RACHEL STEWART JEWELRY

Gold Mirrored Acrylic Soul Glo Earrings

In North Carolina, over two hundred years ago in 1799, the son of German farmer Johannes Reith (a/k/a John Reed) unknowingly discovered a large gold nugget on their land. 

Subsequently, this unearthing led to the erection of one of the USA’s first gold mines, the Reed Gold Mine.  North Carolina is also home to featured jewelry designer Rachel Stewart.

SHEILA FLEET ORKNEY DESIGNER JEWELLERY

9-Karat Yellow and White Gold Pendant
Necklace from Reef Knot Collection

A popular tourist attraction in Scotland is the 12^th century structure known as the Holyrood Palace.  A one-time monastery, the palace continues to serve as the residence for Scottish royalty.  

Well-preserved and lavish interiors as well as beautiful exterior gardens make the palace an exquisite sight to behold.  Scotland is also home to featured jewelry designer Sheila Fleet.

VERA BALYURA | VERAMEAT JEWELRY

Brass Gold Wing Span Pendant Necklace

Considered to be one of the Ukraine’s largest and oldest cities, Kiev City holds the ruins of a 10^th century palace, as well as the Monastery of St. Sophia.  

The Ukraine is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Vera Balyura.

SOPHIA FORERO

Gold Ring with Pink Sapphires

The agora located near the south end of the Acropolis is one of many ancient meeting places in Greece. 

Agoras not only served as a place for social gatherings but were also a platform for political discussions and for seeking out marketplace goods.  Greece is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Sophia Forero.

REGINA FLORES MONTES

.950 Silver and Amazonite Abundance Earrings

Trujillo City, located in Peru, was once a thriving arena of luxury as agricultural exports provided much of the city’s wealth. 

Today archaeological centers highlighting structures of pre-Incan cultures provide historical insight into the city’s heyday.  Peru is also home to featured jewelry designer Regina Flores Montes.

MIA STRAKA JEWELLERY

Sterling Silver Cold Shoulder Necklace

Located off the northeastern coast of New Zealand are the rugged landscapes of Poor Knight Islands. 

The islands are a prime locale for activities on the land and in the water including snorkeling, scuba diving and hiking.  New Zealand is also home to featured jewelry designer Mia Straka.

LESLEY STRICKLAND

Plastic and Sterling Silver Orbit Pendant
in Tortishell

Warwickshire, England is the location of a popular tourist attraction; a market town called Stratford-upon-Avon. 

This wonderfully quaint location was once the homestead to legendary playwright William Shakespeare.  England is also home to featured jewelry designer Lesley Strickland.

SEMIHA DURAK | GÜZEL JEWELRY DESIGN

Crochet Wire Pearl Earring

Located in Istanbul, Turkey is the lavish Dolmabahçe Palace.  Constructed during the mid-1800s, the palace boasts some of the most spectacular amenities known to the world.

They include an elaborate staircase and ceilings gilded with gold leaf.  Turkey is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Semiha Durak.

ROBERTO SALVATO

Sterling and .950 Silver and Pearl
Popocatepetl Snow Charm Bracelet

A one-time prison and police station, Italy’s Bargello Museum now contains splendid antiquities dating back to a time-frame between the 14^th and 17^th centuries.  

Italy is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Roberto Salvato.

ALEXANDRA AMARO | GLOBAL FUSION JEWELRY

Blackwood Espirala Ring from Contempora Collection

With the exception of three short weeks, California’s Santa Monica Beach is graced with nearly nonstop sunshine.  

Well-groomed sands make for great fun-in-the sun, lounging and kicking back.  California is also home to featured jewelry designer Alexandra Amaro.

AOIFE O'MAHONY DESIGN

18-Karat Gold Eye Candy Stacking Rings

Ireland’s Newgrange monument is considered one of Europe’s “finest achievements of European Neolithic art.” 

The mound-shaped passage tomb is constructed of engraved kerbstones; and according to Irish mythology the structure is the dwelling place for Oenghus, the god of love.  

Ireland is also home to featured jewelry designer Aoife O’Mahony.

PRIYO SALIM

Sterling Silver and Amethyst Leaf Trio Pendant Necklace

Located in the Bali village of Ubud is the Amandari Resort.  

The resort contains a plethora of stunning, natural landscapes that include the Ayung River Gorge and lush forests.  

Indonesia is also home to featured jewelry designer Priyo Salim.

CUBIC ZIRCONIA | AN INFERIOR DIAMOND SUBSTITUTE?

The highly dense and refractive cubic zirconia (or CZ) has been a strong competitor to the well-loved and ubiquitous diamond for a little over three decades and counting.  

Unfortunately, however, this flawless isometric crystal has been marred for years by a derisive reputation.  This edition of Splendor Sidebar will explore the origins of this misunderstood man-made gemstone.  

KASIA PIECHOCKA | KASIA PIECHOCKA JEWELLERY

18-Karat Rose Gold Plated Sterling
Silver Fish Weight Pendant Necklace

Poland’s Wieliczka Salt Mine is a centuries-old burrow situated within the city of Krakow.

A one-time location for producing table salt, the mine is now a popular tourist attraction holding “mythical and historical” figurines made from rock salt and an underground lake.  Poland is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Kasia Piechocka.

DANIEL ESPINOSA | DANIEL ESPINOSA JEWELRY

18-Karat Rose and White Gold Bellisma
Double Sphere Ring with Diamonds

The Mexican city of Ixtapa, located northwest of Acapulco, Mexico, is a beautiful beach resort that boasts long stretches of sand and water activities such as snorkeling and swimming.  Mexico is also home to featured jewelry designer Daniel Espinosa.

QUOTABLE GEMS | MARILYN MONROE

Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.

THISBE GONÇALEZ

18-Karat Gold Plated Ametrine Cocktail Ring

Located within Brazil’s lush Amazon Rainforest is the late 19^th century opera house, The Teatro Amazonas.  

Designed in a stunning Renaissance style by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim, the structure was constructed for the express purpose of making it a grand center of civilization.  

Brazil is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Thisbe Gonçalez.