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Birthstone Jewels (You'll Actually Love!)
Astrology is meaningful to a lot of people...but coming across an on-trend piece of Birthstone jewelry has been, in past, quite tough. Luckily, there are plenty of ideas out there now to choose from!
Birthstone Jewelry | Jewelry Blog | Cool Birthstone Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry
For those of you who reach for the cosmic...you can now make it a keepsake.
 
Here are 12 jewels by month that you will *actually* want to wear, I promise!
**
January: Garnet
Modern Garnet Bar Earrings | Laura James Jewelry
February: Amethyst
Amethyst Birthstone Jewelry | Astrology Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry Blog
March: Tourmaline
Tourmaline Necklaces | Birthstone Jewelry | March Birthstone |Astrology Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry | Jewelry Blog
April: Diamond
Catbird Rosecut Diamond Stack Ring $438
Catbird Rose Cut Diamond Ring | Birthstone Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry Blog
May: Emerald
Emerald Studs by Embers $68
Artisan Emerald Stud Earrings | Laura James Jewelry Blog | Birthstone Jewelry | Emerald Earrings
June: Pearl
Modern Pearl Earrings | Gold Pearl Dangles | Birthstone Jewelry Pearl | Pearl Girl | Laura James Jewelry
July: Ruby
Jaipur Ruby Bracelet $675
Ruby Birthstone Jewelry | Ruby Bracelet | Laura James Jewelry Blog
August: Peridot
Vermeil Peridot Ring by ToOriginal $38
Birthstone Peridot Ring | Laura James Jewelry Blog | Peridot Birthstone
September: Sapphire
Sapphire Charm Ring by Sachi $273
Sapphire Birthstone Ring | Sapphire Stack Ring | Laura James Jewelry Blog | Birthstone Jewelry
October: Opal
Opal Stud Earrings by A Sweet Pear $330
Opal Stud Earrings | Birthstone Opal Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry Blog
November: Citrine
Pearl Citrine Drop Earrings | Citrine Birthstone Jewelry | November Birthstone Jewelry | Laura James Jewelry
December: Turquoise
Turquoise Vermeil Diamond Studs by LA Kaiser $85
Turquoise Stud Earrings | Laura James Jewelry Blog | Turquoise Birthstone | December Birthstone
These aren't your average Birthstone Jewelry options, right?! So many pretties to choose from. Enjoy...and love that you can wear your birthstone with excitement :).
xox-Laura
photos by artists listed
A Jewelry Collector's Story

Gemstone Collection

As far back as I can remember, I collected jewelry.

It all began with my Father, giving jewelry to my Mother and me to mark occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. He always picked out interesting pieces  on his own- one of my favorites being a band of square channel set rubies for a birthday. I was used to seeing bands with round diamonds, so I especially loved that this was different. I think that began my quest for collecting jewelry.

I was lucky that we travelled as a family when Summertime came, and I began to seek out unique jewelry every new place we went. The thrill of the hunt for designs that I'd never seen before was always at the forefront of my brain, no matter where we went. I loved when I could take home something that was different and marked the occasion or place that we'd been. Everytime I wore it, I was instantly transported back to the place where I had found it, and got to relive the experience of where we had been. 

Years later, and I still love to collect jewelry. It's absolutely the very first thing that I think about when a Birthday arises... but these days I seem to settle for more practical necessities. Not to mention, my life is becoming more streamlined and clutter-free...so if I am going to buy something, it's got to be pretty special. And who has time anymore for that kind of search?! Maybe one day soon I'll devote an ENTIRE AFTERNOON to searching solely for a new sparkler to add to my collection. That would be amazing. I mean, the odds that I would be able to just focus on that are... slim to none. Just too many other online distractions to click on to lead me astray -like my four year old needs new cowgirl boots...but maybe one day it'll happen. I sure do love the hunt!
xox-Laura

 

The Choker Necklace Trend

Love it or hate it, since 2018 the Choker Necklace trend was back with a vengeance... with some unique twists:

2018 Jewelry Trends and the Choker | Laura James Jewelry Blog

Lots of ideas there (we also love these delicate alternatives):

Choker Jewelry Trend | Laura James Jewelry | Jewelry Blog

The Gold Choker is Back! | Jewelry Trends 2018 on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

What's your preference? Not ready to take the dive, yet? Enjoy :)

Laura

 

photos via pinterest

"Extra Special" is The Jewelry Trend

Jade Jagger Carved Sapphire Ring

Year after year we swing back and forth from "SILVER is the new Gold!" or "Delicate Jewelry is IN for Spring!" however, this trend is the one I am most excited about. In fact, to me, it's not a trend at all. It's just finally gained more momentum because Art Jewelry is now more available and important than ever before.

Art translates in a very different way from a Trend...it's personal. Like a painting that grabs you the moment you see it, that's is what we're talking about- that "Extra Special" jewelry trend. 

It's Attachment. Jewelry that speaks to you when you see it. Moves you. Maybe it's a sentimental piece, maybe it was made by someone that you know...or maybe it's a reason you can't even explain.

Here are a few examples of jewelry that speaks to me:

Carved Gemstone Rings by Jade Jagger

Jade Jagger Carved Emerald Ring

 

Enamel Earrings

Turquoise Enamel Diamond Earrings Teardrop on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

 

A Vintage French Buckle Ring

French Diamond Gold Buckle Ring on the Laura James Jewelry blog

Monica Sordo Stone Choker

Art Jewelry by Monica Sordo Agate Choker Necklace on the Laura James Jewelry Blog

Gold Gryphon Cuff Bracelet by Sopho Gongliashvili

Gryphon Gold Cuff Bracelet by Sopho Gongliashvili on the Laura James Jewelry BlogSopho Gongliashvili Gryphon Bracelet

 

 

And there ya have it...a few of the many Extra Special pieces of jewelry out there that inspire me. That I would love to have...That I will keep on my running Wish List!

How about you? What are some pieces of jewelry that move you?

xox-

Laura

 

2016 Jewelry Trends from Cannes!
Jewelry Trends at Cannes from the Laura James Jewelry Blog

Who else is a fanatic for Independent films? I'll take their artistic, raw beauty over big-budget movies, any day! I am equally psyched when the‪ #‎Cannes‬ Film Fest rolls around each year, and that's exactly what started this past week in France. Here are a few deets (and looks!) from the Festival so far...

Let me tell ya, (trend alert!) long dangle Earrings absolutely ruled the Red Carpet so far. It was hard to find photos of anything but, however, here is a good little mix from the Festival...

#‎JessicaChastain‬ looks incredible in this yellow number, and her diamond choker collar necklace (in the palm design that Cannes is famous for) isn't too shabby, either!

‪#‎BlakeLively‬ was swirling ALL over the carpet in a Cinderella-esque dress by Vivienne Westwood, but these diamond dangles are what stole the show not to mention her bump... PS: she's pregnant again!

‪#‎AmalClooney‬ had on the most fabulous Cartier Coral dangles...
and I absolutely loved the sublime ‪#‎JulietBinoche‬ in this edgier look, topped off with a cool sapphire pendant necklace.

That's a wrap for now, and I hope you enjoyed this recap of my fave looks so far in Jewelry from the 2016 Cannes Film Festival awards!

xox-Laura James

‪#‎jewelrytrends‬ #cannes2016