What Other Jewelry Brands Do You Buy/Wear?

[etoupebirkin]

Oh. My. Goodness!!
Those earrings, the setting . . .
This is like the Jolie collection from Robert Procop. A perfect setting for everyday.
Just stunning. Wear them well and in good health and happiness!

I bought the earrings precisely because they reminded me of Procop’s Jolie collection, but without the six-figure price. They were still *quite* an investment. They are certified, but Zambian in origin, with very little treatment. They are the best Zambian stones I’ve ever seen

The finished emerald ring came in yesterday. It is absolutely perfect. I am firmly convinced that if it was in a jewelry case at Irene Neuwirth or at Material Good in NYC, the ring would cost $30-$40K. And it would sell in a flash. It’s a really strikingly beautiful and special ring that just is electric green. There are not that many nice stones with life, few inclusions, at this size and proportions.

In the pic, the cuff is by Jean Mahie, Pink Sapphire by Bayco, and the diamond by Graff.

I’ll take more pics when I have a moment

 

[BigAkoya]

I bought the earrings precisely because they reminded me of Procop’s Jolie collection, but without the six-figure price. They were still *quite* an investment. They are certified, but Zambian in origin, with very little treatment. They are the best Zambian stones I’ve ever seen

The finished emerald ring came in yesterday. It is absolutely perfect. I am firmly convinced that if it was in a jewelry case at Irene Neuwirth or at Material Good in NYC, the ring would cost $30-$40K. And it would sell in a flash. It’s a really strikingly beautiful and special ring that just is electric green. There are not that many nice stones with life, few inclusions, at this size and proportions.

In the pic, the cuff is by Jean Mahie, Pink Sapphire by Bayco, and the diamond by Graff.

I’ll take more pics when I have a moment

View attachment 5393060

The ring is stunning! It's the perfect shade of green to me, clean, and a medium bright lively green! It's beautiful on you!
I also love love love your cuff... the metalwork is gorgeous. It's so rich in YG, 22K/24K it looks like, but just guessing based on the photo.

Congrats on your gorgeous new emerald ring!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I bought the earrings precisely because they reminded me of Procop’s Jolie collection, but without the six-figure price. They were still *quite* an investment. They are certified, but Zambian in origin, with very little treatment. They are the best Zambian stones I’ve ever seen

The finished emerald ring came in yesterday. It is absolutely perfect. I am firmly convinced that if it was in a jewelry case at Irene Neuwirth or at Material Good in NYC, the ring would cost $30-$40K. And it would sell in a flash. It’s a really strikingly beautiful and special ring that just is electric green. There are not that many nice stones with life, few inclusions, at this size and proportions.

In the pic, the cuff is by Jean Mahie, Pink Sapphire by Bayco, and the diamond by Graff.

I’ll take more pics when I have a moment

View attachment 5393060

What a find . . . I am speechless . . . your taste and taste level are exquisite. And that cuff . . .

Wear it all in the best of health and with much happiness.

 

[BigAkoya]

@etoupebirkin
You have such gorgeous and bold pieces in YG, have you ever considered the Estrucan cuff? I would not be surprised if you already have it. I love love love this cuff, but of course, it would not look the same in WG (it would look like a cheap dinged up silver cuff )

This cuff is stunning though to me, in YG. A luxury brand Wonder Woman cuff!
It is named Etrucan for the Etruscan goldsmiths who did amazing metalwork with gold (lots of Etruscan pieces at the museums like the Met and V&A). Jackie O wore hers, and I posted a photo below.

Not sure if you like it, but I wanted to share this in case you were not aware of this piece.

Estrucan inspiration cuff bracelet Yellow gold - Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)

 

[etoupebirkin]

Jean Mahie (Jacline Mezard) is a fascinating woman. She is a self taught jeweler and artist. She works in 22K and uses no traditional jewelers tools. Upon occasion you may see some platinum in her pieces but she stopped because she almost set herself on fire.

Her pieces are not for everyone. When she was starting out, she did some pieces for Van Cleef. You know those large YG cuffs VCA makes, I’d be willing to wager it’s her design.

At some point in time, Stanley Marcus got wind of her work and signed an exclusive deal for Neimans. That’s how I began collecting her work. Some pieces leave me scratching head and others leave me emptying my wallet.

http://jeanmahie.com/about-jacline/

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Jean Mahie (Jacline Mezard) is a fascinating woman. She is a self taught jeweler and artist. She works in 22K and uses no traditional jewelers tools. Upon occasion you may see some platinum in her pieces but she stopped because she almost set herself on fire.

