Instore Magazine "Designing Lives" Interview, Plus...

Brand Ambassadors Bill & Elizabeth Campbell on why they love working with Pamela Froman

We love our retailers! One of the perks of being an independent designer is that you get to choose who you work with (to a degree, of course, because they have to choose to work with you too,) so, mutual adoration is a natural byproduct of our retail partnerships. Even knowing this, it's rare to get to see it all laid out in print, point by point, and read exactly why a retailer loves working with you.

So, you can imagine our delight when the new issue of InDesign magazine came out, featuring a Brand Ambassador story about the Campbells (who own McCaskill & Company in Destin, FL) talking about what it's like to work with (and sell, of course!) Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry. Full disclosure: we knew the story was being written but, we had no idea what a glowing review this would be! It warms my heart and puts a big grin on my face to transcribe this story for you below...

Brand Ambassador
Bill & Elizabeth Campbell
McCaskill & Company, Destin, FL

"We rarely add a new designer; we are extremely selective," say Bill Campbell, who operates McCaskill & Company with his wife, Elizabeth. So it's not surprising that the Campbells admired Pamela Froman's line for a few years at Couture before placing an order in summer 2011. "We'd loved her distinctive look and her use of yellow, pink, white, green, chocolate and black gold. The crushed technique she uses to combine several different colors of gold is absolutely beautiful," Bill says. Now the Campbells just wish they'd taken on the line sooner, as the vibrant handmade designs have been a clear hit with the store's clientele. - story by Josh Wimmer

Customers love it because: "The crushed finish makes Pamela's pieces so wearable -- the line has a very natural beauty. The color combinations seamlessly mix colors of gold, which makes her pieces easy to accessorize and interesting to the eye. People also love that each piece is handmade and no two pieces are exactly alike."

It's easy to sell because: "It just has such a pretty softness to it. And it transcends age and occasion. At our first Pamela Froman trunk show, every single person who came found something they loved. We couldn't recall that ever happening before."

The most popular pieces are: "Everything with opals, her Headlight Hoop earrings, and her Dangle gemstone earrings. Her tourmaline pieces, too. Her price points hover around $3,000 to $4,000, which gives the line a really broad appeal. We're always surprised at how many husbands come in and buy it for their wives. And then their wives come back in and buy more!"

I like working with them because: "Pamela and her assistant Jilienne Hart-Arth -- who's been with her forever -- are an absolute delight. And Pamela always wants to make sure a design is exactly the way you wanted it. She's very humble, too, very appreciative, and very considerate. Like, if you have anything going on in your life, she remembers that. That's just the person she is."

I'd recommend it to another retailer because: "We actually have recommended it to retailer friends in the industry! It's perfect if you're looking for a line that has a distinctive look yet broad appeal. It's not like anything else you're going to see. We have been nothing but thrilled since we began our relationship with Pamela."

"The Campbells truly respect my artistic vision and sell my work with as much passion as I have when I make it. Bill is especially passionate about my one-of-a-kind opal designs and always makes an early appointment to get first pick at Couture! They understand we are in this together and work to do whatever they can to help the business grow." - Pamela Froman

Beautiful Feature Story in Design Jewelry and Accessories Magazine!

The latest edition of the fabulous digital publication Design Jewelry & Accessories Magazine features one of Pamela's "Boulder Crush" rings on the cover and a 9 page story about Pamela inside, we're so excited to share it with you here!  If you would like to purchase the entire issue, please visit the magazine's website.  Photos are by Jay Lawrence Goldman Photography.

(In case the text on the images is too small to read, I've included credits for the jewelry shown on each page in the image captions and also pasted the text of the entire article below the last image.)

Image Credit: main image is Pamela's “Boulder Crush” Mini Frame Ring

From her “Boulder Crush” collection, this 18k Pink & Yellow Crushed Gold ring features a unique Australian Boulder Opal framed by diamond pave (0.25tcw), atop a split-scroll shank.

Image Credit: "Hera's Crush" Pendant

From the “Boulder Crush” collection, this one-of-a-kind pendant is reminiscent of the peacock feather, often associated with the Greek Goddess Hera.  Made of 18k Yellow Crushed Gold with a unique Australian Boulder Opal center (18.3ct) framed by two rows of pave-set Paraiba Tourmaline (1.5tcw)

Image Credit: “Ombre Arabesque Medallion” Pendant

For this pendant, Pamela combined 18k Pink and Yellow Crushed Gold to create a radial ombre effect emanating from the center stone, a natural 3ct Zircon, adding 0.92tcw brilliant-cut diamonds for that sparkle every girl loves.

Image Credit: “Dancing Yowah Opal” Earrings

From the “Arabesque Crush” collection, this one of a kind 18k Yellow Crushed Gold earring features a unique pair of 63.2tcw Australian Yowah Opal briolettes, with 0.33tcw sparkling diamonds in the scrolls.

