A concept extension from the previous Bridge Ring, here’s the updated version using diamonds and rubies set in white and rose gold.

The diamond pave bar goes across a few fingers when worn and gives the illusion that it’s floating. Simple, clean lines. AND looks cool.

Available at Firma Greenbelt 3 as part of the Triad/Futurism collection.

Almost metallic, lustrous peacock freshwater pearls in rose gold and rhodolite garnet pave set in oxidized silver strung on some nicely hued faceted ruby beads. The pearl branches go most of the way around and actually creates the illusion of volume. Big on impact but light-weight and easy to wear. Comes with a coordinating pair of earrings. Perfect for the nearing February 14 Valentine’s/Chinese New Year celebrations.

Currently available at Firma Greenbelt 3 as part of the Triad/Futurism collection.

Dug up some outtakes of Angel Aquino in a fashion shoot we did last year for a magazine cover at Hotel Celeste.

This woman was born to pose.

photo credit goes to Brian Philip

What an eventful 2009. Some incidents unfortunate, to say the least. Which is why, in theory, we should expect more good things to come in 2010. I wish everyone a prosperous, natural/man-made catastrophe-free year!

Inset are long necklaces in vermeil and oxidized silver with multi-colored sapphire pave, carnelian hoops and  jadeite Buddha carvings. Available in Firma Greenbelt 3.

Multi-colored sapphire pave drop earrings with diamonds in yellow and white gold. Don’t they look like Christmas tree ornaments? Ok, so maybe that’s not too romantic an analogy but nonetheless they make for some versatile work to party earrings; the sapphire pave drop can be detached and you can use the white gold and diamond hoops separately.

Lots of weddings this time of the year hence the wedding related posts.

Wedding bands are traditionally plain round rings. Essentially circles symbolizing fidelity and unending love. For this project, the groom wanted to wear his wedding band on a chain later on, for what purpose I don’t really know, but here I decided to put five large perforations across the shank. Looks quite industrial with the brushed metal surface. The holes will serve as the lasso to which the chain will be threaded later on. So I guess that solves the ring/pendant part. For the bride, she just wanted lots of circles. I was sent a sketch and translated the design into white gold, with diamonds scattered all around the band. It seemed like two completely disjointed concepts as I was sketching it out. But in the end they looked great together. And so do the couple.

Here’s something sure to endure all trends. A friend of mine had some antique jewelry with old mine cut diamonds and wanted them redone. Wanting to enhance the exoticism of these stones I designed them in an updated Edwardian style; using a fleur-de-lis motif and millgraining technique (those bead like outlines on the metal). Articulated and sways freely on the ear.  Surely doing something ultra-modern and angular wouldn’t have done the diamonds any justice. Classic cut diamonds in a classic setting. Sometimes tradition is the best option.

I get asked certain questions over and over again. “Why don’t you make anything for men?” being the one asked most.

Thing is, I do. But very few and far in between. If so its usually by commission. I’m not the type of person who wears a lot of accessories I suppose, hence my lack of motivation. Ironic, I know. If I were to wear jewelry, I’d want it to serve a particular function as well. Most typical that men wear are simple bracelets and necklaces (which I’m not into, and no function), watches (which I like but can’t really go crazy spending on) and tie pins (which i think is coming back but, really now. I rarely wear ties.) Cuff links…now there’s an idea. Not that I wear them on a daily basis but there’s more opportunity to wear them. Technically all you need is a good shirt. And you know how these days you can wear a shirt with either sneakers or dress shoes. But I digress. To cut to the chase, in a moment of inspiration, I came up with these microchip inspired links. One I made for the Futurism exhibit and one for myself. Came out really well. In pave of black diamonds on oxidized silver and textured yellow gold detail.

Then a friend buys it off me for his husband…..oh well.  So much for attempts to wear jewelry.

The other pair’s still in Firma Greenbelt 3, though.

For a friend’s wedding, I reworked some heirloom diamonds into this great pair of earrings. I decided to have them rest over the entire bottom lobe of the ear and wrap them around a bit on the edges. Diamond crusted earlobes. Sure to have made a few double-takes.

Firma’s Triad!

October 23rd, 2009

*click on title to view original article.

I always believed that good things always come in threes. I love the text invites I get from Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, the dynamic duo behind one of the most chic stores in town! The text message invite is always personal and it always has a quirky anecdote in the end, so having received the invite instantly makes you want to go. FIRMA has always been the home of the best fashion accessories in the land! This is where Bea Valdes started her now super famous brand.

The evening was the unveiling of 3 of FIRMA’s most talented Jewelry designers:  Kristine Dee, Michelline Syjuco and Paul Syjuco. It was so inspiring just to see their work. I am certain that it was a major success!

The FIRMA boys! I was digging their Holiday colors! Each time I bump into them, it’s like they ooze happiness!

I went with my girls Kitty Jacinto and Malu Gamboa. Here they are flanking Ricky.

This is a closeup of Daphne Osena’s earring from Kristine Dee. Daphne was telling me that Kristine named the collection after her daughters, that is so sweet!

The effervescent Lulu Tan-Gan! November 10 is her GALA and I cannot wait to see what she going to come up with. She is like the Dianne Von Furstenburg of the Philippines!

Loving this pendant. I think it is by Paul Syjuco. I am not sure now.

This dramatic ring is by Michelline Syjuco. It’s like from another planet! LOL!

Cuffs from Michelline. They are so beautiful!

Watch out for this one, I feel she is about to really hit it big!

Michelline’s neck piece! It’s like wearable art!

I have been hearing about this young designer a lot but I have never seen his work. Happy that I got to finally see it.

The style is very geometric and serene. There is this quiet energy with his designs. I like the compositions as its very well thought of.

Kristine Dee’s collection was extremely romantic. I zeroed in on the coral roses that really caught my eye.

This is Kristine Dee. I love what she is wearing, it is so romantic and just dreamy!

This is from Michelline Syjuco. It’s a major pendant! I can stare at the stone for hours and not get bored.

This is Michelline Syjuco! I adored her look that evening. It’s like one of those Japanese Goth animation characters

Her ring was so cool!

Paul and Michelline Syjuco. I am sure they are related but I forgot to ask them how?

HUGS!
RAJO!