ANNA ROSS | KESTER BLACK

Alchemy Pendant Necklace with Chalcopyrite Mineral
from Kingdom of the Illuminated Collection

Picturesque Sydney Harbour of Sydney, Australia is one of three inlets that compose Port Jackson.  

Several islands including Fort Denison, Spectacle Island and Shark Island pepper the length of the famous harbour.  

Australia is also the current home to featured jewelry designer Anna Ross.

SHOUROUK RHAIEM

L.A. Bracelet with Brass Chain and
Embroidered Swarovski Crystals

The gentle sway of wheat stalks resemble a golden carpet setting just below the commanding Chartres Cathedral of France. 

The 16^th century Gothic structure is among France’s best examples of this foreboding architectural style.  

France is also the current home of featured jewelry designer Shourouk Rhaiem.

LOVETTA CONTO

Let's take a walk through time to the days of Egyptian Pharaohs and visit the remarkable temple known as the Ramesseum near the Nile River in Africa.

The foreboding structure features giant statues of Ramses II, as well as a well-preserved schoolroom made of mud brick. Africa is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Lovetta Conto.

DEBBIE KUO

Established 81 years ago under a different name, the South China Botanical Garden is among China's most significant public gardens. The institution has won several awards relating to its extensive research on plant resources, biotechnology, and ecology. China is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Debbie Kuo.

Careful consideration to arrangement of materials is central to Kuo's designs. Her attention to detail renders jewelry that is classic, and sophisticated with sweeping, exotic elegance.

An alumna of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, as well as former employee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Kuo brings the grandeur of East Indian sculptures, Italian and Byzantine gemstones, and Chinese paintings to her line Kuo Ting Jewelry.

Fashioned from various combinations of sterling silver and 14-karat gold-filled chains, freshwater pearls, sapphire roundels, pink chalcedony, gray agate, multi-colored resin, and "distinctive vintage pieces", items like her India Gold Necklace and Chinese Pagoda Earrings possess a feminine delicacy with striking color and sensual textures. Overall, it is minimalistic jewelry with balanced proportions; visually striking without being elaborate.

Kuo's stunning jewelry has been featured in the editorial layouts of Lucky, and Martha Stewart Weddings magazines. Actor Finola Hughes has draped her wrists, earlobes, and décolleté with various pieces from Kuo's line while hosting the Style Network show How Do I Look?

Kuo's stylish--and affordable--trinkets of exotica are distributed through boutiques in L.A., Chicago, and New York, as well as online at CoutureCandy.com.
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Photo 1 (top right): Openwork Gold Vermeil Bead Chinese Pagoda Earrings with Pink and Green Tourmaline Drops
Photo 2 (bottom left): Gold Vermeil India Gold Pendant with Garnet Cluster on 14-Karat Gold-Filled Chain

MONA WALLSTROM

Today we visit another award-winning botanical garden located in Gothenburg, Sweden; its name, Gothenburg Botanical Garden.

Over 16,000 species of flora, including orchids and magnolias, cover the 430-acre grounds, as well as a sprawling rock garden, and a traditional Japanese garden. Sweden is also the home of featured jewelry designer Mona Wallström.