Volume One, Issue Two
Design Center
Meet The Designer Getting personal with Orna & Isaac Levy
Imagine the setting. A stunning state-of-the-art visitors’ center in a quaint village where centuries ago, pilgrims to Jerusalem would stop for a night. The Yvel Design Center, the site of Israel’s prestigious prize - winning jewelry, sits alongside the Megemeria School of Jewelry and Design, a homemade philanthropic venture which teaches the art of jewelry to new immigrants from Ethiopia. This is indeed one of Israel’s most precious gems. Stop in for a guided tour of the school, a visit to the factory and showroom displaying hand-crafted, quality jewels and pearls worn by celebrities and royalty alike. Enjoy a glass of local boutique wine in the original wine cellar while witnessing this unique combination of quality Israeli creation and socialimpact investments. Opening Hours: Sunday - Thursday 8 a.m - 16:30 p.m. 1 Yechiel Steinberg St., Ramat Motza, Jerusalem By appointment: 02-6735811 ext. 104 054-8132106 or 052-5183110
Megemeria
A life changing philanthropic opportunity for the Ethiopian Jews of Israel
Fashion File
Pick the Perfect Pair of Earrings or the Ultimate Bridal Jewelry Ensemble, It’s all Inside…
a promise from the promised land
The 11th largest available emerald in the world, combined with 18K gold and set with diamonds from the Yvel Emerald Collection.
Volume One, Issue One
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Embrace Passion
Dear Friends, Until I reached the age of 40, I was always on a mission to explore and understand how much I know. Today, in my early 50’s, I have become fully aware of how much I don’t know or understand. Perhaps, this is the reason that I am so much more curious, passionate and eager to learn about life than I ever was before. My wife Orna and I have had the pleasure of living our dreams for almost 30 years now. Some dreams have had happier endings than others, but we have learned to always count our blessings, and we are truly blessed…
On the Cover Sharon Genich wearing necklace, earring from the One of a Kind Collection. Photo by Yariv Fine and Guy Kushi
We have two wonderful children, Chen and Aviv. Both have grown up to be kind and warm human beings, people you enjoy being around. I can honestly say that the world looks better with them than without them. We are also blessed by more than one hundred people that we proudly call the “Yvel Family”. These are the ones who take care of us and the Yvel brand, and we happily take care of them in return. They are the reason for all of our success, our true family. We also have you, our close friends and loyal customers. Thanks to you, Orna and I have been able to indulge our dreams and let our imaginations soar to create beautiful pieces of art that you cherish and wear and share with your families. We are grateful for loyalty and continued support. We are also blessed as the lucky ones who can embrace the vulnerable and talented Ethiopian community in Israel. Orna and I are devoted to this cause, and we proudly dedicated the Megemeria school of jewelry and art to this wonderful community of immigrants. We are proud to collaborate with them and help them to continue to build Megemeria as a successful brand.
Fashion Photography: Yariv Fine and Guy Kushi Alon Shprensky Jewelry Photography: Miki Koren Megemeria Photography: Noam Revkin Fenton Shlomi Shalom & Tzur Deri Graphic Design: Yvel Advertising Department Editor: Duvall O’Steen
But most of all – Orna and I have each other. We could not ask for more. As I grow older, I find myself asking, when is the last time I did something for the first time. Well, this wonderful, beautifully produced (if I may say so) Yvel Style Magazine is a first for us, and we are extremely proud to share it with you. Long and difficult pregnancies bring beautiful children into this world. And this new baby would not have been born without a few warm, kind and determined ‘mothers’ like Livnat Antebi, Duvall O’Steen and Shoshi Barchad who have helped to make this magazine possible. In Hebrew, we have a saying that success has many parents but failure is an orphan. Well – this magazine has lots of mommies and daddies…. We hope you will love it as much as we have enjoyed working on it! With warm affections, Isaac Levy President
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contents
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Cultivating Beauty page 4 For More Than 25 Years History of the Yvel Brand
Meet the Designers Orna Levy
page 6
Yvel on The Red Carpet Celebrities wearing Yvel.
Meet the Designers Isaac Levy
page 9
page 10
Welcome to the page 12 Yvel Design Center
Photo Tour, Construction & History
New Yvel boutique in Mamilla page 15 Rainbow Collection Megemeria
page 26
Pearls of Wisdom
page 17
Celebrating The Genesis of a New Mitzvah.
Masada wearing Magemeria
page 24
Golden Brown Collection
page 16
page 22
How are pearls formed & what are the different kinds of pearls?
Golden Honey
page 28 page 30
Award Winning Design Collaboration Satin Sea Collection
page 32 page 34
Tahitian Collection
page 36
Aqua Collection
page 38
World Wide Articles Yvel Displayed Around the World
page 39
Black & White Collection page 42
How to Pick the Perfect Earrings
One of a kind Collection What is your Birth Stone? Biwa Collection
page 40
page 44 page 46
page 48
Emerald Collection page 50 Rough Elegance Collection page 52 Jerusalem The Levy Way Useful information
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Cultivating Beauty For More Than 25 Years
Founded in 1986 by husband and wife team Orna na a and Isaac Levy, the Yvel jewelry brand has flourished ed d over the last two and half decades, blossoming from a small start-up firm to an international success.
“While
2011 marked our exciting 25th Anniversary at Yvel,” says Orna Levy, co-founder of the Yvel brand, “my family has been in the pearl business for the last century. Yvel is a natural progression of the pearl passion that is in my blood line. I am regularly delighted by the remarkable loyalty of our customers – they are the real reason that Yvel continues to succeed, and we are grateful to each and every one of them.” In 1986, Orna and Isaac Levy had a dream, well supported by their combined passion for the natural beauty of baroque pearls. Orna’s family had been in the pearl jewelry business for over one hundred years, and Orna fondly recalls growing up playing with pearls. She developed a keen eye for quality, and her husband Isaac developed a distinctive taste for unusual colors and shapes of pearls. When the Levy team combined their passions and unique skill sets to create an innovative and beautiful pearl necklace on a mattress one day, the Yvel vision was born. From
an initial investment of $2,000 and an invaluable devotion to the beauty of Mother Nature’s most organic treasure, Yvel began to build an exotic and exciting line of high end pearl jewelry, which is now sold around the globe. From a two person team to a 100 employee design center in Jerusalem, Yvel has expanded to reach new heights in pearl design, winning an impressive seven ‘best in pearl design’ awards over the years. The Yvel 26th Anniversary season started with just such an award, as Yvel claimed the highly prized ‘best in pearl design’ award at the Centurion Jewelry Show in February 2013 marking the third year in a row that Yvel has won this prestigious honor. A large Fresh Water baroque pearl pendant with swirling white diamonds set in a hand-made 18K gold chain took the top honor at the first important jewelry show of the year.
The Yvel family also started their 25th Anniversary season with an impressive philanthropic effort - co-founding, organizing and opening the Megemeria
School of Jewelry & Art, a unique school cho ool for the study of jewelry craftsmanship nsh nship which directly benefits Ethiopian Jewish ewish immigrants to Israel. “The opportunity to give back to o the Israeli community,” says Isaac Levy “is a personal passion for me. The international success of Yvel has enabled abled Orna and me to create a powerful, erful, positive and enduring impact on the lives of these Ethiopian immigrants. Wee are eternally grateful to all Yvel supporters orters world-wide who have helped us make this dream into a reality.” This unique school is part of Yvel’s newly built Design Center, a 50,000 ,000 sq. f. facility, located along the winding nding road to Jerusalem in a former winery. nery. This beautifully renovated facility is a noteworthy ‘must see’ on any tourist ouri risst st itinerary while visiting Israel.
