Jewelry PR Division

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. today unveiled its Badgley Mischka brand's marketing campaign creative featuring actress Rumer Willis.  The Spring 2011 multi-media marketing campaign will debut in March issues of fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar as well as online and outdoor.

Rumer Willis, stated, "It was so amazing to play on the beach in beautiful and timeless gowns, I felt like a princess.  Partnering with Mark and James has been such a wonderful experience and I am honored to appear in the new campaign."

Mark Badgley and James Mischka, commented, "Rumer is a great muse for the season. She has a vivacious spirit to her; she is young and modern, which is representative of our spring collection."

The Badgley Mischka campaign  featuring actress Rumer Willis was shot by famed fashion photographer Tony Duran on a beautiful beach in Malibu, CA. Willis appears in the campaign wearing a selection of pieces from all of Badgley Mischka's lifestyle collections including couture, eveningwear, the Mark + James collection, footwear, handbags, jewelry and swimwear.  

Dari Marder, Chief Marketing Officer, Iconix Brand Group, stated, "Rumer brings a dynamic and contemporary feel to the campaign. She is modern day Hollywood royalty and has a unique, fresh style that we've captured in these beautiful photos."

To support the marketing campaign, Willis will make several appearances on behalf of the Badgley Mischka brand.

Badgley Mischka is a true lifestyle brand recognizable worldwide and a favorite of celebrities including Halle Berry, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker and others. The Badgley Mischka label includes: Badgley Mischka Couture, Collection Eveningwear, Mark + James contemporary collection, Footwear, Handbags, Fine Jewelry, Fashion Jewelry, Timepieces, Eyewear, Accessories, Bridal and Bridesmaids, Swimwear, Fragrance and Home.  Badgley Mischka is sold in the most prestigious stores in the world including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Holt Renfrew.

Become a fan of Badgley Mischka on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BadgleyMischka and follow Badgley Mischka on Twitter @BadgleyMischka.

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.

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.

Luxury jewelry brand, Cartier, certainly cemented some publicity last night on the Oscar's red carpet. Amy Adams, who I loved in The Fighter, wore an exquisite array of jewelry from the prestigious jewelry retailer that I'm pretty sure required body guards to be present (for the jewelry not Adams!) just due to the sheer magnitude of the value: $1.35 million.

The contrast between Adams' porcelin skin and the emerald jewelry was gorgeous. Since Adams' L"wren Scott gown did most of the shimmer, the jewelry chosen was simple and elegant and one did not detract from the other.

On her wrist, she wore a platinum and diamond Haute Joaillerie secret watch bracelet. The emerald alone was 30.75-carats! It also featured 575 diamonds. Her earrings were a pair of platinum and diamond 2-carat stud earrings; a really great choice in my opinion--simple and understated. The Cartier necklace was also platinum and diamonds with a 33.24-carat emerald.

What did you think of Amy Adams' jewelry?

Luxury jewelry brand, Cartier, certainly cemented some publicity last night on the Oscar's red carpet. Amy Adams, who I loved in The Fighter, wore an exquisite array of jewelry from the prestigious jewelry retailer that I'm pretty sure required body guards to be present (for the jewelry not Adams!) just due to the sheer magnitude of the value: $1.35 million.

The contrast between Adams' porcelin skin and the emerald jewelry was gorgeous. Since Adams' L"wren Scott gown did most of the shimmer, the jewelry chosen was simple and elegant and one did not detract from the other.

On her wrist, she wore a platinum and diamond Haute Joaillerie secret watch bracelet. The emerald alone was 30.75-carats! It also featured 575 diamonds. Her earrings were a pair of platinum and diamond 2-carat stud earrings; a really great choice in my opinion--simple and understated. The Cartier necklace was also platinum and diamonds with a 33.24-carat emerald.

What did you think of Amy Adams' jewelry?

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.

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.

For centuries, jewelry has been a way to enhance an ensemble. It can show status, personality or both, and the significance of accessorizing has changed immensely over the past 100 years. In an attempt to showcase the constant revolution in jewelry, Caroline Cox has compiled images of the most iconic styles of each decade in her new book Vintage Jewelry Design: Classics to Collect and Wear.

Baroness Caroline Cox is a former deputy speaker for Great Britain’s House of Lords, and has been dubbed the “British Joan of Arc” by many of her counterparts. During her career as a political speaker, Cox crusaded fiercely for her passions, and it seems her love for fine jewelry is no exception.

While Cox is mostly responsible for the book, the foreword was penned by famed British artist and jeweler Gerda Flockinger. An established artist and a woman with impeccable understanding of the jewelry crafting techniques, Flockinger’s unique style has made her a pioneer of the craft, her name still having a resounding affect on many jewelry makers today. Her endorsement of Vintage Jewelry Design speaks volumes about the quality of the book.

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.

Pearls are timeless. Certainly, there are other types of jewelry that have a similar eternal allure, but pearls are in a distinctive category of its own. They’re glamorous, classic, elegant…and because of this, they are often imitated. Imitation anything often comes with a stigma, but simulated pearls can be just as beautiful as the real thing…if you know what to look for.

Eponymous jewelry brand Majorica has been producing the highest quality man-made pearls since 1890. Manufactured on the Spanish Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean, Majorica or Mallorca pearls bear the closest resemblance to natural pearls. Majorica focuses on quality. The pearl-crafting process is incredibly time consuming, and Majorica treats each simulated pearl just as if it was being formed in a real oyster. Rather than being formed in mollusks, the man-made pearls are grown from glass coated in a special paste. Not the most glamorous process, but it does yield glamorous results.

Kenyan born designer, Jas Sehmbi has created a label of accessories that are one of a kind. His totes, satchels, backpacks and clutches are made of the finest leathers and are ideal for a woman who appreciates a well constructed bag on her arm.

The label, Jas MB, features a wide range of bags in numerous shapes and colors. One of my favorite bags is his Medium Wings Traveler bag ($650) which comes in a festive shade of “vein blue.” It's the perfect sized bag to travel around with you and be able to handle all the nonsense we ladies drag around in our purses. Not only that, the color is appropriate to be worn during the fall and spring months. No need to swap it out from season to season!

Jas MB also has great backpacks for the non-traditional bag carrier. His Bomber backpack ($475) in sandy tan leather with woven flaps evokes a very well traveled look. It's quite stylish if you ask me.

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!

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.

Greek for the ‘personification of destiny’- Aesa- was founded and revolves around Greek principle. The designer behind the ethereal brand of jewelry is Randi Mates, a Brooklyn native who got her start at the Jewelry Art Institute of New York in 2006. Within the walls of the institute was where the historian became a designer, learning ancient Greek and Roman metalworking techniques.

Found strewn among downtown boutiques, the unique pieces stand out among their competitors. Often a single statement stone blended with a mix of metals, the distinct look is rugged but exudes luxury. The designer believes in the overall effect of a piece rather than playing favorites to the perceived “hierarchy of value and worth” in materials. She personally and carefully chooses each raw material by hand, determining which rough stones to use.

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.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) paid tribute to the winners and honorees of the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was the host for the evening. The evening's Womenswear Designer of the Year honors went to Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler presented by Naomi Watts. The award for Menswear Designer of the Year was presented by Gerard Butler to Michael Bastian. Alexander Wang took home the Accessory Designer of the Year Award, presented by Iris Apfel. For the tenth year in a row, the evening was generously underwritten by Swarovski.

Karolina Kurkova presented the three Swarovski Awards, which honor and recognize emerging talent. The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Prabal Gurung. The Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Robert Geller. The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design went to Eddie Borgo. Recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company's vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion.

Remember the Brookly-based fashion brand Octopi? Although the shop closed last year, one of the designers, Sarah Welsh Elliott, has started her own vintage jewelry website called Welsh Elliott Modernism. Sarah Welsh Elliott has worked in fashion and costuming in New York and Los Angeles for many years. Her greatest passion is jewelry and she has a great eye for what’s hot!

Welsh Elliott Modernism is a collection of vintage jewelry hand-picked by Elliott. She also blogs about designers that would be of interest and you can read reviews by other people who have bought the designs you are interested in.

Looking through the collections on Welsh Elliott Modernism, I really appreciated the timeless quality of the jewelry pieces. Although the pieces are vintage, they are wearable and perfect for current jewelry trends. Her website features pieces from designers all over the world. Some of the designers include Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Ed Levin, Yves Saint Laurent, Kunio Matsumoto, Zoltan Popovits and Donna Karan.

Welsh Elliott Modernism has vintage jewelry for men and women. Items for women’s collections include earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and accessories. Men’s collection currently carries cuff links and tie bars. Check out their collection at Welsh Elliott Modernism and let me know what you think!

Remember the Brookly-based fashion brand Octopi? Although the shop closed last year, one of the designers, Sarah Welsh Elliott, has started her own vintage jewelry website called Welsh Elliott Modernism. Sarah Welsh Elliott has worked in fashion and costuming in New York and Los Angeles for many years. Her greatest passion is jewelry and she has a great eye for what’s hot!

