Well, hello spinel! Earlier this summer, two fine-jewelry trade groups — American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America — announced that spinel would join peridot as a birthstone for August. I love the vibrant yellow-green hue of peridot. I used it in my Susan chandelier-earring design. But peridot is always some shade of green,…
Instagram Love for the Jewel of the Month
August’s Jewel of the Month — the two-finger ring I designed for ANZA Gems — has gotten some more love on Instagram, thanks to its appearance at last Monday’s press preview for the American Gem Trade Association’s Spectrum Awards. Benjamin Guttery of Third Coast Gems chose it as a personal favorite. My personal "editors choice"…
The Week in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week: Monday: Is it shorts? Is it a skirt? I don’t know, but it’s definitely Gareth Pugh. Tuesday: Hillary Clinton makes history. Wednesday: The Women’s Jewelry Associations Awards of Excellence. Thursday: My new double-finger ring design for ANZA Gems. Saturday: Shattering the glass…
Madeleine Albright’s New Hillary Brooch?
I’ve always meant to write about Madeleine Albright’s Read My Pins book. Albright — the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State (from 1997 to 2001) — is known for cleverly matching her large collection of brooches to important occasions. The book explains that it all started in 1994, after Albright, then the…
Jewel of the Month: Double-Finger Ring for ANZA Gems
Can’t take the heat? Then you should have tuned into Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas in July” programming earlier this month. Why wait till December to “Catch your favorite holiday Hallmark Channel Original movies!” when you can enjoy them in the summer, right?* I’m feeling a little like Hallmark right now because this is an “August in…
What Wendy Wore: WJA Awards of Excellence
“It’s an honor just to be nominated” is an awards-ceremony cliche, but it’s true! There are a lot of female jewelry designers, but I was one of only five nominated for a Women’s Jewelry Association Award of Excellence at the WJA’s gala dinner on Monday, and I am truly grateful for that. Of course, it…
History Is Made
I wasn’t sure I would see this in my lifetime. As a child in the 1970s, living in a part of New Jersey that somehow remained untouched by women’s lib, I couldn’t even imagine a woman becoming a nominee for president. Sure, one could TRY, but there was no way it was really going to…
What Wendy Wore: Gareth Pugh for Our Anniversary
MrB and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on Friday by having dinner at Osteria al Doge and going to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. We highly recommend both experiences! I had considered re-wearing white leather halter that was part of my 2001 post-wedding-gown party outfit, but I had that thought in the middle of…
Week in Review … Plus Billy, Betsy, and Qandeel
In case you missed it, here’s what was on the blog this week. Monday: The Vegas Gems at JCK. Tuesday: A lost and found ring. Wednesday: RIP, Garry Marshall and Pondering media descriptions of Meredith McIver. Thursday: One dress, three cities. Saturday: My ninth blogversary. Over on Instagram, I featured some of my gorgeous clients…
Ninth Blogversary
In 2007, they all told me not to do it. Luxury-goods consultants. The former fashion director of a major department store. My own publicist. Random-ass acquaintances. “Don’t do a blog,” they said. “It will ruin your brand.” “You’re too accessible,” they said. “Luxury is about exclusivity.” Clearly, I didn’t heed their warnings because today this…