Well-known and Rising British Jewelry Designers

Great Britain is turning out a fair share of new talent in British jewelry design. Some of these artists are familiar names in the jewelry world, while others are new and on the rise. This is a list of some of the best known and newest British designers.

The first name on the list is Andrew Young. He is continually trying new things and going in new directions to expand his repertoire. His most famous works are from the Fingerprint Wedding Band Collection.

Bec Astley Clarke started her own company, Astley Clarke fifteen years ago it has steadily climbed in stature and renown. The artist herself is known for a wide range of gemstone jewelry that complements nearly any woman’s outfit. Many of the designs she has created are exclusive to her business.

Angela Fung didn’t enter the world of jewelry design until she got injured and could no longer play the piano, her first passion. Not wanting to sit by idly, she decided to take up jewelry-making as a way to continue to work with her hands. Her designs are very functional and work well in many different situations.

Claudia Bradby uses pearls and silver to create much of her jewelry. She is a free-lance designer, creating works and then marketing them in a variety of different stores and jewelry shops. Her focus is to create jewelry that can be mixed-and-matched, much like a closet full of clothes.

A popular designer of modern looking engagement rings and wedding sets is Diana Porter. She is now well-known enough to begin expanding her line into pins, earrings, and necklaces. All of her designs are one-of-a-kind, and she will make pieces of jewelry on commission for clients.

Shaun Leane is becoming very collectible because his designs are very fluid and appealing to many people. He tries to tell a story with each piece of jewelry he creates, and does it with a romantic flair. He has drawn from history on occasion to help him create some of his more well-known works.

Touran Reddaway makes gold jewelry by hand. She mixes old-world customs with contemporary styles to create her unique works. She sells her works in small jewelry boutiques, and is very popular with women because of her stylish designs.

Harriet Kelsall puts most of their energy into creating unique engagement rings, but they also do wedding, anniversary, and eternity rings as well. Although the company makes and sells many pieces, they are not considered to be production designers, and it is possible to find some jewelry made by them that is extremely unique.

Sarah Sheridan is popular in Britain because of her modern designs. They are very elegant and appealing to a majority of the public. She designs entire collections of pieces, but she will also work on commission to create the perfect design for an individual that wants one.

Finally, Stephan Einhorn rounds out our list of British jewelry designers. He is unusual in that he focuses on making men’s jewelry, one of only a handful of designers doing this type of work today. His jewelry is made to be worn every day.

Those are the top British jewelry designers of the modern era in Great Britain. Look for their works across England, Europe, and the Americas as they expand in popularity. If you don’t know their names now, be assured you will know most of them before long.

You can find the full article about choosing the best British jewelry and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Contemporary Canadian Jewelry Designers

Canadian jewelry designers sometimes get overlooked when a discussion of the subject begins. But they shouldn’t. Today’s Canadian designers are as good as any others in the world, and they deserve to be recognized. We have put together a list of some of top Canadian jewelry designers in the business today. If you’re unfamiliar with their work, check them out, they definitely deserve it.

Niki Kavakonis employs her schooling as an architect to develop her jewelry designs. She creates only one-of-a-kind pieces, and her designs are all very exquisite. She is best known for her “Tip of the Iceberg” ring.

Amadena focuses their efforts on elegant diamonds. They do offer them as both loose stones and in settings, all for sale. If you’re looking for a perfect diamond, start here. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Elle Jule Jewelry is who the next designer, Danielle Stirling, uses to display her works of jewelry art. She creates ready-made jewelry as well as individual pieces for clients. Her pieces are sold on-line and in stores.

With a home base in Toronto, Reena Ahluwalia is passionate about diamonds. She designs jewelry with a lot of movement to it. She has been awarded many times for her designs. You can see and buy her work both on-line and in stores.

The name John Hardy is synonymous with elegance and luxury. He started his own company in the late ‘80s, and has expanded across the globe. All of their jewelry is handmade. Their main headquarters is now in Hong Kong, but they have offices all over the world, including New York City.

Disengo has a degree in gemology from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). She also has a degree in jewelry design. She works with both 18K gold and sterling silver designs, mainly in rings and bangle bracelets. She is passionate that jewelry “feel” real, so her pieces tend to be solid and heavy. Her specialty is in 18K gold pieces.

