Sunday, July 27, 2014

Meet the designer – the New York jewelry designer Alexandra Mor

I first heard about Alexandra Mor last year, when I found out that she was one of the 36 international jewelry designers selected by Gemfields - mining company and the world's leading supplier of colored gemstones, to produce one-off jewels using its emeralds, rubies and amethysts. Mila Kunis was then named the company’s newest ambassador and wore the jewels at movie premieres and award ceremonies throughout 2013. I fell in love with the emerald ring that Alexandra Mor created for the collection right away*.

I also remember how impressed I was when I first saw one of her photos. She is not only a very talented jewelry designer but a beautiful, confident and elegant woman. I read afterwards that she got the affinity and love for design since childhood, when her mother, a French dressmaker, tailored her clothes by hand, until she was in her teens.

The Alexandra Mor haute couture house of fine jewelry offers a signature collection of limited-edition and one-of-a-kind jewelry, as well as individual, made-to-order pieces.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the artist who likes to think of her pieces as “heirlooms in the making”!

Photo source: Alexandra Mor

1. What are the main differences between Alexandra before discovering the passion for jewelry design and Alexandra Mor we know today?

To compare the place I am in right now, versus my younger years, is truly no different to comparing the experiences, tastes and perspectives of an 18-year-old girl and those of a 40-year-old woman.

My brand and designs are reflections of my own journey-to-date, as a woman. There are constantly juxtapositions between the hard and soft; my love for history; maintaining the significance of old-world craftsmanship, whilst maintaining my pursuit to interpret contemporary aesthetics and technologies employed.

My first collection was made after I was invited to have a piece of mine included in the ‘Spring 2010’ lot with auction house Phillips de Pury. From there, the pieces developed into a very bold, geometric collection of work. 


Ever since the launch at Phillips, I have designed pieces that always aim to celebrate the wearer, but there is a softer direction for the new pieces I am adding to my Signature Collection this Fall. These are being made to celebrate the launch of my first retail location, the Alexandra Mor Salon, in Boston.

My personal experiences always find their way into my work, and will influence the choices I make during the design process. These upcoming additions to the Signature Collection will be softer, curvier and rounder in design.

The lines will be less severe and restricted, but will maintain feminine touches with a neo-futuristic edge – a little similar to the way I have been dressing this past Spring!


2. What piece of jewelry took you the longest time to create?

Within my Collection of one-of-a-kind jewels is a pair of Emerald and Diamond Drop Flower Earrings, which were worn in a recent editorial by the beautiful Brooke Shields. This pair of earrings took 17 months to craft, as I wanted to perfectly arrange the Diamonds that complement a pair of 53 carat Emerald stones, which were given to me by my father-in-law, master diamond cutter Abe Mor. There are 175 gradually colored Diamonds that drop down on these earrings, and almost look like a gradient with the Diamonds in White, Green, Yellow, Peach and Pink tones.


3. Which is the jewel you are the most proud of?

Whenever I design for either my Signature Collection, or a bespoke design for a collector, I always intend to encapsulate true meaning for the woman, or man, who wears an Alexandra Mor piece.

With regards to my collections-to-date, I sincerely hope that all my pieces bring out my best – both as a creative and an individual.
Emerald-Cut Yellow Honey Citrine & Diamond Ring: A 51.64 carat Emerald-cut intense honey yellow Citrine enhanced with Alexandra Mor’s signature details of 1mm‘floating’ Diamond melee and knife-edged wire. 0.95 carat total Diamond weight.Signed by artist. Crafted in the USA. Limited-Edition 1/25. Found on 1stdibs.com

4. Do you have a favorite gem?

Gemstones are like people. Each have a unique character and story, and so each can bring a different stimulus to the design process. I love real personalities, so I tend to love gemstones with quirk and character, too!

I do gravitate towards larger sized stones, and stones with perfect cuts. The overall symmetry and proportion of the gem I use, does play a big role in my work process. This will then influence the way I approach a stone, to then design into a piece, rather than exclusively selecting on the type of stone itself.

Diamonds, however, are a lot of fun to work with by themselves. With that said, when Diamonds surround any large center stone, they never take away from that stone, and only enhance the beauty of other surrounding stones from the Diamonds. It’s a win-win situation!

5. Which is the jewel in your private collection that you love the most?

A Rose Gold Watch that was inherited from my Grandmother. 

Photo credit: Alexandra Mor - private collection

6. What are the 3 principles that you learnt from your mother’s work and apply in your business?
  • Maintain an attention to detail.
  • Always dress to the nines! You never know who you’ll meet getting groceries.
  • Never visit anywhere empty-handed.


7. The woman wearing jewelry signed by Alexandra Mor is ... (in 5 words please).

My Collectors are authentic, empowered, nuanced and unapologetically bold.









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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Behind the scenes - Bouquet d'ailes by Boucheron

Have you ever wondered what it takes to give life to an exquisite piece of jewelry?

I've just found this wonderful necklace from Boucheron and it’s quite amazing to see how it was made. Very briefly said, we are talking about more than 9 months of fabrication, over 1250 working hours and more than 2300 gems.

