Thursday, December 27, 2012

CAROLYN BENSINGER HANDCRAFTED JEWELRY

18K Gold & Sterling Silver Open Link Bracelets
Get your boogie boards ready for fun-filled times at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

The length of the beautiful white sands bordering the Atlantic Ocean serves as a grainy walkway or a place for lounging.  Massachusetts is also home to featured jewelry designer Carolyn Bensinger.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

NADINE KANSO | BIL ARABI

18K Gold Maya Butterfly Pendant Necklace
The limestone caves of the Jeita Grotto in Beirut, Lebanon are a series of lower and upper caves.

The lower caves encapsulate merging rivers that provide freshwater to Beirut while the upper caves, which consist of three main chambers, are a popular tourist draw.

Lebanon is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Nadine Kanso.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

MARGARITA MEITANI

Oxidized & Sterling Silver Black Swan Double Hoop Earrings 
from Handwritten Collection
Mount Athos is perhaps one of the most unique areas in Greece.  Not only is the area virtually untouched, it is populated exclusively by men: monks to be exact.

Mount Athos is one of the world’s oldest monastic communities.  Greece is also home to featured jewelry designer Margarita Meitani.

Monday, December 24, 2012

RAY GRIFFITHS FINE JEWELRY

18K Gold Crownwork Signet Rings with Sapphires,
Emeralds and Colorless Diamonds
Australia’s boisterous city Brisbane is a haven of commercial complexes, night spots and shopping centers.

Located in the Queensland state the city is also known for its natural splendors including the Lone Pine Koalo Sanctuary, the Portside Wharf, and the Brisbane Forest Park.

Australia is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Ray Griffiths.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

MAEVE GILLIES | MAEVONA

18K White Gold Ness Cuff Bracelet
Scotland’s Isle of Skye is the largest island within the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Dunvegan Castle, which sits atop huge rocks, amps up the idyllic locale with powerful imagery as well as the fanciful Eilean Donan Castle.  Scotland is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Maeve Gillies.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

BOAZ KASHI JEWELRY

18K Red Gold Huge Ring with Diamonds
The “Roman style” Church of the Nativity, located in Bethlehem, Israel, sits atop a cave that is believed to be the birthplace of the Christ child.

Golden mosaics and gilded iconostasis are contained within its walls.  Israel is also home to featured jewelry designer Boaz Kashi.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

ANAT KAPLAN | ANOUK JEWELRY

14K Gold Music Pendant Necklace with Moonstone
Lake Baikal, located between Irkutsk Oblast, Russia and Buryat Republic, is the world’s deepest freshwater lake and is home to over 2,600 animal and plant species.

Russia is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Anat Kaplan.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

MARY GELUDA

18K gold and Garnet Simply 3 Ring
Sao Paolo, Brazil is one of Brazil’s most cosmopolitan cities.  It is a location filled with modern amenities to suit a city slicker.

Art galleries, museums, book stores, shops and restaurants line the business district known as Avenida Paulista.  Brazil is also home to featured jewelry designer Mary Geluda.

Monday, December 17, 2012

MICHELLE CHANG JEWELRY

14K Gold Diamond Shaped Dangle Earrings with Diamonds
Known as one of the coldest cities in North Korea, the city of Hyesan also has the distinction of being located at the foot of the ominous Baekdu mountain range that contains the Hyongje Falls.  Korea is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Michelle Chang.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

SHAMAINE KLEIN DESIGN

14K Rose Gold Signature Pendant Necklace  with
Smoky Topaz and White Diamonds
Perched atop a 25-foot bluff in Port Isabel, Texas is the Point Isabel Lighthouse.

At 150-years old the structure is still affectionately considered the “beacon” of the southern Texas coast.  Texas is also home to featured jewelry designer Shamaine Klein.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

BUDHI YASA

Sterling Silver Mushroom Umbrella
Cocktail Ring
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (a/k/a Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park), located in East Jakarta, is an astonishing theme park that encompasses small zoos, gardens, and museums.  Indonesia is also home to featured jewelry designer Budhi Yasa.

Monday, December 10, 2012

SOLANGE AZAGURY-PARTRIDGE

Treasure Necklace with Cabochon Cut Emeralds,
Spinels, Rubies, Sapphires & Diamonds
 from Stone Collection
A visit to Nottingham, England is sure to conjure images of gallantry and fair maidens.

One of the city’s tourist draws is Nottingham Castle which houses an art gallery and gardens.  New adventures await the arrival of eager visitors within the Sherwood Forest Country Park

An 800-year-old oak tree, Major Oak, standing on the park’s grounds is believed to be one of Robin Hood’s hiding places.  England is also home to featured jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

HELENA ROHNER

Brass and Thread Hoop Earrings
The stunning 14th century fortress, Alcazar of Seville, is a remnant of southern Spain’s Mudejar and Almohade architecture.

