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:



Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Sources of inspiration

Searching through jewelry collections, you might easily observe that the sources of inspiration have been the same for many jewelry designers over time. Nature, characters of legend, love, universe and others, that’s life as we know it that is reflected within their work. It is something that applied 100 or 50 years ago and this is how it still goes today. The difference is in detail and the final creation depends on one’s personal touch and craftsmanship. It is art in all the cases and you can hardly say which creation is more beautiful than the other. It’s a matter of taste I think.

Take these examples for instance: jewelry belonging to similar collections (I’m referring to their theme) from Carrrera Y Carrera (a Spanish brand with more than 125 years of jewelry tradition) and Jewellery Theatre (a young Russian brand since ’98).

SHANGHAI MAXI PENDANT by Carrera Y Carrera


FAIRY TALES BROOCH by JEWELLERY THEATRE
GARDENIA MEDIUM RING by Carrera Y Carrera


FLOWERS RING by JEWELLERY THEATRE

SOL Y SOMBRA MAXI PENDANT by Carrera Y Carrera


CLOUDS LIMITED EDITION PENDANT by JEWELLERY THEATRE


These last two jewels don't look alike but are quite a match. :)
ANGELITOS EARRINGS by Carrera Y Carrera


FAIRY TALES PENDANT by JEWELLERY THEATRE

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Rings I’d buy in a minute…


…If I had the money, of course. J It’s the kind of thing that you fall in love with at the very first sight. No need to think about it – if you have the right clothes for it or otherwise, if it’s suited for the clothes in your wardrobe ‘cause you already have them. You just know that it would be perfect for your jewelry collection. And you know what? You’re probably right. A woman’s intuition seldom fails (especially when it comes to apparel and accessories), isn't it? J

Art Nouveau Plique à Jour Enamel and Emerald Ring, circa 1900, by Fred Leighton

Rose gold ring with onyx and diamonds green agate, by Ralph Lauren

Cosmic Eye Ring by Solange Azagury-Patridge
L'OEUVRE NOIRE by MAUBOUSSIN

Design Atelier Zobel - Peter Schmid
A Diamond and Gold 'Freccia' Ring, signed Enigma

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Necklaces in the spotlight

Sometimes a necklace is all you need to make your outfit look “wow”. No matter if it’s made of metal, beads or tile, it can totally change an outfit from plain into chic.

I don’t know if this is the case for you too, but I often like to wear a simple dress or shirt just to put on a nice necklace or, why not, a beautiful scarf.

A well-chosen accessory can make the difference!

ABSTRACT NECKLACE  - A70 BOTTEGA D'ARTE APPLICATA
Christine Larochelle Necklace
Tile Necklace by VERDURA
Bead Necklace by Cleopatra Cosulet

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Monday, March 10, 2014

New bracelets and outfits to match

My previous post has turned on my appetite for digging into precious jewelry collections and finding new amazing bracelets. I even went further with my discoveries and put my imagination to work. In which occasions would I wear them? How would I be dressed?

Well, easy to say :) :

1. I'd match this bangle with a rock outfit – skinny pants, fitted leather jacket and biker boots.

Victorian Bangle Bracelet by Perrys Fine Antique & Estate Jewelry

2. This bracelet seems to be right for a colorful silk summer dress.

Stepping stone bracelet in oxidized sterling silver and hammered 22K gold, by Jeff and Susan Wise

3. The next one would be perfect for a green-emerald knee length satin dress, don't you think? 
Donald Huber Onyx Diamond Gold Bracelet

4. And last but not least, I'd wear this bracelet with a casual white shirt, a pair of jeans and nice sandals.

Cuff in Yellow Gold with Rock Crystal, Black Onyx & Diamonds, by Ivanka Trump

Now, my darling, it is your turn. What would you wear?

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Wonderful bangle from Estate Betteridge Collection

I often find myself admiring the beautiful jewelry items worn by the women I meet. It's lovely to see an amazing jewel but it’s more exciting to meet a woman with a sexy attitude, who is confident and proud of her look and accessories.

