“A vibrant industry like ours can grow and thrive, even in challenging times,” said Donna Baker, GIA’s president.  “In light of the job numbers released today, it’s wonderful to see how many diverse opportunities the gem and jewelry business provides for talented, passionate professionals.”

Panelists included Martin Katz, among other industry leaders.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair was founded in 1991 in Southern California and has taken place in Carlsbad, Bangalore, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mumbai and New York.

Martin gave a private speech and presentation to over 30 exclusive Summit attendees on investing in diamonds and jewels in today’s economy.

“The natural world has always been a source of inspiration for me,” Katz told the press. “Throughout the years I have gained such an appreciation of how nature and the natural world provoke artistic creation. Each piece in this collection is inspired by that beauty and those gifts that nature delivers to all of us around the world.”

The collection comprises 15 SKUs of earrings, necklaces, and brooches, some of which feature interchangeable components. Materials used range from platinum with diamonds, pink sapphires, rubies, and tsavorite in the Nautilus brooch set, to antiqued sterling silver and 18k gold with Paraiba tourmaline and Tahitian pearls in two sets of clip-on Starfish earrings. Other styles include akoya pearls, opals, garnets, and pink spinel.

The Tulip brooches have interchangeable tulip heads that screw on and off, and are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and stones including amethyst and fire opal.

Currently, the line is not available for wholesale, but that idea could come to fruition fairly soon, according to Katz.

“The tulip was a limited edition, but we are considering a second edition which would be smaller with some design changes,” Katz tells JCK in an email interview. “I will make an application process for a couple limited pieces. Once those applications are evaluated, I will determine how many I will make in the new edition.”

All prices for the styles are upon request.

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Charlize Theron W Magazine

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Martin Katz hosted a bustling booth where children made candy necklaces and bracelets.

Donations went towards arts education, water color sets, soft clay, theater costumes, and crayons for children in need. For twenty years, P.S. Arts has been devoted to restoring arts to public education. The non-profit organization encourages children to explore their creativity.

Guests enjoyed experiencing “jewels like no other” while simultaneously previewing the latest luxury cars from Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche.

The interactive experience, which coincided with the opening of the 52nd Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, showcased some of the world’s most unique luxury items, including exotic automobiles and yachts; private jets; lavish jewelry and timepieces; delectable cuisine and spirits; and the finest in travel, real estate, design and beauty.

For more than 34 years, the Fulfillment Fund has been dedicated to providing first-generation, low-income students in Los Angeles with the support necessary to graduate from high school, earn a college degree and become productive and successful members of society.

Martin Katz’s contribution, along with other donations, helped raise $1.675 million for the Fulfillment Fund.

Last night, it was fun to be on official gem watch as the stars arrived on the Red Carpet, and then tweet live with other jewelry enthusiasts about the best (ok, and worst) ensembles. While admiring Claire Dane’s gorgeous cuff bracelet, the effusive diamonds of Sofia Vergara, and the unexpected old Hollywood glamour of Tina Fey’s Lorraine Schwartz earrings, I also kept my eyes peeled for Martin’s work.

And he did not disappoint, no less than four stars were dressed graciously in his jewels: Julie Bowen wore a stunning pair of rose-cut rich brown diamond studs, and a grey slice of diamond in a setting that channeled Art Deco with black and white accent pave:

Also wearing colored diamonds in sculptural cuts was actress Kelly MacDonald, in these stunning drop earrings, and a couple of lovely rings with micropave:

Actress Gabourey Sidibe looked radiant in gorgeous color, especially the dramatic Amethyst and Diamond pave earrings:

Also making a more subtle, but no less wonderful appearance, was a pair of sophisticated Black Spinel and Diamond Cufflinks on Colin Firth:

Martin Katz is not new to the Red Carpet: for nearly two decades, his designs have been beautifully represented by a number of celebrities. Among his devoted following are Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchette, Freida Pinto, and many more. Over the years he has dealt directly with people in his own home in Beverly Hills, or his exclusive showrooms in Beverly Hills and New York City. A select collection can also be viewed at Bergdorf Goodman.

