Jewelry News Blog

City Magazine - Destination for Style - March 2007 Edition

 

Features John S. Brana Pacific Heights Bracelets

No Strings Attached - Photography by Staudinger + Franke 
Marionettes by Christine & Werner Hierzer
Carnelian Cabochon and Dendritic Quartz Bracelets - Pacific Heights Collection by John S. Brana

CITY Magazine experiments with the latest designer accessories in a collaboration with celebrated marionette players Christine and Werner Hierzer that can only be dubbed as "timeless." The duo has perfected this centuries-old art form at their Marionettentheater, which is housed in the exquisite baroque Schloss Schonbrunn castle. Shot in Vienna, other featured jewelry and accessories include designs from Ralph Lauren, Chopard, Sergio Rossi, Marc Jacobs, April in Paris, Bosca, Hermes, Miu Miu, and Nicole Miller.

Jewellery World Review Magazine - February, 2007 Edition
Features John S. Brana - Reflections of Nature

 

"Jewellery World Review is a trade magazine for the gems & jewelry industry for designers, manufacturers & exporters, and for their wholesale customers & distributors." JWR is published monthly, and was founded in February 2002.

"Based in Bangkok Thailand, Jewellery World Review has a distinctive Asian flavor, and at the same time presents international trends as they appear from around the world. The editorial content of Jewellery World Review is an eclectic coverage of design, industry news, & feature articles."

"The editorial aim of Jewellery World Review is to be constantly informative & useful to the readers. As a trade publication, Jewellery World Review attends the leading international gem & jewelry trade fairs worldwide."

Monterey Newsroom

Press and Media Coverage - Celebrity Photos

Model Apryl Orr wears Hammered Fine Silver set with Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon and Peridot necklace and matching earrings from the Monterey Collection.  Photography by Klaus Lange. 

In celebration of its 25^th anniversary and introduction of 2007 spring class curriculum “Awaken Your Creativity,” The Bead Shop (www.beadshop.com) of Palo Alto, CA features former student John S Brana. Owner Janice Parsons remarks “Over the past twenty-five years, I have seen students become recognized jewelry designers, bead store owners, and successful importers. I remember when John Brana first walked through the doors of The Bead Shop. John came in to take a class and from then on, he will tell you, he just wasn’t the same. What happened to John happens every day at The Bead Shop; I call it the “Creative Light Bulb Moment”. It’s the instant when a new beader realizes s/he can actually make something… s/he can actually make jewelry! And, when you have that epiphany, you feel fantastic!”

 

Bold in scale, unique, and distinctive, John S. Brana’s pieces are perfect for those who enjoy interesting jewelry design and are seeking to make an unusual statement. Working in sterling silver, fine silver, 14K, 18K, 22K, 24K yellow and white gold wire, and pure silver and 22k gold precious metal clay, John combines various hand carved semi-precious gemstone beads, fresh water pearls, and natural faceted gemstones to create unique, one-of-a-kind, custom handcrafted art jewelry for both men and women.

 

For an online portfolio, please visit www.johnsbrana.com

 

JCK - Jewelers' Circular Keystone

www.jckonline.com
December 2006

 

WHAT'S/NEW - Jewelry
Pearl of the Sea - Sea Cliff Collection by John S. Brana - page 88

 

JQ - International Jewelry Quorum - November/December 2006

Pearls - The Quintessential Accessory by Deborah A. Yonick
Hidden Pearl Ring - Sea Cliff Collection by John S. Brana - page 32

New for fall, John S. Brana’s most lavish and wild collection is the Barbary Coast Collection. This vibrant collection of unique and one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, and bracelets is reminiscent of the buoyant feeling during the California Gold Rush.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 18, 2006 -- New for fall, John S. Brana’s most lavish and wild collection is the Barbary Coast Collection. This vibrant collection of unique and one-of-a-kind necklaces, earrings, and bracelets is reminiscent of the buoyant feeling during the California Gold Rush.

Featuring gold vermeil, 14K gold filled, and 14K gold (no silver to be found here) these pieces are perfect for those who want to have fun and make a statement with their jewelry. Completing the look, the pieces are set with dynamically shaped and textured semi-precious beads.

Other John S. Brana’s women’s collections include:

• The Monterey, evoking the magic of the sea with hand-forged metal filled with delicate Italian mesh ribbon.
• The Pacific Heights, featuring comprehensive swirls of 14K gold-filled wire accented with precious gemstones.
• The Sea Cliff, bold in scale and accented with dramatic sea creatures, unusually shaped beads, and precious gemstones.
• The SoMa, sleek and contemporary with a surprising bohemian-urban undercurrent.
• The Sonoma, an epitome of relaxed sophistication.

