Dream On!

By Andrea Novella

 

Recently, I joined the Good.Is Community in search of connecting with others who are passionate about making a difference.

Good.Is is like as social networking site for do gooders. People from all industries unite here under the common purpose of living well and doing good. If you are interested in philanthropy and doing Good, I highly recommend you join.

I cannot thank the Good.Is community enough for providing such a beautiful opportunity to connect with such wonderful people. It is helping us to move forward with our vision of helping change the world, one woman at a time. It has renewed our passion for making a positive change, and encouraged us to push forward despite the challenges.

They have been a beacon of hope when those inevitable moments of self-doubt creep in. When we have felt discouraged and wondered if it is even possible for us to make a positive impact in this world, they have been there to remind us that YES, WE CAN. They have nurtured the dreamer in us that believes that if we work together, we can be a force of good.

 

My first venture into posting something “To-Do” on Good was for Fashion Revolution Day.

It was amazing to get such positive feedback and support from people all over the world, pledging to promote awareness about the impact of Fashion by wearing their clothes inside out on April 24th.  (Speaking of which… We are only two days away from the first ever Fashion Revolution Day!  This Global movement is set to turn the Fashion Industry Inside Out.)

 

Inspired by the enthusiasm shown by the Good.Is community, I decided to share a sneak peak in the upcoming IndieGoGo campaign for Gemma Jade. We asked people to REPRESENT Gemma Jade by helping us to spread the word about our crowd funding project once it goes live. This group received a FREE Guatemalan Friendship Bracelet (which will be going for $10 once the campaign is live) to wear as a symbol of their support (and our appreciation!)

 

 

 

I would like to thank two very special people who have been like angels sent from above to help us.

 

JENNIFER CHOI

Jennifer  signed up to REPRESENT on Good.Is and took it one step further. She asked if there was any way she could get involved and help.

Thanks to her, our campaign not only has a beautiful message, but a beautiful aesthetic as well. A talented graphic designer, and visual problem solver, Jennifer has put her skills to “Do Good” and has helped us transform our IndieGoGo Campaign, working tirelessly to tell our story visually. Not only is she an incredible designer, she is an incredible person who is a joy to work with. For those of you looking for graphic design, we cannot recommend her enough. Be sure to visit
her webpage www.jenniferchoi.info

ALESSANDRA RIZZOTTI

Alessandra has been a true inspiration and role model. Her enthusiasm for making a difference is evident in her unconditional support for so many great causes, including our own. She was such a huge help in helping us get the word out there about Gemma Jade.  It is amazing to see someone with such passion for making this world a better place. Follow her on twitter @hellorizzotti and check out her webpage HERE. 

 

We all have dreams that we are fighting for, and challenges that we must overcome in order to make them come true. Sometimes a kind word or helping hand is exactly what you need. I feel very thankful to have the support and encouragement of some pretty awesome people.

To all of those who are reading this, THAT INCLUDES YOU!

 

Stay tuned because in a few short days, we will be turning dreams into reality.

 

 

Meet Your Maker: The Latest Fashion Movement

Gemma Jade is a proud supporter FASHION REVOLUTION DAY. Join us in a movement that is redefining the spirit of Fashion and putting socially responsible manufacturing in the forefront of our decisions as consumers.

 

WE BELIEVE IN A FASHION INDUSTRY
THAT VALUES PEOPLE,THE
ENVIRONMENT, CREATIVITY AND
PROFIT IN EQUAL MEASURE.

OUR MISSION IS TO
BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER
TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

On 24th April each year, Fashion Revolution Day will bring everyone in the fashion value chain together and help to raise awareness of the true cost of fashion, show the world that change is possible, and celebrate all those involved in creating a more sustainable future.

As a global movement uniting around an annual campaign,  we believe we will build considerable momentum and achieve incredible impact together. We hope that Fashion Revolution will bring together organisations and people that, outside of Fashion Revolution Day, are not always connected.

BE CURIOUS

The first Fashion Revolution Day is based around the theme ‘Who Made Your Clothes?’

We have lost the connection with the clothes that we wear, so we thought it was important to make this first day about transparency and reconnecting the relationships in the fashion value chain. What is the connection to someone else through your clothes? The farmers do not know where their cotton goes; the producers no longer make entire garments, they are just line workers; and the end consumer rarely knows where their clothes were made.

We need to become more curious about how our clothes are made and who made them.

