Sparkles&Fades

I’m not typically a bracelet wearer, but every once in a while a piece of jewelry will catch my eye and I just have to wear it.

Such eye-catching eye has to be unique and not overly-priced. I believe a girl should have a limited set of fine jewelry supplemented with affordable pieces, that way you can mix and match without spending too much dough.

This bracelet from Fossil meets all of my jewelry expectations. First, I’ve never seen anything quite like it; it’s a charm bracelet without being kitschy.  Second, the gold metal isn’t too overpowering, a.k.a. not cheap looking or too shiny. And lastly, it’s less than $50 which is hard to find these days.

This Gold Stretch Charm Bracelet can be found at www.fossil.com for $48. With that price, why not splurge on a few more items?

What woman doesn’t love diamonds? I believe it was Marilyn Monroe who said, “Diamonds are a girls best friend.” I couldn’t agree more. It’s not hard to love diamonds, but if you aren’t educated about the process, it may be difficult to purchase one. Here are a few tips when looking for your perfect rock:

1. Remember the 4 Cs- Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat. These are all very important in the decision-making process. Be sure to educate yourselves on what each of the Cs mean and what is most important to you. For me, it’s color and clarity.

2.  Don’t buy retail. I hope the big retail chains aren’t going to come after me, but trust me…you will pay more for less if you buy retail. Wholesale jewelers don’t have a huge mark-up on their diamonds unlike the mall retail jewelry stores.

3. Choose your metal carefully. The most popular metals are platinum and white gold. Each has their place dependent up the buyers wants and needs, so pick out what fits your style and budget best. There is a new, “sexy” metal the scene–Paladium. It has the same look as platinum, but it;s cheaper and the metal is a little harder.

All in all, be sure to cover all your options before making such a huge purchase. Don’t rush into anything, take your time and enjoy yourself…it’s all very exciting!

I’m terribly afraid of needles! So, when all my elementary school friends were off getting their ears pierced…I was staying home in a needle-free environment.

Now that I’m older, I want to wear earrings but haven’t been able to find anything other than grandma-inspired clip-ons, until recently! Francesca’s Collections has included several pairs of clip-on earrings to their online collections. These pair, the Basquiat Clip-Ons, have a contemporary flair to them that say, “I didn’t borrow these from my grandma!” In fact, you can’t even tell they aren’t part of the pierced family of earrings. They’re like wearing an abstract piece of art!

The Basquiat’s earrings are available in gold or silver at www.francescascollections.com for only $18.

Don’t miss out on this eclectic piece of jewelry for $140 at www.jcrew.com.

Jules Smith is a popular jewelry designer who loves to kiss and tell. Her collection of “kiss” jewelry features those iconic lips on everything from earrings to necklaces. Today’s kissable entry is from her Kiss Kiss collection and highlights organic elements found in the Caribbean. This fun bracelet features hand polished sterling silver lips strung on a bracelet made of durable wax cotton. Blow them a kiss they can keep with the Kiss Kiss bracelet for $104 from www.zappos.com.

It’s time for a new watch. Why? Well, first off… it’s summer - which practically screams ‘new accessories!’ You’ve got to get some new shorts, a sun dress and couple of hats. Might as well get a new watch as well. Also, and most importantly, all the other watches in your collection need new batteries! Are you going to change them? Didn’t think so! Because then you’d have to reconsider purchasing the groovy Silver and Wood watch from www.fossil.com. This retro-inspired watch has a distinctive wood dial and fun bracelet design featuring alternating wood panels. Made with quality materials and trademark Fossil craftsmanship, this women’s timepiece is available for only $85 online. They say that timing is everything… so take a cue from that pile of dead watches and make Silver and Wood your new summer accent.

Dog tags have been a classic masculine accent for decades. Not only are they heroic symbols of military service, they’re also appealingly versatile pieces of jewelry. The Stainless Steel Black Dog Tag (pictured) offers a handsome, elegant variation on the basic design. The stainless steel black tag, showcased on a simple beaded chain, features an eye-catching metallic shine. Measuring a generous 22 inches, this durable piece can be engraved for a more customized statement; great for a unique gift. Ensure they stand at attention with the Black Dog Tag on sale for $40 from www.kohls.com.

Celebrate your inner Greek goddess with the Alvina Headband from www.tigerlillyjewelry.com. Made with silver or gold flowers and large Swarovski rhinestones, this stunning piece is a timeless accent sure to impress. Created as an exotic adornment for bridal apparel, the Alvina is also a distinctive jewelry piece that can be worn for special dress occasions. Get your Mighty Aphrodite on with an easy-to-secure Alvina headband and a classic black evening dress. Treat yourself to a touch of exotic glamour for $350 from the Tiger Lilly Jewelry collection.

My grandmother, rest her soul, used to always put on a shiny, ornamental pin to accent any formal outfit. I always knew that she was going somewhere special when she stuck on a colorful pin to her clothing. Ornamental pins (or brooches) are far more commonplace today and are used to accent everything from evening dresses to casual bags. The whimsical Elephant Brooch (pictured) is made from silver tone metal and accented with green, blue, purple and pink acrylic glass and clear crystal rhinestones. It’s a versatile, unexpected ornament that would have been ideal for grandma’s church dress – or her house dress. Get it for the exceptional price of $7.99 at www.pugster.com where you’ll find a variety of inexpensive brooches and fun accessories.

A brilliant spectrum of color options is just one of the reasons that gemstones remain a popular jewelry accent. Though rubies, emeralds and sapphires are staples because of their bright hues, there are several gemstones that offer darker yet no less spectacular colors. These bold quartz earrings highlight smokey topaz semi-precious gemstones in a sterling silver post style design. Accented with three full cut diamonds (per piece), these distinctive dangle earrings will add a sophisticated touch to any look. Add some smokey clarity to your jewelry collection with the Smokey Quartz Earring set from www.jewelrybasket.com; on sale now for $85.00.