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.

We have always prided ourself for staying ahead of the trends and having the foresight to know who is on track for becoming a haute property. We've comprised a Haute List that contains brands that are haute now as well as brands you should be keeping your eye on.

Indie Fashion & Beauty Magazines:
1. Visionaire
2. Metro.Pop
3. VMAN

Foreign Beauty & Fashion Magazines:
1. Company (UK)
2. Jessica (Hong Kong)
3. Trendi (Finland)

TV Shows:
1. 90210
2. Kath & Kim
3. Gossip Girl

Women’s Apparel:
1. Topshop
2. Valentino under Alessandra Fachinetti
3. Rodarte

Men’s Apparel:
1. Pastelle
2. RMC Martin Ksohoh
3. ANAMA

Jewelry Brands:
1. John Hardy
2. Alexis Bittar
3. Trollbeads

Handbag Lines:
1. Rebecca Minkoff
2. Foley+Corinna
3. Timi & Leslie

Cosmetic Lines:
1. e.l.f.
2. Colorescience
3. Classified Cosmetics

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Dolce & Gabanna and Chanel, watch out! Prada has answered your costume jewelry lines with one of its own and it's just as brand laden as yours!  

Women's Wear Daily reported that Prada "commissioned an exclusive shatterproof material that is cut to resemble a precious stone and is set in metal bezels" in order to replicate the stones that compose the desired color scheme of  kiwi green, teal blue, purple, black and copper.

These "stones" are often fastened to grosgrain ribbons to form necklaces, earrings and bracelets within the line.  The line would not be designer without a status evoking label approach.  This is evident in the well-known PRADA logo taking up prime real estate on many pieces.

The pieces run from $200-800 and should be in stores sometime this month.

It could be speculated that this move was made in the expectation of less than luxe "Dear Santa" letters.  As long as the logo is prominently displayed a costume jewelry piece from Prada conquers the same goal as a few-thousand-dollar bag...status.  I can see more than a few women using the highly-branded baubles as a luxe statement to an otherwise budget-savvy outfit.  What do you think? 

Dolce & Gabanna and Chanel, watch out! Prada has answered your costume jewelry lines with one of its own and it's just as brand laden as yours!  

Women's Wear Daily reported that Prada "commissioned an exclusive shatterproof material that is cut to resemble a precious stone and is set in metal bezels" in order to replicate the stones that compose the desired color scheme of  kiwi green, teal blue, purple, black and copper.

These "stones" are often fastened to grosgrain ribbons to form necklaces, earrings and bracelets within the line.  The line would not be designer without a status evoking label approach.  This is evident in the well-known PRADA logo taking up prime real estate on many pieces.

The pieces run from $200-800 and should be in stores sometime this month.

It could be speculated that this move was made in the expectation of less than luxe "Dear Santa" letters.  As long as the logo is prominently displayed a costume jewelry piece from Prada conquers the same goal as a few-thousand-dollar bag...status.  I can see more than a few women using the highly-branded baubles as a luxe statement to an otherwise budget-savvy outfit.  What do you think? 

Pierce Mattie recently attended the WeddingChannel Wedding Couture show back in October where he saw some ordinary wedding products dressed up to be amazing show pieces thanks to the crystals from Swarovski Crystal Lized.

Ordinary petite fours and truffles can be extraordinary when befitted with sparkling Swarovski crystals, which makes it a doubly nice treat for your guests!

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.

Canada is the new place for high quality diamonds. Canadian diamonds are becoming more popular and accessible on the market. How does Canada fare in this market? Compared to the conflict-ridden territories of Africa, Canada comes in at number three for the top diamond producing countries on the continent by value. Over 15 million karats of diamonds were produced from Canada in 2007. It is estimated that billions of dollars are added to the economy from the diamond production centers. Are you wearing a Canadian diamond?

Many people say that it is the accessories that make or break the perfect outfit. The accessories this season have taken on an ego unto themselves--BIG! There has been a rise of presentable oversized pieces of jewelry for the fashionably inclined. Large jewelry pieces have been on the market for years, but with more artisans giving personal touches to jewelry innovation there are now more options for the jewelry consumer. Your fashion statement is huge, so you might as well have some eye-catching pieces to help out in the process. It started early in the year, when I would be walking through the mall and I would catch sight of large gold earrings on several shoppers. The earrings were a welcomed highlight to their outfits, like a star on top of the Christmas tree. Check these out:

These "Foeut" oversize drop earrings by Tryst are a great take on the doorknocker earring trend and big accessories. Reminiscent of ribbons of whipped cream, these are made of brass, as you all know is the new silver. These are a great option to dress up and top off that fabulous outfit.

