Jewelry PR Division

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

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

Sure production of jewelry and other goods coming out of China have been getting a bad rap lately. It seems that if it's not news stories about jewelry being made with cadmium, then it is about lead-based toys. But let's not get that confused with how jewelry and luxury brands are faring IN China. China has the 3rd largest economy in the world and is quickly inching up on Japan for the number 2 spot. This has not been lost on brands based outside of the country in unstable economic conditions looking to ride the wave of sales elsewhere.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

LFrank Jewlery isn’t for someone looking to wear what everyone else is wearing or for someone who only wants to follow the current trend. It is for someone who has a passion for jewelry and wants to wear something that will express their unique taste. Liseanne Frankfurt welcomes custom designs. So if you are looking for something different, you can change up her designs or even design your own jewelry piece for a special occasion.

Liseanne Frankfurt is one of those people who were born knowing what she wanted to do with her life. She used to make jewelry out of anything that inspired her, and even started selling her jewelry as a sophomore while she was studying Art History at UCLA. She became very successful right out of college and moved to New York to work on her first line, which was sold at Barneys New York and Japan, Fred Segal, and numerous boutiques around the country.

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

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.

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.