Gem Gossip is one of my favorite jewelry blogs I follow. It has a strong focus on vintage and antique jewelry, which is an area I’m always looking to learn more about. Danielle, the talented writer, recently posted an article about different ways she was styling her figa charms. I was totally into it! Here’s an image from her article. And I was left with, “I love this, and what the heck is a figa?!”
How Danielle, from Gem Gossip, is styling her figas
When I started researching what a figa is, I learned it’s quite the controversial symbol. Properly called the “mano fico,” this is an Italian symbol going back centuries. (Must be my half-Italian side that was drawn to this!) The symbol is a closed fist, with the thumb going through the index and middle fingers. It is a representation of a woman’s genitalia and sex, to be blunt. It is said to ward off the “evil eye” and bring protection to the wearer. Basically, the gesture is supposed to be so offensive that it scares off the “evil.” Interestingly, Brazil and Portugal also see this amulet as a good luck symbol. BUT…much of the world sees this as a very obscene gesture, basically the equivalent of giving someone the finger. (Note to self, never wear this in Turkey, South Africa, France or Russia.)
Of course, I had to have one too, so off I went to Esty where I found a lovely vintage rock crystal figa from MindiLynJewelry. If you follow my blog, you know I’m a complete rock crystal addict! (My body actually craves it.)
The first thing I did was to style it similarly to how Danielle did hers. I, too, have a vintage gold Italian horn. I then added a goddess charm that brings a smile to my face, which I think makes for a fun trio. I will say that this mix produces a bit of noise, which I noticed anytime I moved during acupuncture. (But it was a happy sound.)
The next day, I layered this same trio with a longer necklace. This one is a moonstone beaded necklace from Flying Lizard with a Dominique Cohen pendant. I like the combo.
And thanks to this experiment (and Danielle), now I’ve got a new love of “the figa,” as if I needed one more jewelry crush…It’s a good thing this Victorian wooden figa is already sold. It’s wearing a bracelet for goodness sake — how cool is that?!
Doryn Wallach is a name you’re going to start hearing more and more often. She made her debut at Centurion, where she was named Emerging Designer of 2016! In addition, she’s one of the Rising Stars who will be showing at the JCK show in Las Vegas this June. Way to make an entrance into the world of jewlery! After two decades as an interior designer, Doryn is now channeling her creativity and love of Art Deco line and design into jewelry. Read below as I asked her a few questions about her and her line.
I see that you’ve had a love of jewelry your whole life. In particular, re-designing pieces to fit in with your lifestyle. What’s one of the most memorable re-designs you recall?
I would have to say the gladiator ring from my collection, because that’s what sparked my career change. It started with a diamond eternity band I rarely wore. This ring was a gift from my husband, and I felt guilty that it spent most of the time hidden away in my jewelry box. So I decided to rework the diamonds into something I would wear every day — the gladiator ring. When people asked me who made it, a light bulb went off in my head.
The transition from your career as an interior designer to a jewelry designer seems so natural. How did you develop your affinity for the Art Deco period? Is this a carry-over from interior design?
When I was growing up outside Boston, my family spent a lot of our winter vacations in Miami. I was the kid who got my mom from point A to point B by remembering the landmarks, so my eyes were always peering out the car window. I fell in love with the architecture of the city — not only the pastel colors, but the lines of the buildings with their geometric and curvilinear forms. Years later, as an interior designer, I always incorporated Deco pieces in my spaces. I love their timeless glamour.
It’s exciting to see what a mark you’re making with your debut collection. What is your current favorite piece?
My agate-and-pearl pendant. I have a deep love for estate jewelry, and I think this piece has an estate feeling as well as a distinctly modern sensibility that allows it to go with almost any piece of clothing – day or night.
What do you find are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of being a jewelry designer?
For me, the most challenging is simply navigating a new business after spending so many years focused on interior design. Of course, that challenge is also what I love about the change. The most rewarding aspect of designing jewelry is seeing my abstract idea become a tangible object. And I love knowing that a woman will wear the piece for many years and one day, hopefully, pass it down.
