NEW Home for Cameo Jewelry from Rainforest Design®

Rainforest Design® announces the launch of their new website at www.rainforestdesign.com.  

The site features exquisitely hand-carved original cameo jewelry made in Panama by Wounaan tribal artisans. They could be considered the quintessential green jewelry since the cameos are organic; carved from Queen's Helmet shell harvested in the nearby Caribbean waters. 

The local artists are self-trained indigenous tribesmen known for their artful creations. The core values at Rainforest Design® support eco-friendly and sustainable practices in every aspect of their production.

The subject matter of the cameos themselves reflects the beauty all around the tropical rainforest in Panama. The carvers turn out delicate flora and fauna motifs native to the region. The various collections are masterfully finished in fine 950 silver or lustrous 18K gold. The result is a distinct collection of sculptural art in miniature to be worn by discerning modern jewelry collectors.

"We are pleased to offer site visitors enhanced features, excellent product photography, and of course expanded background info on the Wounaan tribal culture. The new site also provides a convenient shopping experience for our customers," says Roslyn Zelenka, chief designer, Rainforest Design®. "Also, trade members will now be able to register and login to access wholesale pricing."

Rainforest Design

For information on upcoming tradeshows, including the Tucson Gem Shows 2014, contact Roslyn Zelenka, at cameos@rainforestdesign.com. To learn more visit www.rainforestdesign.com. ♦

#DesignerSpotlight - Arid Chappell for ARIDO

Congrats to Arido for not only conquering the Asian market but on their early success at their Golden Globes gifting suite!  

We hear he has had visits from stars of Downtown Abbey as well as Sharon Stone!

Website:
http://www.aridojewelry.com

Now - time for the jewels!

#DailyJewel - Scintillatingly Danhov!

Just saw this beauty on the Danhov Facebook page - WOW!

Find them at:  https://www.facebook.com/DanhovJewelry

Brilliance from every angle by Danhov!

Voltaggio Single Shank Engagement Ring
Style#: V119

Pinning Brilliance:
http://pinterest.com/danhovjewelers/

...or visit the Danhov website:  http://www.danhov.com/

2014 - The Year of the Male Green Wood HORSE!

The Chinese New Year is swiftly approaching, this year the 4711th Chinese New Year is on January 31st, the Year of the Horse starts on February 4th.

To be specific - it is the Year of the Green Wood Horse!  The Chinese calendar connecting the 12 Animal sign Branches to the 7 Stem signs - the yin and yang along with the 5 Earth Elements.

What does that mean?

Horse is one of Chinese favorite animals. Horse provides people quick transportation before automobiles, so people can quickly reach their destinations. Horse even can help people to win the battle. Therefore Horse is a symbol of traveling, competition and victory. That's why Horse is connected to speedy success in China

2014 is the year of    Male Wood Horse. Horse mainly contains Fire. Therefore, the Wood and Fire are the key factors to determine people's fortune in 2014.

Wood can help Fire to burn. So Fire of 2014 is quite strong. Fire could melt the Metal. Metal is afraid of Fire. If your Lucky Element is Metal, then you might encounter some unexpected troubles and you need to handle alone without help in 2014. Fire and Water are opposite elements, If your Lucky Element is Water, then your luck won't be better than 2013, Water Snake year. If your Lucky Element is Fire, then the fortune is coming toward you. You need to prepare for it and don't miss the golden opportunity in the Green Horse year.

Horse is a speedy animal. When something good or bad happens, it will come very quickly. It's same to the love relationship. Horse is a Romantic Star to many people. If you are single, you can increase your social activities. Horse will keep you busy and help you to find a great friendship. If you are in love, then it's good time to build deeper relationship.

Spring is the season of Wood. If your Lucky Element is Wood, then you will do well in the beginning of the Horse Year. Wood will help Fire to bring up the heat. Summer is the season of Fire. If Fire is your Lucky Element. summer will be your best months of the year. You can ride on the horseback and head for your goal. You will see you destination and enjoy your result in the fall. If your Lucky Element is Metal, then we have to wait for the heat of Fire cooling down to see your luck, If Lucky Element is Water, then you have to wait till the Winter time when the temperature turns cold.

Interested?  find your animal sign and see what the year of the Horse means to you!

The complete Chinese Five Element Astrology is at Chinese Astrology 2014 for The Year of Green Horse.The complete 12 Chinese Animal Signs Prediction is at 2014 Chinese Zodiacs for Year of Horse
Another easier way to find your own Chinese Five Element Astrology is at Predict your Personal 2014 Chinese Horoscopes

Info from my favorite Chinese Astrology website:  http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2014.htm


Horse Inspiration At Retail - I have to give a big shout out to the Cavalcade Blog - Equestrian Chic for these next items!  find some inspiration of your own http://www.cavalcadeblog.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MargaretVera

Caracol  http://www.caracolsilver.com/ahipal-leather-bracelet-by-no-3-from-caracol-jewelry/

I am in love with the Cog Horse pieces  http://darkhorsestudio.com.au/

And Finally - do you have a horse?  I love the idea that you can have a bracelet made of your horse's tail...Cricket & Blue can make that happen!

