Karri Ann Frerichs introduces San Francisco inspired handmade jewelry collections by jewelry designer John S. Brana. Barbary Coast – Beaded Gemstone Collection featuring tri-colored beaded gemstone necklaces and wire-wrapped spiral beaded gemstone earrings; SoMa – A contemporary collection of hammered silver, 14K gold-filled, copper, aluminum, 14K Gold, and 18K Gold earrings, cuffs, bangles, rings, necklaces, and bracelets; Monterey Collection – Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon woven into Fine Silver and Gold components; Pacific Heights – Solo statement faceted colored gemstone pendants, cocktail rings, and earrings.
John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry enhances popular SoMa Collection of hammered jewelry with rings and incorporates 14K gold
July 8, 2008 By 2 Comments
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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John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry Accessorizes Fashion Model 2008
June 13, 2008 By 5 Comments
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.
Recommended Reading
Amazonite – A New Addition to the Monterey Collection
February 8, 2007 By Leave a Comment
Amazonite (sometimes called “Amazon stone”) is a green variety of microcline feldspar. The name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which certain green stones were formerly obtained, but it is doubtful whether green feldspar occurs in the Amazon area.
Amazonite is a mineral of limited occurrence. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from the area of Miyask in the Ilmen mountains, 50 miles southwest of Chehabinsk, Russia, where it occurs in granitic rocks. More recently, high-quality crystals have been obtained from Pike’s Peak, Colorado, where it is found associated with smoky quartz, orthoclase, and albite in a coarse granite or pegmatite. Some other localities in the United States yield Amazonite, and it is also found in pegmatite in Madagascar.
Because of its bright green color when polished, Amazonite is sometimes cut and used as a gemstone. For many years, the source of Amazonite’s color was a mystery. Naturally, many people assumed the color was due to copper because copper compounds often have blue and green colors. More recent studies suggest that the blue-green color is due to small quantities of lead and water in the feldspar.
These earrings are made of hammered Fine Silver rings with Amazonite beads on Sterling Silver Chain. The necklace is also made of hammered Fine Silver rings with Aquamarine Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon and Amazonite beads. Both can be found under the Monterey Collection
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The Monterey Collection
July 31, 2006 By Leave a Comment
The Monterey Collection stirs up the magic of the sea. Various-shaped hammered rings made of fine silver, 14K gold, or 14K gold filled create the pieces’ organic elegance. Italian mesh metal ribbon adds an earthy softness. Semi-precious gemstones and Swarovski Crystals give the pieces their final rich vibrancy. Matching sets of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces are available in over 25 different color combinations.
Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.
