Jewelry Made From Human Teeth

No, this is not a Halloween post (I know that Thanksgiving is tomorrow.). Though I just have to share — I recently came across a cache of photos of Victorian era jewelry with human teeth. What the heck?! Seriously, I find this whole concept a bit freaky. Here is a prime example…it’s an enamel brooch given to Princess Victoria from Prince Albert in 1847. It features the “first milk tooth” from their child. Uh, is it just me, or is this a bit icky??

q-victorias-tooth-brooch

Upon further research, I’m finding that using human teeth in jewelry is not something just done in the past. In fact, the art is alive and well. Melbourne jeweler Polly Van Der Glas has a whole collection of jewelry made from human teeth, set in sterling silver. Moreso, her line focuses on all things that were once attached to the human body — hair, teeth, and fingernails. She even offers a 10% discount on commissioned jewelry in which you provide the teeth.

Polly VanDerGlas rings

I don’t know about you, but this is definitely not something that will be on my jewelry lust list…just sayin’.

Elizabeth Weiss-Lasater of Baukunst Studio

What do you get when you mix an architect with an outdoorsy, yet elegant gal who lives in the Austrian Alps? Well you may not guess, but a talented jewelry designer! I was thrilled to meet Elizabeth Weiss-Lasater of Baukunst Studios last week during a special trunk show in San Francisco.

Elizabeth and Amy
Elizabeth and Amy

With a masters in architecture from Columbia, Elizabeth and her architect-husband moved to Austria for a huge project. During this time, working long hours in freezing-cold conditions, she realized that this was not what she wanted to be doing. But with her love of geometry, form and design, she made the move to jewelry design about a year ago. It started with her wedding rings. Her husband didn’t want to wear one, so she said, “Fine, then I want two!” (Love that!) Here I am wearing three of the rings she designed (she wears two for her wedding set).

So cool how they fit together
So cool how they fit together

Elizabeth begins the creative process with sketching. These designs are then transferred into 3D images and a plastic mold is made. She wears the plastic models, road-testing it and tweaking if necessary. Only then is the piece cast in metal. (She casts both in the USA and in Europe, depending where her client lives.) Here you can see the plastic model and the finished bracelet.

Elisabeth weiss-lasater bracelets

The word is getting out on this fresh line. Her hexagon bracelet was recently featured in 1st Magazine in Austria, which would translate to something like Vanity Fair here in the States.

Hexagon Bracelet
Hexagon Bracelet

1st Magazine, hexagon cuff

The designs are very clean, modern and comfortable to wear. Case in point is this bracelet.

Revolution Bracelet
Revolution Bracelet

She is growing the line, and earrings will be coming soon. I look forward to seeing the new pieces!

“The Entertainer”: Jewelry Judge

While shopping with a client at the Westfield Mall on Market Street in San Francisco, my attention (momentarily) strayed from my client when I spotted this man. With a heavyweight boxing belt, massive faux gold chains, and an oversized wall clock hung around his neck, how could I NOT notice?!

the entertainer 1

the entertainer 2

Throw in the bedazzled top hat, the huge gold-tone watch and the weighty ring, this guy was truly a jewelry conundrum! During our brief chat, I don’t know if he was all-together “there,” yet he was cheerful as can be and kept reiterating that he was The Entertainer! Though I have no idea what his act actually is, he certainly entertained me. While I would not recommend his taste in accessories, I think it’s great that it clearly makes him happy. He could not stop smiling. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it?

Pade Vavra: Designer

OK, I have yet another jewelry designer to add to my list of favorites. How does this keep happening?! I discovered Pade Vavra and her line while at the Women’s Jewelry Association “Designers by the Bay” event.

Amy and Pade
Amy and Pade

This petite designer has got great energy and was overflowing with love for her craft. In fact she told me, “It’s truly my love. I don’t know how to do anything else!” With a “raw meets refined” look, I first tried on this fan-tab-ulous aqua quartz double-fingered ring.

Yes, please!
Yes, please!

Now based in Healdsburg, she began her business in 1999. She has two branches of her collection, which includes Pade Vavra Fine and Pade by Pade Vavra. One of the things that has put her on the map are her diamond-embellished shark tooth necklaces. Here is a beautiful example in a blond/peach color scheme.

pade vavra 18K peach gold blonde shark tooth necklace

In fact, Mila Kunis wore one of these awesome necklaces throughout the whole movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. (I’ll have to add that to my Netflix list.)

Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis

I also thought this Herkimer diamond bracelet would be amazing stacked with some of my bracelets.

pade vavra bracelet

And how cool is this grey quartz necklace?

pade vavra grey quartz necklace

She has a new “ribcage” ring, which can be worn three different ways. Very clever design!! It can be made in 14K gold or sterling silver, accented with black or white diamonds. She can also make it in just the metal, sans sparkle.

pade vavra ribcage ring

Wear it three ways!
Wear it three ways!

Pade, whose pieces have been featured in numerous fashion magazines, also does custom work, using either her own materials, or re-working the clients’ jewelry. Not only does she design jewelry, but Pade is also mom to two boys and is married to a vintner — owner of Red Car Wine in Sesbastopol. Where does she find the time? I love her work and look forward to seeing more!

