GIA GemAccess™- GARANATUS: A Voyage of Color and Design
What does it take to craft an award-winning, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that is both visually stunning and historically important? For Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks, this undertaking required more than a decade to build a garnet collection, followed by three years to design and fabricate the necklace itself. Listen to this tale of collaboration, geological wonder, and innovative design that explores the global span of garnets and their rainbow of origins in this month's online GemAccess™ module.
GIA GemAccess™, April 2024

Where and When- Sri Lankan Blue Sapphires
When collectors get serious about the gems in their jewelry wardrobe, they begin to look at the source of their favorite stones. Mary van der Aa features these rare and collectible gems in her Award-Winning jewelry pieces.
Diana Jarrett, Life in Naples, April 2024

Platinum’s Presence
We asked award-winning jeweler-gemologist Mary van der Aa about working with platinum. She should know. Her 2023 Spectrum “Best Use of Platinum and Color” award went to her and Tucson Todd’s Gems garnet neckpiece that spanned a decade of labor – and love.
Diana Jarrett, Mid-America Jewelry News, March 2024

Jewelry is Magical at Downtown Gallery
Look for the Gem Show sign outside Room 107, where besides selling stones and jewelry, Mary van der Aa and Todd “Tucson Todd” Wacks are ready to share their knowledge with visitors.
Karen Schaffner, Tucson Weekly, January 2024

Mary van der Aa’s Spectrum-Winning Platinum & Garnet Necklace Is a 10-Year Labor of Love
While Mary van der Aa only recently nabbed the Best Use of Platinum and Color Award in the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards for the “Garanatas: From Rough to Cut” two-piece necklace set with more than 77 carats of Garnets, the project was 10 years in the making.
Jennifer Heebner, Editor in Chief, EPrism Magazine, December 2023

Opal Ring, Tourmalines Headline 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards
Highlights from the 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards™
Amy Elliott, JCK Magazine, October 2023

AGTA Announces the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards™
AGTA EPrism Magazine, October 2023

Beam Me Up
Mary van der Aa’s moldavite alien pendant. Most designers would agree: It’s a rare treat to be given creative free rein on a custom design project.
MJSA Journal, May 2023

One Designer's Story
Mary van der Aa, whose pieces are featured on our cover, was a first-time winner at the AGTA Spectrum Awards in Tucson, taking first place in three categories. Here, she tells us about her decisions and designs for all three prize-winning pieces.
Gems & Jewellery, Vol. 32, No. 1, Spring 2023

Cobalt Bearing Spinel from Tanzania
A leader in its field, The Journal of Gemmology publishes original research articles on all aspects of gemmology, including natural stones and their treatments, synthetics and simulated gemstones.
The Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 38, No. 5, 2023

And the 2022 Awards Go To…
Recapping all of the winners at the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
AGTA Prism Magazine, Vol. 1, 2023

Jewelry Award Celebration With Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks at the 2023 Tucson Gem Show
Podcast relaunch with a snapshot of the partnership and team of Tucson Todd's Gems, and Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels that resulted in THREE AGTA Spectrum Awards.
February 2023

Favorite Jewelry Picks From Our Top 22 List
We found the top 22 best-selling Interweave jewelry projects on our site and chose some of our favorites to share with you. It is no wonder that these beautiful projects are so loved by the Interweave community.
December 2022

A Carved Gemstone Won the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards Top Honor
Dallas—The 2022 AGTA Spectrum Award winners have been unveiled, and they do not disappoint.
November 2022

AGTA Announces the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards™- and Mary van der Aa is proud to have received three of them!
October 2022

Tucson Gem Showcase Coverage
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several of the 2021 Tucson gem shows were postponed from their usual February dates, while others were cancelled altogether. Along with many buyers and sellers, Jennifer-Lynn Archuleta and Olga González attended the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase in 2022 to find out how the exhibitors fared.
Gems & Jewellery, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring 2022

Jewelry Navigator 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
To celebrate reaching 20,000 downloads of Jewelry Navigator Podcast, we’ve published a Holiday Gift Guide featuring jewelry by many of the designers who’ve been guests on the podcast.
December 2021

Flashback to the Future- 2020 Pueblo Gem Show
Every February in Tucson, thousands of gem, jewelry, crystal and fossil fans transform the southwestern city into one of the largest conglomerate gem and mineral shows in the world known as Tucson Gem Show. For 2021, the shows have been postponed until April, but here, on Beyond Gems, I have special flashback footage from the 2020 Tucson Gem Show, specifically, the Pueblo Gem Show with gemologists and jeweler business partners, Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks, of Tucson Todd’s Gems.
February 2021

Tucson Gem Shows: Buyer Be Prepared
Mark Lurie interviews jewelers offering suggestions on gem buying for beginners and visiting the ever popular Tucson Gem Show.
January 2021

100 Michigan-Made (or designed!) Products We Love
From skincare to apparel to jewelry and beyond, check out 100 Michigan-made (or designed) products we love. Get ready to shop local…right from your couch!
December 2020

How Rare Gemstones Reflect our Unique Qualities
Behind the Scenes Look at How Gemstones are Selected and Faceted for Jewelry: By working with jewelers and gemologists who have professional experience and credentials, you're sure to discover unusual and exciting gemstones and jewelry. Together, business partners, Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks share the unusual and exciting gemstones they facet and set into jewelry. We go behind the scenes to show how crystals are transformed into faceted gems, and how Mary interprets their beauty in her jewelry. Mary and Todd specialize in rare and beautiful gemstones, so you're in for a real treat!
October 2020

