Hope all are well; we're fine. Thank you www.IntoTemptation.wordpress.com for the timely piece.
31 October, 2012
Post- Hurricane Storm Sandy Memento
Hope all are well; we're fine. Thank you www.IntoTemptation.wordpress.com for the timely piece.
29 October, 2012
Hello Sandy- Goodbye Fall!
Hurricane Sandy may not be a hurricane any more, but the beast howling around outside is NOT friendly. We are blessed to be warm and safe and together. Dear Lord who creates hurricanes, watch over your children as this monster prowls and growls up the east coast. Amen.
And back to Gem ID before we lose power, probably for days! Sandy's knocked down all of the autumn leaves, so enjoy this lovely Tiffany necklace, on www.1stdibs.com. Wouldn't you love to know this piece's provenance?
(Good advice for coffee fiends- if you expect to lose power, prepare a pot of coffee ahead of time and put it in a thermos to stay warm, just in case.)
19 October, 2012
Black Friday- Old Is New Again
These Handcrafted Leather Cuff Bracelets from Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry in collaboration with Eugene Lee are recycling at its finest- stylish, well made, old into new, edgy with a respectful nod to the past. Good leather, well constructed, with platinum and diamond vintage buckles, will get better over time. Think how fabulous these would look with jeans- and even better with a LBD or evening gown; wear them to the coffee shop or to the opera!
To learn more, please email info@shsilver.com.
Or contact concierge at (650) 503·3054.
Or contact concierge at (650) 503·3054.
Details
Handcrafted leather cuff bracelets with vintage diamond and platinum buckles; our first collaboration with designer Eugene Lee
15 October, 2012
A Pick Me Up for Monday
12 October, 2012
Black Friday
The blogiverse is a-twitter critiquing Jennifer Aniston's new engagement ring, seen in this blurry photo. It's too big; it's too gaudy; it's too whatever...Who died and made these people Goldilocks? Opinions are like bellybuttons. Everyone has one, and a lot of them should not be on display.
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| Yup, a gazillion carats- an idol somewhere is missing an eye! From People |
Repeat after me...All brides are beautiful. All babies are beautiful. All engagement rings are beautiful. That is, unless they look like this...
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| Black Cat Ring by Abrakadabra, www.notjustalabel.com |
Good manners would require positively responding to this ring too, "In Britain, black cats are good luck!" or, "He knows he likes your kitties." Have the, "Are you sure he's the one?" conversation later. (For fun, post what you would say to a friend who received this statement piece as her engagement ring.)
Diamonds are great, and are best from someone you love who loves you back. Ms. Aniston received a monstrously huge ring that she seems to like from a guy she loves. Even funky kitty rings are good from someone you love who loves you back. Embrace the gesture and move on!
11 October, 2012
How to Stretch Your $500 Part IV
Here's where I waffle like a lawyer. These strategies will not get you a Cartier panther watch for $500. Or even $50,000. They will help you get a few hundred knocked off a fine piece or maybe even $1,000 here or there (if shopping at a gem and jewelry show), and they might help you acquire pieces otherwise beyond your price point. Perhaps they will help you think of your jewelry as a coherent whole, a collection, that expresses your aesthetic vision and extends beyond what you hang on your body.
This leads to the other important rule, as important as the rule that you should never buy retail. Never buy crap. Don't buy junk, not even inexpensive junk, because junk is junk. "What is junk?" is a fair question, but not to be answered today. That's an answer that can take a long, long time and has 1,000 pitfalls.
Today, let's look at something pretty.
P.S. My aesthetic vision apparently is, "Ooooooo! Shiny!"
P.P.S If you want to weigh in on the definition of "junk," please do!
This leads to the other important rule, as important as the rule that you should never buy retail. Never buy crap. Don't buy junk, not even inexpensive junk, because junk is junk. "What is junk?" is a fair question, but not to be answered today. That's an answer that can take a long, long time and has 1,000 pitfalls.
Today, let's look at something pretty.
