Pink, Professional, and Polished Jewelry

9/29/2013

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Reader Sammy Mo asks: Hi, I'm looking for jewelry in silver with pinkish stones/beads to go with clothing in the pink-peach color family. This color suits me really well and I'd like some delicate jewelry that I could wear to work with it. Not too "out there" as I work in a somewhat professional field, though I don't do suits very often. I also don't like paying a lot for fake stuff, so prefer to have silver or gold in the jewelry, maybe with a pink agate or some such stone? Dark hair and medium tone skin (several shades lighter than my hair so high contrast). Bonus points for (1) durable (ok for frequent use, overnight wear sometimes if I forget to take it off), (2) optional matching earrings, (3) comfortable - hate those chains that catch on hair or dig into your neck. Budget in the $100 range but flexible for good stuff, and extra for earrings etc. Thanks!
So, a couple comments on jewelry before I dive in.  
Druzy pink geode necklace from DiscoLemonade Designs on Etsy ($22.99 - I love druzy and this color is lovely. If you'd prefer a silver setting, message the designer.)
Copperhead necklace with rose gold czech glass beads from chouettes on Etsy ($50 - this necklace is, admittedly, a bit of a stretch on "pink" but would look lovely with pink and peach cloths.  It is also a simply lovely necklace. You might also like this necklace from the same store.)

Navy and pink stain glass style necklace at Gemworks on Etsy ($29 - I love love love navy and pink together and I think this is a beautiful and different take on it.  Its a subtle pink, I will admit, but I think its lovely.  I know not everyone loves this stiff necklace style and if you prefer a different chain, message the seller.)
K. Amato Ombre Triple Beaded Necklace at Simply Soles ($88 - this may be a bit pricey for what is, essentially, three strands of glass beads in a few colors but I like the different color combinations - I think it would be fun and mix and match with a lot of different outfits.  For a necklace with so many colors, I bet it would be surprisingly neutral.) 
Pink agate necklace and earrings from LovebyLily on Etsy ($20.00 - this agate necklace is a beautiful shade of pink, so beautiful that I'm seriously considering ordering it. The chain is the silver you prefer and the earrings are lovely. The price is good [almost too good] but her reviews are excellent. She may be a newer store. Perhaps converse with her a bit before ordering.)
Michael Kors 'Seaside Luxe' Beaded Necklace at Nordstroms ($65.35 - again, possibly a bit expensive for what it is - this necklace looks very simple from a distance [other than the fun pink shade] but up close the beads are very pretty and the "pave crystal station" is a nice touch.  There's no picture of it on a model so I'm not sure how long it is, so that's a shame.)
Marc by Marc Jacobs Bold Necklace in Argento and Rose Gold at Shopbop ($96.60 - this necklace may be a little more aggressively styled than you like but I like that it flips the usual color scheme - putting the silver in the bead and the pink in the chain. For readers at home, the Oro/hematite option is also awesome.)
Statement of the Art Necklace in Blush from ModCloth ($49.99 - I can't testify to quality from ModCloth - but I think this necklace is pretty fun [as are those earrings, but they aren't included.]  This would look fabulous with peach or pink - but also with tan or black or navy or green or god almost anything. These are the sneaky pieces that you buy thinking "when will I wear it" and then end up wearing all the time.)
Blue opal with mixed rubies and pearls from Gewgaws on Etsy ($126 but with discount for Corporette readers - Kanye East from Corporette has several beautiful necklaces in her store that include pink necklaces, but I love this blue opal necklace to death and think it would provide a great contrast to your pink/peach clothing [with the rubies and pearls providing the appropriate matching.]  And I should note that I have bought or received as gifts several Kanye necklaces, including this one which we designed together, and they have all been amazing quality and are central parts of my jewelry collection.)
Hot fushia and pink agate necklace from molgallery on Etsy ($63.00 - I think this falls firmly in the category of "probably a little different than what you were thinking" but I love it and wanted to show it to you.  Its beautiful and would be a great event piece and maybe even a statement piece for work.  On the flip side, this simpler strand of pink agate from the same seller may be more up your alley, it is also beautiful and may fit with more pieces in your wardrobe.  For an even paler, almost white, pink - I love this peach rose pink adventurine necklace (also from the same seller.)
Rebecca Minkoff Long Pave Moon Pendant Necklace on Rose Gold Chain at Shopbop ($98 - I know you like silver or gold but this rose gold paired with a pave pendant is a lovely long pendant - which is both a trendy now but classic in its own way.  While I think this would be lovely with a pink or peach outfit, it would also be a lovely dramatic piece with a little black dress or a navy blue silk blouse - something darker.)
Peach sunstone and rose gold pyrite necklace (top) and red jasper necklace (bottom) So, the top necklace is my *actual* recommendation for you, I think its a lovely mix of peach and rose gold.  Its different but lovely and relatively simple.  It could be dressed up for a cocktail party or wedding or dressed down for work.  The bottom is mostly just for fun, but I think it would look amazing with pink - I love mixing deep reds with pink as a way to mix things up.  Give it a think!)
Hot pink agate pendant necklace set in silver at BellaDonna Jewelry Co. on Etsy ($20 - this one is just fun.  There are a TON of versions of hot pink or fuchsia agate pendants on Etsy but I like that this one is (a) finished rather than rough, which I think makes it look more polished for work and (b) set in a teardrop setting, which makes it look unique. It also combines pink with silver, which is rarer than you would think. Its fun but still professional - a nice balance.)
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Mixed Metal Jewelry

