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anza gems

Valentine’s Jewelry: Toi et Moi Rings

February 14, 2022 by WendyB

I’ve been obsessed with “toi et moi” rings since 2013, when the diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Josephine de Beauharnais went up for auction. Embed from Getty Images But even before then, I liked the double takes that two-stone rings get, no pun intended. In fact, one of my earliest…

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Filed Under: Celebrities, diamonds, featured jewel, gems, holidays, jewel of the month, Jewelry, my designs, Press, rings, Special Occasions, Valentine's Day, weddings Tagged With: anza gems, bridal jewelry, engagement rings, toi et moi, wedding jewelry

Jewel of the Month: January Birthstone Earrings

January 31, 2022 by WendyB

Here I am, once again, sliding into the blog with an ultra-last-minute Jewel of the Month featuring a birthstone — in this case, garnet for January. But, as you’ll see, I have a second garnet option that ties into Valentine’s Day, so my timing isn’t all that bad! First, check out the earrings I created…

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Filed Under: birthstone, earrings, featured jewel, gems, holidays, jewel of the month, Jewelry, my designs, Valentine's Day Tagged With: anza gems, citrine, garnet, heart jewelry

Fine Jewelry for the Holidays

December 18, 2020 by WendyB

If you’re looking for a meaningful Christmas present (or a belated Hanukkah gift) for a loved one or yourself, I’ve got some fresh jewelry options for you! For responsibly sourced jewelry that gives back to mining communities in Tanzania and Kenya, check out the ANZA PURE x Wendy Brandes rough-gemstone designs in 18K gold that…

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Filed Under: birthstone, earrings, gems, Jewelry, my designs, necklaces Tagged With: anza gems, ethical gemstones, ethical jewelry, nasty jewelry, nasty necklace, responsibly sourced gems

Giveaway: ANZA PURE x Wendy Brandes Jewelry

November 23, 2020 by WendyB

Act fast for a chance to win one of the 18K gold, rough-gem designs I created for my friends at ANZA Gems, as ANZA celebrates hitting 10,000 followers (organically!) on Instagram. You have until 9 p.m. ET this Wednesday, November 25, to follow ANZA and the Gem Legacy on the ‘Gram, and tag someone as…

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Filed Under: gems, gift ideas, giveaway, Jewelry, my designs Tagged With: anza gems, ANZA PURE, artisanal miners, colored gems, jewelry giveaway, kenya gems, moyo gems, spinel, tanzania gems, women miners

Jewel of the Month: Padparadscha & Paraiba for ANZA

December 23, 2019 by WendyB

I wanted to save this ring’s blog debut until I had its official portrait taken, but the piece was whisked off to the Kristen Farrell Gallery before I could get it to a photographer! So here is a casual snapshot of my latest creation for ANZA Gems. This one-of-a-kind 18K rose gold ring features a…

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Filed Under: featured jewel, gems, jewel of the month, Jewelry, my designs, rings Tagged With: anza gems, lost-wax casting

I’m a JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards Finalist!

May 21, 2018 by WendyB

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the judges of JCK’s Jewelers’ Choice Awards for selecting my toi et moi ring for ANZA Gems as a finalist in the category of colored stone jewelry over $10,000. The JCK editorial team also got to choose five personal favorites, so a special thank you goes out to…

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Filed Under: About Wendy, awards, Jewelry, my designs, Press Tagged With: anza gems, jck jewelers' choice awards

Jewel of the Month: ANZA PURE Charm Ring

April 20, 2018 by WendyB

Because the rough-gemstone jewelry of my ANZA PURE x Wendy Brandes collection generated a bit of excitement recently, I’ve decided that my newest ANZA PURE piece should be April’s Jewel of the Month. It’s an 18K yellow gold charm ring set with a large, rough grossular garnet, modeled by ANZA Gems founder Monica Stephenson in…

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Filed Under: birthstone, featured jewel, gems, gold, jewel of the month, Jewelry, rings Tagged With: anza gems, anza pure x wendy brandes, rough gemstones

Two ANZA Rings Are Even Better Than One

April 6, 2018 by WendyB

Image consultant and jewelry expert Amy Roseveare interviewed ANZA Gems founder Monica Stephenson about what inspired Monica to launch her company in 2014.  Because I work with ANZA gemstones, I’ve described ANZA’s mission a number of times, but I think you’ll be interested in how Monica herself tells the story. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW….

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Filed Under: gems, Jewelry, jewelry designer, my designs, rings Tagged With: anza gems, anza pure x wendy brandes

“Do Not Be So Presumptuous”: A Note From Richard Kimball

April 3, 2018 by WendyB

In my last post, I redacted the name of a jeweler who publicly criticized my ANZA PURE x Wendy Brandes collaboration because I didn’t want to create undue trouble for him even though I was like … I figured it was one thing for me to write about his mean-boy comment, but another thing for…

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Filed Under: dumb shit on Facebook, feminism, Jewelry, social networking Tagged With: anza gems, anza pure x wendy brandes

Mean Boys and Rough Jewelry

April 2, 2018 by WendyB

One of the great things about the jewelry business — in my 13 years of experience, at least — is the dearth of mean girls. via GIPHY The majority of the women I’ve encountered in the industry have been friendly, collaborative, and supportive. Their encouragement has often kept me going through challenging times. But, to…

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Filed Under: feminism, gems, In the News, Jewelry Tagged With: anza gems, ANZA PURE

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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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Original jewelry designs, photos and text are © Wendy Brandes 2007-2016. All rights reserved.

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