Jewelry Trends: Everything is Coming up Rose Gold

Rose gold is the hottest trend for jewelry this Spring.

Its warm hue is a perfect match with the neutrals, pastels and florals that are in for Spring. The characteristics of rose gold are flattering to any skin type.

The pink color comes from copper, which is alloyed with yellow gold. Yellow gold is always mixed with another metal for use in jewelry to improve strength. The result is the various colors of gold that we love to wear: rose, green, white, yellow.

Rose gold jewelry can be found in every price range. Fun, affordable vermeil pieces can be found like this rose gold over brass hammered cuff by Diana Warner NYC. Cartier and Etienne Perret are showing timeless classics in rose gold, and Ivanka Trump is showing fantastic rose gold, rock crystal and diamond earrings in her collection.

The groundhog says Spring is coming early this year.  Are you ready with your rose gold jewelry?

Jewelry Trends 2011

Colors are popping for 2011. Vogue magazine declared an end to “dark days” with their Spring 2011 Fashion Review. Yellow gold and colored, semi-precious stones are gracing outfits from the pages of Town and Country to Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

Over sized, signature jewelry is still trending. A single large accent piece is the best compliment to any outfit; and can be worn along with your everyday jewelry. Cuffs, bangles, long chandelier earrings and cocktail rings are everywhere.

New for 2011 are multiple chains, both necklaces and bracelets, worn together as an alternative to one large piece. The style is very versatile using combinations of various link chains, some with colored stones or by giving new life to our favorite diamonds-by-the-yard necklaces. This necklace by Ippolita can be worn long, doubled or paired with other neck chains from your jewelry box for a fun, fresh look!

Jewelry Trends: Burlesque-Inspired Jewels by Michelle Valadon

Heading to the movies to see Burlesque, starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, or simply want to add some unique pieces to your jewelry box? Michelle Valadon’s “Show a Lil Mystery” collection might just be the ticket. These burlesque-inspired pieces will spice up your jewelry box without breaking the bank.

Michelle is a California based jewelry designer with a flare for mystery, taking inspiration from the romance of bygone eras and feminine shapes and forms. All of her “Couture Collections” are crafted in the United States using the finest precious stones and a variety of metals. Michelle also offers custom design services.

The Allure of Opals

Opals, surrounded by myth and misunderstanding, are one of the most beautiful gemstones.

Opal is a mineral species which displays a phenomena known as “play of color”. This means that the stone can display different hues or flashes in just about any color depending on the viewpoint, orientation or lighting conditions. The colors, however, only appears to change. Pattern and vibrancy are the major determining factors of value.

The biggest myth about the opal is that it brings bad luck. The modern myth of bad luck is widely attributed to a mid-19^th Century novel by Sir Walter Scott titled “Anne of Geierstein”. In the novel an opal is used to reflect the changing fortunes of the heroine, and the myth was born. However, since the beginning of civilization the opal has also been highly regarded. It is often seen as a symbol of strength. One lovely story of opals is told by Australian Aborigines. They speak of their Creator traveling via rainbow to spread the message of peace on earth and with each step the stones underfoot turned to rainbows (opals).

Opals do require some special care. Opals are soft stones, they score only a 5- 6.5 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness (diamond is a 10). Never put an opal in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, sudden changes in temperature can cause the stone to crack or craze. But opal is not a mood stone, your temperature can not change the color of the stone. Opal is the traditional birth stone for the month of October.

A Slice of Diamond Jewelry

This Fall I am coveting diamond slice jewelry. While still on the fence as to whether it is fad or new classic; I love it.

The pieces feature, as it sounds, a slice of real diamond. The slices most often contain many inclusions. I assume the slices were removed from the outer layer of a rough diamond and previously might have been used in an industrial application. The diamonds are flat, or slightly faceted, and too thin to have the scintillation of a modern brilliant cut. But, they still have the undeniable look of a diamond. The jewelry has a very organic and earthy appeal.

My internet search for the perfect slice produced, the ring shown here by Melissa Joy Manning and this pendant necklace by Barry Kronen.

Eco-friendly, style maven Monique Péan, also incorporates diamonds slices into her line of sustainable and conflict-free jewelry. Ms. Péan’s designs have been popping up everywhere from the red carpet to the White House, and I am sure these earrings will be no exception.

