Purchase Wholesale

A lot of people wonder how to get the exotic cuts and stones along with the great deals. One way to do this of course is to have your business credentials; sales tax certificate, business license etc., whatever is needed for you to operate a business in your city and state and purchase through wholesale dealers or shows.

Some of the better deals and best vendors are those you can find at the Tucson show; however, many of those same dealers travel around to regional wholesale shows. I often will attend these over any ‘open to the public’ show, since the dealers and product are often much better at the wholesale shows. Check with your favorite vendors to see what shows they attend and make note over the year. This is really the best way to get the best deals on quality, exotic cuts and stones.

Here is a small list of several producers of wholesale shows:

Gem & Lapidary Wholesale Inc.
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Parker Trade Shows

And check the blog Gem Shows for information on gem, jewelry and lapidary shows, information and resource links.

Egyptian Influence on Western Jewelry Trends

Fashion and jewelry have always drawn influence from different cultures, both near and far. But what you might not know is that many of the top picks of beauty editor's 'must have' accessories for this season are inspired by the ancient cultures of Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Long before celebrities walked the red carpets adorned with giant gemstones and stylish statements of fashion, Egyptians were creating arm bands, bracelets, earrings and collars for royalty hierarchy, wise scholars and skilled warriors. Today, these pieces have re-emerged into the limelight, as glamorous Hollywood 'It' girls and socialites don giant oversized gold cuffs, art deco themed chokers and arm bands reminiscent of ancient Egyptian culture.

Much of Egyptian culture has roots in architecture and those influences carry over into the intricate and beautifully adorned jewelry designs of the culture. Gold was a favorite, and rare precious gems such as the olive-hued Peridot were often used as accents and symbols of power. Now, we see celebrities such as Amy Adams wearing jewelry inspired by the Egyptian culture. The stunning statement necklace she wore to the recent Academy Awards ceremony was a cascade effect of rubies, emeralds and diamonds. It was a beauty that would make even Cleopatra jealous.

Another trend we can't seem to get enough of is the golden cuff bracelet. The serpent cuff bracelet adorned with gemstones for eyes is a hot seller that has been spotted on the arm of fashion mavens Madonna and Fergie. The beaded lotus cuff bracelet, which is accented with turquoise and blue grass stones looks almost Safari-like and is similar to the designs at many major department stores and retailers. Both of these cuffs are very similar to the arm bands worn by royal Egyptians in ancient times.

As evidenced by the patterns of modern day jewelry, it's easy to see the origin of these pieces dating back to Egyptian roots. From hammered metal pendants to ornate arm cuffs, the culture is carried on and adapted in many beautiful ways.

Breaking the Dry Spell

There are 12 days left until Easter and the end of my self-imposed sabbatical from shopping. Much to the delight of Dave, I've managed to stick to it and, for the most part, going without has been pretty easy. Sure, it's only been a month, but there are still things (i.e., shoes) that I've been pining for. To celebrate my consumer cleanse, a little sinning may be in order come April 13. While I always reserve the right to change my mind, I'm thinking these A.P.C. navy sandals may be exactly what the devil ordered.

What Hairstyles And Headpieces Do Celebrities Prefer Today? Hair Fashion Tendencies.

What hairstyles and headpieces are in fashion thie season know our celebrities. They do their best to show you how to look fashionable this season spring - summer 2009. What the gallery below and try to study the lesson!

MYSTERIOUS VEILS
Jennifer Lopez and Dita VonTeese go undercover in chic misterious tulle veils that give a nod to silver screen sirens of the '50s. It's very nice accessoty if you don't like to do make-up! :)

CRIMPED HAIR
Proving that great minds think alike, Madonna and Lindsay Lohan arrived at the Filth and Wisdom screening in N.Y.C. earlier this week in matching crimped dos. Honestly speaking, crimped hair is an old Madonna's trend.

HEADBAND OVER BANGS
The headband trend is here to stay for a long time, and Miley Cyrus and Carrie Underwood showed off its latest incarnation – slipping a band on top of their long bangs. Last 2 seasons hippie style is very popular.

BOUFFANT BOB
Eva Longoria Parker and Maria Menounos went for retro glamour by amping up the volume of their bobs what is in style of 50's. Very fashionable look!

SIDE-SWEPT WAVES
Flipping their long brown locks over one shoulder, Katharine McPhee and Jessica Alba offered a new take on letting their hair down. Very womanlike trend.

BEEHIVE UPDO
Beyoncé and Eva Mendes are bringing back the '50s, glamming up with the decade's most iconic hairslyle.

