Discover the World of Antique & Estate Jewelry: “Jewelry Camp” Returns to Newark Museum October 26-27 for Premier Education
Newark, NJ – Prepare for an unparalleled educational experience as the prestigious Antique Jewelry & Art Conference, affectionately known as “Jewelry Camp,” proudly announces its highly anticipated 2018 agenda. Recognized globally as the premier resource for comprehensive antique, estate, and vintage jewelry education, this seminal event is set to captivate enthusiasts, discerning collectors, and industry professionals alike. Hosted at the historic and culturally rich Newark Museum in Newark, NJ, from October 26 – 27, 2018, Jewelry Camp promises two days of intensive learning, insightful discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities. Attendees will gain exclusive access to an exceptional program featuring compelling lectures and hands-on sessions, all led by an extraordinary lineup of industry titans—each a revered expert in today’s dynamic antique, estate, and vintage jewelry markets.
This year’s conference is meticulously crafted to provide deep dives into critical aspects of jewelry history, intricate appraisal techniques, evolving market trends, and strategic collection management. Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking to refine your expertise and expand your collection with confidence, an industry professional seeking to stay ahead of the curve in a competitive landscape, or simply someone with a profound passion for the intricate beauty and rich stories behind historical adornments, Jewelry Camp offers a unique and indispensable platform to enrich your knowledge. The carefully curated program thoughtfully addresses both the timeless allure of antique pieces and the modern challenges and emerging opportunities facing the contemporary jewelry world, making it an essential event for anyone serious about the field.
An Unrivaled Agenda: Unveiling the Jewels of Knowledge and Expertise
The 2018 Jewelry Camp agenda is designed to offer a multifaceted exploration of the jewelry universe, seamlessly blending academic rigor with highly practical insights. From exclusive pre-conference events held in the heart of New York City to a full day of captivating lectures and discussions at the esteemed Newark Museum, every session is an unparalleled opportunity to learn directly from the very best minds in the jewelry world.
Friday, October 26: Pre-Conference Immersion in New York City
The conference kicks off with two exceptional pre-conference events, offering attendees a unique chance to engage with contemporary art jewelry and gain a hands-on preview of a significant auction collection, all while fostering invaluable connections within the vibrant jewelry community in New York City.
1 pm – 5 pm: Art Jewelry Show Featuring Six Visionary Artists
Hosted by the renowned Donna Schneier Fine Arts, this exclusive art jewelry show provides a rare and inspiring glimpse into the avant-garde of contemporary jewelry design. Six celebrated artists will showcase their unique collections, each pushing the boundaries of traditional adornment and redefining what jewelry can be. This event stands as a powerful testament to jewelry as an evolving and dynamic art form, offering attendees a unique chance to appreciate modern craftsmanship, innovative material use, and profound artistic expression. Donna Schneier Fine Arts is widely acclaimed for its dedication to discovering and showcasing innovative and impactful jewelry, making this an essential stop for those interested in the broader, more artistic spectrum of jewelry. The sophisticated and elegant ambiance of The Pierre New York, located at 2 E 61st Street, New York, NY 10065, provides the perfect backdrop for this exquisite display, allowing for intimate viewing and direct discussion with the artists and gallerists.
6 pm – 8 pm: Hands-on Jewelry Preview and Cocktail Reception with Fortuna Auction
Later in the evening, attendees are cordially invited to a special hands-on jewelry preview and exclusive cocktail reception, graciously hosted by Fortuna Auction. This unique event, held at their distinguished premises at 608 5th Ave #507, New York, NY 10020, offers an unparalleled opportunity to physically examine a diverse range of exquisite antique and estate pieces slated for an upcoming auction. Under the expert guidance of Fortuna Auction specialists, participants can learn practical and essential techniques for assessing quality, verifying authenticity, and understanding the historical significance of various pieces. Beyond the invaluable tactile learning experience, the cocktail reception provides a relaxed and elegant setting for networking with fellow enthusiasts, passionate collectors, and influential industry professionals. This informal yet highly productive gathering is often where some of the most insightful conversations and lasting connections are forged, making it a highly anticipated highlight for many attendees of Jewelry Camp.
Saturday, October 27: A Day of Enlightening Lectures at the Newark Museum
The main event of Jewelry Camp unfolds at the esteemed Newark Museum, a cultural cornerstone with a rich history and significant collections, including its own impressive array of decorative arts and jewelry. From 9 am to 6 pm, a series of compelling lectures will delve into various facets of the jewelry world, providing attendees with both essential historical context and forward-looking perspectives crucial for today’s market.