Conde Nast Traveller- Traveller's Treasures
Mary van der Aa seen in Conde Nast Magazine Traveller’s Treasures curated section of sparkling finds.
November 2020 Issue

Here’s to the Men in Our Lives - Jewelry to Celebrate Men and Dads
In this Jewelry Navigator Podcast episode the Jewelry Navigator highlights designers with jewelry designed to enhance and celebrate the men in our lives. Designers featured create everything from cufflinks, bracelets, necklaces and pendants and rings.
June 2020

Retail Survival- Supporting Small Business and Indie Jewelry Designers
Jewelry Navigator podcast dedicated to small businesses who’ve been doing what they can to serve customers in spite of closures and customers sheltered in place. The unique and one of a kind gifts from indie designers can be just the right treasure to commemorate seasonal, annual and lifetime celebrations.
May 2020

Color Change Pyrope by Tucson Todd's Gems & Mary van der Aa
Jewelry Navigator YouTube video showcasing the amazing and rare color change garnets found only once in time. The unusual and colorful gems are centerpieced by jewelry by Mary van der Aa.
March 2020

My Jewelry Discoveries from the Tucson, New York and Baltimore Shows
In this podcast, the Jewelry Navigator shares stories of her travels to some very popular trade shows, including the biggest one in the world, the Tucson Gem Show.
March 2020

Mary van der Aa Creates Jewelry Treasures with Tucson Todd's Gems
Jewelry It's been a year since the legendary Jewelry Navigator met jeweler, designer, and gemologist, Mary van der Aa, and Tucson Todd's Gems. This year, we met up with the gem experts at the Pueblo Show for an in-depth tour of some of their special gemstones and jewelry.
February 2020

Gem Show Pre-Departure Lounge 2020
In this podcast, the Jewelry Navigator shares a sampling of designers who exhibited at either the Tucson or NYNow Shows, including Mary van der Aa. Listen in to hear her story directly from Tucson!⁣⁣
February 2020

Garnets from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Article about a new find of garnet featuring gemstones faceted by Mary van der Aa and Tucson Todd’s Gems. Written by Brendan M. Laurs.
The Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 36, No. 5, 2019

The Story Behind the Stones: Unusual Cravings
Written by Diana Jarrett GG, RMV. Nothing drives demand more than something that’s unavailable. Discussing Mahenge gemstones and their current state of availability, or lack thereof.
Mid-America Jewelry News, November 2019, Vol. 18, No. 11

The Story Behind the Stones: Unusual Cravings
Written by Diana Jarrett GG, RMV
Nothing drives demand more than something that’s unavailable. Discussing Mahenge gemstones and their current state of availability, or lack thereof.
Southern Jewelry News, November 2019, Spring 2015, Vol. 32, No. 11

Spring Fling Jewelry and Accessory Gift Guide
The Jewelry Navigator will tempt you with her hand-selected treats in her exclusive “Spring Fling Gift Guide” featuring Mary van der Aa.
April 2019

Spring Fling Jewelry and Accessory Gift Guide Podcast
The Jewelry Navigator will tempt you with her hand-selected treats in her exclusive “Spring Fling Gift Guide” featuring Mary van der Aa.
April 2019

Mary van der Aa- Jewelry Super Hero for Women in the Jewelry Industry
Mary van der Aa is a jewelry super hero and inspiration for women in the jewelry industry. Read the Jewelry Navigator blog post follow-up to the fabulous podcast interview.
April 2019

The Amazing Jewelry Talents of Gemologist and Jeweler, Mary van der Aa
As a woman designing and making jewelry, Mary van der Aa shares a common perspective we have for beauty, style and balance. Listen to her story in this exciting and entertaining podcast by the Jewelry Navigator.
April 2019

Rapaport Magazine
Mary van der Aa’s “Aria” published in article by Diana Jarrett entitled “Tantalizing in Tanzania.”
Rapaport Magazine,
January 2019

Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist
Mary van der Aa’s “Orbit” featured on cover, along with a “how-to” article.
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist,
January/February 2019

Gemology Worldwide Podcast: TUCSON 2019: THE GEM EXTRAVAGANZA
Mary van der Aa and Tucson Todd’s Gems chat with Lauryn Volovar and Josh Hyman in this exciting Tucson Gem Show 2019 recap!
February 2019

Jewelry Navigator Podcast: Treasures of the 2019 Tucson Gem Show
Mary van der Aa and Tucson Todd’s Gems are discussed in this new and upcoming podcast by the Jewelry Navigator, Brenna Pakes. A fantastic recap on the 2019 Tucson show!
February 2019

Fit for Miss Denmark: "Project of Passion" is the crowning glory for U.S. Team
It takes an American village to make a crown for Miss Denmark.
Southern Jewelry News,
November 2016

Jewelry Designer has Crowning Achievement
Mary van der Aa has designed the crown for the next Miss Denmark.
Port Huron Times Herald,
October 2016

Miss Denmark's Crown Made in Tucson
Arizona Daily Star, October 2016

Mary van der Aa- Featured in GIA's Spring Edition Gems & Gemology 2015
Mary van der Aa presents her jewelry designs to the GIA crew at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Color-Change Garnets from Tanzania
Gems & Gemology, Spring 2015, Vol. 51, No. 1
First published piece

Mary van der Aa- 2012 Vegas Standout
Mary van der Aa segment on AGTA gemfair and colored gemstones.

Mary van der Aa- 2013 AGTA GemFair Overview Invite
Mary van der Aa segment on colored stones in today's fashion.