BALLERINA BUNS
Leave it to fashionistas Sienna Miller and Sarah Jessica Parker to add a little elegance to their look with buns fit for pirouetting.


PIN-BACK MADE FROM FEATHERS
Giving a new meaning to feathered hair, Amy Adams and Scarlett Johansson pulled back their retro curls with womanlike plume barrettes.

Chunky chains necklaces: A Fashion 'Do'

If you feel like being a bit edgy this spring, then it's time to get on board with one of the hottest jewelry styles of the season – chain link metal. Featured on the pages of In Style and on the necks of the style-setters like Blake Lively, this is one piece of jewelry advice you simply can't ignore.

Reminiscent of 80s punk rock and 90s hip hop, gunmetal open chain link necklaces are back and they're all the rage right now. With a layered or wound together look, these pieces can be eye-catching and chic. To add interest to a single strand chain link necklace, look for a piece with texture, try wrapping a few times or combine with other more polished jewelry for a fun flirty look. Chain metal jewelry is meant to be interesting, so don't be afraid to play around by adding sterling silver or sparkly charms.

If you can't see yourself piling on chain metal link necklaces, then try an asymmetrical style, with mini chains on one side and a statement flower or rhinestone knot on the opposite side. This is a more polished, yet still unique way to wear the trend. By incorporating heavier chains with more delicate or glamorous pieces, you'll achieve a more balanced and feminine look. For a night out, try incorporating an oversized mesh chain link choker to pump up the volume of a basic black dress.

Chain link necklaces are playful and fun, so the outfits you pair them with should be too. For example, wear one casually with a simple t-shirt and cardigan. Or, play to the layered effect and try one with a t-shirt, open vest and skinny jeans. This style should look completely effortless – like you just threw on the necklace and let it speak for itself.

Reader Contest over at Elements of Style

Erin at Elements of Style (one of the first decor blogs I got hooked on) is having a great reader contest going on all week. Readers are invited to submit mood boards for rooms inspired by one of Erin's favorite domino spaces. One lucky winner will receive a copy of domino: The Book of Decorating. Erin is accepting entries through Friday so if you're feeling creative -- or just want to kill some time web-shopping -- hop on over to HERE and get styling.

I took the day off from work on Friday and, in an effort to kill time while Dave watched basketball, decided to try my hand at styling a room based on this living room:

I submitted the following mood board inspired by the living room pictured above:

So what do y'all think? One of Erin's specific requirements was that items must be budget-friendly (a rather loose concept since she didn't specify whose budget we're talking about) and available for direct purchase (i.e., no "to the trade only pieces"). As an amateur myself, I am never able to score trade-only pieces, though perhaps that will change should I ever befriend an interior decorator/designer. As for budget, I tried to generally adhere to my own: i.e., smaller items need to be relatively inexpensive while larger furniture pieces are what I would term "mid-level" (i.e., I generally go for Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn or Crate&Barrel in lieu of Target or IKEA for items that I want to last, but avoid Williams-Sonoma Home or Restoration Hardware absent a good sale). I recognize for some folks these items are not wallet-friendly, but compared to most budgets for professional interior design projects, I was being positively cheap.

If you end up submitting to Erin's contest, don't forget to share! I'd love to see what other blog readers come up with.

Katie Holmes: Fashion & Jewelry Icon

Gracing the cover of Glamour magazine on newsstands this month, Mrs. Tom Cruise has made a name for herself both on and off-screen. Katie's risk-taking wardrobe choices and mix and match approach to jewelry have made her one to watch.

Katie is a romantic at heart, and it's reflected in her jewelry choices. She has no problem wearing a vintage bejeweled brooch as a hair accessory for a big awards show. She also loves diamonds and sparkles, though she knows what works and tends to shy away from oversized pieces, in favor of classic settings and stones.

She wore an interlocking ring plus a candy colored amethyst lavender cocktail ring, piles of thin gold bangles and a gold watch to a recent photo shoot. Although most of us would have a hard time pulling off so many pieces of jewelry, Katie wore them well.

For a movie premiere, Katie donned stunning sapphire stud earrings that dressed up an otherwise basic black ensemble. Though the choice wasn't exactly cutting-edge, sapphire earrings became an instant hit because she wore them so well. She rocked the same earrings during several casual public appearances. It just goes to show that when she finds something that works, she isn't afraid to wear it multiple times.

