Saturday, March 20, 2010

Introducing the Distinctive Nob Hill Collection by John S. Brana

February 29, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry

When was the last time you strolled along California Street and climbed the steps of Mason? Or, if you don’t live in our fair city of San Francisco, when have you last enjoyed the nostalgic architecture of those neighborhoods built around the turn of twentieth century? Do you notice that bricks are no longer laid in those patterns, or that columns today aren’t poured in such grand stature but with such intricate detail?

That was a time when we didn’t have to remind ourselves to stop and smell the roses. We appreciated craftsmanship and weren’t distracted by technology. With this in mind, John S. Brana sought to capture the elaborate scrolls and turbulent twists of the grill work on entrance gates that dot the neighborly streets of San Francisco’s famous Nob Hill. This is the collection of that not yet lost, but very intimate detail.

 

After twisting three tiny pure silver or 14 karat gold wires then running them through a rolling machine, John sculpts the inner tendrils into a paired perfection. No two sets are exactly the same. Each design is then encased by a sturdy barrier of flat or half-round sterling silver or 14 karat gold. Dangling a pair from you ears is a delicate daily reminder that if you can’t stop to smell the roses, you can at least take them with you. Necklaces and bracelets are coming soon. Enjoy life’s beautiful amenities!

 

Karri Ann Frerichs

Altitude Promotions

 

14K Gold Rims with Fine Silver Filigree

 

Sterling Silver Filigree Drop Earrings

Now Browse by Gemstone, Metal, and Price Point!

February 28, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Events

Each of us is drawn to our favorite things, a collection that defines who we are and makes us unique. We prefer certain colors, identify with distinctive shapes and place value on bright and shiny things. Some may even verge on a certain aesthetic addiction- an all-black wardrobe, complete households of minimalist square furniture, an entire family of “J” names! It’s okay, we understand.

John S. Brana-Distinctive Jewelry recently polled, you- his loyal clients, to learn how we could make www.johnsbrana.com more streamlined and user friendly. You wanted to see what amazing pieces were available in your favorite gemstone or precious metal. You also wanted to narrow by price point. It’s possible your ex-mother-in-law only wore rubies and you never care to see those again!

We listened and are excited to introduce the Browse by Gemstone, Metal, and Price Point features found on the lower left columns of all product pages! Now you can find your perfect birthstone piece, discover your next favorite mineral and expand your beautiful gold, silver and copper collections! Enjoy and take pleasure in life’s beautiful amenities.

John S. Brana- Distinctive Jewelry signs Altitude Promotions

February 27, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Press

John S. Brana- Distinctive Jewelry has signed Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions, as its San Francisco wholesale representative and press contact. Karri Ann launched Altitude Promotions in 2007 with the purpose to represent talented designers to the buying community and to increase the fashion industry’s awareness and appreciation of the local talent working right here in the Bay Area. She moved to San Francisco from Omaha, NE in 2005 and has experience in retail management, fashion column and feature writing, and Fortune 500 corporate event planning. John S. Brana and Altitude Promotions are excited to join forces in 2008 and look forward to providing you with Distinctive jewelry and excellent service. Enjoy life’s beautiful amenities!

John S. Brana
John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

Karri Ann Frerichs
Altitude Promotions

Appel & Frank – Get 50% Off Entrance Fee – March 13th – Spring into Style San Francisco

February 26, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Events

If you act now and RSVP online at www.appelandfrank.com, you can receive 50% off the entrance fee. Just enter the discount code DESIGNERSF on the ticket purchase page. (Note, this code is only good for pre-event ticket sales, tickets at the door will be $10 each.)

“Spring into Style” San Francisco will be held at the Regency Center – Sutter Room, located at 1270 Sutter Street at Van Ness from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Over 600 guests will shop from 65 designers, including John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry (where I will be launching my new filigree collection – Nob HIll), selling everything from jewelry and clothing, to accessories and more. In addition to the fabulous shopping, there will be complimentary drinks, beauty services, and giveaways.

The first 300 guests to purchase tickets at www.appelandfrank.com are GUARANTEED a gift bag filled with fabulous products and offers from:

SHOCK Cosmetics
CozmoCard
Bloomsberry
miniTissue
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Attune Probiotic Wellness Bars
Diva for the Day
SF Weekly

New Beaded Gemstone Earrings – Barbary Coast Collection

February 21, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Gemstone Jewelry

Are you ready for something different? I have been working on an innovative style of wire wrapped beaded gemstone earrings for spring to the Barbary Coast Collection. These new earrings feature various semi-precious gemstone beads in either Fine Silver, 14K Gold Filled, or 14K or 18K Gold. Current selections include Apatite, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Crystal Quartz, Garnets, Freshwater Pearls, and Peridot.

Aquamarine Wire Wrapped Earrings in

Garnet Wire Wrapped Earrings in 14K Gold Filled

Limited quantities are available online as well as through selected Bay Area retailers.

