Fool’s Gold

I have to admit, that I’ve never been a fan of marcasite and would never imagine myself wearing it. I’ve always seen lots of it at flea markets and on rotating displays at street fairs. To me the faux vintage look always seemed like the domain of grandmothers and business women in sweater sets. Definitely, NOT something I would wear, that is until recently.

A friend of mine inherited the responsibility of cleaning out her aunt’s house. There was a ton of jewelry in it and there we’re only a handful of pieces that her aunt actually wanted. So as payment for helping her sort through all of it, she let me choose whatever I wanted.

In the piles and piles of jewelry her aunt had accumulated over 30 plus years, I found a fantastic vintage marcasite necklace. I didn’t think I would ever wear it, but I couldn’t resist having it! Most marcasite jewelry you see is usually intricate, antique style designs set with faceted pyrite stones. Pyrite is an opaque stone with a brassy yellow color and a metallic sheen. During the California gold rush, a lot of miners mistaken thought they found gold, when it was actually pyrite. This is why the stone is often referred to as fool’s gold.

So, I’ve found myself wearing it a lot. I’ve been layering it up with long beaded chains and it actually looks really cool and rock n’ roll. Of course you have to wear it with the right thing too.  Think black tank, skull t shirt, nothing serious or we’re back to miss sweater set.

Next time you’re rummaging around a flea market or your grandmother’s jewelry box, keep your eyes peeled for a cool marcasite piece.

Have a minute? Take a look at my website, featuring two new pieces! And stay tuned for some exciting news!!!

www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com

www.twitter.com/fromtheashes13

And don’t forget to “LIKE” me on Facebook –

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2013 Grammys and the Name Game

 Well, there was a definite Pinky ring moment happening on the 2013 Grammy red carpet. That’s right, pinky rings (Woo hoo!! Now I can wear mine again!). Now, before you raid your Grandfather’s top drawer, I’m not talking about Sopranos style, mobster, horse shoe, race tracky, pinky rings. I’m talking cool rock star style and among the stars rockin’ some bling on their littlest finger tonight were Jennifer Lopez, wearing a chunky diamond eternity band from Norman SIlverman along with a large, shiny rose gold cuff bracelet and ring, Florence Welch wearing an interesting snake ring, and Faith Hill showing off a GIANT, emerald cut, diamond solitaire.

    I have a bone to pick with Carrie Underwood tonight. Carrie, when a jeweler lends you a 381 carat diamond necklace (Johnathon Arndt), it’s not because they actually like you or think you’re cute, it’s free advertising for them (Johnathon Arndt). That’s right, you’re a walking, talking PR moment for the lender (Johnathon Arndt). So, when a jeweler (Johnathon Arndt) lends you a piece to wear, as a favor to them (Johnathon Arndt) try to remember their name (Johnathon Arndt) and give them a much deserved shout out (Johnathon Arndt)! Just saying. Oh, and correct pronunciation of a jewelers’s  name is always good too (Kat Dennings). Who the hell is David Lurman??? It’s Y-U-R-M-A-N.

 Miranda Lambert was wearing a really interesting suite of jewelry tonight. Not sure who it’s from unfortunately , but she had on a fantastic sunburst style earring with a large oval drusy surrounded by what looked like black opals and maybe quartz or diamonds (?) and two layered blackened cuff bracelets also set with large oval drusys.

.  I have to say that I have never been a fan of Pharrell Williams, I actually find his music extremely annoying. Then again, as a classic rock girl I find most contemporary music extremely annoying. But, after Pharrell’s shout out to Serena (a little girl with terminal cancer, who is designing “Hope” bracelets in conjunction with Lorraine Schwartz) I might have to try listening to his music again. Very cool.

  Kelly Rowland looked amazing in a sexy black dress and gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz jewels. She was sparkling in a Deco style onyx, diamond and emerald earring and two ginormous emerald rings, one a cushion cut surrounded by multiple shaped diamonds and the other a three stone chunky emerald dazzler. The bright green color really popped against her skin tone and her dress. Green should be her new go to color! And I might have to cut bangs after seeing hers!

Oh, and I have to say I absolutely love the E! red carpet Mani Cam, for the great close ups of rings and bracelets!!

As always, don’t forget to check out my website – www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com and show me some love on facebook – www.facebook.com/fromtheashesvintagejewels

 

New Addition

This is the newest piece from my collection. The Basilica Chain necklace. As a kid I was always fascinated with Rosary beads. The jewel toned faceted crystals, the filigree beads, the ornate crucifixes. I don’t know, I was a weird little kid.

Every year around the holidays I would visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with my family. They had the most amazing collection of rosary beads . I had no idea what they were for (I still don’t really have a handle on it) but, I loved them and wanted them all!

In was inspired by the classic look of rosary beads, but wanted a more modern, wearable edge. So, to create this one of a kind necklace I incorporated a vintage crucifix and vintage chunky, textured chain. There are austrian crystals and cultured pearls dangling from the piece.

At a long 32″ the chain is very versatile and can be worn a ton of different ways. You can just throw it on over a t-shirt, alone or layered up with other pieces. It can be wrapped around your neck twice as a choker, or multiple times around the wrist for a layered bracelet. You can also wear the crucifix hanging in the front, or on the side with the decorative toggle clasp showing, for a cool I- just -roll -out- of -bed- looking- this- good- everyday -kind of style!

I’ll have this on my website tomorrow, if you’d like a closer look and to get all the details.

Check me out – www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com and www.facebook.com/fromtheashesvintagejewels

 

The Jewelry 80/20 Rule

If you’re anything like me you’re probably thinking, ewwww, percentages? math?  In jewelry?

