Though you may not want to admit it, the holidays are right around the corner. (Eek!) I do quite a bit of gift shopping for my clients, and I just love the silhouette jewelry I came across by San Francisco designer, Vicente Agor. He uses a photo (which you provide) and transforms it into a stunning piece of jewelry.
Available in 18K gold or sterling silver, he has a variety of designs, including cufflinks. This would be such a cool gift for a dad or grandfather!
Even your pet can be immortalized and cherished for generations to come.
So if you want to get a head start on your shopping and are in need of a unique, memorable gift, then contact Vicente!
I must admit that I’ve had a fascination with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen ever since they shared the role of the youngest Tanner daughter on Full House. Fast forward about 25 years, and these twins are a fashion force to be reckoned with! They even won the coveted CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2012 for their line, The Row! I, of course, was thrilled when they launched a fashion jewelry line under their Elizabeth and James label. I was extremely please to meet with Jocelyn Helm, the head designer for the line (and a twin herself!) for the second year in a row at the Couture jewelry show.
Amy and Jocelyn
Jocelyn has been designing the line for about 4 years now, and I must say that I’ve been a huge fan since its inception. I have a couple pieces from when she launched the line (which are still among my fave items in my jewelry box), and I seem to keep adding to my collection. I appreciate the price points and how you really get big looks that are affordable. This line does an excellent job at melding “uptown sophistication and feminine detail” with “laid-back, downtown edge.” One of the collections shown this year is called Berlin. It’s comprised of pieces with bold, linear lines, and it’s inspired by old-world ironwork and European windowpanes. Metals include black ruthenium and yellow gold plate with white topaz, black spinel, lapis, carnelian and black onyx. Here’s a pair of earrings from this group.
I fell in love with this cuff from the same collection when I saw it locally, at Wilke’s Bashford in San Francisco. Yes, it went home with me, and I love how I feel so modern and a bit edgy when I wear it.
I was also very intrigued by another new collection, called Northern Star. The cohesive note here was the “delicate compass stars (which are) evocative of vintage Vicotrian era.” The pieces are comprised of all-natural white topaz, carnelian, lapis, and green onyx with yellow gold plated designs. I love these two rings from this group! (both available at Shopbop.com) They show the range in style within the collection, yet with a unifying theme of the star points.
Northern Star Statement Ring
Norther Star Large Cabochon Ring
Finally, I got a sneak peek at their resort line called Metropolis, clearly named for the amazing skyline of New York City. With an art deco feel, the pieces are bold and colorful. These earrings are crafted from amazonite, lapis, and created rubies and sapphires.
While at the show, I was lusting after this chunky chain plated brass bracelet with an amazonite clasp. Love it!! Perhaps I’ll see it in a store soon…
If this line interests you, then I encourage you to try on some of the pieces at a retailer near you!
While exploring the shops in Soho, I spied this gal across the racks at a trendy Italian boutique.
I was completely intrigued by her creative layers, and I wanted to know more about the bullet necklaces in particular. It turns out she is the designer herself, Kat Blink, visiting from Greece! Click here to check out her website. (Leave it to me to hone in on a jewelry designer!) She uses actual bullet casings and then uses different crystals and stones to complete the pendant.
We chatted for quite some time about crystals and their powers. If you explore her website, you can learn all about what different crystals bring to those who wear them. So interesting!
I did my best to explore as much of New York City as I could during my week working there. The last neighborhood I visited was Nolita, and I’m so glad that my biker boots wandered in that direction! I came upon Linhardt Designs, an amazing jewelry gallery tucked among the shops and eateries on Mott Street.
Such an inviting space!
I was so fortunate that Lisa Linhardt, the artist herself, was in the store that afternoon!
Amy and Lisa
As I wandered about the gallery, she explained that she has two different lines — “basics” and “signature.” I first tried on some of the “basics” line, and I was happy to purchase my first knuckle ring, complete with a micro-diamond. (This is a trend I saw ALL over the streets of NYC!)
My new purchase
But I have to say that her “signature” line really grabbed me. With a background in sculpture, I could readily see the translation to jewelry in her Tempest Ring, which utilizes two fingers.
Amaze-balls!
And here is a simpler, yet still architectural Gold Arca cuff.
Fits perfectly on the wrist!
