United States Earth Pageants
Beauties for a Cause
The Vision
The designs that Ramona meticulously create and recreate in paper are transformed to life by her superb and talented craftsmen. Her quest for these extraordinary talents led her back to her beloved homeland, the Philippines. Delving into its jwelry making history she has learned that early masterpieces of Filipino goldsmiths dating as early as 5th-10th century were extraordinarily sophisticated and technically complex and were considered unparalleled in the South East Asia region ad were equal to that of the Etruscans. (Anee Richter, History of South East Asian Jewelry Making 243-256, New York Publishing Co, 2000).
Unfortunately, this ancient art of jewelry making is fast becoming a lost art and is on the brink of extinction. Traditional jewelers pass on their skills and knowledge only to the immediate members of their family and this practice of exclusivity led to the deterioration and ultimately to the demise of skills and techniques. Unless drastic and immediate action will be taken to reverse the process this unique Filipino art and heritage will be lost forever.
It was with the same fervor and intensity that Ramona applies in designing her masterpieces which compelled her to take action toward this direction. Using her personal resources, she boldly started her own non-profit jewelry making school 3 years ago. Starting with 2 students, she now have 12 students on full scholarship learning and training under one of the few remaining Filipino jewelers with decades of knowledge and experience on traditional Filipino jewelry making techniques.
It is her vision to one day restore the glory of ancient Filipino jewelry making worthy of global recognition. Although the task is huge and at times daunting Ramona believes that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
The Artist/Designer
International Jewelry Designer, Ramona Haar, began her career as a designer in 2001 while working on her Graduate Gemology degree with Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. It was while immersing herself to the study of colored gemstones that she uncovered her passion for transforming these natural gifts of Mother Earth into a myriad of breathtaking designs.
Ramona always have had a natural inclination for art and design even at an early age. She feels very grateful and fortunate to have a wonderful opportunity to express her creativity in the unique medium of jewelry making.
Her designs are inspired by nature. She lets the natural balance and energy of gemstones silently orchestrate and guide her to express itself with infinite creativity.
Official website:
www.ramonahaar.com
Ramona Haar Jewelry