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gemstone jewelry
Fall Into Blue
Vibrant hues of blue really rock my world. My love for blue and the physiological affect it has on me are the catalysts for this mesmerizing creation. One day I laid out an array of gemstones to create something new and this necklace literally manifested in this design – sans editing.
Since cobalt blue is a season color stunner, it seems that this color rocks a lot of peoples’ world. As I review the fall forecast, it is natural for me to consider the past. The history of the lapis and jade gemstones used to create this trend statement necklace are as magnificent as the design.
Latina Magazine has graciously featured this necklace in their first trend list on their “7 Fabulous Fall Trends to Try” feature published on page 47 in their September issue. Color trends are such a fun part of design forecast. Pantone does a great job of outlining seasonal fashion trend colors with comments and designs by fashion leaders. The following examples of how to wear this necklace include some of the other trend colors as well as trend patterns. Find your inspiration.
The ancient Sumerians of Southern Mesopotamia were greatly inspired by lapis lazuli abundantly found in Afghanistan. Lapis is commonly referred to as the “feel better stone” for its properties that are believed to aid physical and creative vitality including dreaming. During the 3rd millennium B.C., lapis was a gemstone in strong demand for exotic and rare adornment materials. In fact, it played a pivotal role in Middle Eastern trade.
In Asia, with China positioned as the dominant power, jade was the coveted gemstone. The Chinese have venerated and worn jade for over 5,000 years. It is believed that the Chinese character for King may have symbolized a string of jade. Those who could afford jade carried it with them at all times. Chinese poets called it the concentrated “essence of love.”
Most people think of China as the key and only source of jade, but it is also found in Canada and the United States. Green jade is probably the most popular color. However, it can be found in hues of orange, brown, blue, cream, white, lavender, red, gray and black. Bright green jade is found in Burma.
Clearly, this necklace possesses a regal essence - thanks to its gemstones - which is why I named ‘Blue Star’. It can only be purchased here for under $200. There is only one owner for this beautiful necklace. Hopefully, it will be you. May it rock your world with more love, vitality and creativity.
Here’s How You Can Wear It
Roses remain the ultimate flower to express love. If you love this shimmering rose quartz necklace with hilltribe silver rose and accents, then you might wear one of these picks: As the world awaits what the future Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, will wear on her historic wedding day next week, I couldn’t help but to play with a few beautiful bridal looks. Clearly, she will wear a custom-designed masterpiece. Even if yours isn’t, there are an array of gorgeous gowns and accessories to create an extra special custom wedding experience according to your budget. Here are a few bridal looks that will make any woman look like she is ready to accept her nobility. Learn more about this one-of-a-kind tiered clear crystal quartz necklace and its matching earrings. Simply breathtaking. Have you ever seen a woman wearing a great outfit only to see something that was not quite right? The shoes are too bulky, the jewelry too big, the fabric too taut, too many conflicting patterns and the list continues. Well, here is how you can balance your apparel texture and “weight” with that of your jewelry to look polished every time. In this example, the short-sleeved sweater and skirt both have fabric texture. This texture gives the illusion of extra weight. In order to balance the illusionary weight of the garments, I’ve accented this ensemble with a coordinating bold necklace and cuff set. In the cuff, the hammered sterling silver nearly repeats the weave in the wool skirt. Both pieces plus the shoes pull together the colors, style and “weight” of this look. Add the cape for extra dramatic flair or as a season transition item. So, the next time you dress and accessorize, be certain to pay attention to the over “weight” or bulk of your clothes and jewelry. Remember to repeat patterns and pay attention to fabrics and shine. The holiday season is the time to dress with some razzle and dazzle. Try a chic combination of bold color with exquisite gemstone jewelry to add extra spark to your winter wonderland. Turquoise is such a special gemstone. It’s grounding energy gives life to creativity, compassion and clear direction. A rich butterscotch colored African amber is paired with these turquoise disks to create a remarkable statement. Amber purifies the body, mind and spirit which makes it a perfect complement to ignite your creativity. Spring is the ideal time to try something new and to seek broader horizons. Enjoy your journey. Below are a few style ideas to help you get started. Remember, there is only one of this necklace. Turquoise is a global gemstone favorite admired by cultures from Asia to the Americas. Smoky quartz is a gemstone that is carries balancing and negativity blocking energies like turquoise. Together, they are a powerful spiritual and aesthetic combination. I was captivated by the slivers of turquoise and the brown hues that permeate the gemstones. When I found these round and oval shaped brilliant smoky quartz gemstones, I thought that the color, texture and size elements made a stunning statement. With four casual creations from the sophisticated combination of turquoise and smoky quartz, you can create a look that fits your lifestyle and your budget. Find these one-of-a-kind pieces in the Southwest Sizzle Collection. It is time for spring break. Here are five ways to be fashionable while you are having fun. Sometimes a little statement is all you need. Buy these