For thousands of years, the fabled Muzo mine had given birth to mesmerizing emeralds of a deep, vibrant, light filled green, worshipped by Aztecs, Incas, Muiscas, and lusted-after by renassancce princes, Mughal Emperors and Ottoman sultans. In the 16th century, the Conquistadors searched for decades, fighting through jungles and mountains, before defeating the warlike Muzo tribe and discovering the sacred source of their mysterious “green stone”. Appropriated for the Spanish Crown, the mine was modernized, yielding a fabulous flow a magnificent emerald crystals which were loaded onto the gallons of the Spanish Treasure fleet, sailing from Havana to Spain, to become wonders of the New World. The Finest were cut and polished in Madrid and set into sumptuous jewels for the Spanish court; other superb gems were traded by Portuguese merchants in Goa, delivered into the overflowing treasuries of the Mughal court. The fame of Muzo spread spreads across the world; its emeralds, than, as now, considered the paragon of beauty and quality.
Today, the historic Muzo mine is reborn and revitalized, telling its story through emeralds of unmatched radiance, of colour, hue, cut, vibrancy and sheer magnetism not found anywhere else in the world. Muzo emerald, the colour of rejuvenation and regeneration. Today, the reinvigorated Muzo mine opens up a new age of New World emeralds. Yeilding superlative emeralds of unrivalled quility, and distinctively, captivating colour, Muzo is now a modern, Mine-to Maison creative emerald house. The sacred site is transformed into a state-of-the-art 21st century gem facility, setting new standards of excellence and ethical practice, respecting the environment, ensuring the welfare of its workers. Taking the art of cutting and polishing emeralds to new levels of perfection, Muzo works with master lapidaries in Bogotá and Paris. Finally, Muzo has a team of world-class master cutting artisans in its own workshop in Bogotá.
COOMI x MUZO
"I was drawn to the beauty of nature surrounding the MUZO mines. I have designed this collection around the beauty of the mountain peaks, the rhythms of the river, the flora, and the black sedimentary rock in which the emeralds are embedded" -Coomi
The white gold collection gives these incredible emeralds a luminous energy.
The yellow gold collection is inspired by the pattern in the trapiche emeralds, by which I am mesmerized.
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Dating as far back as the bronze age – particularly the Minoan civilization (c. 2700 to c. 1100 BC) – hoop earrings were created in gold, silver, and, you guessed it, bronze. Examples of hoop earrings being worn can be seen in frescoes dating back to roughly 1600 BC on the island of Santorini, and while the frescoes largely depict hoop earrings worn by women, there is evidence that suggests hoop earrings were also worn by men, particularly during the era of ancient Persia where carvings were created showing soldiers wearing a single hoop earring.
Hoop earrings can also be traced back to 4thcentury Africa – particularly to Nubia – which is now the country of Sudan. They were an important accessory for Egyptians as well as with the Hmong women of Vietnam and the Gadaba tribe of India. Not only has the hoop earring held its own in ancient history but it also found a place in both pop culture and street culture, where it largely remains today.
In the 1920s, American-born entertainer Josephine Baker was a staple on the French dance scene during the jazz age. Large hoop earrings often graced her ears both on and off the stage, becoming a sort of calling card.
In the 1960s, hoops were a common accessory for women of color, but hoops were also worn by entertainers of that era, too; singers like Cher and Diana Ross were often seen donning hoops under glorious heads of rich, dark hair. In the 70s, hoops found their place in the disco scene, no matter the ethnicity of the wearer. However, in the 80s and 90s, as rap and R&B gained a greater role in the modern music scene, hoop earrings were associated with urban styles and were often decorated with gemstones, names, or phrases.
But as we know based on research, hoop earrings – likely more than any other form of jewelry – are timeless and genderless. It is a style that spans culture and ages, and likely will continue to for centuries to come. But why? What is it about the hoop that makes it more appealing than say a stud? That makes it seemingly more timeless? Well, for one, the shape of it says a lot.
A hoop is a circle, and while hoop earrings have to open at some point in order for them to be placed on an ear, the idea of the circle is that it is infinite, like time. The things in nature that give us life are circular: the sun, the earth, and the womb. The circle is the ultimate symbol of life having no beginning and no end. Hoop earrings are a symbol, quite plainly, of a power that has purpose and meaning.
