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.

Net-a-Porter

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?

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.

Just in time for Mother’s Day shopping, Loren Ridinger’s perfectly priced little sister line, Yours by Loren, is going live on HSN. I love the timeless, sparkly glamour of Loren’s pieces and now there’s no reason not to pick up a goody for your mom…or yourself, heck– jewelry makes the best gift for anyone! (My 7 year old has decided he’s giving me a piece of custom jewelry, he said he would be buying a large diamond and carving my face into it– so sweet!). If you’re not in the market for a 100 ct diamond, you need to check out Yours by Loren– everything is so well priced and affordable! Choose pieces like the white topaz vermeil macramé “Love” bracelet ($119), the mother-of-pearl and rose stone bracelet watch ($299), ideal for layering with other jewels, and the blue quartz Estate ring ($296). Log on and take a step into Loren’s fabulous world.

The initial image of an anchor might seem kitsch, but this is a symbol with real symbolism! There’s a reason trend-master Kate Moss has a baby one tattooed on her wrist. Not only does an anchor keep a boat still in the water, it’s a heraldic symbol for hope. Seamen would use their anchor as a last resort, so naturally they took comfort in knowing it was there.

I’m not suggesting you go out and get a tattoo – that wouldn’t be very original, now would it? – but a delicately crafted anchor pendant ought to help you weather life’s little storms. Especially when it’s set with antique white diamonds. Renee Lewis’ grounding necklace is embellished with a gold rope, which makes it all the more special, and a doubled-up 18-karat ball chain keeps it everyday-casual. The price might be a commitment, but consider this gem your comforting safety net. At Barneys New York for $13,000.

Pair with: Capitalize on the nautical trend with a pair of boldly striped shoes. Pierre Hardy’s platforms ($595), Giuseppe Zanotti’s peep-toes ($750), and Charlotte Olympia’s retro wedges ($945) will look equally sportive.

Sharon Khazzam has lured me in again. Her awesome name initially caught my attention, but it’s her utterly awe-striking jewels that keep me gazing! I find her Stitch ring to be especially romantic. The sweet notion of being stitched together is apropos for an engagement, wedding, or commitment of any kind. And it’s symbolic on a number of levels. You can take the metaphor all the way through; a relationship needs to be cared for or it will unravel. While the relationship sadly could, this ring definitely won’t. Good thing. You want the symbol of your love to stay intact! When it’s on the illusion is perfect – it really does look like a dreamy ribbon of diamonds (set on platinum) woven through 18-karat gold. This is so much better than an eternity band. Did someone skip a birthday gift and is in need of a Mother’s Day gift? (hint, hint, my sweet darling husband, who is as smart as he is cute!). Available at Barneys New York. Inquire for pricing.

Are these totally creepy, or what? I don’t know what our new friend Brittany’s deal is, but I’m instantly reminded of the twins in The Shining, hands down scariest movie ever made…I’m getting chills just thinking about those foreboding little sisters.
Seriously, what’s with the blank stare? Designed by French brand Les Néréides (based on the Greek word meaning “the illustrious”), they claim to be all about “joie de vivre and whimsy,” but I’m getting none of that from these soulless creatures.
As women, is the doll-faced and empty-on-the-inside persona the impression we want to give or get away from? Oh, what do I know! I was born in the seventies. Kids these days don’t appreciate the progress we’ve made to be strong Hilary Clinton types. Just kidding.
Politics aside, these earrings are disturbing, if only on an aesthetic level.
On AHAlife for $62.

Oh, stingray! How I love your glamorously bumpy, oh-so mysterious, enduringly fetching skin! And Dannijo, I have to thank you for making it super-accessible and frugal-friendly!

Still fighting an addiction to colorblocking? I know how you feel. These bangle-cuff bracelets are a perfect way to satisfy your craving and still help wean you off big chunks of color. Consider them wrist rehab! At 1” wide, these two-tone cuffs will induct just a jolt of hue, without taking over your whole look (and that never goes out of style).

