Jewelry PR Division

Not only are designer handbags prime targets of knock offs and fakes, but many more times fine jewelry is often sold with a designer price tag, when the unsuspecting consumer has bought a fake. Of course many people don’t mind wearing an imitation jewelry piece, just as long as they aren’t paying top dollar for it.

Since diamonds are the most sought after stone with the largest price tag, it is most often diamonds that are faked, and sometimes even the best jewelry appraiser cannot distinguish a real diamond from a fake one. So how do distinguish a real diamond from its imitator?

Cubic Zirconia is the easiest diamond fake to spot. Cubic Zirconia is much heavier in weight than a typical diamond and a jewelry appraiser can easily measure this with the right equipment. It is also softer and easier to scratch than a diamond. A Cubic Zirconia can be spotted using ultraviolet light as well. Where diamonds will glow blue under UV light, Cubic Zirconia will glow mustard yellow.

 Moissanite is the most difficult of stones to distinguish from a genuine diamond. It is a naturally occurring crystal that has been able to be replicated by man and so closely resembles a diamond that many times even skilled appraisers mistake it for the real thing. This is the one synthetic gem that requires its own specific equipment to make the distinction between a diamond. If you suspect that the jewelry you have purchased is Moissanite, make sure to see a jeweler who is well versed about Moissanite and has the equipment to test your gem.

With statement rings being one of the jewelry trends this Spring, David Lundahl has designed a collection that will leave you humming the tune, “I want candy.” These oversized crystals come in a variety of colors set in gold or silver toned metals.

For more information about David Lundahl:

Jewelry PR Division Christina at piercemattie dot com

During the summer, it’s still considered fashionable to wear less makeup and let our hair dry in the sun. And if we’re going more au naturel, why shouldn’t our accessories?

Apparently jewelry designers share the same sentiments. Taking a look at a recent collection featured in W magazine, pieces now offer more rough, polished gems in more earthy tones like this three strand necklace from Neil Lane for DeBeers. Yossi Harari chose to set his 24-karat ring’s array of rose-cut diamonds in oxidized gold and Fred Leighton’s pearl adorned enamel serpent bracelet is still a little more toned down. Despite the less fussy approach, these jewels are still sure to turn heads.

I guess we’re not the only ones with natural beauty.

Photo credit: W Magazine

It’s that time of year again. Bees are buzzing, birds are chirping, and everywhere jewelry is in full bloom.

Bouquets of glittering jewels seem to blossom before our eyes from designers like Calgaro. His colored sterling silver on elegant woven silver fabric (above) is simply stunning.

Garavelli's delicate yellow gold rose ring with diamond petals almost has a sweet aroma all its own.

And you can almost hear the beating wings of hummingbirds sipping the nectar from this spray of Dior "Diorette" gold, lacquer, diamonds, amethyst, and citrine.

After shopping for treasures like these, it’ll be hard not to have our pockets full of posies.

Photo Credit: Calgaro, Dior, and JF-W magazine

Ever wish you could go back in time to those days when afternoons were filled with tea parties and the only heels you ever wore were the ones you found rummaging in your mother’s closet?

Bring back that inner little girl in you with this season’s pale pastels. Jewelry designers are now combining light shades of pink and purple gemstones with rose gold to create an ultra feminine look, like this pendant by Marco Molinario.

A diamond bracelet by Fr Hueb will leave you feeling like a fairy princess and this ring by Korloff could definitely stir up a little magic. With Chantecler's necklace set with coral, you’re sure to be the belle of any ball.

Now if only you could figure out how to turn a certain toad into a handsome prince...

The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council, the source for business intelligence about the gem and jewelry industry, has launched a new interactive website that hosts videos, a forum and a blog in order to allow interaction between the jewelry consumer and the jewelry industry.