Jewelry Trends: Show Your Colors

Oversized pendant earrings are still one of the hottest trends. For fall and winter designers are incorporating color, and lots of it, into their earrings. Like these examples from Christian Tse.

Large “slices” or thin faceted drops of precious and semi-precious stones are popping up in all of their colorful splendor adding emotion and interest to ear lobes everywhere!

Style Setters: The Jewelry Brief Interviews Pamela Froman

Individuality is the underlying theme of beauty for Pamela Froman’s designs. In her words, “the more a piece is worn, the more beautiful it is because it becomes part of the person’s essence”.

Pamela Froman was born and raised in Manhattan. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology she began her career in Paris, designing jewelry for top European couturier salons, including Courreges, Cacharel, Carita, Guy Larouche, and Valentino. In 2006 Pamela was given the “Rising Star” Award by the JCK Show in Las Vegas, which was the catalyst for the official launch of her collection. Since then, the accolades have not stopped; including recognition by InDesign Magazine, the Woman’s Jewelry Association, Town & Country and the MJSA.

Pamela Froman’s unique style incorporates color, form and texture. Texture is possibly the singular feature that sets her jewelry apart from other designers. The “Crush”, as she calls it, is a hand-hammering technique used by Pamela to create individual, irregular surfaces. In fact, all of her jewelry is hand made, so no two pieces ever look exactly alike. They have either a free-form scrolling or organic shape or an “old world” feel with Maltese crosses, wonderful oversized links and amulet-style shapes. Color often comes from the metal itself, and combinations of platinum and gold or different alloys of gold are a recurring theme. The play of light on the hammered metal creates stunning hues. An array of different colored stones is the basis of the Scroll Cap Earring limited edition collection. As a self proclaimed “Rock Hound”, I could not help but love these earrings, as well as all of Pamela Froman’s designs.

How would you describe your personal [jewelry] style?

Sexy and Versatile: I like to design pieces that can be worn casual or dressed-up, because I think jewelry should be worn, not locked away in a safe. I also believe jewelry should make a woman feel sexy, and I definitely design with that in mind.

What inspires your creative designs?

Old-world European architecture has inspired a lot of my designs, especially scrolly wrought iron gates, and the beautiful domes of St. Petersburg. I also look at fabrics, and textured rocks, and often the gemstones I choose influence the design.

Bonus Answer (My favorite design elements)

I love irregular surfaces, so most of my Collection is textured with a special hand-hammering technique I call “Crushed.”  Combined with a Satin finish, this Crushed texture gives a much softer, more natural feel to the metal.  Aside from the texture, one of my favorite design elements is the Scroll; it’s a very organic, feminine shape, and I love the way it flows.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?

That would have to be my Mother. She is a well-known sculptor, but was a shoe designer when I was a kid. She always encouraged my creativity, and taught me to look at the world artistically. My Mother is also the reason I went to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC); I originally majored in Fashion Design but, while I was there, I discovered my true calling was to be a Jewelry Designer and switched majors.

What are some of your favorite cities?

Visually, artistically, I love Budapest, Prague, Lucerne and Paris; even though I lived in Paris for 3 years, whenever I visit, I am still inspired by its beauty and amazed by it’s nuances. Of course, I can’t leave NYC off the list! I grew up in Manhattan and, though I live in California now, I’m a New York City Girl through and through.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love having the freedom to design whatever I am inspired to design, and then bringing my vision to life. At the beginning of my career, I worked in Paris, designing jewelry for top European couturier salons, including Courreges, Cacharel, Carita, Guy Larouche, and Valentino. While I enjoyed the challenge of designing for established labels, I was constrained by the vision of each company. I felt the need to express my personal style, which is why I decided to launch my signature line. And, by having my own line, I’ve discovered the icing on the cake: when I travel to stores for events, I get to meet the people who buy my creations! I love how the perfect piece becomes part of the wearer, and seeing their excitement brings me joy.

What are you working on right now?

