Sparkling Mode

Our love is for enternity

2012-02-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Pave diamond eternity ring from Blue Nile, $1,220.

Five years ago, my boyfriend for four years proposed to me. Instead of giving me an engagement ring, he gave me an eternity ring that matches his. The relationship was blissful, it was not perfect, but, I can say that it felt complete so I said yes for a lifelong commitment with him.

On May 27, we will celebrate our 5th year of engagement and our 9th year of being together.

Mrs. Jumbo

2012-01-30T05:35:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Meyer elephant necklace, $7,550 at Net-A-Porter. It is made of 14k gold with 0.90ct diamonds.

One of my son's favorite Disney movies is Dumbo, it happens to be mine, too. I just love the values the story teaches us--friendship, love, acceptance, perseverance, and confidence among others. I especially love Mrs. Jumbo's unconditional love for her son, primarily because I am a mother, too. The part of the movie that brought me to tears was when Mrs. Jumbo sang Dumbo a lullaby. I can feel a mother's love overflowing at that moment.

So, whenever I see an elephant, real or otherwise, like this Jennifer Meyer necklace, it reminds me how great a mother's love can be.

Do you believe in angels?

2012-01-28T03:49:00.000-08:00

Rachel Roy winged stretch ring, $38 at Macy's.

My mom always tell me, "You don't need to grow wings to be an angel. Just live with love, kindness, humility, and forgiveness and people will realize that an angel is among them."

Want to buy the world's largest emerald?

2012-01-20T06:43:00.000-08:00

Photo from shine.yahoo.com.

This gigantic emerald of 57,000 carats--the world's largest--will be auctioned on January 28 by Western Star Auctions in British Columbia, Canada. It weighs 11.5 kilograms and around 12 inches long. It is currently valued to $1.15 million (pretty expensive for a rough cut emerald).

The football-sized 'Teodora' (God's gift in translation) emerald was discovered in Brazil.

Tribal Inspired Necklaces

2012-01-14T02:53:00.000-08:00

My sister was so generous to buy me three tribal inspired necklaces. She knows my weakness. And she didn't have to spend a fortune to please me. She bought these necklaces from a thrift store in Manila.

This necklace and bracelet set is a Christmas gift from a former boss. She loves me so much that even after two years of not working for her, she never fails to give me gifts during special occasions.

Tribal Inspired Necklaces by joannalyne featuring hippie jewelry

Spring/Summer Necklaces

2012-01-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

Photo from here.

It will be summer here in less than two months. I am excited like a child! Summer is the season of colors... the brightest and boldest ones. It is the time for accessories fanatics to go overload and be forgiven. Why don't you get your accessories box and see if your bright necklaces are still bright, otherwise, check-out my picks for you.

Hewn Cosmos necklace at Anthropologie, $398.

Petanque necklace at Anthropologie, $68.

Nest floral pendant necklace, $375 at Neiman Marcus.

Jose & Maria Barrera hammered disc necklace, $665 at Neiman Marcus.

Monique Pean Peruvian opal with diamonds, $15,820 at Barneys.

Rosantica 'Raissa' 24 karat gold dipped lapis lazuli necklace, $800 at Net-A-Porter.

Mystic Light Hand of Miriam turquoise necklace

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Mystic Light Hand of Miriam turquoise necklace, $1122 at Max & Chloe.

My grandmother used to work in Egypt and every time she comes home for a vacation, she always brought with her trinkets from the country. Her trinkets made me more interested in reading about the ancient Egyptian culture. I remember the model sized pyramids of Giza, sphinx, and famous pharaohs were proudly displayed in the living room. She even bought jewelries with Egyptian character designs like this Hamsa turquoise necklace.

Erickson Beamon 'Sophisticated Lady' necklace

2011-12-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

Erickson Beamon 'Sophisticated Lady' necklace, $4929 at Luisa Via Roma.

If you have this necklace, all you need is a plain sleeveless or tube dress in any color to make a statement. This necklace will surely grab the attention of anyone. It is made of metal chains, crystal and resin pendants and fabric inserts.

There is no question if you want to make a statement. The real question is, would you be willing to spend that much on a non-precious accessory?

I'm blue

2011-12-27T03:25:00.000-08:00

Faceted lapis and peridot earrings, $395 at Charm & Chain.