FIND OUT

Look at the labels on your clothes and see if you can find out who made your clothes. Get in contact with brands and ask them ‘Who Made Your Clothes‘.

• Tweet the brand a picture of your garment and ask Who Made Your Clothes?
• Contact the brand on Facebook and ask Who Made Your Clothes?
• On Fashion Revolution Day 24 April, please Tweet: Today I’m wearing my (shirt/dress/T-shirt etc.) #insideout because I want to ask @ (brand/retailer) Who Made Your Clothes?
• Make a video or send an email to the brand and ask them Who Made Your Clothes?

DO SOMETHING

Together we can use the power of fashion to catalyse change and reconnect the broken links in the supply chain.

• Wear your clothes inside-out to help start the beginning of an industry-wide transformation towards a more sustainable future. Ask ‘Who Made Your Clothes?
• Show us your inside out clothes on Instagram by tagging it @Fash_Rev and #InsideOut

Create. Design. Inspire.

The countdown begins!

For those of you who missed our previous posts, we will be launching an Indiegogo Campaign on April 24.

To show our appreciation, we will be sharing an exclusive Campaign Preview for especially for our blog and Facebook followers. All you have to do is sign up!

You will recieve:

• Receive a firsthand look at the campaign before anyone else
• Access to our  limited “Trendsetter” rewards at special prices
• Inclusion in our “Maven Crew” for feedback and ideas
• Amazing Jewelry prizes and Giveaways

 

 

CREATE

The end goal is to expand our company so we can generate more job opportunities for women. In order to do so, we need to increase the availability of our jewelry collection through US Retailers.

DESIGN

We have designed a stunning collection of jade and gemstones jewelry mounted in silver and gold. What we need now is the startup capital to produce this sample collection and create a look book that we can present to retailers interested in carrying the line.

INSPIRE

For the women who make our jewelry to the women who wear our jewelry, we hope to inspire change.  We all have a uniquely beautiful story and have become empowered to decide its ending. Live your passion. Follow your dreams. Transform your life.

 

Sign up to join our IndieGoGo Campaign here:

 

We promise not to share your information with anyone else!

Rock the Runway

Gemma Jade Jewelry the honor of working with MNG-Mango Barcelona, one of the hottest fashion brands in the world. We styled the models for the Spring/Summer Runway Collection with a collection designed specifically for this event.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so with no further ado…

Hope to Change to World?

In the poorest countries…it is women who are the key to breaking out of poverty…and preparing another generation for…leading their countries into real security.” — Queen Noor of Jordan At Gemma Jade, we believe that the greatest way to positively …

Exclusive Sneak Peak (Press only)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2014

On April 24, Gemma Jade Jewelry will be launching an ambitious IndieGogo Campaign, aimed at raising enough capital to expand their women’s empowerment project.

The company, based in Guatemala, is led and run completely by women. It remains sustainable through the sale of high quality gemstone and jadeite jewelry, created in collaboration with emerging Latina jewelry designer Andrea Novella.

It offers training, education, and job opportunities to underprivileged and marginalized women in order to break the chronic cycle of poverty and empower them to change their lives.

Until now, they have only been sold through select retailers in Guatemala and Mexico. Hoping to change that through Kickstarter, they are preparing to grow their operation, which would include selling through select retailers in the US.

The eye-catching designs are modern and bold, with a dramatic use of color that has become part of their signature style. Rebuffing the common practice of artificially high markups in jewelry, they keep their prices affordable without sacrificing quality or design. “We believe that every woman deserves to own something special,” states the designer and spokeswoman, Andrea Novella.

The prominent use of Jadeite Jade mined locally using ecologically friendly surface mining is part of what sets them apart from other jewelry lines. Their stunning collection is socially and environmentally responsible, proving that fair trade and fashion are a perfect duo.

For an exclusive, press only sneak peak, contact us!

The Secret Stone: Jadeite

Though it has been prized for centuries in Asia and was once the stone of Kings in Mesoamerica, Jadeite has remained a mysterious, misunderstood stone in modern times. You might be surprised to learn that Jadeite is the world’s most expensive gem (next to certain rare diamond colors).

Its rarity and scarcity, combined with a lack of education and marketing, has kept Jadeite a relatively unknown gem. Perhaps this adds to its appeal… Jadeite is a special secret for those who truly understand and appreciate its value.

To offer an easy to understand, short summary:

There are two kinds of jade, nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is softer and more readily available, while Jadeite is harder and very rare.

Like any other gemstone, Jadeite can vary tremendously in value.

