Jewelry

Espere Purple Zirconia Tear-Drop Dangle Drop Earrings

August 25, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Espere Purple Zirconia Tear-Drop Dangle Drop Earrings

I like these earrings because they give a more expensive look than I expected. The white gold gives a modern take on a classic drop style design. They come in a colorful patterned gift box, and the earrings are on a padded cushion.

Copper plated white gold; these earrings have a beautiful shine to them. Some white gold plate looks like chrome, but these do not. The cut of the stones gives multi-facet reflections and a high-shine that appears more expensive. They are a nice size, not too small, not too large and dangly. I like that they command some attention without being obnoxiously obvious, they are more ladylike but aren’t sedate. They are heavier than many earrings; I would not wear them on a daily basis and consider them more suitable for special occasion use.

These would be suitable for bridesmaid gifts, proms, or for general wear with more polished outfits for going to museums, brunch, or dinner to add a bit of sparkle around the face without being over the top. While this type of drop earring style has been around for a while, the sleek look of the smooth white gold gives a modern, current look. This makes them suitable for a graduation gift while not seeming like “Grandma jewelry” to a teen.

PURPLE ZIRCONIA VERSES AMETHYST: SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Espere Purple Zirconia Tear-Drop Dangle Drop Earrings vs an appraised Amethyst Ring

Espere Purple Zirconia Tear-Drop Dangle Drop Earrings compared to an appraised Amethyst Ring

The purple zirconia looks like a particularly clear-cut amethyst natural stone. I held my actual better quality amethyst stone ring next to the earrings, and the purple zirconia is a pretty good dupe for amethyst, just slightly brighter than a real amethyst. But I didn’t notice that it was a more saturated, bright purple until holding the real amethyst up to the purple zirconia. You won’t fool a mineralogist, jeweler or most collectors into thinking these are a pair of $800 amethyst drop earrings, but the purple zirconia looks pretty good, and I would believe that they cost much more than they did. And sometimes, even if you have an $800 pair of earrings, you might be reluctant to wear them in the event you lost an earring. Realistically, many formal events – such as a prom, or wedding venue, or dinner at a nicer restaurant – have dim lighting where it would be difficult to tell the difference between the A+++ grade purple zirconia and amethyst.

That said, the purple color is especially flattering to someone with green or brown eyes. The shape of the earrings looks good with long or short hairstyles. Makes for a lovely gift or as a treat for yourself.

Find these lovely earrings at Amazon.

I received this product for testing and review purposes.

Marte Pocket Watch with Necklace Chain

June 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Marte Pocket Watch with Necklace Chain

I like the vintage feel of this watch. It can be dressed feminine or masculine depending on the overall outfit. This watch comes on a chain so it can be worn as a necklace or pendant and can be adapted with a watch fob to be worn on a suit or carried in a pocket. I have a silver family heirloom watch that has some detailing on the case body, but I am reluctant to wear it much for fear of losing it, and the crown is so delicate that the watch cannot be used to tell the time. It is nice to have an ornamental yet functional piece like this pocket watch that has a retro vibe and adds some nice detailing to simple outfits.

STYLE
It is stylized enough on the face of the watch to appeal to vintage lovers and steampunk fans, yet the exterior of the watch gives a classic, streamlined look that is suitable to be worn to a wedding. The face is white

MECHANICS
It is Japanese Quartz Movement with seconds hands. The crown is sturdy, so setting the time and opening the watch can be done easily. The case opens and closes smoothly. The chain is relatively thick.

AS A GIFT
This Pocket makes for a suitable gift for oneself or a friend and comes in a black gift box. It is a very good price for such as sturdy piece. Someone who like retro and vintage pieces but prefers a streamline, simple look would appreciate this watch. A nice gift for someone who likes pieces without too much fuss but a bit of element detailing.

Marte Pocket Watch with Necklace Chain

IDGIRL Jewelry Crystal Vintage Collar Choker

April 25, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This is a piece that looks more expensive when it is worn than it does in the photos. Not a dupe for a Harry Winston diamond necklace by any means, but it does resemble a nice vintage piece as the stones are faceted to reflect a very nice sparkle and it is a vintage style pattern. I got the JM014 style because I thought it had a nice art deco type look and would really give a simple line dress some sparkle.

This is a collar style choker necklace and I like that the pieces are chunked as seen in the advertising photo so that it has better movement and is more comfortable to move around while wearing it than many collar necklaces that don’t have much give to them. When the necklace is actually worn, though, these pieces lay flat on the neck. The brass clasp is secure and snaps shut with a click. The widest part of the necklace is about 1.34″ inches. The size of the rhinestones varies within the pattern which is attractive. I have not had any skin reactions to the base metal used on the back of the necklace.

Upon arrival, one stone had become loose but it was in the box and it easily glued back into place with a tiny dot of crazy glue. So I would recommend checking the necklace before wearing it to make sure that all the stones are secure. The stones were otherwise secure and the back of the necklace is well made, but I did take a star off for this issue because I would be reluctant to give this as a gift without fully inspecting the piece first, and I intend on inspecting the necklace to check for loose stones before each future wearing. I do intend on using and enjoying it, though.

Of note, these are not actual rhinestones, they are faceted acrylic fashioned to look like rhinestones, and they fooled me. That surprises me since I have several modern and vintage rhinestone jewelry pieces, and I REALLY didn’t know they were acrylic until I re-read the item description. I didn’t even realize it wasn’t real rhinestones when I held that rhinestone to glue it back in. But this is a good idea because the necklace is much lighter with the acrylic which does make it easier to wear.