Jesse Turner graduated with a degree in art and design in Vancouver. She started making and selling jewelry in the late ‘80’s, and specializes in modern gold and silver designs. She has received a number of accolades for her designs.

Laura Marshall insists on making art that just happens to be wearable. Her company, Laura Marshall, creates unique pieces of jewelry, using the immediate surroundings for inspiration. She believes that her pieces should lift the soul while creating art for the body.

Shelly Purdy designs elegant jewelry, and has since she started her own business in 1991. She is based in Toronto, and works primarily with gold and platinum to create her designs. The work quality is beyond compare, and the company offers a wide variety of luxury jewelry.

Terri Michael is the inspiration behind “Stoned Designs.” She also works out of Toronto, and creates jewelry that is classical, but she has a whimsical side that allows her to create fun and bizarre pieces as well. She has been making jewelry since the ‘70s, and continues strong today.

Canadian jewelry designers add a twist to the elegant world of exotic jewelry that cannot be overlooked. The style these artists represent adds depth to the overall world of jewelry design. Make sure to see their works the first chance you get. You’ll be amazed.

You can find the full article about choosing the best Canadian jewelry designers and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

The Best French Jewelry Designers

The French have always had an edge when it comes to art and design. France probably has more artists per capita than any other civilized country. It’s no wonder then that some of today’s rising stars, and all-time classics, are French jewelry designers. Here’s our list of leaders. You’ll recognize some of the names here, others you probably won’t.

Coco Chanel had her hands in a lot of different projects. She designed everything from dresses and hats to perfume. She had a vision of elegant high-end jewelry with a simple design that anyone could own. Her jewelry became another one of the company’s trademarks, and met her requirements of elegant yet simple.

Jean Schlumberger was hired by Tiffany in 1956. Prior to that, he was forbidden from practicing art of any kind by his parents. When he got hired at Tiffany, he was given his own workshop where he stayed until he retired. Later, he came back to be a vice-president at Tiffany and Company.

Dominique Demoniere created unique jewelry for her clients. She was an accessory and jewelry designer. She created a variety of very unique and unusual pieces.

Both royalty and movie stars sought out Pierre Balmain for his create works. He created very unique designs for his clients, and earned himself a fantastic reputation by doing so. He was considered to be one of the most unique designers of his day.

The company Boucheron has been in business since the 19^th century. In that time, they have moved from creating an array of jewelry for all kinds of people to making perfume and sunglasses as well. They also continue to create many different jewelry-type accessories.

Cartier also started business in the 1800s. From humble beginnings, he built his name and his business by creating only first-class exquisite jewelry, including the first bracelet-style watch. The name Cartier is still known and respected around the world, and they continue to produce high-end jewelry that is still admired and respected today.

Chaumet started business in the 1700’s. They have made literally hundreds of different jewelry lines and pieces. Their jewelry ranges from elegant and exotic to fun and crazy. The business has expanded greatly, and Chaumet jewelry is now sold all over France, and is making headway into other parts of the world.

Christian Dior is a popular name in jewelry around the world. They are best known for their classic watch designs, but have been leaders in the fashion and jewelry world for a long time. Their jewelry can be found in stores all over the world, or it can be purchased on line.

Mauboussin designs unique jewelry in a unique way. The designs usually start by selecting a gemstone first, and then designing the “jewelry” around it. It has led to a great deal of success. Fans of the jewelry say that it glows and has a unique shine to it. The jewelry is sold primarily in boutiques, but can also be found online.

Van Cleef and Arpels hold claim to some of the most elegant pieces of jewelry to ever come out of France. Since they have been around for a while, they have many different jewelry collections on the market, plus unique pieces. They are becoming well known again today for their “Timepiece Collection.”

There are many other great jewelry designers in France. These are but a few of the best. Be sure to check out all of these amazing artists, and they will lead you to links of other young designers on the rise. France will always be known for its style, sophistication, and art.

