Gabrielle Sanchez: Pearl & Fire Opal Necklace
Pink-grey creamy freshwater pearls strand of 16 inches in length accentuated with a fire opal drop and 18k closure. I.Love.It. ♦ Gabrielle Sanchez ♦ $5600 ♦ Twist Online Read More
The Clover is Over for Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum's jewelry line is being halted due to lawsuits against the clover motif. World renown jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels is claiming all rights to the clover. Not trying to take sides here because I am a huge fan of both parties, but putting claim on a shape?! Really? Heidi Klum has stated that her inspiration, from day one, has been through travels and observing church architecture in Milan, Italy. I can see her point and totally realize that she was not trying to copy what Van Cleef & Arpels has been doing for years (longer than Klum's jewelry line which has been out for only 5 years). I, too, was inspired by European churches' architecture--the picture below is from my trip to England in 2006. It was taken at a church in England, you can see the clover motif here as well. This picture is a favorite of mine. Read More
My Jewel Box: A Couple Family Heirlooms
My sister ALisha and I had a fun time going through our parents' jewelry boxes. My mom's jewelry was more traditional and included many pieces from the 1980s. Since then, she has not really made any jewelry purchases. A favorite piece of hers is an Opal Triplet pendant that she had custom made after purchasing the stone. My dad's jewelry consists of lots of 18k yellow gold chains from Italy given to him from his parents, as well as lots of watches! A favorite piece of his is a Girard-Perregaux watch given to him by his father. Pictured are two pieces from my parents' jewelry collection: my mom's engagement ring, which is a three-stone diamond ring done in a 14k yellow gold bypass style. The ring is crowned on top an owl carved out of soapstone. One of my dad's watches is pictured on an antique blue plate, featuring Andrew Jackson. The plate was found at an old antique shop by my sister--Jackson owned a large plantation and estate near where we live. Read More
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Spotted: Sienna Miller’s Wing Earrings
With the premier of movie G I Joe, some promoting has been in the works for a few weeks. On August 4th, 2009 some of the cast rang in the opening bell at New York's Stock Exchange, in NYC. Sienna Miller flashed some eye-catching winged earrings in yellow gold. They take up her entire earlobe! I kind of like them, however I am unaware of the designer. Anyone know who designed these wing earrings? **Update** the designer is Jessica Robinson Read More
Designer Spotlight: Jessica McCormack
"New York Night" 3.11 carat diamond ring, depicting the NY skyline Jessica McCormack doesn't take jewelry design lightly--she wants to designs pieces you will covet forever, and pass down through the years. Sounds like a substantially serious objective for a jewelry designer, but when you see her work you will notice that this goal is easily reached. Of course with a background like hers, you begin to understand how her talent emerged as well. She spent much of her early life surrounded by antiques at her father's auction house. In her twenties she traveled around Asia and Europe, expanding her tastes. Each piece she designs has an enormous amount of thought and meaning behind it--a great example is her popular Wing of Desire, said to have been worn on the hat and sandals of Greek mythological being Hermes. Her work reinforces what I believe--that those who are self-taught, when it comes to jewelry design, are those who are least conventional and boring. Her jewelry sure pushes the line. Jessica McCormack, The Salon ♦ 32 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0AU ♦ ♦ +44 (0)20 7549 6700 ♦ by appointment only model wearing Wing of Desire earrings {The photos I have chosen are from her Blog on her website, which has even more inspiring images.} Read More
The September Issue: Ashley Olsen Jewelry Trendsetting
Ashley Olsen graces the cover of the September issue of Marie Claire for 2009. If you've picked up your copy, as I have, you will get to read a great interview and see some amazing pictures. It is insightful to read how extremely effortless she makes her everyday clothing out to be--yet how crazily aware fashion gurus and fashion bloggers are about her. Ashley seems like a treasure hunter, like myself--describing a few pieces of jewelry and art as found in pawnshops in NYC and bazaars in Istanbul. Caption of above picture: "TRENDSETTER: Always one step ahead of the fashion curve, Ashley wore her rings high on her fingers." Below are two pieces that quite resemble what Ashley Olsen is wearing above. And yes, I too believe rings worn high on fingers will be popular. If you already have a gold beaded, long chain you can give it a new twist by knotting it like so. If not, Karen Karch has designed this fluid, sparkly choice. This necklace is 50 inches long, and because it was hand-made, knotted between each bead, it can be styled, draped and twisted any way you want. Done in 18k yellow gold and priced at $9500. Ashley Olsen wore a ring on the top portion of her finger--very unconventional and "so-her." Sarah Davida is designing rings with this exact style in mind. Each is custom made to fit you, as well as personalized with words, initials or small sayings. I think the Olsen twins would fall in love with the Davida Cuff Ring, and you will too. You get a 10k yellow gold cuff ring for only $140-147 or a silver version for $42-49. Check out the website for ordering information. Read More
