HIROTAKA INOUE

18K Gold Vermeil Camouflage Leaf
Insect Ring

The 17^th century Nijo Castle, located in Kyoto, Japan, is a marvel of ancient architecture.

Completed in 1626, and covering 2 acres of land, the structure consists of multiple palaces and castles including the Honmaru Palace which houses the one-time living quarters of Shoguns.  Japan is also home to featured jewelry designer Hirotaka Inoue.

LEYLA ABDOLLAHI

18K Yellow Gold Ianthe Ring with Amethyst,
Green and Purple Sapphires

Though the ancient Iranian city Persepolis stands in ruins, the city’s greatness is still palpable.

Sites like the Gate of All Nations and the Tomb of the Kings are awe-inspiring as they represent the country’s legendary art and architecture.

Iran is also home to featured jewelry designer Leyla Abdollahi.

INSTAGRAM THURSDAY | STEPHEN WEBSTER | AUGUST 2015

At the tender age of sixteen British jewelry designer Stephen Webster  embarked on a journey into the sparkly, glittery world of jewelry making!  By 1999 his varied style approach that included both elegant and bold statement pieces became popular with Goldie Hawn, Elizabeth Taylor and Ozzy Osbourne.

A photo posted by Stephen Webster (@stephenwebsterjewellery) on Jun 12, 2015 at 5:36am PDT

A photo posted by Stephen Webster (@stephenwebsterjewellery) on May 31, 2015 at 10:04am PDT

A photo posted by Stephen Webster (@stephenwebsterjewellery) on Jul 2, 2015 at 5:41am PDT

INSTAGRAM THURSDAY | JACQUIE AICHE | JULY 2015

Los Angeles-based designer Jacquie Aiche delicately combines Egyptian and Native American aesthetics to produce dainty trinkets that are great for layering!

A photo posted by Jacquie Aiche (@jacquieaiche) on Jul 21, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

A photo posted by Jacquie Aiche (@jacquieaiche) on Jul 26, 2015 at 8:43am PDT

A photo posted by Jacquie Aiche (@jacquieaiche) on Apr 15, 2015 at 10:33am PDT

MARIE PONIATOWSKI | STONE PARIS

18K White, Black & Rose Gold
Gatsby Rings with Diamonds

Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus hails from the picturesque city Torun in Poland.

Filled with numerous historic sites, such as Old Town and St. John’s Cathedral, the city is renowned for its unique beauty.

Poland is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Marie Poniatowski.

INSTAGRAM THURSDAY | TODD REED | JULY 2015

See what designer jewelry brands are up to at Instagram in my first Instagram Thursday post!  Today’s feature is 40-year-old, self-taught jeweler Todd Reed.  Reed began creating jewelry 23 years ago and is known for his stunning work with raw, conflict-free diamonds.

Today's cuff stack. Rose gold, sterling silver and diamonds.

A photo posted by Todd Reed (@toddreedjewelry) on Jul 14, 2015 at 11:02am PDT

A photo posted by Todd Reed (@toddreedjewelry) on May 19, 2015 at 9:57am PDT

A photo posted by Todd Reed (@toddreedjewelry) on Jun 25, 2015 at 12:22pm PDT

WENDY YUE

18K Rose Gold Serpent's Nest Ring
with Opal, Brown Diamonds, Blue
and Pink Sapphires, Tsavorite and Citrine

A World Heritage Site, China’s Jiuzhaigou Valley is the habitat of the Great Panda. 

Shrouded in lore, legend says that the bodies of water located within the valley were created by the shards of a goddess’ broken mirror. 

China is also home to featured jewelry designer Wendy Yue.

CEYDA GUNGOR | JADA

14K Rose Gold Juju Bracelet with Champagne Diamonds

With its long summers and beautiful beaches the Turkish city Alanya is an ideal seaside resort.  But Alanya’s natural wonders is not all this city has to offer. 

The power of Seljuk architecture is on display with the 13^th century Alanya Fortress, and the Red Tower.  Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Ceyda Gungor.

GERT HELLMUTH

18K Yellow Gold Ring, Earrings and Bracelet
with Diamonds from Croco Collection

Located on the southwest border of Germany in the Vosges Mountains is the Moselle Valley.  

The area is widely known for its white wine, and 13^th century castles that include Burg Bischofstein, and Burg Pyrmont.  Germany is also home to featured jewelry designer Gert Hellmuth.

ALEXEI SOLDATOV | ALEX SOLDIER

Smoky Quartz and Diamond Pendant Necklace

Touted as one of Russia’s major “religious centers,” Suzdal is an 11^th century city that houses spectacular 13^th and 17^th century churches and cathedrals.

Russia is also home to featured jewelry designer Alexei Soldatov.

JULIA HADI

18K White Gold 3-Wheels Diamond Bracelet

Curious whales and dolphins can be seen during August and September while scuba diving at Indonesia’s Manado Dive Resort. 

The lush locale is a volcanic island with plenty of “fresh fruits and vegetables.” 

Indonesia is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Julia Hadi.

MARIO GARAVELLI

18K Gold Hoop Earrings with Diamonds

There is an unconventional tourist attraction in Venice, Italy: the Palazzo Ducale (or Doge’s Palace).  

Housing the courts and seats of government the structure is known for its stunning Gothic architecture and “vast collections of paintings.”  Italy is also home to jewelry house Garavelli.

RETURN TO SPLENDOR 2014!

ILEANA MAKRI

18K Rose Gold Earrings with
Champagne Diamonds

Sixteenth century windmills and stunning villas “perched on rock formations” are a few of the scenic wonders of Mykonos, Greece.  Greece is also home to featured jewelry designer Ileana Makri.

JAN LOGAN JEWELLERY

9K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
with Phosphosiderite

Up for a long journey?  Well there are good seats available on the Indian Pacific railway.

The 65-hour trip travels across three states of Australia including Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.  Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Jan Logan.

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.

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.

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 13^th 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.

VANESSA KANDIYOTI

18K Rose Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings

The Grand Palace, located in Brussels, Belgium, is a town square that houses magnificent 15^th and 16^th century architecture in the guise of Brussels City Hall and the King’s House.  

In addition every two years in August the grounds of the town square are covered with a flower carpet of begonias.  Belgium is also the birthplace of Vanessa Kandiyoti.

KIMBERLY McDONALD

18-Karat Gold Goede Ring with Diamond

For forty-three years, New York’s Madison Square Garden has been New York City’s “longest active major sporting facility.”

In addition to maintaining its place as a leading arena for sports, The Garden, as it also known, is also the world’s third largest music arena.  New York is also the birthplace of Kimberly McDonald.