LOVE IN VERONA COLLECTION
DEAR FRIENDS, On the precipice of Korman’s 50th anniversary, it is with immense gratitude that we review this year and think of all the special moments we celebrated as a team and with our clients and trusted partners. We feel so honored to serve the Austin community in the unique way that we do. In reflecting on the year, what stands out the most is the joy we have everyday in celebrating alongside our clients and friends. Finding pieces that tell a story, that mark a moment, that will go with them on this journey of life and bring happiness to them along the way. 2022 was a fun year! With international travel open again, in March, we were delighted to attend Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Switzerland along with Rolex’s Swiss-American dinner. This summer, we had the privilege of traveling to South Africa and Namibia with our premier diamond partner, Grandview Klein. It was incredible to see firsthand the diamond mining and manufacturing process and the impact their diamond resources have on the community. Locally, we
hosted clients at COTA for an Omega Speedmaster hot lap session and had an awesome evening with Tudor to celebrate the launch of the new Ranger. As proud partner and season ticket holder to Austin FC soccer club, we made many memories in Q2 stadium and are proud of them on their playoff run. What a dramatic, hard fought turnaround from their inaugural season. We also supported and attended many galas and charity events to come alongside the wonderful community that blesses us! And at long last, after years of scouring Austin commercial real estate, we are thrilled to announce our new location for Korman, teaming with Michael Hsu to build an incredible flagship store that will redefine luxury in Austin. We can’t wait to invite you into our new space and continue to share in your celebrations with you. When you shop a small business, you support a big dream. Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to live and share our dream together!
Celebrate Every Day, Kat and Larry Stokes
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KORMAN MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 14 FROM MINE TO DESIGN 16 MAKE LIFE BRILLIANT 20
BREAKDOWN OF A KORMAN GIRL 27 WALTERS FAITH 28 A NIGHT BORN TO DARE 45 PROUD PARTNER OF AUSTIN FC 46 ONE OF A KIND 50 THE BIG REVEAL
Todd Tufts • Publisher/Creative Director Brittany Folgate • Marketing Director Kaylee Benavides • Marketing Coordinator Lori Roberts • Senior Editor Vence Vida • Production Manager/Designer Carol Besler • Editorial Director Stephen Lewis • Assistant Copy Editor Bart Gorin • Select Jewelry Photography
ON THE COVER: Photographer: Marine Barian Photography @marinebarianphoto Location: Commodore Perry Estate @commodoreperryauberge
Hair & Makeup: Selma Sosa @selmasosa Model: Olivia Guillory @olivia_guillory
Prices are subject to change. Please contact the store for current pricing and availability. Korman Magazine is published by Tufts Communications, 10012 Gulf Center Drive, Suite 5150 • Fort Myers, FL 33913 T: 765-819-2500 • E: todd@tuftscom.com © 2022, Tufts Communications. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
F rom Elizabeth Taylor’s signature 69.42ct diamond pear necklace, to the heirloom- quality pieces adorning the stand alone case at Korman, Oscar Heyman has cultivated over a century’s worth of exquisite pieces and remarkable history. Maintaining the traditions in which it began, Oscar Heyman continues to be family owned and managed by the second and third generations of the Heyman brothers. Founded in New York City in 1912 by Oscar and Nathan Heyman, the brothers began crafting top-quality jewelry as a behind- the-scenes manufacturer. It was unknown to them the empire they would build as Oscar Heyman transformed into a highly accredited stand-alone name. At the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Oscar Heyman & Brothers made history as they became known as “the jewelers’ jeweler”, an appropriate title considering they
had manufactured for four of the five retailers’ exhibits in the House of Jewels. By the late 50’s, Oscar Heyman could be seen shining on the stars. They provided jewelry for the movie “Imitation of Life” in 1959, and designed Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary necklace in only six days! Just in time for Princess Grace’s Scorpion Ball. Their fame only grew, even taking their craftsmanship to the moon with medallions gifted to astronauts on Apollo 16’s mission in 1972. By 1990, their iconic pansy brooch, American flag pins, and guard rings were immensely popular. The company continues to alloy their own metals and cut and polish their own gemstones to maintain the craftsmanship that built their name. The gems are the stars of each piece in this designer collection, as they continue to grow and draw inspiration from their own historical archive.