Well, sort of. You may have heard this before – Women usually wear 20% of their jewelry 80% of the time and 80% of their jewelry 20% of the time.

I was reminded of this last night when I was getting ready to go out & was looking for a pair of earrings. I pulled a few things out, tried them on and was determined not to revert to the old standby, my diamond studs. Hoops, chandeliers, dangles, what kind of mood was I in? Studs… again. It’s just nice when you don’t have to think and you have pieces that go with everything and just make your life easy. I love easy and I loooove not having to think, which would probably explain why I watch so much reality tv!

Back to the 80/20 rule, there’s a lot of truth to that. There are so many things I just “had to have” and…I hardly ever wear them, maybe 20% of the time?  I’m sure you must have these pieces too. Maybe yours is a necklace that’s way to dressy & impractical to actually wear, a giant pair of shoulder duster earrings you splurged on that drag your ears down to your shoulders, a cocktail ring that stands an inch off your hand and threatens to take out a few eyes every time you wear it, or some other ridiculous piece. Sometimes it’s just enough to know you have something, just incase you want to wear it. (Wow, I don’t sound like I have a jewelry hoarding  buying problem!) In the meantime, you can just wear the other 20%.

So, what’s your 20%? Take the poll (below)! And don’t forget to check out my website –

www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com & my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/fromtheashesvintagejewels & “LIKE” it when you’re there! I’ll be adding new pieces to the website soon!! Please feel free to contact me with any questions at info@fromtheashesvintagejewels.com

 

Keep It Simple Boys

Jewelry, chocolate, perfume, yoga mat…YOGA MAT??? That’s right, one year I received a yoga mat for Valentines Day. That same boyfriend later gave me a pillow, salad chopping kitchen shears (yeh, think it was an “as seen on tv” thing), a computer and a heart rate monitor for other holidays. I know, you’re probably wondering why I stuck around after the yoga mat, I guess I was hopeful.

His reasoning behind all of these super romantic, oh- so- sentimental gifts was that since I was a Gemologist and worked in the jewelry business he couldn’t possibly buy me any jewelry! WHAT??? That’s insane!!! Yeh, why would you give the girl who’s crazy about jewelry, spends all day around it, eat, sleeps and dreams about it, any jewelry???

Just keep it simple boys. Don’t over think the gift giving, and don’t try to be too original. Stick to the classics, and jewelry is a classic for a reason, WE ALL LOVE IT!!!! The big jewelry companies have already done the work for you, now you just have to fork over some cash.

Diamonds studs are always a great choice, but incase you aren’t sure if she has her ears pierced, you can never go wrong with a pendant or necklace. Bracelets and rings can get tricky too if you aren’t sure about the size she wears. But,feel confident knowing that as long as it’s sparkly and comes in a velvet box you can’t screw up too bad!

Happy shopping, Valentines Day is only two weeks away!

Don’t forget to check out my website – www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com

 

Simply Charming

I was on my way to meet a friend at the Nom Wah Tea Parlor (www.nomwah.com) in Chinatown today, when something caught my eye.

In the window of Lost Wax Studio (www.lostwaxstudio.com) on Elizabeth street, I spotted a 1980’s plastic charm necklace. We all had one, plastic link chain with chunky, colorful charms. I picked it up, threw it on and couldn’t stop laughing…until I looked at the tag that is. The description read as follows “Vintage 1980’s charm necklace”.

VINTAGE, really? But, how can that be, I owned one!!! It was like the first time I heard an Alice in Chains song on the “classic” alternative station! Does this mean I’m vintage too? This is a topic for another blog, or not.

Anyway, back to the necklace. Hot pink, turquoise, yellow, animals, shoes, telephones, lipstick, you name it I probably had it, all with bells, lots of googly eyes and big plastic clips. My collection outgrew the original necklace and I had to expand to another one. Then, when I’d link the two together it just about came down to my waist. That was status in the sixth grade!

I’d spend so much time rearranging them, color coordinating them, making sure they we’re perfectly spaced, I was always obsessed with my jewelry!

Hopefully you’re obsessed too – check out my website, it’s up and running, if you haven’t heard – www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com and “LIKE” my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/fromtheashesvintagejewels and happy shopping!!!!

 

Ship Ahoy

Woo hoo!! The website is officially up & running as of today!!!!   Take a peek – www.fromtheashesvintagejewels.com

I built it myself. That’s right, rolled up my sleeves, put on the ol’ tool belt, hooked up my caffeine iv. Didn’t know I had it in me. Sure, I used an “easy” do – it – yourself website builder, but I’m a tech reject. Nothing is easy, and if you’ve ever attempted to use one of those things, you know what I mean. I’m a paper and pen kind of girl, I’ll take a notebook over the computer any day!!

So far, there are three categories – Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings. I’m working on some rings and I’ll be adding new pieces weekly. I can also do custom pieces, and customize a lot of the pieces that are already on the website. So, drop me a line if you have any questions or ideas –  Angela info@fromtheashesvintagejewels.com .

The pieces I create are heavily influenced by the jewelry of the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Nouveau periods, along with a rock n’ roll edge and tongue in cheek sensibility. Also inspired by the religious art and architecture of Europe I’ve experienced on my travels, I appreciate the beauty of religious icons.

I try to interpret my many influences in a casual, wearable way, to easily integrate my pieces with your unique style. The one of a kind jewels I create incorporate bits and pieces of vintage jewelry and findings. I believe in taking broken, discarded things from the ashes and giving them a new life. Reuse, recycle, repurpose.

From the Ashes Vintage Jewels Creating Modern Heirlooms With Edge – Antique and Vintage Inspired One of a Kind Creations

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