The gift box is attractive and holds the necklace well. With the proviso to inspect for loose stones before giving it as a gift, this would indeed make a nice gift for prom or bridesmaids or a vintage jewelry lover. It really does appear to be a more expensive piece, this is a nice deal.

NOVICA Timeless Dancer Natural Orchid Lariat Necklace

April 16, 2016 · Leave a Comment

When I was a teen, a friend of mine gave me a gorgeous lacquered rose petal necklace. The color was so rich and beautiful, I absolutely loved it. Over time the petal faded through the thin glaze of lacquer and I have always been on the lookout for a piece that had that stunning rich scarlet hue.

So needless to say I was thrilled to find a similar item on NOVICA, the Timeless Dancer Natural Orchid Lariat Necklace. This necklace is absolutely stunning. Ive never been a huge fan of lariat necklaces (I have no idea why), but in the choice between the lariat option and the pendant option, it was a no-brainer to choose the lariat. It is as if the dangling lariat ends are the stems of the flower.

When the description says Natural Orchid it means just what it says. The artist takes a real Ascocentrum Orchid and hand lacquers it in enamel to highlight the natural beauty of the blossom. And since no two flowers are the same, each piece truly is unique. The back of each blossom is plated in 24 karat yellow gold.

The chain is truly gorgeous as well. It is adjustable to 34.5 long, so it is a statement piece that, at the same time, is incredibly delicate looking. The orchid can be adjusted to any point on the chain, so you are able to position it wherever it looks best. The chain is brass bathed in 24 karat yellow gold and matches the beauty of the orchid. On the whole it truly is a stunning piece.

I really love the story of the artist, Danai Leosawathiphong from Thailand. He studied Business and went to England to pursue his interest in Engineering. That is where he met his wife, Ilkay. She was studying Polymer Science (lets hear it for women in STEMs!) They moved back to Thailand and planned to work in the engineering side of mining. His partner’s father suggested that they use the lab to create something representative of the area. They decided to cover exotic flowers with copper. After many, many experiments (as tends to happen in engineering), they came up with an entirely novel form of electro-plating flowers to preserve their natural beauty. This is the difference between why my rose petal faded over time but this orchid wont: the electro-plating is a better preservation technique than a simple clear lacquer.

Danai and his partner provide employment to many in an area that has few job prospects. Admirably, they employ many women who would not otherwise have a job prospect. They strive to be a zero-waste lab, which is impressive when dealing with chemicals. From engineering to stunning jewelry: quite an amazing adventure!

I truly love this necklace and it really is an amazingly stunning piece!

Find it at Amazon.com.

I received this necklace at a discount in exchange for my unbiased review

NOVICA Multi-Gemstone Y-Necklace ‘Dazzling Flower Bloom’

April 14, 2016 · Leave a Comment

The artists who work with NOVICA always hit it out of the park when it comes to stunning, unique pieces, but this necklace is a particular favorite of mine.

Dazzling Flower Bloom combines two tonal loves of mine: a Spring-like yellow-green quartz and Autumnal colors that blend together beautifully. When trying to find the perfect outfit to highlight this stunning necklace, I ended up pulling out stacks and stacks of clothes as it matches perfectly with so many colors. The necklace looks like it was custom made for each and every outfit.

NOVICA Multi-Gemstone Y-Necklace ‘Dazzling Flower Bloom’

The pictures speak for themselves, but there are some features that are particularly outstanding. The quartz centerpiece flower is absolutely breathtaking. While the yellow-green color of the quartz doesnt seem like it would necessarily match with some of the autumnal colors in the necklace, they complement each other so beautifully. I also absolutely adore the clasp: two green orbs that hold the substantial necklace in place securely.

NOVICA Multi-Gemstone Y-Necklace ‘Dazzling Flower Bloom’ Centerpiece

NOVICA Multi-Gemstone Y-Necklace ‘Dazzling Flower Bloom’ Clasp

The packaging is worthy of its own praise. The beautiful fabric pouch (with a hand-numbered sticker) comes in a heavy plastic bag, and within the fabric pouch is a plastic bag holding the length of the beaded necklace. Now here is my favorite part: The centerpiece flower is held in a smaller bag so as to not get tangled or damaged by the other pieces. NOVICA takes so much time and care into making sure their pieces arrive in perfect condition.

NOVICA Multi-Gemstone Y-Necklace ‘Dazzling Flower Bloom’ Pouch

As you know, NOVICA works with artists throughout the world to produce the stunning pieces they offer. Each piece comes with a small, beautiful mini-book that tells the story, first hand, of the artist. This artist, Nareerat Tansuwansophon, tells one of the most compelling stories I have read of NOVICA artists. She likes to create unique, unusual pieces that really stand out. Unlike many NOVICA artists, she didnt learn her craft from her parents, in fact, her mother died shortly after she was born. When she developed an interest in the jewelry craft, she bought several books and studied hard. She spent a great deal of time honing her craft and individual style until she perfected her trade.

She now offers work to over 30 local women, many of which have children. She allows them to take work home so they can be with their children and make money while making jewelry. She also offers less taxing tasks to older women so that they can make money. Isnt Nareerat a kind-hearted individual?