Although I had a 'me' time today, there's still something in me that is unhappy. It makes me want to sing this:

I'm so sad, I'm feeling blue

I don't know what I should do

This just hasn't been my day

I just wish someone would care

Anyone from anywhere

And chase my blues away

And speaking of blue, I don't think that even this lapis and peridot earrings will help put a smile on my face... the more I look at it, the more I could imagine the lapis as teardrops rolling down my cheeks.

Colorful Cocktail Rings

2011-12-26T03:42:00.000-08:00

I just had a wonderful shopping day. I was able to buy shoes and these colorful cat's eye cocktail rings at less than $2 for a set of five!

Here are some similar rings that I am sure you will fancy:

Ice 19 2/3 carat green chalcedony and marcasite sterling silver ring, $85.

David Yurman small diamond accented turquoise ring, $1,950 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Larkspur & Hawk 'Annabel' oxidized sterling silver topaz ring, $1,150 at Net-A-Porter.

Stephen Dweck Mother-Of-Pearl ring, $210 at Last Call by Neiman Marcus.

Andara pink Mother-Of-Pearl ring, $100 at Endless.

Topshop round cats eye ring, $15.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

Oscar de la Renta 24k gold-plated crystal necklace, $650 at Net-A-Porter.

Merry Christmas!

I had the happiest Christmas Eve ever. I spent it with the whole family, we exchanged gifts and ate dinner that our grandmothers cooked. We were all full!

If it were to be translated to a necklace, it would be something like this Oscar de la Renta crystal necklace. Colorful.

Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry Auction Pieces

2011-12-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

La Peregrina pearl necklace was sold for $11.8 million. The pearl was discovered in the Gulf of Panama in 1500s. Originally from the crown jewels of Spain, it was bought by Richard Burton (Elizabeth's then husband) in 1969 for $37,000 in an auction. She later commissioned Cartier to design the necklace to which the pearl was mounted.

Reine Marguerite necklace and earrings set by Van Cleef & Arpels was sold for $746,500. It is made of diamonds of various colors and chrysoprase. Elizabeth wore them during the 1993 Academy Awards where she received a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The Krupp diamond ring was sold for $8.8 million. The 33.19 carat diamond from Richard Burton was Elizabeth's favorite.

The Burton wedding bands with an estimated value of $6,000 to $8,000 was from Richard Burton. He gave these to Elizabeth in 1964 for their wedding in Montreal and in 1975 for their wedding ceremony in Botswana.

The Mike Todd tiara that sold for $4.2 million was from Elizabeth's third husband, Mike Todd. She wore it to the 1957 Oscars.

Christmas themed brooches and pins

2011-12-11T06:45:00.001-08:00

Judith Jack holiday gift pin, $195 at Nordstrom. This is made of sterling silver with marcasite pave and colored enamel.

Alexis Bittar signed Christmas tree pin, $255 at Nordstrom. This is made of 18k gold plated base metal, lucite and Swarovski crystals. It has the sign of the designer at the back.

Carolee crystal bow pin, $65 at Endless. This is made of clear pave crystal with red enamel edges and three cluster pearls.

Swarovski 'Petra' brooch, $95. This rhodium plated brooch is made of Swarovski crystals in different shapes and sizes. This is currently not available online.

Merry & Bright snowflake pin, $25 at Dillard's.

Merry & Bright Christmas tree pin, $25. Buy any two Merry & Bright items priced at $25 each and you'll only pay $40. That's $10 savings for you.

Tacori Fine Jewelry Collections

2011-12-11T06:38:00.001-08:00

I find it more appropriate (and easier) to show you Tacori's banner for each collection than to show you everything that I like because I like everything! Click here to check out all the fine jewelries that made me wish I have all the money in the world.

Emily Armenta oval scroll ring with labradorite

2011-12-11T05:42:00.001-08:00

Emily Armenta oval scroll ring with labradorite, $3,980 at Ylang 23.

This ancient looking ring is made of 18k gold with oxidized sterling silver mounted with black diamonds. The labradorite with a faceted quartz is surrounded by white diamonds. The sides of the ring has tourmaline and diamonds.

Anthropologie Gilt Coil Danglers

2011-12-05T04:17:00.001-08:00

Anthropologie gilt coil danglers, $48.

I gotta have these! I fell in love with it the first time I saw it on Anthropologie's banner for accessories. It gorgeously dangled on the model's ears and brushes on her neck.