Her pieces are not for everyone. When she was starting out, she did some pieces for Van Cleef. You know those large YG cuffs VCA makes, I’d be willing to wager it’s her design.

At some point in time, Stanley Marcus got wind of her work and signed an exclusive deal for Neimans. That’s how I began collecting her work. Some pieces leave me scratching head and others leave me emptying my wallet.

http://jeanmahie.com/about-jacline/

Rumor has it that Jean Mahie designed the Etruscan cuff for VCA.

 

[BigAkoya]

Jean Mahie (Jacline Mezard) is a fascinating woman. She is a self taught jeweler and artist. She works in 22K and uses no traditional jewelers tools. Upon occasion you may see some platinum in her pieces but she stopped because she almost set herself on fire.

Her pieces are not for everyone. When she was starting out, she did some pieces for Van Cleef. You know those large YG cuffs VCA makes, I’d be willing to wager it’s her design.

At some point in time, Stanley Marcus got wind of her work and signed an exclusive deal for Neimans. That’s how I began collecting her work. Some pieces leave me scratching head and others leave me emptying my wallet.

http://jeanmahie.com/about-jacline/

I am seeing a trend with your preference of style... you have got to get this book! And thinking of you too @Happyish
It is fabulous, and since you do custom pieces as I do, this book will give you so many wonderful ideas. The amazon writeup has a listing of the designers, including Belperron, Chanel (Verdura). The photos and stories in the book are amazing... they take me to my happy place, dreaming of creating my next piece.

Women Jewellery Designers: Rochefoucauld, Juliet de la: 9781851497416: Books: Amazon.com

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I am seeing a trend with your preference of style... you have got to get this book! And thinking of you too @Happyish
It is fabulous, and since you do custom pieces as I do, this book will give you so many wonderful ideas. The amazon writeup has a listing of the designers, including Belperron, Chanel (Verdura). The photos and stories in the book are amazing... they take me to my happy place, dreaming of creating my next piece.

Women Jewellery Designers: Rochefoucauld, Juliet de la: 9781851497416: Books: Amazon.com

I haven't even looked at it, and already I'm sold . . .
Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I haven't even looked at it, and already I'm sold . . .
Thank you!

@BigAkoya - knowing your love of gemstones and jewelry, have you considered subscribing to Gems & Gemology published by GIA.
Here's a like to some back issues . . . https://store.gia.edu/collections/featured-products/products/2021-g-g-4-issues

 

[BigAkoya]

@BigAkoya - knowing your love of gemstones and jewelry, have you considered subscribing to Gems & Gemology published by GIA.
Here's a like to some back issues . . . https://store.gia.edu/collections/featured-products/products/2021-g-g-4-issues

Yup! I subscribe to it! I am taking courses, albeit slowly, so I am a GIA alumni too! I take the classes for fun, not to start a new profession. However, one day, when I have more time, I hope to eventually take all the classes to get my Graduate Gemologist degree. It's one of those bucket list items to say I did it! There are a lot of courses though and also on-campus labs, exams... I may not want to be in "student mode" again.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Yup! I subscribe to it! I am taking courses, albeit slowly, so I am a GIA alumni too! I take the classes for fun, not to start a new profession. However, one day, when I have more time, I hope to eventually take all the classes to get my Graduate Gemologist degree. It's one of those bucket list items to say I did it! There are a lot of courses though and also on-campus labs, exams... I may not want to be in "student mode" again.

Good for you! Are you doing this online/correspondence? I'd love to know more.
I've thought about doing this as well . . .

 

[BigAkoya]

Good for you! Are you doing this online/correspondence? I'd love to know more.
I've thought about doing this as well . . .

Oh! I think you will love it!
You can take classes both ways, 100% on-campus or a blend of online and on-campus.
I do the blend as I have a day job, but if I did not, it would be super fun to be on-campus. They offer student housing too! I'd be like a college student again.

The intro classes you can do online, which I have been doing. The middle classes are a mix of offline with on-campus lab work. The advanced classes are on-campus as the exams require lab work.

There are two campuses in the US. The main campus is in Carlsbad, CA (north of San Diego); the other campus is in NYC. Even though I live on the East Coast, I went to the Carlsbad campus to check it out. It's a lovely campus. Aside from the classrooms and lab facilities, Carlsbad has a small museum and a huge library. It's also minutes from the ocean.

