June 14, 2013

Bracelet Wrap – It’s a Bracelet, It’s a Necklace, It’s a Headband – Summer Must

in: bracelet, bracelets, jewelry, summer bracelets, wrap bracelets

Just one accessory and you have it all. Wrap it as a bracelet, wear it as a headband with your hottest summer dress or make it a necklace. The clasp is there, it’s for you to close it your way. I’ve just put up this piece freshly on site today. I shot the piece yesterday to show its multiple uses and then I just kept it on my head as a headband all night. It’s my favorite way to wear it. I love the summery edge it gives to any outfit.

And guess what !? Today only, you can get this piece for only $39 free shipping instead of $59. Or get both the rhinestone charcoal and the wrap bracelet for $49. Yey! Check out the Wrap Bracelet options here.

May 23, 2013

Engagement Rings Types – Most Popular Diamond Cuts

in: 4c's of diamond, brillianteers, diamond cuts, engagement rings, jewelry diamond cuts, jewelry online stores, jewelry rings, jewelry stores, princess cut diamond rings, rings, round shape engagement rings

I clearly remember the scene from Sex and the City when Sarah Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw finds by a pure chance her engagement ring and absolutely hates it. She was about to get the pear shaped ring. Here’s a picture of one of them.

It’s true that this cut may not be most liked by many. There’s something unattractive and pointy about it, others though may find it original. The bonus of wearing the pear cut diamond ring is that if you wear it with the point facing away from your body, it makes your finger look long and slender. Anyway…

I’d say the four most seen, and in my opinion most beautiful, cuts are round, princess, cushion and heart diamond cut. Having a look as an example at online diamond jewelry retailers Brillianteers we do notice that that’s the four cuts they chose to feature and sell in their main section.

The round diamond cut rings are one of the most popular ones. Round is a classic diamond shape. The stone has 58 facets – it has the most sparkle. Here’s the example of the round cut diamond engagement ring with side stones.

The second most popular ones are the princess cut diamond rings. The cut shape is square but when you look at it from the top it’s a cone. It’s a relatively new cut, being created in the 1960s. It displays the same high degree of brilliance as the round cut but it’s completely different. The square princess cut diamond is usually slightly less expensive than the round cut of the same carat weight because it retains about 80% of the rough diamond as opposed to the round brilliant, which retains only about 50%.

The cushion diamond cut is a cross between a rectangle and an oval. It has a pillow shape and it’s also called an “antique cut.”

Choosing a heart shape diamond may seem like an easy task but there are a few things to remember. First of all, there’s a reason why Brillianteers offers heart shape diamond rings of .75 carat or more. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get a heart shape diamond ring that’s less than that as the heart wouldn’t be recognizable.

Beyond the five diamond cuts I mentioned there is also marquise cut, emerald cut and asscher cut.

There should be definitely a lot of research involved before buying an engagement ring. The cut is only one of the 4c’s of diamonds. There’s color, clarity and carat as well. I’d say there’s also another element of choosing a diamond, that one doesn’t start with a “c”. It’s the personal touch, the story. It’s the reason why you would choose this ring over another one, the story, which sometimes only you and her are going to understand.

May 2, 2013

My Snake Jewelry Choices from Fragments – Inspiration Site for Your Designer Jewelry Choices

in: Deanna Hamro, designer jewelry, Fragments, Fragments jewelry, handmade jewelry, Janet Goldman, jewelry, Kismet, Kismet jewelry, snake earrings, snake jewelry, snake rings

Buying a piece of jewelry is often an impulse. Sometimes we have a piece of clothing in mind to pair it with, sometimes a color palette but most of the time we are not sure. We want to get a piece, which we will notice, which will be our style, which will get the internal reaction of “wow, that’s so me…” I’m sure we all have our favorite jewelry designers but don’t you agree that once in a while you just want to start fresh, from scratch and buy something that you normally don’t buy?

Check out Fragments – fabulous designer jewelry site offering designs able to satisfy a wide range of preferences and tastes. Browse however you like – by designer or by piece. My preferred way is by piece – this way makes you discover the unknown. I started with earrings. These fabulous snake earrings by Deanna Hamro got my attention right away. I love that the earrings have this long and elegant look, the snakes are like a secret – they’re there if you know it. Beautiful!

Sticking with the snake jewelry theme and also because I loved the execution of the design I found the Serpent Ring by Kismet. Wow and wow and wow. Given the French name to complete its sophisticated look the ring shows it – in 14k gold with cognac diamonds the snake’s look complete its ruby eyes. Lovely!

Janet Goldman, founder of the company started Fragments over thirty years ago. The selection is beautifully curated presenting an ensemble with a piece for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a conversation piece, a classic one or just want to check out what’s trending in the jewelry world, log on to Fragments. It’s all there.

February 19, 2013

Heart Earrings and iPhone Photography

in: heart earrings, heart jewelry, jewelry

So I’m noticing a slight addiction in me now, case in point taking pictures with my iPhone. All the fabulous apps out there are so artsy and tempting. I got into it so much that I even took the above picture with the phone. Maybe that’s going too far a bit, I am sure my Nikon would do a way better job. Next time. For sure.