Hello Kitty Pearl Necklace by Mikimoto

I know that my love for jewelry has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt since I launched this blog in 2011. And I will now admit a secret to you that very few know — I was completely obsessed with Hello Kitty (and Little Twin Stars, etc.) when I was a child. Every spare cent I could save was carefully spent at the Sanrio store at the local mall. I still have a collection of these products from the late 70’s and early 80’s in my mom’s attic. (Heck…those are probably worth something today!) At any rate, my love of both these items did NOT coincide when I saw this necklace, set to launch in January 2014 by Mikimoto.

hello kitty pearl necklace

Retailing at $290,000, it’s designed with Akoya pearls (click here to read more about what those are), diamonds and onyx.

I always say that the more you pay for something, the more you should wear it. In that way, the cost-per-wear goes down. But really, where does one possibly get enough wear from this necklace to justify the cost? It’s not suitable for most workplace environments (where most adults spend the majority of their waking hours), and I hardly envision it on a hot date night or fancy cocktail party. So unless you are just a die-hard collector of Hello Kitty paraphernalia, I think this necklace is definitely a fashion “don’t.”

Etienne Aigner in Soho, NYC

Although it’s been over a month since I worked in NYC, I’m still basking in the lasting shopping glow. During one of my “exploration” days, I wandered up and down every street in Soho. I took a double-take when I saw the Etienne Aigner shop on Greene St. I hadn’t seen this brand around in quite some time, and if memory serves, it was quite conservative, and I’ll just say it…boring. Never one to let this stop me, I entered the newly opened store, and boy was I in for a nice surprise! The line, which includes clothing, shoes, leather goods and jewelry, has gone through a complete transformation! Thoroughly modern and very wearable, I spent quite some time examining all the jewelry.

Designed by local jeweler, Sarah Magid, the jewelry collection is quite diverse. I know that customers with a wide range of personal styles will find something they like.

etienne aigner jewelry

These refined spike pieces definitely have a modern, rock n’ roll edge.

etienne aigner jewelry

And this case appeals to those with a more bohemian vibe.

etienne aigner jewlery

And if drama is your style, then you might be drawn to this statement necklace.

etienne aigner jewerly

This collection of costume jewelry has very accessible price points, and includes materials such as leather, semi-precious stones, and 12K gold plate. It’s nickel-free as well, for those with sensitivities. And what did Amy go home with? Because you KNOW I didn’t leave empty handed! Well I surprised myself with this necklace, made from African jade stones. It’s perfect to layer with some of my other necklaces, and very different than anything I own.

stone blocks necklace

I think this reversible leather cuff with a magnetic clasp is pretty chic as well.

leather reversible cuff

Though this is currently their only shop in the US, they do have their jewelry available on their site. Click here to check it out.

Downton Abbey Jewelry: Jewelry Judge

I, like many of you reading this post, am a HUGE fan of the British series, Downton Abbey. In fact, I’ve got Jan 5, 2014 on my calendar for the premiere of season 4 here in the States! The series starts towards the end of Edwardian England in 1912, and the third season ended around 1920. Aside from the perfectly cast actors and the compelling story lines, I eagerly await each episode to see what the characters are wearing. (Kudos to the costume designer!)

The period costumes are truly beautiful!
The period costumes are truly beautiful!

Imagine my surprise when I spotted this display while shopping in Macy’s over the weekend.

downton abbey jewelry at Macy's

I took a closer look at many of the pieces.

downton abbey jewelry

downton abbey earrings

downtown abbey hair pins

While the line definitely evokes the feel of the era, I really don’t see how this collection is going to take off. Granted, if you were dressing as one of the characters for Halloween, then this is ideal. But are people really going to go for it in real life? I’m dubious. Perhaps someone with a romantic personal style may opt for a piece here and there, but I don’t see myself or most people I know running out to Macy’s to purchase. What’s your opinion? Would love to hear from you!

Elyria Jewels

I recently attended the Women’s Jewelry Association event “Jewelers by the Bay” which featured 20 fabulous jewelry designers. With their wares artfully displayed in the iconic Shreve’s building in Union Square, I was definitely in jewelry heaven. Elyria Jewels caught my eye right off the bat. I was so happy to speak with Elisa Browsh, the designer.

Amy and Elisa
Amy and Elisa

This formerly SF-based company (now in Boulder, CO) was founded in 1996. Each piece of the collection is hand-made in the USA, and it has a very distinct voice. The line, “balances industrial chic with a luxurious bohemian aesthetic.” Case in point, this necklace, with blackened metals, diamonds and moonstones.

Capella necklace
Capella necklace

I was very drawn to this necklace, featuring a large disc pendant with black diamond slices. It’s a stellar mix of primitive and modern, fine jewelry.

elyria necklace

And take a look at this necklace, with a rough aquamarine set in sterling silver chains.

elyria necklace

When I tried on this emerald-cut moonstone and diamond ring, I must admit that I had to lift my jaw up off the floor. To-die-for!!!

It looks good on me, right?!
It looks good on me, right?!

In fact, she also makes some amazing stacking rings.

Rumi stacking rings
Rumi stacking rings

Rumor has it that some of her pieces may be available near Union Square soon — I’m keeping my eye out!