Yearly Archives

2022

Organic Futons
Gewelry

Mother’s Day Jewelry Ideas

by len
written by len

Mother’s day is simply one of those special days where we have to show our appreciation for mothers. And a great way to put that appreciation into something dazzling is by giving her Mother’s Day Jewelry. Choosing mother’s day jewelry as a gift idea is also quite symbolic, considering that jewelry itself is already a highly-regarded gift, so to have one specifically labeled as mother’s day jewelry, meant for mothers (and mother-figures) only, makes it all the more special. And moms who have appreciation for jewelry is one of the very few cliches that you could use to narrow down your choices for gift ideas on Mother’s Day – hence, the search for the perfect mother’s day jewelry!

 

There are many unique styles for Mother’s day jewelry, just like how every mother all over the world is unique. There are a ton of mother’s day jewelry that range from a pair of earrings with teardrop-shaped sterling silver earrings, to blindingly huge bracelets, and even the choice for personalized mother’s day jewelry ideas. The perfect choice for mother’s day jewelry ultimately depends on how well you know your mom. Whether she likes rings, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces would be the ultimate factor that would affect your decision on what mother’s day jewelry to get.

 

However, to narrow your choices down for mother’s day jewelry, there are (thankfully) lots of jewelry shops that offer mother’s day special sale with a wide selection of mother’s day jewelry to help the shoppers out.

 

One of these stores is Italo Jewelry, offering a special mother’s day jewelry selection to give love and appreciation to all the mothers (and mother-figures) out there! Italo Jewelry also does not only have tons of options for mother’s day jewelry, but they are also affordable with discounts and promo for their Mother’s day jewelry collection. With as much as $90 off for minimum spend of $300 with the promo code MOM90, $50 off for minimum spend of $200 with the promo code MOM50, or the $10 off of any order with the code MOM10 you’d be able to give your mom the best mother’s day jewelry at an affordable price!

 

Mother’s Day Jewelry On Italojewelry

 

 

 

Cross Design Pendant Necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This chain necklace perfectly showcases bling and sophistication in perfect balance! The necklace is made of 925 sterling silver metal, with white sapphire gemstones that outline the cross design of the pendant and radiates a glossy, shimmery, platinum appearance. The necklace has a stone weight of 1.10 carat, a total weight of 4.5g, and comes in a variety of 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” in length. It is also round cut, and has a pronged stone setting. The pendant is definitely meant to emphasize the cross with its thickness.

 

 

 

 

Luxury Halo Created White & Blue Sapphire Drop Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This drop earrings are the perfect accessories to complement beige, and monotonous outfit colors. The ring has both blue and white sapphire gemstones, with the blue color tracing the rims of the earrings, while the white takes up the inner circle of the earrings. It is round-cut, and its stone setting is pave. The stone weight of the earrings are at 2.00 carats, and a total weight of 4.2 grams. The earrings are also quite a standout in its size of 16.65 MM in width, and an astounding 28.00 MM in height.

 

 

 

 

 

Triple Row Eternity Cushion Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn heads with this triple eternity designed stering silver weding band. Crafted in sterling silver, this intriguing triple-row style showcases shimmering rows half-lined with graduated-size lab-created white sapphires – the stones are cushion around at the center. Polished to a bright shine, this ring impresses with unique design.

 

 

 

 

Italo Classic 4 Prong Created White Sapphire Stud Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These elegant stud earrings feature round brilliant cut created sapphire in a four prong white gold basket setting. It is a classic, timeless design, and we can work with you to customize it until it’s exactly what you’ve been envisioning.

The two created sapphires in this set are both round brilliant cut, and they’re exactly one carat when taken together. The four prongs holding them in place come up from the base in clean, straight lines that help to complement the perfectly round shape of the created sapphires they hold.

 

 

 

 

Italo Round Cut Created White Sapphire Tennis Bracelet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tennis bracelet has small white sapphire gems that are linked together in round-cut, and 4 prong stone setting. It has a total stone weight of 5.80 carats, and a total weight of 6.4 grams, to complete the lightweight feel of the bracelet around the wrist. The bracelet’s length sits at 6”, 7”, 8”, 9”, and the 925 sterling silver metal and its traditional look of white gemstones make it the perfect choice for any casual outfits and styles.

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Gewelry

Engagement Rings Emerald Cut Rings

by len
written by len

Looking for engagement ring design inspo? Check out these details about engagement rings emerald cut, as well as find out where you can get affordable wedding jewelry, and more. Read for full details.