The JCOC helps industry professionals from some of the biggest names in jewelry (Cartier, Tiffany, Swarovski) to make informed decisions based on consumer research, trends, and jewelry market information. Using their knowledge and know-how, JCOC.tv is designed to be a social networking site specifically for the jewelry industry. JCOC.tv members have access to educational, entertaining, insider video about gems, jewelry and watches, posted by worldwide, industry experts. The forum and blog allow for interaction between industry expert, designer and consumer where both parties can learn from each other.

JCOC.tv just launched this month, so if you are a jewelry industry expert, designer or jewelry enthusiast--head on over and become an active member of the only social video network for the jewelry industry.

* Photo credit: Tiffany & Co.

Gina Nigrelli draws from a myriad of life experiences, ranging from living in southern Africa, to launching her career in fashion in Las Vegas, to receiving a graduate degree in Fashion Design while acting as Director of Marketing and Events for a national, online shopping destination. After relocating to the Virgin Islands in 2005, Nigrelli followed her lifelong dream of pursuing a creative venture. Her husband, Brian Smith, a perpetual entrepreneur, works behind the scenes aiding in bringing the project to life.

Nigrelli and Smith reside in St Thomas, USVI. Driven by a firm belief in appreciating everyday beauty and life’s simple pleasures, Jules Smith Designs is a reflection of life in the Virgin Islands. The azure waters and lush landscapes offer a compelling setting for unburdened creativity. The laid-back lifestyle and vibrancy of the Caribbean allows Jules Smith Designs to maintain a genuine and realistic approach to fashion. Jules Smith Designs takes pride in accessibility and honesty, using only precious metals, semi-precious and precious gemstones while keeping price and wear-ability a priority. Expressed through a mutual adoration for the beauty that surrounds them and a love for everything fashionable, Jules Smith Designs creates Luxe Resort Jewelry.

Shannon: You have your graduate degree in Fashion Design; what lead you to choose jewelry as your main focus over fabric?
Gina Nigrelli: After I graduated design school we relocated to the Caribbean. The jewelry industry is dominant in that part of the world and it just seemed to make sense.

Shannon: What are the basic elements of design and how are they used when making your jewelry?
Gina Nigrelli: Color, texture and efficiency. Every design must have a unique blend of the aforementioned.

Shannon: How does living in the Virgin Islands play into your jewelry designs?
Gina Nigrelli: It makes it extremely difficult to get things done, yet being stranded on a desert island sparks the creative juices for sure.

Shannon: How do you stay inspired and motivated to create different design styles?
Gina Nigrelli: Designing is an escape for me and I never would have imagined that I would enjoy my job this much.

Shannon: What vision do you have for your brand and your jewelry?
Gina Nigrelli: Luxe Resort. Approachable luxury. I aspire to grow organically, but of course want to become an internationally recognized brand, a household name would be nice.

CIRCA, an international buying house that provides a liquid market to the public for previously owned jewelry is opening an office in San Francisco and in the DC metro area. CIRCA has been seducing the world’s finest antique, estate jewelry and diamond sellers since 2001. It is only fitting that the company expands into the bay area and the nation’s capital where a taste for fine gems and jewelry prevail.

CIRCA’s unique service has proven a successful entrée: an expert buying staff, the crème de la crème of customer-service and pricing that is unprecedented. CEO Chris Del Gatto credits CIRCA client’s intense loyalty to the company’s policy of being consumer advocates first. ‘By being honest and transparent throughout the entire process (A process which is daunted with misnomers!), this openness and honesty prevails in each transaction with CIRCA.

Del Gatto’s tenacity has carried the jewelry industry a leap forward. He notes, ‘Through professionalism, honesty, expertise and a tremendous depth of knowledge – CIRCA has set the new standard for caring consumerism. We see an incredible amount of jewelry and our depth of knowledge is truly valuable.’ Because of CIRCA, fine jewelry is now more liquid than anything in a family’s portfolio. Significant items often historically have remained frozen in the vault as ‘non-performing assets.’ At CIRCA once a client accepts an offer, they are immediately presented with a check. No commission charges or fees are deducted. It is a quick, efficient and press-free alternative to the gossipy and expensive atmosphere of the auction house.