Katie is a classic beauty, so it's only fitting that she knows that sometimes, less is more. For another recent photo shoot, she wore a pair of simple pearl stud earrings as an elegant and stylish compliment to a white collared shirt. We love that Katie would look chic and sassy in any type of jewelry, but she's not about all the latest fads. She sticks with chic and stylish necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are understated. When she does mix it up, she still manages to look as pulled together as the classic beauties of the 50s and 60s. Katie is one to watch.

Lampwork Coins Copper & Magnesite

Lampwork beads are incredible since they rarely come out the same every time. These particular coin beads in this necklace are swirls of green, yellow, black, cream, and copper. Giving the necklace the highlight between chunks of white magnesite that have a slight brown matrix brought out by the loose copper spacers; then I added some ‘bling’ in light topaz crystals.

Looking to add a little balance and increase hopefulness? Or how about more energy, better concentration and clarity in decision making? Some of the colors in this necklace reflect the Chakra; Green is for Heart Chakra to increase love, empathy and compassion; Yellow is the Solar Plexus Chakra that symbolizes personal power, fulfillment, abundance, courage, and self confidence.

Visit Timeless Designs for more gemstone jewelry.

Hot New Rock - Sonora Sunrise

A beautiful and lovely new gemstone known as Sonora Sunrise or Sonora Sunset is emerging onto the marketplace. Blending color combinations of red, green and even into dark blue, Sonora Sunrise is a mixed blend of two more common gemstones Chyrsocolla and Cuprite and comes out of Sonora, Mexico. Look for this stone mostly in pendant or brooches jewelry designs.

Fashion Jewelry Forum

Welcome to Fashion Jewelry Forum. Join the conversation and talk about jewelry and fashion, also, you can promote you site here.

Ashley Whittaker

Florida native Ashley Whittaker was featured as one of domino's "Top 10 Designers to Watch" back in 2007. The room featured in domino's article on her was the entryway shown above and -- to be honest -- I was pretty unimpressed. The royal blue zebra wallpaper is just too overwhelming for my taste, too "I'm trying to make a statement".

The last few weeks, however, I've been slowly making my way through domino's website, saving all of the pictures and features that I loved before they shut the site down for good. In the process, I've been Googling some of the interior designers and decorators that domino featured over the years. Unlike some of the designers and decorators I found, Ashley Whittaker's website is very professional and a pleasure to click through. I'm so glad I gave her a second chance (as it were) since a lot of the work featured on her site is really lovely. It leans towards the traditional, but in a very modern and fresh way. Her use of color and pattern is also excellent -- never overwhelming, but enough to keep my interest.

There are definitely some recurring motifs and decorator tricks in Ashley's designs, the most obvious of which is her penchant for pairs. Note the the two Chinese garden stools in the blue sitting room and the two ottomans upholstered in pale blue zebra fabric tucked under the console table. After all, if one of something is good, two of something is even better. Two smaller stools or ottomans is also a much more flexible alternative to one larger bench or coffee table. Smaller pieces can easily be rotated around a room to provide extra seating or an extra place to rest your drink while entertaining. When not in use, placing them under the console table keeps them out of the way.

It took me a few minutes of staring at this photo to pick up on the subtle safari vibe in this room and I really like it. I'm particularly fond of the exotic paisley fabric on the ottoman, which works well with the larger-scale paisley on the roman blind and the safari-inspired artwork over the desk. The subtle safari-theme is carried throughout the space with the zebra-print throw pillows, grass cloth wallpaper and white ceramic elephant sitting in the built-in. Painting the backs of the built-ins such a dark olive brown is really a masterful touch and really makes the contents pop. Finally, the bold hexagonal rug pictured in this study (similar to the one used in the blue sitting room above) and is reminiscent of David Hicks and a really unexpected touch -- the modern pattern really livens up otherwise very traditional decor.

Such a nice, relaxed-yet-refined, beachy vibe to this space. All of the spindly, dark chair legs are a really formal touch to an otherwise laid back room.

This might be one of those "so pretty it hurts" rooms for me. Everything is just so lovely and calm. The tone-on-tone patterns on all the fabrics are varied, but speak softly. The Greek key border on the green slipper chairs is a brilliant stroke and I think could be easily emulated -- just attach a little trim to any standard-issue chair and -- voilà! -- you've got something special. One thing I'm also noticing in Ashley's work is how she manages to make curtains seem clean and unfussy. I tend to avoid a lot of window treatment (other than blinds or roman shades), but she's definitely having me rethink my bias against curtains.

