Phlox Anodized Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings – Medium

January 28, 2011 By John S. Brana 26 Comments

Phlox Anodized Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings

An intense violet gleam blooms from these fabulous lily pad earrings. Shimmer and shine in head-turning style with these 2″ Anodized Aluminum Lily Pad Phlox earrings. Meticulously crafted with a mesmerizing mix of texture and light that captures the season’s most-wanted look in jewelry.

Measures approximately 2 1/2″ L x 1 1/2″ W

Anodized Aluminum – Color Will Not Fade

Sterling Silver French Earwires, for pierced ears only

Gift Boxed

Phlox is one of Pantone’s most popular Fall 2011 Colors

Price:$40.00

Is Brass the New Gold?

December 13, 2010 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Bark Nu Gold Large Tear Drop Earrings - Brass Jewelry

Bark Nu Gold (Red Brass) Large Tear Drop Earrings

Brass Jewelry – A Fashionable Alternative to Gold

Fashionistas and models alike are itching to get their hands on the hottest new jewelry designs. Instead of gold, silver, or platinum, however, they’re flocking towards a vintage metal with a bright future: brass. Although more recently the metal of choice for locks, keys, and doorknobs, brass has been making a new appearance on fashion runways everywhere.

Jewelry styles using this surprising choice of metals range from delicate to chunky, from vintage to modern. Whether you’re in to steam punk fashion or are looking for something a bit more delicate, brass may be just what you’ve been looking for. Brass jewelry ranges from large, dramatic bangles and rings to dainty beaded earrings – no matter your fashion style, there’s likely a brass design to suit you.

Nu Gold 3 Tiered Lily Pad Earrings - Red Brass Jewelry

Nu Gold (Red Brass) 3 Tiered Lily Pad Earrings

Brass Jewelry – The Nu Gold Standard

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and has long been prized for it’s artistic appeal. Jewelry artisans are now turning to red brass or Nu Gold as a design medium, and the result is both beautiful and amazing. Brass is as flexible as gold or silver, and can be worked and shaped into nearly any design. It can be left with a matte finish or buffed to a glossy shine; this flexibility makes it a popular material for designers to work with.

Attention Getting Brass Jewelry

Brass jewelry is not for the faint of heart; chances are, if you’re wearing it, you’ll get attention. Most brass jewelry designs are both beautiful and unique. The sheen of brass is sure to draw attention to your accessories from those who are fashion conscious; after all, it’s clearly not gold or silver. If you like to turn heads and be on top of the newest and hottest fashion trends, brass is clearly your metal of choice.

Brass jewelry offers a unique appeal with a break from the traditional styles we’re used to seeing. If you want to shake things up this season, consider accessorizing with brass. This metal offers an antique shine for nearly any outfit, and the design options are virtually limitless. If you’re ready to shake up your fashion accessories for a new season, consider purchasing a brass piece or ensemble today.

Stunning Handmade Aluminum Earrings

November 10, 2010 By jbrana 1 Comment

Aluminum Brass Medium Circle Earrings with Apatite

Light Weight Aluminum Earrings

Jewelery designers around the world are realizing the potential of aluminum in the creation of stunning earrings and other jewelry pieces. Artisans such as John S. Brana have a range of beautiful aluminum earrings within their catalogs, which are perfect for any woman searching for a piece of jewelry that feels comfortable, is affordable and will protect their bodies. The only difficulty when shopping is choosing which pair of earrings best suits both you and your wardrobe!

An Alternative to Silver – Aluminum Earrings

Find a superior alternative to sterling silver earrings in the range of aluminum jewelry now offered by skilled craftsmen such as John S. Brana. As a metal, aluminum is lighter, less reactive and considerably more affordable than silver, making it a better choice for jewelry lovers all over the globe.

Fuchsia Anodized Lily Pad Handmade Aluminum Earrings

Fuchsia Anodized Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings

The lightness of aluminum earrings means that they can be worn for a longer time without hurting your ears. Choose from a wider range of styles, such as the aluminum lily pad or bubble embossed earrings created by John S. Brana, without worrying about putting your ears under stress. Their lighter weight also ensures that these are low-noise earrings, which are appropriate to be worn on any occasion.