George, Oscar, Nathan, Harry, William, Louis Heyman
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ETHICAL ORIGINS
FROM THE MINE TO DESIGN THE STORY OF A NAMIBIAN DIAMOND
After being transported to shore by helicopter from the Benguela Gem, the rough diamonds are sorted, valued, and sold through the Namibian Diamond Trading Center in down- town Windhoek. The diamonds are bathed in an acid bath to remove any remaining buildup, and weighed. Experts then sort the diamonds by weight and varying color grades and each diamond is valued. These lots are then distributed out to 11 sight holders each month, and sent to each of their required local manufacturing facilities. The revenue from these purchases is split 50/50 between De Beers and the Namibian government. NAMIBIAN DIAMOND TRADING CENTER (NDTC)
THE ORANGE RIVER
Serving as the border between South Africa and Namibia, the Orange River is the source of many of the diamonds at Korman. The Orange River also deposited millions of diamonds onto the ocean floor which is where Namibia mines approximately 70% of their diamonds.
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Commissioned in March 2022, this marine mining vessel is expected to mine over 600,000 gem quality diamonds along the coast. With its 28,000 ton anteater-like crawler, the vessel combs the ocean floor, sucking up the top layer in seconds. The material then travels through a buoyant tube into the sorting processor where any non-diamond remains are returned back into the ocean. From there, the remaining material goes into the “hands-off” zone, where the diamonds are centrifuged out of the material and ran through a fluorescent machine, completely without human help. With a designated 6,000 sq km of Namibian coast to mine at a rate of 15 sq km annually, the country produces top, gem quality diamonds ranging from 0.10cts to 100ct pieces of rough. THE BENGUELA GEM
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GRANDVIEW KLEIN DIAMOND GROUP
Our partner, Grandview Klein Diamonds, began its partnership as one of the first with the NDTC in 2007. It is here that each diamond transforms from what looks like a pebble, into a perfectly cut stone. They begin by testing the fluorescence before putting the diamond into a machine known as The Galaxy. It maps the stone completely, identifying any naturals or points that may be an issue during cutting. They analyze the stone to maximize its weight and brilliance before precisely cutting the diamond. For every 100 cts of rough, about 40-50cts are yielded in gem-quality stones. After cutting, the diamond is polished and tested for all of the characteristics intended. In speaking with Gil Israel, the head of Africa operations for Grandview Klein, he has very high expectations for his team. “Why settle for good, when you can be great,” he stated. With access to the best rough diamonds in the world, he insists they create the most beautiful stones. We agree!
ON YOUR FINGER
There is nothing more fulfilling than celebrating with our clients. Whether it’s a diamond band to celebrate a special milestone, or a pair of diamond studs to simply celebrate everyday, Korman is honored to help make each of those moments special, and to design the perfect home for the stone to live on your finger for years to come.
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Finally, the diamonds are ready to sparkle! At Korman, we’re proud to partner with Grandview Klein to provide our clients with the highest quality diamonds in a variety of colors, cuts, and sizes. With Grandview Klein, Korman can make any diamond dream come true. Let us help you find the perfect diamond for you. KORMAN
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
MAKE LIFE BRILLIANT KORMAN’S GLOBAL COMMUNITY
I n August 2022, Korman owners Kat and Larry Stokes had the remarkable opportunity to travel to Africa on an educational trip with our partner, Grandview Klein Diamonds. They viewed the Namibian diamond mining process each step of the way, and visited communal projects where the need for support is great. With factories and operations in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, Grandview Klein Diamonds has become the largest diamond manufacturer in the U.S. and the supplier of the top quality diamonds you see at Korman. Their core values of craftsmanship, trust, dedication and integrity allow them to support the industries and communities in which they do business, inspiring others to do the same. Korman is proud to stand with Grandview Klein in their mission to come alongside the communities that have given so much to us. Today, mining has become Namibia’s leading economic sector, yielding millions of diamonds each year and largely contributing to the growth of the country’s GDP. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Benguela Gem employs over 130 people, primarily Namibian citizens, and has completely shifted Namibia’s overall diamond yield. Previously sourcing 95% through land mining in the early nineties, 70% of their diamond yield now comes from marine mining, producing more diamonds than ever before. The Namibian Diamond Trading Center, (NDTC), employs around 100 experts in their field, who clean, sort, weigh, and value each diamond before distributing the lots amongst the 11 sight holders every month. Each of these sightholders are required to have a local manufacturing facility, offering even more job opportunities in the diamond industry. The profits from the sightholders are split 50/50 between De Beers and the Namibian government through their partnership, known as NamDeb. Throughout this process, approximately 80-85% of the money produced from diamond mining is returned to the Namibian government and utilized for the betterment of their people. Investing over $4 million each year into training programs in the mining sector, Namibia continues to grow, with 300-400 graduates from these programs annually. In conjunction with Grandview Klein and its fellow jewelry retailers, the