“I am thrilled to have my pieces showcased at Bergdorf Goodman, which I have always felt is the absolute pinnacle of fine fashion and luxury," said Martin Katz.

Martin Katz started his first jewelry business in 1978 while studying at Indiana University.  In 1988, Katz took his passion to a more personal level with the founding of Martin Katz, Ltd.  In addition to a signature Martin Katz, Ltd salon in Beverly Hills, which opened February 2002, a Martin Katz salon can also be found in New York. 

The Martin Katz collection features signature contemporary designs and important vintage pieces of uncompromising craftsmanship.  His love and discriminating eye for both vintage and contemporary jewelry has established him as one of the leading names in the world of luxury acquisitions.  Some of the most well known names in the entertainment industry are among his patrons including Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston.

Find out how you can win a Martin Katz diamond necklace for Valentine’s!

Check out who on the Lela Luxe best dressed list wore Martin Katz

Enter Reese Witherspoon and LeAnn Rimes, just two of the blushing brides-to-be to get caught up in this holiday season’s engagement tidal wave.

So on to the admittedly crass but oh-so-interesting question at hand: in one corner, you have Jim Toth, a perfectly successful agent, who, not having starred in a string of hit movies, falls a bit below his A-list missus’ paygrade. In the other, we have Eddie Cibrian, who has starred in a string of hit movies, but who also has been reported to have something of a cash flow problem at the moment.

So, whose ring set their fiancé back the most?

MORE: Get the deets on Reese’s engagement ring!

Compensation, thy name is…well, whadda ya know? Neither of them. Or both of them.

According to jeweler to the stars Martin Katz (who, trust us, knows from engagement bling), both rings put more or less the same size dent in the bank accounts of Jim and Eddie whoever bought LeAnn’s ring. (It bears repeating that while rumors abound as to which of the partners ponied up for the ring, reps for Eddie and LeAnn have steadfastly refused to comment on the matter.)

And that dent is somewhere in the ballpark of $150,000.

1. How did you get started in the jewelry business?

It’s funny, but I started selling pucca shells and liquid silver jewelry to the sorority girls at Indiana University. For the next couple of years I grew that business while getting my degree, and upon graduation, I drove cross country to LA and took an assistant salesman position at California’s finest jewelry store. There, I spent the next eight years learning about high-end vintage and contemporary designed jewelry.

2. What inspires you to create jewelry?

I have a special admiration for Art Deco fashions and jewelry from the 30s and 40s.

3. How should a couple go about choosing an engagement ring?

Naturally start with a jeweler you trust to get the best value as well as an honest opinion and guidance. For me, the color and cut of the stone are more important than clarity, but you shouldn’t let one element get too far from the others. And stay away from extremely low clarity stones because those will be less brilliant and have less value no matter how nicely-cut the diamond.

4. What’s the best way to take care of diamond jewelry?

If you mean cleaning it, just use any basic ammonia-based cleaner. Whatever you do, don’t use toothpaste!

5. (from a reader) My engagement ring is a very simple, classic three-stone (round brilliants) platinum ring. I want to find a wedding band that enhances the glitter of the stones, but the only option I’ve seen is a plain band. I want something a bit more detailed so it coordinates, not competes, with the ring, and something I could wear alone that still provides some interest. What do you suggest?

Depending on your personal taste, a simple diamond eternity band using small round diamonds of about .10 pts. each will work quite well with your three-stone ring. You can add other stackable bands, even colored stone bands, to it when you wear it without your engagement ring and create a fashionable look as well.

6. (from a reader) My engagement ring is an emerald cut diamond in a basket cage setting. I don’t think I can wear my wedding band on the same finger because the setting extends at the base. Do you prefer the wedding band and engagement ring to be worn together? I find those bands that dip to fit the diamond a little odd. What are your thoughts?

I agree with you: I don’t like “notched out” wedding rings. They look like a puzzle, and I’ve never seen a world-class jewelry house make that style. If you’d like, you can remount your stone so that the basket has a little “martini glass” tapered shape to it as it angles in under the diamond. Then when you wear it, the band will nestle a little closer and look more natural.