An interesting bangle primarily using gold and some seed pearls for contrast. The vines were done in polished yellow gold and the leaves textured to give that organic feel. The design's still pretty much open to variations as replacing the pearls with some colored stones or even diamonds. Or doubling up the width. But this one's quite nice as it is; undulating naturally on the wrist. Considering its done in solid gold.
Here are earrings of carved carnelian flowers with diamonds and seed pears set in yellow gold. Carnelian falls under the chalcedony (kăl-sĕd'n-ē) species which is related to quartz. Varieties of chalcedony are usually differentiated by color; multi-color banded chalcedony are usually labeled as agate, black and white banded ones are called onyx and orange ones are called carnelian. And here are some exceptional ones with vivid color, waxy texture and translucency.
Here's a suite of rose cut amethysts, intense pink tourmalines, pyrope garnets and diamonds set in yellow gold. A great combination of interesting shapes, subtle brilliance and deep hues.
This was a project based fundamentally on color. I was tasked to create these based on purples, pinks and dark reds and was able to source these interesting free-form rose cut stones for it. Rose cuts were primarily developed for diamonds in the 1500's and were considered cutting edge at that time as it proved to give a more brilliant stone compared to older style cuts. From the top they resembled rose buds, hence the name. The brilliant cut (which had more fire and sparkle) was developed some time in the 1700's and paved the way for the modern round brilliant stones we're familiar with today. Whereas brilliant stones do create some sharp sparkle, sometimes its great to see some stones with soft, broad flashes too.
Aum Jewels now carries Vabene Watches in store. Vabene is an Italian fashion brand that churns out all these great looking watches.
Chronograph series. Polycarbonate, mineral glass and plated stainless steel.
I personally love the Adesso line. Basically because its a huge watch. But also because its automatic. Comes with a sleek, black silicon strap.
The Mondo Piranha series I also like. Giant bezel (at over 40mm), nice heft and a sporty black rubber strap.
Here's the Malibu series in white and gold. Nice and clean. 40mm bezel as well.
Forbidden Fruit series. A little quirky, yes. I guess some people can get away with wearing this. Pink polycarbonate.
Here's more about the brand:
"VABENE has a solid foundation behind its fashion facade. VABENE is founded by Grimoldi family, a family with profound knowledge in high end watch making and traditional Italian jewellery craftsmanship. The design of VABENE is original Italian style, with innovative ideas and originality, focus always on the sharpest fashion and art edge. VABENE is the creative pioneer of design and styling for watches.
VABENE is unique. The philosophy of the brand is to embrace the fun side of life: love for fashion, passion for art, compassion for environment, and concerns for global issues all fuse into a watch project. VABENE is run like a prêt-a-porter brand that creativity and new creations flow out every season to inspire the curiosity of its brand fans.
VABENE is AFFORDABLE LUXURY and as the brand name indicates: VABENE represents the Italian way of living - a fun lifestyle incorporating fashion, art, love, and good sense for everything that is going around us."
See more watches in store at Aum Jewels now!
or check out www.Vabene.it for more 2009 models.
KC Concepcion wears an Orbita necklace in this May-June 2009 issue of Look Magazine.
Here's another modern-organic piece. A bangle commissioned as a flexible work-time to party-time accessory. Multi-colored tourmalines recessed in oxidized and texturized sterling silver. The concept's quite simple, really; embed a fistful of gems in a chunk of precious metal. The final piece actually came out with a little bit more refinement... and a whole lot of sensuality.
Peridot studs with detachable blue topaz, seed pearl and diamond drops. Just one of the few handpicked items (by Mrs. T, nonetheless) now availabe at Accessory Lab at The Powerplant Mall in Rockwell.
I love this portrait. You can click the pictures to enlarge.
Thanks to Rorie Carlos.
Conventional wisdom states that white, or colorless diamonds, are best. But there are exceptions; and they are known as fancy colored diamonds. Technically any other color than clear or white, and its range of yellowish or brownish tints are labeled "fancy" colors. Thanks to J.Lo's huge pink engagement ring Et al... we probably have an idea what colored colored diamonds are. But how would one know what they actually look like? The colors will definitely be unmistakable. The combination of the vivid hues and the characteristic sharp brilliance of the diamonds make it truly stunning to look at.
Shown here are rings and drop earrings in vivid yellow, light pink and E-F colored diamonds (over 12 carats in total) in tri-color gold setting. So nice that the ring didn't quite make it to the store display. Oh lucky you.
That was one of the requirements during the design process of this ring: something one can wear everyday. Simple but not simplistic. Diamonds but not over the top. I think we just got on the same page the very first minute we discussed it and I came back with a sketch shortly after.
I was the one excited to actually make this ring as it sort of brought back the architectural feel of my first collection (more details about this soon!).The end result turned out great; diamonds across fingers, strong, clean and modern but still feminine.