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| Tiffany dogwood necklace, 1st Dibs I think. If it is not, someone please correct me. |
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| Art Nouveau pendant of gold, enamel, freshwater pearls, and diamonds, www.1stdibs.com. |
P.P.S If you want to weigh in on the definition of "junk," please do!
10 October, 2012
How to Stretch Your $500 Part III
Continuing with ideas on how to save your money and grow your collection since you should never pay retail...
8. Yard sales are not the bonanza they used to be since everyone sells their gold, but some surprises still surface. An acquaintance found a VC&A item at a yard sale. Go at least a half an hour early before the sale starts and take cash. Flea markets sometime cough up surprises, but go early. Don't sneer at pawn shops and musty old antique/junk shops. Local auctions are sometimes worth a look. Do not turn up your nose at family pieces either. Clean, fix, size, and, if necessary, remake items lurking in your grandma's, mother's, or great-aunt's jewelry box. Ask if you can borrow them; usually, family members will loan items if they aren't wearing them.
9. Birthdays- sometimes family and friends will help you finance a piece for your birthday or a holiday. Sometimes they are willing to buy it and give it to you as a present on the big day; my wonderful man is relieved to get me something he knows I will like.
10. Sales, including sale sites like Net-a-porter, Gilt, and other designer outlet sites, can help take some of the edge off of designer jewelry. Designer jewelry is expensive, and in most cases at least half of it is the name (in BogV's case, its ALL the name). Figure out what you like about a particular style and see if you can find something similar...but avoid direct knockoffs and counterfeits.
11. Gem and jewelry shows are
God's gift to magpies, but once you've been to one, you'll
never shop at a normal jewelry store again. "Tucson" is synonymous with an enormous event that lasts a week
in February, and Las Vegas has a big one too, but there are localized ones as well. At the Chantilly Gem Show I purchased items at costs that I blushed to tell people later. There are some fantastic antiques and old designer pieces as well. Again, know something
before you go, because not all items are a deal and there a few ignorant or unscrupulous
dealers.
12. Always bargain no matter the venue. Sometimes
the price will come down with a simple, "Is this the best price?" If
you are better at bargaining, do so. Remember that retail is absurdly high, at
least five to six times times the wholesale cost.
There you have it- tested ways to acquire jewelry for less money than you thought, all of which I have used and worked for me. Why? Because you should never pay retail for jewelry.
8. Yard sales are not the bonanza they used to be since everyone sells their gold, but some surprises still surface. An acquaintance found a VC&A item at a yard sale. Go at least a half an hour early before the sale starts and take cash. Flea markets sometime cough up surprises, but go early. Don't sneer at pawn shops and musty old antique/junk shops. Local auctions are sometimes worth a look. Do not turn up your nose at family pieces either. Clean, fix, size, and, if necessary, remake items lurking in your grandma's, mother's, or great-aunt's jewelry box. Ask if you can borrow them; usually, family members will loan items if they aren't wearing them.
9. Birthdays- sometimes family and friends will help you finance a piece for your birthday or a holiday. Sometimes they are willing to buy it and give it to you as a present on the big day; my wonderful man is relieved to get me something he knows I will like.
10. Sales, including sale sites like Net-a-porter, Gilt, and other designer outlet sites, can help take some of the edge off of designer jewelry. Designer jewelry is expensive, and in most cases at least half of it is the name (in BogV's case, its ALL the name). Figure out what you like about a particular style and see if you can find something similar...but avoid direct knockoffs and counterfeits.
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| Isharya agate, gold plated unknown metal, crystal, and enamel snake necklace from Net-a-Porter.com. |
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| I was ordered to put my camera away before I got to the diamonds... |
There you have it- tested ways to acquire jewelry for less money than you thought, all of which I have used and worked for me. Why? Because you should never pay retail for jewelry.
09 October, 2012
How to Stretch Your $500 Part II
Continuing recommendations for stretching your budget while still adding to your collection...