With all attention on the heart earrings… these ones are on sale today – $25 instead of $34 and free shipping all over the world. Click, click, click…

Btw Lucid New York is on Manta now. As a business owner you have to be constantly aware of new opportunities to increase your online visibility. So Manta it is ;-)

Lucid New York Handmade Jewelry Inc.

February 15, 2013

Adeam – Brand New Brand at the New York Fashion Week Showing Remarkable Nature Inspired Jewelry Collection

in: adeam jewelry, handmade jewelry, nature inspired jewelry, NYFW, runway jewelry

It is so refreshing to see a brand new designer embarking on her first show at the New York Fashion Week. The Japanese born Hanako launched her brand Adeam in 2011. It’s so inspiring to see that she’s already had her first fashion presentation at one of the world most respected places – Lincoln Center during the New York Fashion Week. Hanako’s inspiration was forest, when creating she had a city girl wandering in the woods in mind. I loved that the designer paid a great attention to the jewelry collection as well. It’s so fabulous to see someone showing the entire look carefully tied together. I think it’s only achievable if it’s created by the same person. How can you split or delegate a vision?

The theme continues through these interesting branch looking bracelets.

Bracelets worn on both hands, noticed this fall trend at other shows as well. I love it, I think it ads more polish.

Check out these structural earrings. Little sculptures in your ears. Delightful.

Nature jewelry is so intriguing. The branch necklace by Lucid New York was one of my best sellers this past Holiday season.

September 14, 2012

Zac Posen Spring 2013 Jewelry – David Webb Jewelry Collection

in: david webb, jewelry, jewelry collection, New York Fashion Week, NYFW, Zac Posen

Gorgeous David Webb jewelry collection presented at the Zac Posen runway show at the New York Fashion Week last Sunday.

I’m so happy I was able to take these shots – taking closeups and getting them in focus can be difficult especially with limited lighting. I wasn’t able to catch Coco Rocha ending the show in the white gown. And she did end the show splendidly – running back after her runway walk, her fans screaming. She looked like a happy bride. Lovely, lovely.

Enjoy this amazing jewelry collection.

September 11, 2012

Marimekko Spring 2013 Jewelry

in: marimekko fashion show, marimekko jewelry, marimekko spring 2013

The diversity of styles and creativity I have been experiencing at the New York Fashion Week has been overwhelming. As much as I love looking at the big picture I’ve been fascinated by the details. Jewelry of course and other accessories but I also love noticing all the unusual cuts and folds. Color combinations and blocking. Perfect illustration at the Marimekko Spring 2013 runway show, which I attended yesterday.

September 10, 2012

Runway Jewelry – Diane von Furstenberg NYFW Spring 2013

in: dvf jewelry, NYFW, runway jewelry

I spotted these teardrop earrings at the Diane von Furstenberg show Sunday afternoon. Check out the size of these! They reflected like a mirror, I’m sorry if the photo I took is not the best quality.

Most models on the DVF runway were wearing chains – on wrists, on shoes, as handbag straps. The larger the links, the better.

Interesting collar. No jewelry is needed in this case.

August 27, 2012

Jewelry Subscription Box Unboxed – August

in: jewelry subscription boxes, lucid box, monthly subscription boxes

Lovely Sheree took these photos and made this beautiful collage featuring the contents of her August Lucid Box. These were the 2 necklaces, which came in the subscription box in August. They are both completely different – the disk one is shorter, gold plated and the multiple strand one is silver plated and sparkly. Lucid New York launched the jewelry subscription boxes in July and every month more and more subscribers sign up to receive their own monthly jewelry box.

For $29 a month you receive 2 pieces of jewelry as a surprise delivered to your door every month. It’s basically a no brainer – retail value of each box varies between $60-$75. I’ve been paying special attention to the Lucid Boxes knowing that every month I’m being tested – subscribers can leave any month. Yet everyone except for one here and there stays and continues their subscription. Thank you all so much!

Pressure or rather motivation to be always on my toes in the jewelry world is on.

You have 5 more days to join other subscribers and receive your own 2 jewelry pieces in the September Lucid Box delivered to you as a surprise.

Do you need to get a better idea? Check out the unboxing video of the July Lucid Box

July 24, 2012

Purple Jewelry and Jewelry Colors

in: corporette, purple jewelry, purple necklace

This post was inspired by Corporette, site which is ambitiously updated a few times a day on news pertaining to women in the corporate world.

Corporette sometimes features jewelry or clothing finds, which are mostly work appropriate. In the most recent post I spotted this purple necklace, which a lot of people would find pretty but as far as I’m concerned I can’t even shape my opinion about it because I can’t get passed the idea that’s it’s purple. I basically don’t like, no, I hate purple. Not sure why, just absolutely not my thing. Since I do keep my customers in mind when I design jewelry, I do make purple jewelry. I know that you girls love it. All the amethysts, lavender and purple crystals do get used. I, personally just wouldn’t wear purple.

Reading the post on Corporette I started wondering if I’m one of just a few people who have this unexplainable aversion to a color. Is there a color, which you absolutely hate? And do you have a reason for it or is it like my aversion to everything purple – based on ‘just because?”