So many things! I’m really feeling drawn to the cool tones right now, and have been designing a lot with blue-toned stones like Aquamarine and Rainbow Moonstone; I just did a crazy-long Rainbow Moonstone necklace that I’m in love with! I recently launched a new collection called Arabesque Crush: scrolly pieces made with 18k pink and yellow gold and warm-toned gemstones like Peach Moonstone and Fire Opal, but my new pieces for winter will mostly be 18k yellow and white with blue and purple stones, so keep an eye out for that! Also, I have amassed a collection of unique gemstones that I’m using to design a collection of cool one-of-a-kind rings. Oh, and my one-of-a-kind and limited-edition colored stone cap earrings have gained a following, so I’ve been having fun expanding that collection as well. And, in the middle of all this, I make time to be with my Favorite Creation, my 5-year-old son, Hudson!

Style Setters: The Jewelry Brief Interviews Faso

The jewelry of Faso is a joint collaboration between two long time friends, Banafsheh Fatooriechie and Maryam Sardari. Banafsheh, who has a background in textile design, creates pieces that must feel as great as they are beautiful. Marayam, an art therapist, incorporates the therapeutic use of color and certain gemstones into their designs. The outcome is a fantastic collection of unique, hand-made pieces that are fun and easy to wear.

What is the source of your design inspiration?

BF (Banafsheh Fatoorechie)- It may sound a bit odd, but I get a lot of inspiration from my dreams. Another source is nature and I’m also very interested in different cultural traditions and find my creative energy flowing easily whenever I’m exposed in any way to cultural events.

MS (Maryam Sardari)- It is hard to pin down one source that inspires me. I find inspiration in just about everything, but the most inspiring sources for me are music, organic shapes (nature), and textiles. Sometimes I see design in words.

How does color fit into your creative process?

BF- My background is in textile so I’ve had a lot of exposure to rich colors and designs. I use color in my wardrobe due to a particular mood or wanting to evoke a particular mood, so it is natural for me to use the same in my creative process. I gravitate toward colors. Their energy attracts me and their energy inspires me.

MS- I’m an Art Therapist by training. Not only have I been a witness to the therapeutic value of color in action, I’ve used it in my own artistic endeavors. Colors evoke different emotional responses as well as feelings. You can manipulate someone’s mood by changing the surrounding colors. The same holds true in designing jewelry. I must admit I don’t always consciously set out to use a specific color, I let my feelings lead me to certain colors. How do I want to feel when I wear this piece? The answer just pops out and the choice is made clear. No matter what the process, the pieces must be something I would like to own myself. You could say that I design for myself. I realize it sounds rather self-centered, but I cannot be pleased with something I won’t wear myself.

Who has the greatest influence on your life?

BF- All the women in my life especially my mother and grandmother. Gustov Klimt, Camille Claudel have been of great influence artistically. I’m also endlessly fascinated by the pattern and design in Persian carpets.

MS- It’s hard to choose one thing as the greatest source of inspiration. The women in my life have certainly played and play their part but I’m also influenced by my husband, music, poetry and art. Art, literature and love are timeless and that is the most important quality design should have. Treasured for all seasons.

What do you love most about what you do?

BF- The creative process unfolding. Starting at a particular creative point and ending up at a different finish line. This to me demonstrates the creative force at work. The creativity carrying me away. I do, however, create some pieces in a methodical, planned way, but I like to be carried away by inspiration.

MS- What I love the most is where creativity takes me. There have been many times when I’ve realized my hands have been busy but my mind (may be soul would better describe it) has flown away only to come back and witness the almost finished product. It’s difficult to explain this phenomenon. I do, of course, start out with a plan and a design in mind in most cases but it’s like as though the moment my fingers come to contact with the materials I exit my body. This I refer to as my own art therapy. The sublimation is always the product created. My mood and are always in a higher state.

Jewelry Trends: Fall 2010

As fall eases in, it brings along the wonderful autumn palate of burnt orange, olive green, and all shades of brown. The runway is sporting a more masculine look with tailored jackets, trim button downs and flattering trousers.

The statement necklace is still a must: big yellow gold links by themselves, with warm complimentary colored stones, even with fur. I love the mink and gold-plated links necklace by Louis Vuitton; fur is one of the season’s hottest trends. Necklaces are being worn shorter now so they can be left inside the clean lines of a tailored blouse or jacket. I plan on pulling-out my yellow gold vintage pocket watch and watch chain, which also pairs with the season’s military inspired looks.

