Ever seen a clear night sky away from the city lights? The deep swathes of velvety blue and flowing violet swirl together into a richness artists have tried to capture for centuries. Stars are flung across the heavens: points of light glimmering in white and yellow and red. I could get lost gazing up into…
Turquoise is so versatile. It can take several different, readily recognizable forms, and each one suits a totally different style perfectly. And the history of this stuff is a trip. Have you ever laid on your back in the grass on a summer day and watched the clouds roll by? The cotton balls drift past…
December sort of has the corner on birthstones nowadays. With the induction of another selection by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002, there are now three official birthstones for December: turquoise, zircon, and the newest, tanzanite. So which way do you go? Well, that depends on what’s important to you in a look, and…
Several years ago, I was came across a mechanism that allowed me to design clasps and pendants which could be seamlessly interchanged from one piece of jewelry to another. My appreciation of jewelry versatility was about to take off! I started designing a collection of interchangeable clasps and pendants, and showing those from other designers…
Sounds trite to say, but it’s so true: The holidays really will be here before you know it! So — if this is the year you want to make a memory for someone with a special custom piece, you and I should be talking very soon. Don’t think for a moment I am just talking…
Black diamonds are smokin’ hot. And they are sensual – even a little edgy and mysterious. I enjoy working with them and pairing them with other metals, as they look amazing next to gold OR silver. And they look very sexy against bare skin. What’s so special about black diamonds? I think it’s how they…
One of the most often neglected birth stones is peridot. This is a pity since I think the gem is absolutely beautiful. When clients say they don’t like their birthstone, they have only seen the more commercial material, more drab and olivey green. When I pull out one of the Pakistani peridots, in a fiery…
Color is by far the most highly touted virtue of gem stones. When you see a beautiful cornflower blue sapphire, or a gorgeous Granny Smith apple green peridot, what attracts you most are the deep colors of the stones. When jewelers determine the quality of a gem stone based on its color, they talk about…
Having recently returned from the Las Vegas Jewelry Show, there is lots to talk about when it comes to hot trends in jewelry! Donna and I saw lots of gold, lots of pearls and lots of larger semi-precious stones. Let’s begin with gold. Gold is now at a 2 ½ year low right now. With…
One of my favorite custom design scenarios is to design engagement and wedding rings. That’s because I feel strongly that these rings are much more than a promise to love and cherish for a lifetime. I believe custom engagement rings and wedding bands offer a look inside the soul, the story and the partnership of…