Yum! Fruity Bangles by Mark Davis
Gretchen Julius: a Day at the Zoo
I love Gretchen Julius' designs because they make me feel like I'm spending a day at the zoo or on an African Safari adventure. Zoos are my top favorite places ever and I've been to quite a few. For my birthday this year, it was the San Diego Zoo and then last year it was the Cleveland Zoo. Here I am when I was little at a zoo in Florida. The petting zoo area is the best part. I fell pretty hard and scraped my knee, and the little goat was licking my scrape. My favorite animal at the zoo has always been those meerkats...I could watch them for hours. I get frustrated though because I just want to play with them. Here are some of Gretchen Julius' designs--we've got a ring, necklace and earrings. All are done in 14k yellow gold with semi-precious stones. She uses a zebra, elephant, camel, rhino, and scarab in her pieces of the Safari Collection. So, if you like the necklace but would rather have, say, a camel for example, it is available. Check out her website...her bracelets are also very pretty. And check out the Cluster Collection. I've added a peak of what that collection looks like as well below. Read More
Election ’08: Buttons are Overrated;;a Graffiti Bangle is more like it
With the election coming on strong, Americans will be headed to the polls before we know it! Heck, it's almost October already! Crazy stuff. I've seen cars whizzing around with McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden bumper stickers all the time. But who wants to ruin their car with a huge bumper sticker? Or how about those button/pin things...they are great, but how do you wear that and look stylish? The best option to show your political spirit this fall?? Try a Graffiti Bangle! Gorgeously hand-made using brass and enamel. The phrase "Obama '08" is done up in a graffiti style. Each costs $100, with $50 going toward the Obama Campaign. Now that's showing your support, while being stylish!! Comes in colors red, white, blue, gold, yellow, beige, or pink. Each are 1 inch wide, from BYLU jewelry. Read More
Shop My Picks
Designer Spotlight: Sarah Perlis
If you ever wanted fine, handmade jewelry then Sarah Perlis is a jewelry designer that you need to check out! She likes to create jewelry that is eco-conscious, so she melts her own gold in her studio, located in New York City. Her designs use 18k and 22k gold, gemstones and diamonds. Sarah Perlis has a popular collection called "In the Rough" which incorporates 22k recycled gold and rough diamonds that have been panned and not mined. The panning method does not release toxic chemicals into the environment, like how mining often does. Take a look at my favorites from her collection, which can be ordered from her website. There are more great pieces to look at on there as well! Personalized jewelry is fun and quite popular. Whether you get your initial, your significant other's, or a secret crush's, this is an all around easy-to-wear necklace. I like how it also comes with a gold heart charm and a tiny diamond charm. This piece is done in 20k gold and is $595. You can also get this necklace without the heart charm, for $435. This ring is so adorable! Sarah Perlis was definitely thinking outside the box when she created this piece. I never would have thought to attach a gemstone in that way--sort of looks like one flower petal. This ring features a pink sapphire and a rose-cut diamond, in 20k gold. Price: $840 I like this chain necklace because it could be worn in so many different ways. It would look great alone, or layered with other necklaces. Who ever thought a simple chain could make such a bold statement? It is 20k and 18k gold and priced at $480. Read More
Gem Gossip’s Pick of the Week!
I've decided to start a weekly post for my pick of the week. There are no rules or stipulations--just whatever bracelet, necklace, ring, or earrings I feel should be mentioned, or is currently on my personal wish list. Hopefully you will enjoy my choices, and you can even chime in with items you've spotted that you just "can't live without!" Feel free to post links in the comments section below each weekly "pick of the week!" So check back every Wednesday. This week's pick is this princess skull necklace. It is made of 9k gold, and rubies with white sapphires. Definitely a glammed up version of the rocker chic look. The shape almost resembles a cross--done purposely? Not sure, but you can purchase this at Kabiri which is a website that houses all sorts of eclectic pieces of jewelry from across the pond. Check it out at www.kabiri.co.uk Read More
Designer Spotlight: Karen Karch
When I came across jewelry designer Karen Karch and her website, it was like Christmas morning for me. Every time I clicked "next page" I got more and more thrilled by her jewelry designs. Talk about one-of-a-kind! Brides-to-be love her organic and simply stunning engagement rings. They are different, and will continue to be beautiful throughout your lifetime. Brides can choose from a wide range of wedding bands, many featuring vines and tiara shapes. White and Cognac diamonds are used in engagement style rings. Karch also has some breath-taking everyday jewelry. Her collection features lapis, jade, coral, turquoise and tiger's eye. Any jewelry lover who is not familiar with Karch's designs should check out her site--you will love it! The bright blue of the lapis against the yellow gold really makes this ring stand out. The band is made out of golden vines, which give the ring an organic look. The lapis is rose cut, making it even more unique. The prongs look like claws--so neat! Price is $4200, and the ring is called Spellbound. Karch has many lucky horn pendants in her collection. You can purchase them in turquoise, jade, coral, onyx, tiger's eye, even a diamond encrusted horn. Some have different caps, having more or less diamonds...it depends on your style (and budget!) This one is the most simple, and is green jade. Price: $1900 This is called the Supreme ring--the name says it all. The black diamonds really contrast against the 18k rose gold. Tiny white diamonds border around the center stone. The total carat weight of diamonds in this ring is 2.17, price $6800. Read More
