Pearl Earrings

Sterling Silver Amber Chainmail Freshwater Pearl Earrings

Sterling Silver Amber Chainmail Earrings

Pearl Earrings – A Basic Necessity

If you are looking for a classic addition to any outfit, pearl earrings are a guaranteed hit. Simultaneously dazzling and elegant, they are suitable for any formal function or office meeting. Whether chosen for lunch at your favorite restaurant or to complement that floral top or fine-cut summer dress, pearl earrings are the perfect addition to any outfit.

Nature is such a perfectionist, especially when it comes to the pearl. As the only gemstone which does not require any cutting or polishing, it is only expected that craftsmen such as John S. Brana would choose to use these semi-precious stones in their collections. Pearl earrings have been created for centuries, and the image of a lady sporting these shining stones on her earlobes is a picture of style that will last throughout the ages.

Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop Earrings with Blue Freshwater Pearl Earrings

Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop Earrings with Blue Freshwater Pearls

Pearl Earrings Come in a Variety of Colors

One attribute to pearls, which makes them almost irresistible for use in earrings, is that they can have different colored hues. John S. Brana has used both the lavender and light blue varieties to create some dazzling freshwater pearl earrings. Whether you choose a long, hanging design, or a simple single stone embedded into the earring, pearls are a definite winner when it comes to fine jewelry.

For a bit of variety, pearls also mix well with other gemstones to create some beautiful patterns and displays of color. One outstanding design example is freshwater pearls combined with garnets in John S. Brana’s hammered fine silver earrings. Of course, there are many more varieties, ensuring that anyone can choose one, regardless of their style or taste.

Matching Sets – Necklaces, Bracelets, and Pearl Earrings

Pearl earrings of any sort will make a fantastic addition to anyone’s personal jewelry collection. They work well on their own, or in creating a set with a pearl necklace or one or two pearl bracelets. Discover the magic of these flawless gemstones today.

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Affordable Designer Earrings

Aluminum Brass Small Tear Drop Designer Earrings with Peridot

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 Designer Earrings

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.

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Pearl Jewelry – Wear Nature’s Stunning Beauty

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

The Uniqueness of Pearl Jewelry

Amongst all the gems, pearls are the most unique. They are the only stone which does not require any additional cutting and polishing by a master jeweler. Pearls are made of nacre, which is already highly lustrous, meaning that these stunning gems can be added to any piece of jewelry very easily. For this reason, pearls have been used for centuries worldwide. Previously, people had to dive for them in the wilds, whereas now, they are simply farmed. Examples of pearl jewelry are found in John S. Brana’s Sea Cliff collection where it is used for subtle appearance enhancements or to make much bolder statements.

Freshwater and Saltwater Pearls

There are two types of pearls, saltwater and freshwater. Jewelers, such as John S. Brana, use the freshwater variety which comes in a greater number of shapes and sizes. One of the most appealing types is the Keishi pearl which comes in a fantastic array of irregular, but natural-looking shapes. These gems add a very unique appearance to any jewelry that they are added to. Because none of them look alike, they can be used to create necklaces or earrings which are one-of-a-kind works of art. This adds to their overall appeal and makes them highly sought after.

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

Keishi Cornflake Pearl Necklace

For some examples of how pearls are used within jewelry, have a look at the collection of items from John S. Brana with pieces such as fine silver earrings containing garnets and pearls, and necklaces made of amethyst and Keishi pearls.

The Pearl – June’s Birthstone

With its amazing appearance and versatility, the pearl is a gem which can be worn anywhere on any occasion. Pearl jewelry is a great gift idea for that special someone as it fits in with numerous styles and tastes. The pearl is also the birthstone for anyone born in June, and will make a great belated birthday present!

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Pearls – June’s Birthstone

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings with Gold Freshwater Pearls

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings with Gold Freshwater Pearls

June’s Birthstone – The Classic Pearl

June’s birthstone, the pearl, has been a favorite gemstone since the days of the Roman Empire. They are the only gemstone created by a living creature and the only one that needs no cutting or polishing to enhance its value.