Welsh Elliott Modernism is a collection of vintage jewelry hand-picked by Elliott. She also blogs about designers that would be of interest and you can read reviews by other people who have bought the designs you are interested in.

Looking through the collections on Welsh Elliott Modernism, I really appreciated the timeless quality of the jewelry pieces. Although the pieces are vintage, they are wearable and perfect for current jewelry trends. Her website features pieces from designers all over the world. Some of the designers include Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Ed Levin, Yves Saint Laurent, Kunio Matsumoto, Zoltan Popovits and Donna Karan.

Welsh Elliott Modernism has vintage jewelry for men and women. Items for women’s collections include earrings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and accessories. Men’s collection currently carries cuff links and tie bars. Check out their collection at Welsh Elliott Modernism and let me know what you think!

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.

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.

Tony Duquette/Hutton Wilkinson: Jewelry, by Hutton Wilkinson captures some of the most magnificent pieces of jewelry the world has seen. Tony Duquette was a style and design icon for much of the 20th century. Tony created luxurious jewelry for many world-class clients including The Duchess of Windsor and Liza Minnelli. His pieces are highly sought after; some of the pieces have even been showcased in the Paris Louvre museum and can be found in exclusive private collections. Hutton Wilkinson, Duquette’s business partner, took over his collection after he passed and still is carrying on the Duquette legacy today creating jewelry just as lavish as Tony Duquette’s items were.

The jewels used in both jewelers work are absolutely stunning, some of the pieces featured in this book contain up to 18 karats of gold and use the finest of gemstones Mother Nature has to offer. While turning the pages of Tony Duquette/Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry you will feel, in a sense, royal by the pictures and creations, even holding the book you will feel extravagant. Jewelry and antique collectors can’t pass this up, and anyone else interested in fashion must purchase this glamorous book. It's available for pre-order on amazon.com.

A jewelry line worn by the best of the best, Tom Binns Design, was founded by jeweler Tom Binns and CEO, Cristina Viera Newton. Tom Binns Design jewelry has always been in the headlines because of its unique jewelry designs. Binns’ inspiration comes from the Dada movement whose themes are deliberate irrationality, anarchy, and the rejection of standard beauty and social organization. He uses these elements to create very unique and elegant jewelry.

His jewelry has been featured in magazines all over the world and has been worn by many people including models, singers, actors, and even Michelle Obama. Just last month Tom Binns Design was featured on the Vogue Australia Cover, Vogue Japan Cover, W Magazine cover, Marie Claire US Cover, and in many other media articles. It was also featured as one of the designers for Vogue Daily’s California Love: 25 Designers Who Are All About the West Coast article. Along with Adam Selman, Tom Binns designed Rihanna’s much-talked about custom-made outfit with Swarovski Crystals that she wore to a concert in Baltimore in June.

Tom Binns loves creating unique pieces, and so when Tim Burton was creating the movie, Alice in Wonderland, Binns was the obvious choice to design an Alice-inspired jewelry line. The line included 35 pieces and was so successful that it is talked about even today!

The Crown Jewels, by Anna Keay, documents some of the most glamorous jewel collections in the world; English Sovereignty and Monarch once possessed these gems. The photography captures these royal jewels like they have never been seen before including the crown of King Edward VIII. The Crown Jewels are currently being exhibited in the Tower of London and the exhibit see’s over two million people a year, everyone wanting to catch a glance at this historical, priceless collection.

Doctor Anna Keay is currently working for English Heritage as the Properties Presentation Director and is responsible for over 420 historic buildings. Dr. Keay is an expert of the English Court history. The research in this book is conducted beautifully; Keay includes photographs and paintings of the monarchs wearing the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels is a spectacular book for jewelry and vintage lovers alike along with anyone interested in English Monarch history. Purchase your book today www.amazon.com or your local bookstore.

Manoel Bernandes Jewelry has been popular since the 1940’s and is still one of the most coveted jewelry brands in the world. I believe that this success lies in Manoel Bernandes’ vision: combining innovative technology with hard work, using traditional Brazilian gemstones, to create jewelry. He always had a passion for precious stones, and in 1944 decided to turn this passion into a career. He wanted to create jewelry that is made using advanced technology, but still used Brazilian gemstones. His jewelry is very unique because you can see the Brazilian characteristics in each one. Although the jewelry line uses very traditional gems, the pieces are for contemporary women because of the modern cuts and design. I have a lot of respect for Manoel Bernandes because he left a medical career (a very bold decision) to pursue a passion in jewelry and succeeded at it.

In addition to the jewelry line, Manoel Bernandes also designs watches for some of the best brands in the world including Rolex, Mont Blanc, Omega, Cartier, Tissot, Guess, Longines and Swatch. These watches are sold as exclusive products to set them apart from the rest of the watches. Manoel Bernandes loves each person’s uniqueness and therefore always tries to ensure that clients get exactly what they want. He created the Time Club to bring together Manoel Bernandes watch clients so that they can discuss information about brands, models, and technologies. It also provides priority for buying limited edition models!

Just in case you live under a rock, Kim Kardashian got married to Kris Humphries this past weekend in front of 440+ guests (including many A-list celebs) at a private estate in Montecito, California. Too add to all of the wedding day mystery, the press (with the exception of E!) were not allowed to take photos or videos...not even guests. But as E! began to report on the wedding, being the trend setter that Kim is, buzz began not just about her 3 wedding wardrobe changes...but about her Loraine Schwartz diamond headband.

In lieu of a necklace, Kim wore this bejeweled piece along with her veil. On it's own, I thought it was very pretty and a different take from the traditional pearl headpieces we are used to seeing. However, paired with the veil, it seemed a bit odd. If you pop on over to InStyle's post about it, the before the veil picture is very Elizabeth Taylor-ish; she looks stunning. But during the nuptials with the veil? Gorgeous still, of course, but the contrast of the oversized diamond earrings mixed with the headhband and veil just seem to make everything look off kilter.

What did you think about Kim Kardashian's diamond headband? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Monique Lhullier started designing wedding gowns when, during her wedding dress search, she realized that there were not enough options of fashionable wedding gowns out there. She is born to French, Spanish, and Filipino parents, and spent a lot of time traveling with her family. These travels have helped her understand fashion trends around the world and integrate different influences into her designs. Like TV personality, Lauren Conrad, and Juicy Couture co-founder, Pamela Skaist-Levy, Monique Lhullier graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Although she is most known for designing bridal wear, her collections also include evening gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, linens, tableware, fine paper, and home fragrances.

Lhullier’s designs are so beautiful that it is no wonder that she has become a favorite among celebrities (national and foreign). Some of the celebrities who love her wedding and red carpet gowns include Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Drew Barrymore, and Pink. Anyone who follows fashion trends knows that all these celebrities have extremely different fashion styles. Monique Lhullier can design versatile designs and somehow manages to make the wearer in each gown look glamorous! She even recently designed a wedding gown for Korean actress and singer Eugene, who married actor Ki Tae-Young last week. One of my favorite gowns that she has designed is Reese Witherspoon’s gown for her second marriage (You can check it out here). It is so simple and elegant and gives Reese Witherspoon a beautiful glow for her big day.

Monique Lhullier started designing wedding gowns when, during her wedding dress search, she realized that there were not enough options of fashionable wedding gowns out there. She is born to French, Spanish, and Filipino parents, and spent a lot of time traveling with her family. These travels have helped her understand fashion trends around the world and integrate different influences into her designs. Like TV personality, Lauren Conrad, and Juicy Couture co-founder, Pamela Skaist-Levy, Monique Lhullier graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Although she is most known for designing bridal wear, her collections also include evening gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses, linens, tableware, fine paper, and home fragrances.

Lhullier’s designs are so beautiful that it is no wonder that she has become a favorite among celebrities (national and foreign). Some of the celebrities who love her wedding and red carpet gowns include Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Stewart, Hilary Swank, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Drew Barrymore, and Pink. Anyone who follows fashion trends knows that all these celebrities have extremely different fashion styles. Monique Lhullier can design versatile designs and somehow manages to make the wearer in each gown look glamorous! She even recently designed a wedding gown for Korean actress and singer Eugene, who married actor Ki Tae-Young last week. One of my favorite gowns that she has designed is Reese Witherspoon’s gown for her second marriage (You can check it out here). It is so simple and elegant and gives Reese Witherspoon a beautiful glow for her big day.

This NYC based design company has been in the spotlight since it was founded in 1996. David Aubrey's jewelry designer, Jennifer Arago, is known for creating pieces that are elegant, artsy, and colorful at the same time. All the jewelry for this line are handmade by skilled artisans. Jennifer’s technique for designing jewelry is very unique because instead of skteching them out, she chooses materials and pieces according to the color palette she wants to use. She then experiments with different shapes and patterns to come up with her beautiful jewelry designs. Moreover, David Aubrey clients come from a large age range and have different taste preferences. So Jennifer can have fun with her designs, creating pieces that are elegant, fun and timeless.

Her choice of design method isn’t that strange when you look at her background. She studied at St. Peter’s College, Jersey City University, and Christ Hospital School of Nursing where she took art courses. She had always dreamed of being an artist and never thought of being a jewelry designer. It was just a hobby that turned into an amazing career opportunity. Don’t you love it when that happens?

