Ankle Bracelets and Cuffs

I remember when those thin, gold chain ankle bracelets were all the rage back in the 1980’s. I still unfortunately sometimes see them still worn (under suntan hose even!), but I think the idea has morphed into something new — dare I say MUCH bolder. This was the look on the Calvin Klein spring/summer 2016 runway.

cavlin klein spring/summer 16 runway
I’m not sure I could pull it off personally, but I think it’s a much more current interpretation of the ankle bracelet idea. And what about this rendition? I found this on srta-pepis.tumblr.com. Very boho-meets-sporty, if that’s your personal style.

stra-pepis.tumblr.com
Then, there’s the version where you wear a solid cuff on each ankle. While I’m trying not to see shackles or those prison-issued ankle bracelets, I’m having a tough time wrapping my head around this one.

ankle cuffs
ankle cuffs
I think I might like it better if it was only worn on one ankle, not both. What about you? What’s your opinion on the trend? Are you going to head to your jewlery box to see what bracelets you have that would fit around your ankle? Or will you just let this one pass? I’m oh, so curious!

October Birthstone: Opal

I apologize for the delay in my monthly birthstone report, but I just returned from a family vacation at the beach where the Internet was spotty, to say the least. (Did you see any of my beach pix on Instagram?) I was just forced to take some time off the computer. 😉 But I’ve just returned, and the writing resumes.

Now I must say that opals have been and continue to be one of my favorites stones. The only downside I’ve discovered over the years is that they are quite fragile, so the opal eternity band I once purchased quickly had two stones break. I find them better suited to rings with the opal featured on the top, as well as in earrings, necklaces and bracelets, of course.

Opals come in a wide range of colors, from white to orange to green and more. There are also many different varieties. Some you may have heard of are Peruvian, Black, Boulder and Fire. (If you’d like to read more about the different types, you’ll enjoy this detailed article I found on CrystalVaults.com) The name opal comes from the Sanskrit word “upala” which translates to precious stone. Sometimes referred to as the “eye stone,” opals are known for inspiration, hope and optimism. They are purported to aid with:

-memory
-self-esteem
-inspiring love and passion
-centering the mind
-protection from negative energy

I like it! And I also like so many of the stunning pieces of opal jewelry I found this month. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites.

Katherine Jetter Opal Corner Ring

Katherine Jetter Opal Corner Ring
Jane Taylor Boulder Opal and Diamond Bracelet

jane taylor boulder opal and diamond bracelet
Pippa Small Fire Opal Eleven Stone Pendant

pippa small fire opal eleven stone pendant
Communion by Joy Warrior of Life Opal Ring

communion by joy warrior of life ring
Variance Australian Opal earrings

variance austrailian opal earrings
Nan Fusco Australian Boulder Opal and Diamond Necklace

nan fusco australian boulder opal with diamonds
Brooke Gregson Diamond Band Boulder Opal Cuff Bracelet

brooke gregson diamond band boulder opal cuff bracelet

Peppina Fire Opal Ring

peppina fire opal ring
Misa Jewelry Compass Earrings (They come in 4 different stones)

misa jewelry compass earrings
Irene Neuwirth Opal Necklace

irene neuwirth opal necklace
Elizabeth Bell Jewelry Ammonite and Opal Cuff

elizabeth bell jewelry ammonite and opal cuff
I actually had to call “time” and stop searching, or this list would be endless. And…in case you didn’t know, October has TWO birthstones. While opal is the one traditionally associated with the month, tourmaline is also an October birthstone. Who knew?!

Maggie Rose Looking Back Now Video: Jewelry Judge

I’ve always written Jewelry Judge about someone I’ve spotted live, but when I came across this video by Maggie Rose, I felt it was a perfect candidate for the series. Now granted, I’m not condoning the song, its message, the gun in the video, or anything like that. I’m just commenting on the jewlery.

