...I will be able to wear necklaces like these, jewelry so amazing it belongs in a museum. There are 559 carats of moonstone and 13 carats of diamonds! Assil New York has all the bold, statement-making jewelry you would only find on red carpets. Always fun to browse online! Moonstone has been more and more a favorite of mine--the more I see pieces featuring moonstone, the more intrigued I get. And seeing moonstone in person--breath taking! Read More
Sometimes it's hard to resist something that is so ugly, it's cute. Do you know what I mean? Like that "World's Ugliest Dog" contest?! A lot of people have a soft spot in their heart for ugly/creepy things. Some examples include your creepy pet spider, your first boyfriend in Middle School, and your best friend's newborn. Some sparkly examples...these jewels: Lori Leavitt always has some inspiring jewelry, this vintage ring is no exception. Although said to be a Lion, I feel it's more of a Lion/Dragon combination: a Ligon? Either way, it is sort of scary, yet I kind of want one. Let it be known that it is a one of a kind piece, 10k yellow gold with a diamond in the mouth. Price: $1250 These pearl skull charms are very much unlike the trendy skull jewelry often seen on gothic teenagers. These are creepily cute, designed around the natural shape of each pearl. Check out Belmacz for more info. (Can be found under >Current Collection >Charms.) Solange Azagury-Partridge has a heck of a talent, she is always creating jewelry that surprises even jaded jewelry collectors. Here we have a crocodile skull ring, that opens and shuts, revealing a ruby. As you can see, you can have this piece customized with or without diamonds. If I ever want to buy a pearl ring, this is going to be it! Solange Azagury-Partridge does it again with these clawed pearl rings. I like the addition of the enameling, to really accentuate the effect of a claw. Which do you prefer, the gray or white pearl? Read More
Happy 4th of July! 2009 marks the United States of America, 233 years! Patriotic brooch from Lang Antiques, "V for Victory!" A truly retro era piece of jewelry, outfitted with rubies, diamonds and sapphires. It is done in 14k yellow and rose gold--very unique. I love the half-moon cut diamond at the top. Price: $2950. Read More
Summer is all about antiquing and checking out flea markets--but I was in over my head with the added summer heat. I checked out the flea market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, in Nashville. After enduring 95 degree haziness, lots of walking, lots of sweating, I spotted a beautiful antique brooch. The vendor was from Florida and had an amazing assortment of antique and vintage fine jewelry. Luckily his tables were extremely crowded, because when it was finally my turn to ask about the pin, he knocked $100 off of the pricetag! My knowledge about jewelry led me to believe I got a really good deal, but to make sure I brought it to be thoroughly cleaned and checked out by a local antique jewelry shop. Turns out the brooch is circa 1890 and used to have a watch attached. It also has a folding bail that folds outward so a chain could be strung through, turning it into a necklace. Antique jewelry was often very versatile and came as 3-in-1, or 2-in-1. A concern of mine before purchasing the brooch was the evident oxidizing of the gold. It almost looked dirty or tarnished. At first I was questioning the hallmark of 14k because I thought real gold never tarnishes. However, the antique jeweler informed me that because of its age, it had oxidized and most of it was removed after the brooch received a deep cleaning. If the brooch were 10k rather than 14k, the entire piece would have been blackened from oxidization. Some interesting knowledge to pass on to my readers! Read More
The following excerpt is contributed by Bernadette Morra, Editor-in-Chief of Firstwater News, a premiere website covering news about fine jewelry. Every time I look at my right hand, I think of my mother, and will even more so now that she has passed away. Of the trio of rings I wear on my ring finger, the centrepiece is a gold band that I used to admire on her. The other is a Cartier rolling ring – the first piece of jewelry my husband ever gave me. The third is a simple gold band I bought for myself in high school. But the star of the grouping is the ring that my mother hasn’t been able to get over her arthritic knuckles for years. It’s actually a man’s ring from Birks - a ridged wedding band with diamond chips stuck between the multileveled striations. I am sure there is more technical terminology to describe the design. It reminds me of the Grand Canyon. I hate to think of the type of man that might wear such a thing. But on the hand of a stylish woman like my mother was before her first massive stroke more than 20 years ago, it looked right. Better than right, in fact. And oddly, though my taste in jewelry is more minimalist than hers was, the ring suited us both. I don’t know how much my mother paid for the ring, purchased back in the ‘70s. But I do know that she got more than her money’s worth. And that is just one of the things that is so marvelous about buying fine jewelry. Jewelry endures – both in terms of lifespan, if it is properly cared for, and in terms of appeal. This one ring has been enjoyed on a daily basis for more than 30 years. And it doesn’t look any the worse for wear. It’s not an important ring, in terms of the quality of the design or stones, but it’s become a family heirloom and what could be more important than that? And when the day comes that I can no longer get the ring over my knuckles, I’ll go back to admiring it on someone else’s hand. by: Bernadette Morra Read More
I have become enamored by this brooch--the faceted jet, the rose gold, the rough cognac and champagne diamonds--so beautiful. Laine is new to the jewelry scene, however her remarkable talent leads anyone to believe she is a 30 year veteran. Her Lillie brooch, made of 15k rose gold, dates back to 1890. The vintage piece has been reinvented through her artistic perspective, and this is the end result. And the price? Only $300. Just picture some skinny jeans, black solid tank, and a sea green scarf wrapped and secured with this brooch--niiice! Read More