Scan to view the full Yvel movie
1986
Company Founded in Jerusalem under the name Isaac Levy Jewelers
1987
The first International Exhibition
1988
First office opened in Jerusalem 22sqf with 6 employees
1989
Introducing the Biwa Collection
1991
The Yvel brand name founded
2000
Expanding to a bigger office 143sqf 13 employees
2002
Yvel launches the Ethiopian Collection Moving to 3500sqf office 30 employees
2005
Introducing the Golden Brown Collection The Golden Apple Award
Won “Best in Pearl� Design at the Oscars of the fine jewelry world, the Town & Country Couture Design Award Expanding to a bigger office 650sqf 40 employees
2006
Another Best in Pearl Design T&C Couture Design Award
2007
Another Best in Pearl Design T&C Couture Design Award
2008
Introducing the Rainbow Collection
2009
Founding the Andrea Bronfman School of Jewelry and art
2010
Move to the new Yvel Design Center 50,000 sqf 100 employees
2011
Winning the Centurion Design Award Pearl Category
2012
Winning the Centurion Design Award Pearl Category second time in a row
2013
Introducing the Satin Sea Collection Social Partnership with Israeli oracle Steph Vertheimer Winning the Centurion Design Award Pearl Category third year in a row Today - over 100 employees
2014
Winning the Centurion Design Award Pearl Category fourth time in a row
Yvel
Time Line
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Meet the Designers
Orna Levy Orna was born and raised in Israel. Her family, the renowned Moussaieff jewelry family, has been importing pearls into Israel since 1888. Orna fondly recalls growing up playing with pearls. She learned to string pearls at an early age and would often string pearl bracelets as gifts for her girlfriends. The family legacy tells the story that Orna learned how to string pearls before she learned how to walk! Pearls are intricately woven into the fabric of her DNA
Orna Levy was born and raised in Jerusalem, the yougest daughter of Chana from the famous Moussueff family. Orna’s mother owned a jewelry store situated in the luxurious King David Hotel. Orna grew up surrounded with beautiful jewelry. After serving in the Israeli Air Force, she met and fell in love with a dashing young Israeli of Argentinian decent. Isaac Levy proposed to Orna and she and her fiancé began to plan a life together. They were married on Novemebr 4th,1984 and joined their talent and their monies to start a new business. The last thing on Orna’s mind was to join the pearl industry or follow in her family’s footsteps. But one fine day, shortly after the newlyweds returned from honeymoon, Orna taught Isaac how to string pearls while lounging on their bed. Isaac became intrigued and instantly began to challenge the norm to make innovative strands of pearls. With Orna’s technical expertise and Isaac’s courage to follow his own unique aesthetic, the Yvel dream was born. Together they have won an impressive number of pearl design awards over the years. Along the way, Orna became the proud mother of their own two beautiful pearls – her daughter Chen and her son Aviv. Her favorite memories are of the birth of her two children. Orna now manages and runs the new Yvel Design Center in Jerusalem, hosting tours and special celebrity clientele, while Isaac tours the world at personal appearances, trade shows and special events in the various countries where Yvel is sold. Orna looks after the entire Yvel family, in Israel and abroad, bringing her unique maternal affection and her precise pearl expertise to everything she does. She is the real gem behind the internationally renowned Yvel brand.
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Q&A Orna tells us some of her best kept secrets in the Q&A below: What is the piece you are most proud of? The 2007 Town and Country Design Award brooch, combining petal shape Fresh Water pearls. What is the most unusual item in your handbag? Whatever it is, I can never find it in my “Mary Poppins” bag. What is your favorite everyday piece of Yvel jewelry (the one you wear most often)? A natural golden Indonesian Keshi pearl necklace which Isaac designed for me. What is your favorite song right now? Simon and Gurfunkle “The Sound of Silence”. What is your ultimate guilty pleasure? Chocolate and 50 Shades of Grey. Favorite photo of your family or your children? All of them... What is your favorite part of Jerusalem? The “Mahane Yehuda” market. Best place you ever traveled? The Maldives.
Isaac shares with us some of his best kept secrets: In terms of design, could you please share with us the trends impacting the freshwater pearl jewellery product category in 2014? I am not a pearl dealer. I am a jewelry designer that is in love with pearl…therefore, you will not find at Yvel simple strands of pearls. I leave this part of the business to the pearl dealers. I focus more on designing fine pearl jewelry. This year we had taken the baroque fresh water pearl, and combined it with satin finish yellow, white and rose gold in long necklaces, earrings, rings and a brain new collection of bracelets. The earthy gold textures with the organic fresh water baroque pearls, had created a symphony of shades and colors that no other pearl can create, but the fresh water pearl. This year, where do you think will the strongest demand for freshwater pearl jewellery come from? The market that appreciates the expression “Perceived Value” is the US market. It is still the larges- most effective market in the world. Europe has always been a strong market for pearls Especially Spain and Germany but surprisingly enough, in the last three years, countries like Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines discovered the fresh water pearls and today even China has a strong demand for their own product. What are your wholesale price points for freshwater pearl jewellery? Starting from $300 all the way to $30,000 per piece.
How do you think would the freshwater pearl jewellery market perform in 2014 compared with 2013? One of the main reasons for the fresh water pearl’s popularity is with no doubt, the price difference, compare to the salt water pearls. In the last year, there have been many pearl farms that were closed, due to the unprofitability of the product on one hand, and the increase change for the labor cost of the manpower in the pearl farms. If this change will continue, and the prices of fresh water will keep raise in price, the gap between the fresh water pearl and the salt water pearl will be such that the market will shift back to the salt water pearls. In the pearl world of today, still – the salt water pearls are considered more expensive and desirable than the fresh water pearls. According to some freshwater pearl producers in China, freshwater pearl production volumes are expected to drop this year and in the succeeding years due to various reasons (some farmers have left the business, others have shifted their focus from volume production to quality production). Do you expect the supply of finequality freshwater pearls to be tighter this year? In the last Sep show in Hong Kong, there was an extreme shortage of fine fresh water pearls in the market. If this situation will continue, the FWP will lose their mystique. My humble and true suggestion to my pearl farmers’ friends and colleagues is to make sure to maintain the prices low and the quality high. Pepsi remained the number 2 soft drink in the world for the simple reason that they understood that Coca Cola is the number 1 soft drink in the world...
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Selena Gomez
Salli Richardson
Jessica Lowndes Debra Messing
Scarlett Johansson Isla Fisher
Yvel on the Red Carpet The Yvel brand name has long been synonymous with award-winning design and quality craftsmanship. No wonder so many celebrities walk the red carpet and wear Yvel jewelry for their own special occasions. How many of these lovely faces of Yvel can you recognize? Carolina Herrera
Rihanna
Maggie Grace
Mary J. with Oprah Winfrey
Rihanna
Photography: Alone Shprensky
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Meet the Designers
Isaac Levy “My way of repairing the world is to give others what I didn’t have as a child and to help repair the weakest links in Israeli society - our immigrants and, in particular, Ethiopian immigrants.”
Isaac Levy was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to industrious and loving parents who immigrated the entire family to Israel when Isaac was a young boy, only four years old. Isaac’s father Moshe Levy brought his entire life’s savings to partner with an established sausage factory just outside of Jerusalem in Ramat Motza. Within three weeks, the partner and all of the Levy money was gone. Isaac recalls his immigration to the ‘Promised Land’ as a rather tumultuous and challenging time. His father had to find work and the Levys scraped by with frugal charm and a deepening family loyalty. They learned Hebrew and found ways to integrate themselves fully, over time, into Israeli life and culture. As a young man, Isaac met and fell in love with Orna, daughter to a pearl jewelry legacy in the
Moussaieff family. Isaac quickly recognized that Orna would be the one natural and precious pearl of his life and he formally proposed. The couple was married in Jerusalem. Shortly after their nuptials, Orna taught Isaac to string pearls one day. Isaac was immediately enchanted by the natural beauty of the pearls and the creativity involved in jewelry craftsmanship. He was hooked! He began to train in earnest with his Mother-in-Law who recognized his raw talent for innovative design and worked to mentor him, sharing her knowledge of gemstones, gold, pearls and jewelry craftsmanship. Isaac and Orna now create a powerful design team, stimulating innovation in pearl and gemstone jewelry design with award-winning results.
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Welcome to the Yvel Design Center Photo Tour The impressive display of Zionist-Israeli entrepreneurship at the YDC will inspire cultures from around the world with its admirable goal of creating enduring, beautiful, wearable works of art while simultaneously contributing to the local community and enhancing the process of transition for international immigrants.