 

When it comes to engagement ring designs, engagement rings emerald cut are already classic, and hall of famers. The style of engagement rings emerald cut is no stranger to many jewelry lovers out there, and many truly consider the style of engagement rings emerald cut as one of their strong contenders when it comes to picking an engagement ring style. The bright green hue of the engagement rings emerald cut is an excellent choice for those who love vivid colors on their stones with a tinge of white elegance on the design – that is textbook engagement rings emerald cut style.

 

Engagement rings emerald cut also provide a deeper clarity, and offer a clearer reflection of the color white mainly because of its larger surface table. This particular feature of engagement rings emerald cut is also one of the reasons why some of them are a bit more expensive compared to other engagement ring designs. However, for those who love the combination of a classic look with a twist, then engagement rings emerald cut is definitely worth spending on.

 

There are many styles of engagement rings emerald cut that jewelry lovers may choose from, so there’s no need to worry! You may browse through a wide selection of engagement rings emerald cut at Italo Jewelry – one of the trusted online jewelry stores out there that offer lots of different wedding jewelry that are all affordable! Want to pick your own style for engagement rings emerald cut? Italo Jewelry has definitely got you covered.

 

Top 3 Emerald Cut Engagement Rings on Italo Jewelry

 

Top 1：Double Prong Halo Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This engagement ring features a sapphire center stone meant to stand out, and catch the eye at first glance with the hues of blue from the emerald cut of primary stone. Made of 925 sterling silver, the ring has a massive stone weight 15.50 carats and the total weight of the ring is 32.74 grams. The side stones that are embedded in the ring are white, round-cut, and pronged to make the color stand out even more and give emphasis on the main feature of the ring.

 

 

Top 2 : Sterling SIlver Ring Unique Engagement Ring With Emerald & Baguette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Baguette & Emerald Cut Engagement Ring is made of white emerald-cut sapphire gems with a prong stone setting for its primary stones, while the side stones are baguette-cut with a bezel stone setting for its white sapphires. It has a total center stone weight of 6.50 CT., while the ring has an overall weight of 13.18 g. It is quite a massive ring that is perfect for pictures.

 

 

Top 3 : Three Stone Emerald Cut Created Sapphire Engagement Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three stone rings are a popular choice for both engagement rings or anniversary presents. For many people, the three stones act as symbols for the past, present, and future. Alternatively, such rings might be known among certain religious groups as Trinity Rings, with the stones symbolizing the Biblical Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In whatever form it takes, a three stone ring can bear a strong personal significance for the wearer. This Three Stone Emerald Cut Created Sapphire Engagement Ring is perfect for someone who loves steering away from tradition, and putting their own style and personality to it. It is made of blue asscher-cut sapphire gems which has a total stone weight of 10.00 CT., while the side stones are white pear-cut sapphires with a prong stone setting. The ring is made of 925 sterling silver metal, and has a total weight of 9.63 g.

 

 

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Gewelry

Affordable Milgrain Engagement Ring On Italojewelry

by len
written by len

A milgrain engagement ring is definitely among the top in the list of the most popular and highly recommended engagement ring designs. The style of a milgrain engagement ring is widely loved by many jewelry lovers all over the world. After all, the style of a milgrain engagement ring simply captures the attention of onlookers. This is one of the factors that make milgrain engagement ring such a huge hit.

 

The style of a milgrain engagement ring may be simplified as ‘tiny dots’ that often surround the piece to highlight the stone. The milgrain in a milgrain engagement ring is a design that creates borders with the use of small beads surrounding the main stone. This milgrain style in a milgrain engagement ring is an extremely popular jewelry design among jewelry lovers. The style of a milgrain engagement ring typically costs around $45 – $95 depending on the design of the milgrain. The placement of the engravings on a milgrain engagement ring would really depend on if it’s placed on three sides since it would generally cost higher.

 

Since milgrain engagement ring design is a popular style, jewelry lovers would not have too much of a hard time looking for a milgrain engagement ring in many variations from online jewelry stores. For instance, if you’re looking for a milgrain engagement ring styles, you may visit Italo Jewelry to have a firsthand look at the different designs and styles of a milgrain engagement ring. It also helps that Italo jewelry does not only have a variety of designs when it comes to milgrain engagement ring, but a bunch of other ring designs, different jewelry types that are all affordable!

 

Affordable Milgrain Engagement Ring On Italojewelry

 

Classic Milgrain Engagement Ring (0.80 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Classic Milgrain Engagement Ring (0.80 CT. TW.) is made of 925 sterling silver metal that has a total ring band width of 2 MM, and a total weight of 3.3 g. It also has a platinum appearance, and is nickel-free. The ring also has white round-cut sapphire gemstones with a total primary stone weight of 0.55 CT., and a 4 prong stone setting, and white white round-cut sapphire gems with a total carat weight of 0.80 CT. TW. and a prong stong setting as side gems.