Selected John S. Brana’s jewelry is currently available at Residents Apparel Gallery (R.A.G), Porcelynne boutique in San Francisco and Marlowe & Company Jewellers in St. Helena. For online orders, please visit John S. Brana

For Hi-resolution images and media requests, please contact Leena@theprcafe.com or phone 415.205.7094.

 

New Jewelry Designer John S. Brana's Premier Collections Honor Old-World Artistry and California's Surrounding Beauty

Bay Area native John S. Brana, former Charles Schwab VP of Finance launches his first jewelry collections for men and women inspired by the Bay Area’s natural beauty. The result is a collection of distinctive and meticulously handcrafted jewelry of the highest caliber.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 3, 2006 -- Bay Area native John S. Brana, former Charles Schwab VP of Finance launches his first jewelry collections for men and women inspired by the Bay Area’s natural beauty. The result is a collection of distinctive and meticulously handcrafted jewelry of the highest caliber.

"Nature is my primary source of inspiration, " says Brana. "Whether I'm driving down the coast or strolling through a park, the creative combinations of colors, textures, shapes, and symbols are endless, and California is the perfect place to start."

John S. Brana’s premier women’s collections include:

• The Monterey, evoking the magic of the sea with hand-forged metal filled with delicate Italian mesh ribbon.
• The Pacific Heights, featuring comprehensive swirls of 14K gold-filled wire accented with precious gemstones.
• The Sea Cliff, bold in scale and accented with dramatic sea creatures, unusually shaped beads, and precious gemstones.
• The SoMa, sleek and contemporary with a surprising bohemian-urban undercurrent.
• The Sonoma, an epitome of relaxed sophistication.

John S. Brana’s premier men’s collections include:

• The Redwood, a tribute to the natural awe-inspiring giants.
• The Reptile, capturing the primal power of all things wild.
• The Sierra, moved by the formidable Sierra Nevada’s grandeur into a spare, yet powerful abstract.
• The Tonga, motivated by the remarkable artistry of ancient Pacific island tribes.
• The Wave, inspired by the soothing lull of the Pacific Ocean and the tranquility embodied in spare, graceful design.

As a child, John S. Brana traveled extensively and learned from his father, an accomplished artist and teacher, how to perfect techniques in metal and resin casting, fabrication, and woodworking. While John had the opportunity to expand his father’s award-winning three-dimensional stained glass business, he chose to pursue a more "practical" career in Finance. After graduating in 1990 from University of Michigan with an M.B.A. in Finance, Brana moved to San Francisco and worked his way up in corporate finance to vice president of The Charles Schwab Corporation. It was his father’s death in 2003 that made Brana re-evaluate his priorities and rekindled his childhood passion for artisan crafts and jewelry.

Bold in scale, unique and precious, John S. Brana’s pieces are perfect for those who enjoy interesting jewelry design and are seeking to make an unusual statement. Brana’s specialty is in fine silver, gold, and gold-filled wire combined with fresh-water pearls, Swarovski crystals, Venetian glass and precious gemstones—all carefully hand-selected during John’s frequent trips to Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States.

Selected John S. Brana’s jewelry is currently available at Residents Apparel Gallery (R.A.G), Porcelynne boutique in San Francisco and Marlowe & Company Jewellers in St. Helena. For online orders, please visit John S. Brana - Distinctive Jewelry

For Hi-resolution images and media requests, please contact Leena@theprcafe.com or phone 415.205.7094.

 

There is nothing quiet about the Sea Cliff Collection. The pieces are bold and unique, with an aquatic twist. One-of-a-kind sea creatures accent necklaces and rings with unusually-shaped beads and precious and semi-precious gemstones. The impressive result is a collection full of fun and charm that truly captures the trappings of the good life. Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.

The Sonoma Collection is the epitome of relaxed sophistication. Featuring sterling silver or 14K gold filled chainmail and semi-precious gemstones and pearls, the collection is perfect for a visit to a cosmopolitan cultural center or a stroll in a quaint wine-country town. No matter where your perfect getaway is, when wearing a piece from this collection you’ll be dazzling. Matching sets are available in bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.

The Cathedral Hill Collection is characterized by majestic elegance. Unique and one-of-a-kind necklaces and earrings feature 24K gold and silver Venetian glass, vermeil, fine silver, and semi-precious crystal beads. Using a color-scheme of clear, black, white, silver, and gold, the effect is one of graceful sophistication for the holiday season.

The Pacific Heights Collection is characterized by idyllic elegance. Ornate, bold pieces create a legacy of luxury – certain to be perennial favorites. Flowing, cascading swirls of 14K gold, 14K gold filled, and sterling silver wire create a chic, uptown tempo. Gemstones of citrine, gold quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, blue topaz, and garnets add the final luxurious, breathtaking touch. Matching sets are available in earrings, pins, pendants, and rings.Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.