Albert Weiss began his legendary career at Coro, Inc. This company was started by two men in 1901 whose business model was set up to contract with talented designers and then have jobbers manufacture it. Weiss was one of their contracted talents. I am not able to ascertain how many years Weiss designed for Coro, but in 1942, he set out on his own. He was almost instantly successful and designed some of the most fashion-trendy jewelry of his time.

Weiss’s works featured rhinestones, plastics and enamel. His design signature has been pinpointed by two styles: smoky quartz rhinestones with pave loops or icing (similar to Eisenberg) and clear rhinestones as outlining stones. The smoky quartz rhinestones, he referred to as “Black Diamonds,” were created to imitate the real German gemstone. He was particular in utilizing high quality Austrian rhinestones that were prong set in the jewelry. Often times, his jewelry’s quality, was misinterpreted due to its price points.

Through today, collectors remain enamored with his Christmas jewelry, especially his trees. Besides these seasonally themed creations, he was known for his Maltese crosses. He, like most designers of his time, also created floral and fruit designs. Over 30 years, his designs remained consistent and easily recognizable. Nearly all of his jewelry was signed. Experts have discovered numerous signatures including Albert Weiss in script, WEISS in script, Weissco and WEISS in all caps with a copyright symbol.

In 1971, under his son’s direction, Weiss ceased producing jewelry. His timeless designs remain fashionable and desirable.

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One bridal tradition that remains consistent is wearing pearls. The Greeks believed that pearls symbolize love, happiness and purity. They also believed that wearing pearls would take away the bride’s tears to ensure marital harmony.

Historically, every culture placed high value on pearls even during abundant supplies. Woman of modest and substantial means draped themselves in pearls, sometimes from head to toe. In 15th century Europe, women wore hairnets (called “frets”) of gold threads adorned with pearls. In southern Russia, Jewish women owned black velvet caps embroidered with pearls. In both instances, these pearl- adorned pieces were considered significant enough to serve as legacy bequeaths for daughters.

Pearl’s historical symbolism is their ability to stabilize negative thoughts and feelings like anger, depression and pessimism.

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Traditional

Traditional brides tend to embrace all of the pomp, circumstance and trimmings of classic wedding ceremonies. Ruffles and lace are cornerstones of a traditional bride’s fashion selections. Of course, the Style Folio bride believes in tradition with a bit of twist.

Romantic

Individualist

As the title implies, the individualist bride focuses on making her wedding day, HER wedding day. She approaches every detail with a focus that truly reflects her and her partner’s personal styles.

Modernist

The modernist bride steers towards the edge with assymetrical lines and contemporary details. Style Folio’s modernist bride mixes a little bit of the old and makes it new again.

Minimalist

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Jewelry has always been a statement of personality, style and power. Even the earliest known civilizations exhibited a desire for personal adornment, using jewelry as an expression of their rank. These ornamental findings show that as each society advanced, their jewelry also developed a distinctive style that reflected their cultural voice.

Women’s jewelry includes rings, necklaces, cuffs, bangles, arm bands, bracelets, head pieces, ankle bracelets, brooches, headpieces and more.

Materials and technology account for the style, type and size of jewelry that has been created and worn throughout time. Metals such as brass, copper, silver, gold and platinum are typically used. Precious and semi-precious stones are prevalent in most designs. However, plastic beads, glass, ribbon and other components are used to create jewelry.

Throughout history, women have used jewelry to pass on to future generations. Heirloom jewelry is still quite common.

The creation of women’s jewelry continues to evolve with cultural, economic and natural influences along with designer innovations.

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The profusion of their culture was as vast as their empire. Egyptian influence soon found its way west, to Crete, and merged with the Mediterranean Minoan civilization.

Minoan history is marked by three distinct periods of evolution in the design and craftsmanship of jewelry. Even though most of their historic treasures were devastated by earthquakes, and there were numerous and extended lapses in the creation and production of jewelry, each period marked renewed zeal for the design, manufacture and use of jewelry.