 

 

Vintage Milgrain Halo Emerald Engagement Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The design of this Vintage Milgrain Halo Emerald Engagement Ring takes after a vintage-look, and straight out of a different era style. It is made of white emerald-cut sapphire gems with a 4 prong stone setting, while its white side gemstones are round-cut with a prong stone setting. The ring has a total center stone weight at 3.00 CT. and its 925 sterling silver metal band racks up the ring’s total weight to 5.63 g. It is shiny, and gives off a platinum appearance.

 

 

 

Vintage Milgrain Oval Engagement Ring (10.65 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Three Stone Oval Engagement Ring (6.95 CT. TW.) is made of 925 sterling silver metal that is nickel-free with a shiny platinum appearance, and has a total weight of 6.37 g. The ring also bears blue oval-cut sapphire gems that has a total center stone weight of 9.32 CT., with a 4 prong stone setting, with round-cut sapphire gems with a prong stone setting, as side gems. The blue sapphire steals the show for the design of the ring.

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Gewelry

Top 10 Wedding Band Under $100

by len
written by len

Getting married is expensive! This includes the wedding jewelry that signifies the union itself – the rings that sometimes cost a fortune. It’s truly understandable if people getting married would want to blow big money on their wedding, and of course this includes the rings, but for those who want to be practical there are also other wedding jewelry that are affordable! If you’re on a budget, wedding band under $100 exist. And fortunately for those people who are looking for a wedding band under $100, there are lots of stores and brands that offer selections of wedding band under $100. So, there’s no need to worry!

 

It’s important to note that while there’s an abundance of wedding band under $100 out there, and that a wedding band under $100 doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s of low-quality. A wedding band under $100 doesn’t mean that it’s any less worth it than more expensive. Now that that’s out of the way, here’s a list of the best wedding band under $100:

 

Italo Halo Cushion Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

Eternity Round Cut Wedding Band (2.20 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Eternity Round Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Cushion Eternity Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Eternity Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Emerald Eternity Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Curved Half Eternity Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Classic Created White Sapphire Wedding Band (0.45 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italo Eternity Created White Sapphire Wedding Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Gold Crown Design Chevron Unique Wedding Band(2.15 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a reliable list of top 10 wedding band under $100 that come in different style, shapes, and sizes! It gives you more options when it comes to choosing the right wedding band under $100 for you. Another good news is that most of the rings on this list of wedding band under $100, may be found in one of the most trusted jewelry stores online: www.italojewelry.com. They have lots of categories including wedding band under $100, as well as other affordable jewelry. If you want endless access to wedding band under $100, as well as other jewelry, then you may head over to Italo Jewelry’s official website to indulge yourself more!

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Antique & Jewelry

Juicy Tales From The “Junk Pile” With

by len
written by len

Just look at that image above. If you’re as intrigued by the glittering hodgepodge of gold chains, bracelets, bits, and bobs as I am, allow me to explain what it is: a snapshot of the junk pile. At least that’s what Elisa Casas, aka @chelseagirl.nyc, calls it on her lively Instagram feed, and said junk pile is where she sources some of her best vintage fine jewelry.

I had to find out more—digging through pounds upon pounds of random gold jewelry castoffs truly sounds like my idea of heaven. What follows is a recap of what I learned about Casas, her business, and her process.

First, her name may be familiar to any New Yorkers reading this, as Casas has a long history in the resale fashion space as the proprietor of three SoHo boutiques. The first was Chelsea Girl, which opened on Thompson Street in November 1993. “I was six months pregnant when I opened my little shop in SoHo, and, quite frankly, I didn’t know what I was doing,” she says. “But I was passionate about vintage clothing and jewelry, and that passion translated into a successful business.” Laurel Canyon (a onetime favorite shopping haunt of mine), Clutch!, and City Girl Café followed during a 17-year period…until Soho changed. “My arty clientele moved out and tourists moved in, my stores lost their leases and closed one by one, so I began selling exclusively through my website,” says Casas.

Cut to 2016, when Casas’ daughter Ruby set up an Instagram account for her. The format suited Casas well, as she’s a former photojournalist. Today, she’s selling exclusively through the platform, focusing mainly on antique gold-and-diamond jewelry, with about 15 to 20% of her inventory plucked from the junk pile.

