JCK Rock Star

Finale: Part 1

The competition heats up just prior to next months's big reveal of the first annual JCK Rock Star, at JCK Las Vegas 2012. First, we look back at the series' most exciting moments, retracing our designers' paths to judgment day. Then, we go behind closed doors, as the judges debate the merits of each piece, until it gets down to the tension-filled wire with just two contestants! Tune in next month to find out who will be crowned our first JCK Rock Star!

Greetings! I’m Victoria Gomelsky, editor in chief of JCK, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to JCK Rock Star, our first original video series. We’ve challenged five acclaimed designers to create the most beautiful piece of jewelry using a range of Swarovski precision-cut genuine gemstones. The winning piece will be featured in an original photo shoot in our June 2012 issue and will be showcased at the next JCK Las Vegas show. Join me for all 13 episodes!

Meet Our Five Designers!

Alex Woo

A favorite among It girls such as Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria, New York-based Alex Woo studied fine arts and jewelry design at Cornell University, the American University of Paris, and Parsons School of...

...Design. Woo grew up with an appreciation for the craft thanks to her father, who was a master bench jeweler. She draws inspiration from her travels. Woo is known for her Little Icons Collections that are available in silver, gold, or diamonds. She was named in Crain’s Business “40 under 40” list of rising stars in New York. Alex Woo jewelry is sold at Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and fine boutiques nationwide.

Michael Bruder

Michael Bruder did not take a traditional path to finding a career in jewelry design. He began his career in the aerospace industry in Germany, working on the business end of aircraft design. He later traveled to Thailand, studied at...

...the Gemological Institute of America, and founded his jewelry firm, Corrupt Design. As a jeweler and gemologist, Bruder has traveled the world in search of stones for both clients and for his personal collection. His influences range from street art, graffiti, and electronic music to Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Nina Basharova

Nina Basharova was born and raised in the Ukraine where she studied fine arts before pursuing a degree in jewelry design at an art college in Haifa, Israel. Her work has been selected for display in museums and on...

...magazine covers. Her “Milkway” ring, set in 18k gold with white sapphires, was recently chosen by Brides.com for a feature on unique engagement rings. Basharova is a winner of the 2008 JCK Rising Star award.

Rosanne Pugliese

Rosanne Pugliese discovered her passion for jewelry while working as a fashion designer for Calvin Klein. It was there that she honed her talent for selecting chic and interesting materials and putting them to work in clean, modern...

...sculptural forms. She left CK to raise her young children, and eventually, launched her own jewelry collection. The majority of her work is hand wrought in 22k gold and features interlocking loops and delicate, cascading gems and chains. Pugliese’s jewelry is sold at Barney’s New York.

Walter Adler Chefitz

Walter Adler Chefitz comes from a jewelry family in New Orleans. His great-grandfather founded Adler’s Jewelry in 1898, and his new venture, Walt Adler Jewelry, builds on that heritage. Chefitz studied ergonomics at Tufts...

...University and University College, London, and fine arts at the Museum School in Boston. The recipient of several international awards, he has been designing jewelry for the past 10 years. Immediately prior to establishing Walt Adler Jewelry, he was a design director for David Yurman.

Catch all 13 episodes of JCK’s original video series; a new one debuts each month through June 2012.

Meet Our Three Judges

Victoria Gomelsky

Victoria Gomelsky is the editor in chief of JCK and JCKonline.com. Prior to JCK, Victoria served for five years as editor in chief of Couture International Jeweler, a Geneva-based trade journal targeted to retailers of high-end...

...jewelry and watches. Prior to that, she was a senior editor at National Jeweler, a trade publication based in New York. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Publishers Weekly, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Randi Udell-Alper

Randi Udell-Alper, vice president of London Jewelers, is a fourth generation member of London Jewelers. She grew up in the jewelry business and began designing jewelry at an early age—even starting her own business out...

...of her college dorm room. She spent several years designing for Honora, and returned home to London Jewelers where she manages the in-house designing, creative, and marketing departments alongside her mother, Candy Udell. In 2009, Randi and Candy signed on to design the “million dollar bra” for Victoria’s Secret. Their work has dazzled the runway and red carpet, and most recently helped launch the jewelry line of celebrity model/heiress Ivanka Trump.

Daniel Cohen

Daniel J. Cohen is a fifth generation member of the Swarovski family, and president of Swarovski North America. Since joining the company in 1993, Mr. Cohen has played a pivotal role in the global expansion of...

...Swarovski’s crystal business. Following a 3-year assignment in Zurich, Switzerland, he returned to the U.S. to head Swarovski’s North American fashion jewelry operations, and then Swarovski’s consumer goods business in the region until 2003. He assumed global responsibility for Swarovski’s created and genuine gemstone business in 2007 and Swarovski’s lighting business in 2009.

Earlier Episodes

JCK Rock Star Episode 1

The Challenge

JCK Rock Star Episode 2

Meet Nina

JCK Rock Star Episode 3

Meet Michael

JCK Rock Star Episode 4

Meet Walt

JCK Rock Star Episode 5

Meet Rosanne

JCK Rock Star Episode 6

Episode 6: Meet Alex

JCK Rock Star Episode 7

Nina's Judgment Day

JCK Rock Star Episode 8

Michael's Judgment Day

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