JEWELRY

In ancient lore, it is said that when you throw a ruby into a pot of water, the water boils instantly. Rubies represent heat–what better gemstone to represent the month of July? If July is your birth month make sure that you get your fair share of red sparkly gifts. If it’s not, there’s no reason why you can’t add some scarlet staples to your jewelry collection. It is my personal belief that every woman should own a pair of ruby studs. Why? Because if a guy sees that hint of red glittering just above your neck he’ll be intrigued. Rubies don’t represent heat for nothing; red is sexy. A ruby tennis bracelet will add flair to any outfit. Put a ruby ring on your hand and it will bring out the suductress in you…in other words, it will make you boil, instantly.

Get your bling on!

Noelle

Why. Why do people insist on wearing diamond-encrusted Scottie dog pendants? Or broaches with multicolored stones made to look like parrots? Or giant gold belt buckles made to look like a cat’s head with emeralds for eyes? I’m not kidding about that last one by the way–once in college Roxie and I were on our way to the train station (the college was in Westchester) and we saw this woman wearing a HUGE gold belt buckle shaped like the head of a cat. Was it solid gold? We didn’t know but given that the average income in Westchester is $300,000 per year, it could have been.

The diamond charm thing really seems to be a thing for upper class, older women. (Sparkling hommage to their deceased show dogs?) Its not really in the realm of young fashionistas, but young fashionistas do have mothers, mothers who might be inclined to wear such things. Listen up girls: mom may be older, and maybe she has a beloved show dog or two, or expensive imported African parrot, but she can still look monstrously tacky when her animal-loving manifests itself in the wearing of jeweled animal charms. You can’t give mom a Dior enameled skull ring, or a Tom Binns couture piece that looks like a pearl necklace with tentacles growing out of it. (Sidenote: I love Tom Binns, but I would bitchslap my own mother if I saw her wearing one of his pieces!)

My proposed solution: replaced the diamond encrusted doggie with an enamel one. Enamel charms are painted to look true to life, are cuter, and impart a sense of whimsy, rather than a sense of ostentatious tackiness. (Or is it tackitude? Make a note: ask Roxie). An enamel Jack Russel on a simple, white gold chain makes a much sweeter, more down to earth statement than a solid gold one with rubies for eyes. Oh, and if your mother has any giant gold cat shaped belt buckles, steal them, melt them down, sell them–whatever, just get rid of them. Come on, she’s your mom. Don’t let her be a fashion victim!

Under normal circumstances, I would have to say that sporting a peace sign is just this side of tacky. But, there is some leeway given that this summer marks 40 years since the Summer of Love. However, love beads and friendship bracelets made of embroidery floss are not something I would touch even with a ten foot pole–I don’t care what the occasion is. I prefer to class things up, which is why I think the peace sign earrings from Ross Simon’s are totally groovy. And, since they are studded with diamonds, not all together tacky.

Macy’s also makes a lovely 14kt white gold peace symbol pendant. It beats out a pewter peace symbol on a black nylon cord any day. Lastly, Satya makes a lovely stackable ring. Its three rings, each with a different symbol: a peace symbol, a lotus flower, and the Om symbol, which is the sacred sound of the universe. If that doesn’t get you feeling groovy I don’t know what will. Personally, this last piece is my favorite, since it offers a little bit of spirituality without being tacky.

Peace Out,

Noelle

I remember when skull� jewelry was� just for goths and punk rockers. Now Ross Simons is making ruby studded skull rings! And remember the ones Dior made for fall ’06? I can’t decide if this is a fun trend or the co-opting of atlernative culture by high fashion. The colored lacquer on the Dior pieces makes them fun, but unfortunately the skull thing doesn’t have a whole lot of longevity. I would only advise you to get one if you really want it, as in you’re in love with it and can’t live without it. But keep this is mind: even if its from Ross Simons or designed by Dior, there’s still a time and a place for everything, so don’t wear a skull–in any form–to your niece’s christening. Capisce?