A Less Expensive Choice with Aluminum Earrings

Choosing aluminum earrings also allows you to protect your bank account. They are much cheaper than their sterling silver counterparts, so that you can build up a more diverse jewelry collection within your household. Own a selection of fashionable accessories perfect for use at home, in the office, or out on the town without spending a fortune.

Finally, aluminum is both nickel-free and non-reactive. Any woman who is hypersensitive to other metals can safely wear items such as texturized aluminum disc earrings without worrying about receiving any adverse reactions. Look your best with aluminum earrings and take care of your health at the same time by purchasing one of these dazzling accessories.

Affordable Designer Earrings

November 4, 2010 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Earrings with Peridot

Don’t Be a Plain Jane – Wear Designer Earrings!

With a huge range of affordable designer earrings available now, there is no excuse to be a plain Jane! The period when jewelry was a luxury only pursued by the rich, famous and powerful is now long over. These days, anyone can afford to sport a pair of statement earrings thanks to the creativity of John S. Brana and other professional craftsmen. Their diverse collections are full of affordable handcrafted designer earrings that are perfect for anyone, regardless of their taste, personality, or budget.

Aluminum and Copper Make Great Cost-Effective Designer Earrings

By far, the most cost-effective earrings are made out of either aluminum or copper. While these may not seem to be very glamorous metals, they can form some stunning designs in the hands of a master jeweler. To see this, simply have a look at any online catalog of the more popular handcrafted jewelry designers.

Of course, if you are looking for affordable earrings that are a little more colorful, yet still within your budget, you can find what you are searching for in the range of gemstone earrings currently available. With a selection covering semi-precious stones such as amber, garnet, emeralds and pearls, you will be spoilt for choice when out jewelry shopping.

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings

Sterling Silver Designer Earrings Make a Great Buy

For those who have a bit more money to spend, but consider gold or platinum jewelry far too expensive, sterling silver handmade earrings can be a great buy. This dazzling metal can be shaped into a multitude of styles, ranging from hoop to chain maille designs, to form a classic look that will suit almost any sort of attire.

With this many choices out there, each as affordable as the next, it is a surprise to see that many women still are not donning a pair of dazzling handmade designer earrings when they are out and about. To find affordable handmade earrings that truly complement both your individual style and the clothing that you are wearing, have a look at the jewelry collections created that feature designer earrings by artisans such as John S. Brana today.

Red Patinated Copper Lily Pad Earrings – November 2010 Jewelry Freebie

November 1, 2010 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Copper Red Lily Pad Earrings

For November, win these beautiful Red Patinated Copper Lily Pad earrings by entering your email address on any pop-up hang-tag that appears on www.johnsbrana.com or on the entry form below. Your entry carries over month to month, so there’s no need to re-enter every month.

Each month will feature a different piece of jewelry, so enter now!

Click here to see the contest rules.

Congrats to our October 2010 Jewelry Freebie Winner - Melissa Simmons of Los Angeles !!

Handmade Fine Jewelry

October 13, 2010 By jbrana 1 Comment

Brass Lily Pad Earrings

Elegant Handmade Jewelry

Handmade fine jewelry is an excellent gift choice for both men and women for practically any occasion. Rather than purchasing a piece of jewelry that has been mass produced by machine, a piece of jewelry made by hand offers an extra element of elegance and a personal touch.

Handmade Jewelry – Higher Quality Than Production Jewelry

Handmade fine jewelry is available from many artisans specializing in the craft. Jewelers who make each of their pieces by hand still use the same high quality materials as large manufacturers and in many instances they have a greater control over the quality of gemstones and other elements used, as they can inspect each element individually.

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Necklace

While purchasing handmade jewelry may cost more than purchasing one of the mass produced pieces, many people appreciate that there is value in knowing that each piece is unique and made with care. When a person is making something by hand, he tends to put more of himself into the piece, thereby producing a quality and personality not found in mass production pieces.

