Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Designer Jewelry

Tri-Link Motif by Hoorsenbuhs

The iconic, eye-catching motif of a tri-link has admirers gawking, and people buying. First to come on the scene in 2005, jewelry line Hoorsenbuhs has created pieces like rings and bracelets using a simple motif that flatters anyone wearing them. A very young company, yet already has a unique list of celebrity clientele. Mary-Kate Olsen is seen here wearing the Hoorsenbuhs ring. Their line is meant to be customized to the buyers' needs: anything can be done in silver, 18k yellow, pink or white gold, even platinum. You want diamonds? You can add those too. I had no idea Hoorsenbuhs did bridal jewelry as well. I LOVE the above wedding set, featuring both the man's wedding band and woman's matching band, and the engagement ring is amazing. Simply stunning. For more information: visit Hoorsenbuhs website or read the JC Report Read More

My Jewel Box

Walton’s Antique & Estate Jewelry: Franklin, Tennessee

I checked out Walton's Antique & Estate Jewelry in Franklin, Tennessee this past weekend, after the frightening tornado outbreak minutes away from my house! A well-deserved trip after the stressfulness of all the weather. Take a look at my pendant purchased as a gift for me below. It is a 14k yellow gold pendant from the 1950s, with a diamond and four sapphires. It is an amazing store, with a vast selection of antique jewelry. It was a pleasant surprise to see such amazing jewelry in a small shop like this. Their antique engagement ring selection is great--about a four-foot long case full. They also have many bar pins and brooches, several Art Deco cocktail watches with diamonds, great antique bracelets and much more. I highly recommend this store. Read More

Designer Jewelry

Pandora: Not Just those Silver Charm Bracelets

You've seen those silver charm bracelets made by Pandora.  Maybe you even own one or have purchased one for a gift.  Well those are not the only type of jewelry Pandora designs.  The company has branched out by coming out with many gold pieces in their collection.  Including some majorly neat stackable rings.  Their Lovepods collection features customizable birthstone rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.  Check out the Lovepods collection below in this exclusive video.  Also, check out my favorites from Pandora below! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9u1Vc4msYw] Price: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="275" caption=80 Price: 95 Price: 95 Read More

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Celebrity Jewelry

Jewelry Lookbook: Vintage Ring Overload

If I could have anyone's jewelry collection it would definitely be Mary-Kate and/or Ashley Olsen's. Everytime they are photographed, the jewelry that they wear is ecclectic and bold, and almost always vintage. Sure there are other celebrities out there that have to die for diamond rings--with monsterous center stones worth millions. But that doesn't lure me. I like the uniqueness of the Olsen's jewelry choices. Each seems as though it has an enchanting story behind it from years passed. These vintage rings, all from Israel Rose, seem as though they all belong on Mary-Kate or Ashley's finger. Enjoy! This sapphire and diamond ring is set in platinum, dating back to the Art Deco Era. The diamonds are great because they are Old Mine cut, which you don't see anymore. The sapphires are French cut. Price: $925 From the Victorian Era comes this 18k yellow gold serpant ring. The Olsens have been seen wearing several snake rings. This one has 3/4 carats of sapphire. Price: $650 Now from the Edwardian time period, this sapphire and diamond ring is done in 18k yellow gold and platinum. The center sapphire is a Cushion cut. Very elegant and dainty. Price: $425 Read More

Celebrity Jewelry

Give Back to Malawi, Africa [no adopting babies required]

Lori Leavitt's Panthera Collection was created to benefit African children and young adults of Malawi.  Leavitt has expressed her enthusiasm by saying, “As a designer, it's rare to find an opportunity to be able to express my passion and raise awareness to better the lives of children"  Her collection has been beautifully shown off by Camilla Belle in recent ads, as seen above.   Each piece from Leavitt’s Panthera Collection can be worn to reflect your support for Malawi, Africa. The Panthera Collection, inspired by a vintage lion cufflink from the 1860’s, has been designed into necklaces, bracelets, rings, cufflinks and key chains. The collection is created with a 14k gold lion in each piece. The lion was chosen as a representative of the children of Malawi. It is symbolic of the courage the children in Malawi must endure on a day-to-day basis when faced with endless issues of poverty and illness. 100% of the profits from the Panthera Collection will benefit the H.E.L.P. Price:$1158 for above ring. Learn more about the Panthera Collection at http://lorileavitt.com/pages/frontpage www.helpmalawichildren.org Read More

Education & Advice

Jewelry Time Periods: Art Deco Era

Photo courtesy of Lang Antiques A favorite decorative period of mine is the Art Deco Era, which sprang from the end of WWI. Bouncing back from war efforts, where women desperately had to take over men's jobs and jewelry production was put on hold, the Art Deco period is characterized by decadence. This period encompasses the 1920s-1930s, during which women gained the right to vote, 15 million new cars were registered and hit the roads (1920-1929), many stock market fortunes were made, all while people danced the Charleston. As you can tell, the jewelry reflected what was happening--especially fashion. The "flapper" style was all the rage. Women rebelled by wearing short dresses, red lipstick, and bobbed hair. Bracelets were piled on, both on the upper and lower arms. Earrings, particularly a dangle style, were popular because of the shorter hairstyles. As the economy and stock market fourished, Americans continued to spend frivolously, while borrowing heavily. As a result, the stock market crashed. The Great Depression loomed, and the lavish living of the roaring twenties had come to a dramatic halt. Some motifs and distinctive elements of this time period: geometric shapes- as influenced by Cubism white-on-white: platinum with diamonds, this time adding emeralds, sapphires or rubies as well coral + diamonds, turquoise + sapphires black enamel to contrast bright gemstone colors Egyptian motifs, scarab, sphinx & falcon, as influenced by King Tut's tomb discovery in 1923 Eastern influences- carved gemstones and jade automotive motifs- autos, planes, gazelles, arrows & panthers dress clips convertible sautoirs- long necklaces that could be taken apart forming a bracelet, choker & pendant cocktail watches- diamond encrusted watches Important People of the Time: Raymond Templier Frederic Desprès Jean Dunand Paul Brandt Gerald Sandoz Important Jewelry Houses of the Time: Cartier Tiffany & Co. Winston Van Cleef & Arpels Black Starr & Frost Shreve, Crump & Low Read More