“I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to partner with the countries in which mining is so prevalent. We are redefining the process from the mine to design by discovering ways we can assist the local communities. These machines will not only deliver a resource for people in need today, but will inspire corporations that have a desire to reinvest their dollars with the people of Namibia for tomorrow.” – LARRY STOKES In their mission to redefine the process from the mine to design, Grandview Klein and Korman have continued to come alongside communities in need. From building an orphanage years ago to providing medical supplies and equipment on a regular basis, they are dedicated to supporting communities based on their most pressing needs. “This summer, we had the privilege to meet some of the students from the Eros Primary school in Windhoek,” Kat Stokes said. “We were able to make substantial donations to their educational fund that provides scholarships and sanitary pads to young girls.” This need for support goes far beyond the country of Namibia. Upon traveling back through Johannesburg, Kat and Larry Stokes were able to visit the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP). Kliptown is an impoverished community in South Africa with limited running water and a severe lack of resources. In a community where access to basic human needs is a daily struggle, residents of Kliptown founded the youth program as a place where children can go to participate in tutoring, athletic, and arts programs, instilling hope in their futures and empowering the next generation. Functioning as an after school and preschool program, the program shows children that there is a path to success and growth. Inspired by their mission, the Stokes were able to donate essential school supplies to the KYP. These values and practices that
Stokes were able to contribute to the donation of three life-saving, modern dialysis machines to the new Grandview Klein Diamond Dialysis Center in a low income area of Windhoek. On August 10, 2022, Namibia’s Minister of Health of Social Services, Dr. Kalumbí Shangula, and Lead Physician Dr. Erkana, accepted the donation on behalf of the Oyetweni Health Centre.
Korman shares with Grandview Klein goes far beyond our partnership or inspiring trip to Namibia and South Africa. Korman is dedicated to uplifting our own community each and every day, supporting local non- profits monetarily and physically in any way we can, in a way in which aligns with the Korman core values.
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CELEBRATING THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY
Image taken at Glow in the Park benefiting the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Photo credit: Tyler Schmitt -The Mill Photography Studio
Additional Contributions: The Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd, Magellan International School, and Casner Christian Academy
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
HOUSE OF
AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK INTO A DESIGNER EMPIRE OF HERITAGE, ARTISTRY, AND 177 YEARS OF HISTORY.
Q: Most memorable piece of jewelry that you’ve made? A: Although I have designed countless pieces, the one that I am most definitely proud of is the pearl and baguette diamond suite I designed for Dame Elizabeth Taylor. She wore this piece on her last birthday and it has always had a special place in my heart. Q: What makes your collection heirloom jewelry? A: Piranesi stands for Timeless Luxury from Generation to Generation. Complimenting rare and precious stones with expert craftmanship and the utmost attention to detail, Piranesi is classic jewelry with an edge. Q: How do you celebrate every day? A: I celebrate everyday doing what I love and what I am most passionate about which is designing beautiful jewelry for the everyday woman. Whether that be a soccer mom or a CEO, the Piranesi collection has many different facets for every lifestyle. Q: What makes Piranesi an essential for every Korman girl? A: Piranesi distinguishes itself by being classic, yet unique because every woman is unique in her own way.
Q: What’s your biggest inspiration? A: My biggest inspiration is attributed to my upbringing in Italy, surrounded by magnificent architecture, avant-garde fashion and the most delicious food! We live and breathe style. Need I say more? Q: Any big plans in the pipeline? A: Ohhh yes, always! Being a multigenerational family business, we are constantly evolving and exploring new avenues. We are looking forward for what is to come in 2023.
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P iranesi Precious Jewels Since 1845
SOCIAL STYLE ICON
KORMAN GIRL A Korman Girl celebrates every day through the jewelry she wears and encourages others to do the same. Using each piece in her collection as a form of expression, she confidently empowers herself for the day ahead. Whether it’s throwing on her go-to pieces or taking the time to build the perfect neck stack, she knows how to wear her jewelry all day, any way. She isn’t afraid of adding new designers to her collection or mixing different metals and textures, she stays true to herself and doesn’t follow the crowd. BREAKDOWN OF A
A Korman Girl is fearless, inspiring, and just like a diamond, one of a kind.