The beautiful newly renovated Yvel Design Center (YDC) is located along the winding road to Jerusalem, in the heart of Israel. The YDC serves as home to the Yvel factory and offices. This impressive 50,000 square foot facility is situated between picturesque scenery along an ancient Roman route to Jerusalem. Tourists from around the globe are welcomed here year-round.
The YDC offers a refreshing new experience as an elegant tourist attraction.
Visiting tourists are guided through a beautiful architectural complex, a thoroughly modernized building that fully incorporates a well-preserved structure of more than one hundred and sixty years old. The restoration and renovation of the ancient structure is estimated at approximately $8 million and has turned into an exciting “pilgrimage� for tourists visiting Jerusalem.
Zionism in Action on the Path to Jerusalem
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Guests are immediately wowed by the many inspirations that serve as the foundation for Yvel designs. A large water wall and an entire water walkway plunge visitors into the depths of the ocean where Yvel’s extraordinary pearls come from.
Visitors have the luxury of viewing the entire Yvel collection in showcases lining the walkways. From South Sea and Fresh Water pearl jewelry to innovative gemstone and gold designs, an impressive array of beautiful designer jewelry is accessible for viewing, trying on and purchasing.
Everyone is queen for a day in the Yvel Design Center – view, touch, try on your favorite collection with personal style guides to help you select the designs that are best for your personality and your budget.
Visitors have the unique pleasure of watching a 3-D movie in the Yvel Theatre which explores the remarkable, organic process of pearl formation, as well as the jewelry manufacturing processes at Yvel.
Esteemed guests are treated to a more exclusive experience as the VIP area of the Yvel Design Center houses the most exclusive one-of-a-kind Yvel jewels and offers a more private luxury shopping environment.
You are also invited to experience the passion and savor the many flavors of past and present as you visit the Yvel Wine Cellar. Guests can experience free wine tastings of locally produced Israeli wines from the Mate Yehuda winery, the former owner and inhabitant of this beautifully preserved building. Discover your favorite Israeli wines while tasting our extraordinary cellar selections and enjoying the fruitful bounty of excellent wines from the heart of the Judean Hills.
Lastly, visitors will be introduced to the Megemeria School of Jewelry & Art, established by Orna and Isaac Levy, as a philanthropic effort to radically impact and better the lives of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel. Guests can see the students at work and even purchase some of their hand crafted jewelry to help support the continuation of the school.
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The Construction of the Yvel Design Center
The History of Motza Originally the first modern Jewish village outside the city, Motza is located on the site of a Biblical village of the same name. The Yvel Design Center is beautifully snuggled into the rolling hills of Motza, just outside the gate to the magical city of Jerusalem. Motza lies along the western edge of Jerusalem, at approximately 600 metres above sea level. High in the Judean Hills, Motza is surrounded by forest, a relatively isolated place, connected to Jerusalem by the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and the picturesque winding mountain road to the capital city itself. Originally the first modern Jewish village outside the city, Motza is located on the site of a Biblical village of the same name. The village was the scene of a historical, violent attack in the 1929 Palestine riots. In 1859, farmland was purchased from the nearby Arab village of Qalunya (Colonia) by a Baghdadi Jew, Shaul Yehuda, with the aid of British Consul James Finn. Jewish families from Jerusalem soon joined the enterprise, one of which ran a tile factory, among the earliest industries in the region. Despite preparation for groundbreaking and deciding on the name Motza for the town, legal complications prevented settlement. However, a traveler’s inn was established at the site in 1871 on the foundation of ruins from an ancient Roman building.
In December 1948, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 specified that “the built-up area of Motsa” was to be included in the Jerusalem “Corpus separatum”, which was to be detached from “the rest of Palestine” and “placed under effective United Nations control”. However, this was never carried out in practice, and Motza became part of the State of Israel. Despite good relations with neighboring Arab communities, the village was attacked during the 1929 Palestine riots. Several residents of Kolonia attacked an outlying house belonging to the Maklef family, killing the father, mother, son, two daughters, and their two guests. Three children survived by escaping out a second-story window; one, Mordechai Maklef, later became Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army. The attackers included the lone police officer an armed man in the area, as well as a shepherd employed by the Maklef family. The village was subsequently abandoned by Jews for a year’s time. Motza was home to one of Israel’s oldest wineries, the Teperberg Winery, and now houses the Yvel Design Center.
Yvel Boutique in Mamilla Yvel is Proud to Announce Its’ First Standalone Boutique In front of the Jaffa Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem stands one of the most unique malls in Israel. The Mamilla Mall, which is also called the “Alrov Mamilla Avenue”, is mostly outdoor. It opened in 2007 and is considered an integral part of the prestigious Mamilla quarter, which includes Luxury housing and hotels. The Mamilla Mall features tens of chain stores (mostly of fashion and cosmetics, but not only) as well as boutiques, souvenir and gift shops and cafés. Occasionally an interesting art exhibit is presented here and musical performances. Due to the closeness of the Mamilla Mall to the Jaffa Gate, from the mall’s promenade one can see the views of the Old City. The Mamilla Mall is located at a short walking distance from the Western Wall.
Yvel’s ongoing success has been built upon a philosophy of providing its clients the best possible customer service. In order to strengthen the link between Orna and Isaac and their loyal fine jewelry collectors, Yvel has decided to open a series of exclusive and sophisticated jewelry boutiques. The first boutique will open in their home town of Jerusalem. The Yvel boutique is located at the Alrov Mamilla Avenue Mall in the heart of Jerusalem.
Exotic Captivating Precious
Rainbow Collection Natural Sapphires
This beautiful collection delights the eye with its sensual style and organic aesthetic. aesthetic Worthy of Note: Sapphires are next to diamonds on the hardness scale. They are especially prized for their durability, their bright pure shades and distinctive color change qualities.
We invite you to discover every tantalizing color of the rainbow, as Yvel continues its search for the best and most organic treasures that Mother Nature has to offer. In early 2009, YVEL discovered a truly unusual treasure on the continent of Africa. The Umba River Valley in Tanzania produces some of the finest and most distinctive Sapphires known to man. These all natural Sapphires come in a rainbow spectrum of flattering colors. Upon discovering these rare treasures, Yvel was inspired to create the passionate, sensual and truly versatile Rainbow Collection. Handmade and set with 18K gold, diamonds and all-natural cognac diamonds, these gems are precious, exotic and captivating.
Sapphires have been written about for thousands of years. The Sanskrit “sauriratna” became the Hebrew “sapphir” (most beautiful of things) and went through Greek and Latin before arriving at the modern day English “sapphire.” Sapphires are found worldwide, with high-quality gems coming from Myanmar (Burma), Australia and southeast Asia. Sapphires were first found in the United States in 1865. An area around Yogo Gulch, Montana, is known for its naturally blue, high-clarity sapphires thatt do not require heat treatment. Artificial sapphires can be made so well that an expert is needed to tell natural from synthetic varieties.
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The Sapphire is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron ,titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium can give corundum blue, yellow, purple, orange, or a greenish color.