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.

Could the economy have played a role in the lack of excess jewelry that we saw on the red carpet for the Golden Globes last night? The overall jewelry theme appeared to be understated yet sophisticated; elegant but not over the top. We all love the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, but did anyone else notice a typically key jewelry piece missing from most celebrities looks? I sure did: the necklace.

Kate Winslet

  Melissa George

 

 

 

Obama Inaugural Pin by Ann Hand.

Barack Obama bling? After millions welcomed our new President into office, iconic Obama memorabilia continues to fly off of the shelves in memory of his historic Presidency. A few artisans have used their patriotism and political support to craft designer jewelry pieces.

Famed designer Ann Hand (who is also the official jeweler of the Miss America organization) has seen her pieces all over capital hill from Hillary Clinton to many other First Ladies, Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress, Hollywood celebrities and people from all walks of life. Her Inauguration Pin pictured above is sold at a price of $75, but there is also one in 18-carat gold and diamonds by special order.

In 2009 jewelry is all about making a statement. Costume jewelry is making a comeback due to the economy with big, bold jewelry being the ultimate fashion essential this Spring. Big and colorful statement jewelry were everywhere at the Golden Globes this year with big earrings, huge necklaces and standout bracelets. When it comes to the runway this season, boring is bad--statement jewelry will be catching attention with its big colorful baubles.

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it. Don't get distracted by all the lay-offs and news about the economy! Surprise your loved one this year with jewelry. Go out of your way to choose a unique piece that he or she will wear. Remember, Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love and memories and forget about life's stressors for one day.

John Hardy's Classic chains and rings would make a great gift. Drawing from the talents of artisans from Bali's jewelry-making techniques handed down from former goldsmiths to the royal court, John Hardy has something unique for both genders. The most romantic, the Langit Sky collection is John Hardy's new spherical silhouettes pieces. Langit refers to the celestial bodies in the heavens. Still attached to their heritage, Guy Bedarida leads a team of artisans in a workshop in the rice-growing countryside of Bali. Check out more John Hardy designs at johnhardy.com

Shopping in Manhattan's Chinatown, you can't but notice one of the most influential materials for jewelry, the green stone known as jade. The name jade is applied to two different minerals, Jadeitite and Nephrite. Both of these stones are really similar, but Jadeitite is the rarer, therefore more expensive one. Jade also appears in white and lavender shades.

Jade is most well-known as the stone in the jewelry of China. Jade has been used for thousands of years, and designers such as Elsa Peretti for Tiffany have started to use jade in their collections due to its natural form and intense color.

Men can now have their bit of one of the biggest trends of the season: large, statement jewelry. Dior Homme introduced oversized, colorful pins and necklaces in graphic resins in sharp colors. The rock star inspired line has consistently provided men with unique, cutting edge jewelry designs, and this season’s resin accessories certainly did not disappoint. Like the Winter 2008, consisting of enamel rings and thick bracelets in black and white, Dior Homme has again presented an original take on classic jewelry, in a masculine and trend-setting fashion.

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.

It seems the belief is that diamonds are no longer a girl’s best friend, as the world’s leading and most valuable diamond mines run by DeBeers have been on a down slope since the start of the year. DeBeers put its Botswana production on hold due to suffering sales in light of the economic downturn.

Many fashion-savvy consumers are heading to the counters to invest in simulated diamonds, Swarovski crystals and even cubic zirconia. Hence, the mines’ total halt of diamond sales in November and “very little” sales in the succeeding months.  DeBeers anticipates the decline to continue until Christmas next year at the earliest and is planning to drastically cut production.

“We are going to significantly reduce production levels to align them with levels of demand,” Stephen Lussier, executive director for external and corporate affairs, said on the fringes of a mining conference in Cape Town according to Financial Times.  “There’s no point digging a diamond out of the ground when you don’t have a client ready to buy it.”  

So does this mean that Victoria's Secret is no longer making their infamous diamond covered bras? We jest of course, as the diamond-laden bra is part of the Victoria's Secret branding.

 

Although the jewelry is undeniably beautiful, is it hard to say whether it's wearable outside of the fashion-centric cities. Is futuristic jewelry really the future, or will it just go down in history?

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.

Tights are a winter staple for all women, or they should be. It's yet another way to express your personality through an outfit. Tights can be sophiscated, edgy and beautiful.

