Enter To Win Every month, JohnSBrana.com will be holding a drawing for one (1) $100 Gift Certificate good for any purchase on www.johnsbrana.com  Contest Rules How to Enter: NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  To participate in  this monthly drawing, just leave a comment on this post stating what you ... Read More

  Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. Rich hues of the softest Italian mesh metal ribbon is embellished with precious and semi-precious stones or pearls and is available by the piece or in sets of over 30 different colors. John also describes his process of anticlastic metal raising that he uses to produce beautiful one-of-a-kind Sterling Silver, Copper, and 14K and ... Read More

  San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana is interviewed by Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John talks about his Sea Cliff Collection inspired by sea creatures found off the coast of Northern California and introduces the premiere of his Amazonite Jellyfish necklace made especially for this fashion show. The Sea Cliff collection is the perfect way to enjoy the treasures of the ocean everyday. Click here to ... Read More

  San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana is interviewed by Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John talks about his festive statement jewelry collection Barbary Coast. Dynamic shapes and countless layers of richly textured semi-precious gemstones define this show stopping statement jewelry collection which also features gold vermeil, 14K gold, 18Kgold, and fine and sterling silver. For those who love a statement piece, the Barbary Coast collection is ... Read More

Enter To Win Every month, JohnSBrana.com will be holding a drawing for one (1) $100 Gift Certificate good for any purchase on www.johnsbrana.com  Contest Rules How to Enter: NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  To participate in  this monthly drawing, just leave a comment on this post stating what you ... Read More

  14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Onyx Tear Drop Earrings - Barbary Coast Collection with Hammered 14K Gold Bangle - SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection   Amazonite Sterling Silver Chain Maille Earrings - Sonoma Collection     Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Bracelet - Sonoma Chainmail Collection with Wire Wrapped Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop with Amazonite - Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection   Chased Fine Silver Necklace with Corrugated Sterling Silver Cuff - SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection      Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings - Sonoma Chainmail Collection      Corrugated Fold Formed Copper Triangle Earrings - ... Read More

San Francisco Jewelry Designer John S. Brana was recently interviewed by NBC's Bay Area Around Town and Fashion Reporter Nicole Ramirez.   NBC Local Media uncovers and connects their users to all that San Francisco has to offer so they can be true city insiders.  Click here to read full story. Read More

Enter To Win Every month, JohnSBrana.com will be holding a drawing for one (1) $100 Gift Certificate good for any purchase on www.johnsbrana.com  Contest Rules How to Enter: NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  To participate in  this monthly drawing, just leave a comment on this post stating what you ... Read More

  Handcrafted geometric copper and sterling silver links from John S. Brana's SOMA Collection accentuate the voluminous black lace layers of this high-neck, corset-back top from Revelation by M.E. When wearing an ensemble of all-black, or any other solid neutral color, create dimension and define a focal point with a dramatic statement necklace. This latest fashion trend of 2009 remains a classic look and may be updated each season with vibrant gemstones, geometric shapes, mix-matched metals, and varying textures. Browse ... Read More

San Francisco is a truly charming city where talented artists frequently show their skills to the public.  As we are starting 2009, JWR takes you to the city by the bay to meet skillful designer John S. Brana, and talk about his background, ideas, and his new collection. Late last year, new work in fine jewelry by the otherwise bridge category designer proved favorable to the crowd at the "Designers by the Bay" event held at Shreve & Co. in San Francisco.  The newcomer ... Read More

Enter To Win Every month, JohnSBrana.com will be holding a drawing for one (1) $100 Gift Certificate good for any purchase on www.johnsbrana.com  Contest Rules How to Enter: NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  To participate in  this monthly drawing, just leave a comment on this post stating what you ... Read More

Why should I have my fine jewelry appraised? The most common reason to get a jewelry appraisal is for insurance coverage. A detailed document describing your jewelry and its worth assure you of a comparable replacement in case of loss. Appraisals are generally performed on items valued in excess of $500, or on items that have unusual sentimental value, and are also valuable for when you choose to sell, trade or bequeath your jewelry. Is my jewelry worth appraising? How can I tell? ... Read More

Many people shy away from silver jewelry for many reasons. For some, it's because silver loses its luster over time. For others, they think of silver as simply inferior to gold. Neither of these statements are true if the silver utilized is fine silver. Handcrafted silver jewelry made using fine silver, rather than sterling silver – will last a lifetime without much attention. At first glance, sterling silver and fine silver might appear almost identical. In reality, though, handcrafted fine silver jewelry is ... Read More

If you are looking for sheer elegance and class, nothing beats gold gemstone jewelry. These pieces combine the simple glamor of gold with distinctive gemstones that reflect the personality and style of the wearer. When buying this type of jewelry, there are several things you need to pay attention to. The quality of the gold that makes up any kind of gold gemstone jewelry is essential. Of course, you want the highest quality gold, which is measured in karats. No piece of jewelry ... Read More

