The emerald is the birthstone for the month of May, and Brilliance shines the spotlight on this brilliant green gem with a handy infographic. Information about it is segmented into facts and figures, color, variants, a location map of its mines, its physical characteristics, history, healing properties, legend, usage, and ideal purposes for gift-giving. As an added bonus, the infographic features the different celebrities who have the emerald as their birthstone, as well as those who have been spotted wearing emerald jewelry.
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Tags: Birthstone, Emerald, May
Categories: Brilliance, Gems, INFOGRAPHIC, Jewelry
In this day and age of androgynous dressing, it seems anything goes even in the realm of jewelry. Engagement rings no longer fall under women’s jurisdiction; bracelets are not considered strictly feminine anymore, and earrings on both sexes are becoming the norm. It is an exciting time to invest in jewelry pieces, but if you want to stick to safe choices first, here are five classic male jewelry examples you might want to start with.
Simple wedding band
For the longest time, men wore jewelry as a symbolic (and yes, sentimental) gesture. It tells of a man’s commitment to his partner, and is the perennial finger jewelry that is expected to stand the test of time. Men’s wedding bands are typically simple round rings with little to no adornment, but in recent years, more and more are featuring diamonds and other gems and ornamentation. As well, a variety of precious metals beyond the usual gold and silver are being utilized to accommodate the wearer’s lifestyle, preferences, and other factors.
Dog tag-style pendant necklace
To all intents and purposes, anything ornamental worn around the neck is called a necklace. However, instead of looking “precious”, the kind of neck adornment many men have favored over the years is the one that appears part of their persona. Consider something that looks good even when worn in, and doesn’t require high maintenance such as polishing or buffing. Dog tag-style pendants are good examples of such. They are not sparkly and are no-nonsense. They can also be worn on chains, leather cords, thin rubber, or woven thread.
Cuff links
Formal events call for a simple jewelry adornment or two. If you want to wear a couple of jewelry pieces, make sure to stick to one metal tone for all. Cuff links are great accessories to keep shirt sleeves looking neat and tidy. More casual occasions merit trendier designs, but if it is an event with a dress code you are attending, it is best to stick to sedate and simple geometrical shapes. Cuff links are supposed to complement an outfit, not clash horribly with it or use clothing as a backdrop for making a statement.
College or fraternity ring
Jewelry is always symbolic, and are worn to express pride or affinity with something important in your life such as the university you graduated from, or the city you grew up in. This is why even grown men keep wearing their college or fraternity rings regularly. Many men can pull this off even with the presence of a wedding ring on their other finger, but again, it’s best to keep things simple so as not to come off as gaudy. Don’t pile on rings and try to stick with one metal color.
Lapel and tie pins
Functional as well as ornamental are the keys to classic men’s jewelry. Lapel and tie pins are great examples of this. They keep your necktie and lapel in place, and also make subtle statements about your chosen affiliations in life. Again, it is best to stick to one choice of metal if you plan to wear both in one go, and to avoid wearing pins with a design that can possibly offend someone.
To Shop Our Wide Selection of Mens Wedding Bands, Please Click Here: Mens Wedding Bands at Brilliance
Tags: Jewelry, male, trends
Categories: Brilliance, Jewelry
Image Source: Brilliance.com
Any woman getting married this year is in for a pretty interesting array of options as far as bridal jewelry goes. She can always go for classics, or she can choose to follow the styles that are fast defining the 2013 bride: eco-friendly yet bold, and with a flair for personalized, sentimental designs. Here are some of the year’s best jewelry trends you can take inspiration from.
Emerald engagement rings and wedding bands
Pantone’s declaration of emerald green as color of the year has definitely helped to add a touch of freshness in many wedding themes this year. So far, it has been seen on bridesmaid’s dresses, groom’s men’s cummerbunds and bow ties, and other nuptial ceremony trimmings. Choosing emerald as an accent stone for your engagement ring or wedding band can help you look back on the year when this beautiful green gem took center stage…a literal “mile” stone!
Ethical jewelry choices
Natalie Portman and her former beau showcased their concern and advocacy for reducing carbon footprint even during a highly sentimental occasion as getting engaged and married. They chose a ring made of recycled precious metal and stones, thus significantly cutting down on energy and labor needed to produce an entirely new ring from scratch.
The ethical bride of today should already know about blood diamonds and other questionable practices involved in the process of jewelry making. From proper stone extraction in mines to child labor in gem-cutting sweatshops, the 2013 bride must be aware of all it takes to give her wedding day its sparkling significance, and make the right choices.
Artisan and handcrafted bridal jewelry
Heirloom pieces are still highly-favored in this day and age, but the forward-thinking bride wants things done in a personalized way. This is why many are looking towards handcrafted, one-of-a-kind rings, bracelets, and necklaces that stand out in terms of originality. You can scour for vintage pieces in many places and have a jewelry piece repurposed, or have a trusted artisan-jeweler make a unique set of bridal jewelry for you based on your specifications.
