The National Jewelry Institute recently inaugurated its first-ever exhibition of contemporary jewelry from leading designers, the '2008 Designer Showcase', which opened at the Forbes Galleries in New York City.

Almost 40 designers, including prestigious global brands and independent designers, were represented in the show, which was curated by jewelry expert Ralph Esmerian, with the help of guest curators Beth Rudin DeWoody, Saks Fifth Avenue and the World Gold Council.

The exhibition is open to the public until June 28, 2008.

Designer Showcase will then move to Pittsburgh, where it will run from July 19, 2008, through Jan. 18, 2009, at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Jewelry designers featured in the exhibition are: Stephanie Albertson, Giorgio Armani, Cynthia Bach, Elyssa Bass, Lorenz Baumer, Marco Bicego, Katy Briscoe, Bulgari, Cartier, Cinta by John Hardy, Dominique Cohen, Roberto Coin, Lydia Courteille, Adria de Haume, Enigma, Tanya Farah, Mia Fonssagrives-Solow, Veronica Garaycochea, Graff, Gucci, Gurhan, Erhan Gursen, Christine Hafermalz-Wheeler, Joan Hornig, Ippolita, Marchak, Sandra Muller, Judith Ripka, Fabio Salini, Leila Tai, Temple St. Clair, Utopia, Vhernier, Donna Vock, Stephen Webster, Tracey Zabar, Zaffiro, Steven Zale, Irene Zelinsky.

The National Jewelry Institute is a New York-based nonprofit whose mission is to preserve, research and exhibit fine jewelry from all over the world.

Source: National Jeweler

www.nationaljewelryinstitute.org
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