It will be interesting to see which icons of tomorrow will be shown pictured wearing hoop earrings when society looks back on the styles of this century. Will it be sports figures, a politician, a musician, a philanthropist? Will the person even be female? Whatever the case, we can almost guarantee that future generations will determine their own need for this jewelry wardrobe staple.
]]>It’s no surprise that the pearl is frequently referred to as “The Queen of Gems” considering its long, rich history. However, unlike most of the world’s fine gemstones, the pearl is not found in caves nor does it need to be excavated from the Earth’s terrain. Pearls are formed inside of mollusks; hard-shelled underwater creatures found in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
Produced largely within the mantle of a living mollusk, pearls consist of calcium carbonate in crystalline form deposited in concentric layers. And while any mollusk that can produce a shell is capable of also producing a pearl, according to the American Museum of Natural History, naturally occurring pearls are rare, found only in roughly 1 in every 10,000 animals. And while we often think of pearls as being spherical, this precious gem from the sea can also take on forms which are completely unique and extraordinarily interesting.
As to when exactly pearls were discovered, no one knows for certain or can pinpoint a definite moment, as experts and historians throughout history have stated. Famed writer and gemologist George Frederick Kunz believed that an ancient fish-eating tribe, possibly near India’s coast, were some of the first to find the gems as they searched for food. There are also numerous sacred Indian books containing pearl references and tales claiming that the Hindu god Krishna took a pearl from the sea to present to his daughter on her wedding day.
But India isn’t the only country that claims pearl origins for their own. There are also reports of Egyptians using mother of pearl – which is a material coming from the shell, itself – to adorn themselves and their living spaces back as far as around 4000 B.C. But wherever pearls were first discovered has become a moot point, because it’s where they’re going that’s much more interesting.
Pearls are indeed having a moment and have adorned everything from watch dials to footwear to denim in the last couple of years (be they genuine or otherwise), but it is and always will be the jewelry industry that most benefits from the Queen of Gems. And while pearls are commonly associated with being round in shape and strung on traditional necklaces, designers like Coomi are not only getting more creative with pearls but also with the types and colors of pearls they use in their work.
Traditional round pearls used in making jewelry are usually one of the following four types: Akoya, South Sea, Freshwater, or Tahitian, and pearls can either be cultured or natural. But pearls aren’t always round. They can be “off-round,” teardrop-shaped, or even oval. There are also shapes such as “button,” “coin,” and “ringed,” and then, the shapes start to get really interesting as they get into the “mabe” (a form of blister pearl), “semi-baroque” and “baroque” categories.
A baroque pearl is sometimes dubbed the “snowflake of the sea” because no two baroque pearls are alike. Round pearls are usually purposely matched for strands so the goal is to find several which are identical to each other in color, shape, and size, but the magic of baroque pearls is that – while color may be matched – sizes and shapes usually vary.
]]>BITCH.
What emotion did you feel when you just read that word? If you are a woman, were you angered? Surprised? Does the term offend you? How about you, men? Did it make you uncomfortable? And if so, why?
As the youngest of three children growing up - and the only girl in my immediate family - I learned at an early age how to handle being around boys. I could throw a football better than most of my male friends and could shoot the crosshairs in a target that was 10 yards away using a 9mm handgun by the time I was thirteen. I was not to be messed around with and because of this, I was often called a bitch whenever I used my resources and abilities to the extent they were intended.
For men who do the same, they’re referred to as “confident” and “assertive,” and yet for women, there has historically been a negative connotation associated with these traits. In my lifetime, however, the term “bitch” has undergone a paradigm shift. It has become associated with women who show they’re not afraid to use their intellect, education, status, or power.
Coomi embraces this counterculture definition in her new UNCENSORED collection, using it to empower women. I recently sat down with COOMI to hear her own experiences with the word and where she feels women stand in today’s society.
BP: “Coomi, your customers who know your brand or who “think” they know you might be surprised by some of the pieces in the Uncensored collection. How do you feel about showing people this lesser-known side of you?”