Handmade Jewelry Makes a Statement

Handmade jewelry often makes a stronger style statement than mass produced designs, so a little more care should go into deciding how to accessorize an outfit. Continuing to purchase pieces will fill a jewelry box full of options so no matter what someone wears, there will be hand crafted jewelry to go along with it. The right piece of handmade jewelry can take a drab outfit and add just the right amount of pizzaz to turn it into something fabulous.

Is Bigger Better? When Bold Jewelry is Best

October 5, 2010 By jbrana 2 Comments

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!

Jewelry Inspired by Nature

September 29, 2010 By jbrana Leave a Comment

White Coral Chalcedony Necklace

Nature Inspired Jewelry

Mother Nature was the original artist. Her beautiful sunsets, stunning mountain peaks, and diverse bird life are just a few wonders which take our breath away. Jewelers around the world have been inspired by these natural masterpieces for millennia and have striven to recreate the beauty and elegance seen all around us. Modern-day artists such as John S. Brana have designed numerous items which take their overall appearance from the ingenuity and creativity of nature itself.

Elements from Mother Nature

Pearls are an obvious choice for designing jewelry which mimics nature. As the only gemstones which are created by living organisms, pearls require no cutting or polishing to be ready to form splendid looking jewelry. John S. Brana has some interesting examples of pieces inspired by nature within his collection. His onyx and crystal quartz necklaces have pearls intermixed with a range of gems, and remind the viewer of multicolored pebbles on a riverbed.

Copper Lily Pad Earrings - Red Patina

Coral is another natural-looking gemstone and is actually made from a living aquatic creature. These gems come in a range of colors which serve as striking examples of how beautiful nature can be. Again, John S. Brana uses coral to good effect in his range of jewelry. The pink coral cinnabar necklace combines several colors of coral with mollusk shells to create a design which would not look out of place in the warm waters of a tropical reef.

Mimicking Mother Nature

Man can also manipulate these materials to mimic nature. A skilled metalworker can mold and shape copper and bronze to create a very organic look. The red patinated lily pad earrings in John S. Brana’s jewelry collection closely resemble the bronzed fall leaves just before they descend to the ground. The sheer talent and creativity that some of these jewelers possess is made even better through inspiration that only nature could provide.

Modern Colors in Handmade Designer Jewelry

September 12, 2010 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Green Amethyst Bronze Ring

The Changing Colors of Designer Jewelry

The years come and go and trends fade in and out. The world of designer jewelry shifts and changes its look accordingly depending on the global or regional ways of thinking. This winter, expect to see a range of modern colors in jewelry reflecting the world around us and the attitudes of the general public.

Environmentalism in Designer Jewelry

With the Earth just recovering from a global financial crisis and a series of natural disasters, we have all emerged with a new consciousness. Prudence and environmentalism are now governing the way we think and the colors found in modern-day designer jewelry such as the John S. Brana collection reflect this. Filled with earthy colors such as greens, reds, browns and light blues, these items of jewelry bring us all back to nature. Silver is also a predominant color as we forego gold for a more affordable mineral which still looks fantastic.

An Abundance of Colors in Designer Jewelry

When having a look at the best-selling designer jewelry in current collections, it is easy to see an abundance of the above colors. John S. Brana has several items like this on his website. His red patinated copper lily pad earrings remind one of a brisk autumn day with their rich, earthy tones. Compare this to his green amethyst bronze rings which add a dash of green to the browns to form the ultimate natural combination. Both of these items are not too extravagant either and fit with the global consciousness after the financial crisis.

Men's Designer Jewelry - Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Oxidized Silver Most Popular in Men’s Designer Jewelry

The colors found in men’s designer jewelry have not been affected as much by worldwide events. Men around the world are searching for jewelry which looks functional and bold. Blacks, browns and grays are predominant in these items for the modern man. Colors such as this make these items less like the jewelry we are used to, and more into the masculine pieces that men desire.