You shall amount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. The Sapphire represents one of the tribes in the high-priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20)
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Megemeria Celebrating The Genesis Of A New Mitzvah Isaac and Orna Levy, the husband and wife team behind Yvel, have crossed the globe many times over in search of the “next big thing” in pearls and precious gem stones. Yet one of the key aspects of their business is rooted very close to home and very deep in each of their hearts. An immigrant workforce A visit to the Yvel Design Center, just outside of Jerusalem, provides a glimpse not only into the specialized world of jewelry-manufacturing, but also into the diverse immigrant population of Israel. Of the 100 employees that work in the 50,000-square-foot facility, more than 90% are Jewish immigrants. More than 20 different countries are represented in the
“Yvel Family” which is made up of gifted artisans and ambitious professionals from very diverse cultures and countries such Russia, Syria, Iraq and the United States. This is by no means an accident. From Yvel’s inception, Isaac and Orna have made it a point to employ mostly immigrants. While Orna is native to Israel, Isaac immigrated to the country (or made “Aliyah”) from Argentina nearly 50 years ago. He keenly understands the adversity faced by so many in the attempt to adapt to a new culture. His own family’s story provides the perfect illustration. Upon arrival to their new homeland, Isaac’s father – an Argentinian entrepreneur – invested in a sausage factory. But only months later, his
Megemeria 19
business partner vanished, d, taking the money e-long savings with and the Levy family’s life-long her’s struggles as a him. Memories of his father’s new citizen in a strange land inspired Isaac as he and Orna made plans to begin their own company. Years later, as Yvel brought success to the Levy name, Isaac and Orna decided to re-write history. In a Hollywood style twist of fate, the Yvel Design Center now sits on the very land that once housed Isaac’s father’s failed sausage factory. The ever industrious senior Levy, now in his mid80s, comes to work regularly and proudly surveys the progress of his son’s international triumph. Not content to solely benefit his own family, Isaac next set his sights on creating a better life for other new Israeli immigrants. One particular segment of the immigrant population - the Ethiopian Jewish community - became the focus of Yvel’s new corporate social responsibility program. In 2010, Isaac and Orna established the Megemeria School of Jewelry as a “business within a business,” dedicated solely to the most vulnerable immigrant population in Israel the Ethiopian Jews. Supporting the Ethiopian community Ethiopian Jews have been officially making Aliyah since the mid-1970s, and now more than 120,000 call Israel their home. But
Israel’s Beauty Queen Yityish Titi Aynaw wearing “One Nation” necklace designed by Megemeria
ffacing fa aci cing massive cing massi assivve language, lang cultural and literacy barriers as they move mo from an impoverished agrarian society tto a modern, industrial one, this population’s adaptation has proven particularly difficult. Despite making significant strides in employment, education and integration over the past several decades, Ethiopian-Israelis still live with serious socioeconomic challenges, including much higher poverty and unemployment rates than the general Israeli Megemeria means population.
“Genesis”
It is this inequity that Isaac and in the Ethiopian language of Orna hope to help combat with the Amharic and symbolyzes founding of the Megemeria new beginings School of Jewelry. “The orm hope”, Orna says, is “to help them transform oud from being new immigrants to being proud and contributing citizens of Israel.” In fact, ates the word Megemeria literally translates as “genesis” in the Ethiopian languagee of Amharic. ents, Megemeria’s first class of 21 students, composed of men and women rangingg in age from 20 to 55, graduated in 2012; the ents second class began shortly after. Students welry are taught all of the crafts of the jewelry trade - from design and tool-handlingg to ging. goldsmithing, gem setting and pearl stringing. rew They are also offered instruction in Hebrew
acquiring a profession. This place gives me self-confidence and pride.” There are some “fairy tale” stories coming out of the Ethiopian community in Israel. For example, in February Yityish Aynaw was crowned the first-ever Ethiopian born Miss Israel. She even met and dined with President Obama when he took his first presidential tour of the country in the spring of 2013. The story of Megemeria and its students, however, is no fairy tale. It’s fair to imagine that the recent graduates, who are initially being paid the same minimum wage salary they received while studying, are still struggling financially. But, Orna says, the skills they’ve learned give them the opportunity to grow their income and break the cycle of lower education, higher unemployment and poverty still plaguing the population. While at Yvel and Megemeria, the graduates will, she says, “get wage increases according to their progress.” As well as having great hopes for the Megemeria students, Orna is enthusiastic about the tiny company’s future prospects. She says, “We need to start small and grow to what we believe Megemeria will eventually be: an international social business that will employ hundreds of people and be a great model of a socially responsible business that other companies can follow.” and everyday-life skills to help them better adapt to Israeli culture. Training is free and students are provided a monthly stipend equivalent to the minimum wage for Israel, with many of the funds coming directly from Isaac and Orna. Additional backing has been provided by “a handful of friends,” says Orna, along with Jewish organizations such as The Joint, the San Francisco Jewish Federation and World Ort. The Israeli government, notes Orna, “has also recognized this important project and given some financial support.” Upon graduation from the program, students are job-placed in the Israeli jewelry industry. “Half of the graduates are working within the Yvel factory and many others have chosen to stay on with the Megemeria business enterprise,” says Orna. Thus, Megemeria has its first staff of 11 full-time employees, who help train and mentor the next class. This small company within the larger one, Orna says, is “definitely designed as a for-profit business. The objective is to ultimately create a financially self-sustaining venture in the long run.” A major milestone on its path to self-sustainability will be the success of the Megemeria jewelry collection, a line of Amharic-inscribed brass and gold-plated pieces designed and created by the graduating students and sold through Yvel’s retailers. Stiff Competition The competition for admittance to Megemeria is intense; there have been close to 300 applicants for both the first and second classes, and there is still only room for 21. One female student shares her story: Raised in Western Ethiopia, she was married at 13 and had two children when she and her husband made Aliyah to Israel. Her assimilation was extremely difficult at first. She could only find work as a cleaning lady, but all the while, she was “seeking a trade I could pursue throughout my life.” After graduating the Megemeria program, she continues, “I succeeded in
How to become a partner to a good deed: Your Contribution to YEDID will help fund the Megemeria School Donate by Check in Shekels (and any currency other than dollars) Send your Israeli tax deductible donation to: YEDID - The Association for Community Empowerment 28 Pierre Koenig Street, P.O. Box 53151 Jerusalem Israel Donate by Check in the United States (USD) Send your US tax deductible donation to: American Supporters of YEDID 492c Cedar Lane, #335, Teaneck, NJ 07666
USA
All proceeds will go towards the expansion of the Megemeria School
Yedid
Established in 1997 to promote social and economic justice in Israel, YEDID has gained widespread national appreciation and a host of prestigious awards for its community work and empowerment achievements throughout Israel. YEDID operates through a nationwide network of 16 Citizen Rights Centers and Satellites, YEDID’s unique model helps people help themselves through four innovative and interrelated channels: Social, Economic & Legal Assistance, Community Empowerment Initiatives and National Advocacy for Policy Change.
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Masada Wearing Megemeria As a part of Orna and Isaac Levy’s shared commitment, together with Mr. Stef Wertheimer, to assist Israel’s Ethiopian community and the graduates of the Megemeria School, the two parties have joined together to launch the first Megemeria boutique in Israel. The boutique will present the unique ethnic jewelry collections of the Megemeria School graduates. Masada is a rugged natural fortress, of majestic beauty, in the Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73 A.D. It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of the early Roman Empire, by Herod the Great, King of Judaea, (reigned 37 – 4 B.C.). The camps, fortifications and attack ramp that encircle the monument constitute the most complete Roman siege works surviving to the present day.
The goal of the Megemeria boutique is to help the graduates sell and promote their creations and secure their financial future. All proceeds from jewelry sales will be channeled back to the Megemeria company to fund and ensure the ongoing operation of the school. The first Megemeria boutique was symbolically established at Masada. This historical site represents the courage and conviction of the people of Israel to maintain their spirit of freedom and justice. The Levy’s, along with Mr. Wertheimer, could not find a better location to express this same determination as characterized by Israel’s needy, yet proud and determined new immigrant community.
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Golden Brown Collection
Multi color South Sea Pearls in shades of gold & brown combining 18K yellow gold
Flattering warm shades of South Sea pearls are caressed by satin finish 18K yellow gold and glittering cognac diamonds.
Yvel’s Golden Brown collection introduces a fresh, exotic look to South Sea baroque pearls. Flattering warm shades of South Sea pearls are caressed by satin finish 18K yellow gold and glittering cognac diamonds.
Yvel’s golden brown pearls are designed to be worn every day, with a simple sweater set or a chic business suit or even that perfect little black dress.
Featuring Golden Indonesian,brown Tahitian and Champagne Australian Salt Water pearls, this global collection is alluring and extremely wear-able.
These stylish designs complement various skin tones and enhance the beauty of blonds, brunettes and redheads alike.
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The pearl is the only gemstone which is grown inside of a living organism. How are pearls formed & what are the different kinds of pearls?