But tights are a fashion accessory, right? So why would we be talking about tights on the jewelry blog?  Well, take a look at the tights from the fall runway shows and you'll get it. The bejeweled tights for fall are bedazzling, one might say. Not only will they keep your legs warm, but they'll be the centerpiece of your outfit. These tights will be the only accessory you'll need for fall. You won't even have to wear jewelry, unless you want to of course. But I wonder, are they practical? How will this trend translate to the streets?

ToyWatch has continually been keeping abuzz since its launch in 2006. Inspired by high-end pieces, ToyWatch has created an affordable, chic unisex brand, and, to say the least, was proclaimed as one of Oprah’s favorite things. At first starting the trend of ceramic watches, the brand has now ventured on a new trend of their own: the “boyfriend” watch.

It seems like brooches are the least recognized piece of jewelry and I really don't know why. They've been left out of the mass market in recent years so they've been lost on the Generation Y's. But they're worn by our nation's high-profile style icons like the First Lady and Carrie from Sex and the City (remember the huge flower from the movie?) Brooches are an easy way to add sophistication and style to an ensemble without having to spend a lot of money. Plus, if you don't wear much jewelry, brooches are the perfect way to add a little glitz.

I think the best place to put a brooch is the lapel of a blazer or coat, but they can be pinned on blouses, hats and bags. For an edgy look, pin a few brooches next to each other on a lapel. Of course, the runway always displays the most beautiful brooches embellished with Swarovski crystals or diamonds or other gems, but who can really afford those? So I ask, where can you find a pretty brooch that won't break the bank?

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...

David Yurman has been known for creating luxurious and chic twisted cable jewelry for years. Now, his 25-year-old son, Evan Yurman, continues to set trends with his intriguing men’s jewelry under his father’s famous label. The new collection features an updated twist on the classic Yurman cables in the form of cufflinks, crosses and rings. The real stars of the new collection are the young designer’s updated dog tag necklaces.

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.

Apparently gold and platinum are being kicked to the side for metals such as Palladium (see my other article: Palladium To Become Metal of Choice) and now Silver.  Silver has always been looked at as the redheaded stepchild in the jewelry world, but the recently launched Silver Marketing Initiative (SMI) is expanding its outreach to the jewelry industry in an effort to pull silver out of the shadows. Not since 2001 has there been a structured marketing effort in place for sterling silver jewelry. 

The SMI started off in 2009 with an exhibit at the recently concluded Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) Expo Show, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. 

Many employees and administrators at SMI were gratified by the industry’s enthusiasm for the marketing group at the MJSA Expo.  The two most frequent voiced comments were, “It’s great that there is now an organization whose objective is the promotion of silver jewelry” and “The timing for an initiative such as this couldn’t be better.  It is definitely the Season of Silver.”

Plans are now being finalized for participation in both the JCK Las Vegas show in May and in the JA New York summer show in July. 

Silver doesn’t think that the economy is the only thing that can have fun with Stimulus Plans...

When Barbie turned 50 it seemed like the celebration never ended, so now that Bulgari, the internationally known luxury brand, is celebrating its 125th anniversary, it is not surprise that they have released a special edition watch. The Sotirio Bulgari watch is set for release in September 2009, but for those of us that can’t wait until the fall, the luxury jeweler has created an even better cause to take part in. Bulgari has combined efforts with Save the Children in the “Rewrite the Future” campaign, which provides education to needy children.

For a man, picking a watch can be a complicated and stressful event. There are different watches for different occasions, and the watch a 50 year old father wears is different from the watch a 20 year old college student wears. Here are some great ideas on how to pick the right watch for your wrist:

We've all heard the supposed "rules of fashion." Never mix black and brown. Never wear stripes and patterns. Never, never mix gold and silver jewelry. But why? Who made these rules and who says you have to abide by them? Even men can't break free of these guidelines. Just because your mother or grandmother said it was right, doesn't mean it is. I'm a firm believer in creating your own rules and traditions. Let's face it, following the norm is boring. In today's fashion world, it's all about making your own statement, especially with jewelry.

In recent fashion history, we've been shown that it's ok to mix patterns, to wear feathers on our heads, and to don shoes fit for a flood. For this reason, I'm advocating mixing gold and silver jewelry. Of course, even I believe there are a few exceptions. So, is it really ok to wear gold and silver jewelry at the same time?