Imagine the person who would wear the bracelet below. Interesting character, don't you think?

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, February 21, 2014

Jewelry periods

Remember “The roaring '20s or crazy '60s” article? I created back then a virtual collection of jewels from 1900 to the '90s. Now I have a new challenge for you.

If you had the chance to choose an item from each jewelry period, what would that be?

Here are my picks:

  • Georgian Jewelry

Georgian Pinchbeck Enamel Bracelet
  • Victorian Jewelry

Victorian Era Renaissance Revival Antique Garnet Bracelet
  • Art Nouveau Jewelry

MURRLE BENNETT & Co. Gold Pendant
  •  Edwardian Jewelry

Emerald and Diamond Edwardian Engagement Ring / 1900 - 1915
  • Art Deco Jewelry


Daisy Fellowes Tutti Frutti necklace from Cartier
  •  Retro Jewelry

Retro Design 10.70ct Citrine Yellow and Rose Gold Pendant
  • Mid-Century Jewelry

Grand Verdura: cuff bracelet made of black jade and the gold maltese cross, set with an amethyst, peridots, diamonds and pearls.

  •  Contemporary Jewelry

Alia Amethyst Earrings by Victoria Tryon

Which are your preferences? If you want to share them with us, you can do it by leaving a comment below.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Meet the designer – Claudio Pino Fine Art Jewellery

He has an original style and his creations can be considered works of art.

His designs have been much appreciated within exhibitions in America, Europe and Asia and he has received numerous awards and honors for them.

He is constantly in search for new knowledge on jewelry and he masterly succeeds to transpose it into amazing creations.

Dear jewelry lovers, I am honored to present you Claudio Pino, a jewelry designer world renowned especially for his unique sculptural rings.





1. There is a story behind every designer’s work but I felt a lot more in your collections. A great attention to details, powerful meanings, reflections of the human’s journey through time and space, the poetry of the world we live in, as you named it. Where does your passion for jewelry come from?

The History of Jewelry always has fascinated me. Having a gem connected to one's own body movements and having it associated with one's personal appearance is a subject of investigation all by itself. In fact, my passion for jewelry goes back to my childhood. I would always ask to look inside jewelry boxes; I was mesmerized by the vivid colors of the gemstones and the shinning gold, dreaming of one day becoming a famous jewelry designer who could create a magic ring like the ones in the dragon’s tales.

2. You are passionate about gemstones and fascinated by their properties. Do you have a favorite gemstone?

I often juxtapose hot and cold colors together complimented with the fresh hue of white pearls, searching for balance and equilibrium in my jewelry designs. I do have a hick for diamonds, phrenites, rubies and pearls, however, each gemstone is unique and draws its own beauty. Each with different properties, rather physical, chemical, aesthetic and always finds means to amaze me. As a gemstone lover, I always try to define their own poetry and give tribute to their natural characteristics in my design. 


3. How come you design only rings?

Since 1995, I have been dedicated to create unique pieces of jewelry, seeking to convey different emotions, always pushed forward my skills acquired while assuring a total comfort for wearers. Captivated by the deep relationship between rings and owners as well as their symbolism, and history, I started to specialize in rings, both sculptural and kinetic. Sometimes, the set stones, thanks to tiny mechanisms, can follow the movements of the body in multiple ways. Whether being worn daily or on special occasions, rings are the most common and evocative pieces of jewelry. They are very personal and submerged in symbolic meaning. They can be worn as protective talismans or simply as beautiful, precious accessories. Often, people will refuse to go out, or even sleep, without their rings. What, then, makes a ring so powerful, even in contemporary times? Of course, we cannot disregard our past if we are to understand why rings remain so important in our culture. From ancient Egypt to the 21st century, its rich history of thousands of years is intricate and fascinating. Rings endure as objects that have direct connections to our body language and serve as a reflection of one’s appearance and style while recalling memories of our loved ones, representing victories... and their vintage surface projects its unmistakable power...


