precious gems – Page 2 – Shine & Starfire

Tasaki Intl.

August 16, 2017August 16, 2017 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Back tracking to a few of my recent favorites. Always a love for Japanese brands, this is no exception. I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite sometime but wanted to gather a bit more research on company background.
Introducing Tasaki Intl. a subsidiary of the infamous DeBeers company head quartered in Japan. Tasaki Intl. is a luxury Japanese brand with new and innovative designs adhering to old school materials such as the classic pearl.

With pearls making a bold resurgence; design head Thakoon Panichgul creates fresh new ideas to showcase the elegance of pearls. And quite frankly, I’m a fan.

Small background on Thakoon Panichgul: he is Thailand born, Omaha Nebraska raised, and currently NYC based designer. Truly brilliant designer who brings new ideas to his creations. I have nothing but respect for him. Panichgul’s work like many but few have graces the presence of many a famous celebrity (including the Obamas!).

As always I digress.

With a flare for elegance, modernity, the Tasaki branded jewelry never feels clunky or too much. Feast for the eyes to follow. Each line of jewelry is distinct in design (and designer) as each line is created in collaboration with different jewelry designers such as Melanie Georgacopoulous, Mare-Helene de Taillac etc. Collaborations with these designers generate new styles while keeping the beauty and elegance of the materials quality still at 100%.

SIDE BAR // I’ve recently found myself gravitating to pearls. A personal favorite brand, Vita Fede has been showcasing pearls in a classic yet modern and elegant way. In general I’ve found more and more jewelry companies designing pieces in pearl or with pearl accents. I’ve also seen younger girls accessorize with pearly pieces (real or otherwise). To be honest, I’ve always believed pearls would be for… lets say… mature women (ok fine, old people). But seeing trends and I, myself owning a pair of black pearls; they’re not that bad at all; I do not think pearls age me as much as I feared they would. But then again… does that make me more mature/ old now?

Tilda Biehn

September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Been super busy and lots of things of my plate as of late. Everything just seems to bunch together in stress factors and I haven’t had the time to go out for my daily jog around the park much less post something short here!

Anyways, here is Tilda Biehn, a fine jewelry line founded in 2014 by jewelry designer Andrea Lipsky-Karasz. Featured below are a few of her designs that are worth mentioning.
I was on the look out for a new pointer ring and stumbled upon her Aurora band; which is a play on the simple chain investing in it a smattering of shiny shiny glittery rocks we call diamonds.

What also captured my attention were her Stratus line earrings which kind of remind me of Bibi Vandervelden’s use of baroque pearls to depict cloud shapes! I mean, just look at the similarities!
But I digress. Lipsky-Karasz’ Comet line is absolutely beautiful. The half cuff/ wrap style is very much in and this designer does not seem to miss it. Lovely wrap style “comets” with subtle geometric aspects ingrained with options for colored stones make everything just rainbow.

Pricing wise, as I do love the ability to customize with engravings/ stones/ types of metal, still out of my budget.

Bibi van der Velden

June 12, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Absolutely adore all that is Bibi van der Velden. Her jewelry pieces are truly wearable works of art. Another artist from the Netherlands and current favorite of mine. She creates luxurious one of a kind works of art to be enjoyed for years to come. Her materials list is off the charts! From commonly known precious metals like gold and platinum to rare finds like carved mammoth ivory, scarab beetles etc.. Each piece is definitely one of a kind piece of history in itself.

I particularly love her cloud series. Personally the pricing is not over the top for the delicate and intricate designs such as hers. I would love to own a cloud piece as carved quartz is very appealing to my eyes. I especially love the added dangling chains in her necklaces that make a great statement piece.

Craftsmanship is stunning. Carving techniques are one of a kind; but of course she is a sculptor like her mother. I could rave on and on and all would be positive things to say about her work. Pictures speak louder than words so please feast your eyes on the following!

Right now: Third post @ 3am. – I hope my noisy neighbors do not wake me prior to 10am with their squealing toddler in their pool 5 yards from my bedroom. I will wreck havoc.

Loquet

June 12, 2016June 12, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Stumbled upon this very cute brand called LOQUET.

Very Short post on a very cute concept of integrating teeny tiny personalized pieces of precious gems and metals to represent oneself. Its all about the personalization in this day and age. LOQUET puts a play on traditional lockets that depict something special and dear to oneself. Love the idea, but personally would not buy for myself. (I would be too self conscious of accidentally being a spazz and knocking the glass locket on some thing or other and breaking the delicate pieces to splay all the tiny expensive LOQUET insides to the wide wide world.)

Great gift idea for those who love collecting tiny puzzle pieces!