ANGELA ANGELES

White Metal Alloy Maria Clara Drop Earrings

The infectious energy of a Mardi Gras parade is one of the many draws of the Philippines’ oldest city, Cebu.

A hub for trade and business, Cebu also has a reputation for its many scenic islands where diving enthusiasts thrive.

The Philippines is also home to featured jewelry designer Angela Angeles.

ANA CERDA | INATANKA

Sterling Silver Corona Inca Choker Necklace

Beautiful beaches, including the Costa del Sol, are among many enchanting locations to see in Marbella, Spain. 

The Bonsai Museum and Arabian Wall are a few more interesting attractions to visit.  Spain is also home to featured jewelry designer Ana Cerda.

MARIA FRANCESCA PEPE | MFP Jewellery

Fuchsia Varnish Tubular Bracelet

On a clear night one can see every star in the sky at the dazzling Cinque Terre located along the Italian

Riviera.

Its rugged landscape of cliffs and steep, winding paths is touted as “a different world.”  Italy is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Maria Francesca Pepe.

LEETAL KALMANSON | LK DESIGNS

Gold and Black Sondra Cuff Bracelet

The Israeli city of Netanya is largely populated by English-speaking immigrants collectively from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. 

However, the places to explore here are expressly Israeli.  The Beit Aharon Reservation highlights Byzantine era burial caves, and the Museum of Jewish Legions.

Israel is also home to featured jewelry designer Leetal Kalmanson.

CHRISSY LOCONTI and SARAH PISCAZZI | DIRTY PRETTY THINGS

Goddess of Isis Gold Earrings
with Swarovski Crystals and Wood

At 83-years-old the Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland, Ohio, is still a place of thriving biomes with plenty of flora and fauna.  

The beautiful acres hold the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse; and Ohio’s first garden for children Hershey’s Children Garden.

Cleveland is also home to jewelry design team Chrissy LoConti and Sarah Piscazzi.

SABRINA DEHOFF

23K Gold Plated Brass Hope and Fear Earrings

Bombed fourteen times during the Second World War, Germany’s Cologne Cathedral is presently a renowned World Heritage Site.

The storied structure stands 516 feet with high glass windows and showcases Gothic architecture.  Germany is also home to featured jewelry designer Sabrina Dehoff.

MERLE O'GRADY

Gold Plated Antique Brass Agate
Bombshell Ring with Spikes

Waterford has the distinction of being Ireland’s oldest city so there is plenty of interesting sights to see.  The metropolis’ city hall, Waterford City Hall, is a remarkable vision of stunning 18^th century architecture.

For those craving natural attractions you can relax on the beautiful golden sands of Dunmore East Beach.  Ireland is also home to featured jewelry designer Merle O’Grady.

KAREN KO | K2O

Sinpo, a port city located along the Sea of Japan’s coast in North Korea, is a largely rural area.  Living

Gold Plated Armor II Body Harness
from Glam Collection

amidst the terrain of sand and pines includes deer and rabbits.  Korea is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Karen Ko.

KAREN BUDER | SUGARLIME

14K Gold Plated Violet Earrings

Canada’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve consists of three regions with Long Beach being the most visited.

The sumptuous Long Beach area is peppered with over ninety campsites for eager campers.  Canada is also home to featured jewelry designer Karen Buder.

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.

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.

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.

YEVA ADALYAN |YevArts HANDMADE JEWELRY

Wire Ring with Blue Stones

A combination of twenty-eight lakes and streams spill into Armenian’s largest lake, Lake Sevan.  

Not only is the waterway the largest in the country, it is also among one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.  

Armenia is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Yeva Adalyan.

GITTE DYRBERG and HENNING KERN | DYRBERG-KERN

Gold Toned Stainless Steel Star
Hoop Earrings with White Swarovski Crystals

Denmark’s chalk laden cliffs, Mons Klint, stand out amidst the greenery of marshes and woodlands.

The powdery white of shell remnants is offset by a picturesque lighthouse.  Denmark is also home to featured jewelry design team Gitte Dyrberg and Henning Kern.

MONICA NABATI | MONICA DESIGNS



Gold-Filled Multi-Chain Necklace
with Swarovski Crystal Circle

Zefat City in Israel is one of the country’s four holy cities as it is a premier location for “kabbalistic and rabbinical studies.”  

Zefat City is also a center for great art with an abundance of painters, sculptors and other artisans.  Israel is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Moncia Nabati.

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.

CYNTHIA CHUANG and ERH-PING TSAI | JEWELRY 10

Porcelain Horse Brooch Pin
with  Crystal and Art Glass Beads

First colonized by Dutch settlers in the 17^th century, the city of Taipei, located in Taiwan, has a rich history. 

Over the course of many years Spain, China and Japan have each played a role in the city’s storied existence.  Taiwan is also the birthplace of husband-wife design duo Cynthia Chuang and Erh-Ping Tsai.

VIV & INGRID JEWELRY

14-Karat Gold-Filled Amazonite
Skinny Wrap Hoop Earrings

Tourists frequently opt to take cable cars or hiking trails to see the incredible scenery of China’s Huangshan Mountain Range. 

China is also the ancestral home of the design team for featured jewelry brand Viv & Ingrid Jewelry.

THE SCOOP ON 2011 JEWELRY TRENDS

If keeping up with jewelry trends is not your thing it may become rather overwhelming.   However, if you enjoy making sure your jewelry collection contains an eclectic mix of styles and materials then you my friend are a die-hard fashionista!

While I have touched on various jewelry trends in blog posts over the last two years (and in many cases without knowing it) for this Splendor Sidebar you will learn some of what is abuzz for jewelry trends in 2011.

YUMI CHEN DESIGNS

24-Karat Gold Foil and Chocolate Brown Venetian Glass
Heart Pendant Necklace

The Great Wall of China is a centuries-old tourist attraction that is among the Seven Wonders of the World.  

Built by three Chinese dynasties over the course of more than 1,000 years it stretches across grasslands, rivers and desserts.  China is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Yumi Chen.