Pearls of Wisdom FRESHWATER PEARLS VS. SOUTH SEA PEARLS Freshwater pearls are harvested in mussels that live in lakes and rivers, while South Sea pearls are harvested in oysters that live in the Ocean. ~ Freshwater mussels can grow up to 40 pearls in one mussel. This is the standard, smaller round pearl you probably are used to identifying as a freshwater pearl. South Sea oysters only grow one pearl per oyster. ~ A Freshwater pearl harvest usually takes 6 months to 4 years to develop the pearls, where a South Sea pearl harvest will take 5 years to 25 years to develop one pearl! ~ Fresh water pearls come in unusual colors of lavender, peach, grey and white, while Salt Water pearls come in exotic shades of gold, silver, black, white, blue, green and brown.
Pearls are formed within oysters or mollusks when a foreign substance (most often a parasite - not a grain of sand) invades the shell of the mollusk, entering the soft mantle tissue, and picking up epithelial cells. In response to the irritation, the epithelial cells form into a sac (known as a pearl sac) which secretes a crystalline substance called nacre, the same substance which makes up the interior of the oyster’s shell, which builds up in layers around the irritant, forming the pearl. Natural pearls have always been extremely rare and valuable. In a completely natural state, only a very small percentage of oysters will ever produce a pearl at all. As pearls have been a prized gem by much of the world’s population for thousands of years, this need has led to the development of cultured pearls. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several Japanese researchers discovered a method of producing pearls artificially. The technique involves inserting a foreign substance, or nucleus, into the tissue of the oyster or mollusk, then returning the creature to the sea and allowing the resulting cultured pearl to develop naturally.
What Are Fresh Water Coin Pearls? Lake Biwa was once world renowned
for producing high-quality freshwater pearls produced by the Hyriopsis schlegeli (Biwa pearly) mussel. However, in the mid 1970’s pearl farming came to a halt due to pollution in this lake that was once synonymous with freshwater pearls. In 1998, Isaac & Orna were able to purchase the last 633 kilos of natural Biwa coin pearls from a Japanese company. There are other coin pearls in existence today which come from other areas - but Biwa pearls are special for a variety of reasons: ~ Biwa pearls have a higher luster than other coin or button pearls. ~ Biwa pearls come out flat because the mussel that they grow in is flatter than a normal mussel. ~ Biwa pearls only come in shades of white, cream, peaches and pink. ~ Biwa pearls develop in the shape of the nucleus. Most of the nucleus’ that were used were round, to develop round pearls. However, if you have a pearl that is in the shape of a heart or square, it is because the nucleus was in the shape of a heart or square.
DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF A PEARL The quality of pearls are determined by the same factors as diamonds: Size The bigger the pearl - the longer it took to grow. Clarity The luster & the smoothness ShapeThe most desirable shape in the past has been round. However, most people today are looking for unique, natural shapes - as if
they were looking for a “natural cut” diamond. Because of this, Baroques have become almost as valuable as rounds. Color This is determined more by the customers’ preference than anything else. The rarer the color - the more desirable.
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SOUTH SEA PEARLS South Sea pearls are among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. The sizes of a South Sea pearl run from 9 mm. up to 40 mm. The South Seas lie between the northern coast of Australia and the southern coast of China. These waters are the native habitat of the large oyster, the Pinctada maxima. This oyster grows up to 12 inches in diameter, and can be nucleated with a much larger bead than other saltwater oysters. There are up to 3 generations of pearls that can develop from one South Sea oyster: The first generation pearl takes 4-6 years to culture on average and ranges anywhere from 9 - 14 mm in size. The second generation pearl takes 7-10 years to harvest and is also much larger anywhere from 14-18 mm. The third generation pearl takes 20-30 years to culture. These pearls are the most rare and valuable as they are the largest. They will range anywhere from 30-40 mm. on average.
Did you know? The color of a South Sea pearl depends on the type of oyster it grows in. Different types of oysters come from different regions of the world. These Oysters have different colors of meat lining the inside of their shells. The pearl develops in the color of the meat that is lining the inside of the oyster. ~ White, Silver, gold and yellow South sea pearls come from around Australia. These are referred to as South Sea pearls as they are grown in the South Seas around Australia. ~ The rainbow of dark colors of pearls black, dark green, dark chocolate, gunmetal, eggplant (anything dark in color) come from the seas around Tahiti (hence they are referred to as “Tahitian”) ~ Golden, champagne & butterscotch pearls come from around Indonesia & Philippines.
Pearls are sturdy and beautiful gems that withstand the test of time – enduring in fashion and living in our hearts as powerful keepsakes from Mother Nature herself. You can keep your pearls looking as good as new by following these simple steps:
TAHITIAN PEARLS Tahitian pearls are produced by the black-lipped oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) in the islands of French Polynesia. The oyster itself is quite large sometimes over 12 inches across and weighing as much as 10 pounds which often results in much larger-than-average pearls. The pearls are unique because of their natural dark colors. Most “black” Tahitian pearls are not actually black, but are instead silver, charcoal, or a multitude of colors with the dominant color being green. Truly black pearls are extremely rare. Although Tahitian pearls are thought by many to be solely a product of Tahiti, this is in fact not true. Tahiti is the commercial center and trading hub for the bulk of the industry, however Tahiti does not have any pearl farms located on the island.
How to Care for your Pearl Jewelry
~ If the pearl develops in a misshapen way - it is referred to as a semi round or a baroque pearl. This simply means it is not perfectly round. ~ Baroque pearls can be freshwater or south sea pearls. Baroque only refers to the shape of the pearl (which is not symmetrically round) ~ Baroque pearls used to be thrown away as they were seen as undesirable. It was only during the “Baroque” period that they began to be used in jewelry - as irregular things were celebrated during this time in history (such as architecture and art). ~ Since the 90’s Orna and Isaac have led the pearl fashion world, introducing their organic jewelry designed with baroque pearls. Today, thanks to this sucesful trend, baroque pearls are as expensive or even more than round pearls.
LAST ON, FIRST OFF - Pearls should be the last thing you put on before leaving home and the first thing you take off upon returning home. AFTER PERFUME, LOTION - Put on your pearls after using your perfume, not before. AVOID MIXING - Do not mix your pearls with other jewelry, to avoid scratching the pearls. LOVE YOUR PEARLS – stroke them to gently polish them and increase their luster. WEAR - Wear your pearls often and they will become hydrated by contact with your skin. WASH – Once every year or two, you may wash your pearls quickly in warm soapy water with a very mild hand soap. Do not soak the pearls in water to avoid weakening the strings. STORE SOFTLY - Be sure to store your pearls in a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box.
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Golden Honey No longer limited to pearls, Yvel offers a beautiful array of gemstone hues for women who are chic and fashionable and need daily versatility for their fine jewelry wardrobe. Yvel recently expanded its successful and beautiful Rainbow Collection to now include colors of ‘golden honey’ in all natural smoky quartz gemstones. Smoky Quartz will intoxicate you with its champagne, cognac and whiskey hues. Occasionally, lemon quartz will also complement these cocktail colors for additional alluring warmth. These faceted stones in sumptuous honey colors are bezel set in 18K yellow gold, either high polish or satin finish, in organic shapes and flattering designs. Various types
of handmade gold chains accompany the pendants or the long station chains for great variety and stylish ways to wear. These classic color combinations travel easily and provide versatility as they complement black, brown, khaki and white fabrics and easily adorn casual attire or add shimmering radiance to your favorite evening gowns.
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Isaac and Orna Levy are not your typical married couple. They not only live together, they also work together, joining forces to create stunning and award-winning gems that will be worn and passed down for many generations to come. This dynamic duo runs every aspect of the Yvel business, most importantly bringing to life each of the beautiful Yvel creations. The couple begins with Nature, seeking out the rarest and most unusual pearls and gemstones. Then they let their imaginations run wild as they conceive, design, develop and produce some of the most outstanding pieces of fine jewelry in the market today. The Levy’s refreshing sense of style and organic design process has captured the attention of pearl lovers worldwide, garnering Yvel a series of impressive international awards…
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2005 In 2005, this exquisite hand-crafted brooch took top honors at the “Oscars” of the fine jewelry industry, the Town & Country Couture Design Awards, winning the Best in Pearl category. The elegant and feminine floral pattern makes an eyecatching statement on the lapel as natural multicolored Keshi Fresh Water pearls blossom in a setting of 18K white gold, with white diamonds that caress each petal and elongate the stem in a subtle and sophisticated curve that draws the attention of everyone in the room.
