Personal Style – Page 12 – Jewelry Fashion Tips

Rona Pfeiffer: Designer

I must confess…Rona Pfeiffer is one of my all-time favorite jewelry designers. Her exquisite creations just sing to my bohemian luxe heart. From the antique beads to polki diamonds and sapphires, her pieces reflect her unique creativity and esthetic.

rona jewels2 — Necklaces by Rona Pfeiffer

I first met Rona a few years ago at a trunk show and acquired my first bracelet. Since then, I’ve made it a point to attend all her local trunk shows. I was thrilled to see her in a new venue this past week at In Her Shoes in Palo Alto. I feel this boutique is the perfect fit for her, as all the profits from this store go to charity.

Formerly of the film/tv industry, Rona uses her background in painting to “paint with stones,” as she says. She is one of the only designers I’ve met who actually makes each and every piece by hand herself–no outsourcing, no big company, just Rona. She finds her distinctive materials in her travels, be it from a dark, underground store in New York where she found some vintage ivory, to a shop in London where she discovered a pile of antique beads so amazing she couldn’t pass them up. And that’s one of the cool things about her jewelry…she doesn’t have an unlimited supply of different materials, so once they’re used up, they’re gone. This really ensures that you’ll have a one-of-a kind treasure.

rona p.jewels — More lust-worthy pieces by Rona Pfeiffer

If this line appeals to your personal style, I highly encourage you to check out her amazing jewelry in person. It will easily mix and match with your current collection, be great as layering pieces or on their own.

Turquoise: A Summer Staple

Turquoise has been one of my favorite gems throughout my life. Though it can certainly be worn year round, many people associate it with summer. I can see why this is the case when I visit places like Capri, Italy, where people are adorned with turquoise in everything from their jewelry to their sandals.

Generally, turquoise comes in colors ranging from blues to greens, although it also comes in white. It has been used in jewelry and other items for thousands of years. Cultures from ancient Egyptians to Native Americans have made exquisite turquoise jewelry.

I was at a party and spotted this to-die-for necklace on my friend, Michelle. Come to find out, it once belonged to her grandmother, but she usually only wears it for special occasions. Tell me it’s not true! I think this necklace would be just as fabulous with a t-shirt and jeans as it would be with a cocktail dress, and I encouraged her to wear it more often.

Michelle's turquoise necklace — Michelle's vintage turquoise necklace

I find that turquoise usually comes set in silver. When I was at the Wynn in Las Vegas I came across these Peruvian turquoise earrings set in gold. Of course, I had to swoop them up. Plus, they have a much greener hue, which really appealed to me.

vegas earrings — Peruvian turquoise earrings set in gold

When I mention turquoise to my clients, many of them have the reaction, “Oh, I don’t like that southwest look.” But the truth of the matter is that you can find turquoise in every sort of style. Here’s an example of a modern take on turquoise.

turquoise buddah necklace — Buddah meets turquoise

If turquoise makes your heart happy, then I think you should explore the colors, settings, metals, and styles it comes in. I’m sure you’ll come across something that fits right in with your personal coloring and style.

Stacking Bracelets…Hot Trend!

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about layering necklaces, and now I’d like to take it one step further by talking about stacking bracelets. It’s all the rage, and I bet you have just what you need right in your very own jewelry box to try this trend out. I’m sure you may be sick of hearing me say this by now, but if this trend meshes with your own personal style, then have fun with it. If it doesn’t, stay true to who you are!

There’s no need to be afraid when attempting a new bracelet configuration. You don’t need to stick with one color metal, and they don’t need to be all bangles, all chains, etc. Create interest with a mixture of textures and metals.

stacking bracelets 1 — Mixed metals and textures in stacking bracelets

Here’s another example of an unexpected mix I spotted on a friend of mine. She said she had gone into her jewelry box and pulled out a couple bracelets from years gone by and paired them with a recent purchase. Combined with her two-tone watch, I think it’s a fun combination.

stacking bracelets 2 — Mixing vintage and modern bracelets

You know what a bling girl I am, so this final example really sings to my soul. You can never have enough diamonds! And I love how she threw in the solid silver bangle for a truly chic look.

stacking bracelets 3 — Diamonds galore in this stack!

I hope this inspires you to try out some new stacks of your own…your wrists are waiting!

