One of the exciting elements of design is mixing the unexpected to create something extraordinary. This southwest inspired necklace of turquoise and coral is infused with traditional tribal cues of bone and cowrie shell. You can buy the one and only necklace like it here.

I think that wearing this piece requires a bold outlook wrapped in something unusual like the outfit below that mixes patterns, colors and textures:

Tribal Stripes with Turquoise by StyleFolio featuring Melissa Odabash dresses

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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.

Red Turquoise by StyleFolio featuring Michael Antonio shoes

Turquoise + Sand by StyleFolio featuring Gucci bags

Turquoise Kaftan by StyleFolio featuring Melissa Odabash dresses

Turquoise Beach by StyleFolio featuring Diane von Furstenberg shoes

Smoke + Turquoise by StyleFolio featuring Cole Haan bags

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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 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.

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?)

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Last summer I heard a single mother of three tell her story about losing everything she had in a flood. As the flood waters were raging towards her home, she did what any loving mother would do. She took care of her children first by cramming a laundry basket full of as many clothes and shoes for them as she could. Only until they reached the car to get away from the ever rising waters, did she realize she didn’t pack anything for herself. The only items that she had were the clothes on her back and the shoes on her feet. Even those, she couldn’t keep because they had been contaminated by flood waters.

Thankfully, this woman had family members to stay.She was also fortunate enough to still have a job to go to and had access to work-appropriate clothes through her family members.

At that moment, as a woman fortunate to have an abundance of wardrobe options, I realized that I had to do something to help women like her. I’ve been her to some extent. After surviving the 1994 Northridge, CA 6.9 earthquake, I understaod that sometimes you just need a shower and clean change of clothes to begin to recovery your sense of humanness.

And that is where the ‘Purge to Splurge’ program began. Please take a few moments of your valuable time to read more about this program and how you can help rebuild other women’s closets by recycling your jewelry and earning rewards for participating.

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What I enjoy about turquoise is its versatility. This necklace features some unusual shaped turquoise chunks paired with splashes of red coral to create an unforgettable statement necklace.

An outstanding and unique piece can really jolt a wardrobe revival. It can spark the desire and need to break a dull routine of combining the same wardrobe options. This spark of energy is one reason why I love jewelry. Adding a necklace like this one will instantly add new creativity and style to your existing wardrobe. If you find yourself in a rut, break free by trying new styles and color combinations like these featured below. Go ahead, just try it. You might really, really like it.

Chunky Tamales by StyleFolio featuring Franco Sarto shoes

Southwestern Edwardian by StyleFolio featuring Gianni Barbato boots

Turquoise & Leather by StyleFolio featuring Doma jackets

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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. 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.

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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:

Taupe and Pearl by StyleFolio featuring Dsquared2 shoes

Cape and Black by StyleFolio featuring Derek Lam

Jeans + Pearls by StyleFolio featuring Donna Karan

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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.

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Enjoy these ideas on how to wear this cosmopolitan cool necklace according to the many roles in your life. Buy this necklace here.

Black + Wrap by StyleFolio featuring Burberry

Houndstooth Paradise by StyleFolio featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs bags

White Cape by StyleFolio featuring Alexander McQueen shoes

Grey Sweaters + Leggings by StyleFolio featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes

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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.

Diane von Furstenberg and me

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Orange is an energy boosting color that definitely attracts attention as well. It is a color that induces a happy disposition and invokes a sense of curiosity. It stimulates enthusiasm and creativity and represents vitality with endurance. Orange symbolizes hospitality, sincerity and thoughtfulness.

Here are the various ways the orange mother-of-pearl and moonstone necklace, cuff and earrings in the Floral Bloom Collection can be added to a variety of wardrobe styles:

White Suit
A tailored white suit works for the office from spring to fall. Work this suite with a pump or a ankle boot, switch your handbags and add a zesty pop of richly textured orange mother-of-pearl and moonstone jewelry for the last unforgettable touch.

