Jewelry PR Division

Rachel Bravman: Publicist turned Jewelry Designer

Everything Rachel Bravman touches turns to gold. Yes, most of the fashion jewelry she designs for her line Rachel Leigh is already a gold color, but her finishing touch turns the celebrity coveted baubles into editorial gold.

Bravman was working as an Yves Saint Laurent publicist when she launched her jewelry line in the fall of 2004. The line was a direct answer to demands for luxury fashion jewelry that could compliment designs featured in the best fashion editorials. What resulted was a fun yet fashion forward jewelry empire worn by all the Hollywood "It" girls.

Rachel Bravman: Publicist turned Jewelry Designer

Everything Rachel Bravman touches turns to gold. Yes, most of the fashion jewelry she designs for her line Rachel Leigh is already a gold color, but her finishing touch turns the celebrity coveted baubles into editorial gold.

Bravman was working as an Yves Saint Laurent publicist when she launched her jewelry line in the fall of 2004. The line was a direct answer to demands for luxury fashion jewelry that could compliment designs featured in the best fashion editorials. What resulted was a fun yet fashion forward jewelry empire worn by all the Hollywood "It" girls.

Stainless Steel gets the Golden Treatment
When I think of stainless steel, skyscrapers come to mind—not luxury jewelry.  The German originated jewelry company TeNo is hoping to change that notion with its luxury semi-precious line that uses the industrious metal as its main ingredient.

I literally stumbled across TeNo's boutique on a recent stroll through SoHo.  The logo on the sign conjured up a flashback to a Vogue ad I’d seen in the 798-page September issue.  Walking in, I was welcomed by friendly staff and a line of semi-precious jewlery that had a natural yet luxurious vibe.

Give em' the ol' razzle dazzle...

One thing I am an absolute sucker for is a large cocktail ring.  I happen to be fortunate enough to inherit my grandmother's custom Cartier, but I am always looking for other finger fringe to change things up sometimes.  This season's offerings tend to be organic and gemstone-rich.

The Emmys Celebrate their Diamond Anniversary 

In accoradance with wedding anniversary tradition, the Emmys would be having their “diamond year” with their 60th awards cermony this Sunday, September 21.  Of course the Emmys' red carpet is full of diamond drenched celebs every year, but an extra special piece, the "Platinum Clutch,” will be showcased at the annual Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) Emmy Awards Jewely Preview starting tomorrow, the 18th, running through Saturday, the 20th.

History Repeats itself with Archival Inspired Fine Jewelry Lines

Designers in general often look to their predecessors’ work for inspiration.  This is clearly evident in a number of fine jewelry lines popping up around the world lately.

One example of this window to the past is Van Cleef and Arpels nod to a past collaboration with George Balanchine. Ballet master Balachine’s mystification by the Fifth Avenue Van Cleef and Arpels window display of rubies, diamonds and emerald was the jumping off point for collaboration between dance and precious stones in the 1960s. 

New York City Ballet dancer Suzanne Farrell models Van Cleef - Arpels jewelry with Claude Arpels and George Balanchine in 1976

Beautiful AND talented model-turned-cookbook author-turned-television host, Padma Pakshimi, is now adding ‘jewelry designer’ to her résumé.  In the November issue of Harper’s Bazaar, she spilled the beads…I mean beans.

Padma told the magazine that the development of a line of Indian-inspired jewelry is currently underway right out of her Manhattan apartment with the help of one designer and one assistant. Padma joins Heidi Klum in the world of models turned jewelry designers but makes sure to note her more modest approach to Vanity Fair, “My success is [my two business partners’] success…I wasn’t a Sports Illustrated Model.  I’m sure that those girls made a *@!#load more money than I did.”

A single strand of pearls can look classic and elegant, but I am loving the way Robyn Wolowitz has taken her pearl jewelry designs for La Belle Chose and created a luxurious look for less than you would think! Check out a sampling of her Sea Shell Pearl Clover Collection:

The Trefle - Luminous white shell pearl complemented by rhodium-plated cubic zirconia and exquisite crystal enhancements in yellow gold, rose gold and black rhodium plating, interlocking links and a clover magnetic clasp. The necklace is priced at $500.

Recently I was walking around a bazaar full of up and coming jewelry designers and fashion boutiques. The place was full of new and interesting things. A young lady, who I would later learn was named Raven, sat their twisting and turning at what looked like a piece of tangled wire. Raven would introduce me to her art of wire jewelry making. 
 
This image from raven's designs is a wire craddling a Zebra Finch skull (recycled) on a velvet ribbon. Raven’s artwork was a breath of fresh air.

I don’t often see new materials in jewelry design when I am out browsing different department stores and boutiques. I have seen and experienced miraculous things cast in gold and sterling silver--and brass is definitely on the rise because silver is getting to be expensive. Over a gazillion designs to display your Canadian diamonds or your cubic zirconias have been discovered, but the wiring craft and wire art territory is very narrow breed. It was only one booth out of forty that carried wire works that day at the bazaar. Raven’s materials were sterling silver wire and from what I learned, the wire is tarnished and polished using ultra fine steel wool. More photos and products are available on Raven's Etsy store.

When it comes to weddings, the budget can be a big deal. Splurging on the dress, but saving on the accessories can be a way to save some serious dollars. From weddings in Colorado to Connecticut, Anne Bellagio provides brides with sophisticated and affordable bridal jewelry in all shapes and sizes.

3" long, delicate and airy Christina earrings by Anne Bellagio. Clear pavé set crystals give a vintage vibe for your pierced ears. Available in silver or gold, $54.

Though barely a year old, jewelry line DANNIJO has already made quite an impression. In 2008, the sisters Danielle and Jodie Snyder came together to make edgy, statement pieces with a rock ‘n’ roll influence. Their line is all handmade with hints of uptown sophistication with a raw downtown flair. The DANNIJO sisters have taken from their unique personalities to create evolving fashion trends of both the past and present. The jewelry is designed for fun loving, free- spirited and passionate women everywhere and is inspired from their travels, photography, architecture, art, film, music and vintage.

Being environmentally and socially responsible is a big trend for businesses today, and Prismera Design is a unique jewelry brand who is doing both. Laura Su, designer of Prismera Design, handcrafts all of her botanical shaped jewelry which is all cut from stainless steel that is actually created from recycled components.

Laura Su started off her career at Rhode Island School of Design and has been handcrafting her jewelry since 2004. Su claims she is traditionally influenced in a more modern style. Her collections are based on versatility, comfort, sustainability, and often inspired by things that seem commonplace, such as a curve of a leaf or by certain plants and organic textures.

Platinum who?  Palladium has been deemed the next cool kid on the block, dethroning platinum for the title.  Initially an underdog in the jewelry world, Palladium is predicted to be driven by designers beyond just bridal and men’s categories, where it has slowly been gaining converts over the past several years.  Despite containing 95 percent pure metal, jewelers remained disinclined to feature it in their stores for fear of consumers’ unfamiliarity of the precious metal.

A sure sign of its rise to fame came at the 2009 American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Awards where they announced that Palladium is finally gaining more acceptance in the designer world.  Many designers including Tenthio, Sasha Primak, and Michael Sugarman will be developing an entire palladium collection in conjunction with high-karat gold and platinum lines.   Additionally, retailers can expect to see an increase in palladium pieces at the summer trade shows.  Solidifying the trend, some of the most highly acclaimed names in the design world will also be adopting the metal, including Robert Lee Morris, Paul Morelli, Zoltan David, Alishan, Michael Bondanza, and Barry Kronen.

But like with all things, the economy plays a role in the rising popularity of Palladium...

Several months ago on Twitter I discovered the Spanish jewelry designer behind the indie brand Leela Bijou. From the moment I laid eyes on her exquisite pieces of what I would like to consider art, I was in complete and undeniable love. I quickly scooped up her Aquamarine crystal ring. It is a combination of Swarovski and Czech crystals and Strass prisms. This ring shines so brilliantly and has grabbed the attention of countless people whenever I wear it.

Zippers are everywhere recently. They used to be a part of our clothing that designers tried to hide, but now exposed zippers are fashionable. They're like an extra decorative piece in your outfit. It seems to coincide with the tough girl look that has become trendy these days. It's also an inexpensive way for designers and manufacturers to add an edgy aspect to a garment or accessory. It's all about the hardware!

So where are we seeing this trend? Zippers are showing up on clutches, jewelry, and shoes (remember those to-die-for zippered Louboutins?) Dresses were decked out in zippers for the 3.1 Phillip Lim and Versace Spring 2009 shows. If you like this look but haven't seen Kate Cusack's zipper jewelry, you'll fall in love. I did! It looks like art, but functions as jewelry. Will zippers remain an outward part of our wardrobes or will they go back into hiding?

In order to take advantage of this season’s biggest trend, statement jewelry, gemstones are a must! Best of all, you don’t have the break the bank when trying on this trend. Even Target has great gemstone jewelry. Erickson Beamon for Target has an array of styles, from bold necklaces to shiny earrings, which are sure to catch your eye and budget! The line has nothing over $50, so you won’t have to feel guilty after picking up this trend for spring.

All types of people love Christian Audigier's designs. You've seen Ed Hardy fashions everywhere, but I bet you haven't noticed his jewelry. For one, jewelry isn't as noticable as a shirt covered in metallic-printed skulls. If you're an Ed Hardy fan, you'll love his line of jewelry.

Ed Hardy has a full line of jewelry that includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. You can also buy pendants, dog tags, money clips, lighters and wallet chains. Ed Hardy has become hugely successful in the fashion industry, as Christian Audigier has expanded his empire into other clothing lines, one named after himself and SMET. I have to wonder, will his jewelry be as successful as his clothes?

Anna Sabino is the owner and designer of the successful jewelry line, Lucid New York. You may have seen her frequents tweets on Twitter, read her blog or you might be friends on Facebook. Originally from Poland, Sabino is a converted New Yorker and "couldn't feel more at home." Her jewelry is best described as fantastical. Sabino's designs allow women to portray their "inner girl," with charms including cupcakes, wishbones and cherries.

Sabino's simple, adorable and classic designs, which include earrings, necklaces and rings, are
appealing to women across the globe. Lucid New York is featured in over a hundred stores, including Tokyo, Australia and Ireland. Her designs have been featured in Vogue, and most recently in People's April 2009 issue.

Gianfranco Ferré, "the architect of fashion," has become the latest label to announce a creative partnership with the Damiani group to create a luxury jewelry collection. The collection will contain inspiration from the style of the late designer, who died in 2007, including recognizable works of Dianfranco such as the ever popular safety pin (which appears in all Gianfranco Ferré collections.)