“It’s such a fun way of shopping, and my customers are literally fascinated by it, so sharing my stories definitely keeps my ‘junk pile gang’ engaged and invested,” says Casas. “My customers tell me that they feel great about rescuing heirloom pieces literally days before they get melted down and lost forever. In their own small way, they’re preserving little bits of history.”

Elisa Casas and her daughter Ruby, hunting the junk pile for treasure

As for this newly initiated member of the junk pile gang, I needed specifics. Like, what is the junk pile by definition—and more to the point, where does one find one?

“What I affectionately call the ‘junk pile’ is more often called a ‘scrap pile,’” says Casas. “There are many businesses on 47th Street (and I assume in other cities) that buy gold, and it’s all thrown into big, dirty, tangled piles. The scrappers don’t care about the quality of the pieces, all they care about is the price of gold. When gold is down, they wait, and when gold goes up, they send it all to the melter and make their profit. In between, dealers like me can rifle through the piles for treasures. Being a treasure hunter all my life and loving the thrill of the hunt, I absolutely adore looking for that needle in a haystack! The pieces I choose are sold by weight, which is way under retail value, allowing me to offer special items to my customers at bargain prices.”

Not surprisingly, this dingy dragon’s lair of treasures is strictly the domain of the jewelry trade. “The junk pile guys are very strict about getting your company information, and they only take company checks as payment,” says Casas.

I also wanted to know: How on earth does one cut through the clutter to find pieces worth turning over? I distinctly recall experiencing an intense kind of overstimulation and fatigue digging through the clearance racks at the late, great Century 21 in downtown Manhattan. I can’t imagine what a pile of gold jewelry would do to my senses…

“I always buy my merchandise on instinct. If I want it, I assume my customers do also, so in that regard, shopping in the junk pile is really no different than shopping anywhere else. Of course, as a seller, I keep on top of the trends and I know what my customers like. So for example, I always purchase San Marco bracelets, which I find often, because of their popularity. And chains are suddenly hot, so I always look for good ones.”

The secret, she says, is to go through the pile methodically, piece by piece. “It’s so easy to overlook something special if you go too quickly. And you have to be really careful to screen for condition: Hollow items are often dented, rings are out-of-round, and deep file marks (from testing) are common. Sometimes an item just needs an easy repair (like a chain missing its clasp), and I’ll take it to my jeweler. Other times, I have to leave it behind.”

The junk pile is just one arrow in Casas’ quiver—she sources her goods from all over the world. “I have a dealer in Paris who buys high-end antique rings for me from all the auction houses. I buy online. I go to flea markets and auctions. I will look anywhere and everywhere for a fine piece of antique jewelry.”

But man, does she unearth hot little numbers among the rubble. Below, some of her most memorable finds.

“Once in a while, if the stones are small, the junk pile guys don’t bother to remove them, which is the best!” Casas says. “I rarely buy earrings because my daughter, who has her own company, Girl of the Earth, also digs in the junk pile and sells them on her website. But when I found one of these in the junk pile,” say says of the earrings below, “I prayed to find the other, and I did!”

Retro diamond and ruby earrings

“Jewelry regret! I didn’t actually buy these: They were so expensive and I didn’t know what I would do with them,” Casas says of the chess pieces below. “But I took a photo, and when I posted it on Instagram, everyone went crazy. When I went back to get them the next day, they were gone.”

18k gold chess pieces

“Even though I knew it wasn’t superold, I appreciated the quality workmanship, so I bought it,” Casas says of the larger ring below, on the right. “When I showed it to my friend Janet, she gasped: It was a designer from the ’70s, whose pieces rarely come to market. Janet was a collector of hers, so I was thrilled to gift it to her!”

Helen Woodhull rings (the junk pile find is on the right)

“This solid gold fob is a work of art. Fobs are not really my thing, but when you find something special like this, you instinctively know to buy it. It sold in one hot minute.”

Griffin fob

“Snake chain bracelets are a hot trend right now, and believe it or not, the old ones end up in the junk pile pretty frequently. Last week I found the heaviest one I ever saw, but it had some kinks, so I took it to my jeweler, and I pray that he can fix it. The great thing about the junk pile is, if you don’t sell it to a customer, you can just sell it back to them! So, often I take chances on pieces that I normally wouldn’t buy.”

Assorted snake chain bracelets

 

Top: “What I like most about the junk pile is how democratic it is: There are $10 charms and superheavy pieces that cost thousands of dollars,” says Elisa Casas. “And I have always liked the idea of appealing to a large demographic, offering fun, affordable pieces along with expensive estate items.” (All photos courtesy of @chelseagirl.nyc)

Follow me on Instagram: @aelliott718

 

 

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Flash

The Italian Jewelry Manifesto Was Molto Bene

by len
written by len

I’d already heard so much about the Italian Jewelry Manifesto, and, with the promise of seeing 50 designers and makers from Vicenza, Valenza, Arezzo, Orvieto, and beyond—right in the heart of midtown Manhattan—I decided I had to check it out for myself.