Pearls are formed when an irritant enters the shell of a mollusk. The mollusk coats the irritant with a substance known as ‘nacre’, and a natural pearl is formed. Since naturally forming saltwater pearls are so rare these days natural pearls have largely complemented by cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are pearls that are formed due to a small bead or other substance placed inside of a mollusk by commercial pearl farms, which originated in Japan in the early 1900s. Today, most cultured pearls are grown and harvested around the world although most come from China, Japan, and the South Pacific. Even though natural pearls are the most highly prized, the only way to determine whether a pearl is natural or cultured is to have it x-rayed by a jeweler.

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

14K Gold Filled Chain with Freshwater Pearls and Mother of Pearl

Freshwater Pearl Grading

Pearls are graded by color, luster, size and lack of flaws. Pearls that are perfectly round are quite rare, and of course, the larger the pearl, the more valuable. However, pearls of varying shapes are also highly prized. Baroque pearls are pearls that are irregularly shaped. Teardrop pearls are most often used in earrings and pendants. Coin or button pearls and smaller rice or keishi pearls are also popular choices for fashion jewelry.

While white is still the most popular color, cultured pearls are available in several other hues, such as pink, purple, blue, champagne, green and black, with black pearls rapidly gaining in popularity. As these colors are naturally occurring, it can be difficult to obtain enough of the same size and color to form one jewelry piece. White pearls are sometimes bleached and pearls may be dyed to produce new colors or to enhance their original color and luster.

Imitation pearls made from shell or glass are popular due to their affordability and similarity to natural or cultured pearls but they are lighter in weight and not as lustrous as natural or cultured pearls.

Pearl wearers should take special care with their jewelry as natural and cultured pearls can be discolored by dyes and solvents. Hairspray and perfumes should be applied before putting on pearl jewelry to avoid dulling the pearl’s creamy, lustrous surface.  By taking special care of your pearl jewelry, you will ensure a lifetime wear of  June’s Birthstone – the Pearl.

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Win a Free Pair of Handmade Fine Silver Earrings – May 2010 Jewelry Freebie

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings

Hammered Fine Silver Earrings

For May, win these beautiful Hammered Fine Silver Earrings with a slightly hammered finish 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 April 2010 Jewelry Freebie Winner – Kathy Jones of Ft Lauderdale, FL !!

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Handmade Jewelry by John S Brana Accessorizes “Babe Be Mine” Fashion Show – Event Photos

 14K GF Wire Wrapped Onyx Tear Drop Earrings with Hammered 14K Gold Bangle

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Onyx Tear Drop Earrings – Barbary Coast Collection with Hammered 14K Gold Bangle – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection

 


Handcrafted Designer Jewelry, Handmade Jewelry, Handcrafted Jewelry, Gemstone Jewelry

Amazonite Sterling Silver Chain Maille Earrings – Sonoma Collection

 


Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Bracelet - Wire Wrapped Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop with Amazonite 

Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Bracelet – Sonoma Chainmail Collection with Wire Wrapped Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop with Amazonite – Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection

 


Chased Fine Silver Necklace - Corrugated Sterling Silver Cuff

Chased Fine Silver Necklace with Corrugated Sterling Silver Cuff – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection

 


Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings 

 Amazonite Sterling Silver Chainmail Earrings – Sonoma Chainmail Collection

 


 Corrugated Fold Formed Copper Triangle Earrings

 Corrugated Fold Formed Copper Triangle Earrings – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection

 


Fine Silver Anticlastic Earrings

Fine Silver Anticlastic Earrings – SoMa Handmade Contemporary Jewelry Collection

 


Hammered 14K Gold Filled Necklace - Hammered 14K Gold Filled Earrings - Handcrafted Fine Jewelry 

Hammered 14K Gold Filled Necklace – Chased Copper Necklace – Hammered 14K Gold Filled Earrings – SoMa Contemporary Jewelry Collection

 


Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Chrysophrase Gemstones 

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

 

 

 

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Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry: A Gift for Anyone

Hammered Sterling Silver Disc Earrings by John S. BranaSome of the most beautiful, yet affordable, pieces of jewelry you can find are made of Sterling Silver. Handmade Sterling Silver jewelry can be worn with nearly any style of clothing, to any occasion, and can be worn year-round. No one would turn down a gift of Sterling Silver jewelry. Sterling Silver refers to silver that is .925 pure. Unless pure silver is hammered, it is usually too soft for most jewelry applications. The derivation of the term, “Sterling Silver” is not agreed upon by experts. Some historians say that it refers to the British “pound Sterling”, while others say that Sterling Silver originally was developed in Sterlingshire, Scotland. Sterlingshire had a large silver mine, and because of this, most historians believe this derivation to be true. In addition, there are several other theories as to why silver that is .925 pure is called Sterling.