RING STACK: Rings are an essential in a Korman Girl’s jewelry box. Mix and match and make your jewelry feel new every day, or grab your Spinelli Kilcollin ready-to-go stack and dart out the door! CURATED EAR: Treaders, hoops, and studs, this jewelry box has got it all. In ear curation, each piece is built upon the other, resulting in a look that moves up the ear in a unique, cohesive, and eclectic way. Worried about all the butterfly backs? Check out Nina Wynn’s labret piercing collection for a flat back that won’t get in your way from day one. NECK MESS: Layers, layers, and layers. A Korman girl doesn’t hesitate to mix and match her necklaces, and would never stick to just one designer. Pair your Carolina Bucci Forte beads with your diamond tennis necklace and more! BRACELETS: It’s no surprise to find a tennis bracelet in a jewelry box like this. What makes a Korman Girl is the way she builds on it! Dare to mix your bright diamonds with Armenta’s edgy designs and add a yellow gold Cuban link piece to tie it together. Remember, stacks are best in odd numbers.
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SOCIAL STYLE ICON
KORMAN GIRL
IVANA
L ifestyle blogger and mom of three, Ivana Hicks, is an Austin native with a passion for travel, beauty, and interior design. This selfless Korman Girl keeps her roots in the ATX and makes a point to celebrate everyday!
KORMAN GIRL Q&A
Q: What piece of jewelry do you find yourself wearing the most? A: My ‘Ivana’ necklace! It’s gold, dainty, and looks good with everything! I never take it off and honestly, I get asked about it all the time. It’s the perfect necklace that elevates my day-to-day looks no matter
how casual or dressed up I am. Q: Favorite Austin spots?
A: Lake Austin/Zilker Park is the definition of Austin. You can find people paddle boarding, working out, walking their dogs, playing, or watching the sunset here. When we’re in town, we try to take our kids so that they grow up doing some of the things I used to do. Of course, you can’t go to Zilker and not go to Sno Beach! Strawberry with cream is a must. Q: How do you celebrate every day? A: I try to be intentional with my time as best as I can. The saying ‘the days are long but the years are short’ couldn’t be more true. Celebrating everyday for me is spending time with my family with inten- tionality. Time is gold and so are those I love most.
CHECK OUT IVANA’S KG COLLECTION
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SOCIAL STYLE ICON
KORMAN GIRL KYLIE
A Dallas health and fitness influencer, Kylie Ross’ Korman collection is for the gold-girl on the move! From her new weekly workout app, HEALTHiES, to her all natural pre-workout, PWDRS, she’s on a mission
to make fitness fun for everyone. Who says you can’t hit the gym in a pair of chunky gold hoops? A collection of dainty pearls and pops of turquoise, these pieces can be worn with both a minidress or a gymshark set. Congratulations to this Korman Girl on her recent engagement! Here’s to celebrating forever with a beautiful Korman diamond.
CHECK OUT KYLIE’S KG COLLECTION
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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
C ombining the elegance of timeless jewelry with the principles of modern design, Walters Faith pairs deceptively simple settings with unexpected details, resulting in a collection that embodies effortless luxury. Founded in 2013 by Mollie Faith Good and Stephanie Walters Abramow, the two combined their skill sets and their middle names to create a jewelry line that portrays wearable, relaxed sophistication. “The modern woman makes her own rules as to how to wear fine jewelr. Walters Faith embraces the contemporary cool while remaining covetable.” - Molly Faith Good Drawing inspiration from classic architecture and modern art, the brand is characterized by its use of strong geometric shapes and angular lines, including its signature elongated hexagon, the mirror image of the Walters Faith logo. Mollie’s formal training in metal- smithing and design, paired with her classic pencil-sketching design technique, contributes to the substantial feel and look of each piece she creates. Relating to the concept of molding classic ideas to create something unexpectedly modern, each Walters Faith collection is fittingly named for a member of the Bloomsbury Set, an eclectic group of English writers, philosophers, and artists who met frequently in the Bloomsbury area of London in the early 20th century to discuss aesthetic and philosophical questions. Their search for truth, beauty and the questioning of accepted ideas speaks to the mission of Walters Faith
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A night born to Dare T o celebrate the relaunch of a Hans Wildorf classic timepiece, The Ranger, Korman and TUDOR welcomed their top watch clients for a night of celebration at Higher Ground. Held on July 21, the attendees enjoyed oysters and craft cocktails as Vice President and US Brand Manager of Tudor, Adam Bossi, Area Sales Manager, Stephen Gadd, and Korman owners, Kat and Larry Stokes, proudly presented the new timepiece. In 1952, Tudor gifted each member of the British North Greenland Expedition an Oyster Prince wrist watch to commemorate their bravery and dedication to their voyage. Released on the anniversary of that historic day and inspired by both the Oyster Price and vintage Tudor Rangers, the new Ranger is truly a classic reborn. The modern timepiece continues what Tudor calls “the tradition of the expedition watch — a robust, practical and affordable instrument.” As Austin’s leading independent jeweler since 1973, Korman’s timepiece professionals excitedly unveiled the history and quality of the watch to their anticipating collectors. With an invitation to exclusively purchase the watch at the event, many guests ended the night with the latest Ranger’s on their wrists. An experienced Korman watchmaker was present hard at work personally sizing the timepieces.