4. A visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo offered you the chance to find out more about the symbolic importance and origin of engagement rings. Tell us a little bit about this journey.

To deepen my knowledge on the history of engagement rings, I went to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which contains the largest collection of ancient Egyptian Jewelry in the world. This collection includes one of the first engagement rings, which was owned by Queen Aah-Hotep, the mother of Ahmose. Seeing the Pharaohs’ jewelry and meeting with well-known specialists allowed me to better understand the ancestral techniques and customs as well as to learn more about the symbolic importance and origin of the engagement ring. This research and creation project had a real impact on my artistic career, and it is from this rich experience that I designed the Vena Amoris Collection. This project was made possible in 2009, thanks to the Conseil des arts et des letters du Quebec.



5. Which is the piece of jewelry that you’re the most proud of?

Each of my jewelry designs brings me different forms of satisfaction. It could be on both conceptual and technical levels as well as based on the emotional drive, which the design can trigger in the public. Recently, I created a sculptural ring entitled INOX Reverie made from stainless steel and gold, which entailed a few technical and conceptual challenges. This ring was built without any soldering point. Powerful, resistant, and strong, yet lustrous and so soft to the touch, its design focuses on the unique properties of stainless steel. It emphasizes the contrast between dark and light, hard and soft, tough and tender. Thus, it juxtaposes the depth of black onyx to luminous yellow Australian Prehnite. INOX Reverie suggests a dreamy, musing state within the fast, contemporary realm and pace of urban life.
INOX Reverie Ring (2013) Stainless steel, 14k gold, Australian yellow prehnite,pearl, onyx. Photo credit: Claudio Pino * Selected design for FERROUS JuriedInternational Exhibit, Velvet da Vinci Gallery, and for Crafhaus as well asfor the 14K Gallery,SNAG 2013.

6. The Trilogie ring encompasses your artistic development by bringing together “the importance of the past, the intensity of the present and the possibilities of the future” (as you said it). What’s next in Pino Fine Art Jewellery?

As soon as a design is completed, I am continually searching for the next idea and I am always thinking about what could be my ultimate design! The road of creativity never stops. 


You can find Claudio's amazing creations on his websites (pinodesign.net and claudiopino.lmrpr.com) or at his future exhibitions:


*** Upcoming Shows ****
2014 – Selected Exhibitions

Delirio y Cordura 
Velvet da Vinci Gallery
San Francisco, California, USA

July 11 to August 12, 2014

Galerie Für Schmuck Meister und Margarita
Solo Show: Claudio Pino: The Power of Rings

Frankfurt, Germany

June 14 to June 20, 2014

SOFA New York
Option Art Gallery

New York, NY, USA

May 8 to 11, 2014

D’OR Exhibition
18Karat Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

March 31 to April 25, 2014

Gala San Jose 2014
Reinhold Jewelers

San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA


Feb. 18 to 22, 2014


Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Blue sapphire rings

Did you know that blue color is associated with freedom, intuition, imagination and inspiration? Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence and intelligence.

You can see both the sea and the sky in this color and it comforts you as you can find peace in it.

With this positive impact on our mind and body, how not to be in love with and wear blue gemstone jewelry? Especially when it’s about blue sapphire rings like these amazing ones:

Ceylon Sapphire Sugarloaf Cabochon Ring

Liens Ring by Chaumet

Natural Burma Sapphire Ring by David Morris
Large Topaz Citrine Sapphire Gold Cocktail Ring
Blue Sapphire, Diamonds and Blue Enamel Ring by Kathleen Dughi

Oval Diamond & Sapphire Ring by Alexandra Mor


Lapis and Sapphire Ring by Fernando Jorge

My favorite one is Alexandra Mor's ring and my second choice goes to the Cocktail ring. Which one is your pick?

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,