Dubbed “the green jeweler of NYC” by New York Magazine, Lisa uses all recycled metals and goes beyond when ethically sourcing her stones from Canada and Namibia. Every piece is locally made, which scores very high marks in my book!
I’m not the only fan of the line. Take a look at the cover of Alicia Keys’ album which features one of Lisa’s rings.
Love the ring!!
And how pretty is this Tempest necklace?! It can be dressed up or down, and it certainly makes an artistic statement!
I’m thrilled to have met Lisa and discovered her line. And if you find yourself in Paris in December, you can catch her at a four-person show at the Ibu Gallery in the Palais Royal. Tres chic!
Image of store: Yoon Kim
Custom cases: Stephane Hubert Design
Custom infinity mirror: Wary Meyers Decorative Arts
Architecture: Diego Garay and the team at Point Design
Curation and creative direction: Lisa Linhardt
Quite a few years ago, I ripped out this page from a magazine, and it has lived in my “style file” ever since. The article was about Amber Valetta, and I was just obsessed with the jewelry she was wearing!
The object of my desire was a pile of expertly layered necklaces by Irit Design. As the years passed, I was always on the lookout for her line — I wanted to see it in person! Well luck would have it that Neiman Marcus in San Francisco started carrying it, and I was in the store recently when she was having a personal appearance and trunk show. Lucky me!
Amy and Irit
This Malibu-based designer was just as lovely as her line. She took the time to really show me (and my client, Karen) her new pieces, and we spent over an hour trying everything on! Here’s Karen modeling her snake handcuff. It’s so unique and edgy! It’s nicely complemented with the chevron knuckle ring.
All of her jewelry is hand made in Los Angeles. She uses recycled sterling, conflict-free diamonds, and Tahitian pearls. And let me tell you, the designs rock! Here I am trying on a stack of her bracelets.
I loved these triple pearl earrings. The diamonds at the top add just the right amount of sparkle.
For a more all-out diamond look, these earrings, called “bubbles,” are quite tremendous.
Celebrity clients range from Sandra Bullock to Halle Berry. Even the First Lady, Michelle Obama, is a fan. Here she is looking quite smashing in Irit Design!
Not only is Irit a talented designer, but I learned that she is incredibly charitable as well. “Dogs are my favorite thing in life,” she told me, and she is very active in animal rescue charities. Love that about her. Irit’s line is available in various states around the country and online. Click here for a list of stockists.
I’m working in NYC this week, and it’s truly shopping heaven for me. Hopping from Bergdorf’s (Kardashian sighting) to the Meatpacking (Paris Hilton sighting) to Soho is just so fun. And people watching is right up there with cool things to do in the city, in my book. I ran across 5th Ave. and practically knocked this gal over.
I only had about 30 seconds to talk to her and snap her photo, but I really thought her two vintage necklaces were quite eye-catching. Granted, her sweater is pilling and her shoes were in need of repair, but all I could focus on was her jewelry. She was really showing her personality and sense of creativity. What do you think? And be honest, I want to know your opinion!
Stacking bracelets is definitely on-trend, so you will be thrilled to see my latest giveaway…two gorgeous hammered silver cuffs by Rock of Eden. (If you didn’t catch my guest blog post on their site a couple weeks ago, click here.) This is a great online jewelry site, which sells both pieces that they design as well as some vintage treasures. It’s completely free to enter, so what do you have to lose?
Loving these slim cuffs!
Katy Perry is also a fan of this line — she recently purchased these earrings:
Rocker chic!
What I love about these cuffs is that they can be stylishly worn on their own or easily stacked with other bracelets.
Mixed in a cool stack
Retailing at $150, these hand-hammered cuffs have a slightly grey rhodium finish for a richer look. They are adjustable to a wide range of wrist sizes, and I’m telling you, I want them in my own jewelry box!!
Since joining Pinterest at the end of 2012, I must say that it’s become quite the addiction. While I started with just jewelry boards, I’ve now expanded to 32 boards ranging from closets I covet to statuary. Who knew?! But I do love my 13 jewelry boards, and they give me great joy to build. I find my pins from all over the globe, but certain boards really speak to me. I follow boards that have a distinct point of view — their own voice, so to speak. Not someone who just pins every piece of jewelry willy-nilly. If you’re into pinning, then I encourage you to check these boards out!