Montecito and Santa Barbara: Two Must-shop Boutiques

I make it a point to visit Montecito and Santa Barbara at least once a year. I just love the beachy atmosphere, the stunning views, and of course…the shopping! This past week I visited one of my favorite destinations in Montecito and discovered a very cool new shop on State Street in Santa Barbara.

To put it bluntly, I’d pretty much like to live in Maison K. The neutral palette highlighted with metal, glass and exotic materials just speaks to me. Kimberly Phillips, the store’s owner with a discerning eye and fabulous taste, finds treasures from around the globe to share with her clients.

kim phillips — Me with Kimberly Phillips, owner of Maison K

What really caught my eye this visit was the extraordinary case of jewelry she just brought back from Istanbul. I didn’t know where to look first–pearls? coral? turquoise? gold? Oh my, the choices!

maison k jewelry — Some baubles from Istanbul

This is definitely a must-stop for unique jewelry that you most certainly won’t see coming and going.

As I did my stroll along State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, checking out all the familiar windows, I did a double take. (I love when a new store pops up!) Plum Goods is the creative product of Amy Cooper, and it opened just this past October. It’s a very eclectic shop with everything from jewelry to art to gift items. I just adore her motto, which is on the front window.

Much of her merchandise is made by local artists, which is a huge plus in my book. Her wares are hand-crafted, fair trade, recycled and eco-chic. I spent quite some time perusing the various cases of jewelry, when a buddah necklace by Iris di Santo really caught my eye.

plum goods jewelry — A small sample of jewelry at Plum Goods

So for those of you who know me, jewelry with a buddah is right up there with horn pendants as part of my signature style. I don’t think you need to think too hard about whether or not this necklace went home with me.

buddah necklace — Buddah necklace from Plum Goods

So next time you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Santa Barbara/Montecito ‘hood, definitely check out these two gems in the world of retail and enjoy!

Polki Diamonds: Beyond the Four C’s

Last summer, as I sleepily stared out the window on a bus tour of Copenhagen, I suddenly sat upright in my seat. I had spied the most amazing jewelry store, and I vowed to find it on foot as soon as I was through with the tour. Being the jewelry-o-holic I am, I found it and purchased the most beautiful diamond ring. But…it was unlike any diamond that I had seen before. It was not perfect, not even really “cut” and I could see that the clarity was not there at all. The price certainly didn’t reflect what I was accustomed to in the world of diamonds either. Yet still the diamond had subtle luxury, and that’s when I officially fell in love with polki diamonds.

Thanks to Meredith Marks, jewelry designer extraordinaire, I was turned on to this term “polki.” Until then, I had been going under the false assumption that this type of diamond was called rose cut. In fact, in almost every store and catalogue I’ve seen in the United States, these diamonds are mislabeled. (Rose cut diamonds actually look like a rose about to bloom–they look like a diamond which has been cut upside down, creating more of a faceted dome.)

Here is a pair of Meredith’s earrings made with polki diamonds, surrounded by smaller, single-cut champagne diamonds.

Meredith Marks "Susan" earrings — "Susan" earrings by Meredith Marks

Basically, polki diamonds are uncut, rough diamonds that don’t have any of the enhancements found in traditional cut diamonds. They originate from India and are set with Kundan techniques, which don’t involve prongs or claws to set them in the metal. It’s an ancient artform from way, way back in the time of Rhajastani kings. The diamonds are typically a bit larger in size and have a subdued shine because they’re not highly polished.

Meredith Marks' Alexia ring--oh my gorgeous!

Personally, I love that these diamonds have a more ancient look. I have seen them set in oxidized sterling with gold, and they truly sparkle in that setting. They most definitely fit in with my “bohemian luxury” personal style. I think this bangle is now officially on my covet list….

I don’t know if it’s that polki diamonds are now on my radar, or that they’re becoming more popular, but I am definitely seeing more of them here in the States. (I’ve even seen a polki eternity band in the Sundance jewelry catalogue.) So keep your eyes open and you may run across a diamond with your name on it!

Layering Necklaces: It’s all in the Mix

You may have noticed that one of the hot trends in the world of jewelry has been layering necklaces. But have you been afraid to try this out yourself? Don’t be, because there are no hard and fast rules. Instead, just play around a little and see what sparks your creative eye.

