Tag: gold

Tomasz Donocik

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Award-winning fine jewellery designer Tomasz Donocik creates unique pieces that blur the boundaries between art and jewellery. Born in Poland and raised in Austria, Tomasz now lives and works in London where he founded his eponymous brand in 2008. Tomasz graduated with a BA from Central Saint Martins in London, followed by an MA in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing and Jewellery Making from the Royal College of Art in London. Immersed in these culturally rich surroundings, Tomasz has developed a life-long passion for art, film and literature, which continuously inspire his award-winning designs.

Text above from Tomasz Donocik’s ‘About Me‘ section on his website

Lovely jeweler with even lovelier designs.
This post a long time coming; the lilypad ring is something of a marvel and something that keeps the eyes busy. Donocik does a great job playing with color and geometry of stone shapes.
Here are a few of his stunning pieces I particularly like. His styles range from sharp geometric to ethereal nature pieces.

Shaun Leane

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British designer hailed for his work while at Alexander McQueen has been on my list of folks to write about for a bit.
I’ve eyed his hook/ sabre lines for a while but never quite got to writing or getting remotely close to jumping the gun on purchasing a piece. I don’t think these statement earrings work well with my style!

Anyways, always happy to see his pieces evolve over time. His newest creations on stackable transformative interlocking pieces really caught my eye.


More pictures than words with this post.
I love a good stackable ring and even more when stackable rings aren’t symmetrical and can be flipped up and down to make a different look!
I especially love set rings that look good by themselves in addition to with their set pair. I pass by only a few engagement sets on social media that do this very well (without the engagement wedding band being the commonly seen eternity bands- quite boring in my opinion). If I ever get married, I’d wish for an eye catching set that is a feast for eyes separate and together.
Shaun Leane has one such example: Ariana set.

Ariana Wedding band
Ariana Engagement ring
Ariana set

Again as most of my posts go:
$$$ – expensive!
Mixed metals, mixed stones but also lots of love for these pieces!

Nadine Ghosn

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She makes old school number 2 pencils look good.
Check it out: Nadine Ghosn

She’s got a case load of quirky jewelry from her ‘Too Cool for School” line; pens, pencils, paper clips etc.

Too Cool for School Line


Honorable mentions to the mix and match stackable burger rings. (All made of real bling bing)
And her mini sushi inspired charms. Super cute!

Want is an understatement. Need is slightly too strong a word.
Short post today; last of the 2021 year. More to come next year!

Gem Dior / Netali Nissim ; Chiara Ferragni

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Long time no post; and short post today.
Wanted to share a delectable piece I’ve been eyeing recently sported by the stunning Chiara Ferragni.
Those who don’t know who she is, look her up. In short, Italian entrepreneur who married singer Fedez (Federico Leonardo Lucia) with currently with two gorgeous children. Her road to infamy originated from her fashion blog https://theblondesalad.com/, known for her edgy street wear and street styling. The rest is history! She now has her own brand and partnerships with a multitude of luxury brands etc.

But I digress; back to the topic at hand. So as an avid follower of Chiara (and the Ferragni’s in general- their kids are so cute!) and with an eye for shiny things (of which Chiara is never sparse with), I’ve noticed a bracelet she’s been wearing that seemed vaguely familiar.
A gold cuff with diamonds in rectangular parallel pattern. I couldn’t quite place it, but knew I’ve seen it before while window shopping luxury brand bracelets. I remember when seeing it, my first impression was “edgy, chic, not everyone can pull off”. On Chiara however, it looks wonderful as a companion to all the other bracelets she wears and yet also a statement.
So I decided to find out just where to get this bracelet in the off chance its slightly affordable- though who am I kidding, I don’t think I’d purchase it anyways.
I make my morning latte, open my laptop to Google and open up tabs for all the luxury brands that I know sell fine jewelry pieces.

Gem Dior Bracelet/ WG & Diamonds

When I do find it on the Dior site, I nearly spit out my coffee at the price.
It’s $30,600 USD. Yes. You read right, thirty thousand dollars (and change). Let that fact marinate for a moment. That’s the price of a car…
Anyways, thought I would share that tiny tidbit.
I love Chiara and her style but can only dream of owning, and wearing such a piece on a daily basis.

My next feat is to search up where she got another bracelet from. Its similar to Cartier‘s bejeweled diamond LOVE bracelet but its not… it has emerald eye motifs. Dazzling to say the least. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a custom piece.

Netali Nissim/ YG, Diamonds, Emeralds

Update: 30mins later. I found the eye/love bracelet!
Brand/Jeweler: Netali Nissim
Their USA online boutique doesn’t have that exact one for sale (or a pave version) so I mused at this being a custom piece. However some more digging pointed me to another site that did carry the exact piece.
This Italian website sells the exact one that Chiara sports, so it looks like this isn’t a custom piece. Still gorgeous at a mind boggling 15,000 EUROS (~ $18,300 USD)
I coughed at the price, but barely. Pave is expensive… that much I know and this brand is not well known luxury brand.
Netali Nissim: on the brand as a whole features colorful gemstones with eye motifs. Def cute!

Yvonne Leon

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lovoI’ve been on the prowl for some new earrings. Naturally, I do some online window shopping the the jewelry section on Net-a-porter. Found the cutest solid gold, multi color stone crab earring by french jeweler Yvonne Leon.
Little is known about Leon save for her quirky designs that breathe life into precious metals.
Her website displays a multitude of designs; from sea creatures like lobsters and manta-rays to more abstract geometric designs. She certainly creates something for any woman at every age.
I particularly love her creations focused on ears. Pictures to follow.


