jewelry fashion tips – Page 5 – Jewelry Fashion Tips

Charlene Court: Jewelry Judge

I think that sometimes people must think I’m a total nut-job when I accost them in public places. I found my latest “victim” while I was having lunch with a friend at the Rotunda in San Francisco. This lovely young woman walked by, I caught a glimpse of the fan-tabulous necklace she was wearing, and truly leapt out of my seat to go after her.

Turns out, that she was wearing the designs of her friend, jewelry designer Charlene Court. (I LOVE when I discover a designer that I’ve never heard of!) So here’s the necklace that she was wearing.

Here’s a close-up of the pendant.

And get ready for the surprise in the back….

It's beautiful coming and going! — It’s beautiful coming and going!

In addition to this magnificent necklace she was also wearing a fab ring, also by Charlene.

And in case you want a close-up view of the ring, as I know I did!

So I suppose that you don’t have to guess whether the Jewelry Judge gives a thumbs up or a thumbs down this week. Wow! Know that I did eventually get back to my table to finish my salad, but I was on a jewelry high for the rest of my lunch!

ModeWalk…Ooo La La!

On Thursday I went to a ModeWalk trunk show at Azadeh in San Francisco. ModeWalk is a unique business model in the world of fashion. Basically, they get hot, luxury fashions from Europe (many brands that I’ve never heard of!) and sell them online, through selective trunk shows, and via stylist appointments. Interesting! While I went to the show intending to focus on the clothing, my attention was (not surprisingly) re-directed to some stellar pieces of jewelry!

First up was this fab necklace by Fiona Paxton. With its pop of neon, it’s truly on-trend.

a stylish way to add some neon — Stylish way to add some neon

Another statement necklace that had me drooling was this rose-gold stunner by Lara Bohinc.

I certainly didn’t want to ignore my wrists, so I quickly tried on this amazing bracelet by Parisian designer Philippe Audibert…well actually it’s much more than a bracelet. I don’t even know how to describe it! But I love it — it makes my arms look so sleek!

I also adore these knotted bracelets by Coralie De Seynes. I’m very tempted by the orange one. While orange isn’t a color that necessarily looks good on me in clothing or make-up, why not add a dash of it in an accessory?!

If you’d like the opportunity to see some of these gems live, you’re in luck. ModeWalk will be having another trunk show this week (Feb. 5-9) at Azadeh in Los Gatos, California. You can find out about their upcoming trunk shows on their Facebook page. Happy shopping!

Hawaiian Bangles

If you follow my Jewelry Fashion Tips Facebook page (and if you don’t, “like” it right away — there’s tons of goodies on it!), then you know that I was enjoying myself in Hawaii last week. I was staying with friends who live there, so one of my first stops was the local grocery store to stock up on my fave foods. The cashier’s wrists caught my eye right away, adorned in traditional gold Hawaiian bracelets.

Known as Hawaiian Heirloom Bracelets, they are inscribed with names and sentiments just for the person who wears them. They first became popular back in the 1860’s, and their popularity certainly doesn’t seem to have waned. I saw them all over Oahu on wrists of all ages!

During my stay on the island, I noticed yet another Hawaiian bracelet trend — lovely slim bangles, either in silver or gold, enhanced with a single charm. I saw charms ranging from shells to Tahitian pearls to sea glass. While in Sand People (a popular beach-themed chain store on the islands) in Kailua, I saw these lovely examples with Tahitian pearls designed by Oahu-based Beach Girl Jewels.

I was also on the lookout for bangles by Hula Hoops, which is a Maui-based designer, as this is where my friend Jeanette found some beauties! When she stacks a bunch of them together, here’s how it looks.

Jeanette's "simple" stack — Jeanette’s “simple” stack

When she takes it a step further, incorporating other bracelets, the result is simply stunning!

I must admit, that I did come back to the mainland with a singular bangle. (Aren’t you immensely impressed with my restraint?!) I’ve decided that I will add additional bangles on future trips. Meanwhile, I look forward to adding my new “addition” to some of my creative bracelet combinations. Aloha!

Feather Earrings: Jewelry Judge

I was practically sprinting through the maze of make-up counters at Sak’s the other day, when I came to a full stop in front of a darling gal wearing SUCH cool earrings!

While statement necklaces and bold rings have certainly been a big trend, the statement earring is one I haven’t seen much. Turns out this woman made these out of rooster feathers, and she sells them on etsy! I think she styled it just right, too, with the simple black outfit. This really makes the earrings the major focus point.

I don’t think that I, personally, could pull these off with such panache, but I know there are many of you out there who can. Brava, Hasnaa!