Jewel of the day: Alice Menter Isla Bracelet

In a UK state of mind, I was browsing the web site of the venerable Fortnum and Mason, which has added an array of jewellery to its wares.

This piece is by Alice Menter. The site notes that her design aesthetic is “inspired by her time with the Yao Mien hill tribe in Northern Thailand. Alice Menter explores the boundaries between jewellery, clothing and body adornment. She silver- and gold-plates everyday objects such as nuts, washers, zips and bolts and combines them with suede, Lycra and chain to create an intriguing combination of contrasting materials. The resulting pieces are bold, intricate and industrial, yet also luxurious and feminine.”

Her Isla bracelet is gold plated and the pieces are strung on an elastic cord. It sells for £195.00

Jewel of the day: Chisa Seeds of Happiness art jewellery necklace and earrings

Chisa Takagi was born in Osaka, Japan, but moved to New York in 1999. Trained as a jeweller, her work is truly hand made and organic. This set, part of her Seeds of Happiness collection, is shown on her web site (sorry, no pricing or shop availability but there is contact info):

I think I was more taken by Chisa’s artist’s statement than the actual jewellery. I like that she weaves positive emotions into every piece.

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Jewel of the day: Colette Ishiyama Emerald Tail Bracelet

Not sure where the name of this bracelet by NY-based Colette Ishiyama comes from, as it seems to have neither emeralds nor really any tail design in it.

However, it does have stingray, a texture and material I really like, as part of it’s design. It’s also versatile in that it can be worn with the gold tone side out or the stingray.

Stingray features prominently in Ishiyama’s designs. And, upon further investigation, the “emerald” is a theme in her debut collection. In her words, “”Emerald City” is influenced by Egyptian jewelery, samurai warriors and the omnipresent sliver of the Chrysler building. Each piece is an arcane world of its own, lined with shimmering black stingray leather. Each model is meticulously carved by Ishiyama and cast in Manhattan.”

I can definitely see the art deco/Chrysler Building influence. This piece is available for USD $260 and is made of brass and the aforementioned stingray.

Jewel of the day: Alynne Lavigne Industrial Necklace

Alynne Lavigne is a brand produced in Toronto; the label also offers vintage designs. Interestingly, all the vintage designs on their site had the same kind of 40s retro modern look to me and I was surprised when I read that they are not new pieces. Alynne Lavigne offers pieces that are perfect for the person who likes their ornament simple and minimalist.

Speaking of industrial, that’s the name of this simple and geometric necklace. This piece is base metal plated with rhodium and 22k gold; it sells for USD $178.

Jewel of the day: Annie Costello Brown Lineae Blades Necklace

There is something undeniable (and truly) fierce about a piece of jewellery into which blades are incorporated. This fabric, leather and bronze necklace by Annie Costello Brown definitely brings the fierceness with this Lineae necklace.

There are some days when you really do need a quiet weapon, something that makes you feel perhaps braver than you may really be. Interestingly, a lineae is a term that refers to a long, dark marking on the surface of a planet or moon. Which I can also see applying to the design in general. Intriguing piece, and on sale for USD $296 from $370; different coloured cords are available.

Jewel of the day: Ross-Simons vintage 12 carat oval sapphire and diamond ring

I saw a magazine ad for this vintage ring, being sold by Ross-Simons, and so went to their site to have a look.

It is described as being made in 1960, set with a 12 carat oval blue sapphire, and 2.60 carats of old mine cut diamonds. The setting is 14k white gold. Very pretty, and certainly reminiscent of Princess Diana’s (and now Kate Middleton’s) sapphire and diamond engagement ring. In fact, the site even calls it a “Diana ring”.

I confess to being puzzled by the price. The ad states it is “attractively priced $37,600.” Yet on the web site, it is priced at $56,995 and on sale at the time of this writing for 25 per cent less, at $42,746.25. If you are interested, perhaps Ross-Simons is willing to dicker.

 

Jewel of the day: Diane Kordas Double Finger Feather ring

I am intrigued by this ring, made by Diane Kordas. It is described as a double feather ring (though the reverse of the piece is not shown). The two rings, made with blackened 18k rose gold set with .53 carats of diamonds, are joined by a fine gold chain.

Though I like the way this looks, I wonder if having that chain between my fingers would just drive me nuts. I’ve had square rings, and the odd feel of the straight sides was irritating. Eventually, the rings ended up sitting in a drawer, unworn. I also wonder if the chain would catch on things.

If you wonder about none of these things, this ring can be head from Latest Revival for USD $4,335.

Jewel of the day: Tiffany Great Gatsby Savoy headpiece

Art Deco is one of my favourite jewellery and design periods (though I wouldn’t say no to something wonderful and Edwardian, either).

Tiffany got in some fantastic product placement by providing some of the showstopper jewels used in the most recent film remake of The Great Gatsby. This spectacular Savoy headpiece, made with freshwater pearls and just over 25 carats of diamonds set in platinum, ties with a ribbon. The central piece is detachable and can be worn as a brooch.

It is available by calling Tiffany customer service and can be yours for USD $200,000.

Jewel of the day: Peace and Love Heart Necklace to Erase MS

The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis has a cool shopping site that allows you to help in the race to erase MSby buying something pretty at the same time.

There is jewelry, clothing and other accessories. This necklace is designed by Peace and Love Jewelry and is made of sterling silver set with cubic zirconia. There is also a yellow gold plated version.  It’s good to note that 100 per cent of the proceeds goes towards research into eradicating multiple sclerosis.

Jewel of the day: Julie Vos Milano 3-Stone Earrings

There’s the proverbial good news/bad news about these earrings.

First, the good news. They are very pretty, and available in the chalcedony blue shown, something designer Julie Vos is calling aqua chalcedony, moonstone, turquoise or labradorite. The stones are set in a very elegant hammered and polished gold setting.

This leads me to the bad news. The site does not say what the setting is made of, other than providing this description:

This three-jewel earring is adorned with gorgeous color and loads of glinting gold. The hammered link contrasting the ultra-polished link is set with three cabochon gemstones with teeny-tiny gold balls in-between.

DETAILS: Semi-precious stones. 1-1/2 inch length. Post for pierced ears

These sell for USD $145, which leads me to believe they are either gold plated base metal, or perhaps gold plated sterling silver. Even though $145 isn’t a king’s ransom, it’s still a chunk of change and it would be nice to know what the earrings are actually made of, for purposes of deciding if the price is worth it, or if a buyer has metal allergies. Or just cuz.