When you’re not in the studio working, how do you like to spend your free time? Any favorite hobbies?
When I am not working, I am with my kids, who are five and eight. They take most of my free time! But when I do have a few hours to myself, I love walking around the city, browsing through vintage shops and antique stores and people-watching. It’s very inspiring.
Perusing through her collection, I think her turquoise gladiator bar necklace is one of my faves. I could see it easily layered or worn on its own.
I look forward to meeting you in person at JCK, Doryn — thanks so much for your insight into you and your line!
I first met Liz Kantner while at the Couture show in the Todd Reed booth. I liked her instantaneously. Since then, I’ve gotten to know her via social media, even though she’s based in Colorado and I’m here in California. I admire her personal style and how she just gets what’s cool, even if the rest of us don’t know it yet. Not only does she write an on-point jewlery blog, but she is also a jewelry consultant and jewelry-lover to the Nth degree. I was thrilled when she agreed to photograph her ears for a week so we could get an up-close look about what’s hip in the world of Liz. Though she does wear a stud configuration most days, at least a few days a week (when she’s feeling bold) she rocks a dangling earring. So without further ado, check out her week…
In all vintage studs…
This next look is vintage studs with a dangling earring by Laura Wood.
A Todd Reed drop earring with a vintage bug and tiny star earring are so unexpected, yet they work!
This ram earring from Fox & Bond is perfection with the vintage wishbone and tiny star earring.
And what about this Collette Ishiyama drop earring paired with a quartz stud from @xavi.and.gold and the vintage tiny star earring?
Though I did get two additional piercings in my left ear in 2014, I sadly had to let the very top one close — it just wouldn’t heal. I am now exploring my next earring purchase for my lone second piercing on my left ear. I did order one of the earrings in this post to try out, as I’m totally obsessed with it. Any guess which one it is?
Thank you so much, Liz, for sharing your lobe and your jewelry savvy with us!! xo
I’ve had a crush on Brooke Gregson’s jewelry line for many years, and I was lucky to have the opportunity to meet her in person and play with her jewels at the Couture show. Does her name sound familiar to you? You may know her for her well-known woven silk bracelets with gemstones. Simply divine.
The lovely Brooke was raised in California and now lives in London. She has studios both in her Notting Hill neighborhood and in Los Angeles. Since founding her business in 2004, Brooke has always maintained strict quality in all her pieces, each hand-made with the assistance of master craftsmen. I was particularly entranced with her engraved pieces. I don’t know which of these three rings I like better. The engraving is all done by hand, and is inspired by her watercolor paintings. (Yes, she paints too!)
Can you see the wide array of colors in the boulder opals? Brooke carefully selects each stone she works with and often chooses gems which others may have overlooked, as they didn’t seem “perfect enough.” It shows how she can see the beauty within. This substantial cuff is another in her engraved series. No…I did not want to take it off!
The two collections meld together effortlessly, as seen in this stellar stack she posted on her Instagram feed. (If you want a riot of color in your feed, I suggest following Brooke Gregson.)
I was also drawn to her Ziggurat collection, so named for the rectangular stepped temples from ancient Mesopotamia. Here are two rings from this group.
The larger of these two rings is named the Hoffman Boulder Opal Sapphire ring. Don’t you think the color combination is so unique? I think Brooke’s talent in painting and drawing has really opened her eyes to mixing colors in ways that others may not think of.
Here are some Ziggurat necklaces layered together.
Once again, I’m in awe of the colors in this complex Ziggurat necklace, composed of boulder opal, turquoise and pink sapphires. It really pops!
If you’re looking for some alternative bridal rings, one of these may be what you’re looking for. I’ve got on the Eclipse Diamond Ring and the Ziggurat Frame Diamond Ring. Which would you choose?
Truly, this line is organic elegance at its best. It’s a jewelry goal to one day own a piece myself. Thanks so much for spending time with me, Brooke! I look forward to our next meeting.
