Celebrity Trend: Diamond Earrings

On various red carpets across the globe, there is one accessory that almost always attends - a pair of diamond earrings! Whether it is a pair of diamond drop earrings, diamond stud earrings or diamond hoop earrings, it is almost unanimous that a female celebrity will add this kind of accessory to instantly add star studded glamour.

Diamond Drop Earrings, Style SE48-A

For example, this past Golden Globe awards show had actresses like Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Elizabeth Moss all in beautiful green dresses with the same fabulous accessory in common.  The look that Catherine Zeta-Jones has with her hair partially pulled up and 2 inch diamond drop earrings is my favorite!

Another trend is the use of a pair of sparkling diamond drop earrings with a black dress. Taken from the Golden Globes, the black dress really stands out with glittery accessories as seen on such beautiful actresses as Eva Longoria, Piper Perabo and Julia Stiles. This is one idea you can translate outside of red carpet events - pair diamond jewelry with your favorite little black dress, or go casual and wear a great pair of jeans with a tailored black blazer! How would you choose to wear you diamond earrings?

For more information about Diamond Earrings, please browse Anjolee's Diamond Earrings.

Model Making Process

“From Design Concept to Reality”

I recently interviewed one of the lead jewelry designers from the Anjolee team in an effort to understand her process. The below account gives you her perspective as she discusses turning a design concept to reality.

A difficulty in designing jewelry is that many times the look I envisioned from the beginning will have to be altered to such an extent that it is an entirely new concept or look. The main reason for this is, as with most objects designed and created by the computer, there are always perimeters which must be respected during the design process. Since the very first step involves the computer and my imagination, I have to consider all of the following steps in the process and the effect those steps will have on the piece, from the casting to the bench jeweler to the mold maker and on to the polishing, assembly and the setting of the stones. Each step will have an effect, some intended and some unintended, on the final product.  Once a piece is finished, we determine if the design will need to be fine tuned or eliminated from the line.  In summation, just because the computer can create it doesn’t mean it should become a reality.

The time involved in creating a new design varies from piece to piece.  Usually I visualize a basic shape and then make it more complex as I am modeling it on the computer, or I might start out very complex and begin simplifying it.  Sometimes sketching it out first is helpful, especially when there are many curves and I need to see how to configure the entire piece, stones, mechanism, bale etc.  Sometimes it is difficult to know how it will appear until it is rendered with gold and gem materials which I apply to the virtual three dimensional objects for review.

I prefer jewelry that is thought provoking and appeals to more than just my eyes; jewelry that symbolizes something meaningful and maybe even transcendent.  Along those lines, I would like to explore designing jewelry with compartments for holding photographs or other objects dear to the wearer.  Lockets are not new, but I believe they can and should be embellished to become much more than the predictable heart pendant.  I enjoy designing jewelry with both subtle graceful flowing curves and strong geometric lines with bold gem placement.  I like anything from romantic and sophisticated to playful and peculiar.  My personal taste runs the gamut.

Jewelry as Art; Designer’s Perspective

Designer Perspective

Because jewelry is like art worn on the body, designing it with the human body in mind presents its own set of challenges. One of those challenges involves the ability to accentuate or compliment a part of the body, while at the same time function well in the area of comfort, durability, and movement. When I am thinking of a new design I have to ask myself not only how will it look on a body, but will it work and not appear awkward or out of place. How will it look lying against the breast bone? How will it look on the finger? How will it look hanging from the lobe of the ear?

Certain pieces of jewelry are more than just ornamental and decorative; it can become distinctive to the one wearing it. A bracelet for example, not only decorates the wrist, and hand, but it must leave the person adorning it undisturbed by becoming part of them. I think everyone has at least one piece of jewelry in their possession which symbolizes something special to them and this alone can change the way a person feels.

- Gina, Anjolee Jewelry Designer