I’ve been obsessed with “toi et moi” rings since 2013, when the diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Josephine de Beauharnais went up for auction. Embed from Getty Images But even before then, I liked the double takes that two-stone rings get, no pun intended. In fact, one of my earliest…
Special Occasions
Welcome to the Year of the Tiger
Happy Lunar New Year! The Year of the Tiger calls for a throwback to a custom tiger ring I created years ago for gorgeous client Christine. I would love to make a new tiger ring for the Tiger Year — with some changes, of course, so that Christine’s ring would remain uniquely hers. It would…
Jewel of the Month: January Birthstone Earrings
Here I am, once again, sliding into the blog with an ultra-last-minute Jewel of the Month featuring a birthstone — in this case, garnet for January. But, as you’ll see, I have a second garnet option that ties into Valentine’s Day, so my timing isn’t all that bad! First, check out the earrings I created…
Jewel of the Month: Wear Wolves
Right in time for Halloween, I’ve got something for werewolf lovers … or anyone who wants to wear wolves. These Isabella wolf-fang earrings are actually one of my “vintage” pieces, but I haven’t had an 18K yellow gold pair available for quite some time. Now they’re available both on my website and 1stdibs.com. My gorgeous…
Happy August!
Looking for a birthday gift … for yourself, maybe? My customers and I are all about self-gifting! For August birthday wimmins, I’ve got a stunning example of the month’s birthstone, peridot, in the form of diamond chandelier earrings on sale on 1stdibs. And let’s not forget birth signs. What Leo wouldn’t love this lion pendant?…
Bastille Day Jewelry Blues
Bonne Fête Nationale! It’s le quatorze juillet — or what we non-French people call “Bastille Day,” which we do because we’re horribly plouc. Back in the day, I was lucky enough to be in Paris on July 14 three years in a row, so I have fond memories of the Eiffel Tower’s fireworks and wearing…
Make L.L. Bean Your Valentine in 2022
Put a note in your calendar now, because you’re going to want to get L.L. Bean’s Valentine’s-Day-red boots when the limited run becomes available again early in 2022. I stumbled upon them this year and I was unable to resist. Behold the cuteness! Unfortunately, the boots are now sold out online; the product page isn’t…
Jewel of the Month: Lip Necklace in 18K Gold
Whether you love Valentine’s Day or loathe it, the days immediately following the holiday are kind of awesome. First of all, the big Whitman’s Sampler chocolate assortments are on sale in all the drugstores to make room for the Easter candy. If you’re buying for me, I do prefer Whitman’s Samplers to Russell Stover boxes,…
What Wendy Wore: New Year’s Eves Through 2021
A lot of people say that New Year’s Eve is no fun, they never have anything to do, they’re never invited anywhere, yada yada yada. But why are y’all leaving things to chance? One thing I’ve learned in life is that if you want to have a party, your best bet is to throw your…
Birthday Celebration at Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Isn’t it perfect that my December 23 birthday coincides with Festivus, which calls for the airing of grievances? I’m sure you have plenty of grievances this year. Click here to air your grievances! Anyway, people always tell me I should lie about my age, but I prefer to be straightforward, so here’s the truth: If…