4. Collect a rising artist. Like an artist at a gallery or on line? Work with them to purchase their work (most will work a payment plan with you) and stick with them. A friend of mine says of her Todd Reed ring, "I got it before he was TODD REED. I couldn't afford it now." If you must have a particular artist after he or she is established, shop carefully. Some artists, like Todd Reed, may never be within your price point unless you shop, shop, shop and get lucky (like that unexpected Ylang23 charm). If shopping for a particular artist, do not hesitate to contact the artist and ask how much to buy directly from him/her.
5. Almost anything you want is on EBay, but research before you buy. There are a lot of counterfeits on EBay. If a deal looks too good, it probably is. That said, there is great jewelry on EBay for prices far below retail. Become familiar with the bidding process and how to evaluate sellers, and you will be amazed at what you find. A woman I know got an amazing Hungarian enameled silver set from the early 1800s for next to nothing, and my Victorian jet and pearl pansy pin was an answer to a prayer. If having a "name" piece matters to you, shop EBay religiously until the piece you want appears at a price you can afford. Visiting www.Bidz.com can be rewarding as well.
6. Shopping on Etsy takes patience. There is a lot of good stuff on Etsy mixed with a lot of junk. Spend some time, and you can find unique, well made items usually for significantly less than retail.
7. Don't be wedded to gold. Silver is much less expensive and is extensively used for interesting pieces. People are also doing interesting things in titanium, stainless steel, and brass. If it looks good on you, don't stint.
More tomorrow. Remember...don't buy retail.
4. Collect a rising artist. Like an artist at a gallery or on line? Work with them to purchase their work (most will work a payment plan with you) and stick with them. A friend of mine says of her Todd Reed ring, "I got it before he was TODD REED. I couldn't afford it now." If you must have a particular artist after he or she is established, shop carefully. Some artists, like Todd Reed, may never be within your price point unless you shop, shop, shop and get lucky (like that unexpected Ylang23 charm). If shopping for a particular artist, do not hesitate to contact the artist and ask how much to buy directly from him/her.
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| Diamond acrylic rings by AMT (Alissia Melka-Teichroew) at www.oyemodern.com (And these are on sale too!!!) |
6. Shopping on Etsy takes patience. There is a lot of good stuff on Etsy mixed with a lot of junk. Spend some time, and you can find unique, well made items usually for significantly less than retail.
7. Don't be wedded to gold. Silver is much less expensive and is extensively used for interesting pieces. People are also doing interesting things in titanium, stainless steel, and brass. If it looks good on you, don't stint.
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| Jali rings by Meghan O'Rourke, made of aluminum |
08 October, 2012
How to Stretch Your $500 Part I
The $500 splurge posts reminded me that jewelry costs money, and good jewelry costs a lot of it. What's an addict to do? These twelve steps don't meet the spirit of a twelve step program- but hopefully they'll enable fellow addicts to meet their jewelry needs more responsibly and often.
1. Buy American- Native American. Native American jewelry continues to be one of the least expensive, best quality, hand made, historical, signed by the artist, jaw dropping jewelry out there. Newer jewelry may have highly treated turquoise in it, but for statement jewelry there is nothing like it. Buy from a reputable dealer (or the artist) and be amazed at what your money can do!
2. Go classic. Most women need a selection of gold necklaces of different lengths, a good pearl necklace and set of earrings, a set of diamond studs, hoops of whatever size flatters them, and a few sets of studs that express personality. You will never lack something to wear at any age with those items. Tthese items in good quality can be found at reasonable prices and on sale. www.Overstock.com has these from companies with solid reputations.
3. Go advant garde/ contemporary. Contemporary jewelry can be expensive and confusing. However, for every crocheted penis that costs $1,000, there are fun, exciting, original pieces for much less in every medium imaginable. After I saw John Cogswell's work in a book, I called him and gushed like the fan girl I am. While I was willing to pay ANYTHING for one of his forged neck pieces, it was ridiculously within my price range. So he made one that was measured for and fits my neck. By a silver smith who has work on display in The Victoria and Albert Museum and others world-wide. Wow. Look through the Lark books for artists that interest you and shamelessly stalk them. Try www.Notjustalabel.com.