The collection will be comprised of gold and/or silver with diamonds and other gemstones, and will feature four main “themes” which have yet to be announced. The collection will be available mostly for women, but will also have some men's jewelry, as well. This collection will be revealed in Gianfranco Ferre Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show along with his latest women's designs. The collection will be available to purchase initially at Baroque Bespoke Jewelry, then will begin to be offered through resellers globally at stores owned by both Ferre and Damiani (Rocca SPA).

Kimberly McDonald is a jewelry designer based in New York who creates her pieces using natural and organic materials which are then complemented by raw and and untreated fine materials. The result is a unique and exquisite piece of jewelry. I had the opportunity to talk with Kimberly regarding her designs, as well as, gain some insight into the jewelry marketing trends for 2009.

Pierce Mattie: Where does the inspiration for your pieces come from?

Kimberly McDonald: Nature. 100%. I have always been a little bit of a 'rock geek'. I collected agates from my grandmother's driveway when I was a kid. I was always fascinated by the patterns and colors. It amazes me that as much as we try to manufacture beauty, nature still trumps whatever we can conjure up. I base every piece on how to best enhance what is natural and unique about every stone.

Pierce Mattie: You discuss on your website not harvesting new materials but using our current ones, can you explain?

Kimberly McDonald: I think that conservation begins with being conscientious. I do make every effort to use what has already been harvested or utilized. Sometimes this means that we rework antique pieces (such as the natural carved emeralds in the ring attached here). We use cameos that were carved and never set into jewelry that are from the 1870s-early 1900s (see the pendant attached here). We use recycled gold and diamonds when we can. When we use wood, we use reclaimed wood (some of it comes from guitars, ships, other wooden structures). Because Nature is the focal point of the collection, it is always with a healthy respect that I approach anything that I know will involve "taking from" the earth. I think that is the best that any of us can do and if everyone would do the same, I am pretty sure it would benefit our planet immensely.

Designer Rachel Roy partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand, a division of Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY). The limited edition, limited quantity collection, which was co-designed by Rachel Roy and Estelle, includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings available for sale beginning March 2010.

Before the full release of the collection, fans of Rachel Roy’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to be the first to shop an edited version of the collection, including one ring style that is exclusive to Facebook and will not be available as part of the full collection. The special Facebook pop-up store begins at 6am EST on February 9th and ends at 6pm EST on February 11th.

A mutual love of costume jewelry brought Rachel and Estelle together and the collection reflects their affinity for color and materials such as resin, hematite and yellow crystal. The collection embodies the essence of the Rachel Rachel Roy brand and includes large statement pieces balanced with a feminine edge. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy’s and online at www.macys.com and www.rachelroy.com.

Founder and artistic director Rachel Roy said, “Working with Estelle was a true collaboration. I love Estelle's sense of style because she takes risks and I think that to be a trendsetter you have to take as many risks as safe turns.”

Estelle said, “What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she’ll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she’ll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she’s wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line.”

The jewelry collaboration with Estelle is part of a series of limited edition capsule collections that merge fashion with culture, art, music, photography, and philanthropy to bring a unique element to the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. Watch the making of the collection on www.rachelroy.com.

In addition, Estelle is scheduled to be at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on April 1st for a special performance to support the collaboration.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection features affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear, handbags and jewelry. The collection is available exclusively at select Macy’s stores and online at macys.com/rachelroy and rachelroy.com. You can become a fan of Rachel Roy on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Designer Rachel Roy partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand, a division of Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY). The limited edition, limited quantity collection, which was co-designed by Rachel Roy and Estelle, includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings available for sale beginning March 2010.

Before the full release of the collection, fans of Rachel Roy’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to be the first to shop an edited version of the collection, including one ring style that is exclusive to Facebook and will not be available as part of the full collection. The special Facebook pop-up store begins at 6am EST on February 9th and ends at 6pm EST on February 11th.

A mutual love of costume jewelry brought Rachel and Estelle together and the collection reflects their affinity for color and materials such as resin, hematite and yellow crystal. The collection embodies the essence of the Rachel Rachel Roy brand and includes large statement pieces balanced with a feminine edge. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy’s and online at www.macys.com and www.rachelroy.com.

Founder and artistic director Rachel Roy said, “Working with Estelle was a true collaboration. I love Estelle's sense of style because she takes risks and I think that to be a trendsetter you have to take as many risks as safe turns.”

Estelle said, “What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she’ll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she’ll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she’s wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line.”

The jewelry collaboration with Estelle is part of a series of limited edition capsule collections that merge fashion with culture, art, music, photography, and philanthropy to bring a unique element to the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. Watch the making of the collection on www.rachelroy.com.

In addition, Estelle is scheduled to be at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on April 1st for a special performance to support the collaboration.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection features affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear, handbags and jewelry. The collection is available exclusively at select Macy’s stores and online at macys.com/rachelroy and rachelroy.com. You can become a fan of Rachel Roy on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Designer Rachel Roy partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand, a division of Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY). The limited edition, limited quantity collection, which was co-designed by Rachel Roy and Estelle, includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings available for sale beginning March 2010.

Before the full release of the collection, fans of Rachel Roy’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to be the first to shop an edited version of the collection, including one ring style that is exclusive to Facebook and will not be available as part of the full collection. The special Facebook pop-up store begins at 6am EST on February 9th and ends at 6pm EST on February 11th.

A mutual love of costume jewelry brought Rachel and Estelle together and the collection reflects their affinity for color and materials such as resin, hematite and yellow crystal. The collection embodies the essence of the Rachel Rachel Roy brand and includes large statement pieces balanced with a feminine edge. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy’s and online at www.macys.com and www.rachelroy.com.

Founder and artistic director Rachel Roy said, “Working with Estelle was a true collaboration. I love Estelle's sense of style because she takes risks and I think that to be a trendsetter you have to take as many risks as safe turns.”

Estelle said, “What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she’ll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she’ll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she’s wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line.”

The jewelry collaboration with Estelle is part of a series of limited edition capsule collections that merge fashion with culture, art, music, photography, and philanthropy to bring a unique element to the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. Watch the making of the collection on www.rachelroy.com.

In addition, Estelle is scheduled to be at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on April 1st for a special performance to support the collaboration.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection features affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear, handbags and jewelry. The collection is available exclusively at select Macy’s stores and online at macys.com/rachelroy and rachelroy.com. You can become a fan of Rachel Roy on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Designer Rachel Roy partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand, a division of Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY). The limited edition, limited quantity collection, which was co-designed by Rachel Roy and Estelle, includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings available for sale beginning March 2010.

Before the full release of the collection, fans of Rachel Roy’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to be the first to shop an edited version of the collection, including one ring style that is exclusive to Facebook and will not be available as part of the full collection. The special Facebook pop-up store begins at 6am EST on February 9th and ends at 6pm EST on February 11th.

A mutual love of costume jewelry brought Rachel and Estelle together and the collection reflects their affinity for color and materials such as resin, hematite and yellow crystal. The collection embodies the essence of the Rachel Rachel Roy brand and includes large statement pieces balanced with a feminine edge. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy’s and online at www.macys.com and www.rachelroy.com.

Founder and artistic director Rachel Roy said, “Working with Estelle was a true collaboration. I love Estelle's sense of style because she takes risks and I think that to be a trendsetter you have to take as many risks as safe turns.”

Estelle said, “What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she’ll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she’ll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she’s wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line.”

The jewelry collaboration with Estelle is part of a series of limited edition capsule collections that merge fashion with culture, art, music, photography, and philanthropy to bring a unique element to the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. Watch the making of the collection on www.rachelroy.com.

In addition, Estelle is scheduled to be at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on April 1st for a special performance to support the collaboration.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection features affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear, handbags and jewelry. The collection is available exclusively at select Macy’s stores and online at macys.com/rachelroy and rachelroy.com. You can become a fan of Rachel Roy on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Designer Rachel Roy partnered with Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Estelle to create a capsule jewelry collection exclusively for the Rachel Rachel Roy brand, a division of Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY). The limited edition, limited quantity collection, which was co-designed by Rachel Roy and Estelle, includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings available for sale beginning March 2010.

Before the full release of the collection, fans of Rachel Roy’s Facebook page will have an opportunity to be the first to shop an edited version of the collection, including one ring style that is exclusive to Facebook and will not be available as part of the full collection. The special Facebook pop-up store begins at 6am EST on February 9th and ends at 6pm EST on February 11th.

A mutual love of costume jewelry brought Rachel and Estelle together and the collection reflects their affinity for color and materials such as resin, hematite and yellow crystal. The collection embodies the essence of the Rachel Rachel Roy brand and includes large statement pieces balanced with a feminine edge. The collection ranges in price from $34 to $195 and will be available at select Macy’s and online at www.macys.com and www.rachelroy.com.

Founder and artistic director Rachel Roy said, “Working with Estelle was a true collaboration. I love Estelle's sense of style because she takes risks and I think that to be a trendsetter you have to take as many risks as safe turns.”

Estelle said, “What I love about Rachel is that her look is unpredictable. One day she’ll be in a cocktail dress and the next day she’ll be in flats and a little jacket. No matter what she’s wearing, it always looks appropriate. Rachel has great style and I loved collaborating with her on this line.”

The jewelry collaboration with Estelle is part of a series of limited edition capsule collections that merge fashion with culture, art, music, photography, and philanthropy to bring a unique element to the Rachel Rachel Roy brand. Watch the making of the collection on www.rachelroy.com.

In addition, Estelle is scheduled to be at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City on April 1st for a special performance to support the collaboration.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection features affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear, handbags and jewelry. The collection is available exclusively at select Macy’s stores and online at macys.com/rachelroy and rachelroy.com. You can become a fan of Rachel Roy on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Diamonds on a daily basis? Yes, please. If jewelry brand JudeFrances could control it, we would all be rocking diamonds every day. A luxury jewelry company JudeFrances has stepped onto the forefront of jewelry with its edgy, yet classic approach. Sold in high end stores such as Neiman Marcus, this five-year old designer brand has set itself apart by blending the latest trends with the elegance of 18-karat gold and diamonds.

Designers Jude and Frances unique styles contribute to the jewelry’s design process. Frances, who grew up in the English countryside, favors a more classic, romantic approach. Whereas Jude, a Texas native, brings edge and sex appeal to the line. Known for their interchangeable hoop and charms, Jude Frances Their spring collection features turquoise (this season’s “it” color), white and yellow gold, and diamonds.

