Laura James Jewelry Blog

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The Oscars: Red Carpet Rundown!
by Lil Springer for Laura James Jewelry

The jewels on Oscar’s 2010 Red Carpet certainly shined just as bright as the smiling faces of the winners of the night. Designs chosen for Hollywood’s most important night were on trend from Statement and Stud Earrings, enormous Cocktail Rings and Statement Necklaces to multiple stacked and bejeweled Cuff Bracelets. In keeping with the spirit of the Oscars it’s only fair to share my picks for the most Oscar worthy jewels of the evening...

• In the Earring Category we saw many diamond Stud Earrings; always an elegant choice as are the ever-classic Drop and Chandelier/Statement designs. My Favorite Stud Earring goes to…Fred Leighton’s 19th century diamond stud earrings worn by Sarah Jessica Parker.  Fave Drop Earring goes to...Sandra Bullocks’ (own) timeless platinum diamond Drop Earrings ...along with the Lorraine Schwartz 20-carat bronzed platinum diamond drop earrings worn by Zoe Saldana from Avatar.  Fave Chandelier/Statement Earring goes to…Van Cleef & Arpels diamond, pearl and sapphire Tassel Earrings worn by Demi Moore.
• In the Bracelet Category we saw them primarily stacked in multiples of diamond crusted Bangles and Cuffs. My award (tie) goes to Lorraine Schwartz 250-carat brown, champagne and mint diamond geometric bracelets worn by Amanda Seyfried... and of course the Stacked platinum and diamond Fred Leighton baubles worn by Sarah Jessica Parker.
• In the Ring Category we saw Cocktail Rings of every shape, size and stone. My pick for best Cocktail Ring (tie again) goes to…Lorraine Schwartz 10-carat ruby ring worn by Miley Cyrus and the Lorraine Schwartz 80-carat amethyst and diamond inlay ring worn by Zoe Saldana.
• In the Necklace Category we noticed it was either “Statement Necklace or Go Home”, a look which sometimes outshine even the brightest star on the red carpet. The Oscar for my pick of best Statement Necklace goes to…the $2.5 million yellow diamond custom-made Tiffany & Company necklace worn by Kate Winslet.

So there you have it! My picks for the most Oscar Worthy Jewels of 2010 which also sadly marks the end of the red carpet season...but don’t fret! You can always find Vintage, Unique and inspired styles like these at Laura James Jewelry Studio Boutique in Charlotte, NC or by shopping us online at  www.laurajamesjewelry.com!

 

Red Carpet Recap: GOLDEN GLOBES

by Lil Springer

  One thing’s for sure it is, still and always will be, the jewels that complete a red carpet look! Whether you are high fashion or have no fashion there was a look to suit your taste on the Golden Globe’s red carpet.
   For one, Kate Hudson certainly wowed us with haute couture from the Runway to the Red Carpet in her structured white Marchesa gown and vintage inspired Stephen Russell jewels (how amazing were those pearl fringed earrings?!) While Julia Roberts who is another red carpet staple shocked us in a relaxed short black vintage YSL dress; lets just say the beautiful Van Cleef & Arpels necklace likely saved her from landing on many peoples’ worst dressed list! The extremes between these two looks only stands to prove that it is the JEWELS that complete the look and Julia’s large pendant necklace and Kate’s beautiful pearl fringe earrings did just that.
   Therefore it is no wonder they are both Must Have items and on trend on and off the carpet. Steal these red carpet looks and many more of the latest jewelry trends by checking out the latest designs from Laura James Jewelry, at our the Laura James Studio Boutique in Charlotte, NC or visit us online at laurajamesjewelry.com.

Chain + Charm Jewelry

by Lil Springer

Like life, Fashion is a complete chain reaction…so whether you’re reacting by going the minimal route with a delicate gold charm on a chain or taking note from the sketchbooks of Coco Chanel and Gossip Girl and loading on chains of varying sizes and lengths... you will quickly find there is a version of this trend that works for all. So whether you’re living the Celebrity charmed life or spending time with the 80's chain gang... one things for sure: all good things come on gold chains this fall.