COOMI: “I think the people who really know me won’t think of it as a lesser-known side of my personality. They already know my back story and that I worked with men, as their boss, when I was in construction management. You see, I personally don’t think it’s a bad thing to be called a ‘bitch’ in today’s society because coming from the world I came from, and from the construction sites at which I worked, I took it as a compliment when the guys would call me that name. It’s very much a part of who I am because these men knew I could stand my ground with them. And I knew that when they called me that name it was because they were intimidated by me. Men in the ‘80s didn’t know how to deal with a woman boss, and these men especially didn’t because back then you didn’t see many women in the construction business. I was in my 30s at the time. I was young. But it didn’t anger me and it didn’t bother me. Honestly, I used to laugh about it. I thought it was fabulous because coming from India where at the time, women weren’t supposed to do what I was doing or be seen or heard, and yet here I was, a young woman running a team of male construction workers. My husband always said he was very proud of me for being a bitch.”
BP: “Tell us why you felt it was important to emphasize certain terms or symbols that might be seen as inappropriate in this collection.”
COOMI: “Oh, you know, as women we are always told we’re not supposed to do certain things because they’re not ‘ladylike’. That it’s ‘inappropriate’ to use the ‘F’ word or other swear words when we speak. Well, you know what? F*ck the people who think that way; I can say whatever I want. I don’t want to live my life on someone else’s terms or by what others deem as ‘appropriate’. I don’t care about being ‘ladylike’, and believe me, I know a lot of ‘ladylike’ women who would love to express themselves in an inappropriate manner and say the ‘F’ word. One of the primary shapes in this collection is that of a hand giving the middle finger. It was a natural symbol to use for this collection because I have given the finger to people over the course of my life more times than I could count.”
BP: “You were often the only woman on any given project when you were working as a construction manager in the late 1970s and early 1980s. How do you feel the professional landscape has changed to help women progress in the last 40 years? And what do you think still needs to be done in order for women to be seen as equals in their own eyes as well as the eyes of others?”
COOMI: “You know, when I attended NYU to get my construction management degree, I was only one of two women in the class at the time, and eventually, the other woman dropped out, leaving me as the only one. But I finished. I stayed. And then fifteen years later I was in a meeting and there was a woman there who’d also attended NYU and gotten her degree in the same subject. It made me feel like change was happening. And it has. Big change. Now you see women managing construction sites like never before, which makes me really happy, and quite proud. I’m proud to see women fight for what they want and not be intimidated by men. It has to start there because if a woman is intimidated, she won’t survive in that world. There’s no way she can survive. Strong women can do this. Women still have a long way to go but teaching them to be strong has to happen at an early age. Unfortunately, we’re prone to bring up our sons and our daughters in different ways, and we have to change that. We need to make sure girls understand that they can be equal and be whatever they want to be. There are fields, to this day, we rarely if ever see women in. Girls need to be taught that they deserve equal rights, equal pay and that they can speak their minds in the same way men do.”
BP: “Even though you raised two sons, you have a granddaughter now. Has this made you think differently about the future at all? What will you do to help empower her to become a strong female figure in today’s society?”
COOMI: “You know, before even my granddaughter came along, I received the gift of two ‘daughters’… my daughters-in-law, who in my eyes, are my daughters now. I’m so blessed to have these two women in my life and I love them like they are my own children. I see them as my children. So I’m trying to teach them, first, to be strong, and to be themselves and who they are, and to not be intimidated by a man even if that man is their husband. I tell them that their husband is their equal and that he is to walk beside them, that they are to walk side by side together in this life, so if I can teach them, then I feel confident that they will teach their own daughters the same lessons. But, to answer your question, I’m going to teach my granddaughter to be the biggest bitch in the world, because if a woman grows up strong, and she wants more in life, and fights for what she wants, she’ll likely be called a bitch anyway, so every girl should be empowered to be a bitch because that means people see her as someone who goes out and fights for what she wants.”
BP: “How do you think younger generations will identify with the Uncensored collection in comparison to the typical COOMI collector?”
