Tag: luxury

Lionette by Noa Sade

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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.
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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?).

 

 

Novum Collection

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Here’s another one of my interesting finds. Categorized in the super duper expensive side is The Novum Collection created  by American designer Logan Novum.
Very cool and very chic his designs revolve around conceptualizing the music world. I’m not quite sure when this company popped up, but based upon the teeny tiny collection, I’ll say not too long ago. The online store only has stocked about three different items (available in different metals: sterling silver, 18kgold, and black ruthenium).

Now lets talk pricing. It is fucking ridiculously expensive. Sterling silver jack bracelet starts you at ~$345USD. To be honest, its cute and they market it great on the website with a gorgeous model and I absolutely love the idea but the price makes me very apprehensive as their brand is new. I mean, if you wore these on the street hardly anyone would notice and say ‘oh its that necklace from The Novum Collection‘. On the other hand, famous persons in the music industry such as Chris Brown and Sonny Moore (AKA Skrillex) have been photographed with some of Novum’s pieces. Anyways, I would love to see this brand grow and expand in their collection. In my opinion the average everyday Jane/ Joe could not possibly afford such tiny luxuries, but it is nice to look at.

Oh- please do checkout their Craftmanship tab on their website. It very beautifully demonstrates quality jewelry creation processes through pictures and explanations. The perfect and best tribute as a run through from idea->sketch->3d rendition and print -> casting mold -> melting metals-> rough product-> polishing + finishing touches-> final product. Link is included HERE.

Kataoka Jewelry

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katoakaOn the note of uncommon luxury jewelers and their designs is that of Japanese jeweler Yoshinobu Kataoka of Kataoka Jewelry.
From what I’ve seen its very common for Japanese jewelers to convey the dainty feeling of all their designs. Kataoka is not exception to this ‘rule’. I think it has something to do with the modest Japanese culture- nothing too flashy or too over the top.

What especially caught my attention with Kataoka’s designs is that he literally drills holes in diamonds for his necklaces. Similar to Martin Margiela’s split sapphire ring, this jeweler is unafraid to ‘cut corners’ (in this case holes) to create new and refreshing looks.18k diamond necklace
I mean, diamonds to a lot of people are sacred things and the larger the better right? There’s always talk of quality and imperfections of diamonds lowering the price of shiny rocks but kataoka throws that idea away. He treats diamonds as you do with less pricey precious stones (rose quartz etc) the idea that you can manipulate a piece of rock to create wearable aesthetically pleasing pieces, albeit dainty expensive ones.

Needless to say, I love the idea of drilling holes into diamonds. It kind of reminds me of a passive aggressive front on blood diamonds and the diamond industry in general. Americans and I believe millennials are instilled with this idea that diamonds are forever. In addition that for a man to love a woman is to commit by spending one third of his annual income by buying her a diamond ring women are taught to aspire to the idea of marriage and the idea that getting ‘the ring’ is a common goal. That is not to say that is the case for all women, I am merely providing my musings.
But I digress. Most jewelers in this day and age I feel must confine by societal standards to make a living. That’s just how it is.


Current Song:
Hands to myself 
By: Selena Gomez

Maison Martin Margiela

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PompadourScindeeRing
Pompadour Scindee Ring

For those who love jewelry with a twist, you should definitely check out the fine jewelry section from French designer Martin Margiela.
Its hard to get fine jewelry to look sleek and fine while cut in half. Made with diamonds and sapphires, this will set you back roughly $6000 USD. But still, if someone proposed to me with this ring, its YES YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES!

Apparently, Martin Margiela worked alongside Paul Gaulthier at some point. Alongside this beauty are sideways rings, deconstructed rings, giant clasp necklaces etc.

I’m a sucker for unique jewelry and Maison Martin Margiela does just this.
At the very least, sporting any accessory from this line is almost guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

*As always, as I cannot afford such luxuries these pictures were found from google.com.