Obsessions

Necklaces: Nature-Inspired

August 12, 2008

I've been outside nearly the entire day. Sometimes I feel it is urgent to stop and appreciate nature. With our hectic lives that we all live, it is sad that we don't take the time to just sit and take in the incredible wonders of this world. You could sit and watch the sunset, watch a tiny ant make its way home while carrying something 3x its size, or wonder about the stars and moon. It is relaxing and puts your worries into perspective. Here are some nature-inspired pieces that are just as amazing as nature itself. Maybe purchasing one will remind you to stop and appreciate the little things in life. This little necklace is designed by Pippa Small. That green gem is a chrysophase and it is strung on a natural cord. To give it some glam, two 22k gold seeds are added. This necklace definitely has earthy elegance! It can be purchased at Twist for $620. Doves hold a special meaning to my family, so this necklace is near the top of my wishlist. The designer, Renee Garvey, is amazing and all of her designs are so organic. The dove has a white diamond for an eye, and is hanging with a raw black diamond and a smoothed beach stone. What a neat combination! The leather cord is so right...I can't imagine this piece with a gold chain necklace. It is $358 and found on Eliza Page. This necklace comes from a website I recently came across and quickly added to my Favorites. It is called Ele Keats and they have amazing jewelry. This particular one is an 18k gold necklace with an emerald crystal as the center-piece. That emerald looks like it has just been dug out from underground. I like how the necklace has the other emerald and gold accents, rather than just the center pendant. Price: $835 Read More

Obsessions

Diamonds: Tycoon Cut

August 10, 2008

The four C's--cut, clarity, color and carat size--each are important in regards to diamonds. When you talk about the cut of a diamond, there are more possiblities than you may think. One type of cut that transcends the rest is the new Tycoon Cut. Introduced in 2000, the Tycoon Cut is known to be the "only diamond with a diamond on top." You can see the diamond shape on the very top of the stone. The cut allows the stone to reflect 30% more light than other fancy cuts. In comparison to the very similar Emerald Cut, the Tycoon Cut has more sparkle--it has nine facets. To ensure authenticity, each Tycoon diamond is laser inscribed with a serial number and comes with a GIA grading report. Read More

Obsessions

Estate Earrings

August 2, 2008

Earrings are always alittle more difficult to find when shopping vintage. Some have very strange looking screw-on backs that look like you need a screwdriver to open them up--yikes. Earrings, to me, are always the easiest piece of jewelry to lose. Whether an earring back falls off, and you lose one earring or the snap-bar closure doesn't "snap" tightly enough. I've experienced it all...and I'm sure you have. Lately I've been having the problem of falling asleep with my earrings on, and in the middle of the night, unconsciously, I'll take them out and fling them somewhere. Not good. Anyways, here are a few estate earrings that I found while browsing. Enjoy! So cute and dainty, these diamond dangles are true reflections of the Edwardian time period. They are from Ross-Simons estate collection, and are priced at $6800. There are 2 carats of diamonds and set in 14k yellow gold. These are also from Ross-Simons estate collection. They are from the 1930s and are so stunning, whether you would wear them day or night. The green stone is a jade cabochon, which is surrounded by black onyx rectangles--very unique. Of course there are loads of diamonds and the earrings are set in platinum. Price: $6200. Lastly, these chic, turquoise enamel earrings are from Adin fine antique jewelry, located in Belgium. These would go great with many of the trends right now. They are 18k yellow gold and are priced at about $124. I wish I would've rocked these in my new driver's license photo I had to take this morning...of course after waiting hours in line. Read More

Obsessions

Badassness; Jewelry that Rawks!