What do you get when innovation, inspiration and jewelry design mix? A creative jewelry company like Sarah's Hope who believes in supporting women entrepreneurs in impoverished areas enough to fund microloans to them through the sale of their jewelry line. Sarah's Hope, who created E'Sperene™, a mix of quartz crystals and metal oxides, has named each of their collections after a woman entrepreneur in the developing world, not only dedicating the pieces in their name, but sharing their story as well.

What do you get when innovation, inspiration and jewelry design mix? A creative jewelry company like Sarah's Hope who believes in supporting women entrepreneurs in impoverished areas enough to fund microloans to them through the sale of their jewelry line. Sarah's Hope, who created E'Sperene™, a mix of quartz crystals and metal oxides, has named each of their collections after a woman entrepreneur in the developing world, not only dedicating the pieces in their name, but sharing their story as well.

The colors of spring are fresh on display on HSN as the multichannel interactive retailer unveils exclusive, on-trend fashions for the season from acclaimed designers as part of its 2010 Spring Fashion Series presented by ELLE.  This special event includes the introduction of new collections that are proprietary to the retailer and will be featured March 16-20, including the full launch of American Glamour Badgley Mischka, as well as new offerings from TIMELESS by Naeem Khan and the debut of a unique bold new line of fashion jewelry from Hutton Wilkinson.

RJ Graziano gets fashion. A well-known designer, he has over 30 years experience within the industry. Perhaps that’s why his jewelry line is always right on cue. Using a multitude of crystals, beads, stones and gems with various metals, the brand features eye-catching necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

And Graziano isn’t afraid to use color. His latest pieces, available at Nordstrom, are oversized faux crystal bib necklaces in both pale pink and baby blue. You may remember that Pierce Mattie predicted bib necklaces as one of the big jewelry trends for 2010. We also love the layering look of the beaded necklaces. Their bright palette brings a spark of color to this spring’s fashion trends.

It may sound like an American brand, but each piece of Anna Beck jewelry is made with love in Bali. Far and exotic, the handmade line offers an different and unique touch to every day looks. Created in 2003 by Becky Hosmer, who began designing jewelry for her own personal use while traveling throughout the world. Her pit stop in Bali soon turned permanent, as Becky learned the local jewelry techniques. Anna Beck quickly gained popularity and soon became available in high-end boutiques across the United States.

For Dina Mackney, it’s all about the drama. Her jewelry line centers on dramatic flair in the form of necklaces and rings. Dina Mackney Designs uses unexpected elements, such as white coral and drusy agate. The large, oversized pendants have been seen on red carpet events like the Grammy awards and are making a scene on necks across the country.

Dina, a native of Texas, draws her inspiration from her travels around the world and natural elements. Her use of stones, like the rose quartz ring, We love the citrine pendant necklace, available at Nordstrom. The juxtaposition of the rough, jagged stone against the more delicate vermeil gold looks like the perfect piece to layer on this summer. The line is definitely for the bold and daring. But it’s going to take much more than a fashion risk to stop us from being noticed in these unique designs.

As Nordstrom’s exclusive jewelry designer, Bony Levy understands contemporary luxury. His ten year industry experience has given Bony diamond knowledge beyond karats, which he proves within his designs. Nordstrom Carriere Jewelry by Bony Levy is the exclusive Nordstrom brand, and Bony has created designs that stand out from the pack. The brand mixes elegant and casual by using diamonds in unexpected ways.

Simplicity plays a large part in Bony’s design element and that ultimately makes the line the perfect companion to practically any get-up. The Flower Stack ring, which features three layers of diamond ring bling, combines fashion-forward thinking with an everyday approach. We love how easy the ring would pair with a pair or jeans or an evening gown. The fine jewelry line is, as expected, on the expensive side, with the line starting at $400. The line also features a bridal collection, promising bling until death do us part. If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, we may have just found a possible candidate for a new BFF. Combining diamonds and fun is definitely the way to our hearts.

The month of May makes me think of weddings, the most exciting part being the engagement ring. While you can go from store to store to see what they have to offer, I love that James Allen has a design your own ring component to his website. I have to admit, that while I am not in the market for an engagement ring, I sure had a fun time designing one!

You start by choosing a setting that best suits your style. You can pick anything from a solitaire to pave settings to Tension and more...just about 500 different settings to choose from. Once you know the setting you want, you can pick the diamond with an easy to navigate system that breaks down shape, clarity, color and carat.

Pictured is the diamond ring I designed which is 1.35 carats of baguette and pave set diamonds in 18K White Gold. There are 54 diamonds and the setting I chose was from the Meno Collection. The best part was seeing it in 3D (just scroll down to the bottom of the page!) The diamond is sold separately, but based on the center diamond being a round half carat, the total price for this ring is around $7,000. I think it is stunning!

Give it a try yourself! You can even connect the ring you design with your Facebook profile to let your friends and family weigh in the decision for the perfect ring!

JCK's June issue spotlights some up and coming jewelry designers that you should be paying some attention to. One in particular that caught my eye was jewelry designer Julie Liu, who is the creative force behind the MIA PEZZI Couture Jewelry brand. The cultural mix of Asian and Italian influences make for some splendid and unique designs.

What I find fascinating about MIA PEZZI is that each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind, made in small batches with an eye for perfection. Liu has no formal training in jewelry design, it was merely her creativity and keen eye that has helped her craft such beautiful works of art.

You can see MIA PEZZI Couture Jewelry at www.miapezzi.com. 

Inspired by nature surrounding us, this California based jewelry designer, Kerri Wilder creates accessories that are quite different, bohemian, and eclectic. Kerri Wilder’s jewelry can be deemed as ultra hippie chic. She incorporates these delicate hammered gold bands, natural stones and gems into her very own creations. From an early age, Wilder knew that she had this desire and passion for jewelry design. She pursued her calling and now her collections are featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, People, Star, and Esquire.

What distinguishes her from other jewelry designers are her iconoclastic peace sign designs. Celebrities have been spotted wearing these peace earrings all over town. From Lindsay Lohan to Minnie Driver to Halle Berry, these celebrities are truly big fans of Kerri Wilder’s peace sign earrings. Channeling her inspiration from nature and spiritual symbolism, Kerri Wilder carries out a full line of these in her necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings creation. They are all hammered and made out of sterling silver or gold vermeil (retail price at $145).

Big earrings are in-trend this summer and if you are looking for more oomph than your basic statement hoop, then chandelier earrings may be right up your alley. Elegant and sophisticated, chandelier earrings can dress up a t-shirt and jeans or add some glamour to an already stylish ensemble. Bigger doesn't always mean you have to spend more to keep up with the jewelry trends. For example, Nadri has some gorgeous chandelier earrings that won't cost you your first born.

Many of Nadri's tiered chandelier earrings are designed with crystal's, so you have the sparkle and shine, without paying too much. I love the Peridot-colored tier chandelier earrings and the crystal broilette earrings as well. There are also chandelier's wih CZ's as well, for larger looking stones.

Is this a trend you feel meets your personal style this summer?

Los Angeles/Bali based designer, Lena Bernard, started making jewelry over 15 years ago and has perfected her craft in Florence, Italy. Lena first started her career as a ceramic and stone sculpture artist until she found her passion in gold and silver smithing. From that point onwards, she began making gold and silver jewelry incorporating her diverse cultural upbringing and curiosity. Her designs are a reflection of her personal travels and global influences.

Born in Sweden, raised in Malibu, studied in London and Florence, she currently resides in Bali, Indonesia. In her Summer 2010 collection, Lena Bernard’s designs are very tribal/ethnic inspired and based largely on the immense influence of Bali. “I get so much inspiration living in Bali with all the artistic techniques that are centuries old. Bali lets me create without limits, the real world is so far away… my back yard is a rice field, I see volcanoes out of my windows, black sand beaches are 10 minutes away & I have Hindu ceremonial offerings on my doorstep… I’m aw-struck everyday!” Lena says.

Since her jewelry line inception, Lena's jewelry has been featured in magazines such as Italian Vogue & People StyleWatch and even worn by celebrities like Fergie, Lauren Conrad, and Kate Hudson. At age of 25, Lena has been internationally recognized as a “designer to watch.” Her collections are found on several online sites (such as www.revolveclothing.com). Items are priced at $33- $120.

You may recognize or have heard of Lynne Curtin from Bravo’s hit show, "Real Housewives of Orange County." Well, now she has launched a career as a jewelry designer expanding her line into handbags, belts and wedding accessories. Much of her inspiration in her designs comes from the beautiful scenery and lifestyle of Laguna Beach.

In her latest endeavors, Lynne Curtin creates her jewelry line titled Lynne Curtin Design with fleur del lis as her staple onto her cuff bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Her designs definitely channel the inner hippie chick, glam diva and the rocker chick all rolled into one. Her designs are bold in particular her cuff bracelets which come in hot pink, black, white, gold or silver with the signature supersized fleur del lis embedded.

Admit it, you love the glitz, the glamour, and flashiness of jewelry, after all you’re a glam goddess. And, no glam goddess would dare walk out of her house without adorning her KJL (Kenneth Jay Lane)! Especially, if you ever wanted to dress like the cast members of Sex and the City, here’s your golden opportunity.

Kenneth Jay Lane is well known jewelry designer for dressing celebrities and Hollywood stars in his one of a kind, glamorous, show stopping pieces for decades. His jewelry exudes decorative appeal and functional style. Since his jewelry inception, his imaginative pieces have caught the eyes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Vreeland, and Audrey Hepburn amongst other A-list clientele.

A Morocco native, Bounkit jewelry designer, Hassan Bounkit, started his jewelry line in 2006. Hassan began his career studying fashion design in Florence, Italy, but from that point onward, he began working for Couture houses Ferragamo, Marella Ferrera, amongst others. He later moved to New York where he worked for Nicole Miller and Arnold Scaasi. With an extensive resume in fashion design, Bounkit launched a jewelry line of his own.

In his current 2010 collection, Bounkit’s designs are very tribal and ethnic inspired based largely on the immense influences of Mediterranean and ancient Moroccan designs. Many of his bold statement jewelry features sensationally oversized stones as the center of attention. His collections are the perfect blend of modern architectural jewelry with a splash of Art Deco boldness. His experimentation with the different colored sunset hues stones creates these beautiful pieces  and textures such as that seen with turquoise and rondells as well as crystal beads with organically cut colored stones.

Started in 1995, Jane Taylor Jewelry has been about combining stylish pieces that transcends time. Jane Taylor Jewelry embodies the essence of “Totally Everyday” where their jewelry designs are simple and easy to wear without being overly complicated. The design elements are the reflection of architectural marvels that are both stunning and elegant. By 2005, they founded a philanthropic line called Custom Causes, Jewelry Designed to Make a Difference to help raise funds through the sale of jewelry for charitable initiatives.

