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Fine Gemstone Jewelry Throughout the Year

March 18, 2009 By 2 Comments
Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace and Corrugated Anticlastic Sterling Silver Cuff by John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace and Corrugated Anticlastic Sterling Silver Cuff

When people think of fine gemstone jewelry, they traditionally think of the holidays. Whether you are dressing up for Christmas parties or New Year’s Eve, this type of jewelry is usually reserved for these occasions and then put away for the rest of the year. This is really a shame for two reasons. People have bought you that jewelry because they love you. Or, you have bought the jewelry because you love it. Either way, this love is only being expressed and shown one time a year.

Fine gemstone jewelry should be worn throughout the year, and not just on special occasions. Wearing jewelry that was bought with love should be an everyday thing – not just for when you want to feel special. Feel special everyday!

One reason people choose not to wear their fine jewelry more often than they do is because they are frightened of losing it, damaging it, or wearing it out. If your jewelry is of the finest quality, it will not wear out. If you take care of it properly, you should not be able to damage it. Learning when to wear and not wear a particular piece is very important.

 

With diamonds and other precious stones, it is imperative that you get the piece checked out by a jeweler at least once a year to ensure that the setting is secure and there is no existing damage to any part of the piece. Once you feel secure in a stone’s setting, you will worry less about wearing it more often.

If you fear losing or breaking a piece of fine gemstone jewelry, then make sure you have photographed the piece, had it appraised, and had it added to your homeowner’s insurance. This may cost you a little, but by doing so, you will be able to replace it should something happen.

 

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Luxury Jewelry – Gold – Diamond – Carat or Karat?

February 22, 2009 By 8 Comments

2779650139_7d24ec6623Go back in time, up until about the late 1860s, and you’ll find that men adorned their bodies much as women did, with ornate and sumptuous bracelets, necklaces and rings. It’s only been for the last hundred years that the standard for men changed to wearing very staid ornamentation, if any, and going about in grey business suits, like regimented soldiers of commerce.

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.

 

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The Skinny on Designer Handmade Jewelry

February 17, 2009 By 2 Comments

2801474001_af2c92f14dWhat’s the difference between manufactured jewelry and designer handmade jewelry? Well, for starters, mass-market manufactured jewelry is obviously going to be cheaper, usually of lower quality, and also lacks uniqueness and creativity. Have you ever purchased a piece of mass market manufactured jewelry, gone to a party, and seen several other women wearing a similar piece of jewelry?

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.

 

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“Luxurious Gypsy”…Oscar de la Renta launches couture jewelry collection that is definitely not “shy.”

July 10, 2008 By 3 Comments

Oscar de la Renta has partnered with long-time family friend Loulou de la Falaise, most recognized for her collaborations with designer Yves Saint Laurent, to release a jewelry collection this fall exclusive to Oscar de la Renta boutiques. According to an article in W Magazine’s June 2008 issue, the collection showcases a “chunky, crafty bohemian look” consisting of necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets which shares both designers’ “love of exotic, far-flung inspirations,” Venessa Lau (http://www.wmagazine.com/jewelry/2008/06/de_la_renta). 

Look for dramatic, “showstoppers” incorporating stones of different colors, sizes and textures, such as smoky quartz, citrine and pearl not to mention precious stones from an Indian jeweler including rubies, diamonds and sapphires. Despite price tags ranging from just under $5000 to upwards of $40,000, “the offerings never skew too precious” and maintain the de la Falaise signature look. 

To embody “luxurious gypsy” without breaking the bank, consider jewelry designers channeling similar themes with statement pieces just as bold but significantly more affordable, such as John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, www.johnsbrana.com. Discover this multi-strand beaded necklace featuring eight distinct stones including lemon amber, one of the oldest, rarest, and most valuable ambers in the world, quartz, amethyst and pearl, $1,030. Just as opulent but in a cool monotone is Brana’s fine silver hammered hexagonal link necklace featuring a contrast of off-shaped and spherical faceted aquamarine stones, $800. And nothing captures bohemian style better than a pair of oversized earrings, such as these massive four-inch teardrops in multi-gauge onyx beads wrapped with 14K gold-filled wire, $245. 

Be assured this jewelry trend is growing and worth your investment. Chunky jewelry and bold cuffs defined the Fall 2008 runways of major fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, John Galliano and Yves St. Laurent. Oscar de la Renta’s own Resort 2009 Collection was highlighted on stage with giant floral broaches, disc earrings and multi-hued beaded necklaces. So look to enhance your jewelry collection this season with exotic explorations in color, texture and style, in any budget of “luxurious gypsy.” 

Kerri Ann Frerichs 

Beaded Gemstone Collections by John S. Brana
Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Aquamarine Lemon Amber - Prehnite - Amethyst Necklace Onyx Tear Drop Wire Wrapped Earrings

 

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Carlyn Galerie – “Autumn Jewels” features John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

September 14, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Carlyn Galerie

September 13 – October 7, 2007 – Carlyn Galerie, (Dallas, TX) presents “Autumn Jewels”, a collection of jewelry for all tastes: Sterling Silver, Gold-filled, Glass, Semi-precious and Precious Stones, Pearls, and Mixed Metals. Along with twelve other artists, Carlyn Galerie is featuring selected pieces from my Monterey, Barbary Coast, Pacific Heights, and Sea Cliff collections.

Copper Unagi Bracelet

Tropical Garden Necklace - Barbary Coast collection

A portion of all jewelry sales during this exhibit will be donated to CERF (Craft Emergency Relief Fund). “Craft Emergency Relief Fund is committed to supporting the careers of craft artists throughout the United States. Through business and career-strengthening programs, emergency relief support, advocacy and research CERF helps professional craft artists strengthen and sustain their careers so that they can thrive and, thus, contribute to the quality of life in our communities.”

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