If there is one thing to say about Warren Buffet, it's that he knows business like he knows money, which seem to be going hand in hand for him lately when it comes to the jewelry industry. It was just announced that Richline International, part of Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway, recently acquired Italian jewelry brand, Carniani.

Carniani, which creates gold and silver jewelry, is now one of five jewelry brands that Richline has acquired in the past year. Many of the brands were small, boutique brands that were hit hard by the poor economy and in need of a lifeline to stay afloat. Regardless of industry, we've been seeing a lot of acquisitions across the board since the recession hit (which is not only US focused.)

What do you think of large companies scooping up small brands? Is it the end of the mom and pop type feel of knowing a designer and the beginning of turning it into a corporate, faceless entity? Tweet us your thoughts @PierceMattiePR.

Lately we have been seeing a lot of statement jewelry that essentially becomes your outfit, from glamourous necklaces to stackable rings. Chunky jewelry is becoming more and more the rage as we have seen with a lot of collections designers have created, such as RIVINI by Rita Vinieris. Rita Vinieris is more well-known for her unique bridal gown designs, but she has recently created a line of bridal jewelry that is so luxurious just looking at her pieces takes your breath away.

Vinieris mainly focuses on creating exceptional necklaces using authentic fabrics like chiffon, organza and silk satins. One aspect that makes Vinieris’ jewelry so stunning is her scrupulous attention to detail. She uses soft shades of cream and ivory for most of her pieces, which make her collection fitting to bridal attire. However, her pieces are not bridal specific, and most can be worn as statement jewelry to other events or occasions. As it states on the RIVINI website her collections are “chic in their perfection, the essence of simple luxury.”

RIVINI has many trunk shows coming up this September, including one in New York from September 23^rd to 24^th. There are more trunk shows listed on their website and more information about the RIVINI collection on their Facebook page!

They have store locations all over Canada and the United States. If you’re a bride looking for your perfect bridal jewelry, or just want that perfect accenting piece, check her collection out! Let us know what you think by tweeting us @ PierceMattiePR!

If you are the kind of woman who likes to make a statement with her jewelry..from flirty to bold, one jewelry trend that I think is a must-wear this fall is an ornate cuff. I love how this thicker and more sizable cuff gets you noticed and can vary in color and design.

One of my favorites is DeAnna Cochran's Native American re-purposed leather cuff with bronze and a Tiffany green patina finish. I also have DeAnna's necklace and earrings from her Sea of Change collection and I think her stingray cuff would be the perfect addition. One of the things I love most about her jewelry is that it is all recycled materials, so you are not only saving the environment from a little less trash, but you are doing so in style. 

You can find more of DeAnna Cochran's jewelry at www.deannacochran.com. Will you be wearing a cuff bracelet this fall?

Ramona Singer, a housewife from the hit TV show, The Real Housewives of New York City, has launched a new jewelry line - Ramona Singer Jewelry for HSN.

Singer, who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has her own fashion company - RMS Fashions Inc. In addtion to this jewelry line with HSN, she owns True Faith Jewelry and Tru Renewal Skin Care.

Ramona Singer Jewelry consists of luminous rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets. The line has an estate and vintage feel to it giving it that "old money" feel.

Her new collection was recently featured in People Style Watch - As Singer stated to People, “I tried to incorporate a little of everything into this collection”, suggesting there is something to suit everyone’s taste and thirst for fine jewelry.

My favorite piece from her new line is her Amazonite, Sapphire and Diamond Sterling Silver Earrings - these earrings add the perfect amount of frosting and glamour to any look. What’s your favorite piece? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR!

Lulu Frost has also designed similar styled necklaces and earrings, some with diamond studs for that extra touch of glamour. The 18k Gold Studs with a few diamond studs on the curves of each number look really classy and chic.

A fabulous find for yourself or a special someone - truly unique way to incorporate a meaningful date or number, or just a fun way to accessorize!

Are you wearing these numerical accessories? Try the style on and let us know what you think by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR

Elizabeth Taylor was an icon in film, in philanthropy, in the company she kept (including having multiple husbands), but also for her amazing jewelry collection. I don't think there is anyone who has nearly the storytelling collection that she accumulated as gifts throughout her career. And now, those glorious pieces are up for auction at Christie's.

There are memorable pieces of jewelry from the best designers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and Cartier to more sentimental pieces like a charm bracelet, a necklace of engraved ivory opera passes and a titanium elephant purse (from Michael Jackson, of course.)

Christie's is displaying the items online and in their auction house. You can purchase tickets to view the pieces, which can be seen from the 3rd of December until the 12th, however the online auction begins the 13th and ends the 16th--but you can view all of the items now on Christie's website. Can you imagine owning her 19-carat diamond ring, otherwise known as "my baby" or her emerald and diamond earrings? I wouldn't mind this emerald and diamond necklace if you have $1.5million you want to spend on me.

Do you have a favorite piece from her collection you dream of owning? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Looking for a simple way to dress up your style? Usually elegant jewelry pieces can do the trick, but another accessory that we tend to forget about are eyewear. Especially if you tend to wear the same pair of glasses or sunglasses over and over, it can become mundane and dull down your style. Some chic patterns and styles are usually attached to a simple, neutral colour - black, beige, brown, navy, etc. - making them even more versatile.

A particular pair of optical eyewear that will make others stare in awe is Chanel’s cat eye frame in black with leather detailing. If you’re in need of wearing eyewear day-to-day, why not go big and add Chanel to your outfit everyday? After I purchased a version of Chanel’s brown extra-large sunglasses, they have become essential to my everyday wear and provide a sense comfort and confidence each time I wear them.

Another timeless idea for sunglasses is Prada’s retro round acetate in dark brown - the dark brown colours help to add warmth and aren’t as harsh as dark black or vibrant colours.

However, my favourite pair of eyeglasses this season are the dark graphite readers (model 3108/Color 1723) by Dolce & Gabbana. The dark rectangular frames with the clear lenses are what are hot right now and have been popular since earlier this season too - And because of the style, would be a great addition to your every day look.

What's your favourite style of eyewear? Let us know @PierceMattiePR.

New York Socialite, the late Brooke Astor, is back in the headlines this past week. Not just for the IRS hounding her estate for $62 million, but also because Sotheby's will be holding the auction of her jewelry art in April of 2012, which is expected to fetch $5million. The money raised is expected to be distributed to Astor's favorite charities which include the New York Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Complete details on the items have not been released yet, but pieces from this 105 year old's collection are surely going to attract attention. Will you be interested in what goes up for auction from Brooke Astor's jewelry and art? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Jewelry as works of art...literally. Sometimes there are those pieces that are spectacular enough to be showcased in a museum or gallery, and now in London, they will be. A jewelry exhibition Art Rocks at the Shizaru Gallery will be taking place through January 28th containing jewelry pieces, not created with an individual wearer in mind, but painstakingly conceptualized into magnificent works of art for all to enjoy (but considered wearable art.)

The Exhibition is a mix of both well-known and emerging global talent. There is even one American design company in the group: Ark. Upon looking at their website, even their homepage is a work of art with pops of colored meant to engage you and help you discover some of their gorgeous pieces (one of which is pictured.)

To view the complete list of exhibitors, visit www.shizaru.com/exhibitions.

Even though they say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, pearls make very good ‘besties’ too! Mikimoto, located on Fifth Avenue in NYC, offers a wide range of elegant pearls and diamonds, ranging from $300 to $10,000+. Mikimoto ensures the best quality of pearls, only selecting pearls from the top five percentile on the pearl pyramid grading system - If you’re going to get beautiful pearls might as well be the best of the best in terms of quality and worth.

Mikimoto designs pieces from rings, bracelets and necklaces, to men’s selections, matched sets, and perfect pendants. Some of my favorite’s that are going straight to my Holiday Wish List are: Mikimoto’s Baroque Bangle Bracelet with the perfect touch of color and glamorous glitz of the wrapped diamonds and the breathtaking Water Lily Ring in white gold.

I also found the Holiday Gifts section on their website helpful for selecting for different ages on your list - Even though most of their pieces are timeless classics and will never run the chance of going out of style.

If you have never ventured into the luxurious world of pearls, starting off with simple pearl studs (like Mikimoto’s White South Sea Studs) is great way to begin. Although you must be warned, pearls will become a stunning addition to your jewelry collection and will most likely lead to more…

What Mikimoto pieces are you adding to your wish list? Let us know your favorites by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...and David Yurman knows that can come in many forms. Copying a design with a few tweaks is typically the way it is done in the jewelry industry, but if you compared French jewelry brand Fred's latest advertisements featuring Kate Moss with Yurman's from this past Spring, you may instead be saying it is a form of photographic plagiarism.

The ads compared, as seen in the NYPost, show both Yurman and Fred's print ads featuring Moss in almost identical poses containing details that seem to mirror each other. Is it a PR stunt on behalf of Fred to draw the two competitors into public controversy? Or maybe simply to generate buzz about the brand? I can think of other ways...like positioning yourself differently from your competitor, not showcasing ads that lack creativity because you stole it, for one.