It’s likely that either you or someone in your family may have a vintage cameo in their jewelry box. They’ve been around for centuries, carved in a traditional manner and commonly found in the form of a brooch. Recently I’ve seen many rings I would consider a “modern cameo.” The first such ring I saw was at Metier in Hayes Valley (San Francisco) by Gabriella Kiss. Instead of a whole face, it features just one eye — another, with a tear falling from the corner. Wouldn’t you agree this is a modern interpretation of a cameo?
Then there’s Anthony Lent, who has a bevy of smiling faces among his collection. I appreciate the rectangular boarder in juxtaposition with the curves of the face in his Brickface ring.
Israeli designer Ari Kuperman has a more rustic version, made of sterling silver and gold. I could see this fitting in with a more bohemian/rock’n roll personal style.
I had to look twice when I first saw this Jurio Fujita Gold Face ring. Is it a human face? Or an alien? “It’s the elongated, otherworldy skulls of the Paracas excavation, deemed by Fujita as ‘neither homo sapiens nor Neanderthal.'” Interesting!
Then there’s this Fraser Hamilton Signet Head ring, which I suppose more resembles a modern intaglio ring, as the face is recessed.
I don’t know about you, but I’m completely intrigued by these unique designs. Perhaps it’s time to add one to my ring repertoire. What are your thoughts?
Todd Reed is quite a legend in the jewelry industry (and not just because of his wavy locks) — but rather for creating a line showcasing raw diamonds long before they were in the limelight. Little did he know the trajectory for his career would begin when he was only 10 years old and was mesmerized seeing a silversmith at work. Throughout his formative years, he was involved in creative endeavors such as leather work, sculpting and even graduating from the culinary academy. Creativity is clearly in his DNA.
Launching his jewelry business in 1992, Todd was on his way to making “Raw Elegance” one of the most popular and sought-after independent jewelry lines. I was thrilled to get an up-close look at some of his work at the Couture show. The first necklace I was drawn to was this one, which looks like river stones. They are all hinged together, so it lays beautifully around the neck. It’s easy to see nature as one of his inspirations. (Yes..all those stones are diamonds!)
Todd is known for his mixed metals and has created a long-lasting patina which keeps the metal blackened. This fabulous cuff is part of his Marquis collection. I wish I could have kept it on and gone home with it!
Here are earrings and a ring from the same Marquis collection.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, there are 20 jewelers now working at the studio! He’s got quite the team, and each item is carefully produced, from the initial design to delivering the finished product to the customer. Todd lays out each stone for each piece. With the amount of diamonds in his work, I can only imagine how much time he spends at his bench creating the ideal combinations. I tried on these two bracelets while at the show. The three-strand one is made of octahedron diamonds, which is a natural pyramid state of raw diamonds.
This statement ring is from his pillbox collection. Wow!
There is a lovely range in Todd’s designs. Earrings such as these are perfect for everyday use, and they’d look equally beautiful for a special night out.
And couldn’t you see this necklace looking fab with jeans and a leather jacket one day, and then with a red cocktail dress the next?
I particularly enjoy Todd Reed’s Instagram feed, and I stopped dead in my scroll when I saw this one-of-a-kind diamond ring recently. Yes, please!
Though Todd’s main base is in Colorado, he’s also opened a sublime studio and store on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. It’s most definitely worth the stop if you’re in southern California. And don’t worry if you don’t live near either location. His line is sold at many luxury retailers around the country.
Even though it’s not my birthstone I’m quite partial to the aquamarine, with its oceanic hues of light blue to blue-green. Named after the Latin word “aqua marinus,” meaning water of the sea, this stone is associated with all things ocean. It’s said to protect travelers on the sea, and those traveling near water. Aquamarines come from Brazil and Columbia and are part of the beryl family. Among the qualities associated with this birthstone are:
-self-love
-inspires truth and letting go
-aids in articulation and clear speaking
-helps one release emotional baggage
-stone of courage
-brings peace and serenity
I like it — especially the “letting go” part, as my word for 2016 is release. Given how much I love the shades of aquamarine, I was eager to embark upon my virtual shopping spree and see what I could find. In no particular order…
If I had a bottomless wallet, I think I’d just have to buy them all. Which piece is your favorite? And if you’ve got a birthday this month, may all your birthday wishes come true!
