DEBRA FALLOWFIELD

Standing at just over 1,000 feet New Zealand’s Sutherland Falls is among the world’s tallest waterfalls. With water originating from Lake Quill, the currents flow out in three cascades creating a roar as powerful as an airplane’s engine. New Zealand is also home to featured jewelry designer Debra Fallowfield.

Headstrong and independent a former instructor once compared the largely self-taught Fallowfield to “a bull at a gate.”

Her creative process is tinged with a dose of agitation and impatience as—in terms of jewelry making—she does not like being told what she can or cannot do.

“I am not a huge fan of tertiary institutions, especially art school training,” she says. “I learned far more once I left schooling experimenting on my own.” She would also learn impatience had its drawbacks that would require proper channeling.

“I had always been creative and was working in print and design. I tried my hand at fashion design completing a course at East Sydney Tech in Australia (where I was living) but I became disillusioned with the lack of originality in the industry. I decided to take an eight-week course in computing; however, the course was canceled due to low enrollment so I took contemporary jewelry making.

Here is where I met the fabulous Barbara Ryman. Designing was never an issue for me—it just comes naturally-but Barbara helped me to slow down and taught me the importance of finish.”

With fourteen years of hands-on experience under her belt the designer boldly mixed gold with silver at a time when the practice was not encouraged. Unlike many of her New Zealand colleagues, the jewelry of which is a loving homage to the country’s stunning natural landscapes, Fallowfield’s designer jewelry is reflective of an urban landscape with 18-karat gold a central component.

“Nine karat gold is often favored here. Unfortunately, the New Zealand consumer more often than not does not have the budget for high karat gold pieces. Gold is so much more sexy than silver! I love fusing the silver with the gold—the juxtaposition of cold and warm,” she enthuses.

The jewelry artisan is not one given to philosophical exposition of her handmade jewelry designs but rather says “Sorry I just do it and don’t really think too much about it! My work just “is”—beautiful jewelry. It does not symbolize my journey from the womb. It does not pretend to be anything but gorgeous jewelry.”

There is a moody beauty to her aesthetic that is characterized by alternately sleek, clear-cut and organic forms. There are high polished 18-karat gold rings with encrusted gemstones; weighty, heavily oxidized sterling silver link bracelets for men; and the conservative yet edgy slender form of sterling silver tusk earrings.

The Erosion Collection highlights Fallowfield’s signature design: perforated metal. The punctured surfaces are a striking accent on the metal that are often times filled with tiny gemstones including rubies, blue topaz, amethyst, and conflict free diamonds.

Specializing in custom jewelry design, Fallowfield takes great pride in making such items as wedding bands and engagement rings completely by herself; an undertaking that has allowed her to perfect metal finishes as smooth as silk.

“I love working with solid, heavy gold and silver gaining textures and forms yet still always giving the metal a smooth, lustrous, sensual finish.

I like complete control over my work. At the end of the day I cannot blame anyone else if it isn’t right so it is imperative communication for custom jewelry is direct, honest and upfront.”
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Photo 1 (top right): 9-Karat Yellow Gold Erosion Ring
Photo 2 (center): Sterling Silver and Rose Gold Custom Inscribed Link Bracelet
Photo 3 (bottom left): 18-Karat Gold Star Bubbles Drop Earrings with Black Star Sapphires

ANDREA LI DESIGNS

Named for 19th century explorer Zebulon Pike, Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Pikes Peak is a “visible landmark” of the Rocky Mountains distinguished by the summit’s pink granite. Colorado is also home to featured jewelry designer Andrea Li.

Though the complementary relationship between clear diamonds and 18-karat white gold is indelibly breathtaking there is no question that jewelry fashioned with the singular use of either precious metals or precious gemstones highlight the extraordinary aesthetic appeal of these respective components.

Li’s stunning gemstone jewelry of Mystic topaz, grey pearls, and aquamarine showcases the sheer nuanced beauty of semi-precious and precious gemstones.

When Li began her excursion into jewelry making eleven years ago, she was well aware that putting a unique take on what already exists in the market was central.

While living in Amsterdam, Li used sculpture as a channel to blend functionality with art. “In the art or fashion world an original idea simply does not exist. No one can reinvent the wheel but we can offer a fresh way to perceive it.”

Using 14-karat gold chains and jewelry wire Li’s design approach is based in naturalism and free-form as she allows the individual gemstones to dictate the design while also drawing inspiration from nature. “Earth’s vast array of beauty is in every aspect of my designs from the alchemy of color palettes to the emulation of existing organic artistry.”

