Endless talk of all things sparkly.

Auctions

eBay: Pick of the Week!

Haven't looked at eBay in awhile! I think it is because I am still mad at their changes, especially the high costs of seller's fees. My dad had me list his Girard-Perregaux wristwatch, and it cost $45 just to list it! And it did not even sell! Anyways, I think I've found a new seller to add to my favorites list, beverlyhillsantiques.com They have some really pretty antique stick pins and bar pins. Here are a few stick pins that are ending this week. A few things you could do with a stick pin: stick it in an updo in your hair, take it to a jeweler and remove the stick and make a pendant out of it, or secure your trendy scarf with a beautiful platinum & diamond stick pin! This stick pin is decked out in platinum and 18k gold. The sapphires, diamonds and filigree work make this piece stunning. I could see this used to secure a scarf that is wrapped around your neck. The starting bid is $223. You're looking at a half carat in this pear-shaped diamond, with a pearl attached to the end. This one is in platinum and 18k gold as well. I could picture this one being poked into a sleek updo. Starting bid is $493. This bird is encrusted in diamonds that are rose cut and sees with ruby eyes. With this stickpin, I would turn into a pendant at a local jewelry store. You could remove the stick part and use that gold to sell as scrap. Then, a jeweler could easily make the bird into a pendant. The starting bid is $385. You may have thought stickpins don't have much use--but hopefully my ideas will inspire you! Read More

Designer Jewelry

Cute Critter Jewels

There has been an increase in animal and critter jewelry lately.  Have you noticed?  It kind of started off with the enamel bangles that were zebra or leopard that became popular.  Now, the trend has transformed into something less tacky, where there is a subtle creature encrusted in diamonds on a necklace or ring.  I've seen owls, panthers, turtles, crabs, and many snakes.  I found a few favorites that I would wear...these are two little birds and an alligator!  I don't necessarily recommend wearing them all together though! The first little bird comes from designer Elisa Solomon. This necklace is so charming and I just love the yellow gold/turquoise combination. That precious metal and stone combo creates such a pretty look. The bird has a diamond for an eye set in 18k yellow gold. The price on this necklace is $600. Do you have a thing for Lacoste polos? That cute little embroidered alligator? Well here's a golden and diamond encrusted version of that same alligator! Lena Wald has created this unique necklace, which is 14k yellow gold and 16" long. It is $242 and can be found at Twist. I love this little enamel birdie ring designed by eclectic designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. I wish I knew price details. On her website, you can view her interesting jewelry designs--like none other! She is located in London, so I'm not even sure if her pieces can be found for purchase here in the U.S. Read More

Obsessions

I wanna piece of the Peace trend

The peace sign is making a comeback.  And I really want in on it this time.  So I've scoped out the perfect earrings, necklace and bracelet which shows off that infamous symbol in the best way possible--gold.  This trend has been seen all over Hollywood and in stores such as Urban Outfitters.  If you have a good eye, you could've even spotted a peace sign bracelet on Stephanie Pratt on The Hills.  Check out my finds below, and feel free to post some links of other websites where you grabbed a piece of the peace sign jewelry trend in the comments section! I want these...now. Cute peace sign earrings, in 14k yellow gold by Zoe Chicco. The studs would fit close to your ear, so you could easily wear them all the time. Nice price tag too: $176. Not a fan of yellow gold? You can choose to purchase them in white gold...even rose gold! If you want to go for a necklace with this trend, this is the one. Made from recycled gold and handmade by Heather Moore. It would look great on its own, or seen here with two faceted gemstones. The 14k yellow gold peace sign is $375, or if you would like sterling silver, that is also available for $225. From Ylang|23, look under designer Heather Moore! The bracelet also comes from Zoe Chicco and is $272. It is conveniently adjustable, from sizes 6.5" to 7.5" which is great! This piece also comes in yellow, white or rose gold, whichever you prefer. Pictured is the yellow gold version. UPDATE: More Peace Sign Additions! I've been checking out more lovely peace sign jewels, trying to spot a ring. Well, I found a ring and a peace sign necklace that is a little more glam than the simple, organic looking ones I've been finding. Such a perfect, simple ring...something you'd say, "just what I was looking for!" It is 10k rose gold designed by Jane Diaz. It is only $175 and can be purchased at Eliza Page. More of a glamorous side of the peace sign trend, is this necklace. Designed by Rebecca Lankford, the silk cord and simple peace sign is transformed into a sophisticated piece by adding the gray-green sapphires and pink sapphire. $430 will buy you this gorgeous necklace, handcrafted in the U.S.  From The Clay-Pot. Read More

