14K Gold Filled Chased Bangle Bracelet

Techniques of Master Jewelers

Working and shaping metal into exquisite pieces of jewelry takes time, patience and the knowledge of various metalworking techniques such as chasing, repoussé, hammering and piercing. Expert craftsmen, like John S. Brana, use a variety of techniques on each piece of jewelry to create the various masterpieces within their collection.

Chasing and repoussé are both very similar techniques used to form patterns on the surface of a metal. A jeweler chases metal by forming imprints on it without altering the reverse side. These markings are clearly seen on the chased gold and copper bracelets by John S. Brana. With repoussé, a raised design is formed on the front by working the back of a metal sheet.

Basic Jewelers Tools

Hammering is the most basic technique but is also one of the most versatile. By striking hot or cold metal with a hammer, the craftsman is able to bend and twist it as desired. Jewelers typically use an iron bench block for a solid base and a highly polished planishing hammer so as not to leave unwanted marks on the metal’s surface after it has been shaped.

Chased Copper Triangle Earrings with Garnets

Piercing with a Jewelers Saw

Piercing is exactly what it sounds like. The jeweler will remove pieces out of a metal surface and create intricate shapes by using a very fine saw blade. A drill will have to be used first if the hole is to be made in the center of the metal sheet. For an example of this, have a look at the chased copper earrings with garnets by John S. Brana. These feature an oval hole which would have been created by piercing.

Using a combination of these techniques, jewelers all over the globe are now creating stunning earrings, necklaces and bracelets in a multitude of designs, so that we can enjoy wearing a range of accessories while out and about.

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

Brazilian Fire Agate Orange Coral Vermeil Necklace

Statement Jewelry – Defining Your Unique Sense of Style

Statement jewelry has boldness, high style, and most of all, presence. It’s the kind of jewelry that makes an immediate and long lasting impression. It doesn’t just show up, it makes an entrance. This is why it is a popular choice for independent women with a strong sense of their own style.

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant with Amethyst

Statement jewelry is big, bold, usually brightly colored, and sometimes layered for an even greater fashion impact. It often includes large and chunky jewels and pearls, either real or faux, mixed with thick chains and pendants. Some statement jewelry includes charms stamped with motivational words or significant dates. It’s meant to be noticed immediately which means that one fabulous statement jewelry piece is all you need to add polish and personality to an outfit. No doubt you’ve seen some terrific examples on international fashion runways and also adorning the ears and necklines of some of the world’s most well-known and well-dressed women such as Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker and Cate Blanchett.

Oversized gemstones are a popular choice for red carpet events, while layers of long necklaces and chunky cuffs can add a bit of bling to a little black party dress.

Statement jewelry always brings drama to any outfit and carries a luxe look. Although luxe doesn’t necessarily mean big bucks, the nature of these pieces mean that any investment is well worth the money.

14K Gold Chased Anticlastic Cuff Bracelet

The trick behind statement jewelry is to choose a size and style that represents you and the fashion statement you want to make to the world. It usually means wearing only one big, bold, eye-catching necklace, chandelier earrings, wide cuff bracelet, or chunky ring as the attention-getting focus of an outfit. Moderation is key; too many bold items make the wrong statement!

John S. Brana features several dazzling and dramatic pieces among his couture collection. Each finely crafted, limited edition item in the collection delivers a statement that declares the wearer to be sophisticated, stylish and uniquely fashion-forward.

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

Garnet Pink Coral Carnelian Vermeil Necklace

Vermeil Jewelry Defined

What is vermeil? Aside from the technical definition, the best way to describe vermeil might be, “a beautiful material used in jewelry making that offers the luster and chic of pure gold without the high cost.” Vermeil, pronounced “ver-may”, is actually .925 sterling silver heavily plated with gold that cannot be less than 10k, and most jewelers of today use at least 14k gold.

Vermeil jewelry differs from jewelry that is sold as  “gold plated” in that “plated” consists of a thinner layer of gold over a base metal such as brass. Over time, the base metal tends to appear through as the gold wears off due to exposure to skin oils and natural wear. Vermeil jewelry maintains its beauty over the long term better due to the thickness of the gold layer used in the production process.

Amethyst Vermeil Neckalce

Vermeil has long been favored for its high-style look and feel, and is also stronger than gold plated base metals, making it a choice for luxury items other than jewelry. The Vermeil Room in the White House features an exquisite collection of vermeil serving pieces from English and French silversmiths dating back to the eighteenth century, which were bequeathed to the White House in 1956.

Today, many fine jewelers offer vermeil jewelry among their most stylish and fashionable collections. Jewelry wearers who want the high-end, high quality look of pure gold often choose vermeil as an affordable substitute offering a sense of sophistication and style.