6/6/2013

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So...Kanye East (of everywhere fame) has an amazing Etsy store that I've featured on this blog before.  This evening she posted this lovely rough diamond multi chain necklace with silver and gold chains.  I like it a lot (as per usual with items from the Gewgaws store) but it also got me thinking about mixed metal jewelry.  Sometimes its great.  Sometimes its good.  Sometimes its okay.  And sometimes its just awful. But I find it super useful in my jewelry collection - I mean I can pair it with either my silver OR my gold jewelry - that's extremely useful!  So I thought I'd find and recommend some nice mixed metal jewelry tonight.  But first, here's Kanye's lovely creation (on-sale now for $94 though she offers a Corporette discount....which I probably should have checked if I should post that here.  
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I know many people worry aout service and quality on Etsy. If you do not read the 'rette or are not familiar with Kanye or her store - I have bought two items from her and am aware of many others who have shopped there as well. Her service is excellent and prompt and her quality is top of the line, professional level. She also does custom orders and actually worked with me to custom-make both of the necklaces I bought from her. Anyway - now that I've internet flirted with Kanye enough (she's awesome an amazing human being lets get down to business.)
So - one of the keys for me with mixed metal jewelry is that you have to balance my desire for the metals to look as real as possible while still blending somewhat - a balance well struck by the rustic metals Kanye used above.  Hammered metals also often work well as good.  Sometimes the really bright metallics don't work as well, in my opinion.  I also REALLY love when there are other metals involved, like copper, bronze, tungsten, whatever - anyway- now that I've written an ode - lets get to the shopping.
Mixed Metal Brass Handmade Earrings at AshanteCulture on Esty ($27.50 - the price is great for cool looking earrings, ships from the US, and the artist has an interesting afrocentric theme to her jewelry.)
Metal Mixed Wrist Wrap bracelet from Fossil ($54 - I like that it mixes several metals AND has some sparkle.  Would be fun for casual or work, I think.  Fossil is actually rolling in bracelets right now - like this one or this one.
House of Harlow Two tone Engraved Stud Earrings at Nordstroms ($38 - I find that I often post dangle earrings - but I know many people like studs and these are GREAT studs.) 
Dogeared Mixed-Metal Sparkle Karma Necklace from Cusp at Neiman Marcus ($75 - this necklace is kind of fun - its a pretty pendant on a long chain that hits mid boob area - for lack of a better descriptor.  This would be a great addition to a simple black or gray or other monotoned sheath dress when you want something discrete but not boring.
Caravelle by Bulova two tone mixed metal bracelet watch at Macy's ($79.99 - watches are a great way to mix metals - since many people wear them everyday its especially helpful if they match all of your jewelry - or at least more of your jewelry.  I'm oddly drawn to this watch, maybe because the floral pattern separates it just a bit from the other watches?)
Blu Bijou Mixed Metal Geometric Necklace made of textured silver and gunmetal plate at Max & Chloe ($52.50 on sale - I think this necklace is pretty and would be a nice introduction to mixed metals for those who don't love gold.  I also really like textured or hammered silver/gunmetal a lot. I could see this as a serious work basic.)
