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

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

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

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

Ippolita Small Stone Teardrop Earrings 18K Gold in Bronze Turquoise

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

Loren Hope, Cupid Heart Earrings in Blush

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

Fossil, Love Knot Stainless Steel Station Necklace

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti Mesh Scarf Necklace

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:

The Container Store, Stackers Medium Expandable Jewelry Storage Tray

Mark & Graham, Dresser Top Jewelry Box

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:

Rembrandt Charms, Baby Grand Piano Charm

Rembrandt Charms, Tennis Racquet with Pearl Charm

Animal inspired jewelry empowers a woman to express her persona through jewelry and what a reaction she gets! Possessing a fashionable bestial edge can appear playful, adventurous, and even a little dangerous.

There are so many amazing creatures to choose from. Horses, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cats, serpents, and panthers, to name a few. Some animal designs are more abstract and others more realistic, which will affect the overall appearance of the jewelry.

Wearing animal inspired jewelry is alluring and reveals how much a woman appreciates the natural animals in this beautiful world.

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

Ross Simons, 3.70 ct. t.w. Simulated Emerald and .80 ct. t.w. CZ Leopard Drop Earrings in Sterling Silver

Ross Simons, 4.00 ct. t.w. CZ and Simulated Multi-Stone Panther Ring in Sterling Silver