Events – Page 2 – Jewelry Fashion Tips

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.

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.

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.)

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

And how cool is this 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, 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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!!

In fact, she also makes some amazing stacking rings.

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

Sethi Couture

Sisters Pratima and Prerna Sethi have jewelry in their blood. With a father in the jewelry business, backgrounds in fashion, and both with a love of all things beautiful, it was natural that they founded their jewelry company, Sethi Couture, in 2009.

I’ve been a fan of this line for quite a while, yet I’d never met them in person, even though they are based here in the SF Bay Area! It took being all the way in Vegas at the Couture show for our first meeting. About a year ago I helped a client select a new wedding set. We came up with this stack of Sethi Couture rings. The unique color combination, the versatility of wearing one, two or all three rings at once, and the blackened metals really sung to my client’s heart.

In fact, I think their diamond stacking rings are genius. They come in such a range of beautiful colors, and they can add so much when combined with other rings. They were created for “women to easily wear and stack …for effortless elegance.” I’ve got a brown diamond one on my jewelry wish list…

Here’s a ring from their enchanted garden collection — perfect on its own, or stacked with one of their diamond bands. It’s made of 18K white gold with black rhodium, white diamonds and burnt orange diamond accents.

While their line is only a few years old, it’s gaining a huge celebrity following, from Halle Berry to Reese Witherspoon. Here’s Jennifer Lawrence rocking a pair of their stunning earrings!

I think these white rose cut diamond inverted drop earrings are a beautiful design, with green diamonds set in 18K white gold. They were inspired by the rich colors of peacock feathers. As Prerna described to me, “Ours is a contemporary line with an old world aesthetic.” I think that’s the perfect description.

From their "plume" collection — From their “plume” collection

Each sister has different perspectives to contribute to the designs. Prerna loves the architectural details, while Pratima adores feminine, lacy designs. Prerna said that she enjoys “buliding the architecture around these amazing natural stones.” Case in point is this modern chandelier earring, with an exquisite ombre effect, created from cognac, champagne and orange diamonds.

If you’d like to see them and their line in person, then head to Gallery Of Jewels in Union Square on Saturday, July 13. They have a personal appearance from 11-7 during their Endless Love event. You might just find the perfect piece to add some color to your jewelry box!

Megan Thorne: Designer

Last summer I was in charge of my 25th high school reunion. As you know, I’m a strong proponent of self-gifting, so to celebrate the occasion, I bought myself a little prezzie — in this case a wide gold band with diamonds by Megan Thorne. I wear it stacked with a thin gold ring by Armenta, and every time I look at my hand, I remember all the fun memories of the reunion.

I was so excited to meet Megan in person at the Couture show! She is just a delightful woman, and her smile lights up a room! From her first impression, you’d never believe that she actually got kicked out of an NBA game once for yelling at a ref! (Yep…it’s true!)

Megan originally started out in lingerie design, totally swept up in the beauty of lace and the various prints on fabrics. Though once this self-proclaimed klutz tried her hand with a jewelry torch, she knew she was a natural. Thus began her career in jewelry in 2007, tools in hand in her garage in Texas. She’s still based there, and everything is hand-crafted at her Texas studio.

This is called her “picture frame ring.” You can see that the center of the ring really does look like a picture frame with a diamond in it. It’s based on a ring that her grandmother had as a little girl. Years later, she still had the ring in its original box with her childhood handwriting on it. She gave it to Megan, who then fashioned this ring — love that back story!

megan thorne picture frame yellow gold emerald cut with ribbed princess step band

While she didn’t originally set out to be a bridal jewelry designer, that’s where the path has taken her. But I really don’t think you have to be a bride to wear her beautiful pieces. (I’m proof right there!) I was drawn to this ring, which was one of her earlier pieces. I love that that it’s larger in scale, yet still extremely feminine.

Megan designs more than just rings. I just adore these diamond studs, which were inspired by a fabric print. The rose cut diamonds are gorgeous in the white gold setting.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you can meet Megan in person and see/try on her collection. She’ll be at Gallery of Jewels in Union Square on Saturday, June 29th from 11-7. This is part of their big Endless Love jewelry event, which you don’t want to miss! It runs June 28-July 14th at all three of their SF locations. (Click here for the full schedule.) And remember, you don’t have to be a bride to find something fabulous!!

Pamela Froman’s To-Die-For Opal Ring

Back in 2011 I wrote about Pamela Froman’s stunning jewelry line. I still dream about that moonstone ring… Well how happy was I to meet the designer in person at the Couture jewelry show!

I was anxious to see what she’s been up to, and she did NOT disappoint! This double-fingered ring features a stunning Australian yowah boulder opal surrounded by white diamonds and paraiba tourmalines, set in 18K gold. Holy cow!!

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you have your chance to meet this talented designer this Friday and Saturday! She will be having a trunk show at Earthworks in Los Altos, CA on 6/14 from 12-6 and 6/15 from 10-5:30. Don’t miss this opportunity, and let me know which pieces you’re in love with!!

Invitation to an event on May 2, 2013!

Hello there! I’m SO excited to send you this invitation. On the evening of Thursday, May 2, my colleague Jennifer Bressie (and friend since kindergarten) and I will be co-hosting a fabulous event at the Union Square location of Gallery of Jewels in San Francisco. We are both professional image consultants and wardrobe stylists with a deep love of jewelry. We will be here to style you and talk with you about everything from hoop earrings (a definite jewelry box basic!) to what other pieces would look amazing on you. So if you’re up for an evening of jewelry, champagne, and surely some laughs, then come on by! Bring your best-ies and make a fun evening of it. Hope to see you there!