Vanessa Mooney Classic Mixed Metal Teardrop Earrings at Beauty.com ($42.50 - a classic teardrop earring like this can be such a jewelry basic but I like the mixed metal twist. I don't know anything about Beauty.com - but Vanessa Mooney has a bunch of similar items on her direct sales page - but not these particular ones - though there are mixed metal hoop earrings.)
Hammered metal copper and aluminum swirled pendant necklace from Designami on Etsy ($20 - this is a very cool looking pendant.  I might get it restrung onto a chain with something like the small beads on the karma necklace above.)
TopShop V-link Collar Necklace at Nordstroms ($35 - I think this would be an amazing necklace for dressing up a LBD with either a deeper v-neck or strapless or a deep scoop neck.  The one review says it shines brightly but I still think it looks like the mixed metals work great and look classic yet contemporary.  And the price is right in my book.
Argento Vivo 'Prism' Double Drop Earrings at Nordstroms ($128 - generally I don't like dropping a ton of money on jewelry, but these sort of earrings are the type of thing that make me consider an exception.  First, they make a statement - they could, on their own, be the centerpiece of a formal outfit or a cocktail party or even just a night out with the girls.  Second, they are unique enough and intricately enough designed, I don't think I'll find the same thing at Target or online the next day for way cheaper.  I could be wrong of course, but these are really beautiful and seem special.  So I thought I'd share.)
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Mixed Metal Button Drop Earrings at Lord & Taylor ($26 - now THESE are a great work basic.  Subtle, elegant, and they mix the metals smoothly.  And they look like they'd shine beautifully.  I'm all in.)
Mixed Metal Patterned Copper and Sterling Silver Ring by moonkistdesigns at Etsy ($70 - this is pretty and I like the patterned copper - there are actually matching earrings and necklaces available as well. Also, if you would like a smaller ring, check this one out [I like it a bit better but the picture didn't post well!])
Hive & Honey Two Tone Knotted Chain Torsade Necklace from Piperlime ($42 - not mixed metals [instead pink and gold] but I love this take on the knotted necklace trend.  On the "person" on the web, it looks like the prefect length.  A great option for a summery statement necklace.)
So - that's all she wrote (literally) today folks.  Sorry the post was a bit late; I was having a *day* and just was super grumpy.  But then Kanye posted the perfect necklace and gave me IDEAS!  Hope you like the outcome.  Do you mix metals?  What's your favorite piece of mixed metal jewelry and how do you wear it?  Leave a comment below!

Editor's Note: Did you all notice I started a twitter for this blog?  I have no idea what to do with it (or how to use it for that matter) but you should follow me if you read this blog - I might post occasional other items I see that I like ... and also I like followers.  They give my life meaning.  (Kidding - sort of.  ;-)  You can get to my Twitter by clicking the icon on the top of the page, the envelope allows you to email me directly if you have comments or questions, the Yahoo! icon actually leads to my Tumblr (there isn't a Tumblr icon and I thought it was ironic since Yahoo just bought Tumblr) and the YouTube brings you to, well, my Youtube channel which has one video and no near term plans to increase that number.  OKAY - social media update complete.


Thanks for reading - I hope this post was fun and inspired you to adventure you into the fun wild world of mixed metals (also - shoes are another place where metals can be mixed with great pizazz.)  Happy shopping and may the sales be ever in your favor.
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