We've all heard the supposed "rules of fashion." Never mix black and brown. Never wear stripes and patterns. Never, never mix gold and silver jewelry. But why? Who made these rules and who says you have to abide by them? Even men can't break free of these guidelines. Just because your mother or grandmother said it was right, doesn't mean it is. I'm a firm believer in creating your own rules and traditions. Let's face it, following the norm is boring. In today's fashion world, it's all about making your own statement, especially with jewelry.

In recent fashion history, we've been shown that it's ok to mix patterns, to wear feathers on our heads, and to don shoes fit for a flood. For this reason, I'm advocating mixing gold and silver jewelry. Of course, even I believe there are a few exceptions. So, is it really ok to wear gold and silver jewelry at the same time?

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?

This spring, Oscar de la Renta has given us an array of unique fine jewelry. The collection includes necklaces and earrings in gorgeous spring colors, from turquoise, gold, black and purple. Perfect to add color to any outfit, the bracelets come in amethyst and citrines, with diamonds, and black opal and diamond beads. The bracelets are unique, and you’ll certainly stand out amongst the crowd.

Versace is noted for its audacious designs in various lines including clothing, sunglasses, handbags, fragrances and even furnishings. Their handbags are deemed to be the masterpiece of the cutting edge and adored by high-profile celebrities worldwide. Handbags aside however, I feel as though no one gives enough recognition to Versace’s jewelry line.

Versace’s current jewelry collection is exquisite. If you are a diamond lover, you will love Versace’s jewelry with diamonds coated in its pieces. Their jewelry comes in a variety of different styles with 12 differently themed collections. The Medusa line has its pieces set in white and black diamonds in swirls of intricate designs (I love it!) The Atelier collection has many pieces with rose gold, which gives a more elegant and sophisticated look. Versace’s elegance rings have been really popular this season, especially since big statement rings are so in right now. The rings come in white and yellow gold set in white diamonds, with gemstones such as green amethyst and rose sapphires. The coloring of Versace’s jewelry is very unique with an array of gems in pinks and blue hues. If you love pendants, the Fendra collection has a great black pearl pendant with white gold diamonds that would look great dressing up or down.

Alex & Chloe are known for their avant-garde take on jewelry design, fashion and eyewear. This season, they’re introducing the new Tar collection. The line features designs such as keys, shells, and tribal masks as pendants, but presented in a dark black “tar.” There’s certainly something for everyone in this new collection, loaded with unique, abstract crosses, tribal triangles and creative designs such as tar rabbit feet and chain bracelets. The spike auger, conus imperialis and cypraea shells are unique and perfect for this beach season to wear around your neck, while the “black cave” necklaces are perfect for wearing out on the town (the designs come in black and white.)

The bracelets in Buccellati's Macri collection reminds me of royalty. The tone of the silver, the richness of the gold, the sparkle of diamonds and the prestige of the gemstones; this jewelry sets itself apart by conveying the feeling of brilliance. The Buccellati family are known for their attention to detail and involvement in the design of their jewelry from start to finish. I can't help but stare in awe of the majestic presence of each piece and how it makes the statement of strength in femininity.

What do you love most about Buccellati jewelry?

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.

In 2006 the diamond business in Botswana was booming. Since the discovery of diamonds in 1967, it has been nearly 40 years of constant growth in Africa. But, when sales start to decline (a whopping 68% recently), Botswana tries to keep up by “keeping up with the Kardashians.” On Kim Kardashian’s recent stint to the diamond industry in Africa through Russell Simmon’s Diamond Empowerment Fund, DeBeers hired her to promote diamonds from Botswana to the United States.

What the report revealed is:

• Jewelry chain stores are having the worst impact in this economy by over 13%
• Sales at independent high-end retailers were down slightly but not as steep
• Mid-range retailers were down 5.5 percent
• 2008, the diamond category (loose and set) remained the majority, with 49 percent of sales
• Timepieces saw growth, up from 3 percent of sales in 2007 to 6 percent in 2008
• Repair sales remain an important category, bringing in 10 percent of sales

How does this translate to Jewelry Public Relations and Marketing?

Bridal jewelry press on engagement rings remains vital, while designer jewelry may seem at times not as much of a necessity as wedding bands. Consumers are not shopping in the chain stores as much as they have in years past, publicists of those brands and retail stores should focus on e-commerce publicity to drive sales to their website verse foot traffic.  I think what’s the most interesting is the fact that timepieces are still going strong.  Our jewelry team does not get many requests for watches and the pages in magazines of strictly timepiece editorial have become quite limited. We factor the boom of cell phone sales to this mix. But wearing a watch does exude confident in this economic time of uncertainty. It projects an agenda, importance and responsibility and if you are looking for work it’s important to wear a watch during your interview. Lastly, as salons like CIRCA become more and more popular it's becoming social acceptable to wear vintage and estate pieces. If repair for jewelry remains at 10% of the overall business it's more affordable today for consumer to fix what's broken then buy anew. 2010 could be a big year for estate pieces.