Did you watch the Emmy Awards last night? The jewelry seen on the Red Carpet was amazing! Although I was surprised to see some celebrities wearing minimal, if any jewelry at all. As usual, overstated, over-the-top, statement jewelry was the jewelry trend last night and the  favorite metal had to be Platinum (and I loved every minute of it!)

By far, jewelry from Lorraine Schwartz had to be the hands down celeb favorite of the night. From Heid Klum to Sofia Vergara to Emily Blunt to Lea Michele to Jane Krakowski, so many celebrities were wearing her intricate and embellished jewelry. My favorite had to be the necklace worn by Lea Michele, who just looked amazing all together, I don't think there was a single fashion or beauty don't with her last night!

Cartier was were worn by celebrities like January Jones (did you see that dress? Yikes!) and Dianna Agron. 

I was excited to hear that Naya Rivera's ring and brooch were from Le Vian. (Le Vian is my most favorite jewelry brand!) The ring was 14K set in strawberry gold and the brooch was a multi-colored Sapphire flower. The jewelry was simple and brilliant, her hair? Not so much.

Which celebrity wore your favorite jewelry of the night?

* Photo source: Just Jared

A Russian native, Jack Kelege started his jewelry line in 1971 when he moved to America and from there went onto become a world-class jeweler. Kelege first became interested in jewelry design through watching his father create such wonderful artistry. Heavily influenced by Carl Faberge, he wanted his jewelry craftsmanship to reflect the same high standards of excellence and quality. Every stone and diamond is hand selected by the designer as he believes that in order to create beautiful pieces, they must be perfect. Jack Kelege sought to deliver this in his jewelry pieces working with the finest in platinum and diamonds for over 20 years.

Most importantly, Kelege’s design and philosophy emulates jewelry that should be timeless and classic through his one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces, especially in wedding rings. Since his jewelry line inception, Jack Kelege jewelry has been featured in magazines such as Town and Country Weddings, Wedding Style New England, Wedding Channel, Engagement 101 and National Jeweler Holiday Bridal. For more information, go to his website: www.jackkelege.com.

Two-time James Beard Award winning, Top Chef Masters finalist, and Oprah's former personal chef, Art Smith married artist Jesus Salgueiro on August 21st, in an elaborate ceremony and reception featuring the work of 14 renowned chefs. For their wedding rings, the two chose matching bands from the new wedding collection by jewelry designer Natalie Frigo. The artist's work is described as "a modern interpretation of ancient treasures", and fashions her pieces exclusively in reclaimed casted metal and conflict free stones.

"We immediately fell in love with Natalie's designs," says celebrity chef, Art Smith. "with the added bonus that her jewelry is more than eco-friendly - she uses only reclaimed metals and gems from mines that provide a living wage, ensure safe working conditions and protect the environment."

New York-based Frigo is an award winning fine artist and launched her first jewelry line in December of 2009.

There were over 450 guests in attendance, with the celebration closing at the pool of the Liason hotel.

Rather than accepting gifts, the couple raised money for their charity, Common Threads. Catch Chef Smith this fall judging 'BBQ Pit Masters', Thursdays at 10 pm on TLC.

Antique shops, auctions and flea markets can sometimes be the best places to find timeless, vintage jewelry. Lots of women, including myself, enjoy searching for classic pieces to add to their wardrobes. This is what inspired Lenora Dame’s eclectic collection of vintage earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Her love of past cultures motivates Dame to create pieces that are familiar, but original at the same time- a very appealing characteristic in jewelry.

No matter what your style, Lenora Dame has you covered with bohemian, retro and romantic inspired pieces. If you love to layer on necklaces and pile up arm bangles, then you will love the Bohemian collection. It is full of brightly colored, artistic items and is perfect for the adventurous fun-loving soul, craving bright exciting pieces. All of her jewelry is made from unique materials and features bold designs, shapes and colors. They are sure to catch the attention of others.

Antique shops, auctions and flea markets can sometimes be the best places to find timeless, vintage jewelry. Lots of women, including myself, enjoy searching for classic pieces to add to their wardrobes. This is what inspired Lenora Dame’s eclectic collection of vintage earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Her love of past cultures motivates Dame to create pieces that are familiar, but original at the same time- a very appealing characteristic in jewelry.

No matter what your style, Lenora Dame has you covered with bohemian, retro and romantic inspired pieces. If you love to layer on necklaces and pile up arm bangles, then you will love the Bohemian collection. It is full of brightly colored, artistic items and is perfect for the adventurous fun-loving soul, craving bright exciting pieces. All of her jewelry is made from unique materials and features bold designs, shapes and colors. They are sure to catch the attention of others.

Statement jewelry continues to be a huge jewelry trend this year and in Melanie Lynn’s beautiful collection, Rings Eclectic, you will find sophisticated, chunky designs that will capture the attention of others- without being gaudy. The timeless appearance of the creative jewelry makes them great conversation pieces, suitable for any look.

Prior to creating jewelry, Melanie was a graphic designer and had two successful solo shows as a painter. It is evident in every unique piece that her jewelry draws on her artistic inspiration. Her rings are carefully designed and created with layers of multiple materials, including brass, crystal, pearls and gorgeous stones. Each crystal and pearl is then placed in by hand. The most effort goes into months of designing the acrylic base. They are then polished individually and inscribed with Melanie’s signature on the side.

Statement jewelry continues to be a huge jewelry trend this year and in Melanie Lynn’s beautiful collection, Rings Eclectic, you will find sophisticated, chunky designs that will capture the attention of others- without being gaudy. The timeless appearance of the creative jewelry makes them great conversation pieces, suitable for any look.

Prior to creating jewelry, Melanie was a graphic designer and had two successful solo shows as a painter. It is evident in every unique piece that her jewelry draws on her artistic inspiration. Her rings are carefully designed and created with layers of multiple materials, including brass, crystal, pearls and gorgeous stones. Each crystal and pearl is then placed in by hand. The most effort goes into months of designing the acrylic base. They are then polished individually and inscribed with Melanie’s signature on the side.

Statement jewelry continues to be a huge jewelry trend this year and in Melanie Lynn’s beautiful collection, Rings Eclectic, you will find sophisticated, chunky designs that will capture the attention of others- without being gaudy. The timeless appearance of the creative jewelry makes them great conversation pieces, suitable for any look.

Prior to creating jewelry, Melanie was a graphic designer and had two successful solo shows as a painter. It is evident in every unique piece that her jewelry draws on her artistic inspiration. Her rings are carefully designed and created with layers of multiple materials, including brass, crystal, pearls and gorgeous stones. Each crystal and pearl is then placed in by hand. The most effort goes into months of designing the acrylic base. They are then polished individually and inscribed with Melanie’s signature on the side.

It’s not often that accountants become designers, but for Michigan-born Susan Lyons, it was the natural progression of her career. Tired of working a mundane desk job as a CPA, Lyons knew her creativity could be put to better use elsewhere. After an inspirational dream about her grandmother, Lyons quickly developed Erica Lyons, Inc.

Lyons is quick to credit her success to her ability to draw inspiration from everything around her, “It’s a matter of keeping your eyes open, and more importantly, your mind…all the time. It truly is a 24 hour a day job.” The inspiration might strike her unexpectedly, from the simplest of things to complex, intricate designs. “When you love what you do, finding inspiration is more than a job, it’s a passion…[inspiration] can come from something as simple and beautiful as a ray of sunshine…it can also come from something exotic as the dancing light of San Tropez,” says Lyons. This ability to be instantly inspired has fueled her self-described “obsession” with jewelry.

It’s not often that accountants become designers, but for Michigan-born Susan Lyons, it was the natural progression of her career. Tired of working a mundane desk job as a CPA, Lyons knew her creativity could be put to better use elsewhere. After an inspirational dream about her grandmother, Lyons quickly developed Erica Lyons, Inc.

Lyons is quick to credit her success to her ability to draw inspiration from everything around her, “It’s a matter of keeping your eyes open, and more importantly, your mind…all the time. It truly is a 24 hour a day job.” The inspiration might strike her unexpectedly, from the simplest of things to complex, intricate designs. “When you love what you do, finding inspiration is more than a job, it’s a passion…[inspiration] can come from something as simple and beautiful as a ray of sunshine…it can also come from something exotic as the dancing light of San Tropez,” says Lyons. This ability to be instantly inspired has fueled her self-described “obsession” with jewelry.

It’s not often that accountants become designers, but for Michigan-born Susan Lyons, it was the natural progression of her career. Tired of working a mundane desk job as a CPA, Lyons knew her creativity could be put to better use elsewhere. After an inspirational dream about her grandmother, Lyons quickly developed Erica Lyons, Inc.

Lyons is quick to credit her success to her ability to draw inspiration from everything around her, “It’s a matter of keeping your eyes open, and more importantly, your mind…all the time. It truly is a 24 hour a day job.” The inspiration might strike her unexpectedly, from the simplest of things to complex, intricate designs. “When you love what you do, finding inspiration is more than a job, it’s a passion…[inspiration] can come from something as simple and beautiful as a ray of sunshine…it can also come from something exotic as the dancing light of San Tropez,” says Lyons. This ability to be instantly inspired has fueled her self-described “obsession” with jewelry.

It’s not often that accountants become designers, but for Michigan-born Susan Lyons, it was the natural progression of her career. Tired of working a mundane desk job as a CPA, Lyons knew her creativity could be put to better use elsewhere. After an inspirational dream about her grandmother, Lyons quickly developed Erica Lyons, Inc.

Lyons is quick to credit her success to her ability to draw inspiration from everything around her, “It’s a matter of keeping your eyes open, and more importantly, your mind…all the time. It truly is a 24 hour a day job.” The inspiration might strike her unexpectedly, from the simplest of things to complex, intricate designs. “When you love what you do, finding inspiration is more than a job, it’s a passion…[inspiration] can come from something as simple and beautiful as a ray of sunshine…it can also come from something exotic as the dancing light of San Tropez,” says Lyons. This ability to be instantly inspired has fueled her self-described “obsession” with jewelry.

Jewelry is an artistic form of expression, but what if your jewelry could serve as a historical scrapbook representing stories from all over the globe? This is exactly what jewelry artisan, Lois Hill offers in her stunning collection. Hill regularly travels the world looking for ancient inspiration and designs from past cultures and civilizations that she can incorporate into her jewelry. She brings history up to date in the form of modern jewelry- something that is truly unique.

Hill’s belief is that ancient beauty is both timely and timeless. You may find yourself with a bracelet is designed in the pattern of an African hut, or replicating their native use of jewelry. Her mission takes her from the depths of the Amazon to the peaks of Bhutan and Tibet and leaves you with an exclusive piece, unmatched in craftsmanship or sophistication.