While many of her gemstone necklaces are clearly bold and statement making the lithe delicate drape of others is reminiscent of Hawaiian lei; buoyant rather than bulky feminine rather than brazen. They are a fabulous amalgamation of muted, deep and fluid colored semi-precious and precious gemstones in various sizes, shapes and textures.

She creates distinctive brooch pins for men composed of subtle, earth-toned gemstones of black and chocolate brown. The gemstone earring designs are so ethereal constructed with dainty 14- and 24-karat gold or sterling silver chains suspending dollops of shimmering color that resemble delicate metallic webs littered with gemstones.

Of course designer jewelry of such complexity requires many hours to produce (20-100 hours to be exact) and Li’s passion to create one-of-a-kind jewelry items propels her. “Couture jewelry should be fun,” she says, “Jewelry should be for the amusement of the wearer as well as to achieve a fashionable look.

Jewelry should become an iconic part of a woman’s personality and character. It should be a reflection of the qualities that set her apart and makes her unique thus unconventionality has always been central to my work.”

A selection of Li’s striking jewelry designs are available to buy online at Goldyn.com.
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Photo 1 (top right): Sterling Silver Necklace with Australian Opal, Tanzanite, Chalcedony, Pink Amethyst and Pearl
Photo 2 (center): Sterling Silver Cluster Ring with Balinese Silver Beads, Keshi Stick Pearls and White Topaz
Photo 3 (bottom left): Peruvian Calcite Drop Earrings with Thai Sterling Silver Beads

ORIANNE COLLINS JEWELLERY

Today we visit one of Switzerland’s top tourist attractions, the Jungfrau summit. The Jungfrau is considered one of the most picturesque mountains in the Swiss Alps and its summit was reached approximately two hundred years ago by Aarau resident J.R. Meyer. Switzerland is also home to featured jewelry designer Orianne Collins.

SAMIA SHALABI | KARAZI DESIGN

The focal point of Seattle, Washington’s Hing Hay Park is an authentic pagoda that was constructed and designed in Taipei, Taiwan. The thirty-seven year old structure serves as a symbol of the indomitable spirit of Asian immigrants. Washington State is also home to featured jewelry designer Samia Shalabi.

For Palestine-born Shalabi travel is integral to her design aesthetic. Not only do the vivid sights and sounds of her travels inform her understated handmade jewelry designs but she has also studied with seasoned East Indian goldsmiths, and collects unique gemstones as well as sea glass.

A ten year veteran, through her designer jewelry company, Karazi Design, Shalabi creates jewelry that is organic yet subtle.

Though semi-precious and precious gemstones that include yellow sapphire, Mexican fire agate, olive jade, seed beads, and apatite are the focal points of her designs many are opaque in color giving them a sense of pragmatism and weightiness.

The textured, naturalistic outlines of 18- and 22-karat gold or oxidized sterling silver evoke ancient civilizations as the metals are eco-friendly materials “melted down from old pieces.” Words of empowerment, engraved in Sanskrit on the gold backing of earrings and pendant necklaces, are Shalabi’s finishing touch.

“Jewelry is not simply an accessory it tells a story; it has a meaning,” she says. “I studied geology and I have a deep love of the earth. My jewelry pieces include Indonesian lava necklaces, East Indian gold pendants, and Turkish coin bracelets.

Careful thought and conscious placement of color and texture is a part of every piece.

I do what I love and I hope each wearer knows love has gone into every part of making my jewelry.”
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Photo 1 (top right): Lava Quartz Crystal Necklace
Photo 2 (bottom left): 20-Karat Hammered Gold Stacking Rings with Rough Cut Diamond

ISLER | BIJOUX BAR

A premier destination for skydiving, hang gliding and skiing is Interlaken in Switzerland. With its expansive agricultural areas and mountains the commune is ideal for outdoor sports. Switzerland is also home to featured jewelry designer Isler.

There is an occasion for every style of jewelry; there are every day jewelry pieces that can easily go from day-to-night and there are even pieces suited for a casual outing at the park.

Isler (as she is known on her profile at Bottica.com) explores both styles in handmade jewelry designs that are clean, simple and pretty.

Inspired by the 70s boho-chic style, her two lines Bijoux Bar and Be Charmed Designs, are characterized by lovely wrap and friendship bracelets fashioned from Irish linen cords and 100% sheer silk.