Although their jewelry style was similar to the Greeks, each Minoan period introduced new developments in design and workmanship. The most notable development in the first period includes larger-sized beads shaped primarily as spirals, seashells, flowers and beetles, stamped out in their choice material: thin sheet gold. To create this look, craftsmen beat thin gold foil around other materials, often beads. Designs were also included on diadems, pendants and daisy-headed hairpins, and remained quite simple. Their simplicity was most likely due to the unavailability of natural resources like gold and gemstones.

Natural resources did increase in the next period, and workmanship advanced even more. During this later middle period, skilled craftsman introduced the use of filigree and granulation. Filigree is the process of decorating a surface with patterns of wire. Granulation is the process of decorating a surface, generally, with minute balls. In fact, granulation is considered one of the most amazing technical advancements in the ancient world. The process remained fairly rudimentary until the Etruscans later perfected it.

Historians discovered that during this period pendants and rings flourished in style, size and design. Leaves and animals were common themes in pendant ornamentation. Rings gained in popularity, as did the increasing size of pendants. Soon craftsmen were applying the traditional craft of seal-cutting, typically reserved for necklaces, to ring design as well. The availability of new materials, such as lapis lazuli and a variety of other stones, grew and enabled designers to extend their skill set into faience (essentially glazing) and cloisonné (outlining designs with thin wire and then filling in spaces with cemented slices of gemstones) settings. The designs, techniques and gemstones from this period reflect a strong Egyptian influence.

The most influential style progression of the third period was characterized by a shift in design detail and fashion. The stone of preference became the Indian Sardonyx, which holds a rich pattern of parallel brown and cream colors. Diadems lost favor with the fashion crowd, and were quickly eclipsed by hair-pins featuring intricate floral patterns. Earrings made their debut with simple gold hoops - which remain a classic jewelry staple to this day. The art of seal-cutting reached unprecedented heights. Intricate seal designs of single figures were replaced with complex human figures, ceremonies, animals and more. Many of these seals were featured in rings, believed to be strung on cords and hung around the neck.

The trendy way to wear necklaces during this period was from shoulder to shoulder, rather than draped around the neck. The Heracles knot, or reef knot, became the most widely adopted motif center of nearly all jewelry. Serpents, sirens, peacocks, doves, and Victory and Eros were also featured in pendants for earrings. All designs were cultural symbolizations of daily life, often with a strong Egyptian influence.

The Minoans were creative and industrious people whose design and craftsman contributions ebbed and flowed with the impact of natural disasters and the availability of materials. Despite their setbacks and lack of materials, their imaginations and work ethic helped them to thrive. What they started was later perfected by the awe-inspiring Etruscans. Their remarkable story is next.

Yvette Craddock is the managing member of StyleFolioJewelry.com, an accessory web site devoted to helping women define themselves through bold, modern and luxurious jewelry.

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It has been here all along. His traits are part of my DNA. So what do I have that I regard as so special? Listen and learn about his gifts that have and continue to keep me inspired.

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Its uncut color is a dirty grey. But when cut, it is usually blue in color. When placed at various angles, the color can change tremendously showing a metallic luster and beautiful sheen.

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What did an arranged meeting and assigned writing exercises do for me? Find out more in this pod cast.

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Like your love for each other, your sugar’s jewelry should sparkle brightly. The necklace has just that touch to make it remain close to her heart.

Freshwater Pearls, Swavorski Crystals and this outstanding Druzy pendant create a mesmerizing triple strand combination. The photo doesn’t do it justice.

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Layered, stacked, draped, pinned or crowned, jewelry has always been a statement of personality, style and power. Even the earliest known civilizations exhibited a desire for personal adornment, using jewelry as an expression of their rank. These ornamental findings show that as each society advanced, their jewelry also developed a distinctive style that reflected their cultural voice.