July 30, 2008

A trend that has swept, and will continue to sweep the jewelry industry is the rocker chic look. There are many names for this type of jewelry/style: goth, biker, rock & roll, badass, etc... Some designers and celebrities have really made this style mainstream and have done some pretty good things with it. I think there is always a way you could glam this style up, so that it doesn't look so hardcore. Of course I've had my eye out for some rocker chic jewelry that I think is the best out there. Here are my finds: This is a double finger ring. Very impractical to wear, especially when you are trying to type on a computer, but one can't help to feel badass in it. This type of ring has been seen on the fingers of a few celebrities lately, such as stars of "The Hills"--Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge. This particular one is a 14k gold curved bar with a tiny diamond, priced at $392. It can be found on the website ZoeChicco, which has an amazing selection of jewelry that will make your mouth water! Of course I cannot talk about badass jewelry without including those skulls! A definite trend, that is still going strong, but can easily be tacky if you go about it the wrong way. With these two pieces, I guarantee you won't overdo it. They are tiny, simple and still look tough. The charm is a baby charm with two tiny diamonds (price $110) from C.H.A.R.M. which is a company that carries...you guessed it...charms! They have the best selection, hands down, and even have an array of antique charms. The ring is a tiny skull in 10k gold from a company that specializes in biker jewelry. It is priced at $140, which is the best price I've seen for a skull ring, and this one is the real deal. I never thought a cross could look badass before, until now. This is such a unique necklace, especially with the opals, but then designer Fatima Maria adds two random diamonds in the mix--I love that! I also like how the cross hangs from the chain like that--so unconventional. This can be found on Twist, and be purchased for $2200. Read More

Obsessions

14k Gold + Glass = Effortless Beauty

July 25, 2008

At first glance, I didn't even notice the colored "gems" in this jewelry line are actually colored glass. How neat is that? The jewelry design team consisting of Jess Panza and Julie Burton have come together to create Verre New York [verre being French for glass, of course!] Below are a few pieces from the collection which can be purchased online at their website. And, hey, 10% of all sales goes to charity so you can shop and feel good about it. I like how each and every item on their website can be ordered in either silver, gold filled or 14k gold. This option is so smart! I think more designers need to be doing that. Everything is very well priced, especially for the 14k gold items. Anyone order anything from this site? Read More

Obsessions

Essential Earrings

July 20, 2008

Earrings can either make or break an outfit. There are trends that come and go, but there are a few classics that will always remain. No matter what date, time period, or season, diamond studs will always remain timeless and classy. You could find an old black & white photograph from the 40s, or a picture just uploaded onto Facebook, where girls are wearing diamond studs. Diamond studs can come in many different shapes and sizes, and each element affects the price tag. Think of purchasing them as an investment. Some jewelry stores offer a "trade-up" policy where you can continually upgrade your diamond studs and only need to pay the difference in price. That is a great idea. If I were to finally hoard some money and go for the buy, I would purchase something similar to above. They are a nice, clean emerald-cut pair. Another essential to any girls' earring assortment would be a good pair of gold hoops. The size is up to you. These ones are neat because they are wider than most when looking straight-on. The gold design is another positive--and so is the price! Only $285 from Ross-Simons. A pair of dangle earrings is another essential. My choice is by designer Jamie Joseph featured on Eliza Page. The navy blue of the lapis will match with just about anything from jeans to an evening dress. These are done in 14k white gold and are priced at $220. Please allow 4-6 weeks for ordering...so these are not a good idea for that wedding next weekend! The last earring essential is classic, affordable and absolutely necessary: pearl studs (and I don't have any [sad face]) I like the bigger pearls...around 9-10mm. They can dress up anything--even jeans and a t-shirt. These are from Ben Bridge Jewelers in sunny San Diego, California. Price: $139. Read More

Journal

Menu

How to Identify Genuine Georgian Jewelry, part 1

How to Clean Antique Jewelry — The Important Do’s & Don’ts

Welcome to the New Website!

Top Ten New Jewelry Book Titles Just in Time for the Holidays

Obsessions

Necklaces: Nature-Inspired

Obsessions

Diamonds: Tycoon Cut

Obsessions

Estate Earrings

Shop My Picks

Obsessions

Badassness; Jewelry that Rawks!

Obsessions

14k Gold + Glass = Effortless Beauty

Most Popular

How to Identify Genuine Georgian Jewelry, part 1

How to Clean Antique Jewelry — The Important Do’s & Don’ts

Welcome to the New Website!

Obsessions

Essential Earrings