Yvel created an encore performance, achieving the honor of the Town & Country Couture Award for the second year in row in 2006 with this one-of-a-kind, “Golden Brown” Keshi South Sea pearl bracelet.
This beautiful array of hues in South Sea pearls perfectly complements every woman’s complexion and brings drama and elegance to her every hand gesture.
2007 Good things come in 3’s as the Yvel Family knows well, capturing their third Town & Country Couture Design Award in 2007 with their most exciting piece yet. This exotic and beautiful floral brooch brings to life the Levy design duo’s fascination with Mother Nature, wistfully enhancing the allure of these wild fresh water pearls by combining them into a blossoming flower and accenting their luminosity with 18K white gold and brilliant white diamonds. This brooch began as a 9 petal flower but continued to blossom with Levy inspiration into a bold and powerful gem which will be treasured for many years to come.
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Award Winning
Design
n Collaboration
2012
2011 Yvel exhibited at the Centurion Show in the U.S., marking the first appearance of new Yvel styles in the American market that year. Many retailers were delighted by Yvel’s new collections, evening honoring Yvel with the Best in Pearl Design Award at the show. This stunning floral brooch combines very unusual shapes of Fresh Water pearls with 18K gold and cognac diamonds to create a beautifully blossoming flower. This piece is as unique and exotic as the pearls themselves. It draws attention and creates flair, whether it is worn on the lapel or high in the hair as part of an elegant up-do.
2012 2013
Another repeat performance as Yvel brought home the coveted Centurion Design Award for Best in Pearl Design for a second year in a row. This particular design award is especially meaningful because the retailers attending the Centurion Show are the judges, who cast the final and decisive votes, making it an esteemed honor bestowed by jewelry industry peers and experts. This enchanting, winning design comprises a 26 year old Australian South Sea baroque pearl discovered by Isaac and Orna on a trip to the pearl farms in the Far East in late 2011. Set with all natural black and white diamonds and hung as a pendant on a long black diamond lariat chain, this exotic pearl delights the eye and adorns the décolletage with old Hollywood glamour andd feminine grace. A true keepsake!
2014
The third time is the charm, as they say, and once again Yvel enjoys the exclusive honor of bringing home the Centurion Design Award for Best in Pearl Design for the third year in a row. Creating ever more beautiful designs, the Levy’s claimed the 2013 prize with this fused cluster of baroque fresh water pearls set with 18K white gold, hung as a removable pendant on a handmade 18K white gold chain accented with diamonds. The versatility and beauty of this necklace leaves no doubt about the world leaders in pearl jewelry design – the ever talented team of Isaac and Orna Levy at Yvel. When selecting your favorite Yvel piece, remember - you deserve award winning luster and international renown.
2014
The $50,000 winning design comprises a fusion of baroque Soufflé pearls set with 18K white gold on a handmade bracelet accented dipped in white diamonds. The piece is typical of the organic design aesthetic of Orna and Isaac Levy, owners and designers of Yvel. The husband and wife design team seeks to enhance the unusual beauty in Nature, combining precious treasures from the sea and the land into wearable works of art. “I knew that this could possibly be one of the most beautiful pearl bracelets I’ve ever ner and co-founder of the Yvel brand. “But I was quite designed,” says Isaac Levy, designer ng such a prestigious award for the fourth year in a row, certain that the chances of winning ause I have never heard of another designer winning any would be very slim…simply because award four times in a row. Ornaa and I humbly accept this award on behalf of the entire Yvel Family who continually contribute to our success.”
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Satin Sea Collection Sophisticated Slip into simple sophistication with these fashionforward styles that fuse the best from the land and the sea to create lasting beauty and eyecatching impact.
Elegant
Enticing
Yvel is famous for its award –winning designs in baroque pearl jewelry. Their well-known innovation continues as Yvel now launches its all new Satin Sea collection. Featuring South Sea and Fresh Water baroque pearls beautifully caressed with satin finish 18K gold, this collection is both elegant and enticing. Master goldsmiths in the Yvel Design Center in Jerusalem hand craft gold accents to caress or hug or curve along with the pearl wherever its shape is most unique, most interesting, most alluring. The result is impressively organic in aesthetic and truly sophisticated as each strand, ring, bracelet or earrings is one-of-a-kind.
This collection also incorporates a new type of pearl – the so-called “Soufflé” pearl. Isaac and Orna Levy have a license lic to buy direct from the pearl farmers in the Far East. Only about 125 people in the world have this exclusive access to the very best ppearls before they go to auction. Yvel is able to bring exotic new pearls pear to the market, like the new Soufflé Fresh Water pearls, before anyone anyo else.
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Did you know? SoufflĂŠ pearls are much lighter in weight than most cultured pearls of similar size because the pearl farmers are inserting mud into the oyster, instead of a nucleus, to kick-start the natural process of pearl production. The SoufflĂŠ pearls are also flatter in shape, offering strands that lie beautifully along the collar bone to bring brilliant luster to the face and the eyes. These lighter weight pearls also allow larger sizes of drop earrings without any discomfort or earlobe damage.
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Tahitian Collection
Explore
Add some decadent darkness to your fine jewelry wardrobe. Subtle, tactile and rich in color, these Tahitian pearls are bold and sensational – a youthful and intriguing way to wear pearls today.
the darker side of pearls with Yvel’s Tahitian Collection. Tahitian pearls range from darker shades of gray and black to lighter hues with silver and greenish tints. They come from the large black lipped oysters in the oceans near French Polynesia. All of the commercial trading for these pearls used to take place in the ports of Tahiti, and therefore, these exotic beauties earned the name “Tahitian pearls”. These striking gems create a mysterious allure, evoking the blackest depths of the ocean, far below the penetration of the sunlight. Set with 18K white gold and glittering diamonds, these gems are elegant and enchanting – wearable works of art.
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Aqua Collection
Aqua jewels bring a splash of color to the neckline and perfectly complement lighter color eyes and fanciful print fabrics.
Pearls may be Yvel’s favorite treasure from the sea, but Mother Nature also delivers mystical keepsakes from deep within the earth’s core. A new mine in Russia is now producing all natural deep blue/green colors of Aquamarine. These vibrant stones reflect the colors of the sea on the horizon line and inspire dreamy thoughts while offering versatile fashion hues. Beautifully handmade and bezel set in 18K yellow or white gold, these aqua jewels bring a splash of color to the neckline and perfectly complement lighter color eyes and fanciful print fabrics. Elegantly simple and organic in shape, the designs are very wearable every day, offering greater value and diversity to a fine jewelry wardrobe. Catch the wave of delight and add some seacolored beauty to your fashion favorites.
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world wide WORLD WIDE ARTICLES
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1.Couture Las Vegas 2. Basel 2013 3. Naples USA 4. Vicenza Italy 5. Palm Beach USA 6. Basel 2013 7. Couture Las Vegas 8. Azzopardi Malta 9. Sofa USA 10. Basel Switzerland 11. Vicenza Italy 12. Centurion USA 13. Art and Antique Show 14.Azzopardi
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Strike a pose and get ready for your personal close-up with dangling earrings or stunning pendants for those plunging necklines.
Make a searing statement with oversized pearl rings that leave a lasting impression.
Show off your inner celebrity with these red carpet worthy jewels.
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Black & White Collection
Glamorous Exceptional Luxurious Set in 18K white gold with black or white diamonds, or both, these gems are luxurious and offer understated elegance at its very best.
The extraordinary luminosity of baroque South Sea pearls combined with the exquisite sparkle of white diamonds and/or the glamorous appeal of black diamonds‌ Welcome to the Black & White collection by Yvel. Fusing treasures from the land and the sea, Yvel evokes old Hollywood glamour with this exceptionally elegant collection.
Face shape
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Hair style Fashion personality
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT
EARRINGS
At Yvel, we believe earrings are best selected using the following criteria: Earrings are the perfect complement to a woman’s beautiful smile. Yet selecting the perfect pair of earrings can be a daunting task for many women. So many lovely pairs to choose from!