Image Credit: “Cyndee’s Crush” Two-Finger Ring

From the “Boulder Crush” collection, this gorgeous ring is made of 18k Yellow & White Crushed Gold, featuring a unique Australian Boulder Opal (9.90ct) surrounded by 0.20tcw Diamond pave with 0.29tcw scattered Paraiba Tourmaline.

Image Credit (not in print): Assorted “Crushed” Cocktail Rings

One-of-a-kind statement rings of 18k Crushed Gold with unique natural center stones (Opal, Rutilated Quartz, Watermelon Tourmaline & Rubelite Tourmaline shown) framed with diamond or Paraiba Tourmaline.

Image Credits (not in print):

“Eternal Scroll” Cuff

18k Pink & Yellow Gold alternate in each flowing s-scroll, set with 0.90tcw sparkling diamonds

“The Eleanora” Ring

From the new “Boulder Crush” collection, this 18k Yellow Crushed Gold ring features a 7ct Australian Boulder Opal framed by 0.80tcw Paraiba Tourmaline

“Warm Wedding” Bridal Suite

This set combines 18k Yellow & Pink Gold with lacy scrolls to create a warm feminine bridal suite.

The outer eternity bands are 18k Pink/Yellow set with 0.35tcw diamonds each.  The solitaire ring features a GIA certified Fancy Brownish-Yellow Cushion Modified Brilliant Diamond (1.72ct) surrounded by a halo of sparkling diamond pave and (3) 1pt diamonds on either side (0.19tcw). 

“Rustic Wedding” Stack

The perfect wedding stack for the girl that loves nature and simplicity, this stack features an 18k white solitaire ring set with a rustic grey diamond (1.3ct) surrounded by diamond pave and (3) 1pt diamonds on either side (0.18tcw); the outer bands are 18k Yellow with Chocolate Rhodium, and 18k White with Charcoal Rhodium, set with 0.16tcw scattered diamonds each.

Image Credit: Award-Winning "Ice Princess Crush" Cuff - Palladium.

From the "Arabesque Crush" collection, this scrolly tiara-inspired palladium cuff features and adularescent 15ct Rainbow Moonstone cabochon and over 3 carats of pave and bezel-set brilliant-cut gvs diamonds.

This stunning piece won the 2013 AGTA Spectrum "Gem Diva" Award for Bridal, as well as an award from the Palladium Alliance International for Innovation & Excellence in Palladium Design.

Image Credit: Award-Winning “Crushed Frame” Ring

This fabulous ring won the 2013 WJA “Dazzle Diva” Award for Best of Business / Day Wear!

Made of 18k Pink & White Crushed Gold, this ring features a phenomenal Australian Boulder Opal center (8.54ct) framed by 2 rows of Paraiba Tourmaline (0.87tcw) 

(This ring is the inspiration for the “Boulder Crush” Collection.)

 Image Credit: “Scroll Crush Frame” Earrings, Watermelon Tourmaline

18k Yellow Crushed Gold scrolls frame stripey Watermelon rose-cut slices (24.87tcw) with bezel-set Pink Tourmaline above and below each slice (0.46tcw)

The award-winning “Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry Collection” features handmade pieces comprised of multiple colors of precious metals [18k, 22k gold and platinum] and exquisite rare natural stones. Originality and meticulous attention to every detail are hallmarks of Pamela’s signature look; because each item is handmade, no two will ever be identical, even if they are similar in design. This one-of-a-kind, limited edition jewelry is as hip as it is timeless, transcending every generation and age, and specially crafted so that it may be treasured for years to come.

Born and raised in Manhattan, Pamela graduated from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology and subsequently moved to Europe, where she settled in Paris and began designing jewelry for the top couturier salons, including Courreges, Cacharel, Carita, Guy Larouche, and Valentino.  As much as she enjoyed the challenge of creating for preeminent designers, Pamela needed to forge her own artistic path. Pamela Froman’s creations combine classic European design elements with her own unique sensibility.  “I love irregular surfaces,” the designer explains, “so most of my Collection is textured with a special technique I call “Crushed”.  In fact, the cornerstone of my first line was The Mina Ring, a Crushed mélange of Platinum and 18k yellow gold with diamonds that was designed for an actress who wanted something distinctive and elegant.” 

