When it comes to an engagement ring, the only thing that really matters is that the recipient loves it. Most of the wedding jewelry I design is custom-made. As a result, I’ve done all different styles of engagement rings to suit different tastes, ranging from an Asscher-diamond stone in a simple, classic pronged setting ……
Jewelry
Throwback Thursday: Jewelry Designs From 2006
I went into jewelry designing full-time in 2005, and I did a lot of small trunk shows and private sales right up until the financial crash of 2008. Some of the shows were in homes of friends and family, others were in hotels. This photo from January 2006 was taken in the home of a…
My Best Dressed at the 2016 Golden Globes Is …
I was browsing 1980s vintage while watching the Golden Globes red carpet, and I had to point out this ruffled Pierre Cardin design to my designing friend Stacy Lomman. Stacy is the one who looked through my closet once and said, “Wow! Even your ruffles have ruffles!” I said, “Do you think this has enough…
January’s Birthstone, Garnet: More Colorful Than You Think
January’s birthstone is garnet, which most people think of as a deep red gem. But, as I pointed out in this post from last year’s Tucson gem show, garnet comes in a range of colors, with different names for different varieties. The garnets I used in the studs pictured above are rhodolite. In Tucson, I…
Meet Tifa, the Dancehall Queen
Check out gorgeous “singjay” Tifa wearing my infamous swear rings! On the @wendybrandes tip!!!? Loving my rings?… #workflow ??Giving thanks for another day & life! #grateful #happy #blessed A photo posted by Tifa ??? (@itsthetifa) on Dec 15, 2015 at 8:43am PST Tifa is a big star of Jamaica’s dancehall music scene. Late last year,…
Year in Review: Jewels of the Month for 2015
My Jewel of the Month posts highlight my newest — or newsiest — jewelry designs. Here are 2015’s hot jewels from both my luxe signature line and my social-media-inspired WENDYB by Wendy Brandes diffusion line. Click the photos to read the original posts. Most of the engagement/wedding jewelry I do is customized to the clients’…
Hoop Earrings, Plus Multiple Piercings for Midlife Rebels
I was pleased to see WhoWhatWear’s recent story about the popularity of gold hoop earrings among fashion bloggers, because I’d had a good feeling about hoops last year. I love it when my predictions are confirmed in a timely manner! (In late October, the New York Times had a good feeling about them too.) Meanwhile,…
Jewel of the Month: FitzRoy the Cat Y-Necklace
Early this year, I unveiled the first part of a mini-collection inspired by FitzRoy, my cat who is Instagram-famous for sitting in a big orange bowl. Cartier has its iconic panther designs, but the Exotic Shorthair cat demographic was sadly neglected by the fine-jewelry industry. I had to come to the rescue. First, I did…
You Might Literally Die If You Miss My Jewelry Sale
If you missed Jessica Bennett’s recent New York Times story on the latest developments in Internet-speak, you better read it if you ever hope to communicate with me again. Srsly, the new jargon is so second-nature for me now that I just can’t even when people don’t use it. When I get a text, email…
Jewelry for Every Budget: Pre-Holiday Sale or Splurge
Didn’t get to my Cyber Monday sale yet? Don’t panic, because I’m extending it through Friday, Dec. 4. CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE SALE. Jewelry is meaningful — you’re not buying a $5 fast-fashion t-shirt here! — and I’m giving my gorgeous clients extra time to consider what they want the most. Plus, because all…