I’m so glad I did. The venue, Piazza Italia on Madison Avenue, was light, bright, and spacious. Intimidation factor: low. Energies were high, smiles were abundant. There were super-high heels and well-tailored suits. And so much gold. Piles and piles of it being worn or laid out on velvet-lined trays.

The event was not bustling when I was there last week, but I was told that many retail buyers were in attendance. The pace of my visit was easy and allowed plenty of time for discovery, questions, and conversations.

Let’s get into the pretty things I saw.  I’ll start with what I think will be most helpful to readers planning to attend Las Vegas Jewelry Week next month: three Italian Manifesto designers who will also be exhibiting at Luxury and JCK Las Vegas.

There was the Arezzo, Italy-based brand Neonero (booth 21026B), which has the most beautiful gold pieces inspired by the lacework traditions of Tuscany. Light-as-air openwork unites the many, many SKUs in the collection (I fell madly in love with a pair of swingy chandelier earrings dangling strands of buttery, shimmery fringe that I can confirm are very well priced, especially for 18k).

Forme Preziose bracelet in 18k gold, $5,225; Neonero

Boccadamo (booth 23007) has a massive catalog of options, all heavy on “chic Italian lady” fashion jewelry and statement parures set with colorful cabochons.

Caleida collection necklace and bracelet in rose gold–plated bronze with CZ and pyramidal colored crystals, prices on request; Boccadamo

And I’d heard about Marco Dal Maso (exhibiting with the Gioielli Group, LUX 630) from Reinhold Jewelers, who named them a must-see as far men’s and unisex jewelry when I interviewed one of the store’s executives for this story. Some men’s ranges feel kind of one-note and generic, but the options here are so elevated and diverse: braided leather; tough-luxe links; hard stones such as lapis, onyx, and aventurine; and a million unexpected details worked into the metals that make each piece feel distinctive and special.

Ara ring in 18k vermeil and burnished silver, $317; Marco Dal Maso

My favorite discovery at the show came from Vicenza-based Peruffo Jewelry, where everything was an architectural, innovative, and masterfully executed delight. Maybe I just haven’t seen Italian-made jewelry in a while, but the ring below, in particular, made me giddy. I love when the jewelry is so good I have a visceral reaction!

You can’t tell from the photo below, but it moves with absolute precision as you shake your hand about (see photo at top for a sense of this).

Slide Sunset ring in 18k gold, $ 1,570; Peruffo

Here are some more finds from my little vacanza in jewelry heaven below.

 

Seed necklace in 18k yellow gold, $11,820; Orogami

One-of-a-kind leather bracelet with circa 1880 shell cameo in an antique 14k yellow gold frame, $5,800; Anna Porcu

Reef Party ring in 18k gold–plated sterling silver with CZ pavé and red coral enamel, $225; Misis

Lightray pendant in 18k gold with white and brown diamonds, and Roman micro mosaics, $21,000; Le Sibille

 

Sunflower ring in 18k yellow gold set with brown and yellow diamonds and green sapphires, $19,250, and Pink Rose ring in 18k rose gold with pink sapphires, $8,925; both Angry for Vittorio & Co.

 

Assorted Archetti collection rings in 18k rose gold with diamonds and sapphires, $1,500 to $4,500 each, Fiore Roberta

 

Top: The Slide Sunset ring from Peruffo has moves to spare (photo by @aelliott718).

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Flash

If You Like NBC’s ‘This Is Us,’ You’ll Love This Conversation With Lisa Kramer Vintage

by len
written by len

You never know who you’re going to run into at a trade show, especially if it’s open to the public. But between the lookie-loos and chatty Cathys, you could end up making a very fortuitous contact. Maybe it’s a stylist or a member of the press.

In Los Angeles, it very well could be someone from the costume design department of a major TV show. That’s what happened to Bay Area–based vintage jewelry dealer Lisa Kramer of Lisa Kramer Vintage when the assistant to costume designer Hala Bahmet stopped by her booth early last year at the Pickwick Vintage Show. As Kramer soon learned, Bahmet is the costume designer for NBC’s This Is Us. You may have heard of it.

