I know, I know: a belt is not a jewel by any technical definition. However, when a belt is an accessory as sweet and glistening as this, who’s to say it can’t be treated as a piece of jewelry? The bow belt has nothing to do with function; it’s ornamentation, through and through (nobody’s pants are getting held up by this number!). And I think any jewel snob’s collection of baubles would be lackluster without such a cincher to pull everything together.
We know Valentino is equally famed for their pert bows and their pyramid studs. Naturally, the contrasting elements come together seamlessly for a feminine look that isn’t sickeningly girly. This metal-adorned leather is strong, even in innocent ivory. Turn up the heat on structural pencil-skirted dresses and gauzy chiffon frocks alike – a little Valentino never hurt anyone! At Bergdorf Goodman for $995.
Pair with: Don’t be afraid to contrast this glamorous accessory with a rustic ring. Chan Luu’s silver lapis lazuli stone brings a welcome new flavor. On Net-a-Porter for $160.
Alkemie’s jewels are unique – and not just because of their mysterious origins. For designers Dara Gerson and Ashley Lowengrub, their sense of whimsy is strong, and so is their love for the earth. The duo’s goal is “to do no harm,” so it’s no surprise animals and nature are a big theme in their designs, which are local and recycled. You wouldn’t know by looking, but each piece is handmade from reclaimed metals in Los Angeles.
Happily, their jewels are as good for the environment as they are for your look.
The swirling Octopus cuff ($209) was created from a chance flea market find and it is one of their first – and most dramatic – designs. Or go for abstraction with the Peacock Feather earrings ($187) or Hard choker ($264). Both have an airy quality to them, despite the dynamic texture – as if they are being blown in the breeze. The soaring Bird bangle ($154), regal yet delicate, is genius for layering with summer’s bracelets of colorful beads and earthy weaves. I love how this lucky elephant, of the Elephant & Bird Circle necklace ($209), is merged with a dove, the symbol of peace – a perfect gift for a best friend.
And bugs will never be my thing, but I must admit, there’s something special about this Cicada ring ($187). In gold or silver patina, this insect looks more like a piece of art than a creature to avoid. Recycling has never held so much allure!
Sevan Bicakci Bird Carved Lemon Topaz Ring
At Barneys New York for $12,555.
Sevan Bicakci Dove Carved Topaz Ring
At Barneys New York for $26,435.
Aurélie Bidermann Cités d’Or 18-karat gold-plated feather clip earrings on Net-a-Porter for $840.
While the Metropolitan Museum might have an vast collection of irreplaceable jewels from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, there’s no doubt the sparkle spotted on the attendees of this week’s gala gave the collection a run for its money.
Often called the “Oscars of the East Coast,” this year brought sparkle in spades. While some gowns glittered all over, much of the credit goes to Cindy Chao, whose Autumn Branch bangle, Cotton Flower earrings, and Ruby Gecko ring adorned Wendi Murdoch, setting off her bright-coral Vera Wang gown. Chao’s handmade pieces graced the likes of another socialite: Amy Fine Collins wisely wore her hair up so her Ruby and Diamond Sunflower earrings took center stage, along with a bunch of the trademark Branch bangles.
Sofia Vergara looked classically elegant in Harry Winston jewels; chunky bracelets amped up the can’t-miss intricacies of her Marchesa dress. Versace girl January Jones popped in a bombshell-worthy yellow dress, but it was her incredible turquoise Cartier necklace that made the look. And not that her wildly structured Thakoon dress needed any help, but Christina Ricci’s eye-popping diamond cocktail ring by Tiffany & Co. raised it to any ever higher level of glam. So which dreamy jewels would you want to wear?
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Opal is not high up on my list of super-desirable stones, but here, rising from an intricate black diamond and sapphire setting and looking like a deadly, poisonous pouch, it is anything but dull. I’m envisioning this creature weaving all sorts of glamorous webs, but this is actually a tarantula, not a spider. Which is scarier still! Have you seen a real-life tarantula? I did 20 years ago, and I still get goose bumps thinking of it…A giant, hairy spider the size of my face? That can kill way bigger animals, like snakes and birds?! I’ll never get over it.
Though, after all, it is all about conquering your fears. In this case, beating the beast comes with a $60-grand price tag. Yes, this darkly mysterious beauty might help me recover from past traumas. Black diamonds have a way of doing that to me. Although Lydia Courteille’s ring would turn my arachnid nightmare into a dream, it might have to remain just that: a fantasy. At Browns Fashion for $60,113.47 (£37,130).
Jewelery designers David Joseph and Miriam Salt have just earned themselves the title of “jewel masters.” Their pair of one-of-a-kind birdcage earrings is most impressive thing I’ve seen in a long time. And probably will be for awhile -this bedazzling accomplishment is pretty hard to beat.
Oxidized 18-karat white-gold cages, set with icy-rose and single-cut diamonds, encase hand-carved, archival mammoth-ivory birds. With darkened gold and two-tones of stones, the designers were going for a “more vintage feel,” one that harks back to Shanghai in the ‘30s. Or as Josephs refers to it, “the Paris of the Orient.” Not only do these have an exotic inspiration, they transport my imagination to a more romantic time entirely!
Carving these precious birds took a whopping 20 days of work, so it’s no wonder they remind me of museum-quality, Chinese-ivory carvings. And don’t fret about the ivory; using anything archival is like up-cycling, reusing the old stuff, so it’s all good. Just appreciate the beauty! With Fabergé egg-worthy, intricate detailing, this level of glamour is made for royalty. But these earrings are far more fun than clunky old Queen’s jewels. Their whimsy is nothing but chic. Available at Bochic for $44,750.
Who would ever imagine that the words “Anna Dello Russo” and “H&M” would be indelibly linked? Marking one of the ultimate high-low collaborations, the passionate fashion editor (she’s Editor-at-Large for Vogue Nippon and likely the most vivacious dresser in Milan) is teaming up with the High Street chain for an appropriately decadent line of accessories.
It could very well be a surprisingly natural fit. Outrageous and unapologetic of her over-the-top style, Anna says, “accessories are a focus for me in my life.” For her collab, she’s focusing on big chunks of turquoise stones, serpentine bracelets, and loads of gold enamel. Among her favorites are the oversized, chain-link charm bracelets that clink and jangle (Anna finds the sound to be festive and uplifting). As of October 4th – right in time for Spring 2013 Fashion Week – the masses will be able to have a taste of the world according to Anna Dello Russo. The question is, do you think they’ll be ready?
Lollipops just took on a profound new meaning. Simone I. Smith is not just the wife of a hip-hop star (though her husband, LL Cool J, launched her passion for jewels when he gave Simone her first pair of big “doorknocker” earrings back when she was 17), she’s a jewelry designer and cancer survivor. After being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2004 and a surgery that altered her lollipop tattoo (“It literally looks like someone took a bite out of it,” she says), Simone knew she wanted to give back.
Now a lollipop is more than just a cute piece of candy – it’s a hopeful symbol of getting well and staying well. Teaming up with the American Cancer Society, the “Sweet Touch of Hope” collection makes for a flirty charm with more to it than meets the eye. Choose your birthstone, then choose between jeweled enamel ($100) or crystal-encrusted ($300) sweets, each with a very appropriate bite taken out of the them. The pendants dangle in a cheekily asymmetrical way, and better yet, 10% of the profits go towards cancer research.