The structure’s Garden of Vega Inclan features twenty flower beds intermingled with water fountains and walking paths.

Spain is also home to featured jewelry designer Helena Rohner.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

MELODY EHSANI

Acrylic Hologram Necklace with Candy
Coated Chain
The ancient city of Persepolis is modern-day draw because of its spectacular ruins.  

Located at the foot of the Zagros mountiain range in Iran, visitors can explore the Tomb of the Kings and the Gate of All Nations.  Iran is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Melody Ehsani.

Monday, December 3, 2012

QUOTABLE GEMS | AL PACINO

I don't need bodyguards. I'm from the South Bronx.

ANDRE RIBEIRO

Black Rubber & Diamond Small and Large Hoop Earrings
and Stud Earrings
If you want to see incredible Gothic architecture then look no further than France’s Reims Cathedral.

Built during the 13th century the magnificent structure highlights “medieval statues,” “sculptured arches” and “rose windows of stained glass.”

France is also home to featured jewelry designer Andre Ribeiro.

Friday, November 30, 2012

JENNIFER FISHER JEWELRY

14K Gold Bruce, Levi, Tess and Max Charm Sets
Established in the late 19th century New York’s Central Park, located in the borough of Manhattan, attracts a whopping 35 million visitors a year.

Its 843 acres encompasses popular sites like ice-skating rinks, the Central Park Zoo, and the Delacorte amphitheater.  New York is also home to featured jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

IRITH MASHIAH

Sterling Silver & Amazonite Viking Knot Necklace
Despite the fact that it cannot sustain life forms, the Dead Sea, located between Israel, the West Bank and Jordan, holds therapeutic properties within its saline waters.

Israel is also home to featured jewelry designer Irith Mashiah.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

UBALDINA PAUCAR ACHANCARAY

Amethyst & Ceramic Lavender Earth Jewelry Set
It is said that Iquitos, Peru is a place for hard-core adventure lovers.

With its shantytowns, including Belén, and sprawling rain forest Iquitos’ natural wonders never fail to fascinate.

Peru is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Ubaldina Paucar Achancaray a/k/a Dina.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

GUENEVERE RODRIGUEZ

14K Gold Filled Chain Earrings
Though it is an active volcano, with 33 recorded eruptions, the Philippines’ Taal Volcano is still a must-see for tourists.

Once standing an ominous height of 18,000 feet, Taal Volcano is presently one of the world’s smallest volcanoes.

The Philippines is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Guenevere Rodriguez.

Monday, November 26, 2012

SIMONE WALSH

Sterling Silver Japanese Etched Leaves &
Flowers Pendant Necklace with Natural Silk Cord
Although home to a number of unique animal species, including the emu and dingo, the arid Australian Outback is otherwise sparsely populated but is a big tourist draw.

Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Simone Walsh.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

CLAUDIO BRAVO

18K Gold Brown Crossroad Palm Bracelet
One of Argentina’s most densely populated cities is Rosario.

Independence Park is not only one of the city’s most visited areas, but it is also one of the largest parks in Argentina.

Argentina was also once home to featured jewelry designer the late Claudio Bravo.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

INGA REED

18K Gold & Diamond Triple Pendant Necklace with Serpentine Chains
The Great Court, the Rosetta Stone and the controversial Elgin Marbles sculptures each have a home in the 259-year-old British Museum located in London, England.

The admission-free museum contains over 13 million historical objects from around the world.  England is also home to featured jewelry designer Inga Reed.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

GABRIELA ARTIGAS

14K Gold Filled Link Chain Necklace with Horn
There are plenty of things to do and see when visiting Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Situated along the Mayan Riviera, this exotic locale offers fun beach activities including sailing, scuba diving and swimming.

Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Gabriela Artigas.

Monday, November 19, 2012

ZARAH VOIGT

Isectorum Adventa Nomi Earrings
With Brass Scarab
An expansive collection of vintage motorcycles, automobiles and planes stand within the walls of museums located at Denmark’s Egeskov Castle.

The castle is a splendid example of 15th century Renaissance architecture as well as lavish décor of wood works and tapestries.  Denmark is also home to featured jewelry designer Zarah Voigt.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

CYNTHIA EID

Reticulated Sterling Silver, 22K Gold Keum Boo, Argentium
Silver and Patina Sea Grass Necklace
The Public Garden, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a 175-year-old park that was established by philanthropist Horace Grey.

