MIJOU BELLER | . . . & BANANA

Baroque Bead Bracelets

The Phinda Game Reserve, located in KwaZula-Natal, South Africa has been a fixture in the country for two decades.  Visitors can reside at one of several lodges: the Rock Lodge, the Mountain Lodge or The Vlei Lodge. 

Here visitors can take in some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes including the Lebombo Mountains.  South Africa is the current home of Mijou Beller.

UTE DECKER | SCULPTURAL JEWELLERY

Bio-Resin and Recycled Silver Lacquered Vegetarian Ring

There is nothing like an ice cold beer, right?  Well hold on to your hats as we stop in Munich, Germany to visit beer brewery Hofbrauhuas Hall. 

Not only does the facility produce the “second most distributed beer at Oktoberfest,” it also houses a ballroom, beer garden and restaurant.  Germany is also the birthplace to Ute Decker.

RANJANA KHAN

Lapis and Crystal Chandelier Earrings

Made of white and red sandstone with interior decorations of fresco paintings and mosaics, India’s Amer Fort is considered one of the country’s most imposing hilltop forts.  India is also the birthplace of Ranjana Khan.

HENRY DUNAY | H.D.D., INC.

18-Karat Gold Opal and Diamond Ring

By the conclusion of the 1800s the location presently known as Times Square was becoming New York City’s heart of social activity.

A thriving theater district, Times Square is populated with plenty of electric billboards that help provide the ambience of the city that never sleeps.  New York is also home to Henry Dunay. 

SONJA PICARD COLLECTION

Sterling Silver Small Lotus Heart Earrings
from Studio Line

At over 200 years old Canada’s Old Town Lunenburg is still a wonder of meticulously crafted architecture making it a National Historic District.  Canada is also home to Sonja Picard.

MELANIE FALVEY | CHIC JEWEL COUTURE

Gold-Filled Sterling Silver Maharanee Necklace

Believed to have been built during the reign of emperors Nerva or Vespasian, Spain’s Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the country’s major architectural wonders. 

A total of 167 arches (some single others double) outline this magnificent structure.  Spain is also home to Melanie Falvey.

KAISALEENA MAKELA

Bronze Forest Earrings with
Green Serpentine

The city of Helsinki is one of Finland’s most densely populated areas boasting several islands including Seuraari, and Korkeasaari; the latter of which is the location of Finland’s largest zoo.  Finland was also home to the late Kaisleena Makela.

KYOKO HASHIMOTO STUDIO

Acrylic and Sterling Silver Bibi Ring from
Prototype Collection

Located in Japan’s Prefecture of Nara stands the Buddhist Horyuji Temple.  Within its storied walls are monks’ quarters, dining and lecture halls, and sculptures.  Japan is also the birthplace of Kyoko Hashimoto.

ALBERT ICKENROTH

22-Karat Gold Plated Sterling Silver
Celebrated Jumping Frogs Pendant Necklace and Earrings

An astounding 20 million flowers are sold each day at the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in the town of Aalsmeer, Netherlands. Stunning arrays of flowers from around the world quietly populate the immense auction house.

Covering 10.6 million square feet, the building is believed to be the second largest building in the world. The Netherlands is also the birthplace of Albert Ickenroth.

SHIRLEE GRUND | LICHEN and LYCHEE

Sterling Silver Twig Stacking Ring Set
from Ember and Frost Collection

The Virginia V (Roman numeral five) steamship was the fifth of steamships built to carry passengers and ship goods within the Puget Sound region of Washington State. 

Constructed of “old-growth fir” the steamship once served as a transport for young girls traveling to summer camp. 

Presently, the Virginia V takes visitors to festivals and is also available for private charters.  Washington State is also home to Shirlee Grund.

NINA NGUYEN DESIGNS

22-Karat Gold Dipped Sterling
Silver Contrast Multi-Hoop Earrings with
Labradorite and Moonstone

Located along the banks of Vietnam’s Perfume River is the Thien Mu pagoda, a 17^th century Buddhist temple touted as one of the country’s most beautiful structures.  Vietnam is also the birthplace of Nina Nguyen.

BUSARIN HUTAWARAKORN

Azure Dreamcatcher Chandelier Earrings
with Topaz

Located within northeastern Thailand is a magnificent temple known as the Prasat Hin Phimai. 

The structure is characterized by concentric enclosures and ominous protective outer walls.  Thailand is also home to Busarin Hutawarakorn.

THE FAME GAME | DESIGNER JEWELRY AND PRODUCT PLACEMENTS

Canadian design team Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore of jewelry brand Pyrrha Design did it.  Fashion Institue of Technology (F.I.T.) graduate Yayoi Inada (Japan) did it as well as fashion publicist-turned-jewelry designer Jules Kim (USA).

What did they do?  Each of these jewelry designers has had respective pendant necklaces and rings worn by Julia Roberts, Jennifer Connelly and Rooney Mara in feature films.

CLAUDIA LLAURY

Sterling Silver and Amazonite Echo Bracelet

The city of Chiclayo, located in the northern region of Peru, is a thriving business center that also boasts gorgeous oases and museums that includes Brüning Museum.  Peru is also home to Claudia Llaury.

EHUD BARLEV | JULIELI JEWELRY

Gemstone Pendant Necklace

Built under the order of Constantine the Great, Israel’s Holy Sepulchre Church is a massive complex that highlights various locations of Christ’s somber journey to the cross.  Israel is also the home of featured jewelry designer Ehud Barlev. 

QUOTABLE GEMS | ELIZABETH TAYLOR

I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed too - for being married so many times.

YIRA KAHN

24-Karat Gold Vermeil Rosette Collar Necklace

Samańa, a city and municipality located in northeastern region of the Dominican Republic, is a stunning exotic locale with long beaches and crystal clear blue waters.  

The Dominican Republic is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Yira Kahn.