The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, Ming-Na Wen, Who's Also a Jewelry Ambassador

DALLAS, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For actress/producer Ming-Na Wen, new experiences are energizing. "One of the most important things in life is learning and passing on your wisdom," says the Macau-born beauty, who's surely in sync with the origin of her name, explaining that, "In Chinese, Ming means enlightenment." In her starring role as Agent Melinda May on ABC's action/adventure series, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the accomplished TV/film/theater veteran enlightens viewers on what she describes as "the fantastical experience of the whole comic book superhero/supernatural phenomena." And in one of Wen's newest roles, celebrity emissary for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Collection, she shines a spotlight on fine gemstone jewelry. Now in its 31st year and sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), the annual Spectrum competition is the world's premier natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl fine jewelry design contest.

"I love gemstones—they have an energy," Wen says, noting that she's particularly impressed with the design diversity of Spectrum's collection. Any personal favorites? "At the photo shoot, I wore a platinum ring with a light blue-green paraiba tourmaline." As it turns out, the actress has a great eye for fine jewelry—that ring by platinum artist, Leon Megé of Leon Megé Inc., New York City, was awarded "Best of Show," the top honor in the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition. Based around a 4.71-carat paraiba tourmaline, the ring, accented with French-cut diamonds, additionally won First Place in the contest's Classical category. Also intriguing to Wen are opal earrings, called "Milky Way," created by Los Angeles designer, Erica Courtney. Featuring opal drops; the 18K yellow gold pair has paraiba tourmalines and diamonds as well. The earrings won Second Place in Spectrum's Evening Wear category. "The opals are really, really beautiful." She also likes amber-golden topaz. "I was born in November, so that's my birthstone, but I really prefer blue topaz—all the deep royal blue gems, too. I also like emeralds, and pearls, and opals. Oh, and jade—I love jade."

Today, the jewelry that Wen wears every day is a stack of five or six colored stone/natural wood bead bracelets. "They're stretchy and easily come off and on, so they're great for when I'm doing costume changes. And it's jewelry that allows me to connect with my fans." How so? "They see me on Instagram all the time with armfuls of bracelets, so many send me bracelets they think I'll like. The bracelets are all different; it's amazing how many colored gemstones there are." She likes, too, that they add color to the neutrality of her casual wardrobe that's mainly grays, black, and white.

For her off-screen evening wardrobe, Wen's choices often tend more toward the jewel tones. "I have no rules. I don't wear any one designer. And I choose shades that are most flattering for my olive skin, like lots of orange-red, eggplant-purple colors, emerald greens, and royal blues." Her red carpet gemstone jewelry is usually in white gold and platinum, "But in the last year or two, I've also been buying a lot of rose gold." Emphasizing the importance of being open to variety in jewelry, she says, "I wear everything–from big-big to petite pieces. I guess my personal jewelry style is fun and modern. It's probably why I'm so drawn to this Spectrum collection."

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. concludes this season with a 2-hour thriller on Tuesday, March 12. And later this year, you can see Wen in the Kevin Bacon horror-thriller,"6 Miranda Drive," and you can hear her in the animated film short, "Parallel Man." By Lorraine DePasque

Featured in the photo: earrings, Arya Esha; bracelet, Paula Crevoshay; ring, Wendy Brandes; gown, Roland Nivelais; photographer, Andrew Macpherson; producer and stylist, Tod Hallman for THPFashion, Inc.                     

For further information regarding the AGTA Spectrum Awards™, please call Trace Boyd at (800) 972-1162 or visit the AGTA website at www.agta.org. 

The American Gem Trade Association is a not-for-profit Association serving the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry since 1981.  Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, The AGTA serves the industry as "The Authority in Color." 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150511/215025

SOURCE American Gem Trade Association

Related Links

http://www.agta.org