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for men
TIME ZONE
BY CAROL BESLER
COMPANY CAUSES
T oday, we don’t just shop; we shop for products from companies we trust and admire — companies that align themselves with the heroes of today, that have a social conscience and an environmental action plan. If you want to get to know a watch brand, take a look at its affiliations — its sponsorships, partnerships, and programs. That way, when when you buy a watch, you not only get something beautiful, you have a chance to support causes you believe in or athletes and sports that you admire. Here are a few of the connections between watch brands and causes.
WHAT DOES YOUR FAVORITE WATCH BRAND STAND FOR ?
ROLEX In addition to sponsoring elite sporting events such as Wimbledon Tennis, Daytona International Speedway racing, and US Open Golf, Rolex works on many levels to support environmental causes. The Rolex Perpetual Planet program is a three-pronged approach that includes a partnership with the National Geographic Society to study the impacts of climate change; support for biologist Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue initiative to safeguard the oceans through a network of protected “hope spots;” and the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, which recognizes individuals whose projects advance knowledge that protects humans and the environment.
Rolex GMT Master II.
Rolex Perpetual Planet supports the Mission Blue project of Dr. Sylvia Earle.
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ROLEX
LUIZ ROCHA , a marine scientist from Brazil, is working to explore and protect coral reefs and their biodiversity in the Indian Ocean. His aim is to strengthen conservation of these largely unknown ecosystems. Rocha will research their suitability to shelter at-risk species from shallower reefs that are threatened by global warming.
HINDOU OUMAROU IBRAHIM , a climate activist from Chad, uses indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge to map natural resources and prevent climate conflicts in the Sahel region of west-central Africa. Ibrahim believes women are key to her initiative because they remain close to nature, using the terrain and powers of observation to solve problems. She compares women’s wisdom to apps on a smart phone. “My best app is my grandmother,” she says.
GINA MOSELEY , a polar explorer and climate change scientist from the United Kingdom, aims to lead the first expedition to explore the planet’s northernmost caves in Greenland to improve our knowledge of climate change in the Arctic. The Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of the global average, Moseley says, and understanding more about how this sensitive part of the world responds in a warmer world is crucial.
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OMEGA ORBIS, a charity that takes the form of a “Flying Eye Hospital” that delivers eye care to people in remote locations around the world. One way that Omega offers support is to provide a cuddly teddy bear for every young patient. The teddy bear helps doctors explain the surgery and provides children with a comforting friend during their life-changing treatment. Omega has created three De Ville Prestige timepieces to celebrate the ongoing partnership. Along
with the Orbis color blue, each watch includes an inspired teddy bear pattern on the dial and a specially engraved Orbis caseback. To continue fighting curable blindness, Omega will donate a portion of each sale to the organization’s work.
Omega Speedmaster 38 MM
The De Ville Prestige Orbis Edition for ladies, in a 32.7mm steel case and bracelet, with eight diamond indexes and a white mother-of-pearl dial. It contains Omega’s Co-Axial caliber 2500, chronometer rated for high accuracy, and with a 48-hour power reserve.
Omega De Ville Trésor
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Tudor Pelegos.
TUDOR Tudor, whose motto is “Born to Dare,” is a pure sports brand and is, therefore, associated with a number of top athletes, including soccer star David Beckham, surf champion Nic Von Rupp, and the All Blacks rugby team from New Zealand. The goal is to celebrate human endurance and to build a sports watch that is appropriately robust yet accessible.