What do you think? An honest mistake or purposefully done? Tweet us your thoughts @PierceMattiePR. 

Image source: Elle.com

The new Rose collection from Christian Dior does nothing short of taking your breath away. The flawless designs from necklaces, bracelets and rings, all inspired by the sentimental image of a rose - hence, “Rose collection.” A really feminine and elegant piece from the Rose collection is the Rose Dior Bagatelle Ring in pink gold diamonds, and also offered in silver and gold pieces (as seen in the image above) - so lovely for a subtle color to complete your perfect look. Another fabulous piece is the Rose Dior Bagatelle Diamond Bracelet in white gold - absolutely enchanting piece of jewelry that an abundance of frost to your style.

The Rose collection also has another section entitled Rose Dior Pre Catelan, where all the pieces are designed with a pop of color for a dramatic flare. One of the most popular pieces from this collection is the Rose Dior Pre Catelan Ring in yellow gold and red coral - the combination of the vibrant red with the elegance of the gold makes for an absolutely luxurious piece that could be worn as statement jewelry or an added layering accessory.

The Christian Dior boutique is located on East 57^th street in NYC, where the Rose collections await for you to discover. Have you fallen in love with the Dior Rose collections yet? Let us know what you think by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR.

The new Rose collection from Christian Dior does nothing short of taking your breath away. The flawless designs from necklaces, bracelets and rings, all inspired by the sentimental image of a rose - hence, “Rose collection.” A really feminine and elegant piece from the Rose collection is the Rose Dior Bagatelle Ring in pink gold diamonds, and also offered in silver and gold pieces (as seen in the image above) - so lovely for a subtle color to complete your perfect look. Another fabulous piece is the Rose Dior Bagatelle Diamond Bracelet in white gold - absolutely enchanting piece of jewelry that an abundance of frost to your style.

The Rose collection also has another section entitled Rose Dior Pre Catelan, where all the pieces are designed with a pop of color for a dramatic flare. One of the most popular pieces from this collection is the Rose Dior Pre Catelan Ring in yellow gold and red coral - the combination of the vibrant red with the elegance of the gold makes for an absolutely luxurious piece that could be worn as statement jewelry or an added layering accessory.

The Christian Dior boutique is located on East 57^th street in NYC, where the Rose collections await for you to discover. Have you fallen in love with the Dior Rose collections yet? Let us know what you think by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR.

Remember those tacky charm bracelets with collectible charms you used to buy for mom, your best friend or yourself? Your favorite holiday charm, your heritage’s flag or maybe just your initials, crested on your choice of gold or silver, were all so exhilarating to purchase as a next addition to your most cherished jewelry piece.  You can have it all back with a fresh more mature approach with Pandora Jewelry. 

I wouldn’t vouch for such jewelry box must-haves if I didn’t own a few of the designer’s pieces myself!  Each piece I own is an everyday type of accessory.  I sleep, shower, and pretty much do everything with my sterling silver Pandora clasp bracelet.  This bracelet is joined by a cross symbol pendant and two spacers, one spacer on each side of the pendant to keep it centered. I can say with poise that I am in love with, and now addicted to Pandora’s products. I received this as a gift, and has been my favorite gift ever received, by far!

The great thing about purchasing these fabulous pieces is that you can do so in increments, at your own pace and budget.  Buy that special someone an elegant, classy bracelet just because; then warm her heart on Valentine’s Day with a stunning charm.  It also leaves room to keep the bracelet simple, or garnish it as much as you please!  You can wear certain charms one day, and rock the contradictory the next.  Have fun and play dress up as you once did!  You’re never too old to enjoy these girlish delights!

An average sterling silver bracelet by Pandora ranges between $65-$100.  Charms or pendants can range on average from $30-$400 depending on your choice of metal and additional material.  You will find prices below and above those averages as well.  

Another beloved piece of mine is what I call my Pandora ring set.  I wear three different rings all on one finger creating a stacked ring set.  A jewelry piece like this is extremely unique, which one can make their own.  For each of the past holidays: Christmas, my birthday, and payday I have treated myself to one of these rings, until I eventually created my own magnum opus! Each of the rings purchased ranged from an affordable price of $30-$80 each. 

Sterling silver and gold aren’t the only materials used; leather bracelets and Murano glass beads are other notorious trademarks of the company. At a more affordable price than Tiffany’s or David Yurman, Pandora Jewelry can be ordered from the company’s website Pandora.net or found at your local fine jewelry store. 

Do you wear Pandora charms? Let us know @PierceMattiePR.

In admiring the holiday collections within the pages of Vogue and InStyle, it's quite clear that these collections contain a lot of sparkle and neutral tones all orbiting around that specific holiday red with the perfect color punch. Many fab finds I found were in White House Black Market’s collection. They demonstrate a perfect blend of style and fun. A lot of their collection is extremely versatile, which is really handy during the Holiday season. If you are going out after work, alleviate some stress by just changing your top or shoes rather than a whole outfit change. If you wear a conservative skirt with a fun silky top to work, to kick it up for an after-work event, change into your favourite party heel or into those perfect fit skinny jeans for a more casual look.

My favourite fun and flirty top from WHBM’s holiday collection is made in the signature holiday red and can be worn with various pieces. Boning and skinny belts are the best ways to flatter your figure and this piece does just that. Another perfect piece is their sequined stripe chemise - A lot of sparkle to bring in the New Year! 

What are you favourite holiday finds? Check out their holiday pieces and let us know by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR

In admiring the holiday collections within the pages of Vogue and InStyle, it's quite clear that these collections contain a lot of sparkle and neutral tones all orbiting around that specific holiday red with the perfect color punch. Many fab finds I found were in White House Black Market’s collection. They demonstrate a perfect blend of style and fun. A lot of their collection is extremely versatile, which is really handy during the Holiday season. If you are going out after work, alleviate some stress by just changing your top or shoes rather than a whole outfit change. If you wear a conservative skirt with a fun silky top to work, to kick it up for an after-work event, change into your favourite party heel or into those perfect fit skinny jeans for a more casual look.

My favourite fun and flirty top from WHBM’s holiday collection is made in the signature holiday red and can be worn with various pieces. Boning and skinny belts are the best ways to flatter your figure and this piece does just that. Another perfect piece is their sequined stripe chemise - A lot of sparkle to bring in the New Year! 

What are you favourite holiday finds? Check out their holiday pieces and let us know by tweeting us @PierceMattiePR

The rays of the sun are soon to shine.   The bronze tones are soon to appear on the skin.  And most importantly, the fabulous colors of the year, and more specifically of the season, are coming into play when accessorizing our wardrobes for spring of 2012.  Tangerine Tango has been selected as Pantone’s hottest color for spring of 2012.  When viewing the color palette on pantone.com, it is not your archetypal tangy orange color you’d imagine, I would go as far as categorizing it closer to a coral color tone. 

This spring, pair Aurelie Bidermann’s Enamel Choker Necklace, priced at $3,365, with a simple, white classic day dress.  You can’t go wrong with this vibrant color.  This unique piece is modestly deeper toned than Pantone’s more muted ‘Tangerine Tango,’ yet still lies in the shade’s vicinity and spring’s prevailing style.

Another adored piece I marvel at is this very natural looking Jasper Necklace, at a budget-friendly $395.  The stone motif also resembles that of the coral motif in the previous jewelry piece, emanating that outdoor, beachy feel.  While the description says "pink" it looks to be a more muted orange. These patterns and color combinations are the hottest jewelry trends we will see ubiquitously in spring of 2012!

I found this atypical Marc by Marc Jacobs Star-Sliced Bangle to be drool-worthy.  Paired with a more edgy ensemble, maybe a black sweater dress, tights, and a pair of black leather boots, this piece price is quite easy on the pocket at $48. 

Just as the sun continues to shine each spring, so do the warm tones in our wardrobes and accessories. Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry in your closet in the Tangerine Tango shade?  Or do you have a substitute spring favorite color for 2012? Let us know at @PierceMattiePR.

*Image source: Fiore Jewellery

What commoner doesn't dream of being a princess? With the exception of Kate Middleton actually becoming one, us ordinary folks have always been fascinated with the British Monarchy, especially their jewelry (or more specifically for me, the Queen's gorgeous collection of tiaras.)

Now as we enter into the Queen's 60th year on the throne, known as her Diamond Jubilee, the Royals' jewels are going on exhibition this summer at Buckingham Palace. On display will be the Queen's tiara's, brooches as well as many other jewelry items either passed down from previous generations or those she acquired during her reign. Specifically diamonds, as they denote longevity and strength.

For complete details on this jewelry exhibit, as well as many other exhibitions being held this year in the Queen's honor, please visit: The Royal Collection.

Full floral arrangements…to singular flowers…anything pertaining to petals is what’s modish in the midst of many jewelers at this time.  Keeping up with the floral jewelry trend this year doesn’t necessarily require the purchase of loud and kitschy pieces. 