This board is described as “effortless jewelry styles…my way…my daily style!” I would categorize it as a beautiful board, chock full of organic, somewhat bohemian pieces. I think she’s an up-and-comer on the Pinterest landscape. Here’s a couple examples of her pins.
Now Becky is a true jewelry aficionado! With over 20,000 followers and 123 boards, she’s got boards on different jewelry genres, designers, and types of jewelry. You can seriously spend hours just looking through them all! I love her Bling Bling: Kimberly McDonald board, who’s definitely one of my most lust-worthy designers.
Kimberly McDonald ring
She really chooses statement pieces, as shown by these earrings on her Bling Bling: Ear Bling board.
Noel does a fantastic job of finding all sorts of ancient jewelry. (She has jewelry boards from other ancient cultures as well.) When I look through her pins, it’s like strolling through an amazing jewelry museum. Take a look at the type of jewelry she selects.
This is an extremely editorial board created for “..where (our) inner magpies come out.” With almost 63,000 followers, it has more than just jewelry — it showcases jewels in all their forms, from over-the-top creations to clothing.
From shopghost.tumblr
From hookerlegs.tumblr
I know that as each week goes by, I will stumble upon more and more jewelry boards to pour over during cocktail time. (my favorite time to do this) Do you have any boards to recommend? Please comment, as I’d love to know!
Ok, I must admit that I’m having a bit of a moment with jewelry sporting a chevron pattern. It began when I started seeing chevron motifs in my home decor magazines — on walls, on floors, on linens, everywhere! The inverted “V” design caught my attention!
Cool geometry!
Interior design and fashion have always been closely intertwined, so it’s no surprise that I’m seeing this pattern everywhere, including while shopping in SF this past Saturday afternoon. (My client giggled when I accosted this shopper!) This woman paired her Gorjana necklace (purchased on Gilt.com) with a dainty star necklace. Side bar: If you are not a member of Gilt yet, then join!! I’ve found some amazing pieces of jewelry there, including my vintage Hermes bracelet. Yet I digress…
The chevron has been around since 1800 BC, so it’s certainly not anything new, but I think the way different designers are interpreting the theme are uber cool. Case and point, this beautiful ring by India Hicks. (yes, the same India Hicks that was a member of Princess Diana’s wedding party)
I think this pattern is very delicate, yet a bit edgy with it’s geometric angles. This bracelet by Nashelle would be ideal for stacking.
I’ve also been spying all sorts of permutations of chevron rings. Some are stacked, some are knuckle rings (we’ll visit this trend soon) and I’m loving it!
I’m finding pieces that would appeal to various personal styles. These earrings by Nest definitely have a more tribal, ethnic feel.
As with all trends, you can find examples at every price point. This stunning necklace by Brooke Gregson shines in rose gold with labradorite and diamonds.
So have you purchased any chevron pieces lately? I’d love to see them — send photos!
Now for those of you who are my dedicated readers (many thanks), you know that I instantly had a jewelry-soul-sister connection when I read “A Charmed Life” by Beth Bernstein. Fast forward to Las Vegas this past spring, and Beth and I got to know each other a bit in person, bumping into each other at various designers’ booths at both the Couture and JCK jewelry shows. It’s amazing how we seem to gravitate to so many of the same designers, admiring what they are creating amidst the global jewelry market.
She selected 38 independent jewelry designers who have “created a unique and distinctive imprint on contemporary jewelry.” You may recognize some of the names, as I’ve had the privilege to interview them, from Borgioni to Megan Thorne to Vibe’s to Amali. And I’m so excited to read about some of the designers that I’ve yet to interview. Take a look at these pieces by some of the featured designers.
Katey Brunini
Lauren Wolf
Todd Reed
Beth, a jewelry-a-holic since childhood, “concentrated on (a) group of small and independent designers who have made an indelible mark with their signature styles, each which distinguishes them from their peers and predecessors.” And from what I have seen from those featured designers I know, she couldn’t have selected a more innovative, passionate group of people. Their talent is limitless, and their lines are amazing. These designers have “learned the rules in order to bend them.” Love that!
I also admire how Beth looks at jewelry in relation to personal style. It’s not all about having the latest and greatest trend. Rather, it’s getting to know what makes you tick as a woman. She encourages women to, “think of jewelry as an extension of their personal style, rather than statements of status.” In my book, that’s spot-on advice!
Beth’s book is set to release September 26th, so reserve your copy now! I know that I have!