COOMI: “I definitely think it will resonate with the younger audience, especially once the silver pieces are available, but I have to tell you, the majority of the women who purchased the pieces (which, by the way, have sold out for now but will be replenished very soon) were my clients who were aged 60 or older! The pendants were a hit with these women who were largely in their 60s and 70s because they are at an age when they can remember not being able to express themselves in their younger years, which I feel is why these pieces have appealed to them so much. I was surprised because the generation I assumed would be shocked by the collection are the ones that absolutely went crazy for it. I even had requests for customizations for pieces. One woman wanted the “FOH” pendant to be bigger because she wanted people to be able to see it. Another wanted the “Bitch” pendant three times as big for the same reason: to flash in people’s faces! This is what I never expected. I did expect it to be the younger people who would be taken by it, and part of me thought that was going to be the audience I’d reach most, but it turns out it was the exact opposite. But just wait until you see the next pieces that are coming out over the next couple of weeks.”
BP: “There are currently nine pieces in this capsule collection, do you see this being a collection that can be added to over time?”
COOMI: “Oh yes. We will absolutely be adding to this collection. It’s a really exciting collection and the pieces that are coming out in the next couple of weeks are going to cause even more excitement. We also have the silver versions coming out soon, which should appeal to both the younger audience as well as clients who maybe are new to the brand.”
Thank you, COOMI, for reminding me why I raise my daughter the way I do, and why it’s okay for her to play on the all-boys soccer squad, or wear pants instead of skirts to school, and why we let her take part in any activity in which she feels she can excel. I hope she grows up to be a bitch like her momma.
SHOP THE COLLECTION
You’re probably reading this and thinking to yourself, “Wait. Didn’t I just buy her jewelry for Christmas? Wasn’t that only a couple of weeks ago?” Yeah, it was, but do you know how many extraordinary things your beloved has done for you in these last couple of weeks, not to mention the multitude of things she’ll do for you after Valentine’s Day is over? This is the one day of the year to celebrate the universal emotion of love and to show her just how much you appreciate the fact that she’s still around even though you still haven’t been able to figure out how the dishwasher works. But this year, you’re in luck, because I’m going to help you get her a gift that will blow roses and chocolates out of the water.
When it Comes to You, She’s All Ears
She listens to you, and you know it. Whether it’s when you’re venting about a loss by your favorite sports team or when you’re going off about how the new guy at work has the boss in his pocket, she’s there, and she’s hearing you, even when you think she isn’t. So how should you show her just how much you appreciate that she does? By adorning those ears in something glamorous.
Coomi’s ruby earrings from the Affinity collection are embellished with over fifty-carats of rich red unfaceted ruby beads and nearly a half carat in rough cut natural diamonds, all perfectly positioned on elegant 20K gold oval-shaped dangle earrings.
Because Where There’s Love, There’s Passion
Everything she does – whether it be for you or for her friends or even at her job – she does with her whole heart. She dives into projects without fear, in the same way she dove into her relationship with you. Let’s face it, the woman is passionate and letting her know that you’ve noticed will go a long way.
The “Passion” diamond bracelet from Coomi’s Sagradacollection is a piece the one you love can wear every day. Seen here in 20K yellow gold and containing 0,35 carats in natural diamonds, the bracelet is just one of the pieces in this collection, which was inspired by architect Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished Spanish masterpiece, La Sagrada Família.
If You Like It Then You Better Put a Ring on It
Maybe not “that” kind of ring, but still, a ring that’s as special as she is. Maybe even one that contains a color that’s reflective of the lover’s holiday.
This one-of-a-kind faceted red garnet and diamond asymmetrical ring from the Affinity collection by Coomi is the perfect way to show your love that you think there’s no one else in the world quite like her. The gemstones are set in luscious 20K gold and the two larger garnets are symbolically joined together in metal, proving to us all that when two become one, they can form a thing of true beauty.
“Forever” Started Long Ago
The adage about a diamond being “forever” is true, but when you combine those diamonds with understanding, compassion, trust, and love, forever takes on a whole new meaning, and diamonds take on a whole new shine.
These “Open Diamond Drop Earrings” from Coomi’s Serenitycollection will tell her your love is forever in so many ways. Designed with a nature-inspired “open” flower in the center representative of the endlessness of a circle, the earrings are accentuated with 0.25 carats in natural diamonds set into elegant 20K gold drops.