The rich colors of the fabrics along with accents of silver feathers, faceted gold beads, engraved silver discs, and hamsa hands provide a Mediterranean vibe.
The various hues of deep wine to strawberries and cream or mint and cream are great color options to subtly spruce up a t-shirt and pair of jeans. Her bracelets can be layered with others and some double as necklaces.

Isler also knows how to turn up the razzle-dazzle with beautiful gemstone necklaces, gemstone earrings and gemstone pendants that highlight gorgeous 14-karat gold wire wrap along with such semi-precious gemstones as green amethyst, freshwater pearls, smoky quartz, and raw druzy diamonds.

“I have two passions—the first being gemstones and the combination of colors. The other is linen and simpler jewelry. I flip back and forth. I adore both and somehow cannot choose. I think my designs are the perfect finishing touch to a bohemian, free-spirited style.”
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Photo 1 (top right): Fine Silver and Deep Wine Silk Wrap Bracelet
Photo 2 (center): 14-Karat Gold Filled Chocolate and Cream Drop Earrings with Smoky Quartz and Freshwater Pearls
Photo 3 (bottom left): Mint and Cream Friendship and Make a Wish Bracelet with Sterling Silver Feather Charm and 24-Karat Gold Dipped Nugget Beads on Irish Linen Cord

ISAAC MANEVITZ

The Temple of Hatshepsut, located in the city of Luxor in Egypt, Africa, is a conservative complex of “mortuary temples” with a 100-foot causeway and terraced courtyards. Africa is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Isaac Manevitz.

You could say that New York-based Manevitz is a bit of an overachiever as his eclectic costume jewelry covers an array of styles from modern jewelry designs like his abstract Multi-Colored Sculpture Necklace to chunky statement pieces like his Brass Flower Bib Necklace.

His fashion jewelry of 14- and 24-karat gold plated brass, pewter or sterling silver reflect style influences from the vintage eras, punk rock edge, and military iconography that evoke both the red carpet and runway.

Manevitz had first-hand knowledge of jewelry making having apprenticed with his father—a jeweler to King Farouk’s court—while a young man. A little over fifty years ago, Manevitz left Cairo to study sculpture and design at New York’s Brooklyn College earning a degree in fine art.

In the following years, the jewelry artisan would establish his company Ben-Amun. “I bring my love of art to my collections by working with unusual materials such as Lucite, glass and crystal beads, and pewter (lead-free) to create unique, innovative and inspirational designs,” he says.

His arrangement of an array of semi-precious gemstones, and Swarovski Crystals make for great visuals. There is a simple chain link necklace in one instance to the ancient overtones of gold coin necklaces in another. I also like the unexpected aspect of his Breguet Watch Gear jewelry pieces, which provide a nice sense of fun.

In many ways Manevitz takes a decidedly contemporary approach to designer fashion jewelry that is elegant, brash, and sophisticated while also affordable. At present, prices start as low as $15 for a woven wood cuff bracelet and up to $745 for a multi-strand pearl necklace with crystal brooch pins.
During his more than three decade career, the prolific designer has collaborated with fashion designers Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tory Burch and Michael Kors.
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Photo 1 (top right): Wood and Hammered 24-Karat Gold Plated Chip Necklace
Photo 2 (center): Silver Plated Brass and Resin Jet Filigree Earrings
Photo 3 (bottom left): Regal Large Gold Resin Cuff Bracelet

ROBINDIRA UNSWORTH

Located within the central Coast of California is the rugged terrain of Big Sur. The micro-climate locale houses giant redwoods alongside cacti and wild orchids. California is also home to featured jewelry designer Robindira Unsworth.

In her studio tucked away in California’s beautiful Sonoma County, Unsworth prepares her gorgeous jewelry designs fusing the everyday with the exotic.

Established in 2001, the Robindira Unsworth brand is characterized by stunning fine jewelry and fashion jewelry lines (the latter known as the Signature Collection) cultivated from 18-karat gold, sterling silver, and 22-karat gold vermeil.

There are a variety of necklaces that include oxidized sterling silver chains accentuated by a single, glowing gemstone; hammered gold vermeil discs encrusted with moonstone cabochons; sleek, diamond studded bangle bracelets; lovely gemstone stackable rings; and striking contrasts like glowing 18-karat gold Etruscan blossoms paired with blackened sterling silver of her Flora Bib Necklace.