What is known today about ancient jewelry has quite literally been unearthed. Most often, ancient jewels have been found buried with the dead or in hidden caches, most likely secreted during uprisings and wars. Excavations show that both men and women wore jewelry - and lots of it.

Both genders wore earrings, arm bands, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, head pieces, ankle bracelets, brooches, rings and more. Headbands were prominent amongst royals and attendants. Full body adornments and common layering of multiple pieces was part of their daily dress. In death, especially amongst royals, they were adorned to the hilt with jewelry worn during life. Even the poor were buried with simple necklaces.

Read the first part in its entirety - Fashion Collaborative.

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So, what are you going to do with your new year? I decided that I’m not dressing in depressing grey garb despite the big R word. No, honey, I’m going to live it up and have some fun. Life marches on one way or another and I’m doing it to the beat of my own drum.

So, it’s appropriate that I kick off the first ‘09 ‘Folio Files’ with this piece. Feathers = frisky.

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If it was white (from stark white to fresh flesh tones) or black, it made the cut. This year’s awards fashion was safe, fairly repetitive and toned down to reflect the country’s current economic state. Regardless of the match in mood, there were some bright moments. The gowns were beautiful and they celebrated the feminine form with tiers of ruffles, lace, bows and ruching to accentuate all of a woman’s curvaceous positives. And, some of the statement jewelry was sensational. My favorite fashion picks this year were Eva Mendes’ gown and necklace, Christina Applegate’s necklace and earrings, Kate Beckinsale’s earrings and Sandra Bullock’s ring and bracelets. See the statement jewelry here.

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Metallic is marvelous darling, just marvelous. Silver metallic is also a magnet for excitement and can double as a disco mirror chip in a pinch.

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Why is it that a few simple strands of these marine marvels always envelop a woman in a cloak of style, grace and class?

Historically, every culture placed high value on pearls even during abundant supplies.

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Turquoise is said to bring good fortune to those who wear it, and apparently people feel the same about its influence elsewhere. Turquoise is a hot trend item in home décor right along with its presence in jewelry design. Sounds like good fortune is on the upswing everywhere.

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Vibrant colors can boost your mood like vitamin C can boost your immune system. And in the case of orange, a color that denotes hospitability, you can warm up the environment you inhabit.

Orange became a popular color right after 9/11. Studies showed that its warmth appealed to people as they searched for hope.

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This look is rock fantasy meets Palm Springs poolside bling. The color Cobalt blue and shoulder length earrings are making more pronounced appearances on designer runways and red carpets.

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StyleFolioJewelry.com introduces its Bridal Bliss Collection. The collection fits the most demure or dramatic bride-to-be. Some pieces are designed to add the just-there touch and others are created to play center stage, second to the bride’s breathtaking beauty. Think of the collection as tradition with a twist.

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If you consider yourself a fashionista, then chances are you are a Folioista™ too. What is a Folioista™? A devoted StyleFolioJewelry.com™ patron who loves the original, stylish, jeweled treasures featured on this site.  Every purchase counts towards your style revolution.

Learn More Sign Up Now

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Clothes, cars, shoes and hangbags are just some items that seem to work best in the decadent color black. Black has always been associated with mystery, intrigue and power.

Pure black onyx is common and probably the most famous variety of quartz.

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The fashion world continues to be enamored with all things native, especially the cultures throughout the African, Oceanic and Asian parts of the world. This fascination continues through Fall ‘08 which I’ll chat about in a future issue. The Artistic Tribe collection pays tribute to the outstanding creativity prevalent in these cultures with a modern day twist.

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“If one is good, more is better”, professes my friend and designer Mary Jane. She took the words from right out of my mouth. Layering your jewelry is a fun way to add visual imagery and dimension. Baubles come in many shapes, sizes, stones and textures and when they are mixed together, magic happens. Plus, ladies, you know that you can never have too much shimmer to go with that shake!

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