Introduction: “The Synthetic Diamond Threat in the Antique and Estate Industry”
Kicking off the day’s discussions is Edward Lewand, a distinguished co-director of Jewelry Camp and a highly respected professional, independent appraiser of fine and antique jewelry. His crucial introductory lecture will tackle one of the most pressing and complex concerns facing the modern jewelry market: the increasing proliferation of synthetic, or lab-grown, diamonds. Mr. Lewand will illuminate the significant challenges these alternatives pose to the authenticity, inherent value, and market integrity of genuine antique and estate pieces. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of advanced identification techniques, the profound impact on market trust, and critical best practices for appraisers, dealers, and collectors to effectively navigate this evolving and complex landscape. This exceptionally timely topic is essential for anyone involved in the discerning purchase, ethical sale, or precise appraisal of vintage jewelry, offering practical, actionable knowledge to safeguard investments and maintain integrity within the cherished antique and estate jewelry industry.
“Jewelry: Art, Craft, Culture – A Universal Language of Adornment”
Following, Ulysses Grant Dietz, also a co-director of Jewelry Camp and the esteemed Chief Curator Emeritus at the Newark Museum, will present a captivating lecture exploring jewelry’s profound and often underestimated role as a universal communicator. As he eloquently states, “Jewelry is always on message.” From the understated elegance of a simple gold wedding band to the intricate grandeur of a regal parure, jewelry invariably serves a singular, powerful purpose: to articulate the wearer’s identity, status, and position within society. Across diverse epochs, vast cultural landscapes, and varying gender expressions, jewelry has consistently functioned as a profound and multifaceted indicator of an individual’s place in the world. Mr. Dietz will draw upon the Newark Museum’s globally diverse jewelry holdings, showcasing how these magnificent collections eloquently explore the rich intersection of material splendor and inherent meaning in all its familiar diversity. Through compelling examples spanning the continents of Europe, America, Africa, and Asia, his presentation will illuminate the myriad, often subtle, yet sometimes explicitly declared, ways in which people utilize personal ornaments to express aesthetics, communicate aspirations, and affirm cultural affiliations, cementing jewelry’s status as a vital part of human history and expression.
“Strategic Collection Management: Maintaining and Maximizing Your Jewelry Assets”
This highly practical and indispensable session features industry luminaries Susan Abeles, the distinguished Head of Jewelry, Americas and Senior International Specialist at Phillips, and Eva Violante, Senior Specialist and Vice President for Phillips Jewels Department. While the process of maintaining and selling a valuable jewelry collection might appear straightforward on the surface, this presentation will reveal the essential guidelines and intricate processes required to devise a truly effective and unique strategy tailored to individual collections. Ms. Abeles and Ms. Violante will meticulously examine critical factors such as a piece’s artistic style, its physical condition and provenance, and its intrinsic worth, providing attendees with a comprehensive framework for informed decision-making. They will also shed light on common mistakes frequently encountered during collection maintenance and throughout the selling process, offering invaluable preventative insights. Furthermore, the speakers will dissect various methods for selling jewelry – from prestigious auction houses to private sales and direct market approaches – meticulously outlining the distinct strengths, potential challenges, and liabilities inherent in each approach. Crucially, this session will arm attendees with the best strategies for maximizing their return on investment, making it an indispensable resource for both established collectors and those considering entering the dynamic jewelry market.
“Matters of Form: Exploring Jewelry Styles and Motifs Through Time and Culture”
Delivering a fascinating and deeply researched historical perspective is Donna Bilak, an accomplished early modern science historian specializing in the history of alchemy across British North America, England, and the Continent. Her insightful lecture will anchor its exploration in the foundational work of Owen Jones, the influential Victorian architect and design theorist whose pivotal 1856 publication, The Grammar of Ornament, served as an authoritative and widely celebrated design sourcebook. This seminal text meticulously reflected Jones’s revolutionary ideas about key principles in architecture and the decorative arts, drawing profound inspiration from an incredibly diverse array of historical and global sources. Ms. Bilak will utilize Jones’s visionary work as a compelling entry point for considering the expansive history and technological evolution of jewelry from a truly global and interdisciplinary perspective. By meticulously examining design within the vital context of form, practical function, and innovative materials across vast spans of time and cultural boundaries, her presentation will offer a rich tapestry of how jewelry has continually adapted and evolved, reflecting profound societal values, groundbreaking technological advancements, and enduring artistic movements throughout human civilization.