Unsworth loves incorporating textured metals and luminous faceted gemstones into her atmospheric yet classic designs. Combining different metals and layering different chain lengths and charms is central to her aesthetic. The majesty of the Taj Mahal and the “grand Kasbahs” of Morocco are among the sources that inspire Unsworth’s delicate high-end and affordable jewelry collections.

“Each component of the designs is hand crafted by our artisans. We have a deep appreciation for exotic cultures in Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East,” she says. “As the Creative Director, I am responsible for the conception and design of all product lines.

My days usually involve a whirlwind of activity with examining and re-interpreting trends to product development. We think of each piece as a precious gift with purpose—to adorn and inspire the wearer to feel their best and live well.”

For more on the Robindira Unsworth brand be sure to watch In Wine Country’s 2008 video feature on its prolific designer.
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Photo 1 (top right): 22-Karat Gold Vermeil Casablanca Necklace with Cognac and Smoky Quartz from Signature Collection
Photo 2 (center): 22-Karat Gold Vermeil Wisteria Bangle Bracelet with Pink Quartz and Carnelian from Signature Collection
Photo 3 (bottom left): 22-Karat Gold Vermeil Eternity Hoop Earrings from Signature Collection

CITLAL CASTILLO

The beaches of Cancun and Cabo are just a few of the attractions in Mexico. For the history buff Mexico also offers the National Museum of Anthropology that holds artifacts from Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Citlal Castillo.

The daughter of clothing designer Tachi Castillo and the niece of uncles who studied under renowned American silversmith William Spratling, Castillo’s advent into jewelry design was essentially a no-brainer.

Her alternately whimsical and romantic sterling silver jewelry, as well as her luminous gemstone jewelry pieces, is a testament to her superlative metalsmithing and lapidary skills.

A keen observer of nature, Castillo implements sea creatures, frogs, dragonflies, sunflowers, and Monarch butterflies as focal points of her modern silver jewelry. She rounds out the array of iconography with classic cross and heart necklaces.

Her Pearl Heart Necklace is a great example of how a slightly skewered outline offset with tiny, perforated holes on the surface of the heart pendant adds fantastic idiosyncrasy to an otherwise clear-cut symbol.

Her gemstone necklaces, cuff bracelets, and silver rings highlight the subdued tones of smooth faceted gemstones like carnelian, Mexican Zebra Jasper, tiger’s eye, and pink rose quartz.

“I began to design jewelry about the time I was at university studying fashion marketing,” she says. “I have been close to this wonderful craft all my life and I have always tried to be at the vanguard of fashion with original top quality products.

I work in all silver crafting techniques starting with the melting of granules and continuing with laminates, lost wax, etc.

After adding fine details by hand we set the gems, if required, to create the final design. Each one is crafted with a lot of love.”

A good portion of Castillo’s gemstone jewelry is available at online store DeSilva Imports.
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Photo 1 (top right): Sterling Silver Heart Rain Earrings with Cultured Pearls
Photo 2 (center): Sterling Silver Textured Cuff Bracelet
Photo 3 (bottom left): Sterling Silver Collar Necklace with Turquoise and Amethyst Beads

WAYAN SARJANA

Located within Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park is Krakatoa Island. The island is not only home to an array of fauna and flora but also an active volcano that contains three, smaller volcanoes. Indonesia is also home to featured jewelry designer Wayan Sarjana.

Though the current demand for Balinese sterling silver jewelry and sterling silver beads is high according to my research most of the jewelry produced in this region was originally gold.

Balinese legend says the extraordinary craftsmanship of the country’s silversmiths is attributed to gods descending to earth thousands of years ago to teach the metalworkers the art of jewelry making.

For Sarjana learning his craft was a bit more down-to-earth. The amateur historian comes from “a family of artists but I was the first in my family to work with silver.”

The forty-one year old artisan began learning his craft at age 15 from a “good but strict teacher.” Taking inspiration from geometry and nature, Sarjana creates designer jewelry blending traditional Balinese and contemporary aesthetics.

He implements the granulation technique in which tiny spheres or small tubes of silver are handcrafted and applied to unpolished sterling silver. Sarjana takes the granules building them into surface designs resembling thick, twined rope or dotting the outline of the larger design.

It is a technique that brings a weighty, substantial appearance to silver rings, silver chain necklaces and cuff bracelets. At the same time, Sarjana manages to keep his designs minimal and sleek highlighting lithe, flowing outlines offset by such gemstones as garnets, Mabe pearls, amethysts, and moonstones.