However, handmade sterling silver jewelry is more than just the silver itself. Silver is a difficult metal to work with and a jeweler who works with Sterling Silver must be a master craftsman. Silver jewelry is often intricate and exquisite, reflecting the personality of the wearer.

 

When purchasing handmade sterling silver jewelry, especially if it’s a gift, make sure that the silver used is, in fact, solid Sterling Silver. Many low priced, massed produced jewelry (especially those made overseas) are actually plated silver jewelry, even though they are marked .925.  Plated Silver (sometimes referred to as Overlay or Technibond) is electroplated silver over a base pot metal (usually tin, aluminum, or zinc), and thus, is not solid Sterling Silver.  Not only will plated silver jewelry quickly tarnish, the plate commonly wears off and also might cause allergic reactions. On the other hand, Sterling Silver may tarnish over time, but will wear well, day in and day out with little care. Many low-end jewelers or craftsman will sell anything with a silver color and tell you that it is sterling silver. Remember, “You get what you pay for”, so if a piece of jewelry appears to be under-priced, beware. Establishing a trusted relationship with your local jeweler or jewelry designer is well worth your effort.  A good piece of handmade sterling silver jewelry will reflect the work in its price, and any quality piece is worth paying for.  

 

Click Here To Find Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry

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W25mag.com Features Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana – “Waiting for the Bailout Boat”

"Waiting for the Bailout Boat," W25 Magazine – February 2009 Issue, features selected fine jewelry from the SoMa Collection by jewelry designer John S. Brana.   Photographed by Nels Olvin  Stylist:  Karri Ann Frerichs  Make up & Hair:  Katie Nash   Model:  Mirela  Retouching:  Denis Kuznetsoz  

W25 Magazine Features Selected Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana

Bustier – Vintage hand-me down circa 1983.

Hammered fine silver necklace with Chrysoprase – John S. Brana $665

Multi-tiered floral skirt – H&M $59.90

Hammered Sterling Silver Disk Earrings by John S. Brana

Bustier – Vintage hand-me down circa 1983.

Hammered Sterling Silver Disc Earrings – John S. Brana $87

Tuxedo Blazer – H&M $49.90

Wide Leg Trouser – H&M $59.90

 

Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Chrysoprase by John S. Brana

Bustier – Vintage hand-me down circa 1983.

Hammered fine silver necklace with Chrysoprase – John S. Brana $665

Multi-tiered floral skirt – H&M $59.90

 

Hammered Sterling Silver Disk Earrings by John S. Brana

Hammered Sterling Silver Earrings by John S. Brana

Checkered Blouse – Vintage hand-me down circa 1974.

Patent Leather "Clock" Purse – Vintage gift circa 1968.

Hammered Sterling Silver Disc Earrings – John S. Brana $87

Tuxedo Vest – H&M $24.90

Wide Leg Trouser – H&M $59.90

 

About W25 Magazine :  "W25 Magazine is an independent and nontraditional publication, dedicated to starching the boundaries in photography, music, illustration, lyric,and all other creative stuff presenting artists work from around the world on our free e-magazine online and now available also in print on demand for the ones that want to see it in print"

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Smythe & Cross – Purveyors of Precious Jewelry Features Selected Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana

Smythe & Cross

December 3, 2008 -  Smythe & Cross – Purveyors of Precious Jewelry, Burlingame,  CA, will be hosting a grand opening and open house from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at their Burlingame headquarters.  Preview collections of fine and diamond jewelry, along with selected pieces of handcrafted fine jewelry by John S. Brana.  Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  RSVP required.  Contact Altitude Promotions for more information.

 14K Gold Chased Anticlastic Cuff

SoMa Collection – 14K Chased Anticlastic Gold Cuff

 

14K Gold and Fine Silver Tear Drop Filigree Earrings

 Nob Hill Collection – 14K Gold and Fine Silver Tear Drop Filigree Earrings

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Model Apryl Orr wears selections from the Barbary Coast Collection

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.

 

 

Selections from the Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection
Barbary Coast Beaded Gemstone Collection - Faceted Garnets and Citrine Necklace by John S. Brana Handmade 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 by John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

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 by John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

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 - John S. Brana Handmade Jewelry

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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