BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: VRAI & ORO

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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.

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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

BAUBLE OF THE WEEK

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Julie Vos, $330

I’ve long been a fan of the Julie Vos’ work and one of my favorite pieces is this showstopping pendant. I’ll admit that it’s not a cheap indulgence at $330, but it’s a piece you’ll reach for again and again this summer. If your budget is a bit more modest, check out the “Friday Deal” section on her site for a selection of discounted beauties. (I couldn’t resist this cuff in sapphire blue.) There’s always free shipping and you can take 25% off your purchase with code SUMMER25.

Speaking of great deals, don’t miss out on the Lulu Frost online sample sale that ends tonight. The pendant I bought is still available and this new addition is irresistible. 

PSA: LULU FROST SAMPLE SALE

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I rarely post about sales (it seems silly when we all get daily emails from J.Crew and Net-a-Porter anyway), but this one was too good not to share with other jewelry hoarders: Lulu Frost’s online sample sale. Much of last fall’s collection is now available at steeply reduced rates, like the iridescent Milky Way pieces (this collar and this pendant are especially gorgeous). I’m also loving the signature rhinestone-embellished cuffs and this Art Deco necklace (the rhinestone pieces remind me of feathers). It didn’t take me long to purchase the Solar Pendant. I posted it as a “Bauble of the Week” last fall and I’m thrilled to finally add it to my collection.

BEHIND THE BAUBLES: KARA ROSS

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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.

 

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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