If All Else Fails, Throw Her a Bone
You know her likely better than you know yourself. You know her tastes; her likes and dislikes. Mostly, though, you know that she doesn’t follow the crowd, or cling to trends, and that at the end of the day, her uniqueness has always been what’s set her apart from anyone else you’ve ever known.
Coomi’s Affinity collection “Bali Necklace with Carved Bone” is as individual and colorful as the one whom you adore. This tassel-style necklace is made up of layers upon layers of delicate pale pink pearls, over five carats of green sapphires which surround an 0.88 carat tanzanite center, and just under four carats of natural diamonds which are used as accents to the carved bone and 20K gold centerpiece. It is a piece worthy of an eternal love, and one that promises to make this Valentine’s Day her most memorable yet.
Carved gemstones are making a comeback as the perfect example of modern technology borrowing ancient techniques. Long ago, gemstones were designed into many different shapes, designs, and symbols rather than smooth and shiny gemstones. The art of carving gemstones has been a tradition for many years and has been practiced by many artisans all over the world.
Ancient civilizations began carving gemstones--the art form known as glyptography--thousands of years ago, creating ornate pieces fit for members of past Roman nobility. This art form was practiced by various civilizations including Persians, Assyrians, and Egyptians. These cultures carefully crafted ornate designs into gems carved from a single piece of rough.
During the 19th century, newer ways of cutting gemstones developed, and by the 20th century, carving became somewhat of a lost art known only to very few. Now the tradition of carving is being restored, with a modern twist as skilled artisans revive this ancient tradition.
It is common to see carvings featuring a floral design that is reflective of traditional Indian architecture. One of the greatest influences in the designs is the Taj Mahal, an architectural oasis consisting of flowering vines carved from stone, and the designs in the carved gemstones mimic that of the renown architecture.
Because nature plays such an important role in this culture, it is portrayed through the designs in architecture and gemstones. These gemstone carvings are rich in culture, tradition, and beauty.
Shop some of the most spectacular pieces from our hand-carved collection:
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What makes Paraiba tourmalines unique?
Almost every shade of tourmaline can be found in Brazil, but none has the vivid glow that distinguishes the Paraiba tourmaline, also known as cuprian elbaite. A product of the trace element copper, colours range from startling turquoise to majestic blue-green, but it is the incandescent glow that appears to light up the stone from within that makes Paraiba tourmalines incomparable to any other gem.
How rare are Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines?
To put their rarity into perspective, there is only one Paraiba tourmaline mined for every 10,000 diamonds, and a good quality Paraiba from Brazil weighing over three carats is virtually unheard of. So rare are authentic Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines that it is not unusual for them to achieve five figures per carat.
African tourmalines with Paraiba-like qualities
In a surprising twist in the Paraiba tale, in 2003, a new wave of luminous green-blue tourmalines entered the market, mined by hand in the copper-rich mountains of Mozambique and Nigeria.
Compare the shape of the coastline of South America with that of Africa and it suggests that, once upon a time, the two were conjoined, with the copper-rich mountains of Brazil a whole lot closer - and quite possibly right next door - to the copper-rich mountains of Mozambique and Nigeria than they are today. It's impossible to prove, of course, but that simply adds to the allure of this incredible, one-of-a-kind gemstone.
Ahh, the holiday season. Seems like only yesterday we were tanning our bottoms in Biarritz or drinking Mai Tais in Maui, but look at us now, we blinked, and suddenly found ourselves surrounded by scarf-wrapped carolers singing off-key versions of Dean Martin's "Silver Bells." But even though the season can be overwhelming for some, that doesn't mean it can't also be fun and fabulous, too, which is why I'm here to make sure the women in your life can have themselves a very COOMi Christmas.
Dream Big
We all know and love someone who thinks positively and loves to dream, don't we? Whether it's your best girlfriend from high school or the woman who has been your yoga instructor for ten years, you realize this person is not only special to you, but also to the universe. The holidays are the perfect time to show them just how much enlightenment they've brought to your life.
COOMI's Dream Catcher dangle earrings in sterling silver and 20K yellow gold make an ideal present for those who live to love. The earrings contain 0.55 carats of bezel-set rose cut natural diamonds which move and flow with the free spirit who wears them.
