Bracelets – Shine & Starfire

Messika Paris

February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Messika Paris is a french jewelry brand founded about 12 years ago by Valeria Messika. Their signature design plays upon movable diamonds (Move). Other notable collections are their ‘skinny’ technology diamond pieces. These pieces are advertised to meld with all different body types.

Interested in the brand’s history? Attached here is a lovely article written by the New York Times : https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/fashion/jewelry-messika.html

Honest Confession: Messika has not been very high on my list.
When I first glimpsed at their trademark pieces a few years ago, I’ll admit I wasn’t very impressed. I tally-ed Messika in my list of jewelry brands to watch as it would be a hit or a miss. I will say that with time and the additions of new design pieces, Messika Paris is most definitely one to watch. Their modern take on jewelry fit the mark in luxury with the times. Attached below are are few pieces I especially love running my eyes over.
Furthermore, I can definitely see one of their bracelets sitting side by side the iconic Cartier Love bracelet in a lovely arm stack.

One small thing I will mention that continues to leave me perplexed is:
How on earth do you keep these jewelry pieces clean?
Closer inspection of the mechanics between movable pieces and main pieces include so many tiny little crevices... with which dead skin cells can linger and flourish… I mean… have you ever taken a multi stone pronged ring under a microscope and seen like grey/ brown stuff caked within the tiny little nooks and crannies ???

That aside, actually really obsessed with the new collaboration My Soul collection with Gigi Hadid.

Currently Listening to:
Zombie
By: The Cranberries

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.

LUMO Jewelry

April 28, 2016April 28, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Currently still obsessing over thread bare stackables! (mostly rings)
LUMO Jewelry is California based and features similar if not the same theme as Jennie Kwon Designs. (Pricewise again is around the same- pricey).
Noticeable difference in design keep LUMO and Jennie Kwon separate and yet similar in the thread bare minimalist hand, arm, and neck jewelry.
I especially love LUMO’s ‘cuff’ rings- offered in a varity of colored stones and designs.

There is something about cuff rings that really catch my eye. I guess its a design that when stacked with a solitaire or statement ring, adds some sort of brilliance. I especially love LUMO’s atria cuff ring as the three cut diamonds just intrigue me! Not to mention the fact that this design sort of reminds me of Tiffany & Co.’s victoria line of star arranged diamonds. Absolutely love. LUMO Jewelry also stocks necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Thin cuff and thin chained bracelets are currently in (with the whole Alex & Ani craze still pretty popular with college students). Personally, my thin wrists would only allow for very few stackables (fingers included). Perhaps the reason why my eyes currently gleam over thin threadbares? But I digress. LUMO Jewelry has a thumbs up from me. A bit on the pricey side, but handmade designs warrant more TLC! A few snapshots below of some of my likes taken from google and LUMOs website.

Sidebar: LUMO jewelry makes their jewelery with either conflict free diamonds or Herkimer diamonds. Herkimer diamonds aren’t actual real diamonds- but double terminated (pointed) quartz known for their clarity and shine. Herkimer diamonds are legitimate herkimer diamonds if mined from upstate New York (Herkimer County). As wikipedia states, though double pointed Quartz can now be found in other areas, ‘Herkimer Diamonds’ only hail from Herkimer county!

The more you know.

Catbird

April 18, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Been a long while since a post (busy with real life things now that I am no long fun employed woohoo for income!). But happy mid April everyone!

Current post on local jewelry haven for minimalist/ simple handmade jewelry from Catbird NY located in one of the trendier neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
This quaint little shop features dainty jewelry made in sterling silver, white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold. I’ve been on and off on their website eyeing their particular house made Famous Letter Ring as it has a cuteness factor of 7 coupled with 10 for customization! (and don’t I just love customizable jewelry).
Anyways, Catbird is one of those stores that sells their own small selection of designs aswell as being a major stockist for local (NYC) jewelers who share their style/ concept. It was from Catbird where I learned of jewelers like Satomi Kawakita etc.
Pricing wise, they are a little on the pricey side (simply for thin gold bands) but I wouldn’t mind purchasing from them as craftsmanship and customer service are A+. In addition- threadbare stacking rings are very in right now. Catbird also has their idea of the best ‘stack’. Currently they have a poppin online store that sells more than just jewelry – custom Catbird stationary, soaps, prints etc. In addition, earlier last year they opened up their own Catbird annex for the sole purpose of wedding, engagement rings. (I do adore their Odette the Swan). For me, I’m a sucker for rings so that is what I usually gravitate towards, but they do have a small selection of minimal earrings as wells as delicate chained bracelets and necklaces worth a gander.