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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
Aba PERFECT PAIRINGS FEATURING LOCAL RESTAURANTS
It’s not a trip to Austin without a trip to Aba! Their earthy outdoor lounge is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy Chef CJ Jacobson’s light Mediterranean cuisine. A mixed menu with influences from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, this Soco spot is the perfect place to mix your metals and bring out the boho staples while you enjoy a meal that feels like a staycation. The Crispy Short Rib Hummus is a must!
Maie Day
Inspired by the ancient festival of flowers, Maie Day is a daily celebration. Located in the South Congress hotel, this vibrant spot is the perfect place to wear your bright, colorful pieces while you do some shopping and dine with friends! It’s a steakhouse like no other, with a lively Austin style.
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Tiny Boxwoods
Tucked amidst the trees and greenery in Bryker Woods, Tiny Boxwoods is the perfect place for Sunday brunch. Layer up your dainty gold pieces with your favorite sundress and let your diamonds sparkle as you enjoy their menu gardenside. Don’t forget to stop by Tiny’s Milk and Cookies for dessert!
Uchiko
The fiery counterpoint to award-winning restaurant, Uchi, this sushi restaurant is all about style. One of Korman Girl Ivana’s date-night favorites, Uchiko brings smoke, live fire, and char to contrast the fresh and clean flavors that define Uchi. Break out your Mizuki pearl statement hoops and layer up on your Zydo and Armenta. Mix in pops of diamond and gold, and you’ve got the ultimate date-night look.
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CLASSIC EVOLUTION
DIAMOND DREAMS
N o matter the metal, color, cut, or size, Korman can make your diamond band dreams a reality. Browse our vast in-house selection or let us help you design your own. With our global network of diamond suppliers, the sky’s the limit!
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COLOR FASHION + JEWELRY
THE HOTTEST COLORS OF THE NEW SEASON
Prominent mainly in Paris, bright oranges and tangerine tones have become the sophisticated colors of the Parisian fashion set. Orange is a bright and energizing color. So, if there’s any tone that you should wear when you feel the need for a lift this fall/winter, it’s this enthusiastic color!
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Armenta is a hand-crafted artisanal brand that redefines casual luxury as an integral part of the everyday wardrobe. The unique materials create a distinctive style while focusing on social and environmental responsibility. Our mission is to create sustainable luxury products while empowering women and educating consumers. Armenta was founded by Emily Armenta in 2001 and is all handmade in Houston, Texas by women.
COLOR FASHION + JEWELRY
The biggest color trends of the year are rooted in optimism and tranquility. Blue is proven to provoke feelings of trustworthiness and safety in people. A peaceful, fluid, and gentle color, blue just makes you feel at ease.
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COLOR FASHION + JEWELRY
At first glance you may wonder what’s going on here? But did you know that yellow is the color of hope? It makes sense then that this season we see an influx of yellow, from deeper mustard seed tones to golden yellows, as well as bright canary.
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COLOR FASHION + JEWELRY
Feeling lucky? St. Patrick’s Day is a ways away; however, infusing your wardrobe
with some green is imperative. Green proliferated on the
runways this season, solidifying its status as a desirable shade this fall. Bring in a hint of green with a trendy pair of gloves, sport a green handbag, or, is the going style for all colors, wear it head to toe.
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PROUD PARTNER OF AUSTIN FC
Alright… Alright, Alright, Alright, Austin! FC! Korman is proud to partner with Austin FC. Congrats on a legendary season, we can’t wait to celebrate the next! Here’s to making playoff history!
SHOP OUR AUSTIN FC COLLECTION
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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
ONE OF A KIND HOW TWELVE-YEAR-OLD SETARA MANASA BECAME A JEWELRY DESIGNER
T hroughout her travels, Poonam Manasa has always collected loose stones. With a lifetime love for jewelry, she traveled to Cambodia with a mission to find a new gem. What she didn’t know was that the three loose stones she’d return home with would become the very first piece in a new designer’s collection. “I’ve been into jewelry ever since I was younger,” Manasa said. “I’m not a clothes person, I’m not a car person, I’m not a handbag person. I haven’t bought a purse in two or three years … but I love my jewelry.” Located on the Thai peninsula in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is one of the only places where blue zircon is found. The mesmerizing gem is credited to be the oldest mineral on Earth, and would be a first in Manasa’s collection. “Before we went, someone from Korman told me that Cambodia is famous for blue zircon, so I thought I’d pick some up while I was there. I have tanzanite from Tanzania and rubies and sapphires from my first trip to Cambodia,” Manasa said.