“When I was twenty years old I started to produce original pieces on my own that I sold to local shops. I was able to slowly save enough money to make my own workshop at home, where I still work to this day.

Flowers and animals are my favorite subjects but sometimes abstract shapes come into my mind. I have employed five artisans who have been working with me for five years.

Silver is not an easy medium to work with here because the price changes but I cannot imagine doing anything else.”
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Photo 1 (top right): Sterling Silver Dolphins Play Ball Pendant Necklace with Garnet and Mabe Pearl
Photo 2 (center): Sterling Silver Goddess Coils Dangle Earrings
Photo 3 (bottom left): Sterling Silver Fiery Splendor Pendant Necklace with Carnelian, Garnet and Crystals

LIZ BRIGGS DESIGNS

One of the best times to explore Australia’s Kings Canyon National Park is during the month of April as cooler temperatures offset the sun’s penetrating rays.

With a landscape filled with plenty of deep red colored cliffs, canyons and gorges the park is great for walking and hiking. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Liz Briggs.

Who says that jewelry can’t be pretty with a quirky sense of fun?

Briggs’ fanciful and colorful designer jewelry fashioned from an assortment of African Kazuri beads, and lampwork and glass beads bears a lip-smacking resemblance to gum balls, Christmas candy, Spree, and Jolly Ranchers.

She also creates these adorable teapot earrings made from either porcelain or lampwork beads. Though Briggs does not reference on her Etsy page whether these deigns are influenced by the tea party scene from Alice in Wonderland, these vivid designs certainly allude to this longstanding tale.

With spring and summer coming shortly her bangle bracelets of high quality memory wire and circle bead necklaces offer a great palette of color choices to help accentuate your wardrobe.

“Color is one of my passions and I love every piece I make. I also include gemstones like pink quartz, white onyx, and pink opal into my designs,” she says. “The teapot earrings are so much fun to make with pink flower buds and a tiny dash of gold.”

“The Kazuri beads are handmade and hand painted by women in Kenya who are employed by an ethically run Kazuri Bead business. Their goods are sold under the Fair Trade Agreement and allows for them to care for their families.”

Self-employed since 1981, Briggs has worked in a number of creative channels including “mosaicking surf boards as garden art, doing school workshops, making craft kits for kids and now making jewelry and quirky art pieces.”

While full of vibrant color, the actual jewelry designs are quite streamlined and are somewhat reminiscent of the hippie jewelry of the seventies. At the other end of the spectrum, Briggs plays with the subtle tones of black and white Kazuri beads allowing the hand painted designs to take center stage.

An added bonus is that bead bracelets and bead necklaces are timeless fashion staples; they can easily complement formal or casual attire as their proportions are not too chunky or bulky.

However, the key to perfectly accentuating your wardrobe with bead jewelry is to match the color of clothing to the color of a particular bead which in turn introduces a level of fun by keeping your clothing choices fresh.
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Photo 1 (top right): Blue Turquoise Teapot Earrings with Pink and White Flowers
Photo 2 (center): Black and White Kazuri Bead 18-inch Necklace
Photo 3 (bottom left): Blue and Turquoise Lampwork and Glass Beads Memory Wire Bangle Bracelet

YUKI MITSUYASU

Believed to have been discovered during the 7th century, Japan’s ominous Mount Fuji is the country’s tallest mountain at over 12,000 feet. The frigid region was once the training location of samurai warriors, and in 1867 Lady Fanny Parkes was the first woman to ascend the peak. Japan is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Yuki Mitsuyasu.

The creation of jewelry in and of itself is an undertaking of patient forethought whether a designer performs the task single-handedly or has a team of artisans to help him or her.

When a jewelry designer takes on incorporating an additional element of surprise like movable or detachable parts it definitely brings jewelry making to a whole other level beyond pretty things.

Irish jewelry designer Alan Ardiff, Michael Berger (South Africa), Yael Sonia (France), and Tania Patterson (New Zealand) are just a few designers who create kinetic forms of jewelry.

While the aforementioned designers’ jewelry is playful in tone, Mitsuyasu brings a soulful twist to functional modern jewelry. A graduate of London’s Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Mitsuyasu had a propensity for creating three-dimensional objects even as a child.

“In 2001, when I was 18, I took a course at Saint Martins called Foundation in Art and Design. Since I was a child I loved creating things, particularly 3-D designs so I was very excited about taking the course,” she says.

