People frequently ask me how to pick the right engagement ring. In this week’s video, I offer my expert advice, based not only on my 13 years in the jewelry business, but also on my own personal engagement-ring story. Don’t forget to check out the related links in the video description on YouTube for some…
jewelry designer
Two ANZA Rings Are Even Better Than One
Image consultant and jewelry expert Amy Roseveare interviewed ANZA Gems founder Monica Stephenson about what inspired Monica to launch her company in 2014. Because I work with ANZA gemstones, I’ve described ANZA’s mission a number of times, but I think you’ll be interested in how Monica herself tells the story. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW….
Wendy Brandes Wedding Jewelry on Engagement 101!
As you might guess from the name, Engagement 101 is the site for everything you need to know about engagement rings and proposals. EVERYTHING! There are different proposal ideas for different seasons, a checklist, a schedule — damn! This is thorough! I’ve walked quite a few men (and women) through the proposal process, but from…
Happy Valentine’s Day From Hi-Rez and Me
If you need an emergency Valentine’s Day card, I suggest that you print out this romantic message from rapper Hi-Rez. Happy Valentine’s Day pic.twitter.com/QqnMrbuLMA — Hi-Rez (@HiRezTheRapper) February 14, 2018 Who wouldn’t be charmed by that missive? Especially when you point out that Hi-Rez is wearing the awesome nameplate necklace I made for him ……
Jewels of the Month: Your Own Opal Designs
September’s Jewels of the Month post featured one of October’s birthstones, the opal. Because the ring, necklace and earring designs I was showing have to be made to order, I figured I’d give people shopping for an October birthday a little bit of a head start. While I was working on that post, I kept…
Jewels of the Month: Order Your Opals for October
Can you believe September is almost over? That means it’s a good time for the official debut of my opal birthstone jewelry, now available by special order for October birthdays and beyond. I’ve been working on this little suite of designs all year. You’ve had glimpses of the collection since March when I started wearing…
Wednesday’s Video: The Story’s in the Metal
This week’s YouTube video provides one answer to the frequently asked question of “Where do you get your inspiration?” For me, jewelry design is all about the metal (18K yellow gold, usually) rather than the gems. As a bonus, you get a lecture on 12th-century English history. Seriously! The jacket I’m wearing in the video…
A Bit of Beauty for Istanbul
One of the jewelry designers I admire most is Sevan Biçakçi of Istanbul. In 2014, the New York Times described one of Sevan’s specialities as “dome-shaped rings that celebrate the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.” Here’s an example chosen by jewelry editor Marion Fasel as a tribute to the people who have been affected by…
Create Your Own Heirlooms With Fine Jewelry
“… it’s fun to wear, it has lasting value and it connects people across generations.” Hmm. What could that describe? A top from H&M? The latest iPhone? An app, an antique end table or a even an exotic trip? Nope! It can only be jewelry. Michelle Graff, the editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, wrote those words…
I Stand With Marla Aaron
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Consignment is the biggest business challenge for fine-jewelry designers. I’m not sure if there’s any other business where a retailer with annual revenues in the billions of dollars will “order” from $1,000 to $250,000 of high-value product from a one-person company and not pay one cent…