More tomorrow- remember...never pay retail.
1. Buy American- Native American. Native American jewelry continues to be one of the least expensive, best quality, hand made, historical, signed by the artist, jaw dropping jewelry out there. Newer jewelry may have highly treated turquoise in it, but for statement jewelry there is nothing like it. Buy from a reputable dealer (or the artist) and be amazed at what your money can do!
2. Go classic. Most women need a selection of gold necklaces of different lengths, a good pearl necklace and set of earrings, a set of diamond studs, hoops of whatever size flatters them, and a few sets of studs that express personality. You will never lack something to wear at any age with those items. Tthese items in good quality can be found at reasonable prices and on sale. www.Overstock.com has these from companies with solid reputations.
3. Go advant garde/ contemporary. Contemporary jewelry can be expensive and confusing. However, for every crocheted penis that costs $1,000, there are fun, exciting, original pieces for much less in every medium imaginable. After I saw John Cogswell's work in a book, I called him and gushed like the fan girl I am. While I was willing to pay ANYTHING for one of his forged neck pieces, it was ridiculously within my price range. So he made one that was measured for and fits my neck. By a silver smith who has work on display in The Victoria and Albert Museum and others world-wide. Wow. Look through the Lark books for artists that interest you and shamelessly stalk them. Try www.Notjustalabel.com.
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| Cogswell neckpiece- NOT like mine; it's like light made into a solid form. |
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| Cogswell earrings- I did not know he makes earrings! |
05 October, 2012
$500 Splurge...Weekend at Barneys
While window shopping at certain places is fun, sometimes it's even more fun to open the door and buy- those designer names, the cache of the rich and famous, the chance to negligently drawl, "This old thing..?" $500 not only gets you in the door but gives you options!
Today we're splurging at www.Barneys.com.
If you crave a famous blue box, Tiffany's has many beautiful $500 items. Which Elsa Peretti necklace would madam prefer? The blue and gold one, merci!
Today we're splurging at www.Barneys.com.
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| Jennifer Meyer gold and sapphire ring |
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| Judy Geib silver and gold earrings |
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| Erickson Beamon jade necklace |
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| Monique Pean horn and gold bracelet |
If you crave a famous blue box, Tiffany's has many beautiful $500 items. Which Elsa Peretti necklace would madam prefer? The blue and gold one, merci!
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| Elsa Peretti Color By the Yard necklace in lapis and gold |
04 October, 2012
News From the Dark Side of Globalism
Salman Rushdie's memoir, Joseph Anton, is amazing. His beautiful prose starkly contrasts with the ignorance that forced him into years of hiding. It glows with life- go read it now.
No Easy Day remains on the best seller lists, morphing into a political cautionary tale. Since No Easy Day was published, The Secretary of Defense has publicly discussed disciplining Mr. Owens for not honoring his nondisclosure agreement. Many military writers and bloggers don't meet their nondisclosure agreements because public affairs officers clumsily edit and overwrite, and because the services significantly relaxed their standards over the past 10+ years to leverage soldiers' output for public relations. Mr. Owen's comments like, "We'd kept this whole thing under wraps for weeks. Now, Washington was leaking everything, and we were going to get the lecture for it," might have touched a nerve. The kerfuffle appears partially politically motivated- keep your eye on it.
The filmmaker behind the anti-Islamic video that recently sparked violence was arrested 27 September for violating his probation, including allegedly lying about his role in the film's production. A judge ordered Mr. Nakoula detained, citing a "lengthy pattern of deception," adding that he posed "some danger to the community." He was hiding due to death threats, and HE poses a danger to the community? He could face up to three years behind bars- if he isn't killed first.
