7 Ideas for Mother’s Day Jewelry
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Know Mom’s Birthstone! Beautiful gemstone jewelry is easy to find. (Not sure? It’s easy if you know her birthday: Birthstone Chart). Or chose a gemstone piece in that color she’s crazy about.
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Is she an animal lover or a sports fan? There are plenty of easy and elegant choices for theme jewelry.
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Start a jewelry tradition, something that you can add to every Mother’s Day. Example: A string of exotic colored pearls, one at a time – or a keepsake chain/bracelet with charms to mark important memories.
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Help Mom clean out her jewelry box. Take old pieces she won’t wear anymore and have them re-designed into a special keepsake.
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Surprise her by having an old favorite piece cleaned and repaired.
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Don’t forget expectant and new mothers – celebrate their new joy with specially-designed jewelry like BabyFeet.
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You can’t go wrong with diamonds. They’re timeless and classic, easy to care for, and blend with any fashion. Think outside the box and go for something special and one-of-kind, just like she is. Instead of more traditional diamonds, why not try something exotic like a fancy colored diamond? Buy the stone and let her find the setting of her choice.
Still need some help finding the right gift for Mom? We’re happy to offer our assistance. Drop by or give us a call!
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“BabyFeet” Jewelry Sweepstakes
Announcing our new line of jewelry…
…Just in time for Mother’s Day! BabyFeet is a fantastic line of custom-made jewelry that celebrates the tender memories of a child’s first steps into life – and our hearts.
Each piece of charm jewelry is uniquely designed to reflect the special bond of a parent (or grandparent) with their newly arrived blessing.
Founder and designer Kristen Marr launched the company in 2002. A portion of all sales are donated to the American SIDS Institute.
“…The BabyFeet Jewelry collection is based off an original bracelet created by Kristen Marr and her husband to celebrate the birth of their first child, Colton. The piece took on new meaning when Colton passed from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.” (About BabyFeet)
This Mother’s Day only – stop by our store and sign up to be entered in our BabyFeet Giveaway! You could be the winner of this beautiful sterling silver chain & BabyFeet pendant (an ideal gift for a new mother!)
BabyFeet Jewelry: Official Website – See the rest of the BabyFeet jewelry collection & read more about the inspiration behind the design
Today in History: Birthday of Audrey Hepburn
“I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people’s minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing.” – Audrey Hepburn
She was one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” Decade after decade, she continues to top polls of the world’s most stylish celebrities. Her effortless beauty and simple, girlish charm make her a timeless icon who continues to earn devoted fans and admirers.
British actress and style legend Audrey Hepburn was born May 4, 1929, just outside of Brussels. She grew up in Belgium, the Netherlands, and England. She was an active, brilliant child with a talent for art and dance.
During World War II, neutral Holland suffered the “Hunger Winter” under German occupation. The malnourishment young Hepburn experienced that year left its permanent mark on her physique and dashed her hopes of becoming a professional ballerina. After the war she turned instead to modeling and the theater, coming to America in 1951 for a starring role on Broadway.
TIME September 7, 1953: "Behind the sparkle of rhinestones, a diamond's glow"
Her first time as a leading lady on film was the classic romantic comedy Roman Holiday (1953). Her beauty and poise made her an instant star and a popular fashion icon, landing her on the cover of TIME Magazine. The huge success led to a generous 10-film contract with Paramount that included Sabrina (1954) and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).
During filmmaking, she collaborated with designer Givenchy, who helped create her signature style. She became the inspiration for much of his work and the pair became an unstoppable team. She once said, “What is more beautiful than a simple sheath made an extraordinary way in a special fabric, and just two earrings?” The little black dress (first introduced by Coco Chanel in the 1920′s, and re-designed for Hepburn’s role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) became one of the biggest fashion statements of the century.
Hepburn made more than 25 films, but she was also a devoted mother of two sons. One of her greatest passions was her work as a UNICEF ambassador. She routinely traveled to war-torn and poverty-stricken regions to champion the cause of needy children, right up until her death in 1996.
Did you know…
- She spoke Dutch, French, Spanish, and Italian fluently.
- Her mother was a Dutch baroness.
- During World War II, teenaged Hepburn worked as a volunteer nurse and performed ballet to earn money for the Dutch resistance.