Remember that your jewelry communications strategy should reflect the culture of today's climate and not project an aspirational lifestyle that may deem of false pretenses. The media today can see right through it and does not welcome it with open arms.

King Ice, a leading e-retailer, has partnered with Christian Audigier to offer a uniquely designed jewelry collection. Christian Audigier jewelry features an edgy mixture of skulls, animals and flowers in tattoo rock inspired designs often associated with Christian Audigier apparel. Primarily geared towards men but including offerings for women, Christian's collection stands apart in its focus on intricate craftsmanship producing textured jewelry surfaces full of brilliant detail.

"Christian Audigier jewelry is truly unlike any other men's jewelry line available today," said Tom Diep of King Ice. "Each piece is crafted expressing Christian's vision of style so that you feel as if you are in possession of jewelry art."

Amber Marie Bently

Sulusso.com launches today as the first online marketplace dedicated to sustainable jewelry. The growing collection of fine jewelry available on Sulusso represents works by some of the most talented designers who have made a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Sulusso's featured designers include Alberto Parada, who is recognized as a leading "green innovator" in the jewelry industry. All Alberto Parada pieces are manufactured in the United States using 100% recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds and fair-trade gems. In 2007, Parada was selected as the featured designer in the first ever Green Fashion Week, which took place in Seattle.

Los Angeles based rare metals manufacturer, American Elements, announced today that it has patented and begun production of the first ever jewelry made from pure Iridium metal.

Iridium is an extremely rare precious metal with a more luxurious patina than gold, silver or platinum. It has never before been used in jewelry due to its extremely high melting temperature which is more than 2,000 degrees above that of gold.

"The response has been fantastic," reports American Elements CEO Michael N. Silver. "The introduction of a new precious metal to the global jewelry industry is an important and exciting once in a lifetime event. Even prior to the product launch, the word got out. Among the first buyers is a Rothschild banker in London for his wedding band and a well-known California female artist."

An unstoppable collaboration between R & B icon, Mary J. Bilge and luxury retailer, Gucci, is promoting social awareness for battered women. Gucci's partnership with Blige’s Center for Women in association with the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, hopes to draw attention to the cause with a limited edition watch. Hoping to educate, empower and encourage, Blige spoke from the heart and was quoted as saying, “As a child I never saw a confident woman- I only saw women being abused...there was so much pain growing up – it would have been in vain if I didn’t put myself out there.”

You wouldn't think this would be the best time to introduce a $350,000 ultra-luxurious Swiss watch brand into the U.S. market, but Cephee SA, Geneva, Switzerland, feels the time couldn't be better. Cephee announced today the introduction of a new line of high end certified Swiss made watches, introduced in the United States by noted Swiss watchmaker Christophe Golay. Cephee is a collection of masterworks from the combined talents of master artisans of watch and jewelry. "The new watch line is in a class by itself," said Golay. 

With my fashion shopping techniques narrowed down to a science, trendy must-haves (leggings, blazers, oversized sweaters) occupy my wardrobe while jewelry investments personalize my fit. With anytime pieces that can transcend from day to night here are my top three jewelry picks that are worth the steal...and the splurge:

1. Simmons Jewelry Co.: Rough Diamond & Malachite Green Bracelet
This vibrant green bracelet designed by Russell Simmons has 10mm genuine malachite beads with a rough diamond charm. Its captivating appeal can be paired with complementary bracelets that will add pizzazz to any outfit. With a retail price of $125, a portion of the proceeds help benefit the international non-profit organization, Diamond Empowerment Fund. Simmonsjewleryco.com

Ylang 23 Jewelry, a leading specialty jewelry retailer of high end designer jewelry, featuring Cathy Waterman; Irene Neuwirth; Temple St Clair; Virgins, Saints & Angels; and 45 other well known designers who set today's jewelry trends, announces today the launch of its mobile commerce site. The new mobile site mirrors http://ylang23.com with over 2,500 items in stock and ready to ship the same business day.

With the launch of Ylang 23 Mobile, users of any mobile device will now automatically be re-directed from the Ylang 23 site to its mobile sibling, and will be able to view the jewelry via a zoom feature. For an IPhone user, the item will not only fill up the screen, but via IPhone's "spread" feature, clients will actually be able to count tiny diamonds in settings.