As a senior executive that has run the jewelry department of an international auction house and having been in the jewelry business for over 18 years, I've seen that there is nothing else like CIRCA available for consumers,” states Peter Shemonsky Directof CIRCA's San Francisco office and frequent appraiser on The Antiques Roadshow. "The bay area is full of entrepreneurs, actors and socialites, which is the exact demographic that CIRCA would appeal to.”

CIRCA’s access to collections is in steady and solid growth. With offices in New York, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Hong Kong; CIRCA has plans for cosmopolitan expansion to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Boston; and internationally to London, Paris, Brazil and beyond. CIRCA works with clients from around the world and is not exclusive to the regional office areas. You can learn more about CIRCA at www.circajewels.com.

Chocolate…cure for all sorrows…healer of all wounds. What is it about that rich, creamy taste that makes women almost powerless to its clutches, helpless to its advances? We but place a morsel of it in our mouths and time seems to stand still.

Now we can take our obsession to an even greater level as chocolate makes its way into our jewelry boxes as the season’s hottest trend. These new pieces, featuring brown colored diamonds and rich smoky quartz, have all of the mouth-watering appeal of real chocolate without any of those pesky calories.

This white gold and diamond ring by carrera y carrera encases a perfect truffle of luscious quartz.

Eddie LeVian also creates his own flavor of chocolate with a gorgeous colored diamond pendant and Laurentia’s Joy collection offers a gold necklace with nuggets of smoky quartz. Simply delicious.

Truly, the declaration, “I’ve never met a chocolate I didn’t like,” has never been so profound.

Photo Credit: carrera y carrera

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?

Simplicity and grace is what defines Rita Fusaro's jewelry. These estate-inspired pieces speak to those who love the look of formality in a one of a kind design. With platinum being the metal that the Fusaro Jewelry Company has best become known for, all of her jewelry has an air of luxury and elegance.

Rita loves creating one of a kind jewelry and buying unsual stones. She creates her pieces to be timeless, so that whether you purchased her jewelry today or several years from now, they will never look outdated by the latest trend.

These are some of my favorite pieces:

Ridotta Drop Platinum earrings with two 1.50ct. round diamonds dangling from 1.00ct. of full cut micro pave set diamonds.

18kt. white gold earrings with pave set diamonds (0.45ct.t.w.) with oval yellow sapphires (4.75ct.)

18kt. white gold pendant style necklace with 0.50ct. of full cut diamonds and 8.37ct. vivid oval green tourmaline.

Fusaro Jewelry offers private consultation services at its showroom in Greenwich, Connecticut for clients who prefer to work closely with the designer to create a custom-designed piece that reflects the owner's individual taste and style. You can contact Rita at 1-800-258-0385. To see all of Rita's exquisite jewelry, visit her online at www.fusarojewelry.com.

* Images copyright Fusaro Jewelry, published with permission.

Old world tradition meets the pursuit of perfection with Simon G.'s exquisitely handcrafted pieces of fine jewelry. The artisanship of each design is truly breathtaking...and just the way Simon Ghanimian envisions your reaction to be, one that is physical and emotional with understanding of the passion that goes into each piece of jewelry created.

I've fallen in love with the sparkle and intricacy of the Vanity Fair ring with its intermixing of white, rose and yellow gold complimented by white and canary diamonds. Both stylish and sophisticated, it is a design that is timeless across all trends.

Pink and diamonds, my two favorite things. Simon G.' s Malibu ring with its micro pave set brilliant white diamonds, capture the essence of grace and femininity in this rose and white gold ring.

Gloriously detailed, pridefully created; Simon G.'s jewelry speaks to your heart and the legacy of jewelry passed down through the generations.

To find a Simon G. retailer near you, visit www.SimonGjewelry.com.

*Photo Credit: SimonGJewelry.com

  

Continue reading "Jewelry Trend: Stephen Dweck's Organic Chunky Necklaces" »