Shop My Picks

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Designer Jewelry

Mother’s Jewelry; The good, the bad, the ugly

When I used to work at a jewelry store, we got so many shoppers looking for mother's jewelry--something that commemorates children, like birthstones or children charms. We had a few choices to give our customers, all of which I think were very ugly and not elegant at all. Being a mother should be something someone should be very proud of, and by wearing a large golden boy charm is not my idea of celebrating that! Or a golden pacifier?! We also had mother's rings, which were very popular. Most were heart shaped, and made out of birthstones. I have some better suggestions than the "usual" for any mother out there that wants to commemorate their children in the form of jewelry. You don't have to go with what everyone else does--start your own tradition or trend. One idea is from jewelry designer John Christian. The Continuous Life Wheel Pendant features your children's names on one side, and then their birthstones on the other. They go around in a circle, which is even more symbolic. I just think wearing a necklace like this is way more elegant and trendy than wearing boy or girl charms. You can even choose between 14k or 18k gold, even platinum. Prices range from $690-$2600. Another idea is to simply buy an eternity band in your child's birthstone, and engrave their name and maybe even birthdate on the inside. It wouldn't matter what finger, you can decide which is most comfortable. You can continue to stack the rings as your family grows. This one is from QVC and priced at $161. It is blue zircon, which could be for a December baby. I've also come across something even more personalized. Those cute, little drawings your little one first makes are always memorable. Why not treasure them forever in gold? This company takes your child's drawings and turns them into jewelry! Such a neat idea and the many examples show how exact the picture is to the jewelry. Check it out! The prices are unknown since you have to send in the drawing to get a quote. Read More

Antique & Vintage Jewelry

Jewelry that is unfit for air travel

Awhile back, I remember being shocked after reading an article about a woman who was forced to remove her necklace she was wearing because it was a "security risk."  That necklace was a tiny pistol pendant, something that the woman probably did not think would cause such commotion.  I personally think that kind of necklace is completely trendy and one-of-a-kind.  If you've got travel plans soon, any involving flying, think twice about the jewelry you wear.  Check out the article here : http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2008/06/pistol-pendant.html  And if you want to make headlines the next time you fly the friendly skies--make sure you buy this amazing vintage pistol pendant from Ross-Simons estate collection. It is encrusted in a half carat of diamonds and priced at around $1300, depending on sales that run. Read More

Designer Jewelry

Designer Spotlight: Ronni Kappos

Up and coming designer Ronni Kappos vintage glass jewelry designs are bold and bright. When I look at her jewelry line, I first thought rainbow bright would be too flashy or gaudy, but she takes rainbow bright to a sophisticated level. Kappos uses vintage German glass from the 1940s, usually surrounded by 24k gold. All of her designs are so affordable for the detail and craftsmanship. I feel like that won't last long. As soon as America gets familiar with this designer, I'm sure we won't be seeing prices under $100. So check out her work at Twist, and check out my favorites below! This is the Propeller necklace--black, red and teal vintage German glass with 24k gold. It hangs from a nylon cord that is a kelly green color. This could be worn casually or even dressed up. It is playful and pretty, great for summer. And only $100! The Triple Ellipse earrings remind me of a modern version of the cat tail plant. The color combination here would go great with jeans. These are $140. And lastly, the Emblem pendant. Vintage glass that is a pretty sky-blue circle, contrasts the bright tomato-red diamond shapes. It has 24k gold surrounding the shapes on a brown nylon cord. Only $100. Read More