black diamonds – Jewelry Fashion Tips

Scrabble Jewelry

So do you have fond memories of playing Scrabble while growing up? I know I do, as do millions of other people around the world. Well Hasbro Inc., the creators of this uber popular game, has teamed up with World Trade Jewelers to create a whole Scrabble jewelry line! Famous for their Hershey Kiss jewelry, this line will be available to the public sometime this fall. (Jewelry collections for My Little Pony and Candy Land are also in the works.)

Of course, the stars always have first access to the hottest items, and the Scrabble necklaces are being spotted all over Hollywood, from Olivia Munn to Brooke Burke. Initial or monogrammed necklaces are all the rage right now, so it’s no surprise that stylists are swooping them up for their celeb clients. Here’s Carly Rae Jepsen sporting a “C.”

The first pieces that will hit the market are the pendants. They come in sterling with white diamonds and 14K yellow gold with black diamonds.

When I spoke with World Trade Jeweler’s CEO, Murray Shabot, last week, he said that this is only the beginning. There will be some pieces made of wood (birchwood and mahogany), cufflinks, and even a bangle where you can add letters to spell out what you want. Cool! The price range will run from $50-$1000, so there’s really something for every budget.

One thing I love about this whole concept is that it really appeals to both kids and adults — it’s nostalgic and current at the same time. I also think it will be a great necklace for layering. Here’s Amanda Crew wearing an “A” with a simple tank.

I would style it layered with a couple longer necklaces to create a fun look. I will get to see this line in person this week, as it debuts at the JCK jewelry show in Las Vegas. Can’t wait!

(Photo credits for Carly and Amanda: Look Los Angeles PR. Photo credits for pendants: Lazar Advertising)

Jewelry Box Basics: The Rock Star

Get excited — it’s time for the third article in my series “Jewelry Box Basics!” To catch you up, this is a six-part series outlining the basic pieces you should have in your jewelry box based on your personal style: the lady who lunches, bohemian, rock star, romantic, minimalist and trendy. True, everyone is a unique individual and may adopt aspects of various styles, so just use this as a framework. Use the images as a jumping off point to inspire you and send you in the right direction. Don’t let the price tags affect your vision. Instead, shop at the price points that you’re comfortable with and have fun!

So let’s get back to the style du jour. Now granted, not everyone can be a successful rock star, belting out songs on stage, yet I know that there are many people who have an inner rock star living inside them. (regardless of their musical talent) If this sounds like you, then you should let this aspect of your personality shine through in your wardrobe and jewelry!

The jewelry for the rock star conjures up images of metals in oxidized silver and gunmetal…motifs such as skulls, spikes, angel wings…leather cuffs…and black diamonds. But you have to select pieces carefully, as you don’t want to appear like a parody of an actual rock star. Here are some examples of jewelry that would strike the right note.

Watch
Oversized and in black, there are many options for a rock’n roll watch out there. Karl Lagerfeld’s new collection is right on the money with this vibe.

Bracelets
The rock chic needs a chunky link bracelet to complement her style. This one by Moritz Glik is tremendous.

But there also has to be a leather bracelet in your jewelry box. I think this wide leather cuff by Erika Honig with woven pewter and silver would look fantastic worn on the opposite wrist as your watch.

Rings
I’m thinking of one particular friend in Austin, and she is definitely the rocker. Her husband really chose the ideal wedding ring for her — a large, black diamond. For the right hand, I think an edgy ring like this one by Stephen Webster would be just fantastic on her.

The "rapture thorn" ring — The “rapture thorn” ring

Earrings
You might be in shock that the pair I’m recommending for a basic for this personal style is actually not a hoop! I could, of course, but I’m going a step further with these dangling chain earrings by Alberian and Aulde. I love the movement of the chains accented by diamonds.

Necklaces
Layering necklaces is intrinsically part of the rocker style, just as it was with the bohemian. Therefore, a minimum of two necklaces are going to be basic, one more delicate, and the other more of a statement. For the smaller piece, I like this embellished feather by Jamie Joseph. The mixed metals (notice the gold-toned ring that holds on the pendant) make it even more versatile.

Either worn solo, or in combination with this necklace by Virgins, Saints & Angels, it’s rockin’ without being a costume.

So how do these pieces sit with you? Can you picture yourself wearing them? Or is it too much of a departure from your personal style? With the three styles I’ve now covered, you can see what a range there is out there in the world of jewelry. And just think, we’re only half way through! 😉

Men’s Black Diamond Ring: Jewelry Judge

One of my monthly indulgences is getting a pedicure. It’s an hour of true bliss, and I’m usually just in my own little world while Sara gets my toes all dolled up. But at my last appointment, my eyes kept drifting to the gentleman seated in the next chair over. He had more than your ordinary wedding band.

Three rows of small, black diamonds, encased in matte platinum really made for a unique ring, and it truly seemed to suit his personal style. Normally I’m not into big bling for a guy, but I thought this was pretty cool. His wife, seated one more chair over, said that they had it made by a jeweler in San Francisco. They were clearly both very happy with how it turned out, and quite smitten with each other as well. Love that!

Catherine Angiel: Designer

While I don’t have a tattoo, I can certainly appreciate some of the amazing ink I’ve seen on my friends (Leslee’s whole back is covered!) and on random people on the street. Jewelry designer Catherine Angiel takes it a step further. Her tattoo-inspired jewelry line is the epitome of rocker chic.

