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.

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.

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!

Southern women love to monogram everything, and I do mean everything. Towels, bags, toiletry cases, soap, you name it, we'll monogram it. When I made my formal debut I even received a soft little portable cooler with a polka-dot handle and a monogram on it. (Because every debutante must have a inconspicuous way to carry her liquor and who can think of a better way than an adorable monogrammed cooler disguised as a bag.) This seems to me to be the only explanation for why I love this necklace by Lizzie Scheck. It is a classic and would dress up a pair of jeans and a white tee-shirt perfectly or I could wear it with a dress. Lizzie Scheck necklace, $685.00, www.lizziescheck.com.

One of my favorite fashion eras are the 1920's. My great-grandmother was born in 1901 and passed away when she was only three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. There are many pictures of her in my house in Alabama. I love to study them in great detail because they depict the evolution of fashion. My favorite pictures of her are from the 1920's. These are my favorite pictures because she is not only fascinatingly beautiful, but her clothes are to die for. I always love her necklaces which are usually layered pearls and chains much like these. I can see myself wearing this Temple St. Clair necklace and looking just as chic now as she did then. Temple St. Clair 18K Ball Chain, $450, saksfifthavenue.com.

You are never too young or too old to believe in love! M2's Believe and Love Necklace is the piece to wear daily and be reminded of how much you love and are loved. I love little trinkets, this is something I'd give to my goddaughter for her 18th birthday(I had my heart broken when I was 18 and thought I would never love again-boy was I wrong- but you know how every break up seems like the end of the world at that age!). 14k gold believe tag with diamond Chinese love symbol and white topaz drop. Chain is adjustable from 16-18". $622 with free shipping. At Max and Chloe

Suzanne Wilson is the preferred jewelry designer of Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet and off, she is also one of my favorite jewelry designers! I have had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne on several occasions and own many of her pieces. Suzanne's designs are timeless and classic but always stylish. Like this delicate and chic wreath (her signature!) necklace of 18k gold and diamonds. It's the perfect trinket to throw on with jeans or a floaty summer dress. $2350 at Blue Bee.

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.

My obsession with wood accessories continue with this whimsical necklace from Marni. I love big bold jewelry but being petite I have to be careful with this look. I generally pick one statement piece and leave the rest of my body bare of jewelry. This delightfully chunky necklace would be beautiful with so many things in my closet, it'd brighten a sweater and add depth to a LBD. Most Marni necklaces cost in the 4 figures so at $486 this is a really great deal. Made of wood and metal link loops with Marni's signature colored resin discs inscribed with the Marni logo. Coco Chanel once said she loved nothing more than being wrapped in chains, and this is a necklace I think she would approve of if she were still alive. Marni Loop necklace At NAP.

I live a bit of a double life. I love fashion (obviously or I wouldn't have this once-in-a-lifetime badass job writing for Jewel Snob!) but I have another love, politics. Strange I know, but some days there is just nothing better for me than to come home and turn on CNN and hear Anderson Cooper talk about Benazir Bhutto and her former quest for democracy in Pakistan. Other days coming home and crawling into bed with a Vogue is my ideal way to unwind. For my two double lives, I keep in stock a little black dress that can be worn to fashion shows or to the New Hampshire primary (which I am attending). The trick, I've found, to giving this dress a duality necessary for my double lives is jewelry. This beautiful Gurhan necklace is perfect for either function. I could easily put on a beautiful jacket with my black dress and some kitten-heeled Louboutins and be ready to meet the political world head-on. Vice versa, I could wear this necklace with no jacket and a pair of model-high Chloe platforms and be mistaken for a model all night. Gurhan 24K/Diamond Droplet Necklace, $2000.00, saksfifthavenue.com.

Kenneth Jay Lane offers the most adorable jewelry at reasonable prices. Get a lucky charm in your favorite shade and fruit this season and perk up your t-shirt and jeans. Was $115 but currently on sale At Net a porter from $42-$63, at these bargain prices you can pick up all the yummy colors!
Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant
Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant necklace

Kenneth Jay Lane Pear pendant
Kenneth Jay Lane Apple pendant

I just discovered an amazing store in Dallas (it took a friend in New York to tell me about it, I am still not very familiar with this town but I am getting there!). It is a gorgeous boutique full of treasures from around the world that International Interior Designer Michelle Nussbaumer finds, including the gorgeous Indian old mine cut diamond and emerald necklace above. I went to a private trunk show for Indian Moghul jewelry and exotic skin handbags (what else does a girl need?) there last Friday and got the most stunning pair of earrings and super chic bracelet! Michelle keeps stock of select items she can't part with so those of you who are lucky enough to live in Dallas, run over there and tell her Jewel Snob sent you!

Ceylon et Cie- 1319 Dragon St. Dallas 75207 Tel: 214-747-7632

If you don't live here, call the store and find out what they still have- they can send you photos of more lovely items for your home, body and spirit than you can imagine. The store is going to become a serious addition for me, I can see it now.

A few weeks ago, I went to a showroom opening for Fashion on Main a few weeks ago, the new Fashion Museum in Dallas, and I had the privledge of meeting Kelly Alexandra. She was so sophisticated and well-spoken. I could hardly believe that she was 12-years-old! She had on several pieces of her handmade jewelry and that were simply to die for! I'm not usually a big fan of big chunky pieces of jewelry. I consider myself more of a classicist, but I could definately veer away from my traditional views of chic to wear one of these necklaces for a night. Each piece is handmade and they come in all sorts of different materials from recycled sea glass to African trading beads. Abi Ferren, one of Dallas' hottest new designers, loves to pair her work with Kelly's pieces. Kelly Alexandra's work can be found at Abi Ferrin's The Revolving Door, (214) 565-0055.