The jewelry we adorn ourselves with serves as a means of self-expression and gives others a sense of who we are. Alex and Ani is a jewelry company enthusiastic about creating meaningful and spiritual pieces, inspiring all who wear them. This collection works to empower and enlighten, and who doesn’t need a little uplift now and then? Best of all, the collection is eco-friendly and made from recycled materials.

Owner and designer, Carolyn Rafaelian is committed to creating jewelry that is unparalleled in quality and beauty. With this belief, Carolyn wants to motivate women to learn through jewelry, what is unique and authentic about themselves. She also promotes unity through her line and designs “Charity by Design,” a beautiful collection that she affectionately refers to as the “heart and soul of Alex and Ani.” The collection benefits charitable organizations, each one getting their own special jewelry design embodying the spirit of their charity.

Seasonal Whispers is a mother-daughter duo that brings to you a collection of quirky, fun jewelry that you can easily adjust with your mood. Take a pretty designed necklace, flip around the pendant, and you get a funky element. With reversible pieces, you can alter your jewelry to your current look- two for the price of one! Seasonal Whispers is designed by New York artists Esther Lixenberg and Yafit Goldfarb.

As trained musicians and painters, this design team creates their jewelry around music and art. Seasonal Whispers has a very artsy characteristic to it and is created with many earthy tones. The base colors used are brown and beige combined with various shades of pink, green and blue. This inspiration comes from New York fashion trends of the 50’s military and retro looks.

Inspired by the times, the Larkspur & Hawk jewelry collection represents classical, dated pieces with a charming modern flair.

The Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco time periods characterize this jewelry, giving it a unique, antique look. Founder and designer, Emily Satloff has a degree in the History of Decorative Arts, so she supplemented her love for 18th and 19th century jewelry with a modern-day design philosophy. Satloff was a curator at The New-York Historical Society and a consultant at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. This experience with fine antiques was perfect for launching a line that commends century-old techniques combined with a modern aesthetic.

Pippa Small was one of those people who seemed to fall into her life’s calling. As a child, she faithfully collected seashells, gems, and any rock or trinket that had even the slightest glimmer of beauty. Pippa saw beauty not just in each stone’s physical appearance, but in the memories that were associated with it. A button was more than just a button; it was a charm evocative of fond feelings from the past, a representation of something much greater than itself.

Pippa was a storyteller, and her love for people and memories influenced her entire life. She designed and sold jewelry to fund her college years, and later fused her interests together while working abroad with native communities. She has since been named an ambassador for Survival International, a movement to support tribal communities. Currently Pippa Small Jewelry has four projects running in separate underprivileged countries, each collection inspired by the talents of the natives.

Pippa was initially drawn to Panama because of the intricate blouse textiles, known as Mola’s. The design of each Mola is meant to tell a story of a soul’s journey, and the women of Panama all wore beautiful charms and gold accents to accompany the Mola’s. Pippa immediately began working with the women to create golden disks with engraved patterns, each handmade piece representing a story and reflecting the beauty of the women who crafted it.

Fine jewelry retailer Lucifer Vir Honestus is not named after the brand’s founders. Rather, it is an homage to the first medieval jeweler of Milan, and the couture designs reflect an ancient technique that results in unique, classically Italian creations.

Lucifer Vir Honestus was founded 12 years ago in Milan by Luna Scamuzzi with help from her husband Paolo Mandelli. Though both were traditionally trained as architects, the duo switched gears to focus on a new, more artistic venture in the form of jewelry. Scamuzzi’s architectural background was a unique prerequisite; it allows the designer to approach each piece with an exceptional passion for design, shape, and aesthetic.

California-based jewelry designer Cathy Waterman’s passion and creativity is evident in her handmade pieces. You’ve probably seen her work in any of the major glossies, on celebrities, or even on your favorite Sex and the City girl. The playful sophistication of the collections is hard to resist and the intricate, enchanting designs are never too much.

Cathy, a wife and mother of two, has said she draws inspiration from the beauty and simplicity of her children. She designs based on feeling and instinct, each creation inspired organically by her surroundings. Her pieces are made with materials of the finest quality -- 22 karat gold, hand-picked precious stones, diamonds – but the designs are never gaudy. They’re tasteful,

elegant, and most importantly, fun. The “Love of My Life” online collection is an interactive interface (found on ylang23) where users can peruse all of Cathy Waterman’s ring collections. The 40-page exhibition was released just in time for the bridal season, and displays every ring design since the brand’s inception right up until the latest collection.

Valued by jewelry collectors around the globe, the Sevan Bicakci collection has become a popular line of exquisite craftsmanship.

At the very young age of 12, Turkish-Armenian designer, Sevan Bicakci began jewelry design and learned from working in his has master, Hovesep Catak’s workshop. Known as the “king of rings,” Bicakci now designs beautiful pieces of art that are adored by well-known collectors and celebrities. His first collection was introduced to the Turkish market in 2002 and was inspired by the ambiance of the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet areas.

His collections carry a similar mood and vibe to the historical and cultural shopping experiences. Since then his line has taken off internationally, capturing the attention of jewelry lovers everywhere.

Jewelry designer to the stars, Irene Neuwirth knows what it takes to create fashionable, sophisticated couture pieces. Founded in 2000, the Los Angeles-based company has been creating a name for itself within the fine jewelry industry for the past ten years.

Irene began designing jewelry in her twenties, and she was met with high demand for her handmade pieces. Her designs were soon bought by Barneys New York in 2000, and the company immediately rose to jewelry fame.

Irene draws inspiration from the ocean, and her fascination with nature’s vast expanse of power is reflected in her designs. Each piece is vibrant, elegant, a work of art within itself. The designs are pure, allowing the un-manufactured gemstones be the focal point of each piece.

Jewelry designer Marcia Maizel-Clarke founded Dogeared in 1991 in hopes of creating a jewelry brand that was not only beautiful, but capable of perpetuating hope and positivity. Dogeared Jewelry is inspired by the laid-back California lifestyle, and the pieces emanate hope and happiness through the simplicity of the designs.

It’s no surprise that Dogeared has become such a phenomenon. The novelty jewelry not only makes the wearer look good, but feel good, too. The brand’s mission is to put good karma and energy out in the world, in hopes that it will be returned. This “pay it forward” mentality is a refreshing change from many major companies who toss throw such philanthropy to the wayside.

The Karma collection is one of the brand’s best sellers. Whether you choose a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, each design features a sterling silver or mixed metal circle. The circle is a symbol of connection and listening, and is a metaphor for the adage “What goes around comes around”. It’s a fashionable little reminder to keep positive, peaceful, and loving.

The classic appeal of pearls is universal. They’re a trademark of quintessential beauty and fine taste, but let it be known that not all gems are created equal. The Tahitian Natural Color Cultured Pearl is one of the most highly-prized jewels in the industry, and ever since 1976, Assael International has dedicated their brand to bringing customers pearls that rise far above industry standards.

Located in the heart of the Diamond District, this NYC-based jewelry brand’s staff has lifetime of experience that has consistently rendered the finest quality of cultured pearls and precious stones. Each Assael pearl has been tested and graded by trained professionals so consumers always receive the highest quality gems. Tahitian and South Sea Pearls grow quite large and the satiny luster in muted tones make for an irresistible focal point of any bracelet, necklace, or earring.

Assael’s most recent collections include a fabulous array of pearl jewelry that is simple yet exquisite, and the Baroque Pearl Necklace is a prime example of the quality and superiority only Assael can offer. A cluster of fine pearls hangs from an 18-karat gold chain and is accented by a wonderfully airy moonstone pendant. While the Baroque necklace is one of the larger pieces in the collection, customers are guaranteed to find something that suits their personal taste, whether it be extravagant or understated.

When Ashley Pittman initially set off for East Africa to work for an HIV/AIDS Initiative, she was unaware of just how exciting the experience would be. The sprawling landscape and rich culture that is Africa inspired Pittman to make a daring career move. The law school grad with a financial background wanted to design jewelry.

After Pittman’s work with the foundation concluded, she returned again to East Africa to recruit local artisans who could bring her concept to fruition. Her vision was to create a line of jewelry that was not only stylish, but reflected the African culture through horn, bronze, and gemstone designs.

For those not fond of tradition, Bittersweets NY is the ultimate indie jewelry brand. Bittersweets designs draws attention to the beauty in everyday things…especially those things that aren’t traditionally beautiful. Whether it’s twigs, maggots, or anatomically-correct hearts, you’ll find the designs to be stunningly different, though a bit unorthodox.

Bittersweets was founded in 2002 by a girl who used to work at a foundry for famous people and the pre-television housewives of New York. Her art experience and love of sculpting drove her to start her own jewelry brand, and Bittersweets NY was born soon after. The concept lies within making the ordinary extraordinary. In their words, why reinvent the wheel?

Take their Brilliant Twig Ring collection, for example. The band of each ring is modeled after real twigs, cast by hand for a completely inimitable look. The earring, bracelet, and necklace collections promise more of the same uniqueness. Aside from paying an amazing attention to detail, the brand has an intrinsic sense of humor, with sarcastic product descriptions and products that are sure to be conversation starters.

LA jewelry designs by Devon Leigh are bold, detailed, and imaginative. With bold hues, solid gold, and pavee diamonds, it’s an accessory lover’s dream. The designs are so inspired, so opulent, it’s hard to believe that the entire collection came about almost by accident.

What started out as a hobby for the young Devon Leigh quickly turned into a fabulous full-time business. The Loyola Marymount grad initially thought her calling was the film industry, but when her on-set coworkers started purchasing her handmade jewelry right off of her body, she changed her direction. The transition was relatively seamless for Leigh: she still had an eye for art, now it was being used in a different capacity.

Doris Panos was born into the world of jewelry. Generations of family members were jewelers, and the long-term exposure instilled in her a deep love for design and luxury. After graduating from New York’s St. John’s University with a marketing degree, Panos fully immersed herself in jewelry design and technique.

When it came to jewelry design engineering, Panos was a natural, no doubt a result of her genealogy. She wanted to expand her knowledge further and worked for about three years in the gemstone market, studying diamonds, precious, and semiprecious stones. Her talent and passion did not go unnoticed, and Panos was asked to teach regular style seminars at Saks Fifth Avenue. Once she had established for herself a strong foundation in jewelry, she felt it was time to pursue her own career and launched Doris Panos Designs, LTD in 1993.

Cohen’s goal was to use fine quality materials to create stylish looks that easily transition from day to night, wearable for weeks, seasons, and years. All Dominique Cohen jewelry is handmade by a team of artisans in LA, with many of the precious and semiprecious gemstones cut by hand. Additionally, each piece is marked with the Dominique Cohen trademark label to ensure quality and organic beauty.