Its 24 acres holds numerous monuments including Thomas Ball’s “equestrian statue” of George Washington; and Anna Coleman Ladd’s Triton Babies Fountain.

Massachusetts is also home to featured jewelry designer Cynthia Eid.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

KATHRYN WILLIAMSON JEWELLERY

Sterling Silver Circle Stud Earrings with Assorted Paper
Touted as one of Scotland’s most picturesque cities, Edinburgh contains foreboding yet stunning remnants of the country’s storied history including medieval and Gothic architecture.  Scotland is also home to featured jewelry designer Kathryn Williamson.

Monday, November 12, 2012

EFVA ATTLING

18K Gold Genie Ear Earrings
One of Sweden’s most popular areas is the scenic city of Ostersund.  Located by the stunning Storsjon Lake, tourists visit the city in the hope of catching a glimpse of the mythical creature Storsjöodjuret.  Sweden is also home to featured jewelry designer Efva Attling.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

NOOR FARES | N.OOR

18K Gold and Ebony Crack Cuff Bracelet
from Touche Du Bois Collection
The city of Byblos, located in Lebanon, is an area ripe with historical attractions.

They include ancient Phoenician Temples the Temple of Baalet Gebal; and the Byblos Castle and St. John the Baptist Church both built during the 12th century.

Lebanon is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Noor Fares.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

THERESA NGUYEN

14K Gold Filled Hoop Earrings with Rose Quartz, Pink Topaz,
Pink Tourmaline and Crystal
Though constructed during a time of war, Vietnam’s Cu Chi Tunnels attract tourists who want to see the lengths they span and the history they hold.

The expansive connection of burrows encapsulates underground hospitals, factories and villages.  Vietnam is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Theresa Nguyen.

Monday, November 5, 2012

OLGA NORONHA

Wrist Restriction (left): and Front and Back Views of
Cervical Collar made from Laminated Resin, Plastozote, Gold,
Plated Silver and Leather (left and right photos)
The town of Evora, located in the Portuguese province Alentejo, is a region filled with historical monuments.

Amidst the locale’s “wide plains” is the 2nd century landmark Temple of Diana as well as the Palace of Vasco da Gama.  Portugal is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Olga Noronha.

QUOTABLE GEMS | ALICIA KEYS

I'm not ashamed of what I am and that I have curves and that I'm thick.  I like my body.


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

SHERYL JONES DESIGNS

18K Gold  and Black Tahitian Baroque Pearl Necklace
A natural fixture within the concrete landscape of Manhattan, New York is Bryant Park.

Situated along 42nd Street and 6th Avenue its eight acres provide a tranquil setting as a contrast to the busy city streets.  New York is also home to featured jewelry designer Sheryl Jones.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

PHOEBE and ANNETTE STEPHENS | ANNDRA NEEN

Brass Braid Cuff Bracelet from  Brass Collection
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is a beautiful coastal city that offers invigorating water activities including para sailing, snorkeling or surfing.  

At night you can wind down or up patronizing such eateries like Villa Serena and Arrecifes.

Mexico is also the birthplace of featured sibling design duo Phoebe and Annette Stephens.

Monday, October 29, 2012

SOMLUCK KOMOLMITH

Sterling Silver & Amethyst
Falling Moon Drop Earrings
Wat Phra That Lampang is a 7th century temple located in the Thai province of Lampang.

Its distinctive architecture includes shrines adorned with floral patterns and two Buddha that support the structure’s roof.  Thailand is also home to featured jewelry designer Somluck Komolmith.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

DOMINIKA SYCZYNSKA

Copper & Copper Mesh Roxy Necklace
Touted as the birthplace of Nicolas Copernicus, Poland’s Old Town, located in Torun holds a wealth of history in its streets.

Among the town’s attractions is the 14th century Cathedral of John the Evangelist and the four-year-old Center of Contemporary Art.  Poland is also home to featured jewelry designer Dominika Syczynska.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ISABELLE LANGLOIS

18K Gold Earrings with Diamonds, Tsavorites, Sapphires,
Amethyst, Rhodolite and Pink Quartz
You will find a little bit of Rome in France via the Nimes Amphitheatre.

Originally used as a fortress, the marble and limestone structure is now the location for rousing international festivals, circuses and bull fights.  France is also home to featured jewelry designer Isabelle Langlois.

Monday, October 22, 2012

LITO KARAKOSTANOGLOU

18K Pink Gold Labradorite from Madagascar Ring
(left); 18K Yellow Gold Beryl Heliodor from Madagascar  Ring (right)
The Samaria Gorge, located on the island of Crete in Greece, attracts more than 3,000 visitors who hike along its narrow passage ways.  Greece is also home to featured jewelry designer Lito Karastanoglou.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

KATE ALTERIO

24K Gold and Sterling Silver Standing Out in a Crowd Ring
The “relative isolation” of New Zealand’s Ulva Island makes it an ideal nature sanctuary.