Back in May, I wrote an article about my attempts to sell jewelry which I no longer wanted. (Click here if you missed that post.) I thought I’d give you an update to let you know how it all went. I did manage to sell quite a bit of my costume jewelry on Threadflip, but that site is sadly no longer in business. (Do any of you have a lead on where to sell costume jewelry?) The RealReal, on the other hand, is going strong and I had a 100% success rate! Everysinglepiece I gave them sold — both jewelry and clothing/accessories. I’m SO impressed!
In the envelope with my most recent commission check from them, there was this insert:
I checked it out, and there’s currently offices in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Chicago (San Francisco coming soon) where you can make an appointment to bring in your items for a free appraisal with no obligation to consign. Pretty cool, right?!
Granted, you don’t have to utilize one of their offices for an appraisal. I live in a city where a team member picked up all my merchandise I wanted to sell. The jewelry was appraised by them, though I did give them a list with the original purchase prices (not that this is necessary — I just keep detailed records). I knew my name brand pieces (Tiffany & Co. and David Yurman) were a sure thing, but I wasn’t confident about my non-branded items. I sold jewlery such as a pair of 18K gold hoops with diamonds, a white gold chain with a circular diamond pendant, and an 18K chalcedony pendant. Everything was swooped up. I was overjoyed!
They have a list on their website of accepted brands for jewlery and watches, but you can see they also accepted some high-end, non-branded jewlery. I did have one ring I submitted which was not accepted due to the poor quality of the diamonds. I promptly had it returned, with no issues.
The RealReal is not paying me a dime to write about this, but I thought it was worth sharing the information. I will definitely utilize them again when I want to sell. Please let me know your experience with the site if you’ve used it, either as a seller or a buyer. And perhaps this post will motivate you to clean out your jewlery box! No sense in keeping items when you can get money to buy something you love.
She had me at her “egg” necklace — her signature piece. As soon as I came across it online, I knew I had to have one for myself. And let me tell you, when I received it, it did not disappoint! It has become one of my go-to necklaces.
Sophie, formerly the co-creative director of Vena Cava, premiered her jewelry line just last spring. This week I received her e-mail newsletter showcasing her spring/summer ’16 line, and I just have to share a few of my favorite items from this beautifully sleek and sculptural collection.
Pretty stunning, right? These sterling silver beauties are handcrafted in Los Angeles. I encourage you to explore her website (which includes her interior designs) and follow her on Instagram.
One of the definitions of a gem is, “..something prized especially for great beauty or perfection.” In my mind, sea glass definitely qualifies as a gem, although it may not be what initially comes to mind when picturing one. When I tell people I’m passionate about collecting sea glass, they likely picture me strolling along the beach, stopping here and there to pick up a piece. Well let me tell you, this is more what it looks like.
This is me a couple years ago at Davenport.
Welcome to the world of extreme sea glassing. For this sport, you need gear: a wetsuit, booties, an array of shovels and scoopers, somewhere to quickly and securely stash your finds, and the ability to run really quickly when a huge wave is about to get you. Trust me, you don’t want to be slammed against the merciless cliffs. Davenport, CA, located about 9 miles north of Santa Cruz, is one of the best-known “multi” beaches in the world (the other being in Seaham, England). “Multis” are pieces of sea glass which have more than one color in it. Here’s one of the gems we found last week. Can you see the subtle striations in the white portion? I think it’s simply mesmerizing.
You may wonder why this glass exists in Davenport in the first place. It’s all because of the fabulous Lundberg Studios, located just a half mile up the hill from the beach. This studio produces some of the most beautiful art glass in the world. During the process of creating their art, there are glass shards and trimmings which are discarded. In the 1970’s there was a flood at the studio when the San Vicente Creek overflowed, and all these discarded pieces found their way into the ocean. These are the prizes that we are now searching for, some 40 years later.
