BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: FLAT 128

by Leave a Comment

image

If you’re searching for a unique piece of British jewelry, look no further than Flat 128. Founder Elizabeth DuBois lived in London throughout her 20s. During trips back and forth across the pond, the New York native found that people were constantly inquiring about her jewelry—British pieces that weren’t available stateside. It wasn’t long after that her dream of curating a UK lifestyle store in a beloved New York City neighborhood was realized. And, as you’ll see in tomorrow’s post (with a giveaway!), the West Village store is as charming as the founder herself.

image

Shop It: Comfort Station, $265 |  SMITH/GREY, $140 | Yunus & Eliza, $325 | Clarice Price Thomas, $205 | Rachel Boston, $250 | Eleanor Bolton, $375 | Julia Burness, $330

Follow Flat 128: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: VRAI & ORO

by Leave a Comment

image

If you haven’t already fallen in love with Vrai & Oro, you haven’t been paying attention to Monday or Tuesday’s posts! In addition to offering fine jewelry without the markups (details here), the L.A.-based brand prides itself on a mantra to “Live Authentic.” The brand isn’t about trends. It isn’t about over embellishment. It isn’t about fast fashion. Vrai & Oro embodies quality, simplicity and transparency. Read on to learn more about Vanessa Stofenmacher and Chelsea Nicholson, the entrepreneurs behind the baubles. Then, sign up here to receive $10 off your first purchase.

image

image

image

Shop It:* Baguette Diamond Necklace, $315 | Double Stacked Ring in Silver, $65 | Baguette Diamond Earrings, $430 | Thick Stacking Ring, $175 | Diamond Line Necklace, $295 | Baguette Diamond Ring, $230 | Line Earrings, $70 | Small Hoop Earrings, $130 | Set of Three Skinny Stacking Rings, $125

*All items are solid gold, unless otherwise noted

Follow Vrai & Oro: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: RACHAEL RYEN JEWELRY

by Leave a Comment

image

As I continue to shop for my own jewelry collection, I find myself shunning fast fashion accessories and opting for the pieces that will last a lifetime—a difficult task on a limited budget. Fortunately designer Rachael Byers sought to fill that void in the marketplace. “It was difficult to find a beautiful, genuine stone that wasn’t set in solid gold with a price to match. The fine jewelry was overly traditional and the costume and fashion jewelry was cheaply made or way too trendy to invest in,” she explained. Rachael began using design techniques of fine jewelry to create 14k gold vermeil, gold-filled and sterling silver jewelry punctuated by vibrant, colorful semi-precious gemstones and diamonds, and in 2011, the Rachael Ryen Jewelry Collection was launched.

image

image

Shop It: Hasma Charm Necklace, $69 | Square Link Bracelet, $60 | Diamond Bar Necklace, $425 | Vintage Bezel Gemstone Earrings, $55 | Long Drop Earrings, $148 | Round Prong Set Ring, $225 | Diamond Hollow Circle Ring, $445 | Button Star Stud Earrings, $69

Follow Rachael Ryen Jewelry: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest

Reminder: Enter to win $300 to spend on art at UGallery.com!

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: CHARM & CHAIN

by Leave a Comment

image

Receiving editorial praise within a year of its November 2008 launch, Charm & Chain has become a premier destination for women’s designer jewelry. Ali Galgano, the woman behind it all, sought to expand the role of jewelry in a woman’s wardrobe, resulting in an e-commerce site with a well-curated selection of enviable—and on trend—gems to suit women’s varying styles and budget.

image

image

Shop It: Lele Sadoughi, $265 | Dannijo, $495 | ASHA, $225 | Ginette NY, $660 | Vita Fede, $225 | Margaret Elizabeth, $88 | Eddie Borgo, $315

Follow Charm & Chain: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: KARA ROSS

by Leave a Comment

image

The love of jewelry design has been with Kara Ross since she was a teenager returning home from a trip to Africa with a native gemstone in hand. Her mother took her to a Jeweler’s Row in Philadelphia where she created a square cut ring on an 18 karat gold band with diamonds. Kara decided to pursue a career in jewelry shortly after college and a brief job in advertising at Harper’s Bazaar, becoming a certified Gemologist and officially launching her company in 2003.

She is now an award-winning designer who has showcased her work in museums across the country and has embarked on noteworthy collaborations, including one with the White House. Kara was selected by President Obama and the First Lady to create gifts for visiting heads of state from magnolia wood that originated on the White House lawn. As you’ll see below, Kara crafted bracelets reminiscent of the signature “shirt cuff bracelets” from her KARA by Kara Ross fashion collection—the piece that made me first fall for her designs years ago.

 

image

image

Shop It: Petra Split Pendant in Rubellite and Amethyst, $6,500 | Pangea Stacking Bangle, $2,500 | Zig Zag Studs, $795 | Petra Split Pendant in Green Beryl and Blue Topaz, $8,200 | Cava Open Link Earrings, $3,495 | Hydra Contour Ring, $7,500 | Petra Narrow Split Cuff, $33,000 | Petra Split Ring, $6,850

Follow Kara Ross: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr