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Jewels of the Month for 2012

December 31, 2012 by WendyB

My Jewel of the Month posts highlight my newest jewelry designs — or, occasionally, existing designs that suit the season/holiday. Here’s what was hot in 2012. Click the photos to read the original posts.

In January, I answered the question “Is it okay to mix metals?” with a resounding, “Hell, yeah!”

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Siobhan ring with mixed metals.

February isn’t always about Valentine’s hearts. Sometimes you just want to say, “OMG WTF.”

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Model Tina J, photographed by Shane LaVancher.

March’s birthstone is aquamarine, and I can’t believe no one snatched up my stunning aquamarine poison ring from Broken English Jewelry last year! March will be here again before you know it, so hop to it.

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Livia poison ring in 18K gold and aquamarine.

April’s birthstone is a diamond, so it was a good time to feature a custom job: Mindy’s redesigned diamond engagement ring. After I shipped the ring to her, she emailed: “Got it, love it, THANK YOU!!!!!”

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Mindy’s “new old” ring.

I didn’t name an official Jewel of the Month in May, but I didn’t have to, because everyone was focused on my swear-ring design from 2008. First, Topshop knocked it off. Then a Dutch magazine asked whether the rings were “Only for tough ghetto chicks or a must-have for every fashionista?” (I wear the rings myself, so am I a “tough ghetto chick”? Awesome!) Meanwhile, InStyle contributing editor Marion Fasel declared herself “obsessed” with them.

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Click for original post.

In June, my bad experiences with Topshop — and good experiences with gorgeous blogger Sulky Kitten — inspired a couple of necklaces, including the IDGAF necklace that I now wear nearly every day.

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Later in the year, this necklace gave me the courage to speak to Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

July’s Jewel was another custom engagement ring. This one was for dares-to-be-different graphic designer Lori Kadezabek. You can see more photos of the ring at her November wedding here.

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The proposal!

Forever-young MrB celebrated his 70th birthday in August, so I made him pearl-and-tsavorite cufflinks.

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When you want to give the very best…

Gorgeous designer/blogger Stacy Lomman inspired me to add a new ring style to my Juana skull collection in September.

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Sterling silver with white sapphires. I’m excited to do a gold version too.

October 16 was the 219th anniversary of Marie Antoinette’s execution. I refrained from making a joke about the French queen “losing her head” over the beauty of my Marie Antoinette earrings. Well, I refrained until now.

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The earrings are set with 404 tsavorites.

I had been wanting to make mid-finger rings for ages. I finally got to do them. They debuted in November.

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The “B” belongs to me, but you can order any letter you like.

I ended the year on an affectionate note. My “hugs and kisses” stud earrings were December’s Jewel of the Month.

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You can also buy the X and the O singly.

Have a happy New Year’s Eve, peeps! Send me photos of any Wendy Brandes jewelry you wear out tonight (or wear to stay in — however you celebrate!) and I’ll post them this week, along with January’s Jewel of the Month.

You might also like
Engaging Engagement Rings
The Week in Review
Shop ANZA Gems for Jewelry That Gives Back

Filed Under: jewel of the month, my designs

Previous Post: « Kanye West, Azealia Banks & a New Year’s Resolution
Next Post: Happy New Year! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marla says

    December 31, 2012 at 5:55 am

    Love that skull ring! So unique.

  2. sulky kitten says

    December 31, 2012 at 6:22 am

    Just been admiring the beautiful ring you created for Deja Pseu (Susan). I’m still treasuring my Sulky necklace, Thank You! Those Marie Antoinette earrings are jaw droppingly gorgeous! Happy new year Wendy to you and Mr B and your furry loved-ones!

  3. Lisa says

    December 31, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    The Siobhan ring, sigh. Beautiful. The mix is perfect.

    • WendyB says

      December 31, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      Thank you 🙂

  4. Susan Partlan says

    December 31, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I am pleased to see my OMG rings on this list :).

  5. Marti says

    December 31, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    My goodness where did the time go?
    It’s a bitch getting old, (at least for me) it seems time goes by faster than it used to.
    Marti

    • WendyB says

      December 31, 2012 at 4:28 pm

      I’ve complained about that feeling so much that I think I should just shut up about it at this point. LOL!

  6. Faux Fuchsia says

    December 31, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    Dear W

    Happy New Year, can’t wait to see visuals of your outfit! Is 7 am 1st Jan here.

    My anti spa word was love you, which is what le Child likes to shout at me.

    Luff you too W x

    • WendyB says

      December 31, 2012 at 4:27 pm

      Wishing you lots of luff in 2013.

  7. stacy says

    December 31, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    What a great year!!!! I’m partial to September – heeheehee. But, OMG those Marie Antoinette earrings are simply divine. To DIE for!

    • WendyB says

      December 31, 2012 at 4:52 pm

      I see what you did there!

  8. Tamera Beardsley says

    January 1, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Oh my dear … those cufflinks…. such artistic perfection!!! I so enjoy your blog and wish you all the best in style for the coming year!

    • WendyB says

      January 1, 2013 at 6:21 pm

      Thank you! Same to you for 2013!

  9. Rachel Dahl says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:46 pm

    Got it here from Cameron’s 2012 feature post 🙂 Love your jewelry line! Very unique!

  10. Rachel Dahl says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    Got here from Cameron’s 2012 feature post! Just wanted to say that I love your jewelry line. Very unique! 🙂

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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