“Building a Legacy: American Jewelry at The Metropolitan Museum of Art”
Beth Carver Wees, the esteemed Ruth Bigelow Wriston Curator of American Decorative Arts at the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art, will offer an intimate and exclusive look into the fascinating process of curating one of the world’s most significant museum collections. Her captivating talk will trace the remarkable journey of American jewelry into The Met’s prestigious collection, an acquisition process that remarkably began as early as 1883. By the year 2000, this distinguished collection had grown to approximately 75 exquisite objects, with nearly all acquired through generous and thoughtful gifts. Ms. Wees will demystify the often-complex curatorial process, discussing the guiding principles and ethical considerations that govern the expansion of museum collections in both meaningful and financially responsible ways. Attendees will gain insight into the pivotal role individuals and benefactors have played in contributing to the collection’s growth and hear compelling, often untold, stories behind many of the irreplaceable treasures that now reside within the Met’s celebrated American Wing. This session is a rare and invaluable opportunity to understand the intricate stewardship of cultural heritage through the lens of jewelry acquisition and preservation.
“Digital Diamonds: High Jewelry’s Influence in the Social Media Sphere”
Stepping into the contemporary realm, Levi Higgs, the innovative Archivist and Social Media Manager at David Webb, will explore the symbiotic and ever-evolving relationship between high jewelry and the dynamic world of social media. As he aptly demonstrates, “Fine jewelry has infiltrated the world of social media, and it could not be more at home.” This compelling presentation will delve into how Instagram, in particular, has become an indispensable and transformative platform for luxury jewelry brands and forward-thinking industry professionals. Mr. Higgs will vividly illustrate how these entities are dynamically evolving with the platform, leveraging vibrant and visually stunning content through compelling posts, engaging stories, and strategically placed paid advertising campaigns. His talk will uncover current best practices implemented by top luxury brands, offering actionable insights, and highlight notable social-specific campaigns that have successfully captivated and expanded their audiences globally. Furthermore, he will explore other facets of the jewelry industry that are perfectly suited for Instagram’s visual-first environment, offering profound insights into effective digital engagement, brand building, and reaching new generations of collectors in the luxury sector. This lecture is vital for understanding modern marketing strategies and consumer interaction in the high-end jewelry market.
“The Allure of Jewelry: The Best is Always Desirable – A Century of Design Evolution”
Concluding the esteemed lecture series is Janet Zapata, an acclaimed independent scholar and museum consultant renowned for her profound expertise in jewelry and silver. Her captivating presentation will traverse the extraordinary evolution of jewelry design over the past hundred years, a period she eloquently argues is “unprecedented in the history of jewelry.” Ms. Zapata will commence her journey at the dawn of the twentieth century, highlighting the revolutionary introduction of platinum. This pivotal material gave rise to the iconic “all-white look,” famously popularized by Cartier’s exquisite garland style, characterized by delicate diamond-set flowers and bows. Her narrative will then sweep through the bold, rectilinear forms of the Art Deco style of the 1920s, with its vibrant colors and geometric precision. She will trace its fascinating evolution into the more sculptural and organic Art Moderne forms, brilliantly exemplified by the masterful creations of Van Cleef & Arpels and Suzanne Belperron. The lecture will also celebrate the emergence of individual visionary designers such as Jean Schlumberger and Donald Claflin at Tiffany & Co., who introduced a distinctive figural style. Finally, Ms. Zapata will showcase how the avant-garde designs of Hemmerle and JAR heralded the arrival of a new century, continually redefining what constitutes desirable, groundbreaking, and enduringly captivating jewelry. This sweeping overview provides a rich historical and artistic context for appreciating the enduring appeal and profound artistic innovation within jewelry design.
Why Jewelry Camp 2018 is an Essential Experience for Every Enthusiast
Jewelry Camp 2018 offers an unparalleled and transformative opportunity for anyone passionate about antique, estate, and vintage jewelry. Attendees will benefit immensely from direct access to leading experts, gaining invaluable insights into complex appraisal techniques, rich historical contexts, current market dynamics, and the latest digital trends shaping the industry. The thoughtfully designed combination of in-depth lectures, hands-on experiences, and dedicated networking sessions creates a rich, collaborative environment conducive to both personal and professional growth. Whether your interest lies in the meticulous craft of an Edwardian brooch, the bold artistic statements of Art Deco, the strategic acquisition of a rare and historically significant piece, or understanding the profound impact of technology on contemporary collecting practices, Jewelry Camp provides the comprehensive knowledge, essential tools, and critical connections necessary to thrive in this specialized and captivating field.
Don’t miss this unique and enriching chance to immerse yourself fully in the exquisite world of fine jewelry, learn directly from the masters of the craft and scholarship, and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals who share your passion. Elevate your understanding and appreciation of jewelry’s enduring legacy and its exciting, evolving future.
Secure Your Place at the Forefront of Jewelry Education Today!
For detailed registration information, comprehensive speaker biographies, and to reserve your coveted spot at this transformative event, please visit the official Jewelry Camp website:
www.JewelryCamp.org
Join us at the magnificent Newark Museum from October 26-27, 2018, for an unforgettable journey into the heart of antique and estate jewelry. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to the enriching experience of Jewelry Camp!