earrings and related complements here. Buy these turquoise earrings and turquoise cuff for a range of casual wardrobe looks. Buy these pieces individually or as a set here. Buy a bit of the ocean with this seashell and 22K gold over brass cuff and coordinating earrings. Buy these orange mother-of-pearl and seashell earrings here. By now you’ve seen all of the pundits dishing about Oscar fashion. Well, here’s the place for a few comments on Oscar jewelry. The Queen got it right. Her earrings are the perfect shape and size to complement her facial shape curves, scale and overall body scale. The color is perfect as well. She is exquisite from head-to-toe. All hail the Queen! My next Oscar profile is Monique. I applaud her artistic courage and poignant acceptance speech. But, her accessories bother me. Her earrings are too small for her facial features and body scale. With her hair up, she could have worn something slightly bigger and longer. Since this is the Oscars, some sparkle would have been wonderful on her to match her spirit and the event’s prestige. The key is balancing her earrings and her gardenia. Decide between one strong accent and steal the show. Sorry Monique, this is not your best look on one of your best nights. Every woman is looking for ways to expand her wardrobe. One of the best ways is through accessories. Especially pieces that add variety and flexibility. These gorgeous earrings provide style, class and flexibility for fun casual to serious business looks. Here are two looks that are built around these earrings: Ah, you can smell it in the air. The scent of a new year is like the scent of a new car. Its aroma just captivates you and seduces you into opening yourself up to new, unlimited opportunities to live the life you’ve always imagined. Last year, that new car smell faded quickly into a pungent odor. In other words, 2009 didn’t go quite as well as I had hoped. I recently invested my time to figure out why. That time is really like a private moment-of-truth. My moment-of-truth was the realization that I allowed my creativity, focus and personal will to wander done the road of self-doubt like never before. I am the type of woman who knows exactly what I want and aim to get it. I’ve been this way since I was three. And now a few decades older than three, it was startling for me to meander down the self-doubt road. This year, I vow to hightail it away from the out-of-focus, self-doubt terrain onto my usual path of stealth focus and creative exhibitionism all executed with my signature unyielding tenacity. My new plan is revisiting exactly what I want to manifest - body, mind and spirit. Since I obviously love jewelry and gemstones, I pulled out my favorite citrine necklace to give me some spiritual anchoring as I embark on my new and improved state of being. As I reread some of citrine’s characteristics, I thought that you might want to know how you can benefit from this knowledge as well. One thing is for certain, I wasn’t the only one on an unwanted path last year. But, then again, we always have control over what we want to manifest. Enjoy these characteristics of citrine and use its power to give you want you want and new in 2010. About Citrine Citrine fosters many physical and spiritual attributes to aid its wearer. Its vibrant light energy aids you in areas of clarity, creativity and personal will. When you need that extra persistence power, that personal will, to really deliver on ideas, citrine’s energy can aid you. If you vacillate between your ideas and courses of action, citrine can bring you the clarity you need to focus and anchor your thoughts to clear actionable steps. You can also spark your imagination through its powers to exert even more creative energy to bring your concepts and visions to fruition. Happy New Year! Here’s my necklace (OK I’m wearing three but who’s counting?) 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. 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. Throughout the time, it is believed that wearers of pearls experience a reduction in angry, pessimistic or depressing thoughts. Pearls are said to have a calming effect on the wearer and bring peace and emotionally stability. Find pearl jewelry throughout the site by searching with the keyword ‘pearls’ or visiting the Bridal Bliss and Pastel Paradise Collections. Pearls seem to beckon to women of all ages, style personalities and social backgrounds. You can buy the earrings and necklace featured in these samples here. Below are three ways to add one-of-a-kind, affordable pearl jewelry pairings to your wardrobe possibilities: Turquoise has long been synonymous with Native American culture and Southwestern region. It has an entrancing quality with its various sizes, shapes, colors and textures. In researching this gemstone, I found some interesting information. Turquoise was first mined over 6,000 years ago in the Sinai Desert. Turquoise stones were used in jewelry and furniture in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It is a mineral that has no particular shape. What is a dichotomous, yet intriguing fact about turquoise is that it is a water rich mineral, yet forms only in dry regions of the world. It is said that the finest turquoise comes from Iran where it has been mined for 3,000 years. The world’s largest deposits are in the United States, particularly the Southwest. For gem healing purposes, turquoise is used for protection, courage, creative expression and emotional balance. Style yourself in pink and shades therefore for October and beyond. Enjoy these style ideas to incorporate jewelry from your casual encounters to your cocktail appearances. Raspberry + Grey Luscious in Lavendar Beige + Butta Zig + Zag Raspberry Rhapsody Satin + Studs We all know that she’s a risk-taker who revolutionized the fashion industry and transformed the way women wore dresses. In this podcast, I share with you her life philosophies that just might transform your life as well as your wardrobe.
