We love pearls and we carry them for one good reason: they can be worn with just about anything, all the while maintaining their “classic fashion” status (meaning you can’t go wrong giving them as a gift, right?).

But like other jewelry, there are some loose rules to follow when donning them. This video tutorial gives great (and simple) pointers to follow (or not, because we love you fashion rule breakers out there too!)

Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace, 10mm-11mm, 18″ long with a sterling silver clasp. Available in: White Black Multi Color (dyed color) Chocolate (dyed color)

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Video 2, sapphire on the left

#1 = natural green sapphire
#2 = light green moissanite, native color, not enhanced
#3 = medium green moissanite, native color, not enhanced

The dress? A stunning gold sequined column by Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch. (And yes, we’re still oohing and ahhing over it.) Retired supermodel Gisele Bunchen donned this amazing work of art for the Olympic opening ceremonies, as she strutted down a catwalk like no other.

As the LA Times pointed out: “If modeling was an Olympic sport, Bündchen’s Rio de Janeiro opening ceremony walk Friday night couldn’t have ended any place but the gold medal winner’s podium.”

Since this dress is positively shimmering (like wearable jewelry, dare we say?), we did a little digging to find out the story behind the design.

According to Vogue, designer Alexandre Herchcovitch. had this to say:

What was the creation process behind the outfit? What materials and ideas were important? Is there a message behind the clothes?

After I received a briefing, I sketched some ideas and sent them to Gisele. Some adjustments were made. I’ve met with Gisele four times in the past few months. I took her measurements. We talked a lot about how we wanted it to be. There were three tests, and finally the clothes were ready! The fabric has been specially developed for the occasion with some peculiarities, such as the fluidity in which the sequined embroidery would flow horizontally around her body. I didn’t want a conventional gold, but a color that was very similar to her hair tone and skin, a golden light.

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Working with Joe and his team was an absolute DREAM! I came to them with an idea of what I wanted in a ring and they really helped it become a reality, and really it’s even better and more beautiful than I could have ever imagined! Joe was there with me every step of the way, and was a huge help when picking what type of stone, what size, and ultimately I chose one of the diamonds he recommended and boy oh boy was it the right choice!! Once ordered, the ring was made so quickly and came in a full week ahead of schedule, which helped make one of my brand-new fiancée’s dreams come true, and according to her the ring is “perfect” and “the most beautiful thing in the world” and “just sparkles so much!” All told, my experience working with Joe was perfect, easily 10/10, and I would recommend him to others in a heartbeat!

M.B.

Thanks MB! Glad the ring was a hit! :-)

At our studio in Scottsdale, we look beyond the jewelry and into the wide world of fashion (since it serves as the obvious backdrop to our beautiful pieces).

As backseat fashionistas perusing the latest trends, we confess: we don’t like skinny jeans very much and were quite happy that they’ve fallen off the radar.

But, for those who still love the overly clingy and breath-taking (literally) denim, we do like the reinvention of skinny jeans found in Refinery 29 recently.

In this fashionable scenario, the skinny jeans become almost “leggings-like” giving the outfit a much more updated look.

And may we suggest these earring that always pair nicely with casual fashion?

Gold Pyramid Stud Earrings Modern and edgy pyramid studs. For those that need more than classic rounds. Approximately 8mm, available in 14k white, yellow and rose gold. Price: $165.00

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Ten thousand people every month Google “Am I ugly?” What a sad statistic.

Even though we’re in business of beautification, we understand that feeling good about yourself is an “inside out” job. Girls and young women in particular are particularly vulnerable to attacks to their self-esteem on several fronts. How can we find beauty in ourselves when we’re not feeling it? What can we do as a culture to change the messaging?

This TED Talk provides illuminating information. Share with others who may need some help in this department.

There are jewelry boxes and then there are amazing forms of detailed art. This box falls in the latter category.

Can you imagine storing your jewelry in it? We could. (Though you’d certainly need a lot of jewelry to fill it!)

This fabulous antique jewelry box or casket was sold for $11,000 in 2007. Holman’s detailed description of the antique jewelry box helps us understand why the casket was so unique: This antique jewelry box is a mid-19th century antique Italian ebonized jewelry casket with 89 hand painted enameled panels set in with rosettes & braided wire, Roman figural finials, four full caryatid columns, cherubs riding swans to corners & top, applied metal faces & florals, multiple doors & drawers with interior & exterior decorations. The antique jewelry box measures 16″h x 14″w x 11″d. [Photo courtesy of Stuart Holman] [Article source: Victoriana.]