Fortunate enough to be part of this online art jewelry exhibition called “Differences Unite Us” wherein entries from 26 countries were submitted. It’s great to see how many other jewelry artists interpreted the theme via materials used and a wide variety of techniques. I submitted photos of past notable pieces as the notched Morganic Bangle and a piece called Anita I made for an exhibit paying tribute to Anita Magsaysay-Ho and her ceramic paintings.

You can view the online exhibit by clicking HERE.

Anita necklace: Ming shard, chalcedony, turquoise, seed pearls and sterling silver. To view in the online exhibit click HERE.

And this is the bespoke bangle I made using dark colored tourmalines interspersed with pink ones set in a notch; embedded in a stark white silver cuff. To view in the online exhibit click HERE.

Town & Country features Michelle Ongpin in breathtaking Balesin Island for their summer and travel issue!

Partially hidden, here she wears my multi-strand necklace of emerald-like tsavorites, cultured pearls, coral, aquamarines and carnelians set in yellow gold. Big, bold and beautiful.

And here she wears my multi strand bib of faceted smoky quartz with green amethysts set in hand textured yellow gold.

Here’s to a hot, heady summer ahead!

*Both necklaces available at Firma Greenbelt 3 as part of the Deux Yeux collection.

‘Tis the season… for getting together and reconnecting with friends and family. But what to wear?

Inset are some new items that were designed to be predominantly neutral; flexible enough to wear day and night. On top is a double strand of white cultured pearls. Which can also be worn as a long, single strand by detaching the clasps from behind. On it hangs a pendant of rose-cut, white and pastel colored sapphires set in yellow gold. The  pendant is also movable and can be worn with other necklaces; be it a cord, chain or ribbon.

These earrings are also composed of white rose-cut sapphires. Also with blue sapphires, rubies and diamonds. Of which the danglers are detachable and the tops can be worn as chic studs.

These are part of the recently launched 2011 Deux Yeux collection. Available at Firma, Greenbelt 3.

…for being able to finish another collection. Thankful also to those physically and spiritually present at the launch. Of course, among many other things to feel so blessed about.

Inset has to be one of my favorite pieces in the Deux Yeux collection. Its a necklace of lemon topaz and honey quartz with an arabesque gold detail in pave of white sapphires strung on faceted spinel beads. The yellow of lemon topaz is actually a natural color. In fact, people back in the day almost automatically labeled any yellow stone as topaz much as they would any blue stone sapphires. The now popular blue color of topaz has only been a relatively recent development with the help of man; one has to first heat treat and then irradiate white topaz in order to obtain the signature hue. But its nice to see large, natural specimens once in a while.

Available in Firma Greenbelt 3.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Historically, red spinels have been incorrectly labeled as rubies. But it’s quite understandable how this happened as:

1.) Spinels are usually found in the same places where corundum is found; with ruby being the red variety of corundum. In fact spinels are often used as indicator stones by sapphire miners when looking for new sites as they occur together quite commonly.

2.) They have similar qualities in that corundum and spinels are hard minerals. And when faceted gives a similar sharp brilliance. There are blue spinels as well and some outstanding samples intersected with the colors of blue sapphires (also corundum).

3.) Basically anything red was labeled as rubies back in the day.

Today, however, gemology has allowed for clear separation/identification of these two gems. And I happen to love spinels because it comes in these moody shades. Yes, exceptionally rare ones are red or sapphire-like blue. But they also come in bright pinks, deep purples and deep greens. Transparent, clean, faceted spinels are really fine examples of colored gems and posses an almost diamond-like brilliance. Plus they’re never really treated to enhance their colors or clarity in any way.

Inset are earrings and a necklace of multi-colored faceted spinels with round brilliant diamonds set in white gold.

Many thanks to Daphne Osena-Paez for rounding up everyone for this cause. This necklace will go on auction along with other amazing works by Filipino designers starting May 25, 2011 via eBay.

Art and Design Come Together for Unicef Auction
By: Dexter R. Matilla
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Monday, May 23rd, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Real-life stories of maternal deaths happen in the Philippines. Whether the cause may be due to lack of skilled midwives in rural areas or inaccessibility to hospitals, death during childbirth is a main concern for the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Philippines.