Black and white has a graphic-mod feel, but I can’t resist the ingeniously clashed pairing of hot pink and red, especially with a turquoise interior. But who are we kidding here? In the case of these bracelets, it’s sooo much more about texture than color. On Ssense for $260.

Jewels need not have any boundaries. When you see something deeply unusual, go ahead and pounce on it! I’m all for showing a sense a flair for bling in an unexpected way. Like with Sabido & Basteris’ wild take on flowers. Voluminous to the max, their floral rings and cuff make you look like a delicate package with plenty of surprise.

Taking a cue from classic corsages, these metal-mesh pieces make for whimsical accents. Made from woven silver, the rings (out of their Fiori collection) burst with excitement. The gold-and-red cocktail ring ($545), inspired by a trip to the Mayan temples of Mexico, has particular pop. And the audaciously curling, crinkling, and swerving cuff ($1,395) – shimmering metallic hues woven into flamboyant petals – takes it up an even higher notch.

I probably don’t need to tell you that these accessories should be kept as the main focus. Let them have their fun and keep everything else effortless. Available on Jewelista.

Even though I can pretty much only wear one at once without looking like I’m doing my best Wonder Woman impersonation, I can never get enough cuffs. I already cherish my collection of Hermès and Givenchy cuffs; now Gucci has lured me in.

Their recent nod to Art Deco, paying homage to the classic flick Metropolis, is embodied in this very cool black leather cuff. The hinged gold-plated pyramids, set on three jigsaw-esque panels, look utilitarian – and that’s what’s appealing about them. However, this chunky trifecta of hardware is just for looks. There is an easy, even delicate tab-fastener at the back which mellows out all the metal. The beauty of a heavily accented cuff is that it functions as a statement piece and your ensemble’s focal point, while simultaneously allowing you to pile on other jewels to your heart’s content. Layer away! At Net-a-Porter for $1,295

Pair with: Since I simply can’t carry a Givenchy Obsedia bag with an all too coordinating cuff, I’ll take advantage of Gucci’s contrast and carry the new colorblock clutch, a surprisingly soft combination of brown and royal blue. At Barneys New York for $1,375.

Like looking into a perfectly crafted kaleidoscope, these earrings are delicate, intricate and mesmerizingly beautiful. Laurent Gandini found a muse in pieces of Venetian lace and traditional embroideries, and brought the look to life with these concisely cut pieces.

They have a sizable drop, which I’m not usually a huge fan of, but the ultimate result is impactful yet not distracting, due to the beautifully executed filigree. Light as air, I love the idea of them wafting with your hair and against your neck on a balmy summer night (summer is by far the most appropriate season for sizable earrings, and these will never bog you down). I could go either way: choose between rose gold ($2,155) or save some money with the same look – the sterling silver version ($470) runs for less than a fourth of the price. Available on Net-A-Porter.

Every girl who calls herself carefree, young at heart, and a hot-to-trot music fan is currently in Indio, California for double-packed weekends of music, courtesy of Coachella, the most famous festival for miles. Even if you’re listening to your favorite band on your iPod and not in person, it’s the perfect time to pay homage to rock mamas and earth goddesses alike with an unexpected jewel that suits your artistic side.

Pamela Love Bronze and Chrysoprase Pyramid Hand Piece: A hands-on approach suits the anti-minimalist mood. A series of bold, geometric pyramids makes this a statement piece that will surely get conversations going.
On Net-a-Porter for $1,775.

Maria Francesca Pepe Pearl and Metal Necklace: A bit of body jewelry reveals a wild side. These burnished pearls and brass float around the body in a most ethereal way.
On Luisa via Roma for $485.

Givenchy Salmon Leather Mini-Pocket Necklace: Let your necklace work double duty as it houses your bare festival essentials. Only Givenchy could make such a wacky accessory seem covetously cool.
On Ssense for $735.