The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created its first international jewelry collection with plans to showcase both traditional and contemporary designs from Brazil. Top designers and manufacturers from Brazil contributed for the GIA Museum collection booth, which will be on display during the 2006 AGTA GemFair in Tucson and at the AGTA Pavilion at the Las Vegas JCK show in June.

"The gem wealth, exuberance, and flora and fauna of this South American country are reflected in each and every piece in this collection," said GIA Museum director Elise Misiorowski. "These beautiful jewels will inspire all who see them." Hans Stern, president of H. Stern Jewellers Inc., included an Art Nouveau-Classical fusion style brooch, set with a 55 carat aquamarine and 38 diamonds in 18 karat white gold. The piece represents a classic Brazilian design characteristic of the 1960s.

"There has been a lot of international attention to Brazilian jewelry design in the past few years," Syvrud said. "The creation of this collection is a great way to acknowledge the creativity that has caught the eye of so many within the industry." Designer Ruth Grieco helped inspire the idea for the collection after archiving her contemporary, handmade tourmaline cross pendant and gold necklace with GIA.

GIA will include designers like Amsterdam Sauer, Antonio Bernardo, Bernardo Krengiel, Bia Vasconcellos, Bialice Duarte, Cecilia J. Annunziata, H. Stern, Maria Jose Cavalcanti and many more in its showcase.