Vermeil jewelry should never be cleaned by machine or with solvents or commercial gold and silver cleaners. It is best maintained by polishing with a soft cloth to prevent scratching and keeping vermeil jewelry pieces in an air-tight bag or closed container can prevent corrosion over time.

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

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 will ever be made with 24k gold, so beware any jeweler who tries to sell you “24k gold”. This type of gold is too pure and too malleable to be worked into jewelry, and quite frankly, is too expensive. Only a king or queen would ever have anything made from 24k gold!

Most quality gold used in jewelry ranges from 10k to 22k. The higher the rating, the higher the price. It is typical for most jewelry to be made from 14k gold, although 18k is preferred by most quality jewelers.

Gemstones have their own rating system. Diamonds are also measured in carats (with a “c” instead of a “k”), and the higher the rating, the higher the price. Diamonds fall under the category of “precious stones”, along with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. A lot of gemstone jewelry, however, is made from semi-precious stones which are not as expensive, but can be equally beautiful and unique.

Gold gemstone jewelry made from semi-precious gemstones such as jade, lapis, onyx, turquoise, opals, and amber can be as beautiful as any piece including diamonds or sapphires. The quality of the gold, the uniqueness of the gemstone, and the exemplary craftsmanship of a master jeweler can make this type of jewelry worth wearing for a lifetime and handing down to your children.

Click Here To Find Gold Gemstone Jewelry

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

Everyone knows a precious stone when they see one. The diamond, a “girl’s best friend”, a ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald. These stones are loosely recognized as a step above semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones include those which are commonly found in more economically priced jewelry, such as turquoise, amethyst, and garnet. Although these stones are often less expensive, that doesn’t mean that they are in any way inferior in quality to traditional precious stones. In fact, many quality jewelers will combine precious and semi-precious stones in one piece.

The gemstones found in beaded jewelry can be found in many different forms. Although most pieces will be small in size, they may or may not be polished or uniform in size. With semi-precious stones, the rarity of their color, clarity, or other qualities may add to their value – and jewelers often do not want to polish out those characteristics. This type of jewelry can be a unique addition to any wardrobe, both for a man and a woman. Many women choose necklaces and bracelets made from beaded turquoise or rose quartz, and beaded earrings made from amethyst or garnets are also popular. For men, darker and more masculine stones such as lapis, amethyst, or pyrite are often found. This type of jewelry is not limited to formal functions – beaded gemstone jewelry can be appropriate for just about any occasion.  

Click Here To Find Beaded Gemstone Jewelry

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

But now the tide has clearly turned in a new direction, with men reclaiming their right to jewelry. (Not to mention the new trend of body piercings which does not seem to have played itself out yet.)

So when it comes to jewelry gold diamond…well, let me rephrase that…. when it comes to gold and diamond jewelry, there are many designers these days who are producing really excellent work, and there are many clients who are reaping the benefits of that work!

Precious metals and precious stones have always formed the basis of jewelry, since time immemorial. Jewelry gold diamond… sapphires, rubies….silver….. those words even look beautiful, don’t they? Let alone….gazing at the real thing.

Gold is actually a pretty soft metal…you would not want a ring made out of pure gold because it would bend very easily. Therefore, 24 karat gold (pure gold) is used for collectible gold bullion, which sits in a vault and rarely gets handled.  Gold destined for jewelry has another metal mixed into it, typically brass (copper and zinc),  in certain percentages, so that such jewelry is usually 22k, 18k, 14k, or 10k.

Diamonds are another interesting substance.  Just like gold, diamonds are measured in carats.  The word "carat" is derived from the word "carob," a Mediterranean seed that played an important role in trade centuries ago, since they had a very uniform size and weight.  The seeds were used to balance a scale when weighing precious gemstones, so as a matter of fact, all gemstones are measured in carats.

When first excavated from the ground, they look just like rocks. It’s only when they are "cut" in certain designs that they glitter and look like the diamonds we’ve come to know.

The old cuts are:

Point cut
Table cut
Old Single cut
Mazarin cut
Peruzzi cut
Old European cut

Today, the cut most often used is just called the "brilliant."  Understanding the history of carat /karat weights and how they apply to jewelry can help you select the perfect accessory within your budget and style preferences without being fooled by numerical values.

Click Here For More On Jewelry Gold Diamond

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

This definitely won’t be the case if you purchase designer handmade jewelry.  Chances are you have a unique piece, or one of only a number of limited edition pieces, and you’ll never have to worry about bumping into someone at a party and seeing that same piece of jewelry on another woman’s wrist or around her neck.