(A)
Face Shape (B)
In the salon world, ladies’ faces (A) are categorized by shape – oblong, oval, round, heart-shaped, square, rectangular, diamond, triangular, etc. These shapes help determine the most flattering hair styles, as well as the most flattering earring styles.
(B)
Oblong
Oval
Rectangle
Inverted Triangle
(C)
Longer face shapes like the oblong, oval, rectangular or inverted triangle faces, which have a longer distance from forehead to chin, often look best with lengthy drop or dangle earrings. Using a long drop earring accents the shape of the face, as opposed to working against it, thereby creating a more flattering overall look. Don’t be afraid to be bold – go for shoulder dusters and oversized hoops or chandelier styles with more linear designs. (A)
(C)
(C)
Round
Triangle
(B) Diamond
Triangle
Square
Shorter face shapes like round and triangle faces tend to look better with button or short drop earrings. Perhaps a single baroque pearl clip or a small stone drop, maybe even a medium sized hoop earring. Ladies with more petite face shapes should make sure the earring does not drop below the chin. Keeping the earring short and high flatters the face and brings attention up to the face as the lady is talking. Only use petite chandelier styles for shorter faces. (B)
Wider face shapes like the diamond, triangle, square and inverted triangle often have prominent cheek bones, which lead the eye up naturally toward the eyes and ears. These ladies can get by with statement earrings – large chandeliers, oversized hoops or wider drop styles. (C)
You have the opportunity to make a strong statement...
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(B)
(B)
(A)
Hair Styles Shorter hair styles typically call for shorter styles in earrings – small to medium hoops, buttons or studs, single drops, etc. However, be sure to go for bolder styles if your face shape is wider and moare petite styles if your face shape is round. (A)
hair air styles ai styl st yles les es almost alm most always call for Longer hair bol oldder statements, statements otherwise otherwis they length andd bolder get lost in the hair. Go for something with movement that will move with the hair and with the face as you express yourself. When you wear your hair in an up-do, you have the opportunity to make a strong statement on the ear lobe itself – large baroque pearl clips or bold diamond on-the-ear styles. But when you wear it long, go for movement and flow – keeping in mind the perfect length of the dangle, according to your face shape. (B)
Fashion Personality Be true to who you are! Variety is the spice of life and there is no need to deny your true fashion personality to be in vogue or on trend… Here are a few examples of some fashion personalities and how best to express them with earrings.
SASSY If you like big, bold and sassy looks… go for it! Just keep in mind your face shape and hair style and select a bold style accordingly. For example, if you have a round face shape with a cute sassy bob, select a shiny b bold button style earring or a thicker style of hoop earring If you have an oval face shape and wear earring. y h long, add some drama with an extra-long your hair danngle or styles with lots of movement. dangle
DEMURE If you prefer minimalism and petite or vintage looks, embrace your feminine side with lacy styles and tiny studs or small drop pearls or gemstones. Even an oblong face shape can be accented with a thin stiletto style earring to keep it simple but also enhance the shape of the face.
TAILORED If you go for super chic tailored looks, less is more for your earring styles. Embrace single colored stone earrings as opposed to chandeliers styles and enjoy the versatility of a classic all-gold earring.
WORLD CITIZEN Embrace your inner traveler with exotic gemstones or unusual colors of pearls. For round face shapes, with shorter low maintenance hair styles, try Tahitian pearls in a clip style or darker colors of diamonds and gemstones.
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One of a Kind Collection When words alone are not enough..
Set apart from other Yvel collections, the one of a kind collection is carefully created through years of collecting rare pearls and gem stones, assembling them together with 18K gold and diamonds as a fine piece of art. It is an elegant collection for sophisticated art collectors, created not for the sake of fashion but for the sake of passion.
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What Is Your Birth Stone?
JANUARY
FEBRUARY Amethyst
Aquamarine
Garnet, the birthstone for January, signifies eternal friendship and trust and is the perfect gift for a friend. Garnet, derived from the word granatum, means seed, and is called so because of the gemstone’s resemblance to a pomegranate seed. References to the gemstone dates back to 3100 B.C., when the Egyptians used garnets as inlays jewelry. Garnet is the name of a group of minerals that comes in a rainbow of colors, from the deep red of the pyrope garnet to the vibrant green of tsavorites. Today, the most important sources for garnet are Africa, Sri Lanka, and India.
Amethyst, the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also is said to keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Throughout history, the gemstone has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. English regalia were even decorated with amethysts during the Middle Ages to symbolize royalty. It has been associated with many myths, legends, religions, and numerous cultures. Amethyst is purple quartz, a beautiful blend of violet and red that can be found in every corner of the earth. Historically, the finest amethyst were found in Russia and were featured in much royal European jewelry. Today, while Brazil is the primary source of this gemstone, fine material can be found elsewhere, especially in Zambia.
The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea. This gemstone was believed to protect sailors, as well as to guarantee a safe voyage. The serene color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded. Its pale, cool color beautifully complements spring and summer wardrobes. Aquamarine is most often light in tone and ranges from greenish blue to blue-green; the color usually is more intense in larger stones. This gemstone is mined mainly in Brazil, but also is found in Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, and Mozambique.
JULY JJU ULY
AUGUST AUGU UST
SEPTEMBER SEPT PT TEMB EEM MBE BER
There’s no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby in celebration of a July birthday. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. If the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-color sapphire.
Peridot is said to host magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the wearer power, influence, and a wonderful year. As peridot is a gemstone that forms deep inside the Earth and brought to the surface by volcanoes, in Hawaii, peridot symbolizes the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today, most of the peridot supply comes from Arizona; other sources are China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. This gemstone comes in several color variations ranging from yellowish green to brown, but most consumers are attracted to the bright lime greens and olive greens. Peridot, in smaller sizes, often is used in beaded necklaces and bracelets.
Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue. Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all colors of the rainbow. Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, green sapphire). Ruby is the red variety of corundum.
Garnet
Ruby
Perdot
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Sapphire
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APRIL A APR AP PRI RIL
Emerald Emer Em eral er aldd al
MAY M MA AY
JUNE
As the April birthstone, diamonds are the ideal gift for a loved one. And now you have more choices than ever. Get creative and give the ultimate gift of beauty: a fancy-color diamond. Fancycolor diamonds are natural, rare and truly exotic gem of the earth. Diamonds in hues of yellow, red, pink, blue, and green range in intensity from faint to vivid and generally the more saturated the color, the higher the value. In fact, diamonds sparkling with intense color are rare and may be priced higher than a colorless diamond of equal size. Because fancycolor diamonds are very desirable, color is sometimes introduced in a laboratory. These are correctly called color-treated diamonds. When purchasing a fancycolor diamond, the shopper should ask w if anyy enhancements or treatments were usedd to improve its color and/or cla clarity.
he birthstone hstone for May, May the emerald, emer As the a symbol of rebirth, is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Emerald, derived from the word smaragdus, meaning green in Greek, was mined in Egypt as early as 330 B.C. Today, most of the world’s emeralds are mined in Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia. The availability of highquality emerald is limited; consequently, treatments to improve clarity are performed regularly.
Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries. They were one of the favorite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market.
OCTOBER OCT OC CTOBE TOBE TO BER ER
NOVEMBER NO OVE VEMB MBEER MBE R
DECEMBER
The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning “to see a change (of color).” Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal’s beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature’s heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements. When packed together in a regular pattern, a three-dimensional array of spaces are created that give opal its radiance.
Citrine, the birthstone for November is known as the “healing quartz”. This golden gemstone is said to support vitality and health while encouraging and guiding hope, energy and warmth within the wearer. Citrine can be found in a variety of shades ranging from pastel yellow to dark brownish orange. It is one of the most affordable of gemstones and plentiful in nature. Citrine is found most frequently in Brazil, Bolivia, and Spain.
Discovered in the late 1960s in Tanzania, and found exclusively in this tiny area of the world, tanzanite exhibits a rich violet-blue color for which the gemstone is treasured; often it is heat-treated to achieve this color. Colors range from blue to purple, and tanzanites that are medium dark in tone, vivid in saturation, and slightly violet blue command premium prices. As tanzanite can be less expensive than sapphire, it often was purchased as an alternative. However, it has increased in popularity and now is valued more for its own beauty and brilliance than as a sapphire substitute.
