Is Bigger Better? When Bold Jewelry is Best

Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings and Pendant by John S. Brana Bold Jewelry

Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings and Pendant by John S. Brana

Jazz Up a Simple Outfit with Bold Jewelry

Big, bold jewelry isn’t for everyone, and it certainly isn’t for everyday wear but sometimes a bit of bling can be just what the fashion doctor ordered to jazz up a simple outfit and take it to a whole new level. The Little Black Dress is a perfect example. Simple, monochrome clothes are a blank canvas that you can easily splash vibrant colors and large designs onto without clashing or appearing too brash.

Likewise, a formal pants and shirt combo can be brought to life with a larger than life necklace, stunning focal pendant or layers of bangles.

Don’t Overload Two Areas Close Together with Bold Jewelry

Professional make up artists have a rule that the focus should be either on the eyes or the mouth for the greatest effect. Likewise, when accessorizing with bold jewelry you shouldn’t overload two areas that are close together. Chandelier earrings paired with a multi-strand necklace can look fussy, while wearing giant cocktail rings with bulky, beaded bracelets runs the risk of you looking like a toddler who raided their mom’s jewelry box.

The key to wearing bold jewelry with style is to pick a few key pieces and showcase them, rather than making them compete against each other
for attention.

Keep Genres Similar with Bold Jewelry

When choosing large pieces of jewelry make sure that you choose designs that will work well with your overall look. Avoid pairing large gemstones with pearls, or mixing jewelry genres such as boho beaded strands with cast designs with faceted gems and polished metals.

Don’t be scared to experiment – dressing up with bold jewelry can be fun!

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John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry enhances popular SoMa Collection of hammered jewelry with rings and incorporates 14K gold

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.

 

New Jewelry – SoMa Collection

Hammered Bronze Cocktail Ring - Blue Topaz Hammered Bronze Cocktail Ring - Green Gold Quartz Hammered Bronze Cocktail Ring - Boulder Opal
Hammered 14K Gold Earrings with Peridot Hammered 14K Gold Earrings - Circles Hammered 14K Gold Earrings with Blue Topaz

 

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Jewelry Trends from the Centurion Jewelry Show

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.”

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