With her husband’s cousin as her translator, she toured a market in search of the rare gemstone. Three deep blue stones quickly caught her eye. Unbeknownst to her and the seller of the stones, what Manasa had actually purchased was blue spinel, a far more valuable gem. “When I brought it back to Chuck (Korman’s in-house jeweler), he said that it was actually blue spinel,” Manasa said. “It’s actually much more expensive than blue zircon, I hadn’t paid spinel prices!” It wasn’t long before the stunning stones caught the attention of Manasa’s 12-year-old daughter, Setara. Studying the gems, Setara began imagining what the three stones could become. Inspired by pieces her mother had previously designed, she began sketching. “Sometimes ideas just pop in my head. I get inspiration from my mom’s old sketchbooks where she tapes in pictures of cutouts from magazines,” Setara said. “I really like stealing my mom’s jewelry. I’ve never worn a Y-necklace, so I thought if I designed one, maybe I could wear it!” Poonam and Setara began researching other blue spinel pieces for inspiration. They grabbed loose chains and began rearranging the stones until they had found the perfect design. From there, they decided to bring it into Korman to help bring Setara’s vision to life. “I originally thought to make a pendant and two earrings out of the loose stones, but this idea was perfect,” Poonam said. With the help of Korman’s master jewelers, Setara’s first fine jewelry piece was born. Set in rose gold, in the y-shaped style Setara had envisioned, the necklace is truly one of a kind. “It’s my favorite piece,” Poonam said. “I have jewelry from all over the world, but that’s the piece I wear all the time. We’re hoping to design pieces to sell, so far everything we’ve made has been for us.” Sounds a lot like the amazing mother-daughter duo behind SHAY if you ask us! What’s next for this designer? Setara hopes to design a second piece during the family’s next trip to Dubai. With a love of animals, Setara envisions animal inspired jewelry in the future. One thing that is certain, this young upcoming designer is one to look out for!
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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
A Q&A WITH PRATIMA AND PRERNA, THE SISTERS BEHIND SETHI COUTURE everyday elevate the
Q: What makes Sethi Couture an essential for every Korman girl? A: You can’t leave home without a Sethi Stack. The variety we offer from different metals, diamonds, shapes, diamond colors and more allows any woman to tell her personal story. Q: Favorite artist? A: Guo Pei. I recently saw her exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco and was blown away by the intricate details, the contrast of colors and the contemporary silhouettes with an old world royal feel.
Q: How does your background in architecture reflect in your jewelry design? A: What we are truly inspired by is the intricate beauty in the architecture of our heritage. The details of a time gone by has become a source of endless inspiration. We drew from our upbringing with this California cool sensibility mixed with our Indian heritage to bring a mixture of classic yet contemporary in our jewelry. Q: How do you spend your down time? A: I love experiences, especially ones that I can photograph. I find joy traveling to an unexpected spot like Moab in Utah, enjoying nature with a hike, or perusing through museums in San Francisco all while spending time with family.
Q: How do you celebrate every day? A: A good cup of tea, farm to table lunches at our favorite spots in Sonoma, cooking with the best ingredients, and appreciating the little things. Q: Who’s your biggest inspiration? A: Aside from our parents, it is the women who wear our jewelry! They are the ones who bring life to our jewelry through the different ways they style it.
Q: Any big plans in the pipeline? A: There are a few big ones coming your way but we can’t share all of our secrets! Stay tuned.
48 KORMAN MAGAZINE
BIG NEWS
KORMAN 2.0
COMING SPRING 2024
T he secret is out as to what’s happening to the old home of University Cyclery on 29th and Lamar. Korman is proud to announce our new flagship location coming Spring of 2024! We are working with the incredibly talented team at Michael Hsu to design our new location. Totalling almost 11,000 sq ft, we’ll have plenty of room to continue serving our clients with the highest-quality fine jewelry, diamonds, and Swiss
timepieces in Central Texas. We are thrilled to remain in the very same neighborhood in which our story began, and are incredibly grateful to our clients, vendors, and friends, who have made this incredible opportunity and growth possible. We are honored to continue to celebrate every day with our clients and continue our mission to make Austin sparkle! We’ll see you there!
50 KORMAN MAGAZINE
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