A bit on the pricy side. I do wish some of her pieces were smaller (the crocodile in particular looks like it would cause sagging earlobes if I wore them everyday!

Super cute! Hope to one day own a piece for myself.

Stephen Webster

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StephenWebsterLogoA current artistic jeweler favorite is Stephen Webster. Words can only do so much to describe the splendor and amazement his pieces invoke in me. World renowned British jewelry designer Stephen Webster spins masterful pieces from a multitude of sources and materials. Each piece tells a story like no other and is unique alone as statement pieces worthy of conversation at any event. I personally would love to own a piece!
Each piece is a show stopper.

Feast your eyes on a few of my personal favorites:

Hammerhead shark bangles in solid gold +/- colorful gems would look great coupled with the simpler Cartier Love bangle.

Jeweled long finger lobster rings or his cuckoo bee or two piece jitterbug rings would be perfect for cocktail parties.

Elegant thorn drop earrings & many more look amazing for red carpet events.

Price: $$$$+++ (way way out of my budget)
Would love if he created a separate mini sterling silver collection for those of us who aren’t gazillionaires!

Currently Listening to:
Johnny Run Away
By: Tones & I

Messika Paris

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Messika LogoMessika 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

Kat Kim

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Threaders.
Pearls.
Put them together and you get the most gorgeous pearl ear threaders to adorn your lobes.
Kat Kim crafts something a little extra with her eye catching threaders that are both bold and demure.
kat kim logo
Piercings have been making a comeback as recent trends show. Quite a few brands are picking up on the trend and creating their own body jewelry/ piercing lines (much needed and undersaturated to be quite honest). It is often extremely hard to find quality piercing jewelry (non stainless steel/ plastic). As someone who is allergic basically all the alloy metals with the exception of gold/ platinum, I find it refreshing to increasingly be able to find quality piercing jewelry from upcoming brands that display some artistic flare.


Kat Kim does three things for me.

  1. Picks up and adds to the current modern pearl jewelry trend
  2. Provides piercing jewelry pieces for those of us who are bored of the normal diamond studs
  3. Meshes diamonds and metal lines in a beautiful minimalistic way

    Pictures for proof:

    ear pinear pin collectionthread pin earring

Need I say more?
Price Range: $$$
Bespoke: Yes
Custom Metals/ Stones: Yes

Note:
First post of 2019! I’ve made it one of my New years resolution to post more. I’ve got quite a bit of brands/ things I would like to share.
I will change it up a bit; I’ve noticed how I basically rave about all the jewelers/ brands in posts which can get boring and repetitive.
NEW CONTENT SOON!

Noor Fares

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Noor Fares LogoDefinitely one a showstopper, Lebanese jewelry designer Noor Fares has been on my radar for quite some time.
Her signature wings earrings are almost always sold out on her website. I’ve seen a lot of winged jewelry renditions overtime, but Noor Fares creates the best balance of flashy, and elegance. Each piece is hand carved made of various different stones, materials and attached to precious metals; from wood, sandstone, diamonds, quartz, jade, ebony, mammoth ivory etc. you name it, she can probably craft it. Her iconic ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ earrings have shot her straight to fame since 2009.


Each and every piece she creates provokes meaning and almost beckons someone to come forth and inquire. Would love, love, love to eventually be able to purchase and own one of her pieces! Feast your eyes on some magnificent jewelry porn below!
18k Chandra Crescent
One of her latest pieces I absolutely adore is from her rainbow collection. The Crescent Chandra earrings are particularly sublime. That slice of crystal in the shape of a crescent moon sitting on a golden bed of rainbow stones is just gorgeous.

Rich and richer.
Noor Fares is the daughter of Lebanese multi-millionaire Issam Fares. Hailing from Tufts University, she learned all about gems at London’s GIA. Some can only dream of being able to fulfill endless inspirational pieces with boundless resources! Her father is said to be a very successful entrepreneur and it looks like his daughter most definitely followed in his footsteps!

Mateo NYC

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I recently lost one of my favorite rings at a Dave & Busters (literally tossed it off into the abyss as I was lobbing a basketball in one of those arcade games). Sent out a mobile phone flashlight party, but to no avail it is most definitely gone for good. And that is the reason why I’m back here. The hunt for a new shiny piece is on!

I’ve been pretty much MIA with life this summer. As the days grow shorter and the daylight wanes, I’m back to my usual online prowl for glimmering beauties.

Mateo Logo

MATEO NYC was introduced to me by the one and only Eva Chen (I’ve been an avid follower of her instagram and fashion pieces). Mateo NYC is headed by Matthew Harris an NYC implant of the ripe age of 16 from the sunny, sandy shores of Montego Bay, Jamaica. A self taught jeweler, he started with mens jewelry and later evolved his collections to include women’s jewelry. Love his simple designs.

Picture 96578
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Absolutely adore some of his most recent pieces made for women. I’ve been recently very interested in mixed metals, diamonds, and pearls with modern shapes and designs. Something about the translucency and timelessness of pearls just makes we stop and stare. And while I don’t quite put myself at an age appropriate enough to dare are wear white pearl jewelry, one of Mateo pieces just might make me break that rule…
Most worth mentioning is the fact that some pieces are still pretty affordable as diamond/ gold goes… for now…
Get em while they’re hot! As any new upcoming jeweler is bound to sky rocket in fame, so are the prices!