I never get tired of a red room. I love how the black and white photography hung salon-style really pops on the red wall. While muted furnishings allow the red wall to take center stage, the varied patterns really help balance such a strong statement. It takes a lot of confidence to blend ikat, greek key, cheetah and florals, but I think Ashley really pulls off the mix here. What do you think? Note again Ashley's use of a pair of ottomans -- they add extra seating, but their lower profile keeps the smallish room less visually cluttered.

While I love a lot of color, there is just something so relaxing about an all-white bathroom. I love how the tub looks built-in here and the lantern and sconces are just stunning. The combination of open and closed storage here is also really well done. It really helps make the bathroom look spacious -- despite the small footprint.

If you like Ashley's style, here are a key few pieces you'll need to get a bit of her look at home:

1. Savannah Armchair & Ottoman ($399-$799) from Pottery Barn
2. Ceramic elephant ($29) from West Elm
3. Safari Crewel Pillow Cover ($24.99) from Pottery Barn
4. X-bench in Ashanti (as shown, $251) from Ballard Designs
5. Madura Pillow Collection ($85-$150) from John Robshaw
6. Chinese Garden Stools ($129) from Wisteria
7. Jute Diamond Rug ($299 for 9' x 12') from West Elm
8. Weston Round Pendant (from $579) from Restoration Hardware
9. Tala and Scramble fabrics by Annie Selke in Blue Marine ($26.09 per yard) from Calico Corners
10. Capri Teardrop Lamp ($275) from Jonathan Adler

Costume Jewelry: An Easy Way to Wear a Big Trend

It's hard not to be inundated with pictures of what designer duds your favorite celebrity is wearing and who's got the biggest and blingiest jewelry at an awards show. But for the average girl, it's just not an option to actually go out and purchase a piece of jewelry that costs more than a car or a house. So instead, we turn to costume jewelry to fulfill our fantasy of getting decked out in diamonds. And at the end of the day, it all looks the same. So why not have fun with affordable gems that don't require a vault and a security guard? Here, we examine some of the glittering gems that won't break the bank:

Beautiful costume jewelry - Statement cocktail rings in colors that pop like canary yellow, royal purple and emerald green are a fun way to dress up for a night on the town. Giant oversize stones in a princess cut top the list of must haves. Stars like Angelina Jolie and 'Posh' Victoria Beckham have worn rings like these to add color to basic black. Now, you can afford to steal the look for a fraction of the cost.

Costume Jewelry: Pendant necklaces – If you love the look and the sparkle of the Hope diamond, or lust after one of the giant gems that Beyonce regularly wears on the red carpet, then look for an opulent imitation that will convey the same message. Enormous rhinestone pendant necklaces can easily be worn to a special event such as: prom, a wedding day or for a black-tie event to add sparkle and glamour to the overall look.

So, the next time you're aiming to make a fashion statement that won't soon be forgotten, consider adding costume jewelry like a statement cocktail ring or pendant necklace. The pieces should be over-the-top, exuberant and enjoyable to wear.

Cocktail Ring - A Fashion "Do"

Fox Cocktail Ring

Pink Hued CZ Cocktail Ring

Buddha Cocktail Ring

Champagne Cocktail Ring

Macaw Cocktail Ring

Horse Cocktail Ring

Zebra Cocktail Ring

Pearl Cocktail Ring

Purple Cocktail Ring

Pink Elephant Cocktail Ring

Good Design For Less: Ruffle Pillows

I've had my eye on this pillow from the Amsterdam-based textile line Onomono (available through Burke Decor) for months now, but I've been unable to pull the trigger on a $150 pillow that I really don't have a specific place for.

On the other hand, it's a lot easier to justify another unnecessary throw pillow when it's priced at a mere $14:


Granted, the Ruffles Natural Cotton Jersey Pillow from Hettle (via Etsy) isn't an exact match to the Oromono, but it's pretty close and it definitely imparts a similar cozy and feminine vibe. Sized at a nice 14 x 14, the cover does not include the pillow insert, but you can easily pick one up at your local IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond for just a few dollars (which also means you can avoid paying shipping costs on such a bulky item) or purchase one through the online shop for a mere $5 (with free shipping on the cover). Hettle offers other styles and fun colors and custom orders are available. I particularly like her pink candy stripe ruffle pillow, which would be darling in a little girl's room.

