Jewelry designer masters art of 'whimsy'

LOS ANGELES – If there is one thing 2008 will be remembered for when it comes to fashion, it’ll be for bringing back big, bold “Dynasty”-era jewelry. We saw it on the runways at Balenciaga, Lanvin, Vera Wang and Louis Vuitton as the fall shows ushered in the trend of the “statement” piece. We also saw it on the red carpet. Remember that 1,400-carat rough-cut diamond necklace Nicole Kidman wore to the Oscars in February? We even saw it on the campaign trail, where Michelle Obama single-handedly brought back the brooch when she pinned an Erickson Beamon starburst on her teal-blue dress at the Democratic National Convention. (Erickson Beamon has since scored a Target collection, due in February.) Read more about Jewelry designer masters art of 'whimsy'

The Perfect Fashion Jewelry for Spring Break

For college students in countries around the world spring break has become the perfect opportunity to book tropical vacations in paradise. Many students spend weeks picking out their wardrobe for spring break. While the clothes are important the accessories are even more important. To purchase those hot, summer accessories, shop at Fashion Obsessed.

There are several different pieces of jewelry that are perfect for spring break. While swimming in the ocean or working on your tan make sure you look your best with the right fashion accessories. Some of the hottest spring break looks include what is known as “beach” jewelry. Read more about The Perfect Fashion Jewelry for Spring Break

Retailers launch final holiday sales push

By ASHLEY M. HEHER
Swirling snow, packed parking lots and massive markdowns greeted many shoppers across the country this weekend as retailers tried to woo consumers to open their wallets during the final holiday countdown.

From flagship department stores to main street shops, consumers found extended hours — in some places, around-the-clock shopping — and even some extra-cheery customer service as merchants hope to salvage one of the worst shopping seasons in decades, brought on by the recession and growing economic uncertainty. Read more about Retailers launch final holiday sales push

Children's Jewelry Sold Exclusively in Hawaii Recalled by Aloha 808 Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON, Dec 18, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Children’s Jewelry
Units: About 12,800
Importer: Aloha 808 Trading, of Honolulu, Hawaii
Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported. Read more about Children's Jewelry Sold Exclusively in Hawaii Recalled by Aloha 808 Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hard times? More selling Grandma's ring for cash

By Steve James

NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) – In economic hard times, investors traditionally buy gold, but more people hit by the recession are now selling the precious metal, jewelry, and even gold teeth, to raise cash.

People are scouring through attics and jewelry boxes for gold, silver, diamonds and anything else of value to help pay the mortgage, the gas bills, or to buy gifts to put under the tree, gold industry observers said on Thursday. Read more about Hard times? More selling Grandma's ring for cash

Jewelry Exchange's New Marketing Manager to Promote Diamonds

Christi Negrete Joins Tustin-Based Jewelry Exchange

TUSTIN, CA, Dec 17, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — The Jewelry Exchange is pleased to announce that Christi Negrete has joined the company as Marketing Manager. Her role will expand the marketing department to include management of the Company’s online marketing efforts as well, where she will be responsible for CPC, banner and email campaigns. Negrete will focus advertising efforts on innovative creative that will keep the Jewelry Exchange in the top spot as the nation’s leading importer of diamonds.
The company’s drive to increase market share of online sales has shown some positive results. While sales in the company’s brick and mortar stores are down, internet sales are holding steady in comparison with prior years’ sales. Internet store sales now outpace all divisions. Negrete will assist the Company in its goal to increase market share for Diamonds on the internet. Read more about Jewelry Exchange's New Marketing Manager to Promote Diamonds

Gold Jewelry Continues to Shine as Purse Strings Tighten

NEW YORK, Dec 16, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — World Gold Council luxury survey finds rising gold price reinforces investment attributes of gold jewelry
Gold jewelry is one of the top three most popular items for women’s discretionary spending in the U.S. according to World Gold Council’s (WGC) 2008 survey, What Women Want: Global Discretionary Spending Report, conducted by independent research firm, GfK, among 1,068 American women aged 16 to 65. The study was also run in the key gold jewelry markets of India, China, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Turkey. The global survey, which was last conducted in 2005, examined the attitudes of nearly 7,500 females, aged between 15 and 65, toward luxury items and consumables, exploring their views on product attributes, price and competition for discretionary spend. Read more about Gold Jewelry Continues to Shine as Purse Strings Tighten

Adventures in gift giving: DIY jewelry

Last month I wrote about Bead for Life, the colorful beads made from recycled paper by poverty stricken women in Uganda. I bought a bag of beads from the website with plans to make most of my holiday gifts this year. Yesterday, I did just that.

With high hopes of making a bunch of great bracelets for my friends, I walked into the Bead Boutique on 3rd Street thinking I would just buy some elastic or soft wire to string up all my beads, tying a little knot on the end and viola! It’s not that simple. It turns out there’s tons of different techniques that go into making even the most simple-looking accessory. Read more about Adventures in gift giving: DIY jewelry

Wholesale Indian Jewelry

There are actually a wide range of wholesale Indian jewelry that one could choose from online. While there are the classic designs of Indian jewelry like the ones that feature designs of nature, there are also those made of sterling silver that come in unique designs. These silver Indian jewelry comes in rings for men and women, bracelets, bangles and even pendants. Of course, if you are into precious stones or even just semi-precious stones, there are also a lot of wholesales Indian jewelry available for you. These stones could either be in designer items that most anyone could buy or you could have those that are made exclusively for you. Read more about Wholesale Indian Jewelry

Vintage jewelry holds its allure in Los Angeles

V Vintage, House of Love and Luck, Tobi Tobin and Susan Jane feature older pieces among their collections.
By Melissa Magsaysay

Anyone who’s ever been to a flea market or estate sale knows that old jewelry is sometimes the best jewelry. Following on the heels of V Vintage in Beverly Hills (vvintage90210.com), which opened in June selling vintage pieces by Chanel, Dior, Miriam Haskell and others, comes House of Love and Luck. Opened just last week at 370 1/2 N. La Cienega Blvd., this vintage jewelry store has a selection that’s less expensive, $22 for 1980s album-cover earrings, say, or $132 for a 1950s choker with brown and yellow stones. Read more about Vintage jewelry holds its allure in Los Angeles