Seriously now, what Jewel Snob in her right mind would purchase this silly Panda Pendant for $3,300? Unless you are a Billionaire Olsen twin and look like you're 12 years old you should not be seen in this (nor waste your money on it)! There is a lot you can buy for this kind of money, 2 or 3 diamond/gold bangle from Ippolita for example or a Cartier Love Bracelet. All classic and chic items that will never go out of style. Check out Qeelin Body Bo Bo Pendant at Saks.

I gushed about these earrings back in August and if you did not get them yet, they are now on sale! Was $216, now $151- how can you pass that up? It is perfect for the Holidays! Buy Mawi Quartz drop earrings HERE

While you're at it, check out the funky Mawi smoky quartz necklace and mixed stone bracelet, both also on sale.
Mawi Teardrop necklace- Was $400, now $240
Mawi Mixed stone bracelet- Was $378, now $226

Chunky and bold, Salvati's murano glass necklace is the treat of the season. In 1859, Antonio Salviati, a lawyer, in love with the mythical lagoon city, decided to revitalize the Venetian glass industry that was eclipsed by both English and Bohemian glass. Employing the best Murano glass makers and technicians, SALVIATI glass jewels are works of art you can show off outside your home! $550 at Salviati.com

I am Asian and Asian women love jewelry, especially in 24k gold. I used to find it quite unappealing when I was younger but I now adore deep golden hue of solid gold. I have a box full of 24k gold jewelry from my grandmother that I never appreciated until now and I finally understand why she used to turn her nose up at anything less than pure gold. Once you wear a proper piece of gold as Cleopatra once did, 14k and 18k will feel utterly inferior. Guhran offers a plethora of hand-hammered 24k gold pieces, most are set with diamonds and stones such as the teardrop-shaped Australian opals in the necklace above. The chain is adjustable from 16" to 18" long chain. Gurhan Butterfly Chain Necklace $1,600 at Saks.

The hand-hammered ring is a gorgeous complement to the necklace, made of a spiral of 24k yellow gold and accented on either end with a sparkling brilliant-cut diamond. All pieces are individually numbered by the artist. .08tw in diamonds, $900. Gurhan 24k Gold & Diamond Ring at Saks.

In 1932 Coco Chanel walked into a Parisian jewelry workshop and demanded the impossible. As the pièce de résistance of her first fine-jewelry collection, the ever-progressive Mademoiselle had dreamt up a 600-plus diamond necklace that featured an irregularly shaped star and draped around the neck like a light French foulard. "I can only imagine the astounded faces in the workshop when she proposed this," says Marc Auclert, director of Chanel Fine Jewelry.

Ivanka Trump Earrings $27,750

Ivanka Trump's eponymous line of Fine Jewels shows that she is more than Daddy's girl. Ambitious and beautiful, she's figured out at an early age how to parlay all of her assets to her advantage and the result is a breathtaking collection of fine jewels. I love all the ultra feminine pieces she created for her line, from a pair of $750 black onyx earrings to a $350,000 disco balls pave diamond necklace, the collection is elegant, understated and gorgeous, just like her. Ivanka Trump fine jewelry collection, $750-$350,000, at Ivanka Trump, 683 Madison Ave. New York.

Clockwise from top left: Black onyx and diamond earrings $750, Black onyx diamond ring $4,500, Disco ball necklace $350,000, White agate and diamond ring $4,500

The bold necklace is tres important for Fall, if you can only buy one piece of jewelry to accessorize with, you must go for a great necklace! It can turn a plain t-shirt into a stylish top for any occasion and you don't have to spend a small fortune either! Take this fabulous Marc by Marc Jacobs glass heart necklace, it is made of juicy colorful glass that will perk up the most boring of outfits. It is also in the season's must have silhouette, long and chunky (54")! Rock it with a simple tank dress at night and you'll be ready to party or double it up during the day with a white t-shirt for a bit of color and drama.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Long Glass Heart Necklace is available for $148 here

Not that this is anything remotely close to the Bvlgari Parentesi pendant but until you can save up for one or convince some lucky guy to buy it for you, you may have to settle for this lovely little rectangular diamond pendant. Made of 18k white gold and 20 round cut diamonds totalling .5 carat, this baby is a steal at $479.99
with $1 shipping. Now how can you resist that?

Get in touch with your inner yogi with these 10k tear drop hoop earrings with lotus petals from Me & Ro. A favorite of Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston, this jewelry design duo (Michelle and Robin, hence Me & Ro) started a revolution when they launched their line of Eastern inspired jewelry 15 years ago. With discreet designs and unique engravings, their delicate pieces are appropriate for every occasion. Earrings $389 at Net a porter.

Matching necklace at eLuxury, $275.

Show the world you are loved with this charming pendant from Ross Simon. The Chinese symbol for "Love" is the ultimate romantic gesture. $285-$300 at Ross Simon.

The Jewel Snob has assisted many clueless husbands and boyfriends with jewelry purchases, drop us a line if you need help!