PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Martha Keith
Phone: (434) 242-7147
Email: martha@marthakeith.com
JEWELER’S AWARD BRINGS REACTIVE METALS TO LIGHT
Charlottesville, VA May 1, 2008 – Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America has announced the winners of its
2008 MJSA Vision Awards, and jeweler Martha Keith has received 1st Place in the Reactive Metals Distinction category.
Keith’s winning necklace, titled and so it begins, was designed and made by the artist using gold, a diamond and a less
commonly known metal called niobium.
Niobium is a pure element that reacts to electric voltage by changing its surface color in a process called anodizing.
“The characteristics of reactive metals are unique in a world of jewelry that typically emphasizes silver and gold. I’ve
played around with other ways to bring different colors into my jewelry, but most processes tend to coat the metal.
When anodizing niobium, the color works with the material to emphasize its metallic luster rather than concealing it,”
explains Keith. Other reactive metals include titanium and aluminum. Niobium is Keith’s reactive metal of choice and a
distinct element in her newest series of work that, like her gold and silver work, is inspired by water. Her award-winning
necklace and so it begins uses blue hues to help symbolize a nighttime sea showing reflections of zodiac constellations.
Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America opens this annual design contest to jewelers internationally, and
judges its contestants based on originality, creativity, presentation quality, effective use of materials, wearability, and the
design’s perceived manufacturing potential. An MJSA Vision Award is one of the most highly regarded honors a jewelry
designer can receive. Keith accepted her award at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, New York on
Sunday, April 13 during the MJSA Expo New York, the largest and oldest trade show in the United States dedicated to
the design and manufacturing of jewelry.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Martha Keith
Phone: (434) 242-7147
Email: martha@marthakeith.com
JEWELER’S AWARD BRINGS REACTIVE METALS TO LIGHT
Charlottesville, VA May 1, 2008 – Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America has announced the winners of its
2008 MJSA Vision Awards, and jeweler Martha Keith has received 1st Place in the Reactive Metals Distinction category.
Keith’s winning necklace, titled and so it begins, was designed and made by the artist using gold, a diamond and a less
commonly known metal called niobium.
Niobium is a pure element that reacts to electric voltage by changing its surface color in a process called anodizing.
“The characteristics of reactive metals are unique in a world of jewelry that typically emphasizes silver and gold. I’ve
played around with other ways to bring different colors into my jewelry, but most processes tend to coat the metal.
When anodizing niobium, the color works with the material to emphasize its metallic luster rather than concealing it,”
explains Keith. Other reactive metals include titanium and aluminum. Niobium is Keith’s reactive metal of choice and a
distinct element in her newest series of work that, like her gold and silver work, is inspired by water. Her award-winning
necklace and so it begins uses blue hues to help symbolize a nighttime sea showing reflections of zodiac constellations.
Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America opens this annual design contest to jewelers internationally, and
judges its contestants based on originality, creativity, presentation quality, effective use of materials, wearability, and the
design’s perceived manufacturing potential. An MJSA Vision Award is one of the most highly regarded honors a jewelry
designer can receive. Keith accepted her award at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, New York on
Sunday, April 13 during the MJSA Expo New York, the largest and oldest trade show in the United States dedicated to
the design and manufacturing of jewelry.
###