You can find the full article about choosing the best French jewelry and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Ideas for Valentine’s Day Jewelry Gift Giving

Valentine’s Day brings out the romantic in all of us. It’s the perfect day of the year to go all-out and show your girl just how much she means to you and how special she is. There’s no better way to do that than with jewelry. Here are some of our suggestions to make it her best day ever by giving her Valentine’s Day jewelry.

Hearts are everywhere on Valentine’s Day. It’s the symbol of the day, actually. So don’t shy away from that, embrace it. There is a huge spectrum of jewelry made and shaped like hearts, and there’s no better day to present a heart-shaped gift of jewelry than Valentine’s Day. You can find every stone from diamonds to precious gems to semi-precious stones carved into heart shapes. If you’re budget can’t afford the diamonds or exotic stones, get something for her in her favorite color. There are many new colors of traditional gemstones emerging, so there’s no reason why she shouldn’t get in on it. A ring, pendant, or bracelet with heart-shaped stones is the perfect way to bond a relationship. If you can afford diamonds, and want to go that route, feel free. You’ll be a king!

Another great Valentine’s Day jewelry gift idea focuses on metal jewelry instead of gemstones. The puffed heart pendant is a very popular design, and has been for years. If your lady doesn’t have one, this is the prefect time to present it. Also, consider a locket on a necklace or charm bracelet. You can have it engraved with anything you want; a special saying, your names, or a simple, ‘I Love You’. For an extra special touch, find a photo of the two of you that will fit inside the locket. That way it will always be yours together. Price shouldn’t be much of an issue here. You can find both of these jewelry designs in silver, gold, and platinum (and sometimes even in stainless steel if you’re really strapped for cash), and the sentiment remains the same.

Of course, you can always propose marriage with a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring on Valentine’s Day for a completely incomparable experience. It may sound clichéd at first, but so what? Can you think of anything more romantic? She’ll be overwhelmed, and you’ll be the guy all of her friends talk about for the next 20 years.

Valentine’s Day is meant to be special. A chance to show your partner how you really feel about her. If you’re new in your relationship, keep it simple. If you’re deeply in love and want to get married or are already married, then this is your day to show it. Not only does a unique piece of jewelry show her that you care about her, it also shows her that you spent more than 15 seconds in line at the Kroger’s to buy candy and flowers.

You can find the full article about choosing the best Valentine’s Day jewelry and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Introducing the World’s Top 10 Jewelry Designers

If you want the best, you have to know where to find it. If you want to own the best jewelry designed by one of the world’s top artisans, then these are the places that you need to go to see the top 10 jewelry designers in the world display their wares. They are on this list because they are original, unique, and creative, and unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Harry Winston always tops the list when you talk about famous jewelry and designers. They are an American company based out of New York, but are known world-wide. They carry only the most exotic and expensive diamonds available in the world, and have even designed for royal families. www.harrywinston.com. The other equally famous New York jewelry designer is Tiffany & Co. They have earned a reputation for high-quality and unique jewelry around the world, and are most famous for their “little blue box.” See their site at www.tiffany.com.

The Italian-based Buccellati designs intricately-designed gold and platinum jewelry adorned with equally exotic precious gemstones. They are also known for their intricate engravings and practices on precious metals as well. Their website is www.buccellati.com An Italy-based competitor, Bulgari, also makes large and unusual metal jewelry, but is known for their focus on Greek and Roman prototypes with rare gemstone accents. www.bulgari.com

If you want a “floating diamond,” a setting made to look like the stones are actually hanging in mid-air, then you have to go to Van Cleef & Arpels, since they are the only company who can create this illusion. They are also associated with their world-renowned brooch that looks like a page. They are definitely unique designers, and deserve a serious look. www.vancleef-arpels.com

The British jeweler Graff works with only the rarest diamonds and jewelry in the world. His exotic designs earn him millions of dollars each year in sales, and his pieces are highly-prized and sought after. www.graffdiamonds.com The website is just as exotic as the jewelry.

Piaget designs expensive diamond-encrusted watches. They have become a hit with the Hollywood crowd, and as a result are getting a fantastic reputation worldwide. Piaget’s main competitor is Chopard, who is also vying for the exotic-diamond-watch-buying-crowd. They have over 100 stores around the world, and are expanding their line to include other types of jewelry. See both websites at www.piaget.com and www.chopard.com .