Ylang 23, located in Dallas, Texas, was one of the few specialty retailers nationally to launch a website in 2000 with just 6 items for sale. In 2002 it re-launched as a full selling site, designed to receive orders in real-time and ship them within 24 hours.

Past hardships of the United States economic crisis brought about hope to the present political administration that the future of our current economic standing will turnaround. As the De Beers Group, Tiffany’s and LVMH Moët Hennessy seek to expand profit margins in the coming years, innovative marketing strategies are currently being implemented. With high stakes in sought after African mines these jewelers are cutting and polishing their own diamonds; making sure that each consumer receives a quality cut and polished diamond from certified trained employees in Africa.

It seems that no matter how rich and famous you are, there is still one truth about women no matter their social status: diamonds are a girl’s best friend. This Christmas socialite, Paris Hilton, received diamonds from her boyfriend, Doug Reinhardt. And as a good portion of the social media savvy do, Paris took to Twitter to not only tweet about the gift of diamonds, but also the store the custom made jewelry was purchased from: XIV Karats.

Starting January 28th, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, which is a rare deep blue diamond weighing in at 31.06 carats, will go on display at the National Museum of Natural History. The rare gem is said to be from the same famous mine in India that the Hope Diamond was harvested from.

This gorgeous diamond that any girl could only hope for in their collection is said to have indeed had a female owner. The daughter of Philip IV of Spain was given this diamond when she became engaged to Emperor Leopold I of Austria. I guess the age old saying, “Something borrowed, something blue…” was alive and well even back in 1664.

Diamond Ideals recently produced what I like to call, “the guys guide to buying ice.”

We all know that men are no strangers to online shopping. But, when it’s time to purchase the most important and life-changing item of their lives – the engagement ring – they may need a little guidance on choosing the ring that makes the grade.

Just in time for the spring wedding season, Diamond Ideals created must-have tips to arm all guys with the necessary information to choosing the perfect piece of bling for brides-to-be when shopping online. In fact, buying engagement rings online is proving to be more beneficial than buying it in a brick-and-mortar store. Choosing an engagement ring goes way beyond the cut, color and clarity.

Snippets of the useful and practical tips from Diamond Ideals for engagement ring e-shopping include:

United Brands LLC just released their Top Jewelry and Watch Brands rankings for 2009. It is a pretty comprehensive list. After you've read the list, I'd love to hear if you are surprised by any or feel a brand wasn't mentioned that should've made the list.

TOP JEWELRY BRANDS - 2009

Top 10 Jewelry Brands - Super Premium
1. Graff
2. Cartier
3. Harry Winston
4. Van Cleef & Arpels
5. Leviev
6. Fred Leighton
7. JAR
8. Boucheron
9. Bvlguri
10. David Webb

It wasn't too difficult to notice a jewelry trend among celebrities last night at the Golden Globes as so many went sans necklace (although Julia Roberts' Van Cleef and Arpels necklace kind of made up the difference for everyone else.) However, no necklace meant giving way to larger statement earrings and they were something fierce. (My ear lobes screamed oh no, but my love of jewelry said oh yes!)

Steve Madden, a leading designer and marketer of fashion footwear and accessories for women, men and children, announced today that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Lucas Design International to design and market a women’s fashion jewelry collection for the Steve Madden brand. The line is scheduled to launch in better department stores and specialty retailers as well as in Steve Madden stores and on stevemadden.com in Fall 2010. Edward Rosenfeld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Steve Madden, commented, "We look forward to working with the Lucas Design team to offer a jewelry collection that will reflect the Steve Madden design image. We believe that fashion jewelry represents a great complement to the portfolio of categories that carry the Steve Madden name and that Lucas Design’s expertise in the fashion jewelry business makes them an excellent partner for this endeavor.” Daniel Landver, Chief Executive Officer of Lucas Design International, stated, “In today’s challenging economy, very few products help a woman differentiate herself more than her accessories, particularly her shoes and jewelry. Lucas Design is very excited at the opportunity to create unique fashion jewelry for the Steve Madden customer.”

A new industrial park in China will use advanced technologies to recycle wastewater, in an effort to build a sustainable jewelry manufacturing site. The project between Black & Veatch and Zhongying Precious Metal aims to produce effluent that complies with Class 1A Chinese National Discharges, according to a press release. The Class 1A designation means that wastewater discharged into sensitive water bodies must be treated to reduce nutrients and suspended solids. The plant is using a new membrane bioreactor/integrated fixed-film sludge technology that should help make the water reusable, in certain applications. The park, which covers more than 25 acres, will feature two wastewater treatment plants.