See how you will react by stopping in to check out the latest charms, chains and jewelry from Laura James Jewelry!

Store Happenings!

by Lil Springer

Our jet-setting Jewelista has been on the go for sure this month.  Laura is just back from NYC where her latest designs for Laura James Jewelry were showcased to Fashion Editors from Lucky, InStyle, W, and Glamour magazines! They could not get enough of her Vintage Pendant Necklaces and went wild over the Magenta and Chartreuse colored stones she used in her latest Vintage Stone Rings and Earrings.  We’re thrilled by their enthusiasm and warm reception to the newest designs... and even more so that several pieces were already requested for editorial inclusion in future issues. We are most excited about having these pieces NOW ON DISPLAY in the studio here in Charlotte & our website for you to shop & add to your jewelry collection... before they hit the newsstands!

Laura James Jewelry Studio Boutique--- Now Open!

by laurajamesjewelry

We are beyond thrilled to annouce the opening of the latest phase for Laura James Jewelry- the Laura James Jewelry Studio Boutique in the historic Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina!

Customers can now shop the latest Laura James Jewelry designs  (as seen on Jessica Alba, Gossip Girl, The Today Show, Lucky Magazine) in person within her new window-filled space located on the 2nd floor with sweeping views of East Boulevard and its surrounding shops and restaurants.

The merging of Laura's studio with a boutique is a concept that gives her the opportunity to meet with her customers in person while also designing for them on site. The Laura James Jewelry Studio Boutique offers a customized shopping experience where customers can have jewelry they try on in the store shortened or lengthened to their frame, brides can create unique gifts for their bridesmaids, and ideas are welcomed and encouraged for jewelry that may not currently be on display.

Current boutique hours are Wednesday thru Friday 11am - 5pm + Saturday 11am-4pm. However, if you stop by on a different day and see the lights on, please ring the bell for entry as we are in the studio creating more baubles for the store... and are happy to let you in.

1419 East Boulevard Suite K 

Boutique Hours Wed-Fri 11-5; In Studio Mon, Tue & Sat (ring bell for entry); or by appointment 704.372.1267

Cocktail Ring Craze!

By laurajamesjewelry

Jeweled Statement Earrings

So much for the Statement Necklace, this season is all about Earrings! The bigger and bolder, the better. From Blood Orange and Strawberry Pink to Lime Green, bright hues are capitalizing on the latest trend in jewelry- Big Color.

As seen on the musician celebrity Rhianna lately, the 80’s look is back with a vengeance. Sporting spiked hair, jewelry and clothes straight out of Michael Jackson’s closet, the musician is paving the way for another 80’s trend to emerge…Neon!

Stay tuned for the blinding bright hues to emerge in jewelry if you want to stay ahead of the fashionista pack. At LauraJamesJewelry.com, our latest jeweled Earrings in Vintage Lucite are offered in all bold hues, with a few Neon ones thrown in the mix.

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Jessica Alba Hearts Laura James Jewelry!

by Laura James Jewelry

Personalized jewelry is all the rage, and seeing our necklace on celebrity Jessica Alba this week was a thrill when she was given our Stamped Multi-Coin necklace for her 28th birthday over the weekend.

Our necklace features three coins  suspended on choice of gold or silver with the names or initials of loved ones that you choose. Get yours now or give one for Mother's Day at www.LauraJamesJewelry.com!

VINTAGE BEADED NECKLACES

by Laura James Jewelry  

Known for her bohemian lifestyle in Taos, Julia Roberts seems to sport many different types of round, beaded necklaces when spotted out and about. Some are dainty, some chunkier. Some semi-precious, some Vintage. This round beaded look in handcrafted jewelry is casual and effortless and is the perfect every-day statement piece and stays on the Boho jewelry trend that is currently all the rage.

At Laura James Jewelry we have recently acquired some stunning strands of vintage glass beads  from Japan in colors from white to red to yellow that we have incorporated into our latest designs. Mixing our vintage brass stampings with the glass beads gives off a mix of classic and bohemian- the quintessential  trendy look with Summer just on the horizon.