If you’re a thrift store connoisseur, you have undoubtedly stumbled across a fair amount of costume jewelry. But is it worth buying? Maeven owner Amy Yee reveals her secret thrift store shopping technique.

Costume Jewelry
“My rule on costume jewelry (and buying any vintage for that matter) is to buy what you really love. And while there are certainly collectible brand names, just as there are for anything fashion-related, there are plenty of beautiful, high-quality, unsigned pieces that are great buys. Plus, jewelry always fits! It’s an easy way to incorporate vintage into an outfit without taking a big risk.”

There is an art to jewelry layering. With that said, there aren’t any hard and fast rules, so feel to experiment.

This video gives you a general idea of how to layer your necklaces according to thickness.

Any pointers on layering necklaces? Send them our way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKO8hmbYs3A

Abalone in its natural form. Abalone, is a common name for any of a group of small to very large edible sea snails.

We mentioned the lustrous shell last week when reviewing the hot trends for 2014, but today we wanted to take a closer look. What is it about abalone jewelry that’s making all of the fashion pages? Here are a few examples for you to peruse.

Deily earrings in 14k gold-plated brass with abalone, $75; Kendra Scott

Bangle in 18k gold-plated brass with paua (abalone) shell, $118; Isharya

Juliette chandelier earrings in sterling silver with white quartz over abalone, $870; Elizabeth Showers

Ring in 18k gold with oxidized silver and 6.64 ct. blue topaz doublet, 0.47 ct. t.w. abalone shell, and 0.44 ct. t.w. blue sapphires, $3,845; Armenta Collection

Double Teardrop bracelet in 14k rose gold with abalone and 0.3 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,300; Jacquie Aiche

 

Source: JCK Magazine

http://youtu.be/UUDTTnbPf5s

http://youtu.be/IktVB5NdPAE

We added a few diamonds and some hand embellishments to our style #10687. If you like this ring, also consider this vintage style solitaire engagement ring.

Available in any size, shape and any stone. Contact us for details.

Style #3364:

Many of us feel pressured to get a whole new outfit, new jewelry, new everything, for New Year’s Eve. But why not exploit your own wardrobe and jewelry box? Most of us have a lot of sparkly, festive pieces that we probably forgot existed! As this video points out, it doesn’t take a lot of time or money to add some dazzle to your outfit and work with what you already have.

And Happy New Year!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb5qrT5yldE