Retro Fashion Jewelry: 40s,50s,60s,70s,80s Jewelry

Fashion trends seem to have a way of repeating themselves every few years, so it's no surprise that retro fashion jewelry is making a comeback this season. 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s inspired designs and colors are reminiscent of times past. Let's take look at what each era is bringing to the table today:

40s fashion jewelry: Plastic beads, whimsical designs and florals were all popular jewelry choices back then, and we're seeing a lot of them today in the form of broaches, oversized bangles and giant cuffs.

50s fashion jewelry: Victorian designs, bows, Lucite and art deco dominated the scene back then. Today, we see Carrie Bradshaw wearing a dainty bow necklace (Search for necklaces) in Sex and the City. We also notice Lucite bracelets (Search for bracelets) as a fashionable favorite.

60s fashion jewelry: Modern styles of black and white, ethnic pieces, hippie jewelry, giant pendants and multi-strand necklaces were all the rage. Today, these jewelry looks continue to rock the catwalk and have inspired the likes of beaded necklaces, leather bracelets and rhinestone butterflies, to name a few.

70s fashion jewelry: Enamel, flowers, modern shapes and a little bit of edge gave this generation a new twist on old bejeweled favorites. Now retro inspired watches, funky rings and over the top earrings give ode to this free flowing decade and its cool designs.

80s fashion Jewelry: Chains, punk rock style and neon colors defined the jewelry trends of this era. Presently, movie stars such as Madonna and Rhianna are taking a blast from the past and sporting piles of gold and silver chained necklaces to give their look some edge. And shockingly yellow acrylic necklaces are at the top of the "must have" list for this spring.

It's a good rule of thumb to hang onto whatever costume jewelry you own, as the fashion trends will surely repeat themselves again.

Raw Slab Finds

The local Mineral & Rock Show this past weekend yielded some nice raw slabs! Here are a few pictures of what I found, some I’ve included with their beads and jewelry designs – the Owyhee Wild Horse Jasper I don’t have any beads or designs, so I matched it up with one of my wire work Turquoise pendants!


Picture Jasper
Necklace Set is composed of Picture Jasper & Turquoise
Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.




Tiger Iron
Necklace Set is composed of the three shades of Tiger Iron; Red, Blue and Gold, all wire wrapped in non-tarnish brass wire.
Tiger Iron: Artistic endeavors, beauty, and vitality.




Owyhee Wild Horse Jasper
Accented by a Turquoise pendant wire wrapped in non-tarnish brass wire.
Jaspers: Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.
Turquoise: Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.

Visit Timeless Designs for gemstone jewelry in custom handcrafted individual designs!

{New To Me} Bailey Doesn't Bark

I stumbled upon Jin Lee's Bailey Doesn't Bark online shop today via Daily Candy and I think I love it. Somehow, this Brazilian artist manages to make plates featuring flamingos, ants or roaches look pretty. Of course, the liberal use of 23 karat gold doesn't hurt. The three piece Dotted Tea Set featured above is my favorite. The hint of red-orange would work perfectly in my kitchen and the white porcelain would blend well with my standard issue Pottery Barn Great White Coup dinnerware.

For spring and summer, Lee has issued the limited edition Flamingos and Trees pattern, which comes in a five piece place setting and even the adorable salt and pepper shakers featured above. I love the idea of registering for something like this in lieu of the standard issue white Crate&Barrel place settings. For one, you could be sure no one else would have it.

The "Four Seasons" set of cups (also available in black) is really lovely. At a diminutive 2 oz. a piece, they'd be great for sake. A set of these would also make a great wedding gift, should you want to stray from the registry (which I would recommend only for close friends and family members whom you know well -- otherwise, play it safe and get them something they've selected themselves).

These "postcups" are adorable and the second photo features your two choices of a reverse side: a heart or the graphic text. One of these would make such a cute Valentine's Day gift -- or just a "I miss you" gift. Even better, Lee will hand ink a custom message and the recipient's address on the front of the "postcup" to your sweetie and ship it directly to them for free!

For the more adventurous, why not have a few pieces from Lee's roach or ant series? The looks on your guests' faces when they pull a roach cup out of the cupboard in the morning may be worth the $47 price tag alone. Having had issues with sugar ants in my kitchen, the ants' series may be a bit too realistic for my taste....

While none of Lee's pieces are inexpensive, they're comparable to other high-quality porcelain dinnerware you'd find at your local department store. Besides, I think a few of these pieces would go a long way as accent pieces to pep up your everyday white dinnerware. If you're interested in purchasing, Daily Candy is offering 25% off anything in the Bailey Doesn't Bark online store. Simply enter "CANDY25" at checkout.