Cohen’s goal was to use fine quality materials to create stylish looks that easily transition from day to night, wearable for weeks, seasons, and years. All Dominique Cohen jewelry is handmade by a team of artisans in LA, with many of the precious and semiprecious gemstones cut by hand. Additionally, each piece is marked with the Dominique Cohen trademark label to ensure quality and organic beauty.

For any one that relishes in the presence of finely crafted pieces, Elizabeth Cole is your go to label. It's fair to say that their prices are relatively reasonable with their lowest priced trinkets running for $55 and highest priced at $300.

The creative director, Stephanie Owen, says that her collection is “of intricately crafted costume jewelry meant to inspire the golden tigress within.” And from what I've seen, she's doing a great job carrying out that vision. From her golden ram ring with crystals embedded on the horns to her hanging crystal dagger necklace, Owen is making a clear statement with her line: don't be afraid to show the world just how fierce you are.

Traditionally, a Renaissance Woman is one who is strong enough to be completely in control of her destiny-- a woman of high intelligence and superior self-confidence. Jewelry designer Coomi embodies this mindset and has used her creativity and sheer inspiration to drive her careers as both an architect and designer.

As teenager, Coomi designed personal jewelry out of beads and other ordinary objects, and this love of art and design is what motivated her to work as a textile designer later in life. After graduating with an Art History degree, Coomi began designing for private clientele, working with rich gold and gemstones. She also had a brief stint as an architect and landscape designer, but soon felt it was time to bring her true desires to life. In 2002, Coomi launched her self-named jewelry collection.

Today, COOMI designs have come to be known for their strong symmetry and feminine flair. Coomi’s award-winning designs are made from the highest quality of materials: the designer works exclusively with high karat gold, rose-cut diamonds and precious gemstones.

I love gemstones. I think they are so beautiful in their natural element. You can pick up a turquoise rock and instantly be able to appreciate the magnificent colors it possesses in raw form. Ippolita believes that gems are equally amazing as well. By the look of her stunning women's jewelry collection, you could say she's actually quite fond of them!

Italian born, she was exposed to the arts quite young. Her father got her into the idea that fashion is beautiful and her background shows that she was heavily influenced by what she saw. She picked up glass blowing in Brooklyn for a while and developed a stronger relationship with the arts and also had a dance study that interpreted poetry and dance together. Perhaps this influenced her so heavily that she began jewelry crafting for the very first time in 1993.

If I could only use two words to describe Adriana Orsini's jewelry collection, I would choose the words simply elegant. Because that's what her jewelry is all about.

Her collection is sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and she primarily uses silver, crystal and cubic zirconia, but you can get your hands on some great gold and pearls pieces as well. What's so appealing about Adriana's jewelry is the wide range of her price point that suits every budget.

Some of the best pieces in her collection are her wonderful necklaces. One of my favorites is a sterling silver flower pave necklace that is embellished with crystals and cubic zirconia. It retails for $100. Perfect to wear everyday or when you want to add a little glamour to your ensemble. Whichever you prefer!

A good watch is a statement of character. It shows a sense of responsibility, timeliness, and in most cases, an appreciation for fashion. I find that many people sport Movado, Michael Kors and other popular timepiece retailers, so it’s nice to come across a brand that’s a bit different, but still stresses the importance of luxury and design. Glam Rock Miami was that brand for me.

Since Glam Rock’s inception in 2005, the brand has been turning out a core collection of timepieces designed specifically for the luxury market. The refined creations use only the most superior finishes and materials, including fine alligator and python leathers handcrafted in France. Glam Rock creates timepieces that meet the demands of a sophisticated clientele: the designs are distinctly different and are crafted to enhance the chic customer’s already-flourishing social life.

Jewelry fanatics are you ready? This spring, Jewelry International: Volume III will be hitting stands and you will not want to miss out. We've been waiting all winter at Pierce Mattie for the release of these images.

This book will be composed of numerous chapters from famous jewelers and some of their finest haute pieces. The first two volumes consisted of chapters from creative directors behind the brands of Chanel, Bulgari and Boucheron. The third edition will cover even more gems and stones; also more interviews on how particular brands came about in this business.

Don't fret if you don't have the first few volumes, this volume will suffice with it's pages full of informative articles and aesthetically pleasing coverage.

Van Cleef & Arpels has been a leader in luxury jewelry since it’s inception in 1896, but the 1906 opening of their boutique in Vendôme, Paris, is what really put the brand on the map. The brand is known for many milestone creations, pieces of jewelry that boast exquisite stones using their unparalleled gem-setting technique.

The pieces have been worn by some of the most glamorous and iconic figures of the century, including the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, and the late Elizabeth Taylor. Now, a book has been created to honor the decadent jewelry of the upper class.

Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels explores the famed jewelry designs throughout history. Set In Style features over 250 pages of beautiful images of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most celebrated works. From museum images to private collections, readers will get the full effect of the reach of Van Cleef & Arpels’ designs. Themes of transformation, innovation, personality, and high fashion run throughout the pages and readers will pore over the rich stylistic history.

I have a new jewelry obsession. The pieces I’m obsessing over are rich jewels with big, bold designs. Not only that, they have the most elegant touch to them that makes them versatile pieces. That's right. I'm infatuated with Kara Ross' collection.

After discovering her passion on a trip to Africa at the age of 13, Kara Ross has not stopped designing eye-catching pieces that are adored by jewel collectors around the globe. What makes this brand so special is that it incorporates gemstones and gold accents perfectly. Her gem collection features an amazingly large cuff with hematite, onyx and pace sapphire. The cuff gives off a stained glass pattern look that is to die for. The cuff retails for $3800.

Her collection has been featured in the pages of Instyle, People and Vogue UK. Kara is a gemologist which explains why her pieces are filled with to die for gems like sapphire, blue topaz and azurite. Majority of her jewelry are gold pieces but there are a few sterling silver and gunmetal ones to fawn over as well.

All girls deserve a little luxury, especially when it comes to jewelry. Thanks to Allen Shwartz’ clothing and jewelry designs, the quest for decadence just got a bit easier. His collection, A.B.S. brings high-quality fashion and attention to detail to the contemporary woman, even on a budget.

Worn by red carpet divas and regular fashion lovers alike, A.B.S. jewelry designs are always one step ahead of the trends and sensibly priced. Shoppers can get much more bang for their buck, while looking like they just spent a fortune. For ladies who like to keep up with the ever-changing world of fashion, A.B.S. jewelry is the one stop shop for luxe accessorization.

While the A.B.S. name is most often associated with cocktail dresses, since the Spring ’08 season A.B.S. has been creating some fabulous jewelry pieces. From jaw-dropping necklaces to understatedly stunning rings, A.B.S. has it all. Women who wear A.B.S. are lovers of glamour, ahead of the fashion curve, and ridiculously smart shoppers.

Caviar is considered a luxury delicacy, exclusive and often enjoyed with fine champagne. Aside from its decadent reputation, caviar has an inimitable look, so it only makes sense for a luxury jewelry brand to draw inspiration from it. The fine jewelry brand LAGOS has taken the look and feel of the indulgence and turned it into an even more luxe treat: beautifully crafted jewelry.

Founded by Steven Lagos in 1977, the eponymous label began crafting the caviar-inspired pieces in 1984. The brand quickly became known for such designs and their juxtaposition of gold and silver. LAGOS aims to create contemporary fashion pieces that are not only accessible and easy to wear, but of the highest quality.

The intricate beading and delicate orbs of silver and gold have a quiet beauty, an almost understated luxury. It takes hundreds of tiny steps to complete one single Caviar creation, each design the brainchild of Steven Lagos himself. After each piece is crafted, the sterling silver is oxidized to give the metals a contrast that brings out the unique sculptural quality of each Caviar design.

Watches have been a fashion staple since the beginning of time. I feel like a classic watch says a lot about a person's personal style. It represents elegance and class. Audemars Piguet has been in the business since 1875 and it's about time there was a book written illuminating their beautiful time pieces.

Francois Chaille happens to not only be a writer but an art historian and fashion expert as well. He has penned Audemars Piguet: Master Watchmaker Since 1875 telling the ins and outs about this luxurious and daring brand. It chronicles the life and mechanics of the Swiss designer and what the Piguet brand stands for. Timelessness and opulence are two names that come to mind when I think of this brand.

It's not due for release until September but any avid watch collector and lover of all things beautiful will not mind the wait. Head over to Amazon.com and pre-order your copy now!

Fallon jewelry has been making a name for itself since its release in 2007. Creator, Dana Lorenz decided to launch a second line of pieces after the success of the line called Fenton. Fallon mixes together hard materials and gives them a tough edge with a bit of sass.

The Fallon collection consists of earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Some of my favorite pieces from the collection are her necklaces. They're all great statement pieces or can be worn layered under some of your favorite necklaces. I also adore her earrings. One of my all time favorite pieces are her vanishing mircospike hoops ($210) that are made of brass. Hard edge meets glamour when it comes to those earrings. Another piece I adore is her maze knot ring ($98) that also caught the attention of CW star, Leighton Meester. She was seen spotted wearing the ring at one of her many thrilling events.

Monet Group is one of the most famed costume jewelry companies in existence. Since the late 40’s, the brand’s vintage jewelry ads showed the pure glamour and chic style of the designs. Today, one of the most enduring advertisements is being shown off in a different way: as a book cover.

Alice Vega’s new book, Monet: The Master Jewelers examines the company’s longevity as a leader in the costume jewelry field. Accompanied Terry Niefield’s brilliant photography, the book is not just informative…it’s beautiful.

Monet has been in existence for nearly 70 years, its craftsmanship and quality unsurpassed by peers. Vega’s book is a long overdue look at the history behind the jewelry, and after a great deal of in-depth research, she is exposing little known facts about Monet’s founders, the company’s origins, and the early years of business. Misconceptions are corrected and the long history is explored and praised.

What do Serena Williams, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Ritche all have in common? An appreciation for Melissa Joy Manning's signature jewelry collection. Featuring recycled materials to create unique pieces, Manning has been producing her line out of Berkeley, California since 1997.

Manning traveled to such countries as Mexico and Spain, where she began to develop her unique aesthetic during her college years. After seeing her piece on an actress on a then popular TV show, she knew that this was her true calling. Her signature line is comprised of necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets that all feature sterling silver, recycled 14K or 18K gold. She has a fondness for gems like quartz and sapphire, which are used heavily on her rings and necklaces. One of my all time favorite pieces happens to be her one of a kind rough diamond surrounded by tiny diamonds set in 18K gold ($2,115). It's utterly beautiful and is definitely a showstopper.