Cricket & Blue  http://www.cricketandblue.com

Michael O’Connor Hosts Celebrity StyleLab for Golden Globe Nominees

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS JEWELRY TREND PREDICTIONS

FROM LEADING STYLE EXPERT

Michael O’Connor Hosts Jewelry Style Event for Nominees & Presenters

This week Michael O’Connor, celebrity stylist and television personality, will host StyleLab’s styling event for Golden Globe Award nominees, presenters and stylists at a private venue in Los Angeles. Every season, O’Connor curates a selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from world-renowned designers for celebrities to borrow for the red carpet. From colored gemstone earrings to sustainable champagne diamond bangles, O’Connor will accessorize Hollywood’s leading stars with the most exquisite, highest quality jewelry.

This season O’Connor sees an overall fascination with more edgy, statement styles featuring colored gemstones or sparking white diamonds. As the 2014 award show season kicks off, O’Connor offers the following trend predictions:

Emeralds
Even though emerald was the Pantone color last year, Hollywood stars are still being drawn to the beauty of this gemstone. Designer Takat created a jaw-dropping necklace with 71.73-carats of oval and round emeralds, mixed with 8.34-carats of round white diamonds and 10.43-carats of fancy white diamonds. This design, priced at $498,014, is most suitable for a statuesque star like Nicole Kidman. Farah Khan incorporates 11.95-carats of emeralds and 11.41-carats of white diamonds into an Art-Deco style wide bracelet, priced at $41,697. This romantic style would look regal on Elisabeth Moss. Just Jules’ ethereal earrings feature 12.93-carats of natural emerald slices, mixed with 2.45-carats of grey rose cut and pave diamonds, priced at $81,140. We envision starlet Zooey Deschanel wearing them on Sunday.

Black HuesWhether it’s blackened metal or the richness of deep black gemstones, we’re also seeing a lot of this hue in jewelry, which creates a dramatic effect on the red carpet.Dena Kemp is showcasing a pair of earrings with 11.57 carats of black Burmese jade that would look spectacular on Jennifer Lawrence, given her new crop hairstyle. Designer Paula Crevoshay will debut a pair of black diamonds earrings, priced at $37,000, that have a vintage-inspired aesthetic, making them ideal for a classic beauty like Kate Winslet.

Responsible Sourcing

Diamonds With A StoryTM is featuring their latest designs called “Nature’s Beauty Collection of Sustainable Jewelry”. The collection is made of gold from the Kennecott Utah Copper mine in the US, with white and rare champagne diamonds from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia, also sustainably and ethically mined. One show-stopping piece is a 2.5-carat bangle sprinkled with champagne and white diamonds, priced at $4,999. It has geometric and architectural qualities that would suit Cate Blanchett perfectly!

Statement EarringsDesigners are reinterpreting traditional chandelier earrings by adding bold gemstones, mixing metals, and creating unique shapes. Fei Liu will debut a pair of oversized earrings featuring amethyst, green garnet and diamonds, set in black gold. We can imagine Sofia Vergara wearing these earrings, priced at $12,000. Kallati re-masters the white diamond chandelier style with their “Teardrop” earrings, featuring 4-carats of brilliant white pave diamonds shaped like teardrops, priced at $25,000. Sofia Vergara would turns heads in these earrings!

Historical Pieces

Hollywood glamour continues to remain a staple on the red carpet, especially jewelry designs with historical significance. The Jewelry by Gail collection features vintage hair combs/pins once owned by Marilyn Monroe, priced at $55,000. Olivia Pope would be jealous of Kerry Washington wearing these clips in her hair!

#DailyJewel - Your Daily Dose of Sparkle for Jan. 6th - Paul Michael Design

One of the great things about Facebook is that it introduces you to so many companies and brands that you have never met prior...just such a Brand (for me) is Paul Michael Design. However, you don't stay anonymous for long when you are posting custom designed beauties like this!!!!

Palladium with cabochon turquoise and emeralds.

Website:     http://www.paulmichaeldesign.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PaulMichaelDesign

#DailyJewel - Your Daily Dose of Sparkle for Jan. 5th - IVY NY!

Blue Sapphire - Green Tsavorite Garnet - Red Spinel -

 with diamonds in gold - Discover IVY NY today!

Website:  http://www.ivynewyork.com/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/ivynewyork