Purrrrrr.....

There isn't a need for words, is there?  Cartier Panther watch...www.1stdibs.com. 

Maine-d In America

And why not buy American, when these beauties are from Maine's tourmaline mines? 

www.crossjewelers.com

www.crossjewelers.com  A cats-eye tourmaline!

www.rdallen.com

www.rdallen.com

www.crossjewelers

If you like watermelon tourmaline, these two stores have a lot of it!

Girandole Earrings

Girandole earrings are earrings of the past.  Once upon a time, from the 1650s to the 1800s, they were the earrings worn at courts across Europe.  Earlier girandole earrings were built along a horizontal axis, but over time they grew longer.  Their shape is a central bow with three dangling drops hanging from it.  Very few sets remain since most of them were torn apart to make other earrings or re-purposed to make pendants; wedded to the past, their components moved into the future, but the earrings did not.

These girandoles are the earrings of the future, upside-down and vertical.  And continuing turning the girandole upside down, these earrings are made of recycled materials- recycled 19th century ivory, stainless steel, recycled silver, and recycled ebony.  The earrings enable  pieces from the past to move, changed, into a not-so-distant future.     

www.macreativedesign.com

Facing Your Fears

Amulets, religious symbols, and lucky charms, whether they are a string of blue and white evil eye beads hung on a newborn, a St. Michael's medal worn in a war zone, or a gold clover never taken off for fear of "bad luck,"  are attempts to interfere with the supernatural, helping the wearer overcome his or her fears, 

I am horribly, horribly afraid of sharks, with a sickness-inducing fear.  This photo made me queasy the first time I saw it.  (Then I made it my screen saver.) 

Real photo, not altered.  BTW, both the researcher and the shark were ok afterwards.

So I need this pin. 

www.lexiebecjewelry.com

While the artist says her line is about fun, I'd wear this piece in deadly seriousness.  

For those who are also intrigued with sharks, The Monterey Aquarium has another Great White Shark in their open sea tank.  A smallish  male, they caught him in August.  The Monterey Aquarium is the only aquarium that has a success rate with keeping these illusive animals alive, but they release them after a time since there is a limit to how long these pelagic sharks can live in captivity.   So if you want to watch their live web cam for a glimpse of this amazing, terrifying shark, go to their website soon. 
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_opensea/open_sea_cam.aspx

More Bevel

Not sure how many of you remember the earlier post about Bevel ("Murder and Revenge," 29 April 2011.)  Bevel's myth-inspired jewelry is incredible, unique, and thoughtful and makes a Mayan legend accessible and wearable.  Considering the story involves heads hanging on trees, dark demons of the underworld, huge bats, and a house of slashing blades, that's impressive.  And the good news is that there are new pieces on www.notjustalabel.com!  Thank you, thank you, thank you Jonathan Goldstein, for keeping the Hero Twins above ground.

The Hun Came (One Death) necklace.  Hun Came is the ruler of the underworld and death, and the Hero Twins wear his head as a trophy, to celebrate their victory over evil.  The artist says this piece is about triumph through adversity.  He's also wearing a Camazotz' Ring on his pinkie, which is not new to the collection but is cool (and very pointy.)

She's wearing the new Helper's bracelet, commemorating the ants that helped the Hero Twins with a task.  She's also wearing the Resurrection Necklace down her back (shaped like a Hero Twins' rib cage- don't worry- he got better) and Vucub-Came earrings, not new but way-cool that a set of earrings is based on the two heads of the seventh demon of the underworld.  No idea about the rings- hoping they hit a site soon!

And if you haven't gone to www.bevelnyc.com for the story and the GORGEOUS video, you are missing out.  And thank you Mr. Goldstein for finally putting PRICES on your site!

No thanks to NotJustALabel for making it impossible to get clear, large photos of the jewelry.  Sorry.

It's In the Details

Hiroko Takahashi's work is wonderfully detailed, tiny worlds in miniature.  She carves her own pearls, creates every setting, and almost stops breathing when she is creating because, "...the delicate balance of the small world is key."  Every gemstone piece is a one-of-a-kind because every setting is designed for a particular stone.  The backs are as carefully crafted as the fronts.  Gorgeous.

Praying Mantis Jewel

Check out this praying mantis necklace by Mario Salvucci... 

C'mon now, check out the necklace!  The legs' shadows make it appear floral, but it really isn't.  Part of the Incredible Creature's collection, made of agate and 100% recycled silver, it's available on www.notjustalabel.com.