Essentially we want to keep our accessory medley a mixture of ornate and basic fundamentals.  I have selected a few adored pieces from Lanvin.

Favorite Florals:

Brooch Asymmetric Flower ($1,145): Its asymmetric shape exudes a sense of innate, elegant style, rather than a stiff facade attempting to achieve perfection.  Brooches are not merely for the ripened.  I deem that this particular jewelry genre (brooch) and style (floral) one of the most imperative in effort to complete a classically beautiful ensemble. 

Petals Necklace ($795): With this overly long, brass chain, play with the option of doubling your necklace into a completely different look.  The horde of polyester flowers, topped with pearls creates a girlish looking pale pink bouquet around the neckline.  Dress it up, or dress it down.  Any solid, basics (black, gray, white, crème, etc.) would pair well this unique piece. 

Petals Necklace ($685): This petals necklace alternative is creates more of a single petal motif, in contrast to a cluster or bouquet motif.   Available in off-white or plum, either pallets accent any wardrobe basics such as the aforementioned color choices. 

When we think floral, it’s only habitual to think gaudy, when this isn’t essentially spot on.  Try something different with these a la mode pieces by Lanvin. 

How do you feel about the floral jewelry trend?  Let us know @PierceMattiePR.

Celebrating a decade of elegance, JIC (Jewelry Information Center) acknowledged the achievements and honorees in the fine jewelry industry at the 10^th annual GEM Awards gala, hosted January 6th.

The successes of fine jewelry retailers, manufacturers, designers and communicators are awarded and honored each year at the highly regarded GEM Awards.  Held at Cipriani, 42^nd Street, New York City, the GEM Awards expressed praise to Ralph Destino who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement.  Destino has carried many prior achievements and positions, including former Chair of JIC. 

The GEM Awards Corporate Communications Award was delegated to Chanel Fine Jewelry.  2012 celebrates the 80^th Anniversary for Chanel Joaillerie by its founder Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel in November of 1932.  Eighty years later, Chanel Fine Jewelry still conveys it’s excellence and superiority. 

Any outfit can be good, but the right accessories make an outfit great. Shopping for jewelry can be exhilarating and anyone can own a jewelry box full of amazing pieces, but it takes a true fashionista to be able to accessorize the right way. 

Lee Angel makes that easy with all of their beautiful pieces. Based in SoHo, Lee Angel is right in the middle of the fashion world, making it easy to develop new ideas and trends. Lee Angel, created by Roxanne Assoulin, has been featured in major magazines here in the United States and throughout the rest of the world and has been a hit accessory on the runway.  

Lee Angel does a beautiful, artistic job of being casual and fun, yet daring and fashion forward. One of the best things about Lee Angel is that all age groups who strive to find beautiful jewelry to complete their look can wear these pieces.

One of my favorite pieces is the Desiree Large Collar Necklace. It is the best chunky necklace to polish off any simple outfit and would go so well with a pair of skinny jeans, flats, and a button up blouse (with the necklace under the collar!)

Another favorite piece is the Martine Gunmetal Crystal Bracelet. The hardness of the gunmetal and the softness of the crystal make this piece very unique and beautiful, leaving it is edgy and girly at the same time.

A great everyday piece is the Lilliana Crystal Button Earrings. They are a beautiful replacement to the everyday pair of studs as they offer more detail and intricacy and you are bound to get many compliments on them.

Check out Lee Angel to find your statement jewelry pieces to take your favorite outfit from good to great! What’s your favorite statement piece? Let us know @PierceMattiePR

Lets face it: When you are getting married and you mention to your guy that it's time to go ring shopping for him, it might be an easier task to move a mountain. Ultimately he will probably just let his bride-to-be pick out the ring for him. Most men don’t know anything about jewelry and they are fine with that. Wedding rings all look the same (in an untrained man's mind anyway.) Verragio for men has created textured metal wedding bands that allow for more self-expression and individuality. You might even be able to get him to want to go check them out with you.

These rings are very cool because they are not just a chunk of metal wrapped around your finger. They have personality. They feature classic designs with cutting edge technology. Some have smooth lines running around the ring, some have intricate crisscrossing patterns and for those who want to keep it simple some are smooth on top with designs in the side. There is something for everyone and every style. Women spend a lot of time picking out the perfect ring. They want to be individual and unique. Verragio textured metal rings allow men to do the same. Who doesn’t want to be the guy with that cool ring that people are talking about?

These bands are good-looking and unique but they are quality made too, which means they are going to last. Each ring comes in palladium, gold and platinum. Tell us your favorite designs @PierceMattiePR

Jewelry has long been sought after to make us look beautiful and establish our individuality. Men have dug in the earth for the precious metals and stones that make up the most sought after jewelry today all for the sake of beauty. What if the jewelry you were wearing could do more than just make you look beautiful? What if it would benefit your health emotionally, mentally and physically?

The designers of High Chi Energy Jewelry believe that the biggest pollution problems are harmful electromagnetic fields, which are produced by any electrically charged device. They believe these have negative effects on the human body. The idea is based on ancient Egyptian philosophies regarding good and bad energy. High Chi “energizes” the jewelry’s metal to help defend against negative energy. After 15 years of research it has become more than just jewelry, it is about healing for them too.

It might sound like something out of this world, especially in a western culture, but High Chi jewelry is beautiful regardless. The geometric patterns make it look like something straight from the ancient Egyptian culture. High Chi is the perfect accessory to add variety to your jewelry collection. High Chi offers rings, earrings, pendants, necklaces and men’s jewelry. If you are looking for something new or just different you will surely be able to find something to fit your specific personality at www.highchi.com. Who knows, maybe you will experience some inner healing too.

Artsy and exclusive…Armenta seems to be defining a new avenue for jewelers. 

Emily Armenta has produced a fine jewelry line that is unique, distinctive, and original. She has always had an artist background with creativity running through her veins.  It wasn’t until she had to create a fabricated company with a written business plan for one of her college entrepreneurship classes that she then realized her dreams were about to come true.  She pursued her passion and crafted a fictitious jewelry line.  And no longer fictitious…here Armenta is today…

Armenta expresses her desire to construct creative pieces, and how heaps of her inspiration came from the prominent and distinguished Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca.  Armenta states that she was “immediately moved by his passion and understanding of the power of creativity in all its forms, especially in the way of ‘duende,’ a spirit of unpredictable passions that surges within us, and how it manifests itself as a creative force.”  Carrying out the ‘duende has been Armenta’s largest inspiration. 

Have you checked out Armenta Jewelry?  What do you think of such unique fine jewelry pieces?  Let us know @PierceMattiePR.  

(Also read: Why We Love Emily Armenta Jewelry)

A hidden pearl in the world of fashion jewelry designers is Yvel. The jewelry design architects, Orna and Isaac Levy, founded Yvel in 1986 to preserve a family tradition in artistically crafting jewelry using pearls and gemstones. Their collections bear a distinctive style in which elegance meets earthy, highlighting the natural style of the pieces. The secret behind Yvel’s sophisticated jewelry is that the original state of the freshwater pearls are maintained, preserving their natural shapes and colors.

The pearls are the focal point of Yvel’s pieces, but they are carefully adorned with 18k yellow, white or rose gold and diamonds. Yvel jewelry has even glistened down the red carpet for several award shows. Ali Lauter, Scarlett Johansson, and Mary J. Blidge have all sophisticatedly accessorized their red carpet ensembles with Yvel’s jewelry.

Although Yvel jewelry has cohesive elements of boho-chic style, the brand maintains its elegance and is relatable to women with various fashion preferences. The Pastel collection mirrors the hopeless romantic with a love for soft pinks and oranges set in gold metals. The Rainbow collection is for the sophisticated, yet fiery woman, unafraid to make bold statements while all eyes are on her. If those do not sound like you, maybe you are fit for Yvel’s One of a Kind collection for anyone who loves discovering nature's rarities, and appreciates the intricacies of artistic jewelry design. My personal favorite is the Golden Brown collection that features warm, earth-toned shades of salt-water pearls, which accentuate the radiance of the neutral hues.

Yvel is sold at many jewelry stores across the United States and Europe, as well as select Neiman Marcus department stores. The exquisitely crafted pieces may range from $2,985 for a Yvel Pearl & Sapphire Necklace with 18k gold links, to $18,600 for a Yvel Multicolored Sapphire Necklace. To discover these hidden pearls, check out Yvel’s international exhibitions, which began in January and will end in September.

Do you wear Yvel? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Rolex has been an icon in the luxury jewelry world since it was founded in 1905. The company has always focused on precision, quality and elegance and continues to remain unparalleled. The demand for Rolex is high in the United States and many various locations around the world. Melrose Jewelers has launched a new line of Rolex watches to keep up with the growing demand.

Rolex has combined the style of the Rolex President with the versatility and class of the Rolex Datejust. The watches are white gold with high polished lugs and side links making them some of the most beautiful luxury items in the world. This style is available in the President and Super President. The Super President is one of the finest watches you can own with all the features of the President and the addition of the diamond band, lugs and bezel. The Smooth Bezel Datejust is also new in 2012 for a more reserved look with just as much elegance as other Rolex watches. They are stainless steel with polished bezel, center-band links and lugs. It has a smooth look and is great for showing off your style while remaining a little more discreet about it.