While I could quickly ascertain this was not a high-budget video, I was drawn to the sound of Maggie’s voice (yes, there’s definitely a bit of a country girl inside me) and her five RINGS. Her ears and neck are naked, and her face has very minimal makeup. The two tops she dons are black and basically a non-color. This brilliantly draws your attention to her voice and her fingers.

maggie rose jewelry

maggie rose looking back now video
Why don’t you take a look at the video and see what you think. (If you’re getting this on an RSS feed, and the video is just a blank or black box, please click through to the blog post and you’ll be able to see it without issue.)

She has a cool combination of gold rings, including midi rings and a ring that seems to cover her right pinkly nail. A bit edgy, right? I’m liking it.

maggie rose jewlery
maggie rose looking back now video rings
I think the midi ring on her right finger may be from the Balenciaga set I wrote about in ’13, but that’s just a guess. So what’s your opinion? Do you like the look?

Stacked Silver Men’s Cuffs: Jewelry Judge

Today I found myself in my local bookstore searching for sports magazines for my soon-to-be 16 year-old nephew. (The wedding is just around the corner!!) I know you will SO not be surprised that the jewelry on the sales associate is what really caught my eye…nothing against Sports Illustrated, of course. He was a very tall (maybe 6’3″?) super-masculine man with flowing grey hair that reached well beyond his shoulders. And on his wrist, were these two mesmerizing cuffs.

darin bill and canadian sterling silver men's cuffs
He didn’t seem to mind at all that I asked to photograph them. In fact he immediately took off his favorite, the weightiest sterling bracelet I’ve ever held, by the famous (and sadly deceased) Navajo artist Darin Bill.

darin bill sterling cuff bracelet
darin bill navajo bracelet
The inside was just as beautiful as the outside!

darin bill sterling silver cuff
The other bracelet was Canadian and had the eagle head that I’ve seen on some totem poles. The two paired together are just perfect!

Not only did I truly enjoy this pairing, but it was so well suited to his Levi’s charcoal shirt and dark washed jeans. The overall impression was so pleasing, with the bracelets being the focal point.

men's sterling bracelets
men's sterling cuff bracelets
I could tell this man appreciates both beauty and simplicity. Amazing how your attire can speak without you having to open your mouth, isn’t it?

Custom Wedding Bands by Sethi Couture

When my client BB got engaged, she received a VERY special ring — a family heirloom sapphire and diamond ring dating back a couple generations. How cool is that?! As soon as she showed it to me, I knew just the designer to make her wedding rings… San Francisco’s own Sethi Couture.

vintage wedding ring

I knew this would be the right fit, as Sethi Couture has this ingenious way of designing jewelry that is utterly modern, yet with an heirloom feel.  This is precisely what was needed to complement her engagement ring.

The first step was for BB and I to meet with Prerna Sethi (one of the two sisters behind the brand) for a design session. She had oodles of diamonds to work with, and she quickly visualized two bands with graduated diamonds that would fit snugly with the engagement ring. My client loves the bling (a girl after my own heart), and we wanted to get the diamonds as big as we could, yet not overpower the delicateness of the ring. Prerna was up for the challenge!

 

How big of diamonds should we use?
How big of diamonds should we use?

 

Prerna sketching out design ideas
Prerna sketching out design ideas

Once Perna had all the measurements taken and a firm idea of what BB was looking for, she was off to the design board. She presented us with a CAD design to see what it would look like. This is fantastic, as it’s not always easy for everyone to visualize what it’s going to look like.

sethi couture cad design
sethi couture cad design
sethi couture cad design
Prerna explained the CAD renderings show a bit more metal than how it will look in real life. Needless to say, BB and I were both very excited to see the finished product. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

IMG_2627
A close up of the same image, taken by an excited BB on her cell phone!

vintage ring with sethi couture bands
Pretty spectacular, don’t you think? When I met BB for a shopping appointment this past Thursday, she said, “I honestly could not be any happier with the rings!” I know it must be challenging to not wear them every day, knowing that they’re right in your own house. But only a few more weeks, and they’ll be worn and enjoyed every day.

Thank you so much for your amazing work, Sethi Couture, and I’m sending the happiest of wedding wishes to you and your fiancee, BB!! xoxo