No one equals Mikimoto when it comes to rare pearl jewelry. Not only are their pieces unique, so are the pearls themselves. Some of the most unusual and exotic pearls in the world can be found at Mikimotos, in every possible stunning design you can imagine. To see everything the world of pearls can offer, visit www.mikimotoamerica.com

These designers are the best-of-the-best. If you don’t know them, you should. All of them produce the most exotic and rare jewelry in the world. You can own a piece of work by one of these famous designers, but be prepared to spend some serious money. “The Best” comes with a pricetag.

You can find the full article about choosing the best jewelry designers and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Where To Start When Collecting Vintage Jewelry

Probably the best part about collecting heirloom, or vintage, jewelry is the fact that it’s not being made today. Any piece you pick up is one of a dwindling number of that particular piece. Even better, when you pick up a piece of vintage jewelry, you can almost feel the story behind it. Every vintage piece has a story. But if you’re new to the idea and want to collect, where do you start? Any jewelry or antique store you walk into will have display cases full of this type of jewelry.

Well, the answer is that you start anywhere you want. There are no rules. Look around, take your time, and pick out any piece of jewelry that you absolutely love and can afford. That’s where you start. From there, maybe you research and find the era from which this piece of vintage jewelry came, and just continue to collect more pieces from the same era. Maybe your first piece was a brooch, and you like it so much you’ve decided to try collect brooches from as many different eras and genres as you can find. Or, throw all of that aside, and just continue to buy pieces of jewelry you fall in love with. There. You’re a collector.

There are some distinct eras you will discover as you delve deeper into your passion. The earliest jewelry was all hand made and as such it is difficult if not impossible to find. Jewelry from this era, the Georgian era, would be fantastic to collect, but maybe too difficult or frustrating or expensive. The Victorian era was really the time when jewelry came into being, and vintage jewelry from this era is certainly collectible. There are three periods in the Victorian era, early, middle, and late, and they all have their own styles and feel. If you study enough, you’ll be able to tell one period from another.

The end of the Victorian era was also the beginning of the industrial revolution, and jewelry took a major turn. The eras for 20^th century jewelry include Art Nouveau, a period of flowing and nature-based designs, Edwardian, where most of the jewelry was made with large precious gemstones, Art Deco, very geometric in shape and design, and finally modern vintage jewelry, also known as retro. This period ends in the late 50’s, and was dominated by jewelry designed to make people look like Hollywood stars.

It doesn’t matter which era you collect, or whether you collect them all. It’s a lot of fun to specialize and learn a lot about the times of the era you’re collecting, but it’s not essential. Buy it because it’s fun, unique, and when you hold it or put it on, you can feel the past inside you. It’s an unequaled pleasure.

You can find the full article about choosing the best vintage jewelry and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

The Big 4 of Metal Jewelry

Although jewelry is made from many different metals and other materials, there is only a handful of metals used to make the world’s finest jewelry. They are known as precious metals and are silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. When selecting jewelry, it’s very important that you know the differences between these metals, and even between grades of the same metal, to make an informed purchase.

Because silver exists in abundance, it is the least expensive of the four precious metals. Pure silver, 24K, is almost 100% pure silver, but is too soft for use in jewelry making. Therefore, you’ll find that metal jewelry made of silver is Sterling Silver, which is made with over 92% silver and the balance is usually copper for strength. Sterling silver is used for almost any type of jewelry items, especially those with a big bold look (like bangles and belt buckles), because sterling silver is affordable. As the amount of pure silver decreases in an alloy, its likelihood to tarnish goes up.

Gold, like silver, is too soft to use for metal jewelry in its pure, 24K form. Therefore, to make it wearable, it is alloyed with brass (another alloy of copper and zinc) to give it strength and maintain its yellow color. Gold jewelry ranges in purity from 18K to 10K, with a corresponding gold content of 75% down to 25%. 14K gold, the most common form, is about 50% gold and 50% other metals. White gold, an off-shoot from yellow gold, is formed and graded the exact same way, except white gold is alloyed with nickel, palladium, or zinc. This alloy turns out to be a rather dull gray color, so all white gold is plated with rhodium to give it a mirror-like finish. White gold requires more maintenance than yellow gold, because the rhodium plating will wear off, and will have to be re-plated occasionally.