Its 670 acres provide homes to rare, exotic birds including the Island Robin (toutouwai), and the Forest Parrot (South Island Kaka).  New Zealand is also home to featured jewelry designer Kate Alterio.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

DUNCAN AND JACQUI GRANT | LAVA JEWELLERY DESIGN

Sterling Silver Shetlandic Triangular Pendant Necklace
Renowned for the Loch Ness freshwater lake, the Cawder Castle, and red squirrels the Scottish Highlands’ rugged terrain is a popular attraction.

Scotland is also home to featured husband-wife design team Duncan and Jacqui Grant.

Monday, October 15, 2012

PABLO CASTELLANOS

Sterling Silver Mayan Inspiration
Earrings with Guatemalan Jade
Boating and fishing are a few activities visitors can take part in while visiting the city of Flores in Guatemala.

A myriad of fish species live within the pristine, blue waters that surround the city.  Guatemala is also home to featured jewelry designer Pablo Castellanos.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

JENNIFER MILLER JEWELRY

18K Yellow Gold Plated Beaded Double Hoop Earrings
Riverside Park, located in Manhattan, New York, is a popular, scenic locale that houses the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, skating and bicycling paths, and the picturesque Community Garden.  New York is also the home base to featured jewelry brand Jennifer Miller Jewelry.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

GIOVANNA LARNIA

.950 Silver Filigree Princess Waterfall Necklace
The mysterious Nazca Lines, located in Ica, Peru is just one of numerous locales to see in this ancient city. 

Known as the “land of the sun,” Ica offers an annual wine festival; the Inca Regional Museum; and the stunning Huacachina Oasis.  Peru is also home to featured jewelry designer Giovanna Larnia.

Monday, October 8, 2012

ALON DILLER

.950 and Sterling Silver Aztec Gargoyle
Pendant Necklace with Calcite, Obsidian and Bronze
Israel’s ancient port city, Caesarea, is a virtual blast into the country’s past with attractions like Herod’s Harbor; the splendid Promontory Palace; and the Amphitheatre that has a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.  Israel is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Alon Diller.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Up-and-Coming Jewelry Designer Kasia Piechocka’s GIVEAWAY for a Great CAUSE!


Polish jeweler Kasia Piechocka auspiciously launched her self-titled luxury jewelry brand just one short year ago.  

Although the brand is still growing, the graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins is eager to make a positive difference in the world, as well as settle the score that those in the fashion industry don’t just jump on a charity bandwagon because it is en vogue. 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

LEGENDS OF THE FALL | JEWELRY TRENDS FOR FALL 2012

Twenty eleven has come and gone and 2012 has settled in so that means the ushering in of new (or not so new) jewelry trends!  With the Fall season upon us, this edition of Splendor Sidebar lets you in on some of the top jewelry trends for the Fall season along with great designer jewelry pieces from Etsy and Amazon.  

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

MISUN WON

Sterling Silver Circular Rings
with Garnet and Citrine

A Zen monastery is among one of the many highlights of the picturesque surroundings of Mount Kumgang located in North Korea.

Walking and hiking trails, hot springs and scenic beaches are among other attractions.  Korea is also the birthplace of Misun Won.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

HENRI MARTEAU | GEORLAND

18K White and Yellow Gold Gemstone Stack Rings
from Rainbow Collection
The small town of Riquewihr, located in northeastern France, is a locale that dates back to the 16th century.  

The town holds a castle-turned museum that contains artifacts and the village is renowned for its wines.  France is also home to jewelry brand Georland.

Monday, October 1, 2012

RABAB SALEM | RUBY’S SILVER


Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet from Islamic Collection
Erected during the 11th century, Egypt’s Citadel of Saladin mosques embody the political intrigue of ancient times.  Egypt is also home to Rabab Salem.

QUOTABLE GEMS | HARRISON FORD

You know you're getting old when all the names in your black book have M. D. after them.

Friday, September 28, 2012

BARBARA GARWOOD


24K Gold Vermeil and Cinnabar Link Bracelet
In 2003 the co-founder of The Home Depot, Bernie Marcus, announced his plan to build the incredible Georgia Aquarium as a gift to the community of Atlanta, Georgia for their support of his Atlanta-based headquarters.  

The six-and-a-half year old tourist attraction has welcomed over 11 million visitors and houses over 60 exhibits.  Georgia is also home to Barbara Garwood.
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