- Her first Hollywood movie, Roman Holiday, earned her a salary of $12,500. By 1964, with the filming of My Fair Lady, she earned over $1 million.
- She was one of the only performers to win Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards – plus four Oscars.
- A prototype of the “little black dress” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, designed by Givenchy, was sold at a Christie’s auction in 2006 for almost $1 million. The proceeds were donated to a children’s charity in India.
The Hepburn Look
“My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.”
The secret to recreating the Hepburn look is the adage less is more. With the exception of her more glamorous movie roles, her personal style was simple and comfortable, and she never appeared decked out in bling. While few of us can pull off wearing a tiara, there are a few easy ways to imitate her timeless style:
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Know what suits you. By playing up her best features, she complemented her natural elegance – something we all have – without distracting from it. Pay attention to what your mirror tells you! Go with jewelry that matches your face shape and coloring, and you’ll find your own signature style that leaves you looking put-together and feeling confident. -
Pull out the pearls. These were a must-have in Hepburn’s wardrobe. Classy and elegant, pearls give that ultra-feminine, vintage look to any outfit. Looking for something more modern? Consider some exotic colored pearls instead.
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Looking for some sparkle? A touch of Swarovski crystal on a pendant, brooch, or bracelet can give a bit of that movie-star glam for that special occasion, without breaking the bank.
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Jewelry for the Little Black Dress If you’re a Hepburn fan who’s fortunate enough to swing every woman’s favorite fashion staple, the “LBD,” then you’re in luck! Pearls are a great match for this outfit, and the ultimate homage to the Hepburn style. If you have diamonds, there’s no better way to let them sparkle – the strong contrast makes a perfect fashion pair. Go for smaller earrings or a necklace that matches the shape of the dress’s neckline. A vintage pin or brooch will really set off your look.
Once again, the key is not to go overboard; choose one or two pieces to showcase and let its classic simplicity shine!
Audrey Hepburn – Official Site
Artbeads Blog “Audrey Hepburn: A Jewelry Style Icon”
Fashion History: The Essential Little Black Dress
See also: Choosing the Best Type of Earrings and The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Necklace: How to find the perfect jewelry for you
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Rare “Mirror Diamonds” Up for Sale
A rare Mughal-era necklace containing nearly 100 carats of fine Indian diamonds is reportedly up for auction soon. According to the Israeli Diamond Industry:
“The 28-carat central stone of the necklace is thought to be the largest table-cut, or mirror, polished diamond in existence, and the five stones combined may very well be the largest set of table-cuts in the world.”
The emperors of India’s Mughal kingdom – one of the richest the world has ever seen – were responsible for many of the world’s greatest jewel treasures. Starting in the 1500′s, they exploited the gem wealth of India’s greatest mines, such as the Golconda Mines, where these polished diamonds may have originated.
Table-cut diamonds have a large central facet that magnifies the light entering the stone, making them some of the most pristine. Today, original mirror diamonds are scarce, since many large stones have been cut down over the years, and newer technologies have made the style less common. The piece is expected to bring around $20 million.
Birthstone of the Month: May
May’s birthstone is the lush, opulent emerald – one of the most recognizable gemstones.
Emerald comes from the old Latin name “Esmeralda” meaning “green gem.” Its mesmerizing, tranquil color was once believed to give foresight into the future and heal illnesses. By association of its color, it has come to represent the regenerative powers of nature, fertility, and abundance. Ancient civilizations – from the Egyptians to the Inca and Aztecs – sought after it as a prized symbol of wealth and power. Image: Gemological Institute of America
Emeralds, like their blue cousins aquamarines, are actually a kind of beryl, and get their vivid green color from the mineral chromium. They don’t have the sturdy crystal structure of the hardest gems like diamonds or sapphires, so they often have many small fissures that can grow over time. Most emerald jewelry is treated with specials oils or resins that protect the gem’s surface and enhance its luster. Protect your emeralds by storing them in a soft compartment and using gentle cleaning methods.
With emeralds, the more vibrant the color, and the clearer the stone, the more desirable it is. A fine emerald may cost more than a diamond of equal weight.
Fine emeralds are found all over the world, including the US. The highest concentration of gem-quality stones come from Colombia, where the largest emerald ever found was discovered. The famous Bahia emerald, mined in Brazil, has been nicknamed the “$400 Million Emerald”.
Jewelry Information Center: Emerald Birthstones