The Perfect Gift – Tips On How To Select Handmade Jewelry

July 19, 2010 By John S. Brana 1 Comment

Brass Lily Pad Earrings

Plan Ahead Before Shopping for Handmade Jewelry

Shopping for handmade jewelry can be difficult without the right forethought and planning. Before shopping online, at a boutique, or a gallery or jewelry store that specializes in handmade jewelry, take a moment to think about a few things. Knowing a woman or man’s taste in jewelry and what items they already own is a good start. Purchasing an addition to their collection can be a smart decision, so search through the jewelry that they already have and look for anything which they may be missing, or any materials and gemstones which they prefer. For example, if they favor gold, but only have a few gold earrings, then purchasing a pair will be a smart choice.

Choose Quality Over Quantity When Buying Handmade Jewelry

Choose quality over quantity every time. Purchasing a smaller, well-made piece, such as the three-tiered aluminum lily pad earrings from John S. Brana, is much better than buying a larger, poorer quality item for the same price. Speaking of price, those on a budget simply need to remember that good handmade jewelry is not always expensive. It is the quality and look that truly counts, not the amount paid.

Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Select Handmade Jewelry Appropriate for the Occasion

The jewelry purchased should suit the stage of the relationship which you are at. If things are not serious, do not buy anything too extravagant. Additionally, consider what each gem says. Sapphires represent friendship, rubies mean passion, and diamonds signify eternal love. For this reason, avoid diamond jewelry unless you are certain about your future relationship. Additionally, avoid rings unless proposing to prevent giving the wrong impression.

Choosing Handmade Jewelry Based on Facial Types

One final thing to consider is what style suits a woman’s face and neck. Some basic tips to remember are that v-shaped necklaces match heart-shaped faces, chokers are good for long necks, and petite women will look better in delicate jewelry. Also remember to have a good idea about wrist and ring sizes to avoid future embarrassment when buying handmade jewelry.

Recommended Reading

Brass Jewelry – A Fashionable Alternative to Gold

Brass Jewelry – The Nu Gold Standard

Attention Getting Brass Jewelry

Recommended Reading

Aluminum Brass Medium Circle Earrings with Apatite Light Weight Aluminum Earrings

An Alternative to Silver – Aluminum Earrings

A Less Expensive Choice with Aluminum Earrings

Recommended Reading

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Earrings with Peridot Don’t Be a Plain Jane – Wear Designer Earrings!

Aluminum and Copper Make Great Cost-Effective Designer Earrings

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings Sterling Silver Designer Earrings Make a Great Buy

Recommended Reading

Recommended Reading

Elegant Handmade Jewelry

Handmade Jewelry – Higher Quality Than Production Jewelry

Handmade Jewelry Makes a Statement

Recommended Reading

Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings and Pendant by John S. Brana Jazz Up a Simple Outfit with Bold Jewelry

Don’t Overload Two Areas Close Together with Bold Jewelry

Keep Genres Similar with Bold Jewelry

Recommended Reading

Nature Inspired Jewelry

Elements from Mother Nature

Mimicking Mother Nature

Recommended Reading

The Changing Colors of Designer Jewelry

Environmentalism in Designer Jewelry

An Abundance of Colors in Designer Jewelry

Oxidized Silver Most Popular in Men’s Designer Jewelry

Recommended Reading

Plan Ahead Before Shopping for Handmade Jewelry

Choose Quality Over Quantity When Buying Handmade Jewelry

Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring Select Handmade Jewelry Appropriate for the Occasion

Choosing Handmade Jewelry Based on Facial Types

Recommended Reading

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Aluminum Brass Medium Circle Earrings with Apatite

Light Weight Aluminum Earrings

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Earrings with Peridot

Don’t Be a Plain Jane – Wear Designer Earrings!

Serpentine Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings

Sterling Silver Designer Earrings Make a Great Buy

Aluminum Lily Pad Earrings and Pendant by John S. Brana

Jazz Up a Simple Outfit with Bold Jewelry

Men's Redwood Sterling Silver Ring

Select Handmade Jewelry Appropriate for the Occasion