Picking out birthstone jewelry for people born in June is a Choose Your Own Adventure experience. The American Gem Society lists pearl and Alexandrite as June’s birthstones. The Gemological Institute of America opts for pearl, moonstone and Alexandrite. I’ve seen other sources that say pearl and moonstone are the two June gems, and others that…
Jewelry
Wendy Brandes Jewelry at JCK LUXURY
If you’re a jewelry professional attending the big Las Vegas trade shows next week, come visit me during my debut at JCK’s LUXURY show! I’ll be at booth LUXEE 28, part of the INTERVISION experience in the Elite Enclave Ballroom at Mandalay Bay. You’ll be able to see my Maneater rings in person. You’ll also…
Wendy Brandes Jewelry in InDesign and Vegas
The gorgeous Trace Shelton of InDesign Magazine followed up April’s “Five Questions” online interview with me by featuring my Maneater jewelry designs in this month’s print edition. Thanks, Trace! If you’re in the jewelry business and are attending the upcoming JCK LUXURY trade in Las Vegas, you can see these pieces in person. You’ll also…
Happy Friday the 13th!
Friday the 13th isn’t unlucky for me, because I have these hockey-mask-and-chainsaw stud earrings to wear … … as well as a matching ring! As I’ve pointed out before, Jason Voorhees — the Friday the 13th killer — wore a hockey mask but wielded a machete, not a chainsaw. It was Leatherface who used a…
Throwback Thursday: Yoko Ono With a Choker at Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival started yesterday and continues through May 22. Damn! That’s a long festival. I’m sure during that time, there will be something on the red carpet or in a photocall that will blow me away fashion-wise. But, in the first day and a half, nothing has wowed me as much as the…
Jewel of the Month: Arrowhead Dangle Rings
I’ve always designed jewelry with movement, including poison rings, twisting pendants and swivel earrings. And let’s not forget my 18K gold Empress Wu dragon ring with the spinning lapis lazuli globe clenched in its teeth! Ahead of Monday's #metgala , we have one China-inspired piece left to loan to an attendee. The 18K gold Empress…
Anklets and Chokers. Not Just for Coachella!
The choker necklace has gotten so hot so fast this spring — especially at Coachella — that Vogue is ready to declare the style so over in favor of ankle bracelets, aka anklets. Forget the choker necklace, this is the accessory you need this summer: https://t.co/FEVuX8Liqf — Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) April 20, 2016 When I…
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…
I’m a Jewelers’ Choice Award Finalist!
I’m thrilled to say that I’m a finalist in the 2016 JCK’s Jewelers’ Choice Awards! The engagement/anniversary ring design that I created for my own mother won second place in the Personalized Jewelry $1,000 & Over Category. This ring design came about when my mother’s original engagement ring needed significant repairs before my parents’ 50th…
Jewel of the Month: Diamond Micro Studs for Tender Ears
As a jewelry designer, I have a lot of earrings to choose from. As a midlife rebel, I decided I needed more piercings to accommodate the earrings. Since 2014, I’ve gone from the three lobe piercings I’ve had since the 1980s to eight total piercings, including lobe, tragus and conch. Due to Murphy’s Law, the…