Snow White at Work by StyleFolio featuring Fendi shoes

Patterned Sundress

Beach Pattern by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

Fuchsia Fun

Fuschia + Orange by StyleFolio featuring Diane von Furstenberg dresses

Go Green

Green + Orange by StyleFolio featuring Carvela shoes

Tropical Breeze

Turquoise + Orange by StyleFolio featuring DKNY

Funky Night Out

Funky Fresh by StyleFolio featuring Halston

White Pop

White + Orange by StyleFolio featuring Theory

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Here are some easy suggestions on how to combine your current wardrobe with vintage pieces featured on this site in the ‘Vintage Viewpoints’ Collection:

White + Vintage Pawn Sterling Silver by StyleFolio featuring James Perse

Black + Jet by StyleFolio featuring Diesel bags

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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.

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I am constantly surrounded by beautiful sources of aesthetic inspiration. Nature, fashion magazines, art, people, cars; the references are endless. When I find images and words that drive my creative juices, I post them on inspiration boards. These boards serve as creative reference points for my designs. However, my greatest inspiration comes from the gemstones and materials that I use when I create a piece of jewelry. I rarely sketch my designs. Instead, I am moved by each of the stones to create the statement jewelry that you find on this site. Here are a few of my personal items:

Color Stories - colors and textures that inspire me and tap into trends

Cool Jewelry designs

The beginnings of the red, white and blue necklace.

This is in the works.

This too is in the works.

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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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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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Jet is a minor gemstone and is dervied from high pressure wood decomposition.

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Is a variety of quartz that contains both amethyst and citrine sectors in the same crystal. Also known as trystine or by its trade name as bolivianite.

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Jade defines two minerals, nephrite and jadeite, of similar appearance but different chemical composition. Both minerals are found in a wide range of shades of green, brown, yellow, grey and pink and may be either translucent or opaque. They may be milky or cloudy in appearance and sometimes speckled with tiny black spots.

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Like what you see? Great, get a few more ideas on how to wear this edgy clear crystal quartz, vintage chain and turquoise necklace in the ‘Folio Files’ blog.

Edgy Classics by StyleFolio featuring Vanessa Bruno dresses

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Howlite is always an opaque white or gray color with black web-like veins or streaks. It is often dyed and can be easily confused with Turquoise.

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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.

My dad’s football card:

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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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The reemergence of the ’80’s seems to be permeating the fashion, art and music worlds by experimenting with its range of punk edginess to refined splendor with a new millennium twist.

DKNY is celebrating 20 years of great design with a short film that pays homage to the ’80’s cult classic “Liquid Sky.” Check out the fashion house film’s neon imagery set to hypnotic music.

And then there is the queen of androgyny herself - Grace Jones. She silences her 20 year absence from music to strike a polarizing pose for the cover of V Magazine’s Spring issue. Her signature amplified attitude and provocative look is as intoxicating today as it was when she took center stage during the asymmetric silhouette decade.

Recently, artists have been paying tribute to Stephen Sprouse with the launch of a book that celebrates his short-lived but creatively fierce life. He set a tone for the ’80’s fusion of graffiti punk and fashion pop that designers are emulating today.

There is an element of the decade that symbolized glistening elegance, unabashed taste and cultivated style that is coming full circle as well. Women are rediscovering that period of refined and unapologetic feminism packaged in power-claiming frocks. Should pads, hourglass silhouettes and regalia resembling Dynasty days, seem to be making a triumpant catwalk comeback.

So, it’s official. The ’80’s are back! Choose your range of artistic expression with a modern interpretation from a decade that danced with danger and decadence.

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

Bari Ellen in LA at the Chicken Soup for African American Women’s Soul booksigning event

Bari Ellen and me

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When I started this site, I thought about casting models to appear in the photos. Then my friends suggested that I pull an Oprah and hire myself as the model. After all, who could model it better than me they said. Well, I’m completely flattered and grateful for their suggestion. So I model and enjoy the fun.

Before I stand in front of the camera, even with makeup, my skin has to be nearly flawless like an artist’s canvas. So, here are some of my skin care and beauty secrets.