Piss Christ, the photo by Mr. Serano of a plastic crucifix in urine may be viewed beginning 27 September at the Edward Tyler Nahem Gallery in New York. Throughout the photograph's worldwide tour, it was vandalized multiple times, and Mr. Serano was threatened. Seriously? Isn't it punishment enough to be the dude who takes photos of urine and calls it art? And tell me how the photo is worse than what we do to Christ daily?
Everyone in the global village, even the global idiots, should be able to speak freely, openly, and safely. The proper response to bad ideas and bad art is beauty like Rushdie's writing or scorn and snark, not fatwas and persecution.
P.S. Or suing someone for libel...On 12 September, as part of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the Philippine government made service providers, people who "like" content, and re-Tweeters responsible for any content deemed libelous under antiquated libel laws condemned by the United Nations Committee on Human Rights- effectively squelching free exchanges of ideas on the Internet in the Philippines. BTW- the law extends to service providers and individuals outside of the Philippines too. Yikes! Could this change what you do on the Inter-webs?
No Easy Day remains on the best seller lists, morphing into a political cautionary tale. Since No Easy Day was published, The Secretary of Defense has publicly discussed disciplining Mr. Owens for not honoring his nondisclosure agreement. Many military writers and bloggers don't meet their nondisclosure agreements because public affairs officers clumsily edit and overwrite, and because the services significantly relaxed their standards over the past 10+ years to leverage soldiers' output for public relations. Mr. Owen's comments like, "We'd kept this whole thing under wraps for weeks. Now, Washington was leaking everything, and we were going to get the lecture for it," might have touched a nerve. The kerfuffle appears partially politically motivated- keep your eye on it.
The filmmaker behind the anti-Islamic video that recently sparked violence was arrested 27 September for violating his probation, including allegedly lying about his role in the film's production. A judge ordered Mr. Nakoula detained, citing a "lengthy pattern of deception," adding that he posed "some danger to the community." He was hiding due to death threats, and HE poses a danger to the community? He could face up to three years behind bars- if he isn't killed first.
Piss Christ, the photo by Mr. Serano of a plastic crucifix in urine may be viewed beginning 27 September at the Edward Tyler Nahem Gallery in New York. Throughout the photograph's worldwide tour, it was vandalized multiple times, and Mr. Serano was threatened. Seriously? Isn't it punishment enough to be the dude who takes photos of urine and calls it art? And tell me how the photo is worse than what we do to Christ daily?
Everyone in the global village, even the global idiots, should be able to speak freely, openly, and safely. The proper response to bad ideas and bad art is beauty like Rushdie's writing or scorn and snark, not fatwas and persecution.
P.S. Or suing someone for libel...On 12 September, as part of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the Philippine government made service providers, people who "like" content, and re-Tweeters responsible for any content deemed libelous under antiquated libel laws condemned by the United Nations Committee on Human Rights- effectively squelching free exchanges of ideas on the Internet in the Philippines. BTW- the law extends to service providers and individuals outside of the Philippines too. Yikes! Could this change what you do on the Inter-webs?
02 October, 2012
$500 Splurge Continues- On Trend, On Etsy
For those who want to spend their $500 on-trend, rutilated quartz is big. Designers like Nak Armstrong and Cathy Waterman are using rutilated quartz, with its lovely golden inclusions, as dramatic precious stones. These hand made earrings by Marya Williams have rutilated quartz, sterling silver, and 14kt gold in an original design. With fashion-forward stones and styling, these sparkling earrings are trendsetters and timeless, appropriate for casual or more formal wear.
Psst- and they will leave over $150 in the jewelry kitty for the next big splurge! (If you don't have a jewelry kitty- piggy bank- whatever animal works for you- it's a good idea to start one. That way you feel less guilt when you surrender to temptation...and you can give in more often.)
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| Maryajewelry |
01 October, 2012
$500 Splurge- Go Faux
With $500, you can get a gorgeous statement necklace, like these.
Both and many others are available at Charm and Chain. Designing costume jewelry must be the most fun job in the world.
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| Ivory Windsor Necklace by Suzanna Dai |
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| Aurora Borealis Drop Necklace by Nicole Romano |