Jewelry PR Division

A favorite line of accessories editors the world around is "and then take one piece" off referring to the rule of removing one piece of jewelry after you are fully dressed and prepared for the day.

Of course another editor tip through the ages has been stretching a wardrobe of basics through clever jewelry usage. But if you are instructed to constantly downsize your accessorising options for day is it possible that you need a wardrobe of jewelry basics too?

Given the classic popularity of a string of pearls, diamond stud earrings, and the tennis bracelet it seems that jewelry lovers the world over agree. This makes discovering the right pieces of jewelry for your even more critical. Even the classics make different statements. Pearls make any outfit more conservative whereas a diamond stud is a classic touch that ups the elegance factor on any outfit. The same principles of choosing basics in clothing applies to jewelry.

But remember even when the editors appear to know better than we mere mortals do it can be good to break the law sometimes and throw it all on. You can always take a few pieces off at the end of the night. That is still technically following the laws of accessorising right?

The movie Blood Diamond really brought the issues revolving around the diamond industry into focus. With this controversy brought to light and brands going green, now not only are diamonds becoming a hot topic, but gold is as well. In a new effort that includes brands like Tiffany & Co., Zales and 19 other jewelers in a campaign called “No Dirty Gold,” the big question for the jewelry consumer is becoming: “Is your jewelry politically correct?”

The mission behind the No Dirty Gold campaign is stop the jewelry industry from further enabling gold mining companies destructive ways by standing behind and signing a commitment to “The Golden Rules.” By establishing a set of rules that participating jewelers adhere to, the hope is that it will not only bring to the forefront the issues revolving around mining gold, but force the hand of gold mining companies into a better practice of mining, thus preserving the reputation of gold.

Some of the effects of mining gold involve massive pollution, developing large open pits in the earth and solid waste, endangering natural areas (both officially and unofficially protected), community health effects, worker dangers and human rights abuses. Prior to wearing any of my gold jewelry, I never considered where it came from and how it was mined, and honestly, who does?

Diamonds have always been a status symbol of the wealthy and there are more wealthy people throughout the world now, then there were ten years ago. Fancy Diamonds have made their way onto the bodies of the elite, showing that their rarity outweighs the brilliance that many colorless diamonds can bring. Diamonds have always been in demand, but quite curiously despite conflict diamonds and the issues that the movie Blood Diamond brought to light, more people are demanding them while supply is not increasing.

In fact, supply is almost impossible to increase when it comes to diamonds simply because of the process involved in mining and the fact that only one new diamond mine has been found in last 10 years. So when I read about prices going up because the demand is there, I had to wonder how this would affect the cultured diamond market. Not yet a huge market, it is certainly one that can be looked to as natural diamond prices begin to rise. As I mentioned in a previous post, cultured diamonds are indeed real diamonds, only grown in a lab environment. Obviously this cuts out the “million years” to create it part that can be an obstacle when diamonds are in demand, but as we all begin to look at the toll mining takes on our environment, cultured diamonds may be the perfect alternative and a price increase the perfect time to look into them.

Tension Jewelry is an art form like no other. A stone seems to float effortlessly as its brilliance catches the refractions of light throughout, all the while it is the jewelry designers craft and skill that knows the perfect amount of tension to create between the metal bands holding the stone to create this illusion.

No one does it better than GelinAbaci. Modern jewelry design meets flawless style, GelinAbaci's Tension Collection boasts perfection in design with the appearance of fluidity of the stones. With only a handful of jewelry companies selling tension jewelry, GelinAbaci is only 1 of two companies found right here in the US; all of their jewelry is designed and crafted within the US as well.

Tension jewelry vs. prong jewelry is always a hot debate, and while the concept of tension jewelry is not new, it appears to be increasing in popularity. Have you owned tension jewelry? Do you feel its benefits outshine traditional jewelry settings?