If you’ve been watching season six of the hit show, you may have seen some of Kramer’s jewels in action. “On a show like This Is Us, because it’s a large cast with a storyline that happens over multiple time frames, the costume department needs a lot of stuff, but it can’t be very expensive,” says Kramer, who also explained these pros aren’t borrowing or renting jewels, they’re purchasing them. “The show more or less takes place from the 1950s through the present day, and I had a lot of very affordable costume jewelry inventory that I’ve collected over the years.”

Over the next few months, Kramer would make the drive to L.A. to meet Bahmet for a series of appointments. But not on the Paramount studio lot, which restricted visitors due to the pandemic. “We met in the garden of her house, and she was remarkably fast, choosing the pieces in under an hour,” she says. “Every time, I would bring about 15 to 16 trays, and she would buy about two trays’ worth of of jewelry.”

Mandy Moore of This Is Us
wears an Israeli silver necklace from the 1970s that Lisa Kramer purchased at an antiques show in 2019.

After six seasons, the series finale of This Is Us will air on May 24. So now seemed like the perfect time to get to know Kramer a little better. Check out our conversation below (the responses have been lightly edited for clarity).

It must have been quite something to observe Hala Bahmet curating her This Is Us selects from your piles of jewels. Did you learn anything from the experience?

One of the things I learned from Hala is they have to be very careful about high-shine metal. There’s a character who plays the wedding planner in the show, and she’s wearing a big, gorgeous silver necklace. On-screen it looks like it’s an amazing designer piece, but in person the finish was dull, which ended up being to its advantage on camera because you have to be careful of the flare from lights reflecting and also the metal’s surface catching a reflection of the cameraperson or other actors. Sometimes she would look at a necklace, and it would have too many moving, dangling parts, which are a problem because of continuity—if they’re filming a scene and doing a distance shot, and then refilming it for a close-up, you don’t want any elements of the jewel to have moved. Jewelry that moves and dangles can also be too noisy—the mic picks up everything.

Actress Briana Venskus wears a silver necklace that was perfect for the camera thanks to the dull finish it acquired with age.

Let’s talk about your career path. How did you end up in the world of vintage and estate jewelry?

I had a long career working as an architect and construction manager. I’ve loved vintage clothing and jewelry since I was a teenager, and about 20 years ago, shortly after I purchased my house, I started going to a lot of auctions and estate sales, and I started seeing and buying all this great vintage clothing and jewelry. A friend was running a little vintage clothing shop and having monthly sales out of her garage, and she asked me if I wanted to set up card table and sell my goods. I did—and I loved it! So I started buying and selling a bit more, just as a side business. And then in 2012, I got laid off and had to really decide if I wanted to look for another full-time job. My aging parents were in Florida and going back and forth to visit them takes a lot of time. Starting a new job would get me back to two weeks of vacation per year, so I decided to make the vintage jewelry enterprise my primary business. Because, by that point, I had pretty much stopped selling clothing and was focused on jewelry. And now that it’s a full-time job, I’m selling a lot more mid- to higher-end pieces.

What would you say your specialty is as a vintage jewelry dealer? What are you known for?

I think what I am known for is that I love researching the jewelry I sell.  I love learning about and identifying things from different eras. In terms of aesthetics, I tend to like older pieces that have a sleek and modern feel. I spread across a large number of eras and don’t specialize in a time frame. But I like pieces that are design driven and that very much speak to their era. I tend to go for a cleaner aesthetic, although there are things that are very elaborate. For instance, I love archaeological revival jewelry, which also is part of my background. My undergraduate degree [from the University of Pennsylvania] is in anthropology, where I was focusing a good portion of my studies on archaeology. As a work-study job, I assisted one of the faculty members who was an Egyptologist and spent one summer participating in a dig.

“I am particularly fond of antique jewelry that has a surprisingly modern feel, like this late Georgian chain,” says Kramer of this gold chain featuring an impressed pattern of interlocking circles on each link.

Do you make a beeline for signed jewels? What designers are you always theoretically on the hunt for?

I’m more focused on aesthetics. I first go for the visual, and then I see what the marks are and what they tell me. I tend to go for more unusual pieces. After the design, I look to the materials. So, for instance, I love the brutalist work of the sculptor Pal Kepenyes, who worked in bronze. The material has absolutely no intrinsic value, but I love the sculptural quality of his jewelry. I probably differ from a lot of other jewelry sellers in that I actually feel that focusing on intrinsic value can detract from appreciating the artistry in jewelry. It’s nice when it’s made in gold, but I think people should buy a piece because they think it’s beautiful. And makes them feel good.

What are the most treasured pieces in your personal collection?

