Alix & Co. Paraiba Tourmaline and Pearl Necklace + Bracelet (Part 1)

Alix & Co. Paraiba Tourmaline + Pearl Bracelet
Copyright 2012 EraGem Jewelry
Used with permission

by Angela Magnotti Andrews

When Janet Alix was a teenager, her grandfather took her shopping for her birthday. Upon choosing a set of jewelry-making tools, her course was set. Now the proud owner of her California-based jewelry boutique, Alix & Co., she continues to pursue her passion for designing matchless jewelry.

Janet has partnered with a fantastic team of people to create one-of-a-kind designer fine jewelry for her loyal customers. She and her team, consisting of Lori Brooke (business manager/creative director) and Karen Anlacher and Brian Booth (expert goldsmiths), are dedicated to using recycled metals and conflict-free gemstones for all their pieces.

Ms. Anlacher, who lives in Mill Valley, California, but hails from Germany, lends a cultural verve to her craft. Her meticulous attention to detail give pieces like this 18k and 22k gold and platinum necklace an air of excellence that sets it apart as a work of art.

Mr. Booth and his wife, Lily, work together from their establishment, Booth Custom Jewelers, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their dedication to excellence in craftsmanship, as well as their ecologically sound practice of using recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds, has forged a lasting partnership with Alix & Co. When they aren’t working on custom pieces for Alix & Co., the couple create and restore heirloom and [antique jewelry] for their local clientele in Raleigh.

This necklace, and its matching bracelet are a prime example of Alix & Co.’s “Freize” style. Set in solid gold and then nestled in a platinum bow-shaped rim, twelve pearls shimmer next to their granulated gold settings. A hinge-type piece made of spiraled gold set on either end with radiant turquoise paraiba tourmaline cabochons links each of the twelve bows together to form the complete necklace.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. “About.” alixandcompany, accessed January 30, 2013. http://alixandcompany.wordpress.com/about/.

2. Beurlen, Hartmut, et. al. Abstract from “Geochemical and geological controls on the genesis of gem-quality ‘Paraiba Tourmaline’ in granite pegmatites from northeastern Brazil.” The Canadian Mineralogist, accessed January 30, 2013. http://canmin.geoscienceworld.org/content/49/1/277.short.

3. Hall, Judy. 101 Power Crystals: The Ultimate Guide to Magical Crystals, Gems, and Stones. Lion’s Bay, Canada: Fairwinds Press, 2011.

4. Marin Magazine Editors. “Our favorite Marin boutiques and jewelers to keep you fashionable.” Marin Magazine, August 2012 online, Style. http://www.marinmagazine.com/Marin-Magazine/August-2012/Style/.

5. Matlins, Antoinette Leonard and Antonio C. Bonanno. Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-On Guide to More Confident Buying & Selling. Woodstock: GemStone Press, 2008.

6. Matlins, Antoinette L. Colored Gemstones: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide, Third Edition. Woodstock: GemStone Press, 2010.

7. “Meet Us!” alixandcompany, accessed January 30, 2013. http://alixandcompany.wordpress.com/meet-us/.

8. “Our Story.” Booth Custom Jewelers, accessed, January 30, 2013. http://boothcustom.com/our-story/.

9. “Paraiba Tourmaline.” GemSelect, accessed January 30, 2013. http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/paraiba-tourmaline-info.php.

10. “Paraiba Tourmaline.” International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), accessed January 30, 2013. http://www.gemstone.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113:sapphire&catid=1:gem-by-gem&Itemid=14.