Platinum is just recently becoming affordable in the jewelry world because more mines are opening up to extract the ore. It has an appearance similar to white gold, but gets its shine from being polished, not plated. Platinum is heavier and more brittle than gold and silver, and requires higher working temperatures to melt, so it is not quite as versatile as gold. It is also more expensive than 18K gold, another detractor. But this metal is resistant to almost every chemical, and is very strong. It is used in critical industrial applications as much as it is in metal jewelry.

There’s not much to say yet about our last member of the Big 4, palladium, because it is still in relatively short supply. It has most of the same characteristics as platinum, but is actually a by-product of the platinum, copper, and gold ore smelting processes, not its own ore. Therefore it is very rare and very expensive, and at this time is only used as an alloy component in white gold to give it its proper color.

You can find the full article about choosing the best metal jewlery and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Visit the Top 10 Online Jewelry Stores

Visiting jewelry stores on line can be a great way to do a lot of looking from the comfort of your home. Most stores can’t carry the amount of inventory in their showroom that they can display online, so it’s not unusual to find more jewelry you like at your on-line store than the store at the mall.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with shopping online for your jewelry. It’s hard to tell what you’re getting when you can touch it and put it on, but if you can get over that fact, there are plenty of legitimate jewelry stores on line, and most of them you already know. If you’re going to shop online, shop with a company you trust. Here is our list of the top 10 online jewelry stores for you to visit.

No. 1 on our list is Tiffany and Co. They are known world-wide for their famous and quality jewelry, and their online store is no different. In fact, their website has opened up the doors of Tiffany to thousands of people who otherwise would never get to visit their stores. Check out what they offer by going to www.tiffany.com

Number two on our list exists solely because of the internet. Blue Nile doesn’t have a storefront presence. They grew up with the internet, and have earned a reputation as one of the best jewelry stores in the world. Their products are top-quality, descriptions accurate, and presentations detailed. They’re at www.bluenile.com

The next two on the list are Kay Jewelers and Zales. Every jewelry store has jumped into on-line selling, but these two rise above the rest for quality and reputation, plus their expanded online selection and prices. Visit www.kay.com and www.zales.com to check them out.

The Jewelry Exchange, is a jewelry warehouse that, like Blue Nile, exists only on the web. Their selection is wide and prices are very reasonable, especially if you’re looking to buy jewelry in bulk. Their website is www.jewelryexchange.com Mikimoto specializes in pearl jewelry, and they do a fantastic job. The assortment of pearls is astounding to look at, and they have them all. If you want pearl jewelry, www.mikimoto.com is your destination.

Anjolee offers deep discounts on quality jewelry. The website is easy to navigate, and they have some great deals. www.anjolee.com Ebay is a popular destination to go for everything, and jewelry is no exception. Before buying, be sure to check feedback ratings, but there are lots of great bargains at www.ebay.com

Henry Winston, like Tiffany, is world-famous as a jeweler, so providing an on-line presence just exposes their top-end produces to a whole new audience. www.henrywinston.com The last of our top 10 jewelry stores is www.ice.com They are also strictly internet, and specialize in diamond jewelry.

So look around. See what’s out there. We think you’ll agree these are the best places on the web for gorgeous jewelry at reasonable prices.

You can find the full article about choosing the best online jewelry stores and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Get to Know the Top 10 Jewelry Brands in the World

Sometimes, just mentioning the name of a jeweler brings to mind a vision of quality and unique jewelry. In case there’s one or two you don’t know, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 jewelry brands in the world. Follow along with our list of recommendations as see how many you know, and how many you have just been exposed to today.