Through the initiative of Daphne Oseña-Paez, Unicef special advocate for children, artists and designers have put their resources together in the hope of raising money that would benefit programs on maternal health and education in the Philippines’ poorer areas.

“When you meet a husband who has lost his wife due to excessive bleeding and was not rushed to the nearest hospital, you start to think and realize that these things should not be happening in 2011,” Oseña-Paez says.

Joining her is celebrity host and also a Unicef special advocate for children Bianca Gonzalez, who has been working with Unicef since 2007.

“Our work with Unicef is that we go with them on site visits—at public schools and daycare centers—and spread the word as much as possible on what’s happening and how people can help,” Gonzalez says.

Gonzalez adds that Unicef would like people to know the funds for its projects do not necessarily come from the United Nations but from donations by individuals, corporations, volunteers.

Hard work and perseverance

Unicef country representative Vanessa Tobin says the project, Auction for Action, is a first for Unicef Philippines.

“Our partnership with acclaimed artists via online auction helps us engage the public in a new and interesting way,” Tobin says. “As well as raising important funds for our work, we will be able to raise awareness of important issues affecting children in the most disadvantaged communities of the Philippines and worldwide.”

“I’ve been working with Unicef since 2007 and I’m very excited to be a part of this unique fundraising auction,” Gonzalez says. “Whilst online auctions are quite new to the Philippines, it’s very secure, and the best thing is you can participate from anywhere in the country.”

But it was through the perseverance of Oseña-Paez that the auction will push through and go live online on May 25 via www.ebay.ph/unicef.

Oseña-Paez says she approached friends—via text, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter—who are artists and designers with the idea of donating items for the auction, with the funds benefiting Unicef’s various projects.

“My head spun that first week—it was like I had a list of favorite things from my favorite creative people,”Oseña-Paez says. “I couldn’t believe how easy it was to ask for help. The rest of the hard work is being done by the Unicef team. It has been many days and nights of coordination, planning and logistical problem-solving.”

Participating artists

Featured artists are Manny Baldemor, Michael Cacnio, Celestina, Seb Chua, Kenneth Cobonpue, Araceli LimcacoDans, Kristine Dee, Janina Dizon, Mich Dulce, Tom Epperson, Accessory Lab, Ito Kish, E. Billy Mondoñedo, Ramon Orlina, Debbie Palao, Ling Quisumbing Ramilo, Benji Reyes, Popo San Pascual, Joey Samson, Vito Selma, Victor Sollorano, Paul Syjuco, Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre of Firma/Felicity, Reg Yuson, and Oseña-Paez herself.

Galerie Joaquin artists such Jovan Benito, Jomar Delluba, Hamzah Marbella, Dominic Rubio and Juvenal Sansó are also participating.

Up for grabs in the auction are experiential packages, including dinner by chef Tonyboy Escalante of Antonio’s, and dugout experience with the Philippine Football Team, or Azkals, on July 3 at the World Cup qualifier in Manila.

“Daphne’s love for art and Unicef’s cause made this happen,” Gonzalez says. Oseña-Paez says none of them had any experience of putting together an auction before, and thanks partner eBay Philippines for making it possible.

“This is like a dream for me—curating and organizing a show like this,” Oseña-Paez says.

And the same can probably be said for the beneficiaries of the auction.

Red tree coral branch pendant in rose gold set with orange sapphires and a keshi pearl. The deep, even color of the coral is natural and not at all dyed; quite large at about 4 or 5 inches in length. It hangs from this unusual silver ribbon/fabric you can twist, shape and form.

Large cushion cut citrine set in green and blue sapphire pave cross with freshwater pearl torsade. Part of the Triad II: Reluxe collection available now at Firma Greenbelt 3.

Diamonds reset from old jewelry. And transformed into new pieces.

Arabesque inspired yellow diamond drop earrings in millgrained yellow gold.

Detail of arabesque inspired textured yellow gold necklace with fancy shaped diamonds.

A great way to give new life to unused heirloom gems.

While round, white south sea pearls are the standard, there’s just something magnetic about baroque pearls. The free-form shapes and crevices create interesting play of light on the surface. Good specimens possess excellent luster that borders on the metallic but still retains that natural look. Inset are silvery baroque Tahitian pearls, about 16 by 19mm, set in minimalist coral inspired branch earrings with diamonds. In white gold.

With a matching pendant.