One is a 1960s bracelet that was my mother’s, and one is a watch bracelet that was my paternal grandmother’s. They’re treasured for sentimental reasons. In terms of what I end up wearing the most, I’m an earring person. I recently acquired an incredible pair of Victorian earrings in gold with fine lines of blue and black enamel. They’re Victorian visually, but there’s something also very modern-looking about them.

I know vintage jewelry doesn’t really lend itself to trend tracking, but have you observed any shifts in consumer tastes that might be helpful to JCK’s audience of jewelry professionals?

I think you’re probably aware that for the past few years it’s been all about gold, and it’s been charms and chains. But I do think I’m beginning to see the start of a trend toward silver jewelry. I can’t tell you any details, but there’s one piece I sold a couple of months ago that ended up on the red carpet at the 2022 Oscars. Silver. That was a real shock and not something I would have expected to see! You can get bigger, more sculptural pieces in silver. To get anything of size in gold—if it’s going to be real gold—it’s just going to be an absolute fortune. I know some people don’t consider silver fine jewelry. But silver is still a precious metal.

What’s on your show calendar this year? Where can we shop with you in person?

 I’ll be in Los Angeles monthly for the Pickwick Vintage Show with the exception of June because I’m finally taking a vacation. I’m thinking about doing the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry show in October, and possibly the Manhattan Vintage Show in October as well. And there’s also the Hillsborough show [in San Mateo, Calif.] in November.

Top (clockwise, from left): Former architect and construction manager Lisa Kramer started her vintage jewelry business out of a friend’s garage. “A massive modernist ring” by Juha Koskela, a Finnish jewelry designer known as a modern master of anticlastic raising, which is a “a metalworking technique in which sheet metal is shaped into complex curves that are at right angles to each other,” according to Kramer. A mid-20th-century brooch by Marsh and Co., “a pioneer in the use of blackened steel in fine jewelry,” says Kramer. Prices on request. (All photos courtesy of Lisa Kramer Vintage; This Is Us screenshots used with permission from the NBC costume department.)

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Gewelry

Engagement Rings Cushion Cut

by len
written by len

Engagement rings cushion cut are among the top choices of many jewelry lovers. This is mainly because it is an upgraded, and modified version of a vintage diamond, which makes the engagement rings cushion cut unique and different from round cuts and others. The engagement rings cushion cut sports the old mine cut as a modification in an antique diamond, which makes the style of engagement ring cushion cut an ideal frontrunner as a top choice for those who are looking for engagement ring designs.

 

Engagement rings cushion cut are also similar to the square shape with cuts on the edges (sometimes cushions), and puts a modern twist with brilliant and experimental cut faceting. The engagement rings cushion cut is about 25% to 50% less expensive than round cuts, which also makes engagement rings cushion cut an ideal choice for those shopping under a budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Three Stone Cushion Cut Aquamarine Engagement Ring from Italo Jewelry is a perfect example that falls under high-quality engagement rings cushion cut. Its cushion cut aquamarine sapphire gemstone with a center stone weight of 5.50 CT. dazzles with its white side gems truly makes the ring an exceptional choice for engagement rings cushion cut. This particular engagement ring isn’t the only standout engagement rings cushion cut from Italo Jewelry. The online store holds a bunch of other engagement rings cushion cut with varying designs that will surely capture your preference! If you’d like to browse through those styles, visit the official website of Italo Jewelry for visual reference.

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Gewelry

How To Choose The Perfect Earrings For Your Face Shape?

by len
written by len

For those who aren’t too fond of jewelry, the struggle to choose the perfect earrings is a common notion shared by many. There are many factors that come into play when it’s time to choose the perfect earrings, which is why many would find it difficult to choose the perfect earrings. Moreso, when you have to choose the perfect earrings for your face shape. So for those struggling on the process to choose the perfect earrings, here are some tips on how to choose the perfect earrings.

 

The first tip on how to choose the perfect earrings that match your face shape is to first determine what your face shape is. Being familiar with your own face shape is crucial to the whole process on how to choose the perfect earrings for your face shape.

 

For instance, those who have oval face shapes have a symmetry which allows them the luxury of wearing any type of earrings such as studs, hoops, and more. This makes it the easiest choice on how to choose the perfect earrings. For those with round face shapes wanting to choose the perfect earrings, dangling earrings or drop earrings or any form of long earrings may be the wisest choice for you to elongate your chin and make the edges of your jaw appear. For those with square face shapes and would like to choose the perfect earrings, try circular and round earrings like hoop earrings to maintain a balance and complement your face shape.