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

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

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

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

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

Last quarter we heard many echo the sentiment that the economic downturn was finally coming to an end. While fourth quarter numbers began to come in, it appears there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. At least that is the feeling I get after hearing the increase in sales that Tiffany & Co. experienced at the tail end of 2009. When luxury brands begin to see profits again, there is usually that collective sigh of relief heard throughout the country knowing that consumers are once again opening their wallets for non-essential items. (Although whose to say anything in those little blue boxes are not essential?)

This summer’s New York PR jewelry trends will leave no look naked. Several must-have jewelry trends this summer are florals, white paired with gold or silver, chain links and colorful, bold statement jewelry , all of which have been prominently seen on and off the runway. So what do we do? Adopt these trends!

Florals: Florals are a hot jewelry and fashion trend this season. I don’t know about you, but every time I walk into a store, it is flooded with floral merchandise (hence why I am wearing a floral tunic right now.) Even our favorite celebrities have been spotted in floral clothes and accessories. Floral accessories add that touch of femininity to an outfit that most women crave. Can you say flower power?

We've heard lots of stories of recalled children's jewelry this year that contained the toxic metal, cadmium. From Walmart to McDonald's to The Limited Too, it appeared that these retailers, until outted by the press, rarely (if ever) looked into what metals the manufacturers of these jewelry lines were using. And what about if you do jewelry PR for these companies and/or these jewelry lines? How can you market jewelry that could potentially cause cancer? Truth is, you can't.

As the demand continues for products that tie into health, it's surprising to me to hear that a bill submitted to the California Assembly this past week to ban jewelry containing more than 300 parts per million of cadmium from being made or sold in California beginning in 2012 (according to the LA Times) still had 15 that opposed the ban to 41 who approved it. I wonder if those 15 have children. And why wait until 2012 to start protecting our children from wearing jewelry that is harmful to their health?

What are your thoughts on the ban? Are there efforts going on where you live to stop jewelry from being made or sold that contain cadmium in it?

*Photo Source: TexasEnvironment.org

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

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

Are you ready for Labor Day? The last weekend of the summer is often spent poolside living out one final summer’s resolution: to read a fabulous novel. In Seconds  by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak is that book. 

About In Seconds: Brenda Novak's latest fashionable tale, In Seconds, about a handbag accessories designer, Laurel Hodges, who’s on the run…for her life. In the whole state of Montana, there's nowhere to hide. Laurel has changed her identity twice, trying to outdistance the men who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found the peace and stability she needs in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when she thinks she’s safe — the nightmare starts all over again. The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally found her again, they'll stop at nothing. It could all end in seconds. ($7.99 USD) In Seconds will be available wherever books are sold. 

Are you ready for Labor Day? The last weekend of the summer is often spent poolside living out one final summer’s resolution: to read a fabulous novel. In Seconds  by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak is that book. 

About In Seconds: Brenda Novak's latest fashionable tale, In Seconds, about a handbag accessories designer, Laurel Hodges, who’s on the run…for her life. In the whole state of Montana, there's nowhere to hide. Laurel has changed her identity twice, trying to outdistance the men who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found the peace and stability she needs in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when she thinks she’s safe — the nightmare starts all over again. The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally found her again, they'll stop at nothing. It could all end in seconds. ($7.99 USD) In Seconds will be available wherever books are sold. 

Are you ready for Labor Day? The last weekend of the summer is often spent poolside living out one final summer’s resolution: to read a fabulous novel. In Seconds  by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak is that book. 

About In Seconds: Brenda Novak's latest fashionable tale, In Seconds, about a handbag accessories designer, Laurel Hodges, who’s on the run…for her life. In the whole state of Montana, there's nowhere to hide. Laurel has changed her identity twice, trying to outdistance the men who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found the peace and stability she needs in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when she thinks she’s safe — the nightmare starts all over again. The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally found her again, they'll stop at nothing. It could all end in seconds. ($7.99 USD) In Seconds will be available wherever books are sold. 

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