Finding sea glass at Davenport is definitely challenging. For one thing, it’s very seasonal — the winter storms are needed to churn up and take out the sand to reveal areas of gravel. This is your only chance of finding anything. If the gravel is in the surf, then you have to keep running in and out of the waves, scooping up gravel to sift through, hoping to find “it” at the bottom of your scoop or shovel before you’re toppled by the wave. If the gravel is up on the sand, then you spend hours digging big holes in the beach, hoping to uncover what you’re looking for. The rest of the year, the beach is just covered in sand…no glass to be found.
With years of drought in California, glassing season has left something to be desired. That is until this year, when El Nino has finally brought in some storms to help us out. BUT…this also means huge, dangerous surf to contend with. I’ve been a few times the past couple weeks, and while I’ve been there, I’ve witnessed someone get a concussion, a likely broken leg, a smashed ankle, and sadly last Saturday someone even lost their life. (Thankfully, his body was found yesterday.) This is definitely not for the faint of heart. Here’s a few photos recently shot by the glass guru, James Hailey. James is one of the master sea glassers, and he has helped me learn so much about the craft. (Follow his FB page if you want to see his jaw-dropping finds!)
Every time I step out of the car up at the parking area, and gaze down at the lovely beach…
My stomach does a little flip-flop, both out of fear and excitement, as I know this is what’s waiting for me…
One of the “holy grails” of this beach is a mushroom. Typically they are found in a green and white pattern, though my friend Tracy from Wisconsin even found a yellow one last Saturday! (Score!) Here’s a couple from my collection, found just in the past month.
sea glass mushroom
We’ve been lucky to find a bunch of partial mushrooms lately as well, which are sometimes also referred to as “onions.”
I love the clear swirl in this one.
Red is one of the rarest colors of sea glass to find. This one, with its various shades of red, is quite spectacular in my opinion.
An “eyeball” is another highly sought-after piece. This one is extra special, as it has a UV rim around its cobalt core. UV glass, also called vaseline glass, has a bit of Uranium in it. If you shine a black light on it, it glows like mad! But don’t worry, there’s not enough radiation being emitted to cause any harm. Here’s photos of my eyeball, both in natural light and under the black light (front and back views.)
When I pulled this out of the sand, I first thought it was a rock. But as I inspected it more closely, I could see that each little crevice was filled with glass — the sun gleaming on the deep teals, blues and aquas deep within. I call it the “asteroid.” No one on the beach had ever seen anything like it. I’m so tempted to break it open to reveal what it’s like inside.
Canes are another very unique find at Davenport. These slim rods of glass are grouped together, then sliced to form millefiori-type patterns in paperweights, vases, etc.
If you look down the centers, you can see the patterns. I’m longing to find one with a star inside. Many of my friends have found them, but I haven’t…yet.
Here are some finished pieces from Lundberg Studios, where you can see the canes used.
On Thursday, we found a smaller egg that is one of my favorites or all time. Doesn’t it almost look like labradorite?! Truly a gem from the sea.
Of course, once you get home, shower, and make a cocktail, it’s great fun to sort out all the glass, deciding which to keep and which to repurpose. I have different jars around my apartment. I’ve got a UV jar, a cane jar, a super special bowl, etc.
In addition to building up my collection, I’m also delighted by all the wonderful glassers I’ve met the past few years. Most I originally met online at Seaglasslovers, which is the largest community of sea glassers from around the globe that I’m aware of (over 10,700 members!). Now some of us have gatherings, and people travel in from all over the country to glass together. This photo, taken by Tami Ewing, is from last Saturday, where we had friends from Wisconsin, North Carolina, Washington, and more come to glass together. One gal who lives in southern California got up at 2 am to drive and meet the group!
Many of my friends and family call me crazy, but that’s OK. It’s a unique passion and it brings me great joy. I may not take as many risks as I did a few years ago, especially with the current wave conditions, but I have a wonderful time enjoying the California coast and finding my own type of gems. Hoping there’s still a few more bountiful hunting days left this season! And if you’d like to see some more amazing pieces, definitely check out the Davenport Sea Glass Facebook page and Rare Sea Glass — it makes my jaw drop!
Let’s do this!