I am a devotee of Obagi products and use their complete kit. It is an investment, but one that I will not compromise. The products are pharmaceutical grade which puts them in a completely different echelon than other products. Plus they last forever because all you need is a small drop. My investment turns out to be about $1.10 per day over the course of a year.

I do supplement my routine with Nivea Crema for my neck and other dry body parts; Burt’s Bees NightCarrot Creme for around my eyes (24/7); Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for my body (so delicious and nonsticky) and lastly the Mary Kay Satin Hand System for my hands.

For makeup I use MAC and Armani foundations, MAC and Smashbox concealors, Smashbox illuminator, MAC and IMAN eye shadows, L’Oreal mascara and MAC or Lancome clear glass and gloss.

I drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day, exercise at least five days per week and sleep at least seven hours per night.

Take the time to care for your skin from the inside as well. It is your body’s largest organ. Establish your own set of beauty secrets. Get some personalized skin care product recommendations here BeautyStat.com

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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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As I reflect on the influence of my mentor Alan, aka giorgio, I am compelled to share his views on style and life. I’ve classified them as giorgioisms. Stay tuned as I channel his words.

From an uncompromising aspiration to achieve in a world which too frequently rewards conformity and mediocrity. The giorgio collection has always been strikingly individual. Definitively iconoclastic. Decidedly a classicist.

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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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Druzy is formed when water carrying dissolved silicia is forced into a rock cavity and quickly cools. The tiny crystals that from form this are called Druzy.

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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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Listen to the lessons that I learned from my beloved mentor and creative soulmate Alan.

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This mineral may be blue, violet, pink or brown. If it contains a streak it will be white. It is transparent to translucent. It is attributed to helping one to speak his/her mind.

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Is a pale blue and white banded variety of Agate.  Agate is actually a derivative of Chalcedony. It can be obtained in all sizes through the world. It is proclaimed to have qualities that balance yin and yang energy.

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What in the world could this man teach me? You’d be surprised. Listen up.

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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. Woman of modest and substantial means draped themselves in pearls, sometimes from head to toe.

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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.

This newsletter is reserved exclusively for recipients.

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What a charismatic gentlemen! Learn what this fashion genius taught me during my one-on-one, exclusive interview.

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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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The classic color combo that anchors both ends of the greyscale spectrum comes out in full force. Exciting presentations include goth vibes, bondage wraps, wavy ruffles, lace and tulling, strip and dot ensembles and everything in between. Now is the time to amp up your closet classics and bring out a new classic twist.

Get graphic with these combinations.

Casual Style

Summer Dress by StyleFolio featuring Tory Burch shoes

Graphic + Green

Graphic + Green by StyleFolio featuring Dries Van Noten

Black+White - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

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The name “iolite” comes from the Greek word for violet. Gem quality Iolite varies in color from sapphire blue to blue violet to yellowish gray to light blue as the light angle changes.

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Typically thought of as blue, sapphire can also be colorless, green, pink and a range of other hues. It is mined in parts of the US, India, Russia and countries throughout Africa. In ancient Greece and in the Middle Ages, there was a belief that sapphires cured eye diseases and served as an antidote against poison. It is September’s birth stone.

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Brass has been used throughout time as decoration for its bright gold-like appearance and its nearly tarnish-resistant properties. Back in the day, polished brass was often used as a mirror. Brass has likely been known to humans since prehistoric times. In the German village of Breinigerberg, an ancient Roman settlement was discovered where a calamine ore mine existed. Thus, brass was produced by melting copper together with calamine, a zinc ore.

Note: This image is actually 22k plated gold over brass.

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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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Is a massive stone, typically of deep-blue color, but sometimes with mottlings of white. It is an expensive mineral and crystals with vivid color are even more valuable. It is dull except when given a polished surface.

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Is a solid organic substance exuded from pin or fir trees. It is formless and translucent and generally yellow to brown.

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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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A variety of precious opal that is transparent to translucent and is reddish-brown to orange-red in background. Sometimes shows iridescence when viewed in certain directions.

