Jewelry

Isn’t this heart charm bracelet the sweetest thing? Like wearing your heart literally on your sleeve! This is just one of the creations from AutumnKind, a jewelry line by LA-based designer Melissa Wessely. Melissa uses natural elements and stones for a fun, earthy feel to her pieces.

For all you Etsy fans, Melissa’s collection is sold there and there are so many cute, hand-crafted pieces to browse through. Some of my favorites include the pictured Classy bracelet, the Believe necklace, and the Absolute necklace. AutumnKind is offering free shipping for US customers until March 19th, so you’ve got plenty of time to find your own favorite!

If you want a super cute, relatively inexpensive, and sparkly way to wear some personalized jewelry, check out Objets d’Envy’s Initial Necklace. It’s a delicate necklace featuring an initial charm, plus a sparkly crystal! For a girlfriend who has a birthday this month, you can gift her with her initial and an aquamarine crystal (the March birthstone) for a lovely, personal present. Or, you can simply covet one for yourself. The initial charm is hand-stamped and the necklace is entirely handcrafted in the Objets studio right here in Chicago.

Plus, it checks in at under $50, though for more, you have the option to add additional charms or crystals. For more of designer Kirsten Goede’s creations, visit objetsdenvy.com.

Doing a little last minute shopping for your New Year wardrobe?  One tip that I’ve found useful is to splurge a little on  a fab accessory instead of a fab dress- because face it- once your New Year’s dress makes it onto Facebook pictures, you won’t be so keen on wearing it again for another special event.  The right jewel, however, is a whole different story as it can accessorize anything from jeans and a cashmere sweater to a very LBD.

This year my pick for the holiday is a pair of gorgeous champagne quartz  earrings that I recently discovered from new designer Zapphire Jewelry. Though the brand just launched last month, the collection of beautifully ornate yet surprisingly accessible pieces have already made it onto my 2010 list of must-haves.  The jewelry are all handmade out of semi-precious stones and combine traditional inspiration with contemporary form. These earrings are made of sterling silver with 22k gold plating, studded with champagne quartz and CZ- and rings up at an affordable $215.

I’m excited to see what else comes of this brand in the next year.  Visit their website to peruse the collection and place orders.

And lastly, Part 3 of our holiday giveaway by Sam’s Club. This week, we are giving away another pair of the very earrings that started the whole thing!  One lucky winner will take home .96 ct. t.w. Round Diamond Studs valued at $699!!!

Specifications:

Diamonds are guaranteed to be natural, non-treated, and conflict free

If you didn’t win the last week’s giveaway,  you can still win this weeks! If you’ve already entered, you’re set.  Otherwise, tell us  in the comments what you would wear these earrings with this holiday season. We will pick the winner on Thursday, December 24. Only one entry per household.  Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Valid email required in comments section to contact the winner.  Emails will not be sold to Sam’s Club or anyone else and will not be used for marketing purposes.

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During my teenage years, one of the most precious gifts I ever remembered receiving was a pair of beautiful, solitaire diamond studs from my mother.  They weren’t particularly high carat count or done up in any fancy designs, but they were at once the most versatile, practical and most luxurious piece of jewelry I wore on a daily basis. That’s the power of diamonds- even the simplest pieces have the most significant meaning.

Then one day, I lost a stud… and then the other (somewhere along the way, I also lost a diamond necklace) and punished myself by forever switching to costume jewelry.  I went for years without wearing earrings–because as much as I loved my Alexis Bittar hoops, I never seemed to have enough time in the mornings to put them in.  Buying a new pair of diamond studs was always on my to-do list, but for a single gal, diamonds can be hard to come by. It wasn’t until this week, when I received an amazing gift from the folks at Sam’s Club, that my diamond wishes were finally answered. (more…)

ID tags can seem very ’90s, but we just recently saw these modern versions by a jewelry brand called Jules that are way more chic.

Available in a circle or rectangle, you can customize the tag with a letter that’s handstamped into your choice of 14k gold or sterling silver. These necklaces are understated and would be a lovely subtle accent for everyday wear. (Our fashionable friend Malorie is already a huge fan.) These unisex necklaces would also make fantastic holiday gifts since they can be personalized for the recipient. We’re just saying…your sister or girlfriend might like one!

Retails for $90+ depending on shape and metal. Order yours at www.shopjules.com.