Carlsbad is a big contrast to NYC. I used to travel to NYC weekly (pre-COVID), and it's hustle and bustle all business for me. I like the Carlsbad campus as it's so refreshing, and it truly puts me in a different place, my happy place! It puts me "in the moment", if you will. As I continue with the courses where on-campus work is required, I plan to fly to Carlsbad to attend.

So far, I have taken enough courses and received my Applied Jewelry Professional degree. You can keep going up the ladder, eventually getting your Graduate Gemologist (GG) if you wish.

Here is a link to the programs and tuition for Carlsbad, CA. For a GG, it's about $24K for Carlsbad and about $23K for NYC, so it's basically the same price: Carlsbad - GIA.edu

As FYI, if you want to switch locations (e.g. NYC, London, HK...) go to the top of the page and select "Schedule & Fees" to see the other locations.

Colored gemstones is my true love (emeralds, rubies, ...). I would love to be a loose gemstone dealer and go to the Muzo mines of Colombia to buy fine loose emeralds, or go to Mogok in Myanmar to buy fine loose rubies. Of course I would not make any money as I would probably keep all the stones I purchased for myself!

I hope this info was helpful. I truly enjoy the courses, even if it's only for continued self-learning. I think you will enjoy them too.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Oh! I think you will love it!
You can take classes both ways, 100% on-campus or a blend of online and on-campus.
I do the blend as I have a day job, but if I did not, it would be super fun to be on-campus. They offer student housing too! I'd be like a college student again.

The intro classes you can do online, which I have been doing. The middle classes are a mix of offline with on-campus lab work. The advanced classes are on-campus as the exams require lab work.

There are two campuses in the US. The main campus is in Carlsbad, CA (north of San Diego); the other campus is in NYC. Even though I live on the East Coast, I went to the Carlsbad campus to check it out. It's a lovely campus. Aside from the classrooms and lab facilities, Carlsbad has a small museum and a huge library. It's also minutes from the ocean.

Carlsbad is a big contrast to NYC. I used to travel to NYC weekly (pre-COVID), and it's hustle and bustle all business for me. I like the Carlsbad campus as it's so refreshing, and it truly puts me in a different place, my happy place! It puts me "in the moment", if you will. As I continue with the courses where on-campus work is required, I plan to fly to Carlsbad to attend.

So far, I have taken enough courses and received my Applied Jewelry Professional degree. You can keep going up the ladder, eventually getting your Graduate Gemologist (GG) if you wish.

Here is a link to the programs and tuition for Carlsbad, CA. For a GG, it's about $24K for Carlsbad and about $23K for NYC, so it's basically the same price: Carlsbad - GIA.edu

As FYI, if you want to switch locations (e.g. NYC, London, HK...) go to the top of the page and select "Schedule & Fees" to see the other locations.

Colored gemstones is my true love (emeralds, rubies, ...). I would love to be a loose gemstone dealer and go to the Muzo mines of Colombia to buy fine loose emeralds, or go to Mogok in Myanmar to buy fine loose rubies. Of course I would not make any money as I would probably keep all the stones I purchased for myself!

I hope this info was helpful. I truly enjoy the courses, even if it's only for continued self-learning. I think you will enjoy them too.

This is great . . . thank you. I will definitely look into this.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I just came from Bvlgari--I had to pick up a repair.
This caught my eye . . . True eye-candy. Sapphires, mandarin garnets and peridot. Set in rose gold.

View attachment 5392957

View attachment 5392960

That is so unique!

 

[tenshix]

I bought the earrings precisely because they reminded me of Procop’s Jolie collection, but without the six-figure price. They were still *quite* an investment. They are certified, but Zambian in origin, with very little treatment. They are the best Zambian stones I’ve ever seen

The finished emerald ring came in yesterday. It is absolutely perfect. I am firmly convinced that if it was in a jewelry case at Irene Neuwirth or at Material Good in NYC, the ring would cost $30-$40K. And it would sell in a flash. It’s a really strikingly beautiful and special ring that just is electric green. There are not that many nice stones with life, few inclusions, at this size and proportions.

In the pic, the cuff is by Jean Mahie, Pink Sapphire by Bayco, and the diamond by Graff.

I’ll take more pics when I have a moment

View attachment 5393060

Oh my everything is fabulous!! I love how your emerald bezel ring turned out, gorgeous bright green and such a showstopper with clean lines. I’m so in love with your cuff too. Congratulations and enjoy them all in great health!