Opal
Citrine Citr Ci triinee
Pearl
Tanzanite
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Biwa
Collection Lake Biwa in Japan was known for
its incredibly lustrous coin shaped pearls until 1985 when pearl culture in the lake ceased due to pollution. When Orna and Isaac learned that the ultimate inventory, the last of the Biwa Pearls, was up for auction, they immediately flew to Japan to seize the whole assortment. Yvel has recently connected with two major Fresh Water pearl farms, culturing a unique and exclusive line for Yvel only. These select pearls, exquisitely
intertwined with the original Biwa pearls, create the luxurious, sophisticated look of The Biwa Collection. The Biwa Collection is a beautiful 18K gold collection set with diamonds, enhancing the natural color and beauty of the round, pear, drop and square shape pearls. They come in colors of white, peach, lavender and cream and are available in white, rose and yellow gold.
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Emerald Collection Em Emeralds are the gems of royalty, romance and intrigue. Be Because the intense green color of emerald is the color of spring, the ancient cultures prized it as the gemstone symbolizing love and rebirth. Emeralds are found all over the world in countries such as Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Brazil,Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Treasured for at least 4,000 years by different civilizations all around the world, emerald is said to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart. Legend gives its owner the gift of eloquence. Emerald was one of the first precious stones to be mined and fashioned by the ancient Egyptians, at what is generally accepted to be the world’s oldest source for this gem, an area now called Cleopatra’s Mines. In the Vedas, the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism, it is said that the emerald could give mental power and wisdom, and could make the wearer a very persuasive and charismatic speaker. It does not come as a surprise, then, that in ancient India, the treasure chests of Indian Maharajas and Maharanis contained the most wonderful emeralds.Colombia, since the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores, has been the “Mecca for emeralds”, and it continues to be the country where the most beautiful, most valuable and prized stones are found.
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1- The most well-known fact is that an emerald will always show visible inclusions, in fact any emerald without inclusions is suspected to be synthetic or imitation. Emerald inclusions, which are caused by calcite deposits are called “jardin” a French term meaning garden, because they resemble the intricate pattern of a summer garden. 2- In an emerald, color is paramount. Its green is incomparable! And as an ancient Roman historian said “no green soothes to the eye as the green of emeralds”. The finest have a deep, intense, glowing green, and associated with a good, crystal clarity and a decent carat weight. 3- Faceted emeralds come in a variety of shapes: rounds, pears, ovals, emerald-cuts, etc. But it is the “emerald cut” or octagon that is the most popular and classical shape for emeralds. The reason why this shape is so “popular” has to do with the natural shape of the rough crystal and its cleavage. Following in order of popularity or better of availability, pear shapes, ovals, marquises, rounds. Round shapes over 1/2 carat in weight are very rare and always command premiums. 4- Cabochon cuts are the oldest way to cut emeralds before the world knew faceting methods. As in facet grade material, also cabochon emeralds come in different grades. 5- All emeralds are oil-treated when they are cut to reduce the likelihood of fracture. This treatment is perfectly acceptable in the gem trade. However, coloring emeralds with green substances is unacceptable, unless disclosed.
Emerald is regarded as the traditional birthstone for May.
What to look for in an Emerald?
Emerald is a gemstone, and a variety of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the 10-point Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Most emeralds are highly included, so their toughness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor.
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ROUGH ELEGANCE collection
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Yvel is prou proud ud to debut a line of dia amonds diamonds and pearl chains, ong necklaces, featuring long matching earrings and stackable bracelets with south sea and keshi ng along 18k pearls strung n chains with gold station gh diamonds. petite rough
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Jerusalem
The Levy Way Isaac and Orna Levy believe that the best way to get to know a new place is to be led by hand by a native who can fill you in on all that you need to know and experience in the new city, country or neighborhood. “I will be happy to be your guide,” says Isaac, “when you are ready to come to Jerusalem, we are ready to host you!”
Where to Dine: The one thing that connects human beings across the globe is our ever present need to eat. Isaac believes that the quickest and most enjoyable way to learn about a culture is through its food. Luckily, Jerusalem is full of exciting and very diverse culinary delights, from traditional and Kosher cuisines to Mediterranean and Arab delicacies. Having traveled the globe and visited many exciting international cities (New York, Las Vegas, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc), Isaac prefers tranquil and peaceful places in his home town, which brings us to his favorite restaurant:
Magda, in the Arab Village of Ein Raffa Isaac’s favorite restaurant in Jerusalem is Magda in the Arab Village of Ein Raffa. Magda is located in a charming environment, surrounded by foliage and lovely views as seen through the glassed-in terrace. The cuisine at Magda reminds Isaac of his grandmother’s home cooking as she was Egyptian and often prepared Arab specialties. The flavors and aromas at Magda bring on a flood of memories for Isaac, heart-warming flavors that bring him back to his roots, his “home”. The simple dishes and warm, friendly environment at Magda make for pleasant evenings where
photo: Ishai Parasol Photography
one can easily feel like a local while garnering a sense of Middle Eastern culture, deeply rooted in traditions that date back thousands of years. A great place to visit on your first night in Jerusalem, an enjoyable way to overcome jetlag and hang with the locals.
Machane Yehuda, in the center of the Jerusalem market For a livelier evening, Isaac recommends the hip, young and unusual restaurant Machane Yehuda in the center of the Jerusalem market. Even Tel Aviv natives travel all the way to Jerusalem and make reservations months in advance to experience this unusual fusion cuisine, where Arab traditions meet Israeli favorites, both with innovative modern twists. Located in the heart of the Jerusalem market, Machane Yehuda is a vibrant study in contrasts between the Old World and the New. The place is extremely noisy, warns Isaac, but the energy of the place is captivating and dinner here is a truly unique experience. Of course the most highly recommended bistro in Jerusalem is Orna’s Kitchen. “If Orna were not a jeweler, she would be a chef,” says Isaac. “The world of fine cuisine is missing a star player in Orna.”
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Where to Stay: What to See:
“To understand a nation,” says Isaac, “you must understand its history and its food”. Now that you know where to eat, we can also guide you to a few must-see attractions to help you better understand the history, the flavor and the culture of Israel…
Yad Vashem – Jerusalem Holocaust Museum The Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem is one of the most impressive in the world, “even better than the one in Washington, DC” says Isaac. Arguably not the most fun tourist activity; however, this museum is not to be missed. The museum takes you on a winding journey that narrows as you progress through its exhibition space. One literally feels the walls closing in. The museum includes an entire history of AntiSemitism, not just the WWII Holocaust. It is a fascinating way to learn about the terrible and destructive power of hate. When you exit the museum, you can finally breathe a breath of fresh air as you end your visit on a balcony overlooking the beautiful and historic mountains of Jerusalem. “When you look out at the land built upon the ashes of six million Jews, you begin to understand the inherent lack of trust in the Jewish culture and our need for security as a nation, as a people and as a race,” says Isaac. “When you understand this, perhaps you will forgive us for our strange sense of humor and our well known insecurities.”
Wailing Wall The Western Wall, Wailing Wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount. It is a remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded the Jewish Temple's courtyard, and is arguably the most sacred site recognized by the Jewish faith outside of the Temple Mount itself. Just over half the wall, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period, around 19 BCE. It has been a site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage for centuries; the earliest source mentioning Jewish attachment to the site dates back to the 4th century.
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Don’t forget to visit the Yvel Design Center! We look forward to host you and your family. YVEL 1 Yechiel Steinberg St. Ramat Motza, Jerusalem 90820, POBox 10217 Israel Tel: 972-2-6735811 / Fax: 972-2-6735812 Yvel@Yvel.com / www.Yvel.com
useful information Yvel offers a lifetime warranty on any re-stringing of loose pearls or re-setting of loose gemstones. Yvel is handmade by some of the finest jewelry craftsmen in the world. These master goldsmiths, diamond setters and pearl stringers offer excellence in terms of product quality and stand behind their work... for life!
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