Haunting Jewelry for Halloween and Beyond

You may not know this about me, but I taught 3rd grade for 8 years. Being a fashionista, I know that you won’t be surprised to learn that I had THE most amazing collection of holiday jewelry for every event from Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving — wood cut-out pieces, necklaces that required batteries, and many home-crafed gifts from students. My 8 and 9 year-old audience loved it! I had many items like these below in my jewelry box.

Perfect for a grade school teacher!
Perfect for a grade school teacher!

When I “retired” from teaching to enter the world of fashion 15 years ago, I quickly realized that I wanted my holiday jewelry to be a bit more refined and subtle. (and BOY did my teacher jewelry sell like hotcakes at my garage sale!!) With that in mind, I wanted to share some hauntingly cool jewelry befit for October 31st — or really, let’s be frank, any day. Enjoy!

Skull bracelet by Alexander McQueen
Skull bracelet by Alexander McQueen

Bing Bang rose gold skull and chain earrings
Bing Bang rose gold skull and chain earrings

REAL spider web preserved by Dolly Bird Design
REAL spider web preserved by Dolly Bird Design

Pearl and spider earrings by Anna Ruth Henriques
Pearl and spider earrings by Anna Ruth Henriques

Snake moonstone ring by Colette
Snake moonstone ring by Colette

Borgioni snake bracelet
Borgioni snake bracelet

Happy Halloween!! And I hope that you get some M&M’s in your trick-or-treat basket, because let’s face it, it’s the best candy out there! 😉

Borgioni Private Collection

Given that my mom is one of my best-est friends, I’m always pleased when I meet other close mother-daughter duos. While at the Couture show in Las Vegas, I was very pleased to meet Rhonda and Tiffany Bartolacci, the mother and daughter behind the fabulous Borgioni Private Collection.

Rhonda Bartolacci, Amy Roseveare, and Tiffany Bartolacci
Rhonda, Amy and Tiffany

Though they live on opposite coasts, the pair have built a thriving business the past six years. The whole line was inspired by the family matriarch, who left the women some vintage jewelry. They really wanted to re-design these pieces so that they could be worn today, yet still represent their own style. From there, they decided to develop a collection comprised of “unique pieces of art that can be worn as accessories.” Rhonda (the mom) is definitely a bit more rock-n-roll in her aesthetic, while Tiffany has more of a vintage/boho vibe. But they are able to combine their viewpoints in a very creative, bejeweled line.

They first became known for their bracelets, both their beaded ones and the handcuff design. But that was just the beginning — buddahs, snakes, the evil eye and animals are just some of what you’ll find in their stunning creations. (In fact animals are currently a very strong theme in their line, as they are both such animal lovers.)

The first thing that caught my eye at their booth was an amazing group of large, rectangular rings. Here’s a stunning showpiece in rose gold.

borgioni ring
It’s powerful and feminine at the same time!

Still with the rose gold theme, I think this rose gold and diamond flower on a sting ray cuff is beyond cool!

borgioni cuff
I would rock this on my right arm, with my watch and a stack of bracelets on the other.

If more delicate bracelets are your style, then take a look at this one. You can wear it just as easily on its own as you could stacked with other bracelets you already own.

borgioni bracelets
Subtle rock n’ roll with the snake and evil eye.

As my readers know, I have a completely unexplained addiction to buddah. (Perhaps I was Buddhist in a former life?!) I was a happy camper looking through their pieces, as buddah popped up in everything from pendants to bracelets!

borgiani buddah jewelry
Ommmmm….

While you might see this jewelry on everyone from Heidi Klum to Steven Tyler, you can also try it on yourself. You can find this collection at Neiman Marcus, Amazon, and in specialty jewelry stores around the country, including Fragments in NYC.