Start with one necklace that hits around your upper balance point. Then add another one that’s a bit longer, maybe even two more. You might try one of your longer necklaces and doubling it. The following picture demonstrates how a longer necklace was wrapped around twice and combined with a shorter necklace for a stunning effect.

jen layered necklaces — layering a short necklace with a doubled longer one

This photograph shows how a shorter necklace is layered with a doubled longer one. Then added to the mix is yet another one, worn long, for sort of a three-tiered effect. I’m just lovin’ it.

three-tiered layered necklaces — layering three necklaces

One more thing you may want to experiment with is the scale of the necklaces you’re layering. Sometimes a combination you may have never thought about just looks hot. I practically accosted this woman, Janet, in Neiman Marcus when her creative combination really got my attention.

I just think the chunkiness of the carved wood necklace creates beautiful juxtaposition with the more delicate blue beaded strand with the gold medallion.

So here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it. Go to your jewelry box, haul out all your necklaces (even the ones that have been hiding in the deep recesses) and start playing around. I’m sure you’ll find some combinations that really resonate with your personal style.

What’s Your Jewelry Signature?

When people think about you and your jewelry, do you have a signature? Perhaps it’s the big, chunky men’s watch that you wear every day. Or are you usually wearing the topaz cocktail ring your grandmother handed down to you? If you’re me, then you are inexplicably drawn to necklaces with horn pendants. Whenever my friends and clients see a horn necklace, they inevitably think of Amy.

horn jewelry collection — A selection of my horn pendant necklaces

Developing your jewelry signature goes hand-in-hand with your personal style. It speaks to who you are and what you love. Having your personal style clearly defined is the first building block of developing your jewelry collection. Without a solid sense of your personal style, then you are left adrift in the sea of fashion, and you’ll undoubtedly make some purchases you will later regret.

Think about what makes your heart sing. If you are drawn to more classic styles, then your signatures may include pearls, a gold link bracelet with a monogrammed charm, or a Cartier tank watch. The romantic will likely have layers of pearls or dreamy chandelier earrings. Baubles in turquoise, red coral, and armfuls of bangles will undoubtedly be part of a bohemian style.

Having a jewelry signature really puts the “you” in your ensemble. It could be just one specific piece (like a bangle with a horseshoe on it) or it could include a general theme (such as jeweled stacking rings or pieces with your initial on it). The goal is to not walk around looking like a cookie-cutter image from the latest catalogue or magazine. Instead, let your individuality shine through. So what is your jewelry signature?

Should I buy it?

I can’t tell you how often I’ve found myself standing at the jewelry counter with a client while she tries something on, and she asks me, “Should I buy it?” Beyond the issues of affordability and if it’s flattering, the answer is easy.

First of all, do you absolutely love it? If not, take it off and step away from the case. I don’t care if your best friend has one just like it, or you saw Jennifer Aniston looking amazing in the same thing. I care about you and your true feelings.

Next, it’s all about cost-per-wear. Basically, the more you spend on something, the more you should wear it to make it cost-effective. For example, if you wear your watch every day, then it’s wise to invest more money in it. The cost of the item will go down each time you wear it. But if you are thinking about spending a lot of money on a pair of special occasion earrings that you may only wear once or twice a year, then think very long and hard before making that purchase. It may not be a wise investment.

Here’s an added tip: many stores have a deal that if you buy something over a certain dollar amount on their credit card, then they will spread out your payments, interest-free, over a six month period. This has worked out great for me at both Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Just an idea. 😉

Happy shopping!

Jewelry Fashion Tips

Welcome to the Jewelry Fashion Tips blog! As a wardrobe stylist and personal shopper, I am surrounded by jewelry on a daily basis. Of course, this is heaven for me, as I’ve been a jewelry-a-holic since about kindergarten. (No lie–ask my family!) Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings…they all make my heart sing. Regardless of one’s personal style or age, the crowning glory on any ensemble is your jewelry.

I am fortunate to be on the front lines of discovering new jewelry designers, fabulous shops to find new treasures, and witness current jewelry trends on the street. Everything from costume jewelry to fine jewelry catches my eye. In my opinion, it’s all in the mix when building your own jewelry collection.

The aim of this blog is multi-tiered. Some posts will be more informative, such as how to wear layered necklaces or what sort of jewelry box/storage options you may have. At other times, I’ll be filling you in on the latest jewelry designer I’ve met or some new jewelry store that I just have to tell you about. Or, it may even be discussing a tried-and-true line that holds the test of time. Though based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I do travel a fair amount, so look forward to tips from around the globe.