Page 98 - March-2015-Life-in-Naples-Magazine

On with the Show
Baker Park Gala’s Shining Stars

by Kelly Merritt ALL OF THE GEMS WILLIAM BOYAJIAN
FOUND AT THE GEM SHOW SPARKLE, BUT
“O ne Leaf at a Time – Prelude to a Park Gala for Baker Park” on March 7 promises to WHICH ONES WILL WIND UP AS PART OF
be a night to remember. Once again it will take place on Baker Park grounds replete
with fireworks and the joy of hundreds of people who all share a common goal: HIS GORGEOUS GEMS DONATION FOR
the completion of Baker Park. Patty and Jay Baker have graciously agreed to be the Honorary THE BAKER PARK AUCTION? GALA GUESTS
Chairs while Councilman Bill Barnett is slated to be the Gala Auctioneer again this year with
music by Joe Marino and All the Kings Men. WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE GALA TO
FIND OUT.
Especially exciting are the new auction stars, beginning with jewelry genius William
Boyajian’s custom designed piece from Port Royal Jewelers. Boyajian created the unforgettable
donation of a custom designed pendant last year which helped raise funds for the park. At press
time Boyajian was traveling on a buying trip to the largest fine gem show in the country as part
of creating the one-of-a-kind necklace.

“I planned on buying some really beautiful emerald and green tourmalines and some green
garnets for the necklace that I am making in 18k gold,” he says. “I like doing gem shows before
I build a project since I can search out in a treasure hunt what will look great together and then
buy what I need for the project.”

Boyajian does already have what he calls beautiful loose emerald, but felt he needed more
sparkling jewels to add to his final idea.

“The necklace will be able to be wrapped around the neck several times with diamond and
green gems that have a casual look but can also look very formal with the right dress,” he says.
“I am also planning to have several sections of the opera length necklace that come off and can
be used as bracelets so that the piece can be versatile as well.”

Boyajian’s work is known for being inspired and relevant both in beauty and purpose – as
evidenced in the many special items he has created for his customers. The new necklace is no
exception.

“My theme for the gem encrusted necklace is all about the park, the greenway and the beauty
of all our sub-tropical flowering trees and unique leaves, so I will even use some direct casts of
the leaves of some of the mangrove trees and cast these models so that they can be cast in gold
and set with diamonds and gems,” he says. “I got a lot of my inspirations from bike riding along
the greenway since the park is not yet finished, but the greenway is great for seeing the flowering
and water way beauty of the new Baker Park and Greenway.”

98 Life in Naples | March 2015