Crystal Jewelry

Crystals are a marvelous alternative to diamonds and gemstones. They are bright and shiny and tantalizing! Crystal jewelry creates pizzaz to any outfit, while maintaining a moderate budget.

The sparkle in crystals create a dramatic effect almost instantaneously. White crystals appear pure and polished and colored crystals add a beautiful glow.

I have fond memories of my mother’s delightful costume jewelry collection, which included crystals. She wore her collection frequently and each piece that she chose to wear was based on her outfit and her mood.

I am gradually creating a crystal costume jewelry collection of my own that will make me glow just as it did for my mother.

Click on the below images to view web links of crystal jewelry, as well as an elegant flapper girl brooch from my mother’s collection that I simply adore:

Lalique, Cabochon Ring

My Mother’s Flapper Girl Brooch

Art Deco Inspired Jewelry

Art Deco was an exciting era for art and design that spanned the nineteen twenties and thirties. Art Deco design applauded modernity and freedom. Many pieces incorporated the repetition of geometric shapes, which was a quintessential characteristic of that design period.

Platinum, white gold, and silver were metals that were frequently used in producing Art Deco jewelry. The montage of diamonds and gemstones and their interesting cuts were set to perfection. I find the exactness of geometry in Art Deco jewelry pleasing and I consider this design to be timeless.

Researching Art Deco inspired jewelry has opened my eyes to jewelry designs of the past, as well as the present, as our world continues to evolve.

Click on the below images to view web links of art deco inspired jewelry:

Astley Clarke Deco Green Agate Detail Bracelet in Yellow Gold Vermeil

Kenneth Jay Lane Silver and Crystal Art Deco Link Bracelet
James Allen 18K White Gold Diamond And Cultured South Sea Pearl Art Deco Drop Earrings
MDC Diamonds Art Deco Oval Diamond Engagement Ring

Ross Simons, .23 Carat Simulated Emerald and .65 ct. t.w. CZ Art Deco-Style Ring with Black Enamel in Sterling Silver

Jennie Kwon Designs Ruby Mini Deco Point Ring
Kenneth Jay Lane Art Deco Brooch

Casual Chic Jewelry

Casual jewelry can be chic with any attire, day or night. There is something about casual jewelry designs that I find to be both relaxed, yet substantial.

Pairing casual jewelry with casual wear can polish your look effortlessly, without producing a formal or dressy appearance. Metal, gemstones, lucite, and leather are great elements to incorporate into your casual chic jewelry collection.

Whether bold or simple, casual jewelry will make a statement without ado.

Click on the below images to view web links of casual chic jewelry:

Hermes Chaine d’ancre bracelet, very large model

Tiffany Paloma Picasso Knot Wrap Bracelet
Georg Jensen OFFSPRING Sterling Silver Necklace
Anna Beck Medium Asymmetrical Tiger’s Eye Pendant Necklace in 18k Gold Vermeil

Ippolita Small Stone Teardrop Earrings 18K Gold in Bronze Turquoise

Bvlgari B.ZERO1 Ring in 18k Rose, White & Yellow Gold

I ❤️ JEWELRY

Heart jewelry is a beautiful expression of love. Jewelry designs that incorporate the heart shape go beyond the concept of expressing one’s love of another person, as it can also be a method of expressing one’s love of themselves. I love and respect myself, therefore I wear heart jewelry to make a statement about self love.

Pendants, bracelets, rings, and earrings all convey heart shape interpretations in a different way. I am particularly enchanted by the heart locket because it can store memories of someone that you love.

Although heart jewelry can sometimes be viewed as being unrefined and of lesser quality, I believe that if the design is strong, then heart jewelry can be elegant and have profound meaning.

Click on the below images to view web links of heart jewelry:

Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti™ Open Heart Pendant in Yellow Gold with Green Nephrite Jade

Blue Nile, Heart-Shaped Garnet and Diamond Pendant in 18k White Gold (6mm)

Blue Nile, 18″ Sweetheart Locket with Diamond Detail in 14k Rose Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels, Sweet Alhambra Heart Bracelet
Sorellina, STARBURST HEART RING
Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti Full Heart Earrings

Loren Hope, Cupid Heart Earrings in Blush

Stainless Steel Jewelry

Stainless Steel is a dynamic metal alternative to fine jewelry. This metal is affordable, durable, does not oxidize, and is safe to wear.

Stainless Steel has more of a matte finish and may not present the same luster as high-polished platinum, gold, and silver, nevertheless I love the way it feels. The weight of stainless steel is substantial and endures friction without scratching easily.

Give stainless steel jewelry a try and let me know your thoughts. I guarantee that this metal will offer an interesting element and bring something new to your jewelry collection.

Click on the below images to view web links of stainless steel jewelry:

Fossil, Sadie Shine Bright Stainless Steel Bangle Bracelet

Steel by Design Polished Bamboo Hoop Earrings
Blue Steel, Bow And Bling Women’s Stainless Steel Clear CZ Bow and Eternity Band Ring Set
Blue Steel, Silver Lace
Women’s High Polished Stainless Steel Interlocking Ring
LoralynDesigns, Skinny Stainless Steel Bangle Bracelet Set of 3

Fossil, Love Knot Stainless Steel Station Necklace

Kohl’s Stainless Steel Two-Tone Rolo Chain Necklace

Sea Level

Jewelry inspired by the sea is unique as it can take us deep within a place where life exists in water, not land. At sea level, one can bond with nature on a deeper, more intimate level because being within or near water is therapeutic.

Fish, turtles, sea horses, dolphins, and octopi all have their own distinctive characteristics that can be easily translated into beautiful jewelry designs.