Melrose Jewelers is the leading online retailer of Rolex watches as well as other luxury jewelry. They specialize in restoring luxury jewelry to original factory specifications. If you have always wanted to own a Rolex watch you can check them out at www.melrosejewelers.com.

Costume and sterling silver jewelry are just a few of the unique pieces Giles & Brother has to offer. With inspiration from classic estate jewelry to textiles from all over the world, siblings Giles and Philip created some very unique and amazing pieces.  

Giles & Brother carry necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, key rings, and belts for women and men, and cufflinks for men. Their jewelry is modern with some rough edges. For example, the Braided Gold Tiny Hex Nut Bracelet. It is a uniquely crafted piece that will leave any woman feeling like a bit of a rock star. Then there is the Tiny Luck, Love, and Hope Necklace that is charming and will add a little flare to any outfit.

For the gents check out the Men’s Visor Bracelet, a black leather bracelet with a brass hook, and the Knot Cufflinks. Definitely hot pieces that any man could toughen up with.

Being that the jewelry holiday of the year is coming up tomorrow, Valentine’s Day, it is only appropriate that Giles & Brother just launched their Valentine’s Day 2012 Collection. The Tiny Rope Heart Necklace is so fun and unlike anything I have ever seen and the Tiny Faceted Heart Earrings are great alternatives to your everyday studs.

With pieces ranging from $40-$400, Giles & Brother has something unique and beautiful to offer for everyone. Go and dress up your wardrobe with some awesome pieces from Giles & Brother.

What is your favorite Giles & Brother piece? Let us know @PierceMattiePR

Not your typical diamond, princess-cut setting on platinum…even better, jewelry from COOMI  brings traditional Indian culture to your fingertips…wrists, neckline and earlobes. As a multifaceted designer, Coomi Bhasin continues her creative career with her jewelry line. Think Renaissance, midsummer, multidimensional; that’s what you get with Bhasin’s unique inspiration merged with her artstic pieces of jewelry.

Prior to designing jewelry, Coomi Bhasin was a designer of landscape, textiles and architecture. Bhasin grew up in Bombay, India, where the daily clothing and jewelry items are so intricate and extravagant. As a young child, Bhasin wasn’t all for draping herself in jewels and gems as the other women of her culture did, and for that she was seen as an outcast. Thankfully, the normality of jewels in her culture, along with her surge of creativity bursting out of the seems, now arises the COOMI collection of jewelry.

Do you own a piece of jewelry from COOMI? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

People wear jewelry for many reasons: to inspire them, to add some flare to their wardrobe or to remind him or her of a loved one.  What if you could take a small piece of everything that is special to your heart and put it into a piece of jewelry that you would wear everyday? Well, that is exactly what Elizabeth Locke did.

Launched in 1988, Elizabeth Locke was so inspired by all of her travels around the world that she took that passion and love and transformed it into beautiful pieces to be worn everyday, and created Elizabeth Locke Jewels. As she continues to travel Elizabeth constantly seeks new inspiration and unique elements that make up her designs such as colored Venetian glass, South Sea pearls, and classic coins from lost empires. Each piece is individually designed by Elizabeth and handmade in 19-karat gold.

Elizabeth Locke Jewels are sold in many Neiman Marcus stores and other local retailers in the United States.

One of my favorite pieces is the green Venetian Glass Earrings sold online at Neiman Marcus, hammered into 19-karat yellow gold settings. The intricate designs in the glass paired with the yellow gold make these earrings rare and timeless, and will definitely be a conversation starter.

If you are looking for something beautiful and unique you will definitely be able to find a piece of jewelry that stands out from Elizabeth Locke Jewels.

Do Elizabeth’s pieces remind you of the places you love? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

People wear jewelry for many reasons: to inspire them, to add some flare to their wardrobe or to remind him or her of a loved one.  What if you could take a small piece of everything that is special to your heart and put it into a piece of jewelry that you would wear everyday? Well, that is exactly what Elizabeth Locke did.

Launched in 1988, Elizabeth Locke was so inspired by all of her travels around the world that she took that passion and love and transformed it into beautiful pieces to be worn everyday, and created Elizabeth Locke Jewels. As she continues to travel Elizabeth constantly seeks new inspiration and unique elements that make up her designs such as colored Venetian glass, South Sea pearls, and classic coins from lost empires. Each piece is individually designed by Elizabeth and handmade in 19-karat gold.

Elizabeth Locke Jewels are sold in many Neiman Marcus stores and other local retailers in the United States.

One of my favorite pieces is the green Venetian Glass Earrings sold online at Neiman Marcus, hammered into 19-karat yellow gold settings. The intricate designs in the glass paired with the yellow gold make these earrings rare and timeless, and will definitely be a conversation starter.

If you are looking for something beautiful and unique you will definitely be able to find a piece of jewelry that stands out from Elizabeth Locke Jewels.

Do Elizabeth’s pieces remind you of the places you love? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

People wear jewelry for many reasons: to inspire them, to add some flare to their wardrobe or to remind him or her of a loved one.  What if you could take a small piece of everything that is special to your heart and put it into a piece of jewelry that you would wear everyday? Well, that is exactly what Elizabeth Locke did.

Launched in 1988, Elizabeth Locke was so inspired by all of her travels around the world that she took that passion and love and transformed it into beautiful pieces to be worn everyday, and created Elizabeth Locke Jewels. As she continues to travel Elizabeth constantly seeks new inspiration and unique elements that make up her designs such as colored Venetian glass, South Sea pearls, and classic coins from lost empires. Each piece is individually designed by Elizabeth and handmade in 19-karat gold.

Elizabeth Locke Jewels are sold in many Neiman Marcus stores and other local retailers in the United States.

One of my favorite pieces is the green Venetian Glass Earrings sold online at Neiman Marcus, hammered into 19-karat yellow gold settings. The intricate designs in the glass paired with the yellow gold make these earrings rare and timeless, and will definitely be a conversation starter.

If you are looking for something beautiful and unique you will definitely be able to find a piece of jewelry that stands out from Elizabeth Locke Jewels.

Do Elizabeth’s pieces remind you of the places you love? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

GURHAN's jewelry has been adorning lavish ball gowns and ensembles for over 15 years. The illustrious gold karat pieces have landed in the heart of the American fashion industry. In 1997, Gurhan left his stable jewelry boutique in Bodrum, Turkey, for New York City. It is here where his jewelry flourished, being worn my plenty of cultural icons of America.

Gurhan revitalized the practice of using pure gold to make jewelry. Originally, when learning about the art of jewelry making, his instructors warned him against the habit because pure gold was too soft to use for jewelry. The beautiful aspect about Gurhan’s jewelry is that each piece is hand made from scratch, preserving the natural folds and coils of the pure gold. Gurhan’s philosophy is culminated in his quotes, “First, I dream the woman, then, I create the jewelry”.

Due to his creative eye, Gurhan has maintained a stable stake in high fashion jewelry. Gurhan has been spotted on Sandra Bullock, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, and Faith Hill. In 2011 Gurhan won the watches category in the Couture Design Awards. For the upcoming season, Gurhan is revisiting the roots of his ancient inspiration with lines titled Striking Gold, Naturally Organic, Mother Nature, and Relics Past. Each line preserves an earthy, ancient tone using the natural gold as a base for all the looks. Visit Gurhan’s new  collection to take a sneak peak of his enchanted, ancient, jewelry.

If you want to compliment your next evening look with GURHAN’s pure gold, you can purchase the jewelry at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, and Saks Fifth Avenue. The GURHAN Mixed-Metal Hammered Disc Necklace costs $950, but for a pair of GURHAN’s 24-karat yellow gold earrings it will cost $2,357. How would you wear use Gurhan to accessorize your next ensemble? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Doris Panos Designs, Ltd. was established in 1993 and in a very short period of time became noticed and respected in the jewelry world. Her unique designs and distinctive creations have put her name and jewelry on the red carpet, on the big screen, and on the cover of some of the hottest magazines.

Doris Panos Designs, Ltd. boasts many beautiful and unique pieces. Doris has individually created stackable ring and bangles, cuffs, diamond rings, and even jewelry specific for black tie occasions. However, some of her most beautiful creations are form her Daphne Rings collection.

You can shop her gorgeous pieces at Neiman Marcus and at many local jewelers.

Will you be wearing Doris Panos at your next fashionable event? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

AHAlife.com; the online discovery shopping destination for luxury lifestyle products is expanding by providing access to its innovative shopping experience to consumers around the world. Beginning today, AHAlife.com will be shipping internationally to 106 countries and accepting 42 major currencies. The  New York City based e-commerce company has achieved niche positioning with discerning individuals in the US market by delivering the best the world has to offer directly to their doorstep. The increasing international demand for hard to find luxury items made the decision for AHAlife.com to go global inevitable.  