Feeling: Tired as f***

Lionette by Noa Sade

February 17, 2016February 17, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Let’s talk about statement pieces. To be honest, I don’t own any statement pieces simply because I do not feel like I can rock it. Lionette by Noa Sade is NYC based and creates beautiful statement pieces. I found them via famous popular fashion style blogger Chriselle Lim a few years ago and I just love their pieces. Each piece is so unique and definite statement pieces. You can wear bracelets and necklaces stacked up or by themselves- either way draw attention to the pieces.

Now while I love love love these statement pieces, I doubt I will ever purchase from them via sheer price alone. Lionette NY’s popularity is definitely real and present. (Trust me I’ve seen the prices rise along the years). The prices are (in my honest opinion) utterly ridiculous. I don’t mean to bash them, but their pieces are made of plated brass and simulated semi precious stones like turquoise or opals etc. Let me say that again, plated brass and simulated stones. Why are you charging $400+ for brass and fake stones? I just can’t wrap my head around it. Oh and the designs however beautiful and ingenious can most definitely be replicated via materials from your local craft store (maybe not the cone shaped stones but you know what I mean).

Long story short, while I absolutely love Lionette NY’s designs and pieces (because they truly are gorgeous) I would not buy them because honestly you can get a 14k gold ring plus a tiny diamond for that price. Call me cheap but its simply not worth it. – unless you are filthy rich and do not care.

And while I was lusting after their Sinead bracelet for quite some time, I wouldn’t purchase because my wrists are sooooooo tiny and I doubt they will adjust one for my size (must I mention the fear that they might charge more for an adjusted one? not to mention charge the full price for materials?).

Vita Fede

February 1, 2016February 5, 2016 shineandstarfireLeave a comment

Introducing my ultimate all time favorite and classic –
I believe every girl (or guy) should have at the very least one item from Vita Fede. Fashion genius American born Cynthia Sakai of Japanese descent is the owner and the designer of Vita Fede. I cannot tress the simple elegance of her famous ‘Titan’ and ‘Mini Titan’ bracelets. These seemingly simple hinged cuff bracelets with conical edges create the perfect shine and breathtaking look. Founded in 2009, Sakai has proven that she can think outside the box while still delivering new and upcoming ideas in fashion jewelry. Just when you think there is nothing more you can tweak with the Titans, she releases new and over the top designs. Most importantly, her bracelets match just about anything and everything! Wear them as a single statement piece, or stack em up! I simply just can’t get enough!

Make and models vary in price. Most all bracelets are 14k plated making them sturdy and durable. I have yet to see a diamond studded piece (which I have mixed feelings over) but she does have a selection that sports fresh water pearls of various colors and Swarovski elements.

images (1) Prices vary depending on bracelet; cheapest would be the Mini Titan ~$250. Lowest price item currently on the website is ~$125 (Ultra Mini Titan Ring). Throughout the years, prices have definitely soared as I scored my gold mini titan on a sale bargain price of ~$185. Personally, I would love to purchase more but it is simply too expensive for 14k plated only. Stoned pieces can rise to as much as $450+! (which is wayyyyy too much). I would however love to see when and if she decides to rise to luxury jewelry – meaning producing her jewelry in 14k gold, rose gold in entirety. This would definitely give Cartier’s love bracelets a run for their money!

Sidebar: her designs are such a hit there are so many copycats out there. While a great way to get styles you love for a better price, quality just won’t be the same.