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Highly coveted for its apple-green to deep green color, Chrysoprase is a gemstone variety of chalcedony. It is composed of crystals that remain undetectable under normal magnification. This gemstone is found throughout the world in Australia, Germany, Russia, Arizona, California and Brazil.

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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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A massive, amorphous copper mineral of blue to green color that is sometimes confused with Turquoise. The name comes from the Greek chrysos, “gold”, and kolla, “glue”, in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold.

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Get kissed with silky hues of rose, caramel, cloud, clay, taupe and dove. Showcase these colors in rich fabrics from chiffon to satin. Embody feminine fantasies in draping, billowy designs or something a bit more masculine tempered by fabric weight and color. Add some sheen for an overall luminous affect.

Demure meets rock star.

Flesh for Fantasy - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

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Silver, gold, pewter, bronze, copper and black are all metal colors that prominant shimmer this season. Sequin and lame metallics are reinvented to play with a mix of hues, textures and silhouettes to make this trend bang and not bonk.

Rose and Burgundy by StyleFolio featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Try basic black with metallic accents like this example.

Black + Metallic - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

Or get a bolt of blue.

Bolt of Blue - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

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Designers continue to play in gardens to find sources of inspiration. Clothes this season are designed with a new range of floral motifs. Enjoy the new interpWinter whites, rose quartz, periwinkle, dove grey and classic crème are all labeled the new neutrals presented in structured silhouettes with power and poise.

Try some inspiration in this feminine ensemble.

Pink + Gold by StyleFolio featuring casadei shoes

Flower Power - by StyleFolio on Polyvore.com

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This shape has a wide hairline and fullness below the cheekbones. Adding length creates balance with this shape.

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Longer than wide with a jaw that is narrower than the cheekbones, this shape offers the most versatility in hairstyle and jewelry options.

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This face shape is characterized by a small or narrow forehead and a rather large pouchy-appearing jaw line. Add length and volume around the mid-chest area to offset the difference.

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This shape is an elongated oval, characterized by long and narrow bone structure. The forehead and chin are proportionate. Add width to the cheekbone area.

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This face shape features a wider forehead than chin. Balance this shape by adding volume to the chin area.

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A shorter version of the rectangle, this face shape is proportionate from the forehead to the jawline.

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This face shape is proportionate from forehead to chin with an angular jawline. It is an extended version of the square face shape.

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Virtually a reversal of the V-triangle, an A-triangle face features a broad, square jawline with a slightly narrower forehead. Add length to decrease the broadness of the jawline.

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Similar to a diamond-shaped face, a V-triangle face has a wider forehead and a narrow chin. Balance out the shape by focusing on fullness around the chin.

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This shape features a narrow chin and forehead with wide cheekbones. Balance out the shape by focusing on fullness around the chin.

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Comes in an assortment of colors, however the natural hues of brown and black are most common.

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Is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hues. It is a water rich mineral yet only forms in dry regions of the world. It is extremely flexible and favored by artisans because it serves as an excellent carving surface.

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Is found in a variety of colors due to its complicated and varied chemical composition. It is commonly found in black but other colors include blue, red, pink, green, brown and yellow.

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Has a glassy luster. Pure topaz is transparent but is usually tinted by impurities; typical topaz is wine or straw-yellow. They may be made white, gray, green, blue, pink or reddish-yellow and transparent or translucent.

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A variety of Epidote, a complex mineral, and is generally a pale-green color when first mined. However, they typically are bluish-violet and sometimes other hues.

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Material ranging from pale brown to virtually black. Color results from natural radiation, and radioactive mineral grains ensconced in massive quartz are often surrounded by a ‘halo’ of smoky quartz.  

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Includes needle-like inclusions in some gemstones.

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Its color ranges from pink to blood red. Only diamonds are harder than rubies. Lab-created rubies have been around since the 1890’s and are difficult to distinguish from natural. 

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Color ranges from pale pink to a deep rose-red. 

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Is a variety of the gem Olivine that is golden-green; but also ranges in shades from dark green to yellowish-green and can even be brown, black or colorless.

