Heather Moore Sale at Gilt Groupe April 28th!

Heather Moore is one of the leading designers of personalized jewelry (see my recent post about personalized jewelry here).  Her designs are going to be ON SALE at one of my favorite designer sale sites, Gilt Groupe, on Tuesday April 28th, starting at 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time.  I’m not sure how extensive their sale collection will be, but this is big news, since her designs are rarely discounted.   The sale only lasts 36 hours, and it’s first come, first serve, so you have to move fast if you want something. 

Gilt Groupe is an invitation-only designer sale site, so you have to register to participate.  They frequently feature jewery designers, from fashion designers like Kenneth Jay Lane to very fine jewelry from Garrard.  To register, you can click on this link and sign-up http://www.gilt.com/invite/monica287. 

Good luck, and Happy Shopping!

Heather Moore Charm Necklace

Come on Spring: Fun, Fabulous Necklaces Under $500

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but Spring seems to be taking its sweet time getting to us.  I thought it was time for a little pick-me-up without breaking the bank.  If you’re in the mood for something luminous, check out these necklaces that are meant to make a statement and lift your mood:

Under $100:

Pretty-in-pink Ruby cluster necklace from Catherine Weitzman:

Catherine Weitzman Ruby Seed Pod Necklace, $80 Retail

 

Natural wood and bone neck by R.J. Graziano would be a very affordable update:

R.J. Graziano Long Wood and Bone Necklace, $42.99 Retail

 

A lovely lavender glass necklace from Marc by Marc Jacobs:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Lavender Glass Necklace, $99 Retail

 

Kenneth Jay Lane long gold necklace, love the shimmery coins, should be just long enough to double up:

 

 

Kenneth Jay Lane Hammered Coin Necklace, $75 Retail

 

Rachel Leigh short golden nugget necklace has nice texture:

 

 

Rachel Leigh Golden Nugget Necklace, $58 Retail

I’m not normally a huge fan of Juicy Couture, but this necklace hits just the right notes with multi-chain layered look and a touch of turquoise:

Juicy Couture Layered Necklace, $98 Retail

From $100 to $250:

Very pretty Rachel Reinhardt “Cleo” Fringe bib necklace, sea green and seed pearl:

 

Rachel Reinhardt "Cleo" Fringe Bib Necklace, $131 Retail

Frothy Freshwater Pearl “Twist” necklace by Iridesse, love the colors (click through for larger image):

Multicolor Freshwater Pearl "Twist" by Iridesse, $225 Retail

Alexis Bittar “Klimt” necklace, just the right mix of texture , graceful, and still makes a statement:

 

Alexis Bittar "Klimt" Necklace, $195 Retail

 

Craving coral?  Here’s a well-priced necklace with just a touch of it (Btw, I love the stuff on this site, but Vivre doesn’t have enough details for the jewelry—length, materials, etc.):

Coral and Vermeil Necklace, $147.50 Retail

 

From $300 to $500:

I really like this artist’s aesthetic on Etsy.  This is her “Greta” necklace, with a lovely mix of Carnelian, shell, wood, pearls, citrine, and fossil coral crocheted onto gold wire:

Jraejewels "Greta" Necklace on Etsy, $352 Retail

 

Here is another one of jraejewels’ designs, a collar of woven semi-precious jewels: multi-hued freshwater pearls, seaglass, crystals and wood (OK, it’s over $500 but I like it so much I have to squeak it in, plus it’s REAL jewelry so you can justify it!):

jraejewels "Kate" Collar Necklace, $650

Here is a fine silver necklace with pearls and crystals, also found on Etsy.  Very pretty floral design:

"White Ophelia" Fine Silver Necklace, $375 retail

 

Jamie Joseph Labradorite pendant has gorgeous hues of blue/green/brown with an oxidized silver chain, you’ll have to click through to see the image: Jamie Joseph at Ylang Ylang.

Also, this Jamie Joseph pendant in ultra-simple White Onyx, also at Ylang Ylang.

Very nice Nancy Cohen necklace, I like the way the gems are drilled and mounted irregularly through the chain:

Nancy Cohen Peruvian Chalcite Briolette Necklace, $330 Retail

 

And finally, here is the reason that I wanted to do this post, after seeing this designer’s Spring Collection.  This is a silver, gunmetal and steel chain necklace with a bullet-faceted lemon quartz:

Gemma Redux Erin Necklace with Lemon Quartz, $398 Retail

And a very cool Mauve Quartz necklace that manages to be feminine and industrial at the same time:

Gemma Redux Mauve Quartz Necklace, $354 Retail

 

 What is your favorite necklace design this season?  Comment and let me know!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever Wonder About the “2 Months Salary” Guideline? Check this out.

This may be tantamount to heresy in the jewelry industry, but I have never been a fan of De Beer’s 2 Month Salary guideline.  In case you haven’t ever heard about this, De Beers, in their ever-present marketing, delicately suggest spending the equivalent of 2 months of your salary on a diamond engagement ring.  When asked about this over the years, my response has been to spend what you think is appropriate for YOUR situation.  No two couples and circumstances are alike.  Do what you want.

So today I ran across this amazing pictorial representation of this recommendation (thanks, Woot!).  This artist has taken US Dept of Labor statistics for wages, figured out 2 month’s salary amounts, then assembled images of 9 rings in that dollar range for 20 professions (each piece of art is 8 by 10 inches).  Check it out:

"Anesthesiologist" Engagement Ring Image, Lee Gainer

Looking at the images, I find this so fascinating.  It appears that size does matter: it’s a reflection on your socio-economic status, and to some it is an indicator of how much your fiance really loves you.  This is a subtle, brilliant social commentary on when marketing and relationships intersect.  Thank you, Lee Gainer.  Check out the artist’s equally amazing installations of “the thought that counts” and “group therapy“.

"Welder" Engagement Ring Image, Lee Gainer

What do you think of the 2 months salary “rule”?  Useful guideline for engagement ring neophytes, or Evil Corporate Mandate?