If being at sea is not your favorite place, visiting an aquarium will offer a similar experience that will ease your mind and body and take you to a world that is peaceful. We can all use some time to relax and enjoy this natural wonder.

I am confident that you will find the below links to jewelry at sea level to be an enjoyable experience that may even entice you to be near the sea.

Ross Simons, Mother-of-Pearl and Multicolored Enamel Fish Pendant Necklace with Multi-Gemstone Accents in 18kt Gold Over Sterling

Kenneth Jay Lane, Coral Starfish Ring

Ross Simons, Belle Etoile “Seahorse” Multicolored Enamel and .10 ct. t.w. CZ Bangle Bracelet in Sterling Silver. 7″

Macy’s, Polished Dolphin 18″ Pendant Necklace in 14K Yellow, White & Rose Gold

Ross Simons, 3.5-4.5mm Cultured Pearl and .19 ct. t.w. Diamond Octopus Pendant Necklace in Sterling Silver. 18″

Cameo Inspired Jewelry

Cameo jewelry was very popular during the Victorian era and was considered a sign of status. Cameo designs mainly consist of portraits and landscapes that are carved stone set in a relief form. Natural gemstones such as agate, black onyx, coral, and mother of pearl are traditionally incorporated in a cameo design. I am also an advocate of synthetic stones and metals, as long as they are attractive and well made.

Although cameos are of antiquated design, they go well with modern apparel. I believe that the design concept of the cameo is like no other because of its beautiful lapidary technique as well as its interesting history.

I have included an image of my maternal grandmother’s gold cameo ring that has been in my family for many years. This ring will always remind me of my grandmother and how much she appreciated exquisite things.

In my opinion, collecting cameo inspired jewelry is not merely about collecting attractive jewelry. It is about collecting works of art.

Click on the below images to view web links of cameo inspired jewelry:

POPORCELAIN, Dark Romance Goddess Oval Porcelain Cameo Earrings
BEN-AMUN Cameo Gold Pin

Ross Simons, Pink Mother-Of-Pearl Cameo Pin/Pendant with Diamond Accents in 14kt Yellow Gold

Petalura, Torre del Greco Cameo Bracelet
LDE AFFINITY JEWELRY, Mother of Pearl Cameo Pendant, Fresh Water Pearls & Tanzanite Gemstone Necklace

Ross Simons, Italian Blue Agate Cameo Ring with Blue Enamel in 18kt Gold Over Sterling

Macy’s, Sterling Silver Mother & Child Cameo Ring with Green Agate, Sapphires and Diamonds
My Grandmother’s Cameo Ring

Jewelry Statement Pieces

When I envision jewelry statement pieces, striking designs come to mind. The jewelry should catch one’s eye and command their attention. The admirer would be inclined to study the article of jewelry and want to learn more. Where did she acquire that piece? What an interesting idea!

Jewelry statement pieces may include different metals and stones and can have high or low details. Regardless, they should stand out from the ordinary.

I believe that inspiration for jewelry statement pieces can materialize from many different sources. Nevertheless, they should invariably be in good taste.

Click on the below images to view web links of jewelry statement pieces:

Ross Simons, Opal and 100.00 ct. t.w. Multicolored Sapphire Bracelet with 1.30 ct. t.w. Diamonds in 18kt Yellow Gold

Kenneth Jay Lane, Domed Snake Stretch Bracelet

Zenzii, Acetate Link Statement Necklace

Irene Neuwirth, One of a Kind Pavé Halo Oval Ring 18k Rose Gold

Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti Mesh Scarf Necklace

How to store your jewelry

How you store your jewelry is of utmost importance. It provides protection and creates organization, which your jewelry deserves.

There are various types of jewelry storage to consider. Wood, glass, and fabric are all strong options. You can keep the design minimal, or choose something fancy and upscale.

Separating your fine and bridge jewelry with your costume jewelry is crucial, as the base metals of costume jewelry may contaminate the other metals.

I enjoy shopping for jewelry storage because taking care in choosing the right storage makes my jewelry collection feel all the more special.

Click on the below images to view web links of jewelry storage:

China Furniture and Arts, Jewelry Box With Mother of Pearl Maidens on Black Lacquer, White

The Container Store, Stackers Medium Expandable Jewelry Storage Tray

KLOUD City, Two-Layer lint Jewelry Box Organizer Display Storage case with Lock (Blue)
WOLF, Medium Zoe Embroidered Jewelry Box

Mark & Graham, Dresser Top Jewelry Box

Benevolence LA, Plush Emerald Velvet Travel Jewelry Box

Charmed

Charms are a pleasure to collect and versatile to wear. They depict a woman’s history as well as her passions that may include her activities, hobbies, favorite pastimes, and dreams.

Charms may be used in bracelets, necklaces, as well as pendants. You can purchase a complete charm bracelet, or choose to build one gradually.

I enjoyed curating the below charm images and links to share with you. I feel that the pink enamel breast cancer charm is most fitting since October is breast cancer awareness month which personally holds special meaning for me.

Click on the below images to view web links of jewelry charms:

Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti Five-Stone Charm Bracelet
Tiffany & Co., Sterling Silver Enamel Blue Box Charm
Aaron Basha, Pink Enamel and Diamond Shoe
James Avery, Sterling Silver and Enamel Retro Mixer Charm

Rembrandt Charms, Baby Grand Piano Charm

Rembrandt Charms, Tennis Racquet with Pearl Charm

Monica Rich Kosann, Adventure Compass Charm with Blue Enamel and White Sapphires