Mineralogical Society
oF ARizona
mEETING
*** IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING ***
* MARCH 16th meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
* Registration required to receive Zoom Link
IN-PERSON MEETING ADDRESS:
Franciscan Renewal Center
PIPER HALL
Padre Serra Room
5802 E. Lincoln Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
** Parking in Rear of Piper Hall **
Gem Tapestry "Magic Carpet" photos courtesy UArizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum.
"A Magic Carpet Ride into the World of Gem Carving”
Presented by Shelly Sergent
Thursday, March 16, 2023
7.30 pm Arizona time.
Our March 16th program will be presented by Somewhere In The Rainbow Curator, Shelly Sergent. Please join as she shares with us the journey of designing, creating and bringing to life a one-of-a-kind treasure. A magic carpet which resides in of the most well-known and yet, mysterious houses in all the lands. Making its’ debut in Arizona, for the very first time ever with the public, Shelly will share the crafting, history and the loan to the UArizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum in Tucson. Keep your hands and feet inside at all times as we sail into the depth of award-winning gem carving, as a follow-up to Jeff Scovil’s February 2023 MSA presentation! You’ll not want to miss this debut program! Shelly looks forward to meeting you all!
Shelly Sergent has spent more than 40 years in the jewelry industry. Starting at age 16 as a holiday season gift wrap girl for Zales Jewelers, Shelly quickly realized her passion for fine gems, design and first-class client services. She learned the business of the jewelry industry climbing the ranks from gift wrap gal to sales, service, philanthropy and eventually management. She came to understand the study of fine gems, jewelry making and learning to recognize the finishing details that separate handcrafted, designer pieces of jewelry from a streamline manufactured piece…both of which are important to jewelry lovers the world over.
Shelly worked hard to establish herself as an industry ‘go to girl’ for fine, rare colored gems and design. She has had the privilege of working with some of today's top design houses and is grateful for the mentoring, time and shared passion she’s learned from brokers, designers and collectors from around the world.
Shelly’s philosophy has proven tried and true over the years: to build, nurture and maintain relationships with clients and suppliers by being honest and transparent in all aspects of doing business and establishing long standing relationships. Shelly understands that the sale isn’t always the pinnacle of her work but understanding what each person’s needs are will bring success, fun and a sharing of the intimate nature of the jewelry world.
Shelly currently is the curator for a world class gem and jewelry collection, Somewhere In The Rainbow. Somewhere In The Rainbow’s mission is to bring hands on education, understanding and appreciation of fine colored gems and artisan crafted jewelry to museums, retail stores and educational facilities dedicated to enjoying and appreciating the rarity, beauty and value of these gems and master artisan’s works.
Shelly is the proud recipient of the 2022 AGS Sallie Morton award and 2023 AGTA Leon Rixler achievement award. Carrying education and beauty to all who wish to experience it is her goal. She has presented and exhibited in places such as The Smithsonian Natural History Affiliate Museums. Keynote speaker at multiple gemological events for gemologists and appraisers as well as a presenter for the 100 Year Celebration of Gem-A in London. She is a regular education specialist for JTV and a popular presenter for GIA/AGS Alumni Guilds. She serves on the UArizona Board Of Directors for Geo Sciences and is a founding member of the new UArizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum in Tucson that opened in February, 2020. She is the co-founder of the unBEARable Jewelry brand started in 2022, which is attributed to her granddaughter, Jenova. Where there are gemstones and enthusiastic people of the trade, you will most likely also find Shelly. Somewhere In The Rainbow are members of AGTA, AGS, WJA, Gem-A of Great Britain and JSA.
Mark your calendars and register as Mineralogical Society of Arizona is proud for Shelly to present her debut program for Us!