-Gane Earrings won first place and the People’s Choice in the Alternative Metals category. The CASE Awards are open only to retail members of Jewelers Of America, and pieces are evaluated on the basis of: Overall design, Marketability, Practicality & Wearability and Quality of Manufacture (Jewelers of America). The technique of Mokume-Gane was originally employed by Japanese sword-smiths in the 17th-century. It has since become popular in fine jewelry, and is a true mark of a jeweler’s metal-working ability. In order to truly appreciate Mokume, it is important to understand the technique behind its creation. Different sheets of metals, such as copper, brass or silver are layered, compressed and fussed together. The final sheet, comprising of 32 layers, is then shaped and manipulated to expose its unique pattern. The process is labor intensive, but very rewarding. What makes Mokume-Gane so beautiful and distinct is its unique pattern. To bring this out, deJonghe uses a process of oxidation called patina: “The various metals react differently, and create dark and light contrasts.” The result: Another one-of-a-kind, award winning piece by deJonghe Original Jewelry. Want to know more about deJonghe Original Jewelry? Visit them at www.djoriginals.com.
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