AHAlife.com launched in September 2010 by MIT engineer-turned commerce and media industry expert, Shauna Mei. The dynamic site has been embraced by the industry with its distinctive positioning and core value to redefine the consumer experience in the digital space as the only true luxury marketplace. The unparalleled offering of hand-selected products ranges from beauty to fashion, technology, food and home décor and are all united by their superior quality, unique provenance and innovation. The diverse product selection offers consumers a discovery shopping experience each time they visit the site.

Since launch there has been wide media acclaim hailing AHAlife.com's full price full value business model. "I do not believe true luxury goes on sale and niche brands are finally starting to realize the damage flash sales and heavy discounts can do to their business," says CEO Shauna Mei. "It was my mission to create a sustainable platform to not only sell unique crafts of artisans and designers from all over the world but also to tell their story. I am excited to be able to deliver to a global audience of intelligent, sophisticated consumers."

AHAlife.com is at the forefront of the major industry trend merging content, curation and commerce which has greatly contributed to its rapid growth. The business model has evolved from daily features to a robust luxury marketplace adding 25 new products everyday. The site re-design launched today better showcases brands and products unique to AHAlife.com.

AHAlife.com has their finger on the pulse of  with an eclectic community of industry insiders such as Tim Gunn, Deepak Chopra, Rachel Roy, Daniel Boulud, Donna Karan and more who continuously curate their unique finds. To compliment the extensive network of curators, AHAlife.com's team of buyers travel around the world to source the best from every region. AHAlife.com currently sells approximately 500 niche brands, such as Ibride, Anndra Neen,  Esque, Marky's Caviar and Penhaligon's while adding new brands everyday. "We are catering to the booming demand in markets like Mumbai, Beijing, Mexico City and Sao Paolo where these items are not available, and consumers are more than willing to pay full price for them," says Mei.

As temperatures begin to rise and we start to get the warm feeling of the sun on our necks, there is little doubt that spring is just around the corner. As it always does, spring will ease into summer and we will be out enjoying it with various activities (after a hard days work of course). Wait, have we thought about what we are going to wear? Better yet, have we thought about what we are going to wear with what we wear? Clothing trends are pretty easy to remember, but a good accessory can go a long way to say something about you. In case you have forgotten the trends from New Yorks Fashion Week last fall (after all it has been a few months), let’s take a look at some great jewelry trends for men this season.

Things got a lot more masculine for this season. Bright pinks and flashy outfits became a little less common and dark colors and conservative dress took its place. Men’s jewelry was no exception. Flat black watches and dark rings were matched with their clothing counter parts. Some designers brought collections that made it appear they had been on safari all summer. Leather, almost tribal-like jewelry found its way on to the runway. The message was simple. Dress like a man who can spend a day in the office but has a wild enough side to spend an afternoon on the Serengeti. Accessories get noticed, accessories get talked about, accessories get you remembered.

Don’t get too wild. Get some flat black jewelry. Michael Kors makes some great watches that are clean and stylish. Matching a black ring from Louis Vuitton will only add style. Now for your subtle adventurous side. A leather strap watch with stainless steel face from Hermés is a great look. Couple it with a leather or wood-beaded jewelry from Next and you will be ready for the season. All that will be left to do is enjoy the weather, enjoy your work, and enjoy life.

Jewelry has been one of the most precious possessions throughout time. Whether made of gems, or beads, or bohemian wood styles it has been sought after to promote beauty and style. To make something stand out above the rest and be truly beautiful takes skill, creativity and hard work. A modern day Rumplestiltskin, Mary Lee Hu has been spinning gold for over 60 years into elegant and almost impossible works of art. Her talent and hard work has landed her on display at the Bellevue Arts Museum.

Spinning gold seems like something from a fairytale but it’s not as unrealistic as you would think.  Using 18 and 22 karat gold wires Mary Lee Hu wraps twists, weaves and knots the precious metal into extravagant pieces that appear to be fabric.  Intricate designs are her virtuosity.  Something that can also be viewed at the display are her miniature designs of animals like lizards, turtles, seahorses and even squid. Inspired by her various travels through cultures of Oriental, tribal and urban cultures have provided her information and life skill to produce an endless supply of one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

Her work went on display at the Bellevue Arts Museum on February 7, 2011 and will continue to be on display until June. Pieces featured are Choker #87, which is a fabric like necklace made in 18 and 22 karat gold.  To match the necklace there is Bracelet #62.  Brooches such as Form #3 made of sterling silver and lacquered copper are also part of the display.  These pieces and more can be seen at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Bellevue, Washington and online at bellevuearts.org.

It has been easy to tell when a woman is planning on getting married because there is usually a sparkly rock on her left ring finger, but it has been more difficult to tell if a man is married until after the big event has happened. Well times are definitely changing because “man-gagement” rings are being spotted on men’s left ring fingers.

Women won the right to vote almost a century ago, have been through several feminist rights movements, and right now many women are fighting for their family planning rights. This new engagement ring trend is giving relationships a new sense of equality.

What may seem foreign to us has been common in other countries for many years. Men and women in many other countries around the world have adopted this idea, however, it has been common tradition in the United States for only the woman to wear an engagement ring.  

This new trend is also opening the door for women to pop the question and is perfect for same-sex couples. Women now can feel that by being the one to pop the question she can seal the promise with a ring on his finger as well as on hers. Additionally, this allows same-sex male couples to use engagement rings to seal their engagement.

Jewelers are starting to design these man-gagement rings (or are they just wedding bands that men start wearing early?) and many couples are quite keen on the idea. So whether is be diamond encrusted, gold, or stainless steal you are going to start seeing man-gagement rings more and more.

Would you ask your man to wear an engagement ring? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR. 

Lagos is a beautifully crafted jewelry brand, whose signature caviar beading differentiates it from many jewelry brands. The brand relies on four key inspirations, sure to attract a wide variety of personal styles. Whether you possess a refined, real, rock and roll or romantic style, Lagos eloquently adds subtle flairs to embody that specific style. 

Lagos jewelry encompasses necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. There are also about 20 classic collections that range from emerald accents, to neutral intertwined designs, to their signature caviar design adorned with diamonds. From casual dinner dates to wedding gown adornments, Lagos jewelry has been known to enhance any look with its unique style.

For the spring, Lagos is introducing two new collections called Silver Rocks and Love Me, Love Me Not. Love Me Love Me Not, its truly for the hopeless romantic who loves the state of nature associated with spring. This collection features the detailed caviar beading inset on flower-shaped pendants that accent various necklaces, bracelets, and rings. This collection is primarily available in the colors, turquoise, white mother of pearl, and black onyx.  A piece of this collection costs about $595 for a bracelet, $1395 for drop earrings and $750 for an accented ring. The edgier Silver Rocks collection features sterling silver jewelry with black onyx accents in geometric shapes. Similarly, this collection is available in bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings. This collection runs about $395 for a ring, $795 for a necklace and $495 for a bracelet.

Due to Steven Lagos’ reinvented collections and retail space, many media outlets as speaking on behalf of the Greek-inspired jewelry line. Lagos is a perfect way to add flair to your otherwise ordinary outfit, as illustrated in Where Philadelphia, Where New York and Lucky Magazines. While Lagos is jewelry for day-to-day outfits, it has still received attention for being elegant accents to wedding gowns. It has recently been featured in editorials for Philadelphia Wedding and Brides Magazine. 

Eager to get your hands on some of these precious beads? Lagos Jewelry is available in retail department stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus. On the east coast, Lagos Jewelry also has a flagship store in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, where the retail space is covered wall to wall with Lagos Jewelry.

What is your favorite piece of Lagos jewelry? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR. 

The Trésor Jewelry collection is one like no other. It has accents of Middle-Eastern flavor as per the jewelry designer herself. The designer, Puja Bordia has had a passion for jewelry making since a tender young age. Throughout her life, she took the initiative to learn more about jewelry design, which lead her to eventually create her own jewelry line.

Trésor has six distinct collections that hold different variations of 18k gold jewelry with the colorful gemstones. For instance the Fin collection features a mesh design with different colored gemstones implanted at each intersection. The Dazzle is for the woman who loves large but elegant bracelets and cuffs. This line has watermelon and multicolor stones with diamond accents. A unique line that is signature of Trésor is the interchangeable line, with interchangeable gemstones that are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes. If you are looking for a dazzling night out where you will be dripping in multi-color and gold jewels, the Soie collection is perfect. These pieces possess a regal energy, sure to be the focal point of any ensemble. Finally, for the daily jewelry, Trésor offers the Logo collection, which is a collection of simple 18k gold, white gold, and rose gold metals with an accent of the intricate, but elegant Trésor logo.

In the years of its existence, Trésor has gained attention from high profile celebrities who choose to adorn their outfits with these jewels. Most recently, Carmen Electra, Rachel McAdams, Miranda Kerr, Maggie Grace, and Paula Patton have all strutted the red carpets flaunting these precious metals. If you too want to flaunt these jewels, you can catch the Trésor collection at various events through the rest of 2012. 