I had a blast getting to know this multi-faceted lady at a recent trunk show at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco.

Catherine was born and raised in New York City. Music (drumming in particular) is in her soul, she loves the “grit” of the city, and she loved being part of the underground music scene. Graffiti, rock n’ roll and tattoos are what inspired her in creating her line, which is famous for its use of black diamonds and precious metals. She opened her Greenich Village store in 1993, the same year that she also appeared on the cover of Newsweek magazine. (An interesting side note: Catherine is the one who coined the term “commitment rings!” How cool is that?!)

As she states, “My vibe is all about breaking the rules; whether it’s in my music, my jewelry, or my life. I’ve always been a renegade.” No doubt! And her cool jewelry line lives true to that vibe. This bracelet was the first piece I tried on. I could envision it as a tattoo around someone’s upper arm, but for me, this was the perfect way to sport the look.

I took this image from her website. Being deathly afraid of spiders, it’s probably good I didn’t see it in person. But again, I can appreciate her use of white diamonds and black spinel beads.

Every piece in the line is hand-crafted right in her NYC workshop. Catherine talked about how she loves the relationship between stones and metal. She feels that stones actually “choose” the metal that they’ll be in harmony with. I like that thought process, and I think the stones in these rings made great choices!

She has a men’s line as well. These cufflinks would be perfect on the right guy!

Do you know a guy with a rocker attitude?

Here’s an image from her website that really captures the whole look and feel of the line. It’s artistic, edgy, rocker chic, fashion-forward, and likely much cooler than I am.

While she describes herself as a “bad ass jewelry designer,” Catherine is also a big animal activist, and loves to garden and cook. I know I’ll never forget that sparkle she had in her eyes when talking to me about her life story and her jewelry line. If you’re inspired to see more of her collection, you can find it at her store in NYC, Neiman Marcus in SF, Fragments in NYC and Montaigne Market in Paris.

Amali by Sara Freedenfeld

When you get all your money stolen while in South America, you’d never think that it would lead to an amazing career in jewelry design, but that’s just what happened to Sara Freedenfeld. Finding herself without funds, she learned to macrame wearable art and sold her goods on the street each day. Clearly…she had talent! Soon thereafter she met a metal artist in Venezuela who taught her the basics in metalwork, and hence her life in jewelry was launched.

I was very pleased to meet Sara and see her beautiful line, Amali, at yet another one of Manika Jewelry’s amazing trunk shows.

Amali jewelry, Sara Freedenfeld — Me and Sara of Amali jewelry

With many of her pieces dripping in delicate chain, it’s clear that it’s her signature look. Rings, necklaces and earrings are all hand made in Astoria, New York of solid 18K gold, precious and semi-precious stones. This necklace, made of grey quartz and silver diamonds, woven in 18K gold is so special! It is very feminine, yet sexy at the same time.

Here are a couple pair of earrings that showcase black diamonds woven with the same 18K chain. And you know…you can never have enough hoop earrings!

Amali earrings — Moss aqua and black diamond earrings

Amali hoop earrings — Black diamond hoops

I think Sara herself sums it up quite nicely in describing her jewelry as, “a line of jewelry that delicately unites the natural simplicity of handcrafted artistry with the sophistication and glamour of high fashion.”

Julez Bryant: Designer

“Be your own sugar daddy” is Julez Bryant’s tag line, and I couldn’t agree more! I have shopped for my own jewelry with this very mantra in mind my whole adult life. Why wait for someone to buy you a beautiful gem when you can buy it for yourself? You’re worth it!

julez bryant candy bar — Julez' tag line on a chocolate bar...yum!

I was so pleased to meet her at her recent trunk show at Les Duex Copines in Burlingame, California. Julez, formerly of the tech world, has been making jewelry for about eleven years now. In speaking with her, her passion for design and sparkle were evident. She believes that jewelry should be versatile and “add a zing of casual luxury” to your wardrobe–wear her pieces with jeans or a cocktail dress. Her collection is meant to be mixed and matched, both within the line and with other jewelry you may have.

julez bryant — Meeting Julez Bryant at Les Duex Copines

She makes her jewelry in house, down in southern California. (Gotta love that!) When she started the line, she worked mostly with rose gold, and that is her signature. Now she also works with yellow and white gold, along with sterling silver. Her beautiful designs are highlighted by white, black, and cognac diamonds.

julez-cross:ring — Stacking rings and a cross necklace

She is also known for her charms, which can be purchased individually or on a necklace. And if you see one of her pieces yet would like to tweak it a bit, she’s more than willing to do that as well. (as evidenced by my friend who did exactly that at the event)

julez-necklaces — a selection of Julez' disco ball necklaces

Another very cool thing about her is that she will “remodel” one of your own pieces of jewelry, incorporating the older piece with something new. While I was at the trunk show, a woman came in with a baggie of vintage jewelry, and Julez jumped right into creative gear thinking up inventive redesign plans. Just fabulous!

If you want to check out Julez Bryant’s line for yourself, be sure to visit Les Duex Copines or her website for a store location near you! You won’t be disappointed by her (and I quote) “little pieces of magic.”