Like the jewelry of her contemporaries, beneath the sleek, classic outlines of sterling silver or 18-karat yellow gold vermeil is finely engineered components of innovation. The simple, 18-karat gold vermeil star pendant necklace from her Shine Collection, for instance, holds a sweet secret.

“A lot of my designs are inspired by personal experiences. Shine is a very personal collection for me as it was inspired by the words of my father who told me that religion, nationality or wealth does not matter when choosing a life partner. He said that if a man can let me shine then he is a man worth being with.

The star pendant is actually two separate halves that have heart-shaped magnetic clasps at their center. The clasps symbolize two hearts; two people. The two parts are bold and unique from the other; when the magnetic clasps or two hearts connect the two halves become complete in the form of a star.”

Based on the items featured on her website, each jewelry piece holds an inventive mechanism in the guise of popular trendy jewelry styles such as a heart pendant necklace, gold ball chains, or hoop earrings.

Mitsuyasu takes a bold, contemporary approach to fashion jewelry that is filled with great spontaneity and romanticism.

“Many things really excite and affect me and I want to share and express them through my designs.”
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Photo 1 (top right): 18-Karat Gold Vermeil Star Pendant Necklace from Shine Collection
Photo 2 (center): 18-Karat Gold Vermeil Eclipse Necklace from Pendulum Collection
Photo 3 (bottom left): Silver Sterling Small Necklace from Bow Collection

SHAUN LEANE

Touted as one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, England’s York Minster is also distinguished by its stained glass windows; one of which is 76-feet tall and is considered one of the largest stained glass windows in the world. England is also home to featured jewelry designer Shaun Leane.

When I read about Leane’s 15-year collaboration with the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, whereby Leane created extraordinary, full-body ornaments for runway models, I expected his designer jewelry to be unapologetically subversive in tone.

While there is a definite edge to his pendant necklaces, gemstone rings and pearl lariat necklaces fashioned in the likenesses of sabers, eagle skulls, and tusks his pieces are surprisingly feminine with palpable overtones of angst and romance. The pieces are a seamless, beautiful fusion of decadence and refinement.

Though he harbors a longing to be an archaeologist, Leane created his first object, a knife, at the age of 15. An admirer of fashion, architecture and the vintage jewelry eras, Leane takes each as a source of inspiration building his prolific collections cultivated from sterling silver, gold vermeil, and 18-karat white and yellow gold with accents of diamonds, pearls, citrine or colorful enamel.

“I worked in antique restoration and reproduction when I realized my ability to design. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the distinctive designs of the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Victorian and Georgian periods.


What I enjoy doing is taking elements of those period styles and making them modern. Collaborating with Alexander McQueen contributed a lot to my inclination for breaking some of the design boundaries in jewelry,” he explains. “It gave me a base to think outside the box and push those boundaries.”

Nature is also a huge influence on his melodious aesthetic. Twisting branches with delicate leaves are the central design of his Blackthorn Collection; his silver and enamel interpretation of the Copperhead, Boa, Viper, and King snakes are highlighted in Leane’s men’s jewelry line Serpent; and the buoyant, beautiful white and red cherry blossom flower is the singular inspiration behind his Cherry Blossom Collection.

Leane’s bridal and wedding jewelry include non-traditional white gold engagement and wedding rings, as well as an evocative pierced heart necklace from his Hook My Heart Collection.

In my opinion, the Hook My Heart pendant necklaces, as well as the 18-karat gold and enamel Thorned Heart Locket, is a more grown up version of this universal symbol as the design’s implication of love’s powerful hold is more commanding. Here again Leane’s collections of fine and fashion jewelry are a masterful hybrid of chic and edgy femininity.

“Organic forms are central to my design approach. They are beautiful and fragile yet there are hidden elements of strength and danger.

To me jewelry is something very personal; it should be a reminder of a special time in our lives so that when it is worn we re-live that emotion.”
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Photo 1 (top right): 18-Karat White Gold and Blue Sapphire Tear Drop Earrings
Photo 2 (center): 18-Karat White Gold and Red Enamel Thorned Heart Locket
Photo 3 (bottom left): Silver and Gold Vermeil Full Cherry Blossom Ring with Ivory Enamel and Complexion Topaz

QUOTABLE GEMS | CHRIS ROCK

I don't get high, but sometimes I wish I did. That way, when I messed up in life I would have an excuse. But right now there's no rehab for stupidity.