The record price for a single item of Jadeite: A necklace of 27 individual 15mm beads sold for US$9.3 million at a Christie’s Hong Kong Auction.

Imperial Jadeite Necklace sold for US$9.3 million Image: Christie’s Images Ltd.

Diamond grading uses the 4 c’s (color, carat, clarity, and cut) to determine the value of a stone. For Jadeite, there is not a specific grading chart, and depending on the assay,  a variety of different terms can be used. Some call it the 3 T’s (translucency, texture and tone). The Honk Kong Jade Association uses color, translucency, shape and clarity.

Regardless of the terminology, the most important elements are essentially:

Translucency

Jadeite can range from completely opaque to nearly transparent. Hold the Jade up to the light or shine a flashlight directly onto it. The more light shines through the stone, the higher value.

Color/Tone

Pure Jadeite is white. As the stone rises to the earths surface and comes to contact with other minerals, it changes color. The varying minerals, as well as the different ways that they come into contact with the stone, results in countless variations of color and tone.

The Colors of Jadeite
Image: Mason Kay

The color itself affects the value of Jadeite. Imperial green, an intense emerald green color, is the rarest and most valuable.  The saturation or intensity of the color is also important. Lavender is a rare and valuable color, but can range from a light, blush of color to a vivid, almost violet. The distribution of color is another element affecting value. An even color is desirable.

Clarity/Texture

The most valuable stone has a flawless clarity and is free of  crackles, scratches, or cloudy patches. However, many people actually like the “character” that is unique to less valuable forms of jadeite. It is the variety of inclusions and textural elements that make each stone different and special. Price-wise, though, a completely even texture is ideal.

Cut/Shape

The quality of craftsmanship used to carve jade is the final element in establishing its value. The shape, size, cut and polish will all affect the price of a stone. Often, the most valuable jadeite is found in tiny veins within a larger jadeite boulder.

All of these elements, on their own, are important when evaluating jade, but it is the combination that truly affects the value.

Additionally, jadeite is graded as A, B or C depending on the treatment (or lack thereof) which it receives.

A Jade (Natural)

Natural jadeite that has not been subjected to any form of chemical treatment except colorless wax polishing. The crystalline structure of the jade has not been damaged.

B Jade (artificially treated)
Jade that is chemically treated and impregnated with resin to enhance its translucency. The structure of jadeite is damaged and eventually loses its luster because the polymer deteriorates over time. It cannot withstand heat and pressure.

C Jade (artificially dyed)
Jadeite that is dyed to enhance its brightness, though the artificial color will fade over time.

B + C Jade ( artificially treated and dyed)
Jade that has been chemically treated AND dyed to enhance its translucency and brightness.

My Favorite Jades

Personally, my favorite jade has always been Black Jadeite. The allure of power and mystery of Black Jadeite have made it increasingly popular recently, and designers have started utilizing it more and more in their collections.

A few of my other favorites include:

Icy Jade

Pure white and translucent, this variety of jade is extremely rare.

Icy Jadeite Bangles sold for HK $ 740,000
Image: Christie’s Images Ltd.

Mayan Imperial or Princess Jade

This is actually a variety of Omphacite, also known as “inky jade”. Upon first glance this stone looks black, but when held up to the light, it has a high translucency and shines green.

Galactic Gold Jadeiete

The finest black jadeite comes from Guatemala. Unlike Burmese Black Jadeite, which is grayish, Guatemalan Black Jadeite is jet black. Though it is not translucent, it is quite valuable and rare. Black jadeite may also have inclusions of precious metals, such as platinum, gold, and silver and has been called Galactic Gold Jade.

Gold Jade Jaguar
Image: Jade Maya

Imperial Green

This is the most valuable and rare variety of jadeite. It is an intense, vivid green color that is completely translucent.

Regardless of the market value of Jadeite, the true value comes from within the person who wears it. Like art, its value lies in the eyes of the beholder. Which is your favorite?

Fashioning Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FASHIONING CHANGE: Gemma Jade set to launch IndieGogo Campaign for Women’s Empowerment on Fashion Revolution Day Gemma Jade may be an underdog in the cutthroat jewelry industry, but this little company has big dreams. They seek to stop …

Jaded

Forget diamonds. Celebrities wanting to stand out and make an impact with statement jewelry have been turning to Jade for that alluring, “je ne sais quoi” that every woman desires. There is no doubt the rarity and exclusivity of jadeite …