Mass market jewelry is stuff that’s stamped out by the thousands, with little or no human contact.  Designer handmade jewelry, on the other hand…is  something totally different. Of course it’s going to cost a little more, but you can be assured that when a designer hallmarks their handmade jewelry, they are guaranteeing you a certain level of quality and trust.  The designer’s name, brand, and reputation are on the line.  This seldom occurs in mass manufactured jewelry. 

Handmade jewelry is also much more labor intensive.  Numerous hours can go into creating, designing, and fabricating a single piece of jewelry, and that’s why the cost for designer handmade jewelry is usually higher than mass produced pieces. 

Maintenance of your designer handmade jewelry is relatively easy.  Over time, your silver jewelry will tarnish due to the copper content in Sterling Silver. There are several commercial products you can purchase at your local drug store or hardware store that will restore your silver to a sparkling shine.   The most versatile is a polishing cloth or rouge cloth that can be used on gold, silver, and copper jewelry.  For those more intricate silver pieces like filigree or chain, all you need is baking soda.  First, make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.  Place the chain in an aluminum pan, and cover thoroughly with baking soda. Then, pour boiling water, slowly,  into the pan.   A chemical reaction will occur and the tarnish will be removed.  Copper jewelry can be easily cleaned with these cleaning methods.  One of the added benefits of buying designer jewelry is that most designers offer cleaning services.  Customers of John S. Brana – Handcrafted Fine Jewelry can send their jewelry in at anytime for a free cleaning.

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Designer Handmade Jewelry

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

 

For more information and to view all jewelry styles please visit:

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

“I was drilling holes for the earwires using a drill press and instead of turning it off, I accidentally increased its speed and the metal just started flailing and spiraling around the drill bit!” described Brana who created over ten new designs for the event.  “When I finally got it to turn off, it had formed this twisted fan shape and I thought, ‘that’s pretty cool… now how do I do that again?’”  Thankfully, he was able to recreate the shape as it is now available with several gemstone varieties at a suggested retail of $880.  Equally as stunning is a pair of 18K Gold and Fine Silver Filigree earrings. 

Just as Brana is entering the upper crust of fine jewelry, he continues to develop his lines of bridge category designs inspired by the city in which he creates them, San Francisco.  Among the most commented upon and tried on piece of his collection for the event was his anticlastic copper cuffs.  “Copper is one of my favorite metals.  It showcases amazing texture and its rich, rose gold color is so beautiful on so many people,” said Brana who handcrafts original jewelry designs ranging from $65-$4000.  In the coming months look for new collections including Muir Woods featuring earthy, forest themes, and an artistic collaboration with a German-born chef at sea who captures the images of sea-worn ships in abstract photography and wearable silk art.  To view each of his collections, visit www.johnsbrana.com.  For wholesale and media inquiries, contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579. 

New Jewelry – SoMa Collection

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

Until now, Brana’s only ring designs were elaborate cocktail rings with intricate wire settings from his Pacific Heights Collection and enchanting sea creatures cast in sterling silver from his Seacliff Collection. The new SoMa ring designs are simple and geometric and will feature 8+ carat gemstones encased in hammered sterling silver, 14K gold, or bronze.  Available gemstones include green-gold quartz, blue topaz, opal, amethyst, green amethyst, and citrine…just to name a few. The designs are clean and understated yet remain true to Brana’s signature stand-out-from-the-crowd jewelry characteristics. Brana will also release designs in 14K and 18K yellow, rose and green golds which were previously only available in sterling and fine silver, 14K gold-filled and copper. Look for hammered and chased geometric link designs, several of which will be set with semi-precious gemstones.          

John S. Brana resides in San Francisco where he handcrafts his eight distinctive jewelry collections inspired by neighborhoods in and around San Francisco. Each collection is as diverse as its namesake and includes:

      Barbary Coast- a dramatic and colorful display of layering semiprecious gemstones

      Monterrey- brightly colored Italian mesh metal intertwined through hammered silver

      Nob Hill – delicate filigree wire earrings inspired by Victorian architecture

      Pacific Heights- large faceted solo gemstones encased in 14K gold-filled and sterling silver settings

      Sea Cliff- surprisingly elegant life-like art pieces of metal-casted marine elements

      Sonoma- chainmail jewelry dripping with berry-like, cascading stones

And the Men’s silver-cast jewelry collection featuring cuff-links, bold rings, textured pendants and minimalist silver bracelets.

To view each of the John S. Brana- Distinctive Jewelry collections visit www.johnsbrana.com. For wholesale information and media requests, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579.

New Jewelry – SoMa Collection

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.

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

©2010 Handcrafted Fine Jewelry Blog by John S. Brana. All Rights Reserved.