I was recently introduced to the spirit of Cindy Chao, a jewelry designer based in Taiwan. I love discovering new jewelry designers, especially those with an incredible eye for detail and design like Cindy- one of the most promising jewelry designers I have seen in a very long time! A friend of mine had several pieces made by Cindy and showed them to me during her last visit, the pieces were extraordinary and exquisite and like nothing I had ever seen. 
Inspired by her Eastern roots and by the forces of nature, Cindy's jewelry is astounding and fascinating. Owning one of her pieces is like capturing the essence of nature and owning the spirit of beauty. Each piece is carefully designed and meticulously handcrafted- a conch pearl rests delicately against the sensual curves of lily petals made of diamonds, a golden pearl mounted as the exotic center of a spray of diamonds, a diamond nestled in a cluster of pearls, each piece unique in its own way. I am waiting for my first Cindy Chao pieces, I was told the wait would be long, but as all things worth owning, it is worth the wait. Email her showroom for details and point of purchase.
More photos after the jump!]]>
A simple diamond band is anything but simple in Cindy's hands. This reminds me of vintage art deco jewelry with a modern twist. The sapphires bring color and elegance to the classic design.
The starkness of winter is captured brilliantly in one of Cindy's Four Seasons pieces. A tree with in midst of snow but instead of snowflakes, diamonds glitter.
Butterflies are my favorite, what can be more promising and glorious than a caterpillar who outgrows his cocoon and sprouts wings of diamonds and jewels?
The golden hue of a south sea pearl juxtaposed on a cluster of diamonds is absolutely stunning.
]]>
After buying this Teong Kay necklace on a recent shopping spree to Rumor boutique, Eva Longoria seems to be wearing it non-stop. Eva fell in love with the collection and bought 4 different styles! In addition to sporting it straight out of the store, Eva wore the long necklace to lunch at Café Med, as well as to the “You Gotta Have Heart” benefit later in the week. The 14k gold filled necklace comes with both gold and silver circles – a chic and versatile accessory to be worn with any outfit. Eva’s favorite new necklace is available for $132 on www.shoprumor.com.
]]>
Left:Large Chain- $1080, Large pendant $2080 Right: Small bee pendant necklace $390
I went to the Slane and Slane showroom for a blogger event last month in NYC and was introduced to a whole new obsession. Landon Slane, 1/2 of the sister duo who design the line, was there to meet and greet us (with a bulging belly!) and show the new collection. 
I of course did not leave empty handed, I can not resist anything sparkly! I bought a gorgeous chunky chain with diamond toggle and large bee pendant with diamonds, which I've been wearing daily and get so many compliments! It's casual and hip but has the bling I require on a daily basis. I also love bees, so this was the perfect trinket for me.
They also gave everyone a party favor at the end of the event. A small and delicate silver/gold bee pendant on silver chain. I layer it with other pieces, it is so cute!
But my favorite styles from them are the matte gold pieces. Chunky chains layered together with bold lockets and pendants, these are amazingly chic items that all women need to have in their jewel boxes. At Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
]]>
I love bangles and stack them on my arm daily but I have tiny wrists so it's hard to find bangles that fit properly. The solution is a clasp of course but not all jewelers have that option. Cartier has the love bracelet which I have in both white and yellow gold but it takes two people to remove. This is not the most convenient because I don't wear the same thing every day-- I am a fickle girl and need variety in my daily accessories! Luckily, Louis Vuitton has the solution for my tiny wrist dilemma, the Clous Bracelet!
Simple, elegant, and impossibly chic-- the Clous has a small clasp on the top that you can pop open to remove without screws, nuts or bolts. There is also a glittering diamond on the side, so you get the look of bling without looking like a pole dancer. I met a stylish woman who had three on her arm in white, yellow, and rose gold in various sizes. I loved the way it looked, the different dimensions gave it effortless appeal and of course the three different colored golds allow you flexibility in your other jewelry. $4550 at Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide.
The romance and mystery of the past and the elegant restraint of the present distinguish the work of jewelry designer Temple St. Clair. Rooted in the mystery and the romance of the past, Temple’s pieces feature an elegant restraint, a clean modern line, and a sensitivity to color that are indisputably contemporary — yet utterly timeless. I had lunch with a girlfriend who was wearing a delicate gold chain with a gold pendant made of sparking sapphires. Without asking, I knew it was Temple St. Clair. Her signature style is unmistakable as is the workmanship of her jewels.
In Temple’s colorful Southern childhood, the many vivid storytellers in her family gave her an early appetite for literature and art. Born in Virginia, Temple studied art and literature of the classical world and the Italian Renaissance at Smith College and in Florence, Italy, where she lived for many years.
Having spent over a decade living and studying in Europe, Temple draws her inspiration and influence from the Mediterranean basin. Temple has collaborated with master artisans in Florence for the past twenty years. During that time, with her designs, she has taken the artisans back in pursuit of traditional techniques and the old world quality seldom seen in modern jewelry.
Why jewelry? “Since ancient times, personal ornamentation has signified many things and told many stories,” Temple explains. “Beauty, of course, nobility, honor, desire, power, taste and love. Jewelry reverberates with meaning and allusion. I love to read a woman by how she chooses to adorn herself—whether she is a Bronzino Medici, a movie star in Vogue or a modern American you see on the street.”
Temple insists on the finest quality of craftsmanship and materials made by Italian artisans who have been working in Florence for generations. She adds new collections each year though they always include the Classics: fabricated in 18-karat gold or platinum and featuring “precious” semi-precious stones, diamonds, and pearls.
Temple’s work is currently featured by a variety of prominent retailers including guild jewelry and high-end specialty stores across the country. Check Temple's website for complete list of retailers.
I love buying jewelry for myself and have always encouraged girlfriends to do the same. I never understood women who felt the need to "wait" for a man to buy them beautiful jewels! Not that I don't appreciate my husband when he brings home prettily wrapped boxes from Cartier or Bvlgari (which he does, often!) but I just think women should buy jewelry for themselves if they are able to. I designed a line of jewelry sold at major department stores and you have no idea how often I sat at trunk shows listening to women say, "I really shouldn't buy this, I should wait for my husband/boyfriend/dad to buy it for me. I just feel too guilty to buy it for myself". Well now you can buy all the jewels you want without any guilt. Jewelry designer Joan Hornig brilliantly devised a model of giving 100% of the profits on each piece to the purchaser's charity of choice and challenges women to use beauty and fashion in a new way. This means you can buy to your heart's content because every penny of the profits will go to your favorite charity! Now that is worth splurging on. I love the cuffs above and the diamond earrings and no, I will not be waiting for my husband to buy it for me. Go to Joan's website to pick your favorite bauble and help your favorite charity at the same time.
Art Nouveau with white pearl charm, $900.00, www.joanhornig.com. Tahitain Pearl Double Pinwheel, $2,695.00, www.joanhornig.com.
- Butterfly Necklace - $2,225.00
- Rock Star Earrigs, 18k - $1,695.00
- Matisse Earrings, 18k (available in white topaz and peridot) - $1,480.00
- White Gold South Sea Pearl Georgettes, 18k - $1,995.00
- White Gold Diamond South Sea Pearl Togethers, 18k - $3,825.00
- White Topaz Georgettes, 18k - $835.00
- Diamond South Sea Pearl Georgettes, 18k - $2,600.00
- Philanthropy Earrings, 18k - $1,850.00
- Philanthropy Motif with Whiskey Toapz, 18k - $2,450.00
]]>
