for April babies

Happy birthday April babies!  My daughter is an April baby, so lucky mommy gets to have a special connection to this birthstone as well!  This is always a tough month to narrow down to just one selection for my birthstone post, but this Art Deco pendant called out to me.  It combines many of my favorite design elements, including the pear shape of the pendant, the lily shaped bail, the ascending diamond sizes, and the beautiful filigree accents.  Just incredible!

artist inspiration

Oh how time flies, my lovelies!  While I have been absent from my blog (my apologies!), I have been looking for inspiration, just a little something that could help jump start my design process again.  And then I found Yeesookyung.  I am so incredibly inspired by this artist's work Translated Vase series, from inspiration to execution.  Now I am obsessed with integrating kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending ceramics with gold, into my design.  Although this is certainly not a new idea (check out jewelry artist Jamie Joseph's stunning pieces), I am excited at testing my own take on this beautiful method.

for March babies

Oh you lucky March babies!  Every time I see an aquamarine I want to giggle like a little girl.  I am not sure what elicits this kind of reaction in me.  Maybe it's the enchanting color of this stone and it's pure perfection!  A perfect example is this 15 ct. stunner in a yellow gold milgrain setting with a decorative bail of sterling silver over gold with diamonds.  This pendant hangs so beautifully. And as beautiful as the diamond setting is it perfectly allows the aquamarine to take center stage.

two new aquisitions

Two new pieces of jewelry in the last week!  Just the thing to cheer a gal up (it's been a stressful month).  First up, my Christmas gift from my husband!  After the first Art Nouveau pendant he bought got lost in the mail (tragic to think that pendant is floating around in no man's land!), we found this beauty on Ebay. It's missing its pearl drop but I'm still debating whether I want to replace it or not.  The pendant is so delicate you don't even notice the loop at the bottom and the pendant is already so pretty as is.  I guess if I find the right antique pearl, I might change my mind.  Next up, a star sapphire ring gifted to me from my mother and father.  (You may remember this previous post!) Turns out my father gave my mother this ring shortly after they were married.  So incredibly happy to have a sentimental piece passed down from my parents.

for February babies

When I conjure an image in my head of an antique amethyst necklace, I envision a festoon necklace dripping with rows and swags of amethysts.  A stunning vision that I obviously appreciate but not one I would purchase and wear myself.  So when I started on my search for this month's birthstone necklace, I searched for simple and understated but quickly realized my vision of amethysts dripping from the neckline could not be squashed.  Then I stumbled upon this beauty! A piece I could certainly love and wear with just the right amount of "drippy-ness" and a perfect balance of statement and wearability.

for January babies

Happy birthday January babies!  Garnets are such a rich colorful stone and, in my mind, just perfect for the cold winter weather of January.  In my search, I stumbled across this circa late 3rd Century B.C. garnet necklace and was just blown away.  The style of this necklace is exquisite and very much wearable today.  I am so incredibly inspired by the stone settings.  (Click through the link to see the setting in more detail.) Such a remarkable piece of history.

Eve pendant

This beauty was my special Christmas Eve present and I am so incredibly in love.  This Art Deco stickpin conversion was just what I was looking for to add to my growing yellow gold collection.  I hope everyone had a happy holiday with all those you love and have a wonderful New Year!  See you in 2016!