The initial Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry Collection made its debut at the 2006 JCK Show in Las Vegas, where Pamela was awarded the promising title of Rising Star.   In 2008, she was identified as one of the 10 Best New Jewelry Designers by InDesign Magazine, and was thrilled to be presented with the prestigious Town & Country Couture Design Award for Best of Gold (an award often referred to as the "Oscar of the jewelry industry!") The award-winning quality of her designs continued to be recognized in 2009: Pamela was honored at the 25th Annual Spectrum Awards Gala with a Consumer's Choice Award for her one-of-a-kind "Pearl Mélange" lariat necklace; her one-of-a-kind “Sentimental Crush” Locket won a 2009 MJSA Vision Award; she was presented with another Couture Design Award in 2009, this time for Best of Bridal, and was also honored to be nominated for the WJA Award for Excellence in Design.  In 2010, Pamela won First Place Gold Distinction in the MJSA Vision Awards, for combining 18k pink and yellow gold to create her gorgeous “Royal Crush” statement necklace.  In 2011, the same color combination (18k pink & yellow), this time combined with a gorgeous honey-color Ethiopian Opal and sparkling diamond pave to create a stunning cocktail ring, earned Pamela another Spectrum Award!  2012 brought another nomination for the WJA Award for Excellence, as well as a WJA Diva Award (presented in 2013) for a fabulous cocktail ring featuring an Australian Opal surrounded by Paraiba Tourmaline pave.  In 2013, she received another Spectrum Award (this time for Bridal), was a Finalist in the Niche Awards, 1st Runner-Up in the Couture Design Awards’ Bridal category and was once again honored with a nomination for a WJA Award for Excellence.

Pamela feels strongly that individuality is the underlying theme of beauty. “I believe that the more a piece is worn the more beautiful it is because it becomes part of the person’s essence. Two people can wear the same piece and it will have a different look or give off a different aura. My mission is to create handmade jewelry of the highest quality; therefore, each piece is thoughtfully designed with 22k, Platinum, or an array of different colored 18k gold, so that everything from the cut, the color, and even the clarity of the stones flow seamlessly to complement the overall look of the design. I like to think that if my jewelry were someday discovered in an old buried treasure chest, it would stand the test of time, much like the antiquities of the great civilizations do today.”

Dubbed “The Golden Girl” by W Jewelry Magazine, Pamela Froman’s creations have also appeared in the pages of The Robb Report, Town & Country Magazine, Inside Weddings, Lucky, Self, and Bride’s Magazine, and Lark Book’s 500 Wedding Rings and 500 Gemstone Jewels, to name a few; her designs have also graced the covers of prominent industry publications such as Modern Jeweler, InDesign, and Jewellery Business Magazine.  In addition to print, Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry has been featured on television shows such as Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model and Stylista, as well as adorning the sexy stars of NBC’s Las Vegas: Vanessa Marcil, Cheryl Ladd, and Molly Sims.  Other celebrities who “have a crush” on Pamela’s unique style, include: Halle Berry, Diane Lane, Debra Messing, Meredith Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, Norah Jones, and Eva Mendes.

Pamela and her husband, photographer Jay Lawrence Goldman, have created a studio oasis that they share -- a sanctuary within the city [of Los Angeles.] It is filled with natural light, and decorated with fountains, plants, an aviary of exotic finches, doves and canaries, and an area for their young son to play.  Pamela feels, "each piece of my jewelry is an expression from my soul," but considers her most precious creation to be her son, Hudson Elijah, born December 2004.  Becoming a mother has even inspired some of her designs, most notably the beautifully versatile "Mommy Earrings"!  The family resides in Santa Monica, California.

Today's WWD Jewelry Article Features Convertible Pamela Froman Necklace!

Today's issue of WWD includes a fabulous article by Marcy Medina, titled "New Jewelry Design Focus: Versatility" which hi-lights innovative jewels that have been designed to be worn in a variety of ways, enhancing their wearability.  

Screen-shot of August 12, 2013 WWD article

Marcy interviewed Pamela for this article and included a bit of the history behind Pamela's "Mommy Earrings", which she designed when her son Hudson was a baby and needed earrings that he couldn't pull on (unlike the Headlight Hoops that are her go-to style.)  "Mommy Earrings" are essentially beautiful studs (either diamond-studded scrolls or bezel-set gemstones) with enhancers that can dress up the earring for a night out with Daddy.  In the article, Pamela explains the evolution of her versatile designs: "From there, I started doing necklaces with reversible, detachable pendants and offering a range of stones that women could collect." 

I've attached images of a few "Mommy Earring" styles and some of Pamela's versatile Leather Cord Necklaces with interchangeable gemstone or all-gold pendants.

18k Pink Scroll Sparkle Studs

Australian Matrix Opal "Mommy Earrings", 18k P/Y

18k White Pave Scroll Studs

Turquoise "Mommy Earrings", 18k W

18k White Scroll Sparkle Studs

Green Onyx "Mommy Earrings", 18k W

"Maltese Melange" Pendant (18k P/WG with Diamond center) on "Crushed Links & Leather" Cord with Diamond Charm

 

If you have a subscription to WWD, you can read the full article here.  If not, I've at least included a screen shot (at the top of this post) with a few highlights.  The necklace shown in the article is Pamela's 18ky "Hera's Crush" Boulder Opal & Paraiba Pendant on a convertible triple-strand necklace of faceted Apatite beads; this necklace has an 18ky and diamond center element with a hidden loop that folds down to hold a pendant/enhancer but can also be worn alone as a simpler style.  I've attached a larger image below, so you can get a better look at this gorgeous necklace.

"Hera's Crush" Pendant on convertible "Triple Scroll Crush" Apatite Beaded Necklace