Floral and bejeweled headpieces
Voluminous veils are fast becoming things of the past…for 2013, at least. This year, many fashion-forward brides are favoring quirky fascinators and headpieces that do not hide their pretty faces and glamorous hairstyles. As seen on celebrity brides Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman’s heads in their recent weddings, headpieces featuring silk and fabric flowers and encrusted with tiny jewels add to that bridal glow.
More jewel-toned touches on bridesmaids’ dresses
Jade, emerald, sapphire, ruby, garnet…these jewel tones are not just hot things to incorporate in wedding bands, but also on bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories! While 2013 is still relatively young, we’ve already been seeing plenty of jewel-bright gowns and knee-length ensembles on members of the bridal entourage.
To Shop Our Wide Selection of Exquisite Engagement Rings, Please Click Here: Engagement Rings at Brilliance
Tags: 2013 Bride, Jewelry Styles
Categories: Brilliance, Jewelry, Style
Brilliance launches the birthstone feature for April: the timeless diamond. It provides interesting facts and figures, as well as information on the diamond’s color, variants, a location map of its mines all over the world, and its most recognizable physical characteristics.
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Tags: April, Birthstone, Diamond
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Gems, INFOGRAPHIC, Jewelry
The 2013 runways for springtime fashion are blossoming with transparent details on clothes and see-through accessories. Fringes and tassels are also sought-after features on jewelry and clothing peripherals. As well, minimalism is highly visible in jewelry pieces, with starkly contrasting tones adding visual impact.
Spring-time jewelry for this year are all about muted yet non-boring pieces that aim to accentuate the wearer’s clothes, not overwhelm them. Let’s take a look at some of spring’s predicted jewelry trends.
Crystal or Lucite bands and pendants
Fashion-conscious people are going to bare some skin in a non-summery fashion as a subtle statement that they are glad winter is over. This is probably why many designer clothing and accessories such as bags and shoes have transparent straps,heels, and other detailing for spring.
Jewelry pieces with transparent details made of Lucite (clear acrylic) and crystal accents are expected to be a hit, as well. Some great examples: chunky transparent bangles and crystal drop earrings. They will go well with solid-colored or two-toned get ups. In particular, colored beads strung on transparent cords are bound to be attractive on bare throats accentuated by the scooped necklines of springtime-wear.
Tasseled and fringed neck pieces
Parisian designers are adding fringes on their spring haute couture, and jewelry makers are mirroring this trend. Necklaces and bracelets are fringed and tasseled, harmonizing well with classically cut clothes. Nina Ricci and Versace have launched their spring accessories line for the year, and both featured neck pieces embellished with long metallic fringes and tassels on their runway models.
Austere metal accessories
The emphasis of smooth metals on chunky bracelets, rings, and chokers are apparent in the accessories worn by the mannequins of Balenciaga, Ferragamo, Lanvin, Rodarte, Dries van Noten, and Givenchy for spring’s early fashion shows. Gold, silver, and platinum are favored metals. They emphasize the springtime trend of high-contrast clothing, with black and white patterns and blocks of colors giving an austere yet stimulating effect.
Colorful clustered beads
On the flip side, spring is also the time to celebrate the comeback of bohemian style. Gypsy-like colored beads were also seen on the models as they sashayed down the ramp in their springtime get-ups. In particular, long drop beaded earrings grazed the shoulders, and clusters of acrylic beads mixed with some metal detailing and colored stones are expected to be a hit among the more daring. Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci are among those who featured jewelry pieces inspired by gypsy aesthetics.
Tags: Jewelry, Spring
Categories: Jewelry, Style
You may have lost an earring, or you might have stumbled upon a pawnshop clearance sale featuring mismatched jewelry from different sets. Should you take advantage of the grab-bag opportunity to own interesting pieces of bling?
As with fashion where it is understandably safer to stick with just one pattern or solid colors when wearing matching sets, going for mismatched jewelry might feel like pushing the style envelope. However, if you have the kind of personality, career, and opportunities to pull off wearing mismatched jewelry, it can become a great way to express yourself. Here are a few creative tips to do so.
Use earrings with a missing pair as a lapel pin or brooch
Forget about throwing away earrings whose pairs have gone missing. They can be re-purposed into brooches or pins to wear on scarves or collars. You might have to do some DIY jewelry crafting to incorporate clasps or screws on the earring, or else take out the spike that goes through earring holes so it doesn’t hurt you. When done correctly, though, you can be sure to have a piece of jewelry that’s unique and interesting.
Stick to the same precious metal color
Don’t be afraid to wear pieces that come from different jewelry sets. You can still have a harmonized look as long as you stick to one precious metal. For instance, a simple silver necklace can be beautifully matched with a chunky silver bangle or ring. A brooch set in yellow gold can be offset by a gold watch. There really are no strict rules to this practice, although it would be wise to stick to the “less is more” approach so as not to overwhelm your outfit.
Layer rings of different colored stones on a finger
For a bohemian look, why not wear different rings on one finger? It will create a fascinating layered effect and provide a focal point that cannot be achieved with wearing a different ring on each finger. To pull off this look, it’s best to go for bands so that they fit snugly on top of one another. Select rings of different-hued stones for a truly colorful statement.