Her line has been featured in the pages of Vogue, Lucky Magazine and Women's Wear Daily just to name a few.

In need of a big bang? Well look no further because the jewelry created by Anna Sheffield is exactly that. Her collection, Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield, has a hard edge to every piece with a bit of femininity and humor added. If you're looking for classical pieces, I suggest you stop looking now because her line is anything but traditional.

In order for jewelry to grab my attention, it has to have some sort of quirky twist to it. Once I discovered Bing Bang's key bangle ($88) that is made up of four brass and silver plated keys molded together, I knew this brand was a winner. Anna Sheffield's daring collection is comprised of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. She's even got a few pieces for men as well.

In need of a fun statement piece to spruce up your jewelry collection? Designers, Robert Paolucci and Paolo Giacomelli teamed up back in 1997 to create their line of jewelry, Iosselliani, that mixes fun with bold pieces. Crafting with 18K gold, white gold, sterling silver, and an endless amount of stones and gems, this line is ideal for a woman who loves fabulous jewels!

The collection is consisted of numerous rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces that are all statement pieces of their own. One of my favorite pieces happens to be their brass necklace with shaded fringes and gemstones ($705). It's such a daring piece that once it's worn, it would be best to let this necklace be the main focus and let your other jewelry be rather modest. It's a very overpowering piece. I've noticed that much of their collection is about standing out and not being conservative. Like for example their silver panther ring ($242) with red rubies set as the eyes. So bold! The label has a variety of chain necklaces aligned with crystals, black diamonds and other stones. I think they're perfect for adding to your normally banal everyday outfit.

Bored of the same old jewelry design and styles? Just by looking at her work, you can tell that Sandra Dini’s jewelry is unique and elegant at the same time, a difficult combination to achieve and one that makes her stand out in the competitive jewelry market. Where does she get these unique ideas from? Sandra Dini lives in a farmhouse and believes that she gets her inspiration from natural things in their work that she sees in her environment. The harmony and beauty of the nature around her allows her to design a fine balance of shape and color in every piece of jewelry.

There's nothing more exciting than when you discover something new. Especially when it comes to jewelry. Italian designer, Fabio Cammarata, began his career working closely with important Italian designers before he made the ultimate decision to embark on his own. Working only with the finest gems and metal this industry has to offer, Cammarata's collection is comprised of show stopping pieces that continue to be lusted after.

His line is composed of mainly gems (opal, quartz and jade) and serious metals (gold and black iron). One of my favorite pieces is his Manhattan soul ring ($1,375). This ring is a stunningly massive quartz stone planted on an 18k gold ban. What really stands out about this ring are the line of small diamonds placed on the stone.

Other pieces that caught my attention are his people initial necklaces($1,300- 1,600). People, shaped in 18k, are molded into every letter of the alphabet. From far away it may appear as it the gold is intricately twined, but up close the details of small people make up the letters on these pendants. Very unique!

A crucial part of any outfit -- jewelry-- can make or break it and also reveals a piece of your personality. Visually interesting as they are beautiful, Suzannah Wainhouse’s collection of jewelry allows you to awaken your inner warrior princess (more refined of course).

Inspired by nature and ancient artifacts, designer Suzannah Wainhouse creates primal jewelry suitable for both men and women. Her pieces have a unique, rugged quality that emulates the beauty in which her pieces come from. The powerful pull of her metalwork allows her pieces to stand-alone.

Environmentally conscious as they are beautiful, the pieces are made from recycled gold and silver, which incorporate elements of history, energy and life. She does not “construct” but rather “sculpts” her pieces together, allowing for the natural energy to flow in the process of formation.

Cristina Rotondaro’s jewelry is truly unique in the industry and it comes from wide set of inspirations. Eka, her jewelry line launched in 2000, displays many themes and you can see her background in each one. Eka is derived from the Sanskrit word one, and Cristina Rotondaro chose the name because she wanted her jewelry line to indicate the unity of everything. The jewelry includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, rings and a limited number of jewels made by rare stones.

Cristina Rotondaro has had a unique experience growing up and her line displays everything that she learned along the way. Born to Italian parents, Crisitina Rotondaro spent her childhood years in Kenya marking the beginning of her global experience. Over the years she has lived in Morocco, the Philippines, Brazil, and has traveled to many other countries. She has found that all these societies have common elements in them even though they differ geographically and culturally. Her multi-ethnic inspirations from her global experiences can be found in her jewelry line.

I love gold jewelry. It's rare, though, that I can find a line that makes impeccable gold pieces. My search may have ended since discovering Linda Lee Johnson's jewelry. Her line is composed of diamonds, gems and gold galore! With her unique aesthetic, any jewelry lover will instantly fall in love with her collection.

One of my favorite pieces from this collection are her Gigi earrings ($2300). A giant lemon colored quartz gem hangs from a 22K gold and diamond accent. These earrings embody class and elegance. Who wouldn't want to walk around with that on their ears?

I also love her rings. They all have their own unique aspect to them. Her Memphis ring ($4450) is very simple and tasteful. It's the type of ring that can be worn with anything because of it's effortless appearance. Composed simply of hammered 22k yellow gold set in a wide band, you can throw this ring on everyday and mix and match it with your other favorite pieces.

Greenpoint-based jewelry company Fetty has a rock-and-roll and cutting edge vibe. Founded by ‘garage glam’ rock artist Justin Tanter of the ‘Semi Precious Weapons’ his personal style pervades the collections.

Between his childhood and creative nature, Tanter’s journey into design was only natural. He craved another outlet for his creativity apart from the music. Due to his experience in his mother’s jewelry business he landed himself a job working in a jewelry store in his early days in New York. Gradually, he began to design his own pieces to be sold as merchandise at the Semi Precious Weapons’ shows.

The pieces themselves were rock-and-roll themed with charms and pendants typically shaped as a variety of hearts and weapons. The designs quickly caught the eyes of large retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic, who picked up the collection. From the positive public feedback, Tanter garnered the courage to take the jump of founding his own company where he could distribute and sell his jewelry.

Founded in 1998 by Luna Scamuzzi and Paolo Mandelli, Lucifer Vir Honestus is a high-end jewelry company based in Milan. The pair found their inspiration for the brand name from a 14th century jewelry maker.

Once an architecture student, Luna, the main designer’s previous education can be seen in her designs. Originally just rings, the now full and complete lines of jewelry, they are intricately designed from the highest quality materials. Delicate and organic, the pieces are built around rare jewels, including precious and semi-precious stones. They emit an organic and natural aesthetic creating a recognizable style.

A favorite among celebrities, the Italian jewelry company creates jewelry that can easily dress up a casual outfit or compliment an evening gown. From Michelle Obama to Fergie, celebrities’ have been seen all over wearing the designs.

All made by hand in the pair’s lab in Milan, they officially opened their first storefront in 2003 in Milan, Corso Como 9. The versatile collection can also be found in a variety of high-end boutiques and retailers, as well as online.

To see the full collection, as well as celebrity shots and recent news about the company, visit www.lucifer-vir-honestus.com.

R.J. Graziano’s jewelry line is very stylish and an inspiration for many designers. He started his line more than 30 years ago and has always been known for being a trendsetter in the jewelry world. R.J. Graziano always experiments with styles and stones and gives us gorgeous and exclusive jewelry. Each piece in his line is crafted to perfection by using hand-fabricated materials. His pieces include high quality stones including crystals, beads, stones, stimulated gems, resin, enamel and metals.

R.J. Graziano jewelry has a timeless feeling to it and has been worn by style icons for years. The jewelry has also been featured in fashion magazines, TV shows, and stores across the country. During a recent episode of The Young and the Restless, Chloe Mitchell wore R.J. Graziano’s “Dirty Diamonds” multi-strand chain with pearl fringe necklace (Available at Shopstyle for $75). This elegant necklace is made up of a row of glass pearls with delicate strands of chain fringes hanging over it. Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford has been seen wearing R.J. Graziano’s Beaded Layer Necklace (Available at Polyvore for $68). Sex and The City’s Miranda also wore an R.J. Graziano coral necklace during one of the episodes.

Other than these pieces, some of my favorite R.J. Graziano pieces include Mykonos 2-Tiered Coin Drop Earrings, Ice It Clear Stone Stretch Bracelet and Wrapped Bangles.

While most other luxury jewelry lines have traditional cuts and stylings, Ilenia Corti started a jewelry line that is both playful and elegant. Ilenia Corti started Vernissage in 2007 and shows us how luxury jewelry is meant to be much more than a status symbol. Her playful styles and layout of the gems in each design allows you to feel lighthearted and young regardless of what your age is. To create this label, Ilenia Corti collaborated with Matteo Mena to create jewelry that symbolized a childhood-like place. Some have even referred to the line as being like Alice’s jewelry box!

Along with being playful, Vernissage collections carry deep meaning. Each collection has “atmospheric images” to it, drawing us towards the collection and helping us clearly understand the message behind it. At Selfridges, Ilenia Corti and Matteo Mena created an installation from their Nest Collection called Dried Waterfall to show the contradictory features of nature: a mother giving birth, and the destroying force responsible for rebirth. Water, a symbol of re-birth, was dried out to form long locks of blonde hair symbolizing powerful femininity.

Be on the look out for the rising jewelry designer Priya Kakkar! This Fashion Institution of Technology graduate has a new line of bangles and other jewelry items popping up everywhere, named Chamak. The jewelry line has been photographed on celebs like Katy Perry, and featured in magazines such as Seventeen and InStyle.

Her bangles and bracelets range in size from super skinny to thick, and the perfect amount of glitz to make any outfit go from ordinary to glamorous. Some bangles have such intricate detail that it is quite obvious the prints were hand painted. The line also consists of gorgeous dangling earrings with a perfect combination of different shades of stones and beads just in time for summer accessories.

Tarnish jewelry is a high-quality beautiful collection of vintage-inspired jewelry. This jewelry line is resembles pieces from the Victorian Age and carries earrings, necklaces and bracelets. All the jewelry in this line are handcrafted and made using crystals, glass beads, acrylic components and mixed metals. Their vintage pieces give you the feeling that you are living in another era!