When it comes to elegance, nothing really beats a statement piece of jewelry. Multi-strand gemstone necklaces add not only color, but dimension to any ensemble and express your mood, your style, and your personality.  Virtually endless in styles and character, beaded gemstone jewelry offers some of the most unique designs and styles of jewelry available.  Beaded gemstone jewelry is traditionally made using semi-precious, rather than precious, stones. Everyone knows a precious stone when they see one. The diamond, a “girl’s best friend”, a ... Read More

When you think of handmade gemstone jewelry, you may think of your weird aunt, still living in the 1960’s and her macramé beaded "creations."  Or, you may think of the junky trinkets sold at your local art and crafts fairs. But not to fear, there is another type of handmade jewelry that is neither tacky, “retro”, nor prone to falling to pieces after a few times of wear. Modern, high-end jewelers create handmade gemstone jewelry that will stand the test of time and ... Read More

When people think of fine gemstone jewelry, they traditionally think of the holidays. Whether you are dressing up for Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve, this type of jewelry is usually reserved for these occasions and then put away for the rest of the year. This is really a shame for two reasons. People have bought you that jewelry because they love you. Or, you have bought the jewelry because you love it. Either way, this love is only being expressed and ... Read More

Some of the most beautiful, yet affordable, pieces of jewelry you can find are made of Sterling Silver. Handmade Sterling Silver jewelry can be worn with nearly any style of clothing, to any occasion, and can be worn year-round. No one would turn down a gift of Sterling Silver jewelry. Sterling Silver refers to silver that is .925 pure. Unless pure silver is hammered, it is usually too soft for most jewelry applications. The derivation of the term, “Sterling ... Read More

After a whirlwind schedule of Valentine's runway and theatrical shows wardrobing models and performers with dramatic jewelry, John S. Brana gears up for Spring shopping events for his fans. Look for his signature high end handcrafted fine jewelry collections including corrugated cuffs and layered gemstone necklaces at the Contemporary Crafts Market in San Francisco's Fort Mason, March 14 and 15. Shoppers will also enjoy copper, sterling silver and 14K gold-filled designs priced under $150 at Appel and Frank's Spring into Style Shopping ... Read More

Enter To Win Every month, JohnSBrana.com will be holding a drawing for one (1) $100 Gift Certificate good for any purchase on www.johnsbrana.com  Contest Rules How to Enter: NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  To participate in  this monthly drawing, just leave a comment on this post stating what you ... Read More

"Waiting for the Bailout Boat," W25 Magazine - February 2009 Issue, features selected fine jewelry from the SoMa Collection by jewelry designer John S. Brana.   Photographed by Nels Olvin  Stylist:  Karri Ann Frerichs  Make up & Hair:  Katie Nash   Model:  Mirela  Retouching:  Denis Kuznetsoz   Bustier - Vintage hand-me down circa 1983. Hammered fine silver necklace with Chrysoprase - John S. Brana $665 Multi-tiered floral skirt - H&M $59.90 Bustier - Vintage hand-me down circa 1983. Hammered Sterling Silver Disc Earrings - John S. Brana $87 Tuxedo Blazer - H&M ... Read More

Go back in time, up until about the late 1860s, and you'll find that men adorned their bodies much as women did, with ornate and sumptuous bracelets, necklaces and rings. It's only been for the last hundred years that the standard for men changed to wearing very staid ornamentation, if any, and going about in grey business suits, like regimented soldiers of commerce. But now the tide has clearly turned in a new direction, with men reclaiming their right to jewelry. (Not ... Read More

Fine jewelry silver is actually pure silver or 99% silver.  Sterling silver, on the other hand, is an alloy of 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% copper.   Pure silver is usually too malleable to be used in jewelry, unless it is hammered or tumbled to "work harden" the silver to a point where it is just as strong as Sterling Silver.  The advantage of Fine Silver, is that it does not tarnish, making care of fine silver jewelry effortless. Silver and gold are ... Read More

How does an artist design a piece of jewelry? Where does the inspiration come from? How is the initial look decided upon? How is the piece crafted once it's design is final? Well, let's take a look at how silver jewelry is designed and find out. A smart jewelry designer will make no piece of jewelry until its design is finalized. The process starts out by creating a series of sketches of the piece, from all angles, taking into consideration how it will be ... Read More

Some people like gold jewelry, and some people like silver. It all depends on if you like the warmth of gold, or the coolness of silver. If you're a woman or a  man, silver jewelry may very well be your thing.  Silver and gold are the two main metals that have been used for jewelry since jewelry first started being worn! Silver jewelry is actually made from "sterling silver", which is an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. That's because silver, ... Read More