Cuff bracelets and chandelier earrings continue to be hot trends for the fall. Cuff bracelets are showing up everywhere from the office to the red carpet. They are a chic piece of jewelry even if they only peak out from under a blazer. I love the colors and texture of stingray bracelets, which are an economical way to keep current. (available at Amazon.com)

Chandelier earrings trump all jewelry for evening. The fashion of the moment seems to be less is more when accessorizing, but more is more when it comes to dangling earrings like these earrings from Faso. So, don’t be afraid to put on a little black dress and over the top earrings.

Style Setters: The Jewelry Brief Interviews Evelyn Huang

Evelyn Huang is the talented jewelry visionary behind the designs of evelynH. Jewelry. Initially exposed to the world of gems and diamonds through her father’s fine jewelry business business, Evelyn left her family company and earned a degree in Economics from UC Irvine. After spending a few years in Asia she returned to the US and to her love of jewelry. Evelyn earned her Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of American and began work as a brand ambassador for De Beers in Beverly Hills. For the delight of jewelry collectors everywhere, in 2006 evelynH. was launched. And the accolades have not stopped.

The focus of evelynH. is fine, custom, one-of-a-kind pieces. Working under the motto “Everything is considered and nothing is overlooked”, unique pieces are crafted incorporating precious gemstones with breath-taking attention to detail.  Shown here is evelynH’s 2009 award-winning necklace from the Rio Tinto’s Champagne Diamond Design Competition. The “Bulles de Champagne Collier” is an attention grabbing whimsical neckpiece featuring champagne colored diamonds set in a design that mimics bubbles. The creative, daring neck piece is one which we might expect to see from the finest French jewelry houses. But Evelyn Huang’s scope of work is very vast. The architectural and edgy ring which won the 2010 International Red Dot Jewelry Product Design Award proves that brilliant design is her trademark, not one particular style.

evelynH. produces several thoughtful, well designed collections. The bridal line is especially noteworthy with its “his and hers” wedding bands which capture the essence of various design themes in masculine and feminine versions. The Infinity rings (shown here) won a Women’s Jewelry Association 2007 award for Platinum and Diamonds Design. My favorite is the Trellis, where one design is at the same time a heavy and masculine band and a diamond-set elegant ring that would make any woman smile (every day).

What is the main source of your design inspiration?

Everything around me can inspire my designs.  The experiences in my life, the people I meet, the places I visit, and things I see in my day-to-day life.  There is not one particular source for inspiration.

Who has been the most influential in your life?

Different people have been influential at different points in my life. On a personal relationship level it would be my family, friends and colleagues.  On the other hand, I have been inspired by public figures with different point-of-views and who are currently pushing or have pushed the boundaries in different aspects of design, including fashion.  It might sound cliché, but I find a figure like Coco Chanel inspiring.  She was willing to push certain boundaries during her time.

What do you see as up and coming trends in jewelry design?

Jewelry design is such a broad category, we have high-end couture jewelry at one end and mass produced costume and fashion jewelry on the other end.  This makes identifying trends more rigorous to classify.  For example, fashion jewelry can be very wild and over the top, however with fine jewelry’s high intrinsic value, you wouldn’t want to purchase a piece at $100,000 and have it look out of fashion in a year later. In general as a custom designer, I have found the fine details have become very important to consumers. The little things found on a piece of jewelry make it different and more personal, as well as implementing textures and the utilization of new materials in jewelry.  I think uniqueness, customization, value and alternative materials all have become major trends in the fine jewelry industry.

How would you describe your own personal [jewelry] style?

I am a chameleon…I would like to think I don’t have an exact personal style.  I know it might seem strange since most designers have a certain design aesthetic, but I’m always open to new ideas and love trying new things.  Everything around us is always changing; trends come and go, so I don’t want to hold myself back by sticking to one specific style. Of course, there is a link between all of my designs, and after looking at a few pieces you can find a common thread or feeling.  I would never consistently feature something very obvious and concrete such as swirls or flowers, or anything else limiting like that.  The only common links you may see in my creations are things like movement, textures and intricate ornamentations.  It is my goal 30 years from now, to be able to still create pieces that are fresh and different and will continue to surprise people.

What is your favorite luxury in life?

Time with loved ones.

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