*Too much Pool time is not a great idea for your Gold*
CHLORINE can weaken 14k and 18k gold over time, so just watch the amount of time your jewels are exposed or submerged, especially if you have a prong-set ring. Why? If the prongs get weak, your stones could fall out!
It's a smart idea to have your prongs checked by your jeweler to make sure they are still strong if you have worn your jewelry in the pool for a significant amount of time in the past.
Cheers, everyone! Summer 2016 will be here before we know it!
For those who want to know what to rock from the Pool to the Party, these top three jewelry trends should keep us all on point. Check out Style360's top three "Defining trends for 2016"...
Trend No. 1: Keep it casual
With the importance of athleisure in Americans’ wardrobes, jewelry selections have become a lot more casual. Why? When you’re wearing yoga pants and a T-shirt, big diamond jewels could look a bit out of place. Consider Kate Hudson’s new line of athleisure clothing dubbed Fabletics, and last week Royersford, Pa.–based jeweler Cathy Calhoun told me that many of her clients “don’t dress up as much.” The appropriate jewelry to wear? Think stackable bands with small stones and a smaller profile, wearables such as Fitbits or a sporty watch, or even charms, cabochon-cut gemstones, and signet rings.
Trend No. 2: Boho chic
We can thank all the 1960s- and 1970s-inspired attire on fashion runways in recent years for the plethora of fringe, feathers, beads, and turquoise motifs that followed. Plus, the annual music fair Coachella (happening now), with its earthy vibe and setting in Indio, Calif., has become such a scene that many celebrities are now paid by brands to attend. Boho-chic jewelry includes silver and turquoise, feathers, and long beads or necklaces.
Trend No. 3: Chokers and collar necklaces
Thanks to recent red carpet looks and runways shows in which designers dressed models in myriad necklaces, the style has finally gotten some major attention. Jewelry designers have responded accordingly with lots of new offerings aiming to adorn the neckline—which is fun for jewelry lovers to embrace after years of big cuffs and dangling earrings.
There's nothing better than a Mood Board to record any jewelry design inspiration that comes my way! When the design inspiration hits me, it's like GOLD, so I have learned over the years to document, document, document it- otherwise, it will vanish (an a-ha moment gone in a matter of minutes...there's nothing worse!) So, after getting the thoughts and ideas down on paper, the next the best thing for me to do is to transfer it to a Mood Board.
The Mood Board reflects the colors that I want to use in my next Laura James Jewelry collection...and is in plain sight in my studio workspace. I know how important these are for my creative process and execution, and this one was especially fun to put together because the colors make me think of my most relaxing happy place...the Beach!
I can't wait to see what comes from these strands of stones...I love the juxtaposition of the sparkly pyrite with organic, vintage glass. Stay tuned!