Oryx – Inflight Magazine – Qatar Airways – Features John S. Brana Jewelry

February 14, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Press

Oryx – The Inflight Magazine of Qatar Airways – January 2008

Style Resolutions

 

It’s time to make 2008 the year for high-voltage, maximum impact glamour

 

Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Cocktail Ring by John S Brana

Dress, Ralph Lauren Women’s Purple Label; Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti; Gloves, La Crasia; Ring, John S Brana – 12 carat Blue Topaz ring set in Sterling Silver from the Pacific Heights Collection- pages38-39


 

Citrine Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold by John S Brana - Pacific Heights Collection

HER Pleated Halter Dress, Issey Miyake USA; Pleated Shrug, Issey Miyake USA; Shoes, Nina; Citrine Gold Ring, John S Brana - 12 carat Citrine ring set in 18k Gold from the Pacific Heights Collection- page 40



 

Lavender Sea Pearl Earrings by John S Brana - Sonoma Collection

Sequin Dress, H&M; Classima Executives Watch, Baume-et-Mercier; Hosiery, Wolford; Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti; Earrings, John S Brana – Lavender Sea Pearls from the Sonoma Collectionpage 42


Oryx – The Inflight Magazine of Qatar Airways is published by The Media Factory FZ – LLC of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.”Qatar Airways flies one of the youngest fleets in the skies.In September 2006 Qatar Airways became the launch customer of the Airbus A340-600 High Gross Weight aircraft. Innovative onboard features such as dedicated First and Business Class lounges for passengers travelling in the premium cabins are specially designed for you to unwind and relax.The State of Qatar sits on a peninsula halfway along the western shoreline of the Arabian Gulf and is almost completely surrounded by sea. It borders Saudi Arabia to the south and is separated by the sea from the United Arab Emirates in the southeast and Bahrain in the northwest.Qatar has a desert climate of hot summers and relatively warm winters. In the summer, the temperature ranges between 25 and 46 degrees centigrade. Rainfall in the winter is minimal and on average does not exceed 75 mm per year.”For more information on Qatar Airways, please see their website at www.qatarairways.com

Kempinski – Luxury & Lifestyle Magazine – Features John S. Brana Jewelry

February 10, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Press

Kempinski – Luxury & Lifestyle Magazine – Middle East & Africa – January 2008

 

The Fashion Files – Look Great in 2008
Join the glitterati and set a shining example for the year ahead

 

18K Gold Citrine Ring by John S Brana

HER Pleated Halter Dress, Issey Miyake USA; Pleated Shrug, Issey Miyake USA; Shoes, Nina; Citrine Gold Ring, John S Brana - 12 carat Citrine ring set in 18k Gold – pages 18-19


 

12 carat Blue Topaz ring in Sterling Silver by John S Brana

Dress, Ralph Lauren Women’s Purple Label; Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti; Gloves, La Crasia; Ring, John S Brana – 12 carat Blue Topaz ring set in Sterling Silver – page 21


 

20 carat Swiss Blue Topaz cocktail ring in Sterling Silver by John S Brana

Dress, Aurelio Costarella; Shoes, Giuseppe Zanotti; Gloves, La Crasia; Ring, John S Brana – 20 carat Swiss Blue Topaz ring set in Sterling Silver – page 24


Kempinski Luxury & Lifestyle Magazine is published by The Media Factory FZ-LLC of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “Founded in Germany 111 years ago, Kempinski Hotels has long reflected the finest traditions of European hospitality. Today, as ever, Kempinski is synonymous with distinctive luxury.

Located in many of the world’s most well known cities and resorts, the Kempinski collection includes hotels in the grand manner, pace-setting modern establishments and older hotels of individual charm. All blend gracefully into their surroundings and offer luxurious accommodation, superb cuisine and
unrivalled facilities – complemented by impeccable service. For leisure and business guests alike, the name Kempinski has long been synonymous with style, nobility and efficiency. Put simply, they are the first choice for the discerning individual.

In addition to operating many of the finest city hotels in the world Kempinski is a name that can now be found in many exciting resort locations, each combining local flair and ambience with the international standards of service and luxury that Kempinski guests have come to expect.”

For more about Kempinski Hotels, check out their website at www.kempinski.com

Jewelry Trends from the Centurion Jewelry Show

February 10, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Events

While cautious about the year ahead, designers at this year’s Centruion Jewelry Show in Tucson, Arizona (Feb 2-6) had not entirely reined in their creativity. The Centurion is the crem-de-la-crem of the fine jewelry industry. As reported by JCK, look for these emerging trends to influence jewelry designs throughout 2008:

“Elongated Pear and Oval shapes. Designers are taking the traditional pear and oval and stretching them for dramatic, sensual shapes in everything from cut stones to metal forms. The shapes are especially effective in drop earrings, pendants, and statement-making rings.

Opacity. The season’s favorite stones are opaque. Onyx continues to be strong but high-quality opal is vying for attention as well. Also watch for dreamy moonstones accented by faceted gems.

Free-form design. Many designers are using free-form elements similar to scribbles and loops.

Enameled elements. Enamel serves as the ultimate way to incorporate the season’s fashion trends into jewelry, with a literal translation of patterns and colors that blend with precious metals.”

Survery: Vote for your most preferred metal

February 5, 2008 by John S. Brana  
Filed under Events

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