Cognac is Always a Good Idea
Mmmmm, cognac. So tasty. So sultry. But it disappears way, way too fast (at least, in my house). Know what lasts forever, though? Diamonds. And there's no hangover with diamonds.
COOMI's Cluster Cognac Diamond Ring is crafted in 20K gold and takes its inspiration from the same environment that produces a fine cognac: the earth's natural treasures. The cluster ring is made up of a variety of different hued cognac-colored diamonds weighing 6.56 carats total.
So She Knows You're a Fan
If there's a lady in your life that's special to you - and I mean, really special - you'd probably consider yourself one of her biggest fans. Whether that woman is your wife or your mother or the accountant who saved you half a million dollars in taxes last year, there is likely no question in their mind that they're worth whatever gift you've chosen to give them, but that still doesn't mean they won't be surprised.
COOMI's Trinity Emerald and Diamond Fan Ring is not only red carpet ready, it's also green-with-envy-worthy. Set in 18K white gold and featuring nearly 19 carats of emeralds as well as 1.73 carats of diamonds, this extraordinary ring may just make her an even bigger fan of you.
Forget a Night at the Opera
Tickets to the opera would make for a wonderful gift for anyone who, well, actually enjoys the opera. But what about those who've proven they can't make it through the second act of Verdi's Rigoletto without having to pop a NoDoze with a Red Bull chaser? Fear not, dear Gilda, for I've got you covered.
The Eternity Opera Diamond Bracelet by COOMI is an exquisite piece of jewelry artistry that will excite the wearer more than the memory of when they saw Luciano Pavarotti perform Puccini's Nessun Dorma live in 1994. The circular link bracelet is crafted in 20K yellow gold and contains 1.11 carats of diamonds, which is enough to make the gift giver do a curtain call (or two).
This One's in the Bag
When COOMI came up with the idea to combine her one-of-a-kind jewelry designs with beautiful leather handbags, I truly thought nothing in the luxury universe could make me happier, and if you don't believe me, just ask my husband, because he'll be the first to tell you I'm pretty hard to please.
The Antiquity Arapaima, Lambskin and Suede Roman Glass Purse in red featuring 20K yellow gold and rose cut diamonds is my final selection on this gift guide because, well, probably because I want it for myself, but the reason I do is that it's as practical as it is beautiful, and for any woman in today's society, that's about as good of a gift as anyone can get.
]]>The word passion stems from the Latin term pati, meaning to endure, undergo, experience, and even suffer. No one could argue that Gaudí hadn't had his life affected by one or all of those verbs. Coomi knows all of these emotions firsthand as both an architect and a jewelry designer, which is why passion plays such a pivotal roll in her Sagrada collection.
The word passion stems from the Latin term pati, meaning to endure, undergo, experience, and even suffer.
Gaudí envisioned the design of his Sagrada Família's Passion Facade as being vastly different than the Basilica's other two facades; Nativity and Glory. The twelve sculptural groups along the facade contain works which are considered forbidden, dramatic, and angular, and the enormous bronze doors which serve as a gateway into the Basilica contain scripture quotes written in block-style relief letters. But as dark as the Passion Facade may appear to the onlooker, it is the Basilica's colorful stained glass windows which shed literal and figurative light on the unfinished architectural masterpiece located in the heart of Barcelona.
COOMI's Sagrada Passion collection uses color and words in the style of Gaudí's Passion Facade doors and vibrantly-hued windows in a way that evokes emotion - or passion - for those choosing to wear a bit of art every day.
Like the Passion Facade, this latest collection by the award-winning designer is quite different from collections created by COOMI in the past. And while each of her ideas tends to stem from personal experiences or have historical significance, the Sagrada Passion collection ties COOMI's longtime architectural background to the artistically-driven talent she is today.
If Antoni Gaudí were alive today, there is a good chance he'd be moved to know he has inspired so many more, not only in the world of architecture but also in the genres of art and design. COOMI's Sagrada Passion collection is a flawless example of inspiration taking shape, and those who wear pieces from this collection may be inspired by the story of the design and in turn, the history of the legendary architect whose work served as the model for the designs. That influence can lead to empowerment, emotion, inspiration, and above all else... passion.
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