Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Designer Jewelry

Treasure Hunting, Sans Hard Hat & Gem Mine

Treasure hunting is my absolute most favorite thing to do. Whether it's at an antique shop, looking for gold frames and vintage jewelry, or at a gem mine, sifting through piles of gravel and dirt--I love the thrill of finding something to be treasured. The beach is one of my favorite spots. It is fun to be on the hunt for sea shells and sea glass. In the above photo, I am searching for sea glass in Southern California. Below are some pieces of jewelry with elements of raw mother nature. Not your typical, finely polished gemstone--just a smoothed beach stone, some quartz found in Central Park and some raw black diamonds. Enjoy! The alluring seafoam green color of the chrysophrase beads goes great with the simple beach stone. This necklace is designed by Renee Garvey and can be found at Eliza Page. Priced at $375. I love the concept of this necklace, along with some other pieces that match in BYLU's Compass Rose collection. The quartz encased in the gold setting is found in Central Park, each is unique. The necklace is done in 14k yellow gold and is $550. Maya Brenner has some great jewelry designs and this black diamond bracelet is a great example. The black diamonds are drilled so they look like beads, and the delicate 14k chain is perfect. Check out Maya Brenner's website to take a look at her other designs. The bracelet is priced at $220. Read More

Designer Jewelry

Cathy Waterman: Love of My Life Collection

The Cathy Waterman Love of My Life Collection. So. Beautiful. For info and pricing check out Cathy's website or Ylang|23 Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Jewelry Lookbook: Coral Ring, Pearl Bracelet & Woven Gold Bracelets

Starred shorts, denim button-up, black socks with open-toe heels: it sounds so wrong, but it look so right. And the jewelry combination is just as interesting. An angel skin coral ring, woven gold bracelets, and a three-strand pearl bracelet--check out this look below! All look-alike pieces are vintage and were found at Beladora 2. This three-strand pearl bracelet has 14k white gold bars to keep the pearls tame, and I love the white gold filigree clasp. It is 7.5 inches long and is circa 2005, so only a few years old! Price: $695 from Beladora2. This coral ring is classic and simple. Known as "angel skin" coral when portraying this light peach color, rather than the other, darker versions coral can be found as. This ring, circa 1965, is done in 18k yellow gold and is a size 6. Price: $316 from Beladora2. Although difficult to tell exactly what the stack of bracelets look like worn on the left wrist, I believe some are woven gold. I love this example from Beladora2. It is from the 1970s and is done in 14k yellow gold. The thickness of the piece makes it beautiful. Price: $1450 A circular link bracelet is also stacked on the left wrist, this one is also from the seventies and done in 14k yellow gold. The clasp is actually disguised as a link, which shows great craftsmanship. From Beladora2 and priced at $1125. Read More

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Celebrity Jewelry

Spotted: Backward Necklace on Ashley Olsen

Ashley Olsen was photographed at the CFDA Fashion Awards on June 15, 2009 sporting an interesting way of wearing a pearl drop necklace--backwards! From the front, I thought she was wearing a simple yellow gold chain that was choker length. Then I saw pictures of the stunning back of the dress and realized she was wearing the necklace backwards. She may have started something here! Looks beautiful...love the dress and jewelry! Read More

Designer Jewelry

Designer Spotlight: Scosha NYC

Us adults need our version of the friendship bracelet.  This is where designer Scosha comes in, bringing you a mix of friendship-like bracelets reminiscent of our childhood's past.  Only this version is much cooler, has some diamonds added, and made of vintage fishing line.  Give a girlfriend one of these, and I'm sure you'll be best friends forever.  Love how these bracelets can be worn with other stackable kinds.  They have just the right amount of sparkle. This bracelet comes from the Poetry Wheel Collection in Scosha's line. The turquoise, yellow gold and black color combination is just beautiful. This dainty, little bracelet is made of antique silk fly fishing line that has been braided. Can you believe a single line can hold up to 120 pounds?! All the gold is solid, 10k yellow. Price: $550 These bracelets come from the Caravan Collection--with your choice of ruby, emerald or sapphire. This one has a 14k button closure, with a black and white braided fishing line look. Price: $235 each. Want one with more sparkle? This one's for you. It features small, gold rondel beads with the middle bead set with diamonds. From the Jessijean Collection, this bracelet consists of black fishing line crafted so that it adjusts to fit any wrist. A couple of these on and you will sparkle into the night! Each are $179. Read More

Obsessions

Summer Time Jewelry

Photo Courtesy of Penshire Media The sun is shining, temperatures are soaring...it is a hot mess being outdoors these days, especially living in the south. It is a good idea to be aware of what jewelry you are wearing in the hot summer months. One must think of what your day will entail, and then plan what jewelry would be practical. Like today, for example, a BBQ was planned--had to leave the rings at home! BBQ sauce on diamond rings is not fun. Or places like amusement parks and swimming pools: proof that the less jewelry you wear, the better. You wouldn't want to lose something valuable or sentimental at a park or pool. I have picked out a few pieces below that are great summertime options, that stand out on their own without needing to accessorize any further. Wearing one of these pieces alone will be a perfect, you wouldn't need anything more. This bracelet can easily stand alone on any wrist and be bright and beautiful. The flowers give it a summery look and bracelets are less likely to get dirty, making it a perfect option. Great for those who need to wear diamonds but want to wear less during summertime activities. From Dumont Estate Jewelry, circa 1950s, it features a foxtail link all done in 18k white gold. Price: $4775 If you have a camping or boating or bike trip planned, but you feel "naked" without your rings, this is a great option. Not only is it very earthy itself, but the craftsmanship of this ring will allow you to put your mind at ease while wearing it. Although opal is tough to clean, the bezel setting is much better than a classic prong setting which allows dirt to get up underneath the stone. This ring could easily be wiped with a soapy rag. Designed by Californian, Melissa Joy Manning and priced at $350, can be found at The Clay Pot. This bracelet is perfect for warm weather. It is easy to throw on and it molds to fit your wrist, so you won't have to worry about it falling off. Complete with 18k yellow gold caps, it is priced at $286, found at Persimmon and designed by Francisca Botelho. Read More