(You can also do this method with bangles on one arm)
Wear different earrings in just one ear
This particular tip might be a bit daring for some. It is a look more associated with the punk lifestyle, as layering accessories and having multiple piercings are part and parcel of that particular subculture. However, when done with deliberate restraint and careful coordination, wearing earrings in just one ear can work for you. If your hair is long, gather it up on one side and secure with a hair tie or a clip so one ear is exposed. You can then choose studs with different colored stones to put in your multiple earlobe piercings, or choose earrings with clasps to decorate your entire ear.
Tags: Mismatched Jewelry
Categories: Jewelry
Many times, even the most modern bride will gladly take on the “something old and something borrowed” traditions and incorporate them into her wedding. This, of course, includes the selection of jewelry to wear during the nuptial ceremony. Heirloom jewelry can get handed down from bride to bride in one family, resulting in a matching set to wear when walking down the aisle. However, trendier brides might find that wearing a set can stifle their own personal style. How can you decide between tradition and trend when it comes to bridal jewelry?
The Advantages
Adds historical significance to your bridal wear
Heirloom, vintage, and antique jewelry sets have the kind of patina and history no trendy bling can hope to achieve. When you wear a matching set handed down to you by a family member, you’re essentially showcasing and continuing a legacy that is expected to last.
Looks more put-together
It isn’t called a matching set for nothing. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and brooches all follow a pattern, feature a certain stone, and are set in a similar way so as to come up with a harmonious look.
The wedding outfit and theme can be planned around it
The matching set, especially when very old and has its own significant history, can become the centerpiece of your bridal theme and outfit. Many brides plan around these sets so they harmonize well with the cut, color, and style of the wedding gown as well as the rest of the bridal trimmings.
If handed down as heirloom pieces, will not cost a thing
The best thing about family heirloom pieces is that they are free. You get to keep them after the wedding, too.
The disadvantages
Can cramp your own personal style
Trendier brides might want to go for modern jewelry pieces to mix and match themselves. Having a matched set can be restricting as far as following your own tastes is concerned.
If design is too ornate, might not be suitable for daytime wedding
Many matching pieces, especially vintage ones, have ornate and sumptuous settings that look best at night-time. When worn during daytime wedding ceremonies, they can look a bit gaudy.
Can clash with face shape, makeup, style of dress, etc.
Planning around an existing jewelry set can present problems such if the pieces do not flatter the shape of your face, tone of your skin, hairstyle, makeup, and preferred dress style. You may have to compromise some things in order to come up with an overall look that doesn’t clash.
Tags: Bridal Jewelry, Matching, Style
Categories: Jewelry, Weddings
Why do many couples choose to “re-tie the knot”? History shows that this is not an uncommon practice. Ceremonies to renew wedding vows are apparent in many cultures throughout the world and are performed for different reasons. Italy is one of the first countries to have married couples who opt to renew their vows primarily for religious purposes.
In the US, the desire to have one’s ideal wedding has become a popular motive for having a renewal of vows. It could be that the couple had to elope because of circumstances, or else had to make do with a budget wedding with none of the elegant trimmings plenty of brides dream of. Re-tying the knot has become deeply ingrained in Western culture as far back as the 1950s, and has spawned its own unique customs, sentiments, and practices. These include the kind of clothes worn, the rituals, guests, the chosen venue, the vows exchanged, and yes, even wedding jewelry.
Newly minted brides almost always follow the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” tradition in selecting wedding accessories. For brides renewing their vows, however, a choice between something old and something new in jewelry generally suffices. While many couples opt to have their original wedding bands reworked, melted and re-fashioned, or generally updated to symbolize the rekindling of their commitment, many forward-thinking couples choose to go for brand new wedding rings altogether. What are their reasons for doing so?
For starters, it is a good symbolic act of “starting over” especially if the couple has gone through difficult times together in their marriage, or have been physically separated for some time. As well, having new wedding bands made to accommodate anniversaries and other special dates (including birthdays of the couple’s children, if any) can add more meaning and symbolism by way of engraving and embedded birthstones. Those celebrating wedding milestones: diamond, silver, or golden wedding anniversaries, for instance, may want real precious stones and metals symbolizing them to replace their original bands.
While there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to choosing jewelry appropriate for wedding renewal ceremonies, many still choose to get new rings that symbolize what they have gone through as a married couple. First-time brides might incorporate diamond-studded tiaras and neck pieces when they walk down the aisle to match their wedding-cake dresses, but those who want to re-commit to their partners may want to spend more on new wedding bands instead. After all, being married for some time has surely ingrained in the couple a renewed sense of commitment to each other.
Whether large-scale or sedate and simple, celebrating a renewal of vows should never lose its meaning amidst the glitz and glitter of wedding trappings. Couples who exchanged “I do’s” to each other the first time they got married must always remember that re-tying the knot is equal to saying “I always will”.
Tags: Renewal of Vows, wedding rings
Categories: Jewelry, Rings
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