Wear a beautiful piece of jewelry with an amazing story behind it from Choo Yilin Artisan Jewelry. Yilin Choo is the Director and Chief Designer and work with non-profit groups and is an advocate of sustainability. Through her jewelry designs Yilin Choo seeks to bring sustainability and lavishness together through her jewelry collection that has an amazing story.

Choo Yilin Artisan Jewelry has four collections: The Tree Collection, The Flower Jade Series, The Bezel Series, and The Jade Series. All of these collections are beautifully handcrafted and exquisitely unique.

Yilin Choo designs pieces based on coral instead of using real coral because the mining of coral is incredible harmful to the environment. Her pieces that use coral as inspiration are a tribute to coral reefs and the crucial role they play in the ecology of our earth. Additionally, the UN declared 2011 the International Year of the Forests. To pay tribute to her belief in the environment and sustainability, The Tree Collection is dedicated to trees and the protection of our forests.

Sold online at Doorstep Luxury and at various boutique jewelry stores in Singapore, Thailand, the UK, and the US, Choo Yilin Artisan Jewelry is absolutely one of a kind and beautifully designed. With her pieces selling from $68 to $400, Choo Yilin Artisan Jewelry has something beautiful and unique for everyone to tell a story and support the sustainability of our earth.

What pieces of jewelry do you have that tells a story? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Jewelry is something we use to make ourselves stand out, express our personality, and add beauty. More often than ever we are seeing artists and others trying to design their own jewelry and turning it into art. David Yurman is no exception. Known and renowned for his wire-like cable style jewelry, David Yurman is twisting and weaving his way into 2012 with his new cable coil collection. His designs, original patterns and ideas will be sure to stop you and others in their tracks and be left to wonder how he did it.

This collection is not for the reserved. They are bold, intricate and meant to be noticed. The line features earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Although not all the pieces Yurman makes include diamonds, this line does. The small diamonds are set in darkened silver throughout the jewelry. There doesn’t appear to be any pattern or reasoning behind the placement of the diamonds. It is like it could be something beautiful you found lying naturally in the earth. The darkened silver makes a stunning backdrop for the diamonds. It has an appearance of being coiled and then wrapped around itself to make detailed designs.

This is high-end jewelry and you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per item, but what you get in return is more than worth it. The Two-Row Statement bracelet has two rows of cable coil silver with set diamonds. Simpler designs (although nothing in this line is simple) are the cable coil earrings, which are darkened silver, diamonds and moon quartz. Additionally, there are cable wrap gemstones, as well. To see more of this collection and others from David Yurman visit www.davidyurman.com.

*Image source: DavidYurman.com 

In search of a feminine, yet elegant jewelry line that fits right with the eclectic tribal jewelry trend this spring? You know, the type that accentuates any outfit yet deviates from the traditional and plain qualities of most jewelers. Check out the steel drum inspired jewelry line by Liz Mannette, This jewelry designer hails from Trinidad and Tobago, perfectly crafting every piece from that initial artistic and tribal inspiration of the steel drum.

Each line of Liz Mannette’s collection is based upon a Caribbean acoustic instrument. For instance, the Movement Racks line is based upon push carts for the transportation of instruments. This line aesthetically fuses the two-tone bars of silver and gold to create the tribal feel. A Movement Rack necklace costs approximately $1,200. Another one of Liz Mannette’s lines is the Classic and Calypso Hoops, which reflects the artistic concepts of the steel pan instruments. These pieces feature hoops with symmetric complex designs, laced around the inner area of the piece. This classic hoop bracelet costs about $250 to accentuate your eclectic spring ensemble.

Liz Mannette’s designs are given as lavish gifts to political figures in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. They have also adorned many celebrities on the red carpet and have supplemented the look of many international company executives. While most of Liz Mannette’s design retailers are located in the Caribbean, her domestic locations are located in New York, and Phoenix, Arizona.

How will you use Liz Mannette’s designs to accessorize this Spring? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Verdura is the brand fit for royalty, reminiscing the old Hollywood glamour that is a symbol of American culture. While the eclectic, tribal style is hot this spring, you may want to preserve your inner queen and rock some of these pieces by Verdura. Verdura was designed by an Italian duke who was inspired by the Hollywood glamour of American icons such as Coco Chanel, Katherine Hepburn and Rita Hayworth. Today, celebrity actresses such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Anne Hathaway wear the designs.

Verdura designs include many accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, and brooches. The Caged Earclips, an “Essential” piece, holds a cultured pearl, enclosed in a 18k yellow gold cage that can be used as a staple piece of a jewelry collection. This simple, yet elegant addition to your collection will cost approximately $9,500. It would be wise to fully immerse yourself in the vision of the Verdura designer and add one of those famous Hollywood glamour pieces. The gemstone rings are 18k yellow gold with the endless possibilities of turquoise, amethyst, citrine, lapis, white topaz, rubellite, and black jade accents. These gemstone rings can range in price from $9,500 to $48,500. Verdura even offers a selection of bracelet watches designed accent the wrist, adding a discrete analog watch to the piece. These costs approximately $25,000 for a variety of styles and looks.

Next time you want to create the old Hollywood glamour look, turn to Verdura. While select pieces of the designer are available to purchase online, the brand offers several retail locations across American as well as a store in London. Do you own any iconic pieces from Verdura? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

The start of Fantasia began in 1925, when Al DeSorio gained a vast jewelry understanding while working in one of the top diamond setters in America. When DeSorio started his own company, he worked around the concept of creating beautiful, fine jewelry through the use of man made stones at affordable prices. Based around the concept of "Look and Feel of Real,"  the company prides themselves on reaching those consumers who want to experience the finer things in life without breaking the bank. These jewelry pieces look and feel like quality items...because they are. 

Fantasia Jewelry is recognized worldwide as a quality jewelry company whose jewelry is inspected to the furthest measures. All jewelry is handmade, polished and examined by experts, whether the piece is made of silver, gold or platinum, carats ranging from 12 to 24. Neiman Marcus is the only department store that carries Fantasia by DeSerio, priced between $200 and $800. Popular models include stud earrings, hand-crafted cubic zirconia studs, diamond encrusted hoop earrings and more. 

Fantasia by DeSerio is based out of Mt. Vernon, New York and can be contacted through phone or email for personal inquiries. Fantasia Jewelry promises its consumers a lifetime guarantee, free of any discoloration or heavy wear. Please visit the Fantasia by DeSerio website for more information about how to purchase, where to purchase and more company history.

Do you own any jewelry from Fantasia by DeSerio? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

A good piece of jewelry gives any outfit some extra sass or adds a little something extra but a great piece of jewelry starts a conversation. Add a splash of turquoise to your favorite plain white tee and jean jacket or an intricately detailed and vintage looking bracelet to your favorite black dress with your most cherished pieces of jewelry.

Mars and Valentine “jewelry for the modern goddess” designs pieces that you will not be able to take your eyes off of. Their pieces are designed to look vintage and timeless and will be the topic of a conversation wherever you wear your Mars and Valentine piece.

With jewelry ranging from $145 to $850 there is something special for everyone. The Mars and Valentine ‘Twilight Mystery’ Bracelet was inspired by the night sky and is delicately made with freshwater pearls and Japanese-pressed glass (pictured). The Mars and Valentine ‘Heaven & Earth – Transcendent’ Ring is another one of my favorites. The brass beads and blue pearls outline a beautifully dyed agate stone and the brass detail on the ring makes this piece incredibly unique. Lastly, the Mars and Valentine ‘Heaven & Earth – Tectonic’ Pendant Necklace is beautifully designed with three beaded strands, gold freshwater pearls, and again the beautifully dyed agate.  

Add some sophistication to your outfit with a vintage and unique piece of jewelry from Mars and Valentine. Feel like a goddess and shop your favorite pieces at Nordstrom and check out the slideshow of the unique pieces on their website. Do you have any jewelry from Mars and Valentine? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.

Thanks to Demi Moore, we're seeing more and more celebrities following in her footsteps and taking the "pregnant and naked" photo opps. This time it is Victoria's Secret model, Alessandra Ambrosio, posing naked and baring only diamond jewelry and gemstones in an advertisement for Brazilian jewelry company, Vivara. 

While the ad is tastefully done and has impeccable timing with Mother's Day soon upon us, I can't quite understand the fascination with naked pregnant celebrities and how it translates to sales. What are your thoughts on this ad and others like it? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.  

Photo by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott 

Have you ever been to South America? Its breathtaking natural beauty are the inspiration behind Alberto Parada's sustainable jewelry pieces. Although born in the US, Parada spent much of his youth in South America (where his parents are from.) And aren't our childhood memories our strongest source of inspiration?

Each piece of jewelry only contains reclaimed gold and fair trade gemstones, and as Parada is from the US, all pieces are handcrafted and manufactured here as well.

All of the jewelry is very unique, mixing different colored metals and gemstone shapes. You'll find white, yellow and rose gold, along with conflict-free diamonds and precious gemstones. While his Modern collection is colorful and beautiful, I especially like his Maximus collection (ring pictured is from this collection.) 

See all of his jewelry pieces at www.albertoparada.com. Do you own any jewelry from Alberto Parada? Tweet us @PierceMattiePR.