This Week’s Inspiration: The Great Gatsby
We adore the book, so naturally we can’t wait for the latest big-screen adaptation of The Great Gatsby this summer, starring Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio. This week, we turn to Daisy Buchanan for some jewelry inspiration.
Shop our deco-dant collection here»
This Week’s Obsession: Kenneth Jay Lane Turquoise & Gold Link Necklace
Fit to figure in those classic photos of the Kennedy family playing touch football on the beaches of Hyannis Port, this quintessential summer necklace evokes the irrepressible joy of seaside play and those long-days when our only task is to sip dreamily at the inebriating cocktail of a happy life. Lobster bakes and garden parties are ideal for the perfectly casual elegance this turquoise and gold accessory affords. Sun-kissed in a white tank with cutoffs or in a print caftan and swimsuit, you will radiate the vibrancy of summer. Find your summer style and melt into the sublimity of the season.
Shop it here»
The Cocktail Ring: A History
This week we’re putting the Fashion Spotlight on Cocktail rings. Ever wonder how this oversized bauble got its name? Let’s go back to the 1920s…
The Prohibition Era was marked by a ban of alcohol and an insurgence in fashion. The cocktail ring became the most desirable accessory to don with the flapper dress – the boldest apparel statement. Status and style seekers would doll themselves up in their finest duds, gilding themselves for travel underground to speakeasies where the alcohol flowed and fashion flourished. Adding glam to their golden brandy, women strutted in style, showing off their grandest rings. Thus the “cocktail ring” was born, quickly becoming the ultimate bauble for banned beverages.
Cocktail ring fever reignited in the 1950s and 60s, when weekly neighborhood soirees became the vehicle through which women could show off their fashion prowess (and newfound disposable income).
Today, the cocktail ring has become a jewelry box staple, worn by women of varying fashion proclivities to create the perfect finishing touch to an ensemble.
Here are some of our favorites from the Charm & Chain cocktail ring collection:
Green Bette Davis Eyes Ring, Erickson Beamon
Rainbow Cluster Ring, Frangos
Blanche Ring, DANNIJO
2012 Met Ball Jewelry Roundup
The Met Costume Institute Gala is often dubbed “The Oscars of Fashion” and Monday’s red carpet certainly didn’t disappoint. The magical evening of fashion was filled with feathers, frills, and of course, baubles to die for. Here’s who had the best jewels…
Solange Knowles
Solange added some glitz to her peplum Rachel Roy gown with this funky tribal cuff by Lady Grey.
January Jones
January Jones accented her electric yellow Versace dress with an equally vibrant turquoise-and-gold Cartier statement necklace.
Kate Bosworth
Kate Bosworth added just a hint of sparkle to her feathered Prada frock with these Repossi up-the ear diamond earrings.
Paula Patton
Paula Patton wore beautiful oversized multi-tone pink sapphire earrings by Lorraine Schwartz to complement her strapless Vera Wang gown.
Jessica Stam
Jessica stacked some major Lorraine Schwartz bracelets to accompany her embroidered Christian Dior dress.
Brooklyn Decker
The stunning model and actress paired her slate blue Tory Burch gown with clean tri-tone House of Lavande drop earrings.
Diane Kruger
Diane accented her gorgeous feathered Prada gown with a simple, long gold and amethyst pendant necklace from Fred Leighton, and a Jaeger-Lecoultre thin gold vintage watch.
Anja Rubik
Anja accented her barely-there gown with oversized geometric Eddie Borgo earrings (likely to try to draw some attention away from the giant slit in her dress!).
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Rosie’s magnificent Irene Neuwirth drop earrings highlighted the lighter tones on her Burberry dress, and provided balance to her high-bun updo.
Grace Coddington
Grace Coddington highlighted her silk Prada outfit with a circle-motif Balenciaga vintage rhinestone necklace.
Janelle Monae
Janelle wore dripping diamond chandelier earrings, which were in perfect sync with the megawatt diamond brooch at her waist.
Heidi Klum
Heidi paired her lace Escada dress with chunky, layered onyx and gunmetal necklaces from Lorraine Schwarz.
Jaime King
Jaime King was ultra-glam in this Bulgari wrap snake necklace, which drew attention to the plunging back of her Topshop gown.
Gemma Redux x Charm & Chain
We’re delighted to introduce our latest exclusive collection, created by Gemma Redux designer Rachel Dooley for Charm & Chain. I’m a huge fan of Rachel’s aesthetic and her use of irregularly-shaped stones with industrial metals. For this collaboration, we wanted to incorporate bright pops of color to glorify her signature look. The result is these five high-impact pieces, ready to be incorporated into your summer jewelry repertoire.
Shop it here»
Obsession of the Week: Isharya Purple Lunar Druzy Necklace
The earthly splendors of druzy are no longer confined to the wardrobes of otherworldly bohemians. Case in point: Isharya’s purple and gold statement necklace. Ordering surrealist stones in a bright, quasi-symmetrical gold structure allows this naturalistic neckwear to span the spectrum from bombastic boho to super chic. Pair this beauty with a floaty maxi for a psychedelic style or don her as the color coup de grâce with a glamorous LWD. But don’t fret—however you wear this lavender luxury will be spot on; it’s just the sort of necklace that works magic every time. We recommend this dramatic druzy for absolutely any liberated fashionista.
Check out these fierce and ferocious earrings Nicole Romano designed for Charm & Chain! (Taken with instagram)
Check out my wrists, featured in Refinery 29’s Wrist Wars story today!
Charm & Chain bracelets, from fingers downward:
Right hand: Mawi, Lizzie Fortunato, DANNIJO, Erickson Beamon
Left hand: Alexis Bittar, Giles & Brother, Shourouk, Alexis Bittar, Elizabeth Cole, frieda&nellie
Magnificent Jewels at Christie’s
This weekend I took a field trip to Christie’s for their New York Magnificent Jewels auction viewing. As always, the jewelry was incredible. My favorite piece was this Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond necklace, estimated at $150-$250k. 
Of course I had to try it on!
Other highlights included:
JAR pink sapphire ring
Diamond and Sapphire Swirl bracelet
Ring made entirely out of an Emerald (including the band)
JAR diamond ring
Emerald and Diamond Bracelet
Even if you don’t plan on bidding, auction house jewelry previews provide a fantastic opportunity to interact with museum-quality gems. Check out Christies.com and Sothebys.com for upcoming schedules.