These will be a great accessory this yuletide season. It is made of 18k antique gold plated metal.

Yellow Turquoise Necklace by Eddie Borgo

2011-11-26T03:36:00.000-08:00

Eddie Borgo silver plated turquoise and hematite necklace, $750 at Net-A-Porter.

Remember the Eddie Borgo silver plated turquoise cone bracelet? Well, it has a matching necklace. Wearing either of the two or both will give you an exotic and tribal feel on your ensemble.

Kenneth Jay Lane caterpillar brooch

2011-11-22T23:47:00.001-08:00

Kenneth Jay Lane caterpillar brooch, $105 at Net-A-Porter.

This is the cutest caterpillar ever! This Kenneth Jay Lane caterpillar brooch is made of 22 karat gold plated metal with different colored enamel.

Tanks by Marni
Sandals by KORS

Eddie Borgo silver plated turquoise cone bracelet

2011-11-22T23:19:00.001-08:00

Eddie Borgo silver plated turquoise cone bracelet, $815 at Net-A-Porter.

I always thought turquoise is bluish-green in color. I guess the "it is not always what it seems" applies to the semi-precious stone. This Eddie Borgo bracelet is indeed a surprise. It is made of turquoise cones of color yellow mounted on silver plated metal.

Skinny Denim by J Brand
Boots by Gucci

Rosita Bonita 'Pyramid' necklace

2011-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Rosita Bonita 'Pyramid' necklace, $60 at Farfetch.

I just finished reading Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and it sparked my interest in conspiracy theories. I know you have heard of the half-century "dead" group Illuminati and its relation to Masonry--the group that is still active today. The book mentioned that Winston Churchill is a member of the two groups and it is very evident in the one dollar bill... it simply contained the groups' symbols like on Rosita Bonita's necklace--pyramid and the eye.

Solange Azagury-Partridge 'Ballcrusher' earrings

2011-11-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

Solange Azagury-Partridge 'Ballcrusher' earrings, $12800 at Net-A-Porter.

My son loves heavy equipment toys... from backhoes to cement mixers... he's got everything in his toy chest. He sometimes pretend to be an engineer or a builder like Bob. When I saw these 'Ballcrusher' earrings, I immediately thought of his fondness to construction machines and it made me realize he doesn't have a ballcrusher yet. He has not yet seen how a ballcrusher works and I think he'll go nuts when he sees one.

These earrings are made of 18k gold with yellow sapphire and pearls as "balls" anchored by enamel coated "claws".

Cocktail Dresses by Valentino
Platforms by Versace

Phillips Frankel 'Metamorphosis' earrings

2011-10-29T04:09:00.000-07:00

Phillips Frankel 'Metamorphosis' earrings, $8300 at Endless.

These unique looking earrings by Phillips Frankel are made of faceted leopard jasper in yellow gold with pave champagne diamond frame. It belongs to the 'Metamorphosis' collection that consists of unique stone combinations.

When I first saw these earrings, I thought, dinosaur eggs and snow leopard. These are cute and will definitely leave your posse envy.

Aurora Lopez Mejia 'Happiness' gold ring with diamond

2011-10-22T06:12:00.000-07:00

Aurora Lopez Mejia 'Happiness' ring, $8190 at Net-A-Porter.

If this ring will not bring you happiness, it is a fake. This expensive ring is made of 18k gold with engraved 'HAPPINESS' adorned with diamonds. This ring also has the words 'Infinite', 'Love', 'Spirit', and 'Courage' engraved on the other side.

Lanvin large Swarovski crystal hinged bib necklace

2011-10-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

Lanvin hinged bib necklace, $2,200 at Net-A-Porter.

This is one of the most unique necklaces I have seen this season and although I am not a necklace person, this Lanvin necklace deserves a thumbs up. It is made of geometric cut gold tone brass with hinged sections adorned with Swarovski crystals.

Cocktail Dresses by Plein Sud Jeanius
Sandals by Lanvin

More statement rings to let your finger do the talking

2011-10-09T04:14:00.000-07:00

I have already featured quite a number of statement rings in this blog and I bet you still could not get enough of them. Well, to last you a week (if that's too long enough), here are more statement rings that will let your finger do the talking.

Rings by Ettika
Rings at farfetch.com

Click on the individual rings to buy. My favorite is Happiness.