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The most valuable of all organic gems, pearls have been prized for their delicate iridescence and unique forms for at least 6,000 years.  Pearls are formed when a foreign body such as a grain of sand or a parasite becomes trapped inside the shell of a mollusk. Pearls are relatively soft, but their concentric structure and organic binder give them great toughness. Due to the nature of pearls, they are susceptible to dehydration and exfoliation. 

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There are two types of opal: 1) precious or noble that is iridescent and 2) a common opal characterized by a white, milky appearance with numerous sub-varieties.

Opal ranges from clear through white, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, shore, blue, magenta, rose, pink, slate, olive, brown, and black. Of these hues, the reds against black are the most rare and dear, whereas white and greens are the most common. 

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Is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color. Pure black onyx is common, and perhaps the most famous variety, but not as common as banded onyx, which contains bands of white, tan and brown. Onyx is originally an Assyrian word meaning ring, and so could refer to anything used for making rings.

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Also known as nacre, it is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks. It is strong, resilient and iridescent.

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An opalescent variety of orthoclase (a major rock forming mineral) and some other components give this stone a blue or white sheen known as a schiller. 

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Is a variety of natural glass and is transparent and bottle-green to greenish-brown. It is used as a gemstone when faceted (cut) and polished. 

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The real mineral is almost white and can resemble pale bronze. It is generally cut and mounted in a fashion to enhance its surface sparkle. 

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Is transparent and lilac-blue, violet or pink. The stones sometimes resemble pink topaz but are lighter and softer.  Photo credit: Eurico Zimbres

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Is an opaque mineral from the quartz family with a smooth surface that can be highly polished. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called striped or banded jasper. Jasper can appear as an opaque rock with shades of red due to mineral impurities. Jasper is also brown, yellow, green, blue and purple. 

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Traditionally red in color, garnet is part of a group of minerals that includes six main varieties. The chemical composition of garnet influences its many colors and shades.

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This rare and valuable precious stone comes in shades of green to blue-green. The more saturated the color, generally the higher the price. Synthetic emeralds, developed in the 1930’s, have fewer imperfections and are difficult to distinguish from natural. 

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Is a rare, organic gemstone which can no longer be gathered due to environmental restrictions. A renewable resource collected in the wild from a limited environment, it is the remains of a delicate and beautiful living organism that flourished deep beneath the waves. Found primarily in Asia, Africa and Mesoamerican. Ancient societies believed in that coral was a protective charm that brought good fortune and protected people from harm.

NOTE: StyleFolioJewelry.com’s coral pieces were made before the extraction of coral was prohibited.

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Is less common than the amethyst. Yellow to yellow-brown in color and resembles the gem topaz. Good citrine crystals are surprisingly rare. 

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Is a variety of quartz that is usually pale blue or grey. It is generally uniform in tint but some varieties have multiple colored internal markings.

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A semiprecious stone that is usually translucent blood red to reddish orange in color. It has been believed that it calms the temper, gives its owner courage and helps the timid to speak eloquently.

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Calcite has a variety of habits which makes it an especially interesting crystal. Scientist have discovered its optical properties such as double refraction of light, such that objects viewed through a clear piece of calcite appear doubled in all of their parts and producing wavelengths of extraordinary refractive indices. It is generally transparent to opaque and can be gray, yellow or green.

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Most bone beads today are made of ox or cow bone. 

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Is the fastest growing woody plant in the world. It is well regarded for its strength and diverse uses. Throughout Asia, Bamboo are economically and cultural significant. Its long life makes them a symbol of longevity, whereas in India it is a symbol of friendship.

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The mineral beryl has been considered a gemstone since prehistoric times. Aquamarine is a transparent variety of beryl, having a delicate blue or turquoise color. It is closely related to the emerald.

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Is lilac to deep purple is the most highly valued of all the quartz varieties. In ancient times the amethyst was thought to have mystical and protective powers, particularly the ability to prevent intoxication; for this reason the stone’s name is derived from the Greek phrase amethystos, meaning ‘not drunk’. The deeper the color, the more valuable.

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