All of their pieces are gorgeous, but I want to share with you my favorites from the Tarnish jewelry line. One of my favorite pieces is the Tarnish Flower Bib Necklace (shown in the photo.) The design may be vintage, but the flowers add some edge to it making the piece classy and fun to wear (Available at Nordstrom for $58). Another necklace that looks glamorous is the Tarnish ‘Brushed Metals’ Multi Strand Necklace. This necklace has oxidized metals and crystal spheres, which gives an elegant feel to it. The Tarnish Pyramid Stretch Ring, available in burnished gold and silver, is perfect for the contemporary woman (Available at Nordstrom for $28). If you are looking for earrings for a night out, you should definitely check out the Tarnish ‘Brushed Metals’ Circle Drop Fringe Earrings. The earrings, made of a fringe of imported base metal, almost appear like a silky waterfall on your ears. When you wear these out, you know that everyone’s eyes will be on you.

Tarnish jewelry is perfect for the contemporary woman looking for affordable jewelry. If this sounds like you, you should check out the Tarnish jewelry collection. It is available at Nordstrom.

A long list of celebrities have been recently spotted sporting the fall line of Chan Luu’s jewelry; Giselle, Kim K, Lady Gaga! And the list doesn’t stop there, Luu’s handmade jewelry is so striking it is no wonder all the ‘it’ girls want to be seen with these unusual beaded masterpieces.

The beads and stones used in Chan Luu’s jewelry are only the most precious; Mother of Pearl and semi-precious stones make up the majority of her pieces sewn together with leather and cotton cords. There are also several diamond pieces as well.

Chan Luu is originally from Vietnam, but after moving to the United States she earned a degree in fashion design and from there opened her own boutique and began creating original pieces of jewelry. From then on Luu began to gain popularity and fame for her marvelous beads and stones.

In Luu’s fall line she will have fashion accessories as well as hair accessories that help to give you the perfect bohemian touch. 

Cha Luu's jewelry can be purchased via her website, as well as Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Yayoi Inada expresses her stories and experiences through her work. Once an account executive for an advertising agency in Japan, Inada felt her creativity being stifled and broke free from the corporate world to explore her creative desires. She made the decision to follow her passion and moved to New York to study jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With her new education, her passion became a reality in 2003 as she launched her collection, Yayoi Forest Jewelry.

Her childhood of living near a forest plays an important role in her inspiration. As a child, she was drawn to the calm and complete feeling she experienced when observing the natural beauty. The whimsical pieces channel this energy through their design.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Yayoi Inada expresses her stories and experiences through her work. Once an account executive for an advertising agency in Japan, Inada felt her creativity being stifled and broke free from the corporate world to explore her creative desires. She made the decision to follow her passion and moved to New York to study jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With her new education, her passion became a reality in 2003 as she launched her collection, Yayoi Forest Jewelry.

Her childhood of living near a forest plays an important role in her inspiration. As a child, she was drawn to the calm and complete feeling she experienced when observing the natural beauty. The whimsical pieces channel this energy through their design.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Yayoi Inada expresses her stories and experiences through her work. Once an account executive for an advertising agency in Japan, Inada felt her creativity being stifled and broke free from the corporate world to explore her creative desires. She made the decision to follow her passion and moved to New York to study jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With her new education, her passion became a reality in 2003 as she launched her collection, Yayoi Forest Jewelry.

Her childhood of living near a forest plays an important role in her inspiration. As a child, she was drawn to the calm and complete feeling she experienced when observing the natural beauty. The whimsical pieces channel this energy through their design.

Raised in Osaka, Japan, Yayoi Inada expresses her stories and experiences through her work. Once an account executive for an advertising agency in Japan, Inada felt her creativity being stifled and broke free from the corporate world to explore her creative desires. She made the decision to follow her passion and moved to New York to study jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With her new education, her passion became a reality in 2003 as she launched her collection, Yayoi Forest Jewelry.

Her childhood of living near a forest plays an important role in her inspiration. As a child, she was drawn to the calm and complete feeling she experienced when observing the natural beauty. The whimsical pieces channel this energy through their design.

As many of you may have heard already, Kerry Howley, an Art student from Middlesex University recently won the Museum of Domestic Architecture’s Arthur Silver Award for her graduate collection titled Attraction/Aversion. Attraction/Aversion features necklaces made out of human hair. Yes, human hair.

Kerry Howley’s vision behind this project was to see how human emotions are conflicting. Most people are very attached to their hair and consider it to be an important part of their appearance. However, once hair is cut and has lost the connection with a person’s body, people generally find it disgusting.

As many of you may have heard already, Kerry Howley, an Art student from Middlesex University recently won the Museum of Domestic Architecture’s Arthur Silver Award for her graduate collection titled Attraction/Aversion. Attraction/Aversion features necklaces made out of human hair. Yes, human hair.

Kerry Howley’s vision behind this project was to see how human emotions are conflicting. Most people are very attached to their hair and consider it to be an important part of their appearance. However, once hair is cut and has lost the connection with a person’s body, people generally find it disgusting.

As many of you may have heard already, Kerry Howley, an Art student from Middlesex University recently won the Museum of Domestic Architecture’s Arthur Silver Award for her graduate collection titled Attraction/Aversion. Attraction/Aversion features necklaces made out of human hair. Yes, human hair.

Kerry Howley’s vision behind this project was to see how human emotions are conflicting. Most people are very attached to their hair and consider it to be an important part of their appearance. However, once hair is cut and has lost the connection with a person’s body, people generally find it disgusting.

As many of you may have heard already, Kerry Howley, an Art student from Middlesex University recently won the Museum of Domestic Architecture’s Arthur Silver Award for her graduate collection titled Attraction/Aversion. Attraction/Aversion features necklaces made out of human hair. Yes, human hair.

Kerry Howley’s vision behind this project was to see how human emotions are conflicting. Most people are very attached to their hair and consider it to be an important part of their appearance. However, once hair is cut and has lost the connection with a person’s body, people generally find it disgusting.

CFDA nominee and NYU grad Pamela Love is well on her way to becoming a staple in the New York accessories world. Her focus wasn’t always on jewelry though, at NYU’s Tisch , Love majored in film production with a concentration in art and public policy. In the years after her graduation she worked as an artist’s assistant and art director/stylist for photo shoots, music videos and films. Throughout her projects she always met difficulties in finding jewelry that suited her taste. Sick of frustration, Love turned to her own creativity and began making her own pieces in 2006.

Her unique and innovative designs quickly caught on among the trendsetters of New York and Love saw her opportunity to take her newfound passion and turn it into a career. Moving from her basement in Brooklyn to a studio on 29th street in Manhattan, Love’s collections took off.

Drawing her inspiration from nature, science, astronomy and the American Southwest culture, her pieces are whimsical and romantic, intertwined with a dark mystery. Continuing to challenge herself, Love is constantly experimenting with different techniques to make her extravagant designs a reality, often blending materials such as brass and leather with 14-karat gold and precious stones.

CFDA nominee and NYU grad Pamela Love is well on her way to becoming a staple in the New York accessories world. Her focus wasn’t always on jewelry though, at NYU’s Tisch , Love majored in film production with a concentration in art and public policy. In the years after her graduation she worked as an artist’s assistant and art director/stylist for photo shoots, music videos and films. Throughout her projects she always met difficulties in finding jewelry that suited her taste. Sick of frustration, Love turned to her own creativity and began making her own pieces in 2006.

Her unique and innovative designs quickly caught on among the trendsetters of New York and Love saw her opportunity to take her newfound passion and turn it into a career. Moving from her basement in Brooklyn to a studio on 29th street in Manhattan, Love’s collections took off.

Drawing her inspiration from nature, science, astronomy and the American Southwest culture, her pieces are whimsical and romantic, intertwined with a dark mystery. Continuing to challenge herself, Love is constantly experimenting with different techniques to make her extravagant designs a reality, often blending materials such as brass and leather with 14-karat gold and precious stones.

Amrita Singh’s jewelry has received recognition on a global level because her designs have a global appeal. Her inspirations come from her Indian background and her Western lifestyle, which explains why her creations are so unique. In the last few years, Indian designs have been in great demand in the Western market. Although her line is best known for its jewelry collection, it also carries handbags, sandals, and hair accessories.

Amrita Singh graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and then completed a two-year executive training program at Begdorf Goodman in New York City. She has also worked with world famous designers including Oscar de la Renta and Christian Lacroix. Her line was the first to introduce and succeed in creating jewelry with a unique and beautiful blend of Tradition and the Modern World. Therefore, she was nominated by Fashion Group International for the Rising Star Award in the Fine Jewelry Category for 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Through travel and her studies, Amrita Singh discovered the beauty in Indian and Mughal dynasty designs. The Mughal Dynasty architecture is recognized even today as one of the most aesthetically pleasing architecture in the world. He used these as inspirations and added her own modern twist to create her designs to make them wearable. Amrita Singh jewelry is for the modern woman who wants high quality, elegant jewelry that allows for artistic expression.

Amrita Singh is always being featured in tabloids because many celebrities have been spotted wearing her jewelry. Her designs are universally appealing to people from different fields. Some of the people recently found wearing her jewelry include Jessica Simpson, Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Princess Mary of Denmark, Anne Hathaway, Mischa Barton, Tamara Mellon, and Jenny McCarthy. One of my favorite fashion icons Blake Lively has worn Amrita Singh jewelry during a Gossip Girl episode. The Bollywood Collection, Bangle Bangle Collection, and Maharaja Collection are especially popular.

Amrita Singh’s jewelry has received recognition on a global level because her designs have a global appeal. Her inspirations come from her Indian background and her Western lifestyle, which explains why her creations are so unique. In the last few years, Indian designs have been in great demand in the Western market. Although her line is best known for its jewelry collection, it also carries handbags, sandals, and hair accessories.

Amrita Singh graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and then completed a two-year executive training program at Begdorf Goodman in New York City. She has also worked with world famous designers including Oscar de la Renta and Christian Lacroix. Her line was the first to introduce and succeed in creating jewelry with a unique and beautiful blend of Tradition and the Modern World. Therefore, she was nominated by Fashion Group International for the Rising Star Award in the Fine Jewelry Category for 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Through travel and her studies, Amrita Singh discovered the beauty in Indian and Mughal dynasty designs. The Mughal Dynasty architecture is recognized even today as one of the most aesthetically pleasing architecture in the world. He used these as inspirations and added her own modern twist to create her designs to make them wearable. Amrita Singh jewelry is for the modern woman who wants high quality, elegant jewelry that allows for artistic expression.

Amrita Singh is always being featured in tabloids because many celebrities have been spotted wearing her jewelry. Her designs are universally appealing to people from different fields. Some of the people recently found wearing her jewelry include Jessica Simpson, Faith Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Princess Mary of Denmark, Anne Hathaway, Mischa Barton, Tamara Mellon, and Jenny McCarthy. One of my favorite fashion icons Blake Lively has worn Amrita Singh jewelry during a Gossip Girl episode. The Bollywood Collection, Bangle Bangle Collection, and Maharaja Collection are especially popular.