 

These are among the factors that buyers need to consider on how to choose the perfect earrings. The length and the shape of the earrings play a key role in determining the ways to choose the perfect earrings. Overall, a perfect complement between your natural face shape and the designs, style and shape of the earrings are the ultimate factors on how to choose the perfect earrings for your face shape.

 

Perfect Earrings On italojewelry

 

Luxury Halo Created White & Blue Sapphire Drop Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

This drop earrings are the perfect accessories to complement beige, and monotonous outfit colors. The ring has both blue and white sapphire gemstones, with the blue color tracing the rims of the earrings, while the white takes up the inner circle of the earrings. It is round-cut, and its stone setting is pave. The stone weight of the earrings are at 2.00 carats, and a total weight of 4.2 grams. The earrings are also quite a standout in its size of 16.65 MM in width, and an astounding 28.00 MM in height.

 

 

 

Round Cut Big Hoop Earrings For Women In Sterling Silver

 

 

 

 

 

This big hoop earrings exudes a classic look for formal looks, with its white sapphire gemstones, round-cut, and prong stone setting. The earrings are sterling silver plated, which adds more to the classic vibe of the jewelry. The stone weight of the earrings sits at 1.00 CT, and the total weight is at 7.00 grams. It’s the type of earrings that will naturally stand out and be felt by the wearer!

 

 

Round Cut White Pearl Stud Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

A complex array of white round sapphire compliments the gorgeous rounded pearls of this beautiful earrings.Made from 925 Sterling Silver,this earring is definitely a great piece worth checking out.

 

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Gewelry

Vintage Engagement Rings For Women

by len
written by len

When one thinks of a unique engagement ring, the set of vintage engagement rings for women immediately pops up. Vintage engagement rings for women are among the unique designs for engagement rings because the style of vintage itself isn’t as common. This means that high-quality vintage engagement rings for women are rare, so having one in your possession makes you unique. And it’s one of the main factors why vintage engagement rings for women are what’s highly recommended for those who would like to try a different style other than the traditional designs of engagement rings.

 

Vintage is a style that’s also having a comeback, and vintage engagement rings for women are no exception. Ancient stones and jewels from different era like the Victorian era are among the styles that make up vintage engagement rings for women. Since the demand for something different is on the rise, the popularity of vintage engagement rings for women is also quickly picking up. Because of this, lots of jewelry stores offer a variety of vintage engagement rings for women. Among these jewelry shops that offer vintage engagement rings for women is Italo Jewelry.

 

They have a wide selection of vintage engagement rings for women where jewelry enthusiasts would have countless options to choose from. There would be a style offered in Italo Jewelry that would suit you best, especially when it comes to vintage engagement rings for women. That’s how wild their jewelry collection is! Not only that but they also offer a bunch of wedding jewelry (vintage engagement rings for women included) at an affordable price, making it the perfect store for those who are on a budget, and love jewelry.

 

Head on to Italo Jewelry’s official website to get a first look at all their dazzling wedding jewelry, and browse through a various selection of engagement rings, especially those highly-recommended vintage engagement rings for women!

 

Best Vintage Engagement Rings For Women

 

 

Vintage Milgrain Halo Emerald Engagement Ring(4.15 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The design of this Vintage Milgrain Halo Emerald Engagement Ring takes after a vintage-look, and straight out of a different era style. It is made of white emerald-cut sapphire gems with a 4 prong stone setting, while its white side gemstones are round-cut with a prong stone setting. The ring has a total center stone weight at 3.00 CT. and its 925 sterling silver metal band racks up the ring’s total weight to 5.63 g. It is shiny, and gives off a platinum appearance.

 

 

Vintage Milgrain Oval Engagement Ring (10.65 CT. TW.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Three Stone Oval Engagement Ring (6.95 CT. TW.) is made of 925 sterling silver metal that is nickel-free with a shiny platinum appearance, and has a total weight of 6.37 g. The ring also bears blue oval-cut sapphire gems that has a total center stone weight of 9.32 CT., with a 4 prong stone setting, with round-cut sapphire gems with a prong stone setting, as side gems. The blue sapphire steals the show for the design of the ring.

 

 

Vintage Pear Cut Engagement Ring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Vintage Pear Cut Engagement Ring is made of 925 sterling silver metal with a platinum appearance, nickel-free, with a total weight of 6.75 g. The ring also has white pear-cut sapphire gems that has a total center stone weight of 3.00 CT., with a prong stone setting, and white round-cut sapphire gems with a channel stone setting as side gems. The main design of the ring is centered towards its massive center stone, and it’s further emphasized with the plainness of the ring band.

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