One of the wastewater treatment plants has a capacity of 9,000 cubic meters a day, designed to treat domestic waste.  The other plant, which can treat up to 2,000 cubic meters a day, is geared toward industrial waste. The project is expected to be completed in December. In Virginia, a new project is using algae to clean water that is discharged into a river. An associated by-product benefit of the project is that it produces bio fuel and green coal from the algae residue.

Jewelry trends for Spring 2010 include the sometimes underrated bangle bracelet. Designers this year have found ways to make bracelets demand attention through large gemstones and embellishments. The style this season is more along the lines of a bold and very overstated elegance. Just as we've been seeing with statement rings and bib necklaces (which to me is really making a statement at its core and something Ranjana Khan excels at), bangle bracelets are now taking their place as a must-have accessory for Spring.

Cupid’s arrow is set to strike once again as the day of love is fast approaching. What better way is there to show your love and appreciation than by giving the perfect fashion jewelry packaged in a beautiful box? Online fashion jewelry store EternalSparkles.com makes gift giving for the day of hearts simple by offering a Valentine Fashion Jewelry Sale. As a token of love, $50 is being slashed off every $100 spent on all Valentine’s Day items, bridal fashion jewelry, and new arrival fashion jewelry purchases. Simply key in the promotion code “GOL50” upon checkout to take advantage of this lovely offer, valid until February 8, 2010.

Express your Love this V-day with Fashion Jewelry. V-day Sale Now at EternalSparkles.com

Knowing that men can be quite clueless as to what fashion jewelry to give to their better half, EternalSparkles.com has provided a Valentine’s fashion jewelry section devoted to helping them give quality Valentine’s Day presents. Having a keen eye for what’s hot and what’s not in fashion jewelry, EternalSparkles.com guarantees that, come this day of hearts, any lady will luxuriously sparkle with delight.

As for the single ladies out there, Valentine’s Day becomes the perfect time to pamper oneself. With the trendiest and hippest fashion jewelry from the experts, EternalSparkles.com is sure to make any lady feel glad about being a single, confident woman.

Visit EternalSparkles.com’s official fashion jewelry blog to learn about the ins and outs of fashion jewelry and how essential it is in adding panache to any ensemble. To receive instant promotional coupon codes for the ultimate shopping experience in fashion jewelry, simply subscribe to the company’s mailing list.

Cupid’s arrow is set to strike once again as the day of love is fast approaching. What better way is there to show your love and appreciation than by giving the perfect fashion jewelry packaged in a beautiful box? Online fashion jewelry store EternalSparkles.com makes gift giving for the day of hearts simple by offering a Valentine Fashion Jewelry Sale. As a token of love, $50 is being slashed off every $100 spent on all Valentine’s Day items, bridal fashion jewelry, and new arrival fashion jewelry purchases. Simply key in the promotion code “GOL50” upon checkout to take advantage of this lovely offer, valid until February 8, 2010.

Express your Love this V-day with Fashion Jewelry. V-day Sale Now at EternalSparkles.com

Knowing that men can be quite clueless as to what fashion jewelry to give to their better half, EternalSparkles.com has provided a Valentine’s fashion jewelry section devoted to helping them give quality Valentine’s Day presents. Having a keen eye for what’s hot and what’s not in fashion jewelry, EternalSparkles.com guarantees that, come this day of hearts, any lady will luxuriously sparkle with delight.

As for the single ladies out there, Valentine’s Day becomes the perfect time to pamper oneself. With the trendiest and hippest fashion jewelry from the experts, EternalSparkles.com is sure to make any lady feel glad about being a single, confident woman.

Visit EternalSparkles.com’s official fashion jewelry blog to learn about the ins and outs of fashion jewelry and how essential it is in adding panache to any ensemble. To receive instant promotional coupon codes for the ultimate shopping experience in fashion jewelry, simply subscribe to the company’s mailing list.

Cupid’s arrow is set to strike once again as the day of love is fast approaching. What better way is there to show your love and appreciation than by giving the perfect fashion jewelry packaged in a beautiful box? Online fashion jewelry store EternalSparkles.com makes gift giving for the day of hearts simple by offering a Valentine Fashion Jewelry Sale. As a token of love, $50 is being slashed off every $100 spent on all Valentine’s Day items, bridal fashion jewelry, and new arrival fashion jewelry purchases. Simply key in the promotion code “GOL50” upon checkout to take advantage of this lovely offer, valid until February 8, 2010.

