A Rainbow of Trilliant-Cut Gemstones on Display at the GIA Musuem. Photo by Robert Weldon, Courtesy of Roz & Gene Meieran Collection. Copyright 2002-2013 GIA Museum.

Triangles bear some of the richest symbolism of all geometric shapes. Point-up, they represent aspiration, male energies, fire, the sun, and stability. Point-down, they represent female energies, the moon, water, grace, and the creative life-force of the womb.

The Trilliant Cut, based on the shape of a triangle and thereby replete with the symbolism afforded all triangles, is one of the most exquisite fancy cuts for gemstones. Developed in the early 1900s by Joseph and Abraham Asscher of the Royal Asscher Diamond Company, the Trilliant Cut was tradmarked in 1962 by the Henry Meyer Diamond Company of New York.

Made with either 31 or 50 facets, a trilliant-cut gemstone is usually shaped with equivalent sides featuring straight edges, though a curved version is sometimes used. Most often these stones, which when cut to the correct depth display excellent fire, are used as accent stones, though a large one would make a beautiful central stone.

On display in the Atrium, just as you walk through the doors of The GIA Museum in Carlsbad, California, visitors can view 100 trilliant-cut gemstones. Ranging in size from a demure 7 carats to a gargantuan 140-carat stone, these brilliant gemstones represent gem species of nearly every color on the spectrum, including the rich blue of tanzanite, the verdant green of emerald, and the oranges, pinks, reds, and blues of topaz.

Loose and on display, like bits of beautiful eye candy, these scintillating triangular gemstones are sure to impress even the youngest member of your party. The GIA Museum is dedicated to strengthening awareness of gems, jewelry, and gemology through exhibits and programs that educate and inspire. To that end, the museum offers free guided tours to the public, though visitors must register by phone or email at least 24 hours in advance.

Museum guests will experience first-hand the Trilliant Exhibition, as well as several concurrent exhibitions, including Aluminati: Students to Stars, Tourmaline Carvings, Zoltan David Jewelry, and more. The museum also has on display several photographic exhibits documenting different aspects of gemological pursuits, as well as the comprehensive mineral and gem material collection of Edward J Gübelin and an an exhibit featuring antique diamond cutting instruments.

The Museum is part of the extensive 18-acre Robert Mouawad Campus, home of the Gemological Institute of America Headquarters. The campus also includes the GIA’s Carlsbad laboratory, the G. Robert Crowningshield Research Center, and the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center.

If classes are in session, your tour will include an eye-witness view of future gemologists and jewelry designers perfecting their craft. Visitors also have full access to the library, which boasts 38,000 books, international journals, photos, videos, and the Cartier Rare Book Collection. Truly, the GIA Museum is a treasure trove for anyone with a penchant for shiny bling. As one happy visitor declared, “Considering the whole thing was free, you can’t afford to miss this unique experience” {cited}.

For more information, or to schedule your visit, you will find all the information you need on the GIA website.

‘Guanyin’ by Wallace Chan. Photo Courtesy of Luxeford Hong Kong Ltd.

“The Goddess of Mercy ‘Guanyin’ is depicted sprinkling the potion of salvation in a sinuous stream which continues in intaglio as the potion pours onto the crystal base, proceeding to flow seamlessly into the world. She is dressed in a windswept robe decorated with bamboo leaves, her hair in a chignon, and decked with a crown embellished with the Buddha sitting serenely in the clouds.”

So reads the catalog entry for the upcoming sale hosted by Luxeford Hong Kong, Ltd. on May 22, 2013. The pride felt in celebrating Hong Kong’s own Wallace Chan is palpable, from the pages of their catalog to the enthusiasm of their staff’s generous response to this writer’s inquiries.

And it is no wonder. Mr. Chan’s pursuit of art in jewelry has made a stirring impact on the jewelry industry. After viewing image after image of his astonishing sculptures and jewels, I wrote a note to myself: “They are so haunting; so exquisite it hurts.”

Mr. Chan’s approach to crafting jewelry is as exquisite as his pieces. He strives for the perfection of every piece he envisions. Each piece is crafted by his own hands, often with gems set upon gems, held in place by cutting-edge techniques forged in his own workshop after many hours of meticulous study.

At many points along the way Mr. Chan has met with obstacles–whether lacking the proper tools or or techniques to perfect his work. At these times, while he has been known to toss a piece out and start over again, he has just as often learned a whole new skill set in order to give birth to his stunning visions. At one point, he studied mechanical engineering in order to make his own tools. At another point, he developed a brand new cutting technique, dubbed the “Wallace Cut”. He also devoted a whole season of his life to coaxing the secrets out of titanium, a metal he now uses in nearly every piece he makes.

Having immersed himself in the pursuit of harnessing the varied aspects of light and reflection, he has become so adept in the techniques of jewelry design that he is now able to bend the rules in order to “create freely and set new standards”–the mark of a true master {cited}. Where most jewelers use gold or silver to set gemstones in place, close inspection of Mr. Chan’s masterpieces reveal prongs of diamonds or emeralds holding sapphires, rubies, aquamarines, or other richly-colored gemstones in place.

With every piece, every technique, Mr. Chan tells a story of Chinese Zen. This statue of Guanyin, pouring forth the waters of salvation in her white robes, stands as a symbol of mercy, compassion, salvation, and enlightenment. She is favored in Chinese lore as the champion of the people, having renounced her own reward for enlightenment (Nirvana) in order to “teach and transform living beings” {cited}. She listens attentively to the cries of the world.

Just as her male counterpart, Avalokitesvara, “granted compassion wondrous as a great cloud, pouring spiritual rain like nectar, quenching all the flames of distress” {cited}, Guanyin pours out compassion and mercy upon those she visits, relieving their suffering, restoring peace and security, eliciting joy and contemplation, and thereby opening their minds to receiving the truth of enlightenment.

Sculpted out of rock crystal in the very early stages of Mr. Chan’s artistic endeavor, this breathtaking statue of Guanyin tells a beautiful story of love, compassion, and mercy with its fluid lines and ethereal way of capturing the light.

If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, I invite you to stop by the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel from May 19-May 22, where the statue will be on display in boardrooms 5 and 6, with other magnificent treasures offered by Luxeford in their upcoming Fine Jewels sale. And for all serious collectors, be sure to join in the bidding on May 22 at 2pm. You will find more information on Luxeford’s website.