Handmade Jewelry Blog by Jewelry Designer John S Brana
The creative process Blog of San Francisco Jewelry Designer John S. Brana. In-depth articles on designing and marketing handmade jewelry and handcrafted fine art jewelry.
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
Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings – Sonoma Chainmail Collection
Corrugated Fold Formed Copper Triangle Earrings – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection
Fine Silver Anticlastic Earrings – SoMa Handmade Contemporary Jewelry Collection
Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Chrysophrase Gemstones – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection
Baby Be Mine, Valentine’s Fashion Fundraiser for MoAD
Produced by Charleston Pierce
Choreographed by Ronnie Reddick
Styling by Karri Ann Frerichs
Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana
See jewelry designs by John S. Brana showcased in the November edition of Zinette.com, San Francisco’s latest online magazine detailing the city’s fashion, art culture and nightlife. A chunky and dramatic bracelet of amber, onyx and citrine gemstones from John S. Brana’s Barbary Coast Collection graces the cover which was shot at San Francisco’s Phoenix Hotel featuring swimwear from LA designer, Bantu. Click and drag through Zinette’s eye-catching layout for an additional photo spread featuring designs from his Sea Cliff Collection, including a “hidden pearl” ring, sterling silver shell earrings and anticlastic cuffs styled in the club setting of Bambuddha Lounge.
Finally, travel to the Mission District to dine at Lolo’s and enjoy its kaleidoscope of bohemian décor and sip wine while styled in John S. Brana’s Sonoma–inspired chain maille jewelry.
John S. Brana’s Barbary Coast Carnelian Necklace is featured on page 68 of the November 2008 issue along with other fine jewelry by Thalia Jewelry, Stephen Webster, DeBeers, and Bulgari.
A BRANA BEAUTY Wearing John S. Brana’s Carnelian necklace ($1,285) to that next luncheon will get everyone talking—in a good way. Further enhanced by gold freshwater pearls and gold vermeil beads. this striking necklace adds elegance to a black V-neck wrap dress or a white cashmere turtleneck with black wool pants.
Gentry can be found at various locations throughout the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay – from Hillsborough to Los Altos, and Cupertino Hills to the Almaden Valley. Click here to find out more about Gentry.
Dynamic shapes and countless layers of richly textured semi-precious gemstones define this show stopping collection which also features gold vermeil, 14K gold, and fine and sterling silver. For those who love a statement piece, the Barbary Coast collection is perfect for those who choose to build an ensemble around their jewelry.
 Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection - Faceted Garnets and Citrine Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Faceted Garnets with Citrine Flowers and 24K Gold seed beaded necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, with 14K Gold-filled Fold Formed earrings from the Sea Cliff Collection, and 7 carat Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the Pacific Heights Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 Barbary Coast Collection - Onyx Earrings and Amber, Crystal Quartz Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Onyx earrings and Clear Quartz, Amber, and Onyx necklace and matching bracelet from the Barbary Coast Collection, with a 10 carat Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the Pacific Heights Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 Nob Hill Filigree Jewelry and Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection Model Apryl Orr wears Amber and Clear Quartz necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, 18K Gold and Fine Silver Filigree earrings from the Nob Hill Collection, 18K Gold Corrugated Cuff and Sterling Silver Marquise Cut Citrine Cocktail ring from the SoMa Collection. Photography by Klaus Lange. |
 18K Hammered Gold Cuff with Brazilian Fire Agate Necklace Model Apryl Orr wears Brazilian Fire Agate necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection, 14K Gold-filled Hammered Cuff from the SoMa Collection, and 14K Gold Fleur-de-lis Carnelian earrings from the Nob Hill Collection. Photography and Red Wheat silk sarong by Klaus Lange. |
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Photographer: Jar Concengco
Models: Lena B. (dark blonde), Isle D. (brunette)
Stylist: Karri Ann Frerichs, Styling Asst: Punam Patel
Makeup: Cosmetics Couture
Jewelry: John S. Brana
Silk Accessories: Klaus Lange
Location: Pacifica, California
Of John S. Brana’s eight distinctive jewelry collections, SoMa is the most contemporary and has been worn by celebrities including Natasha Bedingfield and Janice Dickinson. This collection includes hammered link necklaces and earrings, as well as his unique copper collection, and will now include 14K and 18K gold designs and rings set with solitaire gemstones.
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.
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Amber Citrine Crystal Quartz Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Veronica wears Crystal Quartz – Amber – Citrine Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Barbary Coast Garnet Earrings and Gemstone Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Garnet Wire Wrapped earrings
and Pink Coral, Garnets, and Citrine necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Barbary Coast Amber Gemstone Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Amber and Onyx necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
Chalk Turquoise Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Merissa wears a Green Chalk Turquoise necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection and Fine Silver Anticlastic earrings from the SoMa Collection.
Barbary Coast Freshwater Pearl Wire Spiral Earrings
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears a Spiral 14K Gold Filled earrings set with White Freshwater Pearls from the Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Onyx and Crystal Quartz Necklace - Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Ashley wears Fleur-de-lis Earrings set with faceted Onyx and a Gold Quartz, Citrine, and Onyx necklace from the Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Amethyst Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon Necklace from the Monterey Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Sivan wears Purple Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon earrings and Amethyst Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon necklace from the Monterey Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Monterey Collection - Orange Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Fernanda wears Orange Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon earrings and necklace set with Carnelian from the Monterey Beaded Gemstone Collection.
Pacific Heights Citrine Gemstone Earrings
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Quincy wears Teardrop Citrine Gemstone earrings from the Pacific Heights Collection.
Pacific Heights Wire Wrapped Gemstone Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Fernanda wears a matching set of wire sculpted Citrine earrings, pendant, and ring from the Pacific Heights Collection.
Fold Formed Silver Earrings and Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Sivan wears Fold Formed Fan Coral Fine Silver
earrings and Keishi Pearl necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection.
Sea Cliff Collection Pearl Necklace
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Jenna wears a Mother of Pearl and Fine Silver necklace from the Sea Cliff Collection.
Nob Hill Filigree Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Photographer Sarah Ross wears
Large Tear Drop Filigree earrings from the Nob Hill Collection and Hammered Fine Silver necklace from the
SoMa Collection.
Chalk Turquoise Necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Merissa wears Fine Silver Anticlastic earrings from the SoMa Collection and a Green Chalk Turquoise necklace from the Barbary Coast Collection.
SoMa Hammered Silver Jewelry Collection
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears Brazilian Fire Agate
Hammered Fine Silver necklace and Hammered Fine Silver earrings from the
SoMa Collection.
Hammered Copper Jewelry - Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings - Fold Fomed Copper Cuff - Hammered Copper Neckwire with Brazilian Fire Agate Pendant
Fashion Model 2008 – May 24, 2008 – San Francisco, CA – Liz wears Brazilian Fire Agate Copper Necklace, Copper Leaf Earrings, and Copper Fold Formed Bracelet from the Handmade Copper Jewelry Collection by John S. Brana.