Bouquet d'ailes by Boucheron

Here, take a look behind the scenes of Bouquet D’ailes necklace:



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Saturday, January 4, 2014

ReneSim earrings

I admit it! I like 1stdibs.com very much and I constantly search for exquisite jewelry pieces on this platform. For those of you who don’t know, 1stdibs is an online luxury marketplace that delivers a tremendous collection of unique items, including jewelry and watches, to people around the world.

Last time I checked it, I found these amazing RenéSim earrings, designed by Maximilian Hemmerle. The vivid colors of the gemstones catch your eye instantly and they are really beautiful.

RenéSim Platinum Earrings with Topaz and Sapphires
RenéSim Gemstone Earrings
RenéSim Earrings with Sapphires, Tourmalines and Tahiti Pearls
RenéSim Amethyst Rose Gold Earrings

See other beautiful jewels from 1stdibs.com in "The roaring 20s or crazy 60s? Take your pick!" article.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas mood

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We are so close to Christmas and the joy of this holiday.

May the beauty of it inspire you and give you positive energy for the whole next year! Enjoy all these colorful moments!

* The green in your Christmas tree

* The red in your gift wrap and bags

* The white of snowflakes

& the white of snow

* The yellow in the flames of the fireplace


 * The colors in your Christmas balls



Merry Christmas!

With love,

Georgiana


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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Pearl jewelry

I've never been a pearl fan, but I must admit that pearl jewelry is exquisite. It highlights the elegance in the woman that wears it. I associate it with prestige and the beauty of all these is that you need to have a stylish outfit to wear pearls. Dress this way and accessorize it properly and you’ll know you look impeccable.

Vintage Pearl and Turquoise Bracelet

Dentelle de Perles Bracelet, by Faberge

Neo Vintage Ring - White South Sea, by Mikimoto

Victorian Pearl And Rose Diamond Gold Bangle
Melanie Georgacopoulos Couture Short Diamond Earrings


Pearl & Diamond Cuff

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Monday, September 2, 2013

Necklaces I’d buy at Sotheby’s auction in September

I've just found out that Sotheby's is going to organize the “Important Jewels” auction this September in New York. I spent my whole weekend looking through the amazing fine jewelry that is on sale and I simply fell in love with some items. 

What would I buy if I had the money? Oh God, a lot! Here are the necklaces I love the most and I promise I’ll show you soon the bracelets, rings and earrings I've chosen. The necklaces couldn't be worn alone, right? 



















Estimated value: 100.500 - 142.000 USD. If you wonder how much these pieces would cost...



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Monday, August 26, 2013

Last days of summer

If you can’t go to the seaside, than bring the sea to you! Just imagine that you’re on the beach, feeling the warm touch of the sun and looking at the blue water. You can see a sailing boat in the distance. The sand underneath your feet is so soft and the seashells shine in the sun. There is so much calm around you and yet so much thrill in the sea.

Do you see yourself in this picture? If it's difficult to visualize it, than let me help you. You can create your own puzzle with the jewels below. 

Estate Blue Topaz & Diamond Sail Boat Pendant
Boucheron Fish Brooches -   18k Gold, Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx
CHRISTIAN LACROIX 1990s 'sun' brooch

Buccellati Gold Crab Brooch

Paul Morelli 18k Gold & Diamond Seahorse Drop Earrings
Trianon Shell Earclips with 18k Gold Stud Detailing
Seaman Schepps Extra Small "Turbo Shell" Earclips with Emerald Caps
Carolina Bucci bracelet - 18k yellow and white gold

Don't you feel that something's missing? I got it! The picture is not complete 'cause we need a love story on the beach.
Raymond C. Yard "Prisoner of Love" Gem-Set Charm

Now that's much better! :)


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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Craving for chocolate… diamonds in jewelry

Some time ago I bought from France a necklace made of beads that looked very much like candies. I still have that necklace and every time I look at it I remember my friends telling me how delicious those beads seem to be.

My mind flew back to the necklace these days as I've come across some beautiful jewelry items, with a color that reminds you of chocolate. The diamonds are actually called chocolate diamonds.


I love brown jewelry ‘cause it can be worn with almost anything. It is elegant and delicate, don’t you think so? 

XL Flamenco bracelet, rutil-quartz, Citrine and white moonstones, with brown paved diamond by Tamara Comoli 
"Zigana" ring in pink gold set with brown diamonds by de Grisogono

Chocolate brown pearl strand by Su et Ru
Pendant by Al Coro


            Elforyn with brown moonstone set in red gold bangle, by Scheffel

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Sunday, June 30, 2013

"La joaillerie en rose"

I am more into silver or white gold jewelry than yellow or rose gold adornments. If you have any doubts on this you should see my own jewelry collection which stands as a proof of that. Few jewels are made of yellow gold and I didn't even buy them myself. They were given to me by my mother.  

Don’t get me wrong – I am not against colored gold jewelry. I just think I haven’t come across the right yellow or pink gold jewels for me yet. Although I am a silver or white gold person, I wouldn't say “no” for sure to the rose gold jewelry below:

Montblanc Pétales Entrelacés ring


The Quatre White Edition ring in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold and ceramic, by Boucheron


Perlée bracelet with diamonds, by Van Cleef & Arpels


SOPHIA LOREN white, pink gold and diamond ring, by DAMIANI



Imperiale ring - 18 carat rose gold, by Chopard
Garrard two-finger ring in rose gold -  Wings collection 

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