Style. What is it? It’s like an enigma. Some people seem to be naturally stylish. And yet, it seems to elude others. Personal style tends to refer to one’s external presentation of fashion choices, hair styles and personal grooming details like nails, facial hair, makeup, etc. Fashion choices tend to reflect one’s culture, status, individual taste, career and lifestyle. Personal style is the way in which individuals choose to combine external indicators along with fashion choices colors, textures, prints, patterns, silhouettes, accessories and other particulars. So, how do you find yours? Try this fun DIY project to aid you in your journey: Ideally, these images represent your personality, profession and the various roles you play in your life. The beauty about your personal style book is that you can dare to try new and different things. Plus, you can (and should over time) add and subtract from it as often as you feel. As you contribute to your book, you will see a pattern emerge. By identifying your pattern, you will gain confidence in creating and reinventing your definitive personal style. The real bonus will be the wise fashion and beauty investments that you will make in yourself, saving you time and money and assisting you in always looking your absolute best. Examples of women with style: Mother Nature is an interesting entity. Recently, I was reviewing some old travel photographs and came across an arresting image of Colorado’s ‘Garden of the Gods’ and this particular rock formation. Unbelievably, I just designed a turquoise and amber necklace with a center trio of amber that exactly resembles the rock formations in Colorado. The funny thing is that the amber is from Africa. In my inspiration blog, I shared a photo of a piece of jewelry that I was in the process of designing. What started off as a tray full of round green turquoise, chunky green nugget turquoise, chunky blue nugget turquoise and some sterling silver accents, transpired into this chunky necklace and coordinating bracelet found in the Southwest Sizzle Collection. Turquoise has long been synonymous with Native American culture and Southwestern region. It has an entrancing quality with its various sizes, shapes, colors and textures. In researching this gemstone, I found some interesting information. Turquoise was first mined over 6,000 years ago in the Sinai Desert. Turquoise stones were used in jewelry and furniture in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It is a mineral that has no particular shape. What is a dichotomous, yet intriguing fact about turquoise is that it is a water rich mineral, yet forms only in dry regions of the world. It is said that the finest turquoise comes from Iran where it has been mined for 3,000 years. The world’s largest deposits are in the United States, particularly the Southwest. Turquoise is flexible for casual and more dressed up wardrobe selections. CARE: Turquoise is inherently fragile and sensitive to solvents. Protect your stones and their colors from perfume, skin lotions and oils (including sunscreens), hairspray and most jewelry cleaning fluids. When you wear turquoise, apply any of these solutions first, wait a while and then put on your jewelry. Gently clean your turquoise with a soft cloth (100% cotton is recommended) to avoid a build up of residue. Store it alone, but avoid airtight containers so that the mineral can “breathe”. Below are some ways to add turquoise jewelry to your wardrobe. Buy the jewelry in the Southwest Sizzle Collection. Here’s how you can create several distinct styles based on one interesting dress. 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. 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. What a charismatic gentlemen! Learn what this fashion genius taught me during my one-on-one, exclusive interview.
Lightening does strike twice. Learn about my encounters with the incomparable Billie Jean King.
Rose Wear
Rose Thorns by StyleFolio featuring army pants
Royal Bridal Bliss
Bridal Bliss by StyleFolio featuring party handbags
Bridal Bliss III by StyleFolio featuring high heel pumps
Bridal Bliss II by StyleFolio featuring silver clutches
Combining and Balancing Textures and Weight
Floral UFO by StyleFolio featuring a houndstooth coat
Razzle Dazzle
Plush Purple V2 by StyleFolio featuring clear crystal jewelry
Purify Your Creativity
sundress
Turquoise and Smoky Quartz Accessory & Wardrobe Ideas
Five Spring Break Fashion Ideas
Oscar Jewelry
One Pair of Earrings; Two Different Looks
A New Year for New Manifestations
Citrine is typically a lemon to golden yellow that derives from volcanic and other earth activity. That other activity must be magnetic because it is an attractor of abundance and wealth.
About Pearls
Explore the Possibilities with Pearls
Chloé coat, $2,270
Chloé dress, $1,380
Dsquared2 shoes, $770
Buti tote bag, $830
Pearl and Gold Vermeil…, $215
Derek Lam jacket, $1,990
Burberry pants, $350
Diane von Furstenberg blouse, $245
Jenni Kayne shoes, $495
JJ Winters shoulder bag, $163
Donna Karan sweater, 720 EUR
Rich & Skinny jeans, $191
Tory Burch boots, $495
By Malene Birger glove, $285
Henrik Vibskov scarf, 124 GBP
About Turquoise
Pink Passion
Image Influencer Series: Diane von Furstenberg
Discovering Your Style
• Find an unlined journal or a three ring binder with blank sheets of paper to serve as your personal style book.
• Section off your book with these categories; i.e. suits, pants, skirts, blouses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, swimwear, accessories, evening/cocktail attire, hair styles, makeup and a wish list. Include brands that you love and the local resources to help you implement your style choices.
• Find and paste images of items that fit in all sections. Choose images that you believe define you now or illustrate how you want to be defined.
image courtesy of daily.chiconline.com
image courtesy of biographyonline.com
Nature Repeats Itself
From Idea to Reality
Turquoise - Care and Style Ideas
One Dress/Multiple Looks
Pearls
Golden Globes 2009 - The Safe Spectrum
Image Influencer Series: Oscar de la Renta
Image Influencer Series: Billie Jean King