Henry Winston is at the top of the list. Their diamond jewelry is famous everywhere, and they have a few stores dotted across the US that you can visit. Located in New York City, they have made diamond jewelry for movie stars and royalty alike. See how the other half lives at www.henrywinston.com

Buccellati is also world-famous, but not quite as well known in the United States. They are an Italian-based jeweler, but have stores all over the world. Their claim to fame is intricately-carved and brushed gold jewelry with gemstone embellishments. See their wares at www.buccellati.com

Van Cleef & Arpels and Graff have a solid foothold in the diamond jewelry world. If fact, Van Cleef & Arpels has a diamond setting that is unique only to them. It makes the diamonds look like they’re floating. Graff, out of Great Britian, is known for selling only rare and unusual high-quality jewelry. Visit these wonderful jewelers at www.vancleef-arpels.com and www.graffdiamonds.com

Tiffany & Co. has a long-standing reputation as one of the world’s best jewelers. They’ve been in business since the early 1800s. Their famous “blue box” has become synonymous with elegance and unique style. They’re at www.tiffany.com

The next two of our top 10 jewelry brands specialize in quality, top-end watches as well as other exotic jewelry. Both are heavily favored and promoted among Hollywood’s elite, although they have stores all over the world. See where the movie stars buy their jewelry at www.piaget.com and www.chopard.com

Bulgari is another noted Italian designer known for their unusual Roman and Greek-style jewelry with bold designs and large gemstones. Each year, the designer introduces a brand new line of jewelry, and they are a very relevant presence in the market. See their unusual pieces at www.bulgari.com

Mikimoto, the last on our list, has probably the most extensive array of pearl jewelry. Not only is their jewelry exotic, but the pearls they use to create them are just as exotic. The pearls are all perfectly sized and matched, and you find colors and designs here that exist no where else in the world. www.mikimoto.com

Well, there’s the list of our top 10 jewelry designers. If there were some names on the list you weren’t familiar with, be sure to check them out. Even if you can’t afford the jewelry, you will still be mesmerized by their elegance and style.

You can find the full article about choosing the best engagement ring and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com

Indian Jewelry Designers And Companies Are Making A Name For Themselves

Indian jewelry designers have an unusual place in the jewelry market. They design and sell jewelry unlike any other made in the world. Their unique combination of materials and designs creates intriguing pieces. Once confined to the local area, the internet has now introduced a whole line of Indian jewelry designers to the world, and they are becoming very popular. Here are some of the best.

Poonam Soni is the most well-known of all Indian jewelry designers. Her pieces always start out as a sketch on paper before being realized. When she first started designing jewelry, working out of her house, she focused on historic pieces, but has since branched out into other genres.

Art Karat is the brainchild of designer Asha Kamal Modi. She started designing jewelry when it was still just an idea in India, not a practical business. Her designs focus on nature. They are very unusual.

Farah Khan was trained in California at the Gemology Institute of America and has been making jewelry for 15 years. She specializes in rings and earrings, and her work is visible on Hollywood movie stars and upper class Indian families.

Parekh Platinum Limited is a very diverse company, working with everything from chemicals to fine jewelry. Their expanse of knowledge has allowed them to create a wide variety of very intricately detailed pieces of jewelry. They are a very popular manufacturer in India.

Mining, importing, and exporting diamonds is the specialty of Arvindkumar and Company. They work with diamonds at every stage, from rough-cut to cut and finished stones. They have been around for over 20 years.

Tanishq made their entrance into the jewelry business by designing and selling watches made with over 100 diamonds and 18K gold. They are still best known for their watches. They have been in business since the ‘90s.

Nortandas & Sons sells the jewelry of this next designer, Maheep Kapoor. She has worked with Nortandas & Sons on joint ventures and jewelry launches many times. She has produced many lines of unusual pieces.

In the business since 1864, TBZ, or Tribhocandas Bhimji Zavery, makes only one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Because of that, their pieces are very valuable around the world.

The most popular diamond jewelry manufacturer in India is Adora. Celebrities wear a lot of jewelry designed by Adora. The company’s pieces are designed to celebrate life and love.

Gili is one of India’s major exporters of jewelry, mainly diamonds. They are very popular in India.

India not only has a growing population of fantastic individual artists but a number of well-respected companies in the jewelry industry as well. Be prepared to see more and more artistic jewelry works coming out of India as the craft expands in popularity.

You can find the full article about choosing the best Indian jewelry and much more jewelry advice and information on Jewelrista.com