Express your Love this V-day with Fashion Jewelry. V-day Sale Now at EternalSparkles.com

Knowing that men can be quite clueless as to what fashion jewelry to give to their better half, EternalSparkles.com has provided a Valentine’s fashion jewelry section devoted to helping them give quality Valentine’s Day presents. Having a keen eye for what’s hot and what’s not in fashion jewelry, EternalSparkles.com guarantees that, come this day of hearts, any lady will luxuriously sparkle with delight.

As for the single ladies out there, Valentine’s Day becomes the perfect time to pamper oneself. With the trendiest and hippest fashion jewelry from the experts, EternalSparkles.com is sure to make any lady feel glad about being a single, confident woman.

Visit EternalSparkles.com’s official fashion jewelry blog to learn about the ins and outs of fashion jewelry and how essential it is in adding panache to any ensemble. To receive instant promotional coupon codes for the ultimate shopping experience in fashion jewelry, simply subscribe to the company’s mailing list.

Cupid’s arrow is set to strike once again as the day of love is fast approaching. What better way is there to show your love and appreciation than by giving the perfect fashion jewelry packaged in a beautiful box? Online fashion jewelry store EternalSparkles.com makes gift giving for the day of hearts simple by offering a Valentine Fashion Jewelry Sale. As a token of love, $50 is being slashed off every $100 spent on all Valentine’s Day items, bridal fashion jewelry, and new arrival fashion jewelry purchases. Simply key in the promotion code “GOL50” upon checkout to take advantage of this lovely offer, valid until February 8, 2010.

Express your Love this V-day with Fashion Jewelry. V-day Sale Now at EternalSparkles.com

Knowing that men can be quite clueless as to what fashion jewelry to give to their better half, EternalSparkles.com has provided a Valentine’s fashion jewelry section devoted to helping them give quality Valentine’s Day presents. Having a keen eye for what’s hot and what’s not in fashion jewelry, EternalSparkles.com guarantees that, come this day of hearts, any lady will luxuriously sparkle with delight.

As for the single ladies out there, Valentine’s Day becomes the perfect time to pamper oneself. With the trendiest and hippest fashion jewelry from the experts, EternalSparkles.com is sure to make any lady feel glad about being a single, confident woman.

Visit EternalSparkles.com’s official fashion jewelry blog to learn about the ins and outs of fashion jewelry and how essential it is in adding panache to any ensemble. To receive instant promotional coupon codes for the ultimate shopping experience in fashion jewelry, simply subscribe to the company’s mailing list.

Stuller, a prime manufacturer and supplier of jewelry and jewelry-related products, today announced the selection of Comosoft's LAGO to manage its multi-channel publishing workflows.  "By meeting Stuller's key technical and workflow requirements, our users were able to identify Comosoft's LAGO as a complete database publishing tool," says Kerry Hand, executive director of marketing and public relations. "LAGO's selection was based on its out-of-box functionality to manage complex market versioning while speeding up the merchandising to creative media development process." Comosoft, a leading international provider of media and workflow management solutions for multi-channel retailers, developed LAGO with an emphasis on reliability, scalable architecture and workflow efficiency.  Randy Evans, president of Comosoft's North & South American operation, commented, "LAGO will provide Stuller a true database publishing environment reducing the duplication of user effort and costs to develop content for each sales channel." The software provides web modules linking product information, images and selling content to the workflow within a single publishing environment. This includes an automated, task-driven PDF approval process between merchandising and creative users.

Stuller, a prime manufacturer and supplier of jewelry and jewelry-related products, today announced the selection of Comosoft's LAGO to manage its multi-channel publishing workflows.  "By meeting Stuller's key technical and workflow requirements, our users were able to identify Comosoft's LAGO as a complete database publishing tool," says Kerry Hand, executive director of marketing and public relations. "LAGO's selection was based on its out-of-box functionality to manage complex market versioning while speeding up the merchandising to creative media development process." Comosoft, a leading international provider of media and workflow management solutions for multi-channel retailers, developed LAGO with an emphasis on reliability, scalable architecture and workflow efficiency.  Randy Evans, president of Comosoft's North & South American operation, commented, "LAGO will provide Stuller a true database publishing environment reducing the duplication of user effort and costs to develop content for each sales channel